Search

The vertex arboricity a(G) of a graph G is the minimum number of colors required to color the vertices of G such that no cycle is monochromatic. A graph G is 1-planar if it can be drawn in the plane so that each edge has at most one crossing. In this paper, we proved that every 1-planar graph without 5-cycles has minimum degree at most 5; Every 1-planar graph of girth at least 7 has minimum degree at most 3. The following conclusions can be obtained by combining the existing conclusions and our proofs: if G is a 1-planar graph without 5-cycles, then a (G) ≤ 3 ; if G is a 1-planar graph with g (G) ≥ 7 , then a (G) ≤ 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate exploration and 3D quantitative evaluation of faults in deep coal-bearing strata in complex structure areas is still significant technical challenge. This study improves the exploration accuracy by developing a set of high-precision 3D seismic exploration and interpretation technology systems to complete the accurate exploration of faults in deep coal-bearing strata. Based on high-precision 3D seismic data, the seismic attributes of 3rd coal seam are fused using the variational mode decomposition and support vector machine (VMD-SVM), and 3rd coal seam attribute fusion (SAF) effect map is generated. The fault density (Fd), fault fractal dimension (Ff), fault strength index (Fs), and fault pinch out point or intersection density (FP) are selected as the main factors of fault complexity, and the fault influence index model (FII) is constructed by using the game theory combination weighting. The 3D evaluation model of fault complexity (3D-FII) is constructed by using the regression calculation of 3D space modeling in GMS software. The core recovery rate (CRR) and 3rd coal seam SAF results verify the high accuracy and applicability of the 3D-FII model. The 3D-FII model is cut, rotated, and eliminated. Dividing the model into three zones: complex (FII ≥ 0.4), moderate (0.4 > FII ≥ 0.2), and simple (FII < 0.2) according to the complexity level of the faults, and the 3D partition display is realized. The 3D-FII model realize the quantitative evaluation of the fault complexity of coal-bearing strata from 2D to 3D, which is of great significance to the prevention of fault water disaster in complex structure area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preoperatively predicting extensive intraductal component in invasive breast cancer through imaging is crucial for informed decision-making, guiding surgical planning to mitigate risks of incomplete resection or re-operation for positive margins in breast-conserving surgery. This study aimed to characterize intra- and peri-tumor heterogeneity using high-spatial resolution ultrafast DCE-MRI to predict the extensive intraductal component in invasive breast cancer (IBC-EIC) preoperatively. A retrospective analysis included invasive breast cancer patients who underwent preoperative high-spatial resolution ultrafast DCE-MRI, categorized based on intraductal component status (IBC-EIC vs. IBC without EIC). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to balance clinicopathological covariates between the groups. Personalized kinetic intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITHkinetic) and peri-tumor heterogeneity (PTHkinetic) scores were quantified using clustered voxels with similar enhancement patterns. An image combined model, incorporating MRI features, ITHkinetic, and PTHkinetic scores, was developed and assessed. Of 368 patients, 26.4% (97/368) had IBC-EIC. PSM yielded well-matched pairs of 97 patients each. After PSM, ITHkinetic and PTHkinetic scores were significantly higher in the IBC-EIC group (ITHkinetic: 0.68 ± 0.23; PTHkinetic: 0.58 ± 0.19) compared to IBC without EIC (ITHkinetic: 0.32 ± 0.25; PTHkinetic: 0.42 ± 0.18; p < 0.001). Before PSM, ITHkinetic (0.71 ± 0.20 vs. 0.49 ± 0.28, p < 0.001) and PTHkinetic (0.61 ± 0.18 vs. 0.50 ± 0.20, p < 0.001) scores remained higher in the IBC-EIC group. The Image Combined Model demonstrated good predictive performance for IBC-EIC, with an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI 0.86–0.95) after PSM and 0.85 (95% CI 0.81–0.90) before PSM. Inclusion of ITHkinetic and PTHkinetic scores significantly improved prediction capability. ITHkinetic and PTHkinetic characterization from high-spatial resolution ultrafast DCE-MRI kinetic curves enhances preoperative prediction of IBC-EIC, offering valuable insights for personalized breast cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, computational thinking (CT) has gained importance in education systems worldwide, specifically the CT training of pre-service teachers. This study conducted a systematic literature analysis (2011–2021) of 38 works on pre-service teachers' CT based on Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The results were as follows: (1) Six training methods were found, (2) CT training effectively improved pre-service teachers' CT, (3) A positive relationship was found between pre-service teachers' CT ability and the five factors affecting the ability, (4) A mode of training to improve CT ability of pre-service teachers and the relationship between CT ability and teaching methods were considered. This study suggested ideas for designing training modules of CT ability and a reference for realizing the best training effect. Finally, future research trends and a general model of training were presented as references for researchers, instructors, and policy makers to promote the CT of pre-service teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-blind deconvolution algorithm improves the separation accuracy by introducing reference information. However, the separation performance depends largely on the construction of reference signals. To improve the robustness of the semi-blind deconvolution algorithm to the reference signals and the convergence speed, the reference-based cubic blind deconvolution algorithm is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm can be combined with the contribution evaluation to provide trustworthy guidance for suppressing satellite micro-vibration. The normalized reference-based cubic contrast function is proposed and the validity of the new contrast function is theoretically proved. By deriving the optimal step size of gradient iteration under the new contrast function, we propose an efficient adaptive step optimization method. Furthermore, the contribution evaluation method based on vector projection is presented to implement the source contribution evaluation. Numerical simulation analysis is carried out to validate the availability and superiority of this method. Further tests given by the simulated satellite experiment and satellite ground experiment also confirm the effectiveness. The signals of control moment gyroscope and flywheel were extracted, respectively, and the contribution evaluation of vibration sources to the sensitive load area was realized. This research proposes a more accurate and robust algorithm for the source separation and provides an effective tool for the quantitative identification of the mechanical vibration sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the mechanism of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) inoculation driving the humification process of maize straw composting, the treatments without P. chrysosporium inoculation (T1) and that with P. chrysosporium inoculation (T2) were carried out separately during the secondary fermentation of the co-composting of maize straw and rapeseed cake. The key microorganisms were determined by evaluating the succession of the fungal community and its relationship with humification process parameters. The results showed that P. chrysosporium inoculation (T2) reduced fungal diversity but increased the relative abundance of Coprinopsis and Talaromyces. At the end of the composting (day 36), the relative abundance of Talaromyces and Coprinopsis in T2 increased by 1223.7% and 30.2%, respectively, compared with T1. Combined CCA and SEMs analyses demonstrated the microbially driven mechanisms that enhance the humification process of composting, that is, P. chrysosporium inoculation promoted lignin continuous degradation by promoting the relative abundance of Talaromyces and Coprinopsis during the secondary fermentation of composting; meanwhile, P. Chrysosporium inoculation further intensified the biological process of humification in composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staggered-peak production (SP)—a measure to halt industrial production in the heating season—has been implemented in North China Plain to alleviate air pollution. We compared the variations of PM1 composition in Beijing during the SP period in the 2016 heating season (SPhs) with those in the normal production (NP) periods during the 2015 heating season (NPhs) and 2016 non-heating season (NPnhs) to investigate the effectiveness of SP. The PM1 mass concentration decreased from 70.0 ± 54.4 μg m−3 in NPhs to 53.0 ± 56.4 μg m−3 in SPhs, with prominent reductions in primary emissions. However, the fraction of nitrate during SPhs (20.2%) was roughly twice that during NPhs (12.7%) despite a large decrease of NOx, suggesting an efficient transformation of NOx to nitrate during the SP period. This is consistent with the increase of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA), which almost doubled from NPhs (22.5%) to SPhs (43.0%) in the total organic aerosol (OA) fraction, highlighting efficient secondary formation during SP. The PM1 loading was similar between SPhs (53.0 ± 56.4 μg m−3) and NPnhs (50.7 ± 49.4 μg m−3), indicating a smaller difference in PM pollution between heating and non-heating seasons after the implementation of the SP measure. In addition, a machine learning technique was used to decouple the impact of meteorology on air pollutants. The deweathered results were comparable with the observed results, indicating that meteorological conditions did not have a large impact on the comparison results. Our study indicates that the SP policy is effective in reducing primary emissions but promotes the formation of secondary species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts that are applicable in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial for water splitting and energy storage. In this work, a facile and scalable chemical reduction strategy is developed to synthesize FeCoNiPB non-noble metal-based amorphous high-entropy oxides for the OER in alkaline media. The FeCoNiPB oxides exhibit overpotentials of 235 and 306 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA/cm2, respectively, as well as a small Tafel slope of 53 mV/dec in 1.0 M KOH solution, outperforming the performance of FeCoPB, FeNiPB, and CoNiPB oxides and the commercial RuO2, while maintaining excellent stability with negligible overpotential amplification over 40 h. The superior OER electrocatalytic efficiency and stability of the FeCoNiPB catalyst is primarily attributed to its unique amorphous high-entropy nanostructure, synergistic effect of the multiple components, and in situ-formed amorphous sheets with a thin (FeCoNi)OOH crystalline layer on the edge during long-term OER. This work provides new insights to design and prepare low-cost, highly efficient, and durable OER electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure the total energy of solid propellants after adding combustion catalyst, using high-energy catalyst with excellent catalytic performances is an efficient way. In this work, a copper complex of 4-amino-3-(5-tetrazolate)-furazan (HAFT), as a combustion catalyst, was synthesized and its catalytic decomposition effect on fine AP and general AP was explored. The results indicate that the thermal behavior of fine AP was changed completely under the catalytic effect of Cu(NH3)4(AFT)2, the heat release of fine AP with Cu(NH3)4(AFT)2 can reach up to 2711 J g−1, and the thermal decomposition temperature of pure fine AP was lowered by 69.0 °C from 399.1 to 330.1 °C. The decomposition mechanism analyzed indicates that fine AP reacts with Cu(NH3)4(AFT)2 in decomposition process, and some intermediates with nanofiber structure were formed, which can increase the specific surface area, thus improving the adsorptive property of Cu(AFT)2(NH3)4 and accelerating the decomposition process of AP. Moreover, the residues further converted to CuCl and CuCl2 mainly. The current study is promising to develop a new kind of energetic combustion catalysts for AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies have demonstrated that endophytic fungi have the potential to produce antitumor active substances with novel structures and significant activities. In our previous studies, we isolated a Fusarium strain from the stem of the medicinal plant Nothapodytes pittosporoides (Oliv.). In this study, we identified this strain as Fusarium solani and found that its crude extract has significant antitumor activity against human alveolar adenocarcinoma cells (A549). We overexpressed the global regulatory factor VeA in F. solani (VeAOE), resulting in a significant increase in antitumor activity. The MTT assay results showed that the inhibition rate of the VeAOE mutant extract on A549 cancer cells was significantly higher than that of the WT extract, as the IC50 decreased from 369.22 to 285.89 μg/mL, and the apoptosis ratio was significantly increased by approximately 4.86-fold. In VeAOE, accumulation of alkaloids, terpenoids, carboxylic acid derivatives, phenols and flavonoid metabolites with potential antitumor activity was significantly increased compared with WT based on metabolomic analysis. Additionally, transcriptome analysis found that the expression patterns of 48 genes related to antitumor activity were significantly changed in VeAOE, mainly involving glycosyl hydrolases, the Zn(2)-Cys(6) class, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, 3-isopropylmalate dehydratase, and polyketide synthases. These results suggested that VeA mediated the antitumor activity of the metabolites in F. solani HB1-J1 by regulating multiple metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In the present study, we aim to show the results of microwave ablation (MWA) for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with long-term follow-up. Methods: From Feb 2011 to Mar 2016, patients with histologically proven clinical stage I NSCLC were treated with CT-guided MWA and retrospectively analyzed. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and complications. Results: A total of 105 patients with 105 lesions underwent MWA. The mean age was 70.7 years (range: 40–86 years), and the mean diameter of all lesions was 2.40 cm (range: 0.9–4.0 cm). Adenocarcinoma was the most common histological type (77, 73.3%), followed by squamous cell carcinomas (21, 20%) and undefined NSCLC (7, 6.7%). With a median follow-up of 54.8 months, the median DFS was 36.0 months, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 89.5%, 49.4%, and 42.7%, respectively. The median CSS and OS were 89.8 and 64.2 months, respectively. The OS rate was 99% at 1 year, 75.6% at 3 years, and 54.1% at 5 years, while the CSS rates were 99%, 78.9%, and 60.9%, respectively. Patients with stage IB lesions had significant shorter DFS (22.3 months vs. undefined, HR: 11.5, 95%CI: 5.85–22.40) and OS (37.3 vs. 89.8 months, HR: 8.64, 95% CI: 4.49–16.60) than IA disease. Conclusion: MWA is a safe, effective, and potentially curative therapy for medically inoperable stage I NSCLC patients. Key Points: • In this multicenter retrospective study which included 105 patients, we found the median overall survival (OS) was 64.2 months. The OS rate was 99% at 1 year, 75.6% at 3 years, and 54.1% at 5 years. • Procedures were technically successful and well tolerated in all patients. Most MWA complications were mild or moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a dynamic 3D radiomics analysis method using artificial intelligence technique for automatically assessing four disease stages (i.e., early, progressive, peak, and absorption stages) of COVID-19 patients on CT images.Methods: The dynamic 3D radiomics analysis method was composed of three AI algorithms (the lung segmentation, lesion segmentation, and stage-assessing AI algorithms) that were trained and tested on 313,767 CT images from 520 COVID-19 patients. This proposed method used 3D lung lesion that was segmented by the lung and lesion segmentation algorithms to extract radiomics features, and then combined with clinical metadata to assess the possible stage of COVID-19 patients using stage-assessing algorithm. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to evaluate diagnostic performance.Results: Of 520 patients, 66 patients (mean age, 57 years ± 15 [standard deviation]; 35 women), including 203 CT scans, were tested. The dynamic 3D radiomics analysis method used 30 features, including 27 radiomics features and 3 clinical features to assess the possible disease stage of COVID-19 with an accuracy of 90%. For the prediction of each stage, the AUC of stage 1 was 0.965 (95% CI: 0.934, 0.997), AUC of stage 2 was 0.958 (95% CI: 0.931, 0.984), AUC of stage 3 was 0.998 (95% CI: 0.994, 1.000), and AUC of stage 4 was 0.975 (95% CI: 0.956, 0.994).Conclusion: With high diagnostic performance, the dynamic 3D radiomics analysis using artificial intelligence could represent a potential tool for helping hospitals make appropriate resource allocations and follow-up of treatment response.Key Points: • The AI segmentation algorithms were able to accurately segment the lung and lesion of COVID-19 patients of different stages. • The dynamic 3D radiomics analysis method successfully extracted the radiomics features from the 3D lung lesion. • The stage-assessing AI algorithm combining with clinical metadata was able to assess the four stages with an accuracy of 90%, a macro-average AUC of 0.975. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Acupuncture & Tuina Science is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Gait-related symptoms like postural instability and gait disorders (PIGD) inexorably worsen with Parkinson's disease (PD) deterioration and become refractory to current available medical treatment and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of conventional targets. Pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising method to treat PIGD. This prospective study aimed to clarify the clinical application of PPN-DBS and to explore effects of caudal PPN stimulation on PIGD. Methods: Five consecutive PD patients with severe medication-resistant postural instability and gait disorders accepted caudal PPN-DBS. LEAD-DBS toolbox was used to reconstruct and visualize the electrodes based on pre- and postoperative images. Outcomes were assessed with Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), gait-specific questionnaires, and objective gait analysis with GAITRite system. Results: MDS-UPDRS subitems 35–38 scores were improved at postoperative 6 months (mean, 4.40 vs 11.00; p = 0.0006) and 12 months (mean, 5.60 vs 11.00; p = 0.0013) compared with baseline, and scores at 6 months were slightly lower than scores at 12 months (mean, 4.40 vs 5.60; p = 0.0116). Gait and Falls Questionnaire, New Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, and Falls Questionnaire scores also significantly improved at postoperative 6 months and 12 months compared with baseline. In addition, cadence, bilateral step length, and bilateral stride length significantly increased when PPN On-stimulation compared with Off-stimulation. Conclusions: This study suggested that caudal PPN low-frequency stimulation improved PIGD for PD patients at the 6- and 12-month period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Seizure originates from different pathological substrate; however, the same pathologies may have distinct mechanisms underlying seizure generation. We aimed to improve the understanding of such mechanisms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) by investigating the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) ictal onset patterns (IOPs). Methods: We analyzed data from a cohort of 19 consecutive patients explored by SEEG and had 1–3-year seizure-freedom following temporal lobe resection. Results: Six IOPs were identified. They were low voltage fast activity (LVFA) (36.5%), rhythmic spikes or spike-waves at low frequency and with high amplitude (34.1%), runs of spikes (10.6%), rhythmic sharp waves (8.2%), low frequency high amplitude repetitive spiking (LFRS) (7.1%), and delta activity (3.5%). All six patterns were found in patients with mesial temporal onset and only two patterns were found in patients with temporal neocortical onset. The most prevalent patterns for patients with mesial temporal onset were rhythmic spikes or spike-waves, followed by LVFA with a mean discharge rate 74 Hz. For patients with temporal neocortical onset, the most prevalent IOP pattern was LVFA with a mean discharge rate 35 Hz, followed by runs of spikes. Compared with Lateral TLE (LTLE), the duration between the onset of the IOPs to the onset of the symptom was longer for patients with MTLE (Mesial TLE) (MTLE:55.7 ± 50.6 s vs LTLE:19.5 ± 16.4 s). Conclusion: Multiple IOPs underlie seizure generation in patients with TLE. However, the mesial and lateral temporal lobes share distinct IOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intensity of resource scarcities and environmental problems, the disposal and recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries, especially recovery of valuable metals, becomes vital. In this work, a method of co-extracting nickel, cobalt, manganese and being separated from lithium by single-stage solvent extraction is proposed. The extraction and separation process of D2EHPA was studied. The effects of extractant concentration, saponification percentage, extraction time and O:A on the extraction efficiency of D2EHPA were systematically studied. Nearly 100% manganese, 94% cobalt and about 90% nickel were co-extracted and separated from lithium using D2EHPA in kerosene by single-stage extraction. The maximum value of separation factors (βNi/Li, βCo/Li and βMn/Li) was 13.03, 23.42 and 1904.24. The mathematical model of extraction of four ions was developed by combination of Levenberg-Marquardt method and Universal Global Optimization method. The proposed extraction model accurately fits the experimental data and helps to predict the extraction efficiency of each metal under the corresponding conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatments of brain diseases are heavily limited by the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which precludes efficient drug delivery to the brain. Compared with the BBB, drugs may have a better likelihood of reaching the brain via the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) because of the lack of a barrier between the CSF and the brain. In this study, phage display technology was effectively applied to screen novel peptides as targeting motifs to transport drugs across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). We applied a phage seven-mer cyclic peptide library (Ph.D.-C7C™) intravenously to rats and later recovered phages from the CSF. After several rounds of screening, the candidate phages that could cross the BCSFB were enriched. Several bacteriophage clones from the final round were randomly selected and sequenced. A peptide sequence denoted as PMK, which was demonstrated to be able to cross the BCSFB via in vivo optical imaging analysis, could be used in the future for the construction of targeted drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The direct visualization of brain nuclei on magnetic resonance (MR) images is important for target localization during deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We demonstrated the superiority of 3-T high-resolution submillimeter voxel size quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) for delineating the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi). Methods: Preoperative 3-T QSM and T2 weighted (T2w) images were obtained from ten patients with PD. Qualitative visualization scores were analyzed by two neurosurgeons on both images using a 4-point and 5-point scale, respectively. Images were also compared with regard to contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and edge detection power for the STN and GPi. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the signed-rank test were used to compare measurements between the two images. Results: Visualization scores for the STN and GPi, the mean CNR of the STN relative to the zona incerta (ZI) and the substantia nigra, and the mean CNR of the GPi relative to the internal capsule (IC) and the globus pallidum externum, were significantly higher on QSM images than on T2w images (P < 0.01). The edge detection powers of the STN-ZI and GPi-IC on QSM were significantly larger (by 2.6- and 3.8-fold, respectively) than those on T2w images (P < 0.01). QSM detected asymmetry of the STN in two patients. Conclusions: QSM images provided improved delineation ability for the STN and GPi when compared to T2w images. Our findings are important for patients with PD who undergo DBS surgery, particularly those with asymmetric bilateral nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grouting techniques have been extensively and effectively implemented to prevent water bursts originating from limestone aquifers in underground mining. Using widely employed grout with time-varying viscosity, promoting the effective propagation of slurry in fractures, especially fractures with narrow apertures, and improving the grouting efficiency (GE) are critical issues that remain unsolved. In this study, an experimental investigation of the fracture GE was conducted considering the dynamically changing injection pressure for viscosity--time-dependent grout using a fracture model constructed from acrylic glass. Three grouting pressure adjustment schemes (periodic-increasing pressure, constant pressure and periodic-reducing pressure) and two narrow hydraulic apertures (200 and 250 μm) were selected for testing. Each trial utilizing the fracture replica was filmed, allowing the advancing slurry to be analyzed versus the propagation distance over time. The measured penetration lengths and fracture GE were then compared with the simulation data. The measured penetration length versus time curves agreed well with the theoretical data. Moreover, the pressure adjustment mode and grout rheology significantly impacted the GE. In general, the periodic increases in pressure reduced the GE, which decreased by 4.16% and 10.19% for the slow- and rapid-growth viscosity grouts (G1 and G2), respectively. However, phase reduction of the pressure considerably enhanced the GE. Relative grouting efficiency (RGE) was increased by 3.18% and 10.08% for G1 and G2, respectively, indicating that a step-by-step reduction in the injection pressure can effectively improve the GE for the remarkable rheological grout during the grouting process. Additionally, the tests suggested that the hydraulic aperture width has an unclear effect on the GE of microfissures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burial custom of breaking mirrors was prevalent in the Xiongnu culture. But the practical ritual processes, such as whether specific bronze mirrors were deliberately selected and whether they have been heated or burnt, have not been discussed. In this paper, we provide a case study of the Hongshangou tombs in ancient’s Weixu State along the Silk Road, which may shed light on this issue. All five bronze mirrors were analyzed by OM, SEM-EDS, and MC-ICP-MS methods. The results reveal that these mirrors are the common Western Han mirrors from the Central Plains. The metallography shows that there is no sign of heating and the component analysis illustrates that the lead content is comparatively low. This situation is different from the broken mirrors buried in some noble tombs of the Xiongnu tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous functional magnetic resonance imaging study reported evidence for parallel memory traces in the hippocampus: a controlled match signal detecting matches to internally-generated goal states and an automatic mismatch signal identifying unpredicted perceptual novelty. However, the timing information in this process is unknown. In the current study, facilitated by the high spatial and temporal resolution of intracranial recording from human patients, we confirmed that the left posterior hippocampus played an important role in the goal match enhancement effect, in which combinations of object identity and location were involved. We also found that this effect happened within 520 ms to 735 ms after the probe onset, ~150 ms later than the perceptual mismatch enhancement found bilaterally in both the anterior and posterior hippocampus. More specifically, the latency of the perceptual mismatch enhancement effect of the right hippocampus was positively correlated with the performance accuracy. These results suggested that the hippocampus is crucial in working memory if features binding with location are involved in the task and the goal match enhancement effect happens after perceptual mismatch enhancement, implying the dissociation of different components of working memory at the hippocampus. Moreover, single trial decoding results suggested that the intracranial field potential response in the right hippocampus can classify the match or switch task. This is consistent with the findings that the right hippocampal activity observed during the simulation of the future events may reflect the encoding of the simulation into memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-organized criticality is being considered as a potential organization of the brain. In this study, major features of critical systems were applied to investigate the power-law distributions of human electrocorticogram (ECoG) data, with the aim of determining whether the critical regime could be applied to reveal the underling change of epileptic seizure generation. Multiple brain region ECoG signal was recorded from three epilepsy patients, including inter-ictal, pre-ictal, ictal and postictal stages. The Hurst exponent ( H) parameter from the power-law analysis was calculated based on the ECoG signal spectrum estimated using a harmonic wavelet transform-based power-law analysis method. The changes in H at normal, inter-ictal spike, ictal stages were discussed in the framework of criticality theory. The H parameter could describe the dynamics of seizure generation. When inter-ictal spike occurred, H became larger than 0.5, suggesting that the underlying system changed from non-persistent to persistent dynamics. However, when seizure occurred, the ECoG dynamics changed into a state that H cannot indicate. The power-law analysis with Hurst exponent can be used to describe the generation of epileptic seizure. This analytical method provides a new insight to the understanding of the generation mechanism of epileptic seizures in terms of criticality, which could be used to design a prediction and/or detection method for closed-loop control of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the wor king angle on pneumatic down-the-hole (DTH) hammer drilling was investigated since these hammers were developed for vertical drilling and their performances in inclined positions need to be tested. The investigation begins by establishing a calculation model with which to simulate the percussive drilling of the hammer. The model consists of two parts. The first gives the kinetic energy of the piston at impact by simulating the thermodynamic cycle of the DTH hammer, and the second simulates the percussive drilling process according to the analyses of stress-wave propagation. In the meantime, a laboratory-scale test device was made for multi-angle hammer drilling tests. This device is based on a small pneumatic DTH hammer used in deep well drilling. By analyzing the force acting on the rock during impact at different angles, the percussive drilling process is carefully examined. Theoretical predictions and experimental results appear in fairly good agreement. The hammer's working performance in inclined positions can be obtained directly using the proposed model. Furthermore, when detailed evaluation is required, the hammer can be tested using the method proposed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mold-filling process has a determining effect on the quality of castings, and it has always been a hot but difficult research topic. The authors developed a wireless monitoring system for the mold-filling process of castings based on a contact time method and an observation system based on heat-resistant high-speed cameras. By using these two systems, the filling process of a turbine guide vane casting with a stepped gating system was investigated. The filling profile of the casting was recorded, and the filling time of nine typical positions was acquired. These results show that at the beginning, the liquid steel flowed out from the top ingate, which was designed to be the last to fill. The numerical simulation of the filling of the guide vane was performed, and the outflow from the top ingate were predicted. Finally, the gating system of the casting was improved with enlarged sprue. The new design features bigger sprue to ingate ratio; therefore, it could avoid the overflow from the top ingate and realize stable filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the random matrix in the compressive and subspace compressive detectors is optimized based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO). The PSO, which belongs to swarm intelligent theory, is used for the first time to solve the optimization problem of the random projection matrix, leading to an improved version of the conventional compressive and subspace compressive detectors. Simulation results show the proposed PSO-based detectors can achieve a better detection performance and require fewer measurements than the traditional compressive detectors without using PSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites composed of cuprous oxide (CuO) and graphene were synthesized via reduction of copper(II) in ethylene glycol. This material possesses the specific features of both CuO and graphene. Its morphology was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the electrochemical response of a glass carbon electrode (GCE) modified with the nanocomposite towards dopamine (DA). Compared to the bare GCE, the CuO nanoparticles modified electrode and the graphene modified electrode, the nanocomposites modified electrode displays high electrocatalytic activity in giving an oxidation peak current that is proportional to the concentration of DA in the range from 0.1 to 10 μM,with a detection limit of 10 nM (S/ N = 3). The modified electrode shows excellent selectivity and sensitivity even in the presence of high concentration of uric acid and can be applied to determine DA in real samples with satisfactory results. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to analysis the HER2 gene status and its relationship with p21 protein expression in gastric carcinoma. Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques were used to detect HER2 gene status and p53 protein in 59 cases of gastric cancer. Results: FISH detection of HER2 gene amplification rate was 16.9% (10/59), HER2 gene amplification in 49 cases without copy number gain and gene amplification were a total of 49.2% (29/59). HER2 protein expression was 42.4% (25/59), HER2 gene amplification rates in patients with +++, ++ HER2 protein expression were 3/3 and 5/8, while in patients with + HER2 protein expression, it was 2/14, there was significant difference ( P < 0.05). p21 protein expression rate was 49.2% (29/59), HER2 gene amplification rates and p21 protein expression had significant difference in tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis ( P < 0.05); had no statistical significance in histological type, age, gender differences ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: HER2 gene amplification rate and gene copy number had positively correlation with p21 protein expression, HER2 gene status and expression of p21 protein combined detection can provide a reference value in gastric cancer metastasis, patient's condition development and prognosis, it also can guide clinical development of individual treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metformin, an anti-diabetic drug commonly used for type 2 diabetes therapy, is associated with anti-angiogenic effects in conditions beyond diabetes. miR-21 has been reported to be involved in the process of angiogenesis. However, the precise regulatory mechanisms by which the metformin-induced endothelial suppression and its effects on miR-21-dependent pathways are still unclear. Bioinformatic analysis and identification of miR-21 and its targets and their effects on metformin-induced antiangiogenic activity were assessed using luciferase assays, quantitative real-time PCR, western blots, scratch assays, CCK-8 assays and tubule formation assays. In this study, miR-21 was strikingly downregulated by metformin in a time- and dose-dependent manner. miR-21 directly targeted the 3′-UTR of PTEN and SMAD7, and negatively regulated their expression. Overexpression of miR-21 abrogated the metformin-mediated inhibition of endothelial cells proliferation, migration, tubule formation and the TGF-β-induced AKT, SMAD- and ERK-dependent phosphorylations, and conversely, down-regulation of miR-21 aggravated metformin's action and revealed significant promotion effects. Our study broadens our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of miR-21 mediating metformin-induced anti-angiogenic effects, providing important implications regarding the design of novel miRNA-based therapeutic strategies against angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 30-year-old man underwent bilateral GPi DBS for refractory TS. His tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were significantly improved after chronic stimulation. At 22 months postoperatively, the implantable pulse generator had to be removed because of an infection in the infraclavicular pouch. However, we observed an unexpected effectiveness at follow-up more than 4 years after stopping the stimulation. This is the first case report of TS that showed a favorable long-term outcome after cessation of chronic GPi DBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 23-year-old Asian woman with spina bifida occulta who was admitted to the hospital to undergo ileocystoplasty. She was prescribed moxifloxacin for a urinary tract infection following a successful ileocystoplasty. Following the third dose of moxifloxacin the woman experienced a tonic–clonic seizure, which developed into status epilepticus. An overview the role of spina bifida occulta in the predisposition of seizures from antibiotics is presented.

Type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM2) is associated with accelerated thrombotic complications and is characterized by high levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Recent studies show that human platelets have high levels of miR-30c and synthesize considerable active PAI-1. The underlying mechanism of how PAI-1 expression is upregulated in DM2 is poorly understood. We now report that hyperglycaemia-induced repression of miR-30c increases PAI-1 expression and thrombus formation in DM2. Bioinformatic analysis and identification of miRNA targets were assessed using luciferase assays, quantitative real-time PCR and western blots in vitro and in vivo. The changes in miR-30c and PAI-1 levels were identified in platelets from healthy and diabetic individuals. We found that miR-30c directly targeted the 3′ UTR of PAI-1 and negatively regulated its expression. miR-30c was negatively correlated with glucose and HbA1c levels in DM2. In HFD-fed diabetic mice, increasing miR-30c expression by lenti-miR-30c significantly decreased the PAI-1 expression and prolonged the time to occlusion in an arterial thrombosis model. Platelet depletion/reinfusion experiments generating mice with selective ablation of PAI-1 demonstrate a major contribution by platelet-derived PAI-1 in the treatment of lenti-miR-30c to thrombus formation. These results provide important implications regarding the regulation of fibrinolysis by platelet miRNA under diabetic mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]