Transition from Flat-Band Localization to Anderson Localization in a One-Dimensional Tasaki Lattice.

We report an extensive experimental investigation on the transition from flat-band localization (FBL) to Anderson localization (AL) in a one-dimensional synthetic lattice in the momentum dimension. By driving multiple Bragg processes between designated momentum states, an effective one-dimensional Tasaki lattice is implemented with highly tunable parameters, including nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor coupling coefficients and onsite energy potentials. With that, a flat-band localization phase is realized and demonstrated via the evolution dynamics of the particle population over different momentum states. The localization effect is undermined when a moderate disorder is introduced to the onsite potential and restored under a strong disorder. We find clear signatures of the FBL-AL transition in the density profile evolution, the inverse participation ratio, and the von Neumann entropy, where good agreement is obtained with theoretical predictions.

[Research progress of Chinese herbal medicine raw materials in cosmetics].

Advocating green, nature, environmental protection, safety and the pursuit of efficacy are the trends of cosmetics in the world. In recent years, more and more Chinese herbal extracts with mild, high safety and small irritation are applied to cosmetics as the natural additives. This has become a new hot spot. The recent application advances of Chinese medicine raw materials in cosmetics are overviewed according to their main functions. This review will provide useful references for the future development and application of Chinese medicinal herbs cosmetics.

[Study on species and valence state of heavy metals and deleterious elements of mineral medicine].

As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), mineral medicine plays an irreplaceable role. However, little has been reported on its species and valence state of heavy metals and deleterious elements, and also the relevance to pharmacological effect and toxicology. The present paper, in a new perspective, summarized the determination of the species and valence state of heavy metals and deleterious elements in recent years, discussed the progress of the pharmacological effect and toxicology, and prospected for future study which might provide reference for mineral medicine.

Can quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography predict cervical tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for predicting and assessing cervical tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). METHODS: Thirty-eight cases with stage IB2 or IIA cervical cancer were studied using CEUS before and after one cycle of NACT. The quantitative CEUS parameters maximum intensity (IMAX), rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), and mean transit time (MTT) were compared between cervical tumors and myometrium (reference zone) using Sonoliver software. Absolute and relative changes in quantitative CEUS parameters were also compared among complete response, partial response, and non-responsive groups. Correlations between pre-treatment IMAX and changes in quantitative parameters were assessed after one cycle of NACT. RESULTS: There were significant changes in cervical tumor IMAX (P<0.001), RT (P<0.05), and TTP (P<0.05) after one cycle of NACT. According to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors guidelines, the enrollments were divided into complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease groups. There were no significant differences in quantitative CEUS parameters among complete response, partial response, and non-responsive groups (P>0.05). In the stable disease group (n=17), cervical tumor IMAX, RT, and TTP decreased significantly after NACT (P<0.001). The absolute and percentage changes in IMAX were positively correlated with pre-treatment IMAX in all 38 patients (r=0.576, P<0.001 and r=0.429, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Quantitative CEUS analysis can reveal changes in tumor perfusion following NACT. Tumor perfusion values changes likely precede size changes during the NACT course, and pre-treatment IMAX may be a valuable predictor of cervical tumor perfusion response to NACT with a great decrease in IMAX correlated with better perfusion response.

[Evaluation of transvaginal ultrasonography-color Doppler energy imaging in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) and color Doppler energy imaging (CDE) have been already applied in ultrasonography diagnosis extensively, but articles about the methods in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation are few. The objective of this study was to evaluate TVS-CDE in surveillance of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation. METHODS: Fifty-four cases of gynecologic malignant tumors after operation, which were doubted as recurrent malignant tumors in clinic, were scanned with transabdominal ultrasonography (TAS), TVS, and TVS-CDE. The results were compared with that of pathology. Then their sensitivity, specificity,and accuracy were calculated, and the accuracy was compared by Chi-square test. RESULTS: Forty-three cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TAS; Forty-six cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TVS,and the positions, sizes, characteristics of the recurrent malignant tumors could be depicted visually. Forty-seven cases were diagnosed as malignant tumors by TVS-CDE; Not only the blood flow characteristics of masses,but also more diagnostic information than TVS were provided. The sensitivity was 81.3%, 91.7%, and 95.9%, respectively; the specificity was 33.3%,66.7%, and 83.3%, respectively; the accuracy was 75.9%, 88.9%, and 94.4%, respectively. Obviously, the accuracy of both TVS and TVS-CDE was higher than that of TAS(P< 0.05), but the accuracy of TVS and TVS-CDE was similar (P >0.05). CONCLUSION: TVS-CDE is helpful in the diagnosis of gynecologic malignant masses. It will be more effective in surveillance of recurrent gynecologic malignant tumors if it combined with CDE.