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Under the conditions of large steering angle, conventional designs of steering linkage systems face challenges in simultaneously optimizing precision and work transmission efficiency. In this paper, the Angle-Based Block Partitioning Symmetric Model (APSM) is proposed for the Steering linkage topology design, aiming to achieve synergistic optimization of accuracy and efficiency. Compared with the traditional Spring Connected Block Method (SBM), the angular output mechanism design scenario exhibits improved convergence and accuracy. In the proposed APSM approach, topological optimization is implemented by first dividing the design space into deformable and rigid blocks. We ensure that both sides’ steering angles conform to Ackermann’s formula as a constraint in order to construct the optimization problem with the goal of maximizing work transmission efficiency. The Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method and the method of moving asymptotes (MMA) are employed for optimizing the design variables ( ξ X , ξ k ) through structural topology optimization. Finally, the kinematic adjacency matrix is innovatively constructed to automatically extract optimized configurations. The ASPM method is examined using three scenarios, including conventional steering vehicles, multi-axle vehicles, and non-Ackermann vehicles. This showcases the method’s effectiveness in achieving optimization with excellent work transmittance efficiency and rapid convergence during the Steering linkage topology design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric properties of La2CuTiO6 ceramics were investigated in a broad frequency and temperature range. There is only one dielectric relaxation in the curve of temperature dependence of dielectric properties for La2CuTiO6 ceramics. This dielectric relaxation is a thermal activated process. The bulk and grain boundary resistances can be obtained from results of the least-mean-square fitting on impedance spectra. The conduction mechanism of the present ceramics is also a thermal activated process. The activation energy of dielectric relaxation is almost same as that of electrical conductivity and this indicates the closely correlation between the dielectric relaxation and electrical conductivity. The dielectric relaxation in the present ceramics should be attributed to the mixed-valent structure (Cu+/Cu2+ and Ti3+/Ti4+), which is induced from the oxygen vacancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the continuation rate and identify the factors associated with long-term pessary use, which are essential for counseling women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) seeking long-term pessary treatment. Methods: This prospective observational study included 277 patients who had successful pessary fittings between April 2015 and November 2016. All patients were followed until April 2018. Data analysis was performed with independent-samples t-tests, non-parametric tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results: The median (range) follow-up time was 26 (17-36) months; 76.5% of patients continued to use pessaries at the study endpoint. Sixty-one patients discontinued pessary use, and almost all of them (55/61, 90.2%) discontinued pessary use within the first 12 months after successful pessary fitting. A total vaginal length (TVL) < 7.5 cm (odds ratio [OR], 0.181; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.062-0.524; p = 0.002) and a lower baseline Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6 (POPDI-6) score (OR, 0.974; 95% CI, 0.954-0.994; p = 0.013) were independent factors associated with pessary discontinuation. Conclusion: TVL ≥ 7.5 cm and a higher baseline POPDI-6 score were independent factors associated with long-term pessary use after successful fitting in women with symptomatic POP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The implanted non-vascular stent is prone to fatigue fracture due to the periodic cyclic load caused by long-term physiological motion in the non-vascular lumen. Objective: To effectively study and predict the fatigue performance of non-vascular stents, an experimental setup was designed to simulate and conduct fatigue performance tests on non-vascular stents under various loads. This design simplified the periodic cyclic loads generated within non-vascular lumens, in accordance with the physiological motion patterns of non-vascular lumens, into pulsatile loads. Methods: To meet the requirements of different stents and various fluctuating load conditions during testing, the relationship between test conditions and the fatigue load of the stent was studied based on Fluent. Results: A fatigue test device with a special load module was built and used to complete the fatigue performance test of a group of esophageal stents. It can be found that the experimental device can satisfy the control and application of the fatigue load of the stent, and can effectively realize the testing requirements of the fatigue performance of the stent. Conclusion: In this paper, a non-vascular stent fatigue in vitro test device that can simulate the fluctuating load of a non-vascular lumen is designed. The results of flow field simulation, fatigue simulation, and actual fatigue test show that the device can meet the needs of fatigue test and has good versatility and operability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of vaginal pessary fitting and identify the risk factors associated with unsuccessful pessary fitting in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.Population: Women with symptomatic POP between May 2015 and December 2016 (n = 343).Methods: A successful pessary fitting was defined as a patient fitted with a pessary at the initial fitting and continued use 2 weeks later. The independent samples t-test, non-parametric test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for the data analysis.Main Outcome Measures: The success rate of vaginal pessary fitting and the risk factors associated with unsuccessful pessary fitting.Results: 302 patients had successful pessary fitting (88.0% success rate). A higher body mass index [BMI; 24.7 ± 3.1 kg/m2 in the successful group versus 25.7 ± 3.8 kg/m2 in the unsuccessful group, odds ratio (OR) 1.174, 95% CI 1.055-1.307, P = 0.003] and a shorter TVL [8.0 (8-9) cm in the successful group versus 7.0 (6.8-8) cm in the unsuccessful group, OR 0.338, 95% CI 0.223-0.513, P < 0.001) were independent predictors of an unsuccessful pessary fitting. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that patients with a total vaginal length (TVL) less than 7.3 cm had a higher unsuccessful pessary fitting rate (sensitivity = 0.82, specificity = 0.64).Conclusions: A higher BMI and shorter TVL were independent predictors of an unsuccessful pessary fitting. Patients with a TVL <7.3 cm are not appropriate candidates for a vaginal pessary.Tweetable Abstract: A higher BMI and shorter TVL (<7.3 cm) were independent predictors of an unsuccessful pessary fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plastic deformation of materials is affected by external boundaries and microstructures, both of which can induce a serious phenomenon, viz., “size effects” in the microforming process. The interaction of these two kinds of size effects, however, is still not clear, thus significantly hinders the understanding and development of the microforming process. In this study, the co-effect of microstructure and surface constraints on the plastic deformation of material was investigated by using the barreling compression tests (BCT) of micro- and mesoscaled cylindrical pure copper specimens. Through comparing the barreling degree and the distribution of deformation bands of compressed specimens in different size scales, a size effect on plastic deformation caused by the interaction of microstructure and surface constraints was observed. To determine the mechanism of the observed size effect, an extended upper bound solution of barreling was firstly developed by employing the surface layer theory and validated by comparing the predicted average and scatter values of barreling magnitude with the experimental measurements in different size scales. Based on the validated solution, the energies dissipated by intergrain restrictions and surface constraints in the deformation of different scaled specimens were obtained and compared, and the mechanism of size effect on plastic deformation was determined as the change of dominating restrictions to grain rotation from intergrain restriction to surface constraints. Furthermore, the critical size scale point for the transformation of dominating restrictions as well as the dependence of the critical size scale point on the shape of the specimen and surface friction was obtained. The research thus provides an in-depth understanding of the plastic deformation in micro- and mesoscaled deformation and thus facilitates the forming of the desired geometry and shape and achieving of the tailored quality of the micro- and mesoscaled deformed parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interlayer coupling in spin-valve films is usually dominated by the ferromagnetic Néel coupling of a magnetostatic nature due to interfacial roughness. The addition of N[SUB2] as a second sputter gas species during deposition of thin layers in PtMn bottom spin-valve films has shown effectiveness in the reduction of interfacial roughness and, therefore, control of ferromagnetic Néel coupling. The interlayer coupling field has been more effectively reduced from an original 38.8 Oe down to 6.1 Oe at a Cu spacer layer thickness of 24 Å with the addition of 4 sccm N[SUB2] gas during the Cu spacer layer deposition. In addition to higher giant magnetoresistance values over 10% at thinner Cu spacer layer thicknesses, a pronounced oscillatory dependence of the interlayer coupling field on Cu spacer layer thickness has been observed. Apparently, nitrogen serves as surfactant and helps layer-by-layer growth of Cu on a CoFe pinned layer, resulting in smoother CoFe/Cu and Cu/CoFe interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three different techniques, natural oxidation, remote plasma oxidation and low energy ion beam oxidation, have been proved to be equally effective in forming nano-oxide layers (NOLs) in spin-valve films for specular enhancement of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. GMR values over 12% have been routinely obtained in spin-valve films with NOL, corresponding to a 30% specular enhancement over those without NOL. The consistency and robustness of the oxidation processes has been demonstrated by a very large GMR value ∼19% in a dual spin-valve film with the NOLs formed in both pinned layers, the oscillatory dependence of the interlayer coupling field on Cu layer thickness in specular enhanced spin-valve films and the uniform and repeatable film performance over 5 in. substrates. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magneto-transport properties have been systematically studied in Cu-wedge regular and specular spin valves prepared by magnetron sputtering. In the specular spin valve, a thin oxide layer is inserted between the Ta underlayer and the free layer to provide a specular interface. Up to 50% enhancement in giant magnetoresistance (GMR) is realized by the specular interface at room temperature. The observed Cu layer thickness dependence of both the resistivity and GMR in both types of the spin valves has been satisfactorily modeled using a semiclassical Boltzmann approach. Temperature dependence of the GMR has been measured from 325 to 15 K for several Cu-layer thicknesses. The specular scattering enhancement initially increases as the temperature is lowered from 325 K, but rapidly decreases below 100 K. This decrease is correlated with the reduced degree of the full antiparallel alignment between the magnetic moments of the pinned and free layers in the specular spin valve, ! which is caused by the antiferromagnetic ordering of the oxide layer. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two sets of PtPdMn exchange biased films Ta 50 Å/CoFe 100 Å/PtPdMn (t[sub AF]) Å/Ta 50 Å, with PtPdMn thickness, t[sub AF]=350, 600 Å, were deposited on Si substrates by dc magnetron sputtering techniques. After magnetic annealing, these two sets of films exhibited values of exchange bias field, H[sub ex]=229 and 254 Oe, respectively. The PtPdMn layer was then thinned to various thicknesses from 600 down to 50 Å by ion beam etching. H[sub ex] does not retain its original value. It decreases with decreasing t[sub AF] and becomes zero at t[sub AF]∼75 Å. In addition, we have observed that the training effect or the anomalous hysteresis loss becomes more pronounced with decreasing t[sub AF]. This confirms that not only face-centered-tetragonal phase but, more critically, t[sub AF] plays role in determining exchange biasing and its thermal stability. The blocking temperature, T[sub B], appears unaffected by the thinning of the PtPdMn layer, and no apparent change occurs in the local blocking temperature distribution, as suggested by the finite size effect. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of base pressure, P[sub b], on physical properties of FeMn exchange biased spin-valve films was studied by varying P[sub b] over two decades from 3×10[sup -8] to 7×10[sup -6] Torr. Giant magnetoresistive value shows a slight increase with increasing P[sub b] until a large decrease occurs at P[sub b]>3.3×10[sup -6] Torr. Exchange bias field and blocking temperature remain constant in the base pressure range between 3×10[sup -8] and 5×10[sup -7] Torr before a large reduction appears. Our results indicate an upper limit for base pressure, [sup u]P[sub b]approx. 5×10[sup -7] Torr, above which significant spin-valve performance modification and deterioration in the crystallographic texture begin as a result of the contamination both at the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic interface and in the bulk of FeMn layer. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we report the magnetic properties of ultrathin (15–200 Å) NiFe and CoFe films deposited using ion beam deposition techniques. They are symmetrically sandwiched between Ta, Cu, or Ta/Cu under and capping layers. NiFe and CoFe films grown between Ta/Cu and Cu/Ta bilayers exhibit the smallest magnetic thickness loss of about 1 Å. This interfacial magnetic dead layer thickness, t[sub 0], is about 5 Å for Cu-sandwiched films and about 15 Å for Ta-sandwiched films. As the film thickness becomes thinner than 100 Å, the magnetic properties are found to be more sensitive to the choice of material and growth environment. CoFe films show an interfacial contribution, λ[sub i], about ten times larger than that for NiFe films. Among others, NiFe and CoFe films sandwiched by Ta/Cu and Cu/Ta bilayers exhibit the smallest values of λ[sub i]. The magnetic anisotropy in Ta-sandwiched CoFe films appears to be predominantly magnetoelastic in nature. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes how the ion beam deposition techniques have been employed to prepare chromium/cobalt chromium platinum bilayers for hard bias applications in magnetoresistive films. Experimental procedures; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Presents information on a study which correlated the magnetic properties to the microstructure of thin nickel-iron films. Experimental methods; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Provides information on a study which measured giant magnetoresistance in simple NiFe/CoFe/Cu/CoFe/IrMn top spin-valve prepared by ion beam deposition techniques. Experimental methods; Results and discussion.

Examines the phase compositions of rapidly quenched Nd[sub4]Fe[sub77.5]B[sub18.5] alloys annealed under different conditions. Preparation of the samples; Data on the spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and Mössbauer spectra for the alloys.

Presents the nuclear magnetic resonance study of the short range order in iron-boron amorphous powders prepared by borohydride reduction. Details of the experiment; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Since the isolation and identification of Akkermansia muciniphila one decade ago, much attention has been drawn to this gut bacterium due to its role in obesity and type 2 diabetes. This report describes the discovery and biochemical characterisation of all four putative neuraminidases annotated in the A. muciniphila genome. Recombinantly expressed candidate genes, which were designated Am0705, Am0707, Am1757 and Am2085, were shown to cover complementary pH ranges between 4.0 and 9.5. Temperature optima of the enzymes lay between 37 and 42 °C. All four enzymes were strongly inhibited by Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ , and loss of activity after the addition of EDTA suggests that all neuraminidases, with the exception of Am0707, require divalent metal ions for their catalytic function. Chemoenzymatically synthesised α2,3- and α2,6-linked indoyl-sialosides were utilised to determine the regioselectivity and substrate promiscuity of the neuraminidases towards C5-modifications of sialic acids with N -acetyl-, N -glycolyl-, N -propionyl-, or hydroxyl-groups. The combination of simple purification procedures and good activities of some of the characterised neuraminidases makes them potentially interesting as tools in bioanalytical or industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refineries’ production plan modeling with simple planning models such as the fixed yield planning models fail to reflect the operating conditions of the processing units. In this work, an integrated optimization strategy including production planning optimization, search of operating parameters and the operation optimization of fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) units was proposed. The solution of optimal integration was validated by case studies of a monthly plan for a whole refinery, which included three FCC units. The results indicated that the optimization strategy was efficient in determining a practically executed optimal plan and corresponding operating conditions of FCC units. The integrated refinery planning model predicted higher profit and could provide the feasible or optimal FCC operation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the low-redshift Universe, the most powerful radio sources are often associated with gasrich galaxy mergers or interactions. We here present evidence for an advanced, gasich ('wet') merger associated with a powerful radio galaxy at a redshift of z ~ 2. This radio galaxy, MRC 0152-209, is the most infrared-luminous high-redshift radio galaxy known in the Southern hemisphere. Using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we obtained high-resolution CO(1-0) data of cold molecular gas, which we complement with Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Wide Field Planetary Camera 2(WFPC2) imaging and William Herschel Telescope long-slit spectroscopy. We find that,while roughly MH2 ~2 x 1010 M⊙ of molecular gas coincides with the central host galaxy, another MH2 ~ 3 x 1010 M⊙ is spread across a total extent of ~60 kpc. Most of this widespread CO(1-0) appears to follow prominent tidal features visible in the rest-frame near-UV HST/WFPC2 imaging. Lya emission shows an excess over He II, but a deficiency over LIR, which is likely the result of photoionization by enhanced but very obscured star formation that was triggered by the merger. In terms of feedback, the radio source is aligned with widespread CO(1-0) emission, which suggests that there is a physical link between the propagating radio jets and the presence of cold molecular gas on scales of the galaxy's halo. Its optical appearance, combined with the transformational stage at which we witness the evolution of MRC 0152-209, leads us to adopt the name 'Dragonfly Galaxy'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the low-redshift Universe, the most powerful radio sources are often associated with gasrich galaxy mergers or interactions. We here present evidence for an advanced, gas-rich ('wet') merger associated with a powerful radio galaxy at a redshift of z ~ 2. This radio galaxy, MRC 0152-209, is the most infrared-luminous high-redshift radio galaxy known in the Southern hemisphere. Using the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we obtained highresolution CO(1-0) data of cold molecular gas, which we complement with Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) imaging and William Herschel Telescope long-slit spectroscopy. We find that, while roughlyMH2 ~2×1010M⊙ of molecular gas coincides with the central host galaxy, another MH2 ~ 3 × 1010 M⊙ is spread across a total extent of~60 kpc. Most of this widespread CO(1-0) appears to follow prominent tidal features visible in the rest-frame near-UV HST/WFPC2 imaging. Lyα emission shows an excess over He II, but a deficiency over LIR, which is likely the result of photoionization by enhanced but very obscured star formation that was triggered by the merger. In terms of feedback, the radio source is aligned with widespread CO(1-0) emission, which suggests that there is a physical link between the propagating radio jets and the presence of cold molecular gas on scales of the galaxy's halo. Its optical appearance, combined with the transformational stage at which we witness the evolution of MRC 0152-209, leads us to adopt the name 'Dragonfly Galaxy'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A differential evolution (DE) algorithm for determining 16 advanced turning model parameters of a 1.2 million industrial fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit modeling by HYSYS 8.4 is presented. Industrial data from a Chinese petroleum refinery were used to develop, train and check the model. Due to FCC complexity, the proposed model is capable of predicting the yield of products based on main operating conditions. The optimized FCC model is used for further optimized analysis of the FCC unit operating conditions based on the maximum of economic benefits. Prediction of the economic benefit of FCC unit increases 917 yuan/h at the optimized operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrically generated flows around a thin dielectric plate pierced by a cylindrical hole are computed numerically. The geometry represents that of a single nanopore in a membrane. When the membrane is uncharged, flow is due solely to induced charge electroosmosis, and eddies are generated by the high fields at the corners of the nanopore. These eddies meet at stagnation points. If the geometry is chosen correctly, the stagnation points merge to form a single stagnation point at which four streamlines cross at a point and eight eddies meet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical model of electroosmosisthrough a circular pore ofradius athat traverses a membrane of thickness his investigated. Both the cylindrical surface of the poreand the outer surfaces of the membrane are charged. When h≫ a, end effects are negligible, and theresults of full numerical computations of electroosmosis in an infinitepore agree with theory. When h= 0, end effects dominate,and computations again agree with analysis. For intermediate valuesof h/a, an approximate analysisthat combines these two limiting cases captures the main featuresof computational results when the Debye length κ–1is small compared with the pore radius a. However,the approximate analysis fails when κ–1≫ a, when the charge cloud due to the charged cylindricalwalls of the pore spills out of the ends of the pore, and the electroosmoticflow is reduced. When this spilling out is included in the analysis,agreement with computation is restored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential involvement of CYP3A43 in systemic olanzapine (OLA) metabolism has been suggested by one reported association between the intronic polymorphism CYP3A43 rs472660G>A and OLA clearance in 235 White and African-American patients. Trough plasma OLA concentrations in AA carriers were predicted on average 48% lower than in GG carriers. In the current study, we evaluated this finding by genotyping 374 White psychiatric patients on long-term OLA treatment. No significant difference in dose-adjusted trough serum OLA concentrations was observed between the seven AA carriers identified and the other two genotypes, without (P=0.6) or with (P=0.23) adjustment for additional covariates previously known to influence systemic OLA exposure. Because of the low prevalence of the rs472660 AA genotype in White populations (2%), larger study cohorts are needed for future association confirmation. Overall, CYP3A43 rs472660 is not likely to be a major contributor towards variability in systemic OLA exposure among White patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolism of the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine (OLA) is partially catalyzed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, a target of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-mediated induction. We investigated the influence of four cis-acting polymorphisms (rs2470893C>T and rs2472297C>T between CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 loci, and rs762551C>A and rs2472304A>G within CYP1A2) as well as one trans-acting polymorphism upstream of the AHR locus (rs4410790C>T) on interindividual variation in systemic OLA exposure.A cohort of 342 Caucasian psychiatric patients on long-term OLA treatment was genotyped using Illumina GoldenGate assays. The influence of haplotype and genotype was evaluated in terms of dose-adjusted steady-state serum concentrations (C/Ds) of OLA and the 4′-desmethyl OLA (DMO) to OLA ratio, a marker for CYP1A2-mediated metabolism of OLA.The CYP1A haplotype [rs2470893 (T)-rs2472297 (T)-rs762551 (A)] was associated with an increased DMO/OLA ratio and decreased C/Ds of OLA. This haplotype could not be tagged by rs762551 (A) but was tagged by rs2472297C>T, a single nucleotide polymorphism further identified as a significant covariate of the DMO/OLA ratio (P=0.0001) and OLA C/D (P=0.01). AHR rs4410790C>T influenced only the DMO/OLA ratio (P=0.02). Among nonsmokers, patients carrying rs2472297 (T) and homozygous for rs4410790 (C) [n=26; mean=0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19-0.26] showed a 1.7-fold higher mean DMO/OLA ratio compared with those carrying rs4410790 (T) and homozygous for rs2472297 (C) (n=50; mean=0.13, 95% CI 0.12-0.16, P=0.0001), together with a nonsignificant decrease in the mean OLA C/D.The reported influence of CYP1A2∗1F (also known as CYP1A2-163A, rs762551C>A) on systemic OLA exposure could not be verified. CYP1A1/CYP1A2 rs2472297C>T and AHR rs4410790C>T are potentially useful genetic markers associated with variability in CYP1A2-mediated metabolism, but are of minor quantitative importance for systemic OLA exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Single phase ceramics in the vicinity of CaNdAlO4 in CaO-Nd2O3-Al2O3 ternary system, such as ternary oxide compound CaNdAl3O7 and binary oxide compounds NdAlO3, CaAl2O4, Ca3Al2O6 and Ca12Al14O33, were prepared by the standard solid state reaction route. The phases and structure of the ceramics were analysed through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The microwave dielectric characteristics of the ceramics were studied using a network analyser. High Qf values were obtained in CaNdAlO4, CaNdAl3O7, NdAlO3 and CaAl2O4, while the Qf values in Ca3Al2O6 and Ca12Al14O33 were much lower. The best microwave dielectric characteristics (r = 8·9, Qf = 90 800 GHz at ∼9·40 GHz and τf≈-55·2 MK-1) were achieved for CaAl2O4 ceramics sintered at 1425°C in air for 3 h. It could be expected as a promising new candidate for microwave dielectric ceramics. Moreover, the present results showed the direction for modification of CaNdAlO4 microwave dielectric characteristics through composition tailoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study is to quantify patterns of age-related shape change in the human thorax using Procrustes superimposition. Landmarks (n=106) selected from anonymized computed tomography (CT) scans of 63 adult males free of skeletal pathology were used to describe the form of the rib cage. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine a relationship between landmark location and age. Linear and quadratic models were also investigated. A permutation test employing 1×105 random trials was used to assess the model significance for both model formulations. Linear relationships between the centroid size (CS) of a landmark set and the corresponding individual''s height, weight, and BMI were conducted to enable scaling of the dimensionless results from the Procrustes analysis. A significance level of α=0.05 was used for all tests. The average age of the study subjects was 57.0±17.3 years. Complete landmark sets were obtained from most of the scans (44 of 63). The quadratic relationship between the age and landmark location was found to be significant (p=0.037), thereby establishing a relationship between the age and thoracic shape change. The linear relationship was mildly significant as well (p=0.073). Significant relationships between the centroid size of the dataset and subject weight, height and BMI were determined, with the best-correlated value being weight (p=0.002, R 2=0.22). Landmark datasets calculated using the quadratic model exhibited shape change consistent with the clinical observations (increasing kyphosis and rounding of the thoracic cage). Procrustes superimposition represents a potential improvement in the approach used to generate computational models for injury biomechanics studies. The coefficients from the quadratic model are provided and can be used to generate the complete set of model landmark data points at a given age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Optimising multi-responses simultaneously is critical to improving the quality of consumer goods (Physico-Chemical or Sensory profiles). The approaches developed so far to solve this issue are based on composite functions (Desirability, Distance, and Loss). Transforming the multi-response problem, into a single response problem, makes optimisation simpler but leads to an obvious loss of information. Our hypothesis assumes that, in a Food or Chemistry products, it is more relevant to target acceptable ranges for each response rather than targeting an utopian single optimum. Our approach aims at finding a combination of input factors leading simultaneously all responses in their respective acceptable ranges, by keeping the multi-dimensionality of the multi-response system. We use two techniques to optimise the system: an Interactive Technique developed in Microsoft® Excel and a Numerical Grid Search written in R language. The first one helps user to find, in real time, optimum compromises between responses, by involving interactive input factor control and monitoring charts. The Grid Search technique leads to a global optimum by screening exhaustively the experimental space. A comparison of the techniques on a food industry example shows on one hand, the benefit of the Interactive Technique for understanding the system, and on the other hand, the performance of the Grid Search to identify the global optimum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Probiotics have been proposed for the management and prevention of acute diarrhoea in infants. A double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled study was carried out in 224 Chinese infants 6 to 36 months of age with severe acute diarrhoea and free from moderate or severe malnutrition. After oral or parenteral rehydration, they were allocated to one of three groups: a lactose-free formula (Control); the same formula but with viable 10(8)CFU B. lactis Bb12 and 5x10(7)CFU St. thermophilus TH4 per gram of powder and, the same formula with the same microorganisms, but with 10(9)CFU/g and 5x10(8)CFU, respectively. Anthropometric parameters, duration of the diarrhoea and rotavirus shedding were evaluated. Eighty seven percent of the episodes were associated with rotavirus infection. The duration of the diarrhoea was not influenced by the intake of probiotics. However, a decrease of rotavirus shedding was observed in infants fed the formula with 10(9) Bb12/g, a finding of probable epidemiological importance in the transmission of this agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum-dot (QD) lasers with emission wavelength at 1295 nm at room temperature are fabricated. The laser active region contains a threefold stack of QD layers with surface dot density of 4.56 × 1010 cm-2. The laser structure is aluminum-free with InGaP as cladding layers. Threshold current density of a narrow stripe laser of 8 µm wide and 3.5 mm long is 152.5 A/cm2. The highest relaxation oscillation frequency measured at room temperature is 1.8 GHz, corresponding to a modulation bandwidth of 2.8 GHz due to the small damping factor. From the above measurement, the differential gain and gain compression factor were extracted to be 4.3 × 10-16 cm2 and 3.4 × 10-17 cm3, respectively. Using these parameters, the maximum modulation bandwidthf3 dB max is estimated as 7.9 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the theory and experimental results of an optical imaging technique that simultaneously measures the deflections of a focal plane array of bimaterial microcantilevers that are used as thermomechanical infrared sensors. Based on Fourier optics, this technique is used for infrared vision of room-temperature objects with a noise-equivalent temperature difference (NETD) in the range of 2-5 K. Efforts are currently underway to improve the NETD to the range of 30-50 mK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005, Eclipta prostrata plants exhibiting yellow vein symptoms were observed in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China. A virus isolate G8 was cloned from a symptomatic plant. The complete nucleotide sequence of G8 DNA-A was determined to be 2745 nucleotides, which had typical characteristics of Begomovirus genome organization. The comparison of complete nucleotide sequence of DNA-A showed that isolate G8 shared the highest sequence identity with Alternanthera yellow vein virus (AlYVV) isolates G38 and Hn51 at 95.9% and 94.3%, respectively. These results show that G8 infecting E. prostrata in Guangdong is a strain of AlYVV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hospitalized patients with hyperkalemia are heterogeneous, and cluster approaches may identify specific homogenous groups. This study aimed to cluster patients with hyperkalemia on admission using unsupervised machine learning (ML) consensus clustering approach, and to compare characteristics and outcomes among these distinct clusters. Methods Consensus cluster analysis was performed in 5133 hospitalized adult patients with admission hyperkalemia, based on available clinical and laboratory data. The standardized mean difference was used to identify each cluster's key clinical features. The association of hyperkalemia clusters with hospital and 1-year mortality was assessed using logistic and Cox proportional hazard regression. Results Three distinct clusters of hyperkalemia patients were identified using consensus cluster analysis: 1661 (32%) in cluster 1, 2455 (48%) in cluster 2 and 1017 (20%) in cluster 3. Cluster 1 was mainly characterized by older age, higher serum chloride and acute kidney injury (AKI), but lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum bicarbonate and hemoglobin. Cluster 2 was mainly characterized by higher eGFR, serum bicarbonate and hemoglobin, but lower comorbidity burden, serum potassium and AKI. Cluster 3 was mainly characterized by higher comorbidity burden, particularly diabetes and end-stage kidney disease, AKI, serum potassium, anion gap, but lower eGFR, serum sodium, chloride and bicarbonate. Hospital and 1-year mortality risk was significantly different among the three identified clusters, with highest mortality in cluster 3, followed by cluster 1 and then cluster 2. Conclusion In a heterogeneous cohort of hyperkalemia patients, three distinct clusters were identified using unsupervised ML. These three clusters had different clinical characteristics and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the performance of bottom synthetic spin-valve films with a newly developed ruthenium (Ru)-based nano-oxide layer (NOL). Two energetic oxidation techniques using an ion beam and a gas cluster ion beam were applied for the formation of the Ru NOL in the synthetic pinned layer. The giant magnetoresistance (GMR) was greatly enhanced from 13.8% to 15.7% with no sign of degradation in the pinning strength. In addition, these Ru NOL-bearing spin-valve films have demonstrated an excellent thermal stability, withstanding repeated thermal annealing cycles at elevated temperatures. This performance is clearly superior to that from the spin-valve films with a conventional CoFe-based NOL. The Ru NOL has shown a great potential for high-amplitude read sensor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which evaluated the feasibility of ultrathin atomic-layer chemical vapor deposition technique aluminum oxide[subx] films as the tunnel barrier for magnetic tunnel junction applications. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Discusses a study which examined the development of nonexchange fluorine/copper/fluorine sandwich films with an enhanced giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect. Theory behind GMR effect; Materials and methodology used; Results and discussion.

Presents a study which investigated the effects of aluminum thickness on resistance and area product (RA) and magnetic resonance (MR) ratio in spin-dependent junctions. Experimental procedures; Results and discussions; Conclusions.

Presents the design, fabrication and imaging results of an uncooled infrared (IR) camera that contains a focal plane array of bimaterial microcantilever sensors. Optical readout technique for measurement of cantilever deflections in the nanometer range to project a visible image of the IR scene on the human eye or a visible camera.

Presents a study which analyzed the enhanced exchange biasing of ion-beam sputtered bottom spin-valve films. Advantages of using exchange biased spin-valve films in magnetic recording heads; Experimental methods; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Provides information on a study on the magnetic properties of Cr/CoPt hard bias films fabricated by ion beam deposition techniques and the distinct characteristics of Cr/CoPt and Cr/CoCrPt films. Experimental methods; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Examines quantum dot (QD) lasers made of stacked indium arsenide dots grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Increase photoluminescence intensity upon thin layer deposition; Allowance of continuous wave operation at room temperature in lasers with threefold stacked QD; Temperature dependence of the lasing energies.

Presents the results of a study regarding the characteristics of Ni18Fe19/Cu multilayers deposited by direct current planetary magnetron sputtering techniques. Experimental details; Results of the study; Conclusions.

Presents the results of a systematic study on optimization of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) response in cobalt/copper (Co/Cu) multilayers for copper layer thickness near the second oscillatory peak. Experimental methods; Results of the study and its analysis; Conclusions.

Presents an ultra-high density magnetic sensor research with focus on the unshielded copper-cobalt (Cu-Co) current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. Outline of the processes developed to fabricate CPP GMR devices; Comparison of CPP and current flow in the multilayer plane (CIP) GMR responses; Advantages of using the CPP mode; Conclusion.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on successful pessary treatment for postmenopausal women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP).Methods: We performed a prospective study involving postmenopausal women with POP who visited our clinic seeking pessary treatment. Demographic information and medical histories were collected. The participants completed the following questionnaires at baseline and after 3 months of successful pessary use: (1) the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7); (2) the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20); and (3) the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The data were analyzed with the independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test as appropriate.Results: In total, 102 (92.7%) participants who completed the entire study were included in the analysis. No significant differences were found in the sociodemographic or clinical characteristics between the 'positive' and 'negative' depressive symptom groups (p > 0.05). After 3 months of successful pessary treatment, the scores of the PFIQ-7 (including the Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire-7, the Colon Rectal Anal Impact Questionnaire-7 and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire-7 subscales) and PFDI-20 (including the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6, the Colon Rectal Anal Distress Inventory-8 and the Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) subscales) were significantly decreased in all participants (p < 0.05). The PHQ-9 score was also significantly decreased (p < 0.001). However, the participants with depressive symptoms reported significantly less improvement post-treatment than those without depressive symptoms in the score of the PFDI-20 subscale UDI-6, which represented the degree of distress due to the lower urinary tract symptoms (p = 0.022).Conclusions: Both the quality of life and depressive symptom scores were significantly improved after 3 months of successful pessary use. We advocate making depressive symptom screening a regular indicator for assessing the effectiveness of conservative POP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of general anxiety disorder (GAD) among postmenopausal women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to identify its associated factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal women with symptomatic POP. Sociodemographic data and medical histories were obtained. Participants completed the POP Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7), and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) measures. Measures of GAD were obtained using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). The data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, the Mann-Whitney U-test, χ2 tests, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression.Results: Of the 177 participants interviewed, 19.2% had symptoms of GAD. There were no statistically significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics or the POP-Q stage between women with and without GAD (p > 0.05). GAD was significantly associated with higher PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 subscale scores (p < 0.05). After multiple logistic regression analyses, only the PFIQ-7 subscale UIQ-7 (odds ratio = 1.025, 95% confidence interval 1.007-1.043, p = 0.005) and the PFDI-20 subscale CRADI-8 (odds ratio = 1.025, 95% confidence interval 1.004-1.047, p = 0.021), which represented the impact on quality of life from lower urinary tract symptoms and the distress caused by bowel dysfunction, were risk factors that were independently associated with GAD.Conclusions: GAD is prevalent in almost one-fifth of postmenopausal women with symptomatic POP. GAD is not associated with the severity of the POP-Q stage but is associated with higher scores for lower urinary tract and bowel dysfunction caused by POP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The reported risk of depression in patients with hypomagnesaemia is controversial. Aim The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between depression and hypomagnesaemia. Methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database and from inception through October 2014. Studies that reported odds ratios, relative risks or hazard ratios comparing the risk of depression in patients with hypomagnesaemia were included. Pooled risk ratios ( RR) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results Six observational studies (three cohort studies, two cross-sectional studies and a case-control study) with a total of 19 137 patients were identified and included in the data analysis. The pooled RR of depression in patients with hypomagnesaemia was 1.34 (95% CI, 1.01-1.79, I2 = 33%). The association between depression and hypomagnesaemia was marginally insignificant after the sensitivity analysis including only cohort and case-control studies, with a pooled RR of 1.38 (95% CI, 0.92-2.07, I2 = 24%). Conclusion Our study demonstrates a potential association between hypomagnesaemia and depression. Further studies assessing the benefits of treatment of hypomagnesaemia in patients with depression are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In clinical trials and other medical studies, it has become increasingly common to observe simultaneously an event time of interest and longitudinal covariates. In the literature, joint modelling approaches have been employed to analyse both survival and longitudinal processes and to investigate their association. However, these approaches focus mostly on developing adaptive and flexible longitudinal processes based on a prespecified survival model, most commonly the Cox proportional hazards model. In this paper, we propose a general class of semiparametric hazard regression models, referred to as the extended hazard model, for the survival component. This class includes two popular survival models, the Cox proportional hazards model and the accelerated failure time model, as special cases. The proposed model is flexible for modelling event data, and its nested structure facilitates model selection for the survival component through likelihood ratio tests. A pseudo joint likelihood approach is proposed for estimating the unknown parameters and components via a Monte Carlo em algorithm. Asymptotic theory for the estimators is developed together with theory for the semiparametric likelihood ratio tests. The performance of the procedure is demonstrated through simulation studies. A case study featuring data from a Taiwanese HIV/AIDS cohort study further illustrates the usefulness of the extended hazard model. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]