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Background The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19) caused psychological stress in Chinese adults population. But we are unaware of whether the pandemic causes psychological stress on children. Methods We used the Children’s Impact of Event Scale questionnaire (CRIES-13) to investigate the degree of Post-traumatic Stress (PTSD) symptoms caused by the pandemic in students selected from schools in Sichuan, Jiangsu, Henan, Yunnan, and Chongqing provinces of China. Results A total of 7769 students(3692 male and 4077 female), aged 8–18 years, were enrolled in the study, comprising 1214 in primary schools, 2799 in junior high schools and 3756 in senior high schools. A total of 1639 students (21.1%) had severe psychological stress reactions. A large proportion of senior high school students (23.3%) experienced severe psychological stress, and they had the highest median total CRIES-13 score. Female students were more likely to experience severe psychological stress and had higher median CRIES-13 total scores than males. Conclusion COVID-19 has placed psychological stresses on primary and secondary school students in China. These stresses are more likely to reach severe levels among female students and senior high school students.

Based on the surface elasticity theory established by Gurtin and Murdoch, one-dimensional (1D) multi-field coupling model incorporating surface effects for piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) nanostructures is developed, in which the surface effect is treated as a non-classical mechanical boundary condition. With the derived equations, we conduct a theoretical analysis of static bending and free vibration of a simply supported n-type PS beam with open-circuit and electrically isolated boundary conditions at two ends. Numerical results show that the surface effect can stiffen the PS beam, and thus enhance its natural frequencies. Due to the influence of surface effects, the physical quantities such as the effective rigidity and natural frequencies of the PS beam exhibit a considerably significant size-dependent property when the radius R of the PS beam’s cross-section is smaller than 400 nm. For the free vibration of the PS beam, the motion of electrons causes a damping effect. Both the surface effect and initial concentration of electrons have an effect on the quasi-damping ratio of the PS beam. The surface effect tends to enhance the damping effect.

We study theoretically the electromechanical response of a thin unimorph consisting of a piezoelectric dielectric layer and a nonpiezoelectric semiconductor layer in coupled extension and bending u...

We study the torsion of a composite rod of a nonpiezoelectric semiconductor core coated within a piezoelectric dielectric shell. A one-dimensional model is established using the macroscopic theory ...

Interface engineering by local polarization using piezoelectric1–4, pyroelectric5,6 and ferroelectric7–9 effects has attracted considerable attention as a promising approach for tunable electronics/optoelectronics, human–machine interfacing and artificial intelligence. However, this approach has mainly been applied to non-centrosymmetric semiconductors, such as wurtzite-structured ZnO and GaN, limiting its practical applications. Here we demonstrate an electronic regulation mechanism, the flexoelectronics, which is applicable to any semiconductor type, expanding flexoelectricity10–13 to conventional semiconductors such as Si, Ge and GaAs. The inner-crystal polarization potential generated by the flexoelectric field serving as a ‘gate’ can be used to modulate the metal–semiconductor interface Schottky barrier and further tune charge-carrier transport. We observe a giant flexoelectronic effect in bulk centrosymmetric semiconductors of Si, TiO2 and Nb–SrTiO3 with high strain sensitivity (>2,650), largely outperforming state-of-the-art Si-nanowire strain sensors and even piezoresistive, piezoelectric and ferroelectric nanodevices14. The effect can be used to mechanically switch the electronics in the nanoscale with fast response (

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and very late appearing antigen-4 (VLA-4) cytokines in MM (multiple Myeloma). Method: Forty patients with MM are selected as the experimental group and 30 healthy persons as the control group. Flow cytometry is used to detect the expression of VCAM-1 (CD106), VLA-4 (CD49d), CD38 and CD138 antigens in experimental group and control group. ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is used to detect the concentration of VCAM-1 in serum of experimental group and control group. RT-PCR is used to detect the expression of VCAM-1. Results: The positive rate and antigen expression rate of VACM-1 antigen in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P

Background: Both soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are promising biomarkers associated with the adverse clinical outcomes of dialysis patients. Our research aims at exploring and comparing the roles of sST2 and NT-proBNP in predicting the short-term and long-term mortality of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed. Patients undergoing hemodialysis in July 2014 were enrolled from the Blood Purification Center of Ruijin Hospital. MHD patients were followed up for 3 years. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at the 1-year and 3-year follow-up, while the secondary outcome was cardiovascular mortality. Serum sST2 level was detected by quantified ELISA kits. Clinical data were analyzed by SPSS 23.0 version. Results: 205 patients were recruited. The median sST2 level was 15.99 (11.60, 20.49) ng/ml. After 3 years of follow-up, both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 1 year and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in 3 years increased significantly with serum sST2. For short-term mortality, no significant difference was observed in patients with increasing NT-proBNP levels. Cox regression analysis indicated that only sST2 was independent in predicting the risk of short-term outcomes. For long-term mortality, both sST2 and NT-proBNP were independent risk factors, while a higher hazard ratio was observed for NT-proBNP. Conclusions: Serum sST2 is a novel biomarker associated with adverse clinical outcomes in MHD patients. It was significant for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in MHD patients and may provide better prognostic value in short-term prognosis than the classic biomarker NT-proBNP.

We study the electrical response of a multiferroic composite semiconductor fiber consisting of a piezoelectric semiconductor layer and two piezomagnetic layers under a transverse magnetic field applied locally to a finite part of the fiber. The phenomenological theory of piezomagnetic-piezoelectric semiconductors is employed. A one-dimensional model is derived for magnetically induced extension of the fiber. For open-circuit boundary conditions at the two ends of the fiber, an analytical solution is obtained from the model linearized for small carrier perturbations. The solution shows a local electric polarization and a pair of local electric potential barrier-well. When the two ends of the fiber are under a voltage, a nonlinear numerical solution shows that the potential barrier and well forbid the passage of currents when the voltage is low. The results have potential applications in piezotronic devices when magnetic fields are involved for manipulating the devices or sensing and transduction.

We examine the effects of a uniform temperature change on PN junctions in piezoelectric semiconductor fibers. A one-dimensional model for thermally induced extensional deformation of the fibers derived previously from the macroscopic theory of thermopiezoelectric semiconductors is employed. With the linearized model, we present the analytical expressions of the built-in potential, carrier distribution, electric field, and polarization field in piezoelectric semiconductor PN junctions. A combined analytical and numerical analysis is performed on the built-in electromechanical fields in the junctions and their current–voltage relations. Numerical results show that homogeneous junctions have relatively good temperature stability, but heterogeneous junctions are sensitive to a temperature change that may be explored for thermally manipulating piezotronic devices. The difference between the temperature behaviors of the two types of junctions is determined to be due to the net amount of effective polarization charges at the junctions through pyroelectric and combined thermoelastic-piezoelectric couplings.

Surgical site infection (SSI) in spine surgery remains a significant cause of morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. We intended to document our experience in our center and to highlight possible factors influencing SSI in posterior lumbar fusion surgery.Between June 2015 and March 2017, 448 consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent classic open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion were enrolled in the study. We divided the patients into the SSI group and the non-SSI group and compared their patient-specific and procedure-specific factors. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors.There was a significant difference between groups in age (P = 0.001), body mass index (P0.001), subcutaneous fat thickness (P0.001), preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (P0.001), postoperative hemoglobin (P = 0.003), preoperative serum albumin (P0.001), operative time (P0.001), operated levels (P0.001), postoperative drainage (P = 0.004), time of draining (P0.001) and late-presenting dural tear (P = 0.008). Logistic regression analysis of these differences showed that thicker subcutaneous fat thickness, higher preoperative ASA score, lower preoperative serum albumin, and longer time of draining were significantly related to SSI (P0.05).The risk factors for SSI after lumbar fusion surgery are multifactorial. These data should provide a step toward the development of quality improvement measures aimed at reducing complications in high-risk patients. These factors may prove useful for patient counseling and for surgical planning.

Background Dietary patterns and symptoms research among Chinese with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its precursor lesions is limited, especially as it relates to multiple food consumption and multiple co-occurring symptoms. The aim of our study was to identify the dietary patterns and severity of symptom classes with the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its histological precursor lesions, and develop a risk prediction model for different stages of esophageal disease. Methods We analyzed data from a multicenter cross-sectional study carried out in ESCC high incidence areas between 2017 and 2018, which included 34,707 individuals aged 40–69 years. Dietary patterns and severity of symptom classes were derived by applying a latent class analysis (LCA). A multiple logistic regression model was used to derive the odds ratio (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ESCC and the different stages of esophageal disease according to the dietary patterns and severity of symptom classes identified. We built the risk prediction model by using a nomogram. Results We identified five dietary patterns and three severity of symptom classes. The dietary patterns were classified as follows: “Healthy”, “Western”, “Lower consumers-combination”, “Medium consumers-combination” and “Higher consumers-combination” patterns based on the intake of foods such as red meat, vegetables and fruits. The severity of symptoms was categorized into “Asymptomatic”, “Mild symptoms” and “Overt symptoms” classes based on health-related symptoms reported by the participants. Compared to the “Healthy” pattern, the other four patterns were all associated with an increased risk of esophageal disease. Similarly, the other two symptom classes present different degrees of increased risk of esophageal disease compared to the “Asymptomatic”. The nomograms reflect the good predictive ability of the model. Conclusion Among individuals aged 40–69 years in high incidence regions of upper gastrointestinal cancer, the results supplied that subjects with diets rich in livestock and poultry meat and low in fruits and vegetables and subjects with typical symptoms were at increased ESCC risk. The findings highlight the importance of considering food and symptom combinations in cancer risk evaluation.

Background Despite research efforts, the causative factors that contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in high-risk areas have not yet been understood. In this study, we, therefore, aimed to describe the risk factors associated with ESCC and its precursor lesions. Methods We performed an endoscopic examination of 44,857 individuals aged 40–69 years from five high incidence regions of China in 2017–2018. Participants were classified as 4 groups of normal control, esophagitis, low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HGIN/ESCC) using an unconditional logistic regression determine risk factors. Results We identified 4890 esophagitis, 1874 LGIN and 437 HGIN/ESCC cases. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Drinking well and surface water, salty diet, and positive family history of cancer were the common risk factors for esophagitis, LGIN and HGIN/ESCC. History of chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis was the greatest risk factor of esophagitis (adjusted OR 2.96, 95%CI 2.52–3.47) and HGIN/ESCC (adjusted OR 1.91, 95%CI 1.03–3.22). Pesticide exposure (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.37) was essential risk factor of LGIN. Conclusions Among individuals aged 40–69 years in high incidence regions of upper gastrointestinal cancer, the results provided important epidemiological evidence for the prevention of different precancerous lesions of ESCC.

Background COVID-19 has spread widely worldwide, causing millions of deaths. We aim to explore the association of immunological features with COVID-19 severity. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate mean difference (MD) of immune cells and cytokines levels with COVID-19 severity in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and the grey literature. Results A total of 21 studies with 2033 COVID-19 patients were included. Compared with mild cases, severe cases showed significantly lower levels of immune cells including CD3+ T cell (× 106, MD, − 413.87; 95%CI, − 611.39 to − 216.34), CD4+ T cell (× 106, MD, − 203.56; 95%CI, − 277.94 to − 129.18), CD8+ T cell (× 106, MD, − 128.88; 95%CI, − 163.97 to − 93.79), B cell (× 106/L; MD, − 23.87; 95%CI, − 43.97 to − 3.78) and NK cell (× 106/L; MD, − 57.12; 95%CI, − 81.18 to − 33.06), and significantly higher levels of cytokines including TNF-α (pg/ml; MD, 0.34; 95%CI, 0.09 to 0.59), IL-5 (pg/ml; MD, 14.2; 95%CI, 3.99 to 24.4), IL-6 (pg/ml; MD, 13.07; 95%CI, 9.80 to 16.35), and IL-10 (pg/ml; MD, 2.04; 95%CI, 1.32 to 2.75), and significantly higher levels of chemokines as MCP-1 (SMD, 3.41; 95%CI, 2.42 to 4.40), IP-10 (SMD, 2.82; 95%CI, 1.20 to 4.45) and eotaxin (SMD, 1.55; 95%CI, 0.05 to 3.05). However, no significant difference was found in other indicators such as Treg cell (× 106, MD, − 0.13; 95%CI, − 1.40 to 1.14), CD4+/CD8+ ratio (MD, 0.26; 95%CI, − 0.02 to 0.55), IFN-γ (pg/ml; MD, 0.26; 95%CI, − 0.05 to 0.56), IL-2 (pg/ml; MD, 0.05; 95%CI, − 0.49 to 0.60), IL-4 (pg/ml; MD, − 0.03; 95%CI, − 0.68 to 0.62), GM-CSF (SMD, 0.44; 95%CI, − 0.46 to 1.35), and RANTES (SMD, 0.94; 95%CI, − 2.88 to 4.75). Conclusion Our meta-analysis revealed significantly lower levels of immune cells (CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, B and NK cells), higher levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10) and higher levels of chemokines (MCP-1, IP-10 and eotaxin) in severe cases in comparison to mild cases of COVID-19. Measurement of immunological features could help assess disease severity for effective triage of COVID-19 patients.

Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) was previously thought to have a worse prognosis than differentiated gastric carcinoma (DC). However, recent studies have shown that its prognosis is related to staging. Here, we analyzed the clinicopathological features and the rate of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in 2166 patients with gastric cancer (605 early and 1561 advanced cases) who underwent gastrectomy and lymph node dissection (D2) from 2016 to 2019. The LNM rate for early and advanced cases was 18.0% and 74.2%, respectively. Regarding early cases, the LNM rate in SRCC was similar to that in DC (10% vs. 16.1%, p=0.224), and significantly lower than that in undifferentiated carcinoma (UDC; 10% vs. 23.3%, p=0.024). Tumor size, infiltration depth, pathological type, and mixed type were risk factors for LNM in early cases. Regarding intramucosal cases, the LNM rate in SRCC was similar to that in DC (4.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.852), and significantly lower than that in UDC (11.2%). The LNM rate was significantly higher in submucosal than intramucosal cases (28.1% vs. 6.3%, pvs. 12.4%, pvs. 7.2%, p=0.641), but significantly lower than that in UDC (9.3% vs. 24.7%, p=0.039). In summary, the LNM rate in early SRCC was similar to that in early DC but significantly lower than that in early UDC. Early SRCC fits with the endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) indication related to undifferentiated cases, and ESD may be effective. Additionally, the LNM rate was markedly higher for submucosal cases than intramucosal cases, and for mixed cases than pure cases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and miscarriages in women who required assisted reproductive technology (ART) for conception.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using a 10-year (2006–2015) sample of 14,994 pregnancy cycles with ART treatment in Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Xi’an, China. The effects of women’s BMI before pregnancy on early miscarriage and miscarriage were assessed using generalized estimating equation models.ResultsThe risks of early miscarriage and miscarriage were higher in the obese group than in the normal weight group [early miscarriage: relative risk (RR) = 1.36, confidence interval (CI): 1.12–1.65; miscarriage: RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17–1.68]. Pre-pregnancy underweight was not associated with an increased risk of early miscarriage or miscarriage. We observed interactions between pre-pregnancy BMI and singleton or twin pregnancy in early miscarriage and miscarriage (P = 0.017 and P = 0.003, respectively). Twin pregnancy increased the effects of pre-pregnancy BMI on early miscarriage and miscarriage (early miscarriage: a. singleton pregnancy: RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04; b. twin pregnancy: RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.13; miscarriage: a. singleton pregnancy: RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04; b. twin pregnancy: RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05–1.13).ConclusionsPre-pregnancy obesity was associated with higher risks of early miscarriage and miscarriage in the ART population, and twin pregnancy increased the effects of pre-pregnancy BMI on early miscarriage and miscarriage. Women should maintain a normal BMI before ART initiation to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Youshi Meng,1,2,* Chunli Zhang,1,2,* Lucong Liang,1,2,* Lei Wei,1,2 Hao Wang,1,2 Fengkun Zhou,1,2 Rongjie Li,1,2 Donghua Zou,1,2 Xiaohua Huang,3 Jie Liu4 1Department of Neurology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530022, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, Guangxi, 530022, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cardiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530022, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiaohua HuangDepartment of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi, 533000, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail newxiaohua66@163.comJie LiuDepartment of Cardiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530022, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +867712636189Email gxnnliujie@163.comPurpose: Carotid atherosclerosis is a kind of systemic atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries. However, the efficiency of treatment is insufficient. Therefore, it is urgent to find therapeutic targets and deepen the understanding of carotid atherosclerosis.Materials and Methods: In this study, we analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between atheroma plaque and macroscopically intact tissue (control samples). Furthermore, we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis based on the DEGs. Four methods were used to identify the hub genes in the protein–protein interaction networks of the DEGs. Furthermore, we also performed network module analysis to reveal carotid atherosclerosis-related gene modules and biological functions.Results: The enrichment results showed that the biological functions were related to inflammation, immunity, chemokine and cell adhesion molecule, such as PIK-Akt signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and B cell receptor signaling pathway. In addition, we screened the hub genes. A total of 16 up-regulated genes (C3AR1, CCR1, CCR2, CD33, CD53, CXCL10, CXCL8, CXCR4, CYBB, FCER1G, FPR2, ITGAL, ITGAM, ITGAX, ITGB2, and LILRB2) were identified as hub genes. A total of 5 gene modules were obtained. We found that biological functions obtained for each cluster were mostly related to immunity, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules.Conclusion: The present study identified key DEGs in atheroma plaque compared with control samples. The key genes involved in the development of carotid atherosclerosis may provide valuable therapeutic targets for carotid atherosclerosis.Keywords: identification of key genes, carotid atherosclerosis, cluster analysis

We study the effects of a uniform temperature change on the electromechanical fields associated with the extensional deformation of a piezoelectric semiconductor fiber. The macroscopic theory of thermo-piezoelectric semiconductors is used. Based on the three-dimensional equations, we develop a one-dimensional model for thin piezoelectric semiconductor fibers incorporating thermoelasticity, piezoelectricity, and pyroelectricity. Through a theoretical analysis, it is shown that under a temperature change the carriers in the fiber redistribute themselves under the electric field produced through thermoelastic, pyroelectric and piezoelectric effects. This phenomenon of thermally induced redistribution of charge carriers may be called thermo-piezotronic effect. It suggests the possibility of sensing or transduction between a temperature change and electric currents.

Background and aim: Paclitaxel (PTX) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) has become the standard chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer (GC). Apatinib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, improves outcomes in GC patients as a third-line treatment. However, its impact on the chemosensitivity of GC remains to be determined. Hence, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with chemotherapy in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The MGC803 cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, and the interactions between apatinib and conventional cytotoxic agents revealed by combination index values were calculated using Calcusyn 2.0 software. We also used a zebrafish embryo xenograft model to validate the synergistic interactions. Furthermore, 4 patients with late-stage GC were enrolled to explore the efficacy and safety of PTX/Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium (S1) (PS) chemotherapy plus apatinib in conversion surgery. Results: Apatinib showed synergistic interactions with both PTX and 5-Fu in vivo. The zebrafish embryo xenograft model also demonstrated that apatinib significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of PTX and 5-Fu. Apatinib plus PS chemotherapy was well tolerated before surgery. Objective response to preoperative SPA treatment was achieved in all 4 patients. No postoperative bleeding events or wound-healing complications were observed. No postperative morbidity occurred and no morbidity was encountered. Pathological examination showed that all patients had grade Ib pathological response. Conclusion: The experimental data suggested that apatinib improves the efficacy of PTX and 5-Fu both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical evidence showed that a combination of PS chemotherapy with apatinib may be an efficient and acceptable safety treatment for late-stage GC, especially in conversion surgery.

如今新兴的智能化时代比以往任何时候都更需要性能优越的材料和结构来设计更灵活、更主动、更自动化的机器和系统,以应对越来越复杂的环境。本实验室力图探求智能材料与结构在实验或计算中观测到的力学现象(如自由振动、波传播以及结构失稳等)或是多场耦合行为背后的机理,从而为先进功能设备、机械以及机器人的创新发展提供参考。最终,开发具有卓越性能的新型智能多功能器件,以满足各种实验室、工业甚至社会应用的特殊或一般要求。 1. 智能结构的振动与失稳分析;2. 软材料的设计与制备;3. 声子晶体和超材料中弹性波的调控;4. 智能材料和结构中的多场耦合行为分析;5. 压电、多铁性以及压电电子学器件的研发;6. 多轴力/力矩智能传感器的设计。 虽然对智能材料和结构的研究已有近40 年的历史,且其在许多现代技术和工程领域中已有了成功的应用,但是即将到来的智能化时代对“智能力学”的需求将是无穷无尽的。如果说传感器和驱动器是智能化时代的基础,那么智能材料和结构就是这些基本设备的核心。新型多功能材料的开发显然为智能材料和结构力学带来了新的生机和活力。此外,拓扑物理学等新的科学概念也将为智能材料和结构的研究开辟新的方向。本实验室将继续为基础科学、技术发展以及智能材料和结构的实际应用做出贡献。

Piezoelectric semiconductors (PSs), possessing the characteristic of deformation-polarization-carrier multi-field coupling, have been widely used in energy harvesters, field-effect transistors, and other intelligent devices. It is very important to investigate the effect of the polarization field only induced by flexoelectricity on piezotronic behaviors of PS nanostructures. We propose a sandwich-type PS composite beam with bending deformation, and develop the one-dimensional model for PS composite beams with flexoelectricity. Through introducing the average electric field in the thickness, we can get rid of the contribution from piezoelectricity to the total induced polarization, as a result, the individual effect of flexoelectricity on the macroscopic multi-field coupling behaviors of the bending composite beam can be evaluated.

Terahertz electromagnetic waves have many important applications in the fields of material characterization, optical scanning imaging, security, biomedicine and communication. However, the research on terahertz elastic waves is quite limited. Based on the classical Love’s rod theory, we develop the one-dimensional theory for piezoelectric semiconductor rod by taking the lateral inertial effect into account. Using the derived model, we conduct an analysis of elastic longitudinal wave propagating in an in infinite piezoelectric semiconductor rod at terahertz frequencies, and investigate the effect of the rod’s radius and the initial electron concentration on phase speed and group speed. The numerical results show that within the terahertz region (THz) the lateral inertial effect plays a dominant role in wave propagation properties.

Background The relationship between malnutrition-inflammation-atherosclerosis syndrome (MIAS) and self-management ability has not been previously revealed even though both play an important role in the management of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods In total, 93 patients were enrolled in this study. A self-management questionnaire was used for the evaluation of self-management ability. The identification of MIAS was based on one or more of the following three conditions: C-reactive protein (CRP)≥10 mg/L, malnutrition–inflammation score (MIS)> 7, and the presence of atherosclerosis-related medical records. The possible association between different self-management abilities and MIAS was analyzed with a Spearman correlation analysis. Results There were 40 (43.0%) patients in the atherosclerosis group, and 38 (40.9%), 38 (40.9%), 10 (10.8%), and 7 (7.5%) patients in the MIAS0, MIAS1, MIAS2, and MIAS3 groups, respectively. The group with a score above the mean score of the Dialysis Effect Evaluation and Monitoring dimension had a fewer number of hospitalizations, higher albumin levels, lower MIS scores, a lower level of IL-6, and a lower number of MIAS factors. The Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses also revealed that this dimension was negatively correlated with the MIAS, MIS, IL-6, BNP, number of hospitalizations, and age and positively associated with albumin and prealbumin. Conclusion The Dialysis Effect Evaluation and Monitoring dimension of the self-management scale for PD patients is closely linked to the MIAS, and a better dialysis effect evaluation and monitoring capacity results in a decreased likelihood of exposure to malnutrition and inflammation. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000035525 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=58110), registered August 13, 2020.

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.

Objectives: As of June 1, 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic and resulted in over 370,000 deaths worldwide. Early identification of COVID-19 patients who need to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) helps to improve the outcomes. We aim to investigate whether absolute eosinophil count (AEC) can predict ICU transfer among elderly COVID-19 patients from general isolation wards.Methods: A retrospective study of 94 elderly patients older than 60 years old with COVID-19 was conducted. We compared the basic clinical characteristics and levels of inflammation markers on admission to general isolation wards and the needs for ICU transfer between the eosinopenia (AEC on admission

Background Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare kidney disease caused by APOE mutations. The aim of this study was to correlate the genetic and clinical features of LPG. Methods Totally eight LPG patients were recruited in this study and Sanger sequencing of APOE was performed for all available family members. Clinical and histological features were analyzed. A literature review of LPG was also conducted. Results Genetic analysis revealed five patients with APOE‐Kyoto, two with APOE‐Osaka/Kurashiki, and one with APOE‐Chicago mutations. LPG patients with urine protein reduced more than 50% had a slower decrease in renal function than those with less urine protein reduction (estimated glomerular filtration rate reduction rate −5.0 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.7 ml/min per 1.73 m2⋅month−1, p = .03). We then enrolled 95 LPG patients from previous studies and this study. LPG patients had higher blood pressure (mean arterial pressure: 109.4 ± 19.4 vs. 94.4 ± 11.1 mmHg, p, For the first time APOE‐Osaka/Kurashiki and APOE‐Chicago mutations reported in Chinese; Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) patients with urine protein remission had slower renal function decrease; LPG was associated with higher blood pressure; Serum apoE levels were higher in patients with low‐density lipoprotein receptor binding region mutations of APOE

Highly infiltrative and invasive glioma cells obscure the boundary between tumor and normal brain tissue, making it extremely difficult to precisely diagnose and completely remove. The combination of multimodal imaging with effective treatments to diagnose precisely and guide surgery and therapy accurately is desperately needed for glioma in the brain. Here, we report a biomimetic catalase-integrated-albumin phototheranostic nanoprobe (ICG/AuNR@BCNP) to realize multimodal imaging, amplify phototherapy, and guide surgery for glioma after penetrating the blood-brain barrier, accumulating into deep-seated glioma via albumin-binding protein mediated transportation. The phototheranostic nanoprobe enabled fluorescence, photoacoustic, and infrared thermal imaging with desirable detecting depth and high signal-to-background ratio for clearly differentiating brain tumors from surrounding tissues. Meanwhile, the nanoprobe could effectively induce local hyperthermia and promote the level of singlet oxygen based on alleviated hypoxic glioma microenvironment by decomposing endogenous hydrogen peroxide to oxygen to amplify phototherapy. Thus, significant inhibition of glioma growth, extended survival time, alleviated tumor hypoxia, improved apoptosis, and antiangiogenesis effects were exhibited in several animal models including the periphery and the brain through intravenous or intratumoral injection, meanwhile with low toxicity to normal tissue. The phototherapy was also guided by the assistance of external bioluminescence, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography imaging. Moreover, the nanoprobe could accurately guide the glioma resection. These results suggest that the phototheranostic nanoprobe is a promising nanoplatform specifically for glioma to achieve multimodal diagnosis, effective phototherapy, and accurate imaging-guided surgery.

At present, China is the largest aquaculture country in the world, ranking in the forefront of the world in terms of the aquaculture scale and the aquaculture production. However, with the expansion of the aquaculture species and the gradual saturation of the development and utilization of the water resources, the traditional aquaculture methods are liable to cause adverse consequences such as the water pollution and the low quality of the aquatic products. Therefore, we have to abandon the extensive way of relying entirely on the experience for the aquaculture in the past. Through the use of the emerging technologies and the timely and accurate data of the aquaculture environment, it is inevitable to make efficient and timely adjustment. In this context, the introduction of the technology of the Internet of Things makes it possible for the aquaculture with high efficiency, high yield and environmental protection.

We study the electromechanical and piezotronic behaviors of a composite piezoelectric semiconductor cylindrical shell (CPCS), which consists of a piezoelectric dielectric layer and a non-piezoelectric semiconductor layer, under a uniform temperature loading. A simplified one-dimensional (1D) multi-field coupling model for the CPCS structure is established. The analysis of the tuning effect of the thermal loading as well as the effects of the geometrical parameters and the mechanical boundary conditions on the piezotronic behaviors of the CPCS structure is conducted with the derived theoretical model. The numerical results show that the carriers and the electromechanical fields in the semiconductor layer of the considered CPCS structure are sensitive to the temperature change, geometrical parameters, and mechanical boundary conditions, which are useful for developing novel temperature-related or thermally-controlled piezotronic devices based on the proposed CPCS structures.

Benefited from rapid developments of deep learning, 3D shape recognition has become a remarkable subject in computer vision systems.The existing methods of multi-perspective views have shown competitive performance in 3D shape recognition.However, they have not yet fully exploited the information among all views of projection.In this paper, we propose a novel Multi-view Moments Embedding Network(MMEN) for capturing multiple moments information.MMEN obtains the similarity between different views and retains the description of the original view by generating moments matrix for representing the general features of the 3D shape.Additionally, we apply the matrix square-root layer to perform a non-linear scaling to the eigenvalues of the moment embedding matrix.We compare the performance of our proposed network with several state-of-the-art models on the ModelNet datasets, and the results of the average instance/class accuracy demonstrate the promising performance of MMEN on 3D shape recognition.

We theoretically study the behaviors of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) fiber in the extensional deformation resulted from the two local thermal loads using the multi-field coupling theory for thermo-piezoelectric semiconductor. With the linearized method, the analytical results are obtained for small temperature changes. For large temperature changes, the linearized method is not valid. In this case, we conduct a nonlinear analysis by COMSOL. The numerical results show that the potential barrier and well produced by the temperature changes through a series of coupling effects could be used to manipulate the forward/reverse currents in the fiber simultaneously.

We study the extension of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) fiber containing a PN junction, focusing on the effective polarization charges which are fundamental to piezotronics. A one-dimensional model derived previously from the macroscopic theory of PSs is used for a linear theoretical and nonlinear numerical analysis by COMSOL. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous junctions are studied. In addition to the built-in electric potential and field as well as I-V curve, distributed effective polarization charge along the fiber and concentrated effective polarization charge on the junction interface are calculated and examined.

Motivated by the growth of MnAs/GaAs thin films in many experimental researches, we investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of bulk, (001) surfaces and (001) interfaces for zinc blende MnAs by means of first-principle calculations. It is confirmed that zinc blende MnAs is a nearly half-metallic ferromagnet with 4.00 μB magnetic moment. The calculated density of states show that the half-metallicity exists in As-terminated (001) surface while it is lost in Mn-terminated (001) surface. For the (001) interfaces of MnAs with semiconductor GaAs, it is found that As-Ga and Mn-As interfaces not only have higher spin polarization but also are more stable among the four considered interfaces. Our results would be helpful to grow stable and high polarized thin films or multilayers for the practical applications of spintronic devices.

We study electromechanical fields near the interface between a circular piezoelectric semiconductor cylinder and another piezoelectric semiconductor in which it is embedded. The cylinder is p-doped. The surrounding material is n-doped. The phenomenological theory of piezoelectric semiconductors consisting of the equations of piezoelectricity and the conservation of charge for holes and electrons is used. The theory is linearized for small carrier concentration perturbations. An analytical solution is obtained, showing the formation of a PN junction near the interface. Various electromechanical fields associated with the junction are calculated. The effects of a few physical parameters are examined.

Piezoelectric semiconductors (PS) nanofibers, which simultaneously exhibit piezoelectricity and unique electric conductive behavior, have huge applications in sensors, energy harvesters, and piezoelectric field effect transistors. Electromechanical fields and charge carrier in PS nanofibers can be effectively controlled by a mechanical force. One-dimensional linear equations for PS nanofibers, which are suitable for small axial force and small electron concentration perturbation, are presented. Analytical expressions for the electromechanical fields and electron concentration in the fiber are obtained. Numerical results show that the electromechanical fields near the two ends are sensitive to the initial electron concentration and the applied axial force.

Based on three-dimensional equations of piezoelectric semiconductors, we take flexoelectricity into consideration to develop a deformation–polarization–carrier coupling analysis model for the bending of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) composite bilayer, which is composed of a piezoelectric semiconductor layer and an elastic layer. Using the derived equations, we investigate the macroscopic responses, such as the distribution of electromechanical field and carrier concentration, of the PS composite bilayer with bending deformation. The induced polarization in the PS composite bilayer exhibits an apparent size-dependent property due to the flexoelectric coupling effect, and thus has a remarkable influence on the piezotronic effect in the PS composite bilayer with nano-thickness. The obtained results are useful for designing novel piezoelectric semiconductor devices.

Silicon-based Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs), as a two-terminal circuit element, are widely used in modern industries due to its low cost and better compatibility with the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Flexoelectricity resulting from strain gradient is a distinctive electromechanical coupling phenomenon compared to piezoelectricity resulting from strain. Flexoelectricity can exist in any dielectric due to the non-uniform strain breaking symmetry of materials. In this paper, we utilize the induced flexoelectric polarization to tune the behavior of a SBD made of metal and p-type Silicon. Making use of conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM), we measured current-voltage of the fabricated Si-based SBD under different tip forces. In order to conduct a quantitative study on the tuning effect of flexoelectricity on the performance of the fabricated Si-based SBD, we introduce an effective barrier height and provide a modified current equation according to the classical thermionic emission theory. The results show that flexoelectricity plays a significant role in dictating the Schottky barrier height, maximum rectified current (density), reverse saturation current (density), rectification ratio, and open voltage of the fabricated SBD. In addition, based on the Hertzian contact model and the measured data, the nonzero flexoelectric coefficients of the used p-type silicon are obtained.

Two-dimensional (2D) equations for multiferroic (MF) laminated plates with imperfect interfaces are established in this paper. The interface between two adjacent sublayers, which are not perfectly bonded together, is modeled as a general spring-type layer. The mechanical displacements, and the electric and magnetic potentials of the two adjacent layers are assumed to be discontinuous at the interface. As an example, the influences of imperfect interfaces on the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling effects in an MF sandwich plate are investigated with the established 2D governing equations. Numerical results show that the imperfect interfaces have a significant impact on the ME coupling effects in MF laminated structures.

We theoretically study the electromechanical behaviors of a laminated thin-film piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) composite plate with flexural deformation. The nonlinear equations for drift currents of electrons and holes are linearized for a small carrier concentration perturbation. Following the structural theory systemized by R. D. Mindlin, a system of two-dimensional (2D) equations for the laminated thin-film PS plate, including the lowest order coupled extensional and flexural motion, are presented by expanding the displacement, potential, and the incremental concentration of electrons and holes as power series of the plate thickness. Based on the derived 2D equations, the analytical expressions of the electromechanical fields and distribution of electrons in the thin-film PS plate with an n-type ZnO layer subjected to a static bending are presented. The numerical results show that the electromechanical behaviors and piezotronic effects can be effectively controlled by the external applied force and initial concentration of carriers. The derived 2D equations and numerical results in this paper are helpful for developing piezotronic devices.

We present a one-dimensional model for a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) rod with varying cross section subject to an axial loading. Using the linearized method, we obtain exact solutions for an n-type PS rod under static extension. Based on the obtained solutions, the effect of the initial concentration of electrons, the axial force, and the radius ratio of two cross sections at the two ends on the redistribution of electrons in the ZnO rod is investigated. Numerical results show that there are a larger variation of electrons near the two ends of the rod, and the piezotronic effect in the PS rod can be controlled through applying an axial force as well as changing the initial concentration of carriers and geometric shape of PS rods.

We made a theoretical study of the carrier distribution and electromechanical fields in a free piezoelectric semiconductor rod of crystals of class 6 mm. Simple analytical expressions for the carrier distribution, electric potential, electric field, electric displacement, mechanical displacement, stress, and strain were obtained from a 1D nonlinear model reduced from the 3D equations for piezoelectric semiconductors. The distribution and fields were found to be either symmetric or antisymmetric about the center of the rod. They are qualitatively the same for electrons and holes. Numerical calculations show that the carrier distribution and the fields are relatively strong near the ends of the rod than in its central part. They are sensitive to the value of the carrier density near the ends of the rod.

Background: Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive renal tubulopathy caused by inactivating mutations in the SLC12A3 gene. Although hundreds of different mutations across the SLC12A3 gene have been reported worldwide, data from mainland China are limited. We investigated the clinical manifestations and genetic features of Chinese patients with GS. Methods: Fifty-four unrelated Chinese patients with clinically diagnosed GS were included. Clinical manifestations and biochemical parameters were collected and analyzed. All exons and flanking regions of the SLC12A3 and CLCNKB genes were screened by direct sequencing. Results: Weakness was the most commonly reported symptom in this cohort of patients with GS. In gender-based analyses, higher systolic blood pressure and urine protein excretion were observed in male patients. For genetic screening, 2 pathogenic SLC12A3 mutations were identified in 38 patients (70.4%), 1 mutation in 11 patients (20.4%) and no mutation in 5 patients (9.3%). In total, 42 distinct pathogenic mutations throughout SLC12A3 were identified; 16 were novel, including 9 missense, 1 deletion, 1 insertion, 3 splice site and 2 nonsense mutations. Eleven mutations were recurrently found in different patients. Among them, T60M and D486N were identified in 11 individuals. No CLCNKB mutations were found. Conclusion: Sixteen novel SLC12A3 pathogenic mutations were identified in a cohort of Chinese patients with GS. T60M and D486N were most frequent and appear to be important candidate alleles in Chinese patients with GS.

We study the electromechanical and electrical behaviors of a PN junction in a multiferroic composite fiber, consisting of a piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) layer between two piezomagnetic (PM) layers, under a transverse magnetic field. Based on the derived one-dimensional model for multiferroic composite semiconductor structures, we obtain the linear analytical solution for the built-in potential and electric field in the junction when there is no applied voltage between the two ends of the fiber. When a bias voltage is applied over the two ends of the fiber, a nonlinear numerical analysis is performed for the current–voltage relation. Both a homogeneous junction with a uniform PS layer and a heterogeneous junction with two different PSs on different sides of the junctions are studied. It is found that overall the homogeneous junction is essentially unaffected by the magnetic field, and the heterojunction is sensitive to the magnetic field with potential applications in piezotronics.