Computational design of skinned Quad-Robots

We present a computational design system that assists users to model, optimize, and fabricate quad-robots with soft skins. Our system addresses the challenging task of predicting their physical behavior by fully integrating the multibody dynamics of the mechanical skeleton and the elastic behavior of the soft skin. The developed motion control strategy uses an alternating optimization scheme to avoid expensive full space time-optimization, interleaving space-time optimization for the skeleton, and frame-by-frame optimization for the full dynamics. The output are motor torques to drive the robot to achieve a user prescribed motion trajectory. We also provide a collection of convenient engineering tools and empirical manufacturing guidance to support the fabrication of the designed quad-robot. We validate the feasibility of designs generated with our system through physics simulations and with a physically-fabricated prototype

Cost-effectiveness of analysis serplulimab plus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for PD-L1-positive advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectiveOur study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of serplulimab to chemotherapy (cisplatin and fluorouracil) for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as the first-line treatment in China.MethodsA three-state Markov model was established to assess the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for serplulimab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. Survival data were extrapolated from the ASTRUM-007 trial, cost data were derived from local sources, and utilities were derived from published literature. Health outcomes were measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Sensitivity and probability sensitivity analyses were used to investigate the robustness of the model.ResultsIn the base-case analysis, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab gained an additional 0.16 QALYs with an incremental cost of $29,547.88, leading to an ICER of$184,674.25/QALY. Additionally, the subgroup analyses presented that the ICERs of serplulimab plus chemotherapy were $157,892.50/QALY and$127,996.45/QALY in advanced ESCC patients with 1≤ CPS< 10 and CPS≥ 10, respectively. These ICERs significantly exceeded the Chinese willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold. The deterministic sensitivity analysis illustrated that the cost of progression-free survival in serplulimab plus chemotherapy group was the parameter with the strongest influence on the ICERs.ConclusionIn the Chinese health care system, with 3 times China’s per capita gross domestic product as the WTP threshold, compared with chemotherapy alone, serplulimab combined chemotherapy is not economical for PD-L1-positive advanced ESCC in the first-line setting

Inhibition of PPARγ by BZ26, a GW9662 derivate, attenuated obesity-related breast cancer progression by inhibiting the reprogramming of mature adipocytes into to cancer associate adipocyte-like cells

Obesity has been associated with the development of 13 different types of cancers, including breast cancer. Evidence has indicated that cancer-associated adipocytes promote the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. However, the mechanisms that link CAAs to the progression of obesity-related cancer are still unknown. Here, we found the mature adipocytes in the visceral fat of HFD-fed mice have a CAAs phenotype but the stromal vascular fraction of the visceral fat has not. Importantly, we found the derivate of the potent PPARγ antagonist GW9662, BZ26 inhibited the reprogramming of mature adipocytes in the visceral fat of HFD-fed mice into CAA-like cells and inhibited the proliferation and invasion of obesity-related breast cancer. Further study found that it mediated the browning of visceral, subcutaneous and perirenal fat and attenuated inflammation of adipose tissue and metabolic disorders. For the mechanism, we found that BZ26 bound and inhibited PPARγ by acting as a new modulator. Therefore, BZ26 serves as a novel modulator of PPARγ activity, that is, capable of inhibiting obesity-related breast cancer progression by inhibiting of CAA-like cell formation, suggesting that inhibiting the reprogramming of mature adipocytes into CAAs or CAA-like cells may be a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity-related cancer treatment

Fabrication of Spin-Transfer Nano-Oscillator by Colloidal Lithography

We fabricate nanoscale spin-transfer oscillators (STOs) by utilizing colloidal nanoparticles as a lithographic mask. By this approach, high quality STO devices can be fabricated, and as an example the fabricated STO devices using MgO magnetic tunnel junction as the basic cell exhibit current-induced microwave emission with a large frequency tunability of 0.22 GHz/mA. Compared to the conventional approaches that involve a step of defining nanoscale elements by means of electron beam lithography, which is not readily available for many groups, our strategy for STO fabrication does not require the sophisticated equipment (~ million dollars per unit) and expensive lithography resist, while being cost-effective and easy to use in laboratory level. This will accelerate efforts to implement STO into on-chip integrated high-radio frequency applications

Drivers of vegetation and soil determine natural regeneration of a single plantation at different slope positions

Promoting natural regeneration in artificial forest ecosystems is crucial for sustainable management. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms and drivers of tree regeneration is the prerequisite for promoting it effectively. This study worked with Larix principis-rupprechtii, a species considered difficult to regenerate. Twenty-four sample plots measuring 30 m × 30 m were established, with eight plots at each of the lower, middle, and upper slope positions, respectively. Field investigation and multivariate analysis were performed to uncover the regeneration traits in the plantations with abundant seedlings on the continuous slope. The results revealed that ground diameter and height of the regeneration (RGD and RH) were larger at the lower slope, with significant positive correlations to available nitrogen (contribution rate, CR: 0.858) and slope (CR: 0.652). In contrast, regeneration density (RD), representing the quantity of regeneration, was greater at the middle slope. Its significant impact factors were slope position (CR: −0.648) and herb diversity, represented by Pielou index (CR: 0.961). Stand density had a significant negative effect on regeneration, particularly at the upper slope, with CRs of −0.842 and −0.764 to RGD/RH and RD, respectively. Common contribution was found among the factors, with the largest contribution groups being the topographical and soil factors (CR: 0.358). These findings provide valuable insights into the single species regeneration progress on northern mountainous slopes and offer essential information for developing facilitation methods for the natural regeneration in artificial forests

A bibliometric analysis of preoperative anxiety research (2001–2021)

Recently, mental health has received increasing attention, particularly preoperative anxiety, which constitutes a bad emotional experience for surgical patients. Many experts have studied preoperative anxiety in terms of its related risk factors, interventions, and postoperative effects; however, there has been no systematic analysis of published articles. This paper presents a bibliometric review of documents related to preoperative anxiety published between 2001 and 2021. A detailed data analysis of 1,596 publications was conducted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Since the 20th century, the field of preoperative anxiety has gradually developed; research began around 2000 and has made a huge leap forward since 2016. Developed countries, led by the United States, were the first to conduct research, but preoperative anxiety research in developing countries like Turkey and China has gradually increased and led to an irreplaceable contribution. Intervention has remained the main topic of preoperative anxiety research, and measures have developed from premedication to the provision of education and information. Moreover, the use of advanced equipment such as virtual reality has emerged with great popularity. Based on previous research, the application of virtual reality combined with pediatric patients will become a new research direction

Neurometabolic and structural alterations of medial septum and hippocampal CA1 in a model of post-operative sleep fragmentation in aged mice: a study combining 1H-MRS and DTI

Post-operative sleep disturbance is a common feature of elderly surgical patients, and sleep fragmentation (SF) is closely related to post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). SF is characterized by sleep interruption, increased number of awakenings and sleep structure destruction, similar to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Research shows that sleep interruption can change neurotransmitter metabolism and structural connectivity in sleep and cognitive brain regions, of which the medial septum and hippocampal CA1 are key brain regions connecting sleep and cognitive processes. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a non-invasive method for the evaluation of neurometabolic abnormalities. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) realizes the observation of structural integrity and connectivity of brain regions of interest in vivo. However, it is unclear whether post-operative SF induces harmful changes in neurotransmitters and structures of the key brain regions and their contribution to POCD. In this study, we evaluated the effects of post-operative SF on neurotransmitter metabolism and structural integrity of medial septum and hippocampal CA1 in aged C57BL/6J male mice. The animals received a 24-h SF procedure after isoflurane anesthesia and right carotid artery exposure surgery. 1H-MRS results showed after post-operative SF, the glutamate (Glu)/creatine (Cr) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx)/Cr ratios increased in the medial septum and hippocampal CA1, while the NAA/Cr ratio decreased in the hippocampal CA1. DTI results showed post-operative SF decreased the fractional anisotropy (FA) of white matter fibers in the hippocampal CA1, while the medial septum was not affected. Moreover, post-operative SF aggravated subsequent Y-maze and novel object recognition performances accompanied by abnormal enhancement of glutamatergic metabolism signal. This study suggests that 24-h SF induces hyperglutamate metabolism level and microstructural connectivity damage in sleep and cognitive brain regions in aged mice, which may be involved in the pathophysiological process of POCD

Current-driven magnetization switching in a van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2

The recent discovery of ferromagnetism in two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials holds promises for novel spintronic devices with exceptional performances. However, in order to utilize 2D vdW magnets for building spintronic nanodevices such as magnetic memories, key challenges remain in terms of effectively switching the magnetization from one state to the other electrically. Here, we devise a bilayer structure of Fe3GeTe2/Pt, in which the magnetization of few-layered Fe3GeTe2 can be effectively switched by the spin-orbit torques (SOTs) originated from the current flowing in the Pt layer. The effective magnetic fields corresponding to the SOTs are further quantitatively characterized using harmonic measurements. Our demonstration of the SOT-driven magnetization switching in a 2D vdW magnet could pave the way for implementing low-dimensional materials in the next-generation spintronic applications

The rates and the determinants of hypertension according to the 2017 definition of hypertension by ACC/AHA and 2014 evidence-based guidelines among population aged ≥40 years old

Background : In November 2017, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) updated their definition of hypertension from 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg. Objectives : We sought to assess the situation of hypertension and the impact of applying the new threshold to a geographically and ethnically diverse population. Methods : We analyzed selected data on 237,142 participants aged ≥40 who had blood pressure taken for the 2014 China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project. Choropleth maps and logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence, geographical distribution and risk factors of hypertension using both 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines and 2014 evidence-based guidelines. Results : The present cross-sectional study showed the age- and sex-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 37.08% and 58.52%, respectively, according to 2014 evidence-based guidelines and 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines. The distribution of hypertension and risk factors changed little between guidelines, with data showing a high prevalence of hypertension around Bohai Gulf and in south central coastal areas using either definition. The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of newly labeled as hypertensive was 21.44%. Interestingly, the high prevalence region of newly labeled as hypertensive was found in the north China. Conclusion : The prevalence of hypertension increased significantly on 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines compared to the prevalence when using 2014 evidence-based guidelines, with high prevalence areas of newly labeled as hypertensive now seen mainly in north China. There need to be correspondingly robust efforts to improve health education, health management, and behavioral and lifestyle interventions in the north