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Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication after surgery and anesthesia. In this study, we aimed to determine the neuroprotective mechanism of Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and propofol in POCD. Methods: The cognitive dysfunction models in C57BL/6J mice were induced and treated, then cognitive function of mice were tested using morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. Primary neurons were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic neuroinflammation during POCD. Meanwhile, cells were treated with propofol. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was administrated to inhibit autophagy in neurons. SIRT3 overexpression vector was constructed to upregulate SIRT3. Biomarker changes in inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy were determined in vivo and in vitro. Results: Propofol enhanced the spatial cognitive ability and novel objective recognition of POCD mice. Inflammation and oxidative stress were observed in the hippocampus, which were inhibited by propofol treatment. During POCD, SIRT3 expression and autophagy in the hippocampus was decreased; propofol activated autophagy and upregulated SIRT3. In LPS-stimulated neurons, SIRT3 upregulation enhanced the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress roles of propofol; SIRT3 elevated propofol-activated autophagy in neurons undergoing LPS administration. Moreover, 3-MA reversed propofol-induced biomarker changes in inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy in LPS-stimulated neurons. In POCD mice, SIRT3 upregulation enhanced the cognitive function during propofol treatment; SIRT3 overexpression elevated the inhibitory role of propofol in inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy. AMPK/mTOR pathway was activated in response to propofol treatment and SIRT3 enhanced the signaling activation. Conclusions: SIRT3 enhances the protective effect of propofol on POCD by triggering autophagy that eliminates oxidative stress and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

A 33-year-old female with a mild elevation of liver transaminase was sent to the general surgery department for medical services due to upper-right abdominal pain for 2 weeks. A liquid dark area ~4 × 3 × 3 cm in size in the theoretical location of the pancreatic segment of the common bile duct was detected by abdominal CT with no enhancement of the cystic wall found in the enhanced CT scan. The patient was then diagnosed with a choledochal cyst based on the results of the radiological images preoperatively. During the operation, the isolated cystic dilatation was found in the middle part of the cystic duct, and its caudal portion was found behind the head of the pancreas and converged into the common bile duct at an acute angle and low insertion. According to the intraoperative evaluation, the female was then diagnosed with a cystic duct cyst (CDC). The surgery was converted to a laparotomy for the unclear structure and the possibility of anatomic variation of the bile duct. The caudal portion of the cystic duct was found communicated with the common bile duct with a narrow base, and the extrahepatic bile duct was not cystic. The CDC was removed in the surgery. One week later, the patient was discharged from the hospital for the disappearance of abdominal pain and normal liver transaminase and did not report any discomfort in the 1-month-long follow-up. The lessons drawn from this case were as follows: (1) the distinction between the relatively frequent choledochal cyst and the isolated CDC should always be taken in mind; (2) a surgical strategy should be given priority for an intraoperatively confirmed CDC; (3) a common bile duct exploration is recommended for patients with choledocholithiasis or jaundice.

With the innovation of computer, virtual clothing has also emerged. This research mainly discusses the real-time animation complex of interactive clothing design based on computer simulation. In the process of realizing virtual clothing, the sample interpolation synthesis method is used, and the human body sample library is constructed using the above two methods (primitive construction method and model reconstruction method) first, and then, the human body model is obtained by interpolation calculation according to the personalized parameters. Building a clothing model is particularly important for the effect of trying on. The clothing that needs to be displayed can be scanned and then input into the computer to build the model. The model can be directly built in 3DMAX and other software and then its surface texture can be mapped, or the clothing model can be directly built. The 3D model in the 3ds file is loaded by the loop body nested switch branch selection structure. Correspondingly, the write-back operation of 3ds files is similar. Just follow the general structure of the 3ds file and write the root block, version information block, edit information block, key frame information block, etc. to a brand new file in sequence. The main reason for this article to perform the 3ds file write-back operation is that, after the clothing model is dynamically simulated through the dynamic principle, the deformed key animation frame needs to be saved as a 3ds file so that it can be further imported into the 3DSMAX software and generated by the renderer, form high-quality picture information, and finally get high-definition animation video. In the CPU-GPU hybrid method, modules such as force calculation, collision processing, and position update use the GPU method, while overstretching is processed by the CPU method, making the overall performance 10 times higher than the pure CPU method. This research helps to promote the development of 3D virtual clothing design.

The objectives of this study were to: (i) build simulation model for mult-unit air conditioning (AC) system with digital scroll compressor (DSC) and validate its precision by experiments; (ii) build system energy consumption calculation model by simulation. Lumped parameter model of compressor and electronic expansion valve, and district lumped parameter model of condenser and evaporator were employed in simulation program of multi-unit AC system with DSC. The results indicated that errors between simulated value and experimental data of system hourly energy consumption were within 10%. The simulation model showed good precision. Simulation results indicated that system hourly energy consumption differences caused by indoor unit operating number were less than 15%, which can be neglected. Thus, hourly energy consumption (HW), hourly energy efficiency ratio (HEER) and hourly heating performance factor (HHPF) calculation model of multi-unit AC system with DSC were built based on simulation results. Simulation results indicated that the variation of HW with part load ratio (PLR) and outdoor air temperature presented concave surface distribution and the variations of HEER and HHPF with PLR and and outdoor air temperature presented convex surface distribution. The model provides a tool for energy saving optimization and seasonal energy consumption evaluation of multi-unit AC system with DSC.

Located in the intermediate zone between the taiga forests in Siberian Plain and the deserts in Central Asia, the Altai Mountains are of scientific concern about Holocene climate change in the past decades. However, researches about modern climate changes are relatively scarce in the Altai Mountains. In this study, temporal- spatial changes of air temperature and precipitation were investigated systematically in the Altai Mountains based on fifteen meteorological records over the period of 1970-2015. The Altai Mountains experienced a rapid warming trend with a rate of 0.41°C/decade and an insignificantly wetting trend at a rate of 4.82 mm/decade during 1970-2015. The magnitude of temperature trend was negatively correlated with elevation in cold season (spring and winter), whereas that was positively correlated with elevation in warm season (summer and autumn). The cyclonic anomalies to the northwest and an anticyclonic anomalies to the southeast blocked the southward cold air and then provided the favorable condition for an increasing precipitation via the southwesternly wind in the Altai Mountains.

Graphene has been widely used due to its excellent electrical, mechanical and chemical properties. Defects produced during its transfer process will seriously affect the performance of graphene devices. In this paper, single-layer graphene was transferred onto glass and silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrates by wet transfer technology, and the square resistances thereof were tested. Due to the different binding forces of the transferred graphene surfaces, there may have been pollutants present. PMMA residues, graphene laminations and other defects that occurred in the wet transfer process were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. These defects influenced the square resistance of the produced graphene films, and of these defects, PMMA residue was the most influential; square resistance increased with increasing PMMA residue.

Background/Aims: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play key roles in maintaining peripheral tolerance and preventing autoimmune disease. Treg modulation could be helpful in treating malignancies, autoimmune disease, and allergies, as well as to facilitate organ transplantation. Signals transduced by co-stimulatory molecules are essential for Treg differentiation, homeostasis, and function. One well-known active receptor, CD226, also known as DNAM-1 or PTA1, is an adhesion molecule that interacts primarily with CD155 and is involved in Treg differentiation and immune tolerance to transplanted tissue. Methods: Anti-CD226 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and truncated recombinant CD226 proteins were employed to manipulate the CD226 signal. Various T cell markers on freshly isolated splenocytes and T lymphocytes were characterized by flow cytometry Cell proliferation was measured by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester dye, mRNA transcripts by q-RT PCR, and protein expression by western blotting. A BALB/c-to-C57BL/6 skin allograft model was used to determine the effects of CD226 blocking treatment. Results: We observed that both intact extracellular domains of CD226 were necessary for functional interaction of the receptor with its ligand CD155, even though one domain was shown to bind CD155 with lower affinity in a solid binding assay. Importantly, CD226 mAb promoted Treg expansion in a mixed lymphocyte culture and inhibited the cytotoxicity of effector cells. In allogeneic skin transplant mice, administering CD226 mAb reduced inflammation and prolonged allogeneic graft survival, with an increase in the frequency of Tregs. Conclusions: Our results reveal the mechanism underlying CD226-CD155 interactions and indicate that CD226 signals can be manipulated to promote Treg expansion. Moreover, we provide new evidence that suggests the therapeutic potential of anti-CD226 with allogeneic transplantation.

In this paper, methods of effective removal of fluorine from rare earth chloride solution by adsorption, ion exchange and precipitation with lanthanum carbonate or CO2 gas as fluorine-removal agent, respectively, were studied. The relevant parameters studied for fluorine-removal percentage were the effects of the type and dosage of fluorine-removal agent, the injection flow and mode of CO2, the initial concentration of rare earth solution and initial pH value, contact time, temperature and stirring. XRD, SEM and EDS were used to analyze and characterize the filter slag obtained after fluorine removal. SEM and EDS results showed that RECO3(OH) with a porous structure was formed in rare earth chloride solution when lanthanum carbonate was used as fluorine-removal agent, and it had strong selective adsorption for F−. The XRD spectra showed that F− was removed in the form of REFCO3 precipitates, which indicates that the adsorbed F− replaced the OH− group on the surface of RECO3(OH) by ion exchange. The experimental results showed that a fluorine-removal percentage of 99.60% could be obtained under the following conditions: lanthanum carbonate dosage, 8%; initial conc. of rare earths, 240 g/L; initial pH, 1; reaction temperature, 90 ∘C; reaction time, 2 h. Simultaneously, a fluorine-removal process by CO2 precipitation was explored. In general, RE2(CO3)3 precipitation is generated when CO2 is injected into a rare earth chloride solution. Interestingly, the results of XRD, SEM and EDS showed that the sedimentation slag was composed of REFCO3 and RE2O2CO3. It was inferred that RE2(CO3)3 obtained at the initial reaction stage had a certain adsorption effect on F− in the solution, and then F− replaced CO32− on the surface of RE2(CO3)3 by ion exchange. Therefore, F− was finally removed by the high crystallization of REFCO3 precipitation, and excess RE2(CO3)3 was aged to precipitate RE2O2CO3. The fluorine-removal percentage can reach 98.92% with CO2 precipitation under the following conditions: venturi jet; CO2 injection flow, 1000 L/h; reaction temperature, 70 ∘C; initial pH, 1; reaction time, 1.5 h; initial conc. of rare earths, 240–300 g/L; without stirring. The above two methods achieve deep removal of fluorine in mixed fluorine-bearing rare earth chloride solution by exchanging different ionic groups. The negative influence of fluorine on subsequent rare earth extraction separation is eliminated. This technology is of great practical significance for the further development of the rare earth metallurgy industry and the protection of the environment.

Flexible pressure sensors are widely used in different fields, especially in human motion, robot monitoring and medical treatment. Herein, a flexible pressure sensor consists of the flat top plate, and the microstructured bottom plate is developed. Both plates are made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by molding from the 3D printed template. The contact surfaces of the top and bottom plates are coated with a mixture of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and polyurethane dispersion (PUD) as stretchable film electrodes with carbon nanotubes on the electrode surface. By employing 3D printing technology, using digital light processing (DLP), the fabrication of the sensor is low-cost and fast. The sensor models with different microstructures are first analyzed by the Finite Element Method (FEM), and then the models are fabricated and tested. The sensor with 5 × 5 hemispheres has a sensitivity of 3.54 × 10−3 S/kPa in the range of 0–22.2 kPa. The zero-temperature coefficient is −0.0064%FS/°C. The durability test is carried out for 2000 cycles, and it remains stable during the whole test. This work represents progress in flexible pressure sensing and demonstrates the advantages of 3D printing technology in sensor processing.

Reflective imaging systems such as Cassegrain-type telescopes are widely utilized in astronomical observations. However, curved mirrors in traditional Cassegrain telescopes unavoidably make the imaging system bulky and costly. Recent developments in the field of metasurfaces provide an alternative way to construct optical systems, possessing the potential to make the whole system flat, compact and lightweight. In this work, we propose a design for a miniaturized Cassegrain telescope by replacing the curved primary and secondary mirrors with flat and ultrathin metasurfaces. The meta-atoms, consisting of SiO2 stripes on an Al film, provide high reflectance (>95%) and a complete phase coverage of 0~2π at the operational wavelength of 4 μm. The optical functionality of the metasurface Cassegrain telescope built with these meta-atoms was confirmed and studied with numerical simulations. Moreover, fabrication errors were mimicked by introducing random width errors to each meta-atom; their influence on the optical performance of the metasurface device was studied numerically. The concept of the metasurface Cassegrain telescope operating in the infrared wavelength range can be extended to terahertz (THz), microwave and even radio frequencies for real-world applications, where metasurfaces with a large aperture size are more easily obtained.

For the development of minimized and high-rate photonic-integrated fiber Bragg grating interrogation (FBGI) systems, arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) has been widely used as one of the critical components. In this paper, we present an 8-channel SOI-based AWG for a photonic integrated FBG interrogation microsystem. The channel spacing of the AWG is designed to be 3 nm to meet a high-dynamic-range demodulation requirement. The core size of the fabricated AWG is about 335 × 335 μm2. The simulation results and experimental results are in high agreement, showing that AWG has a fine transmission spectrum with crosstalk below −16 dB, nonuniformity below 0.4 dB, insertion loss below −6.35 dB, 3 dB bandwidth about 1.3 nm and 10 dB bandwidth of 2.3 nm. The proposed AWG can be applied perfectly to the SOI-based AWG demodulation microsystem, exhibiting a large dynamic range of 1.2 nm, the resolution for measurements is 1.27 pm and a high accuracy of 20.6 pm.

In situ analyses of trace elements and rare-earth elements (REEs) were performed by use of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) on scheelite samples from the Yingzuihongshan tungsten deposit in western Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The contents of trace elements Nb, Ta and Mo of scheelite indicate that the ore-forming fluid is magmatic hydrotherm and is exsolved from highly fractionated granitic melt. The scheelite has high REE contents and ∑REE values, and a very inhomogeneous distribution of REEs exists in different scheelite grains or even in one scheelite grain. The cathodoluminescence (CL) images of scheelite grains display well-developed zoning or fine oscillatory zoning. Development of zoning is closely related to the variable contents of REEs, and the darkness of shade of CL images are mainly determined by ∑REE values, but they have no correlation with the distribution patterns of REEs. The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns of scheelite are classified as the middle REEs (MREEs)-enriched type, except for a strong negative Eu-anomaly, which could be a REE-flat type and or a MREEs-depleted type. Trace element composition of scheelites from the Yinzuihongshan tungsten deposit reflect that the ore-forming materials mainly came from the crust and the ore-forming fluids are dominantly derived from the granitic magma in an oxidizing environment, in which very dynamic conditions of the hydrothermal system prevailed during precipitation of scheelite. On the basis of the above understanding and field geological featured, we considered that the Yingzuihongshan tungsten deposit is the quartz-vein-hosted tungsten type that is genetically associated with monzonitic granite.