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Aiming at the problems that most polarization-independent optical power splitters have complex structure and high loss, a polarization-independent 1×2 power splitter based on Si/SiNx double-layer waveguide is designed in this paper, which is used for equally splitting 1 550 nm optical signals. The refractive index of SiNx material can be adjusted by the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) . The beat lengths of Transverse Electric (TE) polarization mode and Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarization mode is equal, and the polarization independent function is realized. Meanwhile, the device size is reduced by selecting the width of the multimode interference waveguide. And the insertion loss and reflection loss are further reduced by optimizing the taper waveguide. The 3D finite-difference time-domain method is used for modeling and simulation. The results show that the size of the proposed optical power splitter is only 3.0μm×16.8μm, and the insertion loss, reflection loss and splitting ratio are as low as 0.04 and-48.80 dB, and 1.000 33, respectively. The bandwidth can reach 380 nm with insertion loss less than 1 dB, which has potential application value in the future integrated optical path.

In the secondary cooling zone of continuous casting, the cooling uniformity of the billet largely depends on water flux distribution and is closely related to crack formation. Nozzle spray distance is the main influencing factor of water flux distribution in continuous casting billet. Therefore, the investigation of the effect of nozzle spray distance on secondary cooling uniformity is of considerable importance in the design and optimization of the secondary cooling system of the billet. In the present study, the water flux distributions of the nozzles used in the secondary cooling zone of continuous casting of the billet were measured under different spray distances. A heat transfer and solidification model was established to analyze the thermal behavior of 82B steel billet. The model specifically considered the distribution of secondary cooling water along the transverse direction and was calibrated via comparing the measured and simulated surface temperatures. The effect of nozzle spray distance on the secondary cooling uniformity of the billet was investigated using the model. Results show that the increase in nozzle spray distance helps to improve the uniformity of secondary cooling water along the transverse direction, resulting in the decreased transverse uniformity and increased longitudinal uniformity of surface temperature. These effects are beneficial for the internal cracks but harmful for the corner cracks of the billet. Increasing the nozzle spray distance in the first segment of the secondary cooling zone and decreasing the nozzle spray distance in the second segment of the secondary cooling zone can decrease the maximum reheating rate and increase the corner temperature, thereby achieving the purpose of simultaneously improving the internal and corner cracks of the billet. On this basis, a nozzle arrangement method, i.e., gradually increasing the nozzle spray distance along the casting direction of each segment in the secondary cooling zone was proposed. This method contributes to the improvement of “longitudinal–transverse” cooling uniformity of the continuous casting billet.

Aiming at the problems that most polarization independent optical power spliters have complex structure and high loss, polarization-independent 1X2 power splitter based on Si/SiNx double-layer waveguide is designed in this paper, which is used for equally spiting 1 550 nm optical signals. The refractive index of SiNx material can be adjusted by the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD). The beat lengths of Transverse Electric (TE) polarization mode and Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarization mode is equal, and the polarization independent function js realized. Meanwhile, the device size is reduced by selecting the width of the multimode interference waveguide. And the insertion loss and reflecton loss are further reduced by optimizing the taper waveguide. The 3D inte-difference time-domain method used for modeling and simulation. The results show that the size of the proposed optical power splitter is only 3. 0 mX 16. 8 um, and the insertlon loss, reflection loss and splitting ratio are as low as 0. 04 and -48. 80 dB, and 1. 000 33, respectively. The bandwidth can reach 380 nm WIII insertlon loss less than 1 dB, which has potential application value in the future Integrated optical path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the control strategy for homogenized processing in threshing and redrying, the blended tobacco materials of different chemical uniformity were prepared through bundle-based and leaf-based selection methods separately. A three-scale analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to create a comprehensive evaluation index for assessing the result of homogenization control. The results of homogenization control under nicotine, color and spectrum control modes were compared. The results showed that: 1) The uniformity of blended tobacco material obtained through leaf-based selection was obviously better than that through bundle-based selection. 2) Different control modes showed different control results. The color control mode extremely significantly promoted color uniformity of redried tobacco strips. 3) When the blended tobacco material was not uniform, color or spectrum control modes that covered multi-dimensional homogenization information was preferable; otherwise nicotine control mode would offer more desirable result. This study provides a support for promoting the homogenized processing level of threshing and redrying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical role in the central and peripheral nervous system. NGF promotes proliferation, differentiation and axonal regeneration of neurons. The administration of NGF protein into injured nerves has been shown to promote nerve repair and enhance functional restoration following nerve damage. However, local delivery of NGF has the problem of its short half-life, more side effects and through the blood-brain barrier difficultly. To solve these problems, many groups are working on improving NGF delivery to the nervous system via several methods. Following the rapid development of genetic engineering technology. The researchers found that can be solved via skeletal muscle intramuscular non-viral vector mediated exogenous NGF gene and retrograde axonal transport to the nerve injury site. The purpose of this review was to make a brief description about the basic structure and characteristics of NGF and its receptors, mechanism of the retrograde axonal transport and non-viral vector combined with skeletal intramuscular mediates gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the stability of major latently fragrant substances of flue-cured tobacco of different varieties in Baoshan of Yunnan, three tobacco cultivars (K326, Y87 and Y99) in two soil types at three test sites with different altitudes were tested. The contents of major latently fragrant sub- stances were measured and the effects of genotypes, environments and their interactions were ana- lyzed by AMMI model. The results showed that genotypes, environments and their interactions had significant effects on the contents of lutein, β-carotene, and chlorogenic acid. The rutin content was mainly influenced by genotypes while the major latently fragrant substances and their stability were affected significantly by the interactions of genotypes and environments. The contents of lute- in, β-carotene, and chlorogenic acid increased remarkably with altitude, and their stabilities were strengthened to different extents. K326 adapted well to middle-lower altitude, while Y87 and Y99 adapted well to middle-higher altitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the descriptive statistics, simple correlation and canonical correlation analysis as methods, this paper studied the relationship between major climatic factors and chemical compositions of flue-cured tobacco in Baoshan. The result indicated that CD climate in Baoshan was suitable for planting high-quality flue-cured tobacco. (2) the influences of climatic factors on tobacco leaf chemical composition were in the following order: temperature> precipitation>sunshine; protein contents, ratio of potassium to chlorine, reducing sugar and total N were obviously affected by meteorological parameter, and the weather in July had the greatest impact on chemical compositions. (3) tobacco leaf protein contents showed a significant negative correlation with sunshine hours in September, mean precipitation in July and August, and mean temperature in May, June and July; Reducing sugar was significantly negative correlated with mean precipitation in May, mean monthly temperature, while significant positive correlation with mean precipitation in July. The total N showed a significant negative relationship with mean temperature in May, sunshine hours in September and mean precipitation in July and August. The correlation of potassium ratio to chlorine was significantly positive with mean temperature in August and September, and significantly negative with sunshine hours in July. The influences of temperature and precipitation on tobacco leaf chemical compositions were: reducing sugar > total N > protein, and total N >reducing sugar >protein, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper, with four star-rated hotels as study object, tries to build relevant structural model and offer hypothesis through related study of customers satisfaction and re- purchase intention, making clear the relationship between model elements by applying the method of factor analysis to test hypothesis. The results indicate that customers satisfaction, perceived value, shift cost exert significant positive impact on re-purchase intention. Purchase interval cannot significantly predict re-purchase intention. Perceived value can significantly predict customers satisfaction, while customers satisfaction can directly affect shift cost. This study can provide some referential basis for marketing in upgrading re-purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the anesthetic effect of combined acupuncture-medicine anesthesia in microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules and its effect on serum β-endorphin., Methods: A total of 60 patients who met the inclusion criteria and received microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group, with 30 patients in each. The patients in the treatment group were given combined acupuncture-medicine anesthesia, and those in the control group were given intravenous anesthesia. The two groups were compared in terms of the sedative and analgesic effects of anesthesia, amount of anesthetics used, incidence rate of intraoperative snore and respiratory depression, and change in serum β-endorphin level before anesthesia, before surgery, and after the surgery., Results: Both groups obtained satisfactory anesthetic effects. Compared with the control group, the sedation score, the amounts of fentanyl and propofol used, the incidence rates of intraoperative snore and respiratory depression in the treatment group were obviously lower ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The treatment group had an increase in serum β-endorphin level before surgery and at the end of surgery ( P <0.05), while the control group showed no significant change in serum β-endorphin level at each time point., Conclusion: In microwave ablation of benign thyroid nodules, combined acupuncture-medicine anesthesia has good sedative and analgesic effects and can reduce the amounts of anesthetics used as well as the incidence rates of intraoperative snore and respiratory depression. The analgesic effect of acupuncture anesthesia is associated with increased β-endorphin secretion.

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of single-acupoint Zusanli (ST36) and multi-acupoints Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Neiguan (PC6) in promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal movement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) patients undergoing general anesthesia., Methods: A total of 70 LC patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] grade I and II) were recruited and randomly divided into control ( n ＝23), single ST36 ( n ＝23) and ST36＋ST37＋PC6 ( n ＝24) groups. The patients in the control group only received routine basic treatments (postoperative fasting and water deprivation, intravenous drip of biotics, water-electrolyte and acid-base balancing, oxygen uptake, etc). EA (10 Hz, 5 mA, 30 min every time) was applied to the abovementioned single-acupoint or multi-acupoints groups before, and 4, 22, 34 and 46 h after the operation. The time-points of postoperative borborygmus recovery, first anal exhaust and defecation, post-operative abdominal distension (mild, moderate and severe), nausea and vomiting (grade Ⅰ， Ⅱ， Ⅲ and Ⅳ) at 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery were recorded and analyzed., Results: Compared to the control group, the time of borborygmus recovery, first anal exhaust and defecation were markedly earlier in both single ST36 and ST36＋ST37＋PC6 groups ( P <0.01, P <0.05, P <0.001). The number of patients who had mild plus moderate abdominal distention, and nausea (grade Ⅱ＋Ⅲ) at 24 h after ope-ration was significantly lower in both single ST36 and ST36＋ST37＋PC6 groups than in the control group ( P <0.05). No significant differences were found between the two EA groups in the time of borborygmus recovery, first anal exhaust and defecation, and in the number of patients with mild plus moderate abdominal distention and those with nausea ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: EA of both single ST36 and ST36＋ST37＋PC6 can promote gastrointestinal function recovery in LC patients, without remarkable difference between them.

Purpose: To study the height of alveolar ridge and the distance between the wall of maxillary sinus on the curve of the dental arch, and to explore the guiding significance for maxillary sinus surgery and edentulous jaw implant surgery., Methods: Cone-beam CT(CBCT) data of 105 objects were selected to measure the height of alveolar ridge and the maximum bone internal distance between the wall of maxillary sinus 10 mm and 12 mm above the alveolar crest horizontally on the curve of the dental arch. Forty-nine objects with alveolar ridge height on the molar area less than or equal to 10 mm were included for further investigation. The distance between the maxillary sinus wall, and the angle between the maxillary sinus wall on the horizontal plane were measured and calculated. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the data., Results: The mean value of the alveolar ridge height in the posterior teeth area was first premolar > second premolars > second molars > first molars. The mean value of the horizontal distance between the wall of sinus 10 mm and 12 mm above the alveolar crest horizontally was (82.40±27.56) mm and (70.54±29.70) mm in 105 objects, while (67.85±28.53) mm and (52.75±24.90) mm in 49 included objects, respectively. The mean value of the angle between the maxillary sinus wall on the horizontal plane was (23.55±39.13)°. There was no significant difference between males and females. However, the horizontal distance had statistically significant differences between different groups and in different horizontal levels of the same group., Conclusions: CBCT is helpful to establish implant surgical plan, and carry out maxillary sinus lift and edentulous jaw implant surgery.

MicroRNAs(miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of protein coding genes by repressing translation of protein coding mRNA or enhancing mRNA degradation. Its functions have attracted more and more attention from the public. In recent years, the cross-border regulation of miRNA has become a new research direction, and provides a new perspective for people to comprehensively understand the functions of miRNA. Plant miRNA is usually methylated and not easy to degrade. According to our previous researches, there were abundant small RNAs in the decoction of dried liquorice, which provides a new way to study the mechanism of action of licorice. In this study, small RNAs extracted from Glycyrrhiza uralensis decoction and synthesized miRNA mimics were used to treat peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) isolated from healthy volunteers. The gene expression of toll-like receptors(TLRs), some transcription factors, signal molecules and cytokines were analyzed by RT-PCR. The results showed that glycyrrhiza miRNA could significantly regulate PBMC by inhibiting the expression of genes involved in T cell differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. The study brought new ideas to us in comprehensively studying the mechanism of licorice and developing the traditional Chinese medicine., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Objective To design, construct and express a chimeric αβ TCR harboring the immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domain of γδ TCR in Jurkat T cells. Methods The fusion sites of TCR δIg were determined by bioinformatics analysis. Then the protein structures of TCR α δIg and TCR β δIg were predicted by homology modeling. Furthermore, the structures of TCR α δIg and TCR β δIg were compared with the wild type (wt) TCR α and TCR β respectively by combinatorial extension (CE). After that, the TCR α δIg and TCR β δIg were fused to fluorescent protein ECFP and EYFP respectively via the overlap PCR, and then the fusion genes (TCR α δIg-ECFP and TCR β δIg-EYFP) were cloned into pIRES2-EGFP vector and respectively located at the upstream and downstream of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). The recombinant prokaryotic expression vector pIRES-TCR βδIg-EYFP/TCR αδIg-ECFP was transferred into Jurkat T cells. Finally, the expression of TCR δIg in Jurkat T cells was monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results The variable region structure of the TCR δIg did not change and the antigen recognition active regions remained stable compared to the wtTCR. The recombinant expression plasmid was successfully constructed as confirmed by PCR identification and sequencing analysis. CLSM showed that TCR δIg was expressed and located at the plasma membrane of Jurkat T cells. Conclusion The design of TCR δIg was reasonable and the TCR δIg could be expressed on Jurkat T cell surface.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of pesticide poisoning in Jiangsu Province, China, and to provide a scientific basis for developing effective intervention measures and prevention strategies., Methods: The data from report cards of pesticide poisoning in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2013 were arranged using EXCEL tables, and assessed. Statistical analysis was applied to the epidemiological data using SPSS., Results: From 2006 to 2013, a total of 32672 cases of pesticide poisoning were reported in Jiangsu Province. Most of the cases were caused by non-occupational poisoning (life poisoning) (72.78%). A majority of patients with pesticide poisoning were 35-54 years old (40.85%) or older than 65 years (15.69%). There were more female patients (58.22%) than male patients (41.78%). Among patients with occupational poisoning, male patients (50.90%) were more than female patients. Among patients with non-occupational poisoning, female patients were more than male patients (38.37%). Pesticide poisoning mainly occurred from July to September. The case-fatality rate of occupational poisoning (0.47%) was lower than that of non-occupational poisoning (7.10%). All 13 cities in Jiangsu Province reported cases of pesticide poisoning. There were more cases in the northern regions than in the southern regions. Pesticide poisoning was mainly caused by organophosphorus insecticides including methamidophos, dichlorvos, dimethoate, omethoate, and parathion, which accounted for 65.58%of all cases. Paraquat had the highest case-fatality rate (10.06%) among all pesticides, followed by tetramine (10.00%), dimethoate or omethoate (7.85%), methamidophos (7.79%), and dimehypo (7.68%)., Conclusion: Pesticide poisoning cannot be ignored. The management and control should be improved in production and usage of highly toxic pesticides including organophosphorus insecticides, rodenticides, and herbicides. More attention should be paid to the protection of vulnerable groups including women, children, and the elderly.

To study the stability of major latently fragrant substances of flue-cured tobacco of different varieties in Baoshan of Yunnan, three tobacco cultivars (K326, Y87 and Y99) in two soil types at three test sites with different altitudes were tested. The contents of major latently fragrant substances were measured and the effects of genotypes, environments and their interactions were analyzed by AMMI model. The results showed that genotypes, environments and their interactions had significant effects on the contents of lutein, β-carotene, and chlorogenic acid. The rutin content was mainly influenced by genotypes while the major latently fragrant substances and their stability were affected significantly by the interactions of genotypes and environments. The contents of lutein, β-carotene, and chlorogenic acid increased remarkably with altitude, and their stabilities were strengthened to different extents. K326 adapted well to middle-lower altitude, while Y87 and Y99 adapted well to middle-higher altitude.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of acute occupational poisoning accidents reported in Jiangsu Province between 2006 to 2013., Methods: Based on the reported data of occupational diseases, we analysis indicators such as type, gender, age, and enterprise size of acute occupational poisoning., Results: (1) There were 226 acute occupational poisoning accidents for 8 years with 436 workers poisoned and 13 died. The Poisoning mortality rate was 2.98%. (2) The accidents occurred more frequently from March to August each year. (3) Asphyxiating gases, irritant gases and organic solvents are the main chemicals which caused these poisoning accidents. (4) Most of the cases come from the chemical industry and light industry . They more occurred in men and presented the trend of aging. (5) Most of them are from the south of Jiangsu and coastal areas. New cases of acute occupational poisoning mainly concentrated in small businesses., Conclusion: Strengthening the supervision on high incidence area and high-risk industry is the key point to reduce the incidence of acute occupational poisoning accident.

Objective: To investigate the effects of low-dose simvastatin on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the renal tubulointerstitium of rats with diabetic nephropathy., Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group C (control group), Group D, in which diabetes was induced by stroptozotocin (STZ) and Group DS, in which STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with low-dose (no cholesterol-lowering effect) simvastatin. The following parameters were measured after 6 weeks and 12 weeks in each groups, respectively: body weight and kidney weight, 24-h urinary albumin excretion (UAE), biochemical indexes including blood glucose (GLU), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG) and serum creatinine (SCr). The expression of CTGF and α-SMA in renal tubulointerstitium was assessed by immunohistochemical method., Result: After 6 and 12 weeks, there were no significant differences in SCr, LDL, HDL and TG levels among all three groups. The expression levels of CTGF and α-SMA in the tubulointerstitium of Group DS were significantly decreased compared with those of Group D at week 6 (P<0.05); there were no significant differences compared with Group C (P>0.05). After 12 weeks, CTGF and α-SMA expressions in Group DS were also lower than those in Group D (P<0.05); while higher than those in Group C (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Simvastatin with a under cholesterol-lowering dose, can decrease the expression levels of CTGF and α-SMA in renal tubulointerstitium of rats with diabetic nephropathy, by which the progression of the tubulointerstitial fibrosis would be delayed.

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) commonly results from erectile nerve damage. Recent researches have focused on the preclinical study of stem cell-based therapies targeted at repairing and protecting nervi erigentes. In this paper, researches of NESCs, MDSCs, ASCs and MSCs in NED are reviewed. Early studies have demonstrated that stem cells and gene modified stem cells were effective to the therapy of ED, even likely to cure ED. Stem cells are expected to be applied in the clinical therapy of NED. Stem cells as a new therapy technique will bring up a new challenge in forensic clinical medicine.

This study was aimed to explore the expression of survivin in leukemia cells and to investigate the effect of GM-CSF on survivin expression. The survivin expressions in 37 previously untreated leukemia patients and 10 normal persons as well as in three kinds of leukemia cell lines (K562, HL-60, U937) were analyzed by RT-PCR. The HL-60 cells were treated by the proper concentration of GM-CSF, and the changes of survivin mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results indicated that the positive rate of survivin gene in 37 leukemia patients was 67.6% (25/37) and significantly higher than that in normal control (20.0%). The expression level was higher in ALL cells than that in AML cells (73.3% vs 63.6%). Moreover, three kinds of leukemia cell lines all expressed survivin. After treating with the proper concentration of GM-CSF for 2 days, the expression of survivin obviously increased and the expression level of survivin mRNA was up-regulated by 26%, the expression level of survivin protein was up-regulated by 49%. It is concluded that the survivin gene extensively express in leukemia and its cell lines, and its expression can be obviously increased by GM-CSF.

Luteolin is an important member of the flavonoid family. It has been reported that luteolin can inhibit the proliferation of serials of tumor cells including solid tumor, ascites cancer and human myeloid leukemia. Luteolin can also sensitize a number of apoptosis-inducing factors by unique mechanisms.

Hemin-catalytic decomposition of artemisinin (qinghaosu, QHS) was studied using pyronine B (PB) as an indicator. The interaction between hemin and QHS was an enzyme-substrate model, and the action sites were the endoperoxide moiety of QHS and the central metal ion of enzyme respectively. The kinetic catalytic constant depends upon enzyme and substrate concentrations, and the Michaelis-Menten parameters Km, Vmax and Kcat was 8.4 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), 7.4 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1) s(-1) and 50.23 s(-1) respectively. The catalytic activity of hemin was inhibited in the presence of deactivated agents and at high temperature. Under optimal conditions, the change in fluorescence intensity (Fo-F) of pyronine B was proportional to the QHS concentration from 0.0 to 1.27 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1), and the detection limit (3sigma) was as low as 2.3 x 10(-8) mol x L(-1). The proposed method was applied to detect the concentration of QHS in the media of plasma and urine.