Feeding Eucommia ulmoides extract enhances protection against high-temperature stress in chicks.

Chick's susceptibility to heat stress often leads to growth retardation, immune function impairment, disease, and mortality. This thesis explores the potential ameliorative effect of 0.8% Eucommia ulmoides extract (EUE) into the diet of heat-stressed chicks in a 15-d feeding trial. The investigation reveals that feeding EUE significantly enhances the BW, ADG, AFI, and F/G of chicks experiencing heat stress. Additionally, the EUE groups exhibited higher levels of T-AOC (at 7 and 15d), SOD (at 15 d), GSH-Px (at 15 d), as well as lower MDA concentrations (at 7 and 15d) in chick serum. Pathological changes and H&E staining revealed that EUE effectively improved tissue damage in the duodenum, heart, and stomach induced by heat stress in the chicks. The EUE groups also showed higher levels of IgA (at 7 d), IgG and IgM (at 7 and 15 d). RNA-seq and WGCNA analysis revealed that EUE mitigates cellular damage and losses in heat-stressed chicks primarily through pathways involving signal transduction, protein synthesis and degradation, as well as cell cycle regulation, particularly the latter. This investigation serves as a fundamental and cognitive framework for the development and application of Eucommia ulmoides feed additives aimed at safeguarding the well-being of chicks in adverse environmental conditions.

2 MeV proton irradiation effect on the performance of InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice long-wave infrared detectors.

In this work, we investigated the effect of 2 MeV proton irradiation on the performance of InAs/GaSb type-II superlattice long-wave infrared detectors by combining ground-based irradiation experiments with Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) computer simulations. We found that irradiation with 2 MeV protons significantly increases the dark current density of the detector by more than two orders of magnitude. At the same time, the quantum efficiency decreases by an order of magnitude. Moreover, proton irradiation degrades the device's performance by raising bulk and surface leakage currents. As the mesa size of the device increases, the proportion of surface leakage current in the total dark current drops. When the mesa size is smaller, the detector irradiation damage is greater. In addition, simulations indicate that the amount of damage produced by 2 MeV proton irradiation rises as irradiation fluences increase. The trends of the irradiation damage produced by the SRIM simulation results and the photocurrent measurements after proton irradiation are consistent, whereas the dark current measurements are identical only at small fluences.

High-order DBR semiconductor lasers: effect of grating parameters on grating performance.

In this paper, a high-order distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) semiconductor laser operating at 1064 nm is demonstrated based on simulation analysis. To get optimal Bragg grating characteristics, four parameters of the Bragg grating were analyzed in detail. Forty-nine-order Bragg gratings were designed with a reflectivity of 6% and a FWHM of 3 nm, which can realize mode selection while lasing. The Bragg gratings were designed to maximize the use of light. Transmission of the rear laser facet is theoretically 0. This simulation result provides a simple and efficient DBR semiconductor laser scheme without cavity surface coating.

High-order DBR semiconductor lasers: effect of grating parameters on grating performance: publisher's note.

This publisher's note amends the author listing in Appl. Opt.59, 8789 (2020)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.402699.

High-power vertical external-cavity surface-emitting laser emitting switchable wavelengths.

In this paper we reported on the optically pumped VECSELs with switchable lasing wavelengths. The two lasing wavelengths of λ ≈ 954 nm and 1003 nm are generated at different pumping powers from the same gain chip. The thermal rollover of output power is observed twice, and the first rollover on the power curve indicates the switch of lasing wavelength. During the operation of our VECSEL, the increase of pumping power changes the temperature within the gain chip, and thus the gain spectrum is tuned to the one of two modes, which is defined by the dips on the reflectivity spectrum. The maximum output power of each wavelength exceeds 2.2 W at -5 °C. The dual-wavelength emission at λ ≈954 nm and 1003 nm is also demonstrated, and the output power of the dual-wavelength emission reached nearly 2 W.

VCSEL mode and polarization control by an elliptic dielectric mode filter.

In this paper, we demonstrate the effectiveness of polarization mode control in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with integrated elliptic dielectric mode filters. The single-mode single-polarization laser operation is obtained by an irregularly shaped oval dielectric mode filter, aimed at cost-effective mass production. The orthogonal polarization suppression ratio was measured to be 16.7 dB, and the side-mode suppression ratio exceeded 30 dB. A single fundamental mode power of 0.55 mW was achieved at a bias current of 4 mA. We compared the spectra and near-field intensities of the dielectric mode filter VCSEL with a reference device. The comparison clearly indicates the effectiveness of our dielectric mode filter in controlling the transverse- and polarization-mode properties of VCSELs.

High single-fundamental-mode power VCSEL integrated with alternating aluminum content micro-lens.

The patterned top-emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with a fixed diameter etching window was etched in hydrobromic acid solution with anisotropic etching. An all-semiconductor micro-lens that consisted of alternating aluminum content was directly formed on the output window. The etched curved surface with designed curvature radius makes the mirror loss located at the convex region differ from the edge region. Higher-order modes experience larger mirror loss and are therefore filtered out. The VCSEL with the designed micro-lens reaches a 3.14 mW single-mode power with side-mode suppression ratio >25 dB, which is over 50 times higher than the 0.06 mW single-mode power of the reference VCSEL.

OPSR enhancement of high-temperature operating shallow-surface grating VCSELs.

A polarization-stable single-mode 894 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) with an orthogonal polarization suppression ratio of 30 dB, even at a temperature up to 80°C, was achieved for atomic clock applications by utilizing shallow-surface gratings. An improved grating VCSEL fabrication technology for mass production was also proposed by taking advantage of the displacement Talbot lithography. The multi-mode grating VCSEL was also measured for other applications that need polarization stability, such as doubled-data-rate polarization multiplexed free-space links.

Study of Nitrogen Removal Performance When Treating Low Carbon Sewage Using External Solid Carbon Sources in SBBR Systems.

Based on low carbon wastewater as the research object and using corncob as an external solid carbon source, the performance of corncob organic matter was assessed for its release potential, quantity of release, and safety of use. The effects of varying quantities of the solid carbon source on simultaneous nitrification and denitrification were investigated in a sequencing biofilm batch reactor (SBBR). Results show that the regularity of corncob as solid carbon source material was linear, with released concentrations of heavy metals being below the Chinese national standard limit values for heavy metals according to the surface water environment quality standards (I and II) (GB3838-2002). When temperatures were within 28~31°C, the dissolved oxygen level was 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/L and the pH conditions were within 7.5~8.0. The optimal quantity for corncob dosing was 5 g per 1.5 L of low carbon wastewater. Following treatment, the average effluent concentrations of NH4+-N and TN were 2.85 mg/L and 4.51 mg/L, respectively. The effluent concentration of NH4+-N, TN had reached the A level national standard of sewage treatment plant pollutant discharge standard (GB18918-2002).

Clinical observation on YiSuiShengXueGranule on treating 156 patients with beta-thalassemia major and the molecular mechanism study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects and security of YiSuiShengXueGranule (YSSXG) on treating 156 patients with beta-thalassemia major. METHODS: YSSXG was given orally to 156 patients with beta-thalassemia in GuangXi Autonomous Region (the high incidence area of beta-thalassemia in China) for 3 months as one therapeutic course, 3 times a day, 10 g each time (for children, the dose should be reduced properly according to their body weight and age), and no blood transfusion used during the course. Clinical symptoms and levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocyte (Ret) and hemoglobin F (HbF) were observed before and after treatment, and side-effects were observed during the course. A 3-6 months follow up study was performed after withdrawal of YSSXG. And systemic gene analysis was conducted with PCR, SSCP-PCR, RT-PCR and DNA sequences analysis and mRNA differently expression technique, in order to study the molecular mechanism from the relationships between genetic mutation and clinical efficacy, gene expression and its regulation. RESULTS: Levels of Hb, RBC, Ret and HbF obviously elevated, and clinical symptoms markedly ameliorated in patients after treated with YSSXG from the 1st to 3rd month (all p<0.01). Dynamical observation showed that the improvement of symptoms kept accordance with the elevation of hemorrheological indexes. The treatment was effective in 145 patients and ineffective in 11, and the total effective rate was 92.9%, without any adverse reaction founded. Follow-up studies showed the therapeutic effect could sustain for 3 to 4 months after drug-withdrawal. The molecular mechanism study showed: YSSXG did not change the genetic mutation type, but could obviously increase gamma/(beta+gamma) globin ratio, both gamma-globin mRNA and GM-CSF mRNA expression were significantly enhanced so as to induce HbF synthesis increasing after treated with YSSXG. CONCLUSION: YSSXG had obvious effects in treating beta-thalassemia by unlocking gamma-gene, increasing the gamma-globin expression and enhancing HbF synthesis so as to compensate for the gene defect. This study has provided a new path for the treatment of beta-thalassemia with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

[Treatment of beta-thalassemia with Bushen Yisui therapy: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Yisui Shengxue Granule (YSSXG), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in treating beta-thalassemia. METHODS: A randomized single-blinded trial was designed. Sixty patients with beta-thalassemia were divided into two groups: 30 patients in YSSXG-treated group and 30 in placebo parallel-control group. The patients in the two groups were assigned to receive either YSSXG or placebo for three months. The patients' symptoms and their blood indexes such as hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), reticulocytes (Ret) and fetal hemoglobin (HBF) were examined before and after the treatment. Meanwhile, the liver and spleen were examined with B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS: In the YSSXG-treated group, the blood indexes (Hb, RBC, Ret and HBF) and the symptoms of the patients were improved after three-month treatment, with statistical significance compared to those before treatment (P<0.01); hepatauxe and splenomegaly were also relieved (P<0.05) and no adverse reactions were monitored. In the placebo parallel-control group, no significant improvement of the blood indexes and symptoms, as well as the hepatauxe and splenomegaly had been found (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: YSSXG demonstrates obvious clinical efficacy and no adverse reactions in treating beta-thalassemia.

[Study on the screening program of thalassemia and the genotype and hematologic parameter among people of productive age in a village, Nanning Guangxi].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the carrier ratio and the genotype of thalassemia in the rural people of reproductive age in Nanning, and to analyze the characteristics of hematologic parameter in thalassemia carriers. METHODS: 2044 cases of productive age youths were detected with hemoglobin autoanalyse-Variant (HPLC) and Cell Dyn 1700 automatic hemocyte analysator. Among them,430 cases (75 couples randomly selected in thalassemia screening, 140 couples who were told that one or both of them were positive for thalassemia phenotype through hemocyte analysis) carried out thalassemia gene detection in synchronism. RESULTS: 163 cases were detected beta-thalassemia and the thus beta-thalassemia carrier ratio was 7.97%. 13 cases were detected HbH disease, and 2 cases Hb Manitoba, 2 cases HbJ, and 1 case HbQ. As for genotypes,-alpha (3.7)/alpha,-alpha(CS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha were common ones with in alpha-thalassemia-2, --(SEA)/alphaalpha the most common one in alpha-thalassemia-1, and 41-42 were the most common ones in beta-thalassemia heterozygotes. The detection ratio of alpha,beta combination thalassemia was also relatively high. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were low in all cases of HbH disease and beta-thalassemia, also low in 86 cases of alpha-thalassemia-1 with the exception of normal MCH in 1 case, yet normal in 17 cases out of 66 cases of alpha-thalassemia-2. HbF raised in 32 cases out of 69 cases of beta-thalassemia heterozygote, no case showed raised HbF without the raise of HbA2. Hematologic characteristic of alpha, beta combination thalassemia was mainly caused by beta-thalassemia. CONCLUSION: Carrier ratio of thalassemia in rural productive age youths in Nanning was high while alpha-thalassemia-2 with the genotype -alpha(WS)/alphaalpha and -alpha(CS)/ alphaalpha were common. To those with low MCV and MCH in high-risk region, thalassemia should be suspected.