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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) is a novel noninvasive treat-ment for stroke that directly stimulates the peripheral auricular branch of the vagus nerve. There have been recent reports that ta-VNS combined with conventional rehabilitation training promotes the recovery of neurological function of patients with acute stroke. However, these were small-sample-sized studies on the recovery of neurological function in patients after percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in the subacute and chronic phases after stroke. This double-blinded randomized controlled trial involved 60 acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients aged 18-80 years who received treatment in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive ta-VNS or sham ta-VNS combined with conventional rehabilitation training. The follow-up results over 1 year revealed that ta-VNS combined with conventional rehabilitation training greatly improved the recovery of motor and sensory functions and emotional responses compared with sham ta-VNS combined with conventional rehabilitation training. There were no obvious side effects. These findings suggest that ta-VNS combined with conventional rehabilitation training for the treatment of acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke patients is safe and effective.

BACKGROUND As of June 1, 2020, over 370000 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization. However, the risk factors for patients with moderate-to-severe or severe-to-critical COVID-19 remain unclear. AIM To explore the characteristics and predictive markers of severely and critically ill patients with COVID-19. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at the B11 Zhongfaxincheng campus and E1-3 Guanggu campus of Tongji Hospital affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. Patients with COVID-19 admitted from 1st February 2020 to 8th March 2020 were enrolled and categorized into 3 groups: The moderate group, severe group and critically ill group. Epidemiological data, demographic data, clinical symptoms and outcomes, complications, laboratory tests and radiographic examinations were collected retrospectively from the hospital information system and then compared between groups. RESULTS A total of 126 patients were enrolled. There were 59 in the moderate group, 49 in the severe group, and 18 in the critically ill group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age [odd ratio (OR) = 1.055, 95% (confidence interval) CI: 1.099-1.104], elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (OR = 4.019, 95%CI: 1.045-15.467) and elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (OR = 10.126, 95%CI: 1.088 -94.247) were high-risk factors. CONCLUSION The following indicators can help clinicians identify patients with severe COVID-19 at an early stage: age, an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and high sensitivity cardiac troponin I.

Objective To explore the risk factors for incident endometrial injury and 3-month endometrial injury after magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound(MRgFUS)ablation of uterine fibroids(UF). Methods UF patients who were diagnosed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and underwent MRgFUS ablation in Amcare Women's and Children's Hospital from August 2016 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled in this study.Clinical data of 66 UF patients were collected and compared between endometrial injury group and non-injury group.Stepwise regression was employed to determine the risk factors for the incident endometrial injury and 3-month endometrial injury.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship of endometrial injury with age,pre-ablation tumor size,multiple UF,International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)classification,T2WI signal intensity,and treatment time.Results In terms of incident endometrial injury,the 66 patients included 41(62.1%)cases with no injury,4 cases(6.1%) with grade 1 injury,5 cases(7.6%)with grade 2 injury,and 16 cases(24.2%)with grade 3 injury.In terms of 3-month endometrial injury,the 66 patients included 49 cases(74.2%)with no injury,5 cases(7.6%)with grade 1 injury,2 cases(3.0%)with grade 2 injury,and 10 cases(15.2%)with grade 3 injury.Stepwise regression analysis indicated that FIGO classification was significantly associated with incident endometrial injury(

The reproductive transition is an important event that is crucial for plant survival and reproduction. Relative to the thorough understanding of the vegetative phase transition in angiosperms, a little is known about this process in perennial conifers. To gain insight into the molecular basis of the regulatory mechanism in conifers, we used temporal dynamic transcriptome analysis with samples from seven different ages of Pinus tabuliformis to identify a gene module substantially associated with aging. The results first demonstrated that the phase change in P. tabuliformis occurred as an unexpectedly rapid transition rather than a slow, gradual progression. The age-related gene module contains 33 transcription factors and was enriched in genes that belong to the MADS (MCMl, AGAMOUS, DEFICIENS, SRF)-box family, including six SOC1-like genes and DAL1 and DAL10. Expression analysis in P. tabuliformis and a late-cone-setting P. bungeana mutant showed a tight association between PtMADS11 and reproductive competence. We then confirmed that MADS11 and DAL1 coordinate the aging pathway through physical interaction. Overexpression of PtMADS11 and PtDAL1 partially rescued the flowering of 35S::miR156A and spl1,2,3,4,5,6 mutants in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), but only PtMADS11 could rescue the flowering of the ft-10 mutant, suggesting PtMADS11 and PtDAL1 play different roles in flowering regulatory networks in Arabidopsis. The PtMADS11 could not alter the flowering phenotype of soc1-1-2, indicating it may function differently from AtSOC1 in Arabidopsis. In this study, we identified the MADS11 gene in pine as a regulatory mediator of the juvenile-to-adult transition with functions differentiated from the angiosperm SOC1.

Hirota equation has been studied in the past years, which can be used to describe the nonlinear waves in the fluids and nonlinear optical fibers. In this paper, nonlocal Hirota equations with the space (S)-, time (T)- and space–time (ST)-symmetry have been discussed. By virtue of the Hirota bilinear method, higher-order solutions of generalized Hirota equations have been obtained. As the special cases, exact solutions of the S-symmetric, T-symmetric and ST-symmetric nonlocal Hirota equations have been listed.

The study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Dendrobium officinale flower extraction (DOFE) on alcohol-induced liver injury and its probable mechanisms in mice. The chemical composition of DOFE was performed via UPLC/MS. Male Kunming mice were used to establish alcohol-induced liver injury models by oral gavage of 56% alcohol. Results showed that DOFE dramatically attenuated the increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and triacylglycerol (TG). Meanwhile, hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O staining showed that DOFE attenuated degeneration, inflammatory infiltration, and lipid droplet accumulation. DOFE was also found to suppress the activity of malonaldehyde (MDA) and enhanced the level of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in the liver. The protection of DOFE against oxidative stress was associated with the downregulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase l (NQO1). Additionally, DOFE suppressed inflammation via downregulating Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and nuclear factor kappa-B P65 (NF-κB P65). Thus, DOFE exhibited a significant protective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury through its antisteatosis, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effect.

Background The purpose of this research is to identify the bowel symptoms and self-care strategies for rectal cancer survivors during the recovery process following low anterior resection surgery. Methods A total of 100 participants were investigated under the structured interview guide based on the dimensions of “symptom management theory”. Results 92% of participants reported changes in bowel habits, the most common being the frequent bowel movements and narrower stools, which we named it finger-shaped consistency stools. The 6 most frequently reported bowel symptoms were excessive flatus (93%), clustering (86%), urgency (77%), straining (62%), bowel frequency (57%) and anal pendant expansion (53%). Periodic bowel movements occurred in 19% participants. For a group of 79 participants at 6 to 24 months post-operation, 86.1% reported a significant improvement of bowel symptoms. Among 68 participants of this subgroup with significant improvements, 70.5% participants reported the length of time it took was at least 6 months. Self-care strategies adopted by participants included diet, bowel medications, practice management and exercise. Conclusions It is necessary to educate patients on the symptoms experienced following low anterior resection surgery. Through the process of trial and error, participants have acquired self-care strategies. Healthcare professionals should learn knowledge of such strategies and help them build effective interventions.

We investigated the structure, dielectric properties and energy density performances of cubic perovskite-structured Mg-doped SrTiO3 ceramics that were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. SrTiO3 ceramic exhibited a relatively stable permittivity about 265–290 and enhanced dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) by Mg isovalent doping. Doping effects on the energy-storage properties in SrTiO3 ceramics was performed by complex impedance analysis and polarization–electric field hysteresis loops. The energy storage density was dependent on DBS while energy efficiency was closely related to the remnant polarization. The possible physical mechanisms, including grain, gain boundary and interfacial polarization effects, were discussed to explain the improvement of dielectric breakdown strength. The bulk Mg-doped SrTiO3 materials have shown interesting energy densities (1.86 J/cm3) with good energy storage efficiency (about 89.3%) indicating that they can be a promising candidate for high energy density capacitor applications.

Polyacrylic acid/attapulgite (PAA/ATP) composite hydrogels used for removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution was synthesized via radical polymerization with acrylic acid (AA) and attapulgite (ATP) modified by hydrochloric acid as adsorbent. Chemical composition of the modified ATP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the morphology of the PAA/ATP hydrogels was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The swelling ratio, pH-sensitivity and adsorption performance of Ni (II) ions of the composite hydrogels were studied. The results showed the swelling ratio of the PAA/ATP composite hydrogels was higher than that of PAA hydrogels and the composite hydrogels displayed sensitivity to pH values with a sharp increase of swelling ratio when the pH values increased from 4 to 6. Comparing with PAA hydrogels, the composite hydrogels obtained a larger adsorption capacity of Ni (II) ions, the average adsorption capacity could reach 72.8 mg/g and adsorption ratio could reach 84%.

In this paper, scalar Maxwell-Bloch equations are studied by virtue of the Darboux transformation, which can be used to describe the optical pulse propagation in the two-level optical medium. Multi-soliton solutions of the integrable Maxwell-Bloch equations are obtained. Propagation and interaction of the solitons are analyzed: Spectral parameter has effect on the propagation direction of the one solitons; varies of kinds interaction pattern for the two- and three-soliton are attained by virtue of chooseing the different spectral parameters.

We examined CpG island methylation in p16 gene and its effect on p16 protein expression in tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) patients to explore its potential implications in the development and progression of ToF. The study subjects consisted of 75 healthy controls and 63 ToF patients recruited at Linyi People’s Hospital between January 2012 and June 2014. The 4 mL of peripheral venous blood of each subject was obtained and saved in ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was employed to detect CpG island methylation in p16 promoter region and Western blotting was used to detect p16 expression of all subjects. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was performed to test p16 mRNA expression. The results showed that p16-methylation rates in ToF group were significantly higher than the control group (ToF group, 58.73%; control group, 13.33%; P < 0.001). Remarkably, Western blotting and FQ-PCR results derived from RVOT revealed that p16 protein expression was significantly lower in ToF group compared to the control group (0.76 ± 0.21 versus 2.31 ± 0.35; P < 0.001), and p16 gene expression was also markedly decreased in ToF group (1.212 ± 0.152 versus 1.346 ± 0.191, P < 0.001). Additionally, our analysis suggested that CpG island methylation in p16 promoters in ToF patients was negatively correlated with p16 protein and gene expression (both P < 0.05). Our study reports that high CpG island methylation of p16 gene and loss of p16 protein expression associate with the development and progression of ToF, which may have significant therapeutic applications for ToF.

This paper focuses on the study on continuous XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) scanning elements of a 39 m core from Fuzhou Basin. The XRF scanning result is used to recognize the different sedimentary environment before the discussion of the element variation of different deposit in transitional zone between land and ocean. There are five sedimentary facies in the study area from the late Pleistocene: lacustrine-fluvial-estuary (mud tidal flat)-mixed tidal flat-fluvial. The XRF result from the 5 sedimentary stages shows that the high concentration of Co, Fe, Ti, Si are controlled largely by grain size. The average element intensity of layers with similar grain size indicates that Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe and Co from the marine (tidal flat) deposit is 3~10 times bigger than those from terrestrial (fluvial) deposit, with higher content of Si coinciding with terrestrial deposit. It is indicated that except grain size, the deposit environment is an important factor for element concentration. In this study, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe and Co are relatively better indicator elements for marine sediments while Si is good and K, Rb and Sr have some indication for terrestrial sediments. The study result shows XRF continuous scanning can help to identify the subtle variation of elements, as to the determination of the sediment facies. Thus, XRF scanning is an important supplement to sediment facies identification. This study also provides an application example of XRF in a typical transitional zone between land and ocean.

The energy storage properties of Ca-doped (Sr, Ca)TiO3 (SCT) paraelectric ceramics have been intensively investigated by traditional solid state sintering method. Phase structures and morphology were detected by the X-ray diffraction and SEM, respectively. The electric field strength dependence of polarization was measured and employed to calculate the energy storage density. The doped SCT ceramics exhibit high permittivity, low loss, and higher breakdown strength. At 333 kV/cm electric field strength, the energy storage density of the 2 mol % Ca-doped SrTiO3 ceramics with fine grain can achieve 1.95 J/cm3, which is 2.8 times of pure SrTiO3 in the literature, and its energy storage efficiency reaches 72.3 %. Therefore, the SCT ceramics might be a kind of promising energy storage dielectric material.

Poly (vinylidene fluoride)/attapulgite (PVDF/ATP) hybrid membrane was prepared for removal of Cr (VI) ions from wastewater with PVDF as matrix and ATP as adsorbent which was functionalized by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and then modified by tannins (TA). The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms of the hybrid membranes were particular concerned. The results indicated that the PVDF/ATP membrane displayed a good adsorption capacity for Cr (VI) ions, the adsorption equilibrium could be established within 5 hours and the maximum adsorption capacity was 21.4 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics fit well with Lagergren second-order equation and the adsorption isotherms can be well described by Langmuir and Freundlich models.

In order to predict scientific and reasonable torpedo ladle number and optimize torpedo ladle scheduling, this article analyzed operation process and turnover cycle of torpedo ladle in K steel plant as the research object. The relationship between blast furnace supply and continuous caster demand is analyzed. Based on relationship between supply and demand, the calculation model of torpedo ladle number is put forward under the conditions of blast furnace supply greater than, less than, and equal to the continuous caster demand. The control model can calculate the number of normal ladle and saving ladle and casting ladle. Satisfactory effects are obtained after applying the calculation model in production. The torpedo ladle number of different relationships between supply and demand can decrease. The research results supplies new methods for optimization and control of ironmaking and steelmaking interface system. The research methods enrich the theory of integration and optimization of metallurgy process system.

In this study, poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) hybrid membranes were prepared from polymeric blend of PVDF/tannic acid (TA)-Attapulgite (ATP)/PEG system via phase inversion induced by immersion precipitation in water coagulation bath. The membrane formation mechanism of PVDF/TA-ATP/PEG casting solutions in water bath thermodynamics at different temperatures and the process of membrane formation were investigated via cloud point determination and ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry (UTDR). The structures and properties of the membrane were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water permeation experiment, respectively. It was found that the rate of precipitation controlled by the Coagulation-Bath thermodynamics. With the coagulation temperature increasing, the gelation line was moved to non-solvent axis and the pure water flux were decreased.

At present, China's IF steel production has get a certain scale. But IF steel production is still in the primary stage of development. Therefore, the process control of inclusions in IF steel have become a pressing matter of the moment. This has important theoretical value and practical significance for further development of IF steel production in China. According to the size, the inclusions can be divided into super micro inclusions, micro inclusions and micro inclusions in the steel. According to the deformation capacity, inclusions can be divided into plastic inclusions, semi plastic inclusion and brittle inclusion.

The process of LF Refining is introduced in this paper. Because the LF ladle furnace has the advantages are widely used and developed in many companies. The argon is blown into the ladle, so the purpose of refining is achieved. The argon stirring can accelerate the chemical reaction between slag and steel. In the circulation process, large inclusion and deoxidation product in the lower region transfer into the slag. The material transfer between steel and slag can be accelerated. At the same time, argon stirring can make molten steel composition and temperature uniformity. Thus, the ladle of blowing argon can be roughly divided into three important flow region has been introduced. Two-phase region, the top horizontal flow zone and recirculation zone exists in the ladle.

Stewart platform is a parallel linkage, which is widely used in the area of parallel robotics. Generalized Stewart Platform (GSP) consists of two rigid bodies connected with six constraints between six pairs of geometric primitives in the base and the moving platform respectively. Direct kinematics to GSP is to determine the pose of moving platform according to six constraints between the base and the moving platform. Strategies on direct kinematics to GSP were presented, which were based on graph theory and symbolic computation method. A GSP can be decomposed into smaller ones if possible, and the corresponding parameters conditions of real solutions to direct kinematics to the GSP can be obtained according to these strategies.

The research status of numerical simulation on LF furnace refining ladle is introduced in this paper.Since 1970, the research on the gas-liquid two-phase region has begun.Szekely began to be simulated by mathematical model and physical experiment method of flow phenomena in ladle in early 1975. It is the first time that the numerical model is introduced to study the refining process of steel. The plume model is presented by Xiao Zeqiang in 1980, then the numerical simulation began to develop rapidly.

The research status of numerical simulation on LF furnace refining ladle is introduced in this paper.Since 1970, the research on the gas-liquid two-phase region has begun.Szekely began to be simulated by mathematical model and physical experiment method of flow phenomena in ladle in early 1975. It is the first time that the numerical model is introduced to study the refining process of steel. The plume model is presented by Xiao Zeqiang in 1980, then the numerical simulation began to develop rapidly.

COREX and COSRI smelting reduction iron-making process could directly use coal as reductant. So it is necessary to contrast the development and technology of two kinds smelting reduction iron-making process. Due to lack of funds, COSRI smelting reduction iron-making process has not been fully developed. And the COREX has completed the transformation to the industrial production. But on the whole, COSRI has good prospects for development as COREX.

Steel ladle is the indispensable vessel of transporting and refining molten steel. In order to realize efficient control of steel ladle and optimize the production organization of steelworks, the operational control model of steel ladles should be proposed. Based on steel ladles of Z steelwork as the research object, operation mode and turnover cycle of steel ladle were analyzed. Through drawing out steel ladle Gantt chart of single continuous caster and analyzing operation characteristics of steel ladle, calculation model of turnover number and rotation ratio of single continuous caster was put forward. Through drawing out steel ladle turnover Gantt chart of 3 continuous casters and analyzing mixed use characteristics of cast overlap time greater than, less than, and in between steel ladle turnover cycle of 3 continuous casters, the operational control model of steel ladles was put forward. Researches show that the model can effectively reduce amount of steel ladle turnover number and raise steel ladle rotation ratio when casting heat number of CC is less than steel ladle turnover number during the overlap time.

The background,development status and chemical composition controls technologies of IF steel smelting was introduced. In China, IF steel production has reached a certain scale, but is still in the primary stage of development.Liquid steel composition characteristics of IF steel is ultra-low carbon and nitrogen, micro alloying and pure steel. The automobile panel with defect free surface is produced, that must be accurate control of IF steel in carbon, nitrogen and other elements.According to the operating state, IF Steel process characteristics and chemical composition controls technologies weresummarized.

Nowadays steelworks exists unmatched phenomenon of production rhythm between basic oxygen furnace and continuous caster, which need to saving ladle to ensure the caster casting, therefore the scientific-reasonable saving ladle control model of steel ladle could achieve energy saving significance. Based on the steel ladles of H steelworks as the research object, this article analyzes its operation process and time, matching model of basic oxygen furnace and caster. Through analyzing the relationship between the time of saving ladle and heats, the control model of saving ladle is constructed, which could calculate the reasonable time value of saving ladle, full ladle operation time and turnover cycle. Through applying Gantt chart to analysis and study the turnover rule of steel ladle, the turnover number control model of steel ladle is constructed. Satisfactory effects were obtained after applying the control model in production: saving number and turnover number were reduced, turnover ratio was increased, temperature drop was reduced.

Preliminary research has shown that red mud is a viable option to be used as a fluxing agent in the steelmaking process, as it is able to achieve similar results as fluxes currently used in steel refining. This research focused on how red mud can be used as a flux for refining steel. Desulfurization was conducted with aluminum additions and temperature variations. The results showed that experiments utilized waste residues from the aluminum industry as refining flux for steel refining; more than 95% sulfur reduction was achieved; increasing temperature and aluminum content can improve desulfurization.

To compare the relative merits of imatinib and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).This cohort study was designed to compare the outcomes of imatinib (n=292) versus allo-HSCT (n=141) for CML, the clinical data of these patients being retrospectively analyzed so as to compare the event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) between these two groups with patients in the chronic phase (CP) and advanced phases, including accelerate (AP) and blast phases (BP).(1) Patients treated with imatinib (278 in the CP) demonstrated superior EFS, OS, 5-year EFS and 5-year OS rates of 88.5% versus 70.0% (P0.05), 93.2% versus 80.0% (P0.05), 84% versus 75.0% (P0.05) and 92% versus 79.0% (P0.05), respectively, to those treated with allo-HSCT (120 patients in the CP). (2) Both treatments resulted in similar survival, with EFS and OS rates of 42.9% versus 47.6% (P0.05), 42.9% versus 57.1% (P0.05), respectively, for imatinib (14 patients in the AP and BP) and allo-HSCT (21 patients in the AP and BP).Imatinib confers signi cant survival advantage (EFS and OS) for CML patients with CP compared with allo-HSCT treatment. However, the outcomes are equally good with both treatments in AP and BP patients.

This research focuses on studying levitating forces of droplets by utilizing a refining process known as electromagnetic levitation(EML). With the mathematical predictions, the levitating forces were described by a mathematical model in this article. Combined with theory analysis, the balancing phenomenon was also investigated in silicon-iron systems. The research found that the relationship between droplets position and levitation forces was linear. As EML system was a multi-induction, the levitating forces generation was affected by the properties of droplet, quality and size. The electromagnetic properties of the droplets were mainly the reasons for the levitation force to change from heating process before melting. EML droplet getting its melting point, electromagnetic properties of EML droplet were fixed due to the droplets absorbing latent heat. The results of this investigation will be used for vacuum electromagnetic levitation technology, and solar grade silicon samples will be prepared from relative inexpensive raw material, metallurgical grade silicon.