A New Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making Method with Unknown Weight Information

In this paper, we focus on a new approach based on new generalized hesitant fuzzy hybrid weighted aggregation operators, in which the evaluation information provided by decision makers is expressed in hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs) and the information about attribute weights and aggregation-associated vector is unknown. More explicitly, some new generalized hesitant fuzzy hybrid weighted aggregation operators are proposed, such as the new generalized hesitant fuzzy hybrid weighted averaging (NGHFHWA) operator and the new generalized hesitant fuzzy hybrid weighted geometric (NGHFHWG) operator. Some desirable properties and the relationships between them are discussed. Then, a new algorithm for hesitant fuzzy multi-attribute decision making (HF-MADM) problems with unknown weight information is introduced. Further, a practical example is used to illustrate the detailed implementation process of the proposed approach. A sensitivity analysis of the decision results is analyzed with different parameters. Finally, comparative studies are given to verify the advantages of our method.

Night warming increases wheat yield by improving pre-anthesis plant growth and post-anthesis grain starch biosynthesis

Global climate change is characterized by asymmetric warming,i.e.,greater temperature increases in winter,spring,and nighttime than in summer,autumn,and daytime.Field experiments were conducted using four wheat cultivars,namely‘Yangmai 18’(YM18),‘Sumai 188’(SM188),‘Yannong 19’(YN19),and‘Annong 0711’(AN0711),in the two growing seasons of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021,with passive night warming during different periods in the early growth stage.The treatments were night warming during the tillering-jointing(NW_(T-J)),jointing-booting(NWJ-B),and booting-anthesis(NWB-A)stages,with ambient temperature(NN)as the control.The effects of night warming during different stages on wheat yield formation were investigated by determining the characteristics of dry matter accumulation and translocation,as well as sucrose and starch accumulation in wheat grains.The wheat yields of all four cultivars were significantly higher in NW_(T-J)than in NN in the 2-year experiment.The yield increases of semi-winter cultivars YN19 and AN0711 were greater than those of spring cultivars YM18 and SM188.Treatment NW_(T-J)increased wheat yield mainly by increasing the 1,000-grain weight and the number of fertile spikelets,and it increased dry matter accumulation in various organs of wheat at the anthesis and maturity stages by increasing the growth rate at the vegetative growth stage.The flag leaf and spike showed the largest increases in dry matter accumulation.NW_(T-J)also increased the grain sucrose and starch contents in the early and middle grain-filling stages,promoting yield formation.Overall,night warming between the tillering and jointing stages increased the pre-anthesis growth rate,and thus,wheat dry matter production,which contributed to an increase in wheat yield.

Study on Landscape Pattern Based on Landsat-8 in the Center of Chengdu City, China

Study on landscape spatial pattern in the center of Chengdu City is based on the Landsat-8 image by using 3S technique and spatial pattern analysis software Fragstats 3.3. The results showed that there covered an area of 193.92 km2 in the center of Chengdu City. 55.24% of the total area was made up of buildings, covering an area of 107.12 km2, and the overall landscape of impervious ground-based. There were 22,666 patches;29.67% of the patches were roads. The human interference of buildings, roads and green space was a maximum;fragmentation of the highest was green space. The fragmentation of overall urban landscape was high;the diversity was low;the value of Shannon’s diversity index was 0.63;the value of Shannon’s evenness index was 0.70. All kinds of landscape distribution were not balanced, and lack of connectivity. This research puts important reference for creating good urban landscape space and restoring the natural ecological environment in the western regions of China.

Risk Factors for Chemotherapy-Induced Leukopenia in Patients with Lung Cancer

Objective: This analysis was conducted to clarify risk factors for chemotherapy-induced leukopenia (CIL) in lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on data from 358 patients with lung cancer who received chemotherapy. Results: Among 358 cases of lung cancer who received chemotherapy, a total of 240 patients experienced CIL, rate was 67%. The demographic data including gender (P = 0.795), age (P = 0.134), presence of selected chronic comorbidities (P = 0.23) were not significantly different in the two groups. The weight loss rate, PS score, sub-normal pre-WBC level, sub-normal pre-PLT level, and the cycle of chemotherapy were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the weight loss rate ≥5% (OR = 0.503), sub-normal pre-WBC level (OR = 11.807), the cycle of chemotherapy ≥3 (OR = 3.100) were main risk factors for CIL in lung cancer. Conclusion: Before treatment, weight loss rate is 5% or higher, chemotherapy has a cycle of 3 or more and sub-normal WBC level is independent risk factor of lung cancer after chemotherapy-induced leucopenia.

Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb 761) attenuates lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats:Roles of oxidative stress and nitric oxide

AIM： To investigate the effect of ginkgo biloba extract （EGb 761） on lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/ reperfusion （ Ⅱ/R）. METHODS： The rat model of Ⅱ/R injury was produced by damping the superior mesenteric artery for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. The rats were randomly allocated into sham, Ⅱ/R, and EGb ＋Ⅱ/R groups. In EGb ＋Ⅱ/R group, EGb 761 （100 mg/kg per day） was given via a gastric tube for 7 consecutive days prior to surgery. Rats in Ⅱ/R and sham groups were treated with equal volumes of the vehicle of EGb 761. Lung injury was assessed by light microscopy, wet-todry lung weight ratio （W/D） and pulmonary permeability index （PPT）. The levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitrite/nitrate （NO2/NO3）, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and myeloperoxidase （MPO） were examined. Western blot was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. RESULTS： EGb 761 markedly improved mean arterial pressure and attenuated lung injury, manifested by the improvement of histological changes and significant decreases of pulmonary W/D and PPT （P 〈 0.05 or 0.01）.Moreover, EGb 761 markedly increased SOD activity, reduced MDA levels and MPO activity, and suppressed NO generation accompanied by down-regulation of iNOS expression （P 〈 0.05 or 0.01）. CONCLUSION： The results indicate that EGb 761 has a protective effect on lung injury induced by Ⅱ /R, which may be related to its antioxidant property and suppressions of neutrophil accumulation and iNOS- induced NO generation. EGb 761 seems to be an effective therapeutic agent for critically ill patients with respiratory failure related to Ⅱ/R.

Enhancing the Combustion Performance of Metastable Al@AP/PVDF Nanocomposites by Doping with Graphene Oxide

利用喷雾造粒技术制备了一类新型的亚稳态分子间复合含能材料(metastable intermixed composite,MIC)。这种复合材料由铝(Al)、高氯酸铵(ammonium perchlorate, AP)和聚偏氟乙烯(polyvinylidene fluoride, PVDF)组成,其中Al作为燃料,AP和PVDF共同作为氧化剂,并根据最大反应放热量确定AP和PVDF的添加比例。此外,在材料中还掺杂了少量的氧化石墨烯(graphene oxide, GO)充当润滑剂和催化剂。结果表明,含有0.2%氧化石墨烯的Al@AP/PVDF具有最大的密度(2.57 g·cm^-3)和最高的反应放热量(5999.5 J·g^-1)。这些值远高于Al@AP/PVDF的密度(2.00 g·cm^-3)和反应放热量(5569.8 J·g^-1)。氧化石墨烯的加入提高了Al@AP/PVDF的反应速率并改善了其热稳定性。掺杂0.2%氧化石墨烯的Al@AP/PVDF使得火焰传播速率达到了4.76 m·s^-1,相对于Al@AP/PVDF的火焰传播速率提高了约10.7%。掺杂氧化石墨烯的Al@AP/PVDF(Al@AP/PVDF-GO)具有更好的界面接触和颗粒分散性,从而提高了传热速率,消除了纳米铝(nano-Al)粉微粒的团聚现象,提高了燃烧反应速率。本研究使得铝基MIC的能量释放和燃烧效率得到了提高。

Mesohepatectomy versus extended hemihepatectomy for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Extended hemihepatectomy is usually recommended to treat large centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the morbidity and mortality are high because of the postoperative liver failure. Mesohepatectomy is seldom used because of its technical complexity This study aimed to evaluate the short-term and long-term curative effect of mesohepatectomy. METHODS: From January 2002 to September 2008, a total of 198 consecutive patients with centrally located HCC underwent hepatectomy in our department. According to the surgical procedures, they were divided into mesohepatectomy (group M, n=118), extended right hemihepatectomy (group RE, n=47) and extended left hemihepatectomy (group LE, n=33) groups. The surgical techniques, clinical pathological characteristics and outcomes were compared between group M, group RE and group LE. RESULTS: The operative time of group M was significantly longer than that of the other two groups (P<0.05); however the total bilirubin on postoperative day 3 in group M was the lowest among the three groups (P<0.01). In group M, the number of the patients whose resection margin achieving 1 cm was significantly lower than that of the other two groups (P<0.05). The mortality rates in groups M, RE and LE were 2.5%, 8.5% and 3.0%, respectively (P>0.05). The morbidity rate in group M was significantly lower than that in group RE (37.3% vs 55.3%, P=0.034), but not in group LE (37.3% vs 24.2%, P=0.163). The biliary leakage tended to be more common in group M (10.2%, P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative liver failure in group M was significantly lower than that in group RE (1.7% vs 10.6%, P=0.032), but not in group LE (1.7% vs 6.1%, P=0.208). The 1-, 3- and 5-year tumor-free survival rates and the overall survival rates after mesohepatectomy were 53.4%, 30.5% and 16.9% and 67.8%, 45.5% and 28.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mesohepatectomy is a safe and effective technique for centrally located HCC patients. Compared with extended right hemihepatectomy, mesohepatectomy can retain residual liver volume to the maximum limit and reduce postoperative liver failure rate. But no significant advantage was found compared mesohepatectomy to extended left hemihepatectomy.

CABYR binds to AKAP3 and Ropporin in the human sperm fibrous sheath

Calcium-binding tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated protein （CABYR） is a highly polymorphic calcium-binding tyrosine- and serine-/threonine-phosphorylated fibrous sheath （FS） protein involved in capacitation. A putative domain （amino acids 12-48） homologous to the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase A （RII） dimerisation and A kinase-anchoring protein （AKAP）-binding domains of protein kinase A at the N-terminus suggests that CABYR may self-assemble and bind to AKAPs. Moreover, there is evidence that CABYR has limited interaction with AKAPs. However, further evidence and new relationships between CABYR and other FS proteins, including AKAPs, will be helpful in understanding the basic physiology of FS. In this study, a new strategy for co-immunoprecipitation of insoluble proteins, as well as the standard co-immunoprecipitation method in combination with mass spectrometry and western blot, was employed to explore the relationship between CABYR, AKAP3 and Ropperin. The results showed that AKAP3 was co.immunoprecipitated with CABYR by the anti-CABYR-A polyclonal antibody, and, conversely, CABYR was also co.immunoprecipitated with AKAP3 by the anti-AKAP3 polyclonal antibody. Another RIl-like domain containing protein, Ropporin, was also co-immunoprecipitated with CABYR, indicating that Ropporin is one of CABYR＇s binding partners. The interactions between CABYR, AKAP3 and Ropporin were confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assays. Further analysis showed that CABYR not only binds to AKAP3 by its RII domain but binds to Ropporin through other regions besides the RIl-like domain. This is the first demonstration that CABYR variants form a complex not only with the scaffolding protein AKAP3 but also with another Rll-like domain-containing protein in the human sperm FS.

A preliminary study on the teratogenesis of dexamethasone and the preventive effect of vitamin B_(12 )on murine embryonic palatal shelf fusion in vitro

Excessive dexamethasone (Dex) administrated into pregnant mice during critical periods of palatal development can produce a high incidence of cleft palate. Its mechanisms remain unknown. Vitamin B12 has been shown to antagonize the tera- togenic effects of Dex, which, however, remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the effects of Dex and vitamin B12 on murine embryonic palatal shelf fusion using organ culture of murine embryonic shelves. The explanted palatal shelves on em- bryonic day 14 (E14) were cultured for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h in different concentrations of Dex and/or vitamin B12. The palatal shelves were examined histologically for the morphological alterations on the medial edge epithelium (MEE) and fusion rates among different groups. It was found that the palatal shelves were not fused at 72 h or less of culture in Dex group, while they were completely fused in the control and vitamin B12-treated groups at 72 and 96 h, respectively. The MEE still existed and proliferated. In Dex+vitamin B12 group the palatal shelves were fused at each time point in a similar rate to controls. These results may suggest that Dex causes teratogenesis of murine embryonic palatal shelves and vitamin B12 prevents the teratogenic effect of Dex on palatogenesis on murine embryos in vitro.

Silver-nanoparticle-coated biliary stent inhibits bacterial adhesion in bacterial cholangitis in swine

BACKGROUND： One of the major limitations of biliary stents is the stent occlusion, which is closely related to the over- growth of bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel silver=nanoparticle-coated polyurethane （Ag/PU） stent in bacterial cholangitis model in swine. METHODS： Ag/PU was designed by coating silver nanopar- tides on polyurethane （PU） stent. Twenty-four healthy pigs with bacterial cholangitis using Ag/PU and PU stents were ran- domly divided into an Ag/PU stent group （n=12） and a PU stem group （n=12）, respectively. The stents were inserted by standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Laboratory assay was performed for white blood cell （WBC） count, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, interleukin-1 [l （IL- 1 p）, tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-~） at baseline time, 8 hours, 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after stent placements. The segment of bile duct containing the stent was examined histologically ex vivo. Implanted bili- ary stents were examined by a scan electron microscope. The amount of silver release was also measured in vitro. RESULTS： The number of inflammatory cells and level of ALT, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly lower in the Ag/PU stent group than in the PU stent group. Hyperplasia of the mucosa was more severe in the PU stent group than in the Ag/PU stent group. In contrast to the biofilm of bacteria on the PU stent, fewer bacteria adhered to the Ag/PU stent. CONCLUSIONS： PU biliary stents modified with silver nanoparticles are able to alleviate the inflammation of pigs with bacterial cholangitis. Silver-nanoparticle-coated stents are resistant to bacterial adhesion.

The chromosome-level Hemerocallis citrina Borani genome provides new insights into the rutin biosynthesis and the lack of colchicine

Hemerocallis citrina Borani(huang hua cai in Chinese)is an important horticultural crop whose flower buds are widely consumed as a delicious vegetable in Asia.Here we assembled a high-quality reference genome of H.citrina using single-molecule sequencing and Hi-C technologies.The genome assembly was 3.77 Gb and consisted of 3183 contigs with a contig N50 of 2.09 Mb,which were further clustered into 11 pseudochromosomes.A larger portion(3.25 Gb or 86.20%)was annotated as a repetitive content and 54,295 protein-coding genes were annotated in the genome.Genome evolution analysis showed that H.citrina experienced a recent whole-genome duplication(WGD)event at~15.73 million years ago(Mya),which was the main factor leading to many multiple copies of orthologous genes.We used this reference genome to predict 20 genes involved in the rutin biosynthesis pathway.Moreover,our metabolomics data revealed neither colchicine nor its precursors in H.citrina,challenging the long-standing belief that this alkaloid causes poisoning by the plant.The results of our disruptive research are further substantiated by our genomic finding that H.citrina does not contain any genes involved in colchicine biosynthesis.The high-quality genome lays a solid foundation for genetic research and molecular breeding of H.citrina.

Vibration Control of a High-Rise Building Structure:Theory and Experiment

In this study,an innovative solution is developed for vibration suppression of the high-rise building.The infinite dimensional system model has been presented for describing high-rise building structures which have a large inertial load with the help of the Hamilton’s principle.On the basis of this system model and with the use of the Lyapunov’s direct method,a boundary controller is proposed and the closed-loop system is uniformly bounded in the time domain.Finally,by using the Smart Structure laboratory platform which is produced by Quancer,we conduct a set of experiments and find that the designed method is resultful.

Disulfiram thermosensitive in-situ gel based on solid dispersion for cataract

To improve the corneal permeability and water-solubility of disulfiram(DSF), which is an ocular drug for cataract, P188 was selected as a matrix to prepare solid dispersion of DSF(DSF SD) by hot melt method. The DSF SD was characterized by DSC, XRD, and IR, and the results suggested that DSF was amorphous in DSF SD. The DSF SD was added to borate buffer solution(BBS) contained 20% poloxamer P407 and 1.2% poloxamer P188 to form in-situ gel. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that DSF SD combined with in-situ gel(DSF SD/in-situ gel) increased the residence time and the amount of DSF penetrated through the corneal. The pharmacodynamics studies exhibited DSF SD/in-situ gel delayed the development of selenium-induced cataract at some content. These results investigated that DSF SD/in-situ gel as a drug delivery system can improve DSF ocular permeability.

Electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy improve the recovery of injured sciatic nerves

Drug treatment, electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy have been shown to promote the repair and regeneration of the peripheral nerves at the injured site. This study prepared a Mackinnon’s model of rat sciatic nerve compression. Electric stimulation was given immediately after neurolysis, and decimeter wave radiation was performed at 1 and 12 weeks post-operation. Histological observation revealed that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy could improve the local blood circulation of repaired sites, alleviate hypoxia of compressed nerves, and lessen adhesion of compressed nerves, thereby decreasing the formation of new entrapments and enhancing compressed nerve regeneration through an improved microenvironment for regeneration. Immunohistochemical staining results revealed that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave could promote the expression of S-100 protein. Motor nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, the number and diameter of myelinated nerve fibers, and sciatic functional index were significantly increased in the treated rats. These results verified that intraoperative electric stimulation and decimeter wave therapy contributed to the regeneration and the recovery of the functions in the compressed nerves.

Effect of partial remelting time on the initial carbide in semisolid structure of hypereutectic high Cr cast iron

In order to review the effect of partial remelting time on the morphology of initial carbides, semisolid ingots of hypereutectic high Cr17 cast iron were remelted at 1270℃ for four different times, and the changing characteristics of shape factor and the equivalent diameter of initial carbides were analyzed quantitatively using a Leica image analyzer. The results indicate that firstly, the evolution process of the initial carbides' morphology undergoes melting, spheroidization and refining during the partial remelting; secondly, the solute diffusion and interface tension take dominant roles at the primary and the middle-final stages respectively in the process of initial carbide evolution; finally, a perfect structure can be obtained by remelting semisolid ingots at 1270℃ for 15 min.

Boosting the Electrochemical Performance of Li-and Mn-Rich Cathodes by a Three-in-One Strategy

There are plenty of issues need to be solved before the practi-cal application of Li-and Mn-rich cathodes,including the detrimental voltage decay and mediocre rate capability,etc.Element doping can e ectively solve the above problems,but cause the loss of capacity.The introduction of appropriate defects can compensate the capacity loss;however,it will lead to structural mismatch and stress accumulation.Herein,a three-in-one method that combines cation–polyanion co-doping,defect construction,and stress engineering is pro-posed.The co-doped Na^(+)/SO_(4)^(2-)can stabilize the layer framework and enhance the capacity and voltage stability.The induced defects would activate more reac-tion sites and promote the electrochemical performance.Meanwhile,the unique alternately distributed defect bands and crystal bands structure can alleviate the stress accumulation caused by changes of cell parameters upon cycling.Consequently,the modified sample retains a capacity of 273 mAh g^(-1)with a high-capacity retention of 94.1%after 100 cycles at 0.2 C,and 152 mAh g^(-1)after 1000 cycles at 2 C,the corresponding voltage attenuation is less than 0.907 mV per cycle.

Protective effects of imperatorin against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress through Nrf2 signaling pathway in rats

OBJECTIVE To investigates the effects of imperatorin on the oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.METHODS Transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in male Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 24 h reperfusion.Imperatorin(1.25 and 2.5 mg·kg-1)or vehicle were administered intraperitoneally at 1,5 and 9 h after the onset of ischemia.At 24 h after reperfusion,the biomarkers of oxidative stress such as the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS),lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde(MDA),nitric oxide(NO)and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iN OS),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed.We also assessed the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),and the NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO-1)protein expression by Western blot.RESULTS As compared to vehicle-treated animals,imperatorin treatment significantly reduced the ROS,MDA,NO levels and i NOS activity,increased T-AOC and the activities of SOD and CAT.Furthermore,imperatorin treatment also significantly induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2,enhanced the protein expression of HO-1 and NQO-1 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that imperatorin can protect the brain against the excessive oxidative stress induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion through activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Volatile components,total phenolic compounds,and antioxidant capacities of worm-infected Gomphidius rutilus

This study evaluated the effects of worm infection on the volatile components,total phenolic compounds,and antioxidant capacities of Gomphidius rutilus.G.rutilus without worms(GW),G.rutilus infected by a small amount of worms(GS;infected area<50%),and G.rutilus infected by a large amount of worms(GL;infected area>50%)were investigated.The volatile components of G.rutilus were analyzed by simultaneous distillation–extraction(SDE)and headspace solid-phase microextraction(HS-SPME)using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS).A total of 17 and 19 types of volatile compounds were detected,including ketones,alcohols,benzene,alkenes,aldehydes,esters,acids,and alkanes.Alcohols comprised the most abundant compound in GL,GS,and GW.The relative content of 1-octen-3-ol was the highest in all mushrooms.The concentration of eight-carbon(C8)compounds relative to the total volatile compounds varied widely,ranging from 40%(GW)to 64.34%(GS)and 84.42%(GS)and to 91.59%(GL),respectively,among the three samples.The antioxidant capability and the total phenolic contents of G.rutilus were evaluated in this study.The highest total phenolic content(TPC)of 192.23 mg GAE/g was found in GL,which differed significantly(P<0.05)from the latter two samples,whereas the lowest value of 156.11 mg GAE/g was found in GW.ABTS radical cation scavenging activity,FRAP ferric reducing antioxidant capacity(FRAP)radical scavenging activity,and oxygen radical absorbance capacity(ORAC)were investigated to screen the antioxidant properties of extracts.The contents of total phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacities in vitro showed significant correlations(P<0.01).Among the three types of samples,the phenolic compounds of GL exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity,showing the values of 0.089 mM TE/g for ABTS,0.949 mM Fe^2+E/g for FRAP,and 1.952 M TE/g for ORAC.However,regarding the total antioxidant capacity,GS exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity,showing the values of 0.002648 mM TE/g for ABTS,0.004437 mM Fe^2+E/g for FRAP,and 0.256μM TE/g for ORAC.In conclusion,HS-SPME was more suitable for the extraction of volatile aroma components from G.rutilus.GL had the most abundant aroma components.GL had the highest TPC and antioxidant capacity compared with those of GS and GW,whereas GS showed the opposite results.Interestingly,GS was found to have the highest total antioxidant capacity in vitro.Based on these measured indicators,worm infection had no negative effect on the quality of G.rutilus.Therefore,worm-infected G.rutilus can also be consumed by humans.

Terahertz Orbital Angular Momentum: Generation, Detection and Communication

To accommodate the ever-increasing wireless capacity,the terahertz(THz)orbital angular momentum(OAM)beam that combines THz radiation and OAM technologies has attracted much attention recently,with contributing efforts to explore new dimensions in the THz region.In this paper,we provide an overview of the generation and detection techniques of THz-OAM beams,as well as their applications in communications.The principle and research status of typical generation and detection methods are surveyed,and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are summarized from a viewpoint of wireless communication.It is shown that developing novel THz components in generating,detecting and(de)multiplexing THz-OAM beams has become the key engine to drive this direction forward.Anyway,beneficial from the combination of infinite orthogonal modes and large bandwidth,THz-OAM beams will have great potential in delivering very large capacity in next generation wireless communications.

The first four cases of successful NeoChord procedure in Chinese mainland

BACKGROUND:Transapical off-pump NeoChord procedure is a novel minimally invasive surgical repair of degenerative mitral regurgitation(MR).Here,we report the first four cases of NeoChord procedure in patients with mitral valve prolapse in Chinese mainland.METHODS:Four patients,aged 86,84,80 and 60 years,with severe MR due to posterior middle scallop prolapse(P2),underwent transapical off-pump artifi cial chordae implantation on April 9 and 10,2019.The procedure was performed by left mini-thoracotomy under general anaesthesia and guided by 2D and 3D dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography(TEE).RESULTS:Mitral valve repair via NeoChord procedure was successfully performed with implantation of 3 artifi cial chordae in the fi rst patient and 3,2,and 3 artifi cial chordae in the following patients,respectively.Intraoperative TEE and pre-discharge transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)showed only mild to moderate MR of these four patients and no postoperative complications were noted.There were no changes of TTE fi nding between one-month follow-up and pre-discharge.CONCLUSION:The successful NeoChord procedures in four Chinese indicate that the valve repair using the NeoChord system for Chinese population is feasible.