Objective Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease(AD),but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology,n...Objective Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease(AD),but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology,neural oscillatory dynamics,and brain network reorganization remain unclear.This investigation seeks to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention through a multimodal framework integrating clinical assessments,molecular profiling,and neurophysiological monitoring.Methods In this prospective double-blind trial,12 AD patients underwent a 14-day protocol of 20 Hz rTMS,with comprehensive multimodal assessments performed pre-and postintervention.Cognitive functioning was quantified using the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)and Montreal cognitive assessment(MOCA),while daily living capacities and neuropsychiatric profiles were respectively evaluated through the activities of daily living(ADL)scale and combined neuropsychiatric inventory(NPI)-Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD).Peripheral blood biomarkers,specifically Aβ1-40 and phosphorylated tau(p-tau181),were analyzed to investigate the effects of rTMS on molecular metabolism.Spectral power analysis was employed to investigate rTMS-induced modulations of neural rhythms in AD patients,while brain network analyses incorporating topological properties were conducted to examine stimulus-driven network reorganization.Furthermore,systematic assessment of correlations between cognitive scale scores,blood biomarkers,and network characteristics was performed to elucidate cross-modal therapeutic associations.Results Clinically,MMSE and MOCA scores improved significantly(P<0.05).Biomarker showed that Aβ1-40 level increased(P<0.05),contrasting with p-tau181 reduction.Moreover,the levels of Aβ1-40 were positively correlated with MMSE and MOCA scores.Post-intervention analyses revealed significant modulations in oscillatory power,characterized by pronounced reductions in delta(P<0.05)and theta bands(P<0.05),while concurrent enhancements were observed in alpha,beta,and gamma band activities(all P<0.05).Network analysis revealed frequency-specific reorganization:clustering coefficients were significantly decreased in delta,theta,and alpha bands(P<0.05),while global efficiency improvement was exclusively detected in the delta band(P<0.05).The alpha band demonstrated concurrent increases in average nodal degree(P<0.05)and characteristic path length reduction(P<0.05).Further research findings indicate that the changes in the clinical scale HAMD scores before and after rTMS stimulation are negatively correlated with the changes in the blood biomarkers Aβ1-40 and p-tau181.Additionally,the changes in the clinical scales MMSE and MoCA scores were negatively correlated with the changes in the node degree of the alpha frequency band and negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient of the delta frequency band.However,the changes in MMSE scores are positively correlated with the changes in global efficiency of both the delta and alpha frequency bands.Conclusion 20 Hz rTMS targeting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)significantly improves cognitive function and enhances the metabolic clearance ofβ-amyloid and tau proteins in AD patients.This neurotherapeutic effect is mechanistically associated with rTMS-mediated frequency-selective neuromodulation,which enhances the connectivity of oscillatory networks through improved neuronal synchronization and optimized topological organization of functional brain networks.These findings not only support the efficacy of rTMS as an adjunctive therapy for AD but also underscore the importance of employing multiple assessment methods—including clinical scales,blood biomarkers,and EEG——in understanding and monitoring the progression of AD.This research provides a significant theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for further exploration of rTMS applications in AD treatment.展开更多
In this paper,we obtain a normality criterion for families of meromorphic functions concerning‘wandering’shared functions,which generalizes and improves Montel’s criterion and the related results due to Schwick,Xu-...In this paper,we obtain a normality criterion for families of meromorphic functions concerning‘wandering’shared functions,which generalizes and improves Montel’s criterion and the related results due to Schwick,Xu-Fang,Xu-Qiu,and Grahl-Nevo.Also,a normality relationship between two families is given.展开更多
Defect engineering is a commonly methodology used to enhance the thermoelectric performance of thermoelectric PbTe by improving its electronic transport properties.At the nanoscale,defects can induce quantum tunneling...Defect engineering is a commonly methodology used to enhance the thermoelectric performance of thermoelectric PbTe by improving its electronic transport properties.At the nanoscale,defects can induce quantum tunneling effects that significantly impact the electrical properties of materials.To understand the specific mechanisms underlying the quantum transport properties of PbTe,we employ the non-equilibrium Green's function(NEGF)method to investigate the effects of intrinsic defects(point defects and grain boundaries)on the electronic transport properties of PbTe-based nanodevices from a quantum mechanical perspective.Our results show that the Pb vacancy(VPb)has the highest conduction.The conduction depends on the defect type,chemical potential and bias voltage.The presence of intrinsic point defects introduces impurity levels,facilitating the electron tunneling and leading to an increase in the transmission coefficient,thereby enhancing the electronic transport properties.For PbTe containing grain boundaries,these boundaries suppress the electronic transport properties.The Te occupied twin boundary(Te-TB)exerts a stronger inhibitory effect than the Pb occupied twin boundary(Pb-TB).Nevertheless,the combined effect between twin boundaries and point defects can enhance the electrical properties.Therefore,in order to obtain highly conductive of PbTe materials,a Te-rich synthesis environment should be used to promote the effective formation of Pb vacancy.Our work offers a comprehensive understanding of the impact of defects on electron scattering in thermoelectric materials.展开更多
In this paper,we study a class of Sturm-Liouville problems,where the boundary conditions involve eigenparameters.Firstly,by defining a new inner product which depends on the transmission conditions,we obtain a new Hil...In this paper,we study a class of Sturm-Liouville problems,where the boundary conditions involve eigenparameters.Firstly,by defining a new inner product which depends on the transmission conditions,we obtain a new Hilbert space,on which the concerned operator A is self-adjoint.Then we construct the fundamental solutions to the problem,obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for eigenvalues,and prove that the eigenvalues are simple.Finally,we investigate Green’s functions of such problem.展开更多
Understanding the effects of point liquid loading on transversely isotropic poroelastic media is crucial for advancing geomechanics and biomechanics, where precise modeling of fluid-structure interactions is essential...Understanding the effects of point liquid loading on transversely isotropic poroelastic media is crucial for advancing geomechanics and biomechanics, where precise modeling of fluid-structure interactions is essential. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of infinite transversely isotropic poroelasticity under a fluid source, based on Biot's theory, aiming to uncover new and previously unexplored insights in the literature. We begin our study by deriving a general solution for fluid-saturated, transversely isotropic poroelastic materials in terms of harmonic functions that satisfy sixth-order homogeneous partial differential equations, using potential theory and Almansi's theorem. Based on these general solutions and potential functions, we construct a Green's function for a point fluid source, introducing three new harmonic functions with undetermined constants. These constants are determined by enforcing continuity and equilibrium conditions. Substituting these into the general solution yields fundamental solutions for poroelasticity that provide crucial support for a wide range of project problems. Numerical results and comparisons with existing literature are provided to illustrate physical mechanisms through contour plots. Our observations reveal that all components tend to zero in the far field and become singular at the concentrated source. Additionally, the contours exhibit rapid changes near the point fluid source but display gradual variations at a distance from it. These findings highlight the intricate behavior of the system under point liquid loading, offering valuable insights for further research and practical applications.展开更多
Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are innovative materials distinguished by gradual variations in composition and structure, offering exceptional properties for diverse applications. Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs), mer...Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are innovative materials distinguished by gradual variations in composition and structure, offering exceptional properties for diverse applications. Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs), merging the characteristics of polymers and ionic liquids, have emerged as viable options for the development of FGMs given their tunable skeleton, ionic conductivity, and compatibility with various functional materials. This review highlights the latest advancements in the design strategies of FGMs based on porous PILs, focusing on single and multi-gradient structures. Furthermore, we also highlight their emerging applications in molecular recognition, sensing, adsorption, separation, and catalysis. By exploring the interplay between porosity, ionic functionality, and gradient architecture, this review offers perspectives on the prospects of PIL-based FGMs for tackling global challenges in energy, environment, and healthcare.展开更多
Functionalization has emerged as a pivotal endeavor to tailor the surface properties of photocatalysts.We propose a facile amine functionalization strategy to establish a Cu−In−Zn−S(CIZS)/NiSx hybrid with covalent bon...Functionalization has emerged as a pivotal endeavor to tailor the surface properties of photocatalysts.We propose a facile amine functionalization strategy to establish a Cu−In−Zn−S(CIZS)/NiSx hybrid with covalent bonds using individual ethylenediamine(EDA)molecules.Our approach witnesses a remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution(PHE)competence of 65.93 mmol g^(−1)h^(−1)driven by visible light,the highest value yielded by CIZS to date.X-ray absorption spectra of CIZS and density functional theory(DFT)calculations confirm the crucial amine N→Cu coordination after amine functionalization.The new emerging coordination via lone-pair electron donation profitably accesses the regulation of the coordination environment,electronic structures,and carrier behavior.Moreover,individual EDA molecule with two-terminal−NH2 group serves as a molecular bridge to hybrid CIZS and NiS_(x)cocatalyst via N→Cu and N→Ni coordination,favorably promoting efficient charge transport.This study provides advances in practical functionalizing photocatalysts.展开更多
The numerical simulation of the fluid flow and the flexible rod(s)interaction is more complicated and has lower efficiency due to the high computational cost.In this paper,a semi-resolved model coupling the computatio...The numerical simulation of the fluid flow and the flexible rod(s)interaction is more complicated and has lower efficiency due to the high computational cost.In this paper,a semi-resolved model coupling the computational fluid dynamics and the flexible rod dynamics is proposed using a two-way domain expansion method.The gov-erning equations of the flexible rod dynamics are discretized and solved by the finite element method,and the fluid flow is simulated by the finite volume method.The interaction between fluids and solid rods is modeled by introducing body force terms into the momentum equations.Referred to the traditional semi-resolved numerical model,an anisotropic Gaussian kernel function method is proposed to specify the interactive forces between flu-ids and solid bodies for non-circle rod cross-sections.A benchmark of the flow passing around a single flexible plate with a rectangular cross-section is used to validate the algorithm.Focused on the engineering applications,a test case of a finite patch of cylinders is implemented to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the coupled model.展开更多
Alzheimer s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease chara cterized by memory decline and the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain.While the precise cause of Alzheimer s disease remains u...Alzheimer s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease chara cterized by memory decline and the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain.While the precise cause of Alzheimer s disease remains under investigation,recent research suggests that dys regulation of brainspecific microRNAs(miRs)plays a significant role in Alzheimer s disease pathogenesis.Brain-specific miRs are predominantly expressed within the central nervous system and are crucial for neuronal development,and function,potentially in brain disorders.This review identifies some key brainspecific miRs in Alzheimer's disease,including miR-9,miR-26b,miR-34a,miR-107,miR-124,miR-125b,miR-128,miR-132,miR-146a,miR-155,miR-219,miR-501-3p,and miR-502-3p.The review also shed light on the brain-specific location of these miRs,their dysregulation in Alzheimer s disease,and how they are involved in disease progression.Apparently,these brain-specific miRs modulate specific genes and are therefo re crucial for various cellular processes,including autophagy,cell cycle,tau phosphorylation,amyloid-beta production,and neuroinflammation.Moreover,these miRs are potent disease-modifying factors and their expression levels co uld serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring Alzheimer s disease progression.展开更多
Acute ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent and disabling disease with poor prognosis.Neuronal death is a major feature after a stroke.PANoptosis is a newly reported pattern of cell death,characterized by pyroptosis,a...Acute ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent and disabling disease with poor prognosis.Neuronal death is a major feature after a stroke.PANoptosis is a newly reported pattern of cell death,characterized by pyroptosis,apoptosis,and necroptosis,that plays an important role in the pathophysiological process after ischemic brain injury.However,its precise underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated.This study aimed to clarify the function of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 in neuronal PANoptosis after ischemic brain damage and to investigate the impact and mechanism of sonic hedgehog and S100 calcium-binding protein A10 on PANoptosis.The results showed that S100 calcium-binding protein A10 was significantly upregulated in both cellular and animal models of ischemic stroke.Knockdown of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 exacerbated PANoptosis and the levels of PANoptosis-related proteins following cerebral ischemia damage.Sonic hedgehog treatment increased S100 calcium-binding protein A10 and inhibited the increase in PANoptosis induced by S100 calcium-binding protein A10 knockdown.The findings suggest that sonic hedgehog intervention mitigated neuronal PANoptosis ensuing from ischemic stroke.The combination of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 and sonic hedgehog demonstrated promise for developing an effective therapy against cerebral ischemic stroke,which would have significant potential for future clinical applications.展开更多
Mounting evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disruption may be linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.However,whether this disruption occurs before the appearance of cognitive symptoms and whe...Mounting evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disruption may be linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.However,whether this disruption occurs before the appearance of cognitive symptoms and whether it drives disease development remain unclear.Understanding the temporal relationship between circadian rhythm dysregulation and early Alzheimer’s disease pathological changes may open up new avenues for disease prevention and intervention.To determine if circadian rhythm disruption precedes cognitive decline,we conducted high-resolution transcriptome analyses of the hippocampus in a 5-month-old mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and age-matched wild-type control mice at multiple time points over a 24-hour period.While the mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease did not exhibit obvious cognitive symptoms at this stage,the expression of circadian-related genes in the hippocampus exhibited extensive abnormalities.In the control group,2109 genes exhibited rhythmic expression characteristics.In the mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,a marked proportion of these genes lost their rhythmicity,some genes newly developed rhythmicity,and some maintained rhythmicity but with altered expression patterns.Genes related to neuronal function,including those involved in protein homeostasis regulation,neuroinflammation,and ion homeostasis,showed significant changes in circadian rhythm amplitude and phase,and some completely lost their rhythmicity.These findings point to the following critical early events in Alzheimer’s disease:hippocampal circadian gene disruption occurs before cognitive symptoms emerge,genes related to neuronal function are uniquely susceptible to this early dysregulation,and circadian dysfunction may even precede the pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease and influence disease onset.This work advances Alzheimer’s disease research by clarifying that circadian disruption is an early pre-symptomatic event,reinforcing the potential of circadian rhythm regulation as a strategy for early intervention of Alzheimer’s disease,and identifying neuronal pathways that may serve as intervention targets.展开更多
The Kagome metal CsV3Sb5 transitions from a weakly correlated state to a strongly correlated state upon Cr substitution;however,the mechanism driving this enhancement remains an open question.Here,we employed a combin...The Kagome metal CsV3Sb5 transitions from a weakly correlated state to a strongly correlated state upon Cr substitution;however,the mechanism driving this enhancement remains an open question.Here,we employed a combination of density functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory(DFT+DMFT)to systematically investigate the evolution of electronic correlations in the CsV_(3−x)Cr_(x)Sb_(5)(x=0,1,and 3)series.Our calculations revealed that Cr doping drives the system into a strongly correlated Hund’s metal phase,which is characterized by significant and orbital-dependent enhancements in the quasiparticle effective masses and electronic scattering rates.We trace the origin of this transition to the doping-induced shift from low-to high-spin atomic configurations.This preference for high-spin states,which is promoted by near-half-filling of the Cr-d orbitals,induces a pronounced orbital blocking effect that strengthens the correlations.Our findings establish that Hund’s coupling is the decisive factor governing the rich correlation physics in the CsV_(3−x)Cr_(x)Sb_(5) family,providing a tunable platform for exploring Hund’s metallicity.展开更多
Mitochondrial DNA variants have been linked to cognitive progression in Parkinson’s disease;however,the mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA variants or haplogroups contribute to this process remain unclear.In the p...Mitochondrial DNA variants have been linked to cognitive progression in Parkinson’s disease;however,the mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA variants or haplogroups contribute to this process remain unclear.In the present study,we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from 241 post-mortem brain samples across five regions to investigate the dysregulatory mechanisms associated with mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H and haplogroups J,T,and U#.Our findings revealed significant alterations in the proportions of astrocyte subtypes CHI3L1 and GRM3 in the neocortical regions of haplogroup H.Notably,TTR was markedly downregulated in the dorsal motor nucleus of the Xth nerve region of patients with haplogroup H.Pathway analysis highlighted abnormal hypoxic and reactive oxygen species environments in astrocytes,whereas protein complex analysis revealed a consistent and significant elevation in ribosomal subunit complexes within the astrocyte subtypes.By constructing weighted and directed transcriptome-wide gene regulatory networks,we identified significant changes in transcription factor SP1 and homeobox protein HOXA5 activity in the astrocyte subtypes of individuals with haplogroup H.Additionally,widespread dysregulation was observed in the transcriptional control of TTR by multiple transcription factors.Parkinson’s disease patients with haplogroup H also exhibited increased network functional connectivity in specific brain regions.This data-driven study underscores the potential mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA haplogroups contribute to cognitive progression in Parkinson’s disease,involving cellular composition changes,differential gene expression,pathway disruption,and gene regulatory networks.Our findings suggest that mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H may drive Parkinson’s disease cognitive progression through aberrant TTR expression and a hypoxic environment.展开更多
We present a method to unify the calculation of Green＇s functions for an electromagnetic（EM） transmitting source embedded in a homogeneous stratified medium.A virtual interface parallel to layer interfaces is intro...We present a method to unify the calculation of Green＇s functions for an electromagnetic（EM） transmitting source embedded in a homogeneous stratified medium.A virtual interface parallel to layer interfaces is introduced through the source location.The potentials for Green＇s function are derived by decomposing the partial wave solutions to Helmholtz＇s equations into upward and downward within boundaries.The amplitudes of the potentials in each stratum are obtained recursively from the initial amplitudes at the source level.The initial amplitudes are derived by coupling with the transmitting sources and following the discontinuity of the tangential electric and magnetic fields at the source interface.Only the initial terms are related to the transmitting sources and thus need to be modified for different transmitters,whereas the kernel connected with the stratified media stays unchanged.Hence,the present method can be easily applied to EM transmitting sources with little modification.The application of the proposed method to the marine controlled-source electromagnetic method（MCSEM） demonstrates its simplicity and flexibility.展开更多
RpoS protein is a σ factor of RNA polymerase that can control the expression of a group-specific gene, thus playing a vital role in bacteria. In bacteria, RpoS expression is under strict control and is mainly regulat...RpoS protein is a σ factor of RNA polymerase that can control the expression of a group-specific gene, thus playing a vital role in bacteria. In bacteria, RpoS expression is under strict control and is mainly regulated at three levels： transcription level, translation level and post-translational level. Environmental stress enters bacterial cells through signal transduction and leads to a series of variations in microenvironment, thereby causing changes of regulator and controlling its levels based on the direct and indirect interaction between regulator and RpoS protein. In addition, RpoS protein has played special roles in bacteria, therefore the changes of RpoS protein levels will lead to variations in expression levels of a large number of genes, thereby causing variations of bacterial response to different environmental stress and changes of certain characteristics of bacteria, which provides a new strategy for the control of bacterial diseases in the future. This paper reviewed the recent progress on the regulation of RpoS protein expression and its function in several common bacteria. Due to the functional complexity of RpoS protein, there are still a lot of unknown functions to be further identified.展开更多
文摘Objective Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing neurocognitive performance in Alzheimer’s disease(AD),but the neurobiological mechanisms linking synaptic pathology,neural oscillatory dynamics,and brain network reorganization remain unclear.This investigation seeks to systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of rTMS as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention through a multimodal framework integrating clinical assessments,molecular profiling,and neurophysiological monitoring.Methods In this prospective double-blind trial,12 AD patients underwent a 14-day protocol of 20 Hz rTMS,with comprehensive multimodal assessments performed pre-and postintervention.Cognitive functioning was quantified using the mini-mental state examination(MMSE)and Montreal cognitive assessment(MOCA),while daily living capacities and neuropsychiatric profiles were respectively evaluated through the activities of daily living(ADL)scale and combined neuropsychiatric inventory(NPI)-Hamilton depression rating scale(HAMD).Peripheral blood biomarkers,specifically Aβ1-40 and phosphorylated tau(p-tau181),were analyzed to investigate the effects of rTMS on molecular metabolism.Spectral power analysis was employed to investigate rTMS-induced modulations of neural rhythms in AD patients,while brain network analyses incorporating topological properties were conducted to examine stimulus-driven network reorganization.Furthermore,systematic assessment of correlations between cognitive scale scores,blood biomarkers,and network characteristics was performed to elucidate cross-modal therapeutic associations.Results Clinically,MMSE and MOCA scores improved significantly(P<0.05).Biomarker showed that Aβ1-40 level increased(P<0.05),contrasting with p-tau181 reduction.Moreover,the levels of Aβ1-40 were positively correlated with MMSE and MOCA scores.Post-intervention analyses revealed significant modulations in oscillatory power,characterized by pronounced reductions in delta(P<0.05)and theta bands(P<0.05),while concurrent enhancements were observed in alpha,beta,and gamma band activities(all P<0.05).Network analysis revealed frequency-specific reorganization:clustering coefficients were significantly decreased in delta,theta,and alpha bands(P<0.05),while global efficiency improvement was exclusively detected in the delta band(P<0.05).The alpha band demonstrated concurrent increases in average nodal degree(P<0.05)and characteristic path length reduction(P<0.05).Further research findings indicate that the changes in the clinical scale HAMD scores before and after rTMS stimulation are negatively correlated with the changes in the blood biomarkers Aβ1-40 and p-tau181.Additionally,the changes in the clinical scales MMSE and MoCA scores were negatively correlated with the changes in the node degree of the alpha frequency band and negatively correlated with the clustering coefficient of the delta frequency band.However,the changes in MMSE scores are positively correlated with the changes in global efficiency of both the delta and alpha frequency bands.Conclusion 20 Hz rTMS targeting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)significantly improves cognitive function and enhances the metabolic clearance ofβ-amyloid and tau proteins in AD patients.This neurotherapeutic effect is mechanistically associated with rTMS-mediated frequency-selective neuromodulation,which enhances the connectivity of oscillatory networks through improved neuronal synchronization and optimized topological organization of functional brain networks.These findings not only support the efficacy of rTMS as an adjunctive therapy for AD but also underscore the importance of employing multiple assessment methods—including clinical scales,blood biomarkers,and EEG——in understanding and monitoring the progression of AD.This research provides a significant theoretical foundation and empirical evidence for further exploration of rTMS applications in AD treatment.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.11471163)。
文摘In this paper,we obtain a normality criterion for families of meromorphic functions concerning‘wandering’shared functions,which generalizes and improves Montel’s criterion and the related results due to Schwick,Xu-Fang,Xu-Qiu,and Grahl-Nevo.Also,a normality relationship between two families is given.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12474016)the program of“Distinguished Expert of Taishan Scholar”(No.tstp20221124)+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52172212,12474017)the Shandong Provincial Science Foundation(ZR2021YQ03)the program for“Young Scientists of Taishan Scholars”(No.tsqn202306184)financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12464034)the Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia,China(No.2024AAC05070)。
文摘Defect engineering is a commonly methodology used to enhance the thermoelectric performance of thermoelectric PbTe by improving its electronic transport properties.At the nanoscale,defects can induce quantum tunneling effects that significantly impact the electrical properties of materials.To understand the specific mechanisms underlying the quantum transport properties of PbTe,we employ the non-equilibrium Green's function(NEGF)method to investigate the effects of intrinsic defects(point defects and grain boundaries)on the electronic transport properties of PbTe-based nanodevices from a quantum mechanical perspective.Our results show that the Pb vacancy(VPb)has the highest conduction.The conduction depends on the defect type,chemical potential and bias voltage.The presence of intrinsic point defects introduces impurity levels,facilitating the electron tunneling and leading to an increase in the transmission coefficient,thereby enhancing the electronic transport properties.For PbTe containing grain boundaries,these boundaries suppress the electronic transport properties.The Te occupied twin boundary(Te-TB)exerts a stronger inhibitory effect than the Pb occupied twin boundary(Pb-TB).Nevertheless,the combined effect between twin boundaries and point defects can enhance the electrical properties.Therefore,in order to obtain highly conductive of PbTe materials,a Te-rich synthesis environment should be used to promote the effective formation of Pb vacancy.Our work offers a comprehensive understanding of the impact of defects on electron scattering in thermoelectric materials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12461086)the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province(No.2022CFC016)。
文摘In this paper,we study a class of Sturm-Liouville problems,where the boundary conditions involve eigenparameters.Firstly,by defining a new inner product which depends on the transmission conditions,we obtain a new Hilbert space,on which the concerned operator A is self-adjoint.Then we construct the fundamental solutions to the problem,obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for eigenvalues,and prove that the eigenvalues are simple.Finally,we investigate Green’s functions of such problem.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12272269, 11972257,11832014 and 11472193)the Shanghai Pilot Program for Basic Researchthe Shanghai Gaofeng Project for University Academic Program Development。
文摘Understanding the effects of point liquid loading on transversely isotropic poroelastic media is crucial for advancing geomechanics and biomechanics, where precise modeling of fluid-structure interactions is essential. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of infinite transversely isotropic poroelasticity under a fluid source, based on Biot's theory, aiming to uncover new and previously unexplored insights in the literature. We begin our study by deriving a general solution for fluid-saturated, transversely isotropic poroelastic materials in terms of harmonic functions that satisfy sixth-order homogeneous partial differential equations, using potential theory and Almansi's theorem. Based on these general solutions and potential functions, we construct a Green's function for a point fluid source, introducing three new harmonic functions with undetermined constants. These constants are determined by enforcing continuity and equilibrium conditions. Substituting these into the general solution yields fundamental solutions for poroelasticity that provide crucial support for a wide range of project problems. Numerical results and comparisons with existing literature are provided to illustrate physical mechanisms through contour plots. Our observations reveal that all components tend to zero in the far field and become singular at the concentrated source. Additionally, the contours exhibit rapid changes near the point fluid source but display gradual variations at a distance from it. These findings highlight the intricate behavior of the system under point liquid loading, offering valuable insights for further research and practical applications.
基金support provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China(22471018,22071008,22208018)support provided by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(JCYJ20220818100012025).
文摘Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are innovative materials distinguished by gradual variations in composition and structure, offering exceptional properties for diverse applications. Poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs), merging the characteristics of polymers and ionic liquids, have emerged as viable options for the development of FGMs given their tunable skeleton, ionic conductivity, and compatibility with various functional materials. This review highlights the latest advancements in the design strategies of FGMs based on porous PILs, focusing on single and multi-gradient structures. Furthermore, we also highlight their emerging applications in molecular recognition, sensing, adsorption, separation, and catalysis. By exploring the interplay between porosity, ionic functionality, and gradient architecture, this review offers perspectives on the prospects of PIL-based FGMs for tackling global challenges in energy, environment, and healthcare.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62304219)the Strategic Priority Research Program of theChinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB43000000)+1 种基金the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR−090)the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China(Nos.21975245,U20A20206,and 51972300)。
文摘Functionalization has emerged as a pivotal endeavor to tailor the surface properties of photocatalysts.We propose a facile amine functionalization strategy to establish a Cu−In−Zn−S(CIZS)/NiSx hybrid with covalent bonds using individual ethylenediamine(EDA)molecules.Our approach witnesses a remarkable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution(PHE)competence of 65.93 mmol g^(−1)h^(−1)driven by visible light,the highest value yielded by CIZS to date.X-ray absorption spectra of CIZS and density functional theory(DFT)calculations confirm the crucial amine N→Cu coordination after amine functionalization.The new emerging coordination via lone-pair electron donation profitably accesses the regulation of the coordination environment,electronic structures,and carrier behavior.Moreover,individual EDA molecule with two-terminal−NH2 group serves as a molecular bridge to hybrid CIZS and NiS_(x)cocatalyst via N→Cu and N→Ni coordination,favorably promoting efficient charge transport.This study provides advances in practical functionalizing photocatalysts.
基金supported by Shanghai 2021“Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan”:Social Development Science and Technology Research Project(Grant No.21DZ1202703).
文摘The numerical simulation of the fluid flow and the flexible rod(s)interaction is more complicated and has lower efficiency due to the high computational cost.In this paper,a semi-resolved model coupling the computational fluid dynamics and the flexible rod dynamics is proposed using a two-way domain expansion method.The gov-erning equations of the flexible rod dynamics are discretized and solved by the finite element method,and the fluid flow is simulated by the finite volume method.The interaction between fluids and solid rods is modeled by introducing body force terms into the momentum equations.Referred to the traditional semi-resolved numerical model,an anisotropic Gaussian kernel function method is proposed to specify the interactive forces between flu-ids and solid bodies for non-circle rod cross-sections.A benchmark of the flow passing around a single flexible plate with a rectangular cross-section is used to validate the algorithm.Focused on the engineering applications,a test case of a finite patch of cylinders is implemented to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the coupled model.
基金National Institute on Aging(NIA),National Institutes of Health(NIH),Nos.K99AG065645,RO0AG065645,ROOAG065645-04S1SARP mini grants TTUHSC EP,Edward N.&Margaret G.Marsh FoundationTTUHSC EP MTM Startup Funds(all to SK)。
文摘Alzheimer s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease chara cterized by memory decline and the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain.While the precise cause of Alzheimer s disease remains under investigation,recent research suggests that dys regulation of brainspecific microRNAs(miRs)plays a significant role in Alzheimer s disease pathogenesis.Brain-specific miRs are predominantly expressed within the central nervous system and are crucial for neuronal development,and function,potentially in brain disorders.This review identifies some key brainspecific miRs in Alzheimer's disease,including miR-9,miR-26b,miR-34a,miR-107,miR-124,miR-125b,miR-128,miR-132,miR-146a,miR-155,miR-219,miR-501-3p,and miR-502-3p.The review also shed light on the brain-specific location of these miRs,their dysregulation in Alzheimer s disease,and how they are involved in disease progression.Apparently,these brain-specific miRs modulate specific genes and are therefo re crucial for various cellular processes,including autophagy,cell cycle,tau phosphorylation,amyloid-beta production,and neuroinflammation.Moreover,these miRs are potent disease-modifying factors and their expression levels co uld serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring Alzheimer s disease progression.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82171456(to QY),and 81971229(to QY)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,No.CSTC2021JCYJ-MSXMX0263(to QY)Doctoral Innovation Project of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Nos.CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202318(to JW)and CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202327(to HT).
文摘Acute ischemic stroke is a highly prevalent and disabling disease with poor prognosis.Neuronal death is a major feature after a stroke.PANoptosis is a newly reported pattern of cell death,characterized by pyroptosis,apoptosis,and necroptosis,that plays an important role in the pathophysiological process after ischemic brain injury.However,its precise underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated.This study aimed to clarify the function of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 in neuronal PANoptosis after ischemic brain damage and to investigate the impact and mechanism of sonic hedgehog and S100 calcium-binding protein A10 on PANoptosis.The results showed that S100 calcium-binding protein A10 was significantly upregulated in both cellular and animal models of ischemic stroke.Knockdown of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 exacerbated PANoptosis and the levels of PANoptosis-related proteins following cerebral ischemia damage.Sonic hedgehog treatment increased S100 calcium-binding protein A10 and inhibited the increase in PANoptosis induced by S100 calcium-binding protein A10 knockdown.The findings suggest that sonic hedgehog intervention mitigated neuronal PANoptosis ensuing from ischemic stroke.The combination of S100 calcium-binding protein A10 and sonic hedgehog demonstrated promise for developing an effective therapy against cerebral ischemic stroke,which would have significant potential for future clinical applications.
基金Shenzhen Science Technology and Innovation Commission,No.JCYJ20220531100811026Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Trauma Treatment,No.LCYSSQ20220823091405012(both to YZ)Shenzhen Science and Technology Program,No.KQTD20240729102249044.
文摘Mounting evidence suggests that circadian rhythm disruption may be linked to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.However,whether this disruption occurs before the appearance of cognitive symptoms and whether it drives disease development remain unclear.Understanding the temporal relationship between circadian rhythm dysregulation and early Alzheimer’s disease pathological changes may open up new avenues for disease prevention and intervention.To determine if circadian rhythm disruption precedes cognitive decline,we conducted high-resolution transcriptome analyses of the hippocampus in a 5-month-old mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and age-matched wild-type control mice at multiple time points over a 24-hour period.While the mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease did not exhibit obvious cognitive symptoms at this stage,the expression of circadian-related genes in the hippocampus exhibited extensive abnormalities.In the control group,2109 genes exhibited rhythmic expression characteristics.In the mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,a marked proportion of these genes lost their rhythmicity,some genes newly developed rhythmicity,and some maintained rhythmicity but with altered expression patterns.Genes related to neuronal function,including those involved in protein homeostasis regulation,neuroinflammation,and ion homeostasis,showed significant changes in circadian rhythm amplitude and phase,and some completely lost their rhythmicity.These findings point to the following critical early events in Alzheimer’s disease:hippocampal circadian gene disruption occurs before cognitive symptoms emerge,genes related to neuronal function are uniquely susceptible to this early dysregulation,and circadian dysfunction may even precede the pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease and influence disease onset.This work advances Alzheimer’s disease research by clarifying that circadian disruption is an early pre-symptomatic event,reinforcing the potential of circadian rhythm regulation as a strategy for early intervention of Alzheimer’s disease,and identifying neuronal pathways that may serve as intervention targets.
基金supported by the Development Program of China and the National Key Research (Grant Nos.2023YFA1406200 and 2022YFA1402304)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.12274169 and 12122405)+3 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Innovation Team for Functional Materials and Devices for Informatics at Anhui Higher Education Institutes (Grant No.2024AH010024)the Natural Science Research Project of Education Department of Anhui Province (Grant No.2025AHGXZK31203)the PHD Research Startup Foundation of Fuyang Normal University (Grant No.2025KYQD0072)。
文摘The Kagome metal CsV3Sb5 transitions from a weakly correlated state to a strongly correlated state upon Cr substitution;however,the mechanism driving this enhancement remains an open question.Here,we employed a combination of density functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory(DFT+DMFT)to systematically investigate the evolution of electronic correlations in the CsV_(3−x)Cr_(x)Sb_(5)(x=0,1,and 3)series.Our calculations revealed that Cr doping drives the system into a strongly correlated Hund’s metal phase,which is characterized by significant and orbital-dependent enhancements in the quasiparticle effective masses and electronic scattering rates.We trace the origin of this transition to the doping-induced shift from low-to high-spin atomic configurations.This preference for high-spin states,which is promoted by near-half-filling of the Cr-d orbitals,induces a pronounced orbital blocking effect that strengthens the correlations.Our findings establish that Hund’s coupling is the decisive factor governing the rich correlation physics in the CsV_(3−x)Cr_(x)Sb_(5) family,providing a tunable platform for exploring Hund’s metallicity.
基金supported by the Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program,No.JCYJ20240813151132042the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.32270701 and 32470708+1 种基金Young Talent Recruitment Project of Guangdong,No.2019QN01Y139the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province,No.2023B1212060018(all to GL).
文摘Mitochondrial DNA variants have been linked to cognitive progression in Parkinson’s disease;however,the mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA variants or haplogroups contribute to this process remain unclear.In the present study,we analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from 241 post-mortem brain samples across five regions to investigate the dysregulatory mechanisms associated with mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H and haplogroups J,T,and U#.Our findings revealed significant alterations in the proportions of astrocyte subtypes CHI3L1 and GRM3 in the neocortical regions of haplogroup H.Notably,TTR was markedly downregulated in the dorsal motor nucleus of the Xth nerve region of patients with haplogroup H.Pathway analysis highlighted abnormal hypoxic and reactive oxygen species environments in astrocytes,whereas protein complex analysis revealed a consistent and significant elevation in ribosomal subunit complexes within the astrocyte subtypes.By constructing weighted and directed transcriptome-wide gene regulatory networks,we identified significant changes in transcription factor SP1 and homeobox protein HOXA5 activity in the astrocyte subtypes of individuals with haplogroup H.Additionally,widespread dysregulation was observed in the transcriptional control of TTR by multiple transcription factors.Parkinson’s disease patients with haplogroup H also exhibited increased network functional connectivity in specific brain regions.This data-driven study underscores the potential mechanisms by which mitochondrial DNA haplogroups contribute to cognitive progression in Parkinson’s disease,involving cellular composition changes,differential gene expression,pathway disruption,and gene regulatory networks.Our findings suggest that mitochondrial DNA haplogroup H may drive Parkinson’s disease cognitive progression through aberrant TTR expression and a hypoxic environment.
基金supported by CNSF(Granted No.40874050)Chinese High Technology Project(Granted No.2011YQ05006010)
文摘We present a method to unify the calculation of Green＇s functions for an electromagnetic（EM） transmitting source embedded in a homogeneous stratified medium.A virtual interface parallel to layer interfaces is introduced through the source location.The potentials for Green＇s function are derived by decomposing the partial wave solutions to Helmholtz＇s equations into upward and downward within boundaries.The amplitudes of the potentials in each stratum are obtained recursively from the initial amplitudes at the source level.The initial amplitudes are derived by coupling with the transmitting sources and following the discontinuity of the tangential electric and magnetic fields at the source interface.Only the initial terms are related to the transmitting sources and thus need to be modified for different transmitters,whereas the kernel connected with the stratified media stays unchanged.Hence,the present method can be easily applied to EM transmitting sources with little modification.The application of the proposed method to the marine controlled-source electromagnetic method（MCSEM） demonstrates its simplicity and flexibility.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Program of Shandong Province (No. 2010GHY10501)National Department Public Benefit Research Fond of China (No. 200909020)~~
文摘RpoS protein is a σ factor of RNA polymerase that can control the expression of a group-specific gene, thus playing a vital role in bacteria. In bacteria, RpoS expression is under strict control and is mainly regulated at three levels： transcription level, translation level and post-translational level. Environmental stress enters bacterial cells through signal transduction and leads to a series of variations in microenvironment, thereby causing changes of regulator and controlling its levels based on the direct and indirect interaction between regulator and RpoS protein. In addition, RpoS protein has played special roles in bacteria, therefore the changes of RpoS protein levels will lead to variations in expression levels of a large number of genes, thereby causing variations of bacterial response to different environmental stress and changes of certain characteristics of bacteria, which provides a new strategy for the control of bacterial diseases in the future. This paper reviewed the recent progress on the regulation of RpoS protein expression and its function in several common bacteria. Due to the functional complexity of RpoS protein, there are still a lot of unknown functions to be further identified.
