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JUNA measured the SP 19 sp F(p, ) SP 16 sp O channel down to the lowest energy of E SB c.m. sb 72 keV, and the JUNA rate deviates significantly from the previous expectations by a factor of 0.2-1.3 [[21]]. Thanks to the advantages provided by CJPL, the Jinping Underground Nuclear Astrophysics (JUNA) experiment collaboration has proposed to exploit the extremely low background and try to reach the Gamow region in CJPL-II A1 Hall (see Figure 1) [[9]]. Previously, this reaction was thought to be weak compared to the SP 19 sp F(p, ) SP 16 sp O reaction, so most of the SP 19 sp F produced by the CNO cycle would be recycled back into SP 16 sp O, with no substantial chemical abundance changes. The background mainly consists of the neutron-induced background from SP 13 sp C( ,n) SP 16 sp O reaction and the gamma background from other ( , ) reactions, making the analysis complicated. [Extracted from the article]

A correction to the article "Identification of QTLs associated with resistance to soybean cyst nematode races 2, 3 and 5 in soybean PI 90763" that was published in volume 111, 2005 issue of "Theoretical and Applied Genetics" journal is presented.

Ultrasonic vibration is widely utilized in manufacturing processes mainly because acoustic field could significantly affect the metal plasticity leading to stress reduction. However, viewpoints on the influence mechanism have not reached a consensus yet. In this paper, an ultrasonic vibration assisted uniaxial tension experiment with copper foils is carried out using a specially-developed device. The results show that the extent of stress reduction increases with the increase of the vibration amplitude. Acoustic softening and stress superposition are both considered in a developed model to describe the stress reduction due to ultrasonic excitation during metal forming process. Considering that ultrasonic vibration provides the energy for dislocation sliding, acoustic softening is analyzed based on crystal plasticity theory considering ultrasonic intensity. Stress superposition, mostly induced by the additional periodic strain, is included by taking account of its proportional relationship with vibration amplitude. The calculation results from the numerical model show a good agreement with those from the experiment. These findings provide an instructive understanding of mechanism of stress reduction in ultrasonic vibration assisted metal deformation and are especially helpful for pro-actively designing ultrasonic vibration assisted metal forming processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviors of negative refraction of electromagnetic waves propagation at the dielectric–magnetized plasma interface are investigated in detail. The Faraday and Voigt effects on the properties of negative refraction are calculated and discussed. The results show that the behavior of negative refraction can be tuned and controlled correspondingly due to the magneto-optical effects. The properties of negative refraction behave differently in different frequency region and the magnitude of external magnetic field. Moreover, negative refraction can be realized at the dielectric–magnetized plasma interface above the plasma frequency, which is different from the case of dielectric–plasma interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt-60 stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) typically employs frame-based immobilization and single-fraction treatment. In some circumstances, including close proximity to critical structures, large tumor size, and retreatment, SRS must be fractionated, with mask for immobilization. We present a large institutional experience with mask-based fractionated SRS for meningioma and schwannoma. All patients treated with frameless fractionated SRS for meningioma or schwannoma between March 2017 and July 2021 at one institution were identified. Patient, tumor, and treatment variables were abstracted. The primary outcomes were one- and two-year local control (LC), which was analyzed via Kaplan-Meier analysis. This study was approved by the institution's IRB. One hundred and five patients with a total of 126 tumors were treated. The median follow-up time was 18.7 months. The median age at treatment was 66 years. Seventy-one percent of patients were female. Eighty-six percent of tumors (n=108) were meningioma, and the remaining 14% (n=18) were schwannoma. Of the 61 meningiomas for which pathological information was available, 33 were grade 1, 26 were grade 2, and 2 were grade 3. The most common indication for fractionation was proximity to critical structures (55.6% of tumors); other indications were retreatment (23.0%) and large size (21.4%). For the entire cohort, the mean maximal linear size was 34.6 mm; for tumors fractionated due to size, the mean size was 44.4 mm. The median total dose was 2,500 cGy (range: 1,950-3,000), and the median dose per fraction was 500 cGy (range: 500-700); the most common dose-fractionations were 2,500 cGy in 500 cGy per fraction (67.5% of patients) and 2,750 cGy in 550 cGy per fraction (17.5% of patients). The mean target volume was 8.62 cc (range: 0.13-120.0), and the mean maximum dose was 4,716 cGy (range: 3,200-6,000). The prescription isodose line was 50 to 59% for 84% of treatments (mean % IDL, 55%). Target coverage was 100% in all 126 cases. For lesions in proximity to the brainstem, mean brainstem maximum point dose (MPD) was 24.9 Gy and mean brainstem mean dose was 6.7 Gy. For lesions in proximity to the optic pathway, mean optic nerve MPD was 15.7 Gy, mean optic nerve mean dose was 6.4 Gy, mean optic chiasm MPD was 17.3 Gy, and mean optic chiasm mean dose was 7.5 Gy. One-year LC was 97.6% and two-year LC was 93.1%. Twenty-one percent of patients experienced acute grade 1-2 toxicity; there were no grade 3 or higher acute toxicities. Thirteen percent of patients had grade 1-2 radiation necrosis (RN); there were no cases of grade 3 or higher RN. Cobalt-60 frameless fractionated SRS for benign brain tumors offers excellent local control and minimal toxicity. Frameless fractionated SRS is technically feasible, offers excellent sparing of critical structures, and is well-tolerated. Frameless fractionated SRS is an excellent treatment option for patients with large, retreated, or critically located meningioma or schwannoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild vinyl oxetane (I) ring opening that affords mainly Z-substituted allylic thiophosphate products (III) in high yields is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characteristic equations in magnetized plasma with chirality are derived in simple formulations and the dispersion relations for propagation parallel and perpendicular to the external magnetic field are studied in detail. With the help of the dispersion relations of each eigenwave, the author explores chirality-induced negative refraction in magnetized plasma and investigates the effects of parameters (i.e., chirality degree, external magnetic field, etc.) on the negative refraction. The results show that the chirality is the necessary and only one factor which leads to negative refraction without manipulating electrical permittivity and magnetic permeability. Both increasing the degree of chirality and reducing the external magnetic field can result in greater range negative refraction. Parameter dependence of the effects is calculated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS) and depression are long term, central nervous system disorders which have a significant impact on everyday life. Evaluating symptoms of these conditions is problematic and typically involves repeated visits to a clinic. Remote measurement technology (RMT), consisting of smartphone apps and wearables, may offer a way to improve upon existing methods of managing these conditions. The present study aimed to establish the practical requirements that would enable clinical integration of data from patients' RMT, according to healthcare professionals.Methods: This paper reports findings from an online survey of 1006 healthcare professionals currently working in the care of people with epilepsy, MS or depression. The survey included questions on types of data considered useful, how often data should be collected, the value of RMT data, preferred methods of accessing the data, benefits and challenges to RMT implementation, impact of RMT data on clinical practice, and requirement for technical support. The survey was presented on the JISC online surveys platform.Results: Among this sample of 1006 healthcare professionals, respondents were positive about the benefits of RMT, with 73.2% indicating their service would be likely or highly likely to benefit from the implementation of RMT in patient care plans. The data from patients' RMT devices should be made available to all nursing and medical team members and could be reviewed between consultations where flagged by the system. However, results suggest it is also likely that RMT data would be reviewed in preparation for and during a consultation with a patient. Time to review information is likely to be one of the greatest barriers to successful implementation of RMT in clinical practice.Conclusions: While further work would be required to quantify the benefits of RMT in clinical practice, the findings from this survey suggest that a wide array of clinical team members treating epilepsy, MS and depression would find benefit from RMT data in the care of their patients. Findings presented could inform the implementation of RMT and other digital interventions in the clinical management of a range of neurological and mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relatively low strength of aluminum (Al) alloys and Al matrix composites at high temperatures has greatly limited their applications in aerospace and automobile areas. In this study, high-performance carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/Al composites with high room-temperature tensile strength over 500 MPa were tested at elevated temperatures up to 400 °C. Results showed that the strength of CNTs/Al composites increased with increasing CNT content up to 5 vol%. CNTs/Al composites showed improved reinforcing effects at elevated temperatures compared with those at room temperature. Consequently, the 5 vol%CNTs/Al composite achieved high tensile strength of 205 MPa when tested at 400 °C, which was superior to those values (less than 100 MPa) of most available Al matrix composites. The underlying mechanism was thoroughly discussed from the grain sizes, phase compositions, interface reaction and strengthening mechanisms at different testing temperatures. The results have revealed the excellent high-temperature properties of CNTs/Al composites and their potential use at elevated temperatures. [Display omitted] • CNTs could mitigate the strength deterioration in composites at high temperatures. • The thermal stability of CNTs/Al composite was higher than Raw Al and BM Al. • The ultimate tensile strength of CNTs/Al composite achieved 205 MPa at temperature 400 °C. • CNTs reinforcing effect at high temperatures was superior to other reinforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For some highly reliable products, degradation data have been studied quite extensively to evaluate their reliability characteristics. However, the accuracy of evaluation results depends strongly on the suitability of the proposed degradation model for capturing the degradation over time. If the degradation model is mis-specified, it may result in inaccurate results. In this work, we focus on the issue of model mis-specification between nonlinear Wiener process-based degradation models in which both the product-to-product variability and the temporal uncertainty of the degradation can be considered simultaneously with the nonlinearity in degradation paths. Specifically, a generalized Wiener process-based degradation model is wrongly fitted by its two limiting cases. The effects of model mis-specification in such situations on the MTTF (mean-time-to-failure) of the product are measured with the relative bias and the relative variability. Results from a numerical example concerning fatigue cracks show that the effect of mis-specification is serious under some parameter settings, i.e., the relative bias departs from 0, and the relative variability significantly departs from 1, if the generalized Wiener degradation process is wrongly assumed to be its limiting cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The various CoMnSi films, from chemical ordered L2 state to completely disordered amorphous state, were prepared on glass substrates with different deposition/annealing temperatures. The influence of deposition/annealing temperature on the crystallographic defects and atomic disorders, and further on the magnetic and transport properties of the CoMnSi films were investigated in detail. The decrease in crystallinity leads to the structure disorder, spin disorder and further the reduction of magnetization as well as the increase of residual resistivity. The dominant source in anomalous Hall effect for the polycrystalline samples is the skew scattering, while the skew scattering coefficient a becomes larger with the increasing deposition temperature, due to the increase of skew scattering center introduced by the increasing structure disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hydrogen on α 2 -lamella decomposition of a Ti–46Al–2V–1Cr–0.3Ni alloy (at%) was investigated. The extent of α 2 -lamella decomposition was enhanced due to hydrogen addition, which was partly attributed to hydrogen-promoted α 2 →B2 phase transformation and α 2 -phase lamellae coarsening. When the deformation temperature rose to 1473 K, hydrogen-promoted γ-phase twinning and α 2 -phase dislocation movement played a positive role in α 2 -lamella decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative refraction in one- and two-dimensional lossless plasma dielectric photonic crystals consisting of plasma and background materials is theoretically investigated and the necessary conditions for negative refraction in these two structures are obtained. The critical frequency ω0 and the bandwidth Δω for negative refraction are explored, and the parameter dependence of effects such as plasma filling factor and the dielectric constant of background materials is also examined and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic band structures (PBSs) of oblique incidence propagation in one-dimensional plasma-doped photonic crystals (PCs) are investigated carefully. When the lattice constant of plasma-doped PCs is less than the incident wavelength, the PC becomes anisotropic. Therefore, the dielectric constant of PC is converted into a complex tensor dielectric constant. This determines the PBSs of PCs. In the present paper, one-dimensional PCs are taken as an example to study both normal and absorption PBSs. Using both the effective medium approximation and the transfer matrix method, we can derive the dispersion relation for PCs. The dependence of the plasma filling factor on the effective dielectric constant and PBSs is calculated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Management of recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease ( CDAD), particularly in elderly patients, remains clinically challenging. Faecal transplantation ( FT) may restore normal microbiota and break the cycle of recurrent CDAD. Aim To critically appraise the clinical research evidence on the safety and effectiveness of FT compared with standard care in the treatment of patients with CDAD. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted by a research librarian to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2011. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews and Web of Science were searched using the following Medical Subject Headings (Me SH) terms and keywords, alone or in combination: Clostridium infections/Clostridium difficile/pseudomembranous/colitis/faeces/rectal/colon flora/gastrointestinal/nasogastric tube/enema/donor/transplant/infusion/bacteriotherapy/human probiotic infusion. Methodological quality of the included case series studies was assessed in terms of patient selection criteria, consecutive recruitment, prospective data collection, reporting of lost to follow-up, and follow-up rates. Results No controlled studies were found. Based on the weak evidence from seven full-text case series studies of 124 patients with recurrent/refractory CDAD, FT appears to be a safe and effective procedure. In most cases (83%) symptoms improved immediately after the first FT procedure, and some patients stayed diarrhoea free for several months or years. Conclusions Although these results appear to be promising, the treatment effects of faecal transplantation cannot be determined definitively in the absence of a control group. Results from randomised controlled trials that compare faecal transplantation to oral vancomycin without or with a taper regimen will help to better define the role of faecal transplantation in the management of recurrent CDAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic band structures of one-dimensional plasma photonic crystal (1-D PPC) with time-variation plasma density are studied by using differential transfer matrix method. Taking an exponential functional form of time as an illustration of the time-varying plasma density, we examine the photonic band structures of the 1-D PPC. The results show that the photonic band structures can be tuned correspondingly by changing the time which modifies the plasma dielectric constant in different frequency regions, especially in the range of 0<ω<ωp0; whereas well above ωp0, the effects of the time-variation are small. The parameter dependence of the effects is also calculated and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "QTLs Associated With Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode in Soybean Meta-Analysis of QTL Locations: Retraction," by B. Guo and colleagues is presented.

The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of essential fatty acids by Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis during gonadal development and juvenile growth stages. Muscles and eggs from stages II to V control-bred broodfish were sampled to analyze whether fatty acids were transferred from the muscle to the gonads. Fatty acids in the muscles of broodstock females were relatively stable from stages II to IV, whereas the total PUFA content, as well as the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFA and DHA/EPA in stage V gonads were significantly higher than in the corresponding muscle tissue. Naturally spawned eggs collected from the Yangtze spawning area were hatched and cultured in the same environment and with the same feeding strategy as the closed-cycle controll-bred eggs and juveniles. However, the relative content of C18:1n-9 and C22:6n-3 in the naturally spawned eggs was significantly higher. Naturally spawned juvenile n-3 PUFA was also significantly higher than in control-bred juveniles. These findings illustrated that PUFA, especially the DHA, EPA and ARA, are of great absorption and utilization in gonadal development and juvenile growth of Chinese sturgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Superelasticity and cycling stability of an ECAP-processed Ti49.2Ni50.8 alloy were investigated as a function of annealing temperature. After annealing at 400°C for 30min, Ti3Ni4 precipitates formed to strengthen the matrix and yet the grain size kept constant. Such an annealing favors to optimize the superelasticity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A variety of smartphone apps and wearables are available both to help patients monitor their health and to support health care professionals (HCPs) in providing clinical care. As part of the RADAR-CNS consortium, we have conducted research into the application of wearables and smartphone apps in the care of people with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or depression.Methods: We conducted a large online survey study to explore the experiences of HCPs working with patients who have one or more of these conditions. The survey covered smartphone apps and wearables used by clinicians and their patients, and how data from these technologies impacted on the respondents' clinical practice. The survey was conducted between February 2019 and March 2020 via a web-based platform. Detailed statistical analysis was performed on the answers.Results: Of 1009 survey responses from HCPs, 1006 were included in the analysis after data cleaning. Smartphone apps are used by more than half of responding HCPs and more than three quarters of their patients use smartphone apps or wearable devices for health-related purposes. HCPs widely believe the data that patients collect using these devices impacts their clinical practice. Subgroup analyses show that views on the impact of this data on different aspects of clinical work varies according to whether respondents use apps themselves, and, to a lesser extent, according to their clinical setting and job role.Conclusions: Use of smartphone apps is widespread among HCPs participating in this large European survey and caring for people with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and depression. The majority of respondents indicate that they treat patients who use wearables and other devices for health-related purposes and that data from these devices has an impact on clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the precise positions of stars in CCD frames, various centering algorithms have been proposed for astrometry. The effective point spread function (ePSF) and the Gaussian centering algorithms are two representative centering algorithms. This paper compares in detail and investigates these two centering algorithms in performing data reduction. Specifically, synthetic star images in different conditions (i.e. profiles, fluxes, backgrounds and full width at half maximums) are generated and processed. We find that the difference in precision between the two algorithms is related to the profiles of the star images. Therefore, the precision comparison results using an ideal Gaussian-profile star image cannot be extended to other more specific experimental scenarios. Based on the simulation results, the most appropriate algorithm can be selected according to the image characteristics of observations, and the loss of precision of other algorithms can be estimated. The conclusions are verified using observations captured by the 1-m and 2.4-m telescopes at Yunnan Observatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We analyze here the basic philosophy of alloy design and process–structure–property paradigm in pipeline steels. Microstructure of pipeline steels of yield strength in the range of 65ksi (450MPa) to 120ksi (840MPa) was characterized and the key factors that influenced the microstructure and mechanical properties of pipeline steels were examined. Based on the experimental results and analysis, it is underscored that optimizing C and Mn contents is important to eliminate undesired microstructure and obtain high toughness in pipeline steels. Adequate amount of ferrite is necessary to ensure high deformability of high grade pipeline steels. In ultrahigh strength pipeline steels, bainite obtained through rational alloy design (Mo, B), and suitable processing route (especially high cooling rate and low end cooling temperature) is beneficial in obtaining high strength–toughness combination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) was used to study outgassing from polycrystalline SiGe (poly-SiGe), SiC and SiO2 films used for poly-SiGe-based MEMS thin film vacuum package technology. Primary desorption products were found to be H2, H2O and CO2. The CO2 outgassing could be correlated with CF4 plasma interface cleaning used for thick SiGe PECVD, which can leave carbon at the CF4-plasma-cleaned interface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A novel functional ionic liquid (IL), 1-methylimidazolium methacrylate (MimMa), was synthesized for modifying styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites. MimMa was found to be readily polymerized via the initiated radical mechanism and could be analogously grafted onto rubber chains during vulcanization. Substantial hydrogen bonding between polymerized MimMa (poly(MimMa)) and silica can facilitate the silica dispersion and improve the SBR/silica interfacial bonding. Filler networking, curing behavior, silica dispersion and mechanical performance of the modified SBR/silica composites were studied. With a low concentration of MimMa, remarkable improvements in the interfacial interactions and mechanical properties were achieved which was attributed to the improved silica dispersion and strengthened interfacial bonding induced by MimMa. A modified interphase structure was accordingly proposed and related to the mechanical performance of the modified SBR/silica composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The angular distribution of the 2H ( 6He,7Li n reaction was measured with a secondary 6He beam of 36.4MeV for the first time. The proton spectroscopic factor of 7Li ground state was extracted to be 0.42±0.06 by normalizing the calculational differential cross-sections with the distorted-wave Born approximation to the experimental data. It was discussed that the uncertainty of extracted spectroscopic factors from the one-nucleon transfer reactions induced by deuteron might be reduced by determining the volume integrals of imaginary optical potentials precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The process of hydroforming a Y-shape tube was investigated through numerical simulation and experiments. Characteristics of three different forming stages were studied. Thickness distribution of these three stages and the thickness of typical location that varies with internal pressure during forming process were analyzed when the calibration pressure was 136MPa. It is shown that thickness distribution of the leftward fillet transition region is the thickest, rightward takes the second place, the top of the protrusion is the thinnest after forming. The influence of different calibration pressures on the thickness distribution was studied through numerical simulation. It is indicated from the simulation results that with the increase of calibration pressure, the biggest thickening rate is not obviously changed; however, the highest thinning rate increased significantly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

PurposeTo determine the effects of pericytes and angiopoietin-1 on the expression of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in retinal endothelial cells (ECs) under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions.MethodsRat primary retinal microvascular ECs were cultured under normoxia or hypoxia in either absence or presence of pericytes conditioned medium (PCM). PCM was pretreated with or without angiopoietin-1 neutralizing antibody. Immuofluorescent staining, Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the alterations of occludin and ZO-1 expression.ResultsUnder normoxia, PCM strengthened occludin and ZO-1 immunofluorescent staining at cytomembrane as well as increased their expression at both protein and mRNA level. When pretreated with angiopoietin-1 neutralizing antibody, occludin upregulation induced by PCM was significantly blocked at protein level (62%) and mRNA level (34%). Under hypoxia, the continuity of occludin and ZO-1 staining at cell boundaries was disrupted consistent with a decrease of their protein level by 31 and 27%, respectively. Also occludin and ZO-1 mRNA level decreased by 46 and 57%, respectively. PCM was observed to partially increase expression of occludin at protein and mRNA level. Angiopoietin-1 antibody slightly inhibited (16%) PCM induced occludin mRNA increase under hypoxia.ConclusionPericytes improved the integrity of endothelial barrier through inducing occludin and ZO-1 expression at protein and mRNA level under normoxia. Under hypoxia, pericytes could partially reverse occludin decrease. These protecting effects of pericytes on endothelial barrier were at least in part mediated by angiopoietin-1.Eye (2007) 21, 1501–1510; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702716; published online 2 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (MEC) synthase (MECS, EC: 4.6.1.12) is the fifth enzyme of the nonmevalonate terpenoid pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis and further Taxol biosynthesis. The full-length MECS cDNA sequence (GenBank accession number DQ286391) was cloned and characterized for the first time from Taxus media, using the Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) technique. The full-length cDNA of Tmmecs was 1081 bp containing a 741 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a peptide of 247 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 26.1 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.97. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that TmMECS had extensive homology with MECSs from other plant species. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that TmMECS was more ancient than other plant MECSs. Southern blot analysis revealed that Tmmecs belonged to a small gene family. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that Tmmecs expressed constitutively in all tissues including roots, stems and leaves. The cloning and characterization of Tmmecs will be helpful to understand more about the role of MECS involved in the Taxol biosynthesis at the molecular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proof-of-principle approach for the production of intense (~108/s) radioactive ion beams, which differs from the standard ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) technique, has been demonstrated successfully using 11C at the TRIUMF laboratory. This approach uses 13 MeV protons produced by a medical cyclotron and should be useful for a range of radioisotopes of interest to the nuclear astrophysics research programme.PACS No.: 29.25.Rm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of wall deflections and surface ground settlements at six deep multi-strutted excavations in Shanghai soft soils were studied and compared with those of similar case histories reported worldwide, particularly in Taipei and Singapore. The measured wall deflections at the six metro stations of the Pearl II Circle Line show a typical bulging profile (or deep-seated shape) at the end of the excavation. The ratio between the measured maximum wall deflection and the depth of the excavation (δhm /H) in Shanghai was <0.007, which was similar to the ratio measured in Taipei, but it was substantially smaller than the Peck bounding limit of 0.01. At each station, the measured maximum displacement was <0.45% of the final excavation depth. Because of the large aspect ratios of the underground excavations, no significant three-dimensional effects or corner effects were observed. The measured maximum settlements of the six metro excavations fell within zone I of the Peck classical normalized settlement-distance chart. These small measured settlements were consistent with the small measured wall deflections. The observed relatively small maximum wall deflections can likely be attributed to the use of prestressed struts, the constant adjustment of the stresses to about 0.7 times the total vertical stress during the excavation, and the short horizontal span of the excavation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nd12Fe82B6 alloy powders were mechanically milled for various times up to 20 h in both an argon and a hydrogen atmosphere. The phase and structural changes of the alloy powders during milling were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The results show that mechanical milling of the Nd12Fe82B6 alloy in hydrogen leads to disproportionation of the Nd2Fe14B phase in the alloy into H5Nd2, Fe2B, and α-Fe phases. These phases are of nano-structure, with an average crystallite size of below 20 nm. After milling in hydrogen for 20 h, the Nd12Fe82B6 alloy powders are fully decomposed, and the average crystallite size of the resulting phases are decreased to not more than 10 nm. In comparison, no phase transition takes place when milling is performed in argon, but the crystallite size of both the Nd2Fe14B and the α-Fe phase decreases steadily with increasing milling time. After milling in argon for 20 h, the average crystallite size is decreased to about 20 nm. Further, the Nd12Fe82B6 alloy powders milled in hydrogen have a smaller average particle size than those milled in argon, attributed to the hydrogen-induced decrepitation and embrittlement of the Nd12Fe82B6 alloy powders upon hydrogenation during the early stage of milling in hydrogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An atmosphere-land coupled simple climate model is constructed and its climatic properties are analyzed by introducing a global analysis method, cell mapping. The simple model is a nonlinear six order simplified climate model featured with chaotic dynamics, dissipation, and forcing source, which are the main features of the real climate system. The cell mapping method is applied with this coupled system. Numerical experiments are carried out for investigating the interactions between the fast-changing atmospheric variables and slow-changing underlying surface variables. The predictability of the system is also investigated via the global analysis, with which the evolution of the system is translated to the evolution of probability transition on a Markov Chain. An effective scheme is proposed for computing the probability transition matrix for the coupled system. Predictions can be made based on the combination of dynamics and statistics. The importance of constructing the coupled model is shown by globally analyzing the predictability of the coupled system. The coupling mechanism prolongs the memorization of initial information, and then the predictability as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural chabazite zeolite was selected as the baseline treatment technology for the removal of the fission products, 90Sr and 137Cs, from near-neutral-pH process wastewater and groundwater. The sorbent Ionsiv™ IE-911, a crystalline silicotitanate commercially developed and manufactured by UOP, was recently tested for this application and found to compare extremely well against the baseline material. This paper presents and compares the results of similar batch and column tests performed using both materials, and summarizes the physical and chemical characteristics of thesorbents. *Managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-96OR22464. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "The impact of data from remote measurement technology on the clinical practice of healthcare professionals in depression, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis: survey." The authors of the original article reported errors in two statements. The corrected statements clarify that more than three quarters of patients reported using smartphone apps or wearable devices for health-related purposes, and that remote measurement technology (RMT) was used by patients of more than three quarters of the respondents. The original article has been updated. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To estimate a stillbirth rate at 24 or more gestational weeks in 2015–2016 and to explore potentially preventable causes in China. Design: A multi‐centre cross‐sectional study. Setting: Ninety‐six hospitals distributed in 24 (of 34) provinces in China. Population: A total of 75 132 births at 24 completed weeks of gestation or more. Methods: COX Proportional Hazard Models were performed to examine risk factors for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths. Population attributable risk percentage was calculated for major risk factors. Correspondence analysis was used to explore region‐specific risk factors for stillbirths. Main outcome measures: Stillbirth rate and risk factors for stillbirth. Results: A total of 75 132 births including 949 stillbirths were used for the final analysis, giving a weighted stillbirth rate of 13.2 per 1000 births (95% CI 7.9–18.5). Small for gestational age (SGA) and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia increased antepartum stillbirths by 26.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Fetal anomalies increased antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths by 17.9% and 7.4%, respectively. Overall, 31.4% of all stillbirths were potentially preventable. Advanced maternal age, pre‐pregnant obesity, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus were important risk factors in East China; low education and SGA were major risk factors in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and South China; and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia and intrapartum complications were significant risk factors in Central China. Conclusions: The prevalence of stillbirth was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016. Nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. Strategies based on regional characteristics should be considered to reduce further the burden of stillbirths in China. The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public attention has been drawn to the commercial restaurant cooking emission since it can cause health and hygiene risks, reduction of the efficiency of the ventilation system, and even fire accidents. The attempt of including the Ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps with Type I hood has the potential to reduce the grease deposition on the ductwork and pollution in the exhaust by oxidizing the emissions. A method of testing (MOT) has been developed to evaluate the performance of a commercial UVC hood in terms of abating grease deposition rates and particulate emissions, particle size distribution change, fuel loads due to resulting compounds, and stack emissions, and verified under different cooking scenarios. The data show that although the UVC system did initiate the oxidation and decomposition of the cooking emissions, the reaction was still less than sufficient within the limited residence time. Most of the contribution to the reduction of the deposition and emission was due to the installation of the secondary filter. However, a long-term test may be needed in the standard test method and future studies to improve the significance and reflect the effect of long-term exposure to UVC on the grease deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the risk factors of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) undergoing radical radiotherapy (with or without concurrent chemotherapy) and to assess the prognostic value of tumor volume regression (TVR) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in different risk groups. A retrospective analysis was performed on 176 individuals diagnosed with stage IIA-IVA cervical cancer (CC) who underwent radical intensity-modulated radiotherapy in our center between January 2012 and December 2020. The tumor volume before radiotherapy (TVp) and before brachytherapy (TVmid) were evaluated based on three-dimensional MRI images, TVR = (TVp -TVmid)/TVp × 100%. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess patient's overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Prognostic factors were identified using Cox proportional hazards models. For the entire cohort, patients with TVR ≥ 94% had better 5-year OS (82.7% vs 49.8%, p<0.001) and 5-year PFS (82.5% vs 51.1%, p<0.001) compared to TVR < 94%. Patients with TVR ≥ 94% were more likely to receive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) than those with TVR < 94% (70.1% vs 40.5%, p<0.05). Among patients undergoing CCRT, those with a TVR ≥ 94% had a better prognosis than those with a TVR < 94%. However, among patients who received RT alone, those with TVR ≥ 94% had better PFS but no statistically significant difference in OS. Likewise, among patients with CYFRA21-1 < 7.7 ng/ml, patients with TVR ≥ 94% had a better prognosis. However, TVR was not a prognostic factor in patients with CYFRA21-1 ≥ 7.7 ng/ml. Both CYFRA21-1 (OS, PFS interaction, p<0.001) and FIGO stage (PFS interaction, p = 0.035) were found to significantly impact predictive effects of TVR. In LACC patients with CRYFA21-1 < 7.7 ng/ml who received CCRT, TVR was an important prognostic factor. However, in patients with CRYFA21-1 ≥ 7.7 ng/ml who received RT alone, the prognostic value of TVR needs to be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt-60 stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) typically involves single fraction treatment with frame immobilization. However, large tumor size, proximity to critical structures, and prior radiation treatment sometimes necessitate fractionated SRS with mask immobilization. We present a large institutional experience with fractionated mask-based SRS for brain metastases. In this single-institution, IRB-approved study, all patients treated with mask-based fractionated SRS for brain metastases from March 2017 to January 2023 were identified. The primary outcomes were 1- and 2-year local control (LC) by Kaplan-Meier method. A total of 118 patients with a total of 145 metastases were treated. The median follow-up time was seven months. The median age at treatment was 64.1 years (range: 26-95 years). 55.9% of patients were female. The most common primary tumors were breast (25.5%), non-small cell lung (23.4%), small-cell lung (8.3%), and melanoma (8.3%). For most cases (59.3%), the indication for fractionation was retreatment. Large size (28.3%), critical location (9.7%), and medical comorbidity (2.1%) were other indications. For all cases, the mean maximal linear size was 34.9 mm and mean target volume was 15.6 cc. For cases fractionated due to size, the mean size was 43.9 mm and mean target volume was 23.8 cc. Median total dose was 2,700 cGy (range: 1,620-3,000), and median dose per fraction (fx) was 600 cGy (range: 405-900). The most common prescriptions were 3,000 cGy/5 fx (40.0% of patients) and 2500 cGy in 500 cGy per fraction (37.2% of patients). Mean maximum dose was 4,833 cGy (range: 2,920-7,500). For 75.2% of treatments, the prescription isodose line was 50 to 59% (mean, 56.9%). Target coverage was 100% in all but one case (99%). For lesions near the brainstem, mean brainstem maximum point dose (MPD) was 9.3 Gy ± 9.8 Gy and brainstem mean dose was 3.3 Gy ± 3.3 Gy. For lesions near the optic pathway, mean optic nerve MPD was 14.4 Gy ± 9.2, optic nerve mean dose was 6.4 Gy ± 5.4 Gy, mean optic chiasm MPD was 11.7 Gy ± 7.9 Gy, and optic chiasm mean dose was 5.4 Gy ± 4.7 Gy. 1-year LC was 88.2% and 2-year LC was 80.4%. When retreatments were excluded, 1-year LC was 98.0% and 2-year LC was 98.0%. 18% of patients had acute grade 1-2 toxicities (fatigue, headache, nausea, and/or alopecia), and one patient had acute grade 3 fatigue. There was no other grade 3+ acute toxicities. 14% of patients had grade 1-2 radiation necrosis (RN); there were no cases of grade 3+ RN. Cobalt-60 frameless fractionated SRS for brain metastases offers excellent local control, rigorous sparing of critical structures, and minimal toxicity. Frameless fractionated SRS should be considered for large, retreated, or critically located metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 74Ge(p , γ)75As reaction plays a crucial role in producing the lightest p -nucleus 74Se. In this work, we present the measurement of the 74Ge(p , γ)75As cross sections in the range of E p = 1.4-2.8 MeV with an in-beam method at the tandem accelerator of China Institute of Atomic Energy. The present result is in good agreement with the previous experiments at higher energies, and extends the measurement down to lower energies of astrophysical interest. Theoretical calculations are also performed using the EMPIRE nuclear reaction code and well reproduce all experimental cross sections, which shed some light on the existing discrepancy in the previously reported experimental and theoretical values at the lowest energies. The resulting reaction rates exhibit a considerable increase of up to 47% within the p -process relevant temperatures when comparing with the REACLIB compilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]