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Radiotherapy plays a vital role as a treatment for malignant pelvic tumors, in which the bladder represents a significant organ at risk involved during tumor radiotherapy. Exposing the bladder wall to high doses of ionizing radiation is unavoidable and will lead to radiation cystitis (RC) because of its central position in the pelvic cavity. Radiation cystitis will result in several complications (e.g. frequent micturition, urgent urination, and nocturia) that can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life and in very severe cases become life-threatening. Existing studies on the pathophysiology, prevention, and management of radiation-induced cystitis from January 1990 to December 2021 were reviewed. PubMed was used as the main search engine. Besides the reviewed studies, citations to those studies were also included. In this review, the symptoms of radiation cystitis and the mainstream grading scales employed in clinical situations are presented. Next, preclinical and clinical research on preventing and treating radiation cystitis are summarized, and an overview of currently available prevention and treatment strategies as guidelines for clinicians is provided. Treatment options involve symptomatic treatment, vascular interventional therapy, surgery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), bladder irrigation, and electrocoagulation. Prevention includes filling up the bladder to remove it from the radiation field and delivering radiation based on helical tomotherapy and CT-guided 3D intracavitary brachytherapy techniques.

Hao Wang, Xin Yin, Tianyi Fang, Shenghan Lou, Bangling Han, Jialiang Gao, Yufei Wang, Daoxu Zhang, Xibo Wang, Zhanfei Lu, Junpeng Wu, Jiaqi Zhang, Yimin Wang, Yao Zhang, Yingwei Xue Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yingwei Xue, Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, People’s Republic of China, Email xueyingwei@hrbmu.edu.cnBackground: Aging has a negative impact on the immune function of patients. The purpose of this study was to construct an age-related specific immune index according to the immune aging phenomenon of gastric cancer (GC) and explore its prognostic value.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent radical GC surgery in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University, from August 2014 to December 2016 and divided them into a training cohort and a validation cohort. A new immune score, the GC-specific immune index (GSII), was developed as a series of lymphocyte subsets associated with the prognosis of patients with GC. Then, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the prediction performance. The Kaplan‒Meier method and Log rank test were used to analyze the overall survival of patients. Cox hazard regression models were used to identify independent risk factors associated with prognosis. Finally, a nomogram model was constructed by combining the GSII and clinicopathological characteristics, and the calibration chart, consistency index, and decision curve were used to test the performance of the model.Results: Aging did not significantly affect CD8 cell counts but decreased CD4 and CD19 cell counts. Based on the Cox analysis, the GSII of patients ≤ 60 years old was 0.079×lg CD4+0.348×lg CD19, and the GSII of patients > 60 years old was 0.058×lg CD4. A decreased GSII was indicative of a poor prognosis and was an independent risk factor associated with patient outcomes. The nomogram constructed based on the GSII and clinicopathological features accurately predicted patient prognosis. Furthermore, the GSII was well validated in the validation cohort.Conclusion: The GSII constructed for the special immune aging phenomenon of GC can accurately predict patient prognosis.Keywords: gastric cancer, lymphocyte subsets, age, prognosis

Purpose The present study identified predictors of intrahepatic progression-free survival (ihPFS) after ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) and developed a nomogram to predict ihPFS. Methods From January 2013 to December 2018, a total of 314 patients (224 men and 90 women; mean age, 57.1 ± 11.8 years; range, 23–86 years) with 645 CRLMs (mean diameter, 16.6 ± 6.5 mm; range, 6.0–45.0 mm) treated with US-guided percutaneous MWA were included and analyzed. The average number of CRLMs per patient treated was 2 (range, 1–8). A nomogram to predict ihPFS was developed based on a multivariable Cox model. Validation of the nomogram was performed using the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analyses. Results The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative ihPFS rates were 59.0%, 38.9%, and 30.8%, respectively. Maximal CRLM size, number of CRLMs, ablative margin, primary tumor lymph node status, and chemotherapy were five independent prognostic factors for ihPFS. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.702 (CI: 0.681–0.723). A risk classification system that perfectly classified the patients into three risk groups was constructed. The median ihPFS of patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups was 36.3 months (95% CI: 21.4–51.1), 13.4 months (95% CI: 12.1–14.6), and 3.8 months (95% CI: 2.3–5.3), respectively. Conclusion The nomogram and risk classification system will facilitate the personalized assessment of ihPFS for patients receiving US-guided percutaneous MWA for CRLMs.

Ammonium (NH4+) is a major nitrogen source for tea plant growth. Although NH4+-induced growth of tea plants were reported, it was still unclear to elucidate the mechanism of proteins in tea plants ...

Xiudi Han,1 Liang Chen,2 Yimin Wang,3 Hui Li,3 Hong Wang,4 Xiqian Xing,5 Chunxiao Zhang,6 Lijun Suo,7 Jinxiang Wang,8 Guohua Yu,9 Guangqiang Wang,10 Xuexin Yao,11 Hongxia Yu,12 Lei Wang,13 Xuedong Liu,1 Bin Cao3 On behalf of the CAP-China Network1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Infectious Disease, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Diseases, Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Nosocomial Infection, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yan’an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Huimin Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zibo Municipal Hospital, Zibo City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 8Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 9Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Weifang No. 2 People’s Hospital, Weifang City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 10Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong University Affiliated Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Qingdao City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 11Department of Respiratory Medicine, The 2nd Hospital of Beijing Corps, Chinese Armed Police Forces, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 12Department of Infectious Disease, Qingdao University Medical College Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China; 13Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Rizhao Chinese Medical Hospital Affiliated to Shandong Chinese Medical University, Rizhao City, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xuedong LiuDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Group, Jiaozhou Road, Qingdao City, 266011, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-18661678256Fax +86-532-82789055Email xuedongliu@263.netBin CaoNational Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Diseases, Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghuayuan East Street, Chao-yang District, Beijing, 100020, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86-13911318339Fax +86-10-84206264Email caobin_ben@163.comPurpose: The cost-effectiveness of different guideline-concordant antimicrobial regimens for elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was rarely discussed. This study attempts to explore the most appropriate cost-effectiveness of guideline-concordant antimicrobial regimen for elderly patients with CAP in general wards.Patients and Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, 4:2:1 matched study enrolling 511 elderly patients with CAP hospitalized in general wards. Two hundred ninety-two patients prescribed with β-lactam monotherapy (group A), 146 patients prescribed with fluoroquinolone monotherapy (group B) and 73 patients prescribed with β-lactam/macrolide combination therapy (group C). Clinical outcomes and medical costs were analyzed by χ2 test for categorical variables or Kruskal–Wallis H-test for continuous variables.Results: There were no statistical differences in imaging features, etiology and complications during hospitalization among these three groups. The rates of clinical failure occurrence, in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality and 60-day mortality also had no significant differences among group A, B and C patients; however, the median length of stay (LOS) in group A patients was 12.0 days, which was significantly higher than that in group B and C patients (both 10.0 days, p< 0.02). The median total, drug, and antibiotic costs for one elderly CAP episode in group B patients were RMB 10368.4, RMB 3874.8, and RMB 1796.3, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in group A and C patients (p< 0.01).Conclusion: Non-inferiority of clinical failure occurrence and short-term mortality was observed in different guideline-concordant antimicrobial regimens for elderly patients with CAP in general wards; however, the median LOS and hospitalization-associated costs for one elderly CAP episode with fluoroquinolone monotherapy were significantly lowest, and this strategy was considered to be the most cost-effective strategy in general wards.Keywords: community-acquired pneumonia, cost-effectiveness, antimicrobial regimen, elderly, general ward

Purpose To predict the risk of hospital deaths in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) infection. Patients and methods A total of 366 patients who were diagnosed with HAP caused by MDR-AB infection were enrolled between January 2013 and December 2016. The sociological characteristics and clinical data of these cases were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were used to explore the risk factors of hospital deaths before medication and after drug withdrawal. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were utilized to assess the predictive effectiveness of the models with or without the adjustment. Results Hospital deaths occurred in 142 cases (38.80%). The results showed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores before medication and after drug withdrawal were associated with the risk of hospital deaths. Adjusting the covariants including the age, autoimmune disease, venous cannula, transfer of patients from other hospitals, and APACHE II score at admission, then no differences were discovered in predicting the hospital deaths between adjusted APACHE II and adjusted SOFA scores before medication (AUC: 0.808 vs 0.803, P =0.614) and after drug withdrawal (AUC: 0.876 vs 0.878, P =0.789). Conclusion Before medication or after drug withdrawal, the adjusted APACHE II and adjusted SOFA scores all performed well in determining the predictive effectiveness of the hospital deaths in patients with HAP caused by MDR-AB infection, indicating that the appropriate infection control may reduce the occurrence of nosocomial deaths and improve the prognosis.

In this study, a series of liquid crystal copolyurethanes based on mesogenic biphenyl diol and two aromatic biphenyl diisocyanate were synthesized via polyaddition method. Chemical structure of the...

In this study, wholly aromatic phosphorus-containing thermotropic liquid crystal polymers (TLCP) derived from 6-hydroxy-2-naphthenic acid (HNA), terephthalic acid (TA) and 10-(2,5-Dihydroxypheny)-1...

Background Multidrug-resistant (MDR) ST11 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is emerging in China. Purpose The aim of this study was to track the transmission and evolution of hvKp. Materials and methods A retrospective study focused on Kp infection was conducted. Clinical data were collected from electronic medical records. Whole-genome sequencing of Kp strains was performed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed and a transmission map was constructed. Sequence type, and antimicrobial and virulence-associated genes were characterized. Strains with some combination of the virulence genes, prmpA, prmpA2, iucA, iroB, and peg-344, were defined as hvKp. Kp virulence phenotypes were evaluated using the Galleria mellonella model. Results All 33 Kp strains were MDR-Kp and 13 (39.4%) were hvKp. Most hvKp strains (84.6%, 11/13) were hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Two unique combinations of virulence-associated genes were detected among hvKp strains. Eleven cases were associated with prmpA2+iucA and two strains presented with peg-344+ prmpA+ prmpA2+iucA. Surprisingly, two community-acquired MDR-hvKp infection cases were identified. Eight hvKp strains (61.5%, 8/13) exhibited a hypervirulent phenotype in the G. mellonella model. Five MDR-hvKp strains with the hypervirulence phenotype originated from a single cluster. Additionally, nine clones were identified among the two clades, six of which were hvKp. Moreover, the hvKp in clade 1 carried the IncHI1B plasmid replicon, whereas none of the hvKp strains in clade 2 harbored IncHI1B. These data, showing that different hvKp clones distributed into separate clades, indicate that transmission and evolution occurred within the hospital. Conclusion During inter-host evolution and transmission, various virulence clusters of the epidemic clone, MDR-ST11, converged, conferring phenotypic virulence heterogeneity and spread within the hospital and possibly the community. Mobile/conjugative genetic elements associated with virulence-encoding gene clusters might emerge and have been transmitted within the hospital, suggesting that enhanced ongoing surveillance is essential.

In this study, three novel main-chain liquid-crystal polyurethanes based on mesogenic diol 4,4ʹ-bis(6-hydroxyhexoxy)biphenyl (BP6), azo diol 4,4ʹ-bis(6-hydroxyhexyloxy)-azobenzene (BHHAB) and 4,4ʹ-...

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with relapse after surgery for fibrosarcoma. Methods We reviewed the clinical data of 56 patients who experienced recurrence after fibrosarcoma resection and who received chemotherapy from September 2015 to September 2017 (no significant difference in general data of patients) (p>0.05). Differences in drug use and adverse effects were observed between patients who received monotherapy and those who received regular chemotherapy (MAID/AI). Results Compared with the regular chemotherapy group, patients in the apatinib monotherapy group exhibited an improved overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). In patients treated with apatinib, the incidence of adverse reactions was improved, and the symptoms were mild (P Conclusion Apatinib is a single-drug regimen that can be used in cases of recurrence of fibrosarcoma with high expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2); its short-term efficacy is excellent, and its side effects are minimal. This drug may be used as part of a regular chemotherapy program.

The synthesis and modification of high performance thermotropic liquid crystal polyesters (TLCP) are still being investigated due to their excellent properties. In this study modification o...

In this study, aromatic–aliphatic thermotropic copolyesters derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCA), terephthalic acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different ...

Background Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Cardiospermum halicacabum is used to treat nerve disorders, stiffness, rheumatism, ear ache, snake bite, and so on. Methods In this study, the reaction parameters were optimized to control the size of the nanoparticle, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Various characterization techniques such as selected area diffraction pattern, UV-visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, dynamic light scattering, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy were employed to analyze the synthesized AuNPs obtained from C. halicacabum (CH-AuNP) against gastric carcinoma cell line. Results The cytotoxic effect of CH-AuNP against AGS, SNU-5, and SNU-16 cell lines was detected by MTT assay. The induction of apoptosis by CH-AuNP in AGS was analyzed by double staining technique using TUNEL and DAPI staining assays. Further to confirm the molecular mechanism exhibited by CH-AuNP to induce apoptosis, the intracellular ROS level was assessed and immunoblotting was performed to assess the apoptotic signaling molecules that often deregulated in cancerous condition. Conclusion The results clearly prove that CH-AuNP increases ROS and induces apoptosis in AGS, suggesting that CH-AuNP may be an effective anticancer drug with no side effects to treat gastric cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and evaluate the influencing factors of local efficacy. Methods: From January 2013 to January 2017, 137 CRLM patients accepting US-guided percutaneous MWA were included. The 2450-MHz microwave ablation system and a cooled-shaft antenna were used. All patients were regularly followed up for at least 6 months. Technical success, complete ablation, local tumor progression (LTP), complications and side effects were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent prognostic factors for LTP. Results: In total, 411 lesions (mean diameter 15.4 ± 7.2 mm, range 5–67 mm) were treated. Complete ablation was achieved in 99.27% (408/411) of lesions and 97.81% (134/137) of patients. LTP occurred in 5.35% (22/411) of lesions and 16.06% (22/137) of patients. LTP was more likely to occur in lesions larger than 3 cm in diameter (OR: 14.71; p

We synthesise a novel poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) and develop a procedure that allows the phase transfer of graphene oxides (GO) from water to organic solvent, retaining graphene oxide liquid crystal (GOLC) phase in various organic solvents, especially non-polar organic solvents. PIL ([PEP-MIM]DBS) is exploited in this procedure as a noncovalent functional material that is capable of transporting GO from aqueous to non-polar organic phase. PILs can decorate GO noncovalently and keep GO nano-sheets exfoliated in solid-state PILs/GO hybrids, which can well redisperse in organic solvents without any agglomeration. This expands the number of known solvents which can support GOLC phase to dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, and a number of other non-polar organic solvents, many of which were not known to afford GOLC phase prior to this report, such as dichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, dichloroethane and tetrachloroethane.

Firstly, PEGn-TA monomers with carboxyl functional groups were synthesised by terephthalic acid (TA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with molecular weight of 200, 400 and 600. Then, photocrosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystal copolyesters derived from PEGn-TA, 4,4ʹ-biphenol, 4-hydroxy-cinnamic acid and 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid were successfully obtained by Vilsmeier adduct solution polymerisation method. Influence of PEG molecular weight on thermal behaviour, liquid crystal mesophase, hydrophilicity, structure and photoactivity were investigated by various measurements. Experimental results indicated that all copolyesters showed nematic mesophase textures, relative low melting temperatures, and two glass transitions as well as better hydrophilicity were observed for those contained higher PEG molecular weight. Photocrosslinking rate was increased first and then decreased due to effect of flexible PEG moieties. The resulted copolyesters with liquid crystal behaviour, excellent hydrophilicity and p...

This article examines how non-governmental organizations create resources and spaces for girls and women’s education and empowerment in China, India and Pakistan – in the context of global expectations and local state relations as well as cultural norms. We examine the dynamics that foster female empowerment associated with educational attainment. Analysis showed that the five NGO’s responses to enabling and constraining local needs and demands gave rise to productive friction that activated positive development. We conclude that engaging local individuals as managers, teachers or facilitators who can negotiate with international actors and with the state is an effective foundation for maintaining a balance between being accountable to local contingencies and norms and to global social justice principles of the projects. These models indicated that “effective scale” might better be defined as a collaboration between the local and global, rather than “scaling up” in size.International NGO partnersh...

ZnO nanorods were successfully synthesized by a microwave-assisted chemical method. The as-prepared ZnO particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is found that ZnO nanorods with diameters around 20–30 nm and lengths in the range of 60–80 nm were synthesized. The products showed good photocatalytic performance under UV light irradiation. The ZnO nanorods also showed excellent photostability and reusability under UV-visible light irradiation.

Fiber optic-based biosensors with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology are advanced label-free optical biosensing methods. They have brought tremendous progress in the sensing of various chemical and biological species. This review summarizes four sensing configurations (prism, grating, waveguide, and fiber optic) with two ways, attenuated total reflection (ATR) and diffraction, to excite the surface plasmons. Meanwhile, the designs of different probes (U-bent, tapered, and other probes) are also described. Finally, four major types of biosensors, immunosensor, DNA biosensor, enzyme biosensor, and living cell biosensor, are discussed in detail for their sensing principles and applications. Future prospects of fiber optic-based SPR sensor technology are discussed.

A method for determining levels of fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), and iodine (I) in marine geological samples using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence is presented here. Samples are prepared as pressed powder pellets. The method makes full use of the advantages of the ability of the modern X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to detect ultra-light elements and high-powered X-rays. A series of calibration standards with an appropriate concentration range was developed using a standard addition method. Empirical coefficients were used to correct for matrix effects in the case of F and Cl, the rhodium Kα -Compton peak was used as internal standard for Br matrix corrections, and the rhodium Kb-Compton peak was used to correct for the matrix effect on I. For % concentration of the analyte, the precision (relative standard deviation) of the method was

In this study, the copolyesters based on 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and vanillic acid (VA), lactic acid (LA) and poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) were synthesized via melt polymerization and fully characterized by various measurements. The influences of content of HBA and VA units on thermal behavior, structure and degree of crystallinity of copolyesters were discussed in more detail. It was found that the copolymerization of aliphatic and aromatic units together could make the best use of advantages of the respective polyesters. Moreover, the copolyesters with more than 40 mol% of HBA and VA units could show liquid crystallinity in broad temperature range.

(2013). Reforms to the College Entrance Examination in China: Key Issues, Developments, and Dilemmas. Chinese Education & Society: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 3-9.

(2010). The College Entrance Examination in China: An Overview of Its Social-Cultural Foundations, Existing Problems, and Consequences. Chinese Education & Society: Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 3-10.

Employing data from three encounters, during 1996, 2001, and 2010, with students and teachers in Huining, Gansu, China's "Gaokao county," known for its striking contrast between poverty and the remarkable achievements of its College Entrance Examination (CEE) candidates, we explore the lived experiences of Huining students and teachers who embody Huining's "Gaokao miracle." These experiences, examined in the context of rapid educational transformation and more gradual implementation of CEE reform policies, give expression to continuities and changes in students' and teachers' beliefs, attitudes, and values associated with the CEE. These include the values of hard work and persistence and beliefs about state-granted fairness in educational opportunities. Two 2010 case studies, reflecting controversies associated with the peak of CEE reform, shed light on the creation of CEE "winners" and "losers" and enrich our understanding of the usefulness and limits of social reproduction theories for understanding the...

Anhydrous copper sulfate particles filled styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer composites were investigated. A strong interfacial interaction between the copper sulfate particles and styrene‐acrylonitri...

A novel polypropylene (PP) fiber was prepared by using gel spinning/crystallization from dilute solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight isotactic polypropylene (i‐UHMWPP), and subsequently drawing at various temperatures. The influence of drawing temperature on the properties of the resulted fibers was investigated. We found that the draw‐ability and mechanical as well as crystallization properties of the fibers obtained were dramatically improved with increasing drawing temperature. When the drawing temperature is below the α‐crystal relaxation temperature of PP, which was measured by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis as 100–120°C, the fibers are characterized by lower crystallinity and smaller crystals with less perfection, resulting in brittle fracture and subsequently poor mechanical durability. With drawing at temperatures above the α‐crystal relaxation temperature of PP, a novel UHMWPP fiber with Young's modulus of 27 GPa and tensile strength of 1.3 GPa was obtained. Higher crystallinity ...

In this study cold-rolled steel (CRS) panels were cleaned in solutions of different pH values. The influence of the cleaning solution pH on the CRS surface chemistry was characterized and the corrosion performance of CRS panels was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination revealed differences in the surface morphologies of the samples and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated that the CRS surface was very sensitive to the pH of the cleaning solution. Surface energy calculations revealed that minimum polar and basic components were achieved after cleaning the substrates near the isoelectric point (pH 9.5) of CRS which promoted strong silane adsorption onto the steel. FT-IR results indicated that there were variations in the length of the siloxane molecules formed after cleaning CRS in the different pH conditions. DC polarization and EIS results showed optimum anti-corrosion performance and strong bonding between the substrate and the primer coating for CRS cleaned at...

The preparation, crystallization behavior, and fiber structure and properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) epoxy resin composite fiber were studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile testing. The morphology showed a different behavior from pure polyethylene (PE) fiber. The fiber mechanical properties, creep behavior, and thermal properties of UHMWPE fiber can be improved by adding epoxy resin. It's believed that the epoxy can serve as a physical cross‐linking agent to limit the motion or migration of PE molecules and consequently improve the fiber creep property. However, when the content of epoxy resin is higher than 5 wt%, all of the behavior and properties deteriorate.

In this article, sampling locations, sample types, sample processing methods, and certified values of ocean manganese nodule and sediment reference materials available throughout the world are briefly described. Recommended or information values of major, minor, and trace constituents in those samples have also been collected, and a review of the main characteristics of their property values is presented.