The Other Press, January 5, 1990

<p>The crude earthworm extract catalysed domino reactions for the synthesis of coumarin derivatives.</p

Deep Learning based Channel Estimation Algorithm over Time Selective Fading Channels

The research about deep learning application for physical layer has been received much attention in recent years. In this paper, we propose a Deep Learning (DL) based channel estimator under time varying Rayleigh fading channel. We build up, train and test the channel estimator using Neural Network (NN). The proposed DL-based estimator can dynamically track the channel status without any prior knowledge about the channel model and statistic characteristics. The simulation results show the proposed NN estimator has better Mean Square Error (MSE) performance compared with the traditional algorithms and some other DL-based architectures. Furthermore, the proposed DL-based estimator also shows its robustness with the different pilot densities

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Surgical Zipper Technique versus Intracutaneous Sutures for the Closing of Surgical Incision

<div><p>Background</p><p>It is controversial whether surgical zipper technique (SZT), a non-invasive method of surgical wound closure, achieves a better outcome of incision healing than intracutaneous sutures (IS) in the surgery. This meta-analysis was performed to systematically analyze whether surgical zipper is superior to suture material for the incision closure.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Databases and reference lists were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SZT with IS for the incision closure.</p><p>Results</p><p>Four RCTs with 678 patients were identified and analyzed. Compared with IS, SZT achieved similar incidence of postoperative complications, less time for incision closure, less cost of both surgeons’ time and operating room time, no need for removing sutures and more comfort for the patients. Besides, SZT achieved perfect aesthetic results in various types of incisions with the exception of those with substantial curvatures, those with secretions, in obese patients or those under high tension.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The non-invasive zipper technique may be a more attractive option of incision closure in a wide spectrum of surgical areas.</p></div

New Donor-π-Acceptor Type Triazatruxene Derivatives for Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A new class of organic dyes based on triazatruxene have been designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells. The photoelectronic properties of these donor-π-acceptor dyes can be tuned by changing π-conjugated linkers. The best performance was found for triazatruxene dye <b>TD1</b>, wherein, with thiophene as the conjugated linker and cyanoacrylic acid as the acceptor, a power conversion efficiency up to 6.10% was achieved

Self-Assembly Mechanism of 1,3:2,4-Di(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)‑d‑sorbitol and Control of the Supramolecular Chirality

Dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol (DBS) and its derivatives are known to form gels in organic solvents; however, the mechanism of the gel formation has been a subject of much debate. The present work is undertaken to elucidate the organization mechanism of a DBS derivative, 1,3:2,4-di­(3,4-dichlorobenzylidene)-d-sorbitol (DCDBS), by taking into account the solvent effects and comparing the experiment data with theoretical calculation. These molecules form smooth nonhelical fibers with a rest circular dichroism (CD) signal in polar solvents, in contrast to rope-liked left-helical fibers with a strong negative CD signal observed in nonpolar solvents. The molecular complexes thus formed were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectra, ultraviolet–visible spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, static contact angles, and theoretical calculations. It was proposed that the interactions between the gelator and the solvents could subtly change the stacking of the molecules and hence their self-assembled nanostructures. In nonpolar solvents, the gelator molecules appear as a distorted T-shaped structure with the 6-OH forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the acetal oxygens of adjacent gelator molecule. In addition, because of differential stacking interactions on both sides of the 10-member ring skeleton of the gelator, the oligomers may assemble in a helix fashion to minimize the energy, leading to helical fibers. In polar solvents, however, the gelator molecules show a rigid planelike structure and thus stack on top of each other because of strong parallel-displaced π interactions. The balanced driving force on both sides of the 10-member ring skeleton made it difficult for the dimers to bend, thus resulting in nonhelical nanostructure. As expected from the mechanisms proposed here, twisted ribbon fibers with a medium strength CD signal were obtained when solvents of different polarities were mixed. Thus, solvent effects revealed in this work represent an effective means of realizing in situ tuning of nanostructures and control of the expression of chirality at supramolecular levels

Relationship between C-Reactive Protein Level and Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To date, the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) level and diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains controversial. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was used to reveal the potential relationship between CRP level and DR.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A systematic search of PubMed, <a href="http://Embase.com" target="_blank">Embase.com</a>, and Web of Science was performed to identify all comparative studies that compared the CRP level of two groups (case group and control group). We defined that diabetic patients without retinopathy and /or matched healthy persons constituted the control group, and patients with DR were the case group.</p><p>Results</p><p>Two cross sectional studies and twenty case control studies including a total of 3679 participants were identified. After pooling the data from all 22 studies, obvious heterogeneity existed between the studies, so a subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Removing the sensitivity studies, the blood CRP levels in the case group were observed to be higher than those in the control group [SMD = 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11–0.34], and the blood CRP levels in the proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group were also higher than those in the non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group [SMD = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.30–0.70].</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results from this current meta-analysis indicate that the CRP level might be used as a biomarker to determine the severity of DR.</p></div

A Hyper-cross-linked Polynaphthalene Semiconductor with Excellent Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance in the Degradation of Organic Dyes

Hyper-cross-linked polynaphthalene nanoparticles (PNNs) capable of catalyzing the degradation of organic pollutants upon exposure to visible light have been developed. The nascent and metal-free PNNs with a porous structure, high specific surface area, and narrow bandgap are chemically and thermally stable in the catalytic system, which make it promising as a kind of excellent photocatalytic material compared to conventional photocatalysts. The photocatalytic activity of the as-obtained PNNs exhibits remarkable photocatalytic performance for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl blue (MB) under the irradiation of visible light. The easy preparation, high catalytic activity, and recyclability of the PNNs open new opportunities in the visible-light-promoted degradation of organic pollutants

Forest plot of 8 studies after removing the sensitive studies.

<p>Meta-analysis of the CRP level between PDR group and NPDR group. I² (I² = 0.0%) was less than 50%, a fixed effect model was used. SMD, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval.</p

funnel plot of the 22 studies evaluating the association between CRP level and DR.

<p>CRP, C-reactive protein; DR, diabetic retinopathy; SMD, standardized mean difference; se(SMD), standard error of SMD.</p

Assessment of the risk of bias for the four trials.

<p>Assessment of the risk of bias for the four trials.</p