Experimental Investigation of Crystal Structure of Zr 0.98 NiGe 2.94 and Phase Equilibria in Zr-Ni-Ge System

Based on the results of electron probe microanalysis(EPMA)and X-ray diffraction(XRD),the isothermal sections of Zr-Ni-Ge ternary system at 973 K and 1173 K were constructed through alloy sampling approach.It is worth noting that the crystallographic information of the formerly reportedτ2(Zr_(0.98)NiGe_(2.94))was determined,which belongs to the space group Pbcm(No.57).Besides the formerly reported ternary compounds,τ1(Zr_(6)Ni_(16)Ge_(7)),τ_(2)(Zr_(0.98)NiGe_(2.94)),τ_(3)(Zr_(3)Ni_(4)Ge_(4)),τ_(4)(ZrNiGe)andτ_(5)(Zr_(2)Ni_(0.54)Ge_(0.46)),a new ternary phase namedτ_(6)with the composition of Zr_(39)Ni_(18)Ge_(43)was primarily detected in this work.In addition,an invariant reaction Ni_(5)Ge_(3)+τ_(4)τ_(1)+τ_(3)between 973 K and 1173 K was deduced.

Spatial correlation of irreversible displacement in oscillatory-sheared metallic glasses

We report computer simulations on the oscillatory of Cu Zr metallic glasses at zero temperature with different shear amplitudes. In small system a homogenous shear deformation is found, while in large system an inhomogeneous shear deformation is found with a shear band formed. Concomitantly, spatial correlation of irreversible displacement exhibits an isotropic and exponential decay in the case of homogeneous deformation, whereas a mixed power-law and exponential decay in the case of anisotropic and inhomogeneous deformation. By projecting the azimuthal-dependent correlation function onto the spherical harmonics, we found a strong polar symmetry that accounts for the emerged shear band, and a weaker quadrupolar symmetry that accounts for the elastic filed generated by Eshelby inclusions. By this, we conclude that the anisotropy and decaying formula of the plastic correlation are dominated by the homogeneity or inhomogeneity for the deformation in the metallic glasses.

Thermodynamical and topological properties of metastable Fe_(3)Sn

The Fe–Sn-based kagome compounds attract intensive attention due to its attractive topological transport and rich magnetic properties.Combining experimental data,first-principles calculations,and Calphad assessment,thermodynamic and topological transport properties of the Fe–Sn system were investigated.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations were performed to evaluate the intermetallics’finite-temperature heat capacity(C_(p)).A consistent thermodynamic assessment of the Fe–Sn phase diagram was achieved by using the experimental and DFT results,together with all available data from previous publications.Here,we report that the metastable phase Fe_(3)Sn was introduced into the current metastable phase diagram,and corrected phase locations of Fe_(5)Sn_(3)and Fe_(3)Sn_(2)under the newly measured corrected temperature ranges.Furthermore,the anomalous Hall conductivity and anomalous Nernst conductivity of Fe_(3)Sn were calculated,with magnetization directions and doping considered as perturbations to tune such transport properties.It was observed that the enhanced anomalous Hall and Nernst conductivities originate from the combination of nodal lines and small gap areas that can be tuned by doping Mn at Fe sites and varying magnetization direction.

ARTICLE OPEN Mutant KRAS triggers functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer

Oncogenic KRAS has been previously identified to act in a cell-intrinsic manner to modulate multiple biological functions of colorectal cancer(CRC).Here,we demonstrate a cell-extrinsic role of KRAS,where KRAS engages with the tumor microenvironment by functional reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs).In human CRC specimens,mutant KRAS positively correlates with the presence of TAMs.Mutationally activated KRAS in tumor cells reprograms macrophages to a TAM-like phenotype via a combination effect of tumor-derived CSF2 and lactate.In turn,KRAS-reprogrammed macrophages were shown to not only promote tumor progression but also induce the resistance of tumor cells to cetuximab therapy.Mechanistically,KRAS drives the production of CSF2 and lactate in tumor cells by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-la(HIF-1a),a transcription factor that controls the expression of CSF2 and glycolytic genes.Mutant KRAS increased the production of reactive oxygen species,an inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase activity which decreases HIF-1a hydroxylation,leading to enhanced HIF-1a stabilization.This cell-extrinsic mechanism awards KRAS a critical role in engineering a permissive microenvironment to promote tumor malignancy,and may present new insights on potential therapeutic defense strategies against mutant KRAS tumors.

Incidence and risk factors for incisional surgical site infection in patients with Crohn’s disease undergoing bowel resection

Background:Patients with Crohn’s disease(CD)are often reported to be at a high risk for incisional surgical site infection(SSI).The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with post-operative incisional SSI in CD patients after bowel resection.Method:CD patients undergoing bowel resection between 2007 and 2015 were enrolled.Demographic and clinical features related to post-operative incisional SSI were analysed using both univariate and multivariate logistical analyses.Results:Of all eligible patients(n=159),123(77.4%)were male,with a mean age at surgery of 33.4611.8 years.A total of 35(22.0%)CD patients developed post-operative incisional SSI.Post-operative incisional SSI was more likely to happen in patients who had penetrating type of disease(P=0.018),underwent bowel resection for the indication of chronic fistula(P=0.005)and had an intra-operative finding of fistula(P=0.001).A greater proportion of patients with post-operative incisional SSI were found to have anemia(P=0.019)but elevated levels of white blood cells(P=0.027),neutrophils(P=0.006)as well as an elevated percentage of neutrophils(P=0.005).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that anemia(odds ratio[OR]:3.31,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.05-10.46,P=0.041),an elevated percentage of neutrophils(OR:2.85,95%CI:1.23-6.59,P=0.014)and an intra-operative finding of fistula(OR:3.76,95%CI:1.53-9.21,P=0.004)were significantly associated with the risk for post-operative incisional SSI.Conclusions:Anemia,elevated percentage of neutrophils and intra-operative finding of fistula are predictors for the development of post-operative incisional SSI in CD patients undergoing bowel resection.Favorable pre-operative nutrition status and low inflammatory status may lessen the incidence of post-operative incisional SSI.