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The serious consequences of climate warming have increasingly become a globe agenda in recent decades. China has been actively participating in various initiatives to address global climate change and has made commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Although the logistics industry is regarded as the "new driving force of national economic development", its carbon intensity is relatively high. Therefore, whether the logistics industry can develop in a green and low-carbon way is very crucial. This paper takes the green logistics efficiency of China's provincial logistics industry as the research object. The Super-SBM model is used to measure the China's green logistics efficiency, then the general dynamic characteristics is depicted by kernel density analysis. With the GML (Global Malmquist-Luenberger) index model, the reasons for the changes in green logistics efficiency are explained. Finally, Moran's I index is used to analyze the spatial correlation of green logistics efficiency in each province. The results show that the green logistics efficiency in China is at a low level, but with an upward trend. China's green logistics efficiency has a significant positive spatial correlation, showing a zonal pattern of high in the east and low in the west, and a polarization phenomenon. In addition, the bottleneck of the overall development of green logistics efficiency in China depends on the level of green technology. Furthermore, the results also imply that green technology advancement is an inherent key factor for green logistics efficiency to achieve growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Identifying key factors for a successful transition from once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) to three-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP3M) is crucial for improving treatment outcomes, enhancing patient adherence, and reducing relapse risk in patients with schizophrenia. Providing region-specific insights for evidence-based clinical decisions can aid clinicians in optimizing transition strategies for Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, the objective of this post hoc analysis of a double-blind parallel-group multicenter phase 3 study (NCT01515423) was to identify factors related to the disease stabilization that may allow for a successful transition from PP1M to PP3M in the treatment of Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Adults (18–70 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition text revision, for over 1 year and with a baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score between 70 and 120 were entered into an open-label (OL) phase receiving PP1M for 17 weeks. After the 17-week OL phase, patients who met the criteria necessary for stabilization were randomized (1:1) to PP1M (fixed-dose, 50, 75, 100, or 150 mg eq.) or PP3M (fixed-dose, 175, 263, 350, or 525 mg eq.) in a 48-week double-blind phase. Stabilization was defined as a PANSS total score < 70, PANSS item (P1, P2, P3, P6, P7, G8, G14) scores ≤ 4, and a reduction in Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) score of ≥ 1 from OL baseline. This post hoc analysis evaluated changes and trends in symptom severity using PANSS, changes in mental states using CGI-S, and changes in personal and social functioning using Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scores from baseline to the endpoint of the OL phase in patients who either met or did not meet the stabilization criteria (stabilized versus non-stabilized group). Comparison of changes and trends in the clinical scores between the stabilized group and non-stabilized group were conducted using linear mixed model and Mann–Kendall trend analysis, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore factors associated with stabilization status for transition. Results: Of 296 patients enrolled, 210 achieved disease stabilization (106 patients and 104 patients were randomized to PP1M and PP3M, respectively). Significant downward trends in the PANSS and CGI-S scores were detected in the stabilized patients (n = 210, ZPANSS = −2.21, p = 0.028; ZCGI-S = −2.21, p = 0.028) but not in the non-stabilized patients (n = 86). No significant trends in the PSP scores were observed in either group. The factors significantly associated with disease stabilization were the CGI-S score at baseline [odds ratio (OR) = 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, 0.5), reduction of the PANSS score at week 13 (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.17), and reduction of CGI-S score at week 13 (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.02). Conclusion: A lower CGI-S total score at baseline and greater reductions in PANSS and CGI-S scores at week 13 were associated with patients achieving disease stabilization, that may allow for a successful transition. Evidence from this study indicates that better disease condition at baseline, early functional improvement and symptomatic relief were the key factors associated with disease stabilization. The findings may guide clinicians to identify suitable patients for transition from PP1M to PP3M and further optimize the use of PP3M in China. Clinical Trials Registration: EudraCT number: 2011-004889-15 and ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT01515423) for the original double-blind randomized study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the improvement in adherence and convenience, once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (PP1M) has been increasingly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the outcomes for patients who switch from oral antipsychotics (OAPs) to PP1M have not been reliably assessed. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy and safety of PP1M in the management of patients with schizophrenia with a prior history of OAP use. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library on 19 July 2022 to identify eligible studies. All studies that examined the effectiveness and safety of switching from OAPs to PP1M in patients with schizophrenia were included. The primary outcomes were relapse rate, hospitalisation rate, and the change from baseline in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score. The secondary outcomes included the changed number of inpatient visits, changed length of stay hospitalisation, change from baseline in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score and the personal and social performance (PSP) total score, response rate, proportion of treatment discontinuation, and adverse events. We included randomised-controlled trials (RCTs), single-arm studies, and observational studies. Case reports, case series, and reviews were excluded. The quality assessment of included studies was performed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (RoB2), the 9-point Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) instrument for non-randomised studies and cohort studies, and the 12-item National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for before-after (Pre-Post) study without control group. Follow-up times were reported as short- (≤ 13 weeks), medium- (14–26 weeks), and long term (≥ 27 weeks). Data were pooled using meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen studies with a total of 4740 patients were included. The long-term relapse rates and hospitalisation rates were 12% (95% CI 0.07–0.18) and 18% (95% CI 0.15–0.20), respectively. The short-, medium-, and long-term change in PANSS total score was − 21.69 (95% CI − 30.02 to −13.36), − 14.98 (95% CI − 21.45 to − 8.51) and − 17.88 (95% CI − 31.94 to −3.82), respectively. Approximately 50% of patients reported at least a 30% reduction in the PANSS score at the short-term follow-up. Improvements in CGI-S and PSP score were observed during various periods. There was a reduction in the length of stay hospitalisation and the number of inpatient visits at the medium- and long-term follow-ups. Low discontinuation and adverse event rates were reported. Conclusion: Based on our findings, this study may support the efficacy and safety of switching from OAPs to PP1M for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Future large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metric learning plays an essential role in image analysis and classification, and it has attracted more and more attention. In this paper, we propose a quantum adversarial metric learning (QAML) model based on the triplet loss function, where samples are embedded into the high-dimensional Hilbert space and the optimal metric is obtained by minimizing the triplet loss function. The QAML model employs entanglement and interference to build superposition states for triplet samples so that only one parameterized quantum circuit is needed to calculate sample distances, which reduces the demand for quantum resources. Considering the QAML model is fragile to adversarial attacks, an adversarial sample generation strategy is designed based on the quantum gradient ascent method, effectively improving the robustness against the functional adversarial attack. Simulation results show that the QAML model can effectively distinguish samples of MNIST and Iris datasets and has higher ϵ-robustness accuracy over the general quantum metric learning. The QAML model is a fundamental research problem of machine learning. As a subroutine of classification and clustering tasks, the QAML model opens an avenue for exploring quantum advantages in machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-quantum protocols serve as a bridge between quantum users and "classical" users with limited quantum capabilities, providing support for application scenarios that cannot afford the excessively high cost of quantum resources. In this paper, we present a semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol based on Bell states and single particles, which is designed for key distribution between different types of users. The protocol enables simultaneous key distribution between quantum and classical users, as well as key establishment between two classical users. The security analysis demonstrates that the protocol can reach the same level of security as the full quantum protocol. Furthermore, we extrapolate the proposed protocol to other semi-quantum protocols, such as semi-quantum key agreement and semi-quantum private comparison protocols. Compared with previous similar ones, our SQKD protocol and its extended versions can fulfill the requirements of their respective counterparts individually. Therefore, our SQKD protocol has the potential for broader applications in practical scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediated semi-quantum key distribution (M-SQKD) allows two "semi-quantum" or "classical" users to establish a secret key with the help of a third party (TP), in which TP has full quantum power and possibly adversarial. It is the basis of the multi-party semi-quantum cryptography protocol for securing the private data of classical users. In this work, we propose a M-SQKD protocol based on circular transport structure and prove the protocol is unconditional security. Even in the worst case (i.e., TP is untrusted), the protocol's noise tolerance is also close to the BB84 protocol. The results show that our protocol can reach the similar level of security as the full quantum protocol. Besides, due to the scalability of the circular transport structure, our protocol is easily extended to multi-party scenarios, which offers an approach to realizing multiple "classical" users' key distribution. Therefore, it can be used to protect the private data of multiple classical users and may have potential application scenarios in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of green logistics and the promotion of new energy vehicle development policies domestically and abroad, electric vehicles have been put into logistics and distribution as an alternative to traditional fuel vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Routing Problem (EVRP) has attracted widespread attention from the academic community. This paper comprehensively examines the latest research progress on electric vehicle routing models and solution algorithms in logistics and distribution. Firstly briefly introduces EVRP models considering battery losses; secondly, based on the composition of the EVRP objective function and constraints, EVRP models are classified into four types: EVRP considering load and battery life constraints, EVRP with a time window and considering charging strategies, the study of vehicle routing problems for hybrid fleets, and EVRP combined with charging/swapping station location. Then, briefly introduce exact algorithms, traditional heuristics, meta-heuristics, and hybrid algorithms for solving EVRP models. Moreover, it analyzes the main meta-heuristics that are more widely used. Finally, this review points out the development trend of EVRP theoretical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fibers produced from mesophase pitch are superior in many properties such as high thermal conductivity and high tensile modulus, which originated from the high graphitizability and high carbon yield of the raw materials. Any variation in mesophase pitch microstructure will be inherited in derived carbon fibers. Herein, we monitored the microcrystal structure evolution of carbon fiber derived from thermal soaked mesophase pitch and the caused variation in mechanical properties. Results showed that mesophase pitch with prolonged soaking time from 1 to 12 h produced the carbon fibers with improved microcrystal structure, reduced diameter, and crack angle, contributing to an apparent increase in tensile strength from 1.70 to 2.72 GPa and tensile modulus from 152 to 246 GPa. Thermal soaking upon elevated temperature from 320 to 335 °C also contributes an improvement in microcrystalline development. However, the attendant increment in diameter and open crack angle lead to deterioration in tensile strength and modulus, the highest value of which is only 1.53 GPa and 190 GPa. This work provides useful information on thermal soaking parameter selection and is of particular interest for future optimization of carbon fiber production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High alignment of graphene in mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers endows them with excellent properties such as high thermal conductivity and ultrahigh modulus. However, the weak interlayer interaction between large planar molecules leads to unwanted open crack in circular carbon fiber, leading to low strain-to-failure and low utilization rate in composite manufacturing. It remains a challenge to produce split-free circular carbon fiber while keeping a high degree of alignment of graphite layers. Herein, a die swell manipulating strategy is employed to address the problem through elaborating spinneret design. By applying an exit angle of 30° at the spinneret, the stored stress and shear-induced orientation of crystallites during the capillary flow were relaxed at the exit to enhance the die swell. The disoriented texture of fibers prevents the carbon fibers from splitting while still maintaining high degree of molecular alignment. The obtained carbon fibers present 20% higher of tensile strength, and more than twice of the compressive strength than the split ones, without sacrificing their superior thermal properties, which is up to 512 W·m−1·K−1. The work provides valuable insights into the design of carbon fiber for structural and functional integration materials in aerospace and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-quantum private comparison protocol permits two classical participants to compare the equality of their private information with the help of a semi-honest third party without disclosing privacy. An innovative semi-quantum private comparison protocol based on maximally entangled Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger-type states has been discussed. The proposed protocol is efficient and without the pre-shared keys. Next, the security analysis guarantees the presented protocol is asymptotically secure against the outsider and the insider attacks. Moreover, the qubit efficiency of the presented protocol is 3.125%. The efficiency comparison shows that it improves the efficiency by 125% for the literature without pre-shared keys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum secret sharing (QSS) allows a trusted party to distribute the secret keys to a group of participates, who can only access the secret cooperatively. The semi-quantum secret sharing (SQSS) takes fewer quantum resources and has higher efficiency than the QSS protocol. However, in the existing SQSS protocols, the shared secrets are generated according to the random operations of Bob and Charlie, which are inefficient and uncertain. An efficient semi-quantum secret sharing protocol based on Bell states was proposed, where Alice can share the specific secrets with Bob and Charlie, by encoding her secrets on the two different Bell states. Then, the security analysis shows that this scheme is secure against intercept–resend attack, entangle–measure attack and Trojan horse attack. Compared with similar studies, the proposed scheme is more flexible and practical, and the qubit efficiency is increased by about 100 % . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We built a decision-analytic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of using portable spirometer and questionnaire to screen chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) with no screening (i.e. usual care) among chronic bronchitis patient in China. A lifetime horizon and a payer perspective were adopted. Cost data of health services including spirometry screening and treatment costs covered both maintenance and exacerbation. The result indicated that portable spirometer screening was cost-saving compared with questionnaire screening and no screening, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of −5026 and −1766 per QALY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. In summary, portable spirometer screening is likely the optimal option for COPD screening among chronic bronchitis patients China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An upgrade synthesis method of electroless copper plating was developed to prepare the copper-coated mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers (Cu@CF) with APTES (3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane) grafting modification. The microstructure and properties of the fibers which were prepared by the APTES sensitization method were investigated and compared with those prepared by the conventional SnCl2 sensitization method. The results showed that as-coated fibers sensitized by APTES demonstrated to have better interfacial cohesion between the copper layer and the fiber surface than those sensitized by SnCl2 did. Moreover, the resistivity of Cu@CF-APTES declined to 2.3±0.9 µΩ·cm, while that of Cu@CF-SnCl2 was 9.3±3.7 µΩ·cm. Besides, not only the strength of Cu@CF-APTES increased, but the strength discreteness of them reduced due to the fact that no peeling phenomenon was observed between the copper layer and fiber during the stretch test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we successfully design the semi-quantum private comparison (SQPC) protocol with the measure-resend characteristic by using two-particle product states as the initial prepared quantum resource which allows two classical users to compare the equality of their private secrets under the help of a quantum third party (TP). The quantum TP is semi-honest in the sense that he is allowed to misbehave on his own but cannot conspire with either of users. Both the output correctness and the security against the outside attack and the participant attack can be guaranteed. Compared with the previous SQPC protocols, the advantage of our protocol lies in that it only employs two-particle product states as the initial prepared quantum resource, only requires TP to perform single-photon measurements and does not need quantum entanglement swapping. Our protocol can be realized with current quantum technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose two semi-quantum dialogue (SQD) protocols by using single photons as the quantum carriers, where one requires the classical party to possess the measurement capability and the other does not have this requirement. The security toward active attacks from an outside Eve in the first SQD protocol is guaranteed by the complete robustness of present semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocols, the classical one-time pad encryption, the classical party’s randomization operation and the decoy photon technology. The information leakage problem of the first SQD protocol is overcome by the classical party’ classical basis measurements on the single photons carrying messages which makes him share their initial states with the quantum party. The security toward active attacks from Eve in the second SQD protocol is guaranteed by the classical party’s randomization operation, the complete robustness of present SQKD protocol and the classical one-time pad encryption. The information leakage problem of the second SQD protocol is overcome by the quantum party’ classical basis measurements on each two adjacent single photons carrying messages which makes her share their initial states with the classical party. Compared with the traditional information leakage resistant QD protocols, the advantage of the proposed SQD protocols lies in that they only require one party to have quantum capabilities. Compared with the existing SQD protocol, the advantage of the proposed SQD protocols lies in that they only employ single photons rather than two-photon entangled states as the quantum carriers. The proposed SQD protocols can be implemented with present quantum technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the preparation of the T[sub g] high polyimide embedded with a novel imidazol-typed chromophore 2-[5-(4-nitrostilbenyl)thienyl]-4,5-di(4-aminophenyl)imidazzole (NSTDAPI) using the simultaneous poling and polymerization technique. Experimental procedure; Details on the glass transition temperature and thermal stability; Thermal stability of the poling-induced orientation.

In this paper, by using d-level single-particle states, two novel multi-party quantum private comparison protocols for size relation comparison with two semi-honest third parties and one semi-honest third party are constructed, respectively. Here, each protocol can compare the size relation of secret integers from n parties rather than just the equality within one time execution. In each protocol, every third party is assumed to be semi-honest in the sense that she may misbehave on her own but is not allowed to collude with anyone else; and each party employs the qudit shifting operation to encode her secret integer. Each protocol can resist both the outside attack and the participant attack. Specially, each party’s secret integer can be kept unknown to other parties and the third parties. The proposed protocol with two third parties is workable in a stranger environment, as there are no communication and no pre-shared key between each pair of party. The proposed protocol with one third party is workable in an acquaintance environment, as all parties need to share a common private key beforehand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]