End-group modulation of phenazine based non-fullerene acceptors for efficient organic solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

Phenazine-based non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)have demonstrated great potential in improving the power conversion efficiency(PCE)of organic solar cells(OSCs).Halogenation is known to be an effective strategy for increasing optical absorption,refining energy levels,and improving molecular packing in organic semiconductors.Herein,a series of NFAs(Pz IC-4H,Pz IC-4F,Pz IC-4Cl,Pz IC-2Br)with phenazine as the central core and with/without halogen-substituted(dicyanomethylidene)-indan-1-one(IC)as the electron-accepting end group were synthesized,and the effect of end group matched phenazine central unit on the photovoltaic performance was systematically studied.Synergetic photophysical and morphological analyses revealed that the PM6:Pz IC-4F blend involves efficient exciton dissociation,higher charge collection and transfer rates,better crystallinity,and optimal phase separation.Therefore,OSCs based on PM6:Pz IC-4F as the active layer exhibited a PCE of 16.48%with an open circuit voltage(Voc)and energy loss of 0.880 V and 0.53 e V,respectively.Accordingly,this work demonstrated a promising approach by designing phenazine-based NFAs for achieving high-performance OSCs.

How Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks Can Support European Refractory Ecosystem in Context of The European Green Deal

The movement of the Iron&Steelmaking(I&S)industry towards Net-Zero emissions and digitalized processes through disruptive,breakthrough technologies will be achieved through the use of Hydrogen.The biggest challenge for the refractory industry is to continue to meet the performance expectations while,at the same time,moving to a more sustainable production direction.The complexity and urgency of these technological changes,highlighted by the European Green Deal,requires ambitious,international,interdisciplinary and intersectoral projects,bringing together institutes from across the global value chain,to carry out cutting edge research.The European Union,through its flagship doctoral training program,MSCA,has,and continues to support research and development as well as the promotion of the refractory industry in Europe.An introduction to two MSCA projects and some of the results achieved are highlighted within this article.

融合Dead-ends和离线监督Actor-Critic的动态治疗策略生成模型

强化学习对数学模型依赖性低,利用经验便于架构和优化模型,非常适合用于动态治疗策略学习。但现有研究仍存在以下问题:1)学习策略最优性的同时未考虑风险,导致学到的策略存在一定的风险;2)忽略了分布偏移问题,导致学到的策略与医生策略完全不同;3)忽略患者的历史观测数据和治疗史,从而不能很好地得到患者状态,进而导致不能学到最优策略。基于此,提出了融合Dead-ends和离线监督Actor-Critic的动态治疗策略生成模型DOSAC-DTR。首先,考虑学到的策略所推荐的治疗行动的风险性,在Actor-Critic框架中融入Dead-ends概念;其次,为缓解分布偏移问题,在Actor-Critic框架中融入医生监督,在最大化预期回报的同时,最小化所学策略与医生策略之间的差距;最后,为了得到包含患者关键历史信息的状态表示,使用基于LSTM的编码器解码器模型对患者的历史观测数据和治疗史进行建模。实验结果表明,DOSAC-DTR相比基线方法有更好的性能,可以得到更低的估计死亡率以及更高的Jaccard系数。

Building Custom Spreadsheet Functions with Python: End-User Software Engineering Approach

End-user computing empowers non-developers to manage data and applications, enhancing collaboration and efficiency. Spreadsheets, a prime example of end-user programming environments widely used in business for data analysis. However, Excel functionalities have limits compared to dedicated programming languages. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a prototype for integrating Python’s capabilities into Excel through on-premises desktop to build custom spreadsheet functions with Python. This approach overcomes potential latency issues associated with cloud-based solutions. This prototype utilizes Excel-DNA and IronPython. Excel-DNA allows creating custom Python functions that seamlessly integrate with Excel’s calculation engine. IronPython enables the execution of these Python (CSFs) directly within Excel. C# and VSTO add-ins form the core components, facilitating communication between Python and Excel. This approach empowers users with a potentially open-ended set of Python (CSFs) for tasks like mathematical calculations, statistical analysis, and even predictive modeling, all within the familiar Excel interface. This prototype demonstrates smooth integration, allowing users to call Python (CSFs) just like standard Excel functions. This research contributes to enhancing spreadsheet capabilities for end-user programmers by leveraging Python’s power within Excel. Future research could explore expanding data analysis capabilities by expanding the (CSFs) functions for complex calculations, statistical analysis, data manipulation, and even external library integration. The possibility of integrating machine learning models through the (CSFs) functions within the familiar Excel environment.

Enhancing Data Analysis and Automation: Integrating Python with Microsoft Excel for Non-Programmers

Microsoft Excel is essential for the End-User Approach (EUA), offering versatility in data organization, analysis, and visualization, as well as widespread accessibility. It fosters collaboration and informed decision-making across diverse domains. Conversely, Python is indispensable for professional programming due to its versatility, readability, extensive libraries, and robust community support. It enables efficient development, advanced data analysis, data mining, and automation, catering to diverse industries and applications. However, one primary issue when using Microsoft Excel with Python libraries is compatibility and interoperability. While Excel is a widely used tool for data storage and analysis, it may not seamlessly integrate with Python libraries, leading to challenges in reading and writing data, especially in complex or large datasets. Additionally, manipulating Excel files with Python may not always preserve formatting or formulas accurately, potentially affecting data integrity. Moreover, dependency on Excel’s graphical user interface (GUI) for automation can limit scalability and reproducibility compared to Python’s scripting capabilities. This paper covers the integration solution of empowering non-programmers to leverage Python’s capabilities within the familiar Excel environment. This enables users to perform advanced data analysis and automation tasks without requiring extensive programming knowledge. Based on Soliciting feedback from non-programmers who have tested the integration solution, the case study shows how the solution evaluates the ease of implementation, performance, and compatibility of Python with Excel versions.

Risk factors,prognostic predictors,and nomograms for pancreatic cancer patients with initially diagnosed synchronous liver metastasis

BACKGROUND Liver metastasis(LM)remains a major cause of cancer-related death in patients with pancreatic cancer(PC)and is associated with a poor prognosis.Therefore,identifying the risk and prognostic factors in PC patients with LM(PCLM)is essential as it may aid in providing timely medical interventions to improve the prognosis of these patients.However,there are limited data on risk and prognostic factors in PCLM patients.AIM To investigate the risk and prognostic factors of PCLM and develop corresponding diagnostic and prognostic nomograms.METHODS Patients with primary PC diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and Results Database.Risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis to develop the diagnostic mode.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression model was used to determine the prognostic factors needed to develop the prognostic model.The performance of the two nomogram models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration plots,decision curve analysis(DCA),and risk subgroup classification.The Kaplan-Meier method with a logrank test was used for survival analysis.RESULTS We enrolled 33459 patients with PC in this study.Of them,11458(34.2%)patients had LM at initial diagnosis.Age at diagnosis,primary site,lymph node metastasis,pathological type,tumor size,and pathological grade were identified as independent risk factors for LM in patients with PC.Age>70 years,adenocarcinoma,poor or anaplastic differentiation,lung metastases,no surgery,and no chemotherapy were the independently associated risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with PCLM.The C-index of diagnostic and prognostic nomograms were 0.731 and 0.753,respectively.The two nomograms could accurately predict the occurrence and prognosis of patients with PCLM based on the observed analysis results of ROC curves,calibration plots,and DCA curves.The prognostic nomogram could stratify patients into prognostic groups and perform well in internal validation.CONCLUSION Our study identified the risk and prognostic factors in patients with PCLM and developed corresponding diagnostic and prognostic nomograms to help clinicians in subsequent clinical evaluation and intervention.External validation is required to confirm these results.

Implications of receptor for advanced glycation end products for progression from obesity to diabetes and from diabetes to cancer

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are chronic pathologies with a high incidence worldwide.They share some pathological mechanisms,including hyperinsulinemia,the production and release of hormones,and hyperglycemia.The above,over time,affects other systems of the human body by causing tissue hypoxia,low-grade inflammation,and oxidative stress,which lay the pathophysiological groundwork for cancer.The leading causes of death globally are T2DM and cancer.Other main alterations of this pathological triad include the accumulation of advanced glycation end products and the release of endogenous alarmins due to cell death(i.e.,damage-associated molecular patterns)such as the intracellular proteins high-mobility group box protein 1 and protein S100 that bind to the receptor for advanced glycation products(RAGE)-a multiligand receptor involved in inflammatory and metabolic and neoplastic processes.This review analyzes the latest advanced reports on the role of RAGE in the development of obesity,T2DM,and cancer,with an aim to understand the intracellular signaling mechanisms linked with cancer initiation.This review also explores inflammation,oxidative stress,hypoxia,cellular senescence,RAGE ligands,tumor microenvironment changes,and the“cancer hallmarks”of the leading tumors associated with T2DM.The assimilation of this information could aid in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to lower the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases.

Role of mental health professionals in dealing with the stigma attached to COVID-19

The stigma associated with the disease may be as subtle as avoidance,or dramatic as physical aggression.COVID-19 has begun to cause social disruption by growing disease-related stigma and xenophobia against some cultural,national,racial or religious groups worldwide.1 People of East Asian origin and those with facial features like them,or those with a travel history to areas affected by the outbreak,are especially being subjected to xenophobia in personal contact and online threats.COVID-19 has arisen as an unknown and newly emerged highly contagious infection that has spread rapidly across the globe and is associated with high mortality,leading to fear of encountering those infected.2 Leaders across the world have taken strict measures such as lockdowns and shutdown of various vital services that have caused chaos in people’s lives and increased concerns about the disease.3 Box 1 lists the factors leading to stigmatisation towards those infected with COVID-19.

Epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors associated with overall survival for patients with mucinous colorectal cancer:A population-based study

BACKGROUND Mucinous adenocarcinoma(MC)has attracted much attention as a distinct histologic subtype of colorectal cancer in recent years.However,data about its epidemiologic and prognostic characteristics are limited.Therefore,patient data extracted from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results Program were collected to analyze the epidemiologic and clinicopathological characteristics of MC.AIM To determine the epidemiologic and clinicopathological characteristics of MC.METHODS The incidence trend of MC was calculated through the Joinpoint Regression Program.Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with overall survival(OS).A nomogram was established to predict the survival probability of individual patients with MC.RESULTS We found that rates of MC decreased from 4.50/100000 in 2000 to 1.54/100000 in 2018.Rates of MCs in patients aged≤50 years decreased 2.27%/year during 2000-2018.The incidence of appendiceal MCs increased from 0.14/100000 in 2000 to 0.24/100000 in 2018,while the incidence in other anatomic subsites continued to decrease.On multivariable Cox analyses,age,race,tumor site,T stage,N stage,M stage,surgery,and chemotherapy were associated with OS.A nomogram was developed based on these factors,and the area under the curve for 1-year,3-year,and 5-year OS in the training cohort was 0.778,0.778,and 0.768,respectively.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that MC incidence decreased in almost all anatomic subgroups except for the appendix.A nomogram predicting the survival probability of patients with MCs showed good performance.

High glucose reduces Nrf2-dependent cRAGE release and enhances inflammasome-dependent IL-1βproduction in monocytes:the modulatory effects of EGCG

Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products(sRAGE)acts as a decoy sequestering of RAGE ligands,thus preventing the activation of the ligand-RAGE axis linking human diseases.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying sRAGE remain unclear.In this study,THP-1 monocytes were cultured in normal glucose(NG,5.5 mmol/L)and high glucose(HG,15 mmol/L)to investigate the effects of diabetesrelevant glucose concentrations on sRAGE and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)secretion.The modulatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)in response to HG challenge were also evaluated.HG enhanced intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation and RAGE expression.The secretion of sRAGE,including esRAGE and cRAGE,was reduced under HG conditions,together with the downregulation of a disintegrin and metallopeptidase 10(ADAM10)and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)nuclear translocation.Mechanistically,the HG effects were counteracted by siRAGE and exacerbated by siNrf2.Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed that Nrf2 binding to the ADAM10 promoter and HG interfered with this binding.Our data reinforce the notion that RAGE and Nrf2 might be sRAGE-regulating factors.Under HG conditions,the treatment of EGCG reduced ROS generation and RAGE activation.EGCG-stimulated cRAGE release was likely caused by the upregulation of the Nrf2-ADAM10 pathway.EGCG inhibited HG-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation at least partly by stimulating sRAGE,thereby reducing IL-1βrelease.

End-of-Pregnancy Monitoring at CHUMEFJE through the Functional Investigation Centre (FIC) in 2022

Introduction: The end of pregnancy is a high-risk period for both mother and foetus. Rigorous monitoring can prevent complications before delivery. Materials and Method: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional observational study. It took place in the delivery room of the Teacher hospital Mother and Child of Jeanne Ebori Fondation from the 01 October 2020 to 01 October 2021. All patients followed at the Functional Investigation Centre (FIC) of the CHUMEFJE and who gave birth in that same hospital were included. Data were collected on the basis of pregnancy diaries, the fic register and delivery room registers. They were analysed using SPSS Statistical Software. Results: During the period of our study, 4086 parturients arrived in the delivery room. Of these, 150 were followed up at the FIC, giving a prevalence of 3.7%. The majority of parturients (48%) had only one prenatal contact. 6 (4%) patients underwent pelvic scans, and 4 (2.6%) presented with a narrowed pelvis. A vaginal delivery was performed in 80% of cases, and of the caesarean sections, 9 (30%) could be scheduled. The maternal prognosis was marred by one post-partum complication of hypertension, and newborns with poor adaptation to life outside the womb accounted for 3.3% of cases. Conclusion: The Functional Investigation Centre makes it possible to detect anomalies at the end of pregnancy with a view to better planning of delivery.

Step‑by‑Step Modulation of Crystalline Features and Exciton Kinetics for 19.2%Efficiency Ortho‑Xylene Processed Organic Solar Cells

With plenty of popular and effective ternary organic solar cells(OSCs)construction strategies proposed and applied,its power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)have come to a new level of over 19%in single-junction devices.However,previous studies are heavily based in chloroform(CF)leaving behind substantial knowledge deficiencies in understanding the influence of solvent choice when introducing a third component.Herein,we present a case where a newly designed asymmetric small molecular acceptor using fluoro-methoxylated end-group modification strategy,named BTP-BO-3FO with enlarged bandgap,brings different morphological evolution and performance improvement effect on host system PM6:BTP-eC9,processed by CF and ortho-xylene(o-XY).With detailed analyses supported by a series of experiments,the best PCE of 19.24%for green solvent-processed OSCs is found to be a fruit of finely tuned crystalline ordering and general aggregation motif,which furthermore nourishes a favorable charge generation and recombination behavior.Likewise,over 19%PCE can be achieved by replacing spin-coating with blade coating for active layer deposition.This work focuses on understanding the commonly met yet frequently ignored issues when building ternary blends to demonstrate cutting-edge device performance,hence,will be instructive to other ternary OSC works in the future.

Characteristics of Male Family Caregivers in Japan and Their Sense of Care Burden, Capacity to Deal with Stress, and Subjective Sense of Well-Being

This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of Japanese male family caregivers in terms of their sense of care burden, their capacity to deal with stress, and their subjective sense of well-being. A survey consisting of questionnaires and interviews was conducted from March to May 2014 in the subjects’ homes. Subjects were 27 Japanese males (the age range: 54 - 85) who provided home care for their family member. Caregivers who were good at relieving stress or who had a subjective sense of well-being were found to have a low care burden. The types and seriousness of diseases of the care recipients were not related to the caregivers’ sense of burden, capacity to deal with stress, or subjective sense of well-being. Based on the interview results, caregivers were found to have the following characteristics: they were particular about methods of care;they learned how to provide home care by themselves;they used their social intelligence in home care;they always provided home care while keeping the future in mind;and most notably, they considered home care to be their primary occupation. On the whole, male caregivers were found to alleviate the burdens of home care by making use of the nursing-care service systems that enabled them to relieve stress and enjoy their leisure time. Caregivers considered home care to be their occupation and used their past social experiences. The workforce helped them deal with the care recipients’ health conditions or day-to-day changes so that they could overcome the care burden.

Enhancing efficiency and stability of organic solar cells through a simplified four-step synthesis of fully non-fused ring electron acceptor

Design and synthesis of superior cost-effective non-fullerene acceptors(NFAs)are still big challenges for facilitating the commercialization of organic solar cells(OSCs),yet to be realized.Herein,two medium bandgap fully non-fused ring electron acceptors(NFREAs,medium bandgap,i,e.,1,3-1,8 eV),namely PTR-2Cl and PTR-4Cl are synthesized with only four steps by using intramolecular noncovalent interaction central core,structured alkyl side chain orientation linking units and flanking with different electron-withdrawing end group.Among them,PTR-4C1 exhibits increased average electrostatic potential(ESP)difference with polymer donor,enhanced crystallinity and compactπ-πstacking compared with the control molecule PTR-2CI.As a result,the PTR-4Cl-based OSC achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency(PCE)of 14.72%,with a much higher open-circuit voltage(V_(OC))of 0.953 V and significantly improved fill factor(FF)of 0.758,demonstrating one of the best acceptor material in the top-performing fully NFREA-based OSCs with both high PCE and V_(OC).Notably,PTR-4Cl-based cells maintain a good T_80lifetime of its initial PCE after over 936 h under a continuous thermal annealing treatment and over1300 h T_(80)lifetime without encapsulation.This work provides a cost-effective design strategy for NFREAs on obtaining high V_(OC),efficient exciton dissociation,and ordered molecular packing and thus high-efficiency and stable OSCs.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in end-stage liver disease:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)is commonly utilized as a prognostic indicator in end-stage liver disease(ESLD),encompassing conditions like liver failure and decompensated cirrhosis.Nevertheless,some studies have contested the prognostic value of NLR in ESLD.AIM To investigate the ability of NLR to predict ESLD.METHODS Databases,such as Embase,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Weipu,and Wanfang,were comprehensively searched to identify studies published before October 2022 assessing the prognostic ability of NLR to predict mortality in patients with ESLD.Effect sizes were calculated using comprehensive meta-analysis software and SATAT 15.1.RESULTS A total of thirty studies involving patients with end-stage liver disease(ESLD)were included in the evaluation.Among the pooled results of eight studies,it was observed that the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio(NLR)was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors(random-effects model:standardized mean difference=1.02,95%confidence interval=0.67-1.37).Additionally,twenty-seven studies examined the associations between NLR and mortality in ESLD patients,reporting either hazard ratios(HR)or odds ratios(OR).The combined findings indicated a link between NLR and ESLD mortality(randomeffects model;univariate HR=1.07,95%CI=1.05-1.09;multivariate HR=1.07,95%CI=1.07-1.09;univariate OR=1.29,95%CI=1.18-1.39;multivariate OR=1.29,95%CI=1.09-1.49).Furthermore,subgroup and meta-regression analyses revealed regional variations in the impact of NLR on ESLD mortality,with Asian studies demonstrating a more pronounced effect.CONCLUSION Increased NLR in patients with ESLD is associated with a higher risk of mortality,particularly in Asian patients.NLR is a useful prognostic biomarker in patients with ESLD.

Regulatory role of peroxynitrite in advanced glycation end products mediated diabetic cardiovascular complications

The Advanced Glycation End Products(AGE)binding with its receptor can increase reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation through specific signaling mediators.The effect of superoxide(O2-)and O2-mediated ROS and reactive nitrogen species depends on their concentration and location of formation.Nitric oxide(NO)has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties and a vasodilation effect,but NO can be deactivated by reacting with O_(2)^(-).This reaction between NO and O2-produces the potent oxidant ONOO−.Therefore,ONOO-'s regulatory role in AGEs in diabetic cardiovascular complications must considered as a regulator of cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

Risk stratification in gastric cancer lung metastasis: Utilizing an overall survival nomogram and comparing it with previous staging

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is prevalent and aggressive,especially when patients have distant lung metastases,which often places patients into advanced stages.By identifying prognostic variables for lung metastasis in GC patients,it may be po-ssible to construct a good prediction model for both overall survival(OS)and the cumulative incidence prediction(CIP)plot of the tumour.AIM To investigate the predictors of GC with lung metastasis(GCLM)to produce nomograms for OS and generate CIP by using cancer-specific survival(CSS)data.METHODS Data from January 2000 to December 2020 involving 1652 patients with GCLM were obtained from the Surveillance,epidemiology,and end results program database.The major observational endpoint was OS;hence,patients were se-parated into training and validation groups.Correlation analysis determined va-rious connections.Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses validated the independent predictive factors.Nomogram distinction and calibration were performed with the time-dependent area under the curve(AUC)and calibration curves.To evaluate the accuracy and clinical usefulness of the nomograms,decision curve analysis(DCA)was performed.The clinical utility of the novel prognostic model was compared to that of the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)staging system by utilizing Net Reclassification Improvement(NRI)and Integrated Discrimination Improvement(IDI).Finally,the OS prognostic model and Cox-AJCC risk stratification model modified for the AJCC system were compared.RESULTS For the purpose of creating the OS nomogram,a CIP plot based on CSS was generated.Cox multivariate regression analysis identified eleven significant prognostic factors(P<0.05)related to liver metastasis,bone metastasis,primary site,surgery,regional surgery,treatment sequence,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,positive lymph node count,N staging,and time from diagnosis to treatment.It was clear from the DCA(net benefit>0),time-de-pendent ROC curve(training/validation set AUC>0.7),and calibration curve(reliability slope closer to 45 degrees)results that the OS nomogram demonstrated a high level of predictive efficiency.The OS prediction model(New Model AUC=0.83)also performed much better than the old Cox-AJCC model(AUC difference between the new model and the old model greater than 0)in terms of risk stratification(P<0.0001)and verification using the IDI and NRI.CONCLUSION The OS nomogram for GCLM successfully predicts 1-and 3-year OS.Moreover,this approach can help to ap-propriately classify patients into high-risk and low-risk groups,thereby guiding treatment.

Identical carbon isotope trends of carbonate and organic carbon and their environmental significance from the Changhsingian (end-Permian), Meishan, South China

High resolution carbon isotope analyses of carbonate and organic carbon from Meishan, South China showed that the variation of δ13Ccarb is marked by three large positive excursions during the Changhsingian (end-Permian). Carbon isotope stratigraphy during this stage shows three cyclic intervals in δ13Ccarb, with two cycles corresponding to the lower (Paleofusulinid minima Zone) and one corresponding to the upper Changhsingian (P. sinensis Zone). The large positive δ13Ccarb excursions indicate episodes of enhanced burial of isotopically light or-ganic carbon, presumably in response to deep-water anoxia episodically extending into shallow water with the rise of sea level. The organic carbon during the Changhsingian is distinguished into two groups, and the δ13Corg of each group parallels (separately) the more detailed profile of δ13Ccarb, strongly showing that the values of fractionation Δ13Ccab-org remain relatively constant, with only two intervals with anomaly. The enhanced fractionation Δ13Ccab-org with large negative δ13Corg excursions apparently indicates significant inputs from sulfide-oxidizing bacteria and green sulfur bacteria, notably at bed 24 just predating mass extinction. Our evidence appears to support that the ex-tended euxinic water is possible for the main pulse of mass extinction at the end-Permian.

Chinese Trade Unions Strive to Protect Workers' Rights and Interests in Dealing with the Global Financial Crisis

Protecting the rights and interests of workers and staff members constitutes an important aspect of China＇s human rights protection. At the time when the country is dealing with impacts of the global financial crisis, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions has been working fruitfully and effectively to accelerate economic and social development and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of workers, therefore making contributions to the protection of the rights and interests of Chinese workers. Now I would like to make a brief introduction on this subject.