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Woven slit-film geotextiles are often subjected to in-plane tensile loads in engineering applications, which may alter relevant permeability properties. The fractal model of the permeability coefficient in woven geotextiles is extended to predict the permeability coefficient of geotextiles subjected to uniaxial and laterally constrained uniaxial tensile strains. Based on the observation and summary of the variation of the pore size distribution pattern with tensile strain, the pore unit model is introduced. The model is expressed as the functions of the fractal dimension, pore size characteristics, physical parameters and weft strain. A clamping device capable of applying uniaxial tension and laterally constrained uniaxial tension to geotextiles is invented. The validation of the model is verified using the vertical permeability coefficient test and the digital image analysis method on two selected woven geotextile samples. It is shown that the permeability coefficient increased with increasing uniaxial tensile strain. Furthermore, the experimental values tended to change more significantly under laterally constrained uniaxial strain conditions for thinner geotextiles approaching breaking strain and thicker geotextiles. The improved model can accurately predict the values and increasing rate of the permeability coefficient of woven geotextiles subjected to uniaxial and laterally constrained uniaxial tensile strains.

An interesting result of Veech more than 50 years ago is a parity, or mod 2, version of the Kronecker–Weyl equidistribution theorem concerning the irrational rotation sequence $$\{q\alpha \}$$ { q α } , $$q=0,1,2,3,\ldots $$ q = 0 , 1 , 2 , 3 , … If $$\alpha $$ α is badly approximable and $$b\in (0,1)$$ b ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) satisfies $$b\ne \{m\alpha \}$$ b ≠ { m α } for any $$m\in {\mathbb {Z}}$$ m ∈ Z , then the parity of cardinalities of the sets $$\{1\leqslant q\leqslant N\,{:}\,\{q\alpha \}\in [0,b)\}$$ { 1 ⩽ q ⩽ N : { q α } ∈ [ 0 , b ) } as $$N\rightarrow \infty $$ N → ∞ is evenly distributed. We first answer a question of Veech and establish a stronger form of the mod n analog of his result. Furthermore, for irrational $$\alpha $$ α and $$b=\{m\alpha \}$$ b = { m α } for some $$m\in {\mathbb {N}}$$ m ∈ N , we give a simple yet precise characterization of those cases that give rise to even distribution. We also obtain time-quantitative description of some very striking violations of uniformity—this part is particularly number theoretic in nature, and involves Ostrowski representations of positive integers and $$\alpha $$ α -expansions of real numbers. The Veech discrete 2-circle problem can also be visualized as a problem that concerns 1-direction geodesic flow on a surface obtained by modifying the surface comprising two side-by-side squares by the inclusion of symmetric barriers and gates on the vertical edges, with appropriate modification of the vertical edge identifications. We establish a far-reaching generalization of this case to ones that concern 1-direction geodesic flow on surfaces obtained by modifying a finite square tiled translation surface in analogous but not necessarily symmetric ways.

Given any rectangular polyhedron $3$ -manifold $\mathcal {P}$ tiled with unit cubes, we find infinitely many explicit directions related to cubic algebraic numbers such that all half-infinite geodesics in these directions are uniformly distributed in $\mathcal {P}$ .

The analytical bound state solutions, thermomagnetic properties, and the effect of Aharanov-Bohm (AB) flux and external magnetic field on Fisher information entropy with Schioberg plus Manning-Rosen potential are studied using NUFA and SUSYQM methods in the presence of the Greene-Aldrich approximation scheme to the centrifugal term. The wave function obtained was used to study Fisher information both in position and momentum spaces for different quantum states by the gamma function and digamma polynomials. The energy equation obtained in a closed form was used to deduce numerical energy spectra, partition function, and other thermomagnetic properties. The results show that with an application of AB and magnetic fields, the numerical energy eigenvalues for different magnetic quantum spins decrease as the quantum state increases and completely removes the degeneracy of the energy spectra. Also, the numerical computation of Fisher information satisfies Fisher information inequality products, indicating that the particles are more localized in the presence of external fields than in their absence, and the trend shows complete localization of quantum mechanical particles in all quantum states. Our potential reduces to Schioberg and Manning-Rosen potentials as special cases. Our potential reduces to Schioberg and Manning-Rosen potentials as special cases. The energy equations obtained from the NUFA and SUSYQM were the same, demonstrating a high level of mathematical precision

BackgroundAngiogenesis is an indispensable step in the growth and invasiveness of breast cancers involving a series of exquisite molecular steps. Pro-angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), have been recognized as pivotal therapeutic targets in the treatment of breast cancer. More recently, a highly conserved transcription factor Twist has been reported to be involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.MethodsThe expression of VEGF-C and Twist was immunohistochemically determined in tissue samples of primary tumors from 408 patients undergoing curative surgical resection for breast cancer. The correlations of VEGF-C and Twist expressions with clinicopathologic parameters as well as survival outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOf the 408 patients evaluated, approximately 70% had high expression of VEGF-C which was significantly associated with advanced tumor stages (P=0.019). Similarly, VEGF-C expression was associated with the proliferation index Ki67, N3 lymph node metastasis, and D2-40-positive lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) in a univariate analysis. Furthermore, patients with high expressions of VEGF-C and Twist (V+T+) had significantly increased lymph node metastasis, higher clinical stage, and worse disease-free survival, DFS (P=0.001) and overall survival, OS (P=0.011).ConclusionsOur results suggested that co-expression of VEGF-C and Twist was associated with larger tumor size, higher numbers of lymph node involvement, D2-40-positive LVI, higher risk of distant metastasis, and worse DFS or OS in breast cancer patients.

We present an observational study of the luminous red nova (LRN) AT 2021biy in the nearby galaxy NGC 4631. The field of the object was routinely imaged during the pre-eruptive stage by synoptic surveys, but the transient was detected only at a few epochs from ∼231 days before maximum brightness. The LRN outburst was monitored with unprecedented cadence both photometrically and spectroscopically. AT 2021biy shows a short-duration blue peak, with a bolometric luminosity of ∼1.6 × 1041 erg s−1, followed by the longest plateau among LRNe to date, with a duration of 210 days. A late-time hump in the light curve was also observed, possibly produced by a shell-shell collision. AT 2021biy exhibits the typical spectral evolution of LRNe. Early-time spectra are characterised by a blue continuum and prominent H emission lines. Then, the continuum becomes redder, resembling that of a K-type star with a forest of metal absorption lines during the plateau phase. Finally, late-time spectra show a very red continuum (TBB ≈ 2050 K) with molecular features (e.g., TiO) resembling those of M-type stars. Spectropolarimetric analysis indicates that AT 2021biy has local dust properties similar to those of V838 Mon in the Milky Way Galaxy. Inspection of archival Hubble Space Telescope data taken on 2003 August 3 reveals a ∼20 M⊙ progenitor candidate with log (L/L⊙) = 5.0 dex and Teff = 5900 K at solar metallicity. The above luminosity and colour match those of a luminous yellow supergiant. Most likely, this source is a close binary, with a 17–24 M⊙ primary component.

Background Multiple studies have uncovered the effects that ingested fat has on human blood levels of testosterone. Yet, few reports have discussed the effect of circulating serum free fatty acids (FFAs). The present study aimed to explore the relationship between serum free fatty acids and blood levels of testosterone. Methods In total, 5719 adults were pooled from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2012. Based on multivariable-linear regression models, we employed a total of 30 FFAs to interpret the relationship of FFAs with blood levels of testosterone. Two models with covariate adjustments were designated for further evaluation and analysis. Results Capric acid [β = -0.014, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.023, -0.004, P = 0.005], myristic acid (β = -0.001, 95% CI = -0.001, 0.000, P ≤ 0.001), pentadecanoic acid (β = -0.013, 95% CI = -0.018, -0.008, P ≤ 0.001), margaric acid (β = -0.011, 95% CI = -0.017, -0.005, P ≤ 0.001) and alpha-linolenic acid (β = -0.001, 95% CI = -0.002, 0.000, P = 0.004) in the fully adjusted model were significantly negatively correlated with the testosterone level inh obese men. In the fully adjusted model for the female analysis, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, myristoleic acid, oleic acid, nervonic acid and alpha-linolenic acid were found significantly associated with the testosterone level. Conclusions Our findings indicate a significant negative correlation between serum FFAs and blood levels of testosterone. Furthermore, we reveal the essentiality of serum FFAs and their potential effects on the reduction of testosterone levels.

目的 比较含不同剂量兔抗人胸腺细胞球蛋白（rATG）预处理方案单倍型造血干细胞移植（haplo-HSCT）对恶性血液病患者的疗效。 方法 对2013年3月至2018年12月行haplo-HSCT的恶性血液病患者进行回顾性分析，按预处理方案中rATG总量6、7.5、9 mg/kg分为ATG-6、ATG-7.5、ATG-9三组，比较三组患者急性移植物抗宿主病（GVHD）发生率、感染发生率及生存率。 结果 ①纳入288例患者，男182例，女106例，中位年龄18（6～62）岁。急性髓系白血病（AML）128例，急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）110例，慢性髓性白血病（CML）8例，骨髓增生异常综合征（MDS）28例，混合细胞白血病（MAL）14例。ATG-6组159例，ATG-7.5组72例，ATG-9组57例。移植后中位随访时间为14.0（0.2～74.0）个月。②ATG-6、ATG-7.5、ATG-9组粒细胞植入率分别为96.9％、97.2％、96.5％（P＝0.972），血小板植入率分别为92.5％、87.5％、86.0％（P＝0.276），Ⅱ～Ⅳ度急性GVHD发生率分别为14.5％、11.1％、8.8％（P＝0.493），慢性GVHD发生率分别为8.8％、14.3％、12.0％（P＝0.493）。ATG-9组的CMV、EBV感染率（77.2％、12.5％）均高于ATG-6组（43.3％、3.5％）和ATG-7.5组（44.4％、1.5％）（P

Our study aimed to investigate miR-193a-3p expression and its clinical significance in pituitary adenomas (PAs). Moreover, the correlation between miR-193a-3p expression and the invasiveness of PAs was explored.In this study, the relative expression levels of miR-193a-3p were detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlations between miR-193a-3p and tumor size, clinical features, and prolactinomas postoperative prolactin (PRL) levels early remission were further analyzed.Compared with non-invasive PAs, there was a lower miR-193a-3p expression in invasive PAs. MiR-193a-3p expression had reverse relevance to tumor size. A higher risk of postoperative residual and recurrence was found in patients with downregulated miR-193a-3p. Prolactinomas patients with postoperative PRL levels early remission were at lower risk to relapse and patients with high-expression miR-193a-3p had a higher early remission rate, suggesting that miR-193a-3p was a significant prognostic factor for prolactinomas.MiR-193a-3p could have potential therapeutic value for invasive pituitary adenomas.

he prevalence of frailty defined by FRAIL-NH varies among different studies in nursing homes, ranging from 19.0% to 75.6%. This study investigated the prevalence of frailty in a nursing home in Taiwan using different diagnostic criteria for frailty. The 7-item FRAIL-NH scale was used for assessing frailty. There are 7 components: fatigue, resistance, mobility, incontinence or disease, weight loss, eating style and assistance with dressing. Each item is worth 0, 1, or 2 points for a total score of 14 points. We sorted and summarized the patients, according to the number of variables, into the not frail, frail, and most frail groups. Descriptive analysis was applied to understand the basic attributes of the elderly with different degrees of frailty, the influencing factors of frailty, and the occurrence of frailty. Our final sample included 34 residents. They were aged between 56 and 100 years (mean age 83.91 ± 10.84), and 18 (52.94%) were female. The frail group revealed a higher prevalence of males than of females. The marital status composition of participants was as follows: 2 (5.88%) unmarried, 24 (70.59%) married, and 8 (23.53%) widowed. The mean FRAIL-NH score was 5.79±3.72. A significant prevalence of frailty defined by FRAIL-NH was observed in a nursing home in Taiwan. Our findings indicate that frailty is an important issue in nursing homes. Further prospective cohort studies using FRAIL-NH evaluation are warranted.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor with high invasiveness and recurrence. Circular RNA (circRNA) circ-0001801 (also named as circPCMTD1) was recognized as a novel biomarker in cancers. However, the pathological mechanism of circ-0001801 in GBM is still largely obscured. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to reveal the involvement of circ-0001801/miR-628-5p/HMGB3 axis in the progression of GBM cells.Expression of circ-0001801, microRNA (miR)-628-5p and high mobility group box 3 (HMGB3) in GBM tumors and cells was detected by quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Stability of circ-0001801 was determined by RNase R. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) was performed to analyze cell viability. Cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell assay. The interaction between miR-628-5p and circ-0001801 or HMGB3 was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter system. Protein expression of HMGB3, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and Vimentin was detected by Western blot.The up-regulation of circ-0001801 and HMGB3 and the down-regulation of miR-628-5p were both observed in GBM tumors and cells compared with the normal ones. Depletion of circ-0001801 reduced GBM cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. In addition, we discovered that circ-0001801 was a sponge of miR-628-5p and HMGB3 was a target of miR-628-5p. Furthermore, miR-628-5p inhibitor abolished circ-0001801 silencing-mediated inhibition of cell progression in GBM. Similarly, HMGB3 restored circ-0001801 silencing-mediated repression on GBM cell progression. We also noticed that circ-0001801 could improve HMGB3 expression by sponging miR-628-5p in GBM.Overexpression of circ-00018 01 accelerates cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in GBM by absorbing miR-628-5p and facilitating HMGB3 expression, representing promising targeted therapy for GBM.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression profile of serum cytokines in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and explore its possible regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: Serum and DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 30 SSc patients and 80 normal controls (NCs). According to the presence or absence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in SSc, the patients were divided into SSc with ILD group and SSc without ILD group. According to the degree of skin involvement, the patients were divided into diffuse systemic scleroderma (dcSSc) group and limited systemic scleroderma (lcSSc) group. According to the presence of anti-topoisomerase-1 antibody (anti-Scl-70 antibody) in the serum of patients with SSc, they were divided into SSc Scl-70 (+) group and SSc Scl-70 (-) group. 27 cytokines in serum were detected by Luminex MAGPIX detection system and Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-plex Assay kit: interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12P70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, basic fiber growth factor (BASIC FGF), eotaxin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interferon-gamma induced protein 10(IP-10), monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α(MIP-1α), macrophage inflammatory protein 1β(MIP-1β), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), regulated on activation in normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Methylation sites were detected by Illumina 450K methylation chip. RESULTS: Compared with NCs group, the expression of 12 cytokines (BASIC FGF, eotaxin, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-α and RANTES) in the SSc group significantly increased (P

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in aged populations. However, there are inconsistent reports about impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes as an independent risk factor for cognitive function. Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) is the key enzyme responsible for γ-aminobutyric acid synthesis in the central nervous system. Antibodies against GAD65 (GAD65Abs) are not only detected in approximately 80% of early-onset type 1 DM, but also linked to several neurological disorders. Aim This study aims to investigate the association between GAD65Ab titer levels and cognitive performance. In addition, we assessed the effect of GAD65Ab on cognitive function in adults with normal fasting glucose, prediabetes and DM. Methods A total of 328 subjects aged 49.10 ± 5.72 years were enrolled from the Third Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset. Cognitive performance was assessed by three computerized neurobehavioral tests, including the serial digit learning test, simple reaction time test (SRTT) and symbol-digit substitution test (SDST). Results Subjects with higher GAD65Ab titers had significantly poorer cognitive function in the SRTT and SDST (P Conclusions These results indicate that GAD65Ab may be a potential marker for cognitive impairment in non-diabetic adults.

Detecting a single serum marker, such as Golgi protein 73 (GP73) or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), may not meet the requirements for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to low sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a simultaneous multiplex assay of GP73 and AFP.Anti-human GP73- and AFP-coupled microsphere beads and biotin-labeled detectable antibodies were prepared to develop a multiplex assay of GP73 and AFP using the Luminex xMAP technology. The assay was evaluated for cross-reactivity, standard curve, sensitivity, range of detection, and precision. Additionally, the assay was used to determine the levels of serum GP73 and AFP in healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and HCC.The multiplex assay was successfully developed to simultaneously detect GP73 and AFP without cross-reactivity. The sensitivity for GP73 detection was 0.215 ng/mL and that for AFP detection was 0.666 ng/mL. The ranges of GP73 and AFP detection were 0.98-861.08 ng/mL and 2.01-1848.73 ng/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were10%, indicating good precision, with recovery rates of 75-125%. The levels of serum GP73 in healthy controls, chronic hepatitis patients, liver cirrhosis patients, and HCC patients were 61.64 ± 30.60 ng/mL, 208.4 ± 99.42 ng/mL, 183.7 ± 82.78 ng/mL, and 214.1 ± 160.5 ng/mL, respectively. The levels of serum AFP in healthy controls, chronic hepatitis patients, liver cirrhosis patients, and HCC patients were 24.87 ± 14.52 ng/mL, 134.4 ± 216.5 ng/mL, 66.45 ± 133.4 ng/mL, and 891.4 ± 1278 ng/mL, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) results showed that the area under the curves (AUC) for the combination of GP73 and AFP was 0.972, which was larger than the AUC for each marker. The sensitivity and specificity of the combined detection of GP73 and AFP for the diagnosis of HCC were 90.91% and 98.86%, respectively. The multiplex assay demonstrated a good correlation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with correlation coefficients of 0.818 and 0.982 for GP73 (p0.001) and AFP (p0.001), respectively.A multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of GP73 and AFP with high sensitivity and accuracy was developed for the diagnosis of HCC. This assay may provide a reliable reference for the early diagnosis of HCC.

Water conservancy project is an important public infrastructure project related to the national economy and people’s livelihood. The quality and safety issues of major water conservancy projects are the core work for the government to strengthen the management of water conservancy project construction. Based on the inspection and re-inspection work of major water conservancy projects in Zhejiang Province between 2015 and 2019, this paper analyzes the main problems existing in major water conservancy projects, points out the engineering quality and safety problems account for a large proportion, analyzes the changing trend of engineering quality and safety problems, points out the main causes of quality and safety problems as well as the causes of non-correction, and puts forward the corresponding solutions. On this basis, the main responsible parties and problems are analyzed, which provides reference and suggestions for the relevant participating units to strengthen the quality and safety management of major water conservancy projects in the future.

A large number of aqueducts were built in China in the 1950s and 1980s, and there are still quite a few aqueducts still undertaking water delivery tasks. Evaluation of existing aqueducts is an important measure to ensure safe water delivery. In order to cope with problems such as the long construction period of the aqueduct and the lack of original design materials, this paper comprehensively uses digital technologies such as drone aerial photography, BIM, and three-dimensional laser scanning. Take Dabeishan Aqueduct for example, carrying out safety test and evaluation. The adopted methods has enriched the methods of safety evaluation of aqueducts and improved the quality of safety evaluation.

Klaus Friedrich Roth, who died in Inverness on 10 November 2015 aged 90, made fundamental contributions to different areas of number theory, including diophantine approximation, the large sieve, irregularities of distribution and what is nowadays known as arithmetic combinatorics. He was the first British winner of the Fields Medal, awarded in 1958 for his solution in 1955 of the famous Siegel conjecture concerning approximation of algebraic numbers by rationals. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1960, and received its Sylvester Medal in 1991. He was also awarded the De Morgan Medal of the London Mathematical Society in 1983, and elected Fellow of University College London in 1979, Honorary Fellow of Peterhouse in 1989, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1993 and Fellow of Imperial College London in 1999.

Polarized infrared (IR) reflectance measurement was carried out to investigate the optical phonon modes of wurtzite structure In0.92Ga0.08N thin film grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Composition dependence of IR reststrahlen features was observed. Theoretical polarized IR reflectance spectrum was simulated using the standard multilayer optics technique with a multi-oscillator dielectric function model. By obtaining the best fit of experimental and theoretical spectrum, the Brillouin zone center E1 optical phonon modes together with the dielectric constant, layer thickness, free carriers concentration and mobility were extracted non-destructively. The extracted E1 optical phonon modes were compared with those generated from modified random element isodisplacement (MREI) model.