Quantum computers based on spin qubits and superconducting qubits require radio-frequency (RF) electronic circuits to control and read out the state. As the scale of the quantum processors increases, ...the inaccuracy in the RF circuit becomes an increasingly significant source of nonidealities that impacts the qubit operations. In this article, we propose a closed-form model to characterize the effects of inaccuracies in the controlling RF circuits on the fidelity of single-qubit control operation of superconducting qubits. Different from previous works, our model allows characterization of multiple inaccuracies at the same time, significantly enhancing the guidance capabilities for practical quantum computing hardware design and optimization. In addition, the accuracy of the proposed model is also verified by a quantum-classical co-simulator.
With the wide application of nuclear energy, the problem of radioactive pollution has attracted worldwide attention, and the research on the treatment of radioactive wastewater is imminent. How to ...treat radioactive wastewater deeply and efficiently has become the most critical issue in the development of nuclear energy technology. The radioactive wastewater produced after using nuclear technology has the characteristics of many kinds, high concentration, and large quantity. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the treatment technology of radioactive wastewater in reprocessing plants. The process flow and waste liquid types of the post-treatment plant are reviewed. The commonly used evaporation concentration, adsorption, precipitation, ion exchange, biotechnology, membrane separation, and photocatalysis are summarized. The basic principles and technological characteristics of them are introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of different single and combined processes are compared, and the development trend of future processing technology is prospected.
Two different bias correction methods, the quantile mapping (QM) and quantile delta mapping (QDM), are applied to simulated daily temperature and precipitation over China from a set of 21st century ...regional climate model (the ICTP RegCM4) projections. The RegCM4 is driven by five different general circulation models (GCMs) under the representative concentration pathway RCP4.5 at a grid spacing of 25 km using the CORDEX East Asia domain. The focus is on mean temperature and precipitation in December–January–February (DJF) and June–July–August (JJA). The impacts of the two methods on the present day biases and future change signals are investigated. Results show that both the QM and QDM methods are effective in removing the systematic model biases during the validation period. For the future changes, the QDM preserves the temperature change signals well, in both magnitude and spatial distribution, while the QM artificially modifies the change signal by decreasing the warming and modifying the patterns of change. For precipitation, both methods preserve the change signals well but they produce greater magnitude of the projected increase, especially the QDM. We also show that the effects of bias correction are variable- and season-dependent. Our results show that different bias correction methods can affect in different way the simulated change signals, and therefore care has to be taken in carrying out the bias correction process.
Solution‐processed hole transporting layers (HTLs) not only play a crucial role in realizing high performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), but also possess excellent compatibility with low‐cost and ...large‐area processing methods of industrialized productions. However, the number and species of HTL materials are obviously fewer than that of electron‐transporting materials, which limits the development and application of OSCs. In particular, the large energy level difference between anode and organic active layer leads to the serious energy barrier for hole collection, bringing much difficulty in developing efficient HTL materials. In this review, it is focused on the recent advances in solution‐processed HTLs in OSCs. Initially, the working mechanism, property requirement, and existing issues of solution‐processed HTLs are systematically analyzed. Afterward, the main classes of solution‐processed HTL materials are discussed, including PEDOT:PSS, conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs), TMOs, and others. The structure‐property relationships of solution‐processed HTL materials are analyzed, and some important design rules for such materials toward efficient and stable OSCs are presented. Finally, a brief summary is presented along with some perspectives to help researchers understanding the challenges and opportunities in this field.
In this review, it is summarized the latest progress in solution‐processed hole transporting layer (HTL) materials for OSCs, including PEDOT:PSS, conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs), TMOs, polyoxometalates (POMs) and others. The working mechanism, material characteristics, and existing problems of HTL materials are comprehensively analyzed. In addition, it is also provided some perspectives to help researchers understand the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Short tandem repeat (STR), or "microsatellite", is a tract of DNA in which a specific motif (typically < 10 base pairs) is repeated multiple times. STRs are abundant throughout the human genome, and ...specific repeat expansions may be associated with human diseases. Long-read sequencing coupled with bioinformatics tools enables the estimation of repeat counts for STRs. However, with the exception of a few well-known disease-relevant STRs, normal ranges of repeat counts for most STRs in human populations are not well known, preventing the prioritization of STRs that may be associated with human diseases.
In this study, we extend a computational tool RepeatHMM to infer normal ranges of 432,604 STRs using 21 long-read sequencing datasets on human genomes, and build a genomic-scale database called RepeatHMM-DB with normal repeat ranges for these STRs. Evaluation on 13 well-known repeats show that the inferred repeat ranges provide good estimation to repeat ranges reported in literature from population-scale studies. This database, together with a repeat expansion estimation tool such as RepeatHMM, enables genomic-scale scanning of repeat regions in newly sequenced genomes to identify disease-relevant repeat expansions. As a case study of using RepeatHMM-DB, we evaluate the CAG repeats of ATXN3 for 20 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and 5 unaffected individuals, and correctly classify each individual.
In summary, RepeatHMM-DB can facilitate prioritization and identification of disease-relevant STRs from whole-genome long-read sequencing data on patients with undiagnosed diseases. RepeatHMM-DB is incorporated into RepeatHMM and is available at https://github.com/WGLab/RepeatHMM .
Sequence pattern mining aims to discover frequent subsequences as patterns in a single sequence or a sequence database. By combining gap constraints (or flexible wildcards), users can specify special ...characteristics of the patterns and discover meaningful subsequences suitable for their own application domains, such as finding gene transcription sites from DNA sequences or discovering patterns for time series data classification. Due to the inherent complexity of sequence patterns, including the exponential candidate space with respect to pattern letters and gap constraints, to date, existing sequence pattern mining methods are either incomplete or do not support the Apriori property because the support ratio of a pattern may be greater than that of its subpatterns. Most importantly, patterns discovered by these methods are either too restrictive or too general and cannot represent underlying meaningful knowledge in the sequences. In this paper, we focus on a nonoverlapping sequence pattern mining task with gap constraints, where a nonoverlapping sequence pattern allows sequence letters to be flexibly and maximally utilized for pattern discovery. A new Apriori -based nonoverlapping sequence pattern mining algorithm, NOSEP, is proposed. NOSEP is a complete pattern mining algorithm, which uses a specially designed data structure, Nettree, to calculate the exact occurrence of a pattern in the sequence. Experimental results and comparisons on biology DNA sequences, time series data, and Gazelle datasets demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm and the uniqueness of nonoverlapping sequence patterns compared to other methods.
Abstract
This paper aims to improve the reliability of train operation as well as to guarantee the safety of wheelset interference assembly. A finite element model of the wheel-axle interference fit ...is established with a metro B-type car as the research object. The finite element calculation software is used to simulate the static strength of the wheel-axle model under different working conditions, contact spots, and maximum/minimum interference. The effect of different interference and different working conditions on contact stress is studied. The study shows that the wheel meets the static strength requirements under all working conditions. The maximum equivalent stresses are located at the wheel hub bore under the maximum or minimum interference assembly. The full curved condition with maximum interference is the most dangerous condition among the working conditions.
MicroRNAs have been implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes. We previously reported that aberrant microRNA‐124 (miR‐124)/non‐receptor–type protein phosphatase 1 (PTPN1) ...signaling plays an important role in the synaptic disorders associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we further investigated the potential role of miR‐124/PTPN1 in the tau pathology of AD. We first treated the mice with intra‐hippocampal stereotactic injections. Then, we used quantitative real‐time reverse transcription PCR (qRT‐PCR) to detect the expression of microRNAs. Western blotting was used to measure the level of PTPN1, the level of tau protein, the phosphorylation of tau at AD‐related sites, and alterations in the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK‐3β) and protein phosphatase 2 (PP2A). Immunohistochemistry was also used to detect changes in tau phosphorylation levels at AD‐related sites and somadendritic aggregation. Soluble and insoluble tau protein was separated by 70% formic acid (FA) extraction to examine tau solubility. Finally, behavioral experiments (including the Morris water maze, fear conditioning, and elevated plus maze) were performed to examine learning and memory ability and emotion‐related behavior. We found that artificially replicating the abnormalities in miR‐124/PTPN1 signaling induced AD‐like tau pathology in the hippocampus of wild‐type mice, including hyperphosphorylation at multiple sites, insolubility and somadendritic aggregation, as well as learning/memory deficits. We also found that disruption of miR‐124/PTPN1 signaling was caused by the loss of RE1‐silencing transcription factor protein, which can be initiated by Aβ insults or oxidative stress, as observed in the brains of P301S mice. Correcting the deregulation of miR‐124/PTPN1 signaling rescued the tau pathology and learning/memory impairments in the P301S mice. We also found that miR‐124/PTPN1 abnormalities induced activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK‐3) and inactivation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) by promoting tyrosine phosphorylation, implicating an imbalance in tau kinase/phosphatase. Thus, targeting the miR‐124/PTPN1 signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic strategy for AD.
Disruption of miRNA signals had been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously reported that aberrant miR‐124/PTPN1 signaling induces the synaptic disorders in AD. In this study, we further investigated the potential role of miR‐124/PTPN1 in the tau pathology of AD. We found that artificially replicated disturbance of miR‐124/PTPN1 results in the tau pathology while correcting this abnormality rescued the tau pathology and learning/memory impairments in the P301S mice. Our study extends the critical role of miR‐124/PTPN1 in the pathogenesis and provides the potential therapeutic target for AD.
•Four point probe method and EIS were used to identify the effect of carbon based filler on the electrical conductivity and anti-corrosion properties.•Hybrid filler was adopted and they could improve ...the electrical conductivity of PU significantly.•The resistance value obtained from EIS and four point probe methods were compared and discussed.
Graphite and graphene particles were used to reinforce the electrical conductivity and anti-corrosion properties of polyurethane (PU) coatings. The effect of graphite and graphene were compared. Hybrid filler using carbon nanotube was adopted as well and the performance in electrical conductivity was much superior to single filler system. At the same filler loading, the electrical conductivity of hybrid filler system was significantly higher than single filler system (0.77S/m at 5wt% while single filler system was not conductive). The conductive mechanism was revealed. In terms of anti-corrosion properties, the coatings with low filler loading had better anti-corrosion properties. The resistance values obtained from EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) and four point probe method were compared and discussed.
Dual tasks (DTs) combining walking with a cognitive task can cause various levels of cognitive–motor interference, depending on which brain resources are recruited in each case. However, the brain ...activation and functional connectivity underlying cognitive–motor interferences remain to be elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated the neural correlation during different DT conditions in 40 healthy young adults (mean age: 27.53 years, 28 women). The DTs included walking during subtraction or N‐Back tasks. Cognitive–motor interference was calculated, and brain activation and functional connectivity were analysed. Portable functional near‐infrared spectroscopy was utilized to monitor haemodynamics in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), motor cortex and parietal cortex during each task. Walking interference (decrease in walking speed during DT) was greater than cognitive interference (decrease in cognitive performance during DT), regardless of the type of task. Brain activation in the bilateral PFC and parietal cortex was greater for walking during subtraction than for standing subtraction. Furthermore, brain activation was higher in the bilateral motor and parietal and PFCs for walking during subtraction than for walking alone, but only increased in the PFC for walking during N‐Back. Coherence between the bilateral lateral PFC and between the left lateral PFC and left motor cortex was significantly greater for walking during 2‐Back than for walking. The PFC, a critical brain region for organizing cognitive and motor functions, played a crucial role in integrating information coming from multiple brain networks required for completing DTs. Therefore, the PFC could be a potential target for the modulation and improvement of cognitive–motor functions during neurorehabilitation.
We used portable functional near‐infrared spectroscopy to investigate brain activation and functional connectivity in N‐Back and subtraction tasks with simultaneous walking in healthy adults. We found that the prefrontal cortex is a critical brain region that may serve as a potential target for modulating and improving cognitive–motor functions during neurorehabilitation.