| 11. |
- Zheng, Fenglian, et al.
(author)
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Structural and functional hippocampal alterations in Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- 2022
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 28:5, s. 707-717
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Hippocampal involvement may differ between multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Objective: To investigate the morphometric, diffusion and functional alterations in hippocampus in MS and NMOSD and the clinical significance. Methods: A total of 752 participants including 236 MS, 236 NMOSD and 280 healthy controls (HC) were included in this retrospective multi-center study. The hippocampus and subfield volumes, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and degree centrality (DC) were analyzed, and their associations with clinical variables were investigated. Results: The hippocampus showed significantly lower volume, FA and greater MD in MS compared to NMOSD and HC (p < 0.05), while no abnormal ALFF or DC was identified in any group. Hippocampal subfields were affected in both diseases, though subiculum, presubiculum and fimbria showed significantly lower volume only in MS (p < 0.05). Significant correlations between diffusion alterations, several subfield volumes and clinical variables were observed in both diseases, especially in MS (R = -0.444 to 0.498, p < 0.05). FA and MD showed fair discriminative power between MS and HC, NMOSD and HC (AUC > 0.7). Conclusions: Hippocampal atrophy and diffusion abnormalities were identified in MS and NMOSD, partly explaining how clinical disability and cognitive impairment are differentially affected.
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| 12. |
- Bai, Fan, et al.
(author)
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Application of similarity theory in modeling the output characteristics of proton exchange membrane fuel cell
- 2021
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In: International journal of hydrogen energy. - : PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD. - 0360-3199 .- 1879-3487. ; 46:74, s. 36940-36953
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) has attracted widespread interest. In the present work, similarity analysis is adopted for a three-dimensional single-phase isothermal model of PEMFC to derive similarity criteria. Seven kinds of input criteria (Pi(1) similar to Pi(7)) are obtained, relevant to the fluid flow, pressure drop, flow resistance in a porous medium, activity loss, diffusion mass transfer, convective mass transfer and ohmic loss in PEMFC respectively. Dimensionless voltage and dimensionless current density are defined as two output criteria. Numerical verifications show that if the seven criteria keep their individual values with their components vary in a wide range, the dimensionless polarization curves keep the same with a deviation about 1%, showing the validity and feasibility of the present analysis. From the effect on the dimensionless polarization curve, sensibility analysis shows that the seven criteria can be divided into three categories: strong (Pi(4) and Pi(7), -94.9% similar to +349.2%), mild to minor (Pi(5) and Pi(6), -4.5% similar to +5.0%), and negligible (Pi(1), Pi(2) and Pi(3), -1.2% similar to +1.1%). The similarity analysis approach can greatly save computation time in modeling the output characteristics of PEMFC. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Chen, Zhuo, et al.
(author)
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Large mechanical properties enhancement in ceramics through vacancy-mediated unit cell disturbance
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tailoring vacancies is a feasible way to improve the mechanical properties of ceramics. However, high concentrations of vacancies usually compromise the strength (or hardness). We show that a high elasticity and flexural strength could be achieved simultaneously using a nitride superlattice architecture with disordered anion vacancies up to 50%. Enhanced mechanical properties primarily result from a distinctive deformation mechanism in superlattice ceramics, i.e., unit-cell disturbances. Such a disturbance substantially relieves local high-stress concentration, thus enhancing deformability. No dislocation activity involved also rationalizes its high strength. The work renders a unique understanding of the deformation and strengthening/toughening mechanism in nitride ceramics.
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| 15. |
- Cheng, Yirui, et al.
(author)
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NDFIP1 limits cellular TAZ accumulation via exosomal sorting to inhibit NSCLC proliferation
- 2023
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In: Protein & Cell. - : Springer Nature. - 1674-800X .- 1674-8018. ; 14:2, s. 123-136
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- NDFIP1 has been previously reported as a tumor suppressor in multiple solid tumors, but the function of NDFIP1 in NSCLC and the underlying mechanism are still unknown. Besides, the WW domain containing proteins can be recognized by NDFIP1, resulted in the loading of the target proteins into exosomes. However, whether WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (WWTR1, also known as TAZ) can be packaged into exosomes by NDFIP1 and if so, whether the release of this oncogenic protein via exosomes has an effect on tumor development has not been investigated to any extent. Here, we first found that NDFIP1 was low expressed in NSCLC samples and cell lines, which is associated with shorter OS. Then, we confirmed the interaction between TAZ and NDFIP1, and the existence of TAZ in exosomes, which requires NDFIP1. Critically, knockout of NDFIP1 led to TAZ accumulation with no change in its mRNA level and degradation rate. And the cellular TAZ level could be altered by exosome secretion. Furthermore, NDFIP1 inhibited proliferation in vitro and in vivo, and silencing TAZ eliminated the increase of proliferation caused by NDFIP1 knockout. Moreover, TAZ was negatively correlated with NDFIP1 in subcutaneous xenograft model and clinical samples, and the serum exosomal TAZ level was lower in NSCLC patients. In summary, our data uncover a new tumor suppressor, NDFIP1 in NSCLC, and a new exosome-related regulatory mechanism of TAZ.
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| 16. |
- Eriksson, Kimmo, et al.
(author)
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Perceptions of the appropriate response to norm violation in 57 societies
- 2021
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In: Nature Communications. - : Nature Research. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Norm enforcement may be important for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation. However, little is known about how preferred responses to norm violations vary across cultures and across domains. In a preregistered study of 57 countries (using convenience samples of 22,863 students and non-students), we measured perceptions of the appropriateness of various responses to a violation of a cooperative norm and to atypical social behaviors. Our findings highlight both cultural universals and cultural variation. We find a universal negative relation between appropriateness ratings of norm violations and appropriateness ratings of responses in the form of confrontation, social ostracism and gossip. Moreover, we find the country variation in the appropriateness of sanctions to be consistent across different norm violations but not across different sanctions. Specifically, in those countries where use of physical confrontation and social ostracism is rated as less appropriate, gossip is rated as more appropriate. Little is known about peoples preferred responses to norm violations across countries. Here, in a study of 57 countries, the authors highlight cultural similarities and differences in peoples perception of the appropriateness of norm violations.
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| 17. |
- Janknecht, Rebecca, et al.
(author)
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A Strategy to Enhance the B-Solubility and Mechanical Properties of Ti-B-N Thin Films
- 2024
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In: Acta Materialia. - : Elsevier. - 1359-6454 .- 1873-2453. ; 271
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Ti–B–N system offers a wide range of possible meta(stable) phases, making it interesting for science and industry. However, the solubility for B within the face-centered cubic (fcc)-TiN lattice is rather limited and less studied, especially without forming B-rich phases. Therefore, we address how chemistries along the TiN–TiB2 or TiN–TiB tie-line influence this B-solubility. The variation between these two tie-lines is realized through non-reactive co-sputtering of a TiN, TiB2, and Ti target. We show that for variations along the TiN–TiB tie-line, even 8.9 at.% B (equivalent to 19.3 at.% non-metal fractions) can fully be incorporated into the fcc-TiNy lattice without forming other B-containing phases. The combination of detailed microstructural characterization through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy with ab initio calculations of fcc-Ti1-xNBx, fcc-TiN1-xBx, and fcc-TiN1-2xBx solid solutions indicates that B essentially substitutes N.The single-phase fcc-TiB0.17N0.69 (the highest B-containing sample along the TiN–TiB tie-line studied) exhibits the highest hardness H of 37.1±1.9 GPa combined with the highest fracture toughness KIC of 3.0±0.2 MPa·m1/2 among the samples studied. These are markedly above those of B-free TiN0.87 having H = 29.2±2.1 GPa and KIC = 2.7±<0.1 MPa·m1/2.
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| 18. |
- Jin, Ying, et al.
(author)
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"Soap bubble" sign as an imaging marker for posterior fossa ependymoma Group B
- 2023
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In: Neuroradiology. - : Springer. - 0028-3940 .- 1432-1920. ; 65, s. 1707-1714
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate the predictive value of the "soap bubble" sign on molecular subtypes (Group A [PFA] and Group B [PFB]) of posterior fossa ependymomas (PF-EPNs).Methods: MRI scans of 227 PF-EPNs (internal retrospective discovery set) were evaluated by two independent neuroradiologists to assess the "soap bubble" sign, which was defined as clusters of cysts of various sizes that look like "soap bubbles" on T2-weighted images. Two independent cohorts (external validation set [n = 31] and prospective validation set [n = 27]) were collected to validate the "soap bubble" sign.Results: Across three datasets, the "soap bubble" sign was observed in 21 PFB cases (7.4% [21/285] of PF-EPNs and 12.9% [21/163] of PFB); none in PFA. Analysis of the internal retrospective discovery set demonstrated substantial interrater agreement (1st Rating: kappa = 0.71 [0.53-0.90], 2nd Rating: kappa = 0.83 [0.68-0.98]) and intrarater agreement (Rater 1: kappa = 0.73 [0.55-0.91], Rater 2: kappa = 0.74 [0.55-0.92]) for the "soap bubble" sign; all 13 cases positive for the "soap bubble" sign were PFB (p = 0.002; positive predictive value [PPV] = 100%, negative predictive value [NPV] = 44%, sensitivity = 10%, specificity = 100%). The findings from the external validation set and the prospective validation set were similar, all cases positive for the "soap bubble" sign were PFB (p < 0.001; PPV = 100%).Conclusion: The "soap bubble" sign represents a highly specific imaging marker for the PFB molecular subtype of PF-EPNs.
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| 19. |
- Koutna, Nikola, et al.
(author)
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Atomistic mechanisms underlying plasticity and crack growth in ceramics : a case study of AlN/TiN superlattices
- 2022
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In: Acta Materialia. - : Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. - 1359-6454 .- 1873-2453. ; 229
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Interfaces between components of a material govern its mechanical strength and fracture resistance. While a great number of interfaces is present in nanolayered materials, such as superlattices, their fundamental role during mechanical loading lacks understanding. Here we combine ab initio and classical molecular dynamics simulations, nanoindentation, and transmission electron microscopy to reveal atomistic mechanisms underlying plasticity and crack growth in B1 AlN(001)/TiN(001) superlattices under loading. The system is a model for modern refractory ceramics used as protective coatings. The simulations demonstrate an anisotropic response to uniaxial tensile deformation in principal crystallographic directions due to different strain-activated plastic deformation mechanisms. Superlattices strained orthogonal to (001) interfaces show modest plasticity and cleave parallel to AlN/TiN layers. Contrarily, B1-to-B3 or B1-to-B4(B-k) phase transformations in AlN facilitate a remarkable toughness enhancement upon in plane [110] and [100] tensile elongation, respectively. We verify the predictions experimentally and conclude that strain-induced crack growth-via loss of interface coherency, dislocation-pinning at interfaces, or layer interpenetration followed by formation of slip bands-can be hindered by controlling the thicknesses of the superlattice nanolayered components.
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| 20. |
- Li, Biao, et al.
(author)
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Decoupling the roles of Ni and Co in anionic redox activity of Li-rich NMC cathodes
- 2023
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In: Nature Materials. - : Springer Nature. - 1476-1122 .- 1476-4660. ; 22:11, s. 1370-1379
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Li[LixNiyMnzCo1−x−y−z]O2 (lithium-rich NMCs) are benchmark cathode materials receiving considerable attention due to the abnormally high capacities resulting from their anionic redox chemistry. Although their anionic redox mechanisms have been much investigated, the roles of cationic redox processes remain underexplored, hindering further performance improvement. Here we decoupled the effects of nickel and cobalt in lithium-rich NMCs via a comprehensive study of two typical compounds, Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 and Li1.2Co0.4Mn0.4O2. We discovered that both Ni3+/4+ and Co4+, generated during cationic redox processes, are actually intermediate species for triggering oxygen redox through a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer process. However, cobalt is better than nickel in mediating the kinetics of ligand-to-metal charge transfer by favouring more transition metal migration, leading to less cationic redox but more oxygen redox, more O2 release, poorer cycling performance and more severe voltage decay. Our work highlights a compositional optimization pathway for lithium-rich NMCs by deviating from using cobalt to using nickel, providing valuable guidelines for future high-capacity cathode design.
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