Traditional Chinese medicine combination therapy for patients with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

SPIRIT 2013 Checklist: recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents. (DOC 133 kb

Recent Progress in the Fabrication of Low Dimensional Nanostructures via Surface-Assisted Transforming and Coupling

Polymerization of functional organics into covalently cross-linked nanostructures via bottom-up approach on solid surfaces has attracted tremendous interest recently, due to its appealing potentials in fabricating novel and artificial low dimensional nanomaterials. While there are various synthetic approaches being proposed and explored, this paper reviews the recent progress of on-surface coupling strategies towards the synthesis of low dimensional nanostructures ranging from 1D nanowire to 2D network and describes their advantages and drawbacks during on-surface process and phase transformations, for example, from molecular self-assembly to on-surface polymerization. Specifically, Ullmann reaction is discussed in detail and the mechanism governing nanostructures’ transforming effect by surface treatment is exploited. In the end, it is summarized that the hierarchical polymerization combined with Ullmann coupling makes it possible to realize the selection of different synthetic pathways and phase transformations and obtain novel organometallic nanowire with metalorganic bonding

Machine-Learning-Assisted and Real-Time-Feedback-Controlled Growth of InAs/GaAs Quantum Dots

Self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) have properties highly valuable for developing various optoelectronic devices such as QD lasers and single photon sources. The applications strongly rely on the density and quality of these dots, which has motivated studies of the growth process control to realize high-quality epi-wafers and devices. Establishing the process parameters in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for a specific density of QDs is a multidimensional optimization challenge, usually addressed through time-consuming and iterative trial-and-error. Meanwhile, reflective high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) has been widely used to capture a wealth of growth information in situ. However, it still faces the challenges of extracting information from noisy and overlapping images. Here, based on 3D ResNet, we developed a machine learning (ML) model specially designed for training RHEED videos instead of static images and providing real-time feedback on surface morphologies for process control. We demonstrated that ML from previous growth could predict the post-growth density of QDs, by successfully tuning the QD densities in near-real time from 1.5E10 cm-2 down to 3.8E8 cm-2 or up to 1.4 E11 cm-2. Compared to traditional methods, our approach, with in-situ tuning capabilities and excellent reliability, can dramatically expedite the material optimization process and improve the reproducibility of MBE growth, constituting significant progress for thin film growth techniques. The concepts and methodologies proved feasible in this work are promising to be applied to a variety of material growth processes, which will revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing for microelectronic and optoelectronic industries.Comment: 5 figure

Global analysis of microRNA target gene expression reveals that miRNA targets are lower expressed in mature mouse and Drosophila tissues than in the embryos

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs of ∼22 nt that regulate the gene expression by base pairing with target mRNAs, leading to mRNA cleavage or translational repression. It is currently estimated that miRNAs account for ∼1% of predicted genes in higher eukaryotic genomes and that up to 30% of genes might be regulated by miRNAs. However, only very few miRNAs have been functionally characterized and the general functions of miRNAs are not globally studied. In this study, we systematically analyzed the expression patterns of miRNA targets using several public microarray profiles. We found that the expression levels of miRNA targets are lower in all mouse and Drosophila tissues than in the embryos. We also found miRNAs more preferentially target ubiquitously expressed genes than tissue-specifically expressed genes. These results support the current suggestion that miRNAs are likely to be largely involved in embryo development and maintaining of tissue identity

Development of Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines in China in the New Era

The heavy-duty gas turbine industry is key to national energy security. Guided by major national projects and driven by the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, strategic research on heavy-duty gas turbines are urgently required in China. In this study, we summarize the international experience in the development of heavy-duty gas turbine technology, products, and industries, and analyze the prominent problems that restrained the high-quality development of the industry in China considering its research progress. The technical development directions of heavy-duty gas turbines include advanced materials and intelligent manufacturing; flexible, low-pollution fuel consumption; high-efficiency aerodynamics and advanced cooling; intelligent measurement, control, operation, and maintenance of systems; and new high-efficiency power generation systems. Furthermore, focusing on the development goals by 2050, key measures for the development and reform of the gas turbine industry were proposed from the aspects of policies and regulations, operating mechanisms, industry systems, and enterprise reforms, thereby providing support for the country to formulate medium- and long-term development plans for its energy and power sectors

A case report on Mycobacterium houstonense infection after total hip arthroplasty

Abstract Background Mycobacterium houstonense is a category of rapidly growing mycobacteria that is gram-positive, acid-fast, polycrystalline, and non-spore-forming. There have been few reports of human infection caused by Mycobacterium houstonense worldwide. Case presentation We present a case of chronic periprosthetic joint infection caused by Mycobacterium houstonense in an elderly female patient. The patient developed signs of infection after undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Despite receiving antibiotic treatment and revision surgery, the signs of infection recurred repeatedly. Multiple bacterial cultures during the treatment period were negative. Later, we identified the pathogenic bacteria Mycobacterium houstonense through mNGS testing, isolated the bacteria from the ultrasonically centrifuged fluid of the prosthesis and obtained drug sensitivity results. Finally, we performed a revision surgery and treated the patient with moxifloxacin and clindamycin. After treatment, the patient did not show signs of infection recurrence during 24 months of follow-up. Conclusion Through a relevant literature search, we believe that Mycobacterium houstonense may show higher sensitivity to amikacin and quinolone antibiotics. Additionally, clarifying occult infection sources through methods such as gene testing will improve the diagnosis and treatment of periprosthetic joint infection