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In this article, the impact of poling direction and microstructure geometric parameters including PZT-7A volume fraction, PZT-7A layer number and unit cell amplitude-to-wavelength ratio on the homogenized electromechanical properties of PZT-7A/PVDF multilayered wavy composites are explored for the first time with the Multiphysics FVDAM. Then, a comprehensive parametric study is conducted toward microstructure effects of the above geometric parameters on the performance of the piezoelectric composites, evaluated by figures of merits. Further, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is proposed to combine with the Multiphysics FVDAM to effectively maximize the performance indices by optimizing the microstructure geometric parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated container terminals (ACTs) face many challenges in operation improvement. This research comprehensively analyses the challenges and requirements of ACT operation from two aspects—equipment and operation management. Moreover, this research summarises the advantages of a digital twin; meanwhile, the potential solutions associated with the digital twin are analysed through various cases in different domains. Furthermore, a feasibility analysis is presented, which describes the implementation method related to the advantages of the digital twin in ACT operation optimisation. Lastly, a case study of the New Qianwan automated terminal of Qingdao Port is used to describe the systematic development of the digital twin system. This system can realise real-time monitoring of ACT operation, real-time operation analysis, and real-time abnormal detection of the loading and unloading process. This study illustrates the effectiveness of digital twin technology adopted in the ACT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up-regulating programmed cell death ligand-1(PD-L1) expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells interacting with up-regulated programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) expressed on tumor-infiltrating lymphoid cells greatly hinder their tumor-inhibiting effect. It is necessary to explore the deep mechanism of this negative effect, so as to find the potential methods to improve the immunotherapy efficiency. In this study, we found that the PD-1 expression in lung cancer-infiltrating type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) was highly up-regulated, which greatly restrained the activation and function of ILC2s. Furthermore, anti-PD-1 could restore the inhibition and effective cytokine secretion of ILC2s when co-cultured with tumor cells. In vivo studies proved that anti-PD-1 treatment promoted the activation of tumor-infiltrating ILC2s and inhibited the tumor growth of LLC-bearing nude mice. Our studies demonstrate a new PD-1/PD-L1 axis regulating mechanism on innate immune cells, which provide a useful direction to ILC2s-based immunotherapy to cancer diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the improvement of the new generation information technology, and the development of online economy, the customer behavior has gradually changed. The online economy has gradually become a new economic growth point. Many online platforms attract customers to purchase new products through different kinds of price discounts. In this article, we discuss the inventory bullwhip effect (IBE) in an online retail supply chain (ORSC) considering the price discount based on the different forecasting methods. Moreover, we discuss the influence of them on the IBE. When the price discount, the moving average forecasting method (MA), the exponential smoothing forecasting method (ES), and the minimum mean squared error forecasting method (MMSE) are considered, we consider an ORSC including of a manufacturer and an online platform, and the quantitative models of the BE and the IBE are discussed. This article finds that when the price sensitivity coefficient is very low, the online platform's IBE is the lowest when the online platform adopts the MMSE method. Moreover, when the price discount gradually increases, the IBE of the online platform is also increasing. Moreover, it is gradually increasing when the expectation price difference coefficient becomes gradually increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, inspired by the Risk Information Seeking and Processing (RISP) model, examines the mechanisms by which perceived hazard characteristics and the informational subjective norms of Chinese youth, aged from 14 to 44 years old, become associated with their intentions to seek cancer risk information online. A sample of 684 Chinese youths was collected from four cities in Mainland China with results revealing that perceived hazard characteristics and informational subjective norms motivate their online cancer risk information seeking intentions. Specifically, perceived probability, perceived severity, and institutional trust are positively related to negative affect, however the relationship between personal control and negative affect is not significant. Institutional trust and personal control are positively related to positive affect while perceived probability and perceived severity have no significant effect on positive affect. Negative affect and informational subjective norms are positively related to perceived information insufficiency, while the relationship between positive affect and perceived information insufficiency is not significant. Negative affect, positive affect, informational subjective norms, and perceived information insufficiency are all positively related to the online cancer risk information seeking intentions of Chinese youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the important causes of death in cancer patients is malignant metastasis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. Metastasis is also the most basic physiological characteristics and pathogenesis of various tumors. Previously published studies have suggested that autocrine motor factor receptor (AMFR) is the key regulator of tumor cell migration and invasion. Meanwhile, AMFR is highly expressed in esophageal tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, and bladder cancer, and it is also involved in its pathogenesis. However, the role of AMFR in glioblastoma has not been reported. In order to study the role of AMFR in the cell migration and invasion of glioblastoma, AMFR was silenced using siRNA and overexpressed using cDNA. Immunoblotting analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed to assess the expression of AMFR. We conducted wound healing assay, cell migration assay, and tumorsphere formation assay to detect the invasion and metastatic ability of glioblastoma. This study found that the level of AMFR expression was significantly correlated with the malignant degree of glioma tissue in clinic samples. AMFR silencing decreased cell migration and invasion of LN229. Overexpression of AMFR significantly increased cell migration and invasion of U251. This study suggests that AMFR could be used as a therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is very important to utilize hydraulic fracturing for unconventional reservoir development. Accurate prediction of effective stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) after fracturing facilitates production evaluation. However, the traditional methods to predict SRV are time consuming and the precision cannot fully meet the requirements. To overcome the shortcomings, a new approach was presented using deep learning which includes four procedures. Firstly, the datasets were collected by numerical simulation considering non-Darcy flow characteristics. Additionally, the Branched Deep Neural Network model (B-DNN) was established after data fusion through adding a branch neural network. Then the optimal hyperparameters were obtained after adjusting to satisfy model accuracy and reliability. Finally, the prediction results of B-DNN and convolutional neural network (CNN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) were compared. The results show that the model with Softplus activation function, four hidden layers, and 250 neurons in each layer would have the best calculation results. The proposed model has good agreement with actual field data which can reach 97%. Furthermore, compared with the CNN and RNN models, it is shown that the B-DNN model has considerable prediction accuracy and is less time-consuming. This deep learning model provides new insight for production evaluation in the fractured tight oil reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The finite-volume direct averaging micromechanics (FVDAM) has been extended to simulate the superelastic and plastic response of shape memory composites. The homogenized stress–strain response and local field variables generated with FVDAM were first validated vis-à-vis the exact solution under axisymmetric loading conditions. Furthermore, an in-house finite-element code was developed to assess the FVDAM theory’s accuracy for simulating wavy multilayers. Parametric studies were conducted to quantify the effect of microstructural parameters on the nonlinear response of multilayers. The common mechanism is responsible for the differences in the nonlinear stress–strain response of multilayers is rooted in the effective stress differences that alter the phase transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndromes are a group of metabolic disorders for which the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. An increasing number of studies have implicated metabolic syndrome in the association with inflammation. Currently, lipsomes is known to improve nanoparticle hydrophobicity. Meanwhile, in drug delivery systems the application of cholesterol, which is commonly used to stabilise liposomal structures, has essentially no pharmacological effect on liposomes. Herein, we developed an 'anti-inflammatory liposome' (Phy-Lip) to effectively handle these challenges via employing Phytosterol instead of cholesterol. Different with the conventional liposomes, Phy-Lip is a much more brilliant nanoparticle with anti-inflammatory functions. In Phy-Lip, cholesterol was substituted by Phy, which works as membrane stabiliser, anti-inflammatory adjuvant at the same time. The experimental results show that Phy-Lip has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, and improves Metabolic syndromes. This study aims to provide a way to solve the challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD36 is a multifunctional receptor expressed on the surface of many cell types. Among healthy individuals, CD36 may be absent on platelets and monocytes (type I deficiency) or platelets alone (type II deficiency). However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying CD36 deficiency remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify individuals with CD36 deficiency and investigate the molecular basis underlying it. Blood samples were collected from platelet donors at Kunming Blood Center. Platelets and monocytes were isolated and CD36-expression levels were analyzed using flow cytometry. DNA from whole blood and mRNA isolated from monocytes and platelets of individuals with CD36 deficiency were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Among the 418 blood donors,7 (1.68%) were CD36 deficient: 1 (0.24%) with type I deficiency and 6(1.44%) with type II deficiency. Six heterozygous mutations occurred, including c.268C>T (in type I individuals), c.120 + 1 G>T, c.268C>T, c.329_330del/AC, c.1156 C>T, c.1163A>C, and c.1228_1239del/ATTGTGCCTATT (in type II individuals). Mutations were not detected in one type II individual. At the cDNA level, only mutant, but not wild-type, transcripts were detected in the platelets and monocytes of type I individual. In type II individuals, only mutant transcripts were found in platelets, whereas monocytes possessed wild-type and mutant transcripts. Interestingly, only alternative splicing transcripts were observed in the individual without mutation. We report the incidence rates of type I and II CD36 deficiencies among platelet donors in Kunming. Molecular genetic analyses of DNA and cDNA demonstrated that homozygous mutations on the cDNA level in platelets and monocytes or platelets alone identified type I and II deficiencies, respectively. Furthermore, alternatively spliced products also potentially contribute to the mechanism of CD36 deficiency. What is the context? Healthy individuals may lack CD36 on platelets and (or) monocytes, which are defined as Type I and Type II CD36 deficiency. These individuals could develop anti-CD36 antibodies associated with immune-mediated disorders. However, the mechanism underlying the CD36 deficiency is still unclear. In this study, we reported the incidence of CD36 deficiency in Kunming platelet donors and found the new molecular basis of CD36 deficiency individuals. What's new? Molecular genetic analysis of cDNA derived from type I subjects showed the presence of mutant transcript only, both in platelets and monocytes. In type II subjects, platelets only carry mutant transcript, whereas monocytes possessed both wild-type and mutant transcripts. Furthermore, we found that alternatively spliced product of CD36 transcript could also contribute to the mechanism of CD36 deficiencies. What's the impact? Our finding indicates that analysis of CD36 at cDNA level is mandatory to verify different forms of CD36 deficiencies. This information may help us to understand the development of anti-CD36 antibodies in CD36 deficient individuals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that can colonize human gastric epithelial cells and cause H. pylori infection, closely related to many gastric diseases. Compared with conventional H. pylori detection methods, emerging diagnostic approaches (such as biosensors) have become potentially more effective alternatives due to their high sensitivity, good selectivity and noninvasiveness. This review begins with a brief overview of H. pylori infection, the processes that lead to diseases, and current diagnostic methods. Subsequently, advanced biosensors in different target-based for diagnosing H. pylori infection are focused, including the detection of H. pylori-related nucleic acid, H. pylori-related protein (such as the cytotoxin, urease), and intact H. pylori. In addition, prospects for the development of H. pylori detection methods are also discussed in the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodispersed poly(α-methylstyrene) (PAMS) microspheres using water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) composite double droplets as precursors are fabricated by microencapsulation. A rotating shear flow field where the droplets can be suspended is designed for the solidification. The stability and instabilities such as coalescence and aggregation of the double droplets during the solidification are studied. This work examines the effects of continuous phase viscosity on stability and dispersion of double droplets in a rotating shear flow field. Results show the continuous phase viscosity exerts a parabolic effect on stability of the double droplets. Experimental investigations combined numerical simulations have been conducted to discuss the mechanisms of this parabolic effect. Results show that coalescence occurs at lower continuous viscosity while aggregation occurs at higher continuous viscosity. Moreover, an increasing continuous viscosity promotes the collision between the droplets, leading an increasing aggregation between the droplets. In addition, the experimental investigations on the solidification show that the aggregation behavior always occurs in a percolation transition zone, where the oil phase concentration is 50–60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering current problems in the identifying, locating, and supervising of construction waste, it is difficult to achieve real-time target judgement and identification in the short term. This study proposes a deep learning-based construction waste identification and classification system, named IUNet-IF, developed using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images. High-resolution UAV aerial images were used to establish a sample database and train U-Net models. The U-Net model, which exhibited the highest overall performance and identification accuracy, was enhanced to develop an IUNet model. Subsequently, the texture and colour features of UAV images were extracted and input to the IUNet model to build a novel IUNet-IF model. The proposed method uses the optimal model and an input combination of texture features, colour features, and original images, which improves the segmentation results compared to those when only the original image is used. The experimental results indicate that the system can achieve a maximum pixel accuracy index, mean intersection over union (mIoU), and mean pixel accuracy (MPA) of 98.98%, 93.78%, and 97.26%, respectively. These results verify the feasibility of extracting construction waste covered by a dust-proof net from UAV remote sensing images and can provide reference information for the automatic extraction of construction waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the position of near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) imaging in the recognition and protection of the parathyroid gland (PG) during thyroidectomy. The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to June 2021. The primary outcome was to evaluate the rates of postoperative hypocalcemia, inadvertent PG resection, and autotransplantation of PG when adopting NIRAF imaging compared with standard naked-eye (N–E) surgery. Eight studies with 2,889 patients were enrolled in the analysis. Our analysis showed that the incidence of transient hypocalcemia was 7.11% (60/844) in the NIRAF group and 22.40% (458/2045) in the N–E group (p < 0.0001) and the rate of transient hypoparathyroidism was 28.31% (126/445) and 33.36% (496/1487) in the NIRAF and N–E groups (p = 0.0008). The rate of inadvertent resection of PGs was 7.65% (55/719) in the NIRAF group and 14.39% (132/917) in the N–E group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was observed in other indexes including the pooled proportion of permanent hypocalcemia and rate of PG autotransplantation. The application of NIRAF imaging in thyroidectomy can help lower the incidence of inadvertent PG resection and reduce the risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism compared with N–E recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A precipitation hardening high-entropy alloy (HEA) (FeCoNi)86Al7Ti7 was fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and ageing treated under different temperatures and time conditions. Yield strength of the aged HEA increases substantially from 710 to 934 and then to 1203 MPa. Theoretical analyses reveal that the coherent L12 precipitate contributes most of the improved strength for the aged HEAs, whereas recovery during ageing causes the decrease of dislocation density thus exerts a softening effect. In addition, it is found that ductility decreases with increasing volume fraction of the incoherent L21 precipitates. Based on a void growth model, the trend is qualitatively explained. Moreover, a new fracture mode, intercellular fracture, is proposed to account for the strong dependence of fracture dimple size on the dislocation cells, also directly validated by delicate microstructural examination. The findings provide an effective strengthening method and propose a unique fracture mechanism for the additively manufactured HEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Development of alternative bone tissue graft materials based on tissue engineering technology has gradually become a research focus. Engineered bone composed of biodegradable, biosafe and bioactive materials is attractive, but also challenging. Materials & methods: An adipose-derived stem cell/poly(L-glutamic acid)/chitosan composite scaffold was further developed for construction of biodegradable and bone-promoting tissue-engineered bone. A series of composite scaffold materials with different physical properties such as structure, pore size, porosity and pore diameter was developed. Results: The composite scaffold showed good biodegradability and water absorption, and exhibited an excellent ability to promote bone differentiation. Conclusion: This type of biodegradable scaffold is expected to be applied to the field of bone repair or bone tissue engineering. In recent years, the application of bone graft materials in bone defect repair has become a research hotspot. Engineered bone composed of biodegradable, biosafe and bioactive materials is attractive but also challenging. A composite scaffold composed of adipose-derived stem cells and two polymers was developed for construction of biodegradable and bone-promoting tissue-engineered bone. A series of composite scaffold materials with different physical properties was prepared and studied. The composite scaffold showed good biodegradability and water absorption, and exhibited excellent ability to promote bone differentiation – that is, bone defect repair function. This kind of biodegradable scaffold is expected to be applied to the field of bone repair or bone tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is closely related to disease progression. However, the role and mechanism of lncRNA H19 (lncH19) in sepsis-induced lung injury remain to be elucidated. Cercal ligation and puncture (CLP) mice models and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell injury model was used to construct sepsis-induced lung injury in vivo and in vitro. The expression of lncH19, microRNA (miR)-301a-3p, and adenylate cyclase 1 (Adcy1) mRNA was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. The concentrations of inflammatory factors were determined by ELISA assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined using cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU staining, and flow cytometry. The protein expression of apoptosis markers and Adcy1 was examined by western blot analysis. Oxidative stress was assessed by detecting the contents of oxidative stress markers. The interaction between miR-301a-3p and lncH19 or Adcy1 was confirmed using RNA pull-down assay, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and RIP assay. LncH19 was lowly expressed in CLP mice models and LPS-induced cell injury models. Overexpressed lncH19 could alleviate CLP-induced lung injury in mice, as well as LPS-induced cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. MiR-301a-3p could be sponged by lncH19, and its overexpression could reverse the inhibition of lncH19 on LPS-induced cell injury. Adcy1 was a target of miR-301a-3p, and its expression was upregulated by lncH19. Silencing of Adcy1 could abolish the suppressive effect of the miR-301a-3p inhibitor on LPS-induced cell injury. LncH19 might inhibit sepsis-induced lung injury by acting as a sponge of miR-301a-3p to upregulate Adcy1. LncH19 overexpression relieves CLP-induced lung injury and LPS-induced cell injury. LncH19 directly sponges miR-301a-3p. MiR-301a-3p targets Adcy1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous development of national construction and the increasing investment in road construction, the research of road materials has become a major research hotspot in road construction. The rise of nanomaterials provides new ideas and possibilities for this. Carbon nanotubes are currently the most potential and valuable road composite nano-reinforcement. In this article, through the analysis of high-strength iron wire-like carbon nanotube materials, the vibration compaction characteristics of road composite materials doped with carbon nanotubes are studied. This article proposes that the doped carbon nanotube material in the road composite material, through different doses of doping, testing and observing the strength of the material, so as to study its vibration compaction characteristics. The vibration frequency and compaction density and porosity value of the road composite material doped with carbon nanotubes are measured, and the main factors affecting the compaction effect are analyzed, which affects the compaction effect of the carbon nanotube road composite material flow and compactness factors under. Experimental results show that the compressive strength of road composites doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes has increased significantly, an increase of 46.8% MPa year-on-year. Under the same carbon nano-content, as the particle size increases, the density of the composites is more or less will grow with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The patient of hypertension and its complication increase fast in the past years. Obesity is thought to be a risk factor for hypertension, and BMI (body mass index) is widely used to evaluate the obesity and hypertension risk. However, the abdominal obesity and visceral fat accumulation are more obvious in the East Asian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of fatty liver for hypertension in the Chinese population. We compared the predictive value of BMI and fatty liver for the hypertension and its complication in 1386 patients with hypertension in Shanghai China. In the analysis of 1386 patients with hypertension in Shanghai China, we found that the prevalence and risk of hypertension and its complications were higher in the fatty liver group than that in the group of BMI≥24. Furthermore, the areas under the ROC curve of fatty liver for hypertension and its complications were superior to that of BMI. These results suggested that fatty liver is a more sensitive early warning for hypertension and its complication than BMI in Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing number of oncology patients and the use of chemotherapeutic agents, tumour multidrug resistance is becoming more and more prevalent. The search for new tumour treatment strategies to overcome tumour multidrug resistance is urgent. In this study, we designed GSH and ROS dual-responsive tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs)-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) for the co-delivery of the clinical first-line anti-breast cancer chemotherapy drug paclitaxel (PTX) and baicalin (Bai), which re-educates TAMs to alter their phenotype. We synthesised oligohyaluronic acid-mannose-folic acid (oHA-Man-FA, HMF) and astragalus polysaccharide-dithiodipropionic acid-paeoniflorol (APS-S-Pae, ASP), two hybrid materials that can self-assemble in water to form hybrid nanoparticles (HP-NPs) co-loaded with paclitaxel and baicalin (HP-NPs@PTX/Bai). The experimental results show that our designed hybrid nanoparticles can be specifically released in the tumour microenvironment and deliver the antitumor drug PTX as well as Bai, which reshapes the phenotype of TAMs, to the tumour site. The hybrid nanoparticles not only effectively re-educated TAMs from M2 TAM to M1 TAM, but also ameliorated the cytotoxic side effects caused by free PTX and provided better tumour suppression than free PTX and HP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that parents of children with congenital heart disease have more stress, anxiety and depression. This study was aimed to explore the effect of implementing WeChat-assisted health education and preoperative care on parents of children with the restrictive ventricular septal defect to improve the psychological state. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital in China. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group to explore the psychological state of parents of children with the restricted ventricular septal defect. Before surgery, the state-trait anxiety inventory scale score (STAI) of the WeChat group were 26.8 ± 8.2 and 27.3 ± 7.0, which were significantly higher than those of the leaflet group (37.6 ± 12.9 and 39.3 ± 11.7). Compared with the STAI score at the first visit, the WeChat group preoperative score was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The rate of loss to follow-up in the WeChat group (0%) was significantly lower than that of the leaflet group (14.3%). The complication of the leaflet group was significantly higher than that of the WeChat group. Health education and preoperative care for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect through WeChat can effectively improve the parents' mental state and reduce the incidence of complications and the rate of loss to follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the quality of life and psychological state of patients after receiving different closure treatments for atrial septal defect (ASD) and to explore some factors affecting the quality of life of patients after ASD closure. Fifty-five patients who underwent percutaneous device closure of ASD (group A) and fifty-five patients who underwent surgical repair via median sternotomy of ASD (group B) were followed up from before to one year after surgery to assess their quality of life. We used the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate the quality of life of patients. Both groups had improved HADS scores after operation. In the comparison of the postoperative quality of life between the two groups, group A was superior to group B on some dimensions of the SF-36, and there was a significant difference in HADS scores. Age was negatively correlated with quality of life. In adults over 18 years of age, the quality of life after surgical repair or percutaneous device closure of ASD improved significantly. Compared with surgical repair via median sternotomy, percutaneous device closure has a more significant effect on the improvement in some aspects of people's quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron sulfides, as a class of common pyrophoric materials, are widely formed and deposited on the internal surface of transportation, storage, and refinery equipment in oil, petrochemical, and chemical industries. To reduce the self-heating risk from iron sulfides, this paper proposes a practicable method for inhibiting pyrophoric iron sulfides. Unlike existing inhibition methods, an oxidative gas mixture with a limited oxygen concentration and flow rate was employed in this study. The limited oxygen concentration and flow rate were determined using the following: (i) a combination of a trial-and-error method with a model developed through an experimental study and (ii) the support vector machine (SVM). In our experiments, the sulfurization and oxidation apparatus described in a previous study was improved, and then, the effects of mass deposition, concentration, and flow rate of oxygen on the self-heating property of pyrophoric iron sulfides were investigated. The results showed that the tendencies of the maximum oxidation temperature of pyrophoric iron sulfide versus the mass per unit area and oxygen concentration exhibited an approximate logistic fit, and for the oxygen flow rate, the tendency followed a log-normal fit. The developed SVM-based model is highly reliability in predicting the maximum oxidation temperature. Accordingly, a set of procedures for suppressing pyrophoric iron sulfide was given and explained by its implementation in a distillation column. Our proposed method was confirmed to be more effective, economic, and cleaner for the inhibition of pyrophoric iron sulfides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a nonlinear optimal finite-time tracking controller based on a state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) for the multi-motor driving system (MDS). Conventional fast terminal sliding mode controller (FTSMC) can get the finite-time convergence of the tracking error, but how to achieve the optimality simultaneously is not an easy task. To address this optimal control problem, a SDRE based optimal controller is developed via a fast terminal sliding surface to design the nonlinear optimal feedback of the FTSMC. To further increase the robustness of the SDRE based method, an extended state observer (ESO) and a robust controller are incorporated into the optimal controller design to deal with the system uncertainties and external disturbances. Consequently, the proposed controller can not only guarantee the finite-time stability of the tracking error, but also achieve the optimal control performance under the system unknown dynamics. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public-facing social media platforms, such as Facebook and WeChat, are increasingly being embedded into corporate processes and routines. The use of public social media by employees has aroused widespread interest among scholars in recent years. This study summarises published theories and models and proposes a causal-chain framework for research exploration into employee usage of public social media platforms by systematically analysing the antecedent variables, mediators, moderators, and outcome variables used in 59 quantitative papers. The representative theories include: Social Capital Theory, Job Demands-Resources Model, Boundary Theory, Media Synchronicity Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, Self-Determination Theory, and Media Richness Theory. Historically, researchers have studied social media usage behaviours as antecedents, rather than social factors, with many focusing on outcome variables such as job performance and job satisfaction, while the impact of employee social media usage on physical and mental health is less studied. In terms of moderators, variables such as use behaviour, user characteristics and job characteristics receive most attention. With regards to mediators, social capital, job satisfaction, and work conflict are most significant. This study proposes future research directions for this field, including topics relating to platform attributes, social power, organisational culture, and employee health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-Resolution Segmentation (MRS) is known to be a general segmentation algorithm for very-high-resolution (VHR) remote sensing applications. The critical problems of MRS are the optimization of the parameters and the evaluation of segmentation quality. Based on the principle of maximizing the intra-object homogeneity and inter-object heterogeneity, we propose a novel Normalized Segmentation Quality Index (NSQI) and use level filtering to acquire the optimal parameters of the MRS algorithm. Using the geometric and arithmetic discrepancy between the segmented object and the reference object as the evaluation criterion, we then evaluate the quality of the segmented objects. The results of two experiments confirm the effectiveness of our meanNSQI and discrepancy measure approach. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis of the segmentation quality index demonstrates the reliability of the meanNSQI and the discrepancy measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resurgence of Bordetella pertussis infections leading to whooping cough is a concern in many parts of the world. The number of pertussis cases in China has increased significantly since 2013. In this study, whole-genome sequencing analysis was performed for 388 B. pertussis strains isolated in China from the 1970s to 2018, combining 594 published strains from around the world. This study revealed that lineage V diverged about 50 years ago in China, while lineage IV is dominant in the other countries. It also revealed that the erythromycin-resistant sub-lineages Va, Vb, and Vc with limited genomic variation emerged 11 ~ 12 years ago. These three sub-lineages were identified after the co-purified acellular vaccines (cp-ACVs) completely replaced the previous whole cell vaccines (WCVs) after the national immunization program of 2012. It suggests that the cp-ACVs cannot induce immunity that is potent enough to restrict the spread of the lineage V, antibiotic abuse further favors the spread of this lineage in China. These findings demand a reassessment of the immunization strategy and development of new vaccines in China to stop the resurgence and drug resistance of B. pertussis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful university technology transfer requires close cooperation between the inventor and the firm. However, occasionally, this cooperation is not self-conscious for both the inventor and the firm. In this paper, we develop a game model by introducing the concept of the university technology transfer chain. We examine the inventor's and firm's inputs and payoffs in case of both the decentralised and centralised decision-making modes. Based on the principal-agent theory, we find that the commonly used license contract with royalties or equity payment cannot help effectively reduce the double moral hazard of both the inventor and the firm, and the portfolio contract only works effectively because of the limitation of transfer factor. The side-payment self-enforcing contract could coordinate the matched inputs to achieve maximum social welfare. We also test these findings through numerical investigation. Lastly, we present new insights for universities and firms as well as implications for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A natural hydrogen donor, i.e., a subfraction of the coker gas oil, was used in thermal upgrading of the Venezuela extra-heavy oil. The role of hydrogen donor was quantitatively studied by a combination of thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The hydrogen donation was clearly evidenced and reliably evaluated by comparing the experimental and calculated thermal parameters. The mutual interactions between the heavy oil and the hydrogen donor extended the coke induction period (from 19 to 25 min), inhibited the thermal evaporation of the hydrogen donor, and resulted in a stronger endothermic effect in the pyrolysis stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step thermal treatment approach (TSTT), composed by mild thermal treatment and deep thermal cracking, is proposed to upgrade the Venezuela extra-heavy oil vacuum residue. In comparison to the conventional one-step thermal processing, the use of TSTT increased the liquid yield by 4.4 wt% and reduced the coke yield by 4.0 wt%. The cycle of light gas-oil as hydrogen donor significantly enhanced the percentage of diesel subfraction (200–350 °C) in the liquid product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the wide application of module-shipbuilding technology, problems related to block spatial scheduling occur in various working areas, and this restricts the productivity of shipbuilding. To address the problems and to obtain the optimum block sequence and spatial layout, typical block features and work plates were investigated. A heuristic spatial scheduling model was established based on the investigation and proposed strategies with the objective to minimise makespan. With the heuristic algorithm, a block spatial scheduling system was developed and implemented with real data from a large ship. Through the spatial scheduling system, visual results of daily block layouts and progress charts for all blocks can be easily obtained and work orders can also be created for site workers. Several other spatial scheduling methods are described and compared with the above-mentioned heuristic algorithm. The result shows that the heuristic algorithm is better than Cplex and a genetic algorithm in solving large-scale block scheduling, and the heuristic algorithm is better than a grid algorithm and manual scheduling in all aspects such as makespan, utilisation of work plates, runtime of scheduling and on-time delivery. The developed block spatial scheduling system is applied in a block production shop of a modern shipyard and shows good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial scheduling pursues optimal sequencing and dynamic spatial layouts that satisfy traditional restrictions in resource capacity and due dates. In shipbuilding, block spatial scheduling can be regarded as arranging some polygonal objects within rectangular work plates in an optimal sequence. This problem is important because of its impact on shipbuilding productivity and it is a NP-hard problem due to the complex constraints. In this paper, detailed analysis and mathematical description are made on block shape and block intersection. Based on the investigations of the characteristics of block shapes, the corresponding processing techniques and typical constraints, a mathematical model for block spatial scheduling is developed. Subsequently, a block spatial scheduling greedy algorithm with the objective of minimising makespan is presented using several proposed spatial scheduling strategies. The algorithm is implemented by developing a block spatial scheduling system at a block assembly shop, through which visual scheduling results of daily block layouts and the progress charts for all blocks can be obtained. Moreover, several main spatial scheduling performance indicators are proposed for comparing the proposed greedy algorithm with the existing grid algorithm and manual methods. A case study is made with real data from a shipyard, and the result shows that better performance and higher efficiency can be achieved in a short computational time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, wave transformation over a submerged reef has been numerically studied based on the OpenFOAM model. This numerical model solves the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations for two-phase flow and employs the volume of fluids (VOF) method for the free surface. The k-ω SST turbulence model is used to simulate wave breaking, and the wave generation library waves2Foam is adopted to generate waves in the model. The numerical model is first validated against the physical experimental data, and it is shown that the model is capable of simulating the key processes of wave shoaling, breaking and transmission over the submerged reef. Then, a series of numerical tests are conducted considering different incident wave heights, submergences and slopes of the reef. The influences of reef slope and submergence on the wave properties over the reef are discussed, which include the wave reflection and transmission coefficients, breaking wave height, wave-induced setup, and energy dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study examined the relationships between three constructs of TPB (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control [PBC]) and physical activity intention and behavior among Chinese female college students, and evaluated whether the relationships differed between healthy and vulnerable individuals within this population. Participants included 436 female college students (301 healthy and 135 vulnerable; Mean age = 19.24 years; SD = 0.97 years) recruited from five universities in China, and the data collection was completed in Fall 2015. Path analysis supported the direct and indirect relations of TPB constructs to physical activity intention and behavior among female college students, and the path model was invariant across the two groups. The vulnerable group reported significantly lower attitude, subjective norm, intention, and physical activity behavior than the healthy group but not for PBC. These findings suggest fostering positive attitudes and intention toward physical activity are important among Chinese female college students, regardless of their health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing accessibility of high or very high spatial resolution remote sensing images, more and more change detection works are conducted on the unit of image object, i.e. the object-based change detection (OBCD). Change vector analysis (CVA) is a promising tool for unsupervised OBCD because it can provide reasonable interpretation of the change and an insight into the type of change. However, various features and attributes of image object produce complex high dimensional feature space that poses new challenges to measure the overall change magnitude and direction in CVA. This paper presents a new approach to measure the overall change magnitude of an image object by integrating its spectral and textural attributes, self-adaptively. The new approach was compared with the standard CVA magnitude, Mahalanobis distance, and a recent Self-Adaptive Weight CVA (SAW-CVA) magnitude for unsupervised OBCD with the same OTSU auto-thresholding method. Two cases were investigated where Case I used bi-temporal WorldView multispectral images (4-band) and Case II employed bi-temporal three-band images obtained from Google Earth. Results in the two cases both demonstrated that the new approach outperforms the others for unsupervised OBCD. The percentage correct classification of the new approach, SAW-CVA, standard CVA, and Mahalanobis are 80.28%, 77.93%, 72.77%, and 61.50% in Case I, and 91.80%, 90.16%, 88.52%, and 90.16% in Case II. Further analysis indicated that the new approach gives more reasonable self-adaptive weights and it does not require the empirical self-adaptive index as compared with the recent SAW-CVA method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of solid particles in aqueous foam has a great potential in improving fire fighting efficiency. In this study, aqueous foam supported by micro fly-ash (FA) was prepared and its stability in a specific type of oil was characterized. Firstly, different amount of FA was added to study the influence of FA concentration on foamability. It showed that within a specific extent, foam expansion ratio increased with the increasing of FA concentration. And compared with conventional foams, oil resistance of FA stabilized foams, which was investigated by analyzing drainage rate and evolution process with a self-made apparatus, was remarkably improved when FA concentration exceed 4.8wt.%. Secondly, SiO2 and Al2O3 particles with different median sizes were used to study the effect of particle size on stability. However, the smaller hydrophilic particles didn't behave better as expected. Moreover, the foam stability in three hydrocarbons was evaluated in the same way. The results indicated that the short chain hydrocarbons had much stronger detrimental effect to both two-phase foam and three-phase foam. But overall, the three-phase foam stabilized by FA exhibited much better oil resistance, so it can be used as a promising material for pool fire extinguishing and prevention.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a new test for the parametric volatility function of a diffusion model based on nonparametric estimation techniques. The proposed test imposes no restriction on the functional form of the drift function and has an asymptotically standard normal distribution under the null hypothesis of correct specification. It is consistent against any fixed alternatives and has nontrivial asymptotic power against a class of local alternatives with proper rates. Monte Carlo simulations show that the test performs well in finite samples and generally has better power performance than the nonparametric test of Li (2007) and the stochastic process-based tests of Dette and Podolskij (2008). When applying the test to high frequency data of EUR/USD exchange rate, the empirical results show that the commonly used volatility functions fit more poorly when the data frequency becomes higher, and the general volatility functions fit relatively better than the constant volatility function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effects of channel sizes on the traffic of S/W compound droplets through a vertical channel. Compared with the horizontal channel, a vertical channel can effectively inhabit the contact of compound droplets with the channel wall, thus improving the survival rate. It is also found that the effects of tube length on droplet traffic are always dependent on the oil phase flow rate. In a short tube (L = 2.0 cm), the survival rate increases as the oil phase flow rate increases. This may be due to significant prevention of coalescence among S/W compound droplets under a high oil phase flow rate. However, in a long tube (L = 7.5 cm), the survival rate decreases with increasing oil phase flow rate, because disturbance of a water droplet can peel off the water phase coated on the surface of the solid particles. During the traffic process, the distance between water droplets and S/W compound droplets decreases linearly with time because of the larger diameter of the compound droplets. These study results can provide a useful guide for the preparation of high-throughput S/W compound droplets in a controllable and reproducible manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand-foot-mouth disease may cause severe central nervous system complications and even death, that is induced mainly by enterovirus 71 (EV71), which is a non-enveloped virus. Inactivation of the EV71 on hands could effectively inhibit the transmission. However, the inactivations of the EV71 by conventional disinfectants including the alcohols are poor, due to the high stability of the EV71. A novel pyridyl imidazolidinone compound (TJAB1099) was designed to specifically inhibit EV71 replication in vitro. It may potentially be developed as formulations applied on hands for EV71 transmission control. Methods: The stress stability of TJAB1099 was first evaluated after storing in high temperature (60 °C, RH 10%), high humidity (25 °C, RH90%), and the high-intensity photolysis (4500 Lx ± 500 Lx) for 15 days, respectively. A wash-free antimicrobial gel containing the TJAB1099 was developed using the copolymer carrier. The antiviral activity, the acute oral toxicity, and the local irritation of the antimicrobial gel were evaluated accordingly. Results: The results indicated that the TJAB1099 was stable during the storage in high temperature and humidity. However, a significant change (p < .0001) was detected when TJAB1099 stored in the high-intensity photolysis. The antimicrobial gel containing 1 μM TJAB1099 could inhibit EV71 significantly higher than the ethanol (75%) (p < .0001) and commercialized disinfectant products (p < .0001). The results of acute oral toxicity and the local irritation suggest that the TJAB1099 containing antimicrobial gel was not causing skin irritations and acute oral toxicity symptoms. Conclusions: The results suggest that the antimicrobial gel containing TJAB1099 was safe and could effectively inhibit EV71 transmission in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determination of the wettability of micron/sub-micron sized particles remains a great challenge. The present work proposes a new approach to evaluate the particle wettability by measuring the turbidity of particle suspension. The fine solid samples with varying wettability were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of oilsands bitumen at different temperatures. The turbidity of particle-in-toluene suspension was determined and correlated to the particle surface chemical composition, i.e., C/(Al + Si). A good linear relationship was observed between particle wettability and suspension turbidity. The results suggest suspension turbidity can be used to characterize the wettability of organically-modified fine solids in oilsands bitumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study was undertaken to explore what undergraduate students reflect on during their learning to practice social work in the field. Reflection is essential in the social work field practicum where students learn the practice of social work by doing. Seventeen BSW students' final field practicum learning papers are analyzed. Four themes emerge that highlight the content of their reflections: situations of uncertainty, opportunities for application, tensions in action, and confrontations with others. This article presents in detail these 4 themes. Discussion includes suggestions for helping students better engage in reflective learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coking technological improvements are required to effectively upgrade/refine extra-heavy oil residues. The influence of types and blending ratios of coker-derived liquids on the coking performance of Venezuelan residue was studied in terms of product distribution and coke morphology. Blending of the coker diesel distillates (200-350 °C) with the residues was not suggested, given the negative interactions at all blending ratios (0-0.6) as concluded from coke yield analysis. Blending of the coker gas oil improved the coke quality and inhibited the coke formation. The recycle of heavy coker gas oil (430 °C+) at a blending ratio of 0.3 was most favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have been successfully applied clinically as target drugs for cancer. In this study, anti-neural cell adhesion molecule also called CD56 antibody-monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) conjugate named Promiximab-MMAE was prepared by conjugation of microtubule inhibitor MMAE with Promiximab. The average drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of Promiximab-MMAE was 3.13 as analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/ mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The targeting capacity and affinity kinetics of Promiximab-MMAE were similar to that of Promiximab after being conjugated with MMAE as tested by flow cytometry and biolayer interferometry analysis. Promiximab-MMAE showed effective anti-proliferation on CD56-positive cell lines (NCI-H524, NCI-H526, and NCI-H69), with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 19.24, 5.23, and 0.32 nmol/L in vitro, respectively. Promiximab-MMAE of 10 mg/kg every three days with a total of three times was administered in vivo. Results showed that the tumour regression was not recrudesced in NCI-H69 and NCI-H526 xenograft mice models till 52 and 56 days. Moreover, body weight and histopathology of the major organs (liver, spleen, heart, lung, and kidney) showed no significant changes after treatment with Promiximab-MMAE. In conclusion, Promiximab-MMAE is a potential candidate for the treatment of CD56 positive small cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MYH9-related disorders (MYH9-RDs) caused by mutation of the MYH9 gene which encodes non-muscle myosin heavy-chain-IIA (NMMHC-IIA), an important motor protein in hemopoietic cells, are the most commonly encountered cause of inherited macrothrombocytopenia. Despite distinguishing features including an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, giant platelets on the peripheral blood film accompanied by leucocytes with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (döhle-like bodies), these disorders remain generally under-recognized and often misdiagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This may result in inappropriate treatment with corticosteroids, immunosupressants and in some cases, splenectomy. We explored the efficacy of next generation sequencing (NGS) with a candidate gene panel to establish the aetiology of thrombocytopenia for individuals who had been referred to our center from hematologists in the Australasian region in whom the cause of thrombocytopenia was suspected to be secondary to an inherited condition but which remained uncharacterized despite phenotypic investigations. Pathogenic MYH9 variants were detected in 15 (15/121, 12.4%) individuals and the pathogenecity of a novel variant of uncertain significance was confirmed in a further two related individuals following immunofluorescence (IF) staining performed in our laboratory. Concerningly, only one (1/17) individual diagnosed with MYH9-RD had been referred with this as a presumptive diagnosis, in all other cases (16/17, 94.1%), a diagnosis was not suspected by referring clinicians, indicating a lack of awareness or a failing of our diagnostic approach to these conditions. We examined the mean platelet diameter (MPD) measurements as a means to better identify and quantify platelet size. MPDs in cases with MYH9-RDs were significantly larger than controls (p < 0.001) and in 91% were greater than a previously suggested threshold for platelets in cases of ITP. In addition, we undertook IF staining in a proportion of cases and confirm that this test and/or NGS are satisfactory diagnostic tests. We propose that fewer cases of MYH9-RDs would be missed if diagnostic algorithms prioritized IF and/or NGS in cases of thrombocytopenia associated with giant platelets, even if döhle-like bodies are not appreciated on the peripheral blood film. Finally, our report describes the long-term use of a thrombopoietin agonist in a case of MYH9-RD that had previously been diagnosed as ITP, and demonstrates that treatment with these agents may be possible, and is well tolerated, in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBy filling and stacking geotextile tubes, cofferdams can be constructed with high efficiency and relatively low economic costs. However, the cofferdam construction at river estuary area may face significant challenges due to the limited time period of tide ebbing (e.g., 4 ∼ 6 h at Qiantang river estuary, Zhejiang, China) and the complexity of construction conditions (e.g., filling and stacking under dry and underwater conditions). First, tensile tests were carried out on the geotextile to obtain the tensile strength and stiffness of the material along the warp and weft, respectively. Subsequently, self-weight and stacking dewatering tests were conducted in a model container under both dry and underwater conditions. During the test, the pore water pressure, the height and strain of geotextile tube, and the volume of water discharge were monitored. Model test data revealed that, using an 80% dewatering degree as the formation criterion, the formation time of a geotextile tube is 4 ∼ 6 times longer for the underwater condition when compared to the dry condition. The earlier the stacking pressure was applied, the greater the final dewatering volume was achieved along with the reduced formation time. However, the early application of stacking pressure rendered higher risk of tensile failure of the geotextile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are known to colonize ginger rhizome. A total of 57 strains were isolated and identified by 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP fingerprinting, and were grouped into genera Serratia, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Agrobacterium, Ochrobactrum, Bacillus and Tetrathiobacter. Out of 34 representative strains, 14 were positive for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production (1.02-49.66 µg ml-1), 16 were able to solubilize phosphate (9.3-233.05 µg ml-1) and 18 showed siderophore activities (9.47-70.66%). Six representative strains with plant growth promoting (PGP) activities boosted the growth of Zea mays, where not only the plant height, leaf area, and biomass yield were significantly improved, plant N, P and K uptakes were also increased. Plants co-inoculated with both PGPB and chemical fertilizer also showed an increased yield. Our study thus indicates that there is an abundance of endophytic bacteria in ginger rhizome, some of which possess promising capabilities for enhancing the growth of Z. mays and have the potential to serve as bio-fertilizers for crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune checkpoint inhibitors including programmed death-1 inhibitors are promising agents for many types of malignancies; however, it is still an off-label choice for type B3 thymoma. We reported for the first time a patient with type B3 thymoma developed fatal myocarditis and rhabdomyolysis after one dose of nivolumab administration. The results from myocardial and muscle biopsies revealed extensive myocyte damage, T-lymphocytic infiltration and strongly expression of PD-L1 which confirmed the nivolumab-related immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The blood tests showed elevated levels of serum AChR-binding antibody and inflammatory cytokines, in addition abnormal lymphocyte subsets were noted. Our report suggested that administration of nivolumab in type B3 thymoma could cause rare but fatal myocarditis and rhabdomyolysis, over-expressed AChR-binding antibody and inflammatory cytokines may be potential biomarkers for irAEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]