The Astrometric Performance of the China Space Station Telescope(CSST)Sky Survey in Extending the Gaia Celestial Reference Frame

The multi-color imaging sky survey conducted by the China Space Station Telescope(CSST)holds significant promise for advancing the development of the celestial reference frame.In this study,we focus on assessing the astrometric performance of the CSST celestial reference frame(CSST-CRF)in extending the Gaia Celestial Reference Frame 3(Gaia-CRF3).First,the orientation precision of the CSST reference frame is evaluated using a simulated set of extragalactic sources with CSST g magnitudes ranging from 18 to 25 mag.The estimated orientation uncertainty caused by random error insignificantly affects the alignment between Gaia-CRF3 and the CSST-CRF.Then,the systematic effect of incomplete CSST sky coverage on the alignment between CSST-CRF and Gaia-CRF3 is discussed by analyzing the differences between the subset of Gaia-CRF3 in the CSST observation region(Gaia-CRF3′)and Gaia-CRF3 as a whole.Using the third International Celestial Reference Frame(ICRF3)S/X band as an intermediate reference frame,the orientation offset between Gaia-CRF3′and GaiaCRF3 is estimated to be 20μas.This offset is marginally larger than the orientation offset between Gaia-CRF3 and the ICRF3,approximately 15μas.The residual spin and glide rate of Gaia-CRF3′are derived from the proper motions,consistent with that of Gaia-CRF3 within the formal error.Finally,we explore the role of CSST in establishing a multi-band celestial reference frame by comparing its limiting magnitude and observation accuracy with existing catalogs in the infrared and ultraviolet bands.Thanks to its broad wavelength coverage and highprecision measurements,CSST is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the development of a multiband celestial reference frame.

Local administration of icariin contributes to peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery

Our previous study showed that systemic administration of the traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium extract promotes peripheral nerve regeneration. Here, we sought to explore the ther- apeutic effects of local administration of icariin, a major component of Epimedium extract, on peripheral nerve regeneration. A poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid） biological conduit sleeve was used to bridge a 5 mm right sciatic nerve defect in rats, and physiological saline, nerve growth factor, icariin suspension, or nerve growth factor-releasing microsphere suspension was injected into the defect. Twelve weeks later, sciatic nerve conduction velocity and the number of myelinated fibers were notably greater in the rats treated with icariin suspension or nerve growth factor-releasing microspheres than those that had received nerve growth factor or physiological saline. The effects of icariin suspension were similar to those of nerve growth factor-releasing microspheres. These data suggest that icariin acts as a nerve growth factor-releasing agent, and indicate that local ap- plication of icariin after spinal injury can promote peripheral nerve regeneration.

Elevated levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with knee articular cartilage injury

BACKGROUND Inflammatory cytokines play a vital role in the occurrence of osteoarticular injury and inflammation. Whether inflammation-associated factors interleukin-1β(IL- 1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are involved in the pathogenesis of keen articular cartilage injury remains poorly understood. AIM To measure the levels of inflammatory factors [IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF] in patients with knee articular cartilage injury. METHODS Fifty-five patients with knee articular cartilage injury were selected as patient groups, who were divided into three grades [mild (n = 20), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 16)] according to disease severity and X-ray examinations. Meanwhile, 30 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination were selected as the control group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF were measured by ELISA and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Compared with the control group, patient groups displayed significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF, and the extent of increase was directly proportional to the severity of injury (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of cells with positive staining of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF in the synovial membrane were significantly increased, along with increased disease severity (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of visual analogue scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster University of Orthopaedic Index in patient groups were 2.26 ± 1.13 and 15.56 ± 7.12 points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those before treatment (6.98 ± 1.32 and 49.48 ± 8.96). Correlation analysis suggested that IL-1β and TNF-α were positively correlated with VEGF. CONCLUSION IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF levels are increased in patients with knee articular cartilage injury, and are associated with the disease severity, indicating they might play an important role in the occurrence and development of knee articular cartilage injury. Furthermore, therapeutically targeting them might be a novel approach for the treatment of keen articular cartilage injury.

New measurement of^(63)Cu(γ,n)^(62)Cu cross-section using quasi-monoenergeticγ-ray beam

We present new data on the^(63)Cu(γ,n)cross-section studied using a quasi-monochromatic and energy-tunableγbeam produced at the Shanghai Laser Electron Gamma Source to resolve the long-standing discrepancy between existing measurements and evaluations of this cross-section.Using an unfolding iteration method,^(63)Cu(γ,n)data were obtained with an uncertainty of less than 4%,and the inconsistencies between the available experimental data were discussed.Theγ-ray strength function of^(63)Cu(γ,n)was successfully extracted as an experimental constraint.We further calculated the cross-section of the radiative neutron capture reaction^(62)Cu(n,γ)using the TALYS code.Our calculation method enables the extraction of(n,γ)cross-sections for unstable nuclides.

A novel Mo_(8.7)Nb_(6.1)O_x@NCs egg-nest composite structure as superior anode material for lithium-ion storage

Anode materials of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)endowed with high-rate performance and fast charging capability are crucial for future energy storage systems.Here,Mo_(8.7)Nb_(6.1)O_(x)@NCs(nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes,NCs)egg-nest structure synthesized by an in-situ solvothermal method is reported.The Mo_(8.7)Nb_(6.1)O_(x)@NCs egg-nest exhibits high embedding potential,high pseudocapacitance contribution rate(87.5%),and low charge transfer resistance.The electrochemical results show that Mo_(8.7)Nb_(6.1)O_(x)@NCs demonstrates excellent rate performance(reversible capacity of 196.8 mAh·Ag^(-1)at 10 A·Ag^(-1),and full charging only takes 1.1 min)and excellent cycle stability(reversible capacity of 513 mAh·Ag^(-1)at 0.5 A·Ag^(-1)combined with a capacity loss of only 5.4%after 100 cycles),outperforming the state-of-the-art literature.The full cell is assembled with Mo_(8.7)Nb_(6.1)O_(x)@NCs as the anode and LiFeP04 as the cathode,which can provide a remarkably high energy density of 731.9 Wh·kg^(-1),indicating its excellent prospect for practical applications.