Squeezing-induced nonreciprocal photon blockade in an optomechanical microresonator.

We propose a scheme to generate nonreciprocal photon blockade in a stationary whispering gallery microresonator system based on two physical mechanisms. One of the two mechanisms is inspired by recent work [Phys. Rev. Lett.128, 083604 (2022)10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.083604], where the quantum squeezing caused by parametric interaction not only shifts the optical frequency of propagating mode but also enhances its optomechanical coupling, resulting in a nonreciprocal conventional photon blockade phenomenon. On the other hand, we also give another mechanism to generate stronger nonreciprocity of photon correlation according to the destructive quantum interference. Comparing these two strategies, the required nonlinear strength of parametric interaction in the second one is smaller, and the broadband squeezed vacuum field used to eliminate thermalization noise is no longer needed. All analyses and optimal parameter relations are further verified by numerically simulating the quantum master equation. Our proposed scheme opens a new avenue for achieving the nonreciprocal single photon source without stringent requirements, which may have critical applications in quantum communication, quantum information processing, and topological photonics.

[Effect of Systematic Graded Rewarming Pattern on All-Cause Mortality of Hypothermic Trauma Patients in Different Time Periods].

Objective To investigate the effect of systematic graded rewarming pattern on all-cause mortality of hypothermic trauma patients in different time periods. Methods A prospective case-control study was carried out for 236 hypothermic trauma patients with modified trauma score<12 in the Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021.The patients were randomly assigned into a systematic graded rewarming group (n=118) and a traditional rewarming group (n=118).The main outcome event was all-cause death within 15 days after trauma,and the secondary outcome event was all-cause death within 3,7,and 30 days after trauma. Results Overall,13.98%(33/236) and 14.83%(35/236) of the patients died within 15 and 30 days after trauma,respectively,and the median survival time of all dead patients was 6 (4,10) days.The systematic graded rewarming group had higher temperature after rewarming for 2 h (P=0.001) and larger temperature change after rewarming intervention (P=0.047) than the traditional rewarming group.The all-cause mortality within 15 days (27.3%vs.72.7%,P=0.005) and 30 days (25.7%vs.74.3%,P=0.002) in the systematic graded rewarming group was lower than that in the traditional rewarming group.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the survival time of the patients in the systematic graded rewarming group was longer than that in the traditional rewarming group (P=0.003).Multivariate cox regression analysis indicated that systematic graded rewarming was a strong protective factor for survival time after trauma (HR=0.450, P=0.042).Further Logistic regression analysis for the occurrence of all-cause death in each time period showed that the OR of systematic graded rewarming pattern to all-cause death within 15 days and 30 days after trauma were 0.289 and 0.286,respectively,after adjusting the covariates(P=0.008,P=0.005).The temperature after rewarming for 2 h had a negative correlation with all-cause mortality within 30 days after trauma (OR=0.670, P=0.049). Conclusions Systematic graded rewarming is a protective factor for the survival time of patients with traumatic hypothermia and an independent factor affecting the risk of all-cause death within 15 days and 30 days after trauma.The temperature after rewarming for 2 h is expected to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality of 30 days after trauma in the patients with hypothermia.The systematic graded rewarming pattern could reduce the mortality of hypothermic trauma patients.

Verification of Information Thermodynamics in a Trapped Ion System.

Information thermodynamics has developed rapidly over past years, and the trapped ions, as a controllable quantum system, have demonstrated feasibility to experimentally verify the theoretical predictions in the information thermodynamics. Here, we address some representative theories of information thermodynamics, such as the quantum Landauer principle, information equality based on the two-point measurement, information-theoretical bound of irreversibility, and speed limit restrained by the entropy production of system, and review their experimental demonstration in the trapped ion system. In these schemes, the typical physical processes, such as the entropy flow, energy transfer, and information flow, build the connection between thermodynamic processes and information variation. We then elucidate the concrete quantum control strategies to simulate these processes by using quantum operators and the decay paths in the trapped-ion system. Based on them, some significantly dynamical processes in the trapped ion system to realize the newly proposed information-thermodynamic models is reviewed. Although only some latest experimental results of information thermodynamics with a single trapped-ion quantum system are reviewed here, we expect to find more exploration in the future with more ions involved in the experimental systems.

Catheter Aspiration With Recanalization for Budd-Chiari Syndrome With Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of catheter aspiration with recanalization in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2017, 33 patients with BCS and IVC thrombosis were treated by catheter aspiration with IVC recanalization in our center. A 12 F angled-tip guiding catheter was used for the aspiration of thrombi in the IVC. Recanalization was conducted following thrombi aspiration. Rates of technical success, clinical success and long-term patency were calculated. RESULTS: Catheter aspiration with IVC recanalization was technically successful in all patients. After aspiration, no thrombi were detectable by IVC venography in 21 patients, while residual mural thrombi were found in 12 patients. IVC balloon dilation was performed in 18 patients, while stent insertion was performed in 15 patients. We also achieved clinical success in all patients. Symptomatic and asymptomatic pulmonary embolism were found in 1 patient each, respectively. The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year patency rates were 93.6%, 93.6%, and 83.2%, respectively. All patients remained alive during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter aspiration with recanalization is a safe and efficacious approach to treating patients with BCS and IVC thrombosis.

Anorectal functional outcome following laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Low anterior resection (LAR) with total mesorectal excision has been considered a standard treatment for patients with rectal cancer. However, the functional outcome and life quality of laparoscopic LAR (LLAR) in Chinese patients remain unclear. A cohort of 51 Chinese patients (22 men and 29 women) who had undergone LLAR was included in this study. Anorectal manometry combined with the Wexner scores questionnaire were applied to assess functional outcome preoperatively (1 week) and postoperatively (at 3, 6 and 9 months). The validated Chinese versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires were also used to assess the patients' quality of life at the indicated time points. The results demonstrated that the manometric parameters exhibited a temporary decrease at 3 months postoperatively, but a gradual increase at 6 and 9 months, while the Wexner scores exhibited an opposite trend. Furthermore, patients with high anastomoses had significantly higher manometric parameters, a lower frequency of incontinence and lower Wexner scores compared with those with low anastomoses at 9 months (all P<0.05). For the entire cohort, quality of life at 3 months postoperatively was worse compared with the preoperative level, but returned to normal by 9 months. Patients with high anastomoses exhibited significantly better role, emotional and social function, had a better body image and sexual function, fewer problems with defecation and lower frequency of diarrhea, as well as fewer chemotherapy-related side effects at 6 months postoperatively when compared with the low anastomosis group (all P<0.05). In conclusion, LLAR is generally acceptable for Chinese patients with rectal cancer, particularly for those with middle or high rectal cancer, in terms of functional outcome and quality of life.

Overexpression of Tbx3 is correlated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition phenotype and predicts poor prognosis of colorectal cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the clinical significance of Tbx3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the possible association between Tbx3 expression and Epithelial- Transition Mesenchymal (EMT) phenotype. METHODS: Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were employed to evaluate the expression of Tbx3 in 30 fresh CRC and matched normal tissues. Using immunochemistry, protein level of Tbx3 and EMT markers (E-cadherin and N-cadherin) were identified in 150 pairs of paraffin-embedded specimen. RESULTS: The results of qRT-PCR and western blotting showed that Tbx3 expression was higher in CRC tissues than in corresponding normal tissues. The statistical analysis based on immunohistochemical evaluation suggested that Tbx3 aberrant expression was significantly associated with tumor size (P=0.049), differentiation (P=0.032), invasion (P=0.019), lymph node metastasis (P=0.049) and TNM stage (P=0.018). Patients who displayed high expression of Tbx3 may achieve a poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), compared to those with low expression of Tbx3. This tendency was also observed in patients with intermediate levels of disease (II and III stage). The multivariate analysis indicated Tbx3 expression could independently predict the outcome of CRC patients. Interestingly, correlation analysis suggested Tbx3 expression was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression, but positively correlated with N-cadherin expression. CONCLUSION: Tbx3 may promote CRC progression by involving EMT program and has the potential to be an effective prognostic predictor for CRC patients.