Tumor-Infiltrating γδ T Cells Suppress T and Dendritic Cell Function via Mechanisms Controlled by a Unique Toll-like Receptor Signaling Pathway

Summaryγδ T cells are important contributors to innate immunity against cancer, but their regulatory role in controlling immune responses remains largely unknown. Here we report that a dominant γδ1 T cell population among lymphocytes infiltrating breast tumors possessed a potent ability to suppress naive and effector T cell responses and to block the maturation and function of dendritic cells. Adoptive cotransfer experiments demonstrated their in vivo suppressive activity. However, their immunosuppressive activity could be reversed by human Toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 ligands both in vitro and in vivo. siRNA-mediated knockdown experiments revealed that MyD88, TRAF6, IKKα IKKβ, and p38α molecules in γδ1 cells were required for these cells to respond to TLR8 ligands, whereas TAK1, JNK, and ERK molecules did not appear to be involved in functional regulation. These results provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of tumor-specific γδ T cells and identify a unique TLR8 signaling pathway linking to their functional regulation

A modulated model predictive control scheme for the brushless doubly-fed induction machine

This paper proposes a modulated model predictive control (MMPC) algorithm for a brushless double-fed induction machine. The Brushless Doubly-Fed Induction Machine has some important advantages over alternative solutions for brushless machine applications. The proposed modulation technique achieves a fixed switching frequency, which gives good system performance. The paper examines the design and implementation of the modulation technique and simulation results verify the operation of the proposed modulation technique

Arrayed van der Waals Vertical Heterostructures based on 2D GaSe Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Vertically stacking two dimensional (2D) materials can enable the design of novel electronic and optoelectronic devices and realize complex functionality. However, the fabrication of such artificial heterostructures in wafer scale with an atomically-sharp interface poses an unprecedented challenge. Here, we demonstrate a convenient and controllable approach for the production of wafer-scale 2D GaSe thin films by molecular beam epitaxy. In-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction oscillations and Raman spectroscopy reveal a layer-by-layer van der Waals epitaxial growth mode. Highly-efficient photodetector arrays were fabricated based on few-layer GaSe on Si. These photodiodes show steady rectifying characteristics and a relatively high external quantum efficiency of 23.6%. The resultant photoresponse is super-fast and robust with a response time of 60 us. Importantly, the device shows no sign of degradation after 1 million cycles of operation. Our study establishes a new approach to produce controllable, robust and large-area 2D heterostructures and presents a crucial step for further practical applications

Magnetotransport properties of Cd3As2 nanostructures

Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetal is a new kind of material that has a linear energy dispersion in 3D momentum space and can be viewed as an analog of graphene. Extensive efforts have been devoted to the understanding of bulk materials, but yet it remains a challenge to explore the intriguing physics in low-dimensional Dirac semimetals. Here, we report on the synthesis of Cd3As2 nanowires and nanobelts and a systematic investigation of their magnetotransport properties. Temperature-dependent ambipolar behavior is evidently demonstrated, suggesting the presence of finite-size of bandgap in nanowires. Cd3As2 nanobelts, however, exhibit metallic characteristics with a high carrier mobility exceeding 32,000 cm2V-1s-1 and pronounced anomalous double-period Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations. Unlike the bulk counterpart, the Cd3As2 nanobelts reveal the possibility of unusual change of the Fermi sphere owing to the suppression of the dimensionality. More importantly, their SdH oscillations can be effectively tuned by the gate voltage. The successful synthesis of Cd3As2 nanostructures and their rich physics open up exciting nanoelectronic applications of 3D Dirac semimetals.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure

The band-gap structures and recovery rules of generalized n-component Fibonacci piezoelectric superlattices

The spectral evolution from periodic structure to random structure has always been an interesting topic in solid state physics, the generalized n-component Fibonacci sequences (n- CF) provide a convenient tool to investigate such process since its randomness can be controlled via the parameter n. In this letter, the band-gap structures of n-CF piezoelectric superlattices have been calculated using the transfer-matrix-method, the self-similarity behavior and recovery rule have been systematically analyzed. Consistent with the rigorous mathematical proof by Hu et al.[A. Hu et al. Phys. Rev. B. 48, 829 (1993)], we find that the n-CF sequences with 2 \leq n \leq 4 are identified as quasiperiodic. The imaginary wave numbers are characterized by the self-similar spectrum, their major peaks can all be properly indexed. In addition, we find that the n = 5 sequence belongs to a critical case which lies at the border between quasiperiodic to aperiodic structures. The frequency range of self-similarity pattern approaches to zero and a unique indexing of imaginary wave numbers becomes impossible. Our study offers the information on the critical 5-CF superlattice which was not available before. The classification of band-gap structures and the scaling laws around fixed points are also given

Autonomous Crowdsensing: Operating and Organizing Crowdsensing for Sensing Automation

The precise characterization and modeling of Cyber-Physical-Social Systems (CPSS) requires more comprehensive and accurate data, which imposes heightened demands on intelligent sensing capabilities. To address this issue, Crowdsensing Intelligence (CSI) has been proposed to collect data from CPSS by harnessing the collective intelligence of a diverse workforce. Our first and second Distributed/Decentralized Hybrid Workshop on Crowdsensing Intelligence (DHW-CSI) have focused on principles and high-level processes of organizing and operating CSI, as well as the participants, methods, and stages involved in CSI. This letter reports the outcomes of the latest DHW-CSI, focusing on Autonomous Crowdsensing (ACS) enabled by a range of technologies such as decentralized autonomous organizations and operations, large language models, and human-oriented operating systems. Specifically, we explain what ACS is and explore its distinctive features in comparison to traditional crowdsensing. Moreover, we present the ``6A-goal" of ACS and propose potential avenues for future research

Wafer-scale arrayed p-n junctions based on few-layer epitaxial GaTe

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted substantial attention in electronic and optoelectronic applications with superior advantages of being flexible, transparent and highly tunable. Gapless graphene exhibits ultra-broadband and fast photoresponse while the 2D semiconducting MoS2 and GaTe unveil high sensitivity and tunable responsivity to visible light. However, the device yield and the repeatability call for a further improvement of the 2D materials to render large-scale uniformity. Here we report a layer-by-layer growth of wafer-scale GaTe with a hole mobility of 28.4 cm2/Vs by molecular beam epitaxy. The arrayed p-n junctions were developed by growing few-layer GaTe directly on three-inch Si wafers. The resultant diodes reveal good rectifying characteristics, photoresponse with a maximum photoresponsivity of 2.74 A/W and a high photovoltaic external quantum efficiency up to 62%. The photocurrent reaches saturation fast enough to capture a time constant of 22 {\mu}s and shows no sign of device degradation after 1.37 million cycles of operation. Most strikingly, such high performance has been achieved across the entire wafer, making the volume production of devices accessible. Finally, several photo-images were acquired by the GaTe/Si photodiodes with a reasonable contrast and spatial resolution, demonstrating for the first time the potential of integrating the 2D materials with the silicon technology for novel optoelectronic devices

Development of an Incentive Model for General Practitioners in Fengxian District of Shanghai Based on Herzberg's Motivation-hygiene Theory

BackgroundIn view of the shortage of general practitioners (GPs) and limited community healthcare resources, it is urgently necessary for community health institutions to find accurate and scientific incentive methods to retain GPs and help them to realize their full potential, as well as promote the development of both community health institutions and GPs, thereby benefiting the health promotion of community residents.ObjectiveTo develop an incentive model for GPs to test the performance and effectiveness of current incentives for GPs, so as to put forward suggestions to improve the mechanisms of employing and retaining GPs.MethodsIn August 2019, we recruited 204 GPs from 11 community health centers (CHCs) in Shanghai's Fengxian District using stratified random sampling to attend an online survey using a questionnaire named General Practitioners' Perception and Evaluation of Incentive Measures developed based on our previous research results and Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory. Then from August to September 2019, we invited directors responsible for medical care or public health issues, and medical quality control department heads from the above-mentioned 11 CHCs to attend an online survey using a questionnaire named Workload for General Practitioners in Community Health Centers of Fengxian District developed by usbased on a literature review. Then under the guidance of Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory, we constructed a structural equation to develop an incentive model for GPs within Fengxian District with representative incentive policies, systems and initiatives related to GPs selected from the survey results as latent independent variables to measure GPs' (responders') perception and assessment of incentives, and with willingness to work, service radius, and workload of GPs as dependent variables.ResultsThe average scores for the implementation of incentive measures, and its associated influence on GPs' work status assessed by the 204 GPs were (0.77±0.14) , and (0.73±0.19) , respectively. The assessment score for implementation of incentive measures for GPs differed significantly by personal health condition and administrative position in the respondents (P<0.05) . The assessment score for the influence of implementing incentive measures on GPs' work status differed significantly by personal health condition in the respondents (P<0.05) . Spearman correlation analysis showed that GPs' work status was associated with the implementation of 25 incentive measures (one incentive measure at the subdistrict level was not included for analysis) (P<0.05) . The top three most highly correlated incentive measures were performance distribution (rs=0.652) , performance-based salary calculation (rs=0.621) , and wages and benefits (rs=0.614) . Partial correlation analysis indicated that, after controlling for variables such as the regional policy environment, the street and town government, and the work unit, the assessment score for implementation of either regional, or subdistrict or institutional incentive measures for GPs, was positively correlated with the assessment score for the influence of implementation of incentive measures for GPs on GPs' work status (r=0.381, 0.387, 0.528, P<0.001) . Theaverage assessment score for willingness to work by the respondents was (0.76±0.18) points. Theassessment scores of willingness to work by the respondents differed significantly by work unit (P<0.05) . Structural equation modeling revealed that the implementation of policy incentive measures influenced GPs' workload via GPs' willingness to work. Specifically, the implementation of policy incentive measures increased GPs' willingness to work (w1=0.43) , while GPs' willingness to work decreased with the increase of weighted workload (w2=-0.156) .ConclusionThe GPs in Fengxian District showed higher level of willingness to work, namely, relatively high job stability, but they had not been incentivized by policy incentives to be competitive in obtaining improved performance, indicating that although policy incentives have produced partial effects on incentivizing GPs, the effects are still unsatisfactory. In the long run, it is necessary to consider whether there will be changes in GPs' retention status due to the lack of work initiative. For GPs, besides a guarantee of stable income, incentives to get more by doing more are also needed, which may be achieved by increasing the incentive authority and proportion of community health institutions when the total amount of incentives is limited