Cascaded *CO-*COH Intermediates on a Nonmetallic Plasmonic Photocatalyst for CO2-to-C2H6 with 90.6% Selectivity

Oxygen vacancies (OV) in nonmetallic plasmonic photocatalysts can decrease the energy barrier for CO2 reduction, boosting C1 intermediate production for potential C2 formation. However, their susceptibility to oxidation weakens C1 intermediate adsorption. Herein we proposed a "photoelectron injection" strategy to safeguard OV in W18O49 by creating a W18O49/ZIS (W/Z) plasmonic photocatalyst. Moreover, photoelectrons contribute to the local multi-electron environment of W18O49, enhancing the intrinsic excitation of its hot electrons with extended lifetimes, as confirmed by in-situ XPS and femtosecond transient absorption analysis. Density functional theory calculations revealed that W/Z with Ov enhances CO2 adsorption, activating *CO production, while reducing the energy barrier for *COH production (0.054 eV) and subsequent *CO-COH coupling (0.574 eV). Successive hydrogenation revealed that the free energy for *CH2CH2 hydrogenation (0.108 eV) was lower than that for *CH2CH2 desorption for C2H4 production (0.277 eV), favouring C2H6 production. Consequently, W/Z achieves an efficient C2H6 activity of 653.6 μmol g-1 h-1 under visible light, with an exceptionally high selectivity of 90.6%. This work offers a new strategy for the rational design of plasmonic photocatalysts with high selectivity for C2+ products.

First Measurement of η Meson Production in Neutrino Interactions on Argon with MicroBooNE

We present a measurement of η production from neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector. The modeling of resonant neutrino interactions on argon is a critical aspect of the neutrino oscillation physics program being carried out by the DUNE and Short Baseline Neutrino programs. η production in neutrino interactions provides a powerful new probe of resonant interactions, complementary to pion channels, and is particularly suited to the study of higher-order resonances beyond the Δ(1232). We measure a flux-integrated cross section for neutrino-induced η production on argon of 3.22±0.84(stat)±0.86(syst) 10^{-41}  cm^{2}/nucleon. By demonstrating the successful reconstruction of the two photons resulting from η production, this analysis enables a novel calibration technique for electromagnetic showers in GeV accelerator neutrino experiments.

Strong Interfacial Chemical Bonding in Regulating Electron Transfer and Stabilizing Catalytic Sites in a Metal-Semiconductor Schottky Junction for Enhanced Photocatalysis

The weak electronic interaction at metal-photocatalyst heterointerfaces often compromises solar-to-fuel performance. Here, a trifunctional Schottky junction, involving chemically stabilized ultrafine platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs, ≈3 nm in diameter) on graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNs) is proposed. The Pt-CN electronic interaction induces a 1.5% lattice compressive strain in Pt NPs and maintains their ultrafine size, effectively preventing their aggregation during photocatalytic reactions. Density functional theory calculations further demonstrate a significant reduction in the Schottky barrier at the chemically bonded CN-Pt heterointerface, facilitating efficient interfacial electron transfer, as supported by femtosecond transient absorption spectra (fs-TAS) measurements. The combined effects of lattice strain, stabilized Pt NPs, and efficient interfacial charge transport collaboratively enhance the photocatalytic performance, leading to over an 11-fold enhancement in visible light H2 production (8.52 mmol g-1 h-1) compared to the CN nanosheets with the in situ photo-deposited Pt NPs (0.76 mmol g-1 h-1). This study highlights the effectiveness of strong metal-semiconductor electronic interactions and underscores the potential for developing high-efficiency photocatalysts.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Electron-Positron and Neutral-Pion Final States with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first search for heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) decaying into νe^{+}e^{-} or νπ^{0} final states in a liquid-argon time projection chamber using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector. The data were recorded synchronously with the NuMI neutrino beam from Fermilab's main injector corresponding to a total exposure of 7.01×10^{20} protons on target. We set upper limits at the 90% confidence level on the mixing parameter |U_{μ4}|^{2} in the mass ranges 10≤m_{HNL}≤150  MeV for the νe^{+}e^{-} channel and 150≤m_{HNL}≤245  MeV for the νπ^{0} channel, assuming |U_{e4}|^{2}=|U_{τ4}|^{2}=0. These limits represent the most stringent constraints in the mass range 35 Collapse

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Synchronizing Efficient Purification of VOCs in Durable Solar Water Evaporation over a Highly Stable Cu/W18O49@Graphene Material

Solar-driven clean water production is challenged by VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which pose health risks in distilled water. Herein, we developed a Cu/W18O49@Graphene photothermal-photocatalytic material addressing VOCs contamination. Plasmonic coupling between Cu and W18O49 enhances light absorption, and 1-2 layers of graphene encapsulation protects oxygen vacancies within W18O49 while facilitating hot electron extraction, effectively mitigating their ultrafast relaxation. Density functional theory calculations revealed enhanced VOCs adsorption on graphene. These synergies address oxygen vacancy decay in W18O49 and provide more active sites for gas-liquid-solid triphase photocatalytic reactions. Integrated with a three-dimensional floating evaporator substrate, the optimized Cu/W18O49@Graphene material achieved an effective water evaporation rate of 1.41 kg m-2 h-1 (efficiency of 88.6%), exceptional stability (>120 h), and remarkable 99% phenol removal under 1 sun irradiation (1 kW m-2). This work provides a promising solution to mitigate VOCs contamination in solar-driven water evaporation.

[Reappraisals of biological behaviors of PDGFRA mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor]

Objective: To investigate the biological behavior spectrum of platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFRA)-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and to compare the clinical values of the Zhongshan method of benign and malignant evaluation with the modified National Institutes of Health (NIH) risk stratification. Methods: A total of 119 cases of GIST with PDGFRA mutation who underwent surgical resection at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from 2009 to 2020 were collected. The clinicopathological data, follow-up records, and subsequent treatment were reviewed and analyzed statistically. Results: There were 79 males and 40 females. The patients ranged in age from 25 to 80 years, with a median age of 60 years. Among them, 115 patients were followed up for 1-154 months, and 13 patients progressed to disease. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 90.1% and 94.1%, respectively. According to the modified NIH risk stratification, 8 cases, 32 cases, 38 cases, and 35 cases were very-low risk, low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk, and 5-year DFS were 100.0%, 95.6%, 94.3%, and 80.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in prognosis among the non-high risk groups, only the difference between high risk and non-high risk groups was significant (P=0.029). However, the 5-year OS was 100.0%, 100.0%, 95.0% and 89.0%, and there was no difference (P=0.221). According to the benign and malignant evaluation Zhongshan method, 43 cases were non-malignant (37.4%), 56 cases were low-grade malignant (48.7%), 9 cases were moderately malignant (7.8%), and 7 cases were highly malignant (6.1%). The 5-year DFS were 100.0%, 91.7%, 77.8%, 38.1%, and the difference was significant (P<0.001). The 5-year OS were 100.0%, 97.5%, 77.8%, 66.7%, the difference was significant (P<0.001). Conclusions: GIST with PDGFRA gene mutation shows a broad range of biological behavior, ranging from benign to highly malignant. According to the Zhongshan method, non-malignant and low-grade malignant tumors are common, the prognosis after surgery is good, while the fewer medium-high malignant tumors showed poor prognosis after surgical resection. The overall biological behavior of this type of GIST is relatively inert, which is due to the low proportion of medium-high malignant GIST. The modified NIH risk stratification may not be effective in risk stratification for PDGFRA mutant GIST.

Cryptanshinone extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza stimulates pediatric acute myeloid leukemia stem cell apoptosis and the anti-inflammatory mechanism via accelerating microRNA-211-5p to supress Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway activation

This study was designed to explore cryptanshinone (CPT) extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza stimulating pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cell (LSC) apoptosis and anti-inflammatory mechanism via accelerating microRNA (miR)-211-5p to restrain Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway activation. Obtaining blood samples from pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients and healthy volunteers and detecting miR-211-5p and JAK2 were performed. Purchase of the human AML cell line KG1a was conducted, and sorting of KG1a cells was to gain LSC. Test of miR-211-5p and JAK2, the phosphorylation of JAK2/STAT3 was implemented. Pretreatment of LSCs was with CPT. Variation of miR-211-5p and JAK2 in LSCs was via plasmid transfection to explore their actions in cell advancement with apoptosis and inflammation. Identification of the targeting of miR-211-5p with JAK2 was implemented. In results: MiR-211-5p was declined in endometrial cancer, while JAK2 was elevated; CPT was available to boost LSC apoptosis and restrain the inflammation; elevated miR-211-5p or repressive JAK2 was available to strengthen the acceleration of CPT on LSCs apoptosis and the repression of inflammation; MiR-211-5p targeted JAK2; augmented JAK2 was available to turn around the action of elevated miR-211-5p. We conclude that CPT extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza stimulated pediatric LSC apoptosis and restrained the inflammation via accelerating microRNA (miR)-211-5p to suppress JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation.

Automatic Prediction of Metastasis-Free Survival (MFS) Using Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET for Oligometastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (omCSPC)

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Recent data have shown the promise of metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) to improve outcomes in omCSPC patients. Response biomarkers are still needed to identify patients at an early time point who will not respond to the treatment. We have shown that PSMA PET-CT SUVmax changes over time may be a useful response biomarker that correlates with MFS, an important endpoint in these omCSPC patients. This study investigated radiomic imaging biomarkers derived from PSMA-PET acquired pre- and post-MDT for MFS prediction, which may provide better features to discriminate response in the future to improve the outcome of these patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We accrued an international multi-institutional cohort of omCSPC patients treated with stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) MDT. The cohort includes 32 patients from Institution 1 (USA) and 38 patients from Institution 2 (Europe). Both pre- and 6-month post-treatment PSMA-PET/CT were acquired. Combat was used for data harmonization in the image domain to minimize imaging variations across institutions. We defined the GTV volume as zone 1 and a 3-5 mm expansion ring area outside the GTV as zone 2 for radiomics analysis. 874 radiomics features (214 original and 660 wavelet filtered features) were extracted from both zones using open-source software and used together for MFS prediction. Function Chi2 was used to select the most significant five features. Several machine learning models (Random Forest, Logistic regression, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayesian) were implemented to predict MFS. The models were tested using both a leave-one-out strategy and cross-validation across the two institutions.

RESULTS

In the leave-one-out biomarker using 70 patients, random forest achieved the best accuracy, with MFS predicted correctly for 56 (80% of 70) patients. The five radiomic features identified based on their ability to predict MFS included Entropy, Skewness, and Compactness from zone 1, Skewness, and Mesh volume from zone 2. In the cross-institution tests, random forest predicted MFS correctly for 24 (75% of 32) patients when being trained using 38 Institution 2 patients and validated against 32 Institution 1 patients. Vice versa, the model predicted MFS correctly for 28 (74% of 38) patients when being trained using Institution 1 patients and validation using Institution 2 patients. The five features identified for prediction included Entropy and Skewness from both zones and Flatness from zone 1.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the promise of using pre- and post-MDT PSMA-PET-based imaging radiomic biomarkers for MFS prediction for omCSPC patients. Imaging biomarkers predictive of MFS were identified in both GTV and the ring area outside GTV. Over 74% prediction accuracy was achieved in the cross-institution validation test. The model provides a valuable tool for prognosis prediction early following MDT, which opens up a unique opportunity for monitoring or treatment interventions for patients identified with poor prognoses to improve outcomes.

Hybrid-Supervised Deep Learning for Proton-Acoustic Reconstruction for 3D In Vivo Proton Dose Verification

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Proton-acoustic (PA) image has shown great potential to provide real-time 3D dose verification of proton therapy. However, the PA image quality suffers from severe limited view artifacts, which significantly impairs its accuracy for dose verification. In this study, we developed a hybrid-supervised deep learning method for PA reconstruction to address the limited-view issues.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Our method consists of two stages. In the first stage, a transformer-based network was proposed to reconstruct initial pressure maps from protoacoustic signals. The network was first trained using supervision by the iteratively reconstructed pressure map and then fine-tuned using transfer learning and self-supervision based on the data fidelity constraint. In the second stage, the PA image was further enhanced by a 3D U-net. The final PA images were converted to dose maps using conversion coefficients derived from CT images. Data from 126 prostate cancer patients treated by proton therapy were collected under an IRB protocol and were split into 86 and 40 patients for model training and testing, respectively. Data of each patient contains the planning CT scan, the corresponding clinical treatment plan, and the dose map calculated by commercial software. The radiofrequency signals were generated by performing proton acoustic simulation based on CT images and the ground truth pressure map derived from the treatment plan. An ultrasound detector matrix with 64 × 64 size and 500kHz central frequency was simulated under the perineum to acquire the signals in the prostate area. In the testing results, the method's accuracy was evaluated using Root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) and structural-similarity-index-measure (SSIM) between the reconstructed and ground truth pressure map and dose distribution.

RESULTS

Testing results showed that the reconstructed pressure map achieved an average RMSE/SSIM of 0.0292/0.96, demonstrating excellent 3D information with details. Dose maps derived from the pressure map achieved an average RMSE/SSIM of 0.018/0.99 with a gamma index of 94.7% and 95.7% for 1%/3 mm and 1%/5 mm criteria compared to the ground truth dose maps. The reconstruction time was 6s, which can be further reduced using GPU.

CONCLUSION

Our study achieves start-of-the-art performance in the challenging task of direct reconstruction from limited-view radiofrequency signals, demonstrating the great promise of PA imaging as a highly efficient and accurate tool for in-vivo 3D proton dose verification. Such high-precision 3D online dose verification can substantially reduce the range uncertainties of proton therapy to significantly improve its precision and outcomes.

Control of the Bright-Dark Exciton Splitting Using the Lamb Shift in a Two-Dimensional Semiconductor

We investigate the exciton fine structure in atomically thin WSe_{2}-based van der Waals heterostructures where the density of optical modes at the location of the semiconductor monolayer can be tuned. The energy splitting Δ between the bright and dark exciton is measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy. We demonstrate that Δ can be tuned by a few meV as a result of a significant Lamb shift of the optically active exciton that arises from emission and absorption of virtual photons triggered by the vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We also measure strong variations of the bright exciton radiative linewidth as a result of the Purcell effect. All these experimental results illustrate the strong sensitivity of the excitons to local vacuum field fluctuations. We find a very good agreement with a model that demonstrates the equivalence, for our system, of a classical electrodynamical transfer matrix formalism and quantum-electrodynamical approach. The bright-dark splitting control we demonstrate here in the weak light-matter coupling regime should apply to any semiconductor structures.

First Double-Differential Measurement of Kinematic Imbalance in Neutrino Interactions with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report the first measurement of flux-integrated double-differential quasielasticlike neutrino-argon cross sections, which have been made using the Booster Neutrino Beam and the MicroBooNE detector at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data are presented as a function of kinematic imbalance variables which are sensitive to nuclear ground-state distributions and hadronic reinteraction processes. We find that the measured cross sections in different phase-space regions are sensitive to different nuclear effects. Therefore, they enable the impact of specific nuclear effects on the neutrino-nucleus interaction to be isolated more completely than was possible using previous single-differential cross section measurements. Our results provide precision data to help test and improve neutrino-nucleus interaction models. They further support ongoing neutrino-oscillation studies by establishing phase-space regions where precise reaction modeling has already been achieved.

[Analysis of respiratory syncytial virus nonstructural protein 1 amino acid variation and clinical characteristics]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between amino acid variations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nonstructural protein (NS) 1 and the clinical characteristics. Method: A retrospective case review was conducted. From December 2018 to January 2020, a total of 81 cases of hospitalized children who were tested only positive for RSV by RT-PCR or PCR at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were included in the study. The NS1 genes of RSV subtype A and subtype B were amplified by PCR and sequenced. The amino acid sequences were analyzed. The Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney rank sum test were used to compare the clinical characteristics and type Ⅰ interferon levels of children with or without NS1 variation in the variation and non-variation groups. Results: Among 81 cases, there were 58 males and 23 females. There were 11 cases in the variation group, the age of onset was 2.0 (1.0, 11.0) months, included 4 cases of subtype A (variant sites were: 2 cases for Lys33Gln, one case for Gly2Asp, Pro67Ser, Leu137Phe, respectively) and 7 cases of subtype B (variant sites were: two cases for Val121Ile, one case for Tyr30Cys, Val65Met, Asn85Ser, Ser118Asn, Asp124Asn, respectively). These variant sites all appeared at a very low frequency 0.08 (0.04, 0.29) % in the NCBI PROTEIN database. There were 70 cases in non-variation group, the onset age was 3.5 (1.0, 7.0) months. The proportion of dyspnea in the variation group was higher than that in the non-variation group (10/11 vs. 47% (33/70), χ²=7.31, P<0.01). Conclusions: There are some variant sites in nonstructural protein NS1 of RSV. Children may be prone to have dyspnea with NS1 variations.

[Efficacy and safety of endoscopic diaphragm incision in children with congenital duodenal diaphragm]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of endoscopic diaphragm incision in pediatric congenital duodenal diaphragm. Methods: Eight children with duodenal diaphragm treated by endoscopic diaphragm incision in the Department of Gastroenterology of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from October 2019 to May 2022 were enrolled in this study. Their clinical data including general conditions, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examinations, endoscopic procedures and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 8 children, 4 were males and 4 females. The diagnosis was confirmed at the age of 6-20 months; the age of onset was 0-12 months and the course of disease was 6-18 months. The main clinical manifestations were recurrent non-biliary vomiting, abdominal distension and malnutrition. One case complicated with refractory hyponatremia was first diagnosed with atypical congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the endocrinology department. After treatment with hydrocortisone, the blood sodium returned to normal, but vomiting was recurrent. One patient underwent laparoscopic rhomboid duodenal anastomosis in another hospital but had recurred vomiting after the operation, who was diagnosed with double duodenal diaphragm under endoscope. No other malformations were found in all the 8 cases. The duodenal diaphragm was located in the descending part of the duodenum, and the duodenal papilla was located below the diaphragm in all the 8 cases. Three cases had the diaphragm dilated by balloon to explore the diaphragm opening range before diaphragm incision; the other 5 had diaphragm incision performed after probing the diaphragm opening with guide wire. All the 8 cases were successfully treated by endoscopic incision of duodenal diaphragm, with the operation time of 12-30 minutes. There were no complications such as intestinal perforation, active bleeding or duodenal papilla injury. At one month of follow-up, their weight increased by 0.4-1.5 kg, with an increase of 5%-20%. Within the postoperative follow-up period of 2-20 months, all the 8 children had duodenal obstruction relieved, without vomiting or abdominal distension, and all resumed normal feeding. Gastroscopy reviewed at 2-3 months after the operation in 3 cases found no deformation of the duodenal bulbar cavity, and the mucosa of the incision was smooth, with a duodenal diameter of 6-7 mm. Conclusion: Endoscopic diaphragm incision is safe, effective and less invasive in pediatric congenital duodenal diaphragm, with favorable clinical applicability.

First Measurement of Quasielastic Λ Baryon Production in Muon Antineutrino Interactions in the MicroBooNE Detector

We present the first measurement of the cross section of Cabibbo-suppressed Λ baryon production, using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector when exposed to the neutrinos from the main injector beam at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The data analyzed correspond to 2.2×10^{20} protons on target running in neutrino mode, and 4.9×10^{20} protons on target running in anti-neutrino mode. An automated selection is combined with hand scanning, with the former identifying five candidate Λ production events when the signal was unblinded, consistent with the GENIE prediction of 5.3±1.1 events. Several scanners were employed, selecting between three and five events, compared with a prediction from a blinded Monte Carlo simulation study of 3.7±1.0 events. Restricting the phase space to only include Λ baryons that decay above MicroBooNE's detection thresholds, we obtain a flux averaged cross section of 2.0_{-1.7}^{+2.2}×10^{-40}  cm^{2}/Ar, where statistical and systematic uncertainties are combined.

π-Conjugated In-Plane Heterostructure Enables Long-Lived Shallow Trapping in Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Increased Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

The relatively short-lived excited states, such as the nascent electron-hole pairs (excitons) and the shallow trapping states, in semiconductor-based photocatalysts produce an exceptionally high charge carrier recombination rate, dominating a low solar-to-fuel performance. Here, a π-conjugated in-plane heterostructure between graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) and carbon rings (C_rings ) (labeling g-CN/C_rings ) is effectively synthesized from the thermolysis of melamine-citric acid aggregates via a microwave-assisted heating process. The g-CN/C_rings in-plane heterostructure shows remarkably suppressed excited-state decay and increased charge carrier population in photocatalysis. Kinetics analysis from the femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy illustrates that the g-CN/C_rings π-conjugated heterostructure produces slower exciton annihilation (τ₁  = 7.9 ps) and longer shallow electron trapping (τ₂  = 407.1 ps) than pristine g-CN (τ₁  = 3.6 ps, τ₂  = 264.1 ps) owing to C_rings incorporation, both of which enable more photoinduced electrons to participate in the photocatalytic reactions, thereby realizing photoactivity enhancement. As a result, the photocatalytic activity exhibits an eightfold enhancement in visible-light-driven H₂ generation. This work provides a viable route of constructing π-conjugated in-plane heterostructures to suppress the excited-state decay and improve the photocatalytic performance.

[Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of gastric intermediate-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor after surgical resection: a retrospective study]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of gastric intermediate-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), so as to provide a reference for clinical management and further research. Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients with gastric intermediate-risk GIST, who underwent surgical resection between January 1996 and December 2019 at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, was carried out. Results: Totally, 360 patients with a median age of 59 years were included. There were 190 males and 170 females with median tumor diameter of 5.9 cm. Routine genetic testing was performed in 247 cases (68.6%, 247/360), and 198 cases (80.2%) showed KIT mutation, 26 cases (10.5%) showed PDGFRA mutation, and 23 cases were wild-type GIST. According to "Zhongshan Method"(including 12 parameters), there were 121 malignant and 239 non-malignant cases. Complete follow-up data were available in 241 patients; 55 patients (22.8%) received imatinib therapy, 10 patients (4.1%) experienced tumor progression, and one patient (PDGFRA mutation, 0.4%) died. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival rate at 5 years was 96.0% and 99.6%, respectively. Among the intermediate-risk GIST, there was no difference in DFS between the overall population, KIT mutation, PDGFRA mutation, wild-type, non-malignant and malignant subgroups (all P>0.05). However, the non-malignancy/malignancy analysis showed that there were significant differences in DFS among the overall population (P<0.01), imatinib treatment group (P=0.044) and no imatinib treatment group (P<0.01). Adjuvant imatinib resulted in potential survival benefit for KIT mutated malignant and intermediate-risk GIST in DFS (P=0.241). Conclusions: Gastric intermediate-risk GIST shows a heterogeneous biologic behavior spectrum from benign to highly malignant. It can be further classified into benign and malignant, mainly nonmalignant and low-grade malignant. The overall disease progression rate after surgical resection is low, and real-world data show that there is no significant benefit from imatinib treatment after surgery. However, adjuvant imatinib potentially improves DFS of intermediate-risk patients with tumors harboring KIT mutation in the malignant group. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of gene mutations in benign/malignant GIST will facilitate improvements in therapeutic decision-making.

[Clinical significance of pathological diagnosis and genetic abnormalities detection in gastrointestinal stromal tumor using endoscopic biopsy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of pathological diagnosis and genetic abnormalities detection of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) using endoscopic biopsy. Methods: Patients with GIST diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy (from January 1st, 2016 to August 1st, 2018, at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University) were included in this study. This retrospective study evaluated the histopathologic and immunohistochemical (IHC) features, genetic abnormalities of the tumors and the treatment and clinical course of the patients. Results: Totally 4 095 cases of GIST were collected, among which 67 patients (67/4 095, 1.6%) underwent endoscopic biopsy. Forty-eight patients (71.6%) were male and 19 (28.4%) were female, with a mean age of 61 years (range 31-90 years). Fifty-nine lesions were located in stomach and eight in duodenum. Of all the 67 cases, 47 were spindle type, 14 were epithelioid type, and 6 mixed type. IHC staining showed the positive rates were 100.0% (64/64) for DOG1, 98.4% (62/63) for CD117, 87.5% (56/64) for CD34, 3.6% (2/56) for S-100 protein, 12.1% (7/58) for α-SMA, 12.3% (7/57) for desmin and 4.0% (2/50) for CKpan. Morphologically, 34 cases were malignant; three cases (all epithelioid type) were originally misdiagnosed as poorly differentiated carcinoma; missed-diagnosis were found in four cases (spindle type) due to the insufficient diagnostic tumor cells. The genetic abnormality detection rate in the biopsy tissue was 38.8% (26/67),among them two patients were lost to follow up after biopsy, 33 patients received surgical resection, 16 cases underwent operation after neoadjuvant therapy and 16 patients with advanced disease underwent continuous imatinib therapy, with the genetic testing rate of 6.1% (2/33), 10/16 and 14/16, respectively. Conclusions: Endoscopic biopsy is a useful but rare method for the preoperative diagnosis of GIST. For majority of biopsy, accurate pathological diagnosis and auxiliary examination can be completed to guide clinical treatment. A thorough history in combination with endoscopic finding is essential to avoid misdiagnosis (epithelioid type) and missed diagnosis (spindle type) in suspicious cases. Genetic testing should be recommended in patients who will undergo targeted therapy after endoscopic biopsy, and it can provide valuable information and guidance for clinical treatment.

First Constraints on Light Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Combined Appearance and Disappearance Searches with the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for eV-scale sterile neutrino oscillations in the MicroBooNE liquid argon detector, simultaneously considering all possible appearance and disappearance effects within the 3+1 active-to-sterile neutrino oscillation framework. We analyze the neutrino candidate events for the recent measurements of charged-current ν_{e} and ν_{μ} interactions in the MicroBooNE detector, using data corresponding to an exposure of 6.37×10^{20} protons on target from the Fermilab booster neutrino beam. We observe no evidence of light sterile neutrino oscillations and derive exclusion contours at the 95% confidence level in the plane of the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2} and the sterile neutrino mixing angles θ_{μe} and θ_{ee}, excluding part of the parameter space allowed by experimental anomalies. Cancellation of ν_{e} appearance and ν_{e} disappearance effects due to the full 3+1 treatment of the analysis leads to a degeneracy when determining the oscillation parameters, which is discussed in this Letter and will be addressed by future analyses.

[The relationships between functional gastrointestinal diseases and psychological factors, diet and lifestyles: a network analysis]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between common functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms with psychological factors, diet and lifestyles by using the network analysis method which has achieved great success in the field of psychology in recent years. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted in two military units using the cluster sampling method during July 2020, and a total of 1 805 subjects were included. Functional gastrointestinal disease symptoms were evaluated with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The state, trait anxiety scale and stress response scale were used to evaluate the mental and psychological state by self-evaluation. R was used to build the network and calculate statistical parameters. Results: 1 486 of the 1 805 subjects (82.3%) had experienced functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms within 2 weeks, but most of them were mild. Network analysis shows that there was a strong interaction between digestive system symptoms with different clinical manifestations (Spearman coefficient ranges 0.31-0.56). There was a clear relationship between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and mental and psychological factors (Spearman coefficient ranges 0.16-0.27), but there was no clear interaction with diet, age, education level, body mass index, etc. Functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms were connected with mental and psychological factors through two nodes: stress and indigestion. The stability coefficient of node strength correlation was 0.75, indicating that the network was stable. Conclusions: The current study revealed the network structure and features of functional gastrointestinal diseases symptoms with mental and psychological factors. The key linking nodes provided potential interfering target for controlling functional gastrointestinal symptoms related to mental and psychological factors.

[Curative effect of complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in post kidney transplantation patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of complete transabdominal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy in treating primary upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) for post kidney transplantation patients. Methods: The clinical data of patients with primary renal pelvis and ureter tumors after kidney transplantation in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from May 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventeen patients (including 9 patients in ipsilateral transplanted kidney group and 8 patients in contralateral transplanted kidney group) underwent traditional retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (TRNU), and 24 patients (including 14 patients in ipsilateral transplanted kidney group and 10 patients in contralateral transplanted kidney group) underwent complete transperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (CTNU). The perioperative clinical indicators of all patients were recorded and analyzed, and the surgical indicators of two techniques were compared. Results: Forty-one patients [16 males and 25 females, with a median age of 57 (53, 70) years old] were finally included. The operation time in the contralateral transplanted kidney group [(95±44) min] from CTNU was significantly decreased compared with that in the ipsilateral group from CTNU [(159±49) min] and the contralateral [(196±20) min] or ipsilateral [(205±21) min] groups from TRNU (all P<0.01). The blood loss volume [(84±39) ml vs (106±44) ml vs (109±20) ml vs (112±21) ml, P=0.271] and postoperative hospital stay [(10.6±2.1) d vs (11.8±1.7) d vs (10.3±1.5) d vs (11.4±1.5) d, P=0.171] were not statistically different among these four groups. During the median follow-up of 24 months, 13 patients developed contralateral recurrence or metastasis, 8 patients developed intravesical recurrence, and 5 patients died of UTUC. Conclusions: Single-position complete transabdominal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for the treatment of primary renal ureteral tumors after kidney transplantation has the advantage of a short operation time, without increasing intraoperative blood loss or perioperative complications. It is suitable for the treatment of urothelial carcinoma after kidney transplantation, especially for the contralateral side of the transplanted kidney.

Methods and reference data for middle ear transfer functions

Human temporal bone specimens are used in experiments measuring the sound transfer of the middle ear, which is the standard method used in the development of active and passive middle ear implants. Statistical analyses of these experiments usually require that the TB samples are representative of the population of non-pathological middle ears. Specifically, this means that the specimens must be mechanically well-characterized. We present an in-depth statistical analysis of 478 data sets of middle ear transfer functions (METFs) from different laboratories. The data sets are preprocessed and various contributions to the variance of the data are evaluated. We then derive a statistical range as a reference against which individual METF measurements may be validated. The range is calculated as the two-sided 95% tolerance interval at audiological frequencies. In addition, the mean and 95% confidence interval of the mean are given as references for assessing the validity of a sample group. Finally, we provide a suggested procedure for measuring METFs using the methods described herein.

Swept-source endoscopic optical coherence tomography real-time imaging system based on GPU acceleration for axial megahertz high-speed scanning

OBJECTIVE

In order to solve the problem of image real-time processing and correction for high-speed endoscopic swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), we highly optimize a computer-unified device architecture-based platform and use a field-programmable gate array to summarize the application experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We use the Half-Sync/Half-Asyn mode to optimize memory in order to build a high-throughput data thread pool for CPU. We use asynchronous streaming architecture to multiplex multiple threads at high speed to accelerate data processing. At the same time, we design a rotary scanning position information encoding feedback module to suppress image drift, which can realize 25ns logic-timing sequence synchronization control through FPGA 40MHz clock.

RESULTS

The maximum complete attainable axial-scan-processing rate (including memory transfer and display of B-scan frames) is 3.52 MHz for a 16-bit pixel depth and A-scans/s of 1024 pixels. To our knowledge, this is the fastest processing rate reported to date with a single-chip graphical processing unit for SS-OCT. Finally, the established high-speed SS-OCT is used to image mouse esophagus and human fingers, and the output images are stable. When the image size is 1024 × 1024 pixels, the real-time imaging rate is 200 frames per second.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper develops a real-time image processing and reconstruction technology suitable for high-throughput SS-OCT systems, which can have high-density operation and efficient parallelism, while suppressing high-speed image drift. It lays the foundation for the non-destructive, in vivo, non-staining, fast and convenient early tumor diagnosis of high-speed endoscopic SS-OCT.

Gender representation on editorial boards of leading oncology journals

Background

There has historically been women underrepresentation on editorial boards of peer-reviewed medical journals. High-ranked oncology journals showcase cancer-related scientific work at the forefront of the discipline. There is urgent need to investigate gender representation on editorial boards at leading oncology journals.

Materials and methods

Sixty high-ranked oncology journals based on impact factor calculated by the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) 2021 from Web of Science/Clarivate Analytics were identified. Gender-related information of editorial boards was obtained from each journal’s website. The gender of each member of the editorial team was confirmed by an internet search for picture and/or gender-specific pronoun from journal or personal profile. Fisher’s exact tests and analysis of variance were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Among 4898 members on editorial boards of top oncology journals with the highest impact factor, 1177 were women. Women made up 24% (1177 of 4898) of members on editorial boards in top oncology journals, and there was significantly less women board members than men (P < 0.0001). The mean female composition of editorial boards of oncology journals was 27% (range from 4% to 100%). Among 71 editors-in-chief of the top oncology journals, 14 (20%) were women. There was a positive correlation between the presence of women in journal editorial leadership and the percentage of women on editorial boards (r_s = 0.340, P = 0.008). The underrepresentation of women on oncology journal editorial boards was significantly different among quartiles of journal impact factor. There was no significant correlation between women’s representation on journal editorial boards (%) and journal impact factors (r_s = 0.226, P = 0.086).

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that there are gender disparities among editorial leadership at high-impact oncology journals. There are cultural and structural barriers and prejudices to gender parity and diversity on editorial boards of oncology journals.

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The representation of women on editorial boards of oncology journals has not been verified.

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This large-scale study found that women comprised only 24% of editorial boards of top-ranked oncology journals.

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The results demonstrated that there are gender disparities among editorial leadership at leading oncology journals.

[Silencing CD46 and DSG2 in host A549 cells inhibits entry of human adenovirus type 3 and type 7 and reduces interleukin-8 release]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of silencing CD46 and desmoglein 2 (DSG2) in host A549 cells on the entry of human adenovirus type 3 (HAdV-3) and type 7 (HAdV-7) and host cell secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

METHODS

RNA interference technique was use to silence the expression of CD46 or DSG2 in human epithelial alveolar A549 cells as the host cells of HAdV-3 or HAdV-7. The binding of the viruses with CD46 and DSG2 were observed with immunofluorescence staining at 0.5 and 1 h after viral infection. The viral load in the host cells was determined with qRT-PCR, and IL-8 secretion level was measured using ELISA.

RESULTS

In infected A549 cells, immunofluorescent staining revealed colocalization of HAdV-3 and HAdV-37 with their receptors CD46 and DSG2 at 0.5 h and 2 h after infection, and the copy number of the viruses increased progressively after the infection in a time-dependent manner. In A549 cells with CD46 silencing, the virus titers were significantly lower at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h postinfection in comparison with the cells without gene silencing; the virus titers were also significantly decreased in the cells with DSG2 silencing. The secretion level of IL-8 increased significantly in A549 cells without siRNA transfection following infection with HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 (P < 0.0001), but decreased significantly in cells with CD46 and DSG2 silencing (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 enter host cells by binding to their receptors CD46 and DSG2, and virus titer and cytokines release increase with infection time. Silencing CD46 and DSG2 can inhibit virus entry and cytokine IL-8 production in host cells.

[Analysis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in 7 children]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) in children. Methods: The clinical data of 7 children who were diagnosed with SRUS in Department of Gastroenterology in Guangzhou Women and Children' Medical Center from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data including general demographics, clinical presentations, endoscopic and histologic features, treatment and outcome were extracted from hospital medical records. Results: The 7 patients were all males, and the age of onset was 6-12 years. The course before diagnosis was 2-36 months. The most common symptom was rectal bleeding (6 cases) and most common findings at initial colonoscopy were ulcer in 3 cases and protuberance in 4 cases, both located only in rectum. The intestinal histopathology of 5 cases showed characteristic fibromuscular obliteration of lamina propria. Five children were treated with mesalamine granules or suppositories, and 2 cases underwent local excision. The follow-up lasted for 5-24 months and found symptoms relieved in 5 cases, improved in 1 case, and no remission in 1 case. Colonoscopy after the treatment was performed in 5 children, among whom 2 cases achieved mucosal healing. Conclusions: SRUS in children is mainly presented with rectal bleeding, and has characteristic histological change of ulcer and protuberance in endoscopy. Pathology is crucial for diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Both the medical and surgical treatment are effective for SRUS.

[Progress of researches on albendazole for treatment of alveolar echinococcosis]

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis infection, is a highly deadly zoonotic parasitic disease. As a benzimidazole compound, albendazole has a strong and broad-spectrum anti-parasitic action. For alveolar echinococcosis patients that are unwilling to receive surgical treatment, lose the timing for surgery, or are intolerant to surgery due to poor physical status, administration of albendazole may delay disease progression. Recently, a large number of advances have been achieved in experimental studies on alveolar echinococcosis. In order to increase the understanding of the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole for alveolar echinococcosis, this review summarizes the advances in albendazole treatment for alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into the clinical treatment of alveolar echinococcosis with albendazole.

Optical Detection of Long Electron Spin Transport Lengths in a Monolayer Semiconductor

Using a spatially resolved optical pump-probe experiment, we measure the lateral transport of spin-valley polarized electrons over very long distances (tens of micrometers) in a single WSe_{2} monolayer. By locally pumping the Fermi sea of 2D electrons to a high degree of spin-valley polarization (up to 75%) using circularly polarized light, the lateral diffusion of the electron polarization can be mapped out via the photoluminescence induced by a spatially separated and linearly polarized probe laser. Up to 25% spin-valley polarization is observed at pump-probe separations up to 20  μm. Characteristic spin-valley diffusion lengths of 18±3  μm are revealed at low temperatures. The dependence on temperature, pump helicity, pump intensity, and electron density highlight the key roles played by spin relaxation time and pumping efficiency on polarized electron transport in monolayer semiconductors possessing spin-valley locking.

[Impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in upper airway on the clinical manifestations of children with respiratory syncytial virus infection]

Objective: To investigate the effects of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) colonization and the change of upper airway microbiome on the clinical manifestations in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Methods: A retrospective cohort included 508 RSV-infected children with pneumonia and hospitalized in Respiratory Department of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2009 to July 2018. A total of 508 cases of RSV-infected children (RSV non-sequencing group) were divided into 2 groups: children with Spn airway colonization (RSV+Spn group) and children without with Spn airway colonization (RSV group) according to the detection for virus and bacteria in nasopharyngeal aspirate, and these 2 groups were compared in terms of clinical manifestations by chi-square test in different age groups. In addition, in RSV pandemic season from November 2018 to February 2020, nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 20 children hospitalized in Respiratory Department of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and infected with RSV but without any positive detection of bacteria (RSV 16 S-sequencing group) and from children undergoing surgery without any sign of respiratory infection (control group). The difference of microbiome detected by 16 S RNA sequencing was compared using rank sum test between RSV 16 S-sequencing group and control group, and also between children with severe and mild pneumonia in RSV 16 S-sequencing group. Results: A total of 508 RSV non-sequencing group included 346 males and 162 females, and the visiting age was 6 (2, 12)  months. RSV group included 443 cases and RSV+Spn group included 65 cases. In the study 244 cases were aged <6 months and 264 cases were aged ≥6 months. In children aged ≥6 months of RSV non-sequencing group, the proportion of cases presenting fever over 38 ℃ and cases with severe pneumonia in RSV+Spn group were higher than those in RSV group (53.2% (25/47) vs. 34.6% (72/217), 38.3% (18/47) vs. 21.2% (46/217), χ²=5.70,6.15, both P<0.05). RSV 16 S-sequencing group included 16 males and 4 females and the visiting age was 3.0 (1.9, 8.0) months. Airway microbiome diversity in RSV 16 S-sequencing group was lower than that in control group (alpha index: 0.93 (0.42, 2.51) vs. 3.05 (2.88, 3.61), U=60.00, P=0.001). Conclusions: RSV infection is associated with the changes of the upper airway microbiome. When the balance of airway microbiome is broken and the presence of the dominant colonization of Spn follows, it may aggravate the severity of RSV infection in children aged ≥6 months.

[Carotid intraplaque neovascularization is correlated with the risk of revascularization following percutaneous coronary intervention]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) detected by carotid contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with revascularization in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This study was conducted among 105 patients who were followed up for more than 12 months after PCI. All the patients received CEUS examination for assessment of carotid plaque formation and IPN, which were compared between patients with revascularization (REV group, n=27) and those without revascularization (N-REV group, n=78). ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of CEUS for predicting revascularization. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with revascularization.

RESULTS

In the REV group, the IPN score was 0 in 1 (3.7%) patient, 1 in 8 (29.6%) patients, 2 in 15 (55.6%) patients and 3 in 3 (11.1%) patients. Significant differences were noted between REV and N-REV groups in plaque length (15.70±6.93 vs 12.10±6.64, P < 0.05), maximum plaque thickness (3.69±1.12 vs 3.14±1.18, P < 0.05) and IPN (1.74±0.71 vs 0.87±0.63, P < 0.001). IPN score was identified as an independent risk factor for revascularization in patients following PCI, and at the cutoff value of 1.5, its sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for predicting the occurrence of revascularization were 74%, 89%, 69%, and 91%, respectively, with an AUC of 0.848 (95% CI: 0.703-0.905, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CEUS allows noninvasive and semi-quantitative assessment of neovascularization in carotid artery plaques, and IPN detected by CEUS is correlated with the risk of revascularization in patients following PCI.

Search for an Excess of Electron Neutrino Interactions in MicroBooNE Using Multiple Final-State Topologies

We present a measurement of ν_{e} interactions from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber to address the nature of the excess of low energy interactions observed by the MiniBooNE Collaboration. Three independent ν_{e} searches are performed across multiple single electron final states, including an exclusive search for two-body scattering events with a single proton, a semi-inclusive search for pionless events, and a fully inclusive search for events containing all hadronic final states. With differing signal topologies, statistics, backgrounds, reconstruction algorithms, and analysis approaches, the results are found to be either consistent with or modestly lower than the nominal ν_{e} rate expectations from the Booster Neutrino Beam and no excess of ν_{e} events is observed.

First Measurement of Energy-Dependent Inclusive Muon Neutrino Charged-Current Cross Sections on Argon with the MicroBooNE Detector

We report a measurement of the energy-dependent total charged-current cross section σ(E_{ν}) for inclusive muon neutrinos scattering on argon, as well as measurements of flux-averaged differential cross sections as a function of muon energy and hadronic energy transfer (ν). Data corresponding to 5.3×10^{19} protons on target of exposure were collected using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber located in the Fermilab booster neutrino beam with a mean neutrino energy of approximately 0.8 GeV. The mapping between the true neutrino energy E_{ν} and reconstructed neutrino energy E_{ν}^{rec} and between the energy transfer ν and reconstructed hadronic energy E_{had}^{rec} are validated by comparing the data and Monte Carlo (MC) predictions. In particular, the modeling of the missing hadronic energy and its associated uncertainties are verified by a new method that compares the E_{had}^{rec} distributions between data and a MC prediction after constraining the reconstructed muon kinematic distributions, energy, and polar angle to those of data. The success of this validation gives confidence that the missing energy in the MicroBooNE detector is well modeled and underpins first-time measurements of both the total cross section σ(E_{ν}) and the differential cross section dσ/dν on argon.

Search for Neutrino-Induced Neutral-Current Δ Radiative Decay in MicroBooNE and a First Test of the MiniBooNE Low Energy Excess under a Single-Photon Hypothesis

We report results from a search for neutrino-induced neutral current (NC) resonant Δ(1232) baryon production followed by Δ radiative decay, with a ⟨0.8⟩  GeV neutrino beam. Data corresponding to MicroBooNE's first three years of operations (6.80×10^{20} protons on target) are used to select single-photon events with one or zero protons and without charged leptons in the final state (1γ1p and 1γ0p, respectively). The background is constrained via an in situ high-purity measurement of NC π^{0} events, made possible via dedicated 2γ1p and 2γ0p selections. A total of 16 and 153 events are observed for the 1γ1p and 1γ0p selections, respectively, compared to a constrained background prediction of 20.5±3.65(syst) and 145.1±13.8(syst) events. The data lead to a bound on an anomalous enhancement of the normalization of NC Δ radiative decay of less than 2.3 times the predicted nominal rate for this process at the 90% confidence level (C.L.). The measurement disfavors a candidate photon interpretation of the MiniBooNE low-energy excess as a factor of 3.18 times the nominal NC Δ radiative decay rate at the 94.8% C.L., in favor of the nominal prediction, and represents a greater than 50-fold improvement over the world's best limit on single-photon production in NC interactions in the sub-GeV neutrino energy range.

A non-dispersive infrared sensor for real-time detection of cyanogen chloride

Cyanogen chloride, as a systemic toxic agent, can cause death rapidly. In this paper, a non-dispersive infrared sensor was designed for the infrared absorption detection of cyanogen chloride at 800 cm−1. The roughness of the internal coating material was analyzed by experiments, and the gold-plated gas chamber was selected. The light path propagation of different cross-section gas chambers was simulated, and the circular section gas chamber was selected to increase the infrared detector signal. The effect of flow rate on voltage was studied. The standard curve between voltage and concentration was obtained under the optimal condition of 0.4 L min−1. The maximum response time was 19 s, and RSD was less than 2%. The interference experiment results showed that common gases entering the gas chamber do not cause interference. The non-dispersive infrared sensor for cyanogen chloride has good stability and detects cyanogen chloride in real-time.

Search for a Higgs Portal Scalar Decaying to Electron-Positron Pairs in the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a search for the decays of a neutral scalar boson produced by kaons decaying at rest, in the context of the Higgs portal model, using the MicroBooNE detector. We analyze data triggered in time with the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam spill, with an exposure of 1.93×10^{20} protons on target. We look for monoenergetic scalars that come from the direction of the NuMI hadron absorber, at a distance of 100 m from the detector, and decay to electron-positron pairs. We observe one candidate event, with a standard model background prediction of 1.9±0.8. We set an upper limit on the scalar-Higgs mixing angle of θ<(3.3-4.6)×10^{-4} at the 95% confidence level for scalar boson masses in the range (100-200)  MeV/c^{2}. We exclude, at the 95% confidence level, the remaining model parameters required to explain the central value of a possible excess of K_{L}^{0}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] decays reported by the KOTO collaboration. We also provide a model-independent limit on a new boson X produced in K→πX decays and decaying to e^{+}e^{-}.

Conventional transarterial chemoembolization combined with systemic therapy versus systemic therapy alone as second-line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases: randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The combination of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and systemic therapy has the potential to treat chemotherapy-refractory unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). This study aimed to compare survival after this combined treatment versus systemic chemotherapy alone.

METHODS

This single-centre RCT included patients with unresectable CRLMs that progressed after first-line treatment. Patients were randomized on a 1 : 1 basis to either systemic chemotherapy with or without cTACE, without further stratification. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes were overall response rate, disease control rate, conversion rate to liver resection, overall survival, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Of 180 patients recruited, 168 were randomized. Eighty-five patients in arm A received systemic chemotherapy plus cTACE and 83 in arm B received systemic chemotherapy alone. Median PFS was longer in arm A than B (6.7 versus 3.8 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.67, 95 per cent c.i. 0.49 to 0.91; P = 0.009), but did not translate into prolonged median overall survival (18.4 versus 14.8 months; HR = 0.92, 0.62 to 1.36; P = 0.669). Overall response rates (20 versus 22 per cent; P = 0.788) and conversion rate to liver resection (18 versus 16 per cent; P = 0.730) were no different between arms A and B. The disease control rate was higher in arm A than arm B (67 versus 51 per cent; P = 0.030). No adverse event higher than grade 3 according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events was observed during treatment.

CONCLUSION

Systemic chemotherapy plus cTACE is a safe option as second-line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases, with a modest effect on PFS. Registration number: NCT03783559 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Sonographic findings of immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis and differences from Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate ultrasonic features of the major salivary glands in patients with immunoglobulin G₄-related sialadenitis (IgG₄-RS) and to explore the differences between IgG₄-RS and Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHOD

We conducted the study in 150 patients with IgG₄-RS and 100 patients with SS. Ultrasonographic variables of the static images of major salivary glands were analysed. An experienced radiologist scored the confidence rating regarding the presence of the characteristic imaging findings using a five-grade rating system. Ultrasonography scores between IgG₄-RS and SS were compared.

RESULTS

The major salivary glands were significantly larger in patients with IgG₄-RS than in the SS group. The main features of ultrasonography of the salivary glands in IgG₄-RS were various hypoechoic lesions and increased colour Doppler signalling. In contrast, the major salivary glands in SS exhibited hyperechoic lines and/or spots and obscuration of the gland configuration. The scores of the summarized sonographic characteristics also showed statistically significant differences between the IgG₄-RS and SS groups.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed different ultrasonic features of the major salivary glands in patients with IgG₄-RS and SS. The scored sonographic features were helpful in differentiating IgG₄-RS from SS. Consequently, we suggest that ultrasonography of major salivary glands could be a useful imaging procedure in the evaluation of patients suspected of having IgG₄-RS.

Design and Preparation of Magnetism-Driven Intelligent Hydrogel Actuators

Novel kinds of magnetism-driven poly N,N-dimethylacrylamide bilayer intelligent hydrogels with various nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) contents were prepared successfully via one-step insitu free radical polymerization. The bilayer hydrogels possessed high mechanical strength, efficient swelling and steady magnetic response. With the increase of nanofibrillated cellulose content, the crosslinking density of the hydrogels increased, leading to the decrease of swelling rate and increase of mechanical strength and swelling bending degree of hydrogel actuators, respectively. Fe3O4 particles existed tightly on the micropore surfaces of the hydrogels, which built the function base of magnetic response of hydrogel actuators. The addition of Fe3O4 was irrelevant to the variation of crosslinking density. The bilayer structure exhibited high bonding strength. Based on intelligent responsive properties, bilayer hydrogels were designed as soft magnetism-driven actuators, realizing capture and transportation properties and provided material candidates for soft robots.

Designing Carbonized Loofah Sponge Architectures with Plasmonic Cu Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Graphitic Layers for Highly Efficient Solar Vapor Generation

Solar vapor generation represents a promising approach to alleviate water shortage for producing fresh water from undrinkable water resources. Although Cu-based plasmonics have attracted tremendous interest due to efficient light-to-heat conversion, their application faces great challenges in the oxidation resistance of Cu and low evaporation rate. Herein, a hybrid of three-dimensional carbonized loofah sponges and graphene layers encapsulated Cu nanoparticles is successfully synthesized via a facile pyrolysis method. In addition to effective light harvesting, the localized heating effect of stabilized Cu nanoparticles remarkably elevated the surface temperature of Cu@C/CLS to 72 °C, and a vapor generation rate as high as 1.54 kg m^-2 h^-1 with solar thermal efficiency reaching 90.2% under 1 Sun illumination was achieved. A study in the purification of sewage and muddy water with Cu@C/CLS demonstrates a promising perspective in a practical application. These results may offer a new inspiration for the design of efficient nonprecious Cu-based photothermal materials.

Measurement of Conduction and Valence Bands g-Factors in a Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayer

The electron valley and spin degree of freedom in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides can be manipulated in optical and transport measurements performed in magnetic fields. The key parameter for determining the Zeeman splitting, namely, the separate contribution of the electron and hole g factor, is inaccessible in most measurements. Here we present an original method that gives access to the respective contribution of the conduction and valence band to the measured Zeeman splitting. It exploits the optical selection rules of exciton complexes, in particular the ones involving intervalley phonons, avoiding strong renormalization effects that compromise single particle g-factor determination in transport experiments. These studies yield a direct determination of single band g factors. We measure g_{c1}=0.86±0.1, g_{c2}=3.84±0.1 for the bottom (top) conduction bands and g_{v}=6.1±0.1 for the valence band of monolayer WSe_{2}. These measurements are helpful for quantitative interpretation of optical and transport measurements performed in magnetic fields. In addition, the measured g factors are valuable input parameters for optimizing band structure calculations of these 2D materials.