A Corpus-based Study on "However" in Chinese Learners' Writing

The use of "however" by Chinese learners' writing is studied through a comparison of its use in CLEC and in BROWN and found that "however" is overused in the front of a sentence,underused in the middle of a sentence and misused as a disjunctive conjunction,as is followed by the analysis of three attributable factors,i.e.the writing style,confusion with "but" and negative L1 transfer.

Association between visual status and mental health status in Thai rural elderly:a community-based study

AIM：To evaluate the association between visual impairment（VI） and mental health or social engagement in older adults living in rural Thailand.METHODS：Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from a community survey conducted in 2015 in Saraburi Province,Thailand.Participants were 327 adults aged ≥50 y.VI was assessed using presenting distance visual acuity.Mental health and social engagement were evaluated in face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires.After determining the prevalence of VI and relevant sociodemographic characteristics,multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of VI on mental health and social engagement.RESULTS：The prevalence of VI was 18.3%.Major causes were refractive error（58.3%） and cataract（35%）.Factors associated with VI in the crude analysis were：older age [odds ratio（OR） 8.08],unemployment（OR 2.72）,widowhood（OR 2.47）,being divorced/separated（OR 3.27）,smoking（OR 2.09） and disability in activities of daily living（OR 2.35）.Protective factors were undergoing eye screening at least once a year（P=0.029） and obesity（P=0.005）.VI was significantly associated with low social engagement（adjusted OR 4.13） but not with poor mental health（P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION：Although VI older adults reported less participation in social activities,there is no significant association between VI and poor mental health.Annual eye examinations may prevent VI in older adults.Information about employment and anti-smoking should be targeted to older adults with VI.

Factors associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and dysplasia in patients with chronic gastritis:a population-based study

Objective： Gastric cancer （GC） is one of the leading causes of death in China and other Asian countries. Recently, gastric endoscopy has become the main approach for GC screening, but the identification of high-risk individuals remains a challenge in GC screening programs. Methods： There were 7,302 patients with chronic gastritis involved in this study. Endoscopic examinations were performed, and their demographic characteristics and lifestyle data were collected. Each possible associated factor of GC/premalignant and precursor lesions was evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Nomograms were used for visualization of those models, and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve analysis was used to present the predictive accuracy. Resu Its： We detected 8 （0.11% ） gastric adenocarcinomas, 17 （0.23 %） dysplasia cases, 14 （0.19%） hyperplasia cases, 52 （0.71%） intestinal metaplasia cases, 217 （2.97%） inflammatory lesions, 141 （1.93%） gastric ulcers, 10 （0.14%） atrophic gastritis cases, 1,365 （18.69%） erosive gastritis cases, and 5,957 （81.58%） superficial gastritis cases in 7,302 patients. The age （P〈0.001）, gender （P=0.086）, labor intensity （P=0.018） and leek food intake （P=0.143） were identified as independent predictive factors of GC/premalignant lesions possibility. The corresponding nomogram exhibited an area under the curve （AUC） [95% confidence interval （95% CI）] of 0.82 （0.74-0.89） for the modeling group and 0.80 （0.75-0.85） for the validation group. The age （P=0.002）, gender （P=0.024）, smoldng （P=0.002） and leek food intake （P=0.039） were independent predictive factors of precursor lesions possibility. The corresponding nomogram exhibited an AUC （95% CI） of 0.62 （0.60-0.65） for the modeling group and 0.61 （0.59-0.63） for the validation group. Conclusions： We identified several potential associated factors and provided a preclinical nomogram with the potential to predict the possibility of GC/premalignant and precursor lesions.

Favorable clinical outcome of nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis patients with coronary artery disease:A population-based study

AIM To elucidate the prevalence and risk of mortality of nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis(LC) patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).METHODS The study cohort included newly diagnosed nonalcoholic LC patients age ≥ 40 years old without a diagnosis of CAD from 2006 until 2011 from a longitudinal health insurance database. The mean follow-up period for the study cohort was 1152 ± 633 d. The control cohort was matched by sex, age, residence, and index date. Hazard ratios(HRs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS After exclusion, a total of 3409 newly diagnosed nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients were identified from one million samples from the health insurance database. We found that CAD(5.1% vs 17.4%) and hyperlipidemia(20.6% vs 24.1%) were less prevalent in nonalcoholic LC patients than in normal subjects(all P < 0.001), whereas other comorbidities exhibited an increased prevalence. Among the comorbidities, chronic kidney disease exhibited the highest risk for mortality(adjusted HR(AHR) = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.55-2.00, P < 0.001). Ascites or peritonitis exhibited the highest risk of mortality among nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients(AHR = 2.34; 95%CI: 2.06-2.65, P < 0.001). Finally, a total of 170 patients developed CAD after a diagnosis of nonalcoholic LC. The AHR of CAD in nonalcoholic LC patients was 0.56(95%CI: 0.43-0.74, P < 0.001). The six-year survival rates for nonalcoholic LC patients with and without CAD were 52% and 50%, respectively(P = 0.012). CONCLUSION We conclude that CAD was less prevalent and associated with a reduced risk of mortality in nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients.

A community-based epidemiological study of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore any gender-related differences in prevalence of and condition-associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level amongst residents of Kinmen, Taiwan.METHODS: A total of 11 898 of a potential 20 112 regional residents aged 30 years or more completed a related questionnaire that was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade between 1991 and 1994 inclusively, with blood samples being collected by public nurses. The overall questionnaire response rate was 59.3% (52.4% for males and 66.0% for females).RESULTS: The prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level for this sub-population was found to be 7,2%, the prevalence revealing a statistically significant decrease with increasing population age (P＜0.0001). Males exhibited a greater prevalence of elevated serum ALT level than did females (9.4% vs 5.3%, P＜0.0001). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, in addition to male gender, a younger age, greater waist circumference,presence of type-2 diabetes and hyperuricemia were the significant factors associated with an elevated serum ALT level for both males and females. Gender-related differences as regards associated factors were also revealed. For males, obesity was significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.00-1.66)but this was not so for females (OR = 1.09, 95%CI:0.84-1.42). Hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.80, 95%CI:1.36-2.39) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.61, 95%CI:1.03-2.52) were significantly related to elevated serum ALT levels only for females.CONCLUSION: Several gender-related differences were noted pertaining to the prevalence of and relationship between obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia and elevated serum ALT level in the present study.(c)2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Ihc. All rights reserved.

A population-based follow-up study on gallstone disease among type 2 diabetics in Kinmen,Taiwan

瞄准：估计发生并且在 Kinmen 在类型 2 糖尿病患者之中为胆石疾病(GSD ) 冒因素的风险，台湾。方法：为 GSD 的一个屏蔽节目被采用了即时腹的超声在病人们有 fasted 至少八个小时以后，检验腹的区域的二位专家执行。屏蔽，它在 2001 被进行，包含了与类型 2 糖尿病诊断的 848 个病人。在有流行 GSD 的 63 个题目的排除以后，没有 GSD 的 377 个参加者为秒轮屏蔽在 2002 被邀请。281 的一个总数(74.5%) 使遭到是 re-examined。结果：在 281 类型之中没在首先屏蔽有 GSD 的 2 名糖尿病患者， 10 在 2002 开发了 GSD。发生每年是 3.56%(95% CI：1.78% 每 year-6.24% 每年) 。用一个考克斯回归模型，变老(RR = 1.07， 95% CI：1.00-1.14 ) ，腰圆周(RR = 1.12， 95% CI：1.01-1.29 ) ，并且中高音(RR = 1.13， 95%CI：1.01-1.26 ) 看起来显著地与 GSD 的开发被相关。结论：老年是为 GSD 的发展的一个已知的风险因素。我们那更大的腰圆周和提高的中高音铺平的学习表演也在 Kinmen 在类型 2 糖尿病患者之中与 GSD 的发展被联系。

EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE AND THE CLINICAL STUDY ON ACUPUNCTURE AND MOXIBUSTION

In this article, the authors hold that the evidence based medicine(EBM) is a new medical action produced at the historic moment in clinical practice, which is promoting development of the medicine and even the whole life science in a fully new train of thought and method. Further the briefly introduced contents are the effect of EBM, the difficulty of utilizing in the acupuncture clinical practice and how to resolve them. It is highly recommended that the doctors of the acupuncture science field should study EBM and its effect and difficulties in practice as earlier as possible, insistently assimilate new knowledge and keep abreast of the times’ progress to facilitate the further development of acupunctology.

Have patients with esophagitis got an increased risk of adenocarcinoma? Results from a population-based study

AIM: To examine an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma is restricted to patients who develop Barrett's esophagus or whether esophagitis per se is a risk factor for adenocarcinoma.METHODS: A population-based cohort of patients with histological evidence of esophagitis without Barrett's esophagus was constructed using electronic pathology reports relating to all esophageal biopsies in Northern Ireland between 1993 and 1996. Person-years of followup and incident cases of esophageal cancer were calculated by linking the cohort to death files and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry records. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated for esophageal cancers (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and histologically unspecified cancers).RESULTS: A total of 2 013 patients in the cohort provided 13 559 patient-years of follow-up (mean follow-up 6.7 years). None of the patients developed adenocarcinoma. Three patients developed SCC, and six developed histologically unspecified cancers. The SIR for all esophageal cancers and for SCC were 2.73 (95%CI 1.25-5.19) and 2.93 (95%CI 0.61-8.59), respectively. In a sensitivity analysis in which all unspecified esophageal cancers were treated as adenocarcinomas, the SIR for adenocarcinoma was 2.64 (0.97-5.75).CONCLUSION: The risk of adenocarcinoma is not elevated in patients with histological evidence of esophagitis without Barrett's esophagus; however, these patients may have a moderately increased risk of SCC.Further studies are required to confirm these findings,which suggest that Barrett's esophagus, not esophagitis,is the key precursor lesion in the development of adenocarcinoma.

Serum insulin, insulin resistance, p-cell dysfunction, and gallstone disease among type 2 diabetics in Chinese population: A community-based study in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore the association of serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction with gallstone disease (GSD) in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: We used a community-based study conducted between 1991 and 1993 in Kinmen, Taiwan to identify type 2 diabetics. A screening program for GSD was performed in 2001 by a panel of specialists who employed real-time ultrasound sonography to examine the abdominal region after the patient had fasted for at least 8 h. Screening was conducted in 2001 on 848 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The HOMA method was used to compare the profile differences for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and β-cell dysfunction (HOMA β-cell). RESULTS: We studied 440 type 2 diabetics who attended sonography check-ups. After excluding eight insulin-treated diabetics, the prevalence of GSD among the remaining 432 was 13.9% (26/187) among males and 14.7% (36/245) among females. After adjustment for other GSD-associated risk factors in addition to age and obesity, GSD risk increased among females with levels of serum insulin [4th vs 1st quartile odds ratios (OR) = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)] and HOMA IR [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 4.46 (95%CI: 1.71-11.66)]. Better HOMA β-cell function was significantly related to decreased risk of GSD [4th vs 1st quartile OR = 0.16 (95%CI: 0.03-1.70)]. Among males, age and central obesity were the most significant risk factors for GSD. No association of GSD with serum insulin, HOMA IR, and HOMA β-cell was observed among males. CONCLUSION: Serum insulin, insulin resistance, and β-cell dysfunction are risk factors for GSD in females, but not males with type 2 diabetes.

Study on Identification of Inductive-Motors Load Partition Based on Coherence

A new inductive motors load equivalence algorithm based on coherence is proposed in this paper. In order to partite motors load rapidly and accurately, fuzzy c-means clustering along with particle swarm optimization (PSO-FCM) algorithm is proposed to identify coherent motors base on its physical essence of fuzziness. The merits of PSO algorithm are independent to initial value and convergent to optimum value rapidly, and the validity function is constructed to assess clustering validity. The test on IEEE 39-Bus System is presented to evaluate the effectiveness of the new algorithm, the membership matrix definite not only coherence group of motors but also correlation value of coherence between motors. The algorithm can be used to partite motor load based on coherency in dynamic equivalence with power system operating on different modes.

Adaptive Smoothing Method Based on Fuzzy Theory Study and Realization

In this paper, we study about a method to optimize the fused track quality in intelligence network of radar target fusion system, considering the role of people in the fusion system;we start to find ways to optimize the quality of the fused track, and adaptive smoothing method is proposed based on fuzzy theory. Tests show that this method can greatly improve the quality of the fused track system for battlefield reconnaissance provides high-quality, high-reliability battlefield.

Cost-benefit analysis of screening for diabetic retinopathy among Chinese type 2 diabetes: decision from different perspectives of a population-based study

The purpose of this study is to explore whether it is worthwhile to launch a routine diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening for blindness pre-vention among Chinese type 2 diabetes from different perspective based on the popula-tion-based study in Kinmen, Taiwan. A total of 971 community dwelling adults previously di-agnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1991-1993 un-derwent DR screening in 1999-2002 by a panel of ophthalmologists using on-site indirect oph-thalmoscopy and 45-degree color fundus retinal photographs. The cost-benefit analysis is used to evaluate the DR screening. In terms of bene-fit-cost ratio, the different screening programs for DR could save New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) from 14.38 to 36.83 in discounted costs for each dollar incurred in different screening years from the societal viewpoint for Taiwan and save NTD from 0.81 to 1.80 in different screening years from health care payer’s perspective. The av-erage estimate of willingness-to-pay to translate into benefit yields NTD from 937.8 to 4,689 be- nefits per case due to DR screening in different screening years during 10-year follow-up. The net present value of the DR screening were NTD from -167,318 to -307,251.2 in different screening years. In conclusion, it is worthwhile to initial a routine DR screening of Chinese type 2 diabetes for blindness prevention from the societal per-spective but not from consumer decision based on the willingness-to-pay perspective.

Pathway-based analysis of genome-wide association study of circadian phenotypes

Sleepiness affects normal social life, which attracts more and more attention. Circadian phenotypes contribute to obvious individual differences in susceptibility to sleepiness. We aimed to identify candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms（SNPs） which may cause circadian phenotypes, elucidate the potential mechanisms, and generate corresponding SNP-gene-pathways. A genome-wide association studies（GWAS） dataset of circadian phenotypes was utilized in the study. Then, the Identify Candidate Causal SNPs and Pathways analysis was employed to the GWAS dataset after quality control filters. Furthermore, genotype-phenotype association analysis was performed with HapMap database. Four SNPs in three different genes were determined to correlate with usual weekday bedtime,totally providing seven hypothetical mechanisms. Eleven SNPs in six genes were identified to correlate with usual weekday sleep duration, which provided six hypothetical pathways. Our results demonstrated that fifteen candidate SNPs in eight genes played vital roles in six hypothetical pathways implicated in usual weekday bedtime and six potential pathways involved in usual weekday sleep duration.

THE XPS STUDY OF Cu-Co BASED CATALYSTS FOR SYNGAS CONVERSION TO ALCOHOLS

The copper-cobalt based catalysts were effective for higher alcohol synthesis, the surface state of the catalysts and the nature of the active sites were investigated by using XPS and XAES spectra, and some strong interactions were also observed, in each of the three cases, (after calcination, after reduction, and during the syngas reaction).

STUDY OF CALCIUM ION-SELECTIVE ELECTRODE BASED ON A NEW NEUTRAL CARRIER

A calcium ion-setective eletrode based on a new neutral carrier was studied.The electrode gives a Nernstian response in the rang 5.9-1 Pa and the response is stable in a wide pH range.Logarithms of setectivity coefficents are -2.3 Li(+),-3.5 Na(+),-4.0 K(+),-3.7NH_4(+),-4.5 Mg(2+) and -4.4Zn(2+).

The memristive conductance studying of an Au/Ti_nO_(2n-1) memristor device based on oxygen vacancy drifting

With the insight of memristor researsh growing continuously,many semiconductor material has been manufactured to various kinds of memristive device.Yet the stabilization of memristive performance haven’t been fulfilled,the fathom of memristive-acting mechanism still not being generalized.To put a futher move on low-consuming and high-stable memristive conductance device,we built a high stable double-pair-electrode device,based on the fabrication of TiO_(2-x),which has been generally applied as a n-type semiconductor.Under the constant-repeating cyclic voltammerty;we nailed the memristive quality of our mental/semiconductor thin film device.Moreover,through multifarious analytical processes based on our doping,filming growing path,we build a rational model for our memristor‘s memristive conductance mechanism,which indicated the carrier motion and electron tunnel following the biasing voltage.Our work exhibited a new type of TiO_(2-x)-based memristor,and emerged a new way to explicate the single-stage-switching memristive feature,which might initiate a new guiding ideology in semiconductor memristor’s studying.

THE STUDY OF PHOTOELECTROCHEHICAL CELLS BASED ON CHLOROPHYLL AND ORGANIC DYES

Tetraiodofluorescein(TIF)and safranine T(ST)had great effects on the photovoltaic parameters of the cells.The Voc of the cells was about 3-5 times higher than that of the cells without TIK and ST,Isc increased 1 to 2 orders of magnitude.The Voc and Isc could be increased greatly only when Voc and Isc of the cell with Pt as WE properly combined with the Voc and Isc produced by chla in the original cell.According to absorption spectra and output characters,the results were elucidated.

Genetic Dissection of Grain Size Traits Through Genome-Wide Association Study Based on Genic Markers in Rice

Grain size plays a significant role in rice,starting from affecting yield to consumer preference,which is the driving force for deep investigation and improvement of grain size characters.Quantitative inheritance makes these traits complex to breed on account of several alleles contributing to the complete trait expression.We employed genome-wide association study in an association panel of 88 rice genotypes using 142 new candidate gene based SSR(cgSSR)markers,derived from yield-related candidate genes,with the efficient mixed-model association coupled mixed linear model for dissecting complete genetic control of grain size traits.A total of 10 significant associations were identified for four grain size-related characters(grain weight,grain length,grain width,and length-width ratio).Among the identified associations,seven marker trait associations explain more than 10%of the phenotypic variation,indicating major putative QTLs for respective traits.The allelic variations at genes OsBC1L4,SHO1 and OsD2 showed association between 1000-grain weight and grain width,1000-grain weight and grain length,and grain width and length-width ratio,respectively.The cgSSR markers,associated with corresponding traits,can be utilized for direct allelic selection,while other significantly associated cgSSRs may be utilized for allelic accumulation in the breeding programs or grain size improvement.The new cgSSR markers associated with grain size related characters have a significant impact on practical plant breeding to increase the number of causative alleles for these traits through marker aided rice breeding programs.

Global Statistical Study of Ionospheric Waves Based on COSMIC GPS Radio Occultation Data

Extracting and parameterizing ionospheric waves globally and statistically is a longstanding problem. Based on the multichannel maximum entropy method（MMEM） used for studying ionospheric waves by previous work, we calculate the parameters of ionospheric waves by applying the MMEM to numerously temporally approximate and spatially close global-positioning-system radio occultation total electron content profile triples provided by the unique clustered satellites flight between years 2006 and 2007 right after the constellation observing system for meteorology, ionosphere, and climate（COSMIC） mission launch. The results show that the amplitude of ionospheric waves increases at the low and high latitudes（~0.15 TECU） and decreases in the mid-latitudes（~0.05 TECU）. The vertical wavelength of the ionospheric waves increases in the mid-latitudes（e.g., ~50 km at altitudes of 200–250 km） and decreases at the low and high latitudes（e.g., ~35 km at altitudes of 200–250 km）.The horizontal wavelength shows a similar result（e.g., ~1400 km in the mid-latitudes and ~800 km at the low and high latitudes）.

STUDY ON AB-CROSSLINKED POLYMERS Ⅰ. THE SYNTHESIS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF AB-CROSSLINKED POLYMERS BASED. ON PU/PS

The AB-crosslinked polymers (i.e. ABCP) with polystyrene as chain A and vinyl group blocked prepolymers of polyurethanes (PU) as chain B were synthesized and studied. The results of dynamic mechanical spectrometry (DMS) show that the compatibility between the components A and B can be improved greatly through chemical crosslinking during the formation of ABCPs. This effect is especially pronounced when short chain prepolymers is chosen as one of the components. It is apparent that the degree of crosslinking between the two components plays a major role in determining their compatibility. Copolymerizafion of styrene with maleic anhydride in chain A can improve the compatibility and broaden the damping temperature range. Mechanical properties of the sythesized ABCPs were also studied.