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To determine the associations of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters with expression of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and evaluate the performance of the combined model established based on IVIM and clinicopathological parameters in predicting PD-L1and PD-1 status of cervical cancer (CC) patients. Seventy-eight consecutive CC patients were enrolled prospectively and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including IVIM. IVIM quantitative parameters were measured, compared, and correlated with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. Independent factors related to PD-L1 and PD-1 positivity were identified and were used to establish the combined model. The combined model's diagnostic performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) algorithm was used to explain the contribution of each parameter in the combined model. The real diffusion coefficient (D) value was significantly lower in the PD-L1-positive group than in the PD-L1-negative group (0.64 ± 0.12 versus 0.72 ± 0.11, p= 0.021). The PD-1-positive and PD-1-negative groups showed similar trends (0.63 ± 0.13 versus 0.73 ± 0.09, p= 0.003). Parametrial invasion, lymph node status, pathological grade, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging, and D values were independently associated with PD-L1 and PD-1expression. A combined model incorporating these parameters showed good discrimination with the sensitivity, specificity of 90.9%, 82.6% for PD-L1, and 93.5%, 72% for PD-1. According to the SHAP value, FIGO staging and pathological grade were the most influential features of the prediction model. IVIM parameters were found to correlate with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. The combined model, incorporating parametrial invasion, lymph node status, pathological grade, FIGO staging, and D values, showed good discrimination in predicting PD-L1 and PD-1 status, providing the basis for CC immunotherapy. • D value is negatively correlated with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. • The combined model has the best discrimination providing a basis for immunotherapy. • According to SHAP analysis, FIGO staging and pathological grade are major features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated auto-ignition characteristics of ammonia-air and ammonia-hydrogen-air laminar and turbulent mixing layers by means of direct numerical simulations (DNS) under elevated pressure conditions. The results show that elevated pressure and hydrogen addition accelerate the auto-ignition process, reducing the auto-ignition delay time. Analysis of the heat release rate revealed that the first peak of the heat release rate corresponds to the increment of appearance in temperature (induction stage) and the second peak of the heat release rate corresponds to the steady maximum temperature regime (thermal runaway stage). The results found that both induction and thermal runaway stages are affected by turbulence for pure ammonia-air mixing layers, while only the thermal runaway stage is affected by turbulence for ammonia-hydrogen-air mixing layers. The auto-ignition occurs along the most reactive mixture fraction with lower scalar dissipation rate, being further reduced by elevated pressure and hydrogen addition. Three radicals (NH 2, OH, HNO) distinguish the entire auto-ignition process very well for all cases. • DNS study of auto-ignition in ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen combustion. • Elevated pressure and hydrogen addition accelerate the auto-ignition process. • Induction and thermal runaway stages are identified. • The radicals NH 2, OH, HNO distinguish the entire auto-ignition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion characteristics of ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen fuel blends under spark-ignited turbulent premixed engine-relevant conditions were investigated by means of direct numerical simulation and detailed chemistry. Several test cases were investigated for an outwardly expanding turbulent premixed flame configuration covering pure ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen fuel blends with 10% and 15% hydrogen content by volume for different equivalence ratio values of 0.9, 1.0 and 1.1. The results showed that the fuel-lean flames exhibit strong wrinkled structures at flame front compared to stoichiometric and fuel-rich flames. The heat release rate plots indicate that adding hydrogen into ammonia improves the reactivity of the flame and enhances the combustion process. The scatter plots of heat release rate versus local curvature coloured by NO formation, show that high heat release rate values occur in the concave structures and low heat release rate values occur in the convex structure, which is consistent with NO distribution. The highest turbulent burning velocity values were found for the fuel-lean cases due to more wrinkled flame front with lower effective Lewis number compared to fuel-rich cases. The results show a bending effect for the ratio between turbulent to laminar burning velocities with respect to hydrogen addition at all equivalence ratios with 10% hydrogen addition into ammonia exhibiting a highest value for the burning velocity ratio. Two distinct flame structures (concave and convex) were analysed in terms of local equivalence ratio based on the elements of N and O as well as H and O. They revealed an opposite distribution of NO formation normal to the flame front within concave and convex structures. Elementary chemical reactions involved in NO formation have shown that hydrogen addition into ammonia influences the reactivity of certain specific chemical reactions. [Display omitted] • Study of premixed ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen combustion at elevated pressures. • Adding hydrogen into ammonia improves the reactivity of the flame. • 10% hydrogen addition by volume into ammonia provides better flame conditions. • NO formation is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion characteristics of ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen fuel blends under spark-ignited turbulent premixed engine-relevant conditions were investigated by means of direct numerical simulation and detailed chemistry. Several test cases were investigated for an outwardly expanding turbulent premixed flame configuration covering pure ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen fuel blends with 10% and 15% hydrogen content by volume for different equivalence ratio values of 0.9, 1.0 and 1.1. The results showed that the fuel-lean flames exhibit strong wrinkled structures at flame front compared to stoichiometric and fuel-rich flames. The heat release rate plots indicate that adding hydrogen into ammonia improves the reactivity of the flame and enhances the combustion process. The scatter plots of heat release rate versus local curvature coloured by NO formation, show that high heat release rate values occur in the concave structures and low heat release rate values occur in the convex structure, which is consistent with NO distribution. The highest turbulent burning velocity values were found for the fuel-lean cases due to more wrinkled flame front with lower effective Lewis number compared to fuel-rich cases. The results show a bending effect for the ratio between turbulent to laminar burning velocities with respect to hydrogen addition at all equivalence ratios with 10% hydrogen addition into ammonia exhibiting a highest value for the burning velocity ratio. Two distinct flame structures (concave and convex) were analysed in terms of local equivalence ratio based on the elements of N and O as well as H and O. They revealed an opposite distribution of NO formation normal to the flame front within concave and convex structures. Elementary chemical reactions involved in NO formation have shown that hydrogen addition into ammonia influences the reactivity of certain specific chemical reactions. [Display omitted] • Study of premixed ammonia and ammonia-hydrogen combustion at elevated pressures. • Adding hydrogen into ammonia improves the reactivity of the flame. • 10% hydrogen addition by volume into ammonia provides better flame conditions. • NO formation is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of precision technology is increasingly seen as an option to improve productivity, animal welfare, resource use efficiency, and workplace features on dairy farms. There is limited research related to longitudinal adoption patterns of precision dairy technologies and reasons for any patterns. The aim of this analysis was to investigate trends in technology adoption regarding both the amount (number of farms with a technology) and intensity (number of technologies per farm) of adoption. Surveys of parlor technology adoption were conducted on New Zealand dairy farms in 2008, 2013, and 2018, with 532, 500, and 500 respondents, respectively. Technologies were grouped into labor-saving (LS, such as automatic cluster removers) or data-capture (DC, such as in-line milk meters) categories. Trends were examined for farms that had only LS, only DC, or LS+DC technologies. Technology adoption increased over time; the likelihood of technology adoption in 2018 (and 2013 in parentheses) increased by 21 (22), 7 (68), and 378% (165) for LS, DC, and LS+DC technology groups, respectively, compared to 2008. Farms with LS+DC technologies also had a greater proportion of LS technologies compared to non-LS+DC farms, although this relationship declined over the 10-yr period. The use of a rotary versus herringbone parlor was estimated to be associated with 356 and 470% increase in the likelihood of adopting LS technologies and LS+DC, respectively, from 2008 to 2018. Regional differences in adoption were also found, with the likelihood of adopting DC and LS+DC technologies found to be 46 and 59% greater, respectively, in the South Island of New Zealand, compared to the base region of Waikato. The results highlight the importance of understanding spatial and temporal farm characteristics when considering future effect and adoption of precision dairy technologies. For example, the analysis indicates the occurrence of 2 trajectories to technology investment on farms, where larger farms are able to take advantage of technology opportunities, but smaller farms may be constrained by factors such as lack of economies of scale, limited capital to invest, and inability to retrofit technology into aging parlor infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of concomitant chemoradiotherapy with nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study (NCT04284215) is a prospective, phase II, randomized controlled study, and the patients are enrolled in a ratio of 1:1 in the study with patients treat-naïve locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer.in comparison with paclitaxel plus cisplatin, the regimen of nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin was use in the treatment of DT:69 Gy/46f.Nab-paclitaxel 40mg/m2/week (4-6 weeks in total) and cisplatin 75mg/m2 for 2 cycles. Control arm: paclitaxel 175mg/m2 d1, cisplatin 75mg/m2 for 2 cycles. The primary endpoints are ORR and treatment-induced toxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and the secondary endpoints are PFS and OS. A total of 68 patients (1:1) were randomized from March 3, 2019 to August 23, 2021.Sixty-five patients received concomitant chemoradiotherapy according to the study protocol, including 32 patients in the nab-paclitaxel group and 33 patients in the paclitaxel group. There was no significant difference in ORR between the two groups (84.4% vs. 73.7%, p = 0.411).There was no difference in median PFS between the two groups (14 months (95% CI 14.60-22.93) vs. 12 months (95% CI 13.15-22.74), P = 0.521).The incidence of grade III-IV leukopenia and neutropenia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and other toxic and adverse reactions in the nab-paclitaxel group were significantly lower than those in the paclitaxel group (P<0.006, P<0.000, 0.016, 0.021, 0.019) Compared with paclitaxel plus cisplatin regimen, the combination of nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin regimen has no significant difference in ORR and PFS, but significantly reduces the incidence of grade III-IV granulocytopenia and gastrointestinal reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the inclusion levels of different types of rapeseed meal (RSM) on performance, organ weight, and serum biochemical parameters in Cherry Valley ducks in the starter period and grower-finisher period. In Exp. 1, a total of 750 seven-day-old male ducklings were divided into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 25 birds per pen. The starter diets with the inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% of double-low RSM contained 0, 1.37, 2.15, 3.46, or 5.31 µmol glucosinolates (GLS)/g in the finished feed (from day 7 to 21). In Exp. 2, a total of 900 fifteen-day-old male ducklings were divided into 6 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens of 25 birds per pen. The grower-finisher diets with the inclusion of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25% of Indian RSM contained 0, 7.67, 15.34, 24.66, 31.21, or 38.44 µmol GLS/g in the finished feed (from day 15 to 42). For ducklings in the starter period (Exp. 1), body weight gain and feed intake decreased linearly as the dietary double-low RSM inclusion level increased at day 7 to 14, while growth rate was not influenced by dietary double-low RSM inclusion levels at day 15 to 21 and day 7 to 21. For ducks in the grower-finisher period (Exp. 2), growth performance decreased linearly as the dietary RSM inclusion level increased from 5 to 20%. In addition, dietary RSM inclusion levels induced liver enlargement in ducklings at day 21 (5 to 20% double-low RSM with 1.37 to 5.31 µmol/g GLS) and thyroid enlargement accompanied by increased serum AST and ALP activities in ducks at day 42 (5 to 15% Indian RSM with 7.67 to 23.66 µmol/g GLS). Therefore, our results indicated that the upper limit of using RSM sources in feed formulation should consider the anti-nutritional factor of GLS content at different stages of duck growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scalable growth of SiC quasi-aligned nanoarrays on SiC wafer substrate was reported through the pyrolysis of polymer precursor by using Au as the catalysts. Differently to the conventional one-dimensional nanostructures often with cylindrical shape, the as-grown SiC nanowires possessed tapered configurations with sharp tips, enabling their desired formation with typical nanoneedle morphology. Their turn-on fields manifested a decline from 3.4 to 1.4 V/ μ m, when the temperatures were adjusted from room temperature to 400 °C, evidencing their excellent field emission performance. Furthermore, they behaved a high stability with no obvious current emission degradation when subjected to high temperature of 200 °C over 10 h, representing their promising applications in vacuum electronics with robust stability under high-temperature harsh conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and explore the value of MRI in the diagnosis of central nervous system leukaemia (CNSL). A retrospective study was performed in 68 patients with leukaemia who underwent cranial MRI between January 2020 and June 2022 at Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital. A total of 33 patients fulfilled the requirements for inclusion. The findings showed that 87.9% patients exhibited neurological symptoms, and 23 patients showed abnormal MRI findings. No differences were observed between the MRI+ and MRI− groups in terms of age, sex, neurological symptoms, glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), chloride in the CSF, abnormal cells detected using conventional cytology (CC), bone marrow status at the diagnosis of CNSL, signal intensity ratio, and mortality, except for protein concentration and the number of leukaemic cells detected using flow cytometry (FCM) in the CSF. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis in patients with leukaemia revealed no statistical differences in the median survival times between the MRI+ group and MRI− group. Cox regression analysis and multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in survival rate between the MRI+ and MRI− groups. Kappa consistency test shows weak diagnostic consistency between MRI and CC, and weak diagnostic inconsistency between MRI and FCM. MRI could serve as an important complementary tool to CC and FCM in the diagnosis of CNSL, especially in patients without leptomeningeal involvement. • CNSL of leptomeninges involved presented as hyperintensity on T2 FLAIR imaging. • MRI plays a key role in the diagnosis of CNSL with non-leptomeninges involved. • MRI complements the deficiency of CC and FCM in the diagnosis of CNSL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to negative pregnancy outcomes. However, little is known about the prevalence of ACEs and their relationship to mental and health outcomes among pregnant Palestine refugee women. This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 772 pregnant Palestine refugee women with a median (interquartile range) age of 27 (23, 32) years, attending five antenatal clinics in Jordan between February and June 2021. The modified 33-item ACE International Questionnaire was used to assess eight domains of ACEs: (1) marriage and family, (2) relationship with parents, (3) neglect, (4) household dysfunction/domestic violence, (5) abuse, (6) peer violence, (7) community violence, and (8) collective violence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between ACEs and mental and health outcomes. The ethical approval was obtained from United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Research Review Board in May 2020. Eighty-eight percent of women experienced at least one type of ACE, and 26% of women experienced ≥4 types of ACEs. Compared with women with 0–3 types of ACE exposure, those with ≥4 types of ACEs had 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–2.28) times higher prevalence of obesity before pregnancy, 3.28 (95% CI 1.79–6.03) times higher prevalence of depression during pregnancy, and 2.01 (95% CI 1.39–2.91) times higher prevalence of ever been smoking cigarettes or hookah. Exposure to ACEs is prevalent among pregnant Palestine refugee women. Exposure to multiple types of ACEs was associated with obesity, mental health conditions, and smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively characterize tumor biomechanical rigidity via ventilation-induced tumor deformation (VITD) and assess its prognostic values. This study utilized 10-bin 4D-CT and PET scans for 16 lung cancer patients (7 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 9 adenocarcinoma (AC)). First, tumor surface models were generated based on binary segmentation for 10 respiratory phases and regionally aligned using surface-based registration. The resultant shape descriptors () across respiration phases were assembled as an intra-subject VITD. Subsequently, tumor strain was approximate as the magnitude of the averaged shape changes (VITD mag) between end-of-exhale (EOE) and end-of-inhale (EOI) phases in the relevant regions - areas showing significant morphological correlations with the respective lung volume trajectory. Afterward, para-tumor stress (PTS) was approximated as the averaged displacements in the dilated para-tumor region, by deforming EOE to EOI 4D-CTs. Finally, VITD rigi was calculated as PTS over VITD mag. To assess the prognostic value of the VITD model, VITD mag and VITD rigi were correlated with PET-derived SUV max for AC and SCC tumors, respectively. On lung SCC tumors, VITD mag , the extent of maximal shape changes in respiration, was negatively associated with SUV max, indictive of elevated tumor metabolism (r= -0.88, p= 0.01). After controlling for PTS, an increase in the derived tumor rigidity (VITD rigi) was found to be significantly associated with increased SUV max , with r= 0.76 and p= 0.04. In contrast, on AC tumors, featuring surfactant overproduction and thus complex tissue composition, neither VITD mag nor VITD rigi presented a significant association with SUV max (p = 0.98 and 0.88). We introduced a novel noninvasive pipeline to characterize lung tumor rigidity based on VITD in 4D-CT. The derived VITD rigi in lung SCC significantly correlated with tumor metabolism, indicating tumor aggressiveness. The proposed VITD model provides new biomechanical evidence in lung SCC prognosis. For AC tumors with complex tissue composition, deeper radiographic profiling besides tumor deformation is needed to effectively characterize its biomechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria and fungi are primary constituents of airborne microbes in fine particulate matter and harmful to health. To evaluate the environmental quality of different poultry houses in Shandong Province, China, the airborne aerobic bacteria, airborne fungi, and airborne Escherichia coli were collected by the Andersen-6 air microorganism sampler. The fine particulate matter was collected by a ZR-3920 ambient air particulate matter sampler, and bacterial and fungal diversities and relative abundances analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that the concentrations of airborne aerobic bacteria, airborne fungi, and airborne Escherichia coli in poultry houses were 0.167 to 4.484 x 104 CFU/m³, 0.236 to 4.735 x 103 CFU/m³, and 0 to 33.0 CFU/m³, respectively. 11.4 to 34.3% of aerobic bacteria and 16.8 to 37.5% of fungi were distributed at levels 5 and 6 (0.6 to 2.1 μm, the particle sizes similar to fine particulate matter) in the Andersen sampler. The concentration of fine particulate matter in the poultry houses was 114 to 230 µg/m³, which was higher than the safety value 10 specified by WHO. In fine particulate matter, the main bacteria at phylum level were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, whereas the dominant phylum of fungus was Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Importantly, the relative abundances of Escherichia and Corynebacterium in the broiler houses were greater than those in layer houses. However, the percentages of Aspergillus and Penicillium were 13.5 and 0.56%, with a relatively high level in the layer houses. Altogether, results revealed that the ambient air quality in the poultry houses sampled had a relatively high abundance of conditional pathogenic bacteria and concentration of fine particulate matter, which could threaten the health of animals and workers in those environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/Ch) hydrogels containing 1 and 3 wt% of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were prepared through a freezing-thaw procedure. Results from microstructural, thermal and mechanical characterization of LNPs based PVA/Ch demonstrated that the lowest amount of LNPs (1 wt%) was beneficial, whereas the presence of agglomerates at higher LNP content limited the effect. Moreover, a different swelling behaviour was observed for hydrogels containing LNPs with respect of PVA/Ch, due to the formation of a porous honeycomb-like structure. A synergic effect of Ch and LNPs was revealed in terms of antioxidative response by DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) activity of migrated substances, whereas results from antimicrobial tests confirmed LNPs as effective against Gram negative bacteria ( E. coli ) when compared to Gram positive (S.aureus and S. epidermidis) strains. The obtained results suggested the possible use of produced PVA/Ch hydrogels incorporating LNPs in many different sectors, such as drug delivery, food packaging, wound dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mother-young recognition process is crucial for the growth and survival of progeny. In “follower” ungulate species, vocal and visual cues have been found to play a leading role in the mother-young identification process from the first days postpartum, with olfactory cues also important in establishing the initial selective mother-young bond immediately after birth. In “hider” species, however, much less has been documented of mother-young recognition behaviors, especially in their natural habitat. In this paper, we investigated this process in goitered gazelle ( Gazella subgutturosa ), a typical hider species, in its native environment in Kazakhstan. Over the course of our study period, we investigated the behaviors of 257 females with twins and 158 females with singles through visual observations. We found that within the first month after birth, when females spend only a short time with their young, mothers recognized their fawns using mostly olfactory cues, while vision was used to locate their hiding offspring. Fawns vocalized very rarely, producing only distress calls that did not seem intended for individual identification. Licking of young by their mothers was observed frequently, not only during the first week after birth, when this action was very important for fawn stimulation for a number of physiological functions, but for several weeks after (until one month of age), when licking lost its physiological importance and likely became more of a recognition procedure. Fawns did not recognize their mothers at all, either through vision or vocalizations, since during their first weeks after birth, they responded to any gazelle that approached their hiding area. By a month after birth, when mothers and fawns began to stay together for longer periods of time, their recognition process became more enhanced, and in addition to olfactory cues, the mother and her young began to use more and more visual cues for longer distance identification, as well as vocalizations for shorter distances. Similar dynamics are likely typical for most hiding species, although information for wild ungulates is still very limited, especially for those with strong hider behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the prediction of mutation status of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter, which are crucial for glioma prognostication and therapeutic decision-making, via sub-regional radiomics analysis based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective study was conducted on 401 participants with adult-type diffuse gliomas. Employing the K-means algorithm, tumours were clustered into two to four subregions. Sub-regional radiomics features were extracted and selected using the Mann–Whitney U -test, Pearson correlation analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, forming the basis for predictive models. The performance of model combinations of different sub-regional features and classifiers (including logistic regression, support vector machines, K-nearest neighbour, light gradient boosting machine, and multilayer perceptron) was evaluated using an external test set. The models demonstrated high predictive performance, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values ranging from 0.918 to 0.994 in the training set for IDH mutation prediction and from 0.758 to 0.939 for TERT promoter mutation prediction. In the external test sets, the two-cluster radiomics features and the logistic regression model yielded the highest prediction for IDH mutation, resulting in an AUC of 0.905. Additionally, the most effective predictive performance with an AUC of 0.803 was achieved using the four-cluster radiomics features and the support vector machine model, specifically for TERT promoter mutation prediction. The present study underscores the potential of sub-regional radiomics analysis in predicting IDH and TERT promoter mutations in glioma patients. These models have the capacity to refine preoperative glioma diagnosis and contribute to personalised therapeutic interventions for patients. • Sub-regional MRI radiomics predicts IDH and TERT mutations in gliomas. • Various model combinations of sub-regional features and classifiers were assessed. • LR and SVM outperformed in predicting IDH and TERT mutations, respectively. • Enhanced models support precision in glioma therapeutic decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the shifting patterns of the mediastinum, including the target volume and the isocenter point during the postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) process of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to observe the occurrence of radiation injury. Additionally, we investigated the significance of mid-term assessment during the implementation of the PORT process. We established coordinate axes based on bone anatomy and measured the mediastinum's three-dimensional direction and the shift of the isocenter point's shift in the PORT process. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, and the Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In this study, the analysis of patients revealed that the shift of anterior and posterior mediastinum (X), left and right mediastinum (Y), upper and lower mediastinum (Z), anterior and posterior isocenter point (X i), and the left and right isocenter points (Y i) in the PORT process were 0.04–0.53, 0.00–0.84, 0.00–1.27, 0.01–0.86, and 0.00–0.66 cm, respectively. The shift distance of the mediastinum was Z > Y > X, and the shift distance of the isocenter point was X i > Y i. According to the ROC curve, the cut-off values were 0.263, 0.352, 0.405, 0.238, and 0.258, respectively, which were more significant than the cut-off values in 25 cases (25%), 30 cases (30%), 30 cases (30%), 17 cases (17%), and 15 cases (15%). In addition, there was a significant difference in the shift of the mediastinum and the isocenter point (all P = 0.00). Kruskal-Wallis test showed no statistically significant difference between mediastinal shift and resection site in X, Y, and Z directions (P = 0.355, P = 0.239, P = 0.256), surgical method (P = 0.241, P = 0.110, P = 0.064). There was no significant difference in the incidence of RE and RP in PORT patients (P > 0.05). No III–IV RP occurred. However, the incidence of ≥ grade III RE in the modified plan cases after M-S was significantly lower than in the original PORT patients, 0% and 7%, respectively (P = 0.000). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that mediastinal shift is a potential complication during the PORT process for patients with N2 stage or R1–2 resection following radical resection of NSCLC. This shift affects about 20–30% of patients, manifesting as actual radiation damage to normal tissue and reducing the local control rate. Therefore, mid-term repositioning of the PORT and revision of the target volume and radiation therapy plan can aid in maintaining QA and QC during the treatment of NSCLC patients and may result in improved patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary and ternary polymeric films based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CH) and lignin nanoparticles (LNP) added at two different amounts (1 and 3 wt%) were produced by solvent casting. Thermal, optical, mechanical properties, migration, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, as well as morphologies of binary and ternary PVA/CH/LNP nanocomposites, were investigated. Mechanical results revealed that the addition of LNP enhanced the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PVA, producing also a toughness effect in CH matrix. Higher crystallinity values measured in calorimetric characterization confirmed how well dispersed LNP could effectively provide nucleation effects in PVA. Furthermore, LNP notably improved the thermal stability of the binary and ternary nanocomposite systems. Antimicrobial assays revealed a capacity to inhibit the bacterial growth of Gram negative Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni over the time, suggesting innovative opportunities against bacterial plant/fruit pathogens in food packaging applications. In addition, the synergic effect of LNP and CH in the antioxidation response of the produced films potentially envisage their use in many different biomedical applications (drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing), where innovative antimicrobial strategies are continuously required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform here a theoretical study based on both Monte Carlo and Molecular dynamic simulations in order to investigate CO 2 mineral carbonation in hydrated calcium Montmorillonite (Ca-MMT). Thermodynamical, structural and dynamical properties have been evaluated in order to understand the mineral carbonation characteristics of CO 2 in Ca-MMT. To simulate the behavior of CO 2 through mineral carbonation, we consider calcium Montmorillonite clays at equilibrium with H 2 O - CO 2 - H 3 O + - CO 3 2 − mixture under different hydration and different CO 3 2 − concentration. Radial distribution function results indicate that average calcium–oxygen ( CO 3 2 − ) distance is about 2.275 Å, which is rather short because of the charge attraction. These carbonation reactions produce the stable limestone. The carbonation energy for different CO 3 2 − concentrations is calculated at different temperatures varying from 280 K to 460 K, gradually with 20 K. The calculated diffusion coefficient indicates that the diffusion of calcium ions decreases with CO 3 2 − concentrations. Finally, the obtained mineralization energy was found in increase with carbonate concentration and burial depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Uterine artery occlusion is often used to treat symptomatic uterine myomas, as this is a minimally invasive approach. However, alternative methods for uterus-sparing therapy are in development. This study aimed to compare the clinical effects of laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion (LUAO) in combination with laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) with LM alone for the management of symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.Study Design: This multicentre study was a retrospective controlled investigation. In total, 618 patients with symptomatic uterine myomas from six hospitals in Eastern China underwent LUAO+LM or LM alone between June 2011 and December 2012. Operative time, blood loss, transfusion, highest temperature, postoperative hospital stay, complications and follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results: Complete clinical data were available for 504 patients. Among these, 324 patients underwent LUAO+LM and 180 patients underwent LM alone. Mean±standard deviation blood loss, transfusion, highest peri-operative temperature and duration of hospital stay were significantly lower in the LUAO+LM group compared with the LM group (83.61±53.70ml vs 109±58.43ml, 1.85% vs 6.11%, 37.6±0.40°C vs 37.9±0.45°C and 5.11±0.62 days vs 6.10±0.83 days, respectively). The mean duration of follow-up was 38.97±5.82 months in the LUAO+LM group and 37.30±2.25 months in the LM group (p>0.05). The relief of abnormal uterine bleeding, reduction of uterine volume and recurrence of myomas were more remarkable in the LUAO+LM group than the LM group (97.22% vs 83.75%, 62.42% vs 51.83% and 3.47% vs 10.63%, respectively).Conclusions: LUAO in combination with LM was associated with higher surgical quality, greater relief of abnormal symptoms and less recurrence of myomas compared with LM alone. LUAO in combination with LM is recommended for women with symptomatic uterine myomas who wish to preserve their uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the effects on antimicrobial, antioxidant, migration and disintegrability activities of ternary nanocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) incorporating two biobased nanofillers, (cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and lignin nanoparticles (LNP)), in two different amounts (1 and 3% wt.). Results from antimicrobial tests revealed a capacity to inhibit the Gram negative bacterial growth of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria and Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni along the time, offering innovative opportunities against dangerous bacterial plant pathogens. LNP proved to be highly efficient in antioxidation activity, based on the disappearance of the absorption band at 517 nm of the free radical, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) upon reduction by an antiradical compound; moreover the combination of LNP and CNC generates a synergistic positive effect in the antioxidation response of PLA ternary films. Furthermore, all the studied formulations showed a disintegrability value up to 90% after 15 days of incubation in composting conditions. Migration results showed that the films can be considered suitable for application in food packaging field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic nanostructures, mainly cellulose and lignin based materials, have recently attracted much attention due to their renewable nature, wide variety of source materials available throughout the world, low cost and density, high surface functionality and reactivity. The exceptional mechanical strength, together with high aspect ratio and large surface area, enable these nanomaterials to reinforce a wide variety of polymers even at very low filler loadings. Furthermore, nanocomposite approach has emerged in the last two decades as an efficient strategy to upgrade the structural and functional properties of natural and/or synthetic polymers. The combination of bioresorbable and sustainable polymers with bio-based nanostructures opened new perspectives in the self-assembly of nanomaterials for different applications with tuneable mechanical, thermal and degradative properties. In the present paper, the effect of introduction of lignocellulosic reinforcement phases (cellulosic and lignin based nanostructures), on structural and functional properties of several thermoplastic polymer matrices was investigated at the nanoscale level. Both solvent casting and melt compounding were considered as processing techniques for the proposed nanocomposite formulations. The role of cellulose and lignin based nanostructures, such as their synergic action when embedded in a polymer matrix, were analysed (taking into account the required functionality of the systems in the appropriate final applications) and reported in terms of morphological, optical, thermal, chemical, mechanical, barrier and degradative performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): To assess the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with toripalimab for locally advanced, resectable esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC).Materials/methods: A total of 22 patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced, resectable ESCC (clinical stage: T3-4N0M0/T1-4N+M0, according to the 8th AJCC stage system) were enrolled. Patients received neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) with 41.4 Gy in 23 fractions by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with 4 cycles (240mg, Q3W) of toripalimab. Surgery was performed within 7-8 weeks after completion of NRT. The primary endpoints are treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The second endpoints are pathological complete response (pCR) and objective response rate (ORR). ORR was evaluated after NRT according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.0.Results: A total of 22 patients were enrolled between October 2019 to December 2020. 17 patients were male and 5 patients were female. The median age was 60 years (range, 48 to 70 years). 9 patients were in stage II and 13 patients were in stage III. All patients finished NRT as planned, 3 (13.6%) patients discontinued toripalimab treatment, one for progressive disease after 3 cycles of toripalimab, one for treatment-related AEs after 2 cycles and one for patient wishes after 2 cycles. 2 (9.1%) patients achieved complete response, 13 (59.1%) patients achieved partial response of which 1 patient had liver metastasis after 4 cycles of toripalimab, 6 (27.3%) patients remained stable disease, and 1 (4.5%) patient had progression disease. ORR was 68.2% (15/22), and disease control rate (DCR) was 95.5% (21/22). As of Feb. 26, 2021, 14 (63.6%) patients had received radical surgery, among them 7 (50.0%) experienced pCR of primary tumor and lymph nodes, 8 (57.1%) presented primary tumor pCR, and 9 (64.3%) had a major pathological response (MPR), 2 (9.1%) patients did not undergo surgery for progressive disease (1 patient of left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and 1 patient of liver metastasis), and the remaining 6 patients still awaits radical surgery as scheduled. 15 (68.2%) patients experienced TRAEs. The common TRAEs were mild (grade 1 or 2) including leukopenia (n = 9), radiation esophagitis (n = 8) and aspartate transaminase (AST) elevation (n = 5), pruritus (n = 2), alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation (n = 1) and pneumonitis (n = 1). Only 1 (4.5%) patient developed grade 3 myocarditis, grade 3 AST elevation and grade 3 ALT elevation 2 weeks after NRT, improved after treatment with methylprednisolone, and is currently waiting for radical surgery.Conclusion: The trial showed that NRT plus toripalimab demonstrated a manageable safety profile and encouraging therapeutic effect in patients with locally advanced, resectable ESCC, which warrants additional investigations in larger cohorts. The trial was registered in Chictr.org.cn ((Registration Number: ChiCTR1900022282). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary polymeric films based on poly (lactic acid), obtained dispersing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and lignin nanoparticles (LNP) at two different amounts (1 and 3 wt%), respectively in neat PLA and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted PLA (g-PLA), were produced by melt extrusion. Thermal, optical and mechanical properties, as well as the morphologies of CNC and LNP reinforced PLA nanocomposites, were investigated. Results from UV–Vis characterization have confirmed a synergic effect of LNP and CNC based nanostructures in terms of transparency and UV light blocking capability. In addition, the combination of the two lignocellulosic nanofillers proved to be effective also in nucleation and crystal growth, with increased cristallinity values for ternary systems in comparison with binary nanocomposites. Furthermore, the ternary nanocomposites showed both higher strength and modulus values than those of neat PLA and PLA binary systems. Lignin nanoparticles and cellulose nanocrystals, when combined with neat or grafted poly (lactic acid), have shown antibacterial activity with reduction in multiplication of the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). In particular, results from PLA nanocomposite films containing lignin nanoparticles pointed out how this green functionality allows to develop innovative strategies, towards harmful pathogens, helpful in the food packaging sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform, at nanoscale level, the structure and dynamics of carbon dioxide molecules in hydrated Ca-montmorillonite clays. The swelling behaviour of hydrated Wyoming-type Montmorillonite including CO 2 molecules and counterions is presented and analysed. In addition, the atom density profile, diffusion behaviours and radial distribution functions of CO 2 , interlayer water molecules and Calcium ions have been investigated at different geological burial depth of 0 km, 3 km and 6 km, which correspond to various temperature and pressure of simulation conditions. Furthermore, the influence of different hydration state on the dynamical behaviours of carbon dioxide is also explained. The calculated self-diffusion coefficient shows that the carbon dioxide species diffuse more freely with the increase of depth and water content. We also found that the presence of interlayer CO 2 inhibits the diffusion of all the mobile species. These results mainly show that the hydrated clay system is an appropriate space capable of absorbing CO 2 molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior of super vacuum die-cast AM60B magnesium alloys immersed in a 5 wt% NaCl solution was investigated by slow positron beam technique, XRD, XPS, SEM and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The XRD and XPS results indicated that Mg(OH) 2 was main corrosion product in the salt solution. With prolonging the immersion time, a significant decrease of Doppler-broadened annihilation line-width parameter near the surface after corrosion was observed and interpreted that the pre-existing interfacial voids between oxide film and matrix might promote the formation of Mg(OH) 2 corrosion layer. Polarization tests found that Mg(OH) 2 could provide a temporary protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) bearing palygorskite (ZnPal) inclusion on the growth performance, mineral content, meat quality, and antioxidant status of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 8 chicks. Broilers in the 5 treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg Zn diet in the form of ZnPal for 42 d, respectively. Birds exhibited similar average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed/gain ratio (F:G) among groups during the 42-day study (P > 0.05). ZnPal supplementation linearly increased iron (Fe) (P = 0.031) and magnesium (Mg) (P = 0.002) content in the pectoralis major muscle. Similarly, the inclusion of ZnPal tended to increase Zn content in the thigh (P = 0.072) and linearly increase Zn content in the pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.055). The concentration of copper (Cu) in the thigh was linearly decreased by ZnPal inclusion (P = 0.011). Meanwhile, a quadratic trend for reduced Cu content was observed in the pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.074) and thigh (P = 0.082), respectively. The supplementation of ZnPal linearly reduced cooking loss in the pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.013), and linearly (P = 0.029) and quadratically (P = 0.034) decreased cooking loss in the thigh. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the thigh was linearly (P = 0.020) and quadratically (P = 0.017) reduced by ZnPal inclusion. Additionally, ZnPal supplementation tended to linearly enhance total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity of the pectoralis major muscle (P = 0.083). The results obtained in the current study indicated that ZnPal inclusion could alter muscular mineral accumulation, improve meat quality, and enhance the muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers, and Zn supplementation in the form of ZnPal at the dosage of 20 mg/kg would be sufficient in improving meat quality and muscular oxidative status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) regulates a variety of retinal neuronal functions by modulating ion channels in these cells, effect of activated cannabinoid receptors on Ca 2+ channels in retinal Müller cells is still largely unknown. In the present work we show that three subunits of T-type Ca 2+ channels, Ca V 3.1, Ca V 3.2 and Ca V 3.3, as well as one subunit of L-type Ca 2+ channels, Ca V 1.2, were expressed in rat Müller cells by immunofluorescent staining. Consistently, nimodipine- and mibefradil-sensitive Na + currents through L- and T-type Ca 2+ channels could be recorded electrophysiologically. The cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212-2 significantly suppressed Ca 2+ channel currents, mainly the T-type one, in acutely isolated rat Müller cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC 50 of 3.98 μM. The WIN55212-2 effect was not blocked by AM251/SR141716, specific CB1R antagonists. Similar suppression of the currents was observed when anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors, were applied. Moreover, even though CB2 receptors (CB2Rs) were expressed in rat Müller cells, the effects of WIN55212-2 and 2-AG on Ca 2+ channel currents were not blocked by AM630, a selective CB2R antagonist. However, the effect of AEA could be partially rescued by AM630. These results suggest that WIN55212-2 and 2-AG receptor-independently suppressed the Ca 2+ channel currents in Müller cells, while AEA suppressed the currents partially through CB2Rs. The existence of receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms suggests that cannabinoids may modulate Müller cell functions through multiple pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the preparation, by means of an innovative masterbatch procedure, of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/lignin nanoparticles (LNP) films via premixing 1% wt. of LNP into PLA or glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted PLA (g-PLA). These films were obtained by reactive extrusion and subsequent filmature process. Films obtained by using the masterbatch steps were characterized and compared with the system realized by direct extrusion of 1% wt. of LNP in PLA/g-PLA. Thermal, optical and mechanical properties, as well as morphology of LNP reinforced PLA nanocomposites, were characterized. The performance of the produced films was also investigated after accelerated UV weathering (up to 480 h), with the aim of verify how the presence of lignin nanoparticles could modify transparency and mechanical performance of neat (and GMA grafted) PLA films. Results from UV–vis characterization showed how LNP better behave as UV light barrier in grafted PLA, and it has been also proved that GMA grafting onto PLA matrix promoted the dispersion of LNP in matrix. Mechanical tests after weathering also confirmed that both the presence of LNP and GMA accelerates the oxidation effect, since the increased deformability observed for systems containing 1% wt. of LNP in PLA and g-PLA systems at time 0 was lost after 240 h of UV exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamic simulation methods have been performed to study vermiculite, one of the swelling clay minerals. The evolution of the basal spacing of this clay mineral with increasing water content, as well as the evolution of this space of different hydrated states under the influence of temperature was investigated by means of Monte Carlo molecular simulation method. We found that the effect of temperature is much more important on the high hydrated clay and is negligible on low hydrated one. The diffusion behaviour of water and Na + in the interlayer space of different hydrated vermiculite was also studied using the Molecular Dynamic simulation method. We found that the diffusion of water is much faster than Na + at the same hydrated state. Moreover, the evolution of diffusion of water and cations shows a great increase on the thresholds of each hydrated state and then a decrease till the next hydrated state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic (acid) bionanocomposites filled with 0, 1 and 3 wt.% of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were produced by means of two processing techniques, melt extrusion (E-PLA) and solvent casting (C-PLA). The samples were thermally and mechanically characterized by using thermal analyses (TGA and DSC) and tensile tests. Nucleation effect was proved to be remarkably enhanced when homogeneous dispersion of LNPs in PLA matrix was achieved at 1 wt.%, in melt extruded samples, while further increase of the loading of LNPs up to 3 wt.% did not favor the crystallization behavior. Elongation at break in the case of extruded bionanocomposites was positively affected by the presence of LNPs; nonetheless, in the case of solvent cast films, a decreased tendency of tensile parameters was observed, attributed to inhomogeneous dispersion of LNPs. Disintegrability in composting conditions has been also tested and visual observation, chemical, thermal and morphological investigations proved that the incorporation of 1 wt.% of LNPs hindered the disintegration of PLA matrix, due to the hydrophobic nature of the filler. When the nanoparticles content rises up to 3 wt.%, aggregation and rougher film surface structure induced higher degradation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune response is an important component of the cochlear response to stress. As an important player in the cochlear immune system, the basilar membrane immune cells reside on the surface of the scala tympani side of the basilar membrane. At present, the immune cell properties in this region and their responses to stress are not well understood. Here, we investigated the functional role of these immune cells in the immune response to acoustic overstimulation. This study reveals that tissue macrophages are present in the entire length of the basilar membrane under steady-state conditions. Notably, these cells in the apical and the basal sections of the basilar membrane display distinct morphologies and immune protein expression patterns. Following acoustic trauma, monocytes infiltrate into the region of the basilar membrane, and the infiltrated cells transform into macrophages. While monocyte infiltration and transformation occur in both the apical and the basal sections of the basilar membrane, only the basal monocytes and macrophages display a marked increase in the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II and class II transactivator (CIITA), a MHC II production cofactor, suggesting the site-dependent activation of antigen-presenting function. Consistent with the increased expression of the antigen-presenting proteins, CD4 + T cells, the antigen-presenting partner, infiltrate into the region of the basilar membrane where antigen-presenting proteins are upregulated. Further pathological analyses revealed that the basal section of the cochlea displays a greater level of sensory cell damage, which is spatially correlated with the region of antigen-presenting activity. Together, these results suggest that the antigen-presenting function of the mononuclear phagocyte population is activated in response to acoustic trauma, which could bridge the innate immune response to adaptive immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn) expression and aggregation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These neurodegenerative disorders, collectively known as synucleinopathies, are usually associated with cognitive impairment that could be caused by impaired hippocampal function. Although abnormal expressions of α-syn and N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor are frequently observed in the hippocampus of patients with synucleinopathies, how these proteins interact with each other in hippocampal neurons remains poorly understood. In the present study, primary cultures of hippocampal neurons and α-syn transgenic mice were used to investigate the effect of α-syn on NMDA receptors. Neurons were treated either by direct addition of recombinant human α-syn (hα-syn) to the medium, or by infection with the hα-syn gene, to increase intracellular levels of α-syn. In both cases, NMDA receptor NR1 subunits on the cell surface were reduced while the total amount of NR1 was unchanged, indicating an internalization of NR1 subunits. Neurons with elevated α-syn also showed a profound increase in Rab5B, an isoform of the small GTPases essential for NMDA receptor endocytosis. Knockdown of Rab5B expression by siRNA inhibited the α-syn-induced reduction in surface NR1. The in vitro findings were confirmed in α-syn transgenic mice, showing that increased α-syn expression was accompanied by reduced levels of surface NR1 and increased expression of Rab5B. Due to the essential role of NR1 subunits for assembling a complete NMDA receptor, its reduction on the cell surface indicated impaired receptor function. This was demonstrated by observations that neurons with elevated α-syn showed profound reductions in NMDA-elicited Ca 2+ influx and inward current, which were also inhibited by knockdown of Rab5B expression. Our data suggest that increased α-syn expression may impair NMDA receptor function in the hippocampus by reducing the density of NR1 subunits on the cell surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Renal allograft compartment syndrome (RACS) is an under recognized yet important complication of kidney transplantation that can lead to early graft dysfunction and loss. The use of mesh for prevention and treatment of RACS in very selective circumstances has been documented previously in small case reports. However, it is unknown whether patient and graft survival rates are similar in patients undergoing renal transplantation with mesh placement for the prevention or treatment of RACS. The purpose of our study was to examine the risk factors, indications, and outcomes of mesh hood fascial closure (MHFC) use in the context of RACS prevention. Methods All patients who underwent kidney transplantation in our center between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed. Patients with mesh placed at the time of initial transplantation and secondarily at the time of reoperation were identified. Patient characteristics, Doppler ultrasound findings, and overall patient and graft survival rates were compared among patients with and without mesh placement. Results Of 600 patients who received a kidney transplant, 134 patients underwent mesh placement, 123 primarily and 11 secondarily. Our overall 1-year patient and graft survival rates compared between those with and without MHFC were, respectively, 97.5% and 94.8% compared to 98.5% and 95.5% with P > .05. Our mesh removal rate was 6% (8/134), and the rate of mesh infection was 1.6% (2/134). Conclusions We are the first to report the outcomes of MHFC for the prevention of RACS in patients undergoing renal transplantation. We found that MHFC in select circumstances has minimal risks and similar overall patient and graft survival rates when mesh is not used. Prospective studies to better understand the pathophysiology of RACS will aid in determining objective clinical indications for MHFC to improve allograft survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive use of current anti-coccidial drugs together with drug resistance and residue has raised concerns about public health and poultry development. Here, we studied the anti-coccidial properties of Bidens pilosa. A phytochemical approach was developed for analysis of B. pilosa utilized as a feed additive. The protective effects of B. pilosa supplemented chicken diet were evaluated chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. B. pilosa, at doses of 0.5%, 1% and 5% of the chicken diet, significantly protected against E. tenella as measured by reduction in mortality, weight loss, fecal oocyst excretion and gut pathology in chickens. Finally, drug resistance of E. tenella to B. pilosa was assessed in chickens using the anticoccidial index. This index showed that B. pilosa induced little, if any, drug resistance to Eimeria in chickens. Collectively, this work suggests that B. pilosa may serve as a novel, natural remedy for coccidiosis with low drug resistance in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Grain size of AZ91 alloy reduced from 500μm to 124μm by SiC inoculants. [•] Solution route is 400°C+16h for spheroidization without notable grain growth. [•] Pressurized solidification favors the flow and feeding capacity of residual liquid. [•] Relative density increases continuously with the increase of holding pressure. [•] Tensile strength reaches 167MPa for modified alloy with applied pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to develop a skeletal mechanism for multi-component fuel oxidation of diesel, biodiesel blended with short chain oxygenated fuels of ethanol and DMC. Starting from a detailed reaction mechanism, a reduced chemical kinetics which could treat both ethanol and DMC oxidation reactions was first developed using directed relation graph with error propagation and sensitivity analysis (DRGEPSA) method, and it was then combined with a tri-component biodiesel reaction mechanism developed in our previous study with CO, NOx and soot emission sub-models embedded. The final mechanism comprises 132 species and 617 elementary reactions. Extensive validations were performed for the developed skeletal mechanism through ignition delay testing and 3-D engine simulations. Validation results discerned that for ethanol, DMC and diesel fuels, predicted ignition delay time agreed very well with the detailed reaction mechanism or experimental results over a large range of initial pressure, temperature and equivalent ratio conditions with the maximum deviation below 25%, whereas for biodiesel, the largest discrepancy was 53%. 3-D engine combustion simulations also demonstrated that the ignition delay, cylinder pressure and heat release rate of diesel, biodiesel and their blend fuels with DMC could be very well reproduced by the present mechanism with reliable accuracies under various engine operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggression in ungulates is a very common behavior which serves a great variety of social functions, the most important of which is territorial protection from intruders. Typically during the rut, territorial males in Antilopinae species have access to mating females, and territoriality leads to a drastic change in the males’ lifestyle as they spend most of their aggressive efforts on protecting their territories from other males. In contrast, non-territorial males generally behave in a constant manner all year round, with most of their aggression spent on hierarchical interactions within groups. In this paper, we discuss the differences in aggressive behaviors between territorial and non-territorial males of goitered gazelles ( Gazella subgutturosa ). We found that territorial males of this species demonstrated most of their aggressive displays, such as threat postures and space-claim patterns, to other territorial males-neighbors, but rarely chased after them at the end of a conflict. Inversely, territorial males frequently chased non-territorial and immature males while only occasionally demonstrating aggressive patterns. Non-territorial males mostly chased other males in their agonistic interactions, displaying threat postures less often than territorial males, but also showing aggressive patterns not found in territorial males. So we concluded that territorial and non-territorial males of goitered gazelles had different repertoires of aggressive behaviors, and when adult males switched their social status from territorial during the rut to non-territorial outside the rut, they obviously changed their preference in aggressive behaviors accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a nonlocal phase field method is presented to solve anisotropic diffusion-driven morphological evolution and migration of void defects in finite metallic film interconnects by utilizing a nonlocal phase field model considering a small scale effect. The nonlocal elastic theory is used to describe a small scale effect on the morphological evolution and migration of the void. In example calculations, the effects of the stress field, the electric field, and the anisotropic diffusion characteristic on the evolution of void defects in finite metallic film interconnects are described and discussed. The result in comparison with literature shows that the small scale effect based on nonlocal elastic model induces the migration diffusion of the crack tip to decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stress partitions among multiple phases for two cold-rolled transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP)-assisted C-Mn-Al-Si steels, with different carbon content levels of 0.1% and 0.2% (mass fractions), were investigated using in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction at ambient and low temperatures (-40°C) under uniaxial tensile loading. Based on the evolution of stresses for various phases during plastic deformation, a modified constitutive model was established for describing the micromechanical behavior of TRIP-assisted multiphase steels, based on a Gladman-type mixture law (GTML) embedded with the Mecking-Kocks work-hardening formula. The index n, an important parameter in the GTML for characterizing the accommodation of loading stresses among different phases, was determined to be severely affected by the transformation kinetics of retained austenite. The quantitative relationship between n and the transformation rate of retained austenite was also clearly revealed in the investigated alloys. The modified model thus correlates the mismatch of stresses for multiple phases with the transformation kinetics of metastable phases during plastic deformation and is suitable for all advanced steels with multi-scale microstructures. This model forms the basis for microstructure-based numerical simulations of micromechanical behavior and greatly benefits the design of a new type of high-strength and high-plasticity steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Fe–6.5wt%Si steel wire with diameter of 1.6mm can be successfully obtained by hot drawing process. [•] The ductility of Fe–6.5wt%Si alloy can be improved significantly when it is fabricated in the form of wire. [•] The Dc magnetic property of Fe–6.5wt%Si steel wire 1.6mm in diameter is excellent, which is close to that of 0.3mm thick cold-rolling sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-equilibrium solidification of commercial AZ91 magnesium alloy was performed by copper mold spray-casting technique and the thermal stability property of as-formed meta-stable microstructure was investigated by subsequent annealing at different temperatures and times. Remarkable grain refinement appears with increasing cooling rate during solidification process, which is accompanied by a visible cellular/dendrite transition for the grain morphology of primary phase. Moreover, the non-equilibrium solidified alloy exhibits obvious precipitation hardening effect upon annealing at 200°C, and the precipitation mode of β-Mg17Al12 phase changes from discontinuous to continuous with extending isothermal time from 4h to 16h, which generates an increase of resultant micro-hardness value. After solid solution treatment at the elevated temperature of 420°C, the volume fraction of β-Mg17Al12 phase decreases and a notable grain growth phenomenon occurs, which give rise to a reduction of hardness in comparison with that of as-quenched alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]