Search

In this work, we interpret the newly observed η1(1855) resonance with exotic JPC=1−+ quantum numbers in the I=0 sector, reported by the BESIII Collaboration, as a dynamically generated state from the interaction between the lightest pseudoscalar mesons and axial-vector mesons. The interaction is derived from the lowest order chiral Lagrangian from which the Weinberg–Tomozawa term is obtained, describing the transition amplitudes among the relevant channels, which are then unitarized using the Bethe–Salpeter equation, according to the chiral unitary approach. We evaluate the η1(1855) decays into the ηη′ and KK¯*π channels and find that the latter has a larger branching fraction. We also investigate its SU(3) partners, and according to our findings, the π1(1400) and π1(1600) structures may correspond to dynamically generated states, with the former one coupled mostly to the b1π component and the latter one coupled to the K1(1270)K¯ channel. In particular, our result for the ratio Γ(π1(1600)→f1(1285)π)/Γ(π1(1600)→η′π) is consistent with the measured value, which supports our interpretation for the higher π1 state. We also report two poles with a mass about 1.7 GeV in the I=1/2 sector, which may be responsible for the K*(1680). We suggest searching for two additional η1 exotic mesons with masses around 1.4 and 1.7 GeV. In particular, the predicted η1(1700) is expected to have a width around 0.1 GeV and can decay easily into KK¯ππ.

ObjectiveTo determine if interindividual genetic variation in single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to age at natural menopause is associated with risk of ovarian failure in breast cancer survivors.MethodsA prospective cohort of 169 premenopausal breast cancer survivors recruited at diagnosis with stages 0 to III disease were followed longitudinally for menstrual pattern via self-reported daily menstrual diaries. Participants were genotyped for 13 SNPs previously found to be associated with age at natural menopause: EXO1, TLK1, HELQ, UIMC1, PRIM1, POLG, TMEM224, BRSK1, and MCM8. A risk variable summed the total number of risk alleles in each participant. The association between individual genotypes, and also the risk variable, and time to ovarian failure (>12 months of amenorrhea) was tested using time-to-event methods.ResultsMedian age at enrollment was 40.5 years (range 20.6-46.1). The majority of participants were white (69%) and underwent chemotherapy (76%). Thirty-eight participants (22%) experienced ovarian failure. None of the candidate SNPs or the summary risk variable was significantly associated with time to ovarian failure. Sensitivity analysis restricted to whites or only to participants receiving chemotherapy yielded similar findings. Older age, chemotherapy exposure, and lower body mass index were related to shorter time to ovarian failure.ConclusionsThirteen previously identified genetic variants associated with time to natural menopause were not related to timing of ovarian failure in breast cancer survivors.

Assembly of oppositely charged triblock copolyelectrolytes into phase-separated gels at low polymer concentrations (

Epitaxial heterostructures with precisely controlled composition and electronic modulation are of central importance for electronics, optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and catalysis. In general, epitaxial material growth requires identical or nearly identical crystal structures with small misfit in lattice symmetry and parameters and is typically achieved by vapor-phase depositions in vacuum. We report a scalable solution-phase growth of symmetry-mismatched PbSe/Bi2Se3 epitaxial heterostructures by using two-dimensional (2D) Bi2Se3 nanoplates as soft templates. The dangling bond-free surface of 2D Bi2Se3 nanoplates guides the growth of PbSe crystal without requiring a one-to-one match in the atomic structure, which exerts minimal restriction on the epitaxial layer. With a layered structure and weak van der Waals interlayer interaction, the interface layer in the 2D Bi2Se3 nanoplates can deform to accommodate incoming layer, thus functioning as a soft template for symmetry-mismatched epitaxial growth of cubic PbSe crystal on rhombohedral Bi2Se3 nanoplates. We show that a solution chemistry approach can be readily used for the synthesis of gram-scale PbSe/Bi2Se3 epitaxial heterostructures, in which the square PbSe (001) layer forms on the trigonal/hexagonal (0001) plane of Bi2Se3 nanoplates. We further show that the resulted PbSe/Bi2Se3 heterostructures can be readily processed into bulk pellet with considerably suppressed thermal conductivity (0.30 W/m·K at room temperature) while retaining respectable electrical conductivity, together delivering a thermoelectric figure of merit ZT three times higher than that of the pristine Bi2Se3 nanoplates at 575 K. Our study demonstrates a unique epitaxy mode enabled by the 2D nanocrystal soft template via an affordable and scalable solution chemistry approach. It opens up new opportunities for the creation of diverse epitaxial heterostructures with highly disparate structures and functions.

The purpose of this article is to explore practical issues in developing and implementing a culturally tailored Internet Cancer Support Group for a group of ethnic minority patients with cancer-Asian Americans. Throughout the research process of the original study testing the Internet cancer support group, the research team made written records of practical issues and plausible rationales for the issues. Weekly group discussion among research team members was conducted, and the discussion records were evaluated and analyzed using a content analysis (with individual words as the unit of analysis). The codes from the analysis process were categorized into idea themes, through which the issues were extracted. The issues included those in (1) difficulties in using multiple languages, (2) collaboration with the information technology department and technical challenges, (3) difficulties in recruitment, (4) difficulties in retention, (5) optimal timing, and (6) characteristics of the users. Based on the findings, we suggest that researchers plan a workable translation process, check technical needs in advance, use multiple strategies to recruit and retain research participants, plan the right time for data collection, and consider characteristics of the users in the study design.

Linguistic preference relations with self-confidence (LPRs-SC) are the preference relation that can reflect the decision maker's (DM) confidence psychology and has received widespread attention for their simple form and multiple information. Currently, arithmetic studies of LPRs-SC are conducted separately for preference relations and self-confidence. In addition, personalized individual semantics (PIS) is an important tool in large-scale decision-making to reflect the differences in the semantic understanding of DMs. However, the confidence level in LPRs-SC limits the preference relation to a certain extent and the linguistic representations of these two components are usually different. This means that it is not only necessary to propose an arithmetic rule that can express the restrictive relationship between the two but also to construct a model that can extract the PIS of preference relation and confidence respectively. Besides, we constructed a two-stage consensus reaching process (CRP) based on the specificity of the LPRs-SC structure when enhancing group harmony. The process takes self-confidence as an independent source of information, delineates the adjusted categories in detail, and builds an adjustment model accordingly. Finally, the example and comparative analyses verify the merits of the proposed PIS in terms of consistency enhancement and CRP in terms of speed and accuracy harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the subway network system has insufficient resilience and strong vulnerability, the network operation function will be greatly attenuated or even lost due to the failure of key nodes or lines. Evaluating the vulnerability of the metro network is one of the keys to prevent and control risks. This paper proposes an entropy weight multiple criteria decision‐making evaluation method that combines the vulnerability indexes of agglomeration, network efficiency, and network traffic with the multiple criteria decision‐making method, classifies the vulnerability of subway stations with a clustering idea, and analyzes the most vulnerable area of the Beijing Metro network with the Newman fast algorithm. The results show that this method can evaluate the node vulnerability of metro networks more accurately and effectively by considering the topological vulnerability, functional vulnerability, and human flow function vulnerability of the networks. According to the node vulnerability value, the stations can be divided into five grades: The station at the intersection of the loop and radial lines and its adjacent stations have a higher vulnerability level. The vulnerability level of the downtown core area and suburban line terminal stations is relatively low, and the areas with the greatest vulnerability of the Beijing Metro network are mainly located on the east and west sides of the core city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]