Preventing brain aging by the artificial enforcement of the unfolded protein response:future directions

As the life expectancy of the world’s population increases,age-related diseases are emerging as one of the greatest problems facing modern society.The onset of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases is strictly dependent on aging as a major risk factor and has a profound impact on various aspects of the lives of individuals and their families.

Ascertaining the influences of auxiliary qubits on the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering and its directions

Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen(EPR) steering is an example of nontrivial quantum nonlocality and characteristic in the non-classical world.The directivity(or asymmetry) is a fascinating trait of EPR steering,and it is different from other quantum nonlocalities.Here,we consider the strategy in which two atoms compose a two-qubit X state,and the two atoms are owned by Alice and Bob,respectively.The atom of Alice suffers from a reservoir,and the atom of Bob couples with a bit flip channel.The influences of auxiliary qubits on EPR steering and its directions are revealed by means of the entropy uncertainty relation.The results indicate that EPR steering declines with growing time t when adding fewer auxiliary qubits.The EPR steering behaves as damped oscillation when introducing more auxiliary qubits in the strong coupling regime.In the weak coupling regime,the EPR steering monotonously decreases as t increases when coupling auxiliary qubits.The increases in auxiliary qubits are responsible for the fact that the steerability from Alice to Bob(or from Bob to Alice) can be more effectively revealed.Notably,the introductions of more auxiliary qubits can change the situation that steerability from Alice to Bob is certain to a situation in which steerability from Bob to Alice is certain.

MSD-Net: Pneumonia Classification Model Based on Multi-Scale Directional Feature Enhancement

Computer-aided diagnosis of pneumonia based on deep learning is a research hotspot.However,there are some problems that the features of different sizes and different directions are not sufficient when extracting the features in lung X-ray images.A pneumonia classification model based on multi-scale directional feature enhancement MSD-Net is proposed in this paper.The main innovations are as follows:Firstly,the Multi-scale Residual Feature Extraction Module(MRFEM)is designed to effectively extract multi-scale features.The MRFEM uses dilated convolutions with different expansion rates to increase the receptive field and extract multi-scale features effectively.Secondly,the Multi-scale Directional Feature Perception Module(MDFPM)is designed,which uses a three-branch structure of different sizes convolution to transmit direction feature layer by layer,and focuses on the target region to enhance the feature information.Thirdly,the Axial Compression Former Module(ACFM)is designed to perform global calculations to enhance the perception ability of global features in different directions.To verify the effectiveness of the MSD-Net,comparative experiments and ablation experiments are carried out.In the COVID-19 RADIOGRAPHY DATABASE,the Accuracy,Recall,Precision,F1 Score,and Specificity of MSD-Net are 97.76%,95.57%,95.52%,95.52%,and 98.51%,respectively.In the chest X-ray dataset,the Accuracy,Recall,Precision,F1 Score and Specificity of MSD-Net are 97.78%,95.22%,96.49%,95.58%,and 98.11%,respectively.This model improves the accuracy of lung image recognition effectively and provides an important clinical reference to pneumonia Computer-Aided Diagnosis.

Effects of cooling rate on microstructure and microhardness of directionally solidified Galvalume alloy

The influences of cooling rate on the phase constitution,microstructural length scale,and microhardness of directionally solidified Galvalume(Zn-55Al-1.6Si)alloy were investigated by directional solidification experiments at different withdrawal speeds(5,10,20,50,100,200,and 400μm·s^(-1)).The results show that the microstructure of directionally solidified Galvalume alloys is composed of primary Al dendrites,Si-rich phase and(Zn-Al-Si)ternary eutectics at the withdrawal speed ranging from 5 to 400μm·s^(-1).As the withdrawal speed increases,the segregation of Si element intensifies,resulting in an increase in the area fraction of the Si-rich phase.In addition,the primary Al dendrites show significant refinement with an increase in the withdrawal speed.The relationship between the primary dendrite arm spacing(λ_(1))and the thermal parameters of solidification is obtained:λ_(1)=127.3V^(-0.31).Moreover,as the withdrawal speed increases from 5 to 400μm·s^(-1),the microhardness of the alloy increases from 90 HV to 151 HV.This is a combined effect of grain refinement and second-phase strengthening.

Stability assessment of tree ring growth of Pinus armandii Franch in response to climate change based on slope directions at the Lubanling in the Funiu Mountains,China

Global warming will affect growth strategies and how trees will adapt.To compare the response of tree radial growth to climate warming in different slope directions,samples of Pinus armandii Franch were collected and tree-ring chronologies developed on northern and western slopes from the Lubanling in the Funiu Mountains.Correlation analyses showed that two chronologies were mainly limited by temperatures in the previous June-August and the com-bination of temperatures and moisture in the current May-July.The difference of the climate response to slopes was small but not negligible.Radial growth of the LBLO1 site on the northern slope was affected by the combined maximum and minimum temperatures,while that of the LBLO2 site was affected by maximum temperatures.With regards to moisture,radial growth of the trees on the north slope was influenced by the relative humidity in the current May-July,while on the western slope,it was affected by the relative humidity in the previous June-August,the current May-July and the precipitation in the current May-July.With the change in climate,the effects of the main limiting factors on growth on different slopes were visible to a certain extent,but the differences in response of trees on different slopes gradually decreased,which might be caused by factors such as different slope directions and the change in diurnal temperature range.These results may provide information for forest protection and ecological construction in this region,and a scientific reference for future climate reconstruction.

Stability assessment of tree ring growth of Pinus armandii Franch in response to climate change based on slope directions at the Lubanling in the Funiu Mountains,China

Global warming will affect growth strategies and how trees will adapt.To compare the response of tree radial growth to climate warming in different slope directions,samples of Pinus armandii Franch were collected and treering chronologies developed on northern and western slopes from the Lubanling in the Funiu Mountains.Correlation analyses showed that two chronologies were mainly limited by temperatures in the previous June–August and the combination of temperatures and moisture in the current May–July.The difference of the climate response to slopes was small but not negligible.Radial growth of the LBL01 site on the northern slope was affected by the combined maximum and minimum temperatures,while that of the LBL02 site was affected by maximum temperatures.With regards to moisture,radial growth of the trees on the north slope was influenced by the relative humidity in the current May–July,while on the western slope,it was affected by the relative humidity in the previous June–August,the current May–July and the precipitation in the current May–July.With the change in climate,the effects of the main limiting factors on growth on different slopes were visible to a certain extent,but the differences in response of trees on different slopes gradually decreased,which might be caused by factors such as different slope directions and the change in diurnal temperature range.These results may provide information for forest protection and ecological construction in this region,and a scientific reference for future climate reconstruction.

Estimation of the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity through 3D fracture networks using the directional geological entropy

With an extension of the geological entropy concept in porous media,the approach called directional entrogram is applied to link hydraulic behavior to the anisotropy of the 3D fracture networks.A metric called directional entropic scale is used to measure the anisotropy of spatial order in different directions.Compared with the traditional connectivity indexes based on the statistics of fracture geometry,the directional entropic scale is capable to quantify the anisotropy of connectivity and hydraulic conductivity in heterogeneous 3D fracture networks.According to the numerical analysis of directional entrogram and fluid flow in a number of the 3D fracture networks,the hydraulic conductivities and entropic scales in different directions both increase with spatial order(i.e.,trace length decreasing and spacing increasing)and are independent of the dip angle.As a result,the nonlinear correlation between the hydraulic conductivities and entropic scales from different directions can be unified as quadratic polynomial function,which can shed light on the anisotropic effect of spatial order and global entropy on the heterogeneous hydraulic behaviors.

Security-Enhanced Directional Modulation Based on Two-Dimensional M-WFRFT

Directional modulation(DM)is one of the most promising secure communication techniques.However,when the eavesdropper is co-located with the legitimate receiver,the conventional DM has the disadvantages of weak anti-scanning capability,anti-deciphering capability,and low secrecy rate.In response to these problems,we propose a twodimensional multi-term weighted fractional Fourier transform aided DM scheme,in which the legitimate receiver and the transmitter use different transform terms and transform orders to encrypt and decrypt the confidential information.In order to further lower the probability of being deciphered by an eavesdropper,we use the subblock partition method to convert the one-dimensional modulated signal vector into a twodimensional signal matrix,increasing the confusion of the useful information.Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed DM scheme not only provides stronger anti-deciphering and anti-scanning capabilities but also improves the secrecy rate performance of the system.

New direction for surgery:Super minimally invasive surgery

The top goal of modern medicine is treating disease without destroying organ structures and making patients as healthy as they were before their sickness.Minimally invasive surgery(MIS)has dominated the surgical realm because of its lesser invasiveness.However,changes in anatomical structures of the body and reconstruction of internal organs or different organs are common after traditional surgery or MIS,decreasing the quality of life of patients post-operation.Thus,I propose a new treatment mode,super MIS(SMIS),which is defined as“curing a disease or lesion which used to be treated by MIS while preserving the integrity of the organs”.In this study,I describe the origin,definition,operative channels,advantages,and future perspectives of SMIS.

Underdetermined direction of arrival estimation with nonuniform linear motion sampling based on a small unmanned aerial vehicle platform

Uniform linear array(ULA)radars are widely used in the collision-avoidance radar systems of small unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).In practice,a ULA's multi-target direction of arrival(DOA)estimation performance suffers from significant performance degradation owing to the limited number of physical elements.To improve the underdetermined DOA estimation performance of a ULA radar mounted on a small UAV platform,we propose a nonuniform linear motion sampling underdetermined DOA estimation method.Using the motion of the UAV platform,the echo signal is sampled at different positions.Then,according to the concept of difference co-array,a virtual ULA with multiple array elements and a large aperture is synthesized to increase the degrees of freedom(DOFs).Through position analysis of the original and motion arrays,we propose a nonuniform linear motion sampling method based on ULA for determining the optimal DOFs.Under the condition of no increase in the aperture of the physical array,the proposed method obtains a high DOF with fewer sampling runs and greatly improves the underdetermined DOA estimation performance of ULA.The results of numerical simulations conducted herein verify the superior performance of the proposed method.

A Novel CCA-NMF Whitening Method for Practical Machine Learning Based Underwater Direction of Arrival Estimation

Underwater direction of arrival(DOA)estimation has always been a very challenging theoretical and practical problem.Due to the serious non-stationary,non-linear,and non-Gaussian characteristics,machine learning based DOA estimation methods trained on simulated Gaussian noised array data cannot be directly applied to actual underwater DOA estimation tasks.In order to deal with this problem,environmental data with no target echoes can be employed to analyze the non-Gaussian components.Then,the obtained information about non-Gaussian components can be used to whiten the array data.Based on these considerations,a novel practical sonar array whitening method was proposed.Specifically,based on a weak assumption that the non-Gaussian components in adjacent patches with and without target echoes are almost the same,canonical cor-relation analysis(CCA)and non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)techniques are employed for whitening the array data.With the whitened array data,machine learning based DOA estimation models trained on simulated Gaussian noised datasets can be used to perform underwater DOA estimation tasks.Experimental results illustrated that,using actual underwater datasets for testing with known machine learning based DOA estimation models,accurate and robust DOA estimation performance can be achieved by using the proposed whitening method in different underwater con-ditions.

Unleashing the Potential of Unidirectional Mechanical Materials: Breakthroughs and Promising Applications

The emergence of mechanically one-way materials presents an exciting opportunity for materials science and engineering. These substances exhibit unique nonreciprocal mechanical responses, enabling them to selectively channel mechanical energy and facilitate directed sound propagation, controlled mass transport, and concentration of mechanical energy amidst random motion. This article explores the fundamentals of mechanically one-way materials, their potential applications across various industries, and the economic and environmental considerations related to their production and use.

云南省R&D经费投入结构动态研究

为研究云南省“十二五”以来R&D经费投入结构变化,分析R&D经费投入现状,并与全国,东、中、西部地区及临近省份进行了对比;从资金来源和资金配置视角,运用Cobb-Douglas效用函数及其修正模型对R&D经费投入结构展开动态分析。结果表明:云南省R&D经费投入结构不尽合理,资金来源中政府资金占比较低且呈下降趋势,资金配置中基础研究和应用研究投入不足,与最优结构偏离程度较大。针对存在的问题,提出持续加大政府R&D经费投入力度、围绕产业链提升基础研究和应用研究比重的建议。

基于UN R167法规的商用车直接视野3D虚拟测试方法研究

针对UN R167法规,构建商用车驾驶员直接视野的数字化模型。利用Blender仿真平台开发虚拟测试方法,求得商用车驾驶员直接视野体积。结果表明,所开发的虚拟测试方法的数据与实际尺寸测量法数据高度一致,而且能够提高测量效率,降低测量成本。

政府R&D资助对OFDI逆向绿色创新的影响机制研究

应用中国分省区层面数据并采用面板门槛模型,实证考察了政府R&D资助影响OFDI逆向绿色创新的动态效应。研究发现,OFDI对国内绿色创新产生了显著的驱动效应,但这种影响呈现出明显的先负后正的“U”型动态演化特征;政府R&D资助会正向调节OFDI逆向绿色创新溢出,且存在最适宜于OFDI逆向绿色创新的政府R&D资助区间(0.366,0.428],过高或过低强度的政府R&D资助均会在一定程度上造成OFDI逆向绿色创新的红利损失;政府R&D资助调节下OFDI对绿色创新的动态影响具有显著时空异质性,即在时空维度上存在“激励效应”与“挤出效应”交替演化的鲜明特征。

R&D资本化背景下我国TFP增长率再测算

研究与试验发展(R&D)资本对经济增长和科技创新作用日益凸显,但对于R&D资本的核算亟待完善。本文基于SNA2008和CSNA2016框架,将R&D支出作为资本形成,对我国各省份物质资本存量和R&D资本存量进行规范化测算,使用随机前沿分析法重新估算1991—2019年间的全要素生产率(TFP)增长率。研究发现:第一,我国R&D资本存量规模呈总体递增和地区聚集趋势;第二,1991—2019年间,我国广义TFP增长率年平均增幅为2.10%,对经济增长存在正向作用;第三,将TFP增长率分解为技术进步、前沿技术效率和规模效应,发现技术进步对TFP增长率的贡献最大,是推动我国TFP增长的主导力量,但却呈现逐年递减的趋势;第四,随着我国对R&D投入的不断增加与重视,R&D对我国广义TFP增长率的贡献呈现递增的趋势,R&D的贡献逐渐成为推动我国科技进步的主要力量。

Cell reprogramming therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.

基于SCAR标记和DNA条形码技术的苍术基原鉴别研究

目的开发出能同时鉴别北苍术和关苍术的分子标记方法,并探究不同种质资源苍术的遗传进化关系。方法对不同地区北苍术Atractylodes chinensis(Bunge)Koidz及关苍术A.japonica Koidz.ex Kitam基因组DNA的差异片段进行测序,结合SRAP、ISSR、DAMD分子标记方法,优化PCR反应体系,筛选并转换成特异性标记,同时,采用条形码方法分析种间序列差异。结果通过SRAP、ISSR、DAMD三种分子标记方法的PCR扩增,共筛选出198对能稳定扩增且重现性好的引物,转换出7对能稳定、快速鉴别北苍术和关苍术的SCAR引物。条形码方法检测出北苍术ITS2序列长度为454 bp,关苍术ITS2序列长度为453 bp,与其他苍术属植物之间遗传距离较远。NJ树结果显示,北苍术、关苍术及其他苍术属植物均各自聚为一支,表现出良好的单系性。依据ITS2二级结构,4种苍术属植物在螺旋区的茎环数目、大小、位置均有明显差异,可以直观地进行区分。结论所开发的特异性SCAR标记为苍术属植物优良品种的筛选提供了新方法,DNA条形码能稳定、准确鉴别北苍术。

服务业进出口、OFDI和全要素生产率的动态关系研究——基于VAR模型的实证分析

研究服务业贸易、投资与服务业之间的影响关系,对提升我国服务行业国际竞争力、促进其高质量发展具有重要意义。论文使用我国2000—2021年数据,构建VAR模型对服务业进出口、服务业对外直接投资(OFDI)和全要素生产率的动态交互关系进行实证分析。研究结果显示,服务业进出口对服务业对外直接投资具有正相关关系,且长期支持效果明显;服务业进出口对OFDI、全要素生产率提升具有促进作用;在短期内,全要素生产率与OFDI之间存在双向促进作用,从长期来看则存在一定负向影响。基于实证研究结论,文中提出制定政策鼓励服务企业参与国际化竞争、发挥服务业进出口对OFDI的促进效应、提升服务企业自主创新能力等相关对策建议。

扩展P-ROQR环流抑制策略在船舶MMC-MVDC电力系统中的应用

为了解决船舶中压直流(MVDC)电力系统中应用的模块化多电平变换器(MMC)存在的环流问题,分析自阻型MMC的拓扑结构及环流产生机理,采用基于2阶广义积分器(SOGI)的滤波器过滤环流中的直流分量。对于环流中的交流分量,提出一种基于比例降阶准比例谐振控制器的新型环流抑制器对其进行抑制。在MATLAB/Simulink软件中搭建船舶自阻型MMC-MVDC电力系统模型。仿真结果表明:所提策略能有效抑制环流中的交流分量;自阻型MMC应用于逆变侧时具有直流故障闭锁能力。所提策略应用于船舶MMC-MVDC电力系统的环流抑制效果优异,同时具有减少桥臂电流畸变,稳定子模块电容电压的作用。