Non-Markovian effect on the quantum discord

We study the non-Markovian effect on the dynamics of the quantum discord by exactly solving a model consisting of two independent qubits subject to two zero-temperature non-Markovian reservoirs, respectively. Considering the two qubits initially prepared in Bell-like or extended Werner-like states, we show that there is no occurrence of the sudden death, but only instantaneous disappearance of the quantum discord at some time points, in comparison to the entanglement sudden death in the same range of the parameters of interest. It implies that the quantum discord is more useful than the entanglement to describe quantum correlation involved in quantum systems.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Real-time observations of TRIP-induced ultrahigh strain hardening in a dual-phase CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy.

Strategies involving metastable phases have been the basis of the design of numerous alloys, yet research on metastable high-entropy alloys is still in its infancy. In dual-phase high-entropy alloys, the combination of local chemical environments and loading-induced crystal structure changes suggests a relationship between deformation mechanisms and chemical atomic distribution, which we examine in here in a Cantor-like Cr20Mn6Fe34Co34Ni6 alloy, comprising both face-centered cubic (fcc) and hexagonal closed packed (hcp) phases. We observe that partial dislocation activities result in stable three-dimensional stacking-fault networks. Additionally, the fraction of the stronger hcp phase progressively increases during plastic deformation by forming at the stacking-fault network boundaries in the fcc phase, serving as the major source of strain hardening. In this context, variations in local chemical composition promote a high density of Lomer-Cottrell locks, which facilitate the construction of the stacking-fault networks to provide nucleation sites for the hcp phase transformation

Targeted profiling of chlorinated transformation products and the parent micropollutants in the aquatic environment: A comparison between two coastal cities

This study investigated chlorinated transformation products (TPs) and their parent micropollutants, aromatic pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the urban water bodies of two metropolitan cities. Nine PPCPs and 16 TPs were quantitatively or semi-quantitatively determined using isotope dilution techniques and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. TPs and most PPCPs were effectively removed by conventional wastewater treatments in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Chlorinated parabens and all PPCPs (at concentrations below 1000 ng/L) were present in the waters receiving treated wastewater. By contrast, the waters receiving untreated wastewater contained higher levels of PPCPs (up to 9400 ng/L) and more species of chlorinated TPs including chlorinated parabens, triclosan, diclofenac, and bisphenol A. The very different chemical profiles between the water bodies of the two cities of similar geographical and climatic properties may be attributed to their respective uses of chemicals and policies of wastewater management. No apparent increase in the number of species or abundances of TPs was observed in either the chlorinated wastewater or the seawater rich in halogens. This is the first study to elucidate and compare the profiles of multiple TPs and their parent PPCPs in the water bodies of coastal cities from tropical islands. Our findings suggest that chlorinated derivatives of bisphenol A, diclofenac, triclosan, and parabens in the surface water originate from sources other than wastewater disinfection or marine chlorination. Although further studies are needed to identify the origins, conventional wastewater treatments may protect natural water bodies against contamination by those chlorinated substances

Spatiotemporal patterns and spatial risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis from 2007 to 2017 in Western and Central China: a modelling analysis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease caused by trypanosomatid protozoa in the genus Leishmania, which is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Although this vector-borne disease has been eliminated in several regions of China during the last century, the reported human VL cases have rebounded in Western and Central China in recent decades. However, understanding of the spatial epidemiology of the disease remains vague, as the spatial risk factors driving the spatial heterogeneity of VL. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of annual human VL cases in Western and Central China from 2007 to 2017. Based on the related spatial maps, the boosted regression tree (BRT) model was adopted to explore the relationships between VL and spatial correlates as well as predicting both the existing and potential infection risk zones of VL in Western and Central China. The mined links reveal that elevation, minimum temperature, relative humidity, and annual accumulated precipitation make great contributions to the spatial heterogeneity of VL. The maps show that Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Gansu, western Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Sichuan are predicted to fall in the highest infection risk zones of VL. Approximately 61.60 million resident populations lived in the high-risk regions of VL in Western and Central China. Our results provide a better understanding of how spatial risk factors driving VL spread as well as identifying the potential endemic risk region of VL, thereby enhancing the biosurveillance capacity of public health authorities

Passive Human Sensing Enhanced by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface: Opportunities and Challenges

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have flexible and exceptional performance in manipulating electromagnetic waves and customizing wireless channels. These capabilities enable them to provide a plethora of valuable activity-related information for promoting wireless human sensing. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of passive human sensing using radio frequency signals with the assistance of RISs. Specifically, we first introduce fundamental principles and physical platform of RISs. Subsequently, based on the specific applications, we categorize the state-of-the-art human sensing techniques into three types, including human imaging,localization, and activity recognition. Meanwhile, we would also investigate the benefits that RISs bring to these applications. Furthermore, we explore the application of RISs in human micro-motion sensing, and propose a vital signs monitoring system enhanced by RISs. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the promising potential of RISs in sensing vital signs for manipulating individuals. Finally, we discuss the technical challenges and opportunities in this field

AI Nushu: An Exploration of Language Emergence in Sisterhood -Through the Lens of Computational Linguistics

This paper presents "AI Nushu," an emerging language system inspired by Nushu (women's scripts), the unique language created and used exclusively by ancient Chinese women who were thought to be illiterate under a patriarchal society. In this interactive installation, two artificial intelligence (AI) agents are trained in the Chinese dictionary and the Nushu corpus. By continually observing their environment and communicating, these agents collaborate towards creating a standard writing system to encode Chinese. It offers an artistic interpretation of the creation of a non-western script from a computational linguistics perspective, integrating AI technology with Chinese cultural heritage and a feminist viewpoint.Comment: Accepted for publication at SIGGRAPH Asia 202

Phase transformation-induced improvement in hardness and high-temperature wear resistance of plasma-sprayed and remelted NiCrBSi/WC coatings

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The remelting method is introduced to improve the properties of the as-sprayed NiCrBSi coatings. In this work, tungsten carbide (WC) was selected as reinforcement and the as-sprayed and remelted NiCrBSi/WC composite coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, hardness test and tribology test. After spraying, WC particles are evenly distributed in the coating. The remelting process induced the decarburizing reaction of WC, resulting in the formation of dispersed W2 C. The dispersed W2 C particles play an important role in the dispersion strengthening. Meanwhile, the pores and lamellar structures are eliminated in the remelted NiCrBSi/WC composite coating. Due to these two advantages, the hardness and the high-temperature wear resistance of the remelted NiCrBSi/WC composite coating are significantly improved compared with those with an as-sprayed NiCrBSi coating; the as-sprayed NiCrBSi coating, as-sprayed NiCrBSi/WC composite coating and remelted NiCrBSi/WC composite coating have average hardness of 673.82 HV, 785.14 HV, 1061.23 HV, and their friction coefficients are 0.3418, 0.3261, 0.2431, respectively. The wear volume of the remelted NiCrBSi/WC composite coating is only one-third of that of the as-sprayed NiCrBSi coating

6-Methyl­pyridine-2(1H)-thione

There are two unique mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title pyridine­thione derivative, C6H7NS, each of which adopts the thione rather than the mercaptan form. The rings in both mol­ecules are essentially planar, with maximum deviations from the least-squares planes through all non-H atoms of 0.021 (2) and 0.017 (2) Å. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecules form centrosymmetric cyclic dimers through inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Additional C—H(meth­yl)⋯S inter­actions generate a three-dimensional network

Immunomodulatory Hydrogels:Advanced Regenerative Tools for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most common complications of diabetes, bringing physical and mental challenges for patients due to the lack of efficient curative therapy. Despite considerable advances in pharmacological and surgical approaches, clinical trials for DFU patients remain disappointing due to the local overactive and excessive inflammation. Immunomodulatory hydrogels has significant advantages to overcome the clinical challenge of DFUs therapy. Here, recent fabrication and regenerative advances in the utilization of functional hydrogels for altering the immune microenvironment of DFUs are comprehensively reviewed. The pathological features and the healing processes of DFUs, followed by summarizing the physicochemical properties essential for the design of regenerative hydrogels for immunomodulation in DFUs, are briefly introduced. Then, the potential immuno-therapeutic modalities of hydrogels and emerging trends used to treat DFUs via multitherapeutic approaches and enhanced efficacy and safety are discussed. Taken together, by linking the structural properties of hydrogels to their functions in DFU therapy with a particular focus on immunomodulatory stimuli, this review can promote further advances in designing advanced hydrogels for DFUs, resulting in improved diabetic wound repair through translation into clinical setting in the near future.</p