Optical Interference Coatings

NRC publication: Ye

Heterogeneity characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma based on the sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and development of a prognostic regression model

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug in clinical cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A correct understanding of the mechanisms leading to a low or lack of sensitivity of HCC to 5-FU-based treatment is a key element in the current personalized medical treatment.Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to analyze the expression profiles of the cancer cell line from GDSC2 to identify 5-FU-related modules and hub genes. According to hub genes, HCC was classified and the machine learning model was developed by ConsensusClusterPlus and five different machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, we performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis on the genes in our model.Results: A total of 19 modules of the cancer cell line were divided by WGCNA, and the most negative correlation with 5-FU was the midnight blue module, from which 45 hub genes were identified. HCC was divided into three subgroups (C1, C2, and C3) with significant overall survival (OS) differences. OS of C1 was the shortest, which was characterized by a high clinical grade and later T stage and stage. OS of C3 was the longest. OS of C2 was between the two subtypes, and its immune infiltration was the lowest. Five out of 45 hub genes, namely, TOMM40L, SNRPA, ILF3, CPSF6, and NUP205, were filtered to develop a risk regression model as an independent prognostic indicator for HCC. The qRT-PCR results showed that TOMM40L, SNRPA, ILF3, CPSF6, and NUP205 were remarkably highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma.Conclusion: The HCC classification based on the sensitivity to 5-FU was in line with the prognostic differences observed in HCC and most of the genomic variation, immune infiltration, and heterogeneity of pathological pathways. The regression model related to 5-FU sensitivity may be of significance in individualized prognostic monitoring of HCC

Atomic Sn–enabled high-utilization, large-capacity, and long-life Na anode

Constructing robust nucleation sites with an ultrafine size in a confined environment is essential toward simultaneously achieving superior utilization, high capacity, and long-term durability in Na metal-based energy storage, yet remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a previously unexplored design of spatially confined atomic Sn in hollow carbon spheres for homogeneous nucleation and dendrite-free growth. The designed architecture maximizes Sn utilization, prevents agglomeration, mitigates volume variation, and allows complete alloying-dealloying with high-affinity Sn as persistent nucleation sites, contrary to conventional spatially exposed large-size ones without dealloying. Thus, conformal deposition is achieved, rendering an exceptional capacity of 16 mAh cm−2 in half-cells and long cycling over 7000 hours in symmetric cells. Moreover, the well-known paradox is surmounted, delivering record-high Na utilization (e.g., 85%) and large capacity (e.g., 8 mAh cm−2) while maintaining extraordinary durability over 5000 hours, representing an important breakthrough for stabilizing Na anode

Study and development of decoupled devices for UV features on Canadian bank notes

NRC publication: Ye

Polarizing cut-off filters for the 275-550 nm spectral region

NRC publication: Ye

Evaluation of Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity of China’s Rapid-Urbanization Areas—A Case Study of Xinbei District, Changzhou

The evaluation of resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is the foundation for the rationale behind the arrangement of land spaces for production, living, and ecological uses. In this study, based on various natural, economic, and social factors, an integrated Multi-Factor assessment model was developed to evaluate the RECC of Xinbei district of Changzhou. Meanwhile, we also calculated the population carrying capacity estimation model restricted by food security. The study comprehensively analyzed the current status and land resource characteristics of a rapid urbanization area and the RECC restrictions for protection and development. The results indicate that the comprehensive carrying capacity of Xinbei showed distinct spatial heterogeneity, with a decreasing trend from the riverside protection area to urban areas, then to mountain areas. Combined with the secure food supply provided by future land resources, it was estimated that the population carrying index of Xinbei would be as high as 1.25 and 1.22 in 2035 and 2050, respectively, indicating that both years would experience a population overload. Therefore, an urgent adjustment to the structure and layout of territorial space and resources of the Xinbei District is necessary

Experimental study on the permeability characteristics and structure damage of Malan loess in Heifangtai area

Continuous water diversion irrigation has changed the structure of Malan loess, led to the reduction of the shear strength of the soil, and thus the frequent occurrence of landslides in the Heifangtai area, which seriously affected the lives and property safety of local residents. In order to analyze the infiltration process of Malan loess, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were respectively carried out to investigate the permeability and structural damage microscopic characteristics for loess at different initial water contents and different dry densities. The obtained results show that the infiltration rate is negatively correlated with the initial moisture content of the soil. The density is negatively correlated, and it will take the lead to a higher water content area. The water content is higher, the increase in the proportion of micropores is smaller, and the less obvious the change in the contact mode between particles; the dry density of the sample is larger, the different pore volumes basically change in the same amount, the contact area is significantly reduced, and more overhead pores are formed, which are connected to each other, leading to good water storage capacity. After infiltration, the original dense structure of the sample is lost, and the particles are severely broken. Some slender particles evolve into nearly round particles or elliptical particles, and the contact mode between particles becomes point-edge contact.The intergranular cementation is damaged and destroyed, and even some particles in the aggregates are separated and fall off, resulting in the loss of soil strength and eventually leading to landslides. The results can provide a basis for the prevention and control of loess landslides

In Situ Observation of Tensile Deformation of Ti-22Al-25Nb Alloy and Characterization of Deformation in α2 Phase

The room temperature tensile deformation of Ti-22Al-25Nb alloy with an equiaxed α2 phase microstructure and the activated slip system of α2 particles were investigated by a combination of in situ tensile tests and electron backscatter diffraction experiments. The results demonstrate that only a few wide and long slip bands occur in the B2 matrix in the initial stage of yielding. With the tensile displacement increases, a large number of slip bands, including multiple- and cross-slip bands, appear in the B2 matrix and the distance between two adjacent slip bands decreases significantly. Meanwhile, the movement of the slip bands is hindered by the α2 particles and the B2 grain boundaries, and the slip bands appear only in a small number of the α2 particles. From the beginning of the tensile process to the final fracture, there are lots of α2 particles without slip bands. The slip bands penetrate the needle-like lamellar O phase without changing the slip direction. Compared with the α2 particles, the hindering effect of needle-like O phases on the motion of the slip bands is quite small. The microcracks nucleated at the α2/B2 phase boundaries or within the α2 particles, and microcracks propagated along the α2/B2 phase boundaries or across the α2 particles. The fracture surface shows the quasi-cleavage feature, which contains a large number of small and shallow dimples on planar facets. The analysis indicates that the plastic deformation of the alloy is mainly contributed by the B2 phase. For room temperature tensile deformation of α2 phase, there are three types of slip systems that can be activated, including the prism <a> type slip, the basal <a> type slip and the pyramidal <a+c> type slip. The prism <a> type slip is most likely to be activated, followed by the basal <a> type slip and finally the pyramidal <a+c> type slip. In addition, the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for the pyramidal <a+c> type slip is the highest among the three types of slip systems. Therefore, the deformation in the α2 phase is mainly contributed by the prism <a> type slip and the basal <a> type slip