Quantitative security analysis of three-level unitary operations in quantum secret sharing without entanglement

Quantum secret sharing (QSS) protocols without entanglement have showed high security by virtue of the characteristics of quantum mechanics. However, it is still a challenge to compare the security of such protocols depending on quantitative security analysis. Based on our previous security analysis work on protocols using single qubits and two-level unitary operations, QSS protocols with single qutrits and three-level unitary operations are considered in this paper. Under the Bell-state attack we propose, the quantitative security analyses according to different three-level unitary operations are provided respectively in the one-step and two-step situations. Finally, important conclusions are drawn for designing and implementing such QSS protocols. The method and results may also contribute to analyze the security of other high-level quantum cryptography schemes based on unitary operations

UPRmt scales mitochondrial network expansion with protein synthesis via mitochondrial import [preprint]

As organisms develop, individual cells generate mitochondria to fulfill physiologic requirements. However, it remains unknown how mitochondrial network expansion is scaled to cell growth and impacted by environmental cues. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a signaling pathway mediated by the transcription factor ATFS-1 which harbors a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS)1. Here, we demonstrate that ATFS-1 mediates an adaptable mitochondrial expansion program that is active throughout normal development. Developmental mitochondrial network expansion required the relatively inefficient MTS2 in ATFS-1, which allowed the transcription factor to be responsive to parameters that impact protein import capacity of the entire mitochondrial network. Increasing the strength of the ATFS-1 MTS impaired UPRmt activity throughout development due to increased accumulation within mitochondria. The insulin-like signaling-TORC13 and AMPK pathways affected UPRmt activation4,5 in a manner that correlated with protein synthesis. Manipulation to increase protein synthesis caused UPRmt activation. Alternatively, S6 kinase inhibition had the opposite effect due to increased mitochondrial accumulation of ATFS-1. However, ATFS-1 with a dysfunctional MTS6 constitutively increased UPRmt activity independent of TORC1 function. Lastly, expression of a single protein with a strong MTS, was sufficient to expand the muscle cell mitochondrial network in an ATFS-1-dependent manner. We propose that mitochondrial network expansion during development is an emergent property of the synthesis of highly expressed mitochondrial proteins that exclude ATFS-1 from mitochondrial import, causing UPRmt activation. Mitochondrial network expansion is attenuated once ATFS-1 can be imported

UPR(mt) scales mitochondrial network expansion with protein synthesis via mitochondrial import in Caenorhabditis elegans

As organisms develop, individual cells generate mitochondria to fulfill physiological requirements. However, it remains unknown how mitochondrial network expansion is scaled to cell growth. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)) is a signaling pathway mediated by the transcription factor ATFS-1 which harbors a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS). Here, using the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans we demonstrate that ATFS-1 mediates an adaptable mitochondrial network expansion program that is active throughout normal development. Mitochondrial network expansion requires the relatively inefficient MTS in ATFS-1, which allows the transcription factor to be responsive to parameters that impact protein import capacity of the mitochondrial network. Increasing the strength of the ATFS-1 MTS impairs UPR(mt) activity by increasing accumulation within mitochondria. Manipulations of TORC1 activity increase or decrease ATFS-1 activity in a manner that correlates with protein synthesis. Lastly, expression of mitochondrial-targeted GFP is sufficient to expand the muscle cell mitochondrial network in an ATFS-1-dependent manner. We propose that mitochondrial network expansion during development is an emergent property of the synthesis of highly expressed mitochondrial proteins that exclude ATFS-1 from mitochondrial import, causing UPR(mt) activation

Risk Factors for Long COVID in Older Adults

As time has passed following the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 have gradually exhibited a variety of symptoms associated with long COVID in the postacute phase of infection. Simultaneously, in many countries worldwide, the process of population aging has been accelerating. Within this context, the elderly population has not only become susceptible and high-risk during the acute phase of COVID-19 but also has considerable risks when confronting long COVID. Elderly individuals possess specific immunological backgrounds, and during the process of aging, their immune systems can enter a state known as “immunosenescence”. This further exacerbates “inflammaging” and the development of various comorbidities in elderly individuals, rendering them more susceptible to long COVID. Additionally, long COVID can inflict both physical and mental harm upon elderly people, thereby reducing their overall quality of life. Consequently, the impact of long COVID on elderly people should not be underestimated. This review seeks to summarize the infection characteristics and intrinsic factors of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the physical and mental impact of long COVID. Additionally, it aims to explore potential strategies to mitigate the risk of long COVID or other emerging infectious diseases among older adults in the future

Preparation, Characterization, and Activity Evaluation of CuO/F-TiO2 Photocatalyst

CuO/F-TiO2 nanoparticle photocatalyst was prepared by ball milling. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence emission spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by photocatalytic oxidation of rhodamine B and reduction of Cr2O7 2−. The results showed that, for F-TiO2 photocatalyst, the photooxidation activity increases remarkably with the increasing amount of NH4F up to 1.0 g, and the photoreduction activity decreases gradually with the increase in the amounts of NH4F. For the CuO/F-TiO2 photocatalyst, the photoreduction activity increases greatly with the increase in the amount of doped p-CuO up to 1.0 wt.%, and the photooxidation activity decreases rapidly with the increase in the amounts of doped p-CuO. Compared with pure TiO2, the photoabsorption wavelength range of the CuO/F-TiO2 and F-TiO2 photocatalysts red shifts and improves the utilization of the total spectrum. The effect of ball milling time on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts was also investigated. The mechanisms of influence on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts were also discussed

[In Press] Adopting blockchain technology to enhance green supply chain integration : the moderating role of organizational culture

As a cutting-edge technology with characteristics of transparency, traceability, decentralization, and immutability, blockchain technology (BCT) has been thought as an effective method of enhancing green supply chain integration (GSCI). However, the mechanism of how BCT affects GSCI is still blurred. Based on transaction cost theory and resource dependence theory, this research explores the mediating effect of supply chain trust in the relationship between BCT adoption and GSCI and the moderating role of organizational culture. We examine hypotheses using two waves of survey data from 317 Chinese manufacturers. The results reveal that BCT has a positive effect on supply chain trust, and supply chain trust partially mediates the impacts of BCT on three dimensions of GSCI. Moreover, a flexible-oriented culture alleviates the impact of BCT on supply chain trust, whereas a control-oriented culture strengthens the relationship. This research unfolds the “black box” in the BCT–GSCI relationship by exploring the mediating role of supply chain trust, and it is seldom a study that simultaneously combines information management area (BCT), operation management area (GSCI), and organizational behavior area (organizational culture) in a framework

Algebraic topology and distributed computing

Algebraic topology has proved to be a useful tool in the study of distributed computing. In this paper, we take a geometric realization problem that arises in distributed computing and formulate it as a more general problem in algebraic topology. We go on to give solutions in some initial cases, show that a modified problem has solutions in a wider range of cases, and relate the solutions back to distributed computing

Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Kidney Neutrophil Heterogeneity in Both Healthy People and ccRCC Patients

Neutrophil is known to critically impact the development of renal diseases (e.g., the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)), whereas the heterogeneity of neutrophils in ccRCC remains unclear. In the present study, kidney biopsies from healthy donors and ccRCC tissues were collected for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). In addition, the subpopulations of neutrophils in a healthy kidney and in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ccRCC were expressed and then analyzed. The genes reported previously were mapped to all subpopulations identified here. On that basis, biological theme comparison and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were employed to reveal and compare relevant biological functions. In a healthy kidney, neutrophils exhibit two subpopulations: one is more associated with renal autoimmunity, probably acting as therapeutic target; the other is suggested to resist infectious microorganisms. It is noteworthy that six subpopulations were identified in ccRCC biopsy, and two were more relevant to autoimmunity, while the other four are more relevant to the tumor pathology. Besides, ccRCC neutrophil could resist anticancer immune therapies of ipilimumab and pembrolizumab for their low/no expressions of CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1. Thus, this study can help understand the heterogeneity and pathological significance of neutrophils in renal diseases