Understanding Polarization Correlation of Entangled Vector Meson Pairs

We propose an experimental test of local hidden variable theories against quantum mechanics by measuring the polarization correlation of entangled vector meson pairs. In our study, the form of the polarization correlation probability is reproduced in a natural way by interpreting the two-body decay of the meson as a measurement of its polarization vector within the framework of quantum mechanics. This provides more detailed information on the quantum entanglement, thus a new Monte Carlo method to simulate the quantum correlation is introduced. We discuss the feasibility of carrying out such a test at experiments in operation currently and expect that the measured correlated distribution may provide us with deeper insight into the fundamental question about locality and reality.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. v3: The version published in PR

Role of MiR-205/PTEN in cisplatin-resistant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of miRNA-205 on cisplatin-resistant TE13 cell lines, and the interaction of miRNA-205 with downstream signaling pathway.Methods: TE13 cells were treated with cisplatin at a concentration of 1.5 μg/mL every 24 h for 3 months. Cisplatin-resistant cell lines were maintained in the continuous presence of 2 μg/ml cisplatin and supplemented every 72 h. Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was determined by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. In addition, luciferase reporter assay was conducted to test the binding of miRNA-205 and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) 3’UTR.Results: The cisplatin-resistant (cis-TE13) cell line was well established based on IC50 values (cis-TE13, IC50 = 2.215; TE13, IC50 = 0.304). The levels of miRNA-205, phosphatase, PTEN, and protein kinase B (p-AKT) were abnormally expressed in cis-TE13 cells. Overexpression of miRNA-205 significantly promoted cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis of cis-TE13 cells as indicated by IC50 values (cis-TE13, IC50 = 3.537; TE13, IC50 = 0.580). Moreover, miRNA-205 significantly activated p-AKT expression by inhibiting PTEN expression. In contrast to miRNA-205, PTEN overexpression inhibited cell viability, increased cell apoptosis of cis-TE13 cells (cis-TE13, IC50 = 2.625; TE13, IC50 = 0.246), decreased the expression of p-AKT, and counteracted the regulation of miRNA-205 (control, IC50 = 2.297; miR-205, IC50 = 4.693; miR-205+PTEN, IC50 = 2.011).Conclusion: These findings indicate that miRNA-205 exacerbates esophageal squamous cell  via inhibition of PTEN expression, suggesting the potential value of miRNA-205 in thediagnosis or treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Keywords: miRNA-205, PTEN, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, Esophageal squamous cell, Carcinoma, Cisplatin resistanc

Effects of Root-Zone Temperature and N, P, and K Supplies on Nutrient Uptake of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seedlings in Hydroponics

The nutrient uptake and allocation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings at different root-zone temperatures (RZT) and different concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) nutrients were examined. Plants were grown in a nutrient solution for 30 d at two root-zone temperatures (a diurnally fluctuating ambient 10°C-RZT and a constant 20° C-RZT) with the aerial parts of the plants maintained at ambient temperature (10°C -30°C). Based on a Hoagland nutrient solution, seven N, P, and K nutrient concentrations were supplied to the plants at each RZT. Results showed that total plant and shoot dry weights under each nutrient treatment were significantly lower at low root-zone temperature (10°C-RZT) than at elevated root-zone temperature (20°C-RZT). But higher root dry weights were obtained at 10°C-RZT than those at 20°C-RZT. Total plant dry weights at both 10°C-RZT and 20°C-RZT were increased with increased solution N concentration, but showed different responses under P and K treatments. All estimated nutrient concentrations (N, P, and K) and uptake by the plant were obviously influenced by RZT. Low root temperature (10°C-RZT) caused a remarkable reduction in total N, P, and K uptake of shoots in all nutrient treatments, and more nutrients were accumulated in roots at 10 degrees C-RZT than those at 20°C-RZT. N, P, and K uptakes and distribution ratios in shoots were both improved at elevated root-zone temperature (20° C-RZT). N supplies were favorable to P and K uptake at both 10°C-RZT and 20°C-RZT, with no significantly positive correlation between N and P, or N and K uptake. In conclusion, higher RZT was more beneficial to increase of plant biomass and mineral nutrient absorption than was increase of nutrient concentration. Among the three element nutrients, increasing N nutrient concentration in solution promoted better tolerance to low RZT in cucumber seedlings than increasing P and K. In addition, appropriately decreased P concentration favors plant growth

The influence of tropospheric biennial oscillation on mid-tropospheric CO_2

Mid-tropospheric CO_2 retrieved from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) was used to investigate CO_2 interannual variability over the Indo-Pacific region. A signal with periodicity around two years was found for the AIRS mid-tropospheric CO_2 for the first time, which is related to the Tropospheric Biennial Oscillation (TBO) associated with the strength of the monsoon. During a strong (weak) monsoon year, the Western Walker Circulation is strong (weak), resulting in enhanced (diminished) CO_2 transport from the surface to the mid-troposphere. As a result, there are positive (negative) CO2 anomalies at mid-troposphere over the Indo-Pacific region. We simulated the influence of the TBO on the mid-tropospheric CO_2 over the Indo-Pacific region using the MOZART-2 model, and results were consistent with observations, although we found the TBO signal in the model CO_2 is to be smaller than that in the AIRS observations

ALYMPICS: LLM Agents Meet Game Theory -- Exploring Strategic Decision-Making with AI Agents

This paper introduces Alympics (Olympics for Agents), a systematic simulation framework utilizing Large Language Model (LLM) agents for game theory research. Alympics creates a versatile platform for studying complex game theory problems, bridging the gap between theoretical game theory and empirical investigations by providing a controlled environment for simulating human-like strategic interactions with LLM agents. In our pilot case study, the "Water Allocation Challenge," we explore Alympics through a challenging strategic game focused on the multi-round auction on scarce survival resources. This study demonstrates the framework's ability to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze game determinants, strategies, and outcomes. Additionally, we conduct a comprehensive human assessment and an in-depth evaluation of LLM agents in strategic decision-making scenarios. Our findings not only expand the understanding of LLM agents' proficiency in emulating human strategic behavior but also highlight their potential in advancing game theory knowledge, thereby enriching our understanding of both game theory and empowering further research into strategic decision-making domains with LLM agents. Codes, prompts, and all related resources are available at https://github.com/microsoft/Alympics

Online dosimetric evaluation of larynx SBRT: A pilot study to assess the necessity of adaptive replanning

PURPOSE: We have initiated a multi-institutional phase I trial of 5-fraction stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for Stage III-IVa laryngeal cancer. We conducted this pilot dosimetric study to confirm potential utility of online adaptive replanning to preserve treatment quality. METHODS: We evaluated ten cases: five patients enrolled onto the current trial and five patients enrolled onto a separate phase I SBRT trial for early-stage glottic larynx cancer. Baseline SBRT treatment plans were generated per protocol. Daily cone-beam CT (CBCT) or diagnostic CT images were acquired prior to each treatment fraction. Simulation CT images and target volumes were deformably registered to daily volumetric images, the original SBRT plan was copied to the deformed images and contours, delivered dose distributions were re-calculated on the deformed CT images. All of these were performed on a commercial treatment planning system. In-house software was developed to propagate the delivered dose distribution back to reference CT images using the deformation information exported from the treatment planning system. Dosimetric differences were evaluated via dose-volume histograms. RESULTS: We could evaluate dose within 10 minutes in all cases. Prescribed coverage to gross tumor volume (GTV) and clinical target volume (CTV) was uniformly preserved; however, intended prescription dose coverage of planning treatment volume (PTV) was lost in 53% of daily treatments (mean: 93.9%, range: 83.9-97.9%). Maximum bystander point dose limits to arytenoids, parotids, and spinal cord remained respected in all cases, although variances in carotid artery doses were observed in a minority of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although GTV and CTV SBRT dose coverage is preserved with in-room three-dimensional image guidance, PTV coverage can vary significantly from intended plans and dose to critical structures may exceed tolerances. Online adaptive treatment re-planning is potentially necessary and clinically applicable to fully preserve treatment quality. Confirmatory trial accrual and analysis remains ongoing