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Based on the decomposition of trade-related production activities in the global value chain, we analyze the characteristics of Asian countries from inter- and intra- Asian regional value chain (ARVC) perspectives between 2009 and 2019. Then, we investigate how Asian countries' inter- and intra-ARVC positions influence their gross output in the global value chain. The results illustrate that the inter-ARVC position is positively correlated to the gross output for countries with large economies of scale. Furthermore, the inter-ARVC position is employed as the threshold variable to evaluate Asian countries' performance in the intra-ARVC. When their inter-ARVC position is below the threshold value, increasing the intra-ARVC position cannot increase their gross output for all Asian countries. Countries with large economies of scale could benefit through intra-ARVC with a higher threshold value of inter-ARVC position compared with countries with small economies of scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report two novel thalassemia variants detected in Chinese individuals using targeted NGS technology. We detected a novel frameshift variant, HBB: c.181delG, in a 32-year-old Chinese individual. This novel variant [a single nucleotide deletion at nucleotide 181 of codon 60 (–G)], was detected by targeted next generation sequencing (NGS), resulting in a stop codon at codon 60 in exon 2 of the HBB gene. The impact of this novel variant was further analyzed by an in vitro model. We also identified a novel in-frame variant, HBA1: c.121_126delAAGACC [codons 40/41 (–AAGACC)], in another Chinese individual in this study. We named these two novel variants, HBB: c.181delG and HBA1: c.121_126delAAGACC according to the Human Genome Variation Society (HGVS), which were detected by the first author. These two novel variants have expanded the mutation spectrum of thalassemia and it would be beneficial for carrier screening, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis (PND) of thalassemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is a relatively rare but highly aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), most of which have T-cell origin (T-LBL) [[1]]. However, only 30% of patients have a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donor, which means that most T-LBL patients will require alternative sources of hematopoietic cells [[10]]. At present, even with T-ALL-like chemotherapy regimens, the 5-year OS of adult T-LBL patients is only 50%, and more than 30% of patients relapse [[7]]. So the "Beijing protocol" is an effective method for the treatment of T-LBL, with controllable side effects and can be used as a radical therapy for young, high-risk patients who do not have HLA-identical sibling donors. [Extracted from the article]

Scorpiothyrsus erythrotrichus belongs to Melastomataceae. Here, we present its complete plastome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported complete chloroplast genome of S. erythrotrichus. The complete plastome of S. erythrotrichus is 160,731 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, consisting of four regions: large single-copy (LSC) region (85,483 bp), small single-copy (SSC) region (17,007 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,780 bp). It contains 128 genes (79 coding genes, four rRNAs, and 30 tRNAs). The overall GC content is 36.9% and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 34.70%, 30.40%, and 42.50%, respectively. Our study contributes to the molecular phylogenetic studies of Scorpiothyrsus and Melastomataceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between bisphenol A (BPA) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis using STATA software for observational studies. Results: Nine studies involving 493 PCOS patients and 440 controls were included in this review. The meta-analysis demonstrated that PCOS patients had significantly higher BPA levels compared with control groups (standardized mean difference (SMD): 2.437, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.265, 3.609), p < .001). For studies of serum samples detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), subgroup analyses according to ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), sample size, detection method (high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ELISA), PCOS-to-control ratio and study quality displayed that high BPA levels were significantly associated with Caucasian PCOS patients (SMD: 0.615, 95% CI: (0.308, 0.922), p < .001), high BMI (SMD: 0.512, 95% CI: (0.180, 0.843), p = .002), high quality (SMD: 0.624, 95% CI: (0.391, 0.856), p < .001), and high HOMA-IR (SMD: 0.467, 95% CI: (0.121, 0.813), p = .008). Conclusions: Serum BPA may be positively associated with women with PCOS and BPA might be involved in the insulin-resistance and hyperandrogenism of PCOS. More evidence from high quality studies, advanced detection methods, and larger cohorts for observational trials are needed to further confirm the association between BPA and PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of pre-chemotherapy b1R-AABs by evaluating the response of newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) patients to their treatment with a bortezomib-containing regimen. Forty-five de novo MM patients and 50 normal controls (NCs) were prospectively enrolled in this study. Serum titers of b1R-AABs were detected by ELISA. These 45MM patients were divided into two groups (positive and negative groups) according to their b1R-AABs. Follow-up examinations were performed on these patients during chemotherapy induction. The final analysis covered all 45MM patients, including 19 patients who were positive for MM and 26 patients who were negative for MM. Multivariate analysis revealed that pre-chemotherapy b1R-AABs are possibly independent predictors for less than very good partial response (VGPR) after the bortezomib-containing regimen treatment (odds ratio: 5.967, 95% confidence interval: 1.513-23.531; p=.011). This study demonstrates for the first time that the presence of b1R-AABs is associated with MM. Pre-chemotherapy b1R-AABs are independent predictors for less than VGPR in de novo MM patients after the bortezomib-containing regimen was administrated. Bortezomib might not significantly give rise to cardiac impairment in MM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficiation of micro-fine magnetic minerals from reductive iron ore was investigated. Sample characteristics and main force analysis of magnetic floc were conducted. The results indicated that the iron phase in reductive iron ores was predominantly metallic iron (below 20 μm). By applying ultrafine grinding-magnetic flocculation separation (MFS) to the raw ore (29.85% Fe), a concentrate assaying 74.12% Fe with 81.45% iron recovery was obtained. The iron recovery increased by 6.68% compared with the conventional magnetic separation (CMS). The high efficiency in beneficiation may be attributed to an increase in magnetic force on the micro-fine iron minerals in the form of flocs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present study, five soil exoenzymes (dehydrogenase, urease, acid phosphatase, neutral phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase) were investigated in rhizosphere of wetland plants (Iris wilsonii, Arundo donax, andTypha orientalis) treated with silver nanoparticles (0, 0.024, 0.24, 4.80, and 9.60 μg/g dry soil). It was found that Ag NPs were capable of inhibiting all exoenzyme activities tested in this study, with inhibitory effects especially obvious to higher Ag NPs level (4.80 and 9.60 μg/g dry soil). However, for lower Ag NPs concentration (0.024 μg/g dry soil), the adverse effects on exoenzymes was only found inT. orientalisrhizosphere, the exoenzyme activities in rhizosphere ofI. wilsoniiwere less affected. This study suggested that high concentration Ag NPs could negatively affect all soil exoenzyme activities, while the impacts of low Ag NPs level on exoenzyme activities were mainly related to plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:Since the 1970s, research and applications on flap and muscle flap had solved many problems in microsurgical reconstruction. However, the traditional flap design is completely dependent on two-dimensional (2D) images. The purpose of this study was to discuss the methods in the visualization of saphenous artery flap by digitalized technique and its applications by digitalized technique. Methods:Two adult fresh cadaver specimens, one male and one female, were subject to radiographic computerized tomography (CT) scanning before and after perfused with lead oxide–gelatine mixture, whose collimation are 0.625 mm (120 kV, 110 mA, 512 × 512 matrix). Through Amira 5.4.1 software, the 2D images in DICOM format were transformed into the 3D models of the entire region. The structures of saphenous artery were observed and the digitized visible models of saphenous artery flap were established through three-dimensional (3D) computerized reconstructions methods from these data using Amira 5.4.1 software. Next six cases of soft-tissue defects of the tibia region, involving the exposure bones underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of lower limbs utilizing a 64-row multi-slice spiral CT after median cubital vein injection with Ultravist (3.5 ml/s). 2D images from these data in DICOM format were transformed into computer. The structures of saphenous artery flap were observed and measured using Amira 5.4.1 software. Then, all cases were treated by saphenous artery flap. Results:The 3D reconstructed visible models established from these datasets perfectly displayed the saphenous artery flap anatomy. In six cases, the main trunk and branched of the blood vessels in the designed flap were consistent with the surgical findings. The starting point of the saphenous artery to the average distance of the knee clearance were 119.2 ± 9.6 mm, the average diameter of the saphenous artery from the starting point were 1.5 ± 0.3 mm. The range of flap was 8.0 × 5.0 cm to 20.0 × 8.0 cm. All flaps survived well. After 8–24 months’ follow-up the knee flexion was 120–140°, the straight 0–10°. There was no case appeared incision infection. Conclusions:The preoperative use of 3D digitalized virtual planning for the saphenous artery flap improves the surgical accuracy, decreases the operation time and increases the survival rate of the flap. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this paper, the space-frame structure is analyzed using the spectral element method (SEM). It is periodic and composed of many geometrically uniform components. They can be considered as space beam-column elements. The spectral stiffness matrixes of the elements are established by using the variational method and the discrete Fourier transform theory. Then frequency responses of the structure are obtained by solving the spectral equations. In comparison with the results of the finite element method, those in the SEM are more accurate by taking less time, and the vibration bandgaps are observed from the responses of the structure. Moreover, the span, the substructure height, the substructure number, the material combination, the structural damping and the load location have obvious influences on the structural dynamic properties. These findings will provide the engineers with new ideas of the structural and the vibration isolation design. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The characteristics of siderite reductive ore and the ultrafine grinding-magnetic flocculation separation (MFS) of this ore were investigated in the present work. The results indicated that the iron phase in the raw ore was predominantly metallic iron with an iron particle size below 30 μm, and the phosphorus compound was apatite. By applying MFS to siderite reductive ore containing 37.14% Fe and 0.52 P, a concentrate assaying 66.37% Fe and 0.19 P with 74.32% recovery was produced. The iron recovery increased by 5.77% compared with the results of the conventional magnetic separation. The high efficiency in phosphorus removal and iron recovery achieved by the MFS process may be attributed to the adequate liberation of iron particles and the increase in magnetic force on the iron mineral fines in the form of flocs in a magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has an extremely poor prognosis. The use of appropriate in vivo models is essential in devising methods to improve treatment outcomes. Methods: A pancreatic adenocarcinoma model based on tumor injection into the pancreatic head was compared with a pancreatic tail injection model in C57/BL6 mice. The murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line PAN02, dispersed in MatrigelTM, was used for tumor induction. Results: Tumors developed in all animals in both models. Tumor size was more consistent within the pancreatic tail group at 20 days following induction, with no evidence of metastatic disease. Animals in the pancreatic head injection group showed signs of reduced health by 20 days following injection and developed jaundice. Microscopic liver metastases were noted in some of these animals at this time point. The overall survival of animals at 40 days following tumor induction was significantly lower in the pancreatic head injection group (0% vs. 35%; p < .001). Multiple liver metastases were noted in five of 10 (50%) animals in the head injection group, without evidence of peritoneal metastases. In the pancreatic tail injection group, 18 of 20 (90%) animals had multiple peritoneal metastases, and nine of 20 (45%) animals had evidence of isolated liver deposits. Tumors in both regions of the pancreas had similar histologic characteristics, with a dense fibrotic stroma at the interface between the tumor and the normal pancreas. Conclusion: Pancreatic head and tail orthotopic cancer models produce consistent tumors, but the patterns of tumor spread and survival differ according to the site of injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through discussion of the sound installations created by media artist Laurie Anderson, this article explores the inherent relationships between disembodied sound and materiality, and the mediated object and the perceiving subject. The focus here is on how these artworks engage participants in various forms of listening situations and what kind of aesthetic and cultural connotations are disclosed and communicated by the installations. It is argued that Anderson not only takes advantage of the characteristics of materiality and the emanation of sound to integrate her modified voices seamlessly with ordinary objects but also appropriates the object-ness of the instruments themselves and habitual bodily contact with them to bring participants into various sensory engagements. Instead of analysing the installation from a visual symbolic perspective, or conceiving voice as a language carrier, this article considers sound installation as a perceptible entity with an emphasis on dislocated sensory experiences and the dynamic process of interaction. This approach helps our understanding of the multiple nature of hybrid media artworks and enables us to rethink the 'taken-for-granted' relations between the disembodied and the re-embodied, between objects, ourselves and the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship of mentoring functions to expatriate adjustments and further compares the differences in the aforementioned relationship between home and host country mentorship. On the basis of an analysis of 281 expatriates who were assigned both home and host country mentors during their expatriation, this study found that the mentors' psychosocial support, role modeling and career development functions were positively related to the protégés' general adjustment, office interaction adjustment and work adjustment, respectively. Moreover, the home country mentors' psychosocial and role modeling functions accounted for more variance in the expatriates' general and interaction adjustment than those of the host country mentors, and the host country mentors' career development function accounted for more variance in the expatriates' work adjustment than that of the home country mentors. The results are interpreted and the implications are discussed in terms of incorporating home and host country mentors in expatriate mentoring programs for multinational corporations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new jacaranone derivative, 2-(1,6-dihydroxy-4-oxocyclohex-2-enyl) acetic acid (1), has been isolated from the whole plants of Senecio scandens var. incisus, together with three known compounds: 2'-(p-hydroxyl-cinnamoyl)-6'-jacaranone-D-glucopyranoside (2), 2'-caffeoyl-6'-jacaranone-D-glucopyranoside (3) and kampferol-3-rhamnoside (4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses and by comparison with the related known compounds. Cytotoxic activities of 1 against three human tumour cell lines have been evaluated by the MTT method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new prenylchalcones, xanthohumol C and D, together with two known prenylchalcone derivatives, xanthohumol (1) and 5''-(2''-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano-[2'',3''-b]-4,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone (4) were isolated and identified from the hops of Humulus lupulus L. The structures of xanhohumol C and D were elucidated as 5''-hydroxy-6'',6''-dimethyl-dihydropyrano-[2'',3''-b]-4,4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-chalcone (2) and 5''-hydroxy-6'',6''-dimethyl-dihydropyrano-[2'',3''-b]-4',6'-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-chalcone (3) on the basis of HRFAB-MS, 1D and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC) spectroscopic data. Among the new prenylchalcones, compound 2 showed marginal cytotoxic activity against human stomach carcinoma BGC-823 and human hepatic carcinoma HepG2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callicarpa nudiflora Vahl is a medicinal plant occurring in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan provinces of China. Here, we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of C. nudiflora in an effort to provide genomic resources useful for promoting its conservation. The complete plastome is 154,080 bp in length and contains the typical structure and gene content of angiosperm plastome, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,657 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,949 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,817 bp. There are 113 genes annotated, including 79 unique protein-coding genes, 4 unique ribosomal RNA genes, and 30 transfer RNA genes. To investigate the evolution status of C. nudiflora, as well as Verbenaceae, we constructed a phylogenetic tree with C. nudiflora and other 11 species based on their complete chloroplast genomes. According to the phylogenetic topologies, C. nudiflora was closely related to Lancea hirstua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extended lattice Boltzmann (LB) equation, the lattice Boltzmann equation with a source term, is developed for the system of equations governing the hyperbolic heat conduction equation. Mathematical consistence between the proposed extended LB equation and the governing equations are accomplished by the Chapman-Enskog expansion. Four illustrative examples, with both finite and semi-infinite computational domains and subjected to linear and nonlinear boundary conditions, are simulated. All numerical predications agree very well with the existing solutions in the literature. It is also demonstrated that the present scheme is stable and free of numerical oscillations especially around the wave front, where sharp change in temperature occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extended lattice Boltzmann (LB) equation was developed for the simulation of the phase-change problem governed by the heat conduction equation incorporated with enthalpy formation. Mathematical consistency between the proposed extended LB equation and the governing equation was accomplished by the Chapman-Enskog expansion. Illustrative examples include one-dimensional half-space melting and solidification as well as two-dimensional solidification in a corner. Phase change at a single temperature and with a mushy zone are both demonstrated. Two types of boundary condition, prescribed temperature and prescribed heat flux, are considered in the illustrative examples. Different thermal diffusivities in the separated phases/zones are accomplished through varying the relaxation times in the LB equation. All numerical results obtained by the present scheme agree very well with previous analytical or numerical results in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opinion. Offers an approach to develop feminist alliances and encourgage dialogue among women, with emphasis on the Chinese. Details on the gener and class-based oppression in naming practices in Chinese cultures; Solutions to difficulties in dialogue among women; Information on Chinese language.

Proposes a performance-oriented, processual method to deal with communication problems posed by idioms. Tendency to cause communication breakdowns between people from different lifeworlds; Theory of logical types; Double-descriptive principle; Dialogical translinguistics.

This essay applauds Professor Ling Chen for making a philosophical turn in the dominant positivistic intercultural communication scholarship. However, her efforts to do this by situating concrete communication problems in an isolationist and universalizing "consciousness structure" silence local and alternative familially-regionally-institutionally-politically-historically specific processes of knowing. Drawing on the works of Vygotsky, Luria, and Bateson, this essay advances a sociohistorical approach to intercultural communication. To note, humans respond to changes and differences (double description, Creatura), while nonliving objects respond to impacts and forces (single description, Pleroma). Knowing via communication then becomes the interaction between two minds responding to changes and differences cultivated in concrete life activities. We suggest double description as a method to discuss interpersonal remarks, greeting rituals, and broader cultural claims. It is grounded in a historical understanding of race, gender, power, and politics in the private and public spheres of Chinese and North American cultures. The method of double description affirms a postmodern/postcolonial spirit, holding that communication is multivocal, incomplete, contextual, and critical. Knowledge claims become uniquely imbedded and subject to revision. We propose a laminated process of culture. It obligates a double-descriptive definition of culture, and contextualization of standpoints/sociohistorical orientation. Thus, we, as scholars, cannot prescribe content answers for those who encounter intercultural problems. We can only provide some initial processual guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trachelospermum jasminoides belongs to Apocynaceae. Herein, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of T. jasminoides. To our knowledge, this is the first reported complete chloroplast genome of T. jasminoides. The complete chloroplast genome of T. jasminoides is 155,484 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC, 85,514 bp), a single-copy region (SSC, 18,236 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 25,876 bp). There are 114 genes annotated, including 79 unique protein-coding genes, 4 unique ribosomal RNA genes, and 30 transfer RNA genes. To investigate the evolution status of T. jasminoides, as well as Apocynaceae, we constructed a phylogenetic tree with T. jasminoides and other 11 species based on their complete chloroplast genomes. According to the phylogenetic topologies, T. jasminoides was closely related to Oncinotis tenuiloba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]