Precise manipulation and monitoring spin transport in one-dimensional (1D) systems is a long-sought goal in the field of nano-spintronics. Based on first-principles calculations, we report the observation of half-integer conductance quantization in the Cobalt-fulvalene sandwich nanowire. Compared with a pure monatomic Cobalt wire, the introduction of fulvalene molecules leads to three important features: Firstly, the strong coupling between the fulvalene and the Cobalt prevents the contamination of the ambient air, ensuring both chemical and physical stabilities; Secondly, the fulvalene symmetry-selectively filters out most of the d-type orbitals of the Cobalt while leaving a single d-type orbital to form an open spin channel around the Fermi level, which offers a mechanism to achieve the observed half-integer conductance; Thirdly, it maintains a superexchange coupling between adjacent Co atoms to achieve a high Curie temperature. Spin transport calculations show that this half-metallic nanowire can serve as a perfect spin filter or a spin valve device, thus revealing the potential of Cobalt-fulvalene sandwich nanowire as a promising building block of high-performance spintronics technology.

Tropical Atlantic (TA) SST variability can impact the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Here, we find that the interannual EASM–TA relationship exhibits an evident interdecadal variation modulated by the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO). The EASM–TA interannual relationship is strong during the positive phase of the IPO (pIPO) but weak during the negative phase of the IPO (nIPO). The pIPO (nIPO)-related warm (cold) SST anomalies in the central tropical Pacific (CTP) intensify (weaken) the convection over the CTP. Therefore, a Matsuno–Gill response of the TA-induced CTP SST change is strong (weak) during the pIPO (nIPO) period. The strong Matsuno–Gill response excites an anomalous anticyclone over the western North Pacific (WNPAC), leading to a significantly positive EASM–TA relationship. However, the WNPAC is absent in the nIPO periods due to the weak Mastono–Gill response, suggesting an insignificant EASM–TA relationship. Understanding the IPO-modulated EASM–TA relationship helps better forecast EASM variability.

BackgroundRed ginseng (RG) is a traditional herb commonly used in China, Korea, and other East Asian countries. Recently, it has demonstrated a better clinical value in men’s reproductive health (MRH). The present review aimed to examine the effects of RG treatment on MRH.ResultsOverall, 42 articles related to RG application in MRH were reviewed, of which 31 were animal experiments and 11 were clinical studies. Furthermore, this review analyzed the use of RG in some male reproductive diseases in clinical trials and determined the associated mechanisms of action. The mechanism of action of RG in MRH may be related to oxidative stress, regulation of sex hormones and spermatogenesis-related proteins, and anti-inflammation.ConclusionsThe application of RG for the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and prostate diseases has the potential to contribute to MRH.

ObjectiveTo construct a simplified grading system based on MRI features to predict positive surgical margin (PSM) after radical prostatectomy (RP).MethodsPatients who had undergone prostate MRI followed by RP between January 2017 and January 2021 were retrospectively enrolled as the derivation group, and those between February 2021 and November 2022 were enrolled as the validation group. One radiologist evaluated tumor-related MRI features, including the capsule contact length (CCL) of lesions, frank extraprostatic extension (EPE), apex abutting, etc. Binary logistic regression and decision tree analysis were used to select risk features for PSM. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of different systems were calculated. The interreader agreement of the scoring systems was evaluated using the kappa statistic.ResultsThere were 29.8% (42/141) and 36.4% (32/88) of patients who had PSM in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The first grading system was proposed (mrPSM1) using two imaging features, namely, CCL ≥ 20 mm and apex abutting, and then updated by adding frank EPE (mrPSM2). In the derivation group, the AUC was 0.705 for mrPSM1 and 0.713 for mrPSM2. In the validation group, our grading systems showed comparable AUC with Park et al.’s model (0.672–0.686 vs. 0.646, p > 0.05) and significantly higher specificity (0.732–0.750 vs. 0.411, p < 0.001). The kappa value was 0.764 for mrPSM1 and 0.776 for mrPSM2. Decision curve analysis showed a higher net benefit for mrPSM2.ConclusionThe proposed grading systems based on MRI could benefit the risk stratification of PSM and are easily interpretable.Critical relevance statementThe proposed mrPSM grading systems for preoperative prediction of surgical margin status after radical prostatectomy are simplified compared to a previous model and show high specificity for identifying the risk of positive surgical margin, which might benefit the management of prostate cancer.Key points• CCL ≥ 20 mm, apex abutting, and EPE were important MRI features for PSM.• Our proposed MRI-based grading systems showed the possibility to predict PSM with high specificity.• The MRI-based grading systems might facilitate a structured risk evaluation of PSM.Graphical Abstract