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The mixed-state inverse engineering scheme is a control scheme used for engineering the quantum state of a driven open quantum system from an initial steady state to a final steady state. In this paper, we present an analytical study of this scheme applied to the driven two-level model coupled to a heat reservoir. Typically, when the purity of the quantum state varies, incoherent control techniques are required for mixed-state engineering. However, we show that for both Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics, coherent control protocols can transfer the quantum state into the target state. This simplification comes at a cost, as the evolution of the quantum state must be limited to restricted conditions, resulting in special trajectories in its Hilbert space that connect the initial and target states.

The accurate estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and determination of its pattern-controlling factors is critical to understanding the ecosystem carbon cycle and ensuring ecological security. The Sanjiang Plain, an important grain production base in China, is typical of ecosystems, yet its SOC storage and pattern has not been fully investigated because of insufficient soil investigation. In this study, 419 soil samples obtained in 2012 for each of the three soil depth ranges 0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm and a geostatistical method are used to estimate the total SOC storage and density (SOCD) of this region. The results give rise to 2.32 Pg C for the SOC storage and 21.20 kg m−2 for SOCD, which is higher than the mean value for the whole country. The SOCD shows notable changes in lateral and vertical distribution. In addition, vegetation, climate, and soil texture, as well as agricultural activities, are demonstrated to have remarkable impacts on the variation in SOCD of this region. Soil texture has stronger impacts on the distribution of SOCD than climate in the Sanjiang Plain. Specifically, clay content can explain the largest proportion of the SOC variations (21.2% in the top 30 cm) and is the most dominant environmental controlling factor. Additionally, the effects of both climate and soil texture on SOCD show a weakening with increasing soil layer depth. This study indicates that reducing the loss of SOC requires effective conservation and restoration efforts of wetlands and forestlands, as well as sensible fertilization. The results from this study provide the most up-to-date knowledge on the storage and pattern of SOC in the Sanjiang Plain and have important implications for the determination of ecosystem carbon budgets and understanding ecosystem services.

In order to reconfigure its structure from the static state in the vision odd ball task, so as to realize the intention recognition based on the characteristics of the brain functional network. The thesis proposes the intention recognition method based on resting state and P300 task state dynamic brain functional network features. First, the brain connectivity in each time window is constructed into a brain functional network using phase lock value (PLV). Then, extract the global features (global efficiency, transitivity) of the brain functional network, and use Louvain algorithm to obtain the brain functional network community. The experimental results show that in the (100-200) ms of P300 task status, the core nodes are mainly concentrated in the forehead region and the central region, while in the (300-500) ms of P300, the core nodes are concentrated in the temporal lobe. The recognition accuracy based on this method reaches 93%.

A real industrial production phenomenon, referred to as learning effects, has drawn increasing attention. However, most research on this issue considers only single machine problems. Motivated by this limitation, this paper considers flow shop scheduling problems with an exponential learning effect. By the exponential learning effect, we mean that the processing time of a job is defined by an exponent function of its position in a processing permutation. The objective is to minimize one of the four regular performance criteria, namely, the total completion time, the total weighted completion time, the discounted total weighted completion time, and the sum of the quadratic job completion times. We present heuristic algorithms by using the optimal permutations for the corresponding single-machine scheduling problems. We also analyse the worst-case bound of our heuristic algorithms.

Wnt signaling regulates a broad variety of processes in both embryonic development and various diseases. Recent studies indicated that some genetic variants in Wnt signaling pathway may serve as predictors of diseases. Low-density lipoprotein receptor protein 6 (LRP6) is a Wnt co-receptor with essential functions in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and mutations in LRP6 gene are linked to many complex human diseases, including metabolic syndrome, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Therefore, we focus on the role of LRP6 genetic polymorphisms and Wnt signaling in complex diseases, and the mechanisms from mouse models and cell lines. It is also highly anticipated that LRP6 variants will be applied clinically in the future. The brief review provided here could be a useful resource for future research and may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis in complex diseases.

Herein, debris particulates of nanoporous silver (np-Ag) were synthesised by a dealloying method, and their integration behaviour and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties during iodine functionalisation were examined. It was found that the dealloyed np-Ag debris particulates gradually assembled to form rigid nanoporous microspheres comprising Ag nano-ligaments due to mechanical collisions during iodine treatment. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron microscopy clearly showed the iodide surface of np-Ag, which was dotted with iodine or iodide ‘nanoislands’. The exceptional, and unexpected, integration and surface structures result in a highly enhanced localised surface plasmon resonance. Furthermore, the robust nanoporous microspheres can be employed individually as as-produced miniaturised electrodes to electrically enrich target molecules at parts-per-trillion levels, so as to achieve charge selectivity and superior detectability compared with the ordinary SERS effect.

Recent studies have revealed that the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand/RANK/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/RANK/OPG) system has an important role in vascular calcification, which is contributory to various cardiovascular diseases and intimately linked to the regulation of blood pressure. Therefore, we performed a case–control study to investigate the associations of 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TNFSF11 , TNFRSF11A and TNFRSF11B genes in the RANKL/RANK/OPG system with hypertension and blood pressure in post-menopausal Chinese women. In this study, 503 hypertensive patients and 509 normal controls were recruited. Genotyping was performed using the high-throughput Sequenom genotyping platform. The results showed that two SNPs (rs6567270 and rs4603673 ) in the TNFRSF11A were associated with hypertension ( P =0.010 and P =0.013, respectively) and systolic blood pressure ( P =0.024 and P =0.023, respectively). One SNP ( rs9646629 ) in the TNFRSF11A showed significant association with diastolic blood pressure ( P =0.031). The results of this study suggest that TNFRSF11A but not TNFSF11 and TNFRSF11B genetic variation is associated with hypertension and blood pressure in Chinese women. The findings provide additional support for the genetic role of RANKL/RANK/OPG system in hypertension and blood pressure regulation.

Complex lighting is one of the most challenging problems in automatic guided vehicle (AGV) vision recognition system. In order to overcome the influence of uneven illumination on the accuracy and robustness of path recognition, this paper proposes the LCS based visual recognition for AGV guide paths under complex illumination conditions method, which converts the collected image into an invariant image through logarithmic chromaticity space (LCS) to eliminate the influence of illumination, and the minimum average entropy angle is used as the projection angle to generate the invariant image to improve the speed of image conversion to the invariant image. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the robustness of AGV vision recognition system under complex lighting conditions.

Fuzzy calculus is the basis of researching fuzzy differential equations. This article mainly investigate the differentiability and integrability of linear fuzzy numerical functions constructed from non-negative and increasing real functions and decreasing fuzzy real numbers. Firstly, we introduced the definitions of limit and continuity on fuzzy numerical functions, which are the cornerstone of researching the differentiation and integration of fuzzy numerical functions. What is more, the concept of differentiability of fuzzy numerical functions is discussed. To be specific, we also introduce some theorems and several examples of solving differential of fuzzy numerical functions. Finally, we proposed the concept and some properties of integrability of linear fuzzy numerical functions. These concepts improve the fuzzy numerical function calculus theory.

Study design: Lithium has attracted much attention as a neuroregenerative agent for spinal cord injury in animal models. We hypothesized that the lithium can be beneficial to patients with spinal cord injury. The safety and pharmacokinetics of lithium has been studied in our earlier phase I clinical trial, indicating its safety. This is a phase II clinical trial to evaluate its efficacy on chronic spinal cord injury patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of lithium on chronic spinal cord injury patients. Setting: A major spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Beijing, China. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-week parallel treatment arms with lithium carbonate and with placebo. A total of 40 chronic spinal cord injury subjects were recruited. Oral lithium carbonate was titrated or placebo was simulated to maintain the serum lithium level of 0.6–1.2 mmol l −1 for 6 weeks, followed by a 6-month follow-up. The functional outcomes and the neurological classifications, as well as the safety parameters, adverse events and pharmacokinetic data were carefully collected and monitored. Results: No significant changes in the functional outcomes and the neurological classifications were found. The only significant differences were in the pain assessments using visual analog scale comparing the lithium and the placebo group. No severe adverse event was documented in the study. Conclusion: The lithium treatment did not change the neurological outcomes of patients with chronic spinal cord injury. It is worth to investigate whether lithium is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain in chronic spinal cord injury. Sponsorship: China Spinal Cord Injury Network Company Limited.