We study the phase transitions of two-dimensional (2D) Q-states Potts models on the square lattice, using the first principles Monte Carlo (MC) simulations as well as the techniques of neural ...networks (NN). We demonstrate that the ideas from NN can be adopted to study these considered phase transitions efficiently. In particular, even with a simple NN constructed in this investigation, we are able to obtain the relevant information of the nature of these phase transitions, namely whether they are first order or second order. Our results strengthen the potential applicability of machine learning in studying various states of matters. Subtlety of applying NN techniques to investigate many-body systems is briefly discussed as well.
The Didymellaceae was established in 2009 to accommodate Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma, as well as several related phoma-like genera. The family contains numerous plant pathogenic, saprobic and ...endophytic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Ascochyta and Phoma are morphologically difficult to distinguish, and species from both genera have in the past been linked to Didymella sexual morphs. The aim of the present study was to clarify the generic delimitation in Didymellaceae by combing multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2, and morphological observations. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed 17 well-supported monophyletic clades in Didymellaceae, leading to the introduction of nine genera, three species, two nomina nova and 84 combinations. Furthermore, 11 epitypes and seven neotypes were designated to help stabilise the taxonomy and use of names. As a result of these data, Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma were delineated as three distinct genera, and the generic circumscriptions of Ascochyta, Didymella, Epicoccum and Phoma emended. Furthermore, the genus Microsphaeropsis, which is morphologically distinct from the members of Didymellaceae, grouped basal to the Didymellaceae, for which a new family Microsphaeropsidaceae was introduced.
We successfully synthesized large-scale and highly pure ultrathin SnO2 nanosheets (NSs), with a minimum thickness in the regime of ca. 2.1 nm as determined by HRTEM and in good agreement with XRD ...refinements and AFM height profiles. Through TEM and HRTEM observations on time-dependent samples, we found that the as-prepared SnO2 NSs were assembled by “oriented attachment” of preformed SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Systematic trials showed that well-defined ultrathin SnO2 NSs could only be obtained under appropriate reaction time, solvent, additive, precursor concentration, and cooling rate. A certain degree of nonstoichiometry appears inevitable in the well-defined SnO2 NSs sample. However, deviations from the optimal synthetic parameters give rise to severe nonstoichiometry in the products, resulting in the formation of Sn3O4 or SnO. This finding may open new accesses to the fundamental investigations of tin oxides as well as their intertransition processes. Finally, we investigated the lithium-ion storage of the SnO2 NSs as compared to SnO2 hollow spheres and NPs. The results showed superior performance of SnO2 NSs sample over its two counterparts. This greatly enhanced Li-ion storage capability of SnO2 NSs is probably resulting from the ultrathin thicknesses and the unique porous structures: the nanometer-sized networks provide negligible diffusion times of ions thus faster phase transitions, while the “breathable” interior porous structure can effectively buffer the drastic volume changes during lithiation and delithiation reactions.
To reveal the association between retinal microvasculature changes and coronary heart disease (CHD), we assessed the full retinal thicknesses of eight areas, the vessel density of four layers ...(consisting of nine areas) and the flow area in two layers with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in CHD patients and healthy controls. The mean vessel density of several layers was significantly lower in patients. The difference in choroid capillary flow (negative correlation) between the two groups was significant. Decreased vessel density and blood flow were associated with coronary artery and branch stenosis. The decreases in retinal vessel density, choroidal vessel density, and blood flow area are closely related to coronary artery and branch stenosis.
Abstract
Topological Weyl semimetal (TWS), a new state of quantum matter, has sparked enormous research interest recently. Possessing unique Weyl fermions in the bulk and Fermi arcs on the surface, ...TWSs offer a rare platform for realizing many exotic physical phenomena. TWSs can be classified into type-I that respect Lorentz symmetry and type-II that do not. Here, we directly visualize the electronic structure of MoTe
2
, a recently proposed type-II TWS. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), we unravel the unique surface Fermi arcs, in good agreement with our
ab initio
calculations that have nontrivial topological nature. Our work not only leads to new understandings of the unusual properties discovered in this family of compounds, but also allows for the further exploration of exotic properties and practical applications of type-II TWSs, as well as the interplay between superconductivity (MoTe
2
was discovered to be superconducting recently) and their topological order.
In the present study, fluid flow and heat transfer in microchannel heat sinks with different inlet/outlet locations (I, C and Z-type), header shapes (triangular, trapezoidal and rectangular) and ...microchannel cross-section shapes (the conventional rectangular microchannel, the microchannel with offset fan-shaped reentrant cavities and the microchannel with triangular reentrant cavities) are numerically studied with computational domain including the entire microchannel heat sink. Detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations are useful in identifying the optimal geometric parameters that provide better heat transfer and flow distribution in a microchannel heat sink. Results highlight that flow velocity uniformity is comparatively better for I-type and poor for Z-type. The flow distribution is found to be symmetrical for I-type. It is seen from the header shapes analysis that the rectangular header shapes provides better flow velocity uniformity than the trapezoidal and triangular headers. The fluid flow mechanism can be attributed to the interaction of the branching of fluid and the friction offered by the walls of the header. Effects of microchannel cross-section shapes emphasize that the microchannel with offset fan-shaped reentrant cavities and the microchannel with triangular reentrant cavities of the heat sinks enhance the heat transfer compared to the conventional rectangular microchannel. The heat transfer mechanism can be attributed to the jetting and throttling effect, the additional flow disturbance near the wall of the reentrant cavities and the form drag of the reentrant cavities. The heat sink C has better heat transfer characteristic for qv=150ml/min and is able to prolong the life of the microelectronic devices.
An accurate local bond–slip model is of fundamental importance in the modelling of FRP-strengthened RC structures. In this paper, a review of existing bond strength models and bond–slip models is ...first presented. These models are then assessed using the results of 253 pull tests on simple FRP-to-concrete bonded joints, leading to the conclusion that a more accurate model is required. In the second half of the paper, a set of three new bond–slip models of different levels of sophistication is proposed. A unique feature of the present work is that the new bond–slip models are not based on axial strain measurements on the FRP plate; instead, they are based on the predictions of a meso-scale finite element model, with appropriate adjustment to match their predictions with the experimental results for a few key parameters. Through comparisons with the large test database, all three bond–slip models are shown to provide accurate predictions of both the bond strength (i.e. ultimate load) and the strain distribution in the FRP plate.
Abstract
Ultrafast outflows (UFOs) are the most extreme winds launched by active galactic nuclei (AGN) due to their mildly relativistic speeds (∼0.1–0.3c) and are thought to significantly contribute ...to galactic evolution via AGN feedback. Their nature and launching mechanism are however not well understood. Recently, we have discovered the presence of a variable UFO in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 IRAS 13224−3809. The UFO varies in response to the brightness of the source. In this work we perform flux-resolved X-ray spectroscopy to study the variability of the UFO and found that the ionization parameter is correlated with the luminosity. In the brightest states the gas is almost completely ionized by the powerful radiation field and the UFO is hardly detected. This agrees with our recent results obtained with principal component analysis. We might have found the tip of the iceberg: the high ionization of the outflowing gas may explain why it is commonly difficult to detect UFOs in AGN and possibly suggest that we may underestimate their actual feedback. We have also found a tentative correlation between the outflow velocity and the luminosity, which is expected from theoretical predictions of radiation-pressure-driven winds. This trend is rather marginal due to the Fe xxv–xxvi degeneracy. Further work is needed to break such degeneracy through time-resolved spectroscopy.
Summary
To identify the critical genes and pathways that related to OP development in male AS patients, bioinformatic gene analysis and qRT-PCR validation were performed. SBNO2 and VPS13B were ...identified as the potential target for OP development, which may be valuable for the prevention of OP in male AS patients.
Introduction
Osteoporosis (OP) is common in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The specific pathogenesis of OP in AS, however, is still unclear. The present study attempted to identify potential genes associated with the development of OP in males with AS.
Methods
Gene expression profiles were downloaded from the GSE73754 and GSE35959 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Data from OsteoporosAtlas were downloaded as a supplement. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined with the
limma
package. The overlapping DEGs between male AS-related genes and OP-related genes were determined. The DEGs were validated by qRT-PCR in the blood samples of males with AS. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to establish a co-expression network to identify the hub genes.
Results
A total of 17 overlapping DEGs were identified; 6 genes in 17 overlapping DEGs were verified as the essential genes in the pathogenesis of OP in male AS by qRT-PCR analysis. After WGCNA, the modules of MEblue (> 0.6) and MEred (> 0.8) were screened out by the correlation analysis and were determined to function mainly in MAPK signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Analysis of the two modules revealed VPS13B and SBNO2 as key genes due to the high degree of correlation. Both genes play an important role in bone metabolism regulation in male AS. Two hub genes MYD88 in MEblue and NCK1 in MEred with high degree of connectivity were selected.
Conclusions
Gender-specific SBNO2 and VPS13B may be key genes involved in OP in male AS.
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