Endothelin-1-induced mini-stroke in the dorsal hippocampus or lateral amygdala results in deficits in learning and memory

Functional and structural alterations in brain connectivity associated with brain ischemia have been extensively studied.However,the mechanism whereby local ischemia in deep brain region affect brain functions is still unknown.Here,we first established a mini-stroke model by infusion of endothelin-1(ET-1) into the dorsal hippocampus or the lateral amygdala,and then investigated how these mini-infarcts affected brain functions associated with these regions.We found that rats with ET-1 infusion showed deficit in recall of contextual fear memory,but not in learning process and recall of tone fear memory.In novel object task,ET-1 in the hippocampus also eliminated object identity memory.ET-1 in the lateral amygdale affected acquisition of fear conditioning and disrupted retention of tone-conditioned fear,but did not impair retention of contextual fear.These findings suggest that ET-1-induced mini-infarct in deep brain area leads to functional deficits in learning and memory associated with these regions.

A Case of Refractory Insomnia Responding to Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy

A 42-year-old female patient suffered refractory insomnia. A variety of drugs including anti-anxiety, antidepressants, antipsychotics and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have been applied in the treatment with no significant effect, whereas modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) can significantly improve the patient’s sleep.

Dynamic Reconfigurable Structure with Rate Distortion Optimization

The Rate Distortion Optimization(RDO)algorithm in High Efficiency Video Coding(HEVC)has many iterations and a large number of calculations.In order to decrease the calculation time and meet the requirements of fast switching of RDO algorithms of different scales,an RDO dynamic reconfigurable structure is proposed.First,the Quantization Parameter(QP)and bit rate values were loaded through an H⁃tree Configurable Network(HCN),and the execution status of the array was detected in real time.When the switching request of the RDO algorithm was detected,the corresponding configuration information was delivered.This self⁃reconfiguration implementation method improved the flexibility and utilization of hardware.Experimental results show that when the control bit width was only increased by 31.25%,the designed configuration network could increase the number of controllable processing units by 32 times,and the execution cycle was 50%lower than the same type of design.Compared with previous RDO algorithm,the RDO algorithm implemented on the reconfigurable array based on the configuration network had an average operating frequency increase of 12.5%and an area reduction of 56.4%.

Relationship Between Symptom Distress,Functional Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Low Back Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Objective:To explore the relationship between symptomatic functional status and quality of life of patients with low back myofascial pain syndrome(MPS).Methods:From July 2021 to June 2022,106 patients with low back myofascial pain syndrome in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were selected as the research subjects.A total of 106 MPS patients were investigated with general information questionnaire,Memory Symptom Assessment Scale(MSAS),Oswestry Disability Index(ODI)and Short Form Questionnaire(SF-36).The relationship between quality of life and symptom distress and dysfunction was observed and analyzed based on symptom distress and dysfunction scores,SF-36 scores,and so on.Results:The total score of MSAS was 1.79±0.91.The overall symptom distress of the patients was moderate.The ODI score was 18.46±5.95.The functional disability of the patients was classified as moderately impaired.The MSAS-PHYS,MSAS-PSYCH,MSAS-GDI three scale scores were 2.14±0.75,1.69±0.88,1.55±0.46,respectively,and the variability of the three scales is relatively large;the dimension scores were significantly lower than those of the conventional scoring models,and P<0.05,indicating a statistical difference;the scores of each dimension of the patient’s quality of life were compared with the scores of symptom distress and functional status.The higher the symptom distress score,the lower the quality of life,with P<0.05,indicating a statistical difference;the higher the score of each dimension of functional status,the better the quality of life,showing a positive correlation,and P<0.05,indicating a statistical difference.Conclusion:MPS patients face a number of physical and psychological symptoms,and their functional status is limited.Nursing staff should implement health education and intervention measures according to the actual situation of the patients,so as to improve the quality of their lives.

Bulk growth and separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes from rhenium catalyst

Bulk synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWNTs)using solid catalyst has been challenging,despite of recent breakthrough in the chirality-specific growth on the flat substrate surface.In this work,we propose a porous magnesia support rhenium catalyst for bulk synthesis of SWNTs.It is found that the well-dispersed catalyst with a high melting point and the optimal chemical vapor deposition reaction conditions account for the growth of SWNTs.Detailed characterizations reveal the produced SWNTs are dominant in(n,n−1)and(n,n−2)species.Furthermore,by using a multicolumn chromatography post-growth separation method,SWNTs with three defined diameter ranges were obtained.This work guides the design of porous oxide supported catalyst for bulk synthesis and diameter-dependent sorting of SWNTs,which will ultimately help harness the extraordinary properties of SWNTs.

P2_(1)2_(1)2_(1)-C16: An ultrawide bandgap and ultrahard carbon allotrope with the bandgap larger than diamond

Ultrawide bandgap semiconductor,e.g.,diamond,is considered as the next generation of semiconductor.Here,a new orthorhombic carbon allotrope(P2_(1)2_(1)2_(1)-C16)with ultrawide bandgap and ultra-large hardness is identified.The stability of the newly designed carbon is confirmed by the energy,phonon spectrum,ab-initio molecular dynamics and elastic constants.The hardness ranges from 88 GPa to 93 GPa according to different models,which is comparable to diamond.The indirect bandgap reaches 6.23 eV,which is obviously larger than that of diamond,and makes it a promising ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor.Importantly,the experimental possibility is confirmed by comparing the simulated X-ray diffraction with experimental results,and two hypothetical transformation paths to synthesize it from graphite are proposed.