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A neighborhood search algorithm was proposed to simultaneously schedule the waste removal quantity and the equipment fleet profile over the mine life for open pit mines. An initial search domain was first defined and a good schedule was obtained as the current best schedule by searching in this domain. Then, progressively narrower neighborhood search domains were constructed around the current best schedule to search for better schedules. The objective is to minimize the present value of waste removal costs over the mine life. The resulting schedule from this algorithm provides a complete fleet profile for each year over the mine life: the selected equipment models, the number of equipment units of each model, the age of each unit, as well as the quantity of waste removed. A numerical example of application was provided to demonstrate the feasibility and merits of the algorithm.

A novel nonreciprocal graphene waveguide with Kerr nonlinear material in mid-infrared region is proposed and the corresponding transmission characteristics are investigated. In the proposed graphene waveguide, a transmission contrast ratio up to 19.2 dB can be achieved between forward and backward transmission by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, revealing an excellent nonreciprocal effect. Moreover, the proposed nonreciprocal graphene waveguide can also be flexibly controlled as forward transmission or backward transmission at different wavelengths by adjusting the structural parameters and input intensity. Therefore, our results can offer a new possibility and important application in highly integrated optical circuits.

A plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) spectral response in an ultracompact plasmonic structure composed of a metal–insulator–metal waveguide Bragg grating coupled with an air rectangle cavity is proposed, and the corresponding transmission characteristics are investigated theoretically and numerically. By using the transmission line theory (TLT), a remarkable PIT transmission can be proposed in this structure. Moreover, we study the transmission as a function of the coupling distance between the air cavity and insulator layer, and we also discuss the transmission as a function of the thickness of air cavity. To validate the correctness of the TLT results, we have compared them with the finite-difference time-domain method. Both of them agree well with each other. Thus, our results can offer a new possibility and important theory analysis for the designs of the optical switching devices, sensors, and slow light devices in highly integrated optical circuits.

By performing first-principle quantum transport calculations, we investigate the effects of connected position and B/N doping on the transport properties of a single cruciform diamine molecule connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon leads. The negative differential resistance behaviors are found in I V characteristics of the undoped molecular device. The peak-to-valley current ratio can be modulated obviously by changing the connected position. Then, we find the B/N doped effects are sensitive to doping site in the connected region. The replacement of B/N atom on R1 (carbon atom in connected region close to the zigzag graphene nanoribbon) seldom affects the transmission spectrum around Fermi level. But, the replacement of B/N atom on R2 (carbon atom in connected region close to the molecule) can raise the transmission coefficient around Fermi level markedly leading to the large growth of the current at the low biases. In addition, the replacement of N atom on R2 can induce a negative differential resistance behavior in I V curve at low bias region.

By screening the copper catalysts, ligands, and the reaction conditions, a simple CuCl/DMEDA/TEMPO catalyst system readily available from commercial sources is developed for a direct and selective synthesis of the useful nitriles by an aerobic oxidation reaction of primary amines using air as an advantageous oxidant under mild conditions.

An optical waveguide for working in mid-infrared range is highly desirable. However, such a waveguide is required to yield a long propagation distance and deep subwavelength confinement. Although the graphene-based surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides have exhibited some potential in this regard, their propagation lengths are currently insufficient (∼100 μm). In this paper, we propose a graphene-based cylindrical long-range SPP (LRSPP) waveguide, which is composed of a cylindrical silicon nanowire core surrounded by an inner graphene layer, a silica layer, and an outer graphene layer from inside to out. First, the electromagnetic field equation and the dispersion equation of this waveguide are derived. Then, combining these derived equations with the numerical simulation, the propagation properties of the LRSPP and the short-range SPP modes are analyzed. The results show that the proposed waveguide with the LRSPP fundamental mode has a notable advantage for simultaneously achieving a larger propagation length (∼10 μm) and a deep subwavelength confinement ( $\sim10^{- 5}\,A_{0}$ , where $A_{0}$ is the diffraction-limited mode area). This waveguide has potential for application in high-density photonic integrated circuits in the mid-infrared range.

By performing first-principle quantum transport calculations, we investigated the effects of the edge types and edge defects on the electronic and transport properties of phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs). The calculated band structures show the PNRs with the zigzag and cliff edges are all metallic. The conductance of the cliff phosphorene nanoribbon (CPNR) is higher than that of the zigzag phosphorene nanoribbon (ZPNR). The low bias negative differential resistance behavior is only found in the ZPNR and the peak-to-valley current ratio is up to 102. More over, we found the carrier transport channels under low bias of ZPNR and CPNR mainly locate on the edges. The current-voltage characteristics show the defects induced by removing the phosphorus atoms from the edge can decrease the conductance of the ZPNR and CPNR obviously. The low bias negative differential resistance behavior of the ZPNR also can be weakened or removed by the edge defects.

In the recent CODATA-2014 adjustment, the $G$ values obtained by different groups are not in good agreement with each other within respective uncertainties, which may be attributed to the possible unknown or incorrectly evaluated systematic errors in different methods. This paper proposes a scheme to measure $G$ with two independent methods. The first method is the extraction of the $G$ value from the fundamental periods of the torsion pendulum, with the source masses at two positions; the other one determines the $G$ value on the basis of the amplitude of the third-order harmonic component of the torsion pendulum. Both methods are performed with the same setup by using the large-amplitude torsion pendulum. Through theoretical derivation and simulation, the uncertainties of the $G$ values obtained by the two methods are both expected to be within 20 ppm. By comparing the $G$ values from the two methods, we can explore the potential systematic errors in the measurement.

Capacitive transducers are widely used in fundamental physics experiments, seismology, Earth or planetary observations, and space scientific and technical applications because of their high precision, simple structure, and compatibility with various measurements. However, in real applications, there is a trade-off between their resolution and dynamic range. Therefore, this paper is aimed at enlarging the dynamic range while ensuring high resolution. In this paper, a noise analysis of a capacitive transducer is presented, which shows that the amplitude noise of the carrier wave is the main limiting factor. Hence, a new method of generating a carrier wave with lower-amplitude noise is proposed in the paper. Based on the experimental verification, it is found that the carrier wave produced through the new method performed significantly better than the typical digital carrier wave when they were compared in the same sensing circuit. With the carrier wave produced through the new method, the dynamic range of the capacitive transducer can reach 120.7 dB, which is 18.3 dB greater than for the typical direct digital synthesis (DDS) method. In addition, the resolution of the carrier wave is mainly limited by the voltage reference components.

Objective: We previously have established the gross tissue response (GTR) system to evaluate the intraoperative perigastric tissue response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of gastric cancers. This prospective cohort study aims to confirm the relationship among gross tissue response, postoperative complications, and pathological tumor regression. Methods: A total of 156 gastric cancer cases from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled in the study. The fibrosis, edema, and effusion degree of perigastric tissues was intraoperative assessed according to the GTR system. We systematically analyzed relations among the GTR system, clinicopathological characteristics, and postoperative 30-day complications. Results: Finally, the study had included 107 males and 49 female patients. The overall incidence rate of postoperative 30-day complications was 26.28% (41/156). Fibrosis, edema and the total score of the GTR system were significantly related to operation time and postoperative 30-day complications (p

Background: Rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan prompted heightened surveillance in Guangzhou and elsewhere in China Modes of contact and risk of transmission

Kangfu Xiaoyan Suppository is widely used in the treatment of gynecological inflammatory diseases. Long-term clinical application and a certain amount of research evidences show that Kangfu Xiaoyan Suppository can alleviate the clinical symptoms of pelvic inflammatory diseases,reduce the recurrence rate,and relieve sequelae,with a better safety and economic characteristics. As a type of nationally protected traditional Chinese medicine and type B medicine included in medical insurance,it has been selected as a Chinese patent medicine for rectal administration. It was included in the Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of common gynecological diseases of traditional Chinese medicine published by the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012,the Pelvic inflammatory diseases diagnosis and treatment guidelines issued by the Infectious Diseases Collaborative Group of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in 2014,and the group standard of Single use of traditional Chinese medicine/combined antibiot guidelines for clinical practice-pelvic inflammatory diseases of the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2017. To further enhance clinicians' understanding of the drug and better guide its rational clinical use,experts from the field of gynecology of traditional Chinese and Western medicine were invited to develop and compile this expert consensus. This consensus takes full account of clinical evidences and expert clinical experience,and form recommendations for clinical problems based on evidences and consensus recommendations for clinical problems without evidence by nominal grouping method. The expert consensus is mainly formed in the consideration of six factors: quality of evidence,economy,efficacy,adverse reactions,patient acceptability and others. Based on clinical research evidences and expert experience,this consensus provides a preliminary reference for the clinical use of the drug in a concise and clear format. However,evidence-based support is still required in a large number of high-quality studies,and this consensus will be revised in the future according to new clinical problems and the update of evidence-based evidence in practical application.

Objective: The effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes on brain microvascular endothelial cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), which mimic cells in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in vitro, are yet to be studied. Methods: MSCs were co-cultured with primary rat brain endothelial cells, which were then exposed to OGD. Cell viability, apoptosis, the inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), and the activation of inflammation-associated TLR4-mediated pyroptosis and the NF-κB signaling pathway were determined. Furthermore, exosomes derived from MSCs were isolated and incubated with endothelial cells to investigate whether the effect of MSCs is associated with MSCderived exosomes. Apoptosis, cell viability, and the inflammatory response were also analyzed in OGD-induced endothelial cells incubated with MSC-derived exosomes. Results: OGD treatment promoted endothelial cell apoptosis, induced the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and inhibited cell viability. Western blot analysis showed that OGD treatment-induced TLR4, and NF-κB p65 subunit phosphorylation and caspase-1 upregulation, while co-culture with MSCs could reduce the effect of OGD treatment on endothelial cells. As expected, the effect of MSC-derived exosomes on OGD-treated endothelial cells was similar to that of MSCs. MSC-derived exosomes alleviated the OGD-induced decrease in the viability of endothelial cells, and increased levels of apoptosis, inflammatory factors, and the activation of inflammatory and inflammatory focal pathways. Conclusion: Both MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes attenuated OGD-induced rat primary brain endothelial cell injury. These findings suggest that MSC-derived exosomes mediate at least some of the protective effects of MSCs on endothelial cells.

A suspended monolayer graphene has only about 2.3% absorption rate in visible and infrared band, which limits its optoelectronic applications. To significantly increase graphene’s absorption efficiency, a tunable dual-band and polarization-insensitive coherent perfect absorber (CPA) is proposed in the mid-infrared regime, which contains the silicon array coupled in double-layers graphene waveguide. Based on the FDTD methods, dual-band perfect absorption peaks are achieved in 9611 nm and 9924 nm, respectively. Moreover, due to its center symmetric feature, the proposed absorber also demonstrates polarization-insensitive. Meanwhile, the coherent absorption peaks can be all-optically modulated by altering the relative phase between two reverse incident lights. Furthermore, by manipulating the Fermi energies of two graphene layers, two coherent absorption peaks can move over a wide spectrum range, and our designed CPA can also be changed from dual-band CPA to narrowband CPA. Thus, our results can find some potential applications in the field of developing nanophotonic devices with excellent performance working at the mid-infrared regime.

Diemailing~® Kudiezi Injection( DKI) is widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction,coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Long-term clinical application and related research evidence showed that DKI has a good effect in improving the clinical symptoms of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However,this injection has not been included in any clinical practice guideline. It has been found that the use of DKI is in wrong way in clinical practice in recent years. Therefore,clinical experts from the field of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases nationwide are invited to compile this expert consensus in order to guide clinicians.GRADE system is used to grade the quality of evidence according to different outcomes according to degrading factors. Then it forms the recommendation or consensus suggestion through the nominal group method. The formation of expert consensus mainly considers six factors: quality of evidence,economy,efficacy,adverse reactions,patient acceptability and others. Based on these six aspects,if the evidence is sufficient,a " recommendation" supported by evidence is formed,and GRADE grid voting rule is adopted. If the evidence is insufficient,a " consensus suggestions" will be formed,using the majority voting rule. In this consensus,the clinical indications,efficacy,safety evidences and related preliminary data of DKI were systematically and comprehensively summarized in a concise and clear format,which could provide valuable reference for the clinical use of DKI. This consensus has been approved by China association of Chinese medicine which is numbered GS/CACM 202-2019.

In 2013,China pharmaceutical regulatory department issued guiduance on postmarketing drug safety monitoring for industry. It aimed to encourage industry to carry out postmarketing drug safety monitoring including hospital-based intensive monitoring of postmarketing Chinese patent medicine. Subsequently,more and more such kind of studies have been performed all over China. However,in view of the current situation in this field,the development of hospital-based intensive monitoring of postmarketing Chinese patent medicine lacks standardization,such as unreasonable design,omission of reports about adverse drug reactions,inadequate process of quality control,non-standardized interpretation of adverse reactions,etc. Therefore,it is necessary to formulate relevant technical specifications to guide this area. The developing of this technical specification refered to the international post-marketing safety monitoring model and advanced design concepts and methods. We developed it under the guidance of relevant laws,regulations and technical documents in China. Meanwhile the characteristics of Chinese patent medicines and the real situation in this area were considered. The aim of this technical specification is to obtain the incidence,type,degree and clinical manifestation of adverse drug reactions of Chinese patent medicines,to find new risk signals of adverse reactions,to identify risk factors,and to provide a basis for the formulation of risk management and control plans. This specification has been approved by China association of Chinese medicine which is numbered T/CACM011-2016.

The Newtonian gravitational constant G, which is one of the most important fundamental physical constants in nature, plays a significant role in the fields of theoretical physics, geophysics, astrophysics and astronomy. Although G was the first physical constant to be introduced in the history of science, it is considered to be one of the most difficult to measure accurately so far. Over the past two decades, eleven precision measurements of the gravitational constant have been performed, and the latest recommended value for G published by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) is (6.674 08 ± 0.000 31) × 10−11 m3 kg−1 s−2 with a relative uncertainty of 47 parts per million. This uncertainty is the smallest compared with previous CODATA recommended values of G; however, it remains a relatively large uncertainty among other fundamental physical constants. In this paper we briefly review the history of the G measurement, and introduce eleven values of G adopted in CODATA 2014 after 2000 and our latest two values published in 2018 using two independent methods.

In this paper, the fuzzy relative entropy of fuzzy information theory is introduced for the spatial target orbit information and its related characteristics are discussed. For the tens of thousands of spatial target orbital feature information in the space target orbit information database, the J2000 inertial mean orbit elements are used to construct the respective fuzzy feature vectors. The fuzzy relative entropy discriminant algorithm is used to model and analyze the big data information of the target and the orbit information base. After 10 sets of near-ground circular orbits and 6 sets of medium-high orbits to be identified and fuzzy relative entropy recognition calculation of the orbit information database, the proportion of the target to be identified correctly identified as a unique spatial target can reach up to 63%. Due to the influence of the orbital error and the threshold error, the initial identification of the orbit is often as many as several dozen. Compared with the traditional empirical threshold interval recognition technology that relies on the orbit feature information, the method can greatly improve the success rate of the recognition calculation. Since the spatial information of the target orbit feature itself is fuzzy, there is always a deviation from the actual rail orbit calculation. Therefore, the fuzzy relative entropy method is reasonable. The method applies the information discrimination characteristics of fuzzy information theory to measure the spatial target orbit. Compared with the traditional orbit feature information recognition method, it has the characteristics of high computational efficiency, large information discrimination, strong anti-interference performance and high recognition success rate. It has a good application prospect in the field of space target (fragment) detection and identification.

In this paper, a method for neutral point clamping-integrated gate commutated thyristor (NPC-IGCT) phase module clamp circuit parameters design considering FRD snappy recovery is present. Based on the snappy recovery theory, and analysis of snappy recovery factors, the paper has shown decreasing current commutating slope can attenuated snappy recovery affect effectively. Then, the paper has shown that it is reasonable for decreasing di/dt by increasing inductance of NPC-IGCT phase module clamp circuit, based on the circuit working principle. Then, the new clamp circuit parameters design method which combine multi-objective optimization solution mathematical module of the circuit, fast recovery diode (FRD) snappy recovery, devices overvoltage and loss is shown in paper. A design example and its test results have demonstrated both IGCT and FRD characteristics have been guaranteed and ensuring safety and reliability of the NPC - IGCT phase module.

In this paper, we theoretically analyze the optical force between a pair of active and passive plasmonic core-shell nanoparticles (NPs). The optical force between the NPs can be either attractive or repulsive near the critical point while the passive dimer provides only attractive force. We reveal that the reversal of attractive or repulsive force is determined by the relative phase of electric dipole (ED) modes, which can be strongly affected by the gain and loss coefficient κ. Compared with the passive dimer with the same size, the active-passive dimer can exhibit a very high repulsive force (about two orders of magnitude) while remaining the same order magnitude attractive force when the value of coefficient is 0.345. Interestingly, we find that the position of the maximum repulsive force occurs near the critical point. We also investigate the influence of variations in geometrical parameters of the dimer and polarization angle on the force. Finally, the numerical results demonstrate that when the dimer is illuminated by a laser beam, the attractive and repulsive forces can also be achieved. The manipulation of optical force can find potential in optical sorting and transport of NPs.

Cylindrical waveguides have a wide range of applications in photonic integrated circuits because of lower transmission losses. This paper proposes a directional coupler composed of a cylindrical silicon nanowire waveguide and a metal-based cylindrical hybrid plasmon waveguide. The coupling characteristics of the coupler are analyzed theoretically and are also simulated using the finite-difference time-domain method. The results show that the coupler can operate effectively with a relatively short coupling length, displaying low insertion loss, and a high coupling efficiency and extinction ratio. This study also shows how the TM mode in the plasmon waveguide can be excited with the TE mode of the dielectric waveguide. This directional coupler has a potential application in signal exchanging and mode switching between the dielectric and plasmon waveguides in photonic integrated circuits.

// Xiao-Long Chen 1, 2, * , Xin-Zu Chen 1, 2, * , Yi-Gao Wang 1, 2, * , Du He 3 , Zheng-Hao Lu 1, 2 , Kai Liu 1, 2 , Wei-Han Zhang 1, 2 , Wei Wang 1, 2 , Chang-Chun Li 1, 2 , Lian Xue 1, 2 , Lin-Yong Zhao 1, 2 , Kun Yang 1, 2 , Jian-Ping Liu 3 , Zong-Guang Zhou 1, 4 , Jian-Kun Hu 1, 2 , Xian-Ming Mo 5 1 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China 2 Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China 3 Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China 4 Institute of Digestive Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China 5 Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jian-Kun Hu, email: hujkwch@126.com Keywords: gastric cancer, cancer stem cells, markers, prognosis, nomogram Received: December 22, 2015 Accepted: August 08, 2016 Published: August 19, 2016 ABSTRACT Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are thought as the source of tumor maintaining and many CSCs markers have been identified. Regarding the heterogeneity in gastric cancer (GC), TNM stage is not enough to accurately predict the prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of CSCs markers (Lgr5, Oct4, CD133, EpCAM, CD54 and Sox2) and establish a new model based on these markers to accurately predict prognosis of GC. We retrospectively enrolled 377 GC tissues from January 2006 to October 2012 to perform immunohistochemistry (IHC), and 93 pairs of GC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal gastric tissues to perform quantitative PCR (qPCR) from December 2011 to October 2012. The clinicopathological and follow-up characteristics were collected. In IHC, Oct4, CD133 and EpCAM were independently related to tumor progression, while Sox2 were associated with well or moderate differentiation (all p

A novel narrow-band plasmonic filter in terahertz (THz) region based on optical Tamm plasmon (OTP) in dual-section InSb slot waveguide is proposed, and the corresponding transmission characteristics are investigated. This filter consists of two InSb layers and two insulator layer sections separated by an InSb film. Each insulator layer section contains three insulator periodic units structured by alternately two insulators with different refractive indices. In the filter, due to the OTP is considered as a confined electromagnetic mode which exists at the boundary between two medium with high reflection, an OTP wave could be formed on the InSb-insulator interfaces and confined in the waveguide. Thus, a narrow-band transmission peak with 3 dB bandwidth of 0.017 THz in THz region around 0.54 THz is investigated by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Moreover, since the permittivity of InSb can be modified by varying the temperature, the performance of proposed plasmonic filter could be controlled by thermal tuning. Therefore, excellent tunable narrow-band filtering performance is obtained.

A benzyl functionalized ionic liquid, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium bis [(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl] imide ([BeMIM][Tf 2 N]), was synthesized and used as an extraction solvent of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) for enrichment and determination of 5 kinds of organophosphorus pesticides (phoxim, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, phorate and parathion) and 2 kinds of aromatic compounds (chloronaphthalene and anthracene) in environmental water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). [BeMIM][Tf 2 N] had higher extraction efficiency than 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis [(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] imide and common organic solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene. The extraction was performed using 40 μL of [BeMIM][Tf 2 N] as respective extraction solvent and 1 mL of methanol as dispersive solvent with centrifugal time of 5 min. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method exhibited a good linearity for all analytes with correlation coefficients of 0.9994−0.9998. The precision, described as intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviations (RSDs) of five replicate experiments at three different concentrations of 10, 40 and 100 μg L −1 , was 1.1%–4.3% and 0.8%–4.8%, respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.01–1.0 µg L −1 ( S/N = 3). The developed method was convenient, rapid and applicable to detection of the analytes in real environmental water samples with satisfactory recovery of 82.7%–118.3% and RSDs of 0.7%–5.6%. Introduction of benzyl group into the imidazolium could considerably elevate the extraction efficiecny of the analytes due to enhanced π-π interaction between [BeMIM][Tf 2 N] and analytes. [BeMIM][Tf 2 N] was a satisfactory extraction solvent with a high enrichment factor of 339 and extraction efficiency of 81.4%. The partition coefficients of all analytes in [BeMIM][Tf 2 N]-DLLME system were determined and the extraction mechanism was discussed.

The mixed phase nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc-SiO x :H) thin films have been prepared by very high frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) system from SiH 4 , H 2 and CO 2 mixture. The effect of oxygen incorporation on the structural and opto-electrical properties of nc-Si:H films was investigated. As the CO 2 flow rate increased, the crystalline volume fraction in the films decreased, while the optical band gap increased slowly. During the phase transition, both oxygen and hydrogen content increased drastically with the increasing CO 2 flow rate, while the Urbatch energy and microstructure factor showed obvious reduction, which indicated an enhancement of the medium range order of the films and good passivation of the inner voids. Device quality nc-SiO x :H film was fabricated with low microstructure factor of 0.32 and high crystalline volume fraction around 50%, along with wide optical band gap of ∼1.75 eV, low dark-conductivity σ d ∼7.6 × 10 − 6 S/cm and high photosensitivity of about 2 × 10 2 . On flat substrate a solar cell was prepared with high V oc of 0.62 V and J sc of 14.57 mA/cm 2 . These results revealed the potential of nc-SiO x :H film as an absorber layer for thin film solar cells.

Increasing amounts of evidence has demonstrated that T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) patients have increased susceptibility to CRC (colorectal cancer). As HHEX is a recognized susceptibility gene in T2DM, this work was focused on two SNPs in HHEX, rs1111875 and rs7923837, to study their association with CRC. T2DM patients without CRC (T2DM-only, n=300), T2DM with CRC (T2DM/CRC, n=135), cancer-free controls (Control, n=570), and CRC without T2DM (CRC-only, n=642) cases were enrolled. DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes of the patients and sequenced by direct sequencing. The χ2 test was used to compare categorical data. We found that in T2DM patients, rs1111875 but not the rs7923837 in HHEX gene was associated with the occurrence of CRC (p= 0.006). for rs1111875, TC/CC patients had an increased risk of CRC (p=0.019, OR=1.592, 95%CI=1.046-2.423). Moreover, our results also indicated that the two variants of HEEX gene could be risk factors for CRC in general population, independent on T2DM (p< 0.001 for rs1111875, p=0.001 for rs7923837). For rs1111875, increased risk of CRC was observed in TC or TC/CC than CC individuals (p

// Xin-Zu Chen 1, 2 , Wei-Han Zhang 1, 2, * , Hai-Ning Chen 1, * , Jian-Ping Liu 3 , Du He 3 , Yang Liu 4 , Kai Liu 1, 2 , Xiao-Long Chen 1, 2 , Xian-Ming Mo 5 , Zong-Guang Zhou 1 , Jian-Kun Hu 1, 2 1 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China 2 Laboratory of Gastric Cancer, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China 3 Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China 4 West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China 5 Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China * These authors are contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jian-Kun Hu, e-mail: hujkwch@126.com Xin-Zu Chen, e-mail: chen_xz_wch_scu@126.com Keywords: gastric cancer, CA724, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, immunohistochemistry, carbohydrate antigen Received: September 12, 2015 Accepted: February 28, 2016 Published: March 17, 2016 ABSTRACT Objectives: Associations between serum tumor biomarkers and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression among locally advanced gastric cancer patients were yet to be determined and therefore warranted investigation. Results: A total of 318 patients were analyzed. The odds ratios of CA724 were 4.79 (95% CI 1.55–14.79) and 6.29 (1.40–28.19) in comparing the HER2 (2+/3+) and HER2 (3+) with the negative group, respectively ( p < 0.05). A combination of the four biomarkers yielded slightly but not significantly greater areas under the curve (AUC = 0.83; 0.71–0.94) than that of serum CA724 alone (0.80; 0.68–0.91); however, an index generated from the combination had better diagnostic performance with 85.7% sensitivity, 80.4% specificity and 97.8% negative predictive value to predict the strong overexpression of HER2 (3+). CA199, CEA or CA125 alone was not associated with HER2 overexpression. Leave-one-out cross-validation found a consistent association between serum CA724 and HER2 (2+/3+) overexpression. Methods: Patients undergoing radical gastrectomy from 8/2012 to 12/2013 and with pathological stage II–III gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. HER2 expression of the surgical samples was estimated using immunohistochemistry; serum CA724, CA199, CEA and CA125 were preoperatively tested. Internal validation was performed using the leave-one-out approach. Conclusions: Serum CA724 is significantly associated with the overexpression of HER2 among locally advanced gastric cancer patients. The combination of CA724, CA199, CEA and CA125 is better than serum CA724 alone in predicting HER2 overexpression. External validation and further investigation of the biological mechanisms of these associations are required.

In this paper, we study the electronic structures and electronic transport properties of wide buckled and puckered antimonene nanoribbions (SbNRs) via edge hydrogenation and oxidation by using a first principle method. The calculated results show that the edge passivations play an important role in the band structures of wide buckled and puckered SbNRs. The current-voltage characteristics of buckled and puckered SbNRs consistent with their band structures. The currents of buckled and puckered SbNR devices via edge hydrogenation are nearly zero at low bias region, but the edge oxidation can enlarge the device’s conductance obviously. More importantly, the tunable negative differential resistance behavior can be found in the buckled and puckered SbNR devices via edge oxidation. Our researches are of great significance for the subsequent application of SbNR devices.

In this work, we design and numerically demonstrate a touching dielectric nanoantenna with high directionality. This antenna consists of a dielectric cuboid dimer with different heights, and there are no gaps between the subunits of the dimer. Superior unidirectional scattering is achieved when the electric and magnetic dipolar modes inside the antenna satisfy the first Kerker condition. This unidirectional scattering is much more prominent than its components (i.e., the dielectric cuboid nanoantennas with different heights) in the considered spectral region. Furthermore, the radiation angle can be tailored in a 10-degree range by properly rotating the antenna along the out of axis. The off-normal scattering is due to the interference between one induced magnetic dipole and two electric dipoles inside the nanoantenna. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that similar unidirectional scattering effect can also be maintained when the antenna is close to an electric (or magnetic) dipole source, and the forward emission direction can be efficiently controlled by the relative position of the dipole source. Finally, we show that it is possible to further enhance the unidirectionality by arranging the antenna in an array and the main lobe angular beam width of the 2D far-field pattern can be reduced to 28 degree.

Aim To accumulate evidence that indicated the key role played by virus-triggered inflammation in the 2019-novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which emerged in Wuhan City and rapidly spread throughout China.

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide. However, to date, there is no ideal therapy for this disease. AIM To study the effects of Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder on high fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice. METHODS Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three groups of eight. The control group (CON) was allowed ad libitum access to a normal chow diet. The high fat diet group (FAT) and Si-Ni-San group (SNS) were allowed ad libitum access to a high fat diet. The SNS group was intragastrically administered Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder (5.0 g/kg) once daily, and the CON and FAT groups were intragastrically administered distilled water. After 12 wk, body weight, liver index, visceral fat index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), portal lipopoly-saccharide (LPS), liver tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and liver triglycerides were measured. Intestinal microbiota were analyzed using a 16S r DNA sequencing technique. RESULTS Compared with the FAT group, the SNS group exhibited decreased body weight, liver index, visceral fat index, serum ALT, portal LPS, liver TNF-α and liver triglycerides (P < 0.05). Intestinal microbiota analysis showed that the SNS group had different bacterial composition and function compared with the FAT group. In particular, Oscillospira genus was a bacterial biomarker of SNS group samples. CONCLUSION The beneficial effects of Si-Ni-San freeze-dried powder on high fat diet-induced NAFLD in mice may be associated with its anti-inflammatory and changing intestinal microbiota effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of antibiotics in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in multiple regions of China, and to provide a reference for CAP standard treatment and rational antibiotic use in children. METHODS: The medical data of 1383 children with CAP who were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics in 10 grade A tertiary hospitals from 9 cities between April 14, 2014 and January 1, 2016 were reviewed, to analyze the status of antibiotic use in hospitalized children in North China, Northeast China, East China, and South China. RESULTS: The overall rate of antibiotic use in children with CAP was 89.08%, with 88.7% in North China, 95.5% in Northeast China, 83.3% in East China, and 86.6% in South China. The main types of antibiotics used were cephalosporins, macrolides, compound preparations of β-lactam antibiotics, polyphosphoric broad-spectrum antibiotics and other β-lactam antibiotics. The selection of antibiotics was generally rational, but antibiotics were still used in some patients with viral infection alone or a combined use of ≥ 2 kinds of antibiotics were noted in some patients with infection caused by one kind of pathogen. Irrational antibiotic use was observed in 131 children (10.63%). CONCLUSIONS: There are high rates of antibiotic use and irrational use of antibiotics among children with CAP. Standard management of antibiotic use in children with CAP should be strengthened.

In order to remarkably enhance the absorption capability of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a broadband MoS2-based perfect absorber, which is inspired by metamaterial, is proposed. By using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the absorption of proposed MoS2-based absorber above 94% is achieved from 594 to 809 nm. Meanwhile, the average absorptions of monolayer MoS2 enhanced up to 27% and 67% are realized from 598 to 671 nm and 710 to 801 nm, respectively. By manipulating related structural parameters, the absorption spectrum can be further broadened and shifted in a wide wavelength range. Furthermore, the proposed absorber can tolerate a relatively wide range of incident angles and demonstrate polarization-independence.

Graphene-based and metal-based surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides have attracted intense research interest because they can be used as basic components to propagate electromagnetic (EM) waves in future optical integrated systems. We propose a directional coupler, which can couple EM energy from a multilayer-graphene-based cylindrical long-range SPP waveguide to a metal-based cylindrical hybrid SPP waveguide in the mid-infrared range. This coupler exhibits relatively low coupling length, high coupling efficiency, low insertion loss, and high extinction ratio after adjustment of the wave vector mismatch of the two waveguides. Moreover, this coupler is tolerant to practical fabrication errors like misalignment of graphene layres, and can effectively work in the range of Fermi energy Ef > 0.6 eV when the mobility of graphene varies from 10000 to 800 cm2/Vs. Hence, the coupler offers potential applications in signal routing and information exchange between graphene-based and metal-based SPP waveguides in photonic integrated circuits.

To study of the interactions of two new ruthenium(II) complexes (C1 and C2) with calf thymus (CT)-DNA; production of RuOComplex C1 was characterized by x-ray crystallography. The binding of the complexes with (CT)-DNA was studied using techniques that include electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence and redox behavior. The preparation of RuOThe interaction mode of DNA with complexes is the type of electrostatic. It was revealed that sonication of the samples, before thermal decomposition, has been affected the morphologies and sizes of the resulting nanoparticles.The complexes are capable of interaction with DNA molecules and they have a good potential to prepare nanostructures.

Rationale: Cataracts can occur in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who have poorly controlled glycemia. Here, we report a case of a 16-year-old female, who was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts, and genetic screening identified a mutation in the PRRC2A gene which is rarely reported. After surgery, retinopathy was found in this patient, combined with the published literature, we encourage that postoperative monitoring for retinal lesions during the follow-up visits should be conducted. Patient concerns: In this article, we present an adolescent diagnosed with bilateral cataracts, and developed retinopathy during the follow-up visits. Genetic screening identified a mutation in the PRRC2A gene. Diagnoses: The diagnoses of Diabetic cataracts, Type 1 diabetes and Diabetic retinopathy was made. Interventions: The patient underwent surgery in both eyes, and hypoglycemic treatment was provided. Outcomes: The surgery achieved satisfactory results, during the follow-up visits, her visual acuity was reported as 0.8 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye. Besides, her blood glucose was well controlled, and her glycated hemoglobin was reduced to 6.9% after three months of continuous treatment. Lessons: This case highlights the importance of genetic screening for detecting mutations in diabetes-related genes, and postoperative monitoring for retinal lesions during the follow-up visits.

Due to its own characteristics and research status, traditional Chinese medicine research often faces the reality of "insufficient evidence" or "very low quality" when making clinical practice guidelines. Therefore, in many cases, clinical decision-making of traditional Chinese medicine should rely mainly on expert consensus to achieve. A clear and detailed list of expert consensus report specifications will provide a good reporting tool for Chinese clinical expert consensus makers, which is very important for promoting the quality of consensus production and the promotion and application of consensus results. The author consulted the internationally published authoritative expert consensus, summarized the main points of the reports, combined with the formulation process of the clinical experts consensus of Chinese medicine, and the demonstration of clinical experts and methodologists, and then formulated the list of items for clinical expert consensus reports adapt to the field of Chinese medicine. This article introduces the entire list of items and elaborates on the key parts. It is expected to provide reference for the standardization of future clinical expert consensus reports.

The promulgation of standardized documents on traditional Chinese medicine has promoted the formulation of industrial standards of traditional Chinese medicine, including clinical practice guidelines and clinical expert consensus. In order to adapt to the current research situation of "insufficient evidence" or "very low quality" when developing clinical practice guideline in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, the author has made a retrospective study on the development of guidelines and consensus, and found that the consensus is more suitable for the current research status of Chinese patent medicine, as the stage of lack of high-quality clinical evidence will remain for a long time. However, unlike clinical practice guidelines, domestic scholars and consensus makers have insufficient understanding of the clinical experts consensus. This article will introduce the origin and status of the clinical experts consensus, the differences between clinical experts consensus and the clinical practice guidelines, and the basic principles that should be followed in the formulation of the clinical experts consensus of Chinese patent medicine, expecting to provide theory basis and reference for the normative formulation of clinical experts consensus.

Chinese patent medicine is widely used in clinical practice, but improper use will not only weaken the efficacy of drugs, but even cause adverse consequences. Evidence-based medicine provides guidance for clinical practice based on the best available evidence, experience of experts and needs of patients. However, considering the situation of "insufficient evidence" or "very low quality" in Chinese medicine research, experts consensus is the main basis for clinical decision-making, but expert opinions on which the consensus depends are susceptible to various subjective biases. Therefore, a reliable and scientific consensus-making process is needed to maximally avoid bias on consensus. Unlike the clinical practice guidelines, there is no unified formulating process for consensus in the world today. This article learns from a set of formulating processes from some international consensus formulating institutions/associations, combined with the characteristics and current situation of traditional Chinese medicine, and draws up a set of standard process that is suitable for the clinical experts consensus on Chinese patent medicine, with the expect of providing evidence and reference for consensus makers, and then bringing evidence-based assistance for the clinical standardized application of Chinese patent medicines.

To assess the effect and safety of Huannao Yicong Formula (, HYF) in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).Sixty patients with mild-tomoderate AD were evenly randomized into HYF group and donepezil group with the random number method. Patients in the HYF group took 5 g of HYF granules twice daily and 5 mg placebo of donepezil once daily. Patients in the donepezil group took 5 mg donepezil once daily and 5 g placebo of HYF granules twice daily. The intervention lasted for 6 months. Clinical researchers, participants and statisticians were blinded to the treatment assignment throughout the study. The primary outcomes were scores of Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) and Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (CM-SS). The secondary outcomes were scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). The serum levels of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and amyloid-β protein 42 (AβA total of 52 patients completed the trial, 28 in HYF group and 24 in donepezil group. Compared with the baseline, HYF and donepezil signifificantly decreased the total scores of ADAS-Cog and CM-SS, and signifificantly increased the scores of MoCA and MMSE after 6-month treatment (all P0.01). Both treatments remarkably reduced the serum levels of AchE and AβHYF is effective and safe for improving the cognitive function in mildto-moderate AD patients. [Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Reg No. ChiCTR-IOR-17011746)].

We have measured the Newtonian gravitational constant $G$ by using high-Q silica fibers with time-of-swing method. A series of improvements have been adopted to reduce the large corrections and uncertainties.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) has specific epidemiology and oncogenesis in gastric cancer, however, with no systematical investigation for prognostic genomic features. Here we report a systematic investigation conducted in 1868 Chinese gastric cancer patients indicating that signet-ring cells content was related to multiple clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. We thus perform whole-genome sequencing on 32 pairs of SRC samples, and identify frequent CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 fusion (25%). With 797 additional patients for validation, prevalence of CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 fusion is noticed to be associated with signet-ring cell content, age at diagnosis, female/male ratio, and TNM stage. Importantly, patients with CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 fusion have worse survival outcomes, and get no benefit from oxaliplatin/fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapy, which is consistent with the fact of chemo-drug resistance acquired in CLDN18-ARHGAP26 introduced cell lines. Overall, this study provides insights into the clinical and genomic features of SRCC, and highlights the importance of frequent CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 fusions in chemotherapy response for SRCC., Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a unique type of gastric cancer with no prognostic features. Here, the authors report a CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 gene fusion in patients with a high signet-ring cell content, poor survival outcomes, and who experience no benefit from platinum/fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapy.

We investigate the electronic transport properties of a single cruciform diamine molecule connected to zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes by using the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism with density functional theory. Negative differential resistance behavior can be discovered in the current–voltage curve of this molecular device. Then, one hydrogen atom in the molecule is replaced by an electron-donating group (–NH2) or an electron-withdrawing group (–NO2) in order to modulate the device's electronic transport properties. The results show the replacement of –NH2 on two different functionalized sites (R1 and R2) are all ineffective on the device's current–voltage characteristic. However, the replacement of –NO2 on R1 and R2 can enlarge the device's electron transport ability to different extents. More importantly, the original negative differential resistance behavior is also enhanced markedly. The above results offer us a new effective way to control the conductance and to modulate the negative differential resistance behavior in the single molecular device with zigzag graphene nanoribbon electrodes.

A graphene-based cylindrical hybrid surface plasmon polariton waveguide, composed of a silicon nanowire core surrounded by a silica layer and then a graphene layer, is investigated using the finite-difference time-domain method. The analytical solutions and the numerical simulation show that an ultra-small mode area and a large propagation length can be achieved with this waveguide. Utilizing the perturbation theory of coupled mode, we demonstrate that the six lowest-order coupling modes originate from the coupling of the three lowest-order single-waveguide modes, and the m = 1 order yy-coupling mode possesses the maximum coupling length and the minimum crosstalk. This waveguide can be used for photonic integrated circuits in the mid-infrared range.