Nanophase materials are promising alternative implant materials in tissue engineering. Here we report for the first time the large-scale direct growth of nanostructured bioactive titanates on ...three-dimensional (3D) microporous Ti-based metal (NiTi and Ti) scaffolds via a facile low temperature hydrothermal treatment. The nanostructured titanates show characteristics of 1D nanobelts/nanowires on a nanoskeleton layer. Besides resembling cancelous bone structure on the micro/macroscale, the 1D nanostructured titanate on the exposed surface is similar to the lowest level of hierarchical organization of collagen and hydroxyapatite. The resulting surface displays superhydrophilicity and favors deposition of hydroxyapatite and accelerates cell attachment and proliferation. The remarkable simplicity of this process makes it widely accessible as an enabling technique for applications from engineering materials treatment including energy-absorption materials and pollution-treatment materials to biotechnology.
The heavy-fluxonium circuit is a promising building block for superconducting quantum processors due to its long relaxation and dephasing time at the flux-frustration point. However, the suppressed ...charge matrix elements and low transition frequency make it challenging to perform fast single-qubit gates using standard protocols. We report on new protocols for reset, fast coherent control, and readout that allow high-quality operation of the qubit with a 14 MHz transition frequency, an order of magnitude lower in energy than the ambient thermal energy scale. We utilize higher levels of the fluxonium to read out the qubit state and to initialize the qubit with 97% fidelity corresponding to cooling it to190μK. Instead of using standard microwave pulses, we control the qubit only with fast-flux pulses, generating control fields much larger than the qubit frequency. We develop a universal set of gates based on nonadiabatic Landau-Zener transitions that act in 20–60 ns, less than the single-qubit Larmor period. We measure qubit coherence ofT1,T2e∼300μsfor a fluxonium in a 2D architecture and realize single-qubit gates with an average gate fidelity of 99.8% as characterized by randomized benchmarking.
The Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) is an ultrahigh energy (UHE, > 1017 eV) neutrino detector designed to observe neutrinos by searching for the radio waves emitted by the relativistic products of ...neutrino-nucleon interactions in Antarctic ice. In this paper, we present constraints on the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy neutrinos between 1016 and 1021 eV resulting from a search for neutrinos in two complementary analyses, both analyzing four years of data (2013–2016) from the two deep stations (A2, A3) operating at that time. We place a 90% CL upper limit on the diffuse all flavor neutrino flux at 1018 eV of EF(E) = 5.6 × 10−16 cm−2 s−1 sr−1. This analysis includes four times the exposure of the previous ARA result and represents approximately 1 / 5 th the exposure expected from operating ARA until the end of 2022.
Abstract Background The mechanism for the uncoupling effects of Sr on bone remains to be evaluated. Osteoblasts play important roles in osteoclastogenesis through regulating receptor activated ...nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression. We hypothesize that OPG plays an important role in the cross-talk between osteoclasts and osteoblasts in response to Sr treatment. Materials and methods MC3T3E1 cells were treated with Sr chloride (0–3 mM) and conditioned media were collected at 24 h after the treatment. The effect of conditioned media on osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone resorption pits analysis. OPG and RANKL mRNA expressions in osteoblastic cells and protein secretion in the conditioned media were analyzed with real-time PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. The role of OPG in Sr-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was further evaluated with anti-OPG antibody in pre-osteoclastic cells. The role of OPG in Sr-mediated uncoupling effects on osteoporotic bone was evaluated by an animal study. Ovariectomized rats were oral administrated with vehicle or Sr chloride for two months supplemented with anti-IgG antibody (control) or anti-OPG antibody. The effects of OPG neutralization after Sr treatment on bone metabolism were analyzed by microCT, bone histomorphometry and biochemical analysis. Results The conditioned media derived from Sr-treated osteoblastic cells exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on osteoclastic differentiation and resorptive activity in pre-osteoclastic cells. OPG mRNA expression and protein secretion in osteoblastic cells were significantly increased after Sr treatment. Neutralization with anti-OPG antibody abolished the inhibitory effect of conditioned media on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. The uncoupling effects of Sr treatment on trabecular bone were evidenced by greater bone volume and trabecular number, greater osteoid surface and bone formation rate, while less osteoclast surface. These effects were attenuated by the OPG neutralization by anti-OPG antibody injection. Conclusion The evidences from the in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that OPG played an important role in the uncoupling effect of Sr on bone metabolism, possibly by acting as a cross-talk molecule between osteoclasts and osteoblasts in response to Sr treatment.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prevalent and devastating disease that claims more lives than breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers combined. Current research suggests that standard ...chemotherapy regimens have been optimized to maximal efficiency. Promising new treatment strategies involve novel agents targeting molecular aberrations present in subsets of NSCLC. We evaluated 88 human NSCLC tumors of diverse histology and identified Mer and Axl as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) overexpressed in 69% and 93%, respectively, of tumors relative to surrounding normal lung tissue. Mer and Axl were also frequently overexpressed and activated in NSCLC cell lines. Ligand-dependent Mer or Axl activation stimulated MAPK, AKT and FAK signaling pathways indicating roles for these RTKs in multiple oncogenic processes. In addition, we identified a novel pro-survival pathway-involving AKT, CREB, Bcl-xL, survivin, and Bcl-2-downstream of Mer, which is differentially modulated by Axl signaling. We demonstrated that short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of Mer or Axl significantly reduced NSCLC colony formation and growth of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice. Mer or Axl knockdown also improved in vitro NSCLC sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents by promoting apoptosis. When comparing the effects of Mer and Axl knockdown, Mer inhibition exhibited more complete blockade of tumor growth while Axl knockdown more robustly improved chemosensitivity. These results indicate that Mer and Axl have complementary and overlapping roles in NSCLC and suggest that treatment strategies targeting both RTKs may be more effective than singly-targeted agents. Our findings validate Mer and Axl as potential therapeutic targets in NSCLC and provide justification for development of novel therapeutic compounds that selectively inhibit Mer and/or Axl.
We study quantum coherence in a semiconductor charge qubit formed from a GaAs double quantum dot containing a single electron. Voltage pulses are applied to depletion gates to drive qubit rotations ...and noninvasive state readout is achieved using a quantum point contact charge detector. We measure a maximum coherence time of ∼7 ns at the charge degeneracy point, where the qubit level splitting is first-order insensitive to gate voltage fluctuations. We compare measurements of the coherence time as a function of detuning with numerical simulations and predictions from a 1/f noise model.
The enormous magnitude of 2 billion tons of alloys produced per year demands a change in design philosophy to make materials environmentally, economically, and socially more sustainable. This ...disqualifies the use of critical elements that are rare or have questionable origin. Amongst the major alloy strengthening mechanisms, a high-dispersion of second-phase precipitates with sizes in the nanometre range is particularly effective for achieving ultra-high strength. Here, we propose an alternative segregation-based strategy for sustainable steels, free of critical elements, which are rendered ultrastrong by second-phase nano-precipitation. We increase the Mn-content in a supersaturated, metastable Fe-Mn solid solution to trigger compositional fluctuations and nano-segregation in the bulk. These fluctuations act as precursors for the nucleation of an unexpected α-Mn phase, which impedes dislocation motion, thus enabling precipitation strengthening. Our steel outperforms most common commercial alloys, yet it is free of critical elements, making it a new platform for sustainable alloy design.
Summary
Background
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common with major clinical consequences. In Asian Americans, the HBsAg carrier rate ranges from 2% to 16% which approximates the rates from ...their countries of origin. Similarly, HBV is the most important cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver related deaths in HBsAg positive Asians worldwide.
Aim
To generate recommendations for the management of Asian Americans infected with HBV.
Methods
These guidelines are based on relevant data derived from medical reports on HBV from Asian countries as well as from studies in the HBsAg positive Asian Americans. The guidelines herein differ from other recommendations in the treatment of both HBeAg positive and negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB), in the approach to HCC surveillance, and in the management of HBV in pregnant women.
Results
Asian American patients, HBeAg positive or negative, with HBV DNA levels >2000 IU/mL (>104 copies/mL) and ALT values above normal are candidates for anti‐viral therapy. HBeAg negative patients with HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL and normal ALT levels but who have either serum albumin <3.5 g/dL or platelet count <130 000 mm3, basal core promoter (BCP) mutations, or who have first‐degree relatives with HCC should be offered treatment. Patients with cirrhosis and detectable HBV DNA must receive life‐long anti‐viral therapy. Indications for treatment include pregnant women with high viraemia, coinfected patients, and those requiring immunosuppressive therapy. In HBsAg positive patients with risk factors, life‐long surveillance for HCC with alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) testing and abdominal ultrasound examination at 6‐month intervals is required. In CHB patients receiving HCC treatments, repeat imaging with contrast CT scan or MRI at 3‐month intervals is strongly recommended. These guidelines have been assigned to a Class (reflecting benefit vs. risk) and a Level (assessing strength or certainty) of evidence.
Conclusions
Application of the recommendations made based on a review of the relevant literature and the opinion of a panel of Asian American physicians with expertise in HBV treatment will inform physicians and improve patient outcomes.
Linked ContentThis article is linked to Ebel and Rosenthal, and Tong and Pan papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14620 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14662.
In this work, BVRI light curves of 55 Type II supernovae (SNe II) from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search programme obtained with the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope and the 1 m Nickel ...telescope from 2006 to 2018 are presented. Additionally, more than 150 spectra gathered with the 3 m Shane telescope are published. We conduct an analyse of the peak absolute magnitudes, decline rates, and time durations of different phases of the light and colour curves. Typically, our light curves are sampled with a median cadence of 5.5 d for a total of 5093 photometric points. In average, V-band plateau declines with a rate of 1.29 mag (100 d)(exp −1), which is consistent with previously published samples. For each band, the plateau slope correlates with the plateau length and the absolute peak magnitude: SNe II with steeper decline have shorter plateau duration and are brighter. A time-evolution analysis of spectral lines in term of velocities and pseudo-equivalent widths is also presented in this paper. Our spectroscopic sample ranges between 1 and 200 d post-explosion and has a median ejecta expansion velocity at 50 d post-explosion of 6500 km s(exp −1) (H α line) and a standard dispersion of 2000 km s(exp −1). Nebular spectra are in good agreement with theoretical models using a progenitor star having a mass <16M⨀. All the data are available to the community and will help to understand SN II diversity better, and therefore to improve their utility as cosmological distance indicators.
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► LSP can generate high-level compressive residual stresses and refine original grains. ► Massive LSP impacts can effectively prevent the SCC initiation of the U-bend sample. ► ...Mechanism of massive LSP impacts on SCC was also entirely revealed.
The effects of massive laser peening (LP) impacts on surface residual stress, micro-structure, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of U-bend samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology, optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. Two important factors to influence SCC initiation, residual stress and grain refinement, were discussed in detail by using different types of treatment processes. Results showed massive LP impacts can induce both deep compressive residual stress and refined grains in the surface layer of ANSI 304 stainless steel, and the corrosion mechanism of massive LP impacts on SCC was also analysed and revealed.
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