Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)have a low incidence rate,poor biological activity,suboptimal response to conventional treatments,and a poor prognosis.In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team,it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival(OS)of patients with colorectal cancer.Therefore,we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer.METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022.The patients were divided into two cohorts.RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included,with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort(cohort A)and 11 in Western medicine cohort(cohort B).The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B,with a statistically significant difference(P=0.038,hazard ratio=0.46).The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65%(22/23),39.13%(9/23),and 26.09%(6/23)in cohort A,and 63.64%(7/11),18.18%(2/11),and 9.09%(1/11)in cohort B,respectively.Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon,liver metastasis,chemotherapy,and first-line treatment subgroups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer,with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement,liver metastasis,combined chemotherapy,and first-line treatment.

Mechanistic insights into the amelioration effects of diabetic cardiomyopathy by berberine:an integrated systems pharmacology study and experimental validation

Background:Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM)is a type of cardiomyopathy caused by long-term diabetes,characterized by abnormal myocardial structure and function,which can lead to heart failure.Berberine(BBR),a quaternary ammonium alkaloid isolated from Coptidis Rhizoma,a traditional Chinese medicine,has superior anti-diabetic and heart-protective properties.The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of BBR on DCM.Methods:This study used a systems pharmacology approach to evaluate the related proteins and signalling pathways between BBR and DCM targets,combined with experimental validation using diabetic mouse heart sections.Microstructural and pathological changes were observed using Hematoxylin-eosin,Masson’s trichrome stain and wheat germ agglutinin staining.Immunofluorescence and western blot were used to determine protein expression.Results:The results indicate that BBR and DCM share 21 core relevant targets,with cross-targets predominantly located in mitochondrial,endoplasmic reticulum,and plasma membrane components.BBR exerts its main effects in improving DCM by maintaining mitochondrial integrity,particularly involving the PI3K-AKT-GSK3βand apoptosis signalling pathways.In addition,post-treatment changes in the key targets of BBR,including cysteine aspartate specific protease(Caspase)-3,phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)and mitochondria-related proteins,are suggestive of its efficacy.Conclusion:BBR crucially improves DCM by maintaining mitochondrial integrity,inhibiting apoptosis,and modulating PI3K-AKT-GSK3βsignaling.Further studies must address animal model limitations and validate clinical efficacy to understand BBR’s mechanisms fully and its potential clinical use.

Geographical Engineering and Its Role in Promoting Integrated Geography Research

Throughout the contemporary Chinese history of geography,geographical engineering has consistently played a pivotal role as a fundamental scientific activity.It possesses its distinct ontological basis and value orientation,rendering it inseparable from being merely a derivative of geographical science or technology.This paper defines geographical engineering and introduces its development history through the lens of Chinese geographical engineering praxises.Furthermore,it is highlighted the logical and functional consistency between the theory of human-earth system and the praxis of geographical engineering.Six modern cases of geographical engineering projects are presented in detail to demonstrate the points and characteristics of different types of modern geographical engineering.Geographical engineering serves as an engine for promoting integrated geography research,and in response to the challenge posed by fragmented geographies,this paper advocates for an urgent revitalization of geographical engineering.The feasibility of revitalizing geographical engineering is guaranteed because it aligns with China’s national strategies.

Integrated Sensing and Communication Enabled Sensing Base Station:System Design,Beamforming,Interference Cancellation and Performance Analysis

This paper studies the sensing base station(SBS)that has great potential to improve the safety of vehicles and pedestrians on roads.SBS can detect the targets on the road with communication signals using the integrated sensing and communication(ISAC)technique.Compared with vehicle-mounted radar,SBS has a better sensing field due to its higher deployment position,which can help solve the problem of sensing blind areas.In this paper,key technologies of SBS are studied,including the beamforming algorithm,beam scanning scheme,and interference cancellation algorithm.To transmit and receive ISAC signals simultaneously,a double-coupling antenna array is applied.The free detection beam and directional communication beam are proposed for joint communication and sensing to meet the requirements of beamwidth and pointing directions.The joint timespace-frequency domain division multiple access algorithm is proposed to cancel the interference of SBS,including multiuser interference and duplex interference between sensing and communication.Finally,the sensing and communication performance of SBS under the industrial scientific medical power limitation is analyzed and simulated.Simulation results show that the communication rate of SBS can reach over 100 Mbps and the range of sensing and communication can reach about 500 m.

Holistic Service-Based Architecture for Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network for 5G-Advanced and Beyond

The Service-based Architecture(SBA) is one of the key innovations of 5G architecture that leverage modularized, self-contained and independent services to provide flexible and cloud-native 5G network. In this paper, SBA for Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network(SAGIN) is investigated to enable the 5G integration deployment. This paper proposes a novel Holistic Service-based Architecture(H-SBA)for SAGIN of 5G-Advanced and beyond, i.e., 6G. The H-SBA introduces the concept of end-to-end servicebased architecture design. The "Network Function Service", introduced in 5G SBA, is extended from Control Plane to User Plane, from core network to access network. Based on H-SBA, the new generation of protocol design is proposed, which proposes to use IETF QUIC and SRv6 to substitute 5G HTTP/2.0 and GTP-U. Testing results show that new protocols can achieve low latency and high throughput, making them promising candidate for H-SBA.

Service Customized Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network for Immersive Media: Architecture, Key Technologies, and Prospects

The space-air-ground integrated network(SAGIN) is regarded as the key approach to realize global coverage in future network and it reaches broad access for various services. Being the new paradigm of service, immersive media(IM) has attracted users’ attention for its virtualization, but it poses challenges to network performance, e.g. bandwidth, rate, latency. However, the SAGIN has limitations in supporting IM services, such as 4 K/8 K video, virtual reality, and interactive games. In this paper, a novel service customized SAGIN architecture for IM applications(SAG-IM) is proposed, which achieves content interactive and real-time communication among terminal users. State-of-the-art research is investigated in detail to facilitate the combination of SAGIN and service customized technology, which provides endto-end differentiated services for users. Besides, the functional components of SAG-IM contain the infrastructure layer, perception layer, intelligence layer, and application layer, reaching the capabilities of intelligent management of the network. Moreover, to provide IM content with ultra-high-definition and high frame rate for the optimal user experience, the promising key technologies on intelligent routing and delivery are discussed. The performance evaluation shows the superiority of SAG-IM in supporting IM service.Finally, the prospects in practical application are high-lighted.

3D‑Printed Carbon‑Based Conformal Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Module for Integrated Electronics

Electromagnetic interference shielding(EMI SE)modules are the core com-ponent of modern electronics.However,the tra-ditional metal-based SE modules always take up indispensable three-dimensional space inside electronics,posing a major obstacle to the integra-tion of electronics.The innovation of integrating 3D-printed conformal shielding(c-SE)modules with packaging materials onto core electronics offers infinite possibilities to satisfy ideal SE func-tion without occupying additional space.Herein,the 3D printable carbon-based inks with various proportions of graphene and carbon nanotube nanoparticles are well-formulated by manipulating their rheological peculiarity.Accordingly,the free-constructed architectures with arbitrarily-customized structure and multifunctionality are created via 3D printing.In particular,the SE performance of 3D-printed frame is up to 61.4 dB,simultaneously accompanied with an ultralight architecture of 0.076 g cm^(-3) and a superhigh specific shielding of 802.4 dB cm3 g^(-1).Moreover,as a proof-of-concept,the 3D-printed c-SE module is in situ integrated into core electronics,successfully replacing the traditional metal-based module to afford multiple functions for electromagnetic compatibility and thermal dissipa-tion.Thus,this scientific innovation completely makes up the blank for assembling carbon-based c-SE modules and sheds a brilliant light on developing the next generation of high-performance shielding materials with arbitrarily-customized structure for integrated electronics.

Predictive Decision and Reliable Accessing for UAV Communication in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks

The cooperation of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs) has become a promising scenario in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks(SAGINs) recently due to their widespread applications,where wireless communication is a basic necessity and is normally categorized into control and nonpayload communication(CNPC) as well as payload communication. In this paper, we attempt to tackle two challenges of UAV communication respectively on establishing reliable CNPC links against the high mobility of UAVs as well as changeable communication conditions, and on offering dynamic resource optimization for Quality-of-Service(QoS) guaranteed payload communication with variable link connectivity. Firstly, we propose the concept of air controlling center(ACC), a virtual application equipped on the infrastructure in SAGINs, which can collect global information for estimating UAV trajectory and communication channels. We then introduce the knapsack problem for modelling resource optimization of UAV communication in order to provide optimal access points for both CNPC and payload communication. Meanwhile, using the air controlling information, predictive decision algorithm and handover strategy are introduced for the reliable connection with multiple access points. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposal ensures an approximate always-on reliable accessing of communication links and outperforms the existing methods against high mobility,sparse distribution, and physical obstacles.

ESMD-Flow: An Intelligent Flow Forwarding Scheme with Endogenous Security Based on Mimic Defense in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network

The Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network(SAGIN) realizes the integration of space, air,and ground networks, obtaining the global communication coverage.Software-Defined Networking(SDN) architecture in SAGIN has become a promising solution to guarantee the Quality of Service(QoS).However, the current routing algorithms mainly focus on the QoS of the service, rarely considering the security requirement of flow. To realize the secure transmission of flows in SAGIN, we propose an intelligent flow forwarding scheme with endogenous security based on Mimic Defense(ESMD-Flow). In this scheme, SDN controller will evaluate the reliability of nodes and links, isolate malicious nodes based on the reliability evaluation value, and adapt multipath routing strategy to ensure that flows are always forwarded along the most reliable multiple paths. In addition, in order to meet the security requirement of flows, we introduce the programming data plane to design a multiprotocol forwarding strategy for realizing the multiprotocol dynamic forwarding of flows. ESMD-Flow can reduce the network attack surface and improve the secure transmission capability of flows by implementing multipath routing and multi-protocol hybrid forwarding mechanism. The extensive simulations demonstrate that ESMD-Flow can significantly improve the average path reliability for routing and increase the difficulty of network eavesdropping while improving the network throughput and reducing the average packet delay.

Intelligent Passive Detection of Aerial Target in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks

Passive detection of moving target is an important part of intelligent surveillance. Satellite has the potential to play a key role in many applications of space-air-ground integrated networks(SAGIN). In this paper, we propose a novel intelligent passive detection method for aerial target based on reservoir computing networks. Specifically, delayed feedback networks are utilized to refine the direct signals from the satellite in the reference channels. In addition, the satellite direct wave interference in the monitoring channels adopts adaptive interference suppression using the minimum mean square error filter. Furthermore, we employ decoupling echo state networks to predict the clutter interference in the monitoring channels and construct the detection statistics accordingly. Finally, a multilayer perceptron is adopted to detect the echo signal after interference suppression. Extensive simulations is conducted to evaluate the performance of our proposed method. Results show that the detection probability is almost 100% when the signal-to-interference ratio of echo signal is-36 dB, which demonstrates that our proposed method achieves efficient passive detection for aerial targets in typical SAGIN scenarios.

Carbon nanotube integrated circuit technology:purification,assembly and integration

As the manufacturing process of silicon-based integrated circuits(ICs)approaches its physical limit,the quantum effect of silicon-based field-effect transistors(FETs)has become increasingly evident.And the burgeoning carbon-based semiconductor technology has become one of the most disruptive technologies in the post-Moore era.As one-dimensional nanomaterials,carbon nanotubes(CNTs)are far superior to silicon at the same technology nodes of FETs because of their excellent electrical transport and scaling properties,rendering them the most competitive material in the next-generation ICs technology.However,certain challenges impede the industrialization of CNTs,particularly in terms of material preparation,which significantly hinders the development of CNT-based ICs.Focusing on CNT-based ICs technology,this review summarizes its main technical status,development trends,existing challenges,and future development directions.

Civil Aircraft Assisted Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks: Architecture Design and Coverage Analysis

In this paper, we propose a novel AIenabled space-air-ground integrated networks(SAGIN). This new integrated networks architecture consists of LEO satellites and civil aircrafts carrying aerial base stations, called "civil aircraft assisted SAGIN(CAA-SAGIN)". The assistance of civil aircrafts can reduce the stress of satellite networks, improve the performance of SAGIN, decrease the construction cost and save space resources. Taking the Chinese mainland as an example, this paper has analyzed the distribution of civil aircrafts, and obtained the coverage characteristics of civil aircraft assisted networks(CAAN). Taking Starlink as the benchmark, this paper has calculated the service gap of CAAN, and designed the joint coverage constellation. The simulation results prove that the number of satellites in CAASAGIN can be greatly reduced with the assistance of civil aircrafts at the same data rate.

Three-Dimensional Cooperative Localization via Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks

The space-air-ground integrated network(SAGIN)combines the superiority of the satellite,aerial,and ground communications,which is envisioned to provide high-precision positioning ability as well as seamless connectivity in the 5G and Beyond 5G(B5G)systems.In this paper,we propose a three-dimensional SAGIN localization scheme for ground agents utilizing multi-source information from satellites,base stations and unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).Based on the designed scheme,we derive the positioning performance bound and establish a distributed maximum likelihood algorithm to jointly estimate the positions and clock offsets of ground agents.Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the SAGIN localization scheme and reveal the effects of the number of satellites,the number of base stations,the number of UAVs and clock noise on positioning performance.

Optimal synthesis of heat-integrated distillation configurations using the two-column superstructure

In the realm of the synthesis of heat-integrated distillation configurations,the conventional approach for exploring more heat integration possibilities typically entails the splitting of a single column into a twocolumn configuration.However,this approach frequently necessitates tedious enumeration procedures,resulting in a considerable computational burden.To surmount this formidable challenge,the present study introduces an innovative remedy:The proposition of a superstructure that encompasses both single-column and multiple two-column configurations.Additionally,a simultaneous optimization algorithm is applied to optimize both the process parameters and heat integration structures of the twocolumn configurations.The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through a case study focusing on industrial organosilicon separation.The results underscore that the superstructure methodology not only substantially mitigates computational time compared to exhaustive enumeration but also furnishes solutions that exhibit comparable performance.

NOMA Empowered Energy Efficient Data Collection and Wireless Power Transfer in Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks

As the sixth generation network(6G)emerges,the Internet of remote things(IoRT)has become a critical issue.However,conventional terrestrial networks cannot meet the delay-sensitive data collection needs of IoRT networks,and the Space-Air-Ground integrated network(SAGIN)holds promise.We propose a novel setup that integrates non-orthogonal multiple access(NOMA)and wireless power transfer(WPT)to collect latency-sensitive data from IoRT networks.To extend the lifetime of devices,we aim to minimize the maximum energy consumption among all IoRT devices.Due to the coupling between variables,the resulting problem is non-convex.We first decouple the variables and split the original problem into four subproblems.Then,we propose an iterative algorithm to solve the corresponding subproblems based on successive convex approximation(SCA)techniques and slack variables.Finally,simulation results show that the NOMA strategy has a tremendous advantage over the OMA scheme in terms of network lifetime and energy efficiency,providing valuable insights.

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite all-pellet integrated burden optimization and softening-melting behavior based on flux pellets

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite(HVTM)is a crucial polymetallic-associated resource to be developed.The allpellet operation is a blast furnace trend that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the future.By referencing the production data of vanadium-titanium magnetite blast furnaces,this study explored the softening-melting behavior of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite and obtained the optimal integrated burden based on flux pellets.The results show that the burden with a composition of 70wt%flux pellets and 30wt%acid pellets exhibits the best softening-melting properties.In comparison to that of the single burden,the softening-melting characteristic temperature of this burden composition was higher.The melting interval first increased from 307 to 362℃and then decreased to 282℃.The maximum pressure drop(ΔPmax)decreased from 26.76 to 19.01 kPa.The permeability index(S)dropped from 4643.5 to 2446.8 kPa·℃.The softening-melting properties of the integrated burden were apparently improved.The acid pellets played a role in withstanding load during the softening process.The flux pellets in the integrated burden exhibited a higher slag melting point,which increased the melting temperature during the melting process.The slag homogeneity and the TiC produced by over-reduction led to the gas permeability deterioration of the single burden.The segregation of the flux and acid pellets in the HVTM proportion and basicity mainly led to the better softening-melting properties of the integrated burden.

Pixelated non-volatile programmable photonic integrated circuits with 20-level intermediate states

Multi-level programmable photonic integrated circuits(PICs)and optical metasurfaces have gained widespread attention in many fields,such as neuromorphic photonics,opticalcommunications,and quantum information.In this paper,we propose pixelated programmable Si_(3)N_(4)PICs with record-high 20-level intermediate states at 785 nm wavelength.Such flexibility in phase or amplitude modulation is achieved by a programmable Sb_(2)S_(3)matrix,the footprint of whose elements can be as small as 1.2μm,limited only by the optical diffraction limit of anin-house developed pulsed laser writing system.We believe our work lays the foundation for laser-writing ultra-high-level(20 levels and even more)programmable photonic systems and metasurfaces based on phase change materials,which could catalyze diverse applications such as programmable neuromorphic photonics,biosensing,optical computing,photonic quantum computing,and reconfigurable metasurfaces.

Software-Defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated Network Architecture with the Multi-Layer Satellite Backbone Network

Under the background of the rapid development of ground mobile communication,the advantages of high coverage,survivability,and flexibility of satellite communication provide air support to the construction of space information network.According to the requirements of the future space information communication,a software-defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated network architecture was proposed.It consisted of layered structure satellite backbone network,deep space communication network,the stratosphere communication network and the ground network.The Space-Air-Ground Integrated network was supported by the satellite backbone network.It provided data relay for the missions such as deep space exploration and controlled the deep-space spacecraft when needed.In addition,it safeguarded the anti-destructibility of stratospheric communication and assisted the stratosphere to supplement ground network communication.In this paper,algorithm requirements of the congestion control and routing of satellite backbone protocols for heterogeneous users’services were proposed.The algorithm requirements of distinguishing different service objects for the deep space communication and stratospheric communication network protocols were described.Considering the realistic demand for the dynamic coverage of the satellite backbone network and node cost,the multi-layer satellite backbone network architecture was constructed.On this basis,the proposed Software-defined Space-Air-Ground Integrated network architecture could be built as a large,scalable and efficient communication network that could be integrated into space,air,and ground.

Application of multidisciplinary team-based integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in rotator cuff injury patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery

BACKGROUND Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a common surgical treatment for rotator cuff injuries(RCIs).Although this procedure has certain clinical advantages,it requires rehabilitation management interventions to ensure therapeutic efficacy.AIM To investigate the effect of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine(TCM-WM)under the multidisciplinary team(MDT)model on the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for RCIs.METHODS This study enrolled 100 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for RCIs at the Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2021 and May 2024.They were divided into a control group(n=48)that received routine rehabilitation treatment and an experimental group(n=52)that received TCM-WM under the MDT model(e.g.,acupuncture,TCM traumatology and orthopedics,and rehabilitation).The results of the Constant–Murley Shoulder Score(CMS),Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI),muscular strength evaluation,and shoulder range of motion(ROM)assessments were analyzed.RESULTS After treatment,the experimental group showed significantly higher CMS scores in terms of pain,functional activity,shoulder joint mobility,and muscular strength than the baseline and those of the control group.The experimental group also exhibited significantly lower VAS and SPADI scores than the baseline and those of the control group.In addition,the experimental group showed significantly enhanced muscular strength(forward flexor and external and internal rotator muscles)and shoulder ROM(forward flexion,abduction,and lateral abduction)after treatment compared with the control group.CONCLUSION TCM-WM under the MDT model improved shoulder joint function,relieved postoperative pain,promoted postoperative functional recovery,and facilitated the recovery of muscular strength and shoulder ROM in patients with RCIs who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

An in-situ hybrid laser-induced integrated sensor system with antioxidative copper

Integration of sensors with engineering thermoplastics allows to track their health and surrounding stimuli.As one of vital backbones to construct sensor systems,copper(Cu)is highly conductive and cost-effective,yet tends to easily oxidize during and after processing.Herein,an in-situ integrated sensor system on engineering thermoplastics via hybrid laser direct writing is proposed,which primarily consists of laser-passivated functional Cu interconnects and laser-induced carbon-based sensors.Through a one-step photothermal treatment,the resulting functional Cu interconnects after reductive sintering and passivation are capable of resisting long-term oxidation failure at high temperatures(up to 170℃)without additional encapsulations.Interfacing with signal processing units,such an all-in-one system is applied for long-term and real-time temperature monitoring.This integrated sensor system with facile laser manufacturing strategies holds potentials for health monitoring and fault diagnosis of advanced equipment such as aircrafts,automobiles,high-speed trains,and medical devices.