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• We describe an optimization procedure to define cut-offs of quantitative AChRAb assays. • Cut-offs were derived from healthy controls and other autoimmune diseases patients. • and diagnostic performance were examined using a representative cohort of MG patients. • Raw testing values were found as optimal quantitative measures of AChRAb levels. • Agreement between ELISA and RIA for AChRAb positivity were found good. • Quantitative values are more informative than positivity in association with clinical features. This study aims to establish an optimization procedure to define the cut-offs of quantitative assays for acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb), evaluate their diagnostic performance in myasthenia gravis (MG), and explore the association with clinical features. Samples from a representative cohort of 77 MG patients, 80 healthy controls (HC) and 80 other autoimmune diseases (OAD) patients were tested using competitive inhibition ELISA and RIA. Raw values (OD and cpm) and processed values (inhibition rate, binding rate and concentration) were used to define the cut-offs with statistical methods, a rough method, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Optimal cut-offs were selected by comparing false positive rates in HC and OAD individuals. The diagnostic performance was evaluated in whole MG cohort and subgroups. Agreement between ELISA and RIA for AChRAb positivity were examined with Kappa test and McNemar test. Clinical association with AChRAb was explored by comparison among subgroups and with Spearman rank correlation. The optimal cut-offs for AChRAb positivity were determined as OD ≤ 1.79 for ELISA and cpm ≥ 1234.12 for RIA, which derived from statistical method and performed better than those derived from ROC curves. The sensitivity and specificity were 74.03%, 100% for ELISA, and 74.03%, 99.37% for RIA. There was good agreement between ELISA and RIA for AChRAb positivity in whole cohort and subgroups (weighted к ≥ 0.71, p < 0.01; McNemar test, p > 0.05). Levels of AChRAb were different in MG subgroups (p < 0.01). Correlation between Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis scores and AChRAb levels was moderate for ELISA and RIA (r s = -0.60 and 0.57, p < 0.01). The raw testing values of ELISA and RIA were found as optimal quantitative measures of AChRAb levels. There are good agreements on diagnostic performance between two assays. Quantitative values are more informative than positivity in association with clinical features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to bridge the gap between the ideal experimental environment and practical engineering applications, many fault diagnosis studies have focused on transfer learning-based methods. However, the research on cross-domain fault diagnosis of aero-engine is obviously insufficient. Besides, most existing studies only consider the impact of global discrepancies between the source and target domains, while overlooking the contributions of individual samples, and the models proposed by these works usually implement the two key steps of distribution discrepancies alignment and fault identification separately, which may lead to the loss of some critical information. To tackle this issue, a novel weighted kernel adaption extreme learning machine is proposed for cross-domain fault diagnosis of aero-engine. Specifically, the proposed approach integrates white cosine similarity (WCS), projected maximum mean discrepancy (PMMD) and kernel extreme learning machine (KELM), which allows the diagnostic model to consider the contributions of individual samples to the alignment of global distribution discrepancies while minimizing the distribution discrepancies and diagnostic error. Finally, the proposed approach is evaluated by extensive tests, including traditional and cross-domain fault diagnosis experiments, and the results of improved diagnostic performance confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa, a biomimetic hydrogel was prepared to realize the rapid and scar-free healing of skin wounds. Through monitoring the healing process of injured oral mucosa, we find out that the combination of high, rapid and sequential expression of some growth factors and the sterile-moist microenvironment are crucial for re-epithelialization and precise control of the inflammation process. On the base of our findings, a hydrogel loaded with several functional compounds was prepared to achieve a comprehensive simulation of the oral mucosal trauma microenvironment for skin wound healing. After 7 days treatment, the skin wound area of the treated group was only about 20% of that of the untreated group, and the proportion of collagen type III and type I in the treated group was much higher than that of the untreated group, suggesting lighter scar hyperplasia. The comprehensive treatment strategy of sequential expression of growth factors in combination with maintaining of a sterile and humid environment is expected to have great application prospect in the field of chronic trauma repair and cosmetic surgery. Long healing time and scar hyperplasia during wound healing have been a serious problem in the past decades of wound healing research. Oral cavity wound healing occurs in an environment that sustains ongoing physical trauma and is rich in bacteria. Despite this, injuries to the mucosal surface often heal faster than cutaneous wounds and leave less noticeable scars. Therefore, in recent years, many scholars have begun to study the healing mechanism of oral mucosa, which supports a new inspiration for the study of skin wound repair: whether the injured skin can achieve a rapid scar-free healing effect similar to oral mucosa? Imitating the biological process of oral mucosa wound healing would be a promising therapeutic strategy in wound healing. Therefore, inspired by the wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa, a biomimetic gel was prepared to realize the rapid and scar-free healing of skin wounds. Through monitoring the healing process of injured oral mucosa, the combination of high, rapid and sequential expression of some growth factors and sterile-moist microenvironment was crucial for re-epithelialization and precise control of the inflammation process. The comprehensive treatment strategy of sequential expression of growth factors in combination with maintance of a sterile and humid environment implies its potential use in the field of chronic trauma repair and cosmetic surgery. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-frequency (SF) precise orbit determination (POD) using space-borne Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements is a prerequisite for the success of many low-cost small/micro low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite missions. The first-order ionospheric effects are usually eliminated by group and phase ionospheric correction (GRAPHIC) combinations. GPS receiver antenna GRAPHIC residual variations (GRVs) are important systematic error sources in SF orbit determination. Azimuth and elevation dependent GRVs are estimated and obtained based on the GRAPHIC combination residuals in an in-flight calibration. One month of data from GRACE-A, GRACE-B, CHAMP and HY-2A satellites is used to assess the potential of receiver antenna GRVs in SF orbit determination. It is the first time to study the impact of receiver antenna GRVs on SF orbit determination for different LEO satellites, which exhibit different altitudes and data qualities. The impact of receiver antenna GRVs on SF orbit determination is significant. The use of in-flight determined receiver antenna GRVs leads to a better consistency between SF and dual-frequency POD solutions. The improvements are more obvious for GRACE-A and CHAMP satellites, whose receiver antenna GRV patterns demonstrate clear characteristics of systematic deviations. After correcting the receiver antenna GRVs, the root-mean-square of satellite laser ranging validation residuals are 3.11 cm, 2.31 cm, 2.86 cm and 5.29 cm for GRACE-A, GRACE-B, CHAMP and HY-2A satellites, respectively, which are reduced by 11.1%, 4.6%, 14.6% and 4.7%, respectively. At last, a set of a priori GDV corrections of GPS transmitter antennas are used in SF orbit determination and its effects on receiver antenna GRVs estimation and SF orbit determination are analyzed. Applying these corrections can slightly improve the SF orbit quality of GRACE-A satellite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Indirubin had no cytotoxic effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cell viability • Lower MPL and GATA3 with higher IL6, TNF, and IFN-γ mRNA levels were found in ITP • Indirubin significantly enhanced MPL expression in PBMCs from ITP patients • Indirubin significantly inhibited TNF expression in PBMCs from ITP patients • Indirubin may play a direct role in thrombopoiesis and inflammation regulation Indirubin, a traditional Chinese medicine, is currently used to treat certain autoimmune diseases such as primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in clinics. However, the effects of indirubin on expression of related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ITP patients have not been investigated. In the present study, PBMCs were isolated from 19 adult patients with well-characterized active ITP and 20 healthy controls (HCs) and then treated with increasing concentrations of indirubin. The mRNA expression levels of thrombopoietin receptor (MPL), GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3), DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B), interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We found that indirubin had no cytotoxic effect on PBMC viability. Significantly lower MPL (p < 0.05) and GATA3 (p < 0.05) expression together with markedly higher IL6 (p < 0.05), TNF (p < 0.0001), and IFN-γ (p < 0.001) mRNA levels were observed in ITP patients compared with HCs. Notably, indirubin significantly enhanced MPL expression and inhibited TNF expression in PBMCs from ITP patients (p < 0.05). In summary, indirubin may play a direct role in thrombopoiesis by activating cellular MPL and normalizing TNF expression to suppress inflammation in ITP. This study may thus improve our understanding of indirubin and provide important information for optimizing therapeutic strategies for ITP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Antennal sensilla of Maladera orientalis were investigated. • The antennae of M. orientalis had a lamellicorn shape typical of scarab beetles. • Six types of sensilla were identified, and multiporous sensilla placodea were the most abundant type. • Fine structure of sensilla placodea was very different from that in previous reports on scarab beetles. • M. orientalis exhibited no sexual dimorphism in type, abundance and distribution of antennal sensilla. Abstract The external morphology of antenna and fine structure of its sensilla of Maladera orientalis were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The antenna consists of scape, pedicel, funicle and a club composed of three lamellae. Funicle has five, sometimes, four segments. Böhm bristles, three subtypes of sensilla chaetica, one subtype of sensilla trichodea, one subtype of sensilla coeloconica, four subtypes of sensilla basiconica, and one subtype of sensilla placodea were described. No sexual differences were found in number, type and distribution of sensilla on all antennomeres. The most notable feature of sensilla on antennae of M. orientalis is the presence of long and narrow strip-like sensilla placodea on both sides of all club lamellae. These porous sensilla placodea are slightly depressed below the lamella surface and tend to lie in parallel with the lamella axe. They are similar to sensilla placodea found in hymenopteran species but very different from those round plate-like sensilla placodea occurring on the lamellae of scarab beetles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a disturbed dynamical system that can be transformed into fractional Birkhoffian representation with all dynamical information, under a more general fractional infinitesimal transformation of Lie group with high time extension and fractional extension, a new kind of fractional Mei symmetrical perturbation method which is most universal significance is presented and it is found that, using the new method, we can find a new kind of non-Noether adiabatic invariant; as the special cases of new method, we, respectively, reveal an autonomous disturbed fractional Birkhoffian system possesses more adiabatic invariants, a new kind of non-Noether exact invariant directly led by fractional Mei symmetry and a new kind of non-Noether exact and adiabatic invariant of integer Birkhoffian systems. Also, as the new method’s applications to nonlinear dynamical problems, we, respectively, explore the symmetrical perturbation and adiabatic invariant of a disturbed fractional general relativistic Buchdahl model and a disturbed fractional Emden model. It is worth pointing out that, for a disturbed dynamical system, this work reveals intrinsic relation between the fractional symmetrical perturbation and the adiabatic invariant, and provides a general method for finding adiabatic invariants of an actual disturbed fractional dynamical system that is related to science and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a dynamical system that can be transformed into fractional Birkhoffian representation, under a more general kind of fractional infinitesimal transformation of Lie group, we present the fractional conformal invariance method and it is found that, using the new method, we can find a new kind of non-Noether conserved quantity; and we find that, as a special case, an autonomous fractional Birkhoffian system possesses more conserved quantities. Also, as the fractional conformal invariance method’s applications, we, respectively, explore the conformal invariance and conserved quantities of a fractional Lotka biochemical oscillator and a fractional Hojman–Urrutia model. This work constructs a basic theoretical framework of fractional conformal invariance method, and provides a general method for finding conserved quantities of an actual fractional dynamical system that is related to science and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) mutations occur frequently in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), but its prognostic impact has not been fully assessed and was controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic significance of TET2 mutations in MDS. PubMed, EMBASE databases and Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting TET2 mutations and overall survival in MDS. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined using random-effect modeling. A total of 1494 patients from nine studies were subjected to meta-analysis. The frequency of TET2 mutations was 18.34% (274/1494) in the study. MDS with TET2 mutations had similar overall survival compared to patients without the mutations (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% CI: 0.81–1.5).Our findings suggest that TET2 mutations have no prognosis impact on OS of patients with MDS. Therefore, the status of TET2 mutations cannot be served as a prognostic marker in MDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta produces an alarm pheromone component, 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine, and responds to its pyrazine analogs in a similar manner but at varied detection thresholds. Herein, the responses of fire ant workers by electroantennogram (EAG) and behavior were tested with twelve structurally-related oxygen-containing pyrazines (alkoxypyrazines) and the synthetic alarm pheromone. All tested compounds elicited a dose-dependent EAG response, with S. invicta responding greatest to the synthetic alarm pheromone. Chemical structure of pyrazines influenced the EAG response but not always alarm behavioral response. Among the 13 tested compounds, 7 compounds displayed significantly greater EAG response than 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine and 2-ethoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine at the dose of 1000 μg. Four of these 7 compounds, 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine, 2-methoxy-3-methylpyrazine, 2-ethoxy-3(5 or 6)-methylpyrazine, and 2-chloro-3-methoxypyrazine with characteristic substituents on pyrazine ring were further subjected to bait discovery bioassay. Hotdog bait containing pyrazines attracted significantly more fire ant workers in the first 15-min period, resulting in quicker recruitment to food block than hexane control. The potential of using alkoxypyrazines in fire ant control is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a new method for the equilibrium stability of a dynamical system, i.e., the fractional generalized Hamilton method. We reveal the uncertainty and its mathematical representation for the fractional and nonlinear problem and find a general method of constructing a family of fractional dynamical models. And, six criterions of fractional generalized Hamilton method of equilibrium stability are presented. As applications, we explore the equilibrium stability of a fractional Duffing oscillator model and a fractional Whittaker model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new method, i.e. fractional Birkhoffian method, for stability of equilibrium positions of dynamical systems, in terms of Riesz derivatives, and study its applications. For an actual dynamical system, the fractional Birkhoffian method of constructing a fractional dynamical model is given, and then the seven criterions for fractional Birkhoffian method of equilibrium stability are established. As applications, by using the fractional Birkhoffian method, we construct four kinds of actual fractional dynamical models, which include a fractional Duffing oscillator model, a fractional Whittaker model, a fractional Emden model and a fractional Hojman–Urrutia model, and we explore the equilibrium stability of these models respectively. This work provides a general method for studying the equilibrium stability of an actual fractional dynamical system that is related to science and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we demonstrated the effect of the organosilicon layer in the pairs of the organosilicon/silicon oxide (SiO x ) multi-layered structure on the barrier property to water vapor permeation and on the mechanical flexibility under tensile strain. The residual internal stress in the structure was controlled by introducing the organosilicon layer, thereby enhancing the structural barrier property. The experimental results showed that the thickness of the organosilicon layer required in each paired structure to minimize the structural stress was closely correlated to the surface and material properties of the underlying layer. Accordingly, the internal stress that existed in the 2- and 3-paired structures, as well as their barrier properties to the water vapor permeation, was optimized further by altering the thickness of the organosilicon layer that was deposited onto the surface of the SiO x film. These pairs of multi-layered structures, in which the compressive stress had been minimized, cracked at a lower bending radius under static tensile strain than the SiO x film with the same thickness deposited directly onto the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. In addition, the degradation in the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the organosilicon/SiO x multi-layered structure deposited onto the PET substrate was less apparent than that of the PET coated only with a single SiO x film. This was ascribed to the structure having fewer cracks than the single SiO x film after being bent by the same tensile strain. Dynamic tensile strain also was conducted on these multi-layered structures to further confirm the structural reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, we present fractional generalized Hamiltonian method of dynamical stability, in terms of Riesz–Riemann–Liouville derivative, and study its applications. For an actual dynamical system, the fractional generalized Hamiltonian method of constructing a fractional dynamical model is given, and then the six criterions for fractional generalized Hamiltonian method of dynamical stability are presented. As applications, by using the fractional generalized Hamiltonian method, we construct five kinds of actual fractional dynamical models, which include a fractional Euler–Poinsot model of rigid body that rotates with respect to a fixed-point, a fractional Hojman–Urrutia model, a fractional Lorentz–Dirac model, a fractional Whittaker model and a fractional Robbins–Lorenz model, and we explore the dynamical stability of these models, respectively. This work provides a general method for studying the dynamical stability of an actual fractional dynamical system that is related to science and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine–related knowledge and factors associated with the knowledge among parents of young adolescents in China. Methods The study was based on data of a survey carried out in seven geographic regions of China. Parents of students in junior middle school were surveyed during parents' meetings. Results A total of 2895 parents were included in the analyses. Of parents, 38.3% responded with “yes” to more than three of the six knowledge questions, among whom only 4.5% of them correctly answered all six questions. Social benefit programs (41.3%), doctors and/or nurses (39.7%), and newspapers and/or magazines (36.5%) were selected as the top three sources of HPV-related knowledge. Mothers, parents who work in the health care sector, and parents with a higher annual income or with vaccination experience outside the expanded program on immunization showed a better knowledge base. Parents who consented to sex education for children or showed fear of cervical cancer were likely to have more HPV-related knowledge. In particular, the knowledge level of parents with prior consultation regarding HPV vaccines was higher. Conclusions Parents of young adolescents in China possessed a low level of HPV vaccine–related knowledge. Findings highlight the need for tailored health education through different channels to improve HPV-related knowledge among parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare the consistency of HPV genotype and viral loads among different sites within the female genital tract, and to correlate these with clinical outcomes. Methods: 2646 previously unscreened rural women were enrolled in this population-based, cross-sectional study between May 2006 and April 2007. Physician-collected samples from lower vagina, upper vagina, cervix, and one self-collected sample were taken from each woman. Viral load was assessed by HC2 using the relative light unit/cutoff ratio (RLU/CO), and HPV genotyping was tested by Linear Array. Results: The low risk HPV positive rate was highest in lower vagina samples and lowest in cervix samples. Overall kappa values of high risk HPV types between various anatomic sampling sites showed substantial or almost perfect agreement among women with normal pathology, CIN1, and CIN2+. In the CIN2+ population, high risk HPV viral load for cervix samples (557.25 RLU/CO) were much higher than upper vagina samples (96.43 RLU/CO, P < 0.001), lower vagina samples (36.51 RLU/CO, P < 0.001), and self-collected (206.83 RLU/CO, P = 0.003) samples. Conclusions: Although the distribution of high risk HPV genotypes was fairly equivalent across different genital sites, particularly for CIN2+ lesions, viral loads were largely variable. The findings may affect the cervical cancer screening methods using self-collected samples, particularly in resource-challenged areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We conducted a nation-wide survey on the perceptions and acceptability of HPV vaccination. [•] We found low acceptability of HPV vaccine among parents of young adolescents. [•] Mothers and well educated parents were less likely to accept HPV vaccination. [•] Knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine was a positive correlate with vaccination acceptability. [•] Local CDC was selected as the most appropriate venue for HPV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the inter-satellite link (ISL) aided X-ray pulsar-based navigation (XPNAV) system is studied to improve the survivability of space-borne gravitational wave detector. An unscented transform (UT) based distributed Kalman estimator is proposed for state estimation within less computational and communication costs. Three different navigation scenarios are designed based on a typical large-scale distributed heliocentric orbital space-borne gravitational wave detector, Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Simulation results show that the positioning root-mean-square error (RMSE) reduces ̃28% after introducing the ISL to XPNAV. Moreover, the proposed distributed Kalman estimator and the classical Kalman estimator shows similar performance in XPNAV/ISL integrated navigation system with the positioning RMSE of ̃528 m and ̃520 m, respectively. Compared with the classical method, both analytical and simulating analyses demonstrate that the proposed algorithm efficiently reduces the computational costs to 1 / N 2 for a team with N agents and avoids additional communication needs simultaneously. The efficient distributed Kalman estimator-based XPNAV/ISL integrated navigation provides a high-performance autonomous navigation solution for interplanetary spacecraft formation flying missions. • Pulsar and inter-satellite link are used to aid space-borne gravitational wave detector. • We Introduce distributed estimator into autonomous navigation for formation flying. • Distributed estimator reduce computational costs within seldom loss of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Through-thickness penetration under vacuum assistance is crucial for resin film infusion (RFI) and vacuum assistant resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. In this paper, values of the through-thickness unsaturated permeability (TTUP) and capillary pressure (P c) are estimated based on the infiltration velocity in preforms of carbon fiber fabric and glass fiber fabric, respectively, measured by a specially designed apparatus. It reveals that, for the through-thickness permeation, the P c values generally decrease with increasing fiber content. Relatively accurate TTUP can be obtained by counting P c into the permeation dynamics. If P c is neglected, liquids with good-wettability, such as silicone oil, tend to result in larger TTUPs. The corrected TTUPs show good agreement according to Carman–Kozeny, Gutowski modified Carman–Kozeny equation, and Gebart model, respectively. The resultant permeability resistance parameters of the preforms indicate that the penetration in carbon fabric bed is slower than in glass fabric bed. However, for fiber volume fraction more than 60%, the corrected TTUPs show no significant difference for all the preforms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the late Triassic epoch, China is one of the few wide spread and resourceful coal basin countries, but the exploration of most regions is not enough for the development and utilization of coal resources, especially. Stratigraphic sequence and coal are well developed in Shaoshan coal field in the upper Triassic formation which is a primary coal-bearing stratum. Due to the complexity of regional tectonics and coal accumulation, there is not a clear understanding about sedimentary environment and paleogeography in late Triassic. Based on the analysis of outcrop and drilling data in detail, the research work of the paper consist of identification of sedimentary facies type and model of the study area and the drawing of lithofacies palaeogeography maps. The research findings are basis to the exploration and forecast of coal resources in Shaoshan coal field of eastern Hunan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A set of low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) products with an intrinsic viscosity-molecular weight (M V) spectrum from 6.9kDa to 22.4kDa, with average nanoparticle sizes from 117nm to 965nm, were characterized by their zeta potentials and antibacterial activities. The three strains of Staphylococcus aureus and two strains of Escherichia coli exhibited differential sensitivities to LMWCs. Both LMWC adsorption test and antibacterial test results indicated that antibacterial activity was mainly contributed by the difference in zeta potential between the surface of LMWC particles and the bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that LMWC with an M V of 14.8kDa exerted its antibacterial function by both surface and permeation effects. Once the adsorbed LMWC was washed from the cell wall with an acetate buffer, obvious damages to, and disturbances on, the cell surfaces were observed through SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays are prepared by a hydrothermal method with zinc acetate and hexamethylenetetramine, and used for NO2 gas sensing. The NO2 sensor based on nanorod arrays shows a higher sensitivity and lower operating temperature as compared to the sensor based on the ZnO film prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The enhanced sensitivity is attributed to the higher aspect ratio of the nanorod structure. The response of the ZnO nanorod sensor is linearly proportional to the NO2 concentration in the 0.2–5.0ppm range, and the sensitivity of the sensor increases with the length of the ZnO nanorod. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pollution of natural water and even source water with pharmaceuticals is problematic worldwide and raises concern about the possibility of disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation during subsequent water treatment. In this study, the formation of DBPs, especially dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm), was investigated during chlorination and chloramination of tetracyclines, which are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics. DBPs including DCAcAm were formed during chlorination and chloramination of tetracycline (TC). Although the concentrations and theoretical cytotoxicity of the DBPs formed from TC were affected by the contact time, disinfectant dose, and pH, DCAcAm was the main contributor determining the yields and cytotoxicity of the measured DBPs. The DCAcAm yields from four tetracycline antibiotics ranged from 0.43% to 54.26% for chlorination. For chloramination, the DCAcAm yields reached 44.57%, and the nitrogen in DCAcAm mainly came from tetracycline antibiotics rather than chloramines. ClO 2 pre-oxidation and UV photolysis decreased DCAcAm formation during chlorination and chloramination of TC. The high yields observed in this study suggest that tetracycline antibiotics are possible precursors of DCAcAm. Image 1 • Tetracycline antibiotics had high DCAcAm yields during chlor(am)ination. • DCAcAm was the major contributor to the DBP cytotoxicity from chloramination of TC. • Nitrogen in DCAcAm mainly came from tetracyclines during chloramination. • ClO 2 pre-oxidation decreased DCAcAm formation during chlor(am)ination of TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The satellite attitude error is transmitted to the gravity field through KBR antenna phase center correction and non-conservative force conversion, which affects the accuracy of gravity field inversion. Therefore, obtaining high-precision satellite attitude is one of the important research contents of gravity field inversion. Each satellite of GRACE-FO is equipped with three SCs and an IMU for satellite attitude measurement, and fusion of these two types of data can obtain high-precision satellite attitude. In this paper, we use kalman filter to fuse the original GRACE-FO 1A observation data, and take into account the calibration of the installation matrix of the SCs during the fusion process. Meanwhile, a quaternion integrator that takes angle increments as inputs is derived from the equivalent rotation vector differential equation to address the computational inefficiency of first-order quaternion integrator, the accuracy and computational efficiency are verified using measured data. The experimental results show that after the calibration of the installation matrix of the SCs, the system bias of 2 0 ′ ′ caused by switching from three SCs observations to two SCs observations can be eliminated. The standard deviation of the attitude difference between the obtained attitude in this paper and the attitude calculated by JPL is at most 6 ′ ′ and the proposed incremental quaternion integrator has the same accuracy as the first-order quaternion integrator but with computational efficiency improved by at least 35%. • Attitude determination is critical for gravity field inversion and Orbit determination. • The installation matrix calibration method is simple and effective. • The incremental quaternion integrator is high-precision and computationally efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ClO 2 oxidation increased 14N/15N-DCAN/cAm yields for chloramination of amino acids and indoles. • ClO 2 oxidation had inverse effects on DCAN/cAm yields for hydroxybenzamides and tetracyclines. • ClO 2 oxidation of phenols and water samples decreased DCAN/cAm formation during chloramination. Chlorine dioxide (ClO 2) can be used as a pre-oxidant when chloramination is performed in water treatment plants. However, the effects of ClO 2 pre-oxidation on the formation of nitrogenous disinfection by-products, such as dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) and dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm), during chloramination are not well understood. In this study, the effects of ClO 2 pre-oxidation on the formation of DCAN and DCAcAm during chloramination of 28 model compounds and seven real water samples were investigated. The sources of nitrogen for DCAN and DCAcAm formation were investigated using 15N-labeled monochloramine. ClO 2 pre-oxidation affected DCAN and DCAcAm formation during chloramination of model compounds in different ways. ClO 2 pre-oxidation increased unlabeled and 15N-labeled DCAN and DCAcAm formation during chloramination of six amino acids and peptides and five indoles and tertiary amines. ClO 2 pre-oxidation decreased DCAN formation but increased DCAcAm formation during chloramination of three hydroxybenzamide compounds, but had the opposite effects for four tetracyclines. ClO 2 pre-oxidation generally decreased DCAN and DCAcAm formation during chloramination of the phenolic compounds that are precursors not containing nitrogen. 2-Aminoacetophenone, formamid- trans -muconic acid, and unsaturated ketones were found to be transformation products of ClO 2 oxidation of 3-methylindole, salicylamide, and resorcinol, respectively. Possible DCAN and DCAcAm formation pathways during chloramination after ClO 2 oxidation were identified. For most of the water samples, ClO 2 pre-oxidation decreased the amounts of DCAN and DCAcAm formed during chloramination by 36%–70% and 11%–59%, respectively. This may have been caused by ClO 2 oxidation destroying phenolic precursors and macromolecular proteins rather than amino acids in the water samples. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Executive dysfunction following stroke is well documented, but less is known about whether it occurs in mild stroke patients. The purpose of the study was to investigate executive impairment in this population and explore the correlation between executive function tests and cognitive tests of other domains.Methods: Cross-sectional study was undertaken to compare 139 mild ischemic stroke patients (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≤ 7) aged 40-80 with 131 normal controls matched age, gender and levels of education. All participants were administered a neuropsychological test battery including three measures of executive functioning: Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Trial Making Test-A and B (TMT-A and B), and Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT). The CDT was evaluated using three quantitative scoring rubrics, with a total score of 3,10,18, respectively and a qualitative scoring method with six types of errors. Spearman's correlations were made to analyze the correlation between executive function tests and other neuropsychological tests.Results: Control group performed better than stroke group on most executive function tests at a statistical significance. Qualitative CDT showed that errors of "graphic difficulties", "conceptual deficits" and "spatial and/or planning deficits" occurred frequently in the early stage of mild stroke. Correlation data clarified that among the executive function tests, time for TMT-B correlated with global cognition most.Conclusion: Executive dysfunction is common following even mild strokes, and that relatively brief measures such as CDT, TMT and SCWT can be employed for it before discharge as part of rehabilitation planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]