This paper reports theoretical designs and simulations of electrooptical 2 × 2 switches and 1 × 1 loss modulators based upon GST-embedded SOI channel waveguides. It is assumed that the amorphous and crystalline phases of GST can be triggered electrically by Joule heating current applied to a 10-nm GST film sandwiched between doped-Si waveguide strips. TE o and TM o mode effective indices are calculated over 1.3 to 2.1-μm wavelength range. For 2 × 2 Mach-Zehnder and directional coupler switches, low insertion loss, low crosstalk, and short device lengths are predicted for 2.1 μm, although a decreased performance is projected for 1.55 μm. For 1.3-2.1 μm, the 1 × 1 EO waveguide has application as a variable optical attenuator and as a digital modulator, albeit with ࣚ100-ns state-transition time. Because the active material has two "stable" phases, the device holds itself in either state, and voltage needs to be applied only during transition.

Due to the heterogeneity and high frequency of genome mutations in cancer cells, targeting vital protumour factors found in stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment may represent an ideal strategy in cancer therapy. However, the regulation and mechanisms of potential targetable therapeutic candidates need to be investigated. An in vivo study demonstrated that loss of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in stromal cells significantly decreased the metastasis and growth of cancer cells. Clinically, our results indicate that stromal PTX3 expression correlates with adverse prognostic features and is associated with worse survival outcomes in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). We also found that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) induces PTX3 expression by activating the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD) in stromal fibroblasts. Following PTX3 stimulation, CD44, a PTX3 receptor, activates the downstream ERK1/2, AKT and NF‐κB pathways to specifically contribute to the metastasis/invasion and stemness of TNBC MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Two types of PTX3 inhibitors were developed to disrupt the PTX3/CD44 interaction and they showed a significant effect on attenuating growth and restricting the metastasis/invasion of MDA‐MB‐231 cells, suggesting that targeting the PTX3/CD44 interaction could be a new strategy for future TNBC therapies.

Summary In this study, a novel, highly efficient, and magnetically responsive demulsifier, namely, Fe3O4@hyperbranched polyamidoamine‐graphene oxide (MKh‐GO), was synthesized. First, Fe3O4 was synthesized, and Fe3O4 was wrapped in hyperbranched polyamidoamine (h‐PAMAM) by γ‐(methacryloyl oxide) propyltrimethoxysilane (kh570), and MKh‐GO was synthesized by condensation reaction. The chemical structures and morphologies of the samples were characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The magnetic response of the sample was tested by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The MKh‐GO was used to separate crude oil in water emulsion; the effects of MKh‐GO dosage, temperature, and pH value on the demulsifying efficiency were investigated. Possible demulsification mechanisms were summarized. The results show that MKh‐GO is successfully synthesized, and MKh‐GO exhibits excellent demulsification performance; MKh‐GO is recycled seven times, and the demulsification efficiency is 97%.

Abstract:Investigating relationships between temporally-and spatially-related continental earthquakes is important for a better understanding of the crustal deformation, the mechanism of earthquake nucleation and occurrence, and the triggering effect between earthquakes. Here we utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) velocities before and after the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake to invert the fault coupling of the Longmenshan Fault (LMSF) and investigate the impact of the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake on the 2013 Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake. The results indicate that, before the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, fault segments were strongly coupled and locked at a depth of~18 km along the central and northern LMSF. The seismic gap between the two earthquake rupture zones was only locked at a depth < 5 km. The southern LMSF was coupled at a depth of~10 km. However, regions around the hypocenter of the 2013 Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake were not coupled, with an average coupling coefficient~0.3. After the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the central and northern LMSF, including part of the seismic gap, were decoupled, with an average coupling coefficient smaller than 0.2. The southern LMSF, however, was coupled to~20 km depth. Regions around the hypocenter of the 2013 Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake were also coupled. Moreover, by interpreting changes of the GPS velocities before and after the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, we find that the upper crust of the eastern Tibet (i.e., the Bayan Har block), which was driven by the postseismic relaxation of the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, thrust at an accelerating pace to the Sichuan block and result in enhanced compression and shear stress on the LMSF.

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