Glasses are known to possess low-frequency excess modes beyond the Debye prediction.For decades,it has been assumed that evolution of low-frequency density of excess modes D(ω) with frequency ω follows a power-law s...Glasses are known to possess low-frequency excess modes beyond the Debye prediction.For decades,it has been assumed that evolution of low-frequency density of excess modes D(ω) with frequency ω follows a power-law scaling:D(ω)~ω~γ.However,it remains debated on the value of γ at low frequencies below the first phonon-like mode in finitesize glasses.Early simulation studies reported γ=4 at low frequencies in two-(2D),three-(3D),and four-dimensional(4D)glasses,whereas recent observations in 2D and 3D glasses suggested γ=3.5 in a lower-frequency regime.It is uncertain whether the low-frequency scaling of D(ω)~ω^(3.5) could be generalized to 4D glasses.Here,we conduct numerical simulation studies of excess modes at frequencies below the first phonon-like mode in 4D model glasses.It is found that the system size dependence of D(ω) below the first phonon-like mode varies with spatial dimensions:D(ω) increases in2D glasses but decreases in 3D and 4D glasses as the system size increases.Furthermore,we demonstrate that the ω^(3.5)scaling,rather than the ω~4 scaling,works in the lowest-frequency regime accessed in 4D glasses,regardless of interaction potentials and system sizes examined.Therefore,our findings in 4D glasses,combined with previous results in 2D and 3D glasses,suggest a common low-frequency scaling of D(ω)~ ω^3.5) below the first phonon-like mode across different spatial dimensions,which would inspire further theoretical studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mitral valvuloplasty using artificial chordae tendineae represents an effective surgical approach for treating mitral regurgitation.Achieving precise measurements of artificial chordae tendineae length(CL)i...BACKGROUND Mitral valvuloplasty using artificial chordae tendineae represents an effective surgical approach for treating mitral regurgitation.Achieving precise measurements of artificial chordae tendineae length(CL)is an important factor in the procedure;however,no objective index currently exists to facilitate this measurement.Therefore,preoperative assessment of CL is critical for surgical planning and support.Four-dimensional x-ray micro-computed tomography(4D-CT)may be useful for accurate CL measurement considering that it allows for dynamic three-dimensional(3D)evaluation compared to that with transthoracic echocardiography,a conventional inspection method.AIM To investigate the behavior and length of mitral chordae tendineae during systole using 4D-CT.METHODS Eleven adults aged>70 years without mitral valve disease were evaluated.A 64-slice CT scanner was used to capture 20 phases in the cardiac cycle in electrocardiographic synchronization.The length of the primary chordae tendineae was measured from early systole to early diastole using the 3D image.The primary chordae tendineae originating from the anterior papillary muscle and attached to the A1-2 region and those from the posterior papillary muscle and attached to the A2-3 region were designated as cA and cP,respectively.The behavior and maximum lengths[cA(ma),cP(max)]were compared,and the correlation with body surface area(BSA)was evaluated.RESULTS In all cases,the mitral anterior leaflet chordae tendineae could be measured.In most cases,the cA and cP chordae tendineae could be measured visually.The mean cA(max)and cP(max)were 20.2 mm±1.95 mm and 23.5 mm±4.06 mm,respectively.cP(max)was significantly longer.The correlation coefficients(r)with BSA were 0.60 and 0.78 for cA(max)and cP(max),respectively.Both cA and cP exhibited constant variation in CL during systole,with a maximum 1.16-fold increase in cA and a 1.23-fold increase in cP from early to mid-systole.For cP,CL reached a plateau at 15%and remained elongated until end-systole,whereas for cA,after peaking at 15%,CL shortened slightly and then moved toward its peak again as end-systole approached.CONCLUSION The study suggests that 4D-CT is a valuable tool for accurate measurement of both the length and behavior of chordae tendineae within the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.展开更多
Purpose–The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.This paper aims to define and substantiate the ass...Purpose–The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.This paper aims to define and substantiate the assessment of the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains in both theory and practice.The key principles and approacheswill be proposed,and their applications to high-speed trains in Chinawill be presented.Design/methodology/approach–First,the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are defined,and their relationship is introduced.Then,the principles for assessing the structural integrity of structural and dynamical components are presented and practical examples of gearboxes and dampers are provided.Finally,the principles and approaches for assessing the dynamical integrity of highspeed trains are presented and a novel operational assessment method is further presented.Findings–Vehicle system dynamics is the core of the proposed framework that provides the loads and vibrations on train components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.For assessing the structural integrity of structural components,an open-loop analysis considering both normal and abnormal vehicle conditions is needed.For assessing the structural integrity of dynamical components,a closed-loop analysis involving the influence of wear and degradation on vehicle system dynamics is needed.The analysis of vehicle system dynamics should follow the principles of complete objects,conditions and indices.Numerical,experimental and operational approaches should be combined to achieve effective assessments.Originality/value–The practical applications demonstrate that assessing the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains can support better control of critical defects,better lifespan management of train components and better maintenance decision-making for high-speed trains.展开更多
Poor bone quality is a major factor in skeletal fragility in elderly individuals.The molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain bone quality,independent of bone mass,are unknown but are thought to be primarily d...Poor bone quality is a major factor in skeletal fragility in elderly individuals.The molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain bone quality,independent of bone mass,are unknown but are thought to be primarily determined by osteocytes.We hypothesize that the age-related decline in bone quality results from the suppression of osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling(PLR),which maintains bone material properties.We examined bones from young and aged mice with osteocyte-intrinsic repression of TGFβsignaling(TβRII^(ocy−/−))that suppresses PLR.The control aged bone displayed decreased TGFβsignaling and PLR,but aging did not worsen the existing PLR suppression in male TβRII^(ocy−/−)bone.This relationship impacted the behavior of collagen material at the nanoscale and tissue scale in macromechanical tests.The effects of age on bone mass,density,and mineral material behavior were independent of osteocytic TGFβ.We determined that the decline in bone quality with age arises from the loss of osteocyte function and the loss of TGFβ-dependent maintenance of collagen integrity.展开更多
Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development.In some mammals,like pigs,ejaculates are emitted in three separa...Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development.In some mammals,like pigs,ejaculates are emitted in three separate fractions:pre-sperm,sperm-rich(SRF)and post sperm-rich(PSRF).These fractions are known to vary in volume,sperm concentration and quality,as well as in the origin and composition of seminal plasma(SP),with differences being also observed within the SRF one.Yet,whether disparities in the DNA integrity and chromatin condensation and pro-tamination of their sperm exist has not been interrogated.Results This study determined chromatin protamination(Chromomycin A3 test,CMA_(3)),condensation(Dibromobi-mane test,DBB),and DNA integrity(Comet assay)in the pig sperm contained in the first 10 m L of the SRF(SRF-P1),the remaining portion of the sperm-rich fraction(SRF-P2),and the post sperm-rich fraction(PSRF).While chromatin protamination was found to be similar between the different ejaculate fractions(P>0.05),chromatin condensation was seen to be greater in SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 than in the PSRF(P=0.018 and P=0.004,respectively).Regarding DNA integrity,no differences between fractions were observed(P>0.05).As the SRF-P1 has the highest sperm concentra-tion and ejaculate fractions are known to differ in antioxidant composition,the oxidative stress index(OSi)in SP,calcu-lated as total oxidant activity divided by total antioxidant capacity,was tested and confirmed to be higher in the SRF-P1 than in SRF-P2 and PSRF(0.42±0.06 vs.0.23±0.09 and 0.08±0.00,respectively;P<0.01);this index,in addition,was observed to be correlated to the sperm concentration of each fraction(Rs=0.973;P<0.001).Conclusion While sperm DNA integrity was not found to differ between ejaculate fractions,SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 were observed to exhibit greater chromatin condensation than the PSRF.This could be related to the OSi of each fraction.展开更多
Fatigue properties are crucial for critical aero-engine components in extreme serviceenvironments,which are significantly affected by surface integrity(SI)indexes(especially surface topography,residual stressσ_(res),...Fatigue properties are crucial for critical aero-engine components in extreme serviceenvironments,which are significantly affected by surface integrity(SI)indexes(especially surface topography,residual stressσ_(res),and microhardness)after machining processes.Normal-direction ultrasonic vibration-assisted face grinding(ND-UVAFG)has advantages in improving the machinability of Inconel 718,but there is a competitive relationship between higher compressiveσ_(res)and higher surface roughness R_(a)in affecting fatigue strength.The lack of a quantitative relationship between multiple SI indexes and fatigue strength makes theindeterminacy of a regulatory strategy for improving fatigue properties.In this work,a model of fatigue strength(σ_f)_(sur)considering multiple SI indexes was developed.Then,high-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on Inconel 718 samples with different SI characteristics,and the influence of ND-UVAFG process parameters on SI was analyzed.Based on SI indexes data,the(σ_f)_(sur)distribution in the grinding surface layer for ND-UVAFG Inconel 718 samples was determined using the developed model,and then the fatigue crack initiation(FCI)sites were furtherpredicted.The predicted FCI sites corresponded well with the experimental results,therebyverifying this model.A strategy for improving the fatigue life was proposed in this work,which was to transfer the fatigue source from the machined surface to the bulk material by controlling the SI indexes.Finally,a critical condition of SI indexes that FCI sites appeared on the surface or in bulk material was given by fitting the predicted results.According to the critical condition,an SI field where FCI sites appeared in the bulk material could be obtained.In this field,thefatigue life of Inconel 718 samples could be improved by approximately 140%.展开更多
Cloud computing has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional computing infrastructures,offering various benefits.However,the adoption of cloud storage poses significant risks to data secrecy and integrity.This a...Cloud computing has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional computing infrastructures,offering various benefits.However,the adoption of cloud storage poses significant risks to data secrecy and integrity.This article presents an effective mechanism to preserve the secrecy and integrity of data stored on the public cloud by leveraging blockchain technology,smart contracts,and cryptographic primitives.The proposed approach utilizes a Solidity-based smart contract as an auditor for maintaining and verifying the integrity of outsourced data.To preserve data secrecy,symmetric encryption systems are employed to encrypt user data before outsourcing it.An extensive performance analysis is conducted to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed mechanism.Additionally,a rigorous assessment is conducted to ensure that the developed smart contract is free from vulnerabilities and to measure its associated running costs.The security analysis of the proposed system confirms that our approach can securely maintain the confidentiality and integrity of cloud storage,even in the presence of malicious entities.The proposed mechanism contributes to enhancing data security in cloud computing environments and can be used as a foundation for developing more secure cloud storage systems.展开更多
The degradation behavior of biodegradable Mg alloys has become a research hotspot in the fields about biodegradable metallic materials.While the most of the related publications mainly focused on the degradation rate ...The degradation behavior of biodegradable Mg alloys has become a research hotspot in the fields about biodegradable metallic materials.While the most of the related publications mainly focused on the degradation rate of Mg-based materials,but rare to care about the changes of their mechanical properties during the immersion period,which can significantly affect their service performance.The link between residual strength and Mg degradation is not appreciated enough.In this work,a series media were constructed based on Hanks’solution,the effects of inorganic ions on the degradation rate and mechanical integrity of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy were investigated.The results indicated that the degradation behavior of Mg alloy was mainly controlled by degradation products and there is no direct correspondence between the degradation rate change and mechanical integrity of Mg alloy.The relevant findings are beneficial for selecting the monitoring index in Mg corrosion tests and evaluating the service reliability of Mg alloys for biomedical applications.展开更多
Currently,there is a growing trend among users to store their data in the cloud.However,the cloud is vulnerable to persistent data corruption risks arising from equipment failures and hacker attacks.Additionally,when ...Currently,there is a growing trend among users to store their data in the cloud.However,the cloud is vulnerable to persistent data corruption risks arising from equipment failures and hacker attacks.Additionally,when users perform file operations,the semantic integrity of the data can be compromised.Ensuring both data integrity and semantic correctness has become a critical issue that requires attention.We introduce a pioneering solution called Sec-Auditor,the first of its kind with the ability to verify data integrity and semantic correctness simultaneously,while maintaining a constant communication cost independent of the audited data volume.Sec-Auditor also supports public auditing,enabling anyone with access to public information to conduct data audits.This feature makes Sec-Auditor highly adaptable to open data environments,such as the cloud.In Sec-Auditor,users are assigned specific rules that are utilized to verify the accuracy of data semantic.Furthermore,users are given the flexibility to update their own rules as needed.We conduct in-depth analyses of the correctness and security of Sec-Auditor.We also compare several important security attributes with existing schemes,demonstrating the superior properties of Sec-Auditor.Evaluation results demonstrate that even for time-consuming file upload operations,our solution is more efficient than the comparison one.展开更多
This study proposes a refined methodology for controlling building heights in heritage areas.In order to protect the visual integrity of the heritage area,buildings should not obstruct the view from important site poi...This study proposes a refined methodology for controlling building heights in heritage areas.In order to protect the visual integrity of the heritage area,buildings should not obstruct the view from important site points and viewpoints to the periphery.By calculating the building height thresholds that buildings should not obscure the view from each viewpoint,the results of which are weighted and superimposed,and the values are extracted to each building unit as a refined building height control guideline.This study takes the Zhoukoudian area as a case study,applies the refined building height control criterion to the Zhoukoudian Site,and relies on this refined criterion to assess the visual integrity of the Zhoukoudian area,so as to realize the scientific planning and monitoring of the Zhoukoudian area.The refined building height control method can be applied to building height planning and visual landscape protection in large heritage areas.展开更多
Reversible watermarking schemes for relational database are usually classified into two groups: robust schemes and fragile schemes. The main limitation of existing reversible fragile methods is that they cannot differ...Reversible watermarking schemes for relational database are usually classified into two groups: robust schemes and fragile schemes. The main limitation of existing reversible fragile methods is that they cannot differentiate between legal and malicious modifications. In this paper, we introduce a novel lossless semi-fragile scheme based on prediction-error expansion for content protection of relational database. In the proposed method, all attributes in a database relation are first classified according to their sensitivity to legitimate updates. Then, the watermark is embedded by expanding the prediction error of the two least significant digits of securely selected attributes. At watermark extraction, the proposed method has the ability to fully restore the original data while detecting and localizing tampering. The applicability of our method is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally.展开更多
The integration of Artificial Intelligence(AI)into healthcare research promises unprecedented advancements in medical diagnostics,treatment personalization,and patient care management.However,these innovations also br...The integration of Artificial Intelligence(AI)into healthcare research promises unprecedented advancements in medical diagnostics,treatment personalization,and patient care management.However,these innovations also bring forth significant ethical challenges that must be addressed to maintain public trust,ensure patient safety,and uphold data integrity.This article sets out to introduce a detailed framework designed to steer governance and offer a systematic method for assuring that AI applications in healthcare research are developed and executed with integrity and adherence to medical research ethics.展开更多
Astrocytes read and react to synaptic transmission through tripartite synapses,where the binding of neurotransmitters onto astrocytic receptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium.Recent investigations have ...Astrocytes read and react to synaptic transmission through tripartite synapses,where the binding of neurotransmitters onto astrocytic receptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium.Recent investigations have revealed that astrocytes exhibit two distinct states of intracellular calcium activity:(1)graded subcellular localized clusters with independently active microdomains,likely influenced by nearby synaptic events,and(2)whole-cell astrocyte calcium surges,believed to result from the coordinated activation of multiple synapses.Notably,astrocyte calcium responses are not solely graded;instead,a spatial threshold of intracellular calcium activity can be overcome to elicit an astrocyte calcium surge.Together these calcium responses,in turn,initiate downstream signaling pathways capable of modifying synaptic communication and overall network activity.In summary,astrocytes can function as integrators of local synaptic events,actively contributing to information processing within the brain.展开更多
Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have ...Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohor...BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.展开更多
Surface integrity of a new damage-tolerant titanium alloy (TC21), including surface roughness, microhardness and metallurgical structure is investigated when normal and high speed milling are used at different tool ...Surface integrity of a new damage-tolerant titanium alloy (TC21), including surface roughness, microhardness and metallurgical structure is investigated when normal and high speed milling are used at different tool wear status. Results show that good surface integrity of TC21 can be obtained in high speed milling. In addition, even in acutely worn stages, there is no so-called serious hardening layer (or white layer) according to the studies on microhardness and metallurgical structure.展开更多
The signal integrity problem in 0.18μm CMOS technology is analyzed from simulation.Several rules in this phenomenon are found by analyzing the crosstalk delay and noise,which are helpful for the future circuit design.
A new short-term warning and integrity monitoring algorithm was proposed for coal mine shaft safety. The Kalman filter (KF) model was used to extract real global positioning system (GPS) kinematic deformation informat...A new short-term warning and integrity monitoring algorithm was proposed for coal mine shaft safety. The Kalman filter (KF) model was used to extract real global positioning system (GPS) kinematic deformation information. The short-term warning model was built by using the two-side cumulative sum (CUSUM) test, which further improves the warning system reliability. Availability (the minimum warning deformation, MWD), false alarm rate (the average run length, ARL), missed rate (the warning delay, WD) and the relationships among them were analyzed and the method choosing warning parameters is given. A test of a deformation simulation platform shows that the warning algorithm can be effectively used for steep deformation warning. A field experiment of the Malan mine shaft in Shanxi coal area illustrates that the proposed algorithm can detect small dynamic changes and the corresponding occurring time. At given warning thresholds (MWD is 15 mm and ARL is 1000),the detected deformations of two consecutive days’ deformation sequences with the algorithm occur at the 705th epoch (705 s) and the 517th epoch (517 s), respectively.展开更多
The device is used for the test on the fuze detonating time according to the initial velocity of the projectile and the altitude and speed of enemy aircraft flight. For the special requirements of the high-speed signa...The device is used for the test on the fuze detonating time according to the initial velocity of the projectile and the altitude and speed of enemy aircraft flight. For the special requirements of the high-speed signal acquisition in the process, the characteristics of the measured signal are analyzed. The system is investigated in chip selection, signal transmission, signal processing, signal storage, post-production PCB design, etc. The appropriate measures and solutions which affect the integrity and accuracy of the signal in each process are proposed. The rules for the layout of the device and wiring are made. The result show that the measurement values are accurate without loss of data.展开更多
基金the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12374202 and 12004001)Anhui Projects(Grant Nos.2022AH020009,S020218016,and Z010118169)Hefei City(Grant No.Z020132009)。
文摘Glasses are known to possess low-frequency excess modes beyond the Debye prediction.For decades,it has been assumed that evolution of low-frequency density of excess modes D(ω) with frequency ω follows a power-law scaling:D(ω)~ω~γ.However,it remains debated on the value of γ at low frequencies below the first phonon-like mode in finitesize glasses.Early simulation studies reported γ=4 at low frequencies in two-(2D),three-(3D),and four-dimensional(4D)glasses,whereas recent observations in 2D and 3D glasses suggested γ=3.5 in a lower-frequency regime.It is uncertain whether the low-frequency scaling of D(ω)~ω^(3.5) could be generalized to 4D glasses.Here,we conduct numerical simulation studies of excess modes at frequencies below the first phonon-like mode in 4D model glasses.It is found that the system size dependence of D(ω) below the first phonon-like mode varies with spatial dimensions:D(ω) increases in2D glasses but decreases in 3D and 4D glasses as the system size increases.Furthermore,we demonstrate that the ω^(3.5)scaling,rather than the ω~4 scaling,works in the lowest-frequency regime accessed in 4D glasses,regardless of interaction potentials and system sizes examined.Therefore,our findings in 4D glasses,combined with previous results in 2D and 3D glasses,suggest a common low-frequency scaling of D(ω)~ ω^3.5) below the first phonon-like mode across different spatial dimensions,which would inspire further theoretical studies.
文摘BACKGROUND Mitral valvuloplasty using artificial chordae tendineae represents an effective surgical approach for treating mitral regurgitation.Achieving precise measurements of artificial chordae tendineae length(CL)is an important factor in the procedure;however,no objective index currently exists to facilitate this measurement.Therefore,preoperative assessment of CL is critical for surgical planning and support.Four-dimensional x-ray micro-computed tomography(4D-CT)may be useful for accurate CL measurement considering that it allows for dynamic three-dimensional(3D)evaluation compared to that with transthoracic echocardiography,a conventional inspection method.AIM To investigate the behavior and length of mitral chordae tendineae during systole using 4D-CT.METHODS Eleven adults aged>70 years without mitral valve disease were evaluated.A 64-slice CT scanner was used to capture 20 phases in the cardiac cycle in electrocardiographic synchronization.The length of the primary chordae tendineae was measured from early systole to early diastole using the 3D image.The primary chordae tendineae originating from the anterior papillary muscle and attached to the A1-2 region and those from the posterior papillary muscle and attached to the A2-3 region were designated as cA and cP,respectively.The behavior and maximum lengths[cA(ma),cP(max)]were compared,and the correlation with body surface area(BSA)was evaluated.RESULTS In all cases,the mitral anterior leaflet chordae tendineae could be measured.In most cases,the cA and cP chordae tendineae could be measured visually.The mean cA(max)and cP(max)were 20.2 mm±1.95 mm and 23.5 mm±4.06 mm,respectively.cP(max)was significantly longer.The correlation coefficients(r)with BSA were 0.60 and 0.78 for cA(max)and cP(max),respectively.Both cA and cP exhibited constant variation in CL during systole,with a maximum 1.16-fold increase in cA and a 1.23-fold increase in cP from early to mid-systole.For cP,CL reached a plateau at 15%and remained elongated until end-systole,whereas for cA,after peaking at 15%,CL shortened slightly and then moved toward its peak again as end-systole approached.CONCLUSION The study suggests that 4D-CT is a valuable tool for accurate measurement of both the length and behavior of chordae tendineae within the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.
基金This work was partly funded by the National Key R&D Project of China(2021YFB3400704)China State Railway Group(K2022J004 and N2023J011)China Railway Chengdu Group(CJ23018).
文摘Purpose–The safety and reliability of high-speed trains rely on the structural integrity of their components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.This paper aims to define and substantiate the assessment of the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains in both theory and practice.The key principles and approacheswill be proposed,and their applications to high-speed trains in Chinawill be presented.Design/methodology/approach–First,the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains are defined,and their relationship is introduced.Then,the principles for assessing the structural integrity of structural and dynamical components are presented and practical examples of gearboxes and dampers are provided.Finally,the principles and approaches for assessing the dynamical integrity of highspeed trains are presented and a novel operational assessment method is further presented.Findings–Vehicle system dynamics is the core of the proposed framework that provides the loads and vibrations on train components and the dynamic performance of the entire vehicle system.For assessing the structural integrity of structural components,an open-loop analysis considering both normal and abnormal vehicle conditions is needed.For assessing the structural integrity of dynamical components,a closed-loop analysis involving the influence of wear and degradation on vehicle system dynamics is needed.The analysis of vehicle system dynamics should follow the principles of complete objects,conditions and indices.Numerical,experimental and operational approaches should be combined to achieve effective assessments.Originality/value–The practical applications demonstrate that assessing the structural integrity and dynamical integrity of high-speed trains can support better control of critical defects,better lifespan management of train components and better maintenance decision-making for high-speed trains.
文摘Poor bone quality is a major factor in skeletal fragility in elderly individuals.The molecular mechanisms that establish and maintain bone quality,independent of bone mass,are unknown but are thought to be primarily determined by osteocytes.We hypothesize that the age-related decline in bone quality results from the suppression of osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling(PLR),which maintains bone material properties.We examined bones from young and aged mice with osteocyte-intrinsic repression of TGFβsignaling(TβRII^(ocy−/−))that suppresses PLR.The control aged bone displayed decreased TGFβsignaling and PLR,but aging did not worsen the existing PLR suppression in male TβRII^(ocy−/−)bone.This relationship impacted the behavior of collagen material at the nanoscale and tissue scale in macromechanical tests.The effects of age on bone mass,density,and mineral material behavior were independent of osteocytic TGFβ.We determined that the decline in bone quality with age arises from the loss of osteocyte function and the loss of TGFβ-dependent maintenance of collagen integrity.
基金This research was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation scheme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No.801342(Tecniospring INDUSTRYGrant:TECSPR-19-1-0003)+4 种基金the Ministry of Science and Innovation,Spain(Grants:PID2020-113320RB-I00,PID2020-113493RB-I00,RYC2021-034546-I and RYC2021-034764-I)the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants,Regional Government of Catalonia,Spain(Grants:2017-SGR-1229 and 2021-SGR-00900)the Seneca Foundation,Regional Government of Murcia,Spain(Grant:21935/PI/22)La Marato de TV3 Foundation(Grant:214/857-202039)and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies(ICREA).
文摘Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development.In some mammals,like pigs,ejaculates are emitted in three separate fractions:pre-sperm,sperm-rich(SRF)and post sperm-rich(PSRF).These fractions are known to vary in volume,sperm concentration and quality,as well as in the origin and composition of seminal plasma(SP),with differences being also observed within the SRF one.Yet,whether disparities in the DNA integrity and chromatin condensation and pro-tamination of their sperm exist has not been interrogated.Results This study determined chromatin protamination(Chromomycin A3 test,CMA_(3)),condensation(Dibromobi-mane test,DBB),and DNA integrity(Comet assay)in the pig sperm contained in the first 10 m L of the SRF(SRF-P1),the remaining portion of the sperm-rich fraction(SRF-P2),and the post sperm-rich fraction(PSRF).While chromatin protamination was found to be similar between the different ejaculate fractions(P>0.05),chromatin condensation was seen to be greater in SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 than in the PSRF(P=0.018 and P=0.004,respectively).Regarding DNA integrity,no differences between fractions were observed(P>0.05).As the SRF-P1 has the highest sperm concentra-tion and ejaculate fractions are known to differ in antioxidant composition,the oxidative stress index(OSi)in SP,calcu-lated as total oxidant activity divided by total antioxidant capacity,was tested and confirmed to be higher in the SRF-P1 than in SRF-P2 and PSRF(0.42±0.06 vs.0.23±0.09 and 0.08±0.00,respectively;P<0.01);this index,in addition,was observed to be correlated to the sperm concentration of each fraction(Rs=0.973;P<0.001).Conclusion While sperm DNA integrity was not found to differ between ejaculate fractions,SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 were observed to exhibit greater chromatin condensation than the PSRF.This could be related to the OSi of each fraction.
基金support from the National Science Fund of China(52325506)the National Science and Technology Major Project(2017-VII-0002-0095)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(DUT22LAB501)。
文摘Fatigue properties are crucial for critical aero-engine components in extreme serviceenvironments,which are significantly affected by surface integrity(SI)indexes(especially surface topography,residual stressσ_(res),and microhardness)after machining processes.Normal-direction ultrasonic vibration-assisted face grinding(ND-UVAFG)has advantages in improving the machinability of Inconel 718,but there is a competitive relationship between higher compressiveσ_(res)and higher surface roughness R_(a)in affecting fatigue strength.The lack of a quantitative relationship between multiple SI indexes and fatigue strength makes theindeterminacy of a regulatory strategy for improving fatigue properties.In this work,a model of fatigue strength(σ_f)_(sur)considering multiple SI indexes was developed.Then,high-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on Inconel 718 samples with different SI characteristics,and the influence of ND-UVAFG process parameters on SI was analyzed.Based on SI indexes data,the(σ_f)_(sur)distribution in the grinding surface layer for ND-UVAFG Inconel 718 samples was determined using the developed model,and then the fatigue crack initiation(FCI)sites were furtherpredicted.The predicted FCI sites corresponded well with the experimental results,therebyverifying this model.A strategy for improving the fatigue life was proposed in this work,which was to transfer the fatigue source from the machined surface to the bulk material by controlling the SI indexes.Finally,a critical condition of SI indexes that FCI sites appeared on the surface or in bulk material was given by fitting the predicted results.According to the critical condition,an SI field where FCI sites appeared in the bulk material could be obtained.In this field,thefatigue life of Inconel 718 samples could be improved by approximately 140%.
文摘Cloud computing has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional computing infrastructures,offering various benefits.However,the adoption of cloud storage poses significant risks to data secrecy and integrity.This article presents an effective mechanism to preserve the secrecy and integrity of data stored on the public cloud by leveraging blockchain technology,smart contracts,and cryptographic primitives.The proposed approach utilizes a Solidity-based smart contract as an auditor for maintaining and verifying the integrity of outsourced data.To preserve data secrecy,symmetric encryption systems are employed to encrypt user data before outsourcing it.An extensive performance analysis is conducted to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed mechanism.Additionally,a rigorous assessment is conducted to ensure that the developed smart contract is free from vulnerabilities and to measure its associated running costs.The security analysis of the proposed system confirms that our approach can securely maintain the confidentiality and integrity of cloud storage,even in the presence of malicious entities.The proposed mechanism contributes to enhancing data security in cloud computing environments and can be used as a foundation for developing more secure cloud storage systems.
基金support from the Na-tional Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2400703)the Key Projects of the Joint Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1804251)support from Natural Science Foundation of Henan Provincial(222300420309).
文摘The degradation behavior of biodegradable Mg alloys has become a research hotspot in the fields about biodegradable metallic materials.While the most of the related publications mainly focused on the degradation rate of Mg-based materials,but rare to care about the changes of their mechanical properties during the immersion period,which can significantly affect their service performance.The link between residual strength and Mg degradation is not appreciated enough.In this work,a series media were constructed based on Hanks’solution,the effects of inorganic ions on the degradation rate and mechanical integrity of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy were investigated.The results indicated that the degradation behavior of Mg alloy was mainly controlled by degradation products and there is no direct correspondence between the degradation rate change and mechanical integrity of Mg alloy.The relevant findings are beneficial for selecting the monitoring index in Mg corrosion tests and evaluating the service reliability of Mg alloys for biomedical applications.
基金This research was supported by the Qinghai Provincial High-End Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talents Project.
文摘Currently,there is a growing trend among users to store their data in the cloud.However,the cloud is vulnerable to persistent data corruption risks arising from equipment failures and hacker attacks.Additionally,when users perform file operations,the semantic integrity of the data can be compromised.Ensuring both data integrity and semantic correctness has become a critical issue that requires attention.We introduce a pioneering solution called Sec-Auditor,the first of its kind with the ability to verify data integrity and semantic correctness simultaneously,while maintaining a constant communication cost independent of the audited data volume.Sec-Auditor also supports public auditing,enabling anyone with access to public information to conduct data audits.This feature makes Sec-Auditor highly adaptable to open data environments,such as the cloud.In Sec-Auditor,users are assigned specific rules that are utilized to verify the accuracy of data semantic.Furthermore,users are given the flexibility to update their own rules as needed.We conduct in-depth analyses of the correctness and security of Sec-Auditor.We also compare several important security attributes with existing schemes,demonstrating the superior properties of Sec-Auditor.Evaluation results demonstrate that even for time-consuming file upload operations,our solution is more efficient than the comparison one.
文摘This study proposes a refined methodology for controlling building heights in heritage areas.In order to protect the visual integrity of the heritage area,buildings should not obstruct the view from important site points and viewpoints to the periphery.By calculating the building height thresholds that buildings should not obscure the view from each viewpoint,the results of which are weighted and superimposed,and the values are extracted to each building unit as a refined building height control guideline.This study takes the Zhoukoudian area as a case study,applies the refined building height control criterion to the Zhoukoudian Site,and relies on this refined criterion to assess the visual integrity of the Zhoukoudian area,so as to realize the scientific planning and monitoring of the Zhoukoudian area.The refined building height control method can be applied to building height planning and visual landscape protection in large heritage areas.
文摘Reversible watermarking schemes for relational database are usually classified into two groups: robust schemes and fragile schemes. The main limitation of existing reversible fragile methods is that they cannot differentiate between legal and malicious modifications. In this paper, we introduce a novel lossless semi-fragile scheme based on prediction-error expansion for content protection of relational database. In the proposed method, all attributes in a database relation are first classified according to their sensitivity to legitimate updates. Then, the watermark is embedded by expanding the prediction error of the two least significant digits of securely selected attributes. At watermark extraction, the proposed method has the ability to fully restore the original data while detecting and localizing tampering. The applicability of our method is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally.
文摘The integration of Artificial Intelligence(AI)into healthcare research promises unprecedented advancements in medical diagnostics,treatment personalization,and patient care management.However,these innovations also bring forth significant ethical challenges that must be addressed to maintain public trust,ensure patient safety,and uphold data integrity.This article sets out to introduce a detailed framework designed to steer governance and offer a systematic method for assuring that AI applications in healthcare research are developed and executed with integrity and adherence to medical research ethics.
基金supported by NIH-NIA (1F31AG057155-01A1)University of Minnesota Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (to JL)
文摘Astrocytes read and react to synaptic transmission through tripartite synapses,where the binding of neurotransmitters onto astrocytic receptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium.Recent investigations have revealed that astrocytes exhibit two distinct states of intracellular calcium activity:(1)graded subcellular localized clusters with independently active microdomains,likely influenced by nearby synaptic events,and(2)whole-cell astrocyte calcium surges,believed to result from the coordinated activation of multiple synapses.Notably,astrocyte calcium responses are not solely graded;instead,a spatial threshold of intracellular calcium activity can be overcome to elicit an astrocyte calcium surge.Together these calcium responses,in turn,initiate downstream signaling pathways capable of modifying synaptic communication and overall network activity.In summary,astrocytes can function as integrators of local synaptic events,actively contributing to information processing within the brain.
文摘Understanding the neural underpinning of human gait and balance is one of the most pertinent challenges for 21st-century translational neuroscience due to the profound impact that falls and mobility disturbances have on our aging population.Posture and gait control does not happen automatically,as previously believed,but rather requires continuous involvement of central nervous mechanisms.To effectively exert control over the body,the brain must integrate multiple streams of sensory information,including visual,vestibular,and somatosensory signals.The mechanisms which underpin the integration of these multisensory signals are the principal topic of the present work.Existing multisensory integration theories focus on how failure of cognitive processes thought to be involved in multisensory integration leads to falls in older adults.Insufficient emphasis,however,has been placed on specific contributions of individual sensory modalities to multisensory integration processes and cross-modal interactions that occur between the sensory modalities in relation to gait and balance.In the present work,we review the contributions of somatosensory,visual,and vestibular modalities,along with their multisensory intersections to gait and balance in older adults and patients with Parkinson’s disease.We also review evidence of vestibular contributions to multisensory temporal binding windows,previously shown to be highly pertinent to fall risk in older adults.Lastly,we relate multisensory vestibular mechanisms to potential neural substrates,both at the level of neurobiology(concerning positron emission tomography imaging)and at the level of electrophysiology(concerning electroencephalography).We hope that this integrative review,drawing influence across multiple subdisciplines of neuroscience,paves the way for novel research directions and therapeutic neuromodulatory approaches,to improve the lives of older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82174461Hospital Capability Enhancement Project of Xiyuan Hospital,CACMS,No.XYZX0201-22Technology Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,No.CI2021A01811.
文摘BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(50975141)the National Scienceand Technology Major Project(2010ZX04012-042)the Aeronautical Science Foundation(2010352005)~~
文摘Surface integrity of a new damage-tolerant titanium alloy (TC21), including surface roughness, microhardness and metallurgical structure is investigated when normal and high speed milling are used at different tool wear status. Results show that good surface integrity of TC21 can be obtained in high speed milling. In addition, even in acutely worn stages, there is no so-called serious hardening layer (or white layer) according to the studies on microhardness and metallurgical structure.
文摘The signal integrity problem in 0.18μm CMOS technology is analyzed from simulation.Several rules in this phenomenon are found by analyzing the crosstalk delay and noise,which are helpful for the future circuit design.
基金Projects(2013RC16,2012LWB28)supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,ChinaProject(NCET-13-1019)supported by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University,China
文摘A new short-term warning and integrity monitoring algorithm was proposed for coal mine shaft safety. The Kalman filter (KF) model was used to extract real global positioning system (GPS) kinematic deformation information. The short-term warning model was built by using the two-side cumulative sum (CUSUM) test, which further improves the warning system reliability. Availability (the minimum warning deformation, MWD), false alarm rate (the average run length, ARL), missed rate (the warning delay, WD) and the relationships among them were analyzed and the method choosing warning parameters is given. A test of a deformation simulation platform shows that the warning algorithm can be effectively used for steep deformation warning. A field experiment of the Malan mine shaft in Shanxi coal area illustrates that the proposed algorithm can detect small dynamic changes and the corresponding occurring time. At given warning thresholds (MWD is 15 mm and ARL is 1000),the detected deformations of two consecutive days’ deformation sequences with the algorithm occur at the 705th epoch (705 s) and the 517th epoch (517 s), respectively.
文摘The device is used for the test on the fuze detonating time according to the initial velocity of the projectile and the altitude and speed of enemy aircraft flight. For the special requirements of the high-speed signal acquisition in the process, the characteristics of the measured signal are analyzed. The system is investigated in chip selection, signal transmission, signal processing, signal storage, post-production PCB design, etc. The appropriate measures and solutions which affect the integrity and accuracy of the signal in each process are proposed. The rules for the layout of the device and wiring are made. The result show that the measurement values are accurate without loss of data.