Associations of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan

BackgroundAging is an inevitable process of life development. These physical changes can cause a decline in the functional adaptability and health status of older adult individuals.AimsThe purpose of this study was to investigate the association of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2015–2016. A total of 20,846 Taiwanese older adult individuals aged 65 years old or older were recruited as study participants. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric assessments, lifestyle habits, and health-related physical fitness measurements from this dataset were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis. Lower-limb muscle strength performance was classified into 4 groups based on quartile (Quartile 1 [Q1], Quartile 2 [Q2], Quartile 3 [Q3], and Quartile 4 [Q4]) values.ResultsIncreased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with static balance in men (Q2: β = 2.539, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.590, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = 7.700, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = 2.022, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = 4.179, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = 6.920, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, we observed that increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with dynamic balance in men (Q2: β = −1.661, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.434, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.091, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: β = −1.660, p < 0.0001; Q3: β = −2.548, p < 0.0001; Q4: β = −3.196, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionLower-limb muscle strength was the most important factor, as it was an improved method for static and dynamic balance control in both genders

Towards an eficient atomic frequency comb quantum memory

We present an efficient photon-echo experiment based on atomic frequency combs [Phys. Rev. A 79, 052329 (2009)]. Echoes containing an energy of up to 35% of that of the input pulse are observed in a Pr3+-doped Y2SiO5 crystal. This material allows for the precise spectral holeburning needed to make a sharp and highly absorbing comb structure. We compare our results with a simple theoretical model with satisfactory agreement. Our results show that atomic frequency combs has the potential for high-efficiency storage of single photons as required in future long-distance communication based on quantum repeaters.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Does entropic force always imply the Newtonian force law?

We study the entropic force by introducing a bound $S \le A^{3/4}$ between entropy and area which was derived by imposing the non-gravitational collapse condition. In this case, applying a modified entropic force to this system does not lead to the Newtonian force law.Comment: 11 pages, version to appear in EPJ

NC410 is a novel immunomedicine for the treatment of solid tumors

Background Abnormalities in the extracellular matrix of tumor microenvironments support tumor progression, lead to immune dysfunction, and provide a target for cancer therapeutics. Collagens are a primary component of the extracellular matrix. Abnormal levels of collagen and of the collagen-domain containing complement component 1q (C1q) in tumor microenvironments has been proposed to disrupt anti-tumor immunity. LAIR-1 is an adhesion molecule and inhibitory receptor expressed on the cell surface of several immune cell subsets. LAIR-1 binding to collagen-like domains present in collagens and C1q inhibit immune cell function. LAIR-2 is a soluble homolog of LAIR-1 that binds to and outcompetes LAIR-1 binding to collagens and C1q and serves as a natural decoy to promote immune function.Methods Taking advantage of a natural decoy system, we designed a protein biologic, NC410, composed of LAIR-2 fused with a functional IgG1 Fc domain to target collagen-rich tumors and promote immune activation, infiltration and effector function.Results NC410 has increased avidity due to Fc mediated dimerization, and blocks LAIR-1 interactions with ligands, and LAIR-1 signaling. In vivo administration of NC410 in humanized tumor models reduced tumor growth in a dose dependent fashion. NC410 increased the numbers of infiltrating human CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in the tumor, which is associated with increased levels of chemokines in the local tumor environment. Effector function was also enhanced, as denoted by increased levels of IFN-gamma and Granzyme B in the local tumor environment. In addition, NC410 increased specific collagen degradative products in the serum of humanized tumor-bearing mice, suggesting NC410 may promote tumor microenvironment remodeling and immune accessibility to further promote anti-tumor immunity.Conclusions These data support NC410 as a novel therapeutic for targeting collagen-rich tumors and enabling normalization of the tumor-immune microenvironment. FIH studies have recently been initiated with NC410

Coupling ultracold atoms to mechanical oscillators

In this article we discuss and compare different ways to engineer an interface between ultracold atoms and micro- and nanomechanical oscillators. We start by analyzing a direct mechanical coupling of a single atom or ion to a mechanical oscillator and show that the very different masses of the two systems place a limit on the achievable coupling constant in this scheme. We then discuss several promising strategies for enhancing the coupling: collective enhancement by using a large number of atoms in an optical lattice in free space, coupling schemes based on high-finesse optical cavities, and coupling to atomic internal states. Throughout the manuscript we discuss both theoretical proposals and first experimental implementations.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figure

The Productions and Strong Decays of Dq(2S)D_q(2S) and Bq(2S)B_q(2S)

We study the productions of first radial excited states $D_q(2S)$ ($q=u, d, s$) and $B_q(2S)$ in exclusive semi-leptonic $B_{q'}$ ($q'=u, d s, c$) decays by the improved Bethe-Salpeter method. These 2S states can be detected through their strong decays to ground mesons, where the strong decays are calculated by the low energy approximation as well as the impulse approximation. Some channels have ratios of order $10^{-4}$: $Br(B^+\to\bar D^0(2S)\ell^+{\nu_\ell})\times Br(\bar D^0(2S)\to \bar D^{*}\pi)\approx(4.9\pm4.0)\times10^{-4}$, $Br(B^0\to D^-(2S)\ell^+{\nu_\ell})\times Br(D^-(2S)\to \bar D^{*}\pi)\approx(4.4\pm3.4)\times10^{-4}$. These channels could be measured by the current B-factories. For $D_s(2S)$, we also obtain a relative large ratio: $Br(B_s^0\to D_s^-(2S)\ell^+{\nu_\ell})\times Br(D_s^-(2S)\to \bar D^{*}\bar K)\approx (9.9\pm14.9)\times10^{-4}$. Although there are discrepancies of the full decay width between the theoretical predictions of ${D}^0(2S)$ and experimental results of $D(2550)^0$, the new detected state $D(2550)^0$ is very likely the ${D}^0(2S)$ state.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures, 5 table

Control over the Self-Assembly Modes of Pt^II Complexes by Alkyl Chain Variation: From Slipped to Parallel π-Stacks

We report the self-assembly of a new family of hydrophobic, bis(pyridyl) PtII complexes featuring an extended oligophenyleneethynylene-derived π-surface appended with six long (dodecyloxy (2)) or short (methoxy (3)) side groups. Complex 2, containing dodecyloxy chains, forms fibrous assemblies with a slipped arrangement of the monomer units (dPt⋯Pt≈14 Å) in both nonpolar solvents and the solid state. Dispersion-corrected PM6 calculations suggest that this organization is driven by cooperative π-π, C-H⋯Cl and π-Pt interactions, which is supported by EXAFS and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. In contrast, nearly parallel π-stacks (dPt⋯Pt≈4.4 Å) stabilized by multiple π-π and C-H⋯Cl contacts are obtained in the crystalline state for 3 lacking long side chains, as shown by X-ray analysis and PM6 calculations. Our results reveal not only the key role of alkyl chain length in controlling self-assembly modes but also show the relevance of Pt-bound chlorine ligands as new supramolecular synthons. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim