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The Macao Dementia Policy was recognized by Alzheimer Disease International as the 27th globally and one of the highest stage 5 to develop dementia friendly community and primary health professionals are in a pivotal position to enhance community-based dementia prevention and care quality. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice on dementia care among primary health professionals in Macao. A specially designed 30-item questionnaire was developed and validated for the study. The Content Validity Index (CVI) and Cronbach’s α of the questionnaire were 0.973 and 0.808. The questionnaires were distributed to all 375 primary health professionals from 8 Health Centers throughout Macao and 234 valid questionnaires (62.4%) were returned. The score for dementia care knowledge was 87.02+14.01; attitude was 69.52+5.83; preventive practice was 77.88+13.18, of which doctors (79.89+13.77) was significantly higher (t=2.29, p=0.023) than nurses (75.91+12.33). There were positive relationships between preventive practice and attitude (r=0.163, p=0.014), and age (r=0.212, p=0.002), and a negative relationship between knowledge and age (r=-0.139, p=0.040). These findings have significant implications that most primary health professionals in Macao had sufficient knowledge, a positive attitude and appropriate preventive practice on dementia care. However, enhanced dementia education to improve knowledge and preventive practice was a strong agenda for the training for senior staff and nurses.

The focal plane camera is the core component of the Wide Field-of-view Cherenkov/fluorescence Telescope Array (WFCTA) of the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Because of the capability of working under moonlight without aging, silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) have been proven to be not only an alternative but also an improvement to conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMT) in this application. Eighteen SiPM-based cameras with square light funnels have been built for WFCTA. The telescopes have collected more than 100 million cosmic ray events and preliminary results indicate that these cameras are capable of working under moonlight. The characteristics of the light funnels and SiPMs pose challenges (e.g. dynamic range, dark count rate, assembly techniques). In this paper, we present the design features, manufacturing techniques and performances of these cameras. Finally, the test facilities, the test methods and results of SiPMs in the cameras are reported here., Comment: 45 pages, 21 figures, article

With the rapid development of network technology, more and more digital images are transmitted on the network, and gradually become one important means for people to access the information. The security problem of the image information data increasingly highlights and has become one problem to be attended. The current image encryption algorithm basically focuses on the simple encryption in the frequency domain or airspace domain, and related methods also have some shortcomings. Based on the characteristics of wavelet transform, this paper puts forward the image compression and encryption based on the wavelet transform and chaos by combining the advantages of chaotic mapping. This method introduces the chaos and wavelet transform into the digital image encryption algorithm, and transforms the image from the spatial domain to the frequency domain of wavelet transform, and adds the hybrid noise to the high frequency part of the wavelet transform, thus achieving the purpose of the image degradation and improving the encryption security by combining the encryption approaches in the spatial domain and frequency domain based on the chaotic sequence and the excellent characteristics of wavelet transform. Testing experiments show that such algorithm reduces the memory consumption and implements the complexity, not only can decrease the key spending and compress the time spending, but also can improve the quality of decoded and reconstructed image, thus showing good encryption features with better encryption effect.

Sustainable intensification of agriculture is a pressing issue for the countries of Benin and Nigeria. Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.), solanum (Solanum macrocarpum L.), fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis f. Hooke), and parsley (Ocimum gratissimum L.) have been identified as important indigenous vegetables with the potential to enhance food and household security in West Africa. An international collaboration known as MicroVeg was established in 2015 to scale up the production and consumption of these nutritious vegetables. Traditional agronomic field research has a relatively small spatial footprint; by using a geographic information system (GIS), we expanded the reach of MicroVeg research to a regional scale. A GIS database allows for data to be represented by varying methods and to create larger inference spaces. With GIS, we can use the data to infer areas which are similar to the characteristics of a site. GIS data were stored, analyzed, compared, and extrapolated to infer where scaling up of the MicroVeg agronomic package is likely to be most successful. GIS has enabled this project to expand potential areas from several research sites with an approximate total area of 50 hectares, to a potential extent exceeding 100,000 square kilometres for each crop, independently of seasonal variation. As it is a challenge to disseminate such information to audiences, we developed and implemented an interactive, online, database (termed webGIS) of agronomic trial data designed for use with minimal GIS knowledge. The results of this project will be important for policymakers and agronomists who are scaling up vegetable production in Benin and Nigeria.

Background and purpose Significant clinical recovery has commonly been observed in ischaemic stroke patients with irreversible brain structural damage. However, brain mechanisms that help to maintain clinical function remain unclear. Methods Sixty-two patients with acute ischaemic stroke underwent longitudinal clinical assessments and magnetic resonance scanning. The clinical recovery trajectory was evaluated using a hierarchical linear model and intrinsic connectivity was analysed with a seed-based approach to examine its changing pattern based on the regional volume changes calculated using voxel-wise analysis. Results It was observed that clinical outcome measures improved mainly in the short-term period (baseline versus 3 weeks) and then remained stable. Grey matter volume was reduced significantly in the bilateral caudate over the entire 3-year long-term period. Significant intrinsic connectivity increases were observed in the caudate-middle cingulum over the short-term period and in the caudate-precuneus and caudate-calcarine over the long-term period. Finally, it was found that increased caudate-calcarine connectivity was associated with reduced right caudate volume, and a positive correlation was found between increased caudate-middle cingulum connectivity and the amount of modified Rankin score changes. Conclusions The increased intrinsic connectivity found in this study tends to be a compensatory mechanism for post-stroke structural damage, associated with clinical recovery. The study helps in understanding the significance of enhanced intrinsic connectivity in post-stroke long-term assessment and rehabilitation.

The main scientific goal of the LHAASO WFCTA experiment is to measure the cosmic ray energy spectra and composition from 10 TeV to 1 EeV. Cherenkov photons in the extensive air shower measured by the SiPM camera of Cherenkov telescopes can be used to reconstruct the cosmic ray energy. The absolute calibration of the camera is a crucial step to achieve the accurate measurement of the cosmic ray energy spectrum. A multi-wavelength cylindrical illuminator based on LEDs is developed and mounted inside the telescope to calibrate and monitor the camera, and the illuminator’s stability is better than 0.5% under the temperature variation from -26 to 26 ° C. A portable probe with a single photoelectron resolution of 21.6% is developed. After calibration by National Institute of Metrology, China (NIM), the probe is taken to the LHAASO site to measure the absolute photon density of the cylindrical illuminator inside the telescope. Based on the illuminator with known photon density, the photon conversion factor of the camera can be calibrated, and the overall calibration uncertainty is less than 2.6%.

This study introduces a novel punch forming method based on a laser-induced cavitation bubble. The laser-induced cavitation bubble serves as a stamping force source and applies the shock wave and microjet generated by the bubble to facilitate the punch forming of aluminum foil. A numerical simulation method is implemented to simulate the growth and collapse processes of the laser-induced cavitation bubble. In addition, the explicit dynamics analysis system of ANSYS Workbench is used to simulate the punch forming of aluminum foil. A high-speed camera and a silicon piezoresistive high-frequency dynamic pressure sensor are utilized to compare and verify the simulation results. Finally, the conclusion is presented, which indicates that the shock wave, but not the microjet, plays an important role during aluminum foil punch forming.

Conceptual hydrological models are preferable for real-time flood forecasting, among which the Xin'anjiang (XAJ) model has been widely applied in humid and semi-humid regions of China. Although the relatively simple mass balance scheme ensures a good performance of runoff simulation during flood events, the model still has some defects. Previous studies have confirmed the importance of Evapotranspiration (ET) and soil moisture content (SMC) in runoff simulation. To overcome the defects of the original XAJ model, an energy balance scheme suitable for the XAJ model was developed and coupled with the original mass balance scheme of the XAJ model. The detailed parameterizations of the improved model, XAJ-EB, are presented in the first part of this paper. XAJ-EB employs various meteorological forcing and remote sensing data as input, simulating ET and runoff yield using a more physically-based mass-energy balance scheme. In particular, the energy balance is solved by determining the representative equilibrium temperature (RET), which is comparable to land surface temperature (LST). The XAJ-EB was evaluated in the Lushui catchment situated in the middle reach of the Yangtze River Basin for the period between 2004 and 2007. Validation using ground-measured runoff data proves that the XAJ-EB is capable of reproducing runoff comparable to the original XAJ model. Additionally, RET simulated by XAJ-EB agreed well with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrieved LST, which further confirms that the model is able to simulate the mass-energy balance since LST reflects the interactions among various processes. The validation results prove that the XAJ-EB model has superior performance compared with the XAJ model and also extends its application fields.

Laser ultrasonic line source methods have been used to study elastic anisotropy in nuclear graphites by measuring shear wave birefringence. Depending on the manufacturing processes used during production, nuclear graphites can exhibit various degrees of material anisotropy related to preferred crystallite orientation and to microcracking. In this study, laser ultrasonic line source measurements of shear wave birefringence on NBG-25 have been performed to assess elastic anisotropy. Laser line sources allow specific polarizations for shear waves to be transmitted – the corresponding wavespeeds can be used to compute bulk, elastic moduli that serve to quantify anisotropy. These modulus values can be interpreted using physical property models based on orientation distribution coefficients and microcrack-modified, single crystal moduli to represent the combined effects of crystallite orientation and microcracking on material anisotropy. Ultrasonic results are compared to and contrasted with measurements of anisotropy based on the coefficient of thermal expansion to show the relationship of results from these techniques.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in treating patients with low bladder compliance (BC) secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: From 2011 to 2016, we retrospected patients who received BTX-A injections for LBC secondary to SCI. The primary outcomes were urodynamic parameters including maximum detrusor pressure (Pdetmax), bladder compliance (BC). Related adverse events were recorded. Results: 72 SCI patients were selected (62 males, 10 females, age range 18 - 52 years; mean age 28.5 years). 12 weeks after BTX-A injection, Pdetmax decreased from 51.02 cmH2O to 28.31 cmH2O. BC increased from 3.64 ml/cmH2O to 10.08 ml/cmH2O. 12 patients had mild transient haematuria for 1 - 2 days. Conclusion: Intradetrusor BTX-A injection was effective and safe for patients with low BC secondary to SCI.

Computer-based truck dispatching systems are widely used to improve equipment utilisation and productivity in open-pit mines. Such systems should be based on models that reflect the realistic operation of a truck-shovel system and utilise a suitable simulation tool. In this paper, a discrete-event truck-shovel simulation model, referred to as Truck and Shovel JaamSim Simulator (TSJSim), was developed. The TSJSim simulation model may be used to evaluate the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the truck-shovel mining system in an open-pit mine. TSJSim considers a truck as an individual traffic vehicle unit that dynamically interacts with other trucks in the system as well as other elements of the traffic network. The developed model provides the capability for evaluating the impacts of bunching, intersection traffic management and truck-allocation strategies on a surface mine truck-shovel system. The model can also be used to estimate the optimal truck fleet size for the entire truck-shovel network within a mine.

The LHAASO-WFCTA experiment, which aims to observe cosmic rays in the sub-EeV range using the fluorescence technique, uses a new generation of high-performance telescopes. To ensure that the experiment has excellent detection capability associated with the measurement of the energy spectrum, the primary composition of cosmic rays, and so on, an accurate geometrical reconstruction of air-shower events is fundamental. This paper describes the development and testing of geometrical reconstruction for stereo viewed events using the WFCTA (Wide Field of view Cherenkov/Fluorescence Telescope Array) detectors. Two approaches, which take full advantage of the WFCTA detectors, are investigated. One is the stereo-angular method, which uses the pointing of triggered SiPMs in the shower trajectory, and the other is the stereo-timing method, which uses the triggering time of the fired SiPMs. The results show that both methods have good geometrical resolution; the resolution of the stereo-timing method is slightly better than the stereo-angular method because the resolution of the latter is slightly limited by the shower track length.

Line source representations for thermoelastic, laser excitation of transversely isotropic materials are developed to model shear wave birefringence effects that can occur in these materials. Continuum descriptions for elastic wave propagation are used to generate equations of motion that are solved using transform methods. Analytical solutions are presented for epicentral waveforms for propagation parallel and perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. These solutions are particularly simple and allow for rapid examination of the influence of various components of the stiffness tensor on wave propagation. In particular, for propagation perpendicular to the axis of symmetry, line source orientations parallel and perpendicular to this axis yield two cases that demonstrate shear wave birefringence. This effect is computed for titanium as well as for a nearly isotropic material–both Class I–to highlight the influence of diagonal as well as off-diagonal components of the stiffness tensor on the character of laser ultrasonic waveforms when the tensor is referenced to the principal coordinate system. The results presented in this work should be used to guide the interpretation of laser ultrasonic, line source measurements in transversely isotropic materials when birefringence effects are present.

Objective: To compare the short-time complications associated with time-opening suprapubic catheter (SPT) versus intermittent catheter (IC) in male patients with spinal cord injury (above level C5). Methods: A prospective review of records was carried out to identify SCI patients managed with SPT or IC between 2011 and 2016. The complications included renal function (Serum creatinine), urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder stones, urethral complications, scrotal, and gross hematuria. Patients were followed at week 4, 3 and 6 months; the urodynamic assessment was repeated at 6 months. Results: A total of 30 patients (11 SPT, 19 IC) were recruited in this trial. There is no significant difference between the two catheter groups for the entire out-come. Scrotal abscesses and urethral stricture were only seen in patients with IC. Conclusions: SPT has similar urological complication with IC for SCI patients (above level C5) except the incidence of scrotal abscesses and urethral stricture.

With the development of aging and urbanization in China, social security problem for elderly people in rural areas is becoming more and more prominent. The rural elderly disabled population increase along with the deepening of the degree of disability. It is necessary to research on the characteristics of the disability trajectory and the duration of the specific level of disability status for rural elderly, in order to establish the effective long term care policy system. Using a 6-wave longitudinal survey data from 2001–2015 “Survey on the Welfare of Elderly in Anhui Province, China”, this paper analyzed the disability trajectory and the duration of the different levels of disability status for rural elderly, meanwhile, explored influence factors for the trajectory and duration time. Finally, the policy suggestions were provided based on the study findings.

Engineered, photoacoustic transduction layers are often required in systems that cannot sustain repeated optical excitation owing to material degradation that can occur as a result of optical irradiation. To produce acoustic waves with sufficient amplitude in these systems, polymer matrix nanocomposites can be used for transduction and can serve as photoacoustic transmitters. These nanocomposites can be designed to produce large acoustic generation efficiency while minimizing collateral effects on surrounding materials - this can be important in biomedical applications where tissue damage must be avoided. This work focuses on the use of nanocomposites as photoacoustic transmitters and assesses the optical, thermal and acoustic behaviors of these materials to identify critical parameters that affect their performance under different irradiation conditions.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of bladder irrigation for reducing the morbidity of bladder stones in patients with neurological lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Methods: From June 2012 to July 2013, patients with NLUTD were prospectively randomized and assigned to either a bladder irrigation group or a no bladder irrigation group. Bladder irrigations were performed twice a week by urologists. Patients were followed up at 6 months respectively. Primary outcomes were Incontinence-Specific Quality-of-Life Instrument (I-QoL), the rate incidences of bladder stone. All adverse events were also noted. Results: A total of 80 eligible patients participated and 78 (97.5%) patients (bladder irrigation, n = 39; no bladder irrigation, n = 39) completed 24 weeks of follow-up. Out of the 78 patients, 19 (24.3%) developed bladder stones. All occurred in no bladder irrigation group. In 8 of the 19 patients (42.1%), stones were only detected by cystoscopy. The bladder stones were mostly thin with an eggshell appearance (78.95% for diameter of stone < 5 mm, 84.21% for volume of bladder stone < 0.2 cm3). Bladder stones were removed by vigorous bladder irrigation guided by ultrasound (73.68%) or endoscopic lithotripsy (26.32%). The I-QOL was significantly better in the bladder irrigation group than in no bladder irrigation group at weeks 6, 12, 18, and 24 of follow-up. Conclusion: Bladder irrigation may be more effective and safer than no bladder irrigation for reducing the morbidity of bladder stone in spinal cord injury patients.

The characteristics of slow light in a magnetized plasma hyperbolic metamaterial waveguide are analyzed in detail. Compared with a conventional waveguide filled with hyperbolic metamaterial cladded by dielectric or a dielectric waveguide cladded by hyperbolic metamaterial, the characteristics of slow light in a magnetized plasma hyperbolic metamaterial waveguide are actively tunable. The results show that plasma filling factor, dielectric constant of background materials, plasma density, and external magnetized field have significantly changed the characteristics of slow light. Parameter dependence of the effects is examined and discussed.

One of the most challenging problems in the Chinese water sector is to fulfill water requests in urban areas with increasing population density and deteriorate water distribution infrastructures. Effective decision support systems (DSS) are required to manage energy consumption for pumping by simultaneously controlling leakage volumes. A recently approved joint project between Italy and China aims at transferring the latest advancements on water distribution network (WDN) analysis and management to Chinese water engineers to develop effective DSS by using the WDNetXL system ( www.hydroinformatics.it ). The preliminary DMAs design on a pilot WDN is reported to exemplify the WDNetXL decision support paradigm.

SUMMARYWe investigated the presence ofMycobacteriumspp. in livestock in northern China. Of the 163 clinical samples selected for this study, 20 were from throat swabs of dairy cows, and 143 were tissue samples (including lung tissue from one reindeer, hilar lymph node tissue from 55 cows, and liver tissue from 87 sheep). A total of 41 mycobacterial isolates were identified including two isolates ofM. capraeand 39 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates. Multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) profiles of the twoM. capraeisolates proved to be unique. This is the first report ofM. capraeisolates from livestock in China. This study also confirms previous reports that NTM is common in livestock in northern China.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has been considered as the next big thing that can potentially spread as cell phone industry. Nowadays, product resolution restricted by material and fabrication process is ranging from 20 to 300 pm and still has the trends toward higher precision. However, tradeoff between time costs and resolution is always a dilemma in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique. In contrast, the idea of Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) has been applied for rapid prototyping recently. In this work, based on the concept of bond-then-cut, a light and ultra-thin slot die coater has been developed to generate thin and uniform layer of thermoplastic Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material. By utilizing the suitable flow channel geometry through numerical simulation, PEEK's affinity with substrate, and coating window establishment, we produced 600 mm2 PEEK film with thickness low to 50 pm within a minute, which greatly enhance the manufacturing efficiency. In addition, 10 layered film with 1 mm in thickness has been demonstrated. The success in fabricating PEEK film by the novel design shows its good potential and applicability in additive manufacturing.

This article studies deeply motive forces of cooperative education in our market economic condition from students, schools, businesses and community. The research believes: Students are the mainstay of cooperative education, the motive force comes from knowledge, improving their comprehensive quality and enhancing the competitiveness of society; Schools are the "stage", and its motive force comes from improving the quality of teaching and from the transformation of accelerating scientific research; Enterprise is the guide, its motive force comes from cost savings and the attraction of talent, the using of technical results of colleges and universities to update the results of scientific research; The society provides a good environment for cooperation education. The development of cooperative education needs the community's participation and support. The study results give some good advices to promote cooperative education more.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated chronic vasculitis of large- and medium-sized vessels usually occurring in White individuals aged over 50 years, in Western countries. The pathological hallmark of GCA is granulomatous inflammation of the involved vessels. Headache of new-onset is the most common clinical manifestation, and permanent vision loss is the most feared complication of GCA. The level of clinical suspicion for GCA should be based upon patient age, clinical symptoms, laboratory evaluation, and imaging findings. However, the diagnostic gold standard is achieved by histologic confirmation by temporal artery biopsy. Corticosteroids remain the only proven treatment for GCA and the prognosis for visual recovery is poor.

The objective of this paper is to share experience gathered from the ongoing integrity management of brownfield production flowlines, to help support future improvements in Fitness-For-Service (FFS) and Life Extension (LE) assessment methodologies, specifically for the case of corrosion features located in regions of higher fatigue loading. The paper describes the nature of the problem being considered. This is followed by a brief review of the current state of flowline inspection technology to provide additional context. Industry standard practice and complementary literature relating to the assessment of corrosion features subject to fatigue loading are then reviewed. A possible enhancement to existing FFS methods for such cases is described. A hypothetical example is used to compare the different FFS assessment methods, including the "enhanced method." The findings are then reviewed and discussed addressing the limits of applicability and the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and conclusions are drawn. Today's inspection equipment can provide information about the condition of a flowline, which is of great value for FFS and LE assessments. However, it will likely be some time before there are inspection tools available that can reliably detect and accurately size cracks growing from within corrosion features. This is particularly challenging when considering inspection over an extended length of flowline and within a practical timeframe. Therefore it is important to have a robust, rational and standardized method for assessing the fatigue life of detected or suspected corrosion features in the absence of specific knowledge about existing fatigue cracks within those features. Industry standards are somewhat limited in addressing this scenario with two quite different methods suggested. The hypothetical example presented in this paper shows how those two methods might lead to inappropriate decisions regarding fitness-for-service, depending on specific circumstances. An initial investigation of an incremental enhancement in the methodology suggests that meaningful improvement is possible, and that further work in the area could be of significant value to the industry, helping to ensure appropriate run-repair-replace decision-making in the future.

The advent of the modern high-speed digital computer has tremendously enhanced the utility of Monte Carlo methods for evaluating complex environmental simulation models. In particular, random searching is becoming popular, as thousands of model runs can now be executed quickly and with minimal effort. Indeed, the issues of computational burden and inefficiency, hitherto the bane of random searching, are now receding. This paper presents one such method, uniform covering by probabilistic rejection (UCPR), which combines a pure random search with a probabilistic rejection algorithm that significantly enhances its efficiency. Using nearest-neighbor distances, an ensemble of points in a predefined parameter sampling domain migrates to locate and define a final distribution of optimal parameter vectors, thus providing a realistic depiction of parameter uncertainty. In a prototypical case study of the Oconee River (Georgia, USA), UCPR and regionalized sensitivity analysis, are employed for identifying the parameters of sediment-transport-associated nutrient dynamics, a dynamic river water quality model. Results indicate the existence of a complex interactive parameter structure, evidenced by multiple sets of optimal points widely dispersed over a broad domain of feasible parameter values.

SUMMARYIn recent years, a pathophysiological role for T cells in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has been established. We applied cDNA size distribution analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) β-variable (VB) complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) in order to investigate T cell repertoire diversity among immune thrombocytopenia patients who had either responded or not responded to splenectomy, and compared them to normal controls. ITP patients who had had a durable platelet response to splenectomy showed a mean 2·8 ± 2·1 abnormal CDR3 size patterns per patient, similar to healthy volunteers (2·9 ± 2·0 abnormal CDR3 size patterns). In contrast, patients unresponsive to splenectomy demonstrated evidence of significantly more clonal T cell expansions than patients who had responded to splenectomy or controls (11·3 ± 3·3 abnormal CDR3 size patterns per patient; P

An iterative approach to working with a community's environmental concerns, at the interface between science and society, is presented. We call this adaptive community learning, within which the principles of adaptive environmental assessment and management are embedded. Handling uncertainty - indeed, gross uncertainty - is integral to our approach. We place our discussion in the context of the evolving foundations of the kind of science needed to address contemporary issues of the environment and sustainability. We then illustrate development and application of our approach in a prototypical case study of managing the quality of Lake Lanier, Georgia (USA), in the face of potentially significant suburbanisation of its watershed. Our primary purpose is to communicate the entirety of the approach as succinctly as possible, without the clutter of the specific results emerging in the several disciplines keyed into the project as a whole.

We investigated the treatment effect of non-invasive infiltration on early caries caused by different degrees of enamel demineralization. Forty specimens of early enamel caries were prepared and divided into low and high demineralization groups. After treatment with non-invasive infiltration, the specimens were placed under cariogenic conditions. Color measurements were determined using a spectrophotometer 4 times to obtain chromatism values (ΔE1-ΔE4), including before and after production of artificial caries, and after infiltration treatment and re-demineralization. The effects of color change on early caries using non-invasive infiltration were compared between the 2 demineralization groups. Color differences before the production of artificial caries and after infiltration treatment and re-demineralization could not be distinguished by direct observation. Color differences after the production of artificial caries and after infiltration treatment and re-demineralization could be distinguished by direct observation. There were no significant differences in the 4 chromatism values (ΔE1-ΔE4) between the 2 groups. Non-invasive infiltration showed an excellent ability to mask white spot lesions and maintained high color stability. Treatment of high and low demineralization of enamel had the same masking effect.

Many vibration problems and blower failures in small furnaces and air handlers can be eliminated in the design stage by a thorough analysis of incompatibilities in the dynamic properties of the blower assemblies. A theoretical prediction of torsional resonances is developed and design guidelines are presented.

Purpose: To design and develop a new mobile cone-beam CT (CBCT) system for head imaging with good soft-tissue visibility, to be used bedside in ICU and neurosurgery department to monitor treatment and operation outcome in brain patients. Methods: The imaging chain consists of a 30cmx25cm amorphous silicon flat panel detector and a pulsed, stationary anode monoblock x-ray source of 100kVp at a maximal tube current of 10mA. The detector and source are supported on motorized mechanisms to provide detector lateral shift and source angular tilt, enabling a centered digital radiographic imaging mode and half-fan CBCT, while maximizing the use of the x-ray field and keep the source to detector distance short. A focused linear anti-scatter grid is mounted on the detector, and commercial software with scatter and other corrective algorithms is used for data processing and image reconstruction. The gantry rotates around a horizontal axis, and is able to adjust its height for different patient table positions. Cables are routed through a custom protective sleeve over a large bore with an in-plane twister band, facilitating single 360-degree rotation without a slip-ring at a speed up to 5 seconds per rotation. A UPS provides about 10 minutes of operation off themore » battery when unplugged. The gantry is on locked casters, whose brake is control by two push handles on both sides for easy reposition. The entire system is designed to have a light weight and a compact size for excellent maneuverability. Results: System design is complete and main imaging components are tested. Initial results will be presented and discussed later in the presentation. Conclusion: A new mobile CBCT system for head imaging is being developed. With its compact size, a large bore, and quality design, it is expected to be a useful imaging tool for bedside uses. The work is supported by a grant from Chinese Academy of Sciences.« less

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pretreatment of donor splenocytes and grafts with mitomycin C (MMC) on heart allograft survival, as well as to demonstrate the mechanism of function.Donor splenocytes from Balb/C mice were incubated with MMC (40 μg/mL) in vitro and then transfused into recipients (C57BL/6 mice). The heart allograft was perfused with MMC before harvest. Graft survival and histopathology were examined. Lymphocyte activation, regulatory T cells, and donor splenocyte apoptosis were examined with the use of flow cytometry.MMC incubation in vitro induced apoptosis of donor splenocytes (15.5 ± 2.3% vs 23.2 ± 4.2%; P.01). Either intravenous injection of MMC-treated donor splenocytes or transplantation of allograft pretreated with MMC prolonged heart allograft mean survival time from 7 ± 0.8 days to 20.5 ± 1.9 days or 10 ± 0.9 days, respectively (both P.01). A combination of MMC-pretreated donor splenocyte transfusion and allografts showed the best effect on prolongation of graft survival (28.5 ± 1.8 days). Activation of CD4(+) T cells in spleen and peripheral lymph nodes of recipients was significantly inhibited by either MMC-splenocyte transfusion or the combination treatment. Meanwhile, the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in the spleen was increased in the MMC-splenocyte transfusion group (15.5 ± 1.1% vs 18.2 ± 0.9%; P.05).Both injection of MMC-conditioned donor splenocytes and MMC-conditioned allograft have effects on prolongation of heart allograft survival in mice, and MMC-conditioned donor splenocytes might play an essential role. MMC pretreatment induced regulatory T cells likely through induction of donor splenocyte apoptosis, and thus it inhibited T-cell activation.

The growth striations, growth sector boundaries and grown-in dislocations in flux-grown Nb-doped KTiOPO 4 crystals have been investigated by white-beam synchrotron radiation topography. The distribution of growth sectors, which mainly consists of {011} and {201} sectors, is clearly shown and characterized, and the effects of growth striations on the non-critical phase matching along the [100] direction are discussed.

〈100〉 oriented misfit dislocations in In0.06Ga0.94As/GaAs heterostructures with relatively low misfit f (f=0.0043) have been observed by synchrotron radiation topography. InGaAs samples consist of 2500, 4000, and 6500 A thick In0.06Ga0.94As layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 580 °C. All the topographs were taken by synchrotron radiation double crystal topography. The panchromatic cathodoluminescence complementary technique in the scanning electron microscope was also applied. Misfit dislocations lying along both 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 directions have been observed. The dislocations parallel to 〈100〉 directions have much lower density and extension in length than those aligned along the 〈110〉 directions. The climb mechanism of the generation of dislocations, probably due to the high density of point defects during the high temperature growth, is discussed.

It is reported that a normal InGaAs laser diode (LD) operating at 980 nm possesses a second harmonic at 490 nm and a strong deep-UV emission at room temperature. By comparing with the radiation from cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles and nanowires, it is found that the UV emission from the LD can be attributed to a characterized radiation of nanoscaled semiconductors. By doping different semiconductor nanomaterials into the active layers of the LD and taking some effective techniques, such as cavity optimization, the wavelength, and the power output of the UV emission could be adjusted.

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of bladder irrigation for reducing the morbidity of bladder stones in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods From December 2011 to July 2013, SCI patients were prospectively randomized and assigned to either a bladder irrigation group or a no bladder irrigation group. Bladder irrigations were performed twice a week by urologists. The primary outcomes were incidences of bladder stones and Incontinence-Specific Quality-of-Life Instrument (I-QoL). Secondary outcomes were related adverse events. Results A total of 80 eligible patients participated and 78 (97.5%) patients (bladder irrigation, n=39; no bladder irrigation, n=39) completed 24 weeks of follow-up. Out of the 78 patients, 19 (24.3%) developed bladder stones. All occurred in no bladder irrigation group. In 8 of the 19 patients (42.1%), stones were only detected by cystoscopy .The bladder stones were mostly thin with an eggshell appearance (78.95% for diameter of stone

Objective To compare laparoscopic prostatectomy with open prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia with large volume. Methods The literature was identified systematically using Medline, Embase. Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.0. Results Three CCTs were included. There was no difference between LP and OP in terms of IPSS, Qmax. LP was associated with significantly less blood loss, a shorter irrigation, catheterization and hospital stay time except longer operating time. LP and OP were similar in terms of urethral stricture, incontinence, transfusion requirement and rate of reintervention. Conclusions LP served a significant improvement in IPSS, Qmax as well as OP. Although more operating time and less resected tissue, LP has several advantages over OP. It was as safe as OP in terms of adverse events.