The defining problem in frustrated quantum magnetism, the ground state of the nearest-neighbor S=1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the kagome lattice, has defied all theoretical and numerical ...methods employed to date. We apply the formalism of tensor-network states, specifically the method of projected entangled simplex states, which combines infinite system size with a correct accounting for multipartite entanglement. By studying the ground-state energy, the finite magnetic order appearing at finite tensor bond dimensions, and the effects of a next-nearest-neighbor coupling, we demonstrate that the ground state is a gapless spin liquid. We discuss the comparison with other numerical studies and the physical interpretation of this result.
The 3D vertical ferroelectric tunneling junction (FTJ) of bilayer antiferroelectric (AFE) Hf 1-x Zr x O 2 (HZO) and Al 2 O 3 has been demonstrated for NAND-compatible feasibility. A bilayer-type FTJ ...is explored for the designs of the dielectric interlayer Al 2 O 3 0 nm to 4 nm and the ferroelectric type, while the current mechanism is revealed. The multilevel AFE-FTJ is exhibited for both the Program and Erase operations and realizes a synaptic device. High-density emerging memory and computing-in-memory (CiM) are in high demanded for the future era and can be feasible by the proposed vertical FTJ.
The strong coupling between antiferromagnetism and ferroelectricity at room temperature found in BiFeO3 generates high expectations for the design and development of technological devices with novel ...functionalities. However, the multi-domain nature of the material tends to nullify the properties of interest and complicates the thorough understanding of the mechanisms that are responsible for those properties. Here we report the realization of a BiFeO3 material in thin film form with single-domain behaviour in both its magnetism and ferroelectricity: the entire film shows its antiferromagnetic axis aligned along the crystallographic b axis and its ferroelectric polarization along the c axis. With this we are able to reveal that the canted ferromagnetic moment due to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction is parallel to the a axis. Furthermore, by fabricating a Co/BiFeO3 heterostructure, we demonstrate that the ferromagnetic moment of the Co film does couple directly to the canted moment of BiFeO3.
EIF5A2, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2, is associated with several human cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of EIF5A2 in the metastatic potential of localised invasive ...bladder cancer (BC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms were explored.
The expression pattern of EIF5A2 in localised invasive BC was determined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the function of EIF5A2 in BC and its underlying mechanisms were elucidated with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays.
Overexpression of EIF5A2 was an independent predictor for poor metastasis-free survival of localised invasive BC patients treated with radical cystectomy. Knockdown of EIF5A2 inhibited BC cell migratory and invasive capacities in vitro and metastatic potential in vivo and reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas overexpression of EIF5A2 promoted BC cells motility and invasiveness in vitro and metastatic potential in vivo and induced EMT. In addition, we found that EIF5A2 might activate TGF-β1 expression to induce EMT and drive aggressiveness in BC cells. EIF5A2 stabilized STAT3 and stimulated nuclear localisation of STAT3, which resulted in increasing enrichment of STAT3 onto TGF-β1 promoter to enhance the transcription of TGF-β1.
EIF5A2 overexpression predicts tumour metastatic potential in patients with localised invasive BC treated with radical cystectomy. Furthermore, EIF5A2 elevated TGF-β1 expression through STAT3 to induce EMT and promotes aggressiveness in BC.
Background Previous reports have indicated that statins could prevent bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and increase the expressions of osteogenic genes in cultured osteoblasts. In this study, ...we hypothesized that simvastatin might increase osteoblast number and protein expressions of osteogenic markers localized in bones in concomitance with the prevention of bone loss in OVX rats.
Materials and methods Fifty‐four 3‐month‐old OVX and sham‐operated (SHAM) female Sprague–Dawley rats were used. Simvastatin (10–20 mg kg−1 day−1) was administrated orally for 6 weeks. Trabecular volume, osteoblast number and osteogenic proteins including BMP2, collagen type I and osteocalcin on bone sections obtained from lumbar vertebral body, distal femur and proximal tibia were measured.
Results The results showed that SHAM rats had significantly less trabecular bone volume and osteoblast number than that of OVX rats 6 weeks after operation. Oral simvastatin treatment (10–20 mg kg−1 day−1) increased bone volume and osteoblast number in the distal femurs, proximal tibiae and vertebrae of OVX rats. Furthermore, the osteoblastic cells with immuno‐stained BMP2, collagen type I and osteocalcin in vertebral bones were significantly increased by simvastatin treatment (20 mg kg−1 day−1) in OVX rats.
Conclusions This study demonstrates that simvastatin enhances the production of osteogenic proteins in bone and this effect may contribute to the prevention of bone loss in OVX rats.
Global simulations of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium aerosols are performed for the present day and 2050 using the chemical transport model GEOS‐Chem. Changes in climate and emissions projected by ...the IPCC A1B scenario are imposed separately and together, with the primary focus of the work on future inorganic aerosol levels over the United States. Climate change alone is predicted to lead to decreases in levels of sulfate and ammonium in the southeast U.S. but increases in the Midwest and northeast U.S. Nitrate concentrations are projected to decrease across the U.S. as a result of climate change alone. In the U.S., climate change alone can cause changes in annually averaged sulfate‐nitrate‐ammonium of up to 0.61 μg/m3, with seasonal changes often being much larger in magnitude. When changes in anthropogenic emissions are considered (with or without changes in climate), domestic sulfate concentrations are projected to decrease because of sulfur dioxide emission reductions, and nitrate concentrations are predicted to generally increase because of higher ammonia emissions combined with decreases in sulfate despite reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides. The ammonium burden is projected to increase from 0.24 to 0.36 Tg, and the sulfate burden to increase from 0.28 to 0.40 Tg S as a result of globally higher ammonia and sulfate emissions in the future. The global nitrate burden is predicted to remain essentially constant at 0.35 Tg, with changes in both emissions and climate as a result of the competing effects of higher precursor emissions and increased temperature.
Two submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactors (SAnMBRs) (thermophilic vs. mesophilic) were operated for a period of 3.5 months with kraft evaporator condensate at a feed chemical oxygen demand of ...10,000
mg/L. The results show that the filtration behavior of the two systems was significantly different. The filtration resistance in the thermophilic SAnMBR was about 5–10 times higher than that of the mesophilic system when operated under similar hydrodynamic conditions. Comparison of sludge properties and cake layer structure from the two systems was made to elucidate major factors governing the different filtration characteristics. There were more soluble microbial products (SMP) and biopolymer clusters (BPC) produced and a larger portion of fine flocs (<15
μm) in the thermophilic SAnMBR. Analysis of bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) showed that the thermophilic sludge had a higher protein/polysaccharide ratio in EPS, as compared to that in the mesophilic sludge. A series of analyses, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and particle size analyzer showed that the cake layer formed in the thermophilic SAnMBR contained higher levels of both organic and inorganic foulants, smaller particle sizes, and especially, a denser and more compact sludge cake structure. These results indicate that floc size, SMP, BPC, bound EPS as well as cake layer structure are the major factors governing membrane fouling in SAnMBR systems.
► Micro-tome slicing technique, when combined with other tools, is a promising tool to provide a spatial distribution of physical, chemical and microbiological structure of cake layers. ► Cake layers ...have a loose outer surface when compared to bottom layer. ► Physical and chemical structure change significantly along the depth of cake layer. ► Microbial population density changes along the cake layer depth.
A laboratory-scale submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) was used for thermomechanical pulping whitewater treatment. Sludge cake formation on membrane surfaces was identified as the dominant mechanism of membrane fouling. The spatial distribution of physical, chemical and microbiological structure of cake layers was characterized by various analytical techniques, including micro-tome slicing technique, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), conventional optical microscopy (COM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX), particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, extraction and chemical analysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The results showed that the areal porosity decreased from the top layer to the bottom layer. Smaller flocs had a higher tendency to accumulate on membrane surfaces but the consolidation of cake sludge in the bottom layers resulted in larger flocs as compared to the fresh cake sludge formed on the top layers. There was an increase in the bound EPS density (mg
EPS/cm
3 wet sludge) and a decrease in the ratio of proteins to polysaccharides in bound EPS from the top to bottom layers. PCR-DGGE study showed that there were significant differences in microbial community population density along the cake layer depth. Through the CLSM and COM images, cake layer was found to have a loose outer surface when compared with the cake bottom. The results provide a new insight in cake layer structure and suggest that structures change significantly from the top layer to the bottom layer.
The goal of this update regarding the diagnosis and care of persons with disorders of sex development (DSDs) is to address changes in the clinical approach since the 2005 Consensus Conference, since ...knowledge and viewpoints change. An effort was made to include representatives from a broad perspective including support and advocacy groups. The goal of patient care is focused upon the best possible quality of life (QoL). The field of DSD is continuously developing. An update on the clinical evaluation of infants and older individuals with ambiguous genitalia including perceptions regarding male or female assignment is discussed. Topics include biochemical and genetic assessment, the risk of germ cell tumor development, approaches to psychosocial and psychosexual well-being and an update on support groups. Open and on-going communication with patients and parents must involve full disclosure, with the recognition that, while DSD conditions are life-long, enhancement of the best possible outcome improves QoL. The evolution of diagnosis and care continues, while it is still impossible to predict gender development in an individual case with certainty. Such decisions and decisions regarding surgery during infancy that alters external genital anatomy or removes germ cells continue to carry risk.
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