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Cigarette smoking during young adult may result in serious health issues in later life. Hence, it is extremely necessary to study the smoking neurophysiological mechanisms in this critical transitional period. However, few studies revealed the electrophysiological mechanisms of cognitive processing biases in young adult smokers. In present study, nineteen young smokers with 12 h abstinent and 19 matched nonsmokers were recruited. By employing event-related potentials (ERP) measurements during a smoking cue induced craving task, electrophysiological brain responses were compared between the young adult smokers and nonsmokers. The Slow Positive Wave (SPW) amplitude of smoking-related cues was enhanced in young adult smokers compared with nonsmokers. In addition, increased P300/SPW component of smoking-related cues relative to neutral cues were found in young adult smokers. Meanwhile, a positive correlation between Cigarette Per Day (CPD) and the amplitude of ERPs wave (P300/SPW) at anterior (Fz), central (Cz) were observed in young adult smokers. Our findings provided direct electrophysiological evidence for the cognitive processing bias of smoking cue and may shed new insights into the smoking behavior in young adult smokers.

Objective To examine whether bacteria are transferred between the hands of medical staff and high-frequency contact surfaces within and between departments of a major metropolitan hospital, and to further analyze the patterns of cross-transmission. Methods Microbiological samples were collected from the hands of 112 hospital employees as well as from 120 high-frequency contact surfaces in four hospital departments. Samples were collected on agar plates, analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) by standard microbiology testing, and partially genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results Genetically identical MRSA was identified on the surface of an electrocardiography device in the medical intensive care unit and on the same type of device in the neurosurgical unit. Genetically similar S. aureus was identified on an infusion pump in the medical intensive care unit and on the hands of several doctors in a different department who regularly use that pump. Genetically identical S. aureus was also identified on bedside rail restraint in the medical intensive care unit and on the hands of the nurse in the neurosurgical unit. Finally, genetically similar MRSA was identified both on the surface of an electrocardiography device and on the suction apparatus in the medical intensive care unit. Conclusion Cross-contamination of S. aureus or MRSA on medical workers' hands and contact surfaces was demonstrated within and between departments of a large metropolitan hospital. Improvements are needed in medical staff hygiene habits and in the cleaning of high-frequency contact surfaces to help prevent and control nosocomial infections.

Tetraena mongolica Maxim, a relic shrub of the paleo-Mediterranean flora, is normally accompanied in the Western Ordos desert by another plant species in the same taxonomic family, Zygophyllum xanthoxylum (Bunge) Maxim, and together they play a vital role in the ecology of the local environment. Z. xanthoxylum has been identified as having stronger drought tolerance than T. mongolica. As an important water barrier, cuticles were compared between these two relatives to better reveal the mechanism of their different drought tolerance. Z. xanthoxylum possesses more flattened wax crystals, lower epidermal permeability and higher water use efficiency (WUE) than T. mongolica. The composition of cuticular lipids were analyzed, and the results showed that Z. xanthoxylum had significantly higher total amounts of both cuticular wax and cutin monomers than T. mongolica, with all wax class (especially alkanes) and cutin monomer amounts being much higher in Z. xanthoxylum. Cuticle-associated genes were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing, and the results showed that more alkane synthesis genes were up-regulated in Z. xanthoxylum. These findings provide different cuticles on these two succulent xerophytes and reveal the relationships with their different drought tolerance. This study is helpful to reveal the function of plant cuticle in adaptability to extreme environments.

Artemisia and Salix are dominant shrub species for windbreaks in arid areas of China, and they show similar features to shrubs in other arid areas of the world. We compared the mean velocity fields and shelter effects of two shrub windbreaks with different layouts. For a single plant of Artemisia, the higher the free airflow velocity is, the more the wind velocity around two sides of the plant increases. The velocity gradient around a single plant of Salix is smaller than that around an Artemisia plant due to the difference in the plant shapes. Seven new velocity zones in the horizontal direction appear when airflow passes through an Artemisia windbreak, including four deceleration zones and three acceleration zones. The mean velocity field that is affected by a Salix windbreak can be divided into a deceleration zone in the front, an acceleration zone above, a vortex zone behind and a restoration zone downwind of the vortex zone. Shelter effects of the shrub windbreaks vary with the wind velocity and are influenced by the construct of the windbreaks. Shrub windbreaks that have a complex construction have better shelter effects than simple ones. The shelter effects of plant windbreaks are also influenced by the growth features of the plants. Considering the plant characteristics and the shelter effects of Salix and Artemisia windbreaks, it is optimal to plant these two windbreaks together in a sand-control system. This research is intended to be useful for sand movement control in arid areas.

The shell-like nano-structures (SLSs) own special ability to manipulate electromagnetic waves, and can be used as three-dimensional (3D) nano-antenna, highly efficient generator of second harmonic light, chiral metamaterials, and so on. However, to achieve this complicated geometry shape still remains challenging, which limits the related applications. In this paper, we propose a new method based on the microsphere self-assembly technology (MAT) to fabricate this type nano-structures, which is the use of basic SLSs (such as nano-cups or fragmented shells) as building blocks (BBs) to construct desired SLSs, just like that in architecture. Through establishing and using the related 3D geometric model, we design a great many of new SLSs, include some interesting structures, such as T-shape, 'maple leaf'-shape, and boat-shape structures. In theory, the number is infinite. In experiment, some new SLSs have been achieved, and their geometrical morphologies agree well with the designed. These new SLSs will provide a foundation for the related researches and applications.

To promote performance of organic photovoltaic device (OPV), a high-efficiency OPV structure is designed based on local surface plasmon (LSP) technology, which is composed of ITO/P3HT:PCBM/Ag nano-prisms array (ANPA)/Ag film/glass substrate. The ANPA used in this structure can effectively excite LSP and enhance the light absorption efficiency of OPV. The simulation results show that an up to 22-fold light absorption enhancement can be achieved through the parameter optimization of the ANPA. In this paper, we introduced a low-cost and easily-operated technology, poly-styrene spheres (PSs) self-assembly technology, to fabricate the ANPA, and then embedded them into the P3HT:PCBM blend layer. We measured the spectrum of this organic structure, and found a significant light absorption enhancement in the near-infrared waveband due to the excited LSP modes. The experimental results indicate this designed OPV structure together with the self-assembly technology is effective to enhance the light absorption efficiency of OPV, and has a very good application prospect.

We report a method of fabricating metal nano-grating by Solid immersion Interference lithography based on Backside exposure technique (SIB). Solid immersion lithography can improve the resolution of interference patterns by a factor of n (refractive index of prism), and backside exposure technique can improve the energy utilization ratio and protect the surface of the resist from being contaminated. In the process of fabrication, a high quality sacrificial layer (dielectric grating with high modulation depth and appropriate duty ratio) is important for transferring the patterns to the metal film. We optimized the exposure/development time by simulating the process of backside exposure. Simulation and experiment results show that: using 441.6nm wavelength laser, a series of subwavelength patterns (used as sacrificial layer) with high modulation depth and appropriate duty ratio can be gotten, the feature size of the patterns can be down to 80nm which is less than 0.18@l. Using optimized condition, high quality sacrificial layer can be achieved by using the backside exposure technique. Backside exposure technique has a greater exposure/development time tolerance for fabricating nano-patterns than the conventional interference lithography, which can be used for nano-metal grating fabrication.

We propose to use two-dimensional metal hole-array (TMH) and spatial light modulator (SLM) technology to construct a parallel direct-writing system. SLM and movable platform are used to control the system for realizing multi-beam parallel scanning exposure to fabricate arbitrary patterns. In this system TMH is the key component which focuses the incident light beams into light spots in the photoresist by exciting local surface plasmon polariton (LSPP). Parameters of TMH are optimized to improve the focusing efficiency and transmission depth of the light spots. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that the feature size and transmission depth can reach sub-80nm and 90nm, respectively, by an optimized TMH, which is feasible for parallel direct writing lithography.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were successfully assembled in porous anodic alumina (AAO) templates via a green silver mirror reaction. The Ag NPs/AAO composite templates then were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) properties were also investigated. Compared with the blank AAO, the PL intensity of Ag NPs/AAO templates are enhanced and the maximum enhancement is 2.58 times. Based on the local electric field enhancement effect, the theoretical values were also deduced, which are basically coincident with the experimental.

Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of cisplatin or capecitabine, both with vinorelbine, as second-line or third-line treatment in advanced breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and/or taxanes. Methods From June 2004 to November 2011, 62 advanced breast cancer patients were eligible. Patients (38) enrolled in group NP received VIN 25mg/m2 on day 1 and 8 combined with Cisplatin 75mg/m2 on day 1 of a 21-day cycle. Patients (24) enrolled in group NX received VIN 25mg/m2 on day 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle combined with CAP 1000mg/m2 twice daily for 14 consecutive days followed by 7 days of rest. Tumor assessment was performed every 2 cycles according to RESIST criteria. Toxicity was assessed according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (version 3.0). Results The overall response rate (ORR) in group NP was 47.4%, all were partial responses (PRs). In group NX, ORR was 33.3% (P = 0.275), with 4.2% CRs and 29.2% PRs. Median time to progression (TTP) was 6.1 months (range, 3.2-9.0 months) in group NP and 6.3 months (range, 4.1-8.5 months) in group NX(P = 0.783). COX regression showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.782, OR = 0.920). Median overall survival (OS) was 28.8 months (range, 21.6-36.0 months) in group NP and 15.1 months (9.6-20.6 months) in group NX(P = 0.027, OR = 0.495). COX regression showed a statistically significant difference(P = 0.045). Neutropenia was the most frequent hematologic toxicity, with 57.9% grade 3/4 neutropenia observed in group NP and 38.1% in group NX(P = 0.145). 13.2% grade 3/4 vomiting was seen in group NP and no grade 3/4 vomiting in group NX. No grade 3/4 nephrotoxicity or hand-foot syndrome was noted in both groups. Conclusion Better OS was seen in group NP than in group NX. Treatment-related toxicity in both groups was manageable. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.