Quantum communication provides an absolute security advantage, and it has been widely developed over the past 30 years. As an important branch of quantum communication, quantum secure direct ...communication (QSDC) promotes high security and instantaneousness in communication through directly transmitting messages over a quantum channel. The full implementation of a quantum protocol always requires the ability to control the transfer of a message effectively in the time domain; thus, it is essential to combine QSDC with quantum memory to accomplish the communication task. In this Letter, we report the experimental demonstration of QSDC with state-of-the-art atomic quantum memory for the first time in principle. We use the polarization degrees of freedom of photons as the information carrier, and the fidelity of entanglement decoding is verified as approximately 90%. Our work completes a fundamental step toward practical QSDC and demonstrates a potential application for long-distance quantum communication in a quantum network.
Background
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has confirmed disrupted visual network connectivity in migraine without aura (MwoA). The thalamus plays a pivotal role in a ...number of pain conditions, including migraine. However, the significance of altered thalamo-visual functional connectivity (FC) in migraine remains unknown. The goal of this study was to explore thalamo-visual FC integrity in patients with MwoA and investigate its clinical significance.
Methods
Resting-state fMRI data were acquired from 33 patients with MwoA and 22 well-matched healthy controls. After identifying the visual network by independent component analysis, we compared neural activation in the visual network and thalamo-visual FC and assessed whether these changes were linked to clinical characteristics. We used voxel-based morphometry to determine whether functional differences were dependent on structural differences.
Results
The visual network exhibited significant differences in regions (bilateral cunei, right lingual gyrus and left calcarine sulcus) by inter-group comparison. The patients with MwoA showed significantly increased FC between the left thalami and bilateral cunei and between the right thalamus and the contralateral calcarine sulcus and right cuneus. Furthermore, the neural activation of the left calcarine sulcus was positively correlated with visual analogue scale scores (
r
= 0.319,
p
= 0.043), and enhanced FC between the left thalamus and right cuneus in migraine patients was negatively correlated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder scores (
r
= − 0.617,
p
= 0.005).
Conclusion
Our data suggest that migraine distress is exacerbated by aberrant feedback projections to the visual network, playing a crucial role in migraine physiological mechanisms. The current study provides further insights into the complex scenario of migraine mechanisms.
The Hippo pathway regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal, and its inactivation in animal models causes organ enlargement followed by tumorigenesis. Hippo pathway ...deregulation occurs in many human cancers, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we report tyrosine phosphorylation of the Hippo pathway tumor suppressor LATS1 as a mechanism underlying its regulation by cell adhesion. A tyrosine kinase library screen identified Src as the kinase to directly phosphorylate LATS1 on multiple residues, causing attenuated Mob kinase activator binding and structural alteration of the substrate-binding pocket in the kinase domain. Cell matrix adhesion activated the Hippo pathway effector transcription coactivator YAP partially through Src-mediated phosphorylation and inhibition of LATS1. Aberrant Src activation abolished the tumor suppressor activity of LATS1 and induced tumorigenesis in a YAP-dependent manner. Protein levels of Src in human breast cancer tissues correlated with accumulation of active YAP dephosphorylated on the LATS1 target site. These findings reveal tyrosine phosphorylation of LATS1 by Src as a novel mechanism of Hippo pathway regulation by cell adhesion and suggest Src activation as an underlying reason for YAP deregulation in tumorigenesis.
.
Background
Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (Rs-fMRI) has confirmed sensorimotor network (SMN) dysfunction in migraine without aura (MwoA). However, the underlying mechanisms of ...SMN effective functional connectivity in MwoA remain unclear. We aimed to explore the association between clinical characteristics and effective functional connectivity in SMN, in interictal patients who have MwoA.
Methods
We used Rs-fMRI to acquire imaging data in 40 episodic patients with MwoA in the interictal phase and 34 healthy controls (HCs). Independent component analysis was used to profile the distribution of SMN and calculate the different SMN activity between the two groups. Subsequently, Granger causality analysis was used to analyze the effective functional connectivity between the SMN and other brain regions.
Results
Compared to the HCs, MwoA patients showed higher activity in the bilateral postcentral gyri (PoCG), but lower activity in the left midcingulate cortex (MCC). Moreover, MwoA patients showed decreased effective functional connectivity from the SMN to left middle temporal gyrus, right putamen, left insula and bilateral precuneus, but increased effective functional connectivity to the right paracentral lobule. There was also significant effective functional connectivity from the primary visual cortex, right cuneus and right putamen to the SMN. In the interictal period, there was positive correlation between the activity of the right PoCG and the frequency of headache. The disease duration was positively correlated with abnormal effective functional connectivity from the left PoCG to right precuneus. In addition, the headache impact scores were negatively correlated with abnormal effective functional connectivity from the left MCC to right paracentral lobule, as well as from the right precuneus to left PoCG.
Conclusions
These differential, resting-state functional activities of the SMN in episodic MwoA may contribute to the understanding of migraine-related intra- and internetwork imbalances associated with nociceptive regulation and chronification.
Abstract
Purpose
To explore the association between waist circumference (WC), estimated cardiopulmonary function (eCRF), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in southern Xinjiang. Update the ...Framingham model to make it more suitable for the southern Xinjiang population.
Methods
Data were collected from 7705 subjects aged 30–74 years old in Tumushuke City, the 51st Regiment of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. CVD was defined as an individual's first diagnosis of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, death from coronary heart disease, and fatal or non-fatal stroke. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the association between WC, eCRF and CVD risk. Restricted cubic spline plots were drawn to describe the association of the two indicators with CVD risk. We update the model by incorporating the new variables into the Framingham model and re-estimating the coefficients. The discrimination of the model is evaluated using AUC, NRI, and IDI metrics. Model calibration is evaluated using pseudo R
2
values.
Results
WC was an independent risk factor for CVD (multivariate HR: 1.603 (1.323, 1.942)), eCRF was an independent protective factor for CVD (multivariate HR: 0.499 (0.369, 0.674)). There was a nonlinear relationship between WC and CVD risk (nonlinear χ2 = 12.43,
P
= 0.002). There was a linear association between eCRF and CVD risk (non-linear χ2 = 0.27,
P
= 0.6027). In the male, the best risk prediction effect was obtained when WC and eCRF were added to the model (AUC = 0.763((0.734,0.792)); pseudo
R
2
= 0.069). In the female, the best risk prediction effect was obtained by adding eCRF to the model (AUC = 0.757 (0.734,0.779); pseudo
R
2
= 0.107).
Conclusion
In southern Xinjiang, WC is an independent risk factor for CVD. eCRF is an independent protective factor for CVD. We recommended adding WC and eCRF in the male model and only eCRF in the female model for better risk prediction.
Background
In pancreatic cancer, methods to predict early recurrence (ER) and identify patients at increased risk of relapse are urgently required.
Purpose
To develop a radiomic nomogram based on MR ...radiomics to stratify patients preoperatively and potentially improve clinical practice.
Study Type
Retrospective.
Population
We enrolled 303 patients from two medical centers. Patients with a disease‐free survival ≤12 months were assigned as the ER group (n = 130). Patients from the first medical center were divided into a training cohort (n = 123) and an internal validation cohort (n = 54). Patients from the second medical center were used as the external independent validation cohort (n = 126).
Field Strength/Sequence
3.0T axial T1‐weighted (T1‐w), T2‐weighted (T2‐w), contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted (CET1‐w).
Assessment
ER was confirmed via imaging studies as MRI or CT. Risk factors, including clinical stage, CA19‐9, and radiomic‐related features of ER were assessed. In addition, to determine the intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility of radiomic features extraction, the intra‐ and interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated.
Statistical Tests
The area under the receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the radiomic signature in both the training and test groups. The results of decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the radiomic nomogram achieved the most net benefit.
Results
The AUC values of ER evaluation for the radiomics signature were 0.80 (training cohort), 0.81 (internal validation cohort), and 0.78 (external validation cohort). Multivariate logistic analysis identified the radiomic signature, CA19‐9 level, and clinical stage as independent parameters of ER. A radiomic nomogram was then developed incorporating the CA19‐9 level and clinical stage. The AUC values for ER risk evaluation using the radiomic nomogram were 0.87 (training cohort), 0.88 (internal validation cohort), and 0.85 (external validation cohort).
Data Conclusion
The radiomic nomogram can effectively evaluate ER risks in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer preoperatively, which could potentially improve treatment strategies and facilitate personalized therapy in pancreatic cancer.
Level of Evidence: 4
Technical Efficacy: Stage 4
J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:231–245.
A ratiometric fluorescence sensor for sensitive and selective dopamine detection based on carbon dots-gold nanoclusters hybrid
Display omitted
•A ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on CDots-AuNCs ...hybrid was designed for dopamine detection.•The sensor provided remarkable ratiometric fluorescence intensity change.•The sensor exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity.•Human serum samples were analyzed.
In this work, a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, carbon dots-gold nanoclusters hybrid (CDots-AuNCs), was fabricated for selective, sensitive and reliable sensing of dopamine (DA). This FRET probe is comprised of a two-fluorophore, where carbon dots (CDots) serve as the energy donor and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) as the acceptor, with dual emission peaks at 420 nm and 610 nm under a single excitation wavelength of 380 nm. The addition of DA to this probe solution resulted in the fluorescence at 610 nm quenching, while the blue fluorescence at 420 nm recovering. By monitoring the change of ratiometric fluorescent intensity at 420 and 610 nm, the DA could be detected with the range from 5 to 180 nM and a limit of detection around 2.9 nM. Finally, the developed sensing method was successfully applied to DA determination in serum samples with satisfactory recoveries in the range of 95%–105%.
Abstract
Background
This study aimed to compare the ability of certain obesity-related indicators to identify metabolic syndrome (MetS) among normal-weight adults in rural Xinjiang.
Methods
A total ...of 4315 subjects were recruited in rural Xinjiang. The questionnaire, biochemical and anthropometric data were collected from them. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the z-score of each index and MetS. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic ability of each index. According to the cut-off value of each index, nomogram models were established and their diagnostic ability were evaluated.
Results
After adjusting for confounding factors, each indicator in different genders was correlated with MetS. Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) showed the strongest association with MetS in both males (OR = 3.749, 95%CI: 3.173–4.429) and females (OR = 3.521,95%CI: 2.990–4.148). Lipid accumulation product (LAP) showed the strongest diagnostic ability in both males (AUC = 0.831, 95%CI: 0.806–0.856) and females (AUC = 0.842, 95%CI: 0.820–0.864), and its optimal cut-off values were 39.700 and 35.065, respectively. The identification ability of the TyG index in different genders (males AUC: 0.817, females AUC: 0.817) was slightly weaker than LAP. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the similar AUC (males: 0.717, females: 0.747) to conicity index (CI) (males: 0.734, females: 0.749), whereas the identification ability of a body shape index (ABSI) (males AUC: 0.700, females AUC: 0.717) was relatively weak. Compared with the diagnostic ability of a single indicator, the AUC of the male nomogram model was 0.876 (95%CI: 0.856–0.895) and the AUC of the female model was 0.877 (95%CI: 0.856–0.896). The identification ability had been significantly improved.
Conclusion
LAP and TyG index are effective indicators for identifying MetS among normal-weight adults in rural Xinjiang. Nomogram models including age, CI, LAP, and TyG index can significantly improve diagnostic ability.
High-quality long-distance entanglement is essential for both quantum communication and scalable quantum networks. Entanglement purification is to distill high-quality entanglement from low-quality ...entanglement in a noisy environment and it plays a key role in quantum repeaters. The previous significant entanglement purification experiments require two pairs of low-quality entangled states and were demonstrated in tabletop. Here we propose and report a high-efficiency and long-distance entanglement purification using only one pair of hyperentangled state. We also demonstrate its practical application in entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD). One pair of polarization spatial-mode hyperentanglement was distributed over 11 km multicore fiber (noisy channel). After purification, the fidelity of polarization entanglement arises from 0.771 to 0.887 and the effective key rate in entanglement-based QKD increases from 0 to 0.332. The values of Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality of polarization entanglement arises from 1.829 to 2.128. Moreover, by using one pair of hyperentanglement and deterministic controlled-NOT gates, the total purification efficiency can be estimated as 6.6×10^{3} times than the experiment using two pairs of entangled states with spontaneous parametric down-conversion sources. Our results offer the potential to be implemented as part of a full quantum repeater and large-scale quantum network.
A high-building multi-directional pipe joint (HBMDPJ) was fabricated by wire and arc additive manufacturing using high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel. The microstructure characteristics and ...transformation were observed and analyzed. The results show that the forming part includes four regions. The solidification zone solidifies as typical columnar crystals from a molten pool. The complete austenitizing zone forms from the solidification zone heated to a temperature greater than 1100°C, and the typical columnar crystals in this zone are difficult to observe. The partial austenitizing zone forms from the completely austenite zone heated between Ac1 (austenite transition temperature) and 1100°C, which is mainly equiaxed grains. After several thermal cycles, the partial austenitizing zone transforms to the tempering zone, which consistes of fully equiaxed grains. From the solidification zone to the tempering zone, the average grain size decreases from 75 to 20 µm. The mechanical properties of HBMDPJ satisfies the requirement for the intended application.
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