Large Tunneling Magnetoresistance and Perfect Spin Filtering Effect in van der Waals Cu/FeX_(2)/h-BN/FeX_(2)/Cu(X=Cl,Br,I)Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

The two-dimensional magnetic van der Waals heterojunctions have opened unprecedented opportunities to explore new physics due to their potential for spintronic applications.Here,combing density functional theory with non-equilibrium Green’s function technique.

CTCs Detection and Whole-exome Sequencing Might Be Used to Differentiate Benign and Malignant Pulmonary Nodules

Background and objective Low-density computed tomography(LDCT)improved early lung cancer diagnosis but introduces an excess of false-positive pulmonary nodules data.Hence,accurate diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer remains challenging.The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of using circulating tumour cells(CTCs)to differentiate malignant from benign pulmonary nodules.Materials and methods 122 patients with suspected malignant pulmonary nodules detected on chest CT in preparation for surgery were prospectively recruited.Peripheral blood samples were collected before surgery,and CTCs were identified upon isolation by size of epithelial tumour cells and morphological analysis.Laser capture microdissection,MALBAC amplification,and whole-exome sequencing were performed on 8 samples.The diagnostic efficacy of CTCs counting,and the genomic variation profile of benign and malignant CTCs samples were analysed.Results Using 2.5 cells/5 m L as the cut-off value,the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was of 0.651(95%confidence interval:0.538-0.764),with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.526 and 0.800,respectively,and positive and negative predictive values of 91.1%and 30.3%,respectively.Distinct sequence variations differences in DNA damage repair-related and driver genes were observed in benign and malignant samples.TP53 mutations were identified in CTCs of four malignant cases;in particular,g.7578115T>C,g.7578645C>T,and g.7579472G>C were exclusively detected in all four malignant samples.Conclusion CTCs play an ancillary role in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.TP53 mutations in CTCs might be used to identify benign and malignant pulmonary nodules.

A Shifting Strategy for Electric Commercial Vehicles Considering Mass and Gradient Estimation

The extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm and acceleration sensor measurements were used to identify vehiclemass and road gradient in the work. Four different states of fixed mass, variable mass, fixed slope and variableslope were set to simulate real-time working conditions, respectively. A comprehensive electric commercial vehicleshifting strategy was formulated according to the identification results. The co-simulation results showed that,compared with the recursive least square (RLS) algorithm, the proposed algorithm could identify the real-timevehicle mass and road gradient quickly and accurately. The comprehensive shifting strategy formulated had thefollowing advantages, e.g., avoiding frequent shifting of vehicles up the hill, making full use ofmotor braking downthe hill, and improving the overall performance of vehicles.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Phytocyanin Gene Family in Nicotiana tabacum

Phytocyanin(PC)is a class of plant-specific blue copper proteins involved in electron transport,plant growth,development,and stress resistance.However,PC proteins have not been systematically evaluated in tobacco plants.We determined the whole-genome sequences of the PC family in the tobacco cultivar‘K326.’The transcriptome data were used to analyze the expression of the NtPC family at different development stages and tissue-specific genes.Real-time fluorescence quantitative analysis was used to analyze the expression of the NtPC gene family under low temperature and methyl jasmonate stress.The tobacco NtPC family contained 110 members and was divided into four subfamilies:early nodulin-like protein(NtENODL),uclacyanin-like protein,stellacyanin1-like protein,and plantacyanin-like protein.According to phylogenetic and structural analyses,the NtPC family could be divided into eight structural types.Fifty-three NtPCs were randomly distributed on 22 of 24 tobacco chromosomes.Collinearity analysis revealed 33 pairs of genes belonging to the NtPC family.Gene ontology analysis showed that the PC genes are components of the plasma membrane and may participate in plasma membrane-related functions.The NtPC family contained numerous elements related to hormonal and abiotic stress responses and was specifically expressed in the tobacco prosperous,maturation,and budding periods.Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that some genes were tissue specific.The expression of NtENODL58 and other genes was significantly induced by low-temperature and methyl jasmonate stress.Thus,the NtPC gene family plays an important role in plant stress response.

选择性动脉介入术治疗妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤临床分析

目的:探讨选择性动脉栓塞(selective arterial embolization,SAE)术和动脉灌注化疗栓塞术在妊娠滋养细胞肿瘤(gestational trophoblastic neoplasia,GTN)治疗中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2010年7月至2020年1月27例于首都医科大学附属北京妇产医院行SAE治疗的GTN患者临床资料,分为动脉灌注化疗栓塞组(n=14)和单纯动脉栓塞组(n=13),所有患者行SAE治疗联合静脉化疗。超声检查子宫病灶大小改变、检测血清人绒毛膜促性腺激素(β-human chorionic gonadotropin,β-HCG)下降水平及保留生育功能情况。结果:患者平均年龄为35.37(19~51)岁,17例活动性出血患者行SAE治疗后出血均得到有效控制,患者行静脉化疗的总疗程中位数为4个疗程,治疗过程中行子宫切除为6例。两组患者行SAE联合静脉化疗1个疗程,超声检查评定治疗有效率为51.8%(14/27),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.413);血清β-HCG平均下降(2.07±0.91)个对数,两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.987)。结论:SAE治疗用于预防或控制高危GTN病灶出血效果肯定,动脉灌注化疗未明显提高动脉栓塞联合静脉化疗的疗效。

(001)-oriented FePt/Ag composite films for perpendicular recording

FePt/Ag thin films were deposited by magnetron sputtering onto 7059 glass substrates, then were annealed at 550 ℃ for 30 min. Nanostructured FePt/Ag films were successfully obtained with the magnetic easy axis of L10 FePt perpendicular to the film plane. It was found that the development of （001） texture depended strongly on the thicknesses of FePt magnetic layer and Ag underlayer. The L10 ordered FePt（15 nm）/Ag（50 nm） with （001） orientation can be obtained. And the perpendicular coercivity of FePt（15 nm）/Ag（50 nm） film reached to 7.2× 10^5 A/m, whereas the longitudinal one was only 3.2×10^4 A/m. The non-magnetic Ag underlayer can not only induce （001） orientation and ordering of FePt grains, but also reduce the intergrain interactions.

Magnetism in d^0 oxides

The emerging field of spintronics aims at the utilization of both the spin and charge of electrons, and the combination semiconducting and magnetic properties with in a single materialmaterial. Magnetic oxide semiconductors are significant spintronics materials. Besides of doping the semiconducting materials with a certain concentration of transition metals to integrate ferromagnetism into semiconductors, it is found that oxides of nonmagnetic cations exhibit elusive signs of weak temperatureindependent ferromagnetism.

Microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt/MgO multilayers deposited by RF magnetron sputtering

FePt （50 nm） and [FePt（a nm）/MgO（b nm）5/glass （a=1, 2, 3; b=1, 2, 3） films were prepared by radio frequency （RF） magnetron sputtering technique, and then were annealed at 600℃ for 30 min. The effect of MgO layer thickness on the structures and magnetic properties of the FePt/MgO multilayers was investigated. The coercivities and inter-grain interactions of the FePt/MgO films were decreased, yet the degree of （001） texturing drastically increased with the increase in MgO layer thickness when the FePt layer thickness was fixed. Thus, the FePt/MgO films with appropriate coercivities, high perpendicular anisotropy, and weak intergrain interactions were obtained by controlling the MgO layer thickness. Overall, these results indicate that the FePt/MgO nanostructured films are promising candidates for future high-density perpendicular recording media.

Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency and Risk of Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

The growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy in adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is now well developed, nevertheless, the safety of GH replacement, especially the incidence of cancer in these patients remains to be further clarified. To summarize the evidence on the safety of using GH in AGHD, we conduct this meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the risk of cancer and GH replacement therapy. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies involved in GH therapy for AGHD were selected. Meta-analysis was performed and risk ratio (RR) was pooled with 95% confidence interval (CI) to investigate the relationship between GH replacement and the risk of cancer. The result indicated that there was no evidence to draw a conclusion that GH replacement therapy will increase the risk of cancer (P = 0.001, RR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.65, 0.90]). Meanwhile, according to the calculated analysis, the replacement therapy might even reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore, subgroup analysis demonstrated that there was no correlation between replacement therapy of GH and the risk of cancer both in prospective and retrospective cohort design research, and in prospective group, the risk of cancer even decreased (P = 0.0002, RR = 0.71, 95%CI [0.59, 0.85]). In conclusion, our study corroborates evidence from previous studies showing that GH replacement therapy in AGHD patients would not increase the risk of cancer;instead, it might be even decrease cancer risk. The results suggested that GH replacement therapy in AGHD patients was safe.

Virilizing Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor with Multiple Non-Functional Endocrine Neoplasias: A Case Report

Ovarian Leydig cell tumor, a sub-type of ovarian steroid cell tumor, accounts for less than 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. It can affect women of any age group but is most common in postmenopausal women. We here report a case of virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor with multiple non-functional endocrine neoplasias (pituitary and adrenal adenomas) in a 48-year-old woman. She first presented with sub-abdominal pain and hirsutism since menopause three years ago. Subsequently, she had slight facial acne, voice deepening, breast atrophy, and a prominent Adam’s apple. Her hormone profile showed an elevated level of testosterone, high free androgen index, low levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, and normal levels of random cortisol, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. A pelvic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed nodules in the right ovary, and a pituitary enhanced MRI revealed a microadenoma. An enhanced computerized tomography scan of the adrenal gland revealed left adrenal nodules, possibly adenomas. After a right cystectomy and right fallopian tube resection, her testosterone level declined to 0.38 nmol/L and the symptoms associated with hyperandrogenism improved. This is a rare case of virilizing ovarian Leydig cell tumor with multiple non-functional endocrine neoplasias. We believe our findings will be helpful in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenism.

China＇s Engagement in African Security Affairs in the Post-Cold War Era

China has become an increasingly important player across the African continent since the end of the Cold War. Given the scale and breadth of its political and economic involvement in Africa, some Western scholars claim that China＇s ＂return to Africa＂ has been one of the most important developments the region has witnessed in the past two decades. One phenomenon worthy of particular attention is that, other than strengthening economic ties with African states, China has been playing a more active role in helping promote peace and stability on the continent. In other words, Sino-Afi-ican coordination on security-related issues has been intensified since the end of the Cold War. What kind of role has China been playing or sought to play in this area？ What factors have motivated China to engage more actively in African security affairs？ And are there any challenges Beijing has to face when pursuing common security interests with its African counterparts？ Seeking to provide preliminary answers to these questions, this article mainly investigates China＇s increasing role in promoting peace and safeguarding security in Africa.

The Magnetoresistance of Nanostructured Co-ZnO Films with ZnO Buffer-Layers

Co-ZnO films were prepared on oxidised silicon by magnetron sputtering at room temperature both with and without a ZnO buffer-layer. The Co-ZnO films consisted of Co particles dispersed in a semiconductor matrix. The combination of a Co-ZnO layer and a ZnO buffer-layer has a higher magnetoresistance than the Co-ZnO layer alone on an insulating Si substrate. The causes of this effect were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, depth profiling using Auger electron spectroscopy and electrical resistance as well as measurements of the change in the saturation magnetisation, the field cooled- and zero field cooled-magnetisation. This work has shown clearly what criteria are needed to optimise the magnetoresistance and how these conditions may be met by adding a buffer-layer thus making granular films based on ZnO more suitable for applications as field sensors.

Anomalous magnetic property and broadband photodetection in ultrathin non-layered manganese selenide semiconductor

Two-dimensional(2D)semiconductors with intrinsic ferromagnetism are highly desirable for potential applications in nextgeneration spintronic and optoelectronic devices.However,controllable synthesis of intrinsic 2D magnetic semiconductor on a substrate is still a challenging task.Herein,large-area 2D non-layered rock salt(α-phase)MnSe nanosheets were grown on mica substrates,with the thickness changing from 54.2 to 0.9 nm(one unit cell),by chemical vapour deposition.The X-ray diffraction,Raman spectroscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the resulting 2Dα-MnSe nanosheets were obtained as high-quality single crystals.The magnetic hysteresis loops and synchrotron X-ray measurements directly indicated the anomalous magnetic properties inα-MnSe nanosheets.Comprehensive analysis of the reasons for magnetic property revealed that the low-temperature phase transition,small number of stacking differences in crystals,and surface weak oxidation in(111)-orientedα-MnSe were the main mechanisms.Furthermore,α-MnSe nanosheets exhibited broadband photoresponse from 457 to 671 nm with an outstanding detectivity and responsivity behaviours.This study presents the detailed growth process of ultrathin 2D magnetic semiconductorα-MnSe,and its outstanding magnetic properties and broadband photodetection,which provide an excellent platform for magneto-optical and magneto-optoelectronic research.

Al-driven analysis establishes the single base substitution signatures as personalized prognostic predictors for five-year survival of gastric cancer

Al-driven genetic engineering,as a burgeoning diagnostic tool,can offer predictive information on the five-year survival rate(FYSR)in the setup of a prognostic therapeutic schedule.This approach provides the individuality and accuracy of prognosis for FYSR of gastric cancer(GC).Unlike traditional neoplasm staging criteria,our technique ensures accuracy and individuality without relying on statistical data and empirical study.

Ultrafast magnetization enhancement and spin current injection in magnetic multilayers by exciting the nonmagnetic metal

A systematic investigation of spin injection behavior in Au/FM(FM=Fe and Ni)multilayers is performed using the superdiffusive spin transport theory.By exciting the nonmagnetic layer,the laser-induced hot electrons may transfer spin angular momentum into the adjacent ferromagnetic(FM)metals resulting in ultrafast demagnetization or enhancement.We find that these experimental phenomena sensitively depend on the particular interface reflectivity of hot electrons and may reconcile the different observations in the experiment.Stimulated by the ultrafast spin currents carried by the hot electrons,we propose the multilayer structures to generate highly spin-polarized currents for the development of future ultrafast spintronics devices.The spin polarization of the electric currents carried by the hot electrons can be significantly enhanced by the joint effects of bulk and interfacial spin filtering.Meanwhile,the intensity of the generated spin current can be optimized by varying the number of repeated stacking units and the thickness of each metallic layer.

Intrinsic vacancy in 2D defective semiconductor In_(2)S_(3) for artificial photonic nociceptor

It is crucial to develop an advanced artificially intelligent optoelectronic information system that accurately simulates photonic nociceptors like the activation process of a human visual nociceptive pathway.Visible light reaches the retina for human visual perception,but its excessive exposure can damage nearby tissues.However,there are relatively few reports on visible light–triggered nociceptors.Here,we introduce a two-dimensional natural defectiveⅢ–Ⅵsemiconductorβ-In_(2)S_(3)and utilize its broad spectral response,including visible light brought by intrinsic defects,for visible light–triggered artificial photonic nociceptors.The response mode of the device,under visible light excitation,is very similar to that of the human eye.It perfectly reproduces the pain perception characteristics of the human visual system,such as‘threshold,’‘relaxation,’‘no adaptation’,and‘sensitization’.Its working principle is attributed to the mechanism of charge trapping associated with the intrinsic vacancies in In_(2)S_(3)nanosheets.This work provides an attractive material system(intrinsic defective semiconductors)for broadband artificial photonic nociceptors.

Magnetic-field modulation of topological electronic state and emergent magneto-transport in a magnetic Weyl semimetal

The modulation of topological electronic state by an external magnetic field is highly desired for condensed-matter physics.Schemes to achieve this have been proposed theoretically,but few can be realized experimentally.Here,combining transverse transport,theoretical calculations,and scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy(STM/S)investigations,we provide an observation that the topological electronic state,accompanied by an emergent magneto-transport phenomenon,was modulated by applying magnetic field through induced non-collinear magnetism in the magnetic Weyl semimetal EuB6.A giant unconventional anomalous Hall effect(UAHE)is found during the magnetization re-orientation from easy axes to hard ones in magnetic field,with a UAHE peak around the low field of 5 kOe.

Dissecting the hypothalamic pathways that underlie innate behaviors

Many complex behaviors that do not require learning are displayed and are termed innate. Although traditionally the subject matter of ethology, innate behaviors offer a unique entry point for neuroscientists to dissect the physiological mechanisms governing complex behaviors. Since the last century, converging evidence has implicated the hypothalamus as the central brain area that controls innate behaviors. Recent studies using cutting-edge tools have revealed that genetically-defined populations of neurons residing in distinct hypothalamic nuclei and their associated neural pathways regulate the initiation and maintenance of diverse behaviors including feeding, sleep, aggression, and parental care. Here, we review the newly-defined hypothalamic pathways that regulate each innate behavior. In addition, emerging general principles of the neural control of complex behaviors are discussed.

Chimeric Newcastle Disease Virus-like Particles Containing DC-Binding Peptide-Fused Haemagglutinin Protect Chickens from Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus and H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Challenge

Newcastle disease virus(NDV)and H9N2 subtype Avian influenza virus(AIV)are two notorious avian respiratory pathogens that cause great losses in the poultry industry.Current inactivated commercial vaccines against NDV and AIV have the disadvantages of inadequate mucosal responses,while an attenuated live vaccine bears the risk of mutation.Dendritic cell(DC)targeting strategies are attractive for their potent mucosal and adaptive immune-stimulating ability against respiratory pathogens.In this study,DC-binding peptide(DCpep)-decorated chimeric virus-like particles(cVLPs),containing NDV haemagglutinin–neuraminidase(HN)and AIV haemagglutinin(HA),were developed as a DC-targeting mucosal vaccine candidate.DCpep-decorated cVLPs activated DCs in vitro,and induced potent immune stimulation in chickens,with enhanced secretory immunoglobulin A(sIgA)secretion and splenic T cell differentiation.40μg cVLPs can provide full protection against the challenge with homologous,heterologous NDV strains,and AIV H9N2.In addition,DCpep-decorated cVLPs could induce a better immune response when administered intranasally than intramuscularly,as indicated by robust s IgA secretion and a reduced virus shedding period.Taken together,this chimericVLPs are a promising vaccine candidate to control NDV and AIV H9N2 and a useful platform bearing multivalent antigens.

The impacts of warming and nitrogen addition on competitive ability of native and invasive populations of Plantago virginica

Aims Global change factors(e.g.warming and nitrogen deposition)may influence biological invasions,but how these factors may influence the performance of invasive species and further mediate the interactions with native competitors remain still unknown.Methods Here,we conducted a 5-month greenhouse experiment to examine the effects of warming(using open-top chambers,+0.62°C)and N addition(adding NH4NO3 at a rate of 4.2 g m−2)on the performance of the native and invasive populations of an invasive species Plantago virginica in competition with a native Plantago asiatica.Important Findings Under warming treatment and its interaction with nitrogen addition treatment(W×N),invasive and native populations of P.virginica had different biomass allocation strategies to compete with native competitor P.asiatica.Native population of P.virginica(PV-Na)increased more below-ground biomass,whereas those from the invasive population(PV-In)increased more above-ground biomass.We also found that invasive species P.virginica had stronger responses to warming and N addition than the native species P.asiatica.The competitive ability of the invasive plants was significantly reduced by warming which indicated that the invasive plant were much stronger sensitivity to elevated temperature than native plant.Similarly,N addition and W×N reduced the competitive response of PV-In in below-ground biomass,but increased the competitive response of PV-Na in above-ground and total biomass when they grew with the P.asiatica.The results show that P.virginica have occurred differential biomass allocation strategies during its invasions and invasive population exhibit flexible competition ability to adapt to environmental changes(especially warming).These findings may potentially help to predict plant invasions and make management strategies in a world with changing climate.