Application of dezocine patient-controlled epidural analgesia in postoperative analgesia in patients with total myomectomy

BACKGROUND Uterine fibroids are common benign gynecological conditions.Patients who experience excessive menstruation,anemia,and pressure symptoms should be administered medication,and severe cases require a total hysterectomy.This procedure is invasive and causes severe postoperative pain,which can affect the patient’s postoperative sleep quality and,thus,the recovery process.AIM To evaluate use of dezocine in patient-controlled epidural analgesia(PCEA)for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing total myomectomy.METHODS We selected 100 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy for uterine fibroids and randomized them into two groups:A control group receiving 0.2%ropivacaine plus 0.06 mg/mL of morphine and an observation group receiving 0.2%ropivacaine plus 0.3 mg/mL of diazoxide in their PCEA.Outcomes assessed included pain levels,sedation,recovery indices,PCEA usage,stress factors,and sleep quality.RESULTS The observation group showed lower visual analog scale scores,shorter postoperative recovery indices,fewer mean PCEA compressions,lower cortisol and blood glucose levels,and better polysomnographic parameters compared to the control group(P<0.05).The cumulative incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Dezocine PCEA can effectively control the pain associated with total myomectomy,reduce the negative impact of stress factors,and have less impact on patients’sleep,consequently resulting in fewer adverse effects.

Cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium vs piperacillin sodium/tazobactam sodium for treatment of respiratory tract infection in elderly patients

BACKGROUND Respiratory tract infections in the elderly are difficult to cure and can easily recur,thereby posing a great threat to patient prognosis and quality of life.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effects of different antibiotics in elderly patients with respiratory tract infection.METHODS Seventy-four elderly patients with respiratory tract infection were randomly allocated to a study(n=37;treated with cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium)or control(n=37;treated with piperacillin sodium/tazobactam sodium on the basis of routine symptomatic support)group.Both groups were treated for 7 d.Time to symptom relief(leukocyte recovery;body temperature recovery;cough and sputum disappearance;and rale disappearance time),treatment effect,and laboratory indexes[procalcitonin(PCT),C-reactive protein(CRP),white blood cell count(WBC),and neutrophil percentage(NE)]before and 7 d after treatment and the incidence of adverse reactions were assessed.RESULTS In the study group,the time to WBC normalization(6.79±2.09 d),time to body temperature normalization(4.15±1.08 d),time to disappearance of cough and sputum(6.19±1.56 d),and time to disappearance of rales(6.68±1.43 d)were shorter than those of the control group(8.89±2.32 d,5.81±1.33 d,8.77±2.11 d,and 8.69±2.12 d,respectively;P=0.000).Total effective rate was higher in the study group(94.59%vs 75.68%,P=0.022).Serum PCT(12.89±3.96μg/L),CRP(19.62±6.44 mg/L),WBC(20.61±6.38×10^(9)/L),and NE(86.14±7.21%)levels of the study group before treatment were similar to those of the control group(14.05±4.11μg/L,18.79±5.96 mg/L,21.21±5.59×10^(9)/L,and 84.39±6.95%,respectively)with no significant differences(P=0.220,0.567,0.668,and 0.291,respectively).After 7 d of treatment,serum PCT,CRP,WBC,and NE levels in the two groups were lower than those before treatment.Serum PCT(2.01±0.56μg/L),CRP(3.11±1.02 mg/L),WBC(5.10±1.83×10^(9)/L),and NE(56.35±7.17%)levels were lower in the study group than in the control group(3.29±0.64μg/L,5.67±1.23 mg/L,8.13±3.01×10^(9)/L,and 64.22±8.08%,respectively;P=0.000).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the groups(7.50%vs 12.50%,P=0.708).CONCLUSION Piperacillin sodium/tazobactam sodium is superior to cefoperazone sodium/sulbactam sodium in the treatment of elderly patients with respiratory tract infection with a similar safety profile.

Some progress on understanding the Phanerozoic granitoids in China

There are large volumes of the Phanerozoic granitoid rocks in China and neighboring areas.In recent years,numerous new and precise U-Pb zircon ages have been published for these granitoids,and define many important magmatic events,such as ca.500 Ma granitoid events in the West Junggar,Altai orogens in the NW China,and Qinling orogen in the central China.These ages accurately constrain the time of important early Paleozoic,late Paleozoic,early Mesozoic and late Mesozoic magmatic events of the northern,central,western,southern and eastern orogenic Mountains in China.There occur various types of granitoids in China,such as talc-alkaline granite,alkali granite,highly-fractionated granite,leucogranite, adakite,and rapakivi granite.Rapakivi granites are not only typical Proterozoic as in the North China Craton,but were also emplaced during Paleozoic and Mesozoic in the Kunlun-Qinling orogen,a part of the China Central Orogenic Belt (CCOB).Nd-Hf isotopic tracing and mapping show that granitoids inthe southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB)in China (or the Northern China Orogenic Belt)are characterized predominantly by juvenile sources.The juvenile crust in this orogenic domain accounts for over 50% by area,distinguishing it from other orogenic belts in the world,and those in central (e.g.,Qinling),southwestem and eastern China.Based on a large amount of new age data,a preliminary granitoid and granitoid-tectonic maps of China have been preliminarily compiled,and an evolutionary framework of Phanerozoic granitoids in China and neighboring areas has been established from the view of assembly and breakup of continental blocks.Research ideas on granitoid tectonics has also been proposed and discussed.

双电极电解法合成高效WO_(3-x)/石墨烯析氧反应光电催化剂

将非贵金属氧化物与石墨烯复合在一起可以构建高活性的析氧反应电催化剂.为了减少传统合成方法的复杂性,本文设计了一种简便的电化学合成方法制备高效的WO_(3-x)/石墨烯光电催化剂,通过双电极电解体系,将阴极的石墨剥离成石墨烯,钨丝阳极在还原性电解质溶液中部分转化为富含氧空穴的WO_(3-x).在所有合成的样品中,WO_(3-x)/G-2表现出最佳的电催化析氧性能,在10 mA/cm^(2)时过电位为320 mV(无iR补偿),优于商RuO_(2)(341 mV).随着光照的引入,WO_(3-x)/G-2的活性大大增强,其过电位降低至290mV,这主要受益于光电流效应产生的额外反应路径和光生载流子(h^(+))产生的额外活性位点.表征结果表明,富含氧空穴的WO_(3-x)和石墨烯都有助于提高析氧性能.WO_(3-x)对析氧反应的活性影响由氧空穴浓度与粒径的协同作用决定.石墨烯不仅能够分散WO_(3-x)纳米颗粒,而且能提高材料整体导电性,促进电子传输.该工作为设计高效析氧反应WO_(3-x)/石墨烯光电催化复合材料提供了一种新思路和方法.

Overexpression of IQGAP1 in human pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND:Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with the lowest survival rate.A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms which contribute to pancreatic cancer occurrence and progression will aid in the development of new approaches to the early diagnosis,prevention,and treatment of this deadly disease.The scaffold protein IQGAP1 shows elevated levels in a variety of cancer types.Currently,we investigated whether or not IQGAP1 is also overexpressed in pancreatic cancer.METHODS:IQGAP1 expression was examined in pancreatic cancer and normal tissues adjacent to cancerous tissues(adjacent tissues)by Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR as well as in paraffin sections of tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry.The correlations between IQGAP1 expression and various clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed.RESULTS:Western blotting and real-time RT-PCR revealed that the levels of IQGAP1 protein and mRNA expression in pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly increased compared with adjacent tissues.Immunohistochemistry analysis on tissue microarray showed that IQGAP1 protein expression was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer(80.0%,48/60)compared with adjacent tissues(18.3%,11/60)(P【0.001).Moreover,overexpression of IQGAP1 was shown to be associated with the grades of tumor differentiation(P【0.05).CONCLUSION:The overexpression of IQGAP1 may play an important role in pancreatic cancer occurrence and progression,and IQGAP1 may serve as a novel molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Clinical application of Bushen Jianpi Gutai Decoction in threatened abortion

Objective:To discuss the clinical application of the"seven,five and three"odd-numbered law theory and analyze the effect on serum sex hormone level.Methods:A total of 100 patients with early threatened abortion admitted from January 2021 to October 2021 were randomly divided into study group and control group,with 50 patients in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with dydrogesterone tablets,while patients in the study group were treated with Bushen JianpiGutai Decoction combined with dydrogesterone tablets.Clinical efficacy and progesterone level before and after treatment were observed and compared between the two groups,as well as clinical symptom relief time of the two groups,including hemostasis time,abdominal pain relief time and lumbar acid relief time,and sex hormone level of the two groups were observed and compared.Results:The clinical efficacy was significantly better than control patients(P<0.05),no significant difference in progesterone level comparison before treatment(P>0.05),significantly better than control patients(P<0.05),hemostasis,abdominal pain remission and waist acid remission were significantly shorter than control patients(P<0.05),and both significantly better sex hormone levels after treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine has certain advantages in the treatment of threatened abortion,odd-numbered law theoryguidesthe regulation of Yin and Yang in the female menstrual cycle and reproductive function is mainly the regular change of Yin and Yang.Under the guidance of"seven,five,three"odd-numbered law theoryof Traditional Chinese medicine master Xia Guicheng,master the key date and the best time of its transformation,regulate Yin and Yang in the female body,to prevent the occurrence and development of menstrual diseases and adverse childbirth.Bushen Jianpi Gutai decoction can effectively treat threatened abortion,significantly improve the clinical symptoms,improve the level of serum sex hormone,worthy of clinical promotion.

Ab Initio Study of Single-and Double-Electron Capture Processes in Collisions of He^(2+) Ions and Ne Atoms

The single-and double-electron capture(SEC, DEC) processes of He^(2+) ions colliding with Ne atoms are studied by utilizing the full quantum-mechanical molecular-orbital close-coupling method. Total and state-selective SEC and DEC cross sections are presented in the energy region of 2 eV/u to 20 keV/u. Results show that the dominant reaction channel is Ne^(+)(2s2p^(6) ^(2)S) + He^(+)(1s) in the considered energy region due to strong couplings with the initial state Ne(2s^(2)2p^(6)^(1)S) + He^(2+) around the internuclear distance of 4.6 a.u. In our calculations, the SEC cross sections decrease initially and then increase whereby, the minimum point is around 0.38 keV/u with the increase of collision energies. After considering the effects of the electron translation factor(ETF), the SEC cross sections are increased by 15%–25% nearby the energy region of keV/u and agree better with the available results. The DEC cross sections are smaller than those of SEC because of the larger energy gaps and no strong couplings with the initial state. Due to the Demkov-type couplings between DEC channel Ne^(2+)(2s^(2)2p^(4)^(1)S) + He(1s^(2)) and the dominating SEC channel Ne^(+)(2s2p^(6) ^(2)S) + He^(+)(1s), the DEC cross sections increase with increasing impact energies. Good consistency can also be found between the present DEC and the experimental measurements in the overlapping energy region.

Charge transfer and excitation processes in low energy collisions of He ions with Li atoms

Electron capture between solar wind ions and neutral species has contributed to the understanding of X-ray production from solar system bodies.The charge transfer and excitation processes in solar wind ions of He^(+)(1 s) colliding with Li(1 s^(2)2 s) atoms are studied by utilizing the full quantum-mechanical molecular-orbital close-coupling(QMOCC) method with impact energies of 0.003-2 keV amu-1.Comparisons of cross sections from single-and multi-configurational calculations for a selfconsistent field(SCF and MCSCF) process are carried out.Results show that the dominant reaction channels are He(1 s2 l ^(1,3) L)+Li^(+)(1 s^(2) ^(1) S).Good consistency is found among present total and state-selective charge transfer and excitation cross sections with other theoretical and experimental data in the same energy region.Due to the differences between coupling matrix elements in high-energy states,the charge transfer cross sections calculated from SCF and MCSCF split slightly as E> 0.4 keV amu-1.Weak Stueckelberg oscillations for charge transfer appear in the present work.In addition,the differences of cross sections for electron excitation to Li(ls^(2)2 p) in the singlet/triplet molecular states with He+(1 s) are much smaller than those of charge transfer processes because of the similar energy gaps from Li(ls^(2)2 p) to the ground state in singlet/triplet states in the large R region.

Single-and Double-Electron Capture Processes in Low-Energy Collisions of N^4+ Ions with He

We investigate the electron capture processes of N4+(1s22s)colliding with He(1s2)in the energy range of 10-1700 eV/amu using the quantum-mechanical molecular-orbital close-coupling(QMOCC)method.Total and stateselective single-electron capture and double-electron capture(SEC and DEC)cross sections are obtained and compared with other available studies.The results agree better with the experimental data in both trend and magnitude when the electron translation factor(ETF)effects are included.Our results indicate that both the SEC and DEC processes play important roles in the considered energy region.For the SEC processes,the N3+(1s22p2)+He+(1s)states are the dominant capture states,and the N^2+(1s^2 2s2p^2)+He^2+states are the main DEC states.

Effect of self-made exhaust plaster on patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological operation

Objective:To explore the effect of self-made exhaust patch(SMEP)on gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological operation.Methods:A total of 200 patients with gynecological operation in the gynecological ward of Shandong Changle People's Hospital were randomly divided into the control group(n=100)and the treatment group(n=100).The recovery time of bowel sounds,the time of first anal exhaust,the duration of abdominal distention,the duration of abdominal pain,the incidence of abdominal distention and abdominal pain and linical efficacy of SMEP were observed.Results:Compared with the control group,the recovery time of gastrointestinal function and the first anal exhaust time in the treatment group were shorter;the duration of abdominal distention and abdominal pain in the treatment group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05);Cure rate of abdominal distention in the treatment is 62.5%and cure rate of abdominal pain in the treatment is 60%within 72 hours after operation,which is higher than that in the control group(44.%,45.9%).Conclusion:The results showed that the self-made exhaust patch can improve the clinical symptoms of patients after gynecological abdominal surgery,and the self-made exhaust patch had a significant effect on gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological surgery,which was worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy on Glycemic Excursions and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-hypopnea Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

Background： For patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） and type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）, the night sleep interruption and intermittent hypoxia due to apnea or hypopnea may induce glycemic excursions and reduce insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure （CPAP） therapy in patients with OSAHS and T2DM. Methods： Continuous glucose monitoring system （CGMS） was used in 40 patients with T2DM and newly diagnosed OSAHS. The measurements were repeated after 30 days of CPAP treatment. Subsequently, insulin sensitivity and glycohemoglobin （HbAlc） were measured and compared to the pretreatment data. Results： After CPAP therapy, the CGMS indicators showed that the 24-h mean blood glucose （MBG） and the night time MBG were significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.03, respectively）. The mean ambulatory glucose excursions （MAGEs） and the mean of daily differences were also significantly reduced （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.002, respectively） compared to pretreatment levels. During the night, MAGE also significantly decreased （P = 0.049）. The differences between the highest and lowest levels of blood glucose over 24 h and during the night were significantly lower than prior to CPAP treatment （P 〈 0.05 and P = 0.024, respectively）. The 24 h and night time durations of high blood glucose （〉7.8 mmol/L and 〉 11.1 mmol/L） decreased （P 〈 0.05 and P 〈 0.05, respectively） after the treatment. In addition, HbA 1 c levels were also lower than those before treatment （P 〈 0.05）, and the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance was also significantly lower than before CPAP treatment （P = 0.034）. Conclusions： CPAP therapy may have a beneficial effect on improving not only blood glucose but also upon insulin sensitivity in T2DM patients with OSAHS. This suggests that CPAP may be an effective treatment for T2DM in addition to intensive diabetes management.

Association of image-defined risk factors,tumor resectability,and prognosis in children with localized neuroblastoma

Background Although localized neuroblastoma has a good prognosis,some cases have undergone treatment failure or recur-rence.Apart from biologic features such as MYCN status,we wondered whether some characteristics of growing tumors are prognostic,such as a well-encapsulated mass without infiltration of vital organs.We analyzed the diagnostic utility of image-defined risk factors(IDRFs)to predict successful treatment and prognosis.The overall goal was to achieve maximum cure rates for patients with localized neuroblastoma through a better understanding of clinical characteristics.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the images of patients with localized neuroblastoma who were enrolled between June 1998 and December 2012 at a single institution in Shanghai,China.Unequivocal categorization regarding IDRFs was available in 67 patients.IDRF was assessed at diagnosis and after four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy,on average.The median follow-up period was 84 months(range: 48-132 months)after diagnosis.Results MRI and CT indicated a total of 177 IDRFs in these 67 patients.Logistic regression analysis revealed a highly significant negative correlation between the numbers of IDRFs and the possibility of complete removal of neuroblastoma.Intraspinal extension of the tumor,compression of the trachea,and encasement of the main artery in localized neuroblastoma were predictors for incomplete tumor resection.According to univariate analysis,≥4 IDRFs and intraspinal extension of the tumor were significant indicators of poor prognosis.Conclusions The number of IDRFs was useful in predicting surgical outcome and event-free survival.The number of IDRFs should be considered in protocol planning,instead of IDRF presence or absence.

Structurally Diverse Sesquiterpenoids from Chloranthus henryi var.hupehensis and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities

In this study,27 new sesquiterpenoids:twenty monomers and seven dimers,with diverse structures,along with one known chlora-japonilide F(25)were isolated from the aerial parts of Chloranthus henryi var.hupehensis.Structurally,chlorahupetolides A(1)and B(2),two eudesmane-type merosesquiterpenoids with an undescribed C18 carbon framework,and chlorahupetene E(18)are the first example of dimers comprising two eudesmane sesquiterpenoids bridged by a four-membered ring in the Chloranthus.Their struc-tures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),electronic circular dichroism(ECD),and X-ray diffraction analysis.In the RAW264.7 macrophages model of inflammation induced by LPS,compounds 12,18,and 25 significantly reduced NO production in a dose dependent manner and without cytotoxicity.The mRNA expression of COX-2 was considerably inhibited by treatments with compounds 12,18,and 25.

Sub-anesthesia Dose of Isoflurane in 60% Oxygen Reduces Inflammatory Responses in Experimental Sepsis Models

Background：Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in Intensive Care Units.Anesthetic dose isoflurane and 100% oxygen were proved to be beneficial in sepsis;however,their application in septic patients is limited because long-term hyperoxia may induce oxygen toxicity and anesthetic dose isoflurane has potential adverse consequences.This study was scheduled to find the optimal combination ofisoflurane and oxygen in protecting experimental sepsis and its mechanisms.Methods：The effects of combined therapy with isoflurane and oxygen on lung injury and sepsis were determined in animal models of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture （CLP） or intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide （LPS） or zymosan.Mouse RAW264.7 cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） were treated by LPS to probe mechanisms.The nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） signaling molecules were examined by Western blot and cellular immunohistochemistry.Results：The 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration （MAC） isoflurane in 60% oxygen was the best combination of oxygen and isoflurane for reducing mortality in experimental sepsis induced by CLE intraperitoneal injection of LPS,or zymosan.The 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen inhibited proinflammatory cytokines in peritoneal lavage fluids （tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]：149.3 vs.229.7 pg/ml,interleukin [IL]-1β：12.5 vs.20.6 pg/ml,IL-6：86.1 vs.116.1 pg/ml,and high-mobility group protein 1 [HMGB1]：323.7 vs.449.3 ng/ml;all P 〈 0.05） and serum （TNF-α：302.7 vs.450.7 pg/ml,IL-1β：51.7 vs.96.7 pg/ml,IL-6：390.4 vs.722.5 pg/ml,and HMGB1：592.2 vs.985.4 ng/ml;all P 〈 0.05） in septic animals.In vitro experiments showed that the 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen reduced inflammatory responses in mouse RAW264.7 cells,after LPS stimulation （all P 〈 0.05）.Suppressed activation of NF-κB pathway was also observed in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages and human PBMCs after LPS stimulation or plasma from septic patients.The 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen also prevented the increases ofphospho-IKKα/β,phospho-IκBα,and phospho-p65 expressions in RAW264.7 macrophages after LPS stimulation （allP 〈 0.05）.Conclusion：Combined administration of a sedative dose of isoflurane with 60% oxygen improves survival of septic animals through reducing inflammatory responses.

低分子量聚乳酸受限于纳米孔道中的结晶行为研究

借助量热学方法研究了低分子量聚乳酸(PLLA)受限于阳极氧化铝(AAO)模板中的玻璃化转变、结晶和熔融行为.实验结果表明,相比于本体状态,PLLA受限于AAO纳米孔道中的降温结晶行为受到明显的抑制,结晶焓随着孔道孔径的减小而逐渐降低.大孔径AAO孔道中PLLA纳米棒与本体相近的结晶温度表明其成核过程仍为异相成核所主导.与此同时,非等温结晶动力学实验结果显示纳米孔道中PLLA成核速率的温度依赖性弱于本体状态.当AAO孔径小于28 nm时,PLLA纳米棒则观测不到降温结晶峰的存在. PLLA纳米棒的玻璃态呈现出双重玻璃化转变温度(T_g)的行为,较高的T_g对应于邻近孔壁界面吸附层内的高分子链,较低的T_g归属于孔道中心的高分子链,两者表现出截然相反的孔径依赖性.在升温过程中,PLLA纳米棒存在显著的冷结晶行为,其结晶发生在较高的温度下且冷结晶峰较宽.这一现象可归咎于PLLA在纳米孔道内成核速率的改变,成核活性和分布的不均匀性,以及孔道内分子链运动性的差异性.由于界面吸附层的存在,PLLA从玻璃态升温过程中的表面诱导成核受到抑制.结合非等温结晶动力学实验结果,发现界面吸附层和孔道中心的PLLA的冷结晶过程彼此相互独立,后者在较高的温度下进行.此外,随着AAO纳米孔道孔径的减小,界面效应逐渐变得显著,生成的PLLA晶体稳定性较差,熔融重结晶现象较明显,同时其结晶度和熔点逐渐降低.

Exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in ethanol-water mixtures

Graphene has attracted much attention as a new nano-carbon for its unique structure and properties. However, production and dispersion of unfunctionalized graphene are still big challenges. Herein, we demonstrate a simple method for preparation and dispersion of such graphene with low cost and non toxicum. This approach is achieved by exfoliating graphite in an ethanol/water mixture and forming stable dispersion of mono- and few-layer graphenes. The ratio of ethanol/water in the mixture is found to be crucial to both the exfoliation and dispersion processes. Exfoliation in pure water or pure ethanol produces no graphene. This method avoids the conventional use of harsh oxidants and surfactants; therefore, the graphitic structure is well maintained without destruction. Benefiting from the use of ethanol and water, it can be easy to prepare transparent and conductive graphene films by vacuum filtering or spray method, and does not need special post-treatment to remove the impurity, which could be beneficial for potential applications in electronic, optic and energy areas.

A novel strategy to prepare LDH networks loaded carbon structure by C-MEMS techniques for glucose detection

NiAl-layered double hydroxide（NiAl-LDH） networks loaded carbon microcylinder（CMC） hybrid was synthesized for the first time using typical carbon based microelectromechanical systems（C-MEMS）techniques combined with in situ growth progress. The incorporation of NiAl-LDH on C-MEMS structures via a simple pyrolysis of modified photoresist was investigated. With proper control of parameters in lithography and hydrothermal processes, the NiAl-LDH/CMC composites with suitable morphology were fabricated. When the composites applied as new catalytic material for glucose detection, this simple sensor showed satisfying electrocatalytic properties towards glucose oxidation owing to its unique structure and excellent electric conductivity. It is also worth pointing out that this novel fabrication process can equip carbon microfeatures with various nanostructures, and have wide potential applications in scaling up carbon based nanocomposites.

Silicon-erbium ytterbium silicate nanowire waveguides with optimized optical gain

Single-crystal erbium silicate nanowires have attracted considerable attention because of their high optical gain. In this work, we report the controlled synthesis of silicon-erbium ytterbium silicate core- shell nanowires and fine-tuning the erbium mole fraction in the shell from x = 0.3 to x = 1.0, which corresponds to changing the erbium concentration from 4.8 ×10^21 to 1.6 ×10^22 cm^-3. By controlling and properly optimizing the composition of erbium and ytterbium in the nanowires, we can effectively suppress upeonversion photoluminescence while simultaneously enhancing near-infrared emission. The composition-optimized nanowires have very long photoluminescence lifetimes and large emission cross- sections, which contribute to the high optical gain that we observed. We suspended these concentration- optimized nanowires in the air to measure and analyze their propagation loss and optical gain in the near-infrared communication band. Through systematic measurements using wires with different core sizes, we obtained a maximum net gain of 20 ± 8 dB·mm^-1, which occurs at a wavelength of 1534 nm, for a nanowire with a diameter of 600 nm and a silicon core diameter of 300 nm.