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Securing a comfortable, wearable compact frequency beam scanning antenna (FBSA) with robustness to deformation, low specific absorption rate (SAR), and good coverage of the surrounding environment for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, such as on-body navigation and wireless communication is an emerging challenge. In this work, a robust textile-based spoof plasmonic frequency scanning antenna utilizing higher-order modes is presented, which is also robust to deformation caused by the activities of the human body. The innovative design of the element ensures the high-efficiency transmission of the fundamental mode of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) structure, providing the potential of being a multifunctional composite device in the compact on-body network. Besides, an artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) is designed underneath the SSPP structure, obtaining a low SAR value (0.113 W/kg), which ensures the safety of users. As a practical realization of this concept, a textile-based spoof plasmonic antenna was fabricated in the microwave regime and the performed experimental results show the proposed antenna has a single-beam radiation characteristic with a 70° beam scanning angle range when the frequency is 4.7–6.0 GHz with a high average realized gain of 13.15 dBi. And it still maintains a steady performance when faced with structure deformation, which proves its robustness. Wireless communication quality experiments are performed to demonstrate the proposed antenna can measure the angles of targets and realize wireless signal transmission to specific targets as the frequency varies, it may find great potential in the field of on-body IoT applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rockfall poses a formidable threat to the ongoing fast-paced construction of large-scale projects in uninhabited areas in high mountain valleys. In this study, an optimization method for arranging passive nets on high and steep slopes was presented to mitigate the threat from rockfalls. This method diverges from the conventional method of subjectively arranging passive nets along the perimeter of protected regions (due to its emphasis on cost considerations), in which the quantitative appraisal of rockfall movement characteristics and interception rates is frequently omitted, consequently failing to comprehensively ensure transportation routes and temporary construction sites. The methodology encompasses the acquisition of terrain data by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), identification of rockfall sources based on UAV point clouds, quantitative assessment of rockfall hazards using a 3D probabilistic model, and optimization of the layout of passive nets based on the assessment results. The aim of the optimization of passive nets is to quantitatively assess the cost–effect relationship of passive nets, accounting for construction feasibility, interception potential, and likelihood of successful rockfall interception. We applied this method to the Feishuiyan slope in southwest China as an example, and the results demonstrated an enhanced interception rate of 99% and cost reduction by a factor of three relative to the original scheme. This innovative approach could enhance rockfall mitigation in high and steep areas, providing a viable strategy for future prevention efforts in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wireless imaging, equipped with ultralow power wireless communications and energy harvesting (EH) capabilities, have emerged as battery-free and sustainable solutions. However, the challenge of implementing wireless colour imaging in wearable applications remains, primarily due to high power demands and the need to balance energy harvesting efficiency with device compactness. To address these issues, we propose a flexible and wearable battery-free backscatter wireless communication system specially designed for colour imaging. The system features a hybrid RF-solar EH array that efficiently harvests energy from both ambient RF and visible light energy, ensuring continuous operation in diverse environments. Moreover, flexible materials allow the working system to conform to the human body, ensuring comfort, user-friendliness, and safety. Furthermore, a compact design utilizing a shared-aperture antenna array for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT), coupled with an optically transparent stacked structure. This design not only optimizes space but also maintains the performance of both communication and EH processes. The proposed flexible and wearable systems for colour imaging would have potentially applications in environmental monitoring, object detection, and law enforcement recording. This approach demonstrates a sustainable and practical solution for the next generation of wearable, power-demanding devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical rockfall analysis requires detailed discontinuity measurements; however, the use of conventional contact approaches can be challenging on cliffs. In this study, a novel automatic method for rockfall susceptibility is proposed to identify potential rockfall areas by topographic information on steep slopes generated by a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). The rockfall susceptibility can be determined using the proposed method via the following four steps: first, automatic spatial information of discontinuity extraction based on high-resolution point clouds; second, defining the spatial intersection areas of discontinuities with different statistical properties; third, evaluating the contribution of discontinuity intersections to rockfalls and estimating potential rockfall hazardous blocks based on kinematic analysis; and finally, mapping the rockfall susceptibility through the overall index. Our method can be used to expedite discontinuity measurements from high-resolution point clouds, optimize the processing of discontinuity statistics for the analysis of rockfall source areas, and permit users to visualize and intuitively access potential rockfall areas to facilitate effective measures to control rockfall hazards or implementation. The method was implemented in MATLAB for excavated slopes, and the credibility of our computational results was verified by visual inspection and a comparison to the source locations of rock detachment events. The results showed that the areas in case 1 with a high susceptibility were in line with the geometry of the discontinuities, and the predicted potential failure areas in case 2 were consistent with the rockfall events. This automated process allows rapid acquisition of potential rockfall areas over a broad-scale survey area, which helps to reduce the time of investigation and the uncertainty in further treatment. Highlights: An automatic mapping method based on high-resolution point clouds was utilized for rockfall susceptibility evaluation. An evaluation method was proposed for potential hazardous rockfall blocks based on discontinuity extraction and kinematic analysis. The method was implemented in MATLAB and validated by actual rockfall events on an excavated slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the distribution and migration characteristics of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in paddy soils in Hunan Province, China. A total of 343 soil samples from 63 profiles were collected from typical regions. The concentration, spatial distribution, and migration behaviors of Pb and Zn in the paddy soils were examined. The results showed that (1) the concentration ranges of Pb and Zn in the surface layer were 17.62–114.07 mg/kg and 44.98–146.84 mg/kg, respectively. (2) The content was higher in the middle and lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River basin horizontally and exhibited shallow enrichment characteristics vertically. (3) Pb migration was weaker than Zn migration, and the parent material had the most significant influence on Pb and Zn content in the bottom soil layer. The research results will clarify the characteristics of Pb and Zn contents in paddy soils in Hunan Province, further understand the horizontal distribution and vertical migration and transformation characteristics of Pb and Zn contents in paddy soils, and provide basic data for scientific rice cultivation and safe food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death and plays a dual role in distinct cancers. It is elusive to evaluate the activation level of pyroptosis and to appraise the involvement of pyroptosis in the occurrence and development of diverse tumors. Accordingly, we herein established an indicator to evaluate pyroptosis related gene transcription levels based on the expression level of genes involved in pyroptosis and tried to elaborated on the association between pyroptosis and tumors across diverse tumor types. We found that pyroptosis related gene transcription levels could predict the prognosis of patients, which could act as either a favorable or a dreadful factor in diverse cancers. According to signaling pathway analyses we observed that pyroptosis played a significant role in immune regulation and tumorigenesis and had strong links with other forms of cell death. We also performed analysis on the crosstalk between pyroptosis and immune status and further investigated the predictive potential of pyroptosis level for the efficacy of immunotherapy. Lastly, we manifested that pyroptosis status could serve as a biomarker to the efficacy of chemotherapy across various cancers. In summary, this study established a quantitative indicator to evaluate pyroptosis related gene transcription levels, systematically explored the role of pyroptosis in pan-cancer. These results could provide potential research directions targeting pyroptosis, and highlighted that pyroptosis may be used to develop a novel strategy for the treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) has been found to regulate tumor progression. However, its function in gastric carcinoma (GC) remains controversial. This work aimed to explore the exact effect of CDK12 on GC progression. We detected the expression of CDK12 in GC cells and normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Then CDK12 function on GC cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis was researched by colony formation experiment, Transwell experiment, and angiogenesis assay. Moreover, CDK12 effect on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activity was explored by western blot. Further, we used LY294002 (10 μM) to treat GC cells to verify whether CDK12 regulates GC progression by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Additionally, CDK12 effect on the expression of prognostic factors of GC was detected by western blot, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Ki67. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were utilized to evaluate the expression of mRNAs and proteins. As a result, CDK12 was upregulated in GC cells. CDK12 overexpression facilitated the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of GC cells. However, CDK12 silencing showed an opposite result. CDK12 overexpression activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, but CDK12 silencing inactivated it in GC cells. The blockage of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway induced by LY294002 treatment counteracted the promotion of CDK12 on the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of GC. Further, CDK12 silencing suppressed the expression of ALP and Ki67 proteins in GC cells. Taken together, CDK12 promotes the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of GC by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. It may be a novel target for GC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic malformation (LM) is a vascular anomaly originating from lymphatic endothelial cells (ECs). While it mostly remains a benign disease, a fraction of LM patients progresses to malignant lymphangiosarcoma (LAS). However, very little is known about underlying mechanisms regulating LM malignant transformation to LAS. Here, we investigate the role of autophagy in LAS development by generating EC-specific conditional knockout of an essential autophagy gene Rb1cc1/FIP200 in Tsc1iΔEC mouse model for human LAS. We find that Fip200 deletion blocked LM progression to LAS without affecting LM development. We further show that inhibiting autophagy by genetical ablation of FIP200, Atg5 or Atg7, significantly inhibited LAS tumor cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Transcriptional profiling of autophagy-deficient tumor cells and additional mechanistic analysis determine that autophagy plays a role in regulating Osteopontin expression and its down-stream Jak/Stat3 signaling in tumor cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Lastly, we show that specifically disrupting FIP200 canonical autophagy function by knocking-in FIP200−4A mutant allele in Tsc1iΔEC mice blocked LM progression to LAS. These results demonstrate a role for autophagy in LAS development, suggesting new strategies for preventing and treating LAS.Lymphatic malformation (LM) is a rare, non-malignant vascular abnormality that can progress to lymphangiosarcoma (LAS). The authors use genetic mouse models to show that autophagy inhibition blocks the progression of LM to LAS by decreasing osteopontin expression and Jak/Stat signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rockfall is a major geological disaster that frequently occurs on rock slopes in alpine and gorge regions and poses a significant threat to life and property in areas exposed to rockfall hazards. In this study, a methodology is presented for comprehensive rockfall hazard analysis, including data acquisition, source identification, numerical simulation, quantitative assessment and mitigation evaluation. A high-precision and high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) is generated based on the point cloud data obtained by terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and is utilized for rockfall simulation and automatic identification of structural planes. The model parameters are calibrated by three-dimensional (3D) back analysis, and the rockfall motion is simulated based on a probabilistic model and an energy dissipation model. Rockfall mitigation under passive protection is evaluated according to the rockfall interception ratio (RIR), hazard reduction rate (HRR) and statistics of the rockfall characteristics and hazards within the rockfall threat area. Under the influence of construction excavation, the diversion tunnel inlet slope of Jinchuan Hydropower Station has suffered from a series of rockfall events and potential overall instability, which has become a great threat to the construction personnel, equipment and vehicles below the slope. Thus, the presented methodology is applied to thoroughly study the example case of the rockfall events at the inlet slope of the diversion tunnel of Jinchuan Hydropower Station. The advantages, limitations and notes of each link of the presented methodology are discussed, and the suggestion of strengthening the cracked area with integral active support is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rare Metals is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Without smoke-free legislation in Wuhan, China, we investigated secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home, school, and public places for never-smoking school-going adolescents in 2019. A cross-sectional study was carried out within the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) framework. Weighted univariate, bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. The prevalence of SHS exposure among never-smoking adolescents at home, school and public places was 25.7%, 31.9% and 48.9%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that parents smoking, peers smoking and observing teachers smoking in school were all significantly related to a higher probability of SHS exposure at home, school, and public places. Never-smoking adolescents who had smoking parents had 14 times (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 14.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.37–17.24) higher odds of SHS exposure at home; Never-smoking adolescents who observed teachers smoking in school had about 10 (aOR = 9.76; 95% CI = 7.13–13.36) and four times (aOR = 3.55; 95% CI = 2.77–4.55) higher odds of SHS exposure in school and public places, respectively. Adopting comprehensive smoke-free legislation in public places and smoke-free home rules and implementing and supervising smoke-free school policies may further reduce SHS exposure among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles whose fragmentation by fission is critical to their functional integrity and cellular homeostasis. Here, we develop a method via optogenetic control of mitochondria–lysosome contacts (MLCs) to induce mitochondrial fission with spatiotemporal accuracy. MLCs can be achieved by blue-light-induced association of mitochondria and lysosomes through various photoactivatable dimerizers. Real-time optogenetic induction of mitochondrial fission is tracked in living cells to measure the fission rate. The optogenetic method partially restores the mitochondrial functions of SLC25A46−/− cells, which display defects in mitochondrial fission and hyperfused mitochondria. The optogenetic MLCs system thus provides a platform for studying mitochondrial fission and treating mitochondrial diseases. Existing methods can lack spatiotemporal accuracy to manipulate dynamic mitochondrial behaviour in live cells. Here the authors report an optogenetic method to control mitochondria-lysosome contacts and induce mitochondrial fission; they use photoactivatable dimerizers including CRY2/CIB and SspB/iLID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical methods are widely used to calculate the secure key rate of many quantum key distribution protocols in practice, but they consume many computing resources and are too time-consuming. In this work, we take the homodyne detection discrete-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) as an example, and construct a neural network that can quickly predict the secure key rate based on the experimental parameters and experimental results. Compared to traditional numerical methods, the speed of the neural network is improved by several orders of magnitude. Importantly, the predicted key rates are not only highly accurate but also highly likely to be secure. This allows the secure key rate of discrete-modulated CV-QKD to be extracted in real time on a low-power platform. Furthermore, our method is versatile and can be extended to quickly calculate the complex secure key rates of various other unstructured quantum key distribution protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoinositide species, differing in phosphorylation at hydroxyls of the inositol head group, play roles in various cellular events. Despite the importance of phosphoinositides, simultaneous quantification of individual phosphoinositide species is difficult using conventional methods. Here we developed a supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry method that can quantify the molecular species of all seven phosphoinositide regioisomers. We used this method to analyze (1) profiles of phosphoinositide species in mouse tissues, (2) the effect of lysophosphatidylinositol acyltransferase 1-depletion on phosphoinositide acyl-chain composition in cultured cells, and (3) the molecular species of phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate produced during the induction of autophagy. Although further improvement is needed for the absolute quantification of minor phosphoinositide regioisomers in biological samples, our method should clarify the physiological and pathological roles of phosphoinositide regioisomers at the molecular species level. Phosphoinositide (PIP) species play important roles in a number of cellular events, but the simultaneous quantification of individual PIP species remains challenging using conventional methods. Here, the authors report a supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach to simultaneous measure the molecular species of all seven PIP regioisomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FIP200 is an essential autophagy gene implicated in the regulation of postnatal neural progenitor/stem cells (NSCs). However, the contribution of FIP200's canonical-autophagy function and its non-canonical functions to postnatal NSC maintenance remains unclear. Utilizing a recently generated Fip200-4A allele that specifically impairs FIP200's canonical-autophagy function, we found that non-canonical functions of FIP200 was required for regulation of mouse NSC maintenance and neurogenesis in vivo. Ablating the non-canonical functions of FIP200, but not its autophagy function, increased TBK1 activation and p62 phosphorylation at S403 in NSCs. Phosphorylation of p62 was dependent on TBK1 kinase activity and increased the propensity of p62 aggregate formation specifically in FIP200-null NSCs. Accordingly, inhibition of TBK1 by amlexanox reduced p62 aggregates and restored NSC maintenance and differentiation in Fip200hGFAP cKO mice. These results reveal a mechanism for the non-canonical functions of FIP200 in NSC maintenance and differentiation by limiting TBK1 activation and subsequently, p62 aggregate formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ZnSnO3/C nanofibers are successfully prepared using a simple electrospinning method and their morphology and electrical properties are characterized. The results show that the diameter of the ZnSnO3/C nanofibers is ~190 nm and they comprise ~25 nm particles. The lithium-ion battery (LIB) fabricated using the prepared ZnSnO3/C nanofibers exhibits a high initial specific capacity of 1411.7 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Electrospun samples maintain a good specific capacity, owing to the unique structure of the ZnSnO3/C nanofibers, which provides both buffer spaces for the large volume expansion during repeated charge-discharge cycles and fast lithium-ion transport, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance. This study provides an effective method for the preparation of ZnSnO3/C nanofibers and a potential anode material for LIBs. ZnSnO3/C nanofibers are successfully synthesized via a simple electrospinning method, which maintains a good specific capacity during the charge discharge process with a large current density. These good performances are attributed to the unique structure of the ZnSnO3/C nanofibers, which provides both buffer spaces for the large volume expansion during repeated charge discharge cycles and fast lithium ion transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) senses viral RNA and instigates an innate immune signaling cascade to induce type I interferon expression. Currently, the regulatory mechanisms controlling RIG-I activation remain to be fully elucidated. Here we show that the FAK family kinase-interacting protein of 200 kDa (FIP200) facilitates RIG-I activation. FIP200 deficiency impaired RIG-I signaling and increased host susceptibility to RNA virus infection. In vivo studies further demonstrated FIP200 knockout mice were more susceptible to RNA virus infection due to the reduced innate immune response. Mechanistic studies revealed that FIP200 competed with the helicase domain of RIG-I for interaction with the two tandem caspase activation and recruitment domains (2CARD), thereby facilitating the release of 2CARD from the suppression status. Furthermore, FIP200 formed a dimer and facilitated 2CARD oligomerization, thereby promoting RIG-I activation. Taken together, our study defines FIP200 as an innate immune signaling molecule that positively regulates RIG-I activation. Lingyan Wang et al. report that the autophagy-associated protein FIP200 interacts with the RNA sensor RIG-I to trigger activation of the type I interferon pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Activation of mTORC1 plays a significant role in cancer development and progression. However, the metabolic mechanisms to sustain mTORC1 activation of cancer cells within stressed environments are still under-appreciated. We recently revealed high autophagy activity in tumour cells with mTORC1 hyper-activation. Nevertheless, the functions and mechanisms of autophagy in regulating mTORC1 in glioma are not studied.Methods: Using glioma patient database and human glioma cells, we assessed the mechanisms and function of selective autophagy to sustain mTORC1 hyper-activation in glioma.Results: We revealed a strong association of altered mRNA levels in mTORC1 upstream and downstream genes with prognosis of glioma patients. Our results indicated that autophagy-mediated lipid catabolism was essential to sustain mTORC1 activity in glioma cells under energy stresses. We found that autophagy inhibitors or fatty acid oxidation (FAO) inhibitors in combination with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) decreased energy production and survival of glioma cells in vitro. Consistently, inhibition of autophagy or FAO inhibitors with 2DG effectively suppressed the progression of xenografted glioma with hyper-activated mTORC1.Conclusions: This study established an autophagy/lipid degradation/FAO/ATP generation pathway, which might be used in brain cancer cells under energy stresses to maintain high mTORC1 signalling for tumour progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preoperative prediction of tumor recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is helpful for clinical decision-making before treatment. A total of 162 patients with HCC of 3 cm or less who were completely ablated by percutaneous RFA were divided into a derivation cohort (n = 108) and a validation cohort (n = 54). Based on X-Tiles software, Kaplan–Meier curve analysis and COX multivariate analysis to obtain valuable predictive indicators, a clinical scoring system for predicting tumor recurrence was established. In the verall cohort, derivation cohort and validation cohort, we found circulating tumor cells (CTC) > 2/3.2 mL, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 20 ng/mL, and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) > 40 mAU/mL, maximum tumor diameter > 20 mm, and the number of multiple tumors (≥ 2) are independent risk factors affecting tumor recurrence. Each independent risk factor was assigned a score of 1 to construct a predictive clinical scoring system, and X-Tiles software was used to divide the clinical score into a low-risk group (0 score–1 score), a medium-risk group (2 scores–3 scores), and a high-risk group (4 scores–5 scores). The cumulative tumor recurrence rates of patients in the low-risk group, middle-risk group, and high-risk group in 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years were 19.4%/27.5%/30.9%, 37.0%/63.2%/79.9% and 68.2%/100%/100%, respectively (Low-risk group vs medium-risk group: P < 0.001; medium-risk group vs high-risk group: P < 0.001). This clinical scoring system can predict the prognosis of patients with HCC of 3 cm or smaller undergoing percutaneous RFA, which has certain application value for making preoperative clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn2+ plays important roles in metabolism and signaling regulation. Subcellular Zn2+ compartmentalization is essential for organelle functions and cell biology, but there is currently no method to determine Zn2+ signaling relationships among more than two different organelles with one probe. Here, we report simultaneous Zn2+ tracking in multiple organelles (Zn-STIMO), a method that uses structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and a single Zn2+ fluorescent probe, allowing super-resolution morphology-correlated organelle identification in living cells. To guarantee SIM imaging quality for organelle identification, we develop a new turn-on Zn2+ fluorescent probe, NapBu-BPEA, by regulating the lipophilicity of naphthalimide-derived Zn2+ probes to make it accumulate in multiple organelles except the nucleus. Zn-STIMO with this probe shows that CCCP-induced mitophagy in HeLa cells is associated with labile Zn2+ enhancement. Therefore, direct organelle identification supported by SIM imaging makes Zn-STIMO a reliable method to determine labile Zn2+ dynamics in various organelles with one probe. Finally, SIM imaging of pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids with NapBu-BPEA demonstrates the potential of super-resolution morphology-correlated organelle identification to track biospecies and events in specific organelles within organoids. Subcellular Zn2+ compartmentalisation is essential for cell biology. Here the authors make a turn-on fluorescent Zn2+ probe that localises to multiple organelles, and correlate its location using organelle morphology derived from structured illumination microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mounting evidence shows that drug dependence involves the complex interplay between genetics and the environment. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine (DA) synthesis, which plays an essential role in the development of drug addiction. Noradrenergic dysfunction due to abnormalities TH expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of drug addiction. We profiled thirteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one VNTR (TCAT repeat, UniSTS:240,639) in 512 cases and 600 healthy Chinese subjects to evaluate the relationship between common variants within the TH gene and opioids dependence (OD) in the Chinese Han population. The single-marker analysis determined that rs10770141 (p < 0.001, OR 1.739, 95% CI 1.302 − 2.323) and rs10770140 (p = 0.002, OR 1.536, 95% CI 1.164 − 2.026) are risk variants for OD. The haplotype-association analyses determined that A–C–C–C was a risk factor (p = 0.006, OR 1.662, 95% CI 1.241 − 2.225) for OD. We also observed a significant association between (TACT)9/9 and the duration of transition from the first time using opioids to the development of opioid dependence (DTFUD) (p = 0.002, OR 2.153, 95% CI 1.319 − 3.513). Taken together, this study suggests that TH gene polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of OD in the Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgound: The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is important in the development and progression of many cancers. Targeted cancer therapy using mTORC1 inhibitors is used for treatment of cancers; however, their clinical efficacies are still limited.Methods: We recently created a new mouse model for human lymphangiosarcoma by deleting Tsc1 in endothelial cells and consequent hyper-activation of mTORC1. Using Tsc1iΔEC tumour cells from this mouse model, we assessed the efficacies of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as anti-tumour agents for mTORC1-driven tumours.Results: Unlike the cytostatic effect of mTORC1 inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors induced Tsc1iΔEC tumour cell death in vitro and their growth in vivo. Analysis of several HDAC inhibitors suggested stronger anti-tumour activity of class I HDAC inhibitor than class IIa or class IIb inhibitors, but these or pan HDAC inhibitor SAHA did not affect mTORC1 activation in these cells. Moreover, HDAC inhibitor-induced cell death required elevated autophagy, but was not affected by disrupting caspase-dependent apoptosis pathways. We also observed increased reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress in SAHA-treated tumour cells, suggesting their contribution to autophagic cell death, which were dependent on mTORC1 hyper-activation.Conclusion: These studies suggest a potential new treatment strategy for mTORC1-driven cancers like lymphangiosarcoma through an alternative mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embryo implantation is an essential and complex process in mammalian reproduction. However, little evidence has indicated the involvement of autophagy during embryo implantation. To determine the possible role of autophagy in uterine of pregnant mice during the peri-implantation stage, we first examined the expression of autophagy-related markers ATG5 and LC3 on day 4, 5, and 6 of pregnancy (D4, D5, and D6, respectively). Compared with expression on D4, downregulation of the autophagy-related markers was observed on D5 and D6, the days after the embryo attached to the receptivity endometrium. Further examination showed that autophagy-related markers ATG5, ATG12, LC3, cathepsin B, and P62 at the implantation site were significantly decreased when comparing with the inter-implantation site. Fewer number of autophagosomes at the implantation site were also observed by transmission electron microscopy. To confirm the functional role of autophagy during embryo implantation in mice, we administered the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and chloroquine to mice. After treated with 3-methyladenine, the expression of decidual markers HOXA10 and progesterone receptor were significantly reduced. Furthermore, a reduction in implantation sites and increase in the HOXA10 and PR protein levels were observed in response to chloroquine treatment. In addition, impaired uterine decidualization and dysregulation of the PR and HOXA10 protein levels was observed after autophagy inhibited by 3-methyladenine and chloroquine in in vivo artificial decidualization mouse model. In the last, LC3 and P62 were also observed in normal human proliferative, secretory, and decidua tissues. In conclusion, endometrial autophagy may be essential for embryo implantation, and it may be associated with endometrial decidualization during early pregnancy. Key message: • Autophagy-related markers were significantly decreased at implantation site. • Autophagy inhibition results in abnormal decidualization. • Autophagy is essential for embryo implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot deformation behaviour of one 7XXX series aluminium alloy, 7A04, has been studied by conducting isothermal hot compression tests with degree of compression up to 55% at the temperature ranging from 350 °C to 480 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.002 s−1 to 20s−1. Based on characteristic of the flow stress obtained from those tests, an extended Voce equation, which constant parameters were modified as Arrhenius-type type equation, was given and used to calculate the flow stresses under the conditions of the hot deformation. The parameters of extended Voce equation were determined by experimental results. The comparison between the experimental and predicted flow stress values at the hot compression parameters range indicated good agreement. The average absolute relative error, root mean square error and the correlation coefficient were found to be 4.9%, 4.8 MPa and 0.997, respectively, which confirmed the extended Voce model had good accuracy. Additional, a finite element simulation model of isothermal hot compression process was used to verify the new Voce equation and the results verified the accuracy of the new equation. The main softening mechanism of the hot deformation was dynamic recovery and was confirmed by optical microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In innate immunity, multiple autophagic processes eliminate intracellular pathogens, but it remains unclear whether noncanonical autophagy and xenophagy are coordinated, and whether they occur concomitantly or sequentially. Here, we show that Streptococcus pneumoniae, a causative of invasive pneumococcal disease, can trigger FIP200-, PI3P-, and ROS-independent pneumococcus-containing LC3-associated phagosome (LAPosome)-like vacuoles (PcLVs) in an early stage of infection, and that PcLVs are indispensable for subsequent formation of bactericidal pneumococcus-containing autophagic vacuoles (PcAVs). Specifically, we identified LC3- and NDP52-delocalized PcLV, which are intermediates between PcLV and PcAV. Atg14L, Beclin1, and FIP200 were responsible for delocalizing LC3 and NDP52 from PcLVs. Thus, multiple noncanonical and canonical autophagic processes are deployed sequentially against intracellular S. pneumoniae. The Atg16L1 WD domain, p62, NDP52, and poly-Ub contributed to PcLV formation. These findings reveal a previously unidentified hierarchical autophagy mechanism during bactericidal xenophagy against intracellular bacterial pathogens, and should improve our ability to control life-threating pneumococcal diseases. Ogawa, Takada et al. show that Streptococcus pneumoniae triggers the formation of pneumococcus-containing LC3-associated phagosome-like vacuoles in an early stage of infection. This study suggests a hierarchical autophagy mechanism activated by intracellular bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence has demonstrated the important role of autophagy in skeletal homeostasis; however, the role of autophagy in craniofacial bone development and acquisition is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of autophagy suppression on craniofacial bone acquisition by deleting Fip200 or Atg5, two essential autophagy genes, using Osterix-Cre (Osx-Cre). We found that the Osx-Cre transgene mildly decreased the bone mass of parietal bone but not frontal bone, and did not affect cranial base bone mass in adult mice. In the cranial vault, Fip200 or Atg5 deletion similarly decreased 50% bone mass of neural crest-derived frontal bone; Atg5 deletion decreased 50% and Fip200 deletion decreased 30% bone mass of mesoderm-derived parietal bone. In the cranial base, Fip200 or Atg5 deletion similarly decreased 30% bone mass of neural crest-derived presphenoid bone; Atg5 deletion decreased 30% and Fip200 deletion decreased 16% bone mass of mesoderm-derive basioccipital bone. Lastly, we used doxycycline treatment to inhibit the Osx-Cre expression until 2 months of age and showed that postnatal Fip200 deletion led to cranial vault bone mass decrease in association with a small increase in both bone volume/tissue volume and tissue mineral density. Altogether, this study demonstrated the important role of autophagy in craniofacial bone acquisition during development and postnatal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood–retinal barrier breakdown is the main pathological characteristics of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) was reported to be elevated in DR patients. In this study, we observed the dynamic profile of ADMA, retinal morphology and permeability of BRB at 2, 4 or 8 week of diabetic rats induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (60 mg/kg) and in cultured rat retinal pericytes pretreated with d-glucose (30 mM) for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days or ADMA (3, 10, 30 μM) for 24, 48 and 72 h, trying to explore the effects of ADMA on blood–retinal barrier in DR. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and the expression of blood–retinal barrier-specific component connexin 43 (Cx43) were examined in diabetic rats or cultured retinal pericytes to elucidate whether ADMA impacted blood–retinal barrier function via damaging Cx43-GJIC. The results showed that with increasing duration of diabetes, the ultrastructure of blood–retinal barrier of diabetic rats appeared cell junction damage, apoptosis of retinal pericytes and breakdown of barrier successively. The increases in retinal permeability, ADMA levels and Cx43 expression, and abnormal GJIC were observed in diabetic rats and retinal pericytes exposed to d-glucose (30 mM). A glucose-like effect was seen using ADMA or another l-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl-l-arginine or dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAHs) siRNA, implicating that ADMA aggravated the breakdown of blood–retinal barrier via damaging Cx43-GJIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declining human sperm quality has been demonstrated in several recent studies. Age, environmental factors, and nutritional factors can affect semen quality. Mercury (Hg) is considered a male reproductive toxicant. Animal studies indicated that exposure to Hg can cause DNA damage, sperm dysfunction, and decreased sperm motility. Some previous studies also revealed that blood Hg levels in infertile or subfertile males were higher than those in normal males. In this study, we recruited 84 male participants from a reproductive medical center and investigated the Hg, lead, and selenium levels in blood and seminal plasma. Participants were divided into two groups, low- and high-quality semen groups, according to the World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. The distribution of blood reproductive hormones and information on participants' lifestyle and medical history were collected from structured questionnaires. Average Hg levels in blood were 9.3±5.9 versus 8.9±5.9 and in seminal plasma were 1.26±0.61 versus 1.05±0.52 μg/L in the low- and high-quality semen groups, respectively. There was a dose-dependent relationship between blood Hg levels and normal sperm morphology (p=0.02). Participants with predatory fish intake and high blood Hg level had lower sperm with a normal morphology. Therefore, predatory fish intake may be a critical risk factor for elevated Hg levels in males and cause low semen quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The cooling time in an injection molding process comprises about 60 to 80% of the entire molding cycle. Throughput and molded part quality can be improved by the mold with conformal cooling channels. Injection molds or dies with conformal cooling channels have been developed by rapid tooling technology. However, the manufacturing process for the injection mold with conformal cooling channels made of ABS polymers is not environmentally friendly. In addition, the fabrication process for a wax cooling channel with complex geometrical shapes is very time-consuming. It was found that the wax filament fabricated by the mold made by indirect tooling has better quality. A method for fabricating long wax filament using the butt joint method was developed. The optimal process parameters for making the long wax filament by the butt joint method are the butt angle of 30°, wax temperature of 82 °C, and injection pressure of 0.6 kgf/cm2. The optimal process parameters for the surface quality improvement of wax cooling channels are the hot water temperature of 85 °C and the immersion time of 10 s. Finally, the rapid tooling technology was used to make the injection mold with a smooth surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymer semiconductor-supported FePO4 (FePO4/g-C3N4) nanocomposites were prepared using FePO4 and g-C3N4 as materials by ultrasound mixing method. The nanocomposite samples were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis DRS, and PL. FePO4/g-C3N4 showed higher photocatalytic activity to degrade Rhodamine B than FePO4 and g-C3N4 under visible light irradiation. The feature of FePO4/g-C3N4 was attributed to efficient separation of the electron-hole pairs. The results of recycling photocatalytic experiment demonstrated that polymer/inorganic salt composites possessed higher stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumors adapt their phenotypes during growth and in response to therapies through dynamic changes in cellular processes. Connexin proteins enable such dynamic changes during development, and their dysregulation leads to disease states. The gap junction communication channels formed by connexins have been reported to exhibit tumor-suppressive functions, including in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, we find that connexin 26 (Cx26) is elevated in self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) and is necessary and sufficient for their maintenance. Cx26 promotes CSC self-renewal by forming a signaling complex with the pluripotency transcription factor NANOG and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), resulting in NANOG stabilization and FAK activation. This FAK/NANOG-containing complex is not formed in mammary epithelial or luminal breast cancer cells. These findings challenge the paradigm that connexins are tumor suppressors in TNBC and reveal a unique function for Cx26 in regulating the core self-renewal signaling that controls CSC maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six isolates of Arthrobotrys musiformis and five isolates of Arthrobotrys robusta were assessed in in vitro test regarding the capacity of prey larvae of the natural mixed trichostrongylides. In 5 isolates of A. robusta, the decrease percentage of infective larvae (L3) of trichostrongylides ranged from 97.71%-99.98% and for the isolates of A. musiformis, 5 isolates ranged from 97.99%-99.95% and only NF015 isolate 60.72%. In the following, the isolate (NPS045) of A. musiformis was selected to assess its excretion time in feces after oral administration of goats. Regarding L3 reduction rate, results demonstrated by NPS045 at each time point after fungal administration were 31.65% (12 h), 51.25% (24 h), 41.07% (48 h), 6.44% (72 h), 0% (96 h) and (120 h) (p<0.05) respectively, when compared to the control group. In the plates of the treated groups, the presence of the isolate (NPS045) was detected in samples at 12, 24 and 48 h after the fungus dose and 72 h later was not done. All native isolates of nematophagous fungi, including 6 isolates of A. musiformis and 5 isolates of A. robusta were assessed in vivo regarding the capacity of supporting the passage through goat gastrointestinal tract. The 3 isolates of A. musiformis could be able to pass through the digestive tract of goats without complete loss of ability of preying larvae of trichostrongylides in feces and their efficacies ranged from 47.60% to 55.93%. The two isolates of A. robusta survived the passage and the percentage reduction of L3 in feces were 41.96% and 66.97%, respectively. The remaining isolates were negative for both the efficacy of L3 reduction and the fungal examination in feces. In this study, the native isolates whose efficacies are good in vivo test have preliminarily demonstrated to be potential for the biological control of small ruminant parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a flexible extrusion process which involves extruding the materials via one fixed and one movable die was studied. The novel extrusion process is termed as variable cross-section extrusion which can produce near net shape bars or tubes with variable cross sections along the length. During the extrusion process, the key is accurately and dynamically adjusting the geometry and size of die hole. Based on the 'equivalent volume theory,' a novel motion control model was proposed for the movable dies. Besides, a numerical calculation method and a program for the model were also presented. By using the program, the motion parameters of movable dies were calculated for extruding a typical variable cross section. Finite element method (FEM) simulation and experimental work were carried out to analyze the precision and accuracy of the control model. According to the simulation results, the shapes of extrusion parts agree well with the designed shape. However, the measured dimensions of the FEM extrusion part are always smaller than the designed curves with absolute deviation of 0.81 mm. According to the experimental results, the dimensional tolerances are 0.35 and −0.22 mm when the movable die is moving upward and downward, respectively. These-dimensional tolerances are associated with the instant transformation of moving direction of the movable die, which were driven and controlled by an electrohydraulic servo system. All results have shown the motion control model has enough precision and accuracy and can be used in the processes of design and parameter calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new algorithm of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) is proposed with high-radix interleaved multiplication implemented to reduce computational complexity, which in result presenting an effective performance improvement from the traditional radix-2 interleaved multiplication. ECC is one of RSAs, more suitable than others to be employed in IoT devices, since it enjoys particularly the merit of shorter key lengths while keeping well the security level comparable to other RSAs. This work paid the effort to minimize integrally the operation time and the hardware area of an ECC algorithm based on the interleaved modular multiplication. The minimization is achieved via implementing the modular division part with the right-shift binary inverse algorithm to share the same hardware resource with the modular adders and subtractions. Compared to all the other related, best works on ECC, the proposed architecture reduces successfully the operation cycle time by three-quarters to 1.12 mini-sec, while the multiplier hardware requires three-quarters less area of 13.43k LUT, greatly reducing the cost of IoT devices while maintaining favorable processing speed to arrive at the best favorable figure of merit, the product of is and processing time, among past works as 15.04. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The over extraction of groundwater in central-western and southwestern Taiwan has resulted in serious land subsidence for decades. For making countermeasures in response to land subsidence, this study collects long-term hydrological data to explore the relationships between surface water and groundwater in various monitoring stations, and then constructs one-month-ahead forecast models by using data-driven techniques for the water resources management of the Zhuoshui River basin in Taiwan. The results demonstrate that the constructed models can accurately forecast monthly groundwater levels. The sensitivity analysis is next conducted on the input variables of the constructed models by using the partial derivative method. The analysis results reveal that streamflow is a predominant factor for groundwater level variation, and therefore streamflow management made by the upstream weir of the river would influence groundwater level variations. This study further implements several scenario analyses based on the interactive mechanism between groundwater and surface water in response to future climatic conditions and weir discharge management, respectively. The results of scenario analyses indicate that the groundwater recharge zone spreads along the Zhuoshui River while lateral and vertical recharge sources would cause different quantities and distribution patterns of groundwater recharge. Besides, an increase in weir discharge would improve groundwater recharge quantities with groundwater level variations at 0.12 m and 0.06 m in wet and dry seasons, respectively. As a consequence, the operation of weir discharge would play an import role in sustainable development of water resources management in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two kinds of novel algorithms based on generalized Laguerre approximation with negative integer are presented to solve the delay differential equations. The algorithms differ from the spectral collocation method by the high sparsity of the matrices. Moreover, the use of generalized Laguerre polynomials leads to much simplified analysis and more precise error estimates. The numerical results indicate the high accuracy and the stability of long-time calculation of suggested algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate long-term survival outcomes and toxicity of T4 classification nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with intracranial extension (IE group) or without intracranial extension (non-IE group) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using the propensity score matching method. After generating propensity scores given the covariates of age, sex, N classification, and concurrent chemotherapy, 132 patients in each group were matched. The 5-year local failure-free survival rate and the 5-year overall survival rate in the IE group were lower than the patients in the non-IE group (74.6 vs. 88.9 %, p = .008; 51.1 vs. 71.9 %, p = .005). Grade 2 hypothyroidism was more common in the IE group (13.2 vs. 3.4 %, p = .029). For patients with T4 classification NPC after IMRT, patients with intracranial extension need more attention to the thyroid gland function and are more likely to experience local failure and death than patients without intracranial extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glasses based on ZnO−BiO−BO system are expected to be a new kind of sealing glasses because of their low melting temperature and other properties. In order to reveal the effect of BO on the rheological behavior of ZnO−BiO−BO system glass melt, the properties of viscosity, thermal expansion, fluxion property and wetting process between cylinder samples and stainless steel were investigated with the rotating crucible viscometer, dilatometer and high-temperature microscope. The structure of sintered glass samples was investigated with scanning electron microscope. The results show that the BO content increasing in B−B at the given temperature between 400 °C and 500 °C leads to the increasing of the sample viscosity. When the amount of BO increases from 5.24% to 9.24% (mass fraction), the coefficients of thermal expansion of glass samples decrease smoothly from 10.94×10 to 10.71×10 and 10.38×10 °C respectively. In the case of sealing temperature, its value increases from 453 °C to 494 °C. ZnO−BiO−BO system low-melting glass powder sintering was with viscous liquid to participate, which could make the densification of glass sample more effective and more efficient. With the content of BO increasing, the wetting angle between the glasses samples and stainless steel could also increase, and the resulting appropriate sealing temperature range is 460−490 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Spinal cord function classification systems are not useful for guiding surgery in patients with severe spinal deformities. The aim of this study is to propose a classification system for determining a surgical strategy that minimizes the risk of neurological dysfunction in patients with severe spinal deformities.Methods: The records of 89 patients with severe spinal deformities treated with vertebral column reconstruction from 2008 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on neurophysiological monitoring, magnetic resonance imaging, and neurological symptoms patients were categorized into three groups: group A, normal spinal cord, normal evoked potentials and no neurological symptoms; group B, spinal cord abnormalities and/or abnormal evoked potentials but no neurological symptoms; group C, neurological symptoms with or without spinal cord abnormalities/abnormal evoked potentials. Outcomes and complications were compared between the groups.Results: A total of 89 patients (51 male, 38 female) were included with 47 (52.8 %), 16 (18.0 %), and 26 (29.2 %) patients in groups A, B and C, respectively, and a mean follow-up 34.5 months. There were no differences in age, gender, average preoperative scoliosis, and kyphosis among three groups, but there were differences with respect to the causes of severe spinal deformity and the corrective rate of scoliosis and kyphosis. Changes in intraoperative evoked potentials were different in these three types according to this new classification, and the recovery rates of changes in the three groups were 71.1, 50.0, and 14.1 %, respectively. Postoperative spinal cord injury was positively related to intraoperative changes of evoked potentials.Conclusion: The classification system may be useful for guiding surgical decisions in patients with severe spinal deformities to minimize the risk of neurological complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur dioxide (SO) is naturally synthesized by glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) from l-cysteine in mammalian cells. We found that SO may have a protective effect on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by limb ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. The PI3K/Akt, p38MAPK, and JAK2/STAT3 pathways are crucial in cell signaling transduction. The present study aims to verify the role of SO on limb I/R-induced ALI, and investigate whether PI3K/Akt, p38MAPK, and JAK2/STAT3 pathways were involved, as well as the relationship among the three pathways; we used specific inhibitors (LY294002, SB03580, and Stattic) to block them, respectively. The experimental methods of Western, ELISA, TUNEL, etc., were used to test the results. In the I/R group, the parameters of lung injury (MDA, MPO, TUNEL, cytokines) increased significantly, but the administration of NaSO/NaHSO attenuated the damage in the lung. The Western results showed that the rat's lung exist expression of P-STAT3, P-AKT, and P-p38 proteins. After I/R, P-STAT3, P-Akt, and P-p38 proteins expression all increased. After using NaSO/NaHSO, P-Akt, and P-p38 proteins expression increased, but P-STAT3 protein expression decreased. We also found a strange phenomenon; compared to the I/R + SO group, the administration of stattic, P-p38 protein expression showed no change, but P-Akt protein expression increased ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, SO has a protective effect on rats with limb I/R-induced ALI. The JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, and p38MAPK pathways are likely all involved in the process, and the JAK2/STAT3 pathway may have an impact on the P13K/Akt pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupled effects of aggregate shapes and contents, maximum aggregate sizes, and applied mechanical loads on alkali-silica reaction (ASR)-induced expansions in concrete were studied using finite element method and extended finite element method. Most of the previous research works mostly focused on single effects; however, multiple coupled factors such as aggregate shapes, maximum aggregate sizes, and aggregate fractions have often been neglected. In this paper, the innovation point lays in the precise quantification of these coupled effects on ASR-induced anisotropic expansions, especially the effects of aggregate shapes on ASR-induced expansions in concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to report clinical outcomes and patterns of failure for these patients with cervical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CESCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). A total of 64 patients with CESCC treated with definitive IMRT from May 2005 to March 2012 in our center were analyzed. Forty-two patients received radiotherapy alone and 22 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The location and extent of locoregional failures were transferred to the pretreatment planning computed tomography for dosimetry analysis. For all patients, the overall 2-year local failure-free survival, regional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, and overall survival rate was 74.5, 88.0, 66.6 and 42.5 %, respectively. Twenty-eight patients had developed treatment failure. Of the 28 patients, 14, 5, and 18 had developed local failure, regional failure, and distant metastasis, respectively. All of the 14 local failures were considered in-field failures. Of the five regional failures, three were considered in-field failures and two were marginal failures. The most frequently observed acute toxicity was mainly Grade 1 or 2. The incidence of acute Grade 3 mucositis (including pharyngitis), skin reaction, and leukopenia was 4.7, 12.5 and 10.9 %, respectively. IMRT provides satisfactory locoregional control for CESCC. Distant metastasis remains the predominate pattern of failure and the predominate pattern of locoregional failures is in-field failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]