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This article describes the R package CorrToolBox, which is designed for modeling the correlation transitions under specified distributional assumptions within the realm of discretization in the context of the latency and threshold concepts. The practical utility and functionality of the package are demonstrated by several illustrative examples. In addition, the package's feasibility and performance are evaluated via simulation studies using synthetic mixed data with a range of marginal distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is commonly used to detect Listeria monocytogenes , foodborne pathogen. This study conducted in silico genomic analysis to investigate the specificity and binding efficacy of four published pairs of PCR primers targeting Listeria prfA -virulence gene cluster (pVGC) based on Listeria sequences available. We first performed comprehensive genomic analyses of the pVGC, the main pathogenicity island in Listeria spp. In total, 2961 prfA , 642 plcB , 629 mpl , and 1181 hlyA gene sequences were retrieved from the NCBI database. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees were generated using unique (non-identical or not-shared) sequences of each represented genes, targeting four pairs of PCR primers published previously, namely 202 prfA , 82 plcB , 150 mpl , and 176 hlyA unique gene sequences. Only the hlyA gene showed strong (over 94%) primer mapping results, while prfA, plcB , and mpl genes showed weak (<50%) matching results. In addition, nucleotide variations were observed at the 3′ end of the primers, indicating non-binding to the targets could potentially cause false-negative results. Thus, we propose designing degenerate primers or multiple PCR primers based on as many isolates as possible to minimize the false-negative risk and reach the aim of low tolerable limits of detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with providing some computation-related details of the 16R packages that have been developed by Demirtas and his colleagues in the context of random number generation. The dominant theme is multivariate mixed data generation. However, univariate and multivariate data generation from different distributions as well as some other tools such as modeling the correlation transitions in latency and discretization domains are also included. This is intended for interested people who would benefit from access to a comprehensive set of data simulation tools at one single place. While the focus is on conceptual and implementation issues, the ideas are supported by appropriate references for methodological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symmetric functions play an important role in several subjects of mathematics, such as algebraic combinatorics, representation theory of finite groups and algebraic geometry. In this paper, we study the solutions of the following system of equations related to bases of symmetric functions: where , are natural numbers, and . Our main theorems generalize several known results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of SmCl3·6H2O with 3 equiv. of dihydroxodiphenylarsonium chloride [Ph2As(OH)2]Cl resulted in the first structurally characterized lanthanide complex of organoarsinate [Sm(μ-O2AsPh2)3]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that this complex belongs to the trigonal system, space group, with a = 24.077(3) Å, b = 24.077(3) Å, c = 10.708(1) Å, β = 120°, V = 5375.8(1) Å3 and Z = 6. This homoleptic compound features a 1D polymer arrangement in which two Sm atoms are bridged by three diphenylarsinate [Ph2AsO2]– ligands under syn,syn μ2–η1:η1 bridging mode. The coordination number of Sm center is 6, giving an almost perfect octahedron geometry. The antibacterial activity of [Sm(μ-O2AsPh2)3] is much weaker than the free ligand [Ph2As(OH)2]Cl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the structural and photovoltaic properties of Sr-doped polycrystalline BiFeO3 thin films prepared by sol-gel method. The result shows that all the BiFeO3 thin films doped with 0 ∼ 20 at.% Sr are rhombohedral distortion perovskite structure and the lattice constant decreases with increasing Sr amount. The addition of Sr can effectively inhibit the grain growth and enhance the uniformity of BFO films, besides, the band gap can be tuned availably as well. As Sr content increases, both the short circuit photocurrent density and the open circuit photovoltage begins to increase and then decrease, the maximum values achieved when 15 at.% Sr-doped. The power conversion efficiency accordingly increases first and then drops with Sr content increases, reaching 0.011% when the Sr-doped content is 15%, which results from the decreased band gap and oxygen vacancies. All the BiFeO3 thin films are rhombohedral distortion perovskite structure. Addition of Sr decreases the band gap of BFO thin films. The power conversion efficiency increases as Sr content increases. The maximal power conversion efficiency is 0.011% [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Ag/Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 (BLFO)/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 sandwich structure was grown epitaxially on SrTiO3 substrates using pulsed laser deposition. Short-circuit photocurrent (Ishort) and frequency dependence of the capacitance were investigated. It reveals that this heterostructure exhibits strong photocurrent responses, the orientation of Ishort depends strongly on the polarization orientations, and it varies monotonically from one orientation to the other as the polarization orientation switching gradually from upward (downward) to downward (upward), the Ishort value becomes zero when the film is in zero polarization states. The intensity of the Ishort can be strengthened by several times after thousands of bipolar electric pulses. Moreover, after polarization fatigue process of bipolar electric pulses or under light illumination, the capacitance of this sandwich structure is always bigger than the original state. However, the magnifying ratio of the capacitance after and before polarization fatigue process or under light illumination decrease with increasing the frequency in the C-f curves. These results suggest that polarization induced surface charge combined with migration of oxygen vacancies is the primary driving force for the varying of interfacial barriers and the oxygen vacancies density near the interface, which in turn leads to different orientations and values of Ishort as well as the differential interfacial capacitance. Our results indicate that the photovoltaic response in ferroelectric BLFO thin films could be further explored for solar light photovoltaic and other capacitor devices applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted grinding (UVAG) is a promising processing method for parts made of hard-brittle material, as a green machining. The material removal mechanism of hard-brittle material in UVAG is not yet fully understood. The mean contact pressure in the mechanical model of material deformation/fracture that is induced by abrasive grit reveals the deformation/fracture level during the material removal of the indentation of hard-brittle material. To investigate the material removal mechanism of K9 glass in UVAG, a new variable, namely, the equivalent mean contact pressure (EMCP) of glass indentation under ultrasonic vibration was proposed as a corresponding variable for mean contact pressure. A series of indentation experiments with/without ultrasonic vibration was carried out to analyze the material fracture of glass as induced by single random-shaped diamond grits. To obtain the EMCP, an equivalent characteristic size of ultrasonic vibration indentation of K9 glass was defined and measured in the experiments. The vertical load, EMCP and the profile features of the indentation zone, such as the equivalent characteristic size and indentation depth, were investigated in the indentation experiments. Subsurface damage of the K9 glass was also investigated by using UVAG and traditional grinding experiments to analyze the significance of the EMCP on material fracture during machining. The experimental results show the EMCP correlated better with the subsurface damage from UVAG than vertical load. Therefore, compared with the load, the EMCP is a better variable to reveal the difference of material removal mechanism between the UVAG and traditional grinding of glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of phase distribution and grain size on the effective anisotropy and coercivity of the exchange-coupled nanocomposite permanent materials have been investigated in this paper. The effective anisotropy of nanocomposite permanent materials is supposed to be equal to the statistical average value of the anisotropy of magnetically soft and hard grains. The dependence of coercivity on grain sizes is mainly determined by the effective anisotropy of the grains. The calculated results show that, when the grain sizes of the soft and hard phases are identical and the volume fraction of the hard phase is given, the coercivity decreases with the reduction of the grain size. For the given size of the soft grains and the volume fraction of the hard phase, the coercivity shows a peak value as a function of the hard-grain size. The experimental enhancement of the coercivity with reducing grain size is attributed not to only the exchange-coupling interactions but also to the phase distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inter-grain exchange-coupling interactions, effective anisotropy, and coercivity in nanocomposite Nd[sub 2]Fe[sub 14]B/α-Fe magnets were investigated. The effective anisotropy of nanocomposite magnets has been calculated starting from the statistics of boundaries between magnetically hard-hard, hard-soft, and soft-soft grains. The result shows that the effective anisotropy decreases with reduction in grain size and/or increase in soft phase components. When grain sizes reduce to 4-5 nm, K[sub eff] decreases to 1/3-1/4 of the ordinary value of K. The coercivity in nanocomposite magnets demonstrates a similar behavior. The decrement of coercivity is mainly due to the reduction of effective anisotropy. Considering the opposite varying trend the remanence demonstrates with respect to the effective anisotropy and the coercivity, we conclude that the mean grain size should be in the range of 10-15 nm and the volume fraction of soft phase should be less than 50% in order to achieve high energy product magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irradiation damage of FeCrCo, AlNiCo, SmCo, and NdFeB permanent magnets was investigated by using γ-ray irradiation. Results of magnetic property measurement show that FeCrCo and NdFeB have more demagnetization than AlNiCo and SmCo. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that γ-ray irradiation leads to the increase of FeCrCo crystal mismatch and decrease of AlNiCo ordering degree. The investigations by positron annihilation spectroscopy technique show that the defects in AlNiCo and SmCo increase after γ-ray irradiation. The defects induced by γ-ray irradiation in NdFeB magnets are not the main source that leads to partial demagnetization. The irradiation resistances of these magnets are discussed in detail considering the thermal stability, coercivity mechanisms, and defect damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergence is an issue being widely concerned about. Thus, in this paper, we mainly put forward two types of concepts of convergence in mean and convergence in distribution for the sequence of uncertain random variables. Then some of theorems are proved to show the relations among the three convergence concepts that are convergence in mean, convergence in measure and convergence in distribution. Furthermore, several examples are given to illustrate how we use the theorems to make sure the uncertain random sequence being convergent. Finally, several counterexamples are taken to explain the relations between these different types of convergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a concept of asymptotic N-branch Markov chains indexed by a Cayley tree. Then we study the strong law of large numbers and the asymptotic equipartition property for the introduced Markov chains with a finite state space, which generalizes a class of results obtained for inhomogeneous Markov chains indexed by a Cayley tree and nonsymmetric Markov chains indexed by a binary tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbiota refers to a colony of microorganisms, and they are found in all multicellular organisms. This colony plays a major role in both the physiology and disease of the organism it inhabits. Much attention has been paid to host-microbiota interactions, but there has been little investigation on its role in carcinogenesis. In this study, we characterized a fecal mycobiota, also known as fungal signature, for the first time with 131 subjects, comprising polyp and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, as well as a healthy control population. The data obtained were analyzed to assess the biodiversity and composition of the fungi. The impacts of anatomic position and tumor stage on the mycobiota were also evaluated. Correlations between fungi were investigated using the Spearman test. We observed fungal dysbiosis in colon polyps and CRC, including decreased diversity in polyp patients, an increased Ascomycota/Basidiomycota ratio, and an increased proportion of opportunistic fungi Trichosporon and Malassezia, which might favor the progression of CRC. Subsequent analysis with regard to tumor stage demonstrated a lower diversity and significant mycobiota alteration in early-stage tumors. Finally, the fungal correlation showed a close relationship within the community and concomitantly revealed a dramatically structured discrepancy in each clinical phenotype. In conclusion, our study has uncovered a distinct fungal dysbiosis and an alteration in the fungal network, which could play important roles in polyp and CRC pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the gut microbiota profiles of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to examine the relationship between gut microbiota and other key molecular factors involved in CRC tumorigenesis. In this study, a 16S rDNA sequencing platform was used to identify possible differences in the microbiota signature between CRC and adjacent normal mucosal tissue. Differences in the microbiota composition in different anatomical colorectal tumor sites and their potential association with KRAS mutation were also explored. In this study, the number of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria decreased, while the number of Fusobacteria increased in the gut of CRC patients. In addition, at the genus level, Fusobacterium was identified as the key contributor to CRC tumorigenesis. In addition, a different distribution of gut microbiota in ascending and descending colon cancer samples was observed. Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis-associated microbial genes were enriched in tumor tissues. Our study suggests that specific mucosa-associated microbiota signature and function are significantly changed in the gut of CRC patients, which may provide insight into the progression of CRC. These findings could also be of value in the creation of new prevention and treatment strategies for this type of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce mining waste discharge and realize efficient application of tailing material in underground backfilling, the characteristics and mechanism of backfill damage is analyzed, and also the composed behavior and failure characteristic of cemented backfill. Five types of backfills were tested under uniaxial compression loading in SHT4206 electro-hydraulic servo testing system. Based on the experimental results, the damage constitutive equations of cemented backfills with five cement−tailing ratios were proposed on the basis of damage mechanics and then validated. Research shows that the damage growth rate of backfills with lower cement−tailing is lower before peak value of stress, but it grows more rapidly after that. In addition, four backfill combination schemes were designed for mechanical test. Combining with research results on fracture characteristic of different backfills, a defects coupled constitutive model based on continuum damage mechanics was established. Research shows that the piecewise nonlinear model can well embodies effect of complex defects in backfills on the stress-strain curve. Accuracy of the model is well verified by measured curve of backfill composite members. The results of this work provide a scientific basis for failure process prediction of backfills and reasonable matching design of framed filling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TORCH is a large-area time-of-flight (ToF) detector, proposed for the Upgrade-II of the LHCb experiment. It will provide charged hadron identification over a 2–20 GeV/c momentum range, given a 9.5 m flight distance from the LHC interaction point. To achieve this level of performance, a 15 ps timing resolution per track is required. A TORCH prototype module having a 1250 × 660 × 10 mm 3 fused-silica radiator plate and equipped with two MCP-PMTs has been tested in a 8 GeV/c CERN test-beam. Single-photon time resolutions of between 70–100 ps have been achieved, dependent on the beam position in the radiator. The measured photon yields agree with expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota is considered as a forgotten organ in human health and disease. It maintains gut homeostasis by various complex mechanisms. However, disruption of the gut microbiota has been confirmed to be related to gastrointestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer, as well as remote organs in many studies. Colorectal cancer is a multi-factorial and multi-stage involved disorder. The role for microorganisms that initiate and facilitate the process of colorectal cancer has become clear. The candidate pathogens have been identified by culture and next sequencing technology. Persuasive models have also been proposed to illustrate the complicated and dynamic time and spatial change in the carcinogenesis. Related key molecules have also been investigated to demonstrate the pathways crucial for the development of colorectal cancer. In addition, risk factors that contribute to the tumorigenesis can also be modulated to decrease the susceptibility for certain population. In addition, the results of basic studies have also translated to clinical application, which displayed a critical value for the diagnosis and therapy of colorectal cancer. In this review, we not only emphasize the exploration of the mechanisms, but also potential clinical practice implication in this microbiota era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the microstructure, hardness and defect structure of the oxide dispersion strengthened Fe-16Cr-2W-0.5Ti-0.4Y 2 O 3 (designated as ODS-16Cr) and Fe-16Cr-2W-0.5Ti-0.4Y 2 O 3 -4Al-1Zr (ODS-16Cr-Al/Zr) steels irradiated with different doses of He ions were investigated by means of TEM, nanoindentation and positron annihilation spectroscopy. In the both alloys, nano-scale bubbles appeared in the vicinity of the precipitates as well as the grain boundaries. High density dislocation networks were observed as well. Moreover, the hardness of the irradiated steels increased distinctly with increasing He implantation. The irradiation hardening in the ODS-16Cr-Al/Zr alloy is more prominent in comparison with the ODS-16Cr alloy. The positron annihilation results illustrated that concentration of vacancy clusters of ODS-16Cr-Al/Zr steel is higher in the near surface under the larger dose, which is one reason of stronger irradiation hardening below the surface of 300–400 nm. The higher concentration of vacancies or vacancy clusters in ODS-16Cr-Al/Zr samples can be attributed to the fact that the solute Al atoms can effectively trap interstitials, which suppresses the annihilation of interstitials with vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrolysis is the first step of the anaerobic digestion of complex wastewater and considered as the rate limiting step especially at low temperature. Low temperature (10–25 °C) hydrolysis was investigated with and without application of a short pre-hydrolysis at 35 °C. Batch experiments were executed using cellulose and tributyrin as model substrates for carbohydrates and lipids. The results showed that the low temperature anaerobic hydrolysis rate constants increased by a factor of 1.5–10, when the short anaerobic pre-hydrolysis at 35 °C was applied. After the pre-hydrolysis phase at 35 °C and decreasing the temperature, no lag phase was observed in any case. Without the pre-hydrolysis, the lag phase for cellulose hydrolysis at 35–10 °C was 4–30 days. Tributyrin hydrolysis showed no lag phase at any temperature. The hydrolysis efficiency of cellulose increased from 40 to 62%, and from 9.6 to 40% after 9.1 days at 15 and 10 °C, respectively, when the pre-hydrolysis at 35 °C was applied. The hydrolysis efficiency of tributyrin at low temperatures with the pre-hydrolysis at 35 °C was similar to those without the pre-hydrolysis. The hydrolytic activity of the supernatant collected from the digestate after batch digestion of cellulose and tributyrin at 35 °C was higher than that of the supernatants collected from the low temperature (≤25 °C) digestates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The CMSX-4 single-crystal was successfully repaired with the René N5 powders via selective electron beam melting. • The interface between the deposit and substrate is marked by the change from cellular to columnar dendritic solidification mode. • The brighter contrast region with higher micro-hardness is attributed to the cuboidal primary γ′ with fine size. • Computational-fluid-dynamics simulations results can be used as a guideline for the parameters selection of single-crystal repair. Here, we report the utilisation of a powder-bed-fusion additive manufacturing to achieve the CMSX-4 single-crystal repair with René N5 powders. The single-crystal repair is characterised by a fine columnar dendritic substructure, limited in-grain misorientation over tens of millimetres in height, and strong deposit-to-substrate bonding. The brighter contrast region of 300 to 400 μm thick, formed by the cellular solidification front, sits above the melted back region with a horizontal low-angle boundary (4° misorientation) in-between. Its higher hardness of 450 HV is attributed to the fine cuboidal primary γ′ of 135 ± 7 nm. Their presence is a combined effect of high cooling rate and limited local compositional difference. The Scheil-Gulliver predicted solute partitioning of Ta and Hf to the inter-dendritic region agrees well with the MC carbides appearing at the columnar dendritic and cellular boundaries. Computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) simulations, combined with the minimum undercooling criterion, helps to determine the vertical distance between the melt-pool bottom and the oriented-to-misoriented transition borderline, providing a convenient guideline to assess the single-crystal likelihood, in a sense that this distance needs to be larger than the hatch depth. The CFD-calculated solidification velocities and thermal gradients agree with the columnar-to-equiaxed transition curve and the experimental observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk Cu/Ta nanolamellar multilayers with an individual layer thickness from several micrometers down to 50 nm were successfully fabricated via a combination of cross accumulative roll bonding (CARB) and an intermediate annealing step. This fabrication technique allowed to effectively suppress the formation of plastic instabilities and edge cracks during the repeated rolling process. A transition of the layered morphology from non-planar interfaces at the submicron level to nearly planar interfaces at the nano-scale was observed with decreasing layer thickness. High resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction were performed, and the results indicate that the Cu/Ta nanolamellar multilayers with a layer thickness of 50 nm show a {100} Ta [110]∥{110} Cu [111] rolling texture relationship. Tensile tests revealed that the ultimate tensile strength of the composite was up to 950 MPa, which is approximately 5 times higher than that of the initial pure Cu and Ta. The hardness of the prepared multilayer maintained unchanged even after an annealing at 500 °C for 1 h. These unique properties are attributed to an atomically flat bimetal interface and the low amount of homophase grain boundaries resulted from the CARB process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A light-weight, low-cost optical particle spectrometer for measurements of aerosol number concentrations and size distributions has been designed, constructed, and demonstrated. The spectrometer is suitable for use on small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and in balloon sondes. The spectrometer uses a 405 nm diode laser to count and size individual particles in the size range 140–3000 nm. A compact data system combines custom electronics with a single-board commercial computer. Power consumption is 7W at 9–15 V. 3D printing technology was used in the construction of the instrument to reduce cost, manufacturing complexity, and weight. The resulting Printed Optical Particle Spectrometer (POPS) instrument weighs about 800 g with an approximate materials cost of 2500 USD. Several POPS units have been constructed, tested in the laboratory, and deployed on UAVs. Here we present an overview of the instrument design and construction, laboratory validation data, and field engineering data for POPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the influence of urban heat island effect on sulphate attack on concrete, three environments are designed to simulate both sulphate attack underground and crystallisation attack on the ground surface. Experiments last for 1 year and then all specimens are taken out to conduct macro-observations and micro-observations. Results indicate the following: after attack, the micro-structural change of concrete is in accord with the macro-mechanical behaviour; under the influence of urban heat island effect, the visual degradation mainly induced by ettringite is much more serious and the crystallisation attack mainly induced by thenardite crystal is extended to greater range, and therefore the compressive strength is decreased more obviously. The degradation is particularly prominent for C20 concrete, this should be paid more attention, because in China, C20 concrete was often adopted by relatively early building foundation and underground pipeline. This research will provide good basis for further putting forward repair techniques to the attacked concrete material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and magnetic properties of the 14%Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel fabricated by sol–gel and HIP method were investigated by annealing in vacuum for 2 h (at 300, 600, 800, 950 and 1150 °C) and 50 h (at 600, 800, 950 and 1150 °C). Microstructure analysis shows that as the annealing temperature increases, the size of oxide nanoparticles becomes smaller and their dispersion in matrix becomes more homogeneous. Grain size remains stable when the annealing temperature is below 800 °C, while above 800 °C, grain size grows with the increasing annealing temperature and time. The Vickers microhardness and coercivity ( H C ) display almost similar evolution trend with annealing temperature for 2 h and 50 h. No obvious recrystallization appears after 1150 °C annealing, which indicates the high microstructural stability of 14%Cr-ODS ferritic steel. The possible mechanism for above behaviors is discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steels with nominal composition (weight percent) of Fe–14Cr–2W-0.5Ti-0.06Si-0.2V-0.1Mn-0.05Ta-0.03C-0.3Y 2 O 3 were fabricated by sol–gel method, mechanical alloying, and hot isostatic pressing techniques. The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of the hot-rolled specimens with heat treatment was investigated. Tensile strength and hardness of hot-rolled ODS steel are significantly enhanced due to the formation of mechanical twins and high density dislocations. Uniformly dispersed oxide particles (10–40 nm) and fine-grained structure (200–400 nm) are responsible for the superior mechanical properties of the hot-rolled specimen annealed between 650 °C and 850 °C. With further increasing annealing temperature, the grain size of the hot-rolled specimens increases while the size of oxide particles decreases, which leads to lower strength and hardness but better ductility. The tensile strength and total elongation of samples in the rolling direction are higher than those in the transverse direction after the same treatments owing to the grain anisotropy induced by the large mechanical deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persimmon ( Diospyros kaki Thunb.) trees, with fasciation symptoms ( PF), were observed in an orchard located in suburban Tai'an, Shandong Province, China. A specific fragment of the phytoplasma 16S rRNA gene, approximately 1.2 kb in length, was amplified from two symptomatic plants via nested polymerase chain reaction, while no fragment was obtained from healthy controls. The two samples ( PF1 and PF2) resulted with 99.5% nucleotide sequence identity. Phylogenetic and restriction fragment length polymorphism ( RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that PF1 was a member of ribosomal subgroup B of the elm yellows group (16SrV), and PF2 may represent a novel subgroup within the 16SrV group, designed as 16SrV-I. This is the first report of phytoplasmas of the 16SrV group associated with persimmon fasciation disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-scale study on the effect induced by laser shock peening (LSP) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating on the wear and corrosion resistance of FeCoCrNiAl high entropy alloys (HEA) has been made in this work. The nano scale FeCoCrNiAl HEA coating on substrate 304 steel and microscale FeCoCrNiAl HEA has been acquired through PVD nanocoating and LSP, respectively. The micro hardness, friction and corrosion properties have been investigated to evaluate the reliability of the material in application. The results of microhardness and wear test indicate that both approaches have increased the surface hardness of HEA through grain refinement. And the results for corrosion test reveal a competing effect between grain refinement and compressive stress. As the enhancement brought by PVD nano coating is not comparable to the cast sample, due to the side effect brought by grain refinement which will reduce the corrosion resistance. Surprisingly, specimens treated with LSP have better performance in corrosion resistance, as the compressive residual stress induced by LSP enhanced the adhesion between the substrate and modified layer, forming dense passive films to inhibit corrosion ions in the environment and successfully neutralized the side effect brought by grain refinement. Therefore, the modified layer induced by LSP on the surface contributes to the improvement of both wear resistance and corrosion resistance. [Display omitted] • Effect of LSP and PVD on wear and corrosion resistance of HEA have been studied. • The wear and corrosion resistance of FeCoCrNiAl 0.1 are enhanced. • The grain refinement has a positive effect on the wear properties. • The compressive stress has a positive effect on the corrosion properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose Store-operated calcium ( SOC) channels are thought to play a critical role in immune responses, inflammatory diseases and chronic pain. The aim of this study was to explore the potential role and mechanisms of SOC channels in collagen-induced arthritis ( CIA). Experimental Approach The CIA mouse model was used to examine the effects of the SOC channel inhibitor YM-58483 on CIA and arthritic pain. Hargreaves' and von Frey hair tests were conducted to measure thermal and mechanical sensitivities of hind paws. elisa was performed to measure cytokine production, and haematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess knee histological changes. Western blot analysis was performed to examine protein levels. Key Results Pretreatment with 5 or 10 mg·kg−1 of YM-58483 reduced the incidence of CIA, prevented the development of inflammation and pain hypersensitivity and other signs and features of arthritis disease. Similarly, treatment with YM-58483 after the onset of CIA: (i) reversed the clinical scores; (ii) reduced paw oedema; (iii) attenuated mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity; (iv) improved spontaneous motor activity; (v) decreased periphery production of IL-1 β, IL-6 and TNF- α; and (vi) reduced spinal activation of ERK and calmodulin-dependent PKII ( CaMKIIα). Conclusions and Implications This study provides the first evidence that inhibition of SOC entry prevents and relieves rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) and arthritic pain. These effects are probably mediated by a reduction in cytokine levels in the periphery and activation of ERK and CaMKIIα in the spinal cord. These results suggest that SOC channels are potential drug targets for the treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the treatment of elastically restrained ends for the axially, loaded beam-buckling problem for the central finite difference beam model, the microstructured beam model, and Eringen's nonlocal continuous beam model. The equivalence between the central finite difference beam model and the microstructured beam model is established herein, and these equivalent systems are regarded as belonging to one class of discrete systems since they become indistinguishable. Also, the continualized form of the discrete system is obtained by adopting the continualization method that is based on an exponential displacement function. Three approaches are then proposed for matching the discrete system with Eringen's nonlocal continuous system for the beam-buckling problem. The approaches depend on the assumption made on the constancy/or varying Eringen's small length scale coefficient e as well as which one of the discrete or continuum system is taken as the reference system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Al and Zr addition on improvement of oxidation resistance in lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) and in air as well as the tensile properties were investigated for the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels. The 16Cr–4Al–0.8Zr–ODS steel samples were fabricated by a sol–gel method combining with spark plasma sintering technique. The tests in LBE at 600 °C for 1000 h indicate the good oxidation resistance comparing with the specimens without Zr/Al elements. The samples also exhibit superior oxidation resistance in air due to formation of dense and continuous aluminum oxide film. Minor Zr addition prevents the Al element induced coarsening of the oxide particles in ODS steels and significantly improves the ultimate tensile stress and total elongation of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy has been the first-choice treatment for small-cell esophageal cancer ( SCEC), etoposide plus cisplatin or carboplatin ( EP/ CP) is the most commonly recommended chemotherapeutical strategy. However, the choice of chemotherapy in treating SCEC has not been validated by studies of large cohorts of cases because of the rarity of the malignancy, and the efficacy superiority of EP/ CP over other chemotherapy combinations has not been confirmed. The present case series analysis was conducted to address the above issues. Reported studies of SCEC patients were retrieved. Case series with more than five patients were enrolled. Eight patients treated in our institute were also included as another case series. Data pertaining to clinical stages, treatment regimens, and survival time were collected and analyzed. Altogether, 19 SCEC case series were enrolled, including 164 male and 61 female patients with a median age of 63.5 years. The follow-up time ranged from 0.1 to 221 months (median 12.3 months). The median survival time ( MST) was 19 months for limited disease ( LD) patients (124 cases) and 9 months for extensive disease ( ED) patients (88 cases) ( P < 0.001). For LD patients, MST was obviously prolonged by chemotherapeutical regimens (20 vs. 10 months, P < 0.01), whereas this superiority was not proved in ED patients (10 vs. 10 months, P > 0.05). EP/ CP did not result in significantly longer MST, compared with that of the cases treated by other chemotherapy combinations ( P > 0.05, for either LD or ED cases). Chemotherapy prolongs the survival time of the LD SCEC patients, which indicates that chemotherapeutical treatment is effective for SCEC. EP/ CP, as commonly recommended multidrug chemotherapy regimen, is not superior to other chemotherapy combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients frequently experience a loss of salivary function following irradiation (IR) for the treatment of an oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Herein, we tested if transfer of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) cDNA could limit salivary dysfunction after fractionated IR (7.5 or 9 Gy for 5 consecutive days to one parotid gland) in the miniature pig (minipig). Parotid salivary flow rates steadily decreased by 16 weeks post-IR, whereas blood flow in the targeted parotid gland began to decrease ~3 days after beginning IR. By 2 weeks, post-IR salivary blood flow was reduced by 50%, at which point it remained stable for the remainder of the study. The single preadministration of a hybrid serotype 5 adenoviral vector encoding FGF2 (AdLTR2EF1a-FGF2) resulted in the protection of parotid microvascular endothelial cells from IR damage and significantly limited the decline of parotid salivary flow. Our results suggest that a local treatment directed at protecting salivary gland endothelial cells may be beneficial for patients undergoing IR for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Strength of V/Cu multilayer composites with smaller layer thickness degrades more drastically at high temperatures due to interface instability. • Spheroidization occurred in multilayer during the annealing process benefits the increase of thermal conductivity. • Different cavity morphology after high-temperature helium irradiation is related to defects diffusion preference combined with thermal-induced interfaces migration. Interface engineering is a significant strategy to develop structural materials with good properties. In this study, bulk V/Cu nano-multilayers with different layer thicknesses were fabricated by cross accumulative roll bonding (CARB). Interface stability of V/Cu nano-multilayers with different layer thicknesses and their effects on thermal conductivity and helium irradiation have been explored. The microstructure analysis, tensile and hardness tests result show that V/Cu nano-multilayers maintain high mechanical properties and good thermal stability after annealing at 500 °C for 1 h. However, the strength drastically degrades after higher-temperature annealing because of microstructure instability, which is closely related to the aspect ratio of grains. Furthermore, spheroidization occurring in multilayer during the annealing process promotes efficient electron transportation and weakens electron scattering, which benefits the increase of thermal conductivity. The irradiation response of V/Cu nano-multilayers was explored by helium bombardment with a fluence of 1 × 1017 ions/cm2 at room temperature and 500 °C, respectively. Helium bubbles transform to gas cavities with increasing irradiated temperature, and different morphology of cavities at heterointerface, newly formed grain boundaries and triple junctions is attributed to the defect diffusion preference combined with thermal-induced interfaces migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing a newly designed ligand, 2-( p- tert-butylphenyl)-1 H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (HBuPhIDC) to react with manganese(II) or nickel(II) ions, two coordiantion polymers [Mn(μ-HBuPhIDC)(CHOH)] ( I) and [Ni(μ-HBuPhIDC)(HO)] ( II) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Polymer I shows a 3D framework bearing 1D octagonal channels constructed from left- and right-handed helical chains. Polymer II exhibits an infinite chain structure, which are joined through the π-π interactions and intramolecular hydrogen bonds to form a 3D architecture. The thermal properties of the polymers have been investigated as well. The coordination ability and modes of HBuPhIDC have been investigated from both theoretical and experimental aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A Drosophila sodium channel, DmNav7-1, exhibits a unique persistent current (I NaP). [•] This I NaP activates over a broad voltage range. [•] I260T contributes to I NaP at hyperpolarizing potentials via enhancement of window currents. [•] A1731V contributes to I NaP at depolarizing potentials probably by inhibiting the outward movement of IVS4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exercise has been recommended to increase bone mass and prevent osteoporosis. While current treatment of osteoporosis mainly involves the use of antiresorptive agents, it is unclear whether there are any additive effects in improving bone mass when antiresorptive agents and exercise are jointly used. Methods: A structured and comprehensive search of databases was undertaken along with hand searching of key journals and reference lists. The combined interventions of antiresorptive agents and exercise were examined for their additive effects on lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) among adults with low bone mass. Trial quality was assessed using the Jadad quality score. Study outcomes for analysis, absolute change (grams per square centimeter) or relative change (in percent) in BMD, at the lumbar spine were compared by calculating standardized mean difference (SMD) using fixed and random effect models. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCT) met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The increase in lumbar spine BMD of the combined-intervention group was significantly greater than that of the antiresorptive agent-alone group (fixed effect model: SMD = 0.55; 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.36, 0.75; overall effect Z-value = 5.51; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses also showed consistent results. Methodological quality of most included studies was scored 3 by the Jadad criterion, and publication bias was slight according to funnel plots. Conclusion: It was found that combining antiresorptive agents with exercise had additive effects on improving lumbar spine bone mass gains in adults with low bone mass. To verify the additive effects further, more RCTs with longer duration and larger sample sizes are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colonoscopists differ in skill, technique, and attitude in relation to the examination. These differences have a potential impact on the quality of the examination and the risk of complications. This study aimed to document differences in technique between individual colonoscopists and to explore some possible consequences to the patient and the examination. Methods: This prospective, comparative study analyzed 10 individual endoscopists practicing in outpatient endoscopy clinics at a major medical center. Consecutive patients presenting for elective outpatient colonoscopy were included in the study. Examinations were observed, and techniques used during scope insertion and withdrawal were recorded. The type and dose of medication, the pain score recorded by the endoscopy nurses (scale of 1-10), and the incidence of hypotension and hypoxia were noted. Results: The study involved 245 patients (129 men and 116 women) with a mean age of 59.5 years. The number of colonoscopies per examiner ranged from 12 to 31, with nine tenths of the examiners performing more than 20 colonoscopies. Completion rates ranged from 82.6 to 100 %; the withdrawal time averages ranged from 3.5 to 21.7 min; and the average number of techniques used ranged from one per four exams to three per exam. The average pain score per endoscopist ranged from 2.1 to 4.3, and the percentage of patients with either hypoxia or hypotension ranged from 11.5 to 85.0 %. A sedation/analgesia product (SAP) was derived by multiplying the mean dose of versed by the mean dose of meperidine. Regression analysis showed significant relationships between the number of techniques used and the levels of pain ( R = 0.395) and hypoxia/hypotension ( R = 0.513). The findings showed that SAP was significantly associated with hypoxia/hypotension ( R = 0.826) but not pain ( R = 0.01). Conclusions: Use of ancillary techniques for colonoscope insertion minimizes pain, narcotic use, and hypoxia/hypotension. The product of benzodiazepine dose and narcotic dose is a good way of assessing sedative effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short circuit photocurrent (Isc) was found to be strongly dependent on the oxygen vacancies (VOs) distribution in Ag/Bi0.9La0.1FeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructures. In order to manipulate the VOs accumulated at either the Ag/Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 or the Bi0.9La0.1FeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 interface by pulse voltages, switchable or nonswitchable photocurrent can be observed without or with changing the polarization direction. The sign of photocurrent could be independent of the direction of polarization when the variation of diffusion current and the modulation of the Schottky barrier at the Ag/Bi0.9La0.1FeO3 interface induced by oxygen vacancies are large enough to offset those induced by polarization. Our work provides deep insights into the nature of photovoltaic effects in ferroelectric films, and will facilitate the advanced design of switchable devices combining spintronic, electronic, and optical functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels with nominal composition of Fe–16Cr–2W–0.5Ti–0.4Y2O3–4Al–1Zr (16Cr–4Al–Zr–ODS) were fabricated by a sol–gel method combining with mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique, and the 16Cr–ODS and 16Cr–4Al–ODS steels were prepared for comparison in the same way. Microstructure characterization reveals that in the 16Cr–4Al–ODS steel coarse Y–Al–O particles were formed while in the 16Cr–4Al–Zr–ODS steel finer Y–Zr–O particles were formed. The mean size and number density of the nano-oxide particles in the 16Cr–4Al–Zr–ODS steel are about 25nm and 2.6×1021/m3, respectively. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the 16Cr–ODS steel is about 1045MPa, but UTS of the 16Cr–4Al–ODS steel decreases to 974MPa. However, UTS of the 16Cr–4Al–Zr–ODS steel increases to 1180MPa while keeping a large uniform elongation up to 23%, indicating the enhancement of mechanical properties by Zr addition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The liquid and amorphous structures of Mg65Cu25Gd10 alloy were studied by using molecular dynamics methods within the frame of density functional theory. The generalized and partial pair correlation functions, structure factors, coordination numbers and bond pairs for this alloy were analyzed. It is shown that this alloy exhibit typical characterization of liquid structure at the temperature higher than 750K, and of amorphous structure with shoulders on the second diffuse peaks of the pair correlation functions curves at room temperature. The local short and medium range ordering tends to be increased with the decrease of temperature. Both the liquid and the amorphous structures are mainly composed of icosahedral type of bond pairs. Perfect and distorted icosahedra can be differentiated from the atomic configuration of the amorphous alloy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on the design and use of the new ultraviolet (UV) photometer for in situ measurement of atmospheric ozone (O 3) from research aircraft. It says that a polarization optical-isolator configuration is used to fold the UV-beam within the absorption cells. It also mentions that the photometer has high accuracy, fast sampling rate, and excellent precision.

The article presents a study which describes the design of an ultraviolet (UV) photometer instrument for the measurement of atmospheric ozone. The accuracy, sampling rate and precision of the instrument for research aircraft platforms are outlined. The inlet and exhaust configurations of the instrument for unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are examined.

Background and purpose: Evidence-based data to guide the management of status epilepticus (SE) after failure of primary treatment are still scarce and the alternate needs to be found when phenytoin (PHT) is not available or contraindicated. Comparison of intravenous (IV) valproate (VPA) and diazepam (DZP) infusion has not been conducted in adults with SE. This prospective randomized controlled trial is thus designed to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of IV VPA and continuous DZP infusion as second-line anticonvulsants. Methods: After failure of first-line anticonvulsants treatment, patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) were randomized to receive either IV VPA or continuous DZP infusion. Primary outcome was the proportion of patients with effective control. Side effects were also evaluated. Results: There were 66 cases enrolled, with the mean age of 41 ± 21 years. Seizure was controlled in 56% (20/36) of the DZP group and 50% (15/30) of the VPA group ( P = 0.652). No patient in the VPA group developed respiratory depression, hypotension, or hepatic dysfunction, whereas in the DZP group, 5.5% required ventilation and 5.5% developed hypotension. Time (hour) for regaining consciousness after control was near-significantly longer in the DZP group [13(3.15-21.5)] than in the VPA group [3(0.75-11)] ( P = 0.057). Virus encephalitis and long duration of GCSE were independent risk factors of drug resistance. Conclusions: Both IV VPA and continuous DZP infusion are effective second-line anticonvulsants for GCSE. IV VPA was well tolerated and free of respiratory depression and hypotension, which may develop in the DZP group. Outcome parameters were not significantly different between groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Calcium ion selective electrode (Ca-ISE) was found to underestimate the actual Ca2+ ion activity in simulated milk ultrafiltrate (SMUF) and milk. It is shown that the ionic compositional difference between conventional calibration solutions and milk type samples had a significant effect on the single Ca2+ activity coefficient, which generates the erroneous estimate of Ca2+ activities in SMUF and milk. This study tests new standards with ionic profiles similar to SMUF, aiming at the reduction of the errors generated by the compositional difference between conventional standards and milk samples. As a result, the new standards showed a significant improvement in the accuracy of Ca2+ activity and Ca2+ activity coefficient over the conventional standards. The systematic error is reduced from 20% to 5% for SMUF and from 44% to 15% for milk. In addition, the new standards generate liquid junction potentials that are practically insignificant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary Elm samples with and without witches'-broom symptoms (EWB) were collected from Tai'an and Zhaoyuan, Shandong Province, China. Phytoplasmal cells were observed in the phloem cells of symptomatic plants under electron microscope. Specific fragments of about 1.2 kb in length were amplified with nested-PCR from symptomatic samples, while no fragment was obtained from healthy plants. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the phytoplasmas associated with elm witches'-broom in Tai'an (EWB-TA) and Zhaoyuan (EWB-ZHY) had high similarities, and formed a sublineage in phylogenetic tree, with members of subgroup B or D of aster yellows group (16SrI). Computer simulated restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed that EWB-TA and EWB-ZHY patterns had similarity coefficients of 1.00 with the pattern from the representative strains of subgroup 16SrI-B, and had a similarity coefficient of lower than 0.97 with representatives of other subgroups. These results indicated that the phytoplasma strain associated with elm witches'-broom in China was very closely related to ' Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' OAY, belonging to subgroup-B of aster yellows group (16SrI-B). This is the first report of a phytoplasma associated with elm witches'-broom disease in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]