Background As the number of patients increases, there is a growing understanding of the form of pneumonia sustained by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused an outbreak in China. ...Up to now, clinical features and treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in detail. However, the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and coagulation has been scarcely addressed. Our aim is to investigate the blood coagulation function of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods In our study, 94 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. We prospectively collect blood coagulation data in these patients and in 40 healthy controls during the same period. Results Antithrombin values in patients were lower than that in the control group (p < 0.001). The values of D-dimer, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and fibrinogen (FIB) in all SARS-CoV-2 cases were substantially higher than those in healthy controls. Moreover, D-dimer and FDP values in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were higher than those in patients with milder forms. Compared with healthy controls, prothrombin time activity (PT-act) was lower in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Thrombin time in critical SARS-CoV-2 patients was also shorter than that in controls. Conclusions The coagulation function in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is significantly deranged compared with healthy people, but monitoring D-dimer and FDP values may be helpful for the early identification of severe cases.
A solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) that generates electricity from sunlight is expected to be a promising technology for harvesting and conversion of clean solar energy. The integration of a ...phase-change material (PCM) with the STEG even more enables engines to durably generate power in spite of solar radiation flux. However, its photothermal conversion and output electricity is still limited (<15 W/m2) by the PCM’s deficient thermal management performance, i.e., restricted thermal conductivity and nonuniform heat-transfer behavior under concentrated sunlight radiation. In this study, a biomimetic phase-change composite, with centrosymmetric and a multidirectionally aligned boron nitride network embedded in polyethylene glycol, is tailored for the STEG via a radial ice-template assembly and infiltration strategy, which behaves in a highly and multidirectionally thermoconductive way and enables a rapid transfer of heat flux and uniform temperature distribution with respect to even a spot-like heat source. As a consequence, a powerful STEG is tactfully designed via the integration of this high-thermal-management characteristic and maximum collection of solar beams, for durable and real-environment solar–thermal–electric conversion, with its photothermal energy conversion efficiency of up to 85.1% and a high peak power density of 40.28 W/m2.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by neuronal and/or glial tau-positive inclusions.
Clinically, tauopathies can present with a range of phenotypes that include ...cognitive/behavioral-disorders, movement disorders, language disorders and non-specific amnestic symptoms in advanced age. Pathologically, tauopathies can be classified based on the predominant tau isoforms that are present in the inclusion bodies (i.e., 3R, 4R or equal 3R:4R ratio). Imaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based tau biomarkers have the potential to be used as a routine diagnostic strategy and in the evaluation of patients with tauopathies. As tauopathies are strongly linked neuropathologically and genetically to tau protein abnormalities, there is a growing interest in pursuing of tau-directed therapeutics for the disorders. Here we synthesize emerging lessons on tauopathies from clinical, pathological, genetic, and experimental studies toward a unified concept of these disorders that may accelerate the therapeutics.
Since tauopathies are still untreatable diseases, efforts have been made to depict clinical and pathological characteristics, identify biomarkers, elucidate underlying pathogenesis to achieve early diagnosis and develop disease-modifying therapies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Critical review on several aspects of microbiologically induced concrete corrosion.•Discussion of the important influencing factors associated with the mechanisms.•Summary of the phenomena observed ...on site investigations and laboratory studies.•Important knowledge gaps in current understanding on the subject highlighted.
Microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC) is a century old problem facing global concrete sewer structures. Despite the substantial efforts that have been made, MIC of concrete sewers remains a highly debated subject. To further advances our understanding on the problem, we need to know the existing knowledge. In light of this, we intend to provide a state-of-the-art review on the subject. By acknowledging the complexity and broadness of the concerned problem and in order to discuss relevant aspects in depth, the scope of the current work is limited to the key elements of the mechanisms and phenomena observed on site investigations and laboratory studies for MIC of concrete sewers. In general, four main events have been considered accounting for the MIC process, i.e. formation of hydrogen sulfide in the waste steam, radiation and buildup of gaseous hydrogen sulfide, generation of sulfuric acid and deterioration of the concrete materials. Fundamentals associated with the main events, especially the important influencing factors, are reviewed and discussed. Based on site investigations and laboratory studies, several aspects of the MIC phenomena are summarized, including corrosion areas, corrosion rates, impact of cement and aggregate types. It is worth mentioning that the corrosion rates obtained on site and laboratory studies generally vary a lot, which may be attributed to different testing conditions and procedures. The fact that standard testing or evaluation methods are missing also complicates the issue. In addition, it seems difficult to establish quantitative relations between the corrosion behavior observed on site and that obtained in laboratory studies, at least based on the existing knowledge. This highlights the need for further research to advance our understanding on different aspects related to MIC of concrete sewers.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Polymer‐based thermal management materials have many irreplaceable advantages not found in metals or ceramics, such as easy processing, low density, and excellent flexibility. However, their limited ...thermal conductivity and unsatisfactory resistance to elevated temperatures (<200 °C) still prevent effective heat dissipation during applications with high‐temperature conditions or powerful operation. Therefore, herein highly thermoconductive and thermostable polymer nanocomposite films prepared by engineering 1D aramid nanofiber (ANF) with worm‐like microscopic morphologies into rigid rod‐like structures with 2D boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) are reported. With no coils or entanglements, the rigid polymer chain enables a well‐packed crystalline structure resulting in a 20‐fold (or greater) increase in axial thermal conductivity. Additionally, strong interfacial interactions between the weaved ANF rod and the stacked BNNS facilitate efficient heat flux through the 1D/2D configuration. Hence, unprecedented in‐plane thermal conductivities as high as 46.7 W m−1 K−1 can be achieved at only 30 wt% BNNS loading, a value of 137% greater than that of a worm‐like ANF/BNNS counterpart. Moreover, the thermally stable nanocomposite films with light weight (28.9 W m−1 K−1/103 (kg m−3)) and high strength (>100 MPa, 450 °C) enable effective thermal management for microelectrodes operating at temperatures beyond 200 °C.
A highly thermoconductive, high‐temperature stable, and superflexible paper is fabricated via a rational construction of 1D rigid rod‐like aramid nanofibers and 2D boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS). Significantly, the rod‐like nanofiber morphology and rigid molecular chain can enable more efficient phonon transport through the 1D/2D configuration. Hence, the heat sink paper paves the way for thermal management of new and powerful components.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Partial discharge (PD) taking place in a solid dielectric-bounded cavity involves physical processes such as free electron supply, discharge development and surface charge decaying, which bring about ...memory effects and become the main reasons for stochastic behavior of PDs. This paper reviews numerical modeling of cavity PD in the past 30 years. In the first place, physical processes relevant to PD activity are summarized, and modeling methods for discharge development are classified. Then some differences of PD modeling at AC and DC voltages are distinguished. Subsequently, reproducing methods from simulations to experiments are introduced, as well as their comparison under different conditions and with the emphasis on voltage frequency and PD aging. At last, some problems about current simulation models are discussed, and our suggestions for future work are proposed.
Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains an important emergency condition, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. As endoscopic therapy is the 'gold standard' of management, ...treatment of these patients can be considered in three stages: pre-endoscopic treatment, endoscopic haemostasis and post-endoscopic management. Since publication of the Asia-Pacific consensus on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) 7 years ago, there have been significant advancements in the clinical management of patients in all three stages. These include pre-endoscopy risk stratification scores, blood and platelet transfusion, use of proton pump inhibitors; during endoscopy new haemostasis techniques (haemostatic powder spray and over-the-scope clips); and post-endoscopy management by second-look endoscopy and medication strategies. Emerging techniques, including capsule endoscopy and Doppler endoscopic probe in assessing adequacy of endoscopic therapy, and the pre-emptive use of angiographic embolisation, are attracting new attention. An emerging problem is the increasing use of dual antiplatelet agents and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases. Guidelines on the discontinuation and then resumption of these agents in patients presenting with NVUGIB are very much needed. The Asia-Pacific Working Group examined recent evidence and recommends practical management guidelines in this updated consensus statement.
The passivity‐based boundary control is considered for stochastic Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers (SKdVB) equations. Both the stochastic input strictly passive (SISP) and stochastic output strictly passive ...(SOSP) are studied. By introducing Lyapunov functionals and Wirtinger's inequality, sufficient criteria are derived to establish SISP and SOSP for SKdVB equations with boundary disturbances. Moreover, when parameter uncertainties arise in SKdVB equations, the robust stochastic passivity is also investigated and sufficient criteria are presented to achieve the robust SISP and SOSP. Two numerical simulations are employed to show the effectiveness and advantages of our theoretical results.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The quantum repeater protocol is a promising approach for implementing long-distance quantum communication and large-scale quantum networks. A key idea of the quantum repeater protocol is to use ...long-lived quantum memories to achieve an efficient entanglement connection between different repeater segments, with polynomial scaling. Here, we report an experiment that realizes the efficient connection of two quantum repeater segments via on-demand entanglement swapping through the use of two atomic quantum memories with storage times of tens of milliseconds. With the memory enhancement, acceleration in the scaling is demonstrated in the rate for a successful entanglement connection. Experimental realization of the entanglement connection of two quantum repeater segments with an efficient memory-enhanced scaling demonstrates a key advantage of the quantum repeater protocol, creating a cornerstone for the development of future large-scale quantum networks.Two quantum repeater segments are connected via on-demand entanglement swapping by using two atomic quantum memories. The efficiency improves from a quadratic scaling to a linear one with the preparation efficiency of the atom–photon entanglement.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ
•Assembling strategies and applications of chiral MOCs were reviewed in a unique perspective.•Three types of spatial-direction strategies for chiral MOCs were addressed.•Special chiral behaviors and ...applications for stereogenic MOCs were presented.
During the past few decades, great efforts have been devoted to the design and self-assembly of discrete metal–organic cages/containers (MOCs) with increasing complexity and functionality. Among which, the incorporation of chirality into the construction of MOCs endows these supramolecular containers with unique potentials in stereochemical, nonlinear optical, biomedical and enzyme mimical fields. In this review, we give a brief survey of recent works focusing on the assembly and applications of chiral metal–organic convex polyhedra with well-defined three-dimensional (3D) outer shapes and inner cavities, including a few examples of chiral MOCs in other configurations. In general, the stereochemical origin of a chiral MOC can be generated through geometrical symmetry control pathways by removing the inherent inversion and/or mirror symmetries, in which the vertice-, edge-, and face-directed assembling approaches represent the most successful strategies to introduce stereogenic centers into and achieve absolute chiral environments in MOCs. Stereochemical memory, transfer and communication can be realized among different components of chiral MOCs in a supramolecular sense, resulting in cooperative and synergetic effects of chiral complex systems, which can be further explored for enantio-recognition, separation and asymmetric catalysis applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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