Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

[Influencing factors of small intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia]

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing small intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. Methods: The clinical data of 105 elderly patients admitted for surgical procedures of incarcerated hernia at Department of General Surgery, Huadong Hospital between January 2014 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 60 males and 45 females, aged (86.1±4.3) years (range: 80 to 96 years). They were divided into normal group (n=55) and ischemic group (n=50) according to intraoperative intestinal canal condition. The t test, χ² test and Fisher's exact probability method were used for the univariate analysis of the factors that influence intestinal ischemia in patients, and Logistic regression was used for multifactorial analysis. Results: In all patients, 18 patients (17.1%) had irreversible intestinal ischemia with bowel resection. Six patients died within 30 days, 3 cases from severe abdominal infection, 2 cases from postoperative exacerbation of underlying cardiac disease, and 1 case from respiratory failure due to severe pulmonary infection. The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were differences in gender, history of intussusception, duration of previous hernia, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, type of incarcerated hernia, and preoperative intestinal obstruction between the two groups (all P<0.05). The Logistic regression results showed that the short time to the previous hernia (OR=0.892, 95%CI 0.872 to 0.962, P=0.003), high C-reactive protein (OR=1.022, 95%CI 1.007 to 1.037, P=0.003), non-indirect incarcerated hernia (OR=10.571, 95%CI 3.711 to 30.114, P<0.01) and preoperative intestinal obstruction (OR=6.438, 95%CI 1.762 to 23.522, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for the development of intestinal ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. Conclusions: The short duration of the previous hernia, the high values of C-reactive proteins, the non-indirect incarcerated hernia, and the preoperative bowel obstruction are influencing factors for bowel ischemia in elderly patients with incarcerated hernia. A timely operation is necessary to reduce the incidence of intestinal necrosis and improve the prognosis.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.

[Bioinformatics analysis in metagenomic next-generation sequencing of pathogenic microorganisms: current status and challenges]

The clinical application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of unknown pathogenic infections and critical infections has become increasingly valuable. Due to the huge volume of mNGS data and the complexity of clinical diagnosis and treatment, mNGS has difficulties in data analysis and interpretation in practical application. Therefore, in the process of clinical practice, it is crucial to grasp the key points of bioinformatics analysis and establish a standardized bioinformatics analysis process, which is an important step in the transformation of mNGS from laboratory to clinic. At present, bioinformatics analysis of mNGS has made great progress, but with the high requirements of clinical standardization of bioinformatics analysis and the development of computer technology, bioinformatics analysis of mNGS is also facing new challenges. This article mainly elaborates on quality control, and identification and visualization of pathogenic bacteria.

Low expression of SEMA4D as a potential predictive molecular marker of poor survival in patients with melanoma combined with liver cancer

This study explored the correlation between semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) and the prognosis and survival time of patients with melanoma combined with liver cancer. A total of 272 patients were recruited, and clinical and follow-up data were recorded. The expression levels of SEMA4D and SEMA3B were determined. Pearson's χ² test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used to analyze the relationship between prognosis and the assessed parameters of melanoma patients. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression and Cox proportional risk regression analyses were used for further analysis. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic curve and survival curves of subjects were plotted. The Pearson's χ² test showed that the prognosis of melanoma patients was significantly correlated with age, tumor grade, and decreased SEMA4D expression. Additionally, Spearman's correlation coefficient analysis showed that age, tumor grade, and SEMA4D expression were significantly correlated with prognosis. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age and tumor grade, and SEMA4D expression, were significantly correlated with prognosis. Older patients, a higher tumor grade, and lower SEMA4D expression were associated with a poorer prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older patients had a poorer prognosis, and patients with lower SEMA4D expression levels had a significantly worse prognosis than patients with higher SEMA4D expression levels. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the survival time of older patients was lower than that of the younger patients. The survival times of patients with lower SEMA4D expression levels were significantly lower than that of patients with higher SEMA4D expression levels. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the survival time of older patients was lower than that of younger patients. The survival time of melanoma patients with low SEMA4D expression was significantly lower than that of patients with higher SEMA4D expression. SEMA4D was significantly associated with melanoma, and lower SEMA4D expression was associated with a poorer survival prognosis in melanoma patients.

Cross-sectional quantitative validation of the pediatric Localized Scleroderma Quality of Life Instrument (LoSQI): A disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure

BACKGROUND

The Localized Scleroderma Quality of Life Instrument (LoSQI) is a disease-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure designed for children and adolescents with localized scleroderma (LS; morphea). This tool was developed using rigorous PRO methods and previously cognitively tested in a sample of pediatric patients with LS.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the LoSQI in a clinical setting.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from four specialized clinics in the US and Canada were included in the analysis. Evaluation included reliability of scores, internal structure of the survey, evidence of convergent and divergent validity, and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

One-hundred ten patients with LS (age: 8-20 years) completed the LoSQI. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the use of two sub-scores: Pain & Physical Functioning and Body Image & Social Support. Correlations with other PRO measures were consistent with pre-specified hypotheses.

LIMITATIONS

This study did not evaluate longitudinal validity or responsiveness of scores.

CONCLUSION

Results from a representative sample of children and adolescents with LS continue to support the validity of the LoSQI when used in a clinical setting. Future work to evaluate the responsiveness is ongoing.

[Feasibility and safety of bridge therapy with active fixed electrodes connected to external permanent pacemakers for patients with infective endocarditis after lead removal and before permanent pacemaker implantation]

Objective: To analyze the feasibility and safety of bridge therapy with active fixed electrodes connected to external permanent pacemakers (AFLEP) for patients with infective endocarditis after lead removal and before permanent pacemaker implantation. Methods: A total of 44 pacemaker-dependent patients, who underwent lead removal due to infective endocarditis in our center from January 2015 to January 2020, were included. According to AFLEP or temporary pacemaker option during the transition period, patients were divided into AFLEP group or temporary pacemaker group. Information including age, sex, comorbidities, indications and types of cardial implantable electionic device (CIED) implantation, lead age, duration of temporary pacemaker or AFLEP use, and perioperative complications were collected through Haitai Medical Record System. The incidence of pacemaker perception, abnormal pacing function, lead perforation, lead dislocation, lead vegetation, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism, death and newly infection of implanted pacemaker were compared between the two groups. Pneumothorax, hematoma and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis were also analyzed. Results: Among the 44 patients, 24 were in the AFLEP group and 20 in the temporary pacemaker group. Age was younger in the AFLEP group than in the temporary pacemaker group (57.5(45.5, 66.0) years vs. 67.0(57.3, 71.8) years, P=0.023). Male, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal dysfunction and old myocardial infarction were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Lead duration was 11.0(8.0,13.0) years in the AFLEP group and 8.5(7.0,13.0) years in the temporary pacemaker group(P=0.292). Lead vegetation diameter was (8.2±2.4)mm in the AFLEP group and (9.1±3.0)mm in the temporary pacemaker group. Lead removal was successful in all patients. The follow-up time in the AFLEP group was 23.0(20.5, 25.5) months, and the temporary pacemaker group was 17.0(14.5, 18.5) months. In the temporary pacemaker group, there were 2 cases (10.0%) of lead dislocation, 2 cases (10.0%) of sensory dysfunction, 2 cases (10.0%) of pacing dysfunction, and 2 cases (10.0%) of death. In the AFLEP group, there were 2 cases of abnormal pacing function, which improved after adjusting the output voltage of the pacemaker, there was no lead dislocation, abnormal perception and death. Femoral vein access was used in 8 patients (40.0%) in the temporary pacemaker group, and 4 patients developed lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. There was no deep venous thrombosis in the AFLEP group. The transition treatment time was significantly longer in the AFLEP group than in the temporary pacemaker group (19.5(16.0, 25.8) days vs. 14.0(12.0, 16.8) days, P=0.001). During the follow-up period, there were no reinfections with newly implanted pacemakers in the AFLEP group, and reinfection occurred in 2 patients (10.0%) in the temporary pacemaker group. Conclusions: Bridge therapy with AFLEP for patients with infective endocarditis after lead removal and before permanent pacemaker implantation is feasible and safe. Compared with temporary pacemaker, AFLEP is safer in the implantation process and more stable with lower lead dislocation rate, less sensory and pacing dysfunction.

Cost-effectiveness of Denosumab for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Malaysia

From the perspective of Malaysian health care providers, denosumab was cost-effective in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, with an optimal outcome starting at age 60 years. Our results provide important insights into the value for money of anti-osteoporotic agents that can serve as a reference for other countries with comparable epidemiological data.

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of denosumab with alendronate and no treatment in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis among the Malaysian population.

METHODS

A well-validated Markov model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of denosumab in a hypothetical cohort of postmenopausal osteoporotic women between 50 and 80 years old who had no history of fractures. A 10-year time horizon from the perspective of Malaysian health care providers was used in this analysis. The model parameters, including transition probabilities and costs, were based on Malaysian sources. Treatment efficacy data were obtained from a network meta-analysis. The study outcomes were presented as incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness of the results. A cost-effectiveness threshold was set at MYR 21,438 (USD 5175) per QALY.

RESULTS

Denosumab was found to be a cost-effective option for postmenopausal osteoporotic women aged 60 and older. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for denosumab versus alendronate ranged from MYR 16,955 (USD 4093) per QALY at age 60 to MYR 4380 (USD 1057) per QALY at age 80. The cost-effectiveness of denosumab improved monotonically with increasing age. Denosumab was 72.8-92.7% likely to be cost-effective at the cost-effectiveness threshold. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the results were robust across all parameter variations, with the annual cost of denosumab being the most sensitive.

CONCLUSIONS

From the perspective of the Malaysian health care provider, denosumab appears to be a cost-effective treatment choice for postmenopausal osteoporotic women over 60 years of age.

[Effect of Li's catheter in the cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Li's catheter in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with indications for CRT implantation who visited the Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2022 were enrolled. Patients were divided into Li's catheter group (CRT implantation with Li's catheter) and control group (CRT implantation with the traditional method). The general clinical data of the patients were obtained through the electronic medical record system. Li's catheter is a new type of coronary sinus angiography balloon catheter independently developed by Dr. Li Xuebin (patent number: 201320413174.1). The primary outcome was the success rate of CRT device implantation, and the secondary outcomes included efficacy and safety parameters. Efficacy indicators included operation time, coronary sinus angiography time, left ventricular lead implantation time, X-ray exposure time, left ventricular lead threshold, and diaphragm stimulation. Safety outcomes included incidence of coronary sinus dissection, cardiac tamponade, and pericardial effusion. Results: A total of 170 patients were enrolled in this study, including 90 in Li's catheter group and 80 in control group. Age, male proportion of patients, proportion of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, proportion of left bundle branch block, and preoperative QRS wave width were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). In Li's catheter group, 34 cases (37.8%) implanted with CRT defibrillators, and 28 cases (35.0%) implanted with CRT defibrillators in control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.710). The success rate of CRT device implantation in Li's catheter group was 100% (90/90), which was significantly higher than that in control group (93.8%, 75/80, P=0.023).The operation time was 57.0 (52.0, 62.3) minutes, the time to complete coronary sinus angiography was 8.0 (6.0, 9.0) minutes, and the time of left ventricular electrode implantation was 8.0 (7.0, 9.0) minutes in Li's catheter group, and was 91.3 (86.3, 97.0), 18.0 (16.0, 20.0), 25.0 (22.0, 27.7) minutes respectively in control group, all significantly shorter in Li's catheter group (all P<0.05). The exposure time of X-ray was 15.0 (14.0, 17.0) minutes in Li's catheter group, which was also significantly shorter than that in control group (32.5 (29.0, 36.0) minutes, P<0.001). There was no coronary sinus dissection and cardiac tamponade in Li's catheter group, and 1 patient (1.1%) had diaphragmatic stimulation in Li's catheter group. In control group, 6 patients (6.7%) had coronary sinus dissection, and 1 patient (1.1%) developed pericardial effusion, and 3 patients (3.3%) had diaphragmatic stimulation. The incidence of coronary sinus dissection in Li's catheter group was significantly lower than that in control group (P=0.011). The postoperative left ventricular thresholds in Li's catheter group and control group were similar (1.80 (1.60, 2.38) V/0.5 ms vs. 1.80 (1.60, 2.40) V/0.5 ms, P=0.120). Conclusions: Use of Li's catheter is associated with higher success rate of CRT implantation, short time of coronary sinus angiography and left ventricular electrode implantation, reduction of intraoperative X-ray exposure, and lower incidence of coronary vein dissection in this patient cohort.

First Measurement of High-Energy Reactor Antineutrinos at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first measurement of high-energy reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay, with nearly 9000 inverse beta decay candidates in the prompt energy region of 8-12 MeV observed over 1958 days of data collection. A multivariate analysis is used to separate 2500 signal events from background statistically. The hypothesis of no reactor antineutrinos with neutrino energy above 10 MeV is rejected with a significance of 6.2 standard deviations. A 29% antineutrino flux deficit in the prompt energy region of 8-11 MeV is observed compared to a recent model prediction. We provide the unfolded antineutrino spectrum above 7 MeV as a data-based reference for other experiments. This result provides the first direct observation of the production of antineutrinos from several high-Q_{β} isotopes in commercial reactors.

Joint Determination of Reactor Antineutrino Spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Fission by Daya Bay and PROSPECT

A joint determination of the reactor antineutrino spectra resulting from the fission of ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu has been carried out by the Daya Bay and PROSPECT Collaborations. This Letter reports the level of consistency of ^{235}U spectrum measurements from the two experiments and presents new results from a joint analysis of both data sets. The measurements are found to be consistent. The combined analysis reduces the degeneracy between the dominant ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu isotopes and improves the uncertainty of the ^{235}U spectral shape to about 3%. The ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu antineutrino energy spectra are unfolded from the jointly deconvolved reactor spectra using the Wiener-SVD unfolding method, providing a data-based reference for other reactor antineutrino experiments and other applications. This is the first measurement of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu spectra based on the combination of experiments at low- and highly enriched uranium reactors.

Oral oligofructose challenge reduces expression of glucose transport-1 and 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in lamellar wall of Holstein heifer claw

The laminar tissue of bovine laminitis may undergo energy failure. The expression of glucose transport protein-1 (GLUT-1) and 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) affects the energy metabolism of digital laminar tissue. This study aimed to determine the expression of glucose uptake and AMPK in laminar wall corium of Holstein heifer claw by oral administration of oligofructose. A total of twelve clinically healthy Holstein heifers were selected and divided into two groups, including control (CON, n = 6) and experimental (OF, n = 6) groups. The heifers of OF group were given 17 g/kg BW oligofructose dissolved in water (20 mL/kg BW) and the heifers of CON group were given water only (20 mL/kg BW). The laminar tissues were collected after euthanasia. The amount of protein and transcript expression of AMPK and GLUT-1 were determined by western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Expressions of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy-kinase (PEPCK), receptor-c coactivator1-α (PGC-1α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were determined by qRT-PCR. The heifers of OF group showed no significant change in the expression and concentration of AMPK. The phosphor-(Thr172) AMPK and GLUT-1 were significantly decreased, while the gene contents of PPAR-γ and PGC-1α were significantly increased. The activation of AMPK and GLUT-1 in digital laminar tissues of heifers was inhibited, which may contribute to digital laminar tissue damage.

New score for prediction of morbidity in patients undergoing open pancreaticoduodenectomy

Objective

The Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) is commonly used to predict the risk of postoperative complications in general surgery. However, use of the POSSUM is not absolutely suitable for open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD), which has unique complications such as pancreatic fistula formation. This study was performed to establish a new risk score for assessing the incidence of postoperative complications of OPD.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study involved 159 patients who underwent standard OPD from 2 January 2017 to 1 February 2019. The risk factors for post-OPD complications were statistically investigated, and a risk score model was established by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among all 159 patients, 72 (42.28%) developed complications. A scoring system was developed based on the following five independent variables: sodium concentration of <141.20 mmol/L, white blood cell count of >6.35 × 10⁹/L, pancreatic texture grade, body mass index of >25.06 kg/m², and basic respiratory diseases. Our risk score model demonstrated better discriminating power, prediction power, and prediction probability than the POSSUM model in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Conclusion

This novel risk score may help to predict postoperative complications after OPD with higher accuracy than the POSSUM system.

Intraprocedural arrhythmia termination as an end point for hybrid ablation in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation: a 2-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

Hybrid catheter and surgical ablation has emerged as an effective therapy for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between intraprocedural arrhythmia termination and the long-term outcomes of hybrid ablation in patients with long-standing persistent AF.

METHODS

From May 2015 through April 2019, 50 patients with persistent AF with a mean duration of 73.3 ± 62.1 (median 54) months underwent single-step hybrid ablation. Pulmonary vein isolation, left atrial posterior wall isolation and left atrial appendage excision or closure were performed through a left-sided thoracoscopic approach. Subsequently, all patients underwent high-density endocardial mapping and electrogram-based ablation with the end point of AF termination.

RESULTS

We achieved intraprocedural AF termination in 84% (42/50) patients; this end point was reached in 16 patients during surgical ablation and in 26 patients during catheter ablation. Seven patients underwent repeat catheter ablation. After a mean follow-up period of 29 ± 13 months, the freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia of a single procedure without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs was 70% (35/50). In the Cox regression model, intraprocedural termination of AF (hazard ratio 0.205, 95% confidence interval 0.058-0.730; P = 0.014) was the sole predictor of success.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2-year outcomes of a one-stop hybrid ablation with an end point of AF termination are promising in patients with long-standing persistent AF.

[HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis and related factors in men who have sex with men]

Objective: To understand the current status of HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: From December 2018 to December 2019, "Gold data" online platform (www.jinshuju.com) was used to conduct multicenter PrEP studies in Shenyang, Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen of China. Results: A total of 1 222 MSM PrEP users were included in the multicenter study. The average age of the participants was (31.5±8.7) years, and the number of sexual partners in the past three months was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,6). The proportions of those who did not use condoms in anal sex with fixed, casual and commercial partners were 62.7% (456/727), 56.3% (440/781) and 41.0% (16/39), respectively. Up to 74.5% (910/1 222) of participants had used HIV self-testing reagents, and the number of HIV self-testing during last year was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,5). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with age group >40 years, those with education level of junior high school or below, those with psychological identity as female, event driven PrEP users, those never using new type drugs in past 3 months, the participants aged 18- years (aOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.35-3.14), 26- years (aOR=2.72, 95%CI: 1.77-4.17), 31- years (aOR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.19-2.59), undergraduates (aOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.35-3.49), graduate students and above (aOR=3.06, 95%CI: 1.69-5.54), those with psychological identity as male (aOR=3.22, 95%CI: 1.55-6.70), daily PrEP users (aOR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.03-1.78), and new type drug users in the past three months (aOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.30-2.28) had higher proportions of HIV self-testing behaviors. Conclusions: The proportion of HIV self-testing in MSM PrEP users was high, while it was relatively low in older age group, event driven PrEP users and MSM never using new type drugs. To assess and improve the effectiveness and compliance of PrEPs, it is necessary to provide better HIV self-testing service for MSM with low HIV self-testing rate.

Propagation-dependent evolution of interfering multiple beams and kaleidoscopic vortex lattices

In this Letter, we experimentally explore the propagation-dependent evolution of generating the pseudo-nondiffracting quasi-crystalline (crystalline) beams based on the multibeam interference. We originally derived an analytical formula to exactly manifest the propagation evolution of interfering multiple beams. With the analytical formula, the formation of quasi-crystalline structures in the focal plane can be explicitly verified. Furthermore, the distance of the effective propagation-invariant region can be verified in terms of experimental parameters. More importantly, we employed the developed formula to confirm the formation of kaleidoscopic vortex lattices by means of numerically computing the propagation-dependent phase singularities.

A newly improved POSSUM scoring system for prediction of morbidity in patients with pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

Postoperative morbidity of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still prevalent in hospitals around the world all over the world. Chirurgia B and Chen Yingtai et al. compared the existing POSSUM and p-POSSUM scoring system in pancreatoduodenectomy. However, in this retrospective cohort study our aim was to investigate the risk factors associated with post-PD complications, and develop a POSSUM scoring system more specific to PD, which we define as PD-POSSUM.

Methods

Data was gathered from 201 patients who underwent PD procedure at No.4 Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2016 and December 2018. All 201 patients were included in the modeling group. The morbidity and associated risk factors were collected and analyzed. The risk factors of complication were investigated by the Pearson χ² test, Spearman rho test, multivariable linear regression, univariate/multivariate logistic regression. In addition, the discriminating ability of the PD-POSSUM system to predict morbidity is estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC).

Results

Morbidity was 45.5% for the 201 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant connection between postoperative complications and body mass index (BMI) [odd ratio (OR): 3.700; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.594–4.572], pre-existing respiratory diseases (OR: 3.000; 95% CI: 1.542–5.837), international normalized ratio of prothrombin time (OR: 0.321; 95% CI: 0.099–1.038), alanine aminotransferase (OR: 0.573; 95% CI: 0.375–0.874); total bilirubin level (OR: 1.477; 95% CI: 1.068–2.043); diameter of pancreatic duct (OR: 1.837; 95% CI: 1.221–2.763) and diameter of tumor diameter (OR: 1.837; 95% CI: 1.221–2.763).

Conclusions

Ln R/(1−R) = ScorePD−POSSUM = 0.140*ScorePS−0.053*ScoreOS−5.850. This risk assessment formula can help estimate and predict postoperative morbidity rate after PD.

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}.

Photoemission Spectroscopic Evidence for the Dirac Nodal Line in the Monoclinic Semimetal SrAs_{3}

Topological nodal-line semimetals with exotic quantum properties are characterized by symmetry-protected line-contact bulk band crossings in the momentum space. However, in most of identified topological nodal-line compounds, these topological nontrivial nodal lines are enclosed by complicated topological trivial states at the Fermi energy (E_{F}), which would perplex their identification and hinder further applications. Utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations, we provide compelling evidence for the existence of Dirac nodal-line fermions in the monoclinic semimetal SrAs_{3}, which possesses a simple nodal loop in the vicinity of E_{F} without the distraction from complicated trivial Fermi surfaces. Our calculations revealed that two bands with opposite parities were inverted around Y near E_{F}, resulting in the single nodal loop at the Γ-Y-S plane with a negligible spin-orbit coupling effect. The band crossings were tracked experimentally and the complete nodal loop was identified quantitatively, which provide a critical experimental support for the existence of nodal-line fermions in the CaP_{3} family of materials. Hosting simple topological nontrivial bulk electronic states around E_{F} and without complication from the trivial states, SrAs_{3} is expected to be a potential platform for topological quantum state investigation and applications.

[Analyses of diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration in children with tracheobronchial variations]

Objective: To investigate the key issues in the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration in children with tracheobronchial variations. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for 11 pediatric patients who were treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Henan Province People's Hospital after a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations between January 2015 and December 2017. There were 7 males and 4 females among the 11 cases of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations, ranging between 9 months and 11 years of age. Results: Among 11 cases, the types of variationswere tracheal bronchus in 9 cases, bridging bronchus in 1 case and simple tracheal stenosis in 1 case. All of the pediatric patients were under general anesthesia, and the foreign bodies were removed by bronchoscopy successfully with no significant complications. Conclusions: The possibility of tracheobronchial variations should be considered in children with recurrent wheezing and poor efficacy of regular treatment before foreign body aspiration. Removal of foreign body via rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment. These children are needed to combine the situation oftracheobronchial variations and the location of foreign bodies to guide the operation, and strengthened the perioperative treatment.

Extraction of the ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu Antineutrino Spectra at Daya Bay

This Letter reports the first extraction of individual antineutrino spectra from ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu fission and an improved measurement of the prompt energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos at Daya Bay. The analysis uses 3.5×10^{6} inverse beta-decay candidates in four near antineutrino detectors in 1958 days. The individual antineutrino spectra of the two dominant isotopes, ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu, are extracted using the evolution of the prompt spectrum as a function of the isotope fission fractions. In the energy window of 4-6 MeV, a 7% (9%) excess of events is observed for the ^{235}U (^{239}Pu) spectrum compared with the normalized Huber-Mueller model prediction. The significance of discrepancy is 4.0σ for ^{235}U spectral shape compared with the Huber-Mueller model prediction. The shape of the measured inverse beta-decay prompt energy spectrum disagrees with the prediction of the Huber-Mueller model at 5.3σ. In the energy range of 4-6 MeV, a maximal local discrepancy of 6.3σ is observed.

[Clinical effect and safety of pegylated interferon-α-2b injection (Y shape, 40 kD) in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of long-acting pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 μg/week) in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a as positive control. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial. Eligible HBeAg-positive CHB patients were screened out and randomized to Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) trial group and Peg-IFN-α-2a control group at a ratio of 2:1. The course of treatment was 48 weeks and the patients were followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Plasma samples were collected at screening, baseline, and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 weeks for centralized detection. COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test was used to measure HBV DNA level by quantitative real-time PCR. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with Elecsys kit was used to measure HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe). Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary outcome measure was HBeAg seroconversion rate after the 24-week follow-up, and non-inferiority was also tested. The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate after treatment between the trial group and the control group and two-sided confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of 95% CI was > -10%. The t-test, chi-square test, or rank sum test was used according to the types and features of data. Results: A total of 855 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and 820 of them received treatment (538 in the trial group and 282 in the control group). The data of the full analysis set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 27.32% in the trial group and 22.70% in the control group with a rate difference of 4.63% (95% CI -1.54% to 10.80%, P = 0.1493). The data of the per-protocol set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 30.75% in the trial group and 27.14% in the control group with a rate difference of 3.61% (95% CI -3.87% to 11.09%, P = 0.3436). 95% CI met the non-inferiority criteria, and the trial group was non-inferior to the control group. The two groups had similar incidence rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and common adverse events. Conclusion: In Peg-IFN-α regimen for HBeAg-positive CHB patients, the new drug Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

[The clinical characteristics and two different treatment outcomes of 321 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, two different treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Method:The life table method was used to calculate the overall survival rates, Log-rank test was used to compare the overall survival rates between the two groups．The Cox proportional hazard model was used to perform the multivariate analysis to confirm independent treatment modalities as prognostic factors. Result:Among the 321 patients, 197 patients received surgery combine with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment（S+R/CRT） and 124 patients received radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment(R/CRT). For 321 patients, the 1,3,5year overall survival rates were 75.87%,49.39%,41.38% and the median survival time was 37.65 months. The difference in throat retention ratio between the radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment(41.94%) and surgery combine with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy treatment（11.17%) was statistically significant (P<0.01).Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage of tumor, T stage, N stage, M stage and two different treatment modalities have impact on survival prognosis. Cox regression multivariate analysis showed that T stage, N stage, two different treatment modalities were independent risk factors of prognosis. Conclusion:The overall prognosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma was poor and dismal. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is characterized by high degree of malignancy, difficult to be found early, prone to recurrence and metastasis after operation, large trauma and poor prognosis. Comprehensive examination should be conducted to define the stage of tumor and choose the rational treatment plan before treatment. Surgery combine with radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment modality is still the main treatment strategy for advanced-stage hypopharyngeal carcinoma..

Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay

We report a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation from the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment with nearly 4 million reactor ν[over ¯]_{e} inverse β decay candidates observed over 1958 days of data collection. The installation of a flash analog-to-digital converter readout system and a special calibration campaign using different source enclosures reduce uncertainties in the absolute energy calibration to less than 0.5% for visible energies larger than 2 MeV. The uncertainty in the cosmogenic ^{9}Li and ^{8}He background is reduced from 45% to 30% in the near detectors. A detailed investigation of the spent nuclear fuel history improves its uncertainty from 100% to 30%. Analysis of the relative ν[over ¯]_{e} rates and energy spectra among detectors yields sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0856±0.0029 and Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.471_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the normal hierarchy, and Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.575_{-0.070}^{+0.068})×10^{-3}  eV^{2} assuming the inverted hierarchy.

[Endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis]

Objective:To explore the early diagnosis, the treatment and theprognosis of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Method:By summarizing the clinical data of 18 patients, CT and MRI images, pathological diagnosis and follow-up results to analysis the early diagnosis and the treatment.Result:All 5 patients with invasive fungal sinusitis were infected with mucor, 3 of whom died of intracranial complications. Among 13 patients with chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, 9 were aspergillus, 3 were mucor, and 1 was negative. There were 9 cases of diabetes, 1 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 3 cases of hypoproteinemia, 1 cases of organ transplantation, and 1 cases of leukemia. There were 3 cases of death who unenforced the operation, 15 patients received enlarged endoscopic surgery, postoperative antifungal therapy. Followed up 1-3 years, relapse in 3 cases, 1 case of death.Conclusion:The diagnosis of FRS needs to be combined with clinical manifestations, imaging features and pathological findings. The treatment requires surgery to completely remove diseased tissue (enlarged sinus open surgery) combined with antifungal use in sufficient quantities.

[Impact of blood eosinophils on clinical effect of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps]

Objective: To investigate the effect of blood eosinophils on clinical effect of endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods: From March 2011 to March 2016, 72 cases with CRSwNP were treated by endoscopic sinus surgery in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital. The clinical records were retrospectively reviewed, and the cases were divided into eosinophilia elevated and non-elevated group according to blood eosinophils, and nasal polyps were evaluated for histopathology eosinophil count. Statistical analysis was performed to compare two groups' pre- and post-operative symptoms of VAS score, sinus computed tomography (CT) scans scores according to the Lund-Mackay system and the outcome of surgery. Both groups' factors that might have affected their outcome were analyzed by t-test, Chi square, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Willcoxon rank sum test. Results: Seventy two cases were followed up from 24 to 78 months.The average follow-up time was 56 months. The VAS score in the eosinophilia elevated group (n=16) was higher than that in the non-elevated group(n=56), and the difference was statistically significant (11.44±7.13 vs 4.98±5.64, t=3.726, P<0.05). The control of symptoms in the peripheral blood eosinophilia elevated group was less than that in the non-elevated group, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-1.979, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and tissues of 72 cases (r=0.429, P<0.05). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between tissue and blood eosinophil counts, and eosinophilia group has poorer outcomes.

[Diagnosis and therapy strategy of acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis]

Summary Acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis(AIFRS) is a kind of acute fungus infectious disease.It ofen deteriorates rapidly and abruptly,which occurs in the nose and sinuses with somepeople who have low immunological function.This paper reviewed the progress about the acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis's clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis to improve the level of early diagnosis and reduce the mortality.

[Study on the metastatic sequence of cervix lymph node in hypopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the metastatic sequence of cervical lymph node in hypopharyngeal carcinoma aimed at guiding neck exploration. Methods: Seventy-five serial sections of integrally dissected lateral neck specimens from 67 patients of hypophayryngeal carcinoma were histopathologically observed, and the metastatic sequence of cervical lymph node of hypophayryngeal carcinoma were analysed. Results: In 75 integrally dissected lateral neck specimens, 63 laterals were found to occur cervical lymph node metastases, the metastatic ratio was 84.0%. The analytic result of 63 dissected lateral neck specimens with positive lymph nodes showed that the metastatic lymph node ratio in descending order was level Ⅱ (90.5%), level Ⅲ (76.2%), level Ⅳ (41.3%), level Ⅴ (15.9%), level Ⅰ (7.9%) and level Ⅵ (3.2%). The metastatic ratio of lymph node between level Ⅰ~Ⅵ were significantly different from each other (P<0.01). When the tumor metastasized to one cervical lymph node, this could be found in levels Ⅱ or Ⅲ, when metastasized to two cervical lymph nodes, these could be found in levels Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and when metastasized to more than 5 of cervical lymph nodes, these could be found in levels Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ, Ⅰand Ⅵ. According to the occurring sequence, metastatic ratio and number of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM), levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ were identified as the first station, level Ⅳ was the second station and levels Ⅴ, Ⅰ and Ⅵ were the third station of cervical LNM in hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Conclusion: The confirmation of metastatic sequence of cervical lymph node in hypophayryngeal carcinoma provides a reliable evidence for neck lymph node dissection and reference value for clinic therapy.

The SNP-set based association study identifies ITGA1 as a susceptibility gene of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Han Chinese

Genome-wide association studies, which detect the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and disease susceptibility, have been extensively applied to study attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but genome-wide significant associations have not been found yet. Genetic heterogeneity and insufficient genomic coverage may account for the missing heritability. We performed a two-stage association study for ADHD in the Han Chinese population. In the discovery stage, 1033 ADHD patients and 950 healthy controls were genotyped using both the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 and the Illumina Infinium HumanExome BeadChip. The genotyped SNPs were combined to generate a powerful SNP set with better genomic coverage especially for the nonsynonymous variants. In addition to the association of single SNPs, we collected adjacent SNPs as SNP sets, which were determined by either genes or successive sliding windows, to evaluate their synergetic effect. The candidate susceptibility SNPs were further replicated in an independent cohort of 1441 ADHD patients and 1447 healthy controls. No genome-wide significant SNPs or gene-based SNP sets were found to be associated with ADHD. However, two continuous sliding windows located in ITGA1 (P-value=8.33E-7 and P-value=8.43E-7) were genome-wide significant. The quantitative trait analyses also demonstrated their association with ADHD core symptoms and executive functions. The association was further validated by follow-up replications for four selected SNPs: rs1979398 (P-value=2.64E-6), rs16880453 (P-value=3.58E-4), rs1531545 (P-value=7.62E-4) and rs4074793 (P-value=2.03E-4). Our results suggest that genetic variants in ITGA1 may be involved in the etiology of ADHD and the SNP-set based analysis is a promising strategy for the detection of underlying genetic risk factors.

Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay experiment has observed correlations between reactor core fuel evolution and changes in the reactor antineutrino flux and energy spectrum. Four antineutrino detectors in two experimental halls were used to identify 2.2 million inverse beta decays (IBDs) over 1230 days spanning multiple fuel cycles for each of six 2.9 GW_{th} reactor cores at the Daya Bay and Ling Ao nuclear power plants. Using detector data spanning effective ^{239}Pu fission fractions F_{239} from 0.25 to 0.35, Daya Bay measures an average IBD yield σ[over ¯]_{f} of (5.90±0.13)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission and a fuel-dependent variation in the IBD yield, dσ_{f}/dF_{239}, of (-1.86±0.18)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission. This observation rejects the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino flux as a function of the ^{239}Pu fission fraction at 10 standard deviations. The variation in IBD yield is found to be energy dependent, rejecting the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino energy spectrum at 5.1 standard deviations. While measurements of the evolution in the IBD spectrum show general agreement with predictions from recent reactor models, the measured evolution in total IBD yield disagrees with recent predictions at 3.1σ. This discrepancy indicates that an overall deficit in the measured flux with respect to predictions does not result from equal fractional deficits from the primary fission isotopes ^{235}U, ^{239}Pu, ^{238}U, and ^{241}Pu. Based on measured IBD yield variations, yields of (6.17±0.17) and (4.27±0.26)×10^{-43}  cm^{2}/fission have been determined for the two dominant fission parent isotopes ^{235}U and ^{239}Pu. A 7.8% discrepancy between the observed and predicted ^{235}U yields suggests that this isotope may be the primary contributor to the reactor antineutrino anomaly.

[The clinical characteristics and treatment strategies of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in adolescents and children]

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics and treatment strategies of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in adolescents and children.Method:From 1983 to 2014, total 2936 patients with the thyroid cancer were collected in our hospital, among which there were 85 patients of adolescents and children with 61 female and 24 male. The age was from 9 to 21 years old (median 18.3 years). There were 12 cases less than 14 years.The pathologic diagnoses were papillary carcinoma 76 cases and follicular carcinoma 9 cases. The clinical material, history of disease, clinical presentation, TNM classification, histopathological features, treatment method, and the final follow-up results were analyzed and studied. Result:Overall survival rate was 100%, follow-up from 0.5 to 31 years(medium 10.9 years), 10 year progression free survival rate was 87.1%. There was no mortality and 8(9.4%)cases occurred recurrence,who followed by surgery and resumed finally. There were 20 cases found extrathyroid extention, including 8 cases less than 14 years and 12 cases older than 15 years. The extrathyroid extention rate was significantly higher in cases of lower years(66.7%)than other group(16.4%)(P<0.01). Forty-nine(57.6%) cases were found lymphanods metastases, among them ≤14 years metastases rate 92.0%（11/12）significantly more than ≥15 years metastases rate 52.1%(38/73) (P<0.05). Three patients suffered with pulmonary metastases and all of them were ≤14 years patients. All of 85 patients were received surgery treatment included total, subtotal and oneside thyroidectomy. The neck lymph nodes were underwent modefied, radical or no neck dissection. Fifteen patients were received 131I therapy postoperatively, the dosage was 50～170 mCi. All of 85 patients were received TSH suppression therapy. 13 cases(15.3%) occurred complications,such as laryngeal recurrent nerve paralysis and hypoparathyroidism commonly. Conclusion:Majority of thyroid cancer for adolescents and children are papillary and follicular carcinoma. The histopathologic feature has significant invasion beyond thyroid capsula, and metastasis to the lymphanods and distante area,especially ≤14 years patients significant more than ≥15 years. The prognosis is favorable, it is few death from thyroid cancer. The treatment means is surgery to resect all of the disease, sometimes should perform total or neartotal thyroidectomy if there are distant metastasis and extensive invasion. It should pay attention to preserve the function of recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid gland. Most of them can be performed unilateral lobectomy if the tumor located oneside thyroid gland. The lymphanode metastasis should be undertaken modified neck dissection, make effort to avoid radical neck dissection. It should be carful to use 131I internal radiation therapy and avoid the excessive treatment.

Limits on Active to Sterile Neutrino Oscillations from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for a light sterile neutrino have been performed independently by the MINOS and the Daya Bay experiments using the muon (anti)neutrino and electron antineutrino disappearance channels, respectively. In this Letter, results from both experiments are combined with those from the Bugey-3 reactor neutrino experiment to constrain oscillations into light sterile neutrinos. The three experiments are sensitive to complementary regions of parameter space, enabling the combined analysis to probe regions allowed by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) and MiniBooNE experiments in a minimally extended four-neutrino flavor framework. Stringent limits on sin^{2}2θ_{μe} are set over 6 orders of magnitude in the sterile mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}. The sterile-neutrino mixing phase space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments is excluded for Δm_{41}^{2}<0.8  eV^{2} at 95%  CL_{s}.

Improved Search for a Light Sterile Neutrino with the Full Configuration of the Daya Bay Experiment

This Letter reports an improved search for light sterile neutrino mixing in the electron antineutrino disappearance channel with the full configuration of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. With an additional 404 days of data collected in eight antineutrino detectors, this search benefits from 3.6 times the statistics available to the previous publication, as well as from improvements in energy calibration and background reduction. A relative comparison of the rate and energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos in the three experimental halls yields no evidence of sterile neutrino mixing in the 2×10^{-4}≲|Δm_{41}^{2}|≲0.3  eV^{2} mass range. The resulting limits on sin^{2}2θ_{14} are improved by approx imately a factor of 2 over previous results and constitute the most stringent constraints to date in the |Δm_{41}^{2}|≲0.2  eV^{2} region.

Potential application of digital image-processing method and fitted logistic model to the control of oriental fruit moths (Grapholita molesta Busck)

Monitoring of oriental fruit moths (Grapholita molesta Busck) is a prerequisite for its control. This study introduced a digital image-processing method and logistic model for the control of oriental fruit moths. First, five triangular sex pheromone traps were installed separately within each area of 667 m2 in a peach orchard to monitor oriental fruit moths consecutively for 3 years. Next, full view images of oriental fruit moths were collected via a digital camera and then subjected to graying, separation and morphological analysis for automatic counting using MATLAB software. Afterwards, the results of automatic counting were used for fitting a logistic model to forecast the control threshold and key control period. There was a high consistency between automatic counting and manual counting (0.99, P < 0.05). According to the logistic model, oriental fruit moths had four occurrence peaks during a year, with a time-lag of 15-18 days between adult occurrence peak and the larval damage peak. Additionally, the key control period was from 28 June to 3 July each year, when the wormy fruit rate reached up to 5% and the trapping volume was approximately 10.2 per day per trap. Additionally, the key control period for the overwintering generation was 25 April. This study provides an automatic counting method and fitted logistic model with a great potential for application to the control of oriental fruit moths.

Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

This Letter reports a measurement of the flux and energy spectrum of electron antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth nuclear reactors with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls in the Daya Bay experiment. Using 217 days of data, 296 721 and 41 589 inverse β decay (IBD) candidates were detected in the near and far halls, respectively. The measured IBD yield is (1.55±0.04) ×10(-18)  cm(2) GW(-1) day(-1) or (5.92±0.14) ×10(-43)  cm(2) fission(-1). This flux measurement is consistent with previous short-baseline reactor antineutrino experiments and is 0.946±0.022 (0.991±0.023) relative to the flux predicted with the Huber-Mueller (ILL-Vogel) fissile antineutrino model. The measured IBD positron energy spectrum deviates from both spectral predictions by more than 2σ over the full energy range with a local significance of up to ∼4σ between 4-6 MeV. A reactor antineutrino spectrum of IBD reactions is extracted from the measured positron energy spectrum for model-independent predictions.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Long-term treadmill exercise improves spatial memory of male APPswe/PS1dE9 mice by regulation of BDNF expression and microglia activation

Increasing evidence suggests that physical activity could delay or attenuate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). But the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. To investigate the effect of long-term treadmill exercise on the spatial memory of AD mice and the possible role of β-amyloid, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and microglia in the effect, male APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mice aged 4 months were subjected to treadmill exercise for 5 months with 6 sessions per week and gradually increased load. A Morris water maze was used to evaluate the spatial memory. Expression levels of β-amyloid, BDNF and Iba-1 (a microglia marker) in brain tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Sedentary AD mice and wildtype C57BL/6J mice served as controls. The results showed that 5-month treadmill exercise significantly decreased the escape latencies (P < 0.01 on the 4th day) and improved the spatial memory of the AD mice in the water maze test. Meanwhile, treadmill exercise significantly increased the number of BDNF-positive cells and decreased the ratios of activated microglia in both the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. However, treadmill exercise did not significantly alleviate the accumulation of β-amyloid in either the cerebral cortex or the hippocampus of the AD mice (P > 0.05). The study suggested that long-term treadmill exercise could improve the spatial memory of the male APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mice. The increase in BDNF-positive cells and decrease in activated microglia might underpin the beneficial effect.

Correlation between tea consumption and prevalence of hypertension among Singaporean Chinese residents aged ⩾40 years

By a cross-sectional epidemiology study, we attempted to correlate the consumption of tea and/or health supplements, living habits and socio-demographic factors to the prevalence of hypertension among Singaporean Chinese residents. Singaporean Chinese residents aged ⩾40 years were randomly selected and interviewed face-to-face by clinical research assistants. Hypertension was defined as measured systolic blood pressure at least 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure at least 90  mmHg or self-reported history/treatment for hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among the whole investigated population (N=1184, 58.27% females) was 49.73% and the prevalence increased to 66.47% in the sub-population aged ⩾60 years. High risk of hypertension was associated with age ⩾60 years (odds ratio (OR): 4.15-4.19, P<0.01), obesity (body mass index >25 kg m(-2), OR: 2.10-2.11, P<0.01), family history of hypertension (OR: 2.69-2.76, P<0.01), diabetes history (OR: 2.29-2.33, P<0.01), hyperlipidemia history (OR: 1.79-1.80, P<0.01), male (OR: 1.56-1.59, P<0.01) and coffee intake (OR: 1.44-1.46, P<0.05). In contrast, drinking green tea at least 150 ml per week was associated with lower hypertension risk (OR: 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43-0.91, P<0.05). Drinking combination of green tea and British tea was associated with higher reduction in the risk of hypertension (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.85, P<0.05). This cross-sectional study suggests that consumption of tea, especially green tea and British tea, was associated with lowering the risk of hypertension. On the other hand, consumption of coffee could be a risk factor of hypertension. These findings may provide useful information for health promotion to reduce risk of hypertension and warrant further study to confirm and elucidate such association.