Background
Several previous researches had found artery stiffness associated skeletal muscle mass, but not considering muscle strength and physical performance, which also were compositions of ...sarcopenia. This study aims to reveal the relationship of artery stiffness and sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria.
Methods
Study was performed on 1002 Chinese community dwelling participants aged ≥65 years from November 2016 to March 2017. Body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) considering as artery stiffness index were measured.
Results
In multiple regression analysis, baPWV was associated with handgrip (β=−0.13, P=0.04) and Relative skeletal muscle mass index (ASM/Ht
2
) (β=−0.02, P<0.01), but not with 4-meter velocity (P=0.21). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 1-SD (3.50m/s) increased in baPWV was still associated with a 11% (CI, 4%–20%; P<0.01) higher odds of being sarcopenia. In the gender subgroup analysis, the relationship of baPWV and sarcopenia remain significant in men (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07–1.42, P<0.01), but not in women (P=0.07).
Conclusions
High brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity is associated with sarcopenia in Chinese community-dwelling elderly, with gender differences.
Abstract
We compute the spherically averaged power spectrum from four seasons of data obtained for the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) project observed with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). We ...measure the EoR power spectrum over k = 0.07–3.0 h Mpc−1 at redshifts $z$ = 6.5–8.7. The largest aggregation of 110 h on EoR0 high band (3340 observations), yields a lowest measurement of (43 mK)2 = 1.8 × 103 mK2 at k = 0.14 h Mpc−1 and $z$ = 6.5 (2σ thermal noise plus sample variance). Using the Real-Time System to calibrate and the CHIPS pipeline to estimate power spectra, we select the best observations from the central five pointings within the 2013–2016 observing seasons, observing three independent fields and in two frequency bands. This yields 13 591 2-min snapshots (453 h), based on a quality assurance metric that measures ionospheric activity. We perform another cut to remove poorly calibrated data, based on power in the foreground-dominated and EoR-dominated regions of the two-dimensional power spectrum, reducing the set to 12 569 observations (419 h). These data are processed in groups of 20 observations, to retain the capacity to identify poor data, and used to analyse the evolution and structure of the data over field, frequency, and data quality. We subsequently choose the cleanest 8935 observations (298 h of data) to form integrated power spectra over the different fields, pointings, and redshift ranges.
Key insights in materials at extreme temperatures and pressures can be gained by accurate measurements that determine the electrical conductivity. Free-electron laser pulses can ionize and excite ...matter out of equilibrium on femtosecond time scales, modifying the electronic and ionic structures and enhancing electronic scattering properties. The transient evolution of the conductivity manifests the energy coupling from high temperature electrons to low temperature ions. Here we combine accelerator-based, high-brightness multi-cycle terahertz radiation with a single-shot electro-optic sampling technique to probe the evolution of DC electrical conductivity using terahertz transmission measurements on sub-picosecond time scales with a multi-undulator free electron laser. Our results allow the direct determination of the electron-electron and electron-ion scattering frequencies that are the major contributors of the electrical resistivity.
An operando electrochemical stage for the transmission electron microscope has been configured to form a “Li battery” that is used to quantify the electrochemical processes that occur at the anode ...during charge/discharge cycling. Of particular importance for these observations is the identification of an image contrast reversal that originates from solid Li being less dense than the surrounding liquid electrolyte and electrode surface. This contrast allows Li to be identified from Li-containing compounds that make up the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. By correlating images showing the sequence of Li electrodeposition and the evolution of the SEI layer with simultaneously acquired and calibrated cyclic voltammograms, electrodeposition, and electrolyte breakdown processes can be quantified directly on the nanoscale. This approach opens up intriguing new possibilities to rapidly visualize and test the electrochemical performance of a wide range of electrode/electrolyte combinations for next generation battery systems.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
White lupin (Lupinus albus) forms specialized cluster roots characterized by exudation of organic anions under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Here, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in P deficiency-induced ...cluster-root formation and citrate exudation was evaluated. White lupin plants were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and scavenger or inhibitor of NO synthase under conditions of P deficiency (0 μM) or P sufficiency (50 μM). Phosphorus deficiency enhanced NO production in primary and lateral root tips, with a greater increase in cluster roots than in noncluster roots. NO concentrations decreased with cluster root development from the pre-emergent stage, through the juvenile stage, to the mature stage. The P deficiency-induced increase in NO production was inhibited by antagonists of NO synthase and xanthine oxidoreductase, suggesting the involvement of these enzymes in NO production. SNP markedly increased the number of cluster roots. Citrate exudation from different root segments in P-deficient roots was positively correlated with endogenous root NO concentrations. These findings demonstrate differential patterns of NO production in white lupin, depending on root zone, developmental stage and P nutritional status. NO appears to play a regulatory role in the formation of cluster roots and citrate exudation in white lupin under conditions of P deficiency.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NMLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Magnetotail reconnection plays a crucial role in explosive energy conversion in geospace. Because of the lack of in-situ spacecraft observations, the onset mechanism of magnetotail reconnection, ...however, has been controversial for decades. The key question is whether magnetotail reconnection is externally driven to occur first on electron scales or spontaneously arising from an unstable configuration on ion scales. Here, we show, using spacecraft observations and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, that magnetotail reconnection starts from electron reconnection in the presence of a strong external driver. Our PIC simulations show that this electron reconnection then develops into ion reconnection. These results provide direct evidence for magnetotail reconnection onset caused by electron kinetics with a strong external driver.
The management of intracranial pseudoaneurysms is controversial. The purpose of this study was to provide a preliminary evaluation of the clinical efficacy of a Willis covered stent specially ...designed for the intracranial vasculature in the management of a pseudoaneurysm of the cranial internal carotid artery (CICA).
Eight patients with pseudoaneurysms of the CICA were treated with use of the Willis covered stent. The flexibility of the entire stent system was gauged from the resistance met when reaching the target lesion and was categorized as no resistance, no apparent resistance, or resistance that could be overcome. The apposition of the Willis stent after deployment was scored as excellent with no endoleak, good with a small endoleak, or bad with an apparent endoleak. Follow-up angiography was performed 3 to 12 months after placement of the stent, and angiographic assessments were categorized as endoleak, stenosis of the covered segment of vessel, or occlusion of parent arteries. Follow-up clinical evaluations were also performed, and outcomes were graded as full recovery, improvement, unchanged, and aggravation.
Endovascular treatment was technically successful in all aneurysms without procedural-related complications, and all of the stents were easily navigated to the targeted lesions in the CICA. Complete resolution of the pseudoaneurysm was observed in 6 patients immediately after the procedure, and a minimal endoleak into the aneurysm persisted in 2 patients. No morbidity or mortality and no technical adverse event occurred. A follow-up angiogram confirmed complete reconstruction of the internal carotid artery, with no recurrent aneurysmal filling and no occurrence of stenosis in the area of the stent. By the final follow-up visit, 4 patients had fully recovered, 3 had improved, and 1 patient's condition was unchanged.
On the basis of our preliminary experience, the Willis covered stent specially designed for the intracranial vasculature can manage a CICA pseudoaneurysm safely and effectively, but longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed.
ABSTRACT We present preliminary results of the quasar survey in the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) first data release (DR1), which includes the pilot survey and ...the first year of the regular survey. There are 3921 quasars reliably identified, among which 1180 are new quasars discovered in the survey. These quasars are at low to median redshifts, with a highest z of 4.83. We compile emission line measurements around the H , Hβ, Mg ii, and C iv regions for the new quasars. The continuum luminosities are inferred from SDSS photometric data with model fitting, as the spectra in DR1 are non-flux-calibrated. We also compile the virial black hole mass estimates, with flags indicating the selection methods, and broad absorption line quasars. The catalog and spectra for these quasars are also available. Of the 3921 quasars, 28% are independently selected with optical-infrared colors, indicating that the method is quite promising for the completeness of the quasar survey. LAMOST DR1 and the ongoing quasar survey will provide valuable data for studies of quasars.
The study of topological insulators has generally involved search of materials that have this property as an innate quality, distinct from normal insulators. Here we focus on the possibility of ...converting a normal insulator into a topological one by application of an external electric field that shifts different bands by different energies and induces a specific band inversion, which leads to a topological state. Phosphorene is a two-dimensional (2D) material that can be isolated through mechanical exfoliation from layered black phosphorus, but unlike graphene and silicene, single-layer phosphorene has a large band gap (1.5–2.2 eV). Thus, it was unsuspected to exhibit band inversion and the ensuing topological insulator behavior. Using first-principles calculations with applied perpendicular electric field F ⊥ on few-layer phosphorene we predict a continuous transition from the normal insulator to a topological insulator and eventually to a metal as a function of F ⊥. The tuning of topological behavior with electric field would lead to spin-separated, gapless edge states, that is, quantum spin Hall effect. This finding opens the possibility of converting normal insulating materials into topological ones via electric field and making a multifunctional “field effect topological transistor” that could manipulate simultaneously both spin and charge carrier. We use our results to formulate some design principles for looking for other 2D materials that could have such an electrical-induced topological transition.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Crescent‐shaped electron distributions perpendicular to the magnetic field are an important indicator of the electron diffusion region in magnetic reconnection. They can be formed by the electron ...finite gyroradius effect at plasma boundaries or by demagnetized electron motion. In this study, we present Magnetospheric Multiscale mission observations of electron crescents at the flank magnetopause on 20 September 2017, where reconnection signatures are not observed. These agyrotropic electron distributions are generated by electron gyromotion at the thin electron‐scale magnetic boundaries of a magnetic minimum after magnetic curvature scattering. The variation of their angular range in the perpendicular plane is in good agreement with predictions. Upper hybrid waves are observed to accompany the electron crescents at all four Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft as a result of the beam‐plasma instability associated with these agyrotropic electron distributions. This study suggests electron crescents can be more frequently formed at the magnetopause.
Plain Language Summary
In this study, we present Magnetospheric Multiscale mission observations of electron crescents at the flank magnetopause and these agyrotropic electron distributions are formed at thin electron‐scale magnetic boundaries after electron pitch angle scattering by the curved magnetic field. These results suggest that agyrotropic electron distributions can be more frequently formed at the magnetopause: (1) magnetic reconnection is not necessary, although electron crescents are taken as one of the observational signatures of the electron diffusion region, and (2) agyrotropic electron distributions can cover a large local time range to the flank magnetopause. In addition, upper hybrid waves accompanied with the electron crescents are observed as a result of the beam‐plasma interaction associated with these agyrotropic electron distributions. This suggests that high‐frequency waves play a role in electron dynamics through wave‐particle interactions.
Key Points
Agyrotropic electron crescents are found in a nonreconnecting current sheet at the flank magnetopause
These electron distributions are generated by finite gyroradius effect after magnetic curvature scattering
The observed electron crescents can excite upper hybrid waves
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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