The energy response of LaBr_(3)(Ce),LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr),and NaI(Tl)crystals for GECAM

The GECAM series of satellites utilizes LaBr_(3)(Ce),LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr),and NaI(Tl)crystals as sensitive materials for gamma-ray detectors(GRDs).To investigate the nonlinearity in the detection of low-energy gamma rays and address the errors in the calibration of the E-C relationship,comprehensive tests and comparative studies of the three aforementioned crystals were conducted using Compton electrons,radioactive sources,and mono-energetic X-rays.The nonlinearity test results of the Compton electrons and X-rays demonstrated substantial differences,with all three crystals presenting a higher nonlinearity for X/-rays than for Compton electrons.Despite the LaBr_(3)(Ce)and LaBr_(3)(Ce,Sr)crystals having higher absolute light yields,they exhibited a noticeable nonlinear decrease in the light yield,especially at energies below 400 keV.The NaI(Tl)crystal demonstrated an"excess"light output in the 6-200 keV range,reaching a maximum"excess"of 9.2%at 30 keV in the X-ray testing and up to 15.5%at 14 keV during Compton electron testing,indicating a significant advantage in the detection of low-energy gamma rays.Furthermore,we explored the underlying causes of the observed nonlinearity in these crystals.This study not only elucidates the detector responses of GECAM,but also initiates a comprehensive investigation of the nonlinearity of domestically produced lanthanum bromide and sodium iodide crystals.

受试者测试状态对卡尔曼加权平均ABR测试残余噪声的影响

目的探讨采用卡尔曼加权平均(Kalman-weighted averaging,KWA)的听性脑干反应(ABR)测试中,受试者不同测试状态对残余噪声及ABR波V振幅的影响。方法选取21例(42耳)18~34岁听力正常成年人,分别在安静诊室内三种不同的状态下(安静平卧、坐位、写字)使用卡尔曼加权平均的新型ABR系统(vivosonic integrity system)进行ABR测试,同时使用传统ABR测试系统(interacoustics,IA)在隔声屏蔽室内进行ABR测试,记录各状态下受试者ABR反应的残余噪声水平和波V幅值并进行比较。结果①传统ABR和卡尔曼加权平均ABR三种不同测试状态(平卧、坐位、写字)下波V振幅没有显著差异(P>0.05);②卡尔曼加权平均ABR安静平卧和坐位两种状态下的残余噪声水平较传统ABR低,但无统计学差异(P>0.05);卡尔曼加权平均ABR在写字状态下的残余噪声水平显著高于其他三种状态(P<0.05);③写字状态下卡尔曼加权平均ABR的残余噪声、波V振幅在左右耳之间没有显著差异(P>0.05)。结论与传统ABR相比,卡尔曼加权平均ABR在写字状态下的残余噪声显著升高,但安静平卧和坐位状态下的残余噪声水平与传统ABR无显著差异,受试者的不同测试状态对残余噪声水平有一定影响。

成人CE-Chirp ABR反应阈与纯音听阈相关分析与比较

目的 采用听神经同步专利刺激声(CE-Chirp声)对成人听性脑干反应(auditory brainstem response,ABR)进行测试,分析CE-Chirp ABR测试的V波反应阈与纯音听阈的关系,研究CE-Chirp声在法医学鉴定听觉功能障碍评估中的作用。方法 选择常州市德安医院2018年1月—2019年6月进行CE-Chirp ABR测试的受试者(年龄为20~77周岁,共计100耳),获得V波反应阈值,并在0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0 kHz分别进行纯音气导听阈测试,获得纯音听阈值,按照不同听力水平及不同年龄对受试者进行分组。比较不同听力水平及不同年龄组平均纯音听阈与V波反应阈之间的差值及统计学差异;对所有受试者各频率两种方法之间的相关性、差值及统计学差异进行分析;建立所有受试者CE-Chirp ABR V波反应阈推断纯音听阈的线性回归方程,并检验其推断纯音听阈的可行性。结果 不同听力水平及不同年龄组各组之间CE-Chirp ABR反应阈与纯音听阈差值的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);各频率成人CE-Chirp ABR V波反应阈与纯音听阈之间相关性良好,两者之间差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),线性回归分析显示两者之间有线性相关关系(P<0.05)。结论 运用CE-Chirp ABR Ⅴ波反应阈在一定条件下能够评估受试者的纯音听阈,可以作为一种听力学测试方法用于法医学听觉障碍评估。

Probiotics: Shaping the gut immunological responses

Probiotics are live microorganisms exerting beneficial effects on the host’s health when administered in adequate amounts.Among the most popular and adequately studied probiotics are bacteria from the families Lactobacillaceae,Bifidobacteriaceae and yeasts.Most of them have been shown,both in vitro and in vivo studies of intestinal inflammation models,to provide favorable results by means of improving the gut microbiota composition,promoting the wound healing process and shaping the immunological responses.Chronic intestinal conditions,such as inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD),are characterized by an imbalance in microbiota composition,with decreased diversity,and by relapsing and persisting inflammation,which may lead to mucosal damage.Although the results of the clinical studies investigating the effect of probiotics on patients with IBD are still controversial,it is without doubt that these microorganisms and their metabolites,now named postbiotics,have a positive influence on both the host’s microbiota and the immune system,and ultimately alter the topical tissue microenvironment.This influence is achieved through three axes:(1)By dis-placement of potential pathogens via competitive exclusion;(2)by offering protection to the host through the secretion of various defensive mediators;and(3)by supplying the host with essential nutrients.We will analyze and discuss almost all the in vitro and in vivo studies of the past 2 years dealing with the possible favorable effects of certain probiotic genus on gut immunological responses,highlighting which species are the most beneficial against intestinal inflammation.

Inflammation: Complexity and significance of cellular and molecular responses

Inflammation is a multifaceted cellular and molecular response triggered by injury,infection,or various pathological conditions.Serving as a protective defense mechanism,the inflammatory response involves clinical signs like redness,swelling,pain,and increased body temperature.Immune cells,notably neutrophils and macrophages,play key roles in orchestrating this response.The delicate balance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators,including cytokines and chemokines,regulates the inflammatory cascade.While acute inflammation is crucial for tissue repair,chronic inflammation may indicate an imbalance,contributing to conditions like autoimmune diseases.Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic strategies and managing chronic diseases.

Effects of deformation temperatures on microstructures,aging behaviors and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Er-Zr alloys fabricated by hard-plate rolling

In this investigation,a high-strength Mg-12Gd-1.0Er-0.5Zr(wt.%)alloy sheet was produced by hot extrusion(HE)and subsequent hard-plate rolling(HPR)at different temperatures.The results indicate that the microstructures of these final-rolled sheets are inhomogeneous,mainly including coarse deformed grains and dynamic recrystallized(DRXed)grains,and the volume fraction of these coarse deformed grains increases as the rolling temperature increases.Thus,more DRXed grains can be found in R-385℃sheet,resulting in a smaller average grain size and weaker basal texture,while the biggest grains and the highest strong basal texture are present in R-450℃sheet.Amounts of dynamic precipitation ofβphases which are mainly determined by the rolling temperature are present in these sheets,and its precipitation can consume the content of Gd solutes in the matrix.As a result,the lowest number density ofβphase in R-450℃sheet is beneficial to modify the age hardening response.Thus,the R-450℃sheet displays the best age hardening response because of a severe traditional precipitation ofβ’(more)andβH/βM(less)precipitates,resulting in a sharp improvement in strength,i.e.ultimate tensile strength(UTS)of∼518±17 MPa and yield strength(YS)of∼438±18 MPa.However,the elongation(EL)of this sheet reduces greatly,and its value is∼2.7±0.3%.By contrasting,the EL of the peak-aging R-385℃sheet keeps better,changing from∼4.9±1.2%to∼4.8±1.4%due to a novel dislocation-induced chain-like precipitate which is helpful to keep good balance between strength and ductility.

Thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical responses of a reservoir-induced landslide tracked by high-resolution fiber optic sensing nerves

Thermo-poro-mechanical responses along sliding zone/surface have been extensively studied.However,it has not been recognized that the potential contribution of other crucial engineering geological interfaces beyond the slip surface to progressive failure.Here,we aim to investigate the subsurface multiphysics of reservoir landslides under two extreme hydrologic conditions(i.e.wet and dry),particularly within sliding masses.Based on ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating(UWFBG)technology,we employ specialpurpose fiber optic sensing cables that can be implanted into boreholes as“nerves of the Earth”to collect data on soil temperature,water content,pore water pressure,and strain.The Xinpu landslide in the middle reach of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China was selected as a case study to establish a paradigm for in situ thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical monitoring.These UWFBG-based sensing cables were vertically buried in a 31 m-deep borehole at the foot of the landslide,with a resolution of 1 m except for the pressure sensor.We reported field measurements covering the period 2021 and 2022 and produced the spatiotemporal profiles throughout the borehole.Results show that wet years are more likely to motivate landslide motions than dry years.The annual thermally active layer of the landslide has a critical depth of roughly 9 m and might move downward in warmer years.The dynamic groundwater table is located at depths of 9e15 m,where the peaked strain undergoes a periodical response of leap and withdrawal to annual hydrometeorological cycles.These interface behaviors may support the interpretation of the contribution of reservoir regulation to slope stability,allowing us to correlate them to local damage events and potential global destabilization.This paper also offers a natural framework for interpreting thermo-hydro-poro-mechanical signatures from creeping reservoir bank slopes,which may form the basis for a landslide monitoring and early warning system.

Effects of Rosa roxburghii&edible fungus fermentation broth on immune response and gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice

With the rise of probiotics fermentation in food industry,fermented foods have attracted worldwide attention.In this study,protective effects of Rosa roxburghii&edible fungus fermentation broth(REFB)on immune function and gut health in Cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed mice were investigated.Results showed that REFB could improve the immune organ index,and promote the proliferation and differentiation of splenic T lymphocytes.In addition,it attenuated intestinal mucosal damage and improved intestinal cellular immunity.REFB administration also up-regulated the expression of IL-4,INF-γ,TNF-α,T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA in small intestine.Furthermore,administration of REFB modulated gut microbiota composition and increased the relative abundance of beneficial genus,such as Bacteroides.It also increased the production of fecal short-chain fatty acids.These indicate that REFB has the potential to improve immunity,alleviate intestinal injury and regulate gut microbiota in immunosuppressed mice.

基于ABR-MBBR一体化装置处理村镇污水的试验

随着我国村镇污水处理规模的快速发展,众多村镇污水处理技术应运而生,文章创新设计采用了厌氧折流板反应器(ABR)-二级移动床生物膜反应器(MBBR)-纤维束膜处理工艺的一体化村镇污水装置,该装置主要由ABR池、二级MBBR池、竖流式沉淀池和纤维竖膜池组成。试验以上海某城镇污水处理厂进水模拟村镇污水进水,通过对其进行挂膜、驯化阶段研究,探究了该装置的处理效果。结果表明,该装置对进水水质波动具有一定的耐冲击负荷,通过对MBBR池间接性曝气等工艺调整,可实现较好的脱氮除磷效果。通过为期一个多月的启动试运行,该设备对COD_(Cr)、氨氮、TN、TP、SS指标的去除率分别稳定在86%、86%、46%、53%、85%以上,出水水质符合上海市地方标准《农村生活污水处理设施水污染物排放标准》(DB 31/T 1163—2019)中的一级B标准,对我国村镇污水处理技术的选择具有一定的借鉴意义。

Time-domain dynamic constitutive model suitable for mucky soil site seismic response

Soil nonlinear behavior displays noticeable effects on the site seismic response.This study proposes a new functional expression of the skeleton curve to replace the hyperbolic skeleton curve.By integrating shear modulus and combining the dynamic skeleton curve and the damping degradation coefficient,the constitutive equation of the logarithmic dynamic skeleton can be obtained,which considers the damping effect in a soil dynamics problem.Based on the finite difference method and the multi-transmitting boundary condition,a 1D site seismic response analysis program called Soilresp1D has been developed herein and used to analyze the time-domain seismic response in three types of sites.At the same time,this study also provides numerical simulation results based on the hyperbolic constitutive model and the equivalent linear method.The results verify the rationality of the new soil dynamic constitutive model.It can analyze the mucky soil site nonlinear seismic response,reflecting the deformation characteristics and damping effect of the silty soil.The hysteresis loop area is more extensive,and the residual strain is evident.

农业灌排一体化ABR管网系统的研发和数值模拟

【目的】设计一种适用于山东平原地区辣椒类旱田作物的农田灌排一体化ABR管网系统。【方法】采用试验测试、CFD数值模拟和试点应用的方法,开展了农田灌排一体化系统的管网优化布置和性能测试。【结果】①与单环和树状管网相比,双环等距管网布局能将系统内各灌排桩出水占比的离散系数从1.327降低至0.766,从而提高系统的供水平衡性;②单套管网系统适宜农田面积为1.5 hm2,且各灌排桩应采用50 m等间距布置;该设置下,各灌排桩灌溉出水口的流速为0.60~0.24 m/s,能够在12 h内完成农田灌溉;③系统的灌排桩单桩排水能力为28.8 m^(3)/h,足以确保在大暴雨期间农田内不会积水。【结论】该系统的实施能显著提高农田灌溉和抗洪排涝能力。

ABR波Ⅰ潜伏期与1000 Hz声导抗评估6月龄内婴儿中耳功能

目的探讨听性脑干反应(ABR)波Ⅰ潜伏期与1000 Hz声导抗在婴儿中耳功能评估中的临床应用价值。方法选取2020年至2021年出生的6月龄内婴儿74例148耳,按照短声ABR阈值分为轻度异常组56耳、中度异常组14耳和正常组78耳,分析各组ABR波Ⅰ潜伏期值和1000 Hz声导抗结果。结果6月龄内轻、中度ABR阈值异常婴儿波Ⅰ潜伏期与1000 Hz声导抗两种检查结果的一致性Kappa值分别为0.708、0.650,中耳功能异常检出率无显著性差异(P>0.05);6月龄内阈值正常婴儿两者存在显著差异(P<0.05),Kappa值为0.297。结论6月龄内听力轻、中度损失婴儿可选择ABR波Ⅰ潜伏期或1000 Hz声导抗评估中耳功能;ABR阈值正常婴儿,需结合1000 Hz声导抗与ABR波Ⅰ潜伏期交叉验证。

芬顿-ABR厌氧-生物接触氧化法组合工艺处理化学合成制药废水的工程应用

化学合成制药废水具有有机物浓度高且成分复杂的特点,通过研究废水特征,探索一种高效稳定的处理工艺。以某工程为例,采用芬顿氧化-ABR厌氧-生物接触氧化法-混凝沉淀-活性炭过滤组合工艺,对工艺进行了详细介绍。化验结果显示,废水COD、BOD_(5)、SS、NH_(3)-N的质量浓度分别为5200~5400 mg·L^(-1)、1100~1250 mg·L^(-1)、180~200 mg·L^(-1)、50~60 mg·L^(-1)、色度为80~100度。经105 d系统调试,不断优化运行控制参数,出水COD、BOD_(5)、SS、NH_(3)-N的质量浓度分别达到180 mg·L^(-1)、30 mg·L^(-1)、10 mg·L^(-1)、20 mg·L^(-1)以下,色度达到10度以下,主要污染物指标可达到《化学合成类制药工业水污染物间接排放标准》(DB41/756—2012)中的B级标准。针对此类化学合成制药废水,采用芬顿-ABR厌氧-生物接触氧化法组合工艺,技术可行,具有良好的环境效益。

Comparative analysis of thermodynamic and mechanical responses between underground hydrogen storage and compressed air energy storage in lined rock caverns

Underground hydrogen storage(UHS)and compressed air energy storage(CAES)are two viable largescale energy storage technologies for mitigating the intermittency of wind and solar power.Therefore,it is meaningful to compare the properties of hydrogen and air with typical thermodynamic storage processes.This study employs a multi-physical coupling model to compare the operations of CAES and UHS,integrating gas thermodynamics within caverns,thermal conduction,and mechanical deformation around rock caverns.Gas thermodynamic responses are validated using additional simulations and the field test data.Temperature and pressure variations of air and hydrogen within rock caverns exhibit similarities under both adiabatic and diabatic simulation modes.Hydrogen reaches higher temperature and pressure following gas charging stage compared to air,and the ideal gas assumption may lead to overestimation of gas temperature and pressure.Unlike steel lining of CAES,the sealing layer(fibre-reinforced plastic FRP)in UHS is prone to deformation but can effectively mitigates stress in the sealing layer.In CAES,the first principal stress on the surface of the sealing layer and concrete lining is tensile stress,whereas UHS exhibits compressive stress in the same areas.Our present research can provide references for the selection of energy storage methods.

LncRNA pol-lnc78 as a ceRNA regulates antibacterial responses via suppression of pol-miR-n199-3p-mediated SARM down-regulation in Paralichthys olivaceus

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)function as key modulators in mammalian immunity,particularly due to their involvement in lncRNA-mediated competitive endogenous RNA(ceRNA)crosstalk.Despite their recognized significance in mammals,research on lncRNAs in lower vertebrates remains limited.In the present study,we characterized the first immune-related lncRNA(pol-lnc78)in the teleost Japanese flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus).Results indicated that pol-lnc78 acted as a ceRNA for pol-miR-n199-3p to target the sterile alpha and armadillo motif-containing protein(SARM),the fifth discovered member of the Toll/interleukin 1(IL-1)receptor(TIR)adaptor family.This ceRNA network regulated the antibacterial responses of flounder via the Toll-like receptor(TLR)signaling pathway.Specifically,SARM acted as a negative regulator and exacerbated bacterial infection by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Pol-miR-n199-3p reduced SARM expression by specifically interacting with the 3’untranslated region(UTR),thereby promoting SARM-dependent inflammatory cytokine expression and protecting the host against bacterial dissemination.Furthermore,pol-lnc78 sponged pol-miR-n199-3p to ameliorate the inhibition of SARM expression.During infection,the negative regulators pol-lnc78 and SARM were significantly down-regulated,while pol-miR-n199-3p was significantly up-regulated,thus favoring host antibacterial defense.These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying fish immunity and open new horizons to better understand ceRNA crosstalk in lower vertebrates.

A theory for three-dimensional response of micropolar plates

Through combined applications of the transfer-matrix method and asymptotic expansion technique,we formulate a theory to predict the three-dimensional response of micropolar plates.No ad hoc assumptions regarding through-thickness assumptions of the field variables are made,and the governing equations are two-dimensional,with the displacements and microrotations of the mid-plane as the unknowns.Once the deformation of the mid-plane is solved,a three-dimensional micropolar elastic field within the plate is generated,which is exact up to the second order except in the boundary region close to the plate edge.As an illustrative example,the bending of a clamped infinitely long plate caused by a uniformly distributed transverse force is analyzed and discussed in detail.

Dynamic response of a thermal transistor to time-varying signals

Thermal transistor,the thermal analog of an electronic transistor,is one of the most important thermal devices for microscopic-scale heat manipulating.It is a three-terminal device,and the heat current flowing through two terminals can be largely controlled by the temperature of the third one.Dynamic response plays an important role in the application of electric devices and also thermal devices,which represents the devices’ability to treat fast varying inputs.In this paper,we systematically study two typical dynamic responses of a thermal transistor,i.e.,the response to a step-function input(a switching process)and the response to a square-wave input.The role of the length L of the control segment is carefully studied.It is revealed that when L is increased,the performance of the thermal transistor worsens badly.Both the relaxation time for the former process and the cutoff frequency for the latter one follow the power-law dependence on L quite well,which agrees with our analytical expectation.However,the detailed power exponents deviate from the expected values noticeably.This implies the violation of the conventional assumptions that we adopt.

A peak enhancement of frequency response of waveguide integrated silicon-based germanium avalanche photodetector

Avalanche photodetectors(APDs) featuring an avalanche multiplication region are vital for reaching high sensitivity and responsivity in optical transceivers. Waveguide-coupled Ge-on-Si separate absorption, charge, and multiplication(SACM)APDs are popular due to their straightforward fabrication process, low optical propagation loss, and high detection sensitivity in optical communications. This paper introduces a lateral SACM Ge-on-Si APD on a silicon-on-insulator(SOI) wafer, featuring a 10 μm-long, 0.5 μm-wide Ge layer at 1310 nm on a standard 8-inch silicon photonics platform. The dark current measures approximately 38.6 μA at-21 V, indicating a breakdown voltage greater than-21 V for the device. The APDs exhibit a unitgain responsivity of 0.5 A/W at-10 V. At-15 V, their responsivity reaches 2.98 and 2.91 A/W with input powers of-10 and-25 dBm, respectively. The device's 3-dB bandwidth is 15 GHz with an input power of-15 dBm and a gain is 11.68. Experimental results show a peak in impedance at high bias voltages, attributed to inductor and capacitor(LC) circuit resonance, enhancing frequency response. Furthermore, 20 Gbps eye diagrams at-21 V and-9 dBm input power reveal signal to noise ratio(SNRs) of 5.30. This lateral SACM APD, compatible with the stand complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) process,shows that utilizing the peaking effect at low optical power increases bandwidth.

The physiological role of the unfolded protein response in the nervous system

The unfolded protein response(UPR)is a cellular stress response pathway activated when the endoplasmic reticulum,a crucial organelle for protein folding and modification,encounters an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins.The UPR aims to restore endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis by enhancing protein folding capacity,reducing protein biosynthesis,and promoting protein degradation.It also plays a pivotal role in coordinating signaling cascades to determine cell fate and function in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress.Recent research has highlighted the significance of the UPR not only in maintaining endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis but also in influencing various physiological processes in the nervous system.Here,we provide an overview of recent findings that underscore the UPR’s involvement in preserving the function and viability of neuronal and myelinating cells under physiological conditions,and highlight the critical role of the UPR in brain development,memory storage,retinal cone development,myelination,and maintenance of myelin thickness.

Computed tomography radiomic features and clinical factors predicting the response to first transarterial chemoembolization in intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Background:According to clinical practice guidelines,transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)is the standard treatment modality for patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Early prediction of treatment response can help patients choose a reasonable treatment plan.This study aimed to investigate the value of the radiomic-clinical model in predicting the efficacy of the first TACE treatment for HCC to prolong patient survival.Methods:A total of 164 patients with HCC who underwent the first TACE from January 2017 to September 2021 were analyzed.The tumor response was assessed by modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(mRECIST),and the response of the first TACE to each session and its correlation with overall survival were evaluated.The radiomic signatures associated with the treatment response were identified by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO),and four machine learning models were built with different types of regions of interest(ROIs)(tumor and corresponding tissues)and the model with the best performance was selected.The predictive performance was assessed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves.Results:Of all the models,the random forest(RF)model with peritumor(+10 mm)radiomic signatures had the best performance[area under ROC curve(AUC)=0.964 in the training cohort,AUC=0.949 in the validation cohort].The RF model was used to calculate the radiomic score(Rad-score),and the optimal cutoff value(0.34)was calculated according to the Youden’s index.Patients were then divided into a high-risk group(Rad-score>0.34)and a low-risk group(Rad-score≤0.34),and a nomogram model was successfully established to predict treatment response.The predicted treatment response also allowed for significant discrimination of Kaplan-Meier curves.Multivariate Cox regression identified six independent prognostic factors for overall survival,including male[hazard ratio(HR)=0.500,95%confidence interval(CI):0.260–0.962,P=0.038],alpha-fetoprotein(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.002–1.004,P<0.001),alanine aminotransferase(HR=1.003,95%CI:1.001–1.005,P=0.025),performance status(HR=2.400,95%CI:1.200–4.800,P=0.013),the number of TACE sessions(HR=0.870,95%CI:0.780–0.970,P=0.012)and Rad-score(HR=3.480,95%CI:1.416–8.552,P=0.007).Conclusions:The radiomic signatures and clinical factors can be well-used to predict the response of HCC patients to the first TACE and may help identify the patients most likely to benefit from TACE.