Photonic hooks from Janus microcylinders.

Recently, a type of curved light beams, photonic hooks (PHs), was theoretically predicted and experimentally observed. The production of photonic hook (PH) is due to the breaking of structural symmetry of a plane-wave illuminated microparticle. Herein, we presented and implemented a new approach of utilizing the symmetry-broken of the microparticles in material composition for the generation of PHs from Janus microcylinders. Finite element method-based numerical simulation and energy flow-represented theoretical analysis were used to investigate the field distribution characteristics and formation mechanism of the PHs. The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the PH (∼0.29λ) is smaller than the FWHM of the photonic nanojet (∼0.35λ) formed from a circular microcylinder with the same geometric radius. By changing the refractive index contrasts between upper and lower half-cylinders or rotating the Janus microcylinder relative to the central axis, the shape profiles of the PHs can be efficiently modulated. The tunability of the PHs through simple stretching or compression operations for the Janus microcylinder constituted by one solid inorganic half-cylinder and the other flexible polymer half-cylinder was studied and discussed as well.

[A Study of Lasing Spectrum of Dye-Doped Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystal Cell under Electric Field].

The lasing spectrum of dye-doped chiral nematic liquid crystal under electric filed was investigated. Two kinds of electrodes were designed to apply transverse electric field to positive liquid crystal cell and longitudinal electric field to negative liquid crystal cell. A 532 nm Nd∶YAG pulsed solid-state laser was used to pump the cell. When transverse electric field is applied to positive liquid crystal device, multi-wavelength laser output is obtained in the range of 630~660 nm. When longitudinal electric field is applied to negative liquid crystal cell, 18.5 nm tunable output lasing is obtained. The output characteristic of cell was analyzed from the texture of device and the photonic band gap. In the positive liquid crystal cell, the competition of electric moment with twisting moment causes the flow of LC molecule, and the flow of LC molecule leads to a floating photonic band gap. For this reason, not only at the edge of photonic band gap but in the photonic band gap can produce lasing. For negative liquid crystal cell, the pitch shrinks with the increase of electric field. The photonic band gap shows blue-shift with the decrease of pitch. and Lasing wavelength is blue shifted from 681.0 to 662.5 nm and the lasing at the edge of photonic band gap. Negative liquid crystal cell has better stability under electric field effect.

Polymorphism analysis of CTLA-4 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To investigate the correlation between cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphism and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A total of 86 children of ALL (23 HR, 54SR) and 112 healthy controls was selected. The genptypes were determined by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR product sequencing. Genotype and alleles frequency of SNP-318, SNP+49 and SNP-CT60 were compares among different groups. The frequency of TC, TT genotype and T allele in ALL children at SNP-318 position were statistically higher than controls. In HR group, the frequency of TC, TT genotype at SNP-318 position was statistically higher than SR group. There was no significantly difference in genotype and allele distribution of SNP+49 position among the HR patients, SR patients and control group. (2) The frequency of GG genotype and G allele in ALL children at SNP-CT60 position were significantly higher than controls. The genotype and allele distribution of SNP-CT60 position between different clinical risk groups were no significantly different. As a result of the increased frequency of TC, TT genotype and T allele at SNP-318, ALL children synthesized more CTLA-4 to deliver the inhibitive signal, and this lead to restraint of T cell activation. Such difference at SNP-318 position was obvious in HR children. The SNP+49 position is probably not the main regulating point in ALL. (2) In SNP-CT60 position, the G allele played the main part. The increase of G allele frequency result in the high expression of CTLA-4. such difference at SNP-318 position was obvious in HR children.

[Challenges and choices: translational acupuncture research spectrum-a proposal].

For more than half a century，the modern bioresearch in acupuncture has made remarkable advancements, proving scientific basis underlying the traditional, intuitive treatment, as well as leading to some new discoveries with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of acupuncture as we know it. Meanwhile, the clinical researches have started to shift its paradigm from traditional individual observation to modern evidence-based medicine. However, there is little interaction between basic and clinic researches, which are like two separate worlds, not benefiting each other. Also the education and training of acupuncture are still traditional style, little combining with modern studies. To bridging the large gap, we need translational science involving in. In this article, with a critical reviews of the limitations of the traditional methods of acupuncture, the challenges faced by clinic practices and placebo-control studies, and the advantages and disadvantages of basic research, we propose a methodological paradigm of the translational research, Translational Acupuncture Research Spectrum, that meets the current situation of acupuncture researches, hoping to give insights into this field and to promote modern acupuncture to move towards a new stage.

Fatigue Property and Small Crack Propagation Mechanism of MIG Welding Joint of 6005A-T6 Aluminum Alloy.

In this study, metal inert gas welding (MIG) was applied to 4 mm thick 6005A-T6 aluminum alloy welding. Compared with other parts, the hardness of the weld zone (WZ) was the lowest, about 67 HV. There was the Softening in WZ, which might make WZ the weakest zone. Then, fatigue tests were carried out on MIG welded joints. All the fatigue specimens fractured at the weld toe of the lap joint, and the fracture was characterized by a cleavage fracture. Crack closure induced by oxide was observed during the steady propagation of the fatigue crack. Impurities hindered crack propagation, changed the direction of crack propagation, and appeared in stepped fatigue strip distribution morphology; in the process of the main crack propagation, the initiation and propagation of small cracks were easily restricted and hindered by the main crack, which slowed down the propagation rate and even stopped the propagation directly.

Increasing phosphorus inhibits the retention and prevention of cadmium by iron plaque and promotes cadmium accumulation in rice plants.

Iron (Fe) plaque is an important component of rice roots because it influences the uptake and transport of cadmium (Cd) in rice. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was developed to investigate the influence of phosphorus (P) on the formation of iron plaque on the root surface as well as the influence on Cd uptake in rice plants. Three important results were obtained, as follows. (1) During the formation of iron plaque induced by exogenous Fe, P supply was beneficial for the iron plaque formation, but it restrained the Cd retention capability, resulting in a decrease in Cd in iron plaque by 35.48-61.93%, and leading to an increase in Cd in rice roots from 72.13 mg kg-1 to 112.78 mg kg-1 (2) After the iron plaque induction, the formation of iron plaque was inhibited by P supply, resulting in the amount of iron plaque decreasing by 18.46-54.57%, and the Cd in iron plaque decreased by 3.93-31.78%. Then, the Cd retention capability and the prevention effect simultaneously decreased, and as a result, the Cd in rice roots increased from 100.83 mg kg-1 to 146.03 mg kg-1 (3) Without exogenous Fe induction, P sufficiency continued to increase the amount of iron plaque and decrease the Cd in iron plaque, and increase the Cd in rice plants. These results suggested that P supply increases the amount of iron plaque, which is ineffective for Cd retention, such as non-reddish-brown iron plaque (NIP), and then decreases the capacity of iron plaque to retain Cd. Additionally, the P supply decreased the amount of formed iron plaque, causing the decreasing prevention effect. Therefore, excessive application of P fertilizer should be avoided in Cd-contaminated paddy fields.

Microstructure, Fatigue Properties and Stress Concentration Analysis of 6005 Aluminum Alloy MIG Welded Lap Joint.

This paper studies the microstructure and mechanical properties of MIG (Melt Inert Gas) lap welded 6005 aluminum alloy plates. Microstructure analysis (OM) of the joint showed that 15~30 µm small grains were observed at the fusion line. Mechanical analysis shows that the small grains are broken by shielding gas and molten pool flow force. Hardness test shows that there is a softening zone (41~43 HV) in HAZ much lower than BM and WZ. The low cycle fatigue test showed that the performance of lap joint decreased sharply, and the fatigue strength of weld decreased significantly, which was only 27.34% of the base metal. The fatigue fracture (SEM) of the weld observed slip band cracking and a large number of brittle fracture characteristics. Using the stress concentration factor Kt for analysis, it was found that the cause of brittle fracture was mostly stress concentration. Lap joint stress concentration model appears in two ways: firstly, at the weld toe, the weld is subjected to eccentric force, secondly, there is a small gap between the two plates at the weld root, which cracks along the direction of 45° of the maximum shear stress.

Effects of JZTX-V on the wild type Kv4.3 Expressed in HEK293T and Molecular Determinants in the Voltage-sensing Domains of Kv4.3 Interacting with JZTX-V.

JZTX-V is a toxin isolated from the venom of the Chinese spider Chilobrachys jingzhao. Previous studies had shown that JZTX-V could inhibit the transient outward potassium current of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes but had no effects on Kv1.2-1.4. However, the underlying action mechanism of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 remains unclear. In our study, JZTX-V could inhibit not only transient outward potassium currents evoked in small-sized DRG neurons but also Kv4.3-encoded currents expressed in HEK293T cells in the concentration and voltage dependence. The half maximal inhibitory concentration of JZTX-V on Kv4.3 was 9.6 ± 1.2 nM. In addition, the time course for JZTX-V inhibition and release of inhibition after washout were 15.8 ± 1.54 s and 58.8 ± 4.35 s. Electrophysiological assays indicated that 25 nM JZTX-V could shift significantly the voltage dependence of steady-state activation and steady-state inactivation to depolarization. Meanwhile, 25 nM JZTX-V decreased markedly the time constant of activation and inactivation but had no effect on the time constant of recovery from inactivation. To study the molecular determinants of Kv4.3, we performed alanine scanning on a conserved motif of Kv4.3 and assayed the affinity between mutants and JZTX-V. The results not only showed that I273, L275, V283, and F287 were molecular determinants in the conserved motif of Kv4.3 for interacting with JZTX-V but also speculated the underlying action mechanism that the hydrophobic interaction and steric effects played key roles in the binding of JZTX-V with Kv4.3. In summary, our studies have laid a scientific theoretical foundation for further research on the interaction mechanism between JZTX-V and Kv4.3.

[The significance of "A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal-adrenal axis" published in Nature for acupuncture research].

October 2021, Nature published an original research article entitled A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal-adrenal axis, which draws great attention and arouses extensive discussion in the acupuncture field. Based on previous findings, this study demonstrates that the abundant innervation of PROKR2-Cre neurons in deep fascia tissues mediates the anti-inflammatory effect induced by low-intensity electroacupuncture stimulation at "Zusanli"（ST36） or "Shousanli"(LI10) via the "vagal-adrenal axis". This study is one of milestones in the field of acupuncture basic research and represents a great achievement generated by multi-discipline integration of acupuncture and neuro-immunology. It reveals partial contributing factors involved in acupuncture's effect and the relative specificity of the neuroanatomical basis of acupoints in the context of immune modulation. This study is both very informative and instructive for the innovation and clinical translation of future acupuncture research. Acupuncture researchers are recommended to attach great importance to this study in terms of its research strategy,methods and findings.

Microstructure and Fatigue Damage of 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting (SLM).

In this paper, 316L stainless steel powder was processed and formed by selective laser melting (SLM). The microstructure of the sample was studied using an optical microscope, and the fatigue failure of the sample and the characteristics of crack initiation and propagation were analyzed, providing a research basis for the application of SLM-316L. Due to the influence of microstructure and SLM process defects, the fatigue cracks of SLM-316L mainly emerged due to defects such as lack of fusion and pores, while the cracks of rolled 316L initiated at the inclusions near the surface of the specimen. After fatigue microcrack initiation of the SLM-316L specimen, due to the existence of shear stress and tear stress, the crack tip was passivated and Z-shaped propagation was formed. The existence of internal defects in SLM-316L made the microcrack initiation random and diverse. At the same time, the existence of defects affected the crack propagation in the form of bending, bifurcation and bridge, which made the main crack propagation deviate from the maximum load direction.

[Discussion on Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for chronic stable angina: a randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Internal Medicine].

Professor LIANG Fan-rong's team from Chengdu University of TCM published Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for chronic stable angina: a randomized clinical trial in JAMA Internal Medicine on July 29, 2019, which demonstrates that acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy is safety and effective for mild and moderate chronic stable angina. Sixteen experts at home and abroad conducted serious discussions on the research design, evaluation methods, principles and mechanisms, clinical significance and enlightenment of future acupuncture research, and provided practical suggestions for acupuncture and moxibustion to go global and gain international recognition.

A genetic epidemiologic study of social support in a Chinese sample.

Accumulated evidence suggests that social support is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. However, there are little data that examine this issue from Asian samples. We reported results from a preliminary study that examined familial effects on social support in a Chinese adult twin sample. We administered a 10-item social support instrument that measures three dimensions of social support (i.e., objective support, subjective support, and utilization of support) developed for the Chinese population. Two hundred forty-two same-sex twin pairs, where both members of the pair completed the personal interview, were included in the final analysis. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate additive genetic (A), shared environmental (C), and nonshared environmental (E) effects on each dimension of social support. Familial factors (A+C) explained 56.63% [95% CI = 45.48-65.72%] and 42.42% [95% CI = 29.93-53.25%] of the total phenotypic variances of subjective support and utilization of support, respectively. For the objective support, genetic effects did not exist, but common environmental effect explained 37.56% [95% CI = 26.17-48.28%] of the total phenotypic variances. Neither gender nor age effects were seen on any dimension of social support. Except for objective support, genetic factors probably influence variation in subjective support and utilization of support. Shared environmental factors may influence all dimensions of social support.

[Spectral studies on liquid crystal photoalignment film of photosensitive monomer with fluorinated groups].

2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4-hexafluoro-1,5-pentanediol dicinnamate ester, which could be crosslinked under irradiation of linearly polarized ultraviolet light, was synthesized in the present work. UV-Visible spectra and FTIR spectra revealed that [2+2] cycloaddition was the main reaction of the monomer, but there was no clear morphological anisotropy on the surface of the obtained photoalignment film through atomic force microscopic analysis. The photoalignment film could induce homogenous alignment of liquid crystal and the alignment is uniform. It was found that the pretilt angle of the photoalignment film is 1 degrees-2 degrees.

[Progresses of studies on disease factors influencing the therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on bronchial asthma].

The authors preliminarily analyze and compare influence of different stages of attack and remission, different syndrome types, and age of the patient, duration of illness, state of illness on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of bronchial asthma by analysis and summarization of 381 clinical papers about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of bronchial asthma. It is found that most studies hold that acupuncture has better therapeutic effect on asthma at acute stage, and moxibustion has a better effect at the remission stage. Acupuncture and moxibustion have a better effect on cold asthma than hot asthma, and the shorter the course of disease and the younger, the better the effect, conversely, the effect is worse. Mild asthma is the main indication of acupuncture and moxibustion, but considerable more clinical studies show that above factors have no obvious influence on the therapeutic effect, even show contrary to this result. It is indicated that in the studies from now on, only strictly design and fully consider the effects of various factors, can scientifically reveal various disease factors influencing therapeutic effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on bronchial asthma, and expound the indications of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods for treatment of bronchial asthma.

[Comparison between western trigger point of acupuncture and traditional acupoints].

Trigger point theory as the soul of western acupuncture is very similar to acupoint theory of traditional acupuncture and moxibustion science. After comparison, it is found that over 92% of trigger points (235/255) is corresponding to acupoints in anatomy, and the local pain treated by 79.5% acupoints are similar to corresponding myofascial trigger point. Both of them can induce similar linear propagation of needling response, with complete uniform or basically complete uniform of 76%, and a part uniform of 14%; next, both of them can treat symptoms of internal organs such as diarrhea, constipation, dysmenorrhea, etc. Therefore, they are very similar in anatomic location, clinical indications, and the linear propagation of needling response induced by acupuncture, etc.