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Numerous technological advancements in the 21st century depend on the creation of novel materials possessing enhanced properties; there is a growing reliance on materials that can be optimized to serve multiple functions. To efficiently save time and meet the requirements of diverse applications, high-throughput and combinatorial approaches are increasingly employed to explore and design superior materials. Among them, gradient thin-film deposition is one of the most mature and widely used technologies for high-throughput preparation of material libraries. This review summarizes recent progress in gradient thin-film deposition fabricated by magnetron sputtering, multi-arc ion plating, e-beam evaporation, additive manufacturing, and chemical bath deposition, providing readers with a fundamental understanding of this research field. First, high-throughput synthesis methods for gradient thin films are emphasized. Subsequently, we present the characteristics of combinatorial films, including microstructure, oxidation, corrosion tests, and mechanical properties. Next, the screening methods employed for evaluating these properties are discussed. Furthermore, we delve into the limitations of high-throughput preparation and characterization techniques for combinatorial films. Finally, we provide a summary and offer our perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the thermal entanglement of Heisenberg XXX model in an external magnetic field by using the method of concurrence. We study the quantum entanglement in the two qubit XXX model and XXZ model, and apply independent controllable external magnetic field to the two qubits respectively, and discuss the behavior of quantum entanglement by changing the coupling parameters, magnetic field and magnetic field. The results show that the behavior of quantum entanglement is different in a certain range of parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scheme for asymmetric image encryption and authentication based on interference is proposed here by using sparse representation and random modulus decomposition. An original image is encoded into a complex value image in the Fresnel domain and then sparsely sampled to acquire the sparse spectrum. The sparse spectrum generates four phase-only masks using random modulus decomposition and the interference principle. No information concerning the original image, including its silhouette, can be extracted even if one, two, or three of the four phase-only masks are used for decryption. The parameters of random modulus decomposition provide additional keys for further strengthening the security of our scheme, and the four phase-only masks are all employed for decryption and authentication. Numerical simulations are used to verify the feasibility and security of this scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep brain stimulation is a method that involves using an electric stimulus on a specific target in the brain with stereotaxis. It is a minimally invasive, safe, adjustable and reversible nerve involvement technology. At present, this technique is widely applied to treat movement disorders and has produced promising effects on mental symptoms, including combined anxiety and depression. Deep brain stimulation has therefore been employed as a novel treatment for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, habituation, Tourette's syndrome, presenile dementia, anorexia nervosa and other refractory mental illnesses. Many encouraging results have been reported. The aim of the present review was to briefly describe the mechanisms, target selection, side effects, ethical arguments and risks associated with deep brain stimulation. Although deep brain stimulation is a developing and promising treatment, a large amount of research is still required to determine its curative effect, and the selection of patients and targets must be subjected to strict ethical standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Severe mental illness (SMI) represents major social and public health problem in China, especially in low- or middle-income regions. We aim to assess the prevalence and distribution of SMI in Hunan province in central China. Methods: Multistage stratified random sampling methods were used to select qualified subjects in 123 districts and counties in Hunan province. 89465 individuals were randomly identified, and 72999 (81.6%) completed the supplemental 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Cue questionnaire of psychiatric abnormal behaviors. 6082 suspected individuals having high or moderate risk, or psychiatric cues, were administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID-I) by psychiatrists. Results: 720 respondents were definitely diagnosed as SMI. The 1-month and lifetime prevalence was 9.35‰ and 10.10‰, respectively. The most frequent SMI was schizophrenia, followed by bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, epileptic mental disorder, paranoid psychosis and schizoaffective disorders, with 1-month prevalence ranging from 0.11‰ to 6.50‰ and lifetime prevalence ranging from 0.24‰ to 6.86‰. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lower education, farmer occupation, retirees or jobless/unemployed, unmarried or divorced and age of 30–64 years old were major factors that associated with the increased risk of SMI. In addition, only 33.3% of 528 patients who completed questionnaire sought help in psychiatric institutions, and up to 51.7% of 720 patients were not referred to the SMI management system in Hunan province. Conclusions: These findings provided a large-scale prevalence data of SMI in a provincial sample of China. The psychiatric disorders brought economical and psychological burden for family and society, which may shed light on the significance of scaling up province-wide mental health service and strengthening the SMI management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanocrystalline Sm 5 Co 19 based alloys were firstly prepared, with Fe, Ni and Nb as doping elements. The microstructure, crystal structure and magnetic properties at room temperature and high temperatures were studied for the nanocrystalline alloys, and the effects of doping elements on the microstructure and magnetic performance were analyzed. It was found that Ni, Fe and Nb doping facilitated transformation from rhombohedral to hexagonal structure of the nanocrystalline Sm 5 Co 19 based alloys. The nanoparticles with the hexagonal structure enhance the coercivity of the nanocrystalline alloys. At high temperatures, as compared with the binary Sm 5 Co 19 alloys, the dispersed nanoparticles containing Fe and Ni increase both the coercivity and saturated magnization, from which good high-temperature magnetic performance of the nanocrystalline Sm 5 Co 19 based alloys were obtained. The results may facilitate development of new type Sm-Co alloys with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy and good high-temperature magnetic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple scheme for controlled teleportation of an arbitrary two-ion entangled state using a bell and GHZ entangled state as quantum channel is proposed in trapped ion systems. An arbitrary two-ion entangled state can be teleported perfectly with the help of the cooperation. In our scheme the ions are simultaneously excited by a laser. Our scheme is insensitive to both the initial vibrational state and heating. The probability of the success in our scheme is 1.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant Adeno-associated virus(rAAV) is currently the most widely used gene delivery vector and has been successfully used in various disease models, benefiting from its low immunogenicity, almost no toxicity, and no reported pathogenicity in humans. However, its low transduction efficiency for primary cells, especially for T lymphocytes, limits its further application in the field of cell therapy. In this study, we optimized the protocol for rAAV6 transduction of primary T cells, significantly improved the expression efficiency of the rAAV6 delivered CAR gene, and successfully generated rAAV6-based CAR-T cells (AAV-CAR-T). The gene expression intensity (mean fluorescence intensity, MFI) of rAAV6 transduced T cells treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Genistein, was increased 1–3-fold. Moreover, our results showed that rAAV6 efficiently transduced T cells stimulated with OKT3 and the gene expression could be enhanced 3-fold with an OKT3 concentration of 50 ng/mL in the medium. The gene expression intensity of T cells treated with OKT3 together with genistein could be augmented by 7-fold. Based on the above-optimized method, CAR-T cells prepared with rAAV6 showed evident anti-tumor ability both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings established an efficient method for the AAV transduction of T cells and would provide an alternative way for the preparation of CAR-T cells. [Display omitted] • Genistein can highly enhance rAAV-mediated gene expression in primary T cells. • OKT3 is necessary for rAAV-mediated efficient transduction of primary T cells. • OKT3 in combination with genistein can further enhance rAAV-mediated gene expression of primary T cells. • rAAV-CAR-T cells exhibit anti-tumor cell ability in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is a fundamental research work which systematically studied the electrochemical behaviors of tantalum ion and its electrodeposition in molten salt. • The reduction and diffusion processes of tantalum ions in NaCl-KCl molten salt were determined. • Kinetic parameters, such as the diffusion coefficient, were investigated in detail and compared with previous work. • The nucleation mode of tantalum ions was studied, and a constant potential electrolysis was carried out to obtain metallic tantalum. This paper systematically studied the electrochemical behaviors of tantalum ions in NaCl-KCl molten salt, and pure metallic tantalum was collected on the cathode. Through a series of electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry, the reduction and diffusion processes of tantalum ions in NaCl-KCl molten salt were determined. The diffusion coefficient and nucleation mode of tantalum ions were investigated, and the electrodeposition was carried out at a certain potential. The results showed that the electrode reduction process of tantalum ion in NaCl-KCl molten salt at 1023 K is a two-step reaction Ta(V)→Ta(II)→Ta, and the reaction Ta(V)→Ta(II) was reversible and controlled by diffusion. The nucleation mode of tantalum ion was determined to be instantaneous nucleation by chronoamperometry. The cathode deposition product was analyzed by SEM, EDS and XRD, and it was confirmed that the deposition product was granular and the main component was tantalum. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclodextrin (denoted PCD) composed of cyclodextrin monomer units and 1,3-diethoxypropan-2-ol containing many hydroxyl groups with lone pairs of electrons, easily coordinated with transition metals with empty orbitals. The CD unit can also provide host-guest binding sites for functional molecules. This article utilizes this feature of PCD for the first time as a "linker" to combine transition metal nanomaterials with synergistic functional molecules. We synthesized PCD with 50% CD monomer by epichlorohydrin cross-linking method. Utilizing the coordination effect of the hydroxyl group in PCD and the iron ion in photothermal nanoparticles (PB-Yb), the PCD is coated on its surface; simultaneously, CD in PCD can form a host-guest complex with adamantane-modified zinc phthalocyanine (Pc) photosensitizer. Using PCD as a "linker", PB-Yb and Pc (denoted PYPP) were combined to improve the solubility of PB-Yb, reduce the aggregation degree of Pc to increase their activity, and achieve photothermal and photodynamic synergistic tumor therapy. • Polycyclodextrin (PCD) with a cyclodextrin monomer content of 50% was synthesized. • PCD could be a linker to connect nanomaterials and active molecules. • The nanomedicine has an excellent synergistic tumor-suppression ability. • It is a first example of PCD as linker for multifunctional nanomedicine fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanodiamond (ND) has the excellent biocompatibility, similarly to other sp3-carbon based materials, and is a potential drug carrier for cancer therapy. In our work, firstly, to increase the dispersity and stability of ND (size~140nm) in vitro under the physiological environment or in cell culture medium and be suitable for biomedicine applications, ND was covalently conjugated with biocompatible polymers, such as hydroxy-polyethylene glycol-4000 (PEG-4000). Secondly, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), a chemotherapy drug, was physically adsorbed onto the PEGylated nanodiamond (ND-PEG-OH). These results revealed that ND-PEG-OH nanoparticle associated DOX (ND-PEG-DOX) could efficiently deliver the drug into the human liver cancer cells (HepG2) via a clathrin-dependent endocytosis pathway, and especially enhance the DOX uptake as compared to DOX alone. The uptake half-life of ND-PEG-DOX (t1/2 =3.31h) was approximately two times that of free DOX uptake (t1/2 =1.67h), which was related to the uptake pathway. The results from the confocal fluorescence microscopy study showed that DOX detached from ND-PEG-DOX composites inside the cytoplasm could migrate and enter the nucleolus to inhibit the cellular growth. Thirdly, in vitro dialysis determination and imaging experiments using the confocal fluorescence microscopy indicated that DOX released from ND-PEG-DOX composites had a slow and sustained drug release capability. In summary, our study has shown that ND-PEG-OH nanoparticles can act as effective drug carriers for cancer therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Historical profiles and sources of PAHs at two typical sediment cores (i.e., the shipping route site and the shoal site) were fully compared to probe the controlling factors, specifically the water currents, for the PAHs deposition processes in the Yangtze River Estuary. Compared with ocean water currents, river runoff affected by the water impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam greatly affected the PAHs levels and percent contribution of PAHs sources in the two cores. River runoff hindered the PAHs deposition in shoal site, while a contrary phenomenon was observed for the shipping route site. Though the PAHs in the estuary were mainly from river catchment, only low ring PAHs in the shipping route site were mainly from the upper reach of the river. Coarse sediments with higher organic carbon content also accounted for the higher deposition levels of PAHs in the shipping route site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We propose a novel scheme for the generation of two-atom maximally entangled states in cavity quantum electrodynamics. The scheme does not require the transfer of quantum information between the atoms and cavity. The distinct advantage of the proposed scheme is that during the operation the cavity is only virtually excited and thus the efficient decoherence time of the cavity is greatly prolonged. Then it is quite simple but also very robust to the cavity decay and the influence of the thermal field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The uniform corrosion in SBF occurs on the surface of the amorphous alloy; in contrast, galvanic corrosion occurs on the crystallized samples, and the corroded surfaces of the alloys become more rugged with the increasing crystallization temperature due to galvanic corrosion. • With increasing crystallization temperature, different kind phases with different morphologies precipitate in Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 amorphous alloy, which considerably influences its corrosion behavior. • It is found that the corrosion rate of the Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 alloy in SBF shows a nearly linear relationship with the crystallized volume fraction. The corrosion behavior of Mg-Zn-Ca amorphous alloys in simulated body fluid is of academic and engineering interests since they are potential biomaterials. The influence of the crystallized structure of the Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 amorphous alloy on the corrosion behavior in simulated body fluid (SBF) is investigated. The different crystallized structures were obtained by heating the amorphous sample to temperatures of 100 °C~300 °C. The results reveal that the amorphous Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 alloy shows better corrosion resistance in SBF than partially crystallized samples, and homogeneous chemical corrosion occurs on the surface of the amorphous alloy. In contrast, inhomogeneous galvanic corrosion occurs on the surfaces of the partially crystallized Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 sample; and the corroded surface becomes more rugged with increasing the crystallized temperature. The corrosion rate (V corr) of the Mg 67 Zn 28 Ca 5 amorphous alloy in SBF shows a nearly linear relation with the crystallized volume fraction (CVF), i.e., V corr = −8.38+96.23CVF, indicating that its corrosion behavior is readily tuned by crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tubulin-associated unit (tau) is an important microtubule-associated protein. The abnormal intracellular aggregation of tau has been strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accumulating evidence has conclusively demonstrated that tau is present in the cytoplasm of neurons and is also actively released into the extracellular space. However, the types of tau species that are released are unclear, as is the mechanism of their release by donor neurons and subsequent uptake by recipient neurons in AD. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of abnormal tau cell-to-cell transmission can provide novel insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of AD and can help identify new targets for the development of AD therapies focused on counteracting neurodegeneration or even preventing it. From this perspective, the present review focuses on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms regulating the levels of extracellular tau and discusses the role of such mechanisms in the propagation of tau-associated pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the reduction mechanism of Nb(V) under various [F−]/[Nbn+] ratios (α) was investigated by a series of electrochemical techniques, such as square wave voltammetry (SWV) and chronopotentiometry (CP). We previously studied the electrode reduction process of Nb(V) and revealed that was Nb(V) → Nb(III) → Nb(I) → Nb in NaCl-KCl molten salt. It was found in this research that the electrode reduction process of Nb(V) ion was shortened to Nb(V) → Nb(III) → Nb when α was equal to 1.0; furthermore, the electrode reduction process of Nb(V) ion transforms to Nb(V) → Nb(IV) → Nb when α was greater than or equal to 5.0. Moreover, the reaction mechanism was also discussed in this work. Metallic niobium was collected on a molybdenum electrode under the condition of higher fluoride content after electrolysis in the melt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu alloys with compositions of Cu-3.2Ni-0.7Si (wt. %) and Cu-2.8Ni-0.7Si (wt. %) were prepared by melt spinning. Effects of composition, spinning rate, aging temperature and time on microstructure, precipitation of reinforcing phases, mechanical and electrical properties of Cu–Ni–Si alloys were investigated. Melt spinning could produce continuous Cu alloy ribbons with thickness and width of the ribbons mainly dependent on the cooling rate. Columnar grains of super-saturated Cu–Ni–Si solid solutions grew in the ribbons. The melt-spun Cu–Ni–Si alloys had a faster aging kinetics in comparison with commercial alloys of similar compositions. Peak-aging of the melt spun alloys appeared after heating at 400 to 550 °C for 1 to 2 h to show maximum tensile strength of 650 to 700 MPa. Prolonged heating resulted in large precipitates on the grain boundaries and formation of precipitation-free zones around each grain with sharp drop of tensile strength. Precipitation of nano δ-Ni 2 Si rather than other phases was the main reason for the enhanced mechanical properties at peak-aging. The peak- and slightly over-aged ribbons had a good electric conductivity up to 55% IACS. • Continuous Cu alloy ribbons were prepared melt spinning. • Ni and Si dissolved in Cu to form super saturated solid solution in as-spun alloys. • The alloys showed an aging kinetics faster than commercial Cu alloys. • The alloys had a maximum tensile up to 700 MPa at peak aging. • Prolonging the aging increased electric conductivity of the alloys up to 55% IACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a novel optical method of interference-based multiple-image encryption and authentication via lateral shift multiplexing and sparsification. We encode multiple original images into two ciphertexts only containing partial information of the multiple images when the secret key generated randomly is laterally movable within a predefined interval, and we analytically derive the two other keys of each original image. Information discrimination for each original image as well as its silhouette is still prohibited in spite of the utilization of one, two, three, or even four masks for decryption. The three secret keys of each original image significantly improve the security of the proposed method, and binary amplitude masks are included in the decryption and authentication procedure. Moreover, the proposed scheme completely eliminates the cross-talk problem and destroys any high correlation between the plaintexts and ciphertexts. Numerical simulations are executed to prove the effectiveness and security of this scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid reversal of deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is important but remains challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adamgammadex versus sugammadex in reversing deep rocuronium‐induced NMB. This multicenter, randomized, phase IIb study included 80 patients aged 18–64 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 1–2, undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with rocuronium. Patients were randomized to the adamgammadex 7, 8, and 9 mg/kg group or the sugammadex 4 mg/kg group. The primary efficacy variable was the time to recovery of train‐of‐four ratio (TOFr) to 0.9. The secondary efficacy variables were the time to recovery of TOFr to 0.7, antagonistic success rate of the recovery of TOFr to 0.9 within 5 min, and incidence rate of recurarization within 30 min after drug administration. The explorative efficacy variable was the time to recovery of the corrected TOFr to 0.9 (actual/baseline TOF ratio). Adamgammadex 7, 8, and 9 mg/kg and sugammadex 4 mg/kg groups did not significantly differ in all efficacy variables. Importantly, adamgammadex 9 mg/kg permitted reversal within a geometric mean of 2.9 min. According to the safety profile, adamgammadex achieved good tolerance and low incidence of drug‐related adverse events compared with the 4 mg/kg sugammadex. Adamgammadex 7, 8, and 9 mg/kg facilitated rapid reversal of deep rocuronium‐induced NMB and had good tolerance and low incidence of drug‐related adverse events. Therefore, adamgammadex is a potential and promising alternative to sugammadex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of local anesthetic reagents, such as lidocaine (Lid), could cause significant neurotoxicity in spinal cord dorsal root ganglia neurons (DRGNs). In this study, we investigated the potential rescuing effect of cordycepin (CDC) in an in vitro explant model of lidocaine-induced apoptosis in DRGNs. Explant of rat neonatal DRGNs was prepared, and treated with Lid in vitro to induce neuronal apoptosis. Prior to Lid treatment, DRGN explant was pre-incubated with various concentrations of CDC to evaluate its rescuing effect on Lid-induced apoptosis. We found that, in cultured DRGNs, Lid caused significant neuronal apoptosis whereas pre-incubation of CDC rescued Lid-induced neurotoxicity. In addition, gene and protein expressions of Caspase-9 and Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), a key component of inflammatory signal pathway, were both upregulated by Lid but downregulated by CDC pre-incubation. We further overexpressed MMP3 in cultured DRGNs. And discovered that forced MMP3 overexpression upregulated endogenous MMP3 and caspase-9, and reversed the rescuing effect of CDC on Lid-induced neurotoxicity in DRGNs. Therefore, we concluded that CDC has protective effect on local anesthesia induced spinal cord neurotoxicity, possibly through the inverse regulation on inflammatory signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been the third commonest cancer in the world. The prognosis of patients with CRC is related to the molecular subtypes and gene mutations, which is prone to recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a group of progenitor ones with the capabilities of self-renewal， multi-directional differentiation, and tissue re-population, which could be isolated from various kinds of tissues and be differentiated into diverse cell types. In recent years, MSCs are applied for mechanisms study of tissue repairing, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and autoimmune-related disease, and tumor development, with the advantages of anti‐inflammation, multi-lineage differentiation, and homing capability. Integrating the chemotherapy and MSCs therapy might provide a novel treatment approach for CRC patients. In this review, we summarize the current progress in the integrated treatment of integrating the MSCs and chemotherapy for CRC. [Display omitted] • MSCs process tumor homing and immunomodulatory properties, providing new ideas for the anti-cancer therapies. • MSCs and their exosomes have shown the therapeutic roles in CRC. • Chemotherapeutic drugs and genes can be carried by MSCs to reduce the toxicity for CRC therapy. • The combination of MSCs and chemotherapy can decrease the drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Chronological records of metal deposition at different estuarine sites were studied. [•] Sedimentary metal speciation reveal responses to upstream hydrological events. [•] The transformation of metal speciation can explain the intercepting role of dams. [•] Sediment particles and organic carbon are the proxies for the metals deposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aims to know the seeking help behavior of individuals with SZ (Schizophrenia) in Hunan province of China. Individuals (age > 15) with schizophrenia were recruited in the study after a two-stage diagnosis procedure (including questionnaire screening and face-to-face SCID interview by psychiatrists) in Hunan province. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate their help-seeking behavior. (1) Of the 367 participants, 68.9% (253/367) sought help; of those, 64.6% (n = 163) pursued professional psychiatric services and 30.8% (n = 78) pursued non-medical options (i.e., relatives, praying to Buddha) as the most common first choices. (2) Family history of mental disorders is significantly related to whether or not the individual with SZ seeks help, and the first choice of help is significantly related to education level. (P < 0.05). (3) Frequent reasons behind not seeking help include fear of stigmatization (72.9%), poor mental health literacy (64.5%), concerns over cost (50.6%), and limited access to medical services (47.0%). About one-third of the individuals do not seek help. Individuals with SZ tend to choose psychiatric hospitals and relatives as their first choice. Among the factors we investigated, family history of mental disorders is the most influential factor associated with help-seeking behavior. Individuals with more education tend to seek professional help first. The primary reasons for not seeking help include fear of stigmatization, lack of awareness about mental illness, concerns over cost, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method of computational intelligence to monitor and evaluate the concentration of students in the teaching process can promptly and effectively adjust the learning plan and improve the learning effect. In this article, clustering algorithm and fuzzy control methods are used to construct a research model of students' attention in class. In addition, this article uses the existing MATLAB-based image feature recognition algorithm to detect and obtain facial features and analyze the main features of facial expressions through computational techniques to realize the judgment of attention. In addition, this article optimizes the traditional AdaBoost algorithm to save computing time and improve operating efficiency and system performance stability. Finally, this article constructs the functional modules of the research model according to actual needs and designs experiments to verify the performance of the model. Experimental research results show that the model constructed in this article has a certain effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Batch leaching experiments, Freudlich isotherm, correlation analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were undertaken to explore the mechanisms that govern the release of sediment–associated metals (i.e. Cd, Cu, Mn and Pb) under the salinity stress in the Yangtze River Estuary. Special attention has been paid to the role of sediments’ physico-chemical properties and metal chemical speciation. The increase of salinity promoted the metal mobility which followed the order: Cd>Mn>Cu>Pb. Sediments properties (e.g., particle component and organic carbon) governed the mobility of Cd; metal chemical speciation controlled the release of Mn, while the mobility of Cu and Pb were simultaneously affected by the two factors. Different metal release mechanisms caused by salinity changes might be explained by: the chloro-complexation for Cd, the encouragement of acidity changes for Mn, and the high affinity to Fe–Mn oxides, organic substances and specific sorption sites in the sediments for Cu and Pb. Under salinity effect, Cd and Mn exhibited higher ecological risk and mobility, while Cu and Pb seemed to be more conservative. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We demonstrate that a four-ion cluster state can be used to realize the quantum state transfer in the ion-trap systems. The scheme does not involve Bell-state measurement and is insensitive to both the initial motional state and heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The requirement of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is associated with increased medical care demand and expenses, high early and long-term mortality, and worse life quality. However, no study has assessed the prognostic factors associated with 1-year mortality among PMV patients, not less than 21 days after surgery. This study analyzed the predictors of 1-year mortality in patients requiring PMV in intensive care units (ICUs) after surgery. Methods: In this multicenter, respective cohort study, 124 patients who required PMV after surgery in the ICUs of five tertiary hospitals in Beijing between January 2007 and June 2016 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the duration of survival within 1 year. Predictors of 1-year mortality were identified with a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. The predictive effect of the ProVent score was also validated. Results: Of the 124 patients enrolled, the cumulative 1-year mortality was 74.2% (92/124). From the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.35; P < 0.01), no tracheostomy (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.22–3.30; P < 0.01), enteral nutrition intolerance (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.19–2.97; P = 0.01), blood platelet count ≤150 × 109/L (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14–2.75; P = 0.01), requirement of vasopressors (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.13–2.80; P = 0.02), and renal replacement therapy (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01–2.91; P = 0.047) on the 21st day of mechanical ventilation (MV) were associated with shortened 1-year survival. Conclusions: For patients who required PMV after surgery, cancer diagnosis, no tracheostomy, enteral nutrition intolerance, blood platelet count ≤150 × 109/L, vasopressor requirement, and renal replacement therapy on the 21st day of MV were associated with shortened 1-year survival. The prognosis in PMV patients in ICUs can facilitate the decision-making process of physicians and patients' family members on treatment schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third commonly diagnosed cancer with a high risk of death. After curative surgery, 40% of patients will have metastases or develop recurrence. Therefore, chemotherapy is significantly responsible as the major therapy method. However, chemoresistance is found in almost all metastatic patients and remains a critical obstacle to curing CRC. Materials and methods: Cell viability is analyzed by sulforhodamine B staining assay. The nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) repair ability of each cell line was determined by NHEJ reporter assay. mRNA expression levels of NHEJ factors are detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression levels were observed by western blot assay. Results: Our study found that 5-florouracil (5-Fu) and oxaliplatin (OXA)-resistant HCT116 and LS174T cells showed upregulated efficiency of DNA double-strand repair pathway NHEJ. We then identified that the NHEJ key factor XLF is responsible for the chemoresistance and XLF deficiency sensitizes CRC cells to 5-Fu and OXA significantly. Conclusion: Our research first demonstrates that the NHEJ pathway, especially its key factor XLF, significantly contributes to chemoresistance in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By combining first-principles calculations and experiments, the effects of Hf doping on the stability and magnetic properties of the metastable SmCo7 alloy were studied. It is found that the single TbCu7-type phase can be stabilized well by Hf doping when the Co-2e sites are occupied in the lattice structure. However, if Hf occupies the Co-3g sites, destabilization of the SmCo7 phase may occur. Moreover, Hf doping changes the partial density of states of Sm atoms in the vicinity of Co-2e sites, which causes a decrease in the net magnetic moments and hence a decrease in the saturation magnetization. The experimental results confirmed the calculation results of the phase stability and magnetic performance of the Hf-doped SmCo7 alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Hf doping on the phase constitution and its evolution of the SmCoHf (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) nanocrystalline alloys were investigated. It was found that a single TbCu-type metastable phase can be stabilized in the nanocrystalline SmCoHf alloys with x ≤ 0.25, and the phase decomposition occurs at higher Hf doping contents. The Hf doping plays a significant role in inhibiting grain growth at high temperatures, which is favorable for the high-temperature magnetic properties. The metastable phase is stabilized by the combined effects of nanostructuring and Hf doping. Moreover, the magnetic performance is increased due to the pinning effect and the high magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the stabilized TbCu-type phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Understanding the effect of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) pain on brain activity is important for clinical strategies. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to relate PHN pain to small-world properties of brain functional networks. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to construct functional brain networks of the subjects during the resting state. Sixteen patients with PHN pain and 16 (8 males, 8 females for both groups) age-matched controls were studied. The PHN patients exhibited decreased local efficiency along with non-significant changes of global efficiency in comparison with the healthy controls. Moreover, regional nodal efficiency was found to be significantly affected by PHN pain in the areas related to sense (postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal gyrus and thalamus), memory/affective processes (parahippocampal gyrus) and emotional activities (putamen). Significant correlation (p <0.05) was also found between the nodal efficiency of putamen and pain intensity in PHN patients. Our results suggest that PHN modulates the local efficiency, and the small-world properties of brain networks may have potentials to objectively evaluate pain information in clinic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article investigates the effects of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) on resting-state brain activity utilizing arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques. Features of static and dynamic cerebral blood flow (CBF) were analyzed to reflect the specific brain response to PHN pain. Eleven consecutive patients suffering from PHN and 11 age- and gender-matched control subjects underwent perfusion functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scanning during the resting state. Group comparison was conducted to detect the regions with significant changes of CBF in PHN patients. Then we chose those regions that were highly correlated with the self-reported pain intensity as "seeds" to calculate the functional connectivity of both groups. Absolute CBF values of these regions were also compared across PHN patients and control subjects. Significant increases in CBF of the patient group were observed in left striatum, right thalamus, left primary somatosensory cortex (S1), left insula, left amygdala, left primary somatomotor cortex, and left inferior parietal lobule. Significant decreases in CBF were mainly located in the frontal cortex. Regional CBF in the left caudate, left insula, left S1, and right thalamus was highly correlated with the pain intensity, and further comparison showed that the regional CBF in these regions is significantly higher in PHN groups. Functional connectivity results demonstrated that the reward circuitry involved in striatum, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and parahippocampal gyrus and the circuitry among striatum, thalamus, and insula were highly correlated with each element in PHN patients. In addition, noninvasive brain perfusion imaging at rest may provide novel insights into the central mechanisms underlying PHN pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article investigates the effects of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) on resting-state brain activity utilizing arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques. Features of static and dynamic cerebral blood flow (CBF) were analyzed to reflect the specific brain response to PHN pain. Eleven consecutive patients suffering from PHN and 11 age- and gender-matched control subjects underwent perfusion functional magnetic resonance imaging brain scanning during the resting state. Group comparison was conducted to detect the regions with significant changes of CBF in PHN patients. Then we chose those regions that were highly correlated with the self-reported pain intensity as “seeds” to calculate the functional connectivity of both groups. Absolute CBF values of these regions were also compared across PHN patients and control subjects. Significant increases in CBF of the patient group were observed in left striatum, right thalamus, left primary somatosensory cortex (S1), left insula, left amygdala, left primary somatomotor cortex, and left inferior parietal lobule. Significant decreases in CBF were mainly located in the frontal cortex. Regional CBF in the left caudate, left insula, left S1, and right thalamus was highly correlated with the pain intensity, and further comparison showed that the regional CBF in these regions is significantly higher in PHN groups. Functional connectivity results demonstrated that the reward circuitry involved in striatum, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and parahippocampal gyrus and the circuitry among striatum, thalamus, and insula were highly correlated with each element in PHN patients. In addition, noninvasive brain perfusion imaging at rest may provide novel insights into the central mechanisms underlying PHN pain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Semi-dwarfism is a main agronomic trait in crop breeding. In this study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) and identified a new quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) for rice shoot length. The peak QTN (C/T) was located in the first coding region of a group III WRKY transcription factor OsWRKY21 (LOC_Os01g60640). Interestingly, further haplotype analysis showed that C/T difference only existed in the indica group but not in the japonica group, resulting in significant differences in plant height among the different indica rice varieties. OsWRKY21 was expressed in embryo, radicle, shoots, leaves, and stems. Most notably, overexpressing OsWRKY21 resulted in the semi-dwarf phenotype, early heading date and short internodes compared to the wild type, while the knockout mutant plants by CRISPR/Cas9 technology yielded the opposite. The overexpressing lines exhibited the decreased length of the cells near sclerenchyma epidermis, accompanied with the lower levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin 3 (GA3), but increased levels of the abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) in the internodes at heading stage. Moreover, the semi-dwarf phenotype could be fully rescued by exogenous GA3 application at seedling stage. The RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the differential expression levels of genes in development and the stress responses in rice, including GA metabolism (GA20ox2, GA2ox6, and YABY1) and cell wall biosynthesis (CesA4, 7, and 9) and regulation (MYB103L). These data suggest the essential role of OsWRKY21 in regulation of internode elongation and plant height in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article determines the occurrence rate, outcomes, and the characteristics of severe sepsis in surgical intensive care units in multiple medical centers in China. Sepsis is an infection-initiated, inflammation-induced syndrome, and it is considered severe when associated with acute organ dysfunction. It concludes that severe sepsis is a common fatal syndrome in critically ill surgical patients in China.