Fast HEVC Intramode Decision Based on Hybrid Cost Ranking

To improve rate-distortion (R-D) performance, high efficiency video coding (HEVC) increases the intraprediction modes with heavy computational load, and thus the intracoding optimization is highly demanded for real-time applications. According to the conditional probabilities of most probable modes and the correlation of potential candidate subsets, this paper proposes a fast HEVC intramode decision scheme based on the hybrid cost ranking which includes both Hadamard cost and rate-distortion cost. The proposed scheme utilizes the coded results of the modified rough mode decision and the neighboring prediction units so as to obtain a potential candidate subset and then conditionally selects the optimal mode through early likelihood decision and hybrid cost ranking. By the experiment-driven methodology, the proposed scheme implements the early termination if the best mode from the candidate subset is equal to one or two neighboring intramodes. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme averagely provides about 23.7% encoding speedup with just 0.82% BD-rate loss in comparison with default fast intramode decision in HM16.0. Compared to other fast intramode decision schemes, the proposed scheme also significantly reduces intracoding time while maintaining similar R-D performance for the all-intraconfiguration in HM16.0 Main profile

Case report: Multiple arterial stenoses induced by autosomal-recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 2 associated with mutation of ENPP1: a case study

Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1)-related multiple arterial stenoses is a rare clinical syndrome in which global arterial calcification begins in infancy, with a high probability of early mortality, and hypophosphatemic rickets develops later in childhood. The vascular status of an ENPP1-mutated patient when they enter the rickets phase has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we presented a case of an adolescent with an ENPP1 mutation who complained of uncontrolled hypertension. Systematic radiography showed renal, carotid, cranial, and aortic stenoses as well as random calcification foci on arterial walls. The patient was incorrectly diagnosed with Takayasu’s arteritis, and cortisol therapy had little effect on reducing the vascular stenosis. As a result, phosphate replacement, calcitriol substitution, and antihypertensive medication were prescribed, and the patient was discharged for further examination. This research presented the vascular alterations of an ENPP1-mutanted patient, and while there is less calcification, intimal thickening may be the primary cause of arterial stenosis

Cardiolipin externalization mediates prion protein (PrP) peptide 106–126-associated mitophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction

Proper mitochondrial performance is imperative for the maintenance of normal neuronal function to prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Persistent accumulation of damaged mitochondria plays a role in prion disease pathogenesis, which involves a chain of events that culminate in the generation of reactive oxygen species and neuronal death. Our previous studies have demonstrated that PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy induced by PrP106−126 is defective and leads to an accumulation of damaged mitochondria after PrP106−126 treatment. Externalized cardiolipin (CL), a mitochondria-specific phospholipid, has been reported to play a role in mitophagy by directly interacting with LC3II at the outer mitochondrial membrane. The involvement of CL externalization in PrP106−126-induced mitophagy and its significance in other physiological processes of N2a cells treated with PrP106−126 remain unknown. We demonstrate that the PrP106−126 peptide caused a temporal course of mitophagy in N2a cells, which gradually increased and subsequently decreased. A similar trend in CL externalization to the mitochondrial surface was seen, resulting in a gradual decrease in CL content at the cellular level. Inhibition of CL externalization by knockdown of CL synthase, responsible for de novo synthesis of CL, or phospholipid scramblase-3 and NDPK-D, responsible for CL translocation to the mitochondrial surface, significantly decreased PrP106−126-induced mitophagy in N2a cells. Meanwhile, the inhibition of CL redistribution significantly decreased PINK1 and DRP1 recruitment in PrP106−126 treatment but had no significant decrease in Parkin recruitment. Furthermore, the inhibition of CL externalization resulted in impaired oxidative phosphorylation and severe oxidative stress, which led to mitochondrial dysfunction. Our results indicate that CL externalization induced by PrP106−126 on N2a cells plays a positive role in the initiation of mitophagy, leading to the stabilization of mitochondrial function

Corrigendum to: The TianQin project: current progress on science and technology

In the originally published version, this manuscript included an error related to indicating the corresponding author within the author list. This has now been corrected online to reflect the fact that author Jun Luo is the corresponding author of the article

An atomic scale investigation of the adsorption of sodium oleate on Ca2+ activated quartz surface

In this study, the surface properties and flotation behavior of quartz with NaOl as a collector in the presence of Ca2+ ions were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations in conjunction with flotation tests, adsorption experiments, zeta potential measurements, and solution chemistry calculations. The results of the flotation and adsorption tests proved that Ca2+ promoted the flotation recovery and the adsorption density of sodium oleate on quartz at pH > 8. Zeta potential analyses and solution chemistry calculations demonstrated that Ca(OH)+ was the functional species which activated quartz. DFT calculations indicated that O atoms dominated the quartz (101) surface, and great electrostatic repulsion and space resistance existed between the surface and oleate anion.The spontaneous adsorption of H2O and OH- on the (101) surface made quartz surfaces hydrated and hydroxylated, and resulted in the hydrophilicity of quartz. The adsorption of Ca(OH)+ on quartz (101) surface was more favorable and able to repulse the water film, which decreased the electrostatic repulsion and space resistance, and further facilitated the adsorption of oleate anion. During the activating and collecting adsorption processes, electron transition occurred along the O1—Ca—O2 path, implying Ca(OH)+ acted as an intermediary and electron donator in the activation process

Molecular Modeling of Interactions between N-(Carboxymethyl)-N-tetradecylglycine and Fluorapatite

In this study, a flotation collector N-(carboxymethyl)-N-tetradecylglycine (NCNT) was introduced for the purpose of energy-saving, and its adsorption ability on a fluorapatite (001) surface was investigated by density functional theory calculation. The results of frontier molecular orbital analysis of NCNT and adsorption energy between NCNT and fluorapatite (FAp) showed that NCNT possessed better activity and stronger interactions in the reagent−FAp system than oleic acid (OA). A simulation model revealed that the adsorption positions of NCNT on the fluorapatite surface are calcium atoms, at which NCNT chemisorbed on (001) fluorapatite surface via a bidentate geometry involving the formation of two Ca−O bonds. Flotation experiments verified that NCNT had a good recovery of 92.27% on FAp at pH 3.5, which was slightly lower than OA. Moreover, NCNT was used at 16 °C, which was much lower than the OA’s service condition (25 °C)

Research Progress on Novel Electrochemical Descaling Technology for Enhanced Hardness Ion Removal

In recent years, electrochemical descaling technology has gained widespread attention due to its environmental friendliness and ease of operation. However, its single-pass removal efficiency could be higher, severely limiting its practical application. To overcome the limitations of traditional electrochemical descaling processes, this paper first focuses on the separation efficiency of H+ and OH− in the scale removal process based on numerous recent research papers. It mainly emphasizes how innovative cathode design can enhance the efficiency and stability of electrochemical descaling. Furthermore, this paper explores the coupling of electrochemical processes with different water treatment technologies, such as the combination of electrodeposition with electrocoagulation, filtration crystallization, microfiltration, and electrodialysis, and how these methods synergistically enhance descaling effects. Additionally, this paper discusses potential future directions for electrochemical descaling technology, including innovations in scale expansion, material updates, process optimization, system integration, and automation. Finally, this paper analyzes the practical challenges of electrochemical descaling technology, such as cost, energy consumption, equipment durability, and environmental impact, and proposes solutions. The implementation of these strategies is expected to promote the commercialization of electrochemical descaling technology, making it more aligned with the sustainability requirements of industry and the environment

New Insights into the Adsorption of Oleate on Cassiterite: A DFT Study

A new understanding of the adsorption mechanism of oleate on cassiterite surfaces is presented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Various convergence tests were conducted to optimize the parameter settings for the rational simulation of cassiterite bulk unit cell and surface slabs. The calculated surface energies of four low-index cassiterite cleavage planes form an increasing sequence of (110) < (100) < (101) < (001), demonstrating (110) is the most thermodynamically stable surface of cassiterite. The interaction strengths of the oleate ion (OL−), OH−, and H2O on the SnO2 (110) face are in the order of H2O < OH− < OL−, which reveals that the OL− is able to replace the adsorbed H2O and OH− on the mineral surfaces. Mulliken population calculations and electron density difference analysis show that electrons transfer from the Sn atoms on the cassiterite (110) surface to the O atoms offered by carboxyl groups of oleate during the interaction. The populations of newly formed O1–Sn1 and O2–Sn2 bonds are 0.30 and 0.29, respectively, indicating that these two bonds are of a very low covalency. Density of states analysis reveals that the formation of an O1–Sn1 bond mainly results from the 5s and 5p orbitals of the Sn1 atom and the 2p orbital of the O1 atom