Search

Summary: While commonly treated as a uniform state in practice, rapid eye movement sleep contains two distinct microstructures—phasic (presence of rapid eye movement) and tonic (no rapid eye movement). This study aims to identify technical challenges during rapid eye movement sleep microstructure visual classification in patients with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder, and to propose solutions to enhance reliability between scorers. Fifty‐seven sleep recordings were randomly allocated into three subsequent batches (n = 10, 13 and 34) for scoring. To reduce single‐centre bias, we recruited three raters/scorers, with each trained from a different institution. Two raters independently scored each 30‐s rapid eye movement sleep into 10 × fSEM3‐s phasic/tonic microstructures based on the AASM guidelines. The third rater acted as an "arbitrator" to resolve opposite opinions persisting during the revision between batches. Besides interrater differences in artefact rejection rate, interrater variance frequently occurred due to transitioning between microstructures and moderate‐to‐severe muscular/electrode artefact interference. To enhance interrater agreement, a rapid eye movement scoring schematic graph was developed, incorporating proxy electrode use, filters and cut‐offs for microstructure transitioning. To assess potential effectiveness of the schematic graph proposed, raters were instructed to systematically apply it in scoring for the third batch. Of the 34 recordings, 27 reached a Cohen's kappa score above 0.8 (i.e. almost perfect agreement between raters), significantly improved from the prior batches (p = 0.0003, Kruskal–Wallis test). Our study illustrated potential solutions and guidance for challenges that may be encountered during rapid eye movement sleep microstructure classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an SPH‐based method for simulating viscoelastic non‐Newtonian fluids within a multiphase framework. For this, we use mixture models to handle component transport and conformation tensor methods to handle the fluid's viscoelastic stresses. In addition, we consider a bonding effects network to handle the impact of microscopic chemical bonds on phase transport. Our method supports the simulation of both steady‐state viscoelastic fluids and discontinuous shear behavior. Compared to previous work on single‐phase viscous non‐Newtonian fluids, our method can capture more complex behavior, including material mixing processes that generate non‐Newtonian fluids. We adopt a uniform set of variables to describe shear thinning, shear thickening, and ordinary Newtonian fluids while automatically calculating local rheology in inhomogeneous solutions. In addition, our method can simulate large viscosity ranges under explicit integration schemes, which typically requires implicit viscosity solvers under earlier single‐phase frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Dietary management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves more than defining a therapeutic diet. The profusion of 'expert advice' is not necessarily built on evidence. Aims: To provide evidence‐based guidance on all clinically relevant aspects of nutritional and dietary management of patients with IBD. Methods: A comprehensive review of the published literature was made. Results: Four pillars of management should be considered in all patients. First, nutritional status should be optimised, since myopenia and visceral obesity are associated with poorer outcomes, which can be improved with attention to their correction. Accurate point‐of‐care measurement of body composition is advocated to identify problems, guide interventions and monitor outcomes. Second, exclusive enteral nutrition and the Crohn's Disease Exclusion Diet with partial enteral nutrition in reducing intestinal inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease have sufficient evidence to be advocated. Multiple other dietary approaches, while promising, have insufficient evidence to be recommended. Third, dietary approaches are important in symptomatic control in many non‐inflammatory scenarios. Finally, guidance on following a healthy diet is fundamental to the general health of patients. Multiple approaches are advocated, but the optimal strategy is unclear. The precarious nutritional status of patients with IBD together with the risks of nutritional inadequacy and maladaptive eating behaviours associated with restrictive diets dictate involvement of expert dietitians in assessment and personalised delivery of dietary interventions. Conclusions: Four pillars of nutritional management require specific assessment and interventional strategies that should be chosen by evidence. Optimal delivery requires the skills of a specialised dietitian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has become a favorable method for preparation of iron-containing films. However, as a key role in the CVD process, the available liquid iron precursor is scarce. To this aim, this study synthesized two liquid iron complexes using sec-butyl-containing amidines as ligands, and the synthesized complexes' structures were characterized through 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to study the thermal properties (including volatility, thermal stability, and vapor pressure) of the designed complexes, and the results demonstrated that both complexes have excellent volatility, sufficient thermal stability and vapor pressure. The reactivity of the complexes was observed through solution reactions between them and conventional co-reagents, and both complexes exhibited high reactivity. Moreover, the applicability of the synthesized complexes as CVD precursors were evaluated through film deposition experiment, and a continuous, uniform, high purity, and smooth α-Fe2O3 film was obtained. These results demonstrated that the synthesized complexes are promising precursors for the CVD of iron-containing films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are wide‐ranging probiotic choices in Australasia. We reviewed the efficacy of probiotics for the management of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in adults and assessed relevance to clinical practice. The benefits of probiotics were inconsistent, with a strong consensus reached for only a few of the indications. As different species/strains and combinations differ in efficacy, results cannot be extrapolated from one to another. This review endorses specific probiotics for limited indications. Efficacy of most marketed probiotic formulations remains unstudied and unproven, warranting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, porous and flower-like polyaniline nanomaterials were prepared by chemical oxidation with aniline as polymerization monomer, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as template, and ammonium persulfate as oxidant. Base on the polyaniline nanoflowers modified glassy carbon electrode (F-PANI/GCE), an electrochemical sensor was constructed, and for the first time used for Cu2+ detection. The results show that F-PANI/GCE-based senor exhibited excellent performance. In the range of 0.8–300 μM, the Cu2+ concentration has a good linear relationship with the current of oxidation peak, and the limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 0.085 μM (S/N = 3). Its performance is comparable to or even superior to the reported electrochemical platforms for Cu2+ determination. We think that the improvement should be attributed to the excellent conductivity, high specific surface area and especially abundant amine and imine groups of PANI, which are conducive to absorb and enrich copper ions, and provide more active sites to significantly reduce charge transfer resistance. The sensor has many advantages such as low cost, high sensitivity, good stability, excellent repeatability, and strong anti-interference, permitting efficient Cu2+ detection in actual water samples. The recovery of Cu2+ was between 98.92 and 100.12%. Consequently, it has great application potential in quality monitoring of environmental water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleation and growth of {100}-textured and "toothed" columnar grains in Fe–0.5% Mn non-oriented electrical steels were analyzed by considering the factors like cooling rate and flowing rate of the hydrogen through phase transformation. The results demonstrate that the formation of {100}-textured and "toothed" columnar grains with high grain orientation spread (GOS) values mainly involved the nucleation of {100}-oriented nuclei with high GOS values on the surface region in the incipient stage of the γ (austenite) → α (ferrite) transformation and the growth of them caused by both directed growth along normal direction (ND) and faceted growth on the rolling surface (RS) during solid-state transformation. The morphology, size and structure characteristics of columnar grains are explained in terms of the competitions between the nucleation rate and the rate of directed growth along ND or faceted growth on RS of ferrite nuclei. When the nucleation rate of ferrite nuclei is equal to their directed growth rate along ND during the γ → α transformation, {100}-textured and "toothed" columnar grains with high GOS values are obtained. With a higher nucleation rate of ferrite nuclei than the directed growth rate of {100}-oriented nuclei along ND, three-layer sandwiched structure is formed, including few {100}-textured and "toothed" columnar grain layers with high GOS values on the surface, whereas large numbers of {111}-textured equiaxed grains with low GOS values in the inner layer. In addition, when the faceted growth on the RS of {100}-oriented nuclei is dominant, heavy and coarse "toothed" columnar grains with high GOS values are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyse the natural course of infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening and to explore the appropriate observation period. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening every 3 months for 12 months. Results: The average recovery time of the 155 infants was 7.08 ± 0.32 months after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that frequent reflux, maxillofacial deformities and initial hearing status were independent factors affecting recovery. Moreover, the cumulative recovery of most infants with mild hearing loss and infants with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux was significantly higher at six months after diagnosis than at three months. Conclusion: For most infants with mild hearing loss, as well as those with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux, the observation period can be extended to six months after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Biodiversity is an important component of natural ecosystems, with higher species richness often correlating with an increase in ecosystem productivity. Yet, this relationship varies substantially across environments, typically becoming less pronounced at high levels of species richness. However, species richness alone cannot reflect all important properties of a community, including community evenness, which may mediate the relationship between biodiversity and productivity. If the evenness of a community correlates negatively with richness across forests globally, then a greater number of species may not always increase overall diversity and productivity of the system. Theoretical work and local empirical studies have shown that the effect of evenness on ecosystem functioning may be especially strong at high richness levels, yet the consistency of this remains untested at a global scale. 2. Here, we used a dataset of forests from across the globe, which includes composition, biomass accumulation and net primary productivity, to explore whether productivity correlates with community evenness and richness in a way that evenness appears to buffer the effect of richness. Specifically, we evaluated whether low levels of evenness in speciose communities correlate with the attenuation of the richness–productivity relationship. 3. We found that tree species richness and evenness are negatively correlated across forests globally, with highly speciose forests typically comprising a few dominant and many rare species. Furthermore, we found that the correlation between diversity and productivity changes with evenness: at low richness, uneven communities are more productive, while at high richness, even communities are more productive. 4. Synthesis. Collectively, these results demonstrate that evenness is an integral component of the relationship between biodiversity and productivity, and that the attenuating effect of richness on forest productivity might be partly explained by low evenness in speciose communities. Productivity generally increases with species richness, until reduced evenness limits the overall increases in community diversity. Our research suggests that evenness is a fundamental component of biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships, and is of critical importance for guiding conservation and sustainable ecosystem management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous dielectric discharge (PDD) is a critical phenomenon in plasma catalysis, biomedical tissue surface functionalization, and all-solid-state battery design. The dielectric constant of porous dielectric (PD) significantly impacts discharge characteristics and breakdown mechanisms across different applications. However, the complex spatial structure of porous media presents challenges in diagnosing and simulating PDD, limiting our understanding of its mechanism. In this study, the real geometric model of PD obtained from x-ray computed tomography (X-Ray-μ CT) and a two-dimensional fluid model were used to simulate and analyze the effect of dielectric constant on PDD-plasma characteristics, especially the generation and disappearance of charged particles. The simulation results reveal the following: (1) At the breakdown moment, PDD is a density-unbalanced discharge where the electron density is two orders of magnitude higher than the ion density; (2) The breakdown discharge follows the most accessible channel instead of filling the entire gap, which is guided by the electron temperature gradient; and (3) It was first discovered that the breakdown voltage exhibits a saturated growth curve under the control of the dielectric constant. By combining these mechanisms, a comprehensive explanation has been provided for this phenomenon. This study offers a robust simulation and theoretical basis for understanding the breakdown characteristics of PDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is an economically important crop. Root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum has become a damaging disease in N. tabacum crops grown in Henan province of China. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to screen bacterial isolates against F. oxysporum from rhizosphere soils of tobacco growing areas and to evaluate their antifungal activities, biocontrol effects, and effects on plant growth. Methods and results Nineteen strains with antifungal inhibition effects of >60% against F. oxysporum were obtained using the method of flat confrontation; the strain Ba-0321 was the strongest, with an antifungal effect of 75%. Moreover, this strain had broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to eight additional tobacco pathogens. The strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis by morphology and the 16S rDNA sequence. The B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 had strong UV resistance as well as tolerance to high temperatures and low nutrition. The bacteria inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of F. oxysporum under in vitro co-culture conditions. In vivo assays demonstrated that the Ba-0321 strain significantly reduced the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum , resulting in a control effect on tobacco root rot of 81.00%. Simultaneously, the bacteria significantly promoted root development and the growth of tobacco plants. Conclusion Our results confirmed that the B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 has a strong antifungal effect and stress resistance that enable it to be used as a biological control agent for tobacco root rot caused by F. oxysporum. Significance and impact of the study Tobacco root rot caused by F. oxysporum has become a damaging disease in China. The B. velezensis strain Ba-0321 has promising application value for controlling tobacco root rot diseases, and it could provide a new biocontrol agent against root rot caused by F. oxysporum in other plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The path to molecular logic-based computation began in Colombo, Sri Lanka and proceeded to Belfast, Northern Ireland. From there it spread to many cities around the world when over 1260 laboratories contributed examples and ideas to advance the field (Figure 1A-C). The formative experiments and some future directions are mapped out in this perspective. Principles discovered here should have a bearing on the computing performed continuously by molecule-based living things to survive and prosper. The more mature field of fluorescent sensors served as the springboard for molecular logic, and still serves a continuing need in society for monitoring atomic and molecular species in various situations for improving health, environment and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans constitutes a neglected tropical disease whose prevalence seems to have overrun those of cutaneous tuberculosis and leprosy. Its aggressivity depends on a mycolactone toxin. Lesions may involve skin, tendon and bone with a large spectrum of manifestations: non-ulcerative (papules, nodules, plaques), ulcerative and oedematous presentations as well as osteomyelitis with muscular contraction and ankylosis. Upper limbs account for more than two thirds of the infection sites. Surgical treatment may involve tendon transpositions, partial and total skin grafts. Amputation is relegated to extreme cases. Selected iconography from patients during the last 15 years is presented. At least 1500 cases had partial skin grafts (anterior thigh). Total skin grafts (inguinal region) were used in about 200 cases. Complex lesions involved 9 ilioinguinal flaps (5 boys, 4 girls, mean age 11.2 years, range 2–16 years), 5 tendon transfers (4 boys, one girl, mean age 15.4 years, range 12–19 years) and 3 resections of the first carpal row (2 girls, 1 boy, mean age 8 years, range 4–15 years). Out of 9 ilioinguinal flaps mild, marginal necrosis was the only complication in 2 patients without flap loss. Mean hospital stay was 26.44 days (range, 18–41 days), with return to full weight-bearing after a mean of 12 weeks (range 9–25 weeks) after discharge. Functional thumb opposition to allow pencil prehension was achieved in all three cases of resection of first carpal row resection without postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the frequency and distribution of gene mutations that are related to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF)-resistance in the strains of the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in Beijing, China. In this retrospective study, the genotypes of 173 MDR-TB strains were analysed by spoligotyping. The katG, inhA genes and the promoter region of inhA, in which genetic mutations confer INH resistance; and the rpoB gene, in which genetic mutations confer RIF resistance, were sequenced. The percentage of resistance-associated nucleotide alterations among the strains of different genotypes was also analysed. In total, 90.8% (157/173) of the MDR strains belonged to the Beijing genotype. Population characteristics were not significantly different among the strains of different genotypes. In total, 50.3% (87/173) strains had mutations at codon S315T of katG; 16.8% (29/173) of strains had mutations in the inhA promoter region; of them, 5.5% (15/173) had point mutations at -15 base (C→T) of the inhA promoter region. In total, 86.7% (150/173) strains had mutations at rpoB gene; of them, 40% (69/173) strains had mutations at codon S531L of rpoB. The frequency of mutations was not significantly higher in Beijing genotypic MDR strains than in non-Beijing genotypes. Beijing genotypic MDR-TB strains were spreading in Beijing and present a major challenge to TB control in this region. A high prevalence of katG Ser315Thr, inhA promoter region (-15C→T) and rpoB (S531L) mutations was observed. Molecular diagnostics based on gene mutations was a useful method for rapid detection of MDR-TB in Beijing, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous work, we introduced a vector topical function which takes values in a general ordered Banach space. With some weak versions of supremum, a set-valued mapping was proposed to build the envelope for it. In this paper, regarding the image space as a complete lattice, we present a vector mapping as the support to study the abstract convex framework of the vector topical function. This framework provides a dual space consisting of vector mappings. Based on that, we obtain the global Lipschitz of the vector topical mapping, discussing the abstract convex conjugation and subdifferential. Further more, we investigate how the vector topical feature behaves from the dual point of view. Some dual characterizations of vector topical mapping are also established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structures, magnetic, and dielectric properties for the ordered double perovskites LnPbCoSbO6 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) have been investigated. The crystal structure has been solved by Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction data in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14). The Co2+ and Sb5+ ions are almost fully ordered over the B-site, and the octahedral framework displays significant tilting distortion according to the Glazer's tilt system a-a-c+. As the result of lanthanide contraction from La3+ to Nd3+, the B-site sublattice distortions become stronger accompanying with the reduction of the tolerance factor and coordination number. The magnetization measurements show an antiferromagnetic ordering with large effective magnetic moments (μeff) suggesting that the orbital component is significant. The maximum values of isothermal magnetization increase with the decrease in radii of rare earth ions, which is attributed to the weakening of antiferromagnetic interaction via Co2+-O-Sb5+-O-Co2+ paths. The dielectric constants present frequency dependence and monotonically decrease with the ionic radii reduction from La3+ to Nd3+ due to the suppression of electron transfer. These results indicate that the magnetic and dielectric properties can be tuned by controlling the degree of lattice distortion, which is realized by introducing different Ln3+ ions at the A-site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the application of standardized ultrasonography in the first trimester. A total of 1670 pregnant women who underwent ultrasonography in the first trimester (1706 fetuses) and 2,562 pregnant women who underwent ultrasonography in the second trimester (2637 fetuses) visiting the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2016 to December 2018 were included in this prospective study. Standardized ultrasonography was performed on the fetuses and pregnancy outcomes were tracked in abnormal cases. A total of 20 cases of fetal structural abnormalities were detected in the first trimester and the number of pregnant women who chose to induce labor was as high as 15. A total of 41 cases of fetal soft marker abnormalities were detected in the first trimester and most of these markers returned to normal. A total of 113 cases of malformed fetuses were detected in the second trimester. Additionally, those cases that did not undergo standardized ultrasonography in the first trimester were significantly more likely to show fetal abnormalities in the second trimester than those who had standardized ultrasonography in the first trimester. Some fetal malformations, especially some severe ones, can be detected by standardized ultrasonography in the first trimester. However, standardized ultrasonography in the second trimester which was regard as the best period for fetal malformation detection cannot be replaced by the first trimester. It is better to conduct standardized ultrasonography in both first and second trimesters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) is associated with the degree of benign prostatic obstruction. We evaluated the effects of Mirabegron, a selective β3 adrenoceptor agonist, on overactive bladder (OAB) in male patients with different degrees of IPP.Methods: About 185 male patients ≥40 years with lower urinary tract symptoms were recruited from a tertiary referral center. OAB was defined by the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) urgency score of ≥2 and sum score of ≥3. IPP was measured in the midsagittal section using transrectal ultrasound and patients were divided into IPP ≤5 mm and IPP >5 mm groups. Outcomes were assessed at the baseline, 4, and 12 weeks.Results: About 104 patients (56.2%) were diagnosed with OAB and received Mirabegron (50 mg) daily use. Both IPP groups (≤5 and >5 mm) had similar baseline OABSS and International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS). Four-week Mirabegron usage was associated with significant decreases in both symptom score measurements, OABSS: IPP ≤5 mm -27.4% and IPP >5 mm -19.7% (P = .419) and IPSS: -32% and -22.5% (P = .202), respectively. Urgency, urge incontinence, and nocturia sub-scores were decreased in both groups, -26.3% and -27.4% (P = .690), 53.3% and 46.2% (P = .916), and 20.8% and 15.4% (P = .958). Effects were maintained at 12 weeks. We found no significant improvement in the frequency sub-score in either group. One patient stopped medication because of intolerable hypertension. Most frequent adverse event was increased residual urine (≥50 mL higher than baseline), IPP ≤5 mm 9.2% and IPP >5 mm 5.1% (P = .707), but no case had acute urinary retention.Conclusions: Mirabegron is an effective drug to treat male OAB regardless of IPP grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 11%. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of underlying unique pathology. The condition is associated with poor quality of life and high use of healthcare resources required for management. The low FODMAP diet (LFD) is a recognized treatment for symptom management of IBS; however, approximately 30% of patients do not respond. The aim of this review was to understand the effectiveness and application of the LFD compared with other dietary and non-dietary interventions. Ten studies were included, eight of which assessed the LFD against other dietary interventions including traditional dietary advice, modified National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, a high FODMAP diet, gluten-free diet and Mediterranean diet, generalized dietary advice, probiotics, and a sham diet. Two studies compared a LFD to non-diet interventions of gut directed hypnotherapy or yoga. The findings clearly support the LFD as an effective treatment in IBS, and although it highlights the role for microbiota and current psychosocial state, it remains challenging to identify what combination of treatments may be best to ensure a personalized approach and overall higher response rates to IBS therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum foam joints were fabricated via liquid diffusion welding with zinc‐aluminum alloy solder aided with ultrasonic vibration at 520 °C. Zinc‐aluminum alloys with different compositions (10 % aluminum, 20 % aluminum, 30 % aluminum) were used as solder material. The control group was fabricated under the same conditions but without ultrasonic assistance. The microstructure of aluminum foam joints was analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Among the different soldering alloys, those with the zinc‐20aluminum solder had the widest diffusion area and the most continuous interface. The tensile strength of metallurgic alloy joined aluminum foams was tested. Zn20Al samples had the best performance among all samples, including the low‐density substrate aluminum foam (0.3 g/cm3 and 0.4 g/cm3), but it still showed a lower performance than the high‐density substrate aluminum foam (0.6 g/cm3). Therefore, ultrasonic vibration remarkably improved the tensile strength and impact toughness of joints. Samples with ultrasonic assistance had better tensile strength and impact toughness than high‐density substrate aluminum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A generalized physical framework is presented for the simulation of electro-thermal ageing in large-size samples of polymeric dielectric by discretizing them into small-size elements using an orthogonal matrix. The individual elements are treated as thin-film samples with assigned generic morphological parameters, whose distribution in the matrix obeys their fitted thin-film distribution probabilities obtained from experiments. This allows the effect of spatial inhomogeneity in large-size samples to be included in the model. Quantitative simulations of the evolution of direct-current ageing up to eventual catastrophic failure are studied at sub-critical fields, and it is shown that the criterion for the onset of a deterministic runaway event is the enhancement of the local field, caused by self-organized degradation, to a temperature-dependent critical value. The lifetime is effectively the time taken to reach the critical value, and its statistics are fitted to the Weibull distribution. The failure patterns produced during ageing were found to be strongly dependent on the applied electric field, but not on temperature whose increases accelerated the ageing process instead. The global inhomogeneous properties of the dielectric were found to control the ageing process with stochastic percolation behaviour below the critical point at low applied fields. Increasing the applied field gradually strengthened the influence of local deterministic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In clinical dentistry practice, supplemental bone surgery or jawbone defect after tooth extraction must be assisted by a bone-filling material. Cobalt-substituted hydroxyapatite (COHA) effectively promotes bone cell growth, reduces the inflammatory response, and is an antibacterial agent. COHA can therefore be used as an alveolar bone-filling material or guided bone regeneration membrane. Meanwhile, COHA can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with negative contrast agents and targeting materials without causing metal interference with the image. Hence, COHA has received increasing amounts of attention in recent years. However, the influence of different cobalt precursors on the synthesized COHA is still unknown. Therefore, COHA synthesized from 3 cobalt precursors (cobalt chloride, cobalt nitrate, and cobalt sulfate) was compared in this study. The results show that COHA synthesized by the precursor with the smallest anion radius, cobalt chloride, has a larger particle size (239 nm) and a higher cobalt ion substitution rate (15.6%). When the cobalt ion substitution rate increases, the MRI has a stronger contrast. Bioactivity data indicate that COHAC is more susceptible to degradation and therefore releases more cobalt ions to contribute to the differentiation of bone cells. Based on these studies, COHAC prepared with the cobalt chloride precursor has a higher cobalt ion substitution rate, faster degradation rate, better image contrast, and better bioactivity. It is therefore the preferred choice of bone-filling material for alveolar bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which investigated the magnetization reversal process in permalloy wire junction structures using magnetoresistance measurements and scanning Kerr microscopy. Details on the experiment; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Studies the magnetization reversal processes and magnetoresistance behavior of micron-sized nickel compound wires with periodically modulated width. Results and discussion; Conclusions.

The long-term performance of cable insulation has been severely challenged [1–3] by the technological advances of high voltage DC (HVDC) power lines for bulk long-distance subsea or underground transmission worldwide [4–8]. In particular, its life plays an important role in the reliability of the whole transmission system, which has received a great deal of attention and been extensively investigated over many years [1], [9–19]. Several competing life expressions, based on different mechanisms, have been developed with the aim of quantifying relationships between applied stresses (electrical, thermal and mechanical) and time to failure (lifetime). These have been used for theoretical studies and practical engineering applications. In their favor, the mean life data of laboratory tests can be fitted well to the model expressions. Alternatively different endurance characteristics of insulating material candidates can be compared with investigate their performances for a given cable system [1], [10], while providing feedback and insights on power cable design and manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is uncertain whether right ventricular (RV) lead position in cardiac resynchronization therapy impacts response. There has been little detailed analysis of the activation patterns in RV septal pacing (RVSP), especially in the CRT population. We compare left bundle branch block (LBBB) activation patterns with RV pacing (RVP) within the same patients with further comparison between RV apical pacing (RVAP) and RVSP.Methods: Body surface mapping was undertaken in 14 LBBB patients after CRT implantation. Nine patients had RVAP, 5 patients had RVSP. Activation parameters included left ventricular total activation time (LVtat), biventricular total activation time (VVtat), interventricular electrical synchronicity (VVsync), and dispersion of left ventricular activation times (LVdisp). The direction of activation wave front was also compared in each patient (wave front angle (WFA)). In silico computer modelling was applied to assess the effect of RVAP and RVSP in order to validate the clinical results.Results: Patients were aged 64.6 ± 12.2 years, 12 were male, 8 were ischemic. Baseline QRS durations were 157 ± 18 ms. There was no difference in VVtat between RVP and LBBB but a longer LVtat in RVP (102.8 ± 19.6 vs. 87.4 ± 21.1 ms, p = 0.046). VVsync was significantly greater in LBBB (45.1 ± 20.2 vs. 35.9 ± 17.1 ms, p = 0.01) but LVdisp was greater in RVP (33.4 ± 5.9 vs. 27.6 ± 6.9 ms, p = 0.025). WFA did rotate clockwise with RVP vs. LBBB (82.5 ± 25.2 vs. 62.1 ± 31.7 op = 0.026). None of the measurements were different to LBBB with RVSP; however, the differences were preserved with RVAP for VVsync, LVdisp, and WFA. In silico modelling corroborated these results.Conclusions: RVAP activation differs from LBBB where RVSP appears similar.Trial Registration: (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01831518). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferroelectric double loops and double dielectric peaks occurred at an electric field circle synchronously are confirmed theretically by solving the kittel's function with the idea of different responses of dipoles to applied electric field (E) in E-direction and anti-E-direction in antiferroelectrics. By solving problem of inversion of dipoles to ferroelectric phase controlled by thermodynamic parameters and the antiferroelectric coupling coefficient in antiferroelectric phase, the numerically simulated results exhibit that antiferroelectric phase can transform to ferroelectric phase with two approaches: decrease in temperature to a critical temperature, and increase in parameter α0. The results are well coincident with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is aimed at establishing a conjugate duality for the constrained optimizations equipped with some topical structures. First, we provide a dual problem for the general constrained optimization, discussing the weak duality as well as the strong duality based on the theory of abstract convexity. Transforming the zero duality gap property into a separation of two sets in image space, we involve the approach inspired by the image space analysis to study the dual theory by the aid of some separation functions. Then, using these results, we investigate this dual frame for the problem with some topical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the bulk thermal productivity of composite materials with spherical inclusions. Formulation of the problem and method of solution; Analysis of the microstructure of the arrays; Results.

Large bowel obstructions (LBO) are rarely caused by adhesions. Surgical management of this condition may require an open approach but closure may not always be possible. There are many temporizing measures in clinical use; however, the ABTHERA ADVANCE™ Open Abdomen Dressing has demonstrated significantly improved outcomes compared to other negative pressure wound therapy dressings. There are few cases in the literature documenting adhesive LBO and none in an acutely unwell burn patient whose abdomen subsequently required the ABTHERA ADVANCE™ Open Abdomen Dressing. We emphasize the importance of considering adhesive LBO as a differential in bowel obstruction and highlight a novel but effective way of managing it in our unique case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider some scalarization functions, which consist of the generalized min-type function, the so-called plus-Minkowski function and their convex combinations. We investigate the abstract convexity properties of these scalarization functions and use them to identify the maximal points of a set in an ordered vector space. Then, we establish some versions of Farkas type results for the infinite inequality system involving vector topical functions. As applications, we obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions of efficient solutions and weakly efficient solutions for a vector topical optimization problem, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reducing inflammatory factors in wound exudate is a promising treatment approach for healing wounds in postsurgical breast cancer patients. Traditional Chinese Medicine (tcm) treatments have been shown to be beneficial and safe for optimal regulation of oxidative stress during the postoperative period. In the present clinical trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of a promising Chinese herbal formula, San Huang decoction [shd (Radix astragali, Radix et rhizoma rhei, and Rhizoma curcuma longa, 3:1:1; supplemental Table 1)], on wound inflammatory response after mastectomy. Methods The study randomized 30 patients with breast cancer who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria to either a treatment (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Patients in the treatment group received liquid shd, taken twice daily with or without food. Treatment was given for 1 day before surgery and for 7 days postoperatively. Participants in the control group received a placebo on the same schedule as the treatment group. Outcomes measured in every subject included clinical tcm and wound inflammation symptom scores, daily and total amounts of drainage fluid, and levels of inflammatory factors in the exudate [tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukins 6 (IL-6), 8 (IL-8), and 2R (IL-2R), human C-reactive protein (crp)] at 2 hours and on days 1, 3, and 7 postoperatively. Results The total amount of drainage fluid over 7 days was significantly lower in the treatment group (572.20 ± 93.95 mL) than in the control group (700.40 ± 107.38 mL). The tcm symptom score was also lower in treatment group (day 7: 1.87 ± 0.83 vs. 4.80 ± 3.61, p = 0.049), as was the inflammatory symptom score (day 7: 0.67 ± 0.72 vs. 3.67 ± 2.50, p = 0.001). Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2R, and crp in drainage fluid were significantly lower with shd treatment. Conclusions Perioperative treatment with shd effectively lessened postoperative exudate and ameliorated inflammatory symptoms in patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: Counselling patients and their relatives about non‐curative management options in colorectal cancer is difficult because of a paucity of published data. This study aims to determine outcomes in patients unsuitable for curative surgery and the rates of subsequent surgical intervention. Method: This was an analysis of all colorectal cancers managed without curative surgery in a district general hospital from a prospectively maintained cancer registry between 2009 and 2016, as decided by a multidisciplinary team. Primary outcomes were overall survival and secondary outcomes were subsequent intervention rates and impact of tumour stage. Results: In all, 183 patients out of 976 patients (18.8%) were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 81 years [interquartile range (IQR) 71–87 years]. Overall median survival from diagnosis was 205 days (IQR 60–532 days). One‐year mortality was 62.3%. Patients were classified into two groups depending on the reason for a non‐curable approach: patient‐related (PR) or disease‐related (DR). The difference in survival between PR (median 277 days, IQR 70–593) and DR (median 179 days, IQR 51–450) was 98 days (P = 0.023). Twenty‐four patients were alive at the end of the study period; 19 out of 91 cases in PR (20.8%) and five out of 92 cases in DR (5.4%). Overall intervention rates were 11.9%, with higher rates in the DR group (P = 0.005). Disease stage was not associated with subsequent surgical intervention between the two groups (P = 0.392). Conclusion: Life expectancy for non‐curatively managed patients within our unit was 6.8 months with one in nine patients requiring subsequent surgical admission for palliation. This information may be useful when counselling patients with incurable colorectal malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-iron Fe-Zr-Si amorphous ribbons were fabricated through the melt-spun technique. Then, the effects of Si content on the glass-forming ability and magnetic properties of Fe90−xZr10Six (x = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10) alloys were investigated. Results showed that the amorphous structure only formed in an alloy composition of 3 at.% Si. Moreover, α-Fe(Si) and Fe3Zr phase appeared gradually when Si was added. Fe87Zr10Si3 alloy is a unique amorphous structure in Fe90−xZr10Six ribbons. The peak temperatures of the two crystallization stages were 464 and 600 ∘C. The saturation magnetization (Ms) values of the alloys ranged from 91.2 to 132.3 emu/g, and all had an initial increase before decreasing and their coercivity (Hc) values increased with increased Si content. The Fe87Zr10Si3 amorphous alloy exhibited a low Hc value of approximately 39.1 A/m, which shows good magnetic properties in the as-quenched state. After annealing, the Ms of the amorphous sample considerably improved, particularly reaching 165.3 emu/g at 600 ∘C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Testicular cancer is rare, accounting for 1–3% of incidence of all malignancies in men. Forecasts predict that the incidence of testicular cancer will increase by 25% in Europe by 2025. We aimed to describe temporal and spatial trends of rates of patients surgically treated for testicular cancer (STTC) in France over the period 2000–2014. Using the International Classification of Diseases and medical procedure codes, from the national hospital discharge database, we selected patients diagnosed with testicular cancer during 2000–2014 who underwent surgery. We used the world's standard population as a reference to standardize rates. We included 29,760 STTC patients. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.4 (±13.5) years. Over the period 2000–2014, the standardized incidence rate of STTC was 6.2 [95% CI: 6.1;6.3] per 100,000 person‐years. The overall rate of STTC increased by 21.3% between 2000 and 2014. The annual percentage change (APC) was +1.9% [95% CI: 1.4;2.3] over that period. The incidence rate of STTC was highest among men aged 30–44 (15.0 [95% IC: 14.7;15.2] per 100,000 person‐years) and lowest among men aged 0–14 (0.2 [95% IC: 0.16;0.22]). Age‐specific STTC incidence rates were similar to indicators from cancer registry data except in elderly men aged 60 years and over. Over the study period, the incidence of STTC increased over the year in all the regions of Metropolitan France. APC varied across regions from 1.0% [95% IC: −4.1;6.1] in Île‐de‐France to 4.2% [95% IC: −0.8;9.2] in Corse. Hospital discharge data, which are more quickly available than population‐based data, are good complementary surveillance source for monitoring testicular cancer, especially in young adult patients and area without population‐based registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tillage and groundcover are the two mainly used management practices in orchard. Only small portion of orchard has been treated with groundcover in China, which would restrict our understanding of the scientific management of apple orchard. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different groundcover treatments on the plant growth of groundcover species and soil properties in an apple orchard near Beijing, northern China. Six commonly used groundcover species were chosen to grow underground. Our results showed that groundcover species had significant greater maximum photosynthesis rate (Pmax) than weeds in control plots. Meanwhile, groundcover treatments could largely improve the microclimate of orchard compared with tillage treatment. Among all the groundcover species, alfalfa was proven to be the most appropriate species grown underground in apple orchard for its high Pmax and high above-ground biomass. Groundcover treatments had little impact on soil bulk density, soil porosity and surface soil organic carbon (SOC) content. However, significantly greater deep soil organic carbon contents were found in two grass species, and significantly higher soil available nitrogen (N) contents were found in two leguminous species respectively. Our results indicated that groundcover treatment would be a sustainable management practice for apple orchard in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructures and mechanical properties of powder metallurgy Inconel 718 alloy were investigated in the temperatures range between 25 and − 253 °C. Tensile strength increased with the decrease in temperature, while the ductility first increased and then decreased. There was no significant change in impact toughness. When the temperature was − 253 °C, a zigzag stress-strain curve was observed for the alloy, owing to the interaction of dislocation glide and twinning, which effectively maintained the relatively good ductility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropicultura is the property of Agri-Overseas asbl and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A computational formulation of discrete simulations of damage and failure in brittle rocks using mathematical programming methods is proposed. The variational formulations are developed in two and three dimensions. These formulations naturally lead to second-order cone programs and can conveniently be solved using off-the-shelf mathematical programming solvers. Pure static formulations are derived so that no artificial damping parameters are required. The rock is represented by rigid blocks, with interfaces between blocks modelled by zero-thickness springs based on the rigid-body-spring network method. A modified Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is proposed to model the failure of the interfaces. When the interface’ strength limits are reached, a microscopic crack forms and its strength is irreversibly lost. The microscopic elastic properties of the springs are related to the observed elastic behaviour of rocks with the developed empirical equations. The program is first validated with three simple tests. Then, numerical uniaxial and biaxial compression tests and the Brazilian tests are conducted. Furthermore, the proposed approach is employed to study the rock crack propagation and coalescence using cracked Brazilian disc test. The results are in good agreements with reported experimental data, which shows its potential in modelling mechanical behaviour of brittle rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The domain configuration in permalloy wires (30 nm thick, 10 μm wide, and 205 μm long) with a wide size range of a narrow central bridge (5 μm long and w μm wide; 0.5≤w≤10 μm) were investigated in both their demagnetized and remanent states using magnetic force microscopy and the results were confirmed by micromagnetic calculations. At the bridge region, domain walls were found to be shifted by a small external field. Scanning magneto-optical Kerr effect revealed that the coercivity in these structures are the same as that in a straight wire, suggesting that domain wall movement is the dominant process in the magnetization reversal of these structures. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing the central ligand with the desired structures, two series of Pt(ii) acetylide complexes containing dimesitylborane (–B(Mes)2) and phenyl units as the terminal groups with star- and V-shaped configurations have been synthesized. Photophysical investigations have indicated that the –B(Mes)2 group can enhance triplet (T1) emission of the concerned Pt(ii) acetylide molecules by enhancing the mixing of molecular orbitals from organic ligands and Pt(ii) centers. The much higher T1 emission intensity associated with TEB-Pt-B, CAZ-Pt-B and TPA-Pt-B can render them much stronger optical power limiting (OPL) response than their counterparts, TEB-Pt-Ph, CAZ-Pt-Ph and TPA-Pt-Ph respectively, terminated with phenyl groups. In addition, OPL ability of TPA-Pt-B for 532 nm nanosecond laser pulse can even surpass that of state-of-the-art OPL material C60. In addition, most Pt(ii) acetylide complexes show OPL figure of merit factor σex/σo higher than that of C60. Importantly, the star-shaped molecular configuration employed by the Pt(ii) acetylide units has the advantage of introducing more Pt(ii) centers to the molecular skeleton while maintaining optical transparency of the concerned Pt(ii) acetylide complexes. So, this research can open a new outlet for fulfilling the optimized trade-off between OPL activity and optical transparency for OPL materials based on reverse saturable absorption (RSA) mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The band 3 macrocomplex (also known as the ankyrin-associated complex) on the red cell membrane comprises two interacting subcomplexes: a band 3/glycophorin A subcomplex, and a Rh/Rh AG subcomplex. Glycophorin B ( GPB) is a component of the Rh/Rh AG subcomplex that is also structurally associated with glycophorin A ( GPA). Expression of glycophorin B-A-B hybrid GP.Mur enhances band 3 expression and is associated with lower levels of Rh-associated glycoprotein (Rh AG) and Rh polypeptides. The goal of this study was to determine whether GP.Mur influenced erythroid Rh/Rh AG expression at the transcript level. Materials and Methods GP.Mur was serologically determined in healthy participants from Taitung County, Taiwan. RNA was extracted from the reticulocyte-enriched fraction of peripheral blood, followed by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR for Rh AG, RhD and RhCcEe. Results Quantification by real-time PCR revealed significantly fewer Rh AG and RhCcEe transcripts in the reticulocytes from subjects with homozygous GYP*Mur. Independent from GYP.Mur, both Rh AG and RhD transcript levels were threefold or higher than that of RhCcEe. Also, in GYP.Mur and the control samples alike, direct quantitative associations were observed between the transcript levels of Rh AG and RhD, but not between that of Rh AG and RhCcEe. Conclusion Erythroid RhD and RhCcEe were differentially expressed at the transcript levels, which could be related to their different degrees of interaction or sensitivity to Rh AG. Further, the reduction or absence of glycophorin B in GYP.Mur erythroid cells affected transcript expressions of Rh AG and RhCcEe. Thus, GPB and GP.Mur differentially influenced Rh/Rh AG expressions prior to protein translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]