Dynamical tunneling-assisted coupling of high-Q deformed microcavities using a free-space beam

We investigate the efficient free-space excitation of high-Q resonance modes in deformed microcavities via dynamical tunneling-assisted coupling. A quantum scattering theory is employed to study the free-space transmission properties, and it is found that the transmission includes the contribution from (1) the off-resonance background and (2) the on-resonance modulation, corresponding to the absence and presence of high-Q modes, respectively. The theory predicts asymmetric Fano-like resonances around high-Q modes in background transmission spectra, which are in good agreement with our recent experimental results. Dynamical tunneling across Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser tori, which plays an essential role in the Fano-like resonance, is further studied. This efficient free-space coupling holds potential advantages to simplify experimental conditions and excite high-Q modes in higher-index-material microcavities

Effect of different types of pterygium surgery and on tear film in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIM:To compare the effect of three types of pterygium surgery and on tear film in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.METHODS:A total of 102 patients(102 eyes)with pterygium combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated in our hospital from March 2013 to March 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups including the 34 cases(34 eyes)with simple excision of pterygium(resection group), pterygium excision combined with conjunctival flap transplantation in 34 cases(34 eyes, as conjunctival flap group)and pterygium excision combined with limbal stem cell transplantation in 34 cases(34 eyes, as stem cell group). The wound repair time, complications, recurrence rate, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), tear film break-up time(BUT)and basal tear secretion test(SⅠt)were observed before, and 6 and 12mo after surgery in the three groups, respectively. RESULTS: The postoperative UCVA of the three groups was significantly higher than that preoperation(P=0.039, 0.013, 0.024), and there was no significant difference among the three groups(P=0.317). The wound repair time was 5.67±1.45d in the resection group, which was significantly higher than that in the conjunctival flap group(4.18±0.76d)and the stem cell group(4.09±0.79 d)(PP=0.937). There were 4 cases in resection group reappeared, and the recurrence rate was 11.8%, which was significantly higher than the other two groups(P=0.037). There were 1 recurrences in the conjunctival flap group, and the recurrence rate was 2.9%, while the patients in the stem cell group had no obvious recurrence. SⅠt and BUT increased significantly after operation(PPP=0.845, 0.894). CONCLUSION: Pterygium excision combined with conjunctival flap transplantation or limbal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with normal blood glucose and tear film function has the similar effect, and is better than simple pterygium excision

Integrative analysis of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in fetal rat model with anorectal malformation

Background Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are the most common congenital malformation of the gut, and regulated by multiple signal transduction pathways. The microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and their biologial functions in anorectal malformations (ARMs) remain unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the ARM rats. Methods and Materials ARM was induced with ethylenethiourea (ETU) on gestational day 10. Cesarean deliveries were performed to harvest the embryos on gestional day 20. For the extraction of total RNA, 1 cm terminal hindgut samples were obtained from three fetal rats that had similar weights. The microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were conducted to evaluate the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in normal fetal rats (n = 3) and ARM fetal rats (n = 3). Results In total, 33 miRNAs and 772 mRNAs were significantly and differentially expressed in terminal hindgut tissues of ARM group versus control group. Functional annotation was performed to understand the functions and pathways of differentially expressed mRNAs. Also, we constructed a miRNA-target gene regulatory network including 25 differentially expressed miRNAs and 76 mRNAs. Furthermore, the credibility of the microarray-based results were validated by using qRT-PCR. Conclusion The miRNA and mRNA expression in terminal hindgut tissue of ARM fetal rats might provide a basis for further research on the pathogenesis of ARMs

Analysis of genome-wide 5-hydroxymethylation of blood samples stored in different anticoagulants: Opportunities for the expansion of clinical resources for epigenetic research

Background: Elucidating epigenetic mechanisms could provide new biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Technological advances allow genome-wide profiling of 5-hydroxymethylcytosines (5hmC) in liquid biopsies. 5hmC-Seal followed by NGS is a highly sensitive technique for 5hmC biomarker discovery in cfDNA. Currently, 5hmC Seal is optimized for EDTA blood collection. We asked whether heparin was compatible with 5hmC Seal as many clinical and biobanked samples are stored in heparin. Methods: We obtained 60 samples in EDTA matched to 60 samples in heparin from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Samples were comprised of 30 controls and 30 individuals who were later diagnosed with colon cancer. We profiled genome-wide 5hmC in cfDNA using 5hmC-Seal assay followed by NGS. The 5hmC profiling data from samples collected in EDTA were systematically compared to those in heparin across various genomic features. Results: cfDNA isolation and library construction appeared comparable in heparin vs. EDTA. Typical genomic distribution patterns of 5hmC, including gene bodies and enhancer markers, were comparable in heparin vs. EDTA. 5hmC analysis of cases and controls yielded highly correlated differential features suggesting that both anticoagulants were compatible with 5hmC Seal assay. Conclusions: While not currently recommended for the 5hmC-Seal protocol, blood samples stored in heparin were successfully used to generate analysable and biologically relevant genome-wide 5hmC profiling. Our findings are the first to support opportunities to expand the biospecimen resource to heparin samples for 5hmC Seal and perhaps other PCR-based technologies in epigenetic research.</p

Numerical optimization of vehicle noises in multi-peak frequency points based on hybrid genetic algorithm and simulated annealing

The finite element model of Body in White was built, and the corresponding modes were computed in this paper. These computational modes were then compared with experimental results. The small errors showed that the accuracy of the finite element model can satisfy the computational requirements. Based on the verified finite element model, acoustic cavities in the vehicle were extracted to build a boundary element model. Sound pressure levels at all passengers in the vehicle were then computed, compared and analyzed. Results indicated that the sound pressure curve had 6 peak noises. Using the characteristic frequency weight coefficient and field point weight coefficient, the body panels which made large acoustic contributions to the comprehensive sound field under multi-characteristic frequencies were determined. Finally, the improved genetic algorithm based on simulated annealing was used to optimize the key body panels, and peak noises at researched field points after the optimization were further computed. The computational results were compared with those of the original structure, which presented that the noise was improved at most frequency points in the spectrum and peak noises were suppressed obviously

Quantum algorithm for solving linear differential equations: Theory and experiment

Solving linear differential equations (LDEs) is a hard problem for classical computers, while quantum algorithms have been proposed to be capable of speeding up the calculation. However, they are yet to be realized in experiment as it cannot be easily converted into an implementable quantum circuit. Here, we present and experimentally realize an implementable gate-based quantum algorithm for efficiently solving the LDE problem: given an N × N matrixM, an N-dimensional vector b, and an initial vector x(0), we obtain a target vector x(t) as a function of time t according to the constraint dx(t )/dt =Mx(t ) + b. We show that our algorithm exhibits an exponential speedup over its classical counterpart in certain circumstances, and a gate-based quantum circuit is produced which is friendly to the experimentalists and implementable in current quantum techniques. In addition, we experimentally solve a 4 × 4 linear differential equation using our quantum algorithm in a four-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance quantum information processor. Our algorithm provides a key technique for solving many important problems which rely on the solutions to linear differential equations

Tourniquet application in primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the influence of a tourniquet on the blood loss, transfusion requirement, swelling, pain, knee function, range of motion (ROM), operation time, bone cement mantle thickness, and complications in patients operated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsTwo authors independently retrieved PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of a tourniquet in TKA. Fixed- (I2 &lt; 50%) or random-effects (I2 &gt; 50%) models were selected to perform meta-analysis according to the value of I2. Mean difference (MD) and risk ratio were selected as the effect sizes for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively.ResultsA total of 29 RCTs, involving 2,512 operations (1,258 procedures with a tourniquet and 1,254 procedures without a tourniquet), were included, and 18 outcomes were compared. Tourniquet application could significantly decrease intraoperative blood loss (MD = −138.72 ml, p &lt; 0.001), shorten operation duration (MD = −1.77 min, p &lt; 0.001), and increase cement mantle thickness (MD = 0.17 mm, p &lt; 0.001). However, it was significantly associated with increased postoperative pain intensity, decreased full ROM/flexion ROM/extension ROM, poorer knee function, increased knee swelling, and increased length of hospital stay (LOS) at several follow-up points (p &lt; 0.050). No significant difference was found for postoperative draining volume, total blood loss, transfusion rate, change of Hb level, and risks of deep venous thrombosis and all complications.ConclusionsTourniquet application could only decrease the intraoperative blood loss but has no effectiveness on the total blood loss and transfusion requirement. On the contrary, it has a reverse effect on the pain score, knee function, ROM, swelling, and LOS

Mutagenesis of PhaR, a Regulator Gene of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biosynthesis of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Caused Pleiotropic Phenotype Changes

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are intracellular carbon and energy storage materials produced in various microorganisms under nutrient-limited conditions. PhaR is a regulatory protein involved in PHA synthesis. Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most important bacterial pathogens in rice and has PHA biosynthesis genes in its genome, but the biological function of phaR in Xoo is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of the mutagenesis of phaR gene in Xoo strain PXO99A. Compared to the wildtype, the PhaR gene knock-out mutant PXO99ΔphaR was hypermotile and showed decreased growth rates in both rich and limited nutrient media. PXO99ΔphaR also showed almost 75% decrease in extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. When inoculated in rice leaves by leaf-clipping method, PXO99ΔphaR displayed reduced virulence in terms of lesion length and bacterial multiplication compared with the wildtype strain. PXO99ΔphaR also showed enhanced hypersensitive response (HR) induction in the leaves of non-host Nicotiana benthamiana with elevated hpa1 gene expression. Introduction of a cosmid containing the phaR coding sequence restored the phenotypes of the mutant to those of the wildtype strain. These results suggest that PhaR gene is an important gene that affects multiple bacterial characteristics, including EPS production, growth rate, defense response induced harpin production and motility, related to its virulence in plant

Spatial beam self-cleaning in bi-tapered multimode fibers

We report the spatial beam self-cleaning in bi-tapered conventional multimode fibers (MMFs) with different tapered lengths. Through the introduction of the bi-tapered structure in MMFs, the input beam with poor beam quality from a high-power fiber laser can be converted to a centered, bell-shaped beam in a short length, due to the strengthened nonlinear modes coupling. It is found that the bi-tapered MMF with longer tapered length at the same waist diameter shows better beam self-cleaning effect and larger spectral broadening. The obtained results offer a new method to improve the beam quality of high-power laser at low cost. Besides, it may be interesting for manufacturing bi-tapered MMF-based devices to obtain the quasi-fundamental mode beam in spatiotemporal mode-locked fiber lasers

Quantitative Proteomic Study of Human Lung Squamous Carcinoma and Normal Bronchial Epithelial Acquired by Laser Capture Microdissection

Objective. To investigate the differential protein profile of human lung squamous carcinoma (HLSC) and normal bronchial epithelium (NBE) and provide preliminary results for further study to explore the carcinogenic mechanism of HLSC. Methods. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to purify the target cells from 10 pairs of HLSC tissues and their matched NHBE, respectively. A stable-isotope labeled strategy using iTRAQ, followed by 2D-LC/Q-STAR mass spectrometry, was performed to separate and identify the differential expression proteins. Results. A total of 96 differential expression proteins in the LCM-purified HLSC and NBE were identified. Compared with NBE, 49 proteins were upregulated and 47 proteins were downregulated in HLSC. Furthermore, the expression levels of the differential proteins including HSPB1, CKB, SCCA1, S100A8, as well as S100A9 were confirmed by western blot and tissue microarray and were consistent with the results of quantitative proteomics. Conclusion. The different expression proteins in HLSC will provide scientific foundation for further study to explore the carcinogenic mechanism of HLSC