A Strategy for Magnifying Vibration in High-Energy Orbits of a Bistable Oscillator at Low Excitation Levels

This work focuses on how to maintain a high-energy orbit motion of a bistable oscillator when subjected to a low level excitation. An elastic magnifier （EM） positioned between the base and the bistable oscillator is used to magnify the base vibration displacement to significantly enhance the output characteristics of the bistable oscillator. The dimensionless electromechanical equations of the bistable oscillator with an EM are derived, and the effects of the mass and stiffness ratios between the EM and the bistable oscillator on the output displacement are studied. It is shown that the jump phenomenon occurs at a lower excitation level with increasing the mass and stiffness ratios. With the comparison of the displacement trajectories and the phase portraits obtained from experiments, it is vMidated that the bistable oscillator with an EM can effectively oscillate in a high-energy orbit and can generate a superior output vibration at a low excitation level as compared with the bistable oscillator without an EM.

Predictive Value of Serum pgRNA on HBeAg Clearance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B with Low HBeAg Levels Treated with Pegylated Interferon

Objective:To study the predictive value of serum pregenomic RNA(pgRNA)on HBeAg clearance in patients with chronic hepatitis B with low HBeAg levels during pegylated interferon therapy.Methods:Twenty chronic hepatitis B patients with HBeAg positive and quantitative<50S/CO were selected for this study.The subjects underwent pegylated interferon therapy for 48-96 weeks and were followed up in the outpatient clinic after treatment.The patients were then divided into groups based on whether their HbeAg turned negative.The predictive ability of each indicator for HBeAg negative conversion was evaluated in the HBeAg negative group and the HBeAg positive group.Results:The results of logistic regression analysis suggested that pgRNA and HBcrAg were better indicators for predicting the clearance of HBeAg after treatment.Conclusion:For patients with chronic hepatitis B with low HBeAg levels,pgRNA is a good indicator in predicting HBeAg clearance during pegylated interferon therapy.

Low level of hepatitis B viremia is associated with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in compensated cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND Whether patients with compensated cirrhosis and low-level viremia(LLV)of hepatitis B should receive antiviral therapy(AVT)is still controversial,and published results are inconsistent.AIM To investigate the link between LLV in compensated cirrhosis and prognosis concerning hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),decompensation,and liver-related events.METHODS The PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to March 5,2023.Outcomes of interest were assessed by pooled hazard ratios(HRs).The study was registered with PROSPERO(CRD42023405345).RESULTS Six cohort studies representing 3155 patients were included.Compared with patients with undetectable HBV DNA,patients with LLV was associated with increased risk of HCC(HR:2.06,95%CI:1.36-3.13;Q-statistic-P=0.07,I^(2)=51%)regardless of receiving AVT or not(AVT group:HR:3.14;95%CI:1.73-5.69;Qstatistic-P=0.60,I2=0%;un-AVT group:HR:1.73,95%CI:1.09-2.76;Q-statistic-P=0.11,I2=50%).The pooled results showed no statistical association between LLV and decompensation of cirrhosis(HR:2.06,95%CI:0.89-4.76;Q-statistic-P=0.04,I2=69%),and liver-related events(HR:1.84,95%CI:0.92-3.67;Q-statistic-P=0.03,I2=72%),respectively.Grading of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation assessment indicated moderate certainty for HCC,very low certainty for decompensation of cirrhosis and liver-related clinical events.CONCLUSION LLV in compensated cirrhotic patients is associated with increased risk of HCC,higher tendency for hepatic decompensation and liver-related events.Closer screening of HCC should be conducted in this population.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Lower-Level Health Care Facilities of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania: Status towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Way Forward

Background: Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in health care settings is a critical prerequisite for achieving national health goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target for each United Nations member state to reach by 2030. Each member state is required to reach by 2022, 2025 and 2030 at least 60%, 80% and 100%, respectively of basic level of service of the five elements which are water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate and document the current state of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services in all lower-level health care facilities in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania as of July 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 99 public dispensaries in the Dar es Salaam region’s five councils: Ubungo, Kigamboni, Kinondoni and Temeke Municipalities, and Ilala City. The interviewee form and observational checklists were both digitalized using the Kobo tool software. The respondents were health care facility in-charges or nurse in-charges. Data were downloaded, validated, and imported to Stata version 15 for analysis. Results: The basic WASH level per JMP is far below the target in 2022. Each member state by 2022 is required to reach at least 60% of the basic level of service of each element. We found a low coverage of basic WASH in the 99 dispensaries included in this study. The basic WASH coverage was met in only 10 (10.1%) of the dispensaries, while the remaining 89 (89.9%) dispensaries fall on limited WASH services. Conclusion: This study revealed lower coverage of basic WASH services in dispensaries. An urgent need is required to improve the status of WASH in all the dispensaries and facilitate the provision of quality health care services, patient safety and reduce health care associated infections.

Relationship between the low density lipoprotein receptor gene polymorphism and serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao population

Objectives Bai Ku Yao(White-trousers Yaos)is a special branch of Yao minority in China.They are now living in both Lihu and Baxu villages,Nandan County, Guangxi,China.The population size is about 30,000.The special customs and culture of Bai Ku Yao,including their special clothing,intra-ethnic marriages and alcohol intake are still completely conserved to the present day.In previous epidemiologic studies,we found that the serum lipid levels and the prevalence of hyperlipidaemia were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han Chinese from the same region.This ethnic difference in serum lipid profiles is still not well known.We hypothesized that there may be significant differences in some genetic polymorphismsssociation of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) genepolymorphism and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao and Han populations.Methods A total of 1024 subjects of Bai Ku Yao and 792 participants of Han Chinese were stud- ied by a stratified randomized cluster sampling.Epidemiological survey was carried out using internationally standardized methods.Information on demographics,socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors was collected with standardized questionnaires. The height,weight,waist circumference,blood pressure, and serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),apolipoprotein(Apo) A1, and ApoB were measured.Body massindex(BMI,kg/m2) was calculated.Genotyping of the LDL-RAvaⅡwas performed by polymerse chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis,and then confirmed by direct sequencing.Results(l)The height,weight,serum TC,HDL-C,LDL-C,ApoAl levels and the ratio of ApoAl to ApoB were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han Chinese(P【0.01 for all),whereas the percentage of subjects who consumed alcohol or smoked cigarettes was higher in Bai Ku Yao than in Han Chinese(P【0.01 for each).(2) The frequency of A+ allele in Bai Ku Yao was 34.5%,and the frequencies of A-A-,A-A+ and A+A + genotypes were 42.6%,45.9%and 11.5%;respectively. The frequency of A+ allele in Han Chinese was 19.3%(P【0.001),and the frequencies of A-A-,A-A + and A+A+ genotypes were 64.9%,31.6%and 3.5%(P【0.001);respectively. The frequencies of A-A-,A-A+ and A+A+ genotypes in Bai Ku Yao were significant difference between males and females,between normal TC and high TC subgroup, and between normal LDL-C and high LDL-C subgroup (P【0.05 for all),whereas the frequencies of A- and A+ ? alleles in Han Chinese were significant difference between males and females(P【0.05).(3) Serum LDL-C levels in Bai Ku Yao were significant difference among the A-A-, A-A+ and A+A+ genotypes(P【0.05),the A+ carriers had higher serum LDL-C levels.Serum HDL-C levels in Han Chiese were significant difference among the A-A-,A-A + and A+A+ genotypes(P【0.01),the A+ carriers had higher serum HDL-C levels.(4) After adjusting other factors,the prevalence of LDL-C abnormality was still higher in Han Chiese than in Bai Ku Yao.The prevalence of TC abnormality in Han Chinese was almost twice high as in Bai Ku Yao. The age and diet were common risk factor for TC abnormality. No effect of AvaⅡgenotype or alcohol consumption on the TC abnormality was found,but the combination of geno-type and alcohol consumption can increase the prevalence of TC abnormality[Exp(B) =(1.154)].Age was negatively cor- related with TG level.Conclusions Serum TC and LDL-C levels were lower in Bai Ku Yao than in Han Chinese.There were significant differences in the AvaⅡallele and genotype frequencies between the he A+ carriers in Bai Ku Yao had higher serum LDL-C levels,whereas the A+ carriers in Han had higher serum HDL-C levels.Interactions between alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking and the LDL-R AvaⅡgenotype were also observed.The differences in the serum lipid profiles between the two ethnic groups might partly result from different genotypic frequency of LDL-R AvaⅡpolymorphism or differentgene-enviromental interactions.Bai Ku Yao and Han population,the frequency of A + allele was higher in Bai Ku Yao than in Han.T between the two ethnic groups.Therefore,the aim of the present study was to detect the

Low Level of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Is Associated with Human Sperm Autophagy and Vitality

Low sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR, an anion channel protein) is related to the progressive motility of sperm. CFTR disruptor CFTRinh-172 or forskolin (FSK) in this study were used to treat human sperm separately, and the rates of sperm autophagy and progressive motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP concentration, and the expression levels of related factors were detected to explore their relationship. It was showed that sperms treated with CFTRinh-172 or FSK reduced the levels of cAMP, CFTR and PKA, but increased sperm autophagy rate, expression levels of AMPK and LC3B. However, reactive oxygen species content had no significant difference. It was indicated that low level of CFTR performed with cAMP and its downstream effectors such as PKA and AMPK to regulate mitochondrial structure and function, leading to increased autophagy rate and reduced vitality of sperm.

Simulation of Quantum Noise in the Low-Light-Level Imaging System

A mathematical model of quantum noise having much effect on the low light imaging system is set up. To simulate the quantum noise, the random numbers obeying noise distribution must be formed and are weighted on the basis of the model created. Three uniform random sequences are built by the linear congruential method, of which two are used to form integer number and decimal fraction parts of the new random sequence respectively and the third to shuffle the new sequence. And then a Gauss sequence is formed out of uniform distribution by a function transforming method. It actualizes the simulation in real time of quantum noise in the low light imaging system, where video flow is extracted in real time, the noise summed up and played back side by side with the original video signs by a simulation software.

Analysis on the Forecast Characteristics of K Index and Low-altitude Jet Stream in the Rainstorm Process

By using the durative rainstorm data in South China during May-early June in 2010,the forecast characteristics of K index and low level jet were analyzed.The results found that K2 had the good indication,advancement and relativity on the intensity and falling zone forecast of regional rainstorm in future 24 h,and the positive relative coefficient reached 0.987.The low level jet also had the same advancement and indication significance on the intensity and influence scope of regional rainstorm in 24 h in the future,and the relative coefficient reached above 0.8.K2 and the low level jet were selected as the main factors,and the basic conceptual model of rainstorm falling zone was established.The model has passed the computer program and realized the business automation.K2 provided the important basis for the forecast of rainstorm intensity and falling zone.

Effects of low level laser treatment on the survival of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult Hamsters

Injury to axons close to the neuronal bodies in the mammalian central nervous system causes a large proportion of parenting neurons to degenerate. It is known that optic nerve transection close to the eye in rodents leads to a loss of about half of retinal ganglion cells in 1 week and about 90% in 2 weeks. Using low level laser treatment in the present study, we demonstrated that treatment with helium-neon （660 nm） laser with 15 mW power could delay retinal ganglion cell death after optic nerve axotomy in adult hamsters. The effect was most apparent in the ifrst week with a short period of treatment time （5 minutes） in which 65–66% of retinal ganglion cells survived the optic nerve axotomy whereas 45–47% of retinal ganglion cells did so in optic nerve axotomy controls. We also found that single dose and early commencement of laser irradiation were important in protecting retinal ganglion cells following optic nerve axotomy. These ifndings thus convincingly show that appropriate laser treatment may be neuroprotective to retinal gan-glion cells.

Effect of low level laser therapy on dental pulp during orthodontic movement

AIM: To validate the protocol described here to be used in future clinical trials related to the effect of laser therapy on dental pulp. METHODS: Histologically treated samples from eight human healthy premolar teeth obtained from the middle root level were distributed in four groups: group 1(G1) absolute control; group 2(G2) only laser irradiation; group 3(G3) exposed only to orthodontics; and group 4(G4) treated with orthodontics and laser. Laser treatment was performed at 830 nm wavelength, 100 mW(energy 80 J/cm2, 2.2 J), for 22 s in the vestibular surface and 22 s in the palatal surface, 1 mm away from the dental root mucosa. Three staining methods were performed: hematoxylin-eosin(HE), Masson's Trichrome method and Gomori's method.RESULTS: The pulp histology parameters were evaluated and the results classified in to 3 parts: an inflammatory response, soft tissue response(dental pulp) and hard tissue response(dentin and predentin). There was no inflammation(chronic or acute) in any of the evaluated groups. The zones of pulp necrosis were found in one premolar of G3 and in one of G4; in groups G2 and G4 there was higher angiogenesis than in the other two groups. G4 group presented the highest level of vascularization. A reduced nerve density was observed in G3. A G2 specimen showed increased nerve density. A higher rate of calcification was observed in G1 compared to G2. Denticles, either real or false, were observed in G1, G2 and G3. Sclerosis of dentin and focal dentin loss was observed among all the groups. Secondary dentin was present in one sample in G1 and G2. A necrosis zone was found in one sample of G3 and G4. No differences between groups were observed in the odontoblast irregularity layer but the layer was wider in the group treated with laser only. A notable difference was detected in reduction of the cell-free layer between the groups G1 and G4. The findings in pulp tissue favor its adaptative response against dental movement induced by orthodontics. No definitive conclusions may be derived as this is a pilot study. CONCLUSION: The protocol described here was shown to be an effective method to evaluate changes in dental pulp submitted to low level laser in teeth under orthodontic movement.

Kinetics of low level chemiluminescence from plant leaf smoked by air pollutants

The kinetics of low level chemiluminescence from Chinese white polpar leaf smoked by CO and two gaseous mixture of SO 2 and CO or SO 2, NO x and CO, and their luminescence intensity formula were described. The comparison of the results indicated that three kinds of the gaseous compounds could cause no changes of the substantial nature of foliar biophoton emission. However, they made the luminescence intensity, including I o (1) and I o (2) , altered in a certain degree, and the changes caused by the fumigation of CO and the mixed gas of SO 2 and CO were different from that made by the gaseous mixture of SO 2, NO x and CO in τ′ and τ″ of the photo induced luminescence from plant leaf.

Effects of wavelength,beam type and size on cerebral low-level laser therapy by a Monte Carlo study on visible Chinese human

Low-level laser therapy(LLLT)has been clinically utilized for many indications in medicine requiring protection from el/issue death,stimulation of healing and repair of injuries,pain reduction,swelling and inflammation.Presently,the use of LLLT to treat stroke,traumnatic brain injury and cognitive dysfunction are attracting growing interest.Near infrared light is capable of penetrating into the cerebral cortex,allowing noninvasive treatments to be caried out with few treatment-related adverse events.Optimization of LLLT treatment flfect is a crucial isse of this field;however,only a few experimental tests on mice for wavelength selection have been reported.We addressed this ssue by low-ost,straightforward and quantitative comparisons on light dosage distribution within visible Chinese human head by Monte Carlo modeling of near infrared light propagation.Optimized selection in wavelength,beam type and size were given based on comparisons among frequently used setups(ie,wavelengths:660,810 and 980 nm;beam type:Gaussian and flat beamn;beam diameter:2,4 and 6 cm).This study provided an fficient way for guiding the optimization of LLLT setup and selection on wavelength,beam type and size for clinical brain LLLT.

Advance in Functional Restoration of Injured Nerve with Low Level Laser and its Utilization in the Dental and Maxillofacial Region

The inferior alveolar nerve and facial nerve are the two most important nerves in the dental and maxillofacial region.The injury to them is one of the major postoperative complications after alveolar surgery and orthognathic surgery.However,recovering the nerve function after injury takes a long time and the recovery effect tends to be unsatisfactory.In recent years,an intensively investigated technique,low level laser which has been applying in assisting the recovery of nerve function,has been gradually proved to be effective in clinically treating postoperative nerve injury.In this article we review in terms of the mechanisms involved in low level laser-assisted functional restoration of nerve injury and its clinical application in the recovery of nerve function in the dental and maxillofacial area as well.

Relationship between adjustment of low water level and utilization of water depth in Shashi Reach in middle Yangtze River

Hydrological,sediment,and bathymetric data of the Shashi Reach in the middle Yangtze River for the period of 1975-2018 were collected,and the characteristics of low water level changes and their impacts on utilization of water depth for navigation were investigated.The results showed that,during the study period,the Shashi Reach riverbed was significantly scoured and incised,with cross-sectional profiles showing overall narrowing and deepening.This indicated a strong potential to improve the water depth of the channel.The analysis of the temporal variation of in-channel topographical features showed that the Taipingkou diara underwent siltation and erosion,with its head gradually scoured and relocated downstream after 2008,and the Sanbatan diara continued to shrink and migrate leftwards.Low water levels with the same flow rate over the study period decreased.For instance,from 2003 to 2020,the water level at the Shashi hydrological station decreased to 1.37 m with a flow rate of 6000 m^(3)/s.Furthermore,the designed minimum navigable water level of the Shashi Reach was approximately 2.11m lower than the recommended level.In terms of utilization of the channel water depth,continuous scouring of the river channel is expected to result in a reduction in discharge at the Taipingkou mouth,which will improve the water depth conditions of the channel during the dry season in the Shashi Reach.With several channel regulation projects,the 3.5-m depth of the Shashi Reach would basically be unobstructed.This promotes utilization of the shipping route from the Taipingkou south branch to the Sanbatan north branch as the main navigation channel during the dry season.Considering the factors of current water depth and the clear width limitation of the navigation hole at the Jingzhou Yangtze River Bridge,this route can still be favored as the main navigation channel with a 4.5-m depth during the dry season.

Novel Frame Shift and Integral Technique for Enhancing Low-Light-Level Moving Images

A novel frame shift and integral technique for the enhancement of low light level moving image sequence is introduced. According to the technique, motion parameters of target are measured by algorithm based on difference processing. To obtain spatial relativity, images are shifted according to the motion parameters. As a result, the processing of integral and average can be applied to images that have been shifted. The technique of frame shift and integral that includes the algorithm of motion parameter determination is discussed, experiments with low light level moving image sequences are also described. The experiment results show the effectiveness and the robustness of the parameter determination algorithm, and the improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） of low light level moving images.

Is low postoperative cholesterol level really an independent risk factor of adverse outcomes after living donor liver transplantation?

To the Editor:We read with great interest the article by Yang et al.[1]evaluating the effects of postoperative serum total cholesterol(s TC)changes on early allograft dysfunction and survival after living donor liver transplantation(LDLT).By the multivariate regression analysis,they showed that patients with s TC<1.42 mmol/L on postoperative day 3 had 4.08-fold and 2.72-fold greater risks of

Low Labor Share in GDP Holds Back Economic Development

The declining share of labor compensation in China＇s GDP has raised intense public concern. Using statistics since 1978, this research paper examines, in detail, the changing patterns of labor compensation since reform and opening- up. Following international practices. this paper has adjusted China＇s labor compensation statistics.The results show that, iu contrast to a significant drop in the share of labor competsation in GDP before making an adjustment, the adjusted share has actually remained stable for the most part after the late 1970s.There has been no discernable fall until the last several years, The real prablem in China＇s functional distribution of national income since the late 1970s has not been the declining share of labor compensation in GDP. Actually, the share has always remained consistently low.It can be characterized as beiag ＂stable at a low level on a long-term basis＂.How to increase the labor share,which is in the interest of the average worker is a major question that must be addressed in China＇s future economic development.

Effective Dose Screening of Low Level Red Light in Different Cell Indexes

The low level red light irradiation dose that produced positive response on different cell indexes was selected through experiments.In fibroblast detection model,the low level red light irradiation dose that had positive response to the four indicators of mitochondrial membrane potential,ATP release,cell migration and collagen synthesis was screened.The experimental results showed that low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) had a positive response to the above four indexes in fibroblast.The test model on fibroblast was later transferred to dermal papilla cells for further experimental verification.The results showed that low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) also had a positive response to the four indicators of dermal papilla cells,namely,mitochondrial membrane potential,ATP release,cell proliferation rate and collagen synthesis.It is proved that the low level red light with a irradiation dose of 2 J/cm^(2) could improve the mitochondrial function,cell migration and collagen synthesis of fibroblast and dermal papilla cell,thus providing energy for cell activities,improving cell repair ability and cell anti-aging ability.

The Problems and Solutions of Rural Labor Flowing in low Marketization Level

Rural labor flowing in low marketization level restricts rural production elements of effective allocation, and restricts the development of rural economy, causes the gap between urban and rural areas to continue expanding. This article has analyzed the reasons of phenomenon, and raised some solutions from abolishing the barrier of the household register, improved rural labor＇ s cultural and skills quality, and built a social security system in rural areas improve the marketization level of rural labor flow.