Highly Differentiated Target Detection under Extremely Low-Light Conditions Based on Improved YOLOX Model

This paper expounds upon a novel target detection methodology distinguished by its elevated discriminatory efficacy,specifically tailored for environments characterized by markedly low luminance levels.Conventional methodologies struggle with the challenges posed by luminosity fluctuations,especially in settings characterized by diminished radiance,further exacerbated by the utilization of suboptimal imaging instrumentation.The envisioned approach mandates a departure from the conventional YOLOX model,which exhibits inadequacies in mitigating these challenges.To enhance the efficacy of this approach in low-light conditions,the dehazing algorithm undergoes refinement,effecting a discerning regulation of the transmission rate at the pixel level,reducing it to values below 0.5,thereby resulting in an augmentation of image contrast.Subsequently,the coiflet wavelet transform is employed to discern and isolate high-discriminatory attributes by dismantling low-frequency image attributes and extracting high-frequency attributes across divergent axes.The utilization of CycleGAN serves to elevate the features of low-light imagery across an array of stylistic variances.Advanced computational methodologies are then employed to amalgamate and conflate intricate attributes originating from images characterized by distinct stylistic orientations,thereby augmenting the model’s erudition potential.Empirical validation conducted on the PASCAL VOC and MS COCO 2017 datasets substantiates pronounced advancements.The refined low-light enhancement algorithm yields a discernible 5.9%augmentation in the target detection evaluation index when compared to the original imagery.Mean Average Precision(mAP)undergoes enhancements of 9.45%and 0.052%in low-light visual renditions relative to conventional YOLOX outcomes.The envisaged approach presents a myriad of advantages over prevailing benchmark methodologies in the realm of target detection within environments marked by an acute scarcity of luminosity.

A Novel Sensing Imaging Equipment Under Extremely Dim Light for Blast Furnace Burden Surface:Starlight High-Temperature Industrial Endoscope

Blast furnace(BF)burden surface contains the most abundant,intuitive and credible smelting information and acquiring high-definition and high-brightness optical images of which is essential to realize precise material charging control,optimize gas flow distribution and improve ironmaking efficiency.It has been challengeable to obtain high-quality optical burden surface images under high-temperature,high-dust,and extremelydim(less than 0.001 Lux)environment.Based on a novel endoscopic sensing detection idea,a reverse telephoto structure starlight imaging system with large field of view and large aperture is designed.Combined with a water-air dual cooling intelligent self-maintenance protection device and the imaging system,a starlight high-temperature industrial endoscope is developed to obtain clear optical burden surface images stably under the harsh environment.Based on an endoscope imaging area model,a material flow trajectory model and a gas-dust coupling distribution model,an optimal installation position and posture configuration method for the endoscope is proposed,which maximizes the effective imaging area and ensures large-area,safe and stable imaging of the device in a confined space.Industrial experiments and applications indicate that the proposed method obtains clear and reliable large-area optical burden surface images and reveals new BF conditions,providing key data support for green iron smelting.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Extremely Premature Infants with Extremely Low and Very Low Birth Weight at Three Years of Age: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify medical conditions impacting neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely low birth weight and very low birth weight preterm infants at three years of age. Methods: Infants born in Banner Diamond Children’s University Medical Center, receiving services in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, and attending Neonatal Developmental Follow-Up Clinic were identified. Participants received developmental assessment and follow-up from August 2012 through December 2018. Relevant clinical conditions during initial hospital stay and up to three years of age were obtained by reviewing medical and developmental records. Bayley Scales of Infant Toddler Development (Bayley III) was used to evaluate skill development at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 months. Results: Data analysis did not reveal significant p-values;it did demonstrate that some predictor variables impact neurodevelopmental outcomes in cognitive, language and motor skill development. Conclusion: This retrospective study reports significant association between birth weight and low cognitive scores. Correlations were also found between gestational age and Total Language, and the longer an infant stayed in the NICU, the poorer the Total Language Scaled Scores at 8 to 12 months, 15 to 18 months, and 24 to 36 months. Birth weight was found to be the greatest predictor of poor motor scores.

The Roles of Low-level Jets in “21·7” Henan Extremely Persistent Heavy Rainfall Event

An extremely heavy rainfall event lasting from 17 to 22 July 2021 occurred in Henan Province of China, with accumulated precipitation of more than 1000 mm over a 6-day period that exceeded its mean annual precipitation. The present study examines the roles of persistent low-level jets(LLJs) in maintaining the precipitation using surface station observations and reanalysis datasets. The LLJs triggered strong ascending motions and carried moisture mainly from the outflow of Typhoon In-fa(2021). The varying directions of the LLJs well corresponded to the meridional shifts of the rainfall. The precipitation rate reached a maximum during 20-21 July as the LLJs strengthened and expanded vertically into double LLJs, including synoptic-weather-system-related LLJs(SLLJs) at 850–700 hPa and boundary-layer jets(BLJs)at ~950 hPa. The coupling of the SLLJ and BLJ provided strong mid-and low-level convergence on 20 July, whereas the SLLJ produced mid-level divergence at its entrance that coupled with low-level convergence at the terminus of the BLJ on21 July. The formation mechanisms of the two types of LLJs are further examined. The SLLJs and the low-pressure vortex(or inverted trough) varied synchronously as a whole and were affected by the southwestward movement of the WPSH in the rainiest period. The persistent large total pressure gradient force at low levels also maintained the strength of low-level geostrophic winds, thus sustaining the BLJs on the synoptic scale. The results based on a Du-Rotunno 1D model show that the Blackadar and Holton mechanisms jointly governed the BLJ dynamics on the diurnal scale.

Analysis on Precipitation Efficiency of the “21.7” Henan Extremely Heavy Rainfall Event

A record-breaking heavy rainfall event that occurred in Zhengzhou,Henan province during 19–21 July 2021 is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model,and the large-scale precipitation efficiency(LSPE)and cloud-microphysical precipitation efficiency(CMPE)of the rainfall are analyzed based on the model results.Then,the key physical factors that influenced LSPE and CMPE,and the possible mechanisms for the extreme rainfall over Zhengzhou are explored.Results show that water vapor flux convergence was the key factor that influenced LSPE.Water vapor was transported by the southeasterly winds between Typhoon In-Fa(2021)and the subtropical high,and the southerly flow of Typhoon Cempaka(2021),and converged in Zhengzhou due to the blocking by the Taihang and Funiu Mountains in western Henan province.Strong moisture convergence centers were formed on the windward slope of the mountains,which led to high LSPE in Zhengzhou.From the perspective of CMPE,the net consumption of water vapor by microphysical processes was the key factor that influenced CMPE.Quantitative budget analysis suggests that water vapor was mainly converted to cloud water and ice-phase particles and then transformed to raindrops through melting of graupel and accretion of cloud water by rainwater during the heavy precipitation stage.The dry intrusion in the middle and upper levels over Zhengzhou made the high potential vorticity descend from the upper troposphere and enhanced the convective instability.Moreover,the intrusion of cold and dry air resulted in the supersaturation and condensation of water vapor,which contributed to the heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou.

Assimilation of the FY-4A AGRI Clear-Sky Radiance Data in a Regional Numerical Model and Its Impact on the Forecast of the“21·7”Henan Extremely Persistent Heavy Rainfall

Assimilation of the Advanced Geostationary Radiance Imager(AGRI)clear-sky radiance in a regional model is performed.The forecasting effectiveness of the assimilation of two water vapor(WV)channels with conventional observations for the“21·7”Henan extremely heavy rainfall is analyzed and compared with a baseline test that assimilates only conventional observations in this study.The results show that the 24-h cumulative precipitation forecast by the assimilation experiment with the addition of the AGRI exceeds 500 mm,compared to a maximum value of 532.6 mm measured by the national meteorological stations,and that the location of the maximum precipitation is consistent with the observations.The results for the short periods of intense precipitation processes are that the simulation of the location and intensity of the 3-h cumulative precipitation is also relatively accurate.The analysis increment shows that the main difference between the two sets of assimilation experiments is over the ocean due to the additional ocean observations provided by FY-4A,which compensates for the lack of ocean observations.The assimilation of satellite data adjusts the vertical and horizontal wind fields over the ocean by adjusting the atmospheric temperature and humidity,which ultimately results in a narrower and stronger WV transport path to the center of heavy precipitation in Zhengzhou in the lower troposphere.Conversely,the WV convergence and upward motion in the control experiment are more dispersed;therefore,the precipitation centers are also correspondingly more dispersed.

Modular Extremely Large-Scale Array Communication:Near-Field Modelling and Performance Analysis

This paper investigates the wireless communication with a novel architecture of antenna arrays,termed modular extremely large-scale array(XLarray),where array elements of an extremely large number/size are regularly mounted on a shared platform with both horizontally and vertically interlaced modules.Each module consists of a moderate/flexible number of array elements with the inter-element distance typically in the order of the signal wavelength,while different modules are separated by the relatively large inter-module distance for convenience of practical deployment.By accurately modelling the signal amplitudes and phases,as well as projected apertures across all modular elements,we analyse the near-field signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)performance for modular XL-array communications.Based on the non-uniform spherical wave(NUSW)modelling,the closed-form SNR expression is derived in terms of key system parameters,such as the overall modular array size,distances of adjacent modules along all dimensions,and the user's three-dimensional(3D)location.In addition,with the number of modules in different dimensions increasing infinitely,the asymptotic SNR scaling laws are revealed.Furthermore,we show that our proposed near-field modelling and performance analysis include the results for existing array architectures/modelling as special cases,e.g.,the collocated XL-array architecture,the uniform plane wave(UPW)based far-field modelling,and the modular extremely large-scale uniform linear array(XL-ULA)of onedimension.Extensive simulation results are presented to validate our findings.

Co-Production of High-Grade Dissolving Pulp,Furfural,and Lignin from Eucalyptus via Extremely Low Acid Pretreatment and Pulping Technologies and Catalysis

Hemicellulose and lignin are not reasonably utilized during the dissolved pulp preparation process.This work aimed to propose a process for the co-production of dissolving pulp,furfural,and lignin from eucalyptus.High-grade dissolving pulp was prepared from eucalyptus using a combination of extremely low acid(ELA)pretreatment,Kraft cooking,and elementary chlorine-free(ECF)bleaching.The obtained pre-hydrolysate was catalytic conversion into furfural in a biphasic system,and lignin during Kraft cooking and ECF was recovered.The process condition was discussed as well as the mass flow direction.The results showed that ELA pretreatment could effectively remove 80.1%hemicellulose.Compared with traditional hydrothermal pretreatment,the ELA pretreatment significantly increased the xylose yield from 5.05 to 14.18 g/L at 170℃ for 2 h,which had practical significance for furfural production.The 82.7%furfural yield and 82.9%furfural selectivity were obtained from xylose-rich pre-hydrolysate using NaCl as a phase modifier in a biphasic system with 4-methyl-2-pentanone(MIBK)as an organic phase by ion exchange resin catalysts at 190℃ for 2 h.Subsequently,the pretreated eucalyptus was subjected to Kraft cooking,and the optimal alkali amount was 14%.Then,the Kraft pulp was bleached using the O-D1-EP-D_(2) sequence,and dissolving pulp was obtained with an ISO brightness of 86.0%,viscosity of 463 mL/g,andα-cellulose content of 95.4%.The Kraft lignin which has a potential application was investigated by 2D-HSQC NMR and 31P NMR.The results showed that the S/G ratio of Kraft lignin was 1.93,and the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups was 2.53 mmol/g.Moreover,based on the above proposed process,30.5 g dissolving pulp,5.5 g furfural,and 21.2 g lignin per 100 g eucalyptus chips(oven dry)were produced.This research will provide new catalysis and pulping technical routes for dissolving pulp,furfural,and Kraft lignin products,which are in great demand in the chemical industry.

Effects of surgical treatment modalities on postoperative cognitive function and delirium in elderly patients with extremely unstable hip fractures

BACKGROUND As the perioperative risk of elderly patients with extremely unstable hip fractures(EUHFs)is relatively high and therapeutic effect is not satisfactory,new therapeutic strategies need to be proposed urgently to improve the efficacy and clinical outcomes of such patients.AIM To determine the influence of two surgical treatment modalities on postoperative cognitive function(CF)and delirium in elderly patients with EUHFs.METHODS A total of 60 elderly patients consecutively diagnosed with EUHF between September 2020 and January 2022 in the Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital were included.Of them,30 patients received conventional treatment(control group;general consultation+fracture type-guided internal fixation),and the other 30 received novel treatment(research group;perioperative multidisciplinary treatment diagnosis and treatment+individualized surgical plan+risk prediction).Information on hip function[Harris hip score(HHS)],perioperative risk of orthopedic surgery[Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity(POSSUM)],CF[Montreal cognitive assessment scale(MoCA)],postoperative delirium[mini-cognitive(Mini-Cog)],adverse events(AEs;internal fixation failure,infection,nonunion,malunion,and postoperative delirium),and clinical indicators[operation time(OT),postoperative hospital length of stay(HLOS),ambulation time,and intraoperative blood loss(IBL)]were collected from both groups for comparative analyses.RESULTS The HHS scores were similar between both groups.The POSSUM score at 6 mo after surgery was significantly lower in the research group compared with the control group,and MoCA and Mini-Cog scores were statistically higher.In addition,the overall postoperative complication rate was significantly lower in the research than in the control group,including reduced OT,postoperative HLOS,ambulation time,and IBL.CONCLUSION The new treatment modality has more clinical advantages over the conventional treatment,such as less IBL,faster functional recovery,more effectively optimized perioperative quality control,improved postoperative CF,mitigated postoperative delirium,and reduced operation-related AEs.

Research Progress on Manglietia ventii,A Wild Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations

Manglietia ventii is a wild plant species with extremely small populations endemic to Yunnan,mainly distributed in southeast Yunnan.Due to the continuous deterioration of natural habitats,excessive felling and utilization of human beings,and the decline of breeding ability,the number of individuals in the population has decreased significantly.Through field investigation and literature review,the research status of M.ventii in systematics,conservation ecology,reproductive biology,genetic diversity,endangered mechanism and resource protection at home and abroad are systematically reviewed.And the future research direction is prospected.It is necessary to strengthen the research on the basic characteristics of M.ventii,explore the transmission route of M.ventii and deepen the development and utilization of resources,in order to provide a theoretical support for the protection and sustainable utilization of germplasm resources of M.ventii,and provide a reference for the protection of other wild plant species with extremely small populations.

Synergistic Effect of the Planetary-scale Disturbance, Typhoon and Meso-β-scale Convective Vortex on the Extremely Intense Rainstorm on 20 July 2021 in Zhengzhou

On 20 July 2021,northern Henan Province in China experienced catastrophic flooding as a result of an extremely intense rainstorm,with a record-breaking hourly rainfall of 201.9 mm during 0800–0900 UTC and daily accumulated rainfall in Zhengzhou City exceeding 600 mm(“Zhengzhou 7.20 rainstorm”for short).The multi-scale dynamical and thermodynamical mechanisms for this rainstorm are investigated based on station-observed and ERA-5 reanalysis datasets.The backward trajectory tracking shows that the warm,moist air from the northwestern Pacific was mainly transported toward Henan Province by confluent southeasterlies on the northern side of a strong typhoon In-Fa(2021),with the convergent southerlies associated with a weaker typhoon Cempaka(2021)concurrently transporting moisture northward from South China Sea,supporting the rainstorm.In the upper troposphere,two equatorward-intruding potential vorticity(PV)streamers within the planetary-scale wave train were located over northern Henan Province,forming significant divergent flow aloft to induce stronger ascending motion locally.Moreover,the converged moist air was also blocked by the mountains in western Henan Province and forced to rise so that a deep meso-β-scale convective vortex(MβCV)was induced over the west of Zhengzhou City.The PV budget analyses demonstrate that the MβCV development was attributed to the positive feedback between the rainfall-related diabatic heating and high-PV under the strong upward PV advection during the Zhengzhou 7.20 rainstorm.Importantly,the MβCV was forced by upper-level larger-scale westerlies becoming eastward-sloping,which allowed the mixtures of abundant raindrops and hydrometeors to ascend slantwise and accumulate just over Zhengzhou City,resulting in the record-breaking hourly rainfall locally.

Analysis on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Extremely Maximum Temperature in Liaoning Province Based on REOF

By selecting the daily maximum temperatures during 1961-2005 in 35 representative stations in Liaoning Province, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of extremely maximum temperature event were studied. By using REOF, the mean-square deviation and so on, the variation and distribution situation of extremely maximum temperature in the different regions of Liaoning were reflected. The results showed that the extremely maximum temperature in Liaoning Province could be divided into 3 regions where were respectively the northeast area, the west and the northwest area, the south and the southeast area. The distribution characteristic of extremely maximum temperature threshold value in Liaoning Province was basically consistent with the distribution characteristic of average temperature. The zone where the extremely maximum temperature threshold was relatively high was in the northwest area of Liaoning, and the low threshold zone was in the southeast area and most areas in the east. The variation of extremely maximum temperature in winter was the greatest and in summer was the smallest. The variation of extremely maximum temperature days was the greatest in summer and wasn’t great in spring, autumn, winter.

Extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features

AIM： Minimal deviation carcinoma of the uterine cervix, otherwise known as extremely well-differentiated adenocarcinoma （EWDA）, is characterized by its benign microscopic appearance in contrast to its aggressive behavior. In order to elucidate the clinicopathological features and biological behavior of the gastric counterpart of EWDA, we, using immunohistochemistry, analyzed nine lesions for the phenotypic expression, proliferative activity, and the expression of oncogene-associated products. METHODS： Clinicopathological features, including preoperative biopsy diagnosis, were reviewed. Using immunohitstochemistry, Ki-67 labeling index and expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein in the gastric lesions were detected.RESULT： Locations in the middle or upper third of the stomach and polypoid macroscopic features are characteristic of EWDA of the stomach. Although 4 of the 9 lesions showed only focal lymphatic or venous invasion, lymph node metastasis was not present and none of the patients died of the lesions （mean follow-up period, 56 too）. All 9 cases of EWDA could be classified into gastric phenotype （5 lesions） and intestinal phenotype （4 lesions）. The former resembled gastric foveolar epithelium, mucous neck cells or pyloric glands, but their papillary structures were frequently elongated and the tumor cellsand their nuclei were slightly larger and more hyperchromatic compared to normal epithelium. The latter resembled intestinal metaplasia with minimal nulcear atypia and irregular glands; two of these lesions demonstrated complete intestinal phenotype, while two demonstrated incomplete intestinal phenotype. Ki-67 labeling index was low and none of the cases revealed over-expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 protein. CONCLUSION： Unlike minimal deviation carcinoma of the cervix, these findings suggest that EWDA of the stomach is a lesion of low-grade malignancy. This favorable biological behavior is supported by the data of a low Ki-67 labeling index and a lack of p53 or c-erbB-2 protein over-expression. Because of its resemblance to normal gastric mucosa or mucosa with intestinal metaplasia, EWDA is often misdiagnosed. To prevent the misdiagnosis of such lesions, the clinical and pathologic characteristics should be taken into consideration.

Synthesis, isolation and characterization of methyl levulinate from cellulose catalyzed by extremely low concentration acid

A direct synthesis of methyl levulinate from cellulose alcoholysis in methanol medium under mild condition(180 210 C)catalyzed by extremely low concentration sulfuric acid(0.01 mol/L)and the product isolation were developed in this study.Effects of different process variables towards the catalytic performance were performed as a function of reaction time.The results indicated that sulfuric acid concentration,temperature and initial cellulose concentration had significant effects on the synthesis of methyl levulinate.An optimized yield of around 50%was achieved at 210 C for 120 min with sulfuric acid concentration of 0.01 mol/L and initial cellulose concentration below 100 g/L.The resulting product mixture was isolated by a distillation technique that combines an atmospheric distillation with a vacuum distillation where n-dodecane was added to help distill the heavy fraction.The light fraction including mainly methanol could be reused as the reaction medium without any substantial change in the yield of methyl levulinate.The chemical composition and structural of lower heavy fraction were characterized by GC/MS,FTIR,1H-NMR and13C-NMR techniques.Methyl levulinate was found to be a major ingredient of lower heavy fraction with the content over 96%.This pathway is efficient,environmentally benign and economical for the production of pure levulinate esters from cellulose.

Fracture evolution and pressure relief gas drainage from distant protected coal seams under an extremely thick key stratum

When an extremely thick rock bed exists above a protected coal seam in the bending zone given the condition of a mining protective seam, this extremely thick rock bed controls the movement of the entire overlying stratum. This extremely thick rock bed, called a ＂main key stratum＂, will not subside nor break for a long time, causing lower fractures and bed separations not to close and gas can migrate to the bed separation areas along the fractures. These bed separations become gas enrichment areas. By analyzing the rule of fracture evolution and gas migration under the main key stratum after the deep protective coal seam has been mined, we propose a new gas drainage method which uses bore holes, drilled through rock and coal seams at great depths for draining pressure relief gas. In this method, the bores are located at a high level suction roadway （we can also drill them in the drilling field located high in an air gateway）. Given the practice in the Haizi mine, the gas drainage rate can reach 73% in the middie coal group, with a gas drainage radius over 100 m.

The 2020/21 Extremely Cold Winter in China Influenced by the Synergistic Effect of La Niña and Warm Arctic

In the first half of winter 2020/21,China has experienced an extremely cold period across both northern and southern regions,with record-breaking low temperatures set in many stations of China.Meanwhile,a moderate La Niña event which exceeded both oceanic and atmospheric thresholds began in August 2020 and in a few months developed into its mature phase,just prior to the 2020/21 winter.In this report,the mid−high-latitude large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere,which were forced by the negative phase of Arctic Oscillation,a strengthened Siberian High,an intensified Ural High and a deepened East Asian Trough,are considered to be the direct reason for the frequent cold surges in winter 2020/21.At the same time,the synergistic effect of the warm Arctic and the cold tropical Pacific(La Niña)provided an indispensable background,at a hemispheric scale,to intensify the atmospheric circulation anomalies in middle-to-high latitudes.In the end,a most recent La Niña prediction is provided and the on-coming evolution of climate is discussed for the remaining part of the 2020/21 winter for the purpose of future decision-making and early warning.

Codebook Design and Beam Training for Extremely Large-Scale RIS:Far-Field or Near-Field?

Reconfigurable intelligent surface(RIS)is more likely to develop into extremely large-scale RIS(XL-RIS)to efficiently boost the system capacity for future 6 G communications.Beam training is an effective way to acquire channel state information(CSI)for XL-RIS.Existing beam training schemes rely on the far-field codebook.However,due to the large aperture of XL-RIS,the scatters are more likely to be in the near-field region of XL-RIS.The far-field codebook mismatches the near-field channel model.Thus,the existing far-field beam training scheme will cause severe performance loss in the XL-RIS assisted nearfield communications.To solve this problem,we propose the efficient near-field beam training schemes by designing the near-field codebook to match the nearfield channel model.Specifically,we firstly design the near-field codebook by considering the near-field cascaded array steering vector of XL-RIS.Then,the optimal codeword for XL-RIS is obtained by the exhausted training procedure.To reduce the beam training overhead,we further design a hierarchical nearfield codebook and propose the corresponding hierarchical near-field beam training scheme,where different levels of sub-codebooks are searched in turn with reduced codebook size.Simulation results show the proposed near-field beam training schemes outperform the existing far-field beam training scheme.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in extremely elderly patients:An analysis of clinical characteristics,prognosis and patient survival

AIM： To identify the clinical and prognostic features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） aged 80 years or more. METHODS： A total of 1310 patients with HCC were included in this study. Ninety-one patients aged 80 years or more at the time of diagnosis of HCC were defined as the extremely elderly group. Two hundred and thirty-four patients aged 〉/ 50 years but less than 60 years were regarded as the non-elderly group. RESULTS： The sex ratio （male to female） was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group （0.90：1） than in the non-elderly group （3.9：1, P〈 0.001）. The positive rate for HBsAg was significantly lower in the extremely elderly group and the proportion of patients negative for HBsAg and HCVAb obviously increased in the extremely elderly group （P〈 0.001）. There were no significant differences in the following parameters： diameter and number of tumors, Child-Pugh grading, tumor staging, presence of portal thrombosis or ascites, and positive rate for HCVAb. Extremely elderly patients did not often receive surgical treatment （P 〈 0.001） and they were more likely to receive conservative treatment （P〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in survival curves based on the Kaplan-Meier methods in comparison with the overall patients between the two groups. However, the survival curves were significantly worse in the extremely elderly patients with stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ, stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ and Child-Pugh grade A cirrhosis in comparison with the non-elderly group. The causes of death did not differ among the patients, and most cases died of liverrelated diseases even in the extremely elderly patients. CONCLUSION： In the patients with good liver functions and good performance status, aggressive treatment for HCC might improve the survival rate, even in extremely elderly patients.

Controlling the effect of a distant extremely thick igneous rock in overlying strata on coal mine disasters

Based on theoretical analysis, similarity simulation tests, numerical simulation analysis and field observations, we analyzed rock collapse and rules of fraction evolution of overlying rocks and studied the rules in controlling the effect of an extremely thick igneous rock, found above a main mining coal seam in an area prone to coal mine disasters in the Haizi Coal Mine. The results show that this igneous rock, called a "main key stratum", will not subside nor break for a long time, causing lower fractures and bed separations not to close. The presence of igneous rock plays an important role in rock bursts, mine floods, gas outburst and surface subsidence in coal mines. By analyzing the rules in controlling the effect of this igneous rock, we provide useful references for safety and high efficiency mining in coal mines under special geological conditions.

Comparative population genetic analyses suggest hybrid origin of Rhododendron pubicostatum,an endangered plant species with extremely small populations endemic to Yunnan,China

Gene flow between sympatric congeneric plants is thought to be very common and may pose serious threats to endangered species.In the present study,we evaluate the genetic diversity and divergence of three sympatric Rhododendron species in Jiaozi Mountain using newly developed microsatellites through the Illumina MiSeq sequencing approach.Genetic diversity of all three Rhododendron species studied was moderate in comparison to genetic parameters previously reported from species of this genus.Interestingly,genetic structure analysis of the three species identified a possible hybrid origin of the threatened Rh.pubicostatum.This sympatry should be considered a unimodal hybrid zone,since Rh.pubicostatum is predominant here.Unimodal hybrid zones are uncommon in Rhododendron,despite the fact that hybridization frequently occurs in the genus.Issues pertaining to the conservation of Rh.pubicostatum resulting from admixture of genetic material from its parental species are discussed.