Clinical Efficacy of Needle Warming through Moxibustion Combined with Tuina on Retrogressive Knee Osteoarthritis

[Objectives] To study the clinical efficacy of needle warming through moxibustion combined with Tuina on retrogressive knee osteoarthritis, and to explore the effective treatment with traditional Chinese medicine characteristics.[Methods] 60 patients with retrogressive knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into control group ( n =30) and observation group ( n =30). The control group was treated with Tuina, while the observation group was treated with needle warming through moxibustion combined with Tuina. The clinical cure rate, pain score and knee symptom score were compared and analyzed.[Results] The clinical cure rate was 96.70% in the observation group and 73.30% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P <0.05). After one course of treatment, the VAS score and knee Lequesne score of the two groups were decreased ( P <0.05), and the decrease degree of the observation group was better than that of the control group ( P <0.05). The joint rest pain score, joint motion pain score, tenderness score, swelling score, morning stiffness score and walking ability score were higher than those in the treatment group ( P <0.05).[Conclusions] Needle warming through moxibustion combined with Tuina manipulation can significantly alleviate knee degenerative disease, eliminate inflammation, reduce edema, ease pain and improve the quality of life of patients.

Recent Developments in Functional Crystals in China

Functional crystals are the basic materials for the development of modern science and technology and are playing key roles in the modern information era. In this paper, we review functional crystals in China, including research history, significant achievements, and important applications by highlighting the most recent progress in research. Challenges for the development of functional materials are discussed and possible directions for development are proposed by focusing on potential strengths of these materials.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt plus embolization for bleeding esophagojejunal varices after total gastrectomy

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with hematemesis and melena.Six years ago,he had undergone total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy for gastric cancer.Endoscopic examination revealed varicose veins at the anastomotic sites with cherry-red spots and hemorrhage.Abdominal computed tomography showed that the varices were supplied by a dilated jejunal vein.Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)and variceal embolization were performed.There were no major complications or episodes of bleeding during the three-month follow-up.We conclude that TIPS in combination with varices obliteration is an effective alternative method for treatment of ruptured esophagojejunal varices after total gastrectomy.

Operation of multiphonon-assisted laser in the nanosecond time scales

Electron–phonon coupling can tailor electronic transition processes and result in direct lasing far beyond the fluorescence spectrum.The applicable time scales of these kinds of multiphonon-assisted lasers determine their scientific boundaries and further developments,since the response speed of lattice vibrations is much slower than that of electrons.At present,the temporal dynamic behavior of multiphononassisted lasers has not yet been explored.Herein,we investigate the Q-switched laser performance of ytterbium-doped YCa_(4)OðBO_(3)Þ_(3)(Yb:YCOB)crystal with phonon-assisted emission in nanosecond scales.Using different Q-switchers,the three-phonon-assisted lasers around 1130 nm were realized,and a stable Q-switching was realized in the time domain from submicroseconds to tens of nanoseconds.To the best of our knowledge,this is the longest laser wavelength in all pulse Yb lasers.The minimum pulse width and maximum pulse energy are 29 ns and 204μJ,respectively.These results identify that the electron–phonon coupling is a fast physical process,at least much faster than the present nanosecond pulse width,which supports the operation of multiphonon-assisted lasers in the nanosecond range.In addition,we also provide a simple setup to create pulse lasers at those wavelengths with weak spontaneous emission.Keywords:pulse lasers;electron–phonon coupling;nanoseconds;Q-switch.

Quantitative structure-plasticity relationship in metallic glass:A machine learning study

The lack of the long-range order in the atomic structure challenges the identification of the structural defects,akin to dislocations in crystals,which are responsible for predicting plastic events and mechanical failure in metallic glasses(MGs).Although vast structural indicators have been proposed to identify the structural defects,quantitatively gauging the correlations between these proposed indicators based on the undeformed configuration and the plasticity of MGs upon external loads is still lacking.Here,we systematically analyze the ability of these indicators to predict plastic events in a representative MG model using machine learning method.Moreover,we evaluate the influences of coarse graining method and medium-range order on the predictive power.We demonstrate that indicators relevant to the low-frequency vibrational modes reveal the intrinsic structural characteristics of plastic rearrangements.Our work makes an important step towards quantitative assessments of given indicators,and thereby an effective identification of the structural defects in MGs.

Multiphonon-assisted acousto-optical Q-switched laser at 1130 nm in Yb:YCOB crystal

In this Letter,we realized the phonon-assisted Q-switched laser operation in Yb:YCOB crystal.Differing from previous laser wavelengths below 1.1μm,we extended the wavelength to 1130 nm by amplifying multiphonon-assisted electronic transitions.At a repetition rate of 0.1 k Hz,the laser output power was 82 m W with a pulse width of 466.1 ns,corresponding to a high peak power of 1.76 k W and a single pulse energy of 0.82 m J,respectively.To the best of our knowledge,this represents the highest pulse energy among all Yb^(3+)-doped crystal lasers at the wavelength beyond 1.1μm.Such a large pulse energy could be explained by the laser rate-equation theory.These results indicated that the electron-phonon coupling effect not only extends the lasing wavelengths but also enables a fast temporal response to support nanosecond,picosecond,even femtosecond pulse laser operation.

WISH:wavefront imaging sensor with high resolution

Wavefront sensing is the simultaneous measurement of the amplitude and phase of an incoming optical field.Traditional wavefront sensors such as Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor(SHWFS)suffer from a fundamental tradeoff between spatial resolution and phase estimation and consequently can only achieve a resolution of a few thousand pixels.To break this tradeoff,we present a novel computational-imaging-based technique,namely,the Wavefront Imaging Sensor with High resolution(WISH).We replace the microlens array in SHWFS with a spatial light modulator(SLM)and use a computational phase-retrieval algorithm to recover the incident wavefront.This wavefront sensor can measure highly varying optical fields at more than 10-megapixel resolution with the fine phase estimation.To the best of our knowledge,this resolution is an order of magnitude higher than the current noninterferometric wavefront sensors.To demonstrate the capability of WISH,we present three applications,which cover a wide range of spatial scales.First,we produce the diffraction-limited reconstruction for long-distance imaging by combining WISH with a large-aperture,low-quality Fresnel lens.Second,we show the recovery of high-resolution images of objects that are obscured by scattering.Third,we show that WISH can be used as a microscope without an objective lens.Our study suggests that the designing principle of WISH,which combines optical modulators and computational algorithms to sense high-resolution optical fields,enables improved capabilities in many existing applications while revealing entirely new,hitherto unexplored application areas.

Identifying packing features of atoms with distinct dynamic behaviors in metallic glass by machine-learning method

In crystalline solids,plastic deformation is determined by the motion of structural defects,particularly dislocations.As for glassy liquids and disordered solids,it has long been assumed that localized structural rearrangements induced by mechanical load or thermal stimulus also occur at localized defects[1-3].

Polarization behavior of microbial fuel cells under stack operation

The polarization behavior of microbial fuel cells(MFCs)was evaluated under different stack operation modes,including series,parallel,series–parallel,and parallel–series.During the stack operation,voltages of individual MFCs,subunit stacks,and overall stacks were recorded as a function of the current.Meanwhile,the potentials of individual MFCs’anode and cathode were also determined via Ag/AgCl electrodes to study the change in potentials under stack operations.The results demonstrated that the MFCs with relatively low ability to generate current were easier to suffer polarity reversal in the series stack,which was confirmed in the series subunit of the series–parallel stack.MFCs with high electroactivity would be enhanced to generate larger maximum power;however,MFCs with low electroactivity outputted smaller maximum power in a parallel stack.The changes in individual MFCs’behavior under stack operation mode were determined primarily caused by the influences on the behavior of the anode.Results of the present study provide valuable information for optimization of stack operation of MFCs.

BaYOBO_(3):A deep-ultraviolet rare-earth oxy-borate with a large second harmonic generation response

Deep-ultraviolet(UV)nonlinear optical(NLO)crystals with excellent performances are of great importance in laser science and technology.However,to design and synthesize an ideal deep-UV NLO material with a balance between second harmonic generation(SHG)response and UV cut-off edge is still a huge challenge.Herein,a new oxy-borate BaYOBO_(3)(BaYBO)was designed and synthesized by substituting Be^(2+)with Y^(3+)from Sr_(2)Be_(2)B_(2(O_(7).The BaYBO features a stable three-dimensional framework and satisfies the property balance between a large SHG response(~2.6×KH_(2)PO_(4)KDP))and a short UV cut-off edge(<190 nm)as a promising deep-UV NLO candidate.The study of structure-property relationship indicates that the large SHG response of BaYBO is mainly attributed to the coplanar arrangement and large number density of BO_(3 )triangles.These results demonstrate that substituting Be^(2+)with Y^(3+)cations is also a feasible strategy for developing new deep-UV NLO crystals.

Syntheses, characterization, and theoretical calculation of Rb2Mg3（P2O7）2 polymorphs with deep-ultraviolet cutoff edges

By the combination of the isolated P2O7 dimers and Mg O4 tetrahedra,α-andβ-Rb2Mg3(P2O7)2 polymorphs were synthesized by a high-temperature solution method.α-Rb2Mg3(P2O7)2 crystallizes in non-centrosymmetric space group P212121,whileβ-Rb2Mg3(P2O7)2 crystallizes in centrosymmetric P21/c.Both structures contain a three dimensional[Mg3P4O14]^2- anionic framework,while Rb^+ cations are in the space.Structure analyses show that the isolated P2O7 dimers can easily adjust their variable configurations and orientations to fit the different coordination environments of the cations,which is conducive to the formation of polymorphs.The phase transformation process fromα-toβ-Rb2Mg3(P2O7)2 was further investigated by powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry measurements.In addition,UV-vis-NIR diffusion spectra indicate both materials have deep-ultraviolet cut-off edges(below 190 nm).α-Rb2Mg3(P2O7)2 is second-harmonic generation(SHG)-active and the origin of SHG response was investigated by the SHG density calculations.The first-principle calculations were also carried out to illuminate their structure-property relationships.

Hydrothermal growth of KTiOPO_(4) crystal for electro-optical application

"New"electro-optical(EO)crystals are hard to find,"old"EO crystals are scarce and each has its own problems,and the demand for high-performance EO crystals by higher power,higher repetition rate,and narrower pulse width laser is realistic and urgent.The EO performance of KTP was recognized as soon as it was discovered,but after more than 40 years of development,the reports,and products of EO devices based on KTP are less than those of other EO crystals,even though KTP is now almost the cheapest nonlinear optical crystal material.In this paper,based on our understanding of the crystal structure of predecessors and ourselves,especially the understanding and practice of quasi-one-dimensional ionic conduction mechanism,we think that crystal growth is the most important reason that affects the controllability of crystal performance.Through a series of science and technology,we realize the growth of large-size crystals with high-optical uniformity,then reduce the absorption of KTP to a very low level,and grow crystals with resistance to electric damage and laser damage.On this basis,reducing the conductivity and improving the uniformity of optical,electrical,piezoelectric,and ferroelectric properties are emphasized.The extinction ratio,piezoelectric ringing effect,and thermal influence of the EO switch based on KTP crystal are tested,and some publicly available progress of using KTP EO devices in high-repetition rate laser is listed.Finally,we are looking forward to the development of KTP EO crystal for the laser system to EO generator for integrated optics.

Phonon engineering in Yb:La_(2)CaB_(10)O_(19)crystal for extended lasing beyond the fluorescence spectrum

Since the first invention of the laser in 1960,direct lasing outside the fluorescence spectrum is deemed impossible owing to the“zero-gain”cross-section.However,when electron-phonon coupling meets laser oscillation,an energy modulation by the quantized phonon can tailor the electronic transitions,thus directly creating some unprecedented lasers with extended wavelengths by phonon engineering.Here,we demonstrate a broadband lasing(1000-1280 nm)in a Yb-doped La_(2)CaB_(10)O_(19)(Yb:LCB)crystal,far beyond its spontaneous fluorescence spectrum.Numerical calculations and in situ Raman verify that such a substantial laser emission is devoted to the multiphonon coupling to lattice vibrations of a dangling“quasi-free-oxygen”site,with the increasing phonon numbers step-by-step(n=1–6).This new structural motif provides more alternative candidates with strong-coupling laser materials.Moreover,the quantitative relations between phonon density distribution and laser wavelength extension are discussed.These results give rise to the search for on-demand lasers in the darkness and pave a reliable guideline to study those intriguing electron-phonon-photon coupled systems for integrated photonic applications.

Syntheses,characterization and calculations of LimAnM6O15(A=Rb,Cs;M=Si,Ge;m+n=6)

Alike phosphates,silicates and germanates exclusively containing tetrahedral basic building units(BBUs)can also exhibit ultraviolet(UV)even deep-UV transitions.They are important for the design of new UV or deep-UV nonlinear optical(NLO)materials.In this paper,four new alkali metal silicates and germanates,Li2Rb4Si6O15,Li2Cs4Si6O15,Li3Rb3Ge6O15 and Li3Cs3Ge6O15 were successfully synthesized by a high temperature solid state reaction.They obey the general formula of LimAnM6O15(A=Rb,Cs;M=Si,Ge;m+n=6)and all exhibit the Sr2Be2B2O7(SBBO)-like structures.More importantly,Li3Rb3Ge6O15 and Li3Cs3Ge6O15 crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric(NCS)structures and exhibit remarkable phase-matched second harmonic generation(SHG)effect,0.8×KH2PO4(KDP)and 1×KDP,respectively.These indicate that they are potential as UV or deep-UV NLO materials.Furthermore,their optical and NLO properties as well as thermal properties were measured.The structure-property relationships were studied by the dipole moment calculations and the first-principles calculations.

Hydrothermal synthesis,characterization and nonlinear optical effect of orthorhombic phase Ca_(2)B_(6)O_(11)·H2O

Hydrothermal treatment of calcium oxide and boric acid mixtures at temperaturesbetween 234 ℃ and 300 ℃ has produced a colorless, transparent, orthorhombic compound Ca2B6O11 · H2O. Of the seven known members of the series of hydrated dicalcium hexaborate containing boron-oxygen six-membered ring anionic group (B3O8)7, only the title compound has been found to have the nonlinear optical effect. The second harmanic generation (SHG) effect of its crystal is larger than that of KH2PO4 (KDP). The reflection spectrum has shown that this compound has no absorption in the experimental wavelength range (800-240 nm). Its crystal structure is favorable for generating the nonlinear optical effect.

Recent advances in F-containing iodate nonlinear optical materials

Metal iodates containing I(Ⅴ)with lone electron pairs in an asymmetric coordination geometry exhibit excellent second-harmonic generation(SHG)responses,wide transmission range and large band gaps.During the past ten years,metal iodates have been widely studied,and introducing large electronegative fluorine atoms into metal iodates has also attracted much attention.These F-containing iodates are different from pure iodates in terms of composition,symmetry and transmittance.Especially because oxide-fluoride heterolepic anion groups can exhibit interesting structure-directing properties,e.g.trans-and cis-directing properties,these F-containing iodates also have better structure designability.Therefore,in this review,we will review the research progress of F-containing iodates and address the effect of structure-directing properties of oxide-fluoride anions on the crystal structures of F-containing iodates.Since the valence of the central cations will greatly affect the distortions and configurations of the oxide-fluoride anion groups,these F-containing iodates will be classified and introduced according to the different valences of the central cations.

Special Issue on the 120th Anniversary of Shandong University

This special issue is committed to celebrating the 120th Anniversary of Shandong University(SDU)(15th October,2021),as well as capturing the most fascinating research works and reviews from all aspects of optics and photonics,including but not limited to,optoelectronic functional crystals,basic science,applied and engineering research and applications.

Common Verbs Are Uncommon: The Dynamics of Verbal Underspecification in Chinese

Verbal underspecif ication in Chinese is manifested in the way verbs are lexically underspecif ied as to the number and the type of complements(i.e.,arguments and argument-like adjuncts)they can take.It is,on the one hand,a refl ex of the interaction between the lexicon,syntax and pragmatics,and on the other,a refl ex of the general semantic underspecifi cation of lexical items.Within the framework of Dynamic Syntax(Kempson et al.,2001;Cann et al.,2005)that allows the interaction between lexical,structural and pragmatic information during the syntactic process,I show that(i)the representation of predicate argument structure can be established dynamically at the level of propositional form which is constructed incrementally;(ii)just like semantically selected expressions,semantically unselected yet syntactically expressed expressions contribute to the enriched semantic composition(see Jackendoff,1997,2002;Zhang,2005 inter alia)that no abstract syntactic mechanisms need to be invoked for.