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Treatment modalities of ependymoma in infants remain controversial. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy could prolong overall survival but has the potential to affect nervous system development in infants. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in prolonging overall survival for infants with ependymoma is still unclear. Therefore we designed this study to explore the effect of treatment modalities on survival time of infants with ependymoma. We studied 72 infants with ependymoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database in this retrospective analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were adopted to determine hazard ratios and compare overall survival. Among 72 infants with ependymoma, 35 were male (48.6%) and 37 were female (51.4%). The 5-year overall survival of all patients was 67%. Forty-six infants (63.9%) received gross total resection, 20 (27.8%) received subtotal resection, and 6 (8.3%) did not receive surgical resection or only autopsy. Twenty-one infants (29.2%) received radiotherapy, and 45 (62.5%) received chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients accepted surgical resection (No vs. gross total resection, P < 0.001; No vs. subtotal resection, P = 0.026) and chemotherapy (No vs. Yes, P = 0.024) are the independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Treatment modality is associated with survival time in infants with ependymoma. The extent of resection and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for infants with ependymoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the influence of age as a continuous variable on the prognosis of pT1-2N1 breast cancer and examine its decision-making value for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). We retrospectively evaluated 5438 patients with pT1-2N1 breast cancer after mastectomy in 11 hospitals. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model with penalized splines was used to examine the relationship between age and oncologic outcomes. The median follow-up was 67.0 months. After adjustments for confounding characteristics, nonsignificant downward trend in locoregional recurrence (LRR) risk was observed with increasing age (P -non-linear association = 0.640; P -linear association = 0.078). A significant non-linear association was found between age and disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P -non-linear association <0.05; P -linear association >0.05, respectively). The DFS and OS exhibited U-shaped relationships, with the hazard ratios (HRs), reaching a nadir at 50 years old. A decreased risk of LRR with PMRT vs. no PMRT (HR = 0.304, 95% CI: 0.204–0.454) was maintained in all ages. The HR of PMRT vs. no PMRT for DFS and OS gradually increased with age. In patients ≤50 years old, PMRT was independently associated with favorable LRR, DFS, and OS, all P < 0.05). In patients >50 years old, PMRT was independently associated with reduced LRR (P = 0.004), but had no effect on DFS or OS. Age was an independent prognostic factor for pT1-2N1 breast cancer; PMRT provided survival benefits for patients ≤50 years old, but not for patients >50 years old. • The LRR risk showed a downward trend with increasing age in pT1-2N1 breast cancer. • Age showed a U-shaped association with DFS and OS, with 50 years being a reference. • The HR of PMRT vs. no PMRT on LRR remained almost constant in all ages. • The HR of PMRT vs. no PMRT for DFS and OS gradually increased with age. • PMRT provided significant survival benefits for patients ≤50 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the effect of postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) on pT 1-2 N 1 breast cancer patients with different molecular subtypes. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 5442 patients with pT 1-2 N 1 breast cancer treated using modified radical mastectomy in 11 hospitals in China. Univariate, multivariate, and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to evaluate the effect of PMRT on locoregional recurrence (LRR). With a median follow-up duration of 63.8 months, the 5-year LRR rates were 4.0% and 7.7% among patients treated with and without PMRT, respectively (p < 0.001). PMRT was independently associated with reduced LRR after adjustments for confounders (p < 0.001). After grouping the patients according to the molecular subtype of cancer and conducting PSM, we found that the 5-year LRR rates among patients treated with and without PMRT (in that order) were as follows: luminal HER2-negative cancer, 1.9% and 6.5% (p < 0.001); luminal HER2-positive cancer, 3.8% and 13.7% (p = 0.041); HER2-overexpressing cancer, 10.2% and 15.5% (p = 0.236); and triple-negative cancer, 4.6% and 15.9% (p = 0.002). Among patients with HER2-overexpressing and triple-negative cancers, the LRR hazard rate displayed a dominant early peak, and was extremely low after 5 years. However, patients with luminal cancer continued to have a long-lasting high annual LRR hazard rate during follow-up. PMRT significantly reduced the LRR risk in patients with pT 1-2 N 1 luminal and triple-negative breast cancers, but had no effect on the LRR risk in patients with HER2-overexpressing cancer. Patients with different molecular subtypes displayed different annual LRR patterns, and the late recurrence of the luminal subtype suggests the necessity of long-term follow-up to evaluate the efficacy of PMRT. • PMRT reduces LRR of pT 1-2 N 1 luminal and triple-negative breast cancers. • PMRT has no effect on the LRR of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. • Different molecular subtypes display different annual LRR patterns. • Late LRR beyond 5 years is observed in luminal breast cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Ray florets primordia initiated later than the outermost disc florets primordia • The initiation of disc and ray florets could be distinguished in early stages. • Auxin response factor 5 might involved in the initiation of disc and ray florets primordia. Abstract The understanding of capitulum morphogenesis is critical for modification of chrysanthemum flower type. Previous studies showed candidate genes which involved in the inflorescence architecture, such as PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1), AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 5 (ARF5) and LEAFY (LFY), acted dominant role during early flower development. However, it is not known whether those candidate genes play parts in the capitulum morphogenesis. In the present study, floral morphogenesis and the corresponding external morphological changes in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium were observed using scanning electron microscope and light microscope technology. Capitulum morphogenesis showed that ray florets primordia initiated later than the outermost disc florets primordia at the middle stage of florets primordia differentiation (stage 6), breaking the acropetal initiation of organ primordia on capitulum. Organogenesis of disc and ray florets showed that the early generation of florets corollas primordia was the key differentiation stages, in which disc and ray florets fused with actinomorphic and zygomorphic corollas, respectively. Furthermore, the expression patterns of inflorescence architecture related genes were detected at key stages of capitulum morphogenesis as well as the different organs on capitulum using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The transcripts of ClARF5 specially increased at stage 5 and stage 6, as well as in ray florets corollas. The results indicated that ClARF5 might be responsible for the orientation and initiation of disc and ray florets during early capitulum morphogenesis. Studies on the capitulum morphogenesis of C. lavandulifolium not only bring molecular insights into capitulum morphogenesis, but also lay foundation for the flower type-oriented modification in cultivated chrysanthemums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper proposes a fixed-time backstepping control scheme based on fixed-time disturbance observer for flexible air-breathing hypersonic vehicles. The backstepping control is combined with the fixed-time control technique to achieve fixed-time convergence. A fixed-time super-twisting disturbance observer, which is convergent independently of initial conditions, is employed to estimate and compensate the uncertainties and flexible effects in tracking process. A nonlinear first-order filter is adopted to avoid the "explosion of complexity" problem that arises in traditional backstepping, and to guarantee overall fixed-time stability. The closed-loop system is proven to be semi-globally uniformly ultimately fixed-time bounded via Lyapunov analysis. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. Highlights • A robust fixed-time back-stepping controller is designed for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles. • A fixed-time super-twisting disturbance observer is proposed. • A nonlinear first-order filter is introduced to eliminate "explosion of complexity" problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluminous Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the northern and central Lhasa subterranes contain important information on the tectono-magmatic processes. In this contribution, we focus on the Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Nagqu area, northern Lhasa subterrane, and present their zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages, in situ Hf isotopic data, whole-rock major and trace element compositions, and Sr–Nd isotopic data. The Nagqu volcanic rocks are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic (K 2 O: 1.41–8.52 wt.%; K 2 O/Na 2 O: 0.36–6.65) and feature similar geochemical characteristics (e.g., subparallel distribution of incompatible elements and REEs). Assimilation–fractional crystallization of magmas from identical source (rather than diverse magma sources) was mainly responsible for the formation of the diverse volcanic rock types. High Hf/Sm (> 0.7) and high U/Yb whole-rock values and low Y values in zircon grains suggest the involvement of terrigenous components rather than subducted oceanic crust in the magma source. Tectonic discrimination diagrams, sedimentary environment (marine–continental transition), magma compositions (K-rich and terrigenous components), crustal thickening, and spatio-temporal variations in subduction, syn-collisional and post-collisional processes, indicate that the geodynamic setting of the Early Cretaceous magmatism was associated with the collision between the Lhasa and Qiangtang terranes. The high-K characteristics were inherited from the melts derived from the partial melting of lower metasomatized lithospheric mantle (the K-rich layer), which was transported to great depths by the continuously thickening lithosphere, eventually triggering melting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stability of the high-speed railway embankment is highly influenced by moisture content, the determination of which needs its hydraulic property. The embankment consists of coarse soils with high compactness degree. Till now, hydraulic properties of such coarse soils are not fully studied. In this article, a large scale column, which could measure the volumetric water content and suction, was adopted to study the hydraulic properties of three types of coarse soils. The compactness degrees of soil samples were 0.85, 0.90 and 0.93 respectively. The soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) could be gained directly and the hydraulic conductivities could be calculated through instantaneous profile method. The SWCCs and unsaturated conductivities of different soils were presented and compared. The results showed that compactness degree had an influence on SWCC (e.g., the air-entry value, the slope and the residual matric suction) and the unsaturated permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater lowering has brought a great impact on high speed railway. It has developed a measurable regional settlement of subgrade and also made a negative impact on piles under subgrade. In this paper, two structure types, namely P-R structure and P-N structure under subgrade have been considered at different groundwater lowering rates. Plaxis 3D is employed to assess subgrade center point's settlement, piles’ negative skin friction, increment of skin friction in piles and piles’ axial force. From the results, we can figure that groundwater lowering indeed has a negative impact on subgrade and the maximum negative skin friction of piles can increases up to 30-40 kN/m. The axial force in piles can be twice as initial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an efficient protocol for the Lewis acid-catalyzed reaction of indol-2-yl carbinols with various π-nucleophiles including the heteroarenes such as indole, pyrrole, furan, as well as the silyl vinyl ethers. Most importantly, the precise use of this protocol enabled us to establish a very concise and practical route for the total synthesis of (±)-mersicarpine in eight linear steps with ca. 14% overall yield from commercially available indole and succinic anhydride. Moreover, the method developed herein would be broadly applicable for the diverse synthesis of a number of structurally intriguing indole alkaloids as well as biologically interesting hetero-triarylmethanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] 3DFS technique was attempted to detect the presence of adulterants in honey. [•] We attempted to extract characteristic parameters from 3D fluorescence spectra. [•] Two algorithms of PLS and BP-ANN were comparatively used for modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish the boundary estimates in domains with flat boundary, C 1 , α boundary and C 1 boundary respectively for nonlocal problem of the form Δ p s u = f in Ω and u = 0 in Ω c. Here, Δ p s is the nonlocal normalized p -Laplacian of order 2 s with s ∈ (0 , 1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Cs 0.32 WO 3 coating with excellent T vis and NIR shielding ability was obtained. • The superhydrophobic SiO 2 with nanoporous structures was prepared. • The composite film has bifunction of self-cleaning and heat shielding. • The computational simulation proved the composite film has best energy performance. In this work, a complete process for preparation of SiO 2 /Cs 0.32 WO 3 composite coatings with superhydrophobic and NIR shielding properties has been proposed. Combined nano-porous SiO 2 with the spectral selective Cs 0.32 WO 3 , the composite coating could not only show excellent heat blocking property but also possess self-cleaning performance. In the simulated contaminant experiment, almost all of dust particles on the surface of composite coating could be picked up by the rolling droplets, and the water contact angle of the coating was up to 160°. The thermal shielding experiment proved that the SiO 2 /Cs 0.32 WO 3 composite coating could effectively reduce more than 20% room temperature in the same irradiation time. Furthermore, the energy consumption simulation shows that comparing with normal glass, the SiO 2 /Cs 0.32 WO 3 coated glass could save about 15.9% total electrical consumption per year in Guangzhou, which is even superior with that of low-e glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptochrome (CRY), a vital photoreceptor which mediates light signals, controls photomorphogenesis in higher plants. However, the function of CRY in mediating light to regulate growth and development of ornamental plants is still unclear. In this study, we identified two CRY1 homologous genes, ClCRY1a and ClCRY1b , from Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium , a diploid wild chrysanthemum species. Expression analysis demonstrated that these two ClCRY1 genes showed the highest expression levels in seedlings leaves that were transferred to short day (SD) conditions for eight days. ClCRY1a was expressed at a higher level in the dark phase of SD, while ClCRY1b was expressed more highly in SD than that in long day (LD) conditions. Overexpression of either ClCRY1a or ClCRY1b in wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis resulted in early flowering under both LD and SD. The expression levels of GIGANTEA ( GI ) and FLOWERING LOCUS T ( FT ) were significantly up-regulated in ClCRY1a overexpressors under both LD and SD. Moreover, the transcript levels of GI , CONSTANS ( CO ) and FT were markedly increased in ClCRY1b overexpressors under LD; nevertheless, only the expression levels of CO and FT were up-regulated under SD. Taken together, the above results indicated that these two ClCRY1 genes could regulate flowering time via different pathways in C . lavandulifolium under LD and SD conditions. Our results provided evidence for the role of ClCRY1s in controlling photomorphogenesis and laid a foundation for further study on the molecular mechanism of ClCRYs mediating light signals to control floral transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorbents including CuCl 2 -AC, CuCl 2 -13X, Cu(NO 3 ) 2 -AC and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 -13X were prepared to remove trace phosphine from recycled hydrogen in the Siemens process of producing polysilicon, and adsorptive mechanisms were determined by X-ray diffraction and intermittent breakthrough experiments. CuCl 2 could disperse better on supporters than Cu(NO 3 ) 2 , and it existed in its original form. However, Cu(NO 3 ) 2 decomposed into copper oxide or basic cupric nitrate, and showed conspicuous thermal aggregation effect after calcination. Interactive effects between cupric components and supporters varied form species to species and deactivated the reactivity of CuCl 2 and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 in different degree, which resulted in disparities of adsorbents’ performances. CuCl 2 -AC and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 -AC had better performances than CuCl 2 -13X and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 -13X because cupric components were deactivated more when loaded on 13X zeolite. Chemical transformation of phosphine made adsorbents’ surface renewable, and the renewed rate depended on the reactivity of cupric components. All of adsorbents showed significant recoveries of efficiencies in intermittent experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of recycled waste concrete powders (RWCPs) with different particle sizes on the properties of sulphoaluminate cement (SAC) was tested in order to extend the application avenues of RWCPs. RWCPs with particle sizes of 10μm, 40μm and 80μm were used to replace SAC in the proportion of 0 %, 1 %, 5 %, 10 % and 30 % by mass, respectively. The influence of RWCP on SAC hydration was investigated in terms of fluidity, setting time, compressive strength, hydration product, heat of hydration and microstructure. The experimental results showed that RWCPs had a detrimental effect on SAC fluidity and the effects increased with decreasing particle size. RWCPs with 10μm and 40μm up to 5 % dosing can shorten the setting time of SAC, while others have prolonged effects. RWCPs with 10μm and 40μm increased the compressive strength of the cement within the dosage range, while 80μm had a reinforcing effect only up to 10 % dosage. The heat of hydration and XRD tests showed that RWCPs with 10μm and 40μm promoted the hydration of SAC in the range of 10 % dosing, and the ettringite (AFt) generation was also promoted by SEM. The test results showed that RWCP can be used as a potential SCMs to achieve low carbon emissions of SAC, which not only reduces the cost of cement, but also achieves the life cycle utilization of solid waste. • We investigated the effect of RWCPs with different particle sizes and dosages on the properties of SAC. • We found that RWCPs with 10μm and 40μm improved the properties of SAC significantly. • The reason for this improvement is mainly. attributed to nucleation and filling effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sand-fixing measures improve the dispersion and heterogeneity of soil particles. • Soil multifractal is regulated by soil nutrients and vegetation factors. • Soil multifractal parameter is an important index of soil development in desert ecosystem. In the fragile desert ecosystems of the world, sand-fixing measures play an irreplaceable part in ecological restoration. However, it is unclear how the long-term establishment of sand-fixing measures affects soil particle distribution and soil nutrients for the desert – Yellow River coastal ecotone. Therefore, we selected sand-fixing measures that have been established for fifteen years: Pinus sylvestris (PS), Populus alba (PA), Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA), Hedysarum scoparium (HS), Salix psammophila (SC), Salix psammophila checkerboard barriers (SCSB), and mobile sandy land (LS). We analyzed soil physical properties, chemical properties, soil fractal dimension (D), and multi-fractal parameters in the top soil layer (0–20 cm). The results showed that the establishment of sand-fixing measures significantly increased the clay and silt, and decreased the sand (p < 0.05). Sand-fixing measures promote the heterogeneity of soil particle distribution and increase its dispersion. The soil nutrition content was significantly increased under different sand-fixing measures (p < 0.05), and soil organic carbon (SOC) and alkaline nitrogen (AN) changed significantly. The D value is between 2.18 and 2.39. The D value and multifractal parameters were driven by soil physicochemical properties and aboveground biomass (AGB). The regression model demonstrates a significant correlation between the D values and multi-fractal parameters (R2 = 0.58–0.77, p < 0.001). Therefore, we suggest that multifractal parameters can replace the D values as indicators of soil environmental changes in desertification. This study complements the information on the restoration of soils in the desert-Yellow River coastal ecotone by sand-fixing measures. In addition, we suggest that desert ecological management should be tailored to regional environmental differences to establish an integrated model of restoration of sand-fixing measures in the future. The results of this study scientifically provide a theoretical basis for the future reconstruction of ecologically fragile areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Foamed concrete was prepared mainly by sulphoaluminate cement (SAC) and recycled waste concrete powder (RP). • The effects of water to solid ratio (W/S), RP content and foam dosage on the properties of foamed concrete were discussed. • The pore structure and reaction mechanism were analyzed. Foamed concrete was prepared mainly by recycled waste concrete powder (RP) using wet foam mixing method. By measuring the stability time of preformed foam and setting process of paste, as well as the compressive strength, dry density, porosity and thermal conductivity of specimen, the effects of water to solid ratio (W/S), RP content and foam dosage on the properties of foamed concrete were discussed. The pore structure and reaction mechanism were analyzed by means of image analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that with the increase of W/S, the viscosity of paste decreased and the setting time increased gradually. The paste and preformed foam achieved a good matching state when W/S was 0.8. Thus the specimen had a largest porosity. With the increase of RP content, the compressive strength decreased obviously. The maximum amount of RP can reach up to 70%. Foamed concrete with different density grades can be prepared by changing preformed foam content. With the increase of foam content, compressive strength and thermal inertia were obviously decreased, and the pore distribution was gradually coarsening. Due to its inert properties, RP mainly played a filling role in the foamed concrete, but it can still have a significant effect on the setting process of paste, as well as the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of high power electromagnetic (EM) equipment and high-speed aircraft, the powerful and high oxidation-resistance absorbers are fundamentally desirable for the EM field. Herein, a novel high temperature anti-oxidative SiC/Fe 3 Si/CNTs composite is synthesized by a facile polymer derived ceramic (PDC) route from a Fe-containing polysilyacetylene (PSA). The microstructure of as-prepared SiC/Fe 3 Si/CNTs composite absorber is featured by micro-sized SiC ceramic grains with spherical Fe 3 Si nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) attached to. The vector network analyzer tests show a tunable wave-absorbing performance by adjusting the thickness of layer, and the effective bandwidth (the reflection loss < −10 dB) is 3.3–16.8 GHz for the sample S-1400 (heat treatment at 1400 °C in nitrogen flow). The minimal RL value is −41.2 dB at 10.5 GHz at a thickness of 2 mm and an effective bandwidth is nearly 4 GHz (12.9–16.9 GHz) at the thickness of only 1.5 mm. Moreover, after the oxidation treatment at 800 °C in the air, this absorber maintains the main structure and shows a good high temperature oxidation resistance. This absorber still remains excellent wave absorption property, in view of a minimal RL value of −40 dB at the thickness of 3 mm and a bandwidth of 4.8 GHz (10.4–15.2 GHz) at the thickness of 2.5 mm. The mechanism of high EM wave absorption performance is studied and attributed to the impendence matching, polarization, and the magnetic properties. Thus, the SiC/Fe 3 Si/CNTs composite is a promising EM absorber for high-temperature EM wave-absorbing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper proposes an online entry trajectory planning algorithm satisfying terminal full states constraints, path constraints and multiple geographic constraints for lifting-body entry vehicles. The vehicle is considered as a 3DOF point mass. The entry trajectory is divided into the initial descent phase, gliding phase and terminal guidance phase. In the gliding phase, a piecewise polynomial in the altitude-versus-velocity plane is used to plan the longitudinal trajectory and a new heading angle corridor based bank angle reversal logic is designed to satisfy all geographic constraints simultaneously. In the terminal guidance phase, an optimal guidance law with terminal angle constraints is adopted to generate the trajectory. Finally, the terminal full states constraints including terminal velocity direction constraints are implemented by iterating over the altitude in the gliding phase. Then the highly constrained entry trajectory planning problem is converted into a one-parameter search problem. The key of this planning algorithm is the use of terminal guidance phase, through which the terminal velocity direction is constrained strictly rather than kept around the line-of-sight angle and the range error caused by great arc assumption is also avoided. Simulation results with the CAV-H model show that this algorithm can generate entry trajectories satisfying complex constraints rapidly and is suitable for various missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]