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The effects of Ag content on the microstructure and shear strength of Sn−xAg−0.5Cu solder joints under rapid thermal shock were investigated using high-frequency induction heating equipment. The results show that the increased Ag content can make the surface of the solder joint denser and smoother and reduce the generation of long strips of Cu6Sn5intermetallic compound (IMC) inside the solder joint, thus enhancing the oxidation resistance of the solder joint. Ag accelerates the growth rate of the IMC layer at the solder joint interface, the growth rate of the Cu6Sn5layer is determined by both bulk diffusion and grain boundary diffusion, and the growth rate of the Cu3Sn layer is determined by both bulk diffusion and interfacial reaction. In the rapid thermal shock environment, the fracture mode of the solder joint converts from ductile fracture to brittle fracture. At the same time, the high Ag content shortens the fracture mode transition time of the solder joint and reduces the thermal fatigue resistance of the solder joint.

AbstractWalmart built end to end optimization capabilities in its supply chain to make strategic and operational decisions consisting of network planning and transformation, routing and loading systems and a simulation platform. This optimization-empowered decision framework is evolving and transforming Walmart’s supply chain while keeping its Every-Day-Low-Price (EDLP) promise to its customers.

Liver metastases are commonly detected in a range of malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC), unfortunately no effectively strategies for CRC liver metastasis (CRLM). In this study, we found GPR37 expression dramatically increased in human CRLM specimens and associated poor prognosis. GPR37 depletion greatly suppressed the liver metastasis in the mouse models of CRLM. Functional experiments showed that GPR37 knockdown inhibited the growth by reducing the glycolysis of CRC cells. Also, GPR37 knockdown in tumor cells produced decreased levels of two chemokines involved in neutrophil accumulation, which abrogated neutrophil recruitment in the tumor microenvironment of CRLM. Finally, the mechanism studies revealed that GPR37 could activate the hippo pathway, thereby promoting LDHA expression and glycolysis. This leads to increased lactylation of H3K18la, resulting in up-regulation of CXCL1 and CXCL5. These results support a role of the GPR37 in modulating the tumor metabolism and microenvironment in CRLM and GPR37 could be a potential therapeutic target.

Oxidation behavior of SAC305/Cu solder joints and kinetics of intermetallic compound (IMC) growth were investigated using an electromagnetic induction heating device. The results show that the solder joint undergoes oxidation when subjected to rapid thermal shock. The oxidation behavior of the solder joint itself is the main factor, which is exacerbated by the presence of the internal Cu6Sn5IMC. The growth of the Cu6Sn5layer is controlled by grain boundary diffusion, while that of the Cu3Sn layer is controlled by bulk diffusion. The dissolved Cu of the substrate diffuses mainly into the interfacial IMC and the interior of the solder. Under rapid thermal shock, the shear strength of the solder joint decreases substantially, by 49.2% after 72 h. The fracture mechanism changes from ductile fracture to mixed tough−brittle fracture and finally, to brittle fracture.

ABSTRACTIn many urban areas and urban-rural regions, the price of electricity is not only subject to time-of-use tariffs, but also dependent on the usage purpose or service sector, significantly varying across different geographic locations or land uses. Such a spatial price difference greatly affects the charging behavior of electric vehicle drivers. This paper models and analyzes the possible impact of electricity-charging price on the routing choice and flow pattern of electric vehicles in a home-workplace commute traffic network. The particular circumstance in such a network accommodating electric vehicles is that commuters driving battery electric vehicles have opportunities to charge their vehicles at both home and workplace and take into account different electricity-charging prices in their travel choices. For the illustration and evaluation purposes, we presented a small synthetic example and proposed a convex programming model for characterizing the commute network flow pattern of electric vehicles that may be charged at home and/or workplace, encapsulating a piecewise electricity-charging cost function that implies commuters’ combined home-based and workplace-based charging behaviors. Given different electricity-charging prices at home and workplace, solving this problem requires tracking all individual paths in the network. As such, a path-based solution algorithm sketched in the disaggregated simplicial decomposition framework, with some modifications in the path generation phase and an added k-shortest path search procedure, is designed for problem solutions. We implemented the modeling and solution methods for deriving the network flow pattern of electric vehicles and comparing it with that of gasoline vehicles, as well as evaluating the network performance change caused by varying electricity-charging prices with multiple network-level and link-level evaluation matrices.

Background:Primary liver cancer, of which around 75–85% is hepatocellular carcinoma in China, is the fourth most common malignancy and the second leading cause of tumor-related death, thereby posing a significant threat to the life and health of the Chinese people. Summary:Since the publication of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in China in June 2017, which were updated by the National Health Commission in December 2019, additional high-quality evidence has emerged from researchers worldwide regarding the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of liver cancer, that requires the guidelines to be updated again. The new edition (2022 Edition) was written by more than 100 experts in the field of liver cancer in China, which not only reflects the real-world situation in China but also may reshape the nationwide diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. Key Messages:The new guideline aims to encourage the implementation of evidence-based practice and improve the national average 5-year survival rate for patients with liver cancer, as proposed in the “Health China 2030 Blueprint.”

The electrochemical behavior of thermally sprayed Zn–Cu–Ti coating corroded in 3.5 wt% NaCl neutral salt spray for different days was investigated by electrochemical measurements. Electrochemical investigation shows that pitting corrosion occurs on the coating. Sacrificial anode protection and corrosion product protection play a dominant role. Coating corrosion can be divided into five stages: dissolution of surface oxides, deposition of corrosion products, stable dissolution of the coating, formation and development of occluded cell corrosion, and accelerated corrosion stage. The degradation mechanism and the role of galvanic protection of coating have been discussed by a proposed corrosion model.

Inducing apoptosis in cancer cells is considered a potential therapeutic mechanism underlying cancers. Here, chiral folic acid (FA) conjugated Cys-CdTe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with a cancer-targeting ligand were fabricated to induce apoptosis in vivo. Ligand-induced chirality mechanism for FA-Cys-CdTe/CdS QDs was discussed, which is verified by density functional theory (DFT) simulation. Interestingly, we found that the circular dichroism (CD) signals of chiral QDs can effectively distinguish breast cancer cells from normal cells, where a sharp decrease in CD signal and absorption intensity can be seen. Notably, chiral FA-Cys-CdTe/CdS QDs showed significant apoptosis-inducing ability after the release of mitochondrial apoptotic factors. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that chiral FA-Cys-CdTe/CdS QDs provide an efficient cancer ablation through the apoptosis process with negligible toxicity, demonstrating their great potential utility in targeted anticancer agent for future clinic application.

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has gained wide popularity for the treatment of choledocholithiasis. However, it remains unclear whether LCBDE is a better alternative option for the patients with difficult biliary stones. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the safety and efficacy of LCBDE for these patients by retrospectively analyzing our data and combing with literature review. Methods: Between September 2011 and February 2019, 1064 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE at Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital were reviewed. The clinical data of patients with difficult biliary stones were selected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of these patients, 334 cases were confirmed with difficult biliary stones, and the overall complete stone clearance rate was 98.8% (330/334). 34 cases (10.2%) were performed with laser lithotripsy. A total of 296 patients (88.6%) underwent primary closure of common bile duct, and T-tube drainage was indwelled in 38 patients (11.4%). No bile duct injury, bleeding, perforation and surgery-related deaths were observed. The overall morbidity rate was 6.6%. 16 cases (4.8%) occurred in bile leakage with primary closure procedure, and all of them were managed successfully with conservative therapy. The median follow-up period was 9 months with stone recurrence occurring in 9 patients (2.7%). There was no evidence of bile duct stricture in all cases. Conclusions: The current study suggests that LCBED is a considerable safe and effective option for the patients with difficult biliary stones. A randomized clinical trial is needed to further evaluate the benefit of LCBDE in this subgroup.

Background:Primary liver cancer, around 90% are hepatocellular carcinoma in China, is the fourth most common malignancy and the second leading cause of tumor-related death, thereby posing a significant threat to the life and health of the Chinese people. Summary:Since the publication of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2017 Edition)in 2018, additional high-quality evidence has emerged with relevance to the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of liver cancer in and outside China that requires the guidelines to be updated. The new edition (2019 Edition)was written by more than 70 experts in the field of liver cancer in China. They reflect the real-world situation in China regarding diagnosing and treating liver cancer in recent years. Key Messages:Most importantly, the new guidelines were endorsed and promulgated by the Bureau of Medical Administration of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China in December 2019.

A carrier-based, immunogenic cell death (ICD)-eliciting platinum(IV) chemotherapeutic agent was synthesized via complexation between an axially derivatized Pt(IV)-tocopherol and hyaluronan (HA)–tocopherol nanocarrier. The resultant HA-Pt(IV) complex demonstrated antiproliferative activity and induced calreticulin translocation, an indicator of ICD, in murine and human head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. The intratumorally administered HA-Pt(IV) treatments were tolerable and efficacious in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice with HNC, partially because of the direct cytotoxicity. Superior efficacy and survival were observed in the immunocompetent group, suggesting a possible Pt(IV)-induced immunological response, which would only manifest in animals with an intact immune system. Subsequent imaging of tumor tissues demonstrated increased macrophage infiltration in the HA-Pt(IV)-treated tumors compared to the nontreated controls and the cisplatin-treated tumors, suggesting favorable inflammatory activation. RNA sequencing of HA-Pt(IV)-treated tumors indicated that carbohydrate and vitamin metabolisms were the most important Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, and molecular function, biological process, and cellular component were highly enriched gene ontology categories.

Although laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has shown many obvious advantages compared with open surgery in the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones, it remains unclear regarding risk factors of conversion from LCBDE to open surgery and whether conversion will counteract the advantages of LCBDE. The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors and consequences of conversion from LCBDE to open surgery. A retrospective study was conducted, using a database of 644 patients with LCBDE between 2011 and 2017. Risk factors for conversion to open surgery were determined based on univariable and multivariable analysis. The consequences of conversion to open surgery in LCBDE were analyzed. Conversion was required in 27 (4.2%) of 644 patients undergoing LCBDE. Independent risk factors for conversion were as follows: the max diameter of stones in CBD (odds ratio (OR) 2.234, 95%CI 1.031–4.842; p= 0.042), edema of CBD (OR 12.530, 95%CI 4.633–33.887; p< 0.001), and multiple stones in CBD (OR 3.438, 95%CI: 1.133–10.428; p= 0.029). These risk factors and their combined were good predictors for conversion in LCBDE. More blood loss, longer operative time, longer postoperative hospital stay, and higher incision infection were identified in patients with conversion than those without conversion. However, no significant differences were observed regarding mortality, readmission within 30 days, reoperation, bile leakage, and intra-abdominal fluid collection. Conversion to open surgery in LCBDE was associated with acute edematous CBD with large and multiple stones. Conversion can offset the advantages of LCBDE.

Renal infarction is a rare clinical entity that is not easily detected by low-sensitivity ultrasound. We herein report a case of dermatomyositis with renal infarction detected during corticosteroid therapy. The patient was followed up for 18 months. A woman who was clinically diagnosed with dermatomyositis complained of severe pain in the right flank of the low back and abdomen, accompanied by nausea and vomiting during corticosteroid therapy. Based on the findings of routine blood tests, abdominal X-ray radiography, and abdominal ultrasound, the patient was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and treated with levofloxacin. However, her symptoms were not relieved. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed renal infarction. Clinicians should be alert to the occurrence of thrombosis, especially when it manifests as vasculitis in patients with rheumatic disease who complain of severe abdominal pain, because it may suggest the presence of renal infarction.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has gained wide popularity in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. Bile leakage remains a major cause of postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to report 5-year results of 500 LCBDEs and identify risk factors associated with bile leakage. Five hundred consecutive LCBDEs performed in one institution from September 2011 to June 2016 were reviewed. Patients’ clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analysis of bile leakage was performed by logistic regression. We found stones (n= 388) or bile sludge (n= 71) in 459 patients (92%) on exploration, leaving 41 patients (8%) without stones. Operative time was 128 min in the first 250 LCBDEs, and this decreased to 103 min in the second 250 LCBDEs (P= 0.0004). Four hundred and eight (82%) procedures were completed with primary closure after choledochotomy; the rate of primary closure increased significantly in the second 250 patients compared with the first (88 vs 76%; P= 0.0005), whereas T-tube placement (2 vs 6%; P= 0.0225) and transcystic approach (7 vs 12%; P= 0.0464) decreased, respectively. Stone clearance was successful in 495 patients (99%). Overall morbidity was 5%, and bile leakage occurred in 17 patients (3.4%). Two patients died from bile leakage. The median follow-up was 24 months with stone recurrence occurred in two patients and bile duct stricture in one patient. Univariable analysis identified diameter of the common bile duct (CBD), stone clearance, and T-tube insertion as risk factors related to bile leakage. Multivariable analysis taking these three factors into account identified non-dilated CBD (risk ratio (RR) = 9.87; P= 0.007) and failure in stone clearance (RR = 11.88; P= 0.024) as significant risk factors. Bile leakage following LCBDE is associated with diameter of the CBD and stone clearance. LCBDE would be safer in proficient laparoscopic surgeons with a careful selection of patients.

Improper application timing of harvest aids may reduce lentil seed yield and quality, and leave unacceptable herbicide residues in seed.Application of harvest aids before 30% seed moisture content reduced lentil seed yield and thousand seed weight.These application timings resulted in lentil seed samples exceeding residue levels of 2 and 0.03 mg kg−1for glyphosate and saflufenacil, respectively. Applying harvest aid herbicides can dry down lentil (Lens culinarisMedik.) crops evenly and quickly, and can help control late‐emerging weeds. However, improper application timing may reduce yield and quality, and leave unacceptable herbicide residues in seed, which can cause commercial issues when marketing lentil. The objective of this research was to determine the response of lentil to various application timings of glyphosate, saflufenacil, and the combination of these two herbicides. A field experiment consisting of a randomized complete block design was run at Saskatoon and Scott, SK, Canada in 2012, 2013, and 2014 to address the objective. Application of harvest aid herbicides before 30% seed moisture content reduced seed yield and thousand seed weight up to 25 and 8%, respectively. Moreover, application timings before 30% seed moisture resulted in lentil seed samples exceeding residue levels of 2.0 and 0.03 mg kg−1for glyphosate and saflufenacil, respectively. Adding saflufenacil to glyphosate did not reduce glyphosate residue in lentil seed compared to glyphosate applied alone. However, this tank mixture significantly reduced seed residues of saflufenacil and improved crop desiccation compared with either glyphosate or saflufenacil applied alone. Our data lead us to conclude that a tank mix of saflufenacil+glyphosate should be recommended for crop desiccation and pre‐harvest weed control in lentil over using either product alone. In addition, it is critical to ensure applications of glyphosate or saflufenacil are not made prior to 30% seed moisture in lentil crops.

The nuclear receptors (NR)—farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) and pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2)—have important effects on the expression of genes related to the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of rosuvastatin. This study was designed to investigate whether the genetic variants in drug disposition genes (SLCO1B1and ABCG2) combined with their upstream regulators (NR1H4and NR1I2) would affect the PKs of rosuvastatin in a Chinese population. Sixty-one healthy male volunteers were enrolled and the plasma concentrations of rosuvastatin were measured using the liquid chromatographic—tandem mass spectrometry/MS method. All subjects were analyzed and grouped according to the genotypes of NR1H4, NR1I2, SLCO1B1, and ABCG2. The exposure of rosuvastatin was higher in subjects carrying the SLCO1B1521C or ABCG2421A allele compared with noncarriers. No association was observed of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NR1H4or NR1I2genes with the PKs of rosuvastatin. After adjusting for the 421C>A and 521T>C variants, the Cmaxin subjects with NR1I263396TT wild type were about 2-fold of those of NR1I2mutant type (63396CC and CT) (10.7 vs. 20.4 ng/mL, P= 0.023), whereas no significant differences were observed for other parameters. Polymorphisms investigated in the genes of NR1H4and NR1I2seemed to play no significant role in the disposition of rosuvastatin.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has emerged as a versatile polymer for drug delivery. Multiple commercial products utilize HA, it can be obtained in a variety of molecular weights, and it offers chemical handles for cross-linkers, drugs, or imaging agents. Previous studies have investigated multiple administration routes, but the absorption, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of HA after delivery to the lung is relatively unknown. Here, pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated by delivering different molecular weights of HA (between 7 and 741 kDa) to the lungs of mice. HA was labeled with either a near-infrared dye or with iodine-125 conjugated to HA using a tyrosine linker. In initial studies, dye-labeled HA was instilled into the lungs and fluorescent images of organs were collected at 1, 8, and 24 h post administration. Data suggested longer lung persistence of higher molecular weight HA, but signal diminished for all molecular weights at 8 h. To better quantitate pharmacokinetic parameters, different molecular weights of iodine-125 labeled HA were instilled and organ radioactivity was determined after 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h. The data showed that, after instillation, the lungs contained the highest levels of HA, as expected, followed by the gastrointestinal tract. Smaller molecular weights of HA showed more rapid systemic distribution, while 67 and 215 kDa HA showed longer persistence in the lungs. Lung exposure appeared to be optimum in this size range due to the rapid absorption of <67 kDa HA and the poor lung penetration and mucociliary clearance of viscous solutions of HA > 215 kDa. The versatility of HA molecular weight and conjugation chemistries may, therefore, provide new opportunities to extend pulmonary drug exposure and potentially facilitate access to lymph nodes draining the pulmonary bed.

To analyze the clinical characteristics and MRI features of cerebral paragonimiasis in children.

Modulating cholesterol metabolism can improve CD8+T-cell-mediated immunity against tumours; genetic or pharmacological inhibition of the cholesterol esterification enzyme ACAT1 led to higher plasma membrane cholesterol levels, better T-cell receptor clustering and signalling, improved immunological synapse maturation, and enhanced antitumour activity in mice.

ABSTRACTPancreatic cancer is a drug resistant hypovascular tumor. Although there are many studies on the mechanism of chemoresistance in pancreatic cancers, studies on the relationship between ABCG2 and chemoresistance during hypoxia of pancreatic cancer are rare. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) is a master regulator of the transcriptional response to oxygen deprivation in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to examine the role of ABCG2and HIF-1α in mediating chemoresistance during hypoxia in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we detected the expression levels of ABCG2, ERK/phosphorylated-ERK (p-ERK) and HIF-1α by immunohistochemistry in fresh pancreatic cancer and paracarcinoma tissues obtained from 25 patients. The mechanism by which p-ERK1/2 and HIF-1α affect ABCG2s expression was analyzed in the hypoxic cultured human pancreatic cancer cell line Capan-2. ABCG2-mediatedregulation of gemcitabine response under hypoxic conditions in pancreatic cancer cells was observed. It was found that ABCG2, ERK/p-ERK and HIF-1α were overexpressed in cancer tissues. ABCG2, HIF-1α and p-ERK levels were demonstrated to be high during hypoxic conditions in pancreatic cancer cells. Hypoxia induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 to activate HIF-1α and contribute the ABCG2expression and mediated gemcitabine chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Hypoxic conditions induced HIF-1α binding to target gene sequences in the ABCG2promoter, resulting in increased transcription in pancreatic cancer cells. We demonstrated that hypoxia-induced chemoresistance is due to the regulation of ABCG2through the activation of ERK1/2/HIF-1α. ABCG2could serve as a predictor of gemcitabine response and, potentially, as a chemotherapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. Inhibition of ERK1/2 and HIF-1αcould result in increased gemcitabine sensitization in pancreatic cancer with highly expressed ABCG2cell member protein.

To evaluate the task reliability of manufacturing equipments with many components, a short-time and long-time manufacturing process reliability model is proposed to fulfil this task. The short-time manufacturing process reliability model based on multiple regressions aims to eliminate the effect of datum error on product quality. The long-time manufacturing process reliability model studies reliability change mechanism over time by means of Markov chains. Reliability computing method is given by considering the general definition of task reliability. Proposed product quality characteristics oriented model applies to manufacturing equipment reliability evaluation which avoids discussing numerous components of manufacturing equipment and complex relationship between them. Finally, the case result indicates that the proposed model can get more accurate estimated value of manufacturing equipment task reliability.

In order to reduce the complexity of the multistage system and improve the system immediacy, a new cascaded approach is proposed. Taking a three-coefficient finite impulse response (FIR) model for the continuous wave interference (CWI), a nonlinear Kalman-type adaptive filter is formulated to suppress narrow band interferences. Subsequently, pre-processing results are transmitted to a space-time adaptive processor to suppress wide band interferences. Simulation results show that the new approach outperforms ordinary space-time adaptive processor and space-frequency adaptive processor under the condition of matched-spectrum interferences, especially when the narrow band interferences NBIs are incomming from the direction of the satellite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the susceptibility of HSLA steels to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) when cathodic protection system was applied, a new electrochemical hydrogen permeation test method was performed to measure the hydrogen permeation current behavior through X65 steel and X80 steel in artificial seawater with different polarized potentials. Besides, slow strain rate test (SSRT) was introduced to study the effect of penetrated hydrogen atoms on the HE susceptibility of the steels. Results showed that with the decrease of the polarized potential, the sub-surface hydrogen concentration in the steels became higher and higher, and the corresponding HE susceptibility increased as well. What’s more, the X80 steel was more vulnerable to HE, and that owns to the minor grain size and M-A microstructure, which may trap more hydrogen atoms, and thus led to the HE susceptibility difference between the two steels. All these findings would be used as guidance when cathodic protection were carried out for offshore HSLA steel structures.

Every component of the circumferential MEFP warhead was analyzed and the key parameters that affect the performance of warhead were summarized. The parameterized design of circumferential MEFP warhead was realized by applying the CAA/C++ technology of CATIA for second development and the parameterized modeling process was obtained. The 3D model used for subsequent finite element analysis can be quickly built by programming-driven method to make warhead study convenient and improve the design efficiency.

Based on the equation that the heat conduction from the bubble underlying layer is balanced with the heat convection of bubble cooling and the latent heat of evaporation, with the help of zhao model a new bubble growth model for the forced convective subcooled boiling in the engine cooling system is developed with the consideration of the thermal boundary layer impact on the bubble growth. And an experiment is designed to verify the theoretical model. Then the Klausner model for predicting the bubble lift-off diameters is amended with the built bubble growth model. In addition, the bubble lift-off diameters at the different velocity are predicted, which is verified with the experimental data.

Experiments of the valve bridge are carried out and the boiling states are investigated, to study the boiling heat transfer in cylinder head jacket. The effects of inlet flow rate and temperature on boiling heat flux are analyzed, as well as the thickness of fire deck. The results show that the inlet velocity has little effect on the velocity in valve bridge zone, even the velocity in the valve bridge zone can strongly affect on boiling heat transfer. The results can offer references to practical application in power-enhanced diesel engine.

This paper presents an integrated travel demand modeling problem that accommodates the traditional travel demand modeling process in a nested logit structure for hierarchical travel choices, including travel, destination, mode, and route choices. The problem is characterized by a closed-form fixed-point model, which properly describes the asymmetric flow-cost effects of different transportation modes in an interactive traffic environment. The method of successive averages is adopted for problem solutions. The proposed model and solution method is further implemented to study travel demand distribution variations caused by model and data uncertainties. Specifically, the Monte Carlo simulation technique is adopted here to simulate and derive solution variations. Through a numerical example, the uncertainty analysis exhibits diverse demand variation patterns and degrees across different demand aggregation levels under different uncertainty sources.

The nano-indentation and friction/wear properties of a magnetron sputtered SiC (silicon carbon) films on nanostructured titanium (produced by severe plastic deformation) substrate were investigated. The results show that the films exhibited low nano-hardness (10.6 GPa), low Young's modulus (83.3 GPa) and high hardness-to-modulus ratio (0.128). As sliding against Si3N4 (silicon nitride) balls (2 mm in radius) under Kokubo simulation body fluid (SBF) at room temperature, the films displayed superior friction/wear properties at the considerably high normal load of 1000g, with the friction coefficient of about 0.18, the special wear rate on the order of 10−6 mm3 N-1m-1 without film cracking and interface delaminating. The impressive film cracking and interface delaminating resistance is in accordance with the low hardness (high ductility) of the films and the small film-substrate modulus difference that was caused by the low modulus of the films.

A numerical study on the convective heat transfer characteristics of Cu-water nanofluid under the laminar flow condition was performed. The results show that the convective heat transfer coefficient increases with the increase of the volume fraction of the nanoparticles and the Reynolds number. There is a significant difference between the numerical simulation result and the result calculated from the Shah equation in the entrance region, but a small difference in full development areas. The numerical results agree well with that obtained from the Xuan equation when the Reynolds number and the volume fraction of the nanoparticles are small, but the errors between them increase as the increase of the Reynolds number and the volume fraction of nanoparticles.

A model is developed for both time and space scheduling of inbound and outbound trucks at a cross-dock facility under various objectives. Three different objectives in optimizing cross-dock operations are presented, and the justification for the use of these objectives is given. A linear mixed integer formulation of the problem is presented, and a restriction-approximation approach is developed and applied to determine the truck scheduling at a sample cross-dock facility. This paper also analyzes the behavior of each of the objectives and provides a comprehensive analysis of the results. Pareto and post-Pareto analyses of the multiobjective problem are presented.

Overexpression of osteopontin (OPN) could contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies have shown that OPN-positive cancer cells are often localized in the periphery of cancer nodules adjacent to stromal cells. To identify the difference in intratumor genomic aberration pattern between OPN-positive and OPN-negative HCC cells, we adopted microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) to achieve high-resolution analysis of genome-wide aberrations. Our present study indicates that, compared to OPN-negative cancer cells, OPN-positive cancer cells show much more amplification of chromosomal regions, including 4q13.1-q13.3, 4q21.23-q22.1 and 13q32.1-q32.3. Some candidate tumor related genes, such as SMR3B, MUC7, EPHA5, SPP1 and CLDN10, were detected with over 1.5-fold amplification. Together, the intratumor genomic heterogeneity may suggest that OPN-positive cancer cells play a more important role in the development of HCC malignancy than their OPN-negative counterparts.

The complex, [Cu2LCl2]Cl2· 3H2O, where L = the macrocyclic ligand bis-p-xylylBISDIEN Schiff base, has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. and mass spectra. The binding of the complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated using absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the complex can bind to CT DNA by intercalation viathe aromatic ring on the macrocycle into the base pairs of DNA. The complex exhibits efficient nuclease activity.

This case report documents the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of a nonresectable oral squamous cell carcinoma in a dog with initial poor prognosis. An approximately 4-year-old female Staffordshire Bull Terrier presented with a large mass on the front of lower jaw which was diagnosed as oral papillary squamous cell carcinoma by histopathology. CT scans revealed invasion of the cancer to the frenulum of the tongue. The mass was inoperable due to location, expansiveness, and metastatic lymph nodes. The dog received 4 treatments of intralesional hyaluronan-platinum conjugates (HylaPlat™, HylaPharm LLC, Lawrence, Kansas) at 3-week intervals. Clinical chemistry and complete blood count were performed one week after each treatment and results were within normal limits. Complications included bleeding due to tumor tissue sloughing, as well as a single seizure due to unknown causes. Upon completion of chemotherapy, CT showed that the mass had regressed and was no longer invading the lingual frenulum, and multiple lymph nodes were free of metastasis. The mass thus became resectable and the dog successfully underwent rostral bilateral mandibulectomy. Over one year after chemotherapy and surgery, the cancer remains in complete remission.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib combined with cryoablation in treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Patients with unresectable advanced HCC received cryoablation and sorafenib at a dose of 400 mg twice daily in 4-week cycles on the same day of the cryoablation. Tumor response, median overall survival and the median time to radiological progression were calculated and the toxicity was evaluated. Results: Seventy-eight patients with unresectable HCC were involved in this study. The median age was 52 years (range, 22–81 years). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scores were 0 (39.7%), 1 (55.1%), and 2 (5.1%). Nine (11.5%) patients were at Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage A, twenty-four (30.8%) patients were at stage B and 45 (57.7%) patients were at stage C. Five (6.4%) achieved partial responses, and 34 (43.6%) achieved stable disease. The median time to progression (TTP) for all enrolled patients was 6.6 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 12.2 months. Conclusion: Cryoablation combined with sorafenib demonstrates good efficacy and acceptable tolerability in treating unresectable advanced HCC patients.

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