Abstract
Here we report a breakthrough in the fabrication of a long lifetime transmon qubit. We use tantalum films as the base superconductor. By using a dry etching process, we obtained transmon ...qubits with a best
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lifetime of 503 μs. As a comparison, we also fabricated transmon qubits with other popular materials, including niobium and aluminum, under the same design and fabrication processes. After characterizing their coherence properties, we found that qubits prepared with tantalum films have the best performance. Since the dry etching process is stable and highly anisotropic, it is much more suitable for fabricating complex scalable quantum circuits, when compared to wet etching. As a result, the current breakthrough indicates that the dry etching process of tantalum film is a promising approach to fabricate medium- or large-scale superconducting quantum circuits with a much longer lifetime, meeting the requirements for building practical quantum computers.
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the word. Coptisine (COP), an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Coptis chinensis Franch, possesses a wide variety of ...pharmacological effects. However, its anti-proliferative effect on colon cancer is not fully elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to ascertain whether COP inhibits HCT-116 cell growth and to further explore the molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo.
Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell migration was detected using wound healing assay. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analysis via flow cytometry. Hoechst 33342 was used for morphology observation. The expression levels of proteins related to mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway were detected by western blotting. In addition, the antitumor ability of COP was further measured in athymic nude mice.
COP significantly decreased cell viability and migration in HCT-116 cells. Flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 analysis confirmed that COP suppressed cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. COP decreased Δψm dose-dependently and induced intracellular ROS production time-dependently. Western blotting showed that COP activated mitochondrial-associated apoptosis by down-regulating Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, pro-caspase 3, XIAP level and up-regulating Bax, Bad, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, AIF and cleaved caspase-3 expression. In addition, COP also attenuated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In vivo study showed that 150 mg/kg COP significantly delayed the tumor development in BALB/c nude mice. Immunohistochemical analysis also confirmed the activated apoptosis in tumor tissue.
The results demonstrated that COP induces apoptosis in HCT-116 cells through PI3K/Akt and mitochondrial-associated apoptotic pathway. Our findings suggest that COP has potential to be a therapeutic candidate for colon cancer patients.
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• A new path synthesis method was proposed based on a Fourier series.• New synthesis equations were created to simplify the path generation problem.• The formulas for each of the parameters of the ...four-bar linkage were derived.• Our method is simple, efficient and readily programmed compared to current methods.
This paper presents a novel analytical approach for synthesizing a path-generation mechanism without any limitation on the number of precision points. Compared with classical analytical methods, the novelty of the proposed method is that the synthesis equations were established based on the relationship between the design variables and the Fourier coefficients of the path instead of the displacement matrix. Based on the presented synthesis equations, the path generation problem of planar four-bar linkages was reduced to solving two polynomial equations of low complexity. Moreover, a general formula was derived from the analytical solutions of the new synthesis equations, whereby the design variables could be directly calculated with the Fourier coefficients of the prescribed path. Five examples are provided to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. The findings indicate that the proposed method is simple, efficient, and readily programmed.
► The concentrations of heavy metals in SYS were related well with TOC. ► EFs showed that Cd in the SYS sediments posed a high risk to local environments. ► Most sedimentation fluxes of heavy metals ...were deposited in the Chinese offshore. ► Particulate heavy metals deposition via atmosphere is also an important way.
The distributions, annual sedimentation and atmospheric deposition flux of heavy metals have been studied in sediments of the South Yellow Sea (SYS), in order to evaluate their levels and pollution status. The higher concentrations of heavy metals were generally found in the central part of the SYS, which may be associated with the organic matters due to their high affinity to the metals. According to the calculated enrichment factor (EF) of the studied metals, Cd in the sediments posed a high risk to local environments, while Mn, Hg, Pb and Zn were at moderate risk levels. Sedimentation fluxes study in the SYS showed that most heavy metals were deposited in the Chinese offshore. Annual dry deposition flux of these metals indicated that the particulate heavy metals deposition via atmosphere also play an important role in biogeochemical cycles in the SYS.
To identify sources and evaluate ecological risks of heavy metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, contents and chemical fractions of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Sb and Sn were studied. Results suggested ...that higher metal contents appeared at inner bay and near marine dumping area. Labile fractions of heavy metals accounted for 0.5–77% (~36%) of total contents indicating their significant anthropogenic sources. The enrichment levels of Cd and Sb were relatively higher. Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn were at low to medium risks. Cr, Pb, Sn and Sb were at no or low risks. Total contents of heavy metals were mainly controlled by natural sources, while anthropogenic inputs were important sources of labile fractions of heavy metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay with industrial and domestic activities as main contributors for Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni and Sn, and agricultural activities for Cd and regional coal combustion for Sb.
•The contents of heavy metals increased by 2–5 times than those in 2000s.•Heavy metals in sediments of Jiaozhou Bay were mainly in low to medium risks.•The potential toxicity of Cd in Jiaozhou Bay should be paid more attention.•Three types of anthropogenic activities were identified based on labile heavy metals.
We have demonstrated a novel scheme for simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index by using an exposed core microstructured optical fiber (ECF). The ECF allows for high sensitivity ...to refractive index due to the small exposed-core, while being supported by a standard fiber diameter cladding making it robust compared to optical microfibers. The sensor combines a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscribed into the core of the ECF and a multimode Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). Both the FBG and MZI are sensitive to refractive index (RI) and temperature through a combination of direct access to the evanescent field via the exposed-core, the thermo-optic effect, and thermal expansion. The FBG and MZI respond differently to changes in temperature and RI, thus allowing for the simultaneous measurement of these parameters. In our experiment, RI sensitivities of 5.85 nm/RIU and 794 nm/RIU, and temperature sensitivities of 8.72 pm/°C and -57.9 pm/°C, were obtained for the FBG and MZI respectively. We demonstrate that a transfer matrix approach can be used to simultaneously measure both parameters, solving the problem of temperature sensitivity of RI sensors due to the high thermo-optic coefficient of aqueous samples.
Epidemiological observational studies have elucidated a correlation between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bronchiectasis. However, the causal nature of this association remains ambiguous. To clarify ...this potential causal linkage, we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the bidirectional causality between RA and bronchiectasis.
Summary statistics for RA and bronchiectasis were obtained from the IEU OpenGWAS database We employed various methods, including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode, to explore potential causal links between RA and bronchiectasis. Additionally, a series of sensitivity studies, such as Cochran's Q test, MR Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis, were conducted to assess the MR analysis's accuracy further.
In the forward MR analysis, the primary analysis indicated that a genetic predisposition to RA correlated with an increased risk of bronchiectasis in European populations (IVW odds ratio (OR): 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20-1.37, p = 1.18E-13). Comparable results were noted in the East Asian subjects (IVW OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.30-1.34, p = 8.33E-07). The OR estimates from the other four methods were consistent with those obtained from the IVW method. Sensitivity analysis detected no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity. Conversely, in the reverse MR analysis, we found no evidence to support a genetic causality between bronchiectasis and RA in either European or East Asian populations.
This study indicates that genetic predisposition to RA correlates with a heightened risk of bronchiectasis in both European and East Asian populations. These results imply that routine screening for bronchiectasis in RA patients could be beneficial, and effective management of RA may contribute to a reduced risk of bronchiectasis. Future research should aim to clarify the underlying mechanisms linking these two conditions.
•TEP is an important ecological indicator for marine carbon transport.•Hydrological condition is the controlling factor affecting TEP distribution.•TEP in the seawater has a longer residence time and ...is more easily degraded than other forms of POC.
Transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) is a transparent jellylike substance characterized with high carbon concentration, playing an important role in the marine carbon cycle. Based on a survey of the East China Sea coast in summer of 2020, the distribution, controlling factors of TEP and its impact on marine carbon transportation were discussed. The results showed that the TEP in the surface decreases from northwest to southeast gradually with an average concentration of 214.90 µg Xeq./L, which is basically consistent with the distribution of POC, Chl a and NO3-N. The TEP in the water of 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m also gradually decreases from northwest to southeast horizontally, while it is high in the surface and bottom layer, and low in the middle water layer vertically. The hydrological situation of the study area is complex and is the main factor affecting the distribution of various parameters including TEP. The TEP in the seawater has the characteristics of high TEP-C/POC, low settling ratio and high degradation ratio. The TEP-C/POC in the seawater is 32.03%, which is extremely higher than that of 14.46% in the surface sediments; the settling ratio of TEP is 17.67%, which is extremely lower than that of 50.31% for POC; the degradation ratio of TEP is 82.79%, which is extremely higher than that of 49.69% for POC. These results together indicated that TEP in the seawater has a longer residence time and is more easily degraded than other forms of POC.
Bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) are widespread in bacteria and are used as lipid biomarkers for specific bacterial activities and environmental changes. However, deposition and degradation dynamics of ...BHPs are still poorly constrained in marine settings, thereby affecting their reliability as biomarkers. Here, we investigated BHPs in the water columns and sediments near the Changjiang Estuary to evaluate their origins, preservation and responses to seawater hypoxia and bacterial activities. Results indicated that bacteriohopanetetrol stereoisomer (BHT-isomer) in this area was predominantly BHT-x produced by Ca. Scalindua, present in hypoxic bottom seawater. 2-Methyl BHT and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria showed similar vertical distribution in the water column, as did amnio-BHPs (aminotetrol and aminopentol) and the aerobic methane oxidation (AMO) gene pmoA. 2-Methyl BHT, aminotetrol and aminopentol were thought to primarily derive from cyanobacteria and aerobic methanotrophs in seawater, respectively, despite other potential sources. Depth profiles suggest that in-situ production in sediments is not a major contribution to sedimentary BHPs, compared to the export and deposition from the water column. The abundances of unsaturated BHT and amino-BHPs in surface sediments were decreased compared with those in the water column, indicating that unsaturated BHT and amino-BHPs appear to undergo a certain degree of early diagenetic degradation. BHT-isomer and 2-Methyl BHT preserved preferentially over amino-BHPs. Additionally, BHT-isomer significantly correlated with anammox functional gene amx-16S rRNA, and 2-Methyl BHT significantly correlated with nitrogen-fixing functional gene nifH. This indicated that BHT-isomer and 2-Methyl BHT are suitable as biomarkers for anammox and cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation. The BHT-isomer ratio accurately reflects the situation in the water column and appears to be a very appropriate proxy for hypoxia. Conversely, sedimentary aminotetrol and aminopentol underestimate the importance of aerobic methane oxidation in seawater, as these are more rapidly degraded upon deposition to the sea floor.
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•The origin, deposition and preservation of BHPs in coastal seawaters were studied.•BHT-isomer was mainly from Ca. Scalindua in hypoxic bottom seawaters.•Deposited BHT-isomer and 2-methyl BHT were preserved preferentially in sediments.•BHT-isomer and 2-Methyl BHT showed correlations with amx and nifH gene copies.•BHT-isomer ratio appears to be an appropriate proxy for seawater hypoxia.
Berberine (BBR) is one of isoquinoline alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma and possesses extensive pharmacological activities, including anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) activity. However, the detailed ...mechanisms remain to be determined. The current study aims to investigate the ability and the potential mechanism of BBR against CRC.
By mining recognized CRC datasets and RNA-seq results of cells and tumors treated with BBR for perform bioinformatics analysis to find key targets IGF2BP3. Overexpression and knockdown of IGF2BP3 assays were used to explore the biological role of IGF2BP3 in the process of BBR against CRC.
Our results showed that BBR inhibits proliferation and induces G0/G1 phase arrest in CRC cells by downregulating IGF2BP3. Specifically, Knockdown of IGF2BP3 could suppress the PI3K/AKT pathway to inhibit cell proliferation and cycle transition. The negative effects of BBR in CRC cells could be rescued by overexpressing IGF2BP3.
Our data might provide a theoretical basis for the future use of BBR in colorectal cancer prevention.
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