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Key message Spikelet indeterminacy and supernumerary spikelet phenotypes in barley multiflorus2.b mutant show polygenic inheritance. Genetic analysis of multiflorus2.b revealed major QTLs for spikelet determinacy and supernumerary spikelet phenotypes on 2H and 6H chromosomes. Abstract Understanding the genetic basis of yield forming factors in small grain cereals is of extreme importance, especially in the wake of stagnation of further yield gains in these crops. One such yield forming factor in these cereals is the number of grain-bearing florets produced per spikelet. Wild-type barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) spikelets are determinate structures, and the spikelet axis (rachilla) degenerates after producing single floret. In contrast, the rachilla of wheat (Triticum ssp.) spikelets, which are indeterminate, elongates to produce up to 12 florets. In our study, we characterized the barley spikelet determinacy mutant multiflorus2.b (mul2.b) that produced up to three fertile florets on elongated rachillae of lateral spikelets. Apart from the lateral spikelet indeterminacy (LS-IN), we also characterized the supernumerary spikelet phenotype in the central spikelets (CS-SS) of mul2.b. Through our phenotypic and genetic analyses, we identified two major QTLs on chromosomes 2H and 6H, and two minor QTLs on 3H for the LS-IN phenotype. For, the CS-SS phenotype, we identified one major QTL on 6H, and a minor QTL on 5H chromosomes. Notably, the 6H QTLs for CS-SS and LS-IN phenotypes co-located with each other, potentially indicating that a single genetic factor might regulate both phenotypes. Thus, our in-depth phenotyping combined with genetic analyses revealed the quantitative nature of the LS-IN and CS-SS phenotypes in mul2.b, paving the way for cloning the genes underlying these QTLs in the future.

ObjectiveAmbient air pollution is associated with ischaemic stroke incidence. However, most of the previous studies used stroke-related hospital admission rather than stroke onset itself. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ambient air pollutant exposures and acute ischaemic stroke based on the timing of symptom onset.MethodsA time-stratified, case-crossover analysis was performed among 520 patients who had ischaemic stroke admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (Tianjin, China) between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019 (365 days). Daily air pollutant concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 2.5 µm, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 10 µm (PM10), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone were obtained from fixed-site monitoring stations. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate OR and 95% CI corresponding to an increase in IQR of each air pollutant after adjusting for the effects of temperature and relative humidity.ResultsOverall, a higher risk of ischaemic stroke was found between April and September. During this period PM10 was associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke (1-day lag: OR=1.49, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.02; 3-day mean: OR=1.58, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.29) among patients between 34 and 70 years old. Positive associations were also observed between PM10 (1-day lag: OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.07; 3-day mean: OR=1.57, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.29), ozone (1-day lag: OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.87; 3-day mean: OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.42) and ischaemic stroke occurrence among those with hyperlipidaemia.ConclusionOur results suggest that air pollution is associated with a higher risk of ischaemic stroke in younger people or people with hyperlipidemia. These findings still need to be further investigated.

A novel and simple method was described for preparation of carbonaceous adsorbent (CA) from corncob under phosphoric acid conditions. The method succeeded to introduce oxygen-containing groups onto the product surface through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at low temperature of 160 °C. Adsorption of methylene blue (MB) was studied systematically through the effect of pH, contact time and initial dye concentrations. The MB adsorption kinetics and isotherms experiments showed that Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model could better describe the adsorption behavior, with a maximum adsorption capacity of MB was 140.25 mg/g. The high adsorption capacity could be ascribed to the presence of surface oxygen-containing functional groups and pore channels. In conclusion, it could be a potential adsorbent in the removal of methylene blue from wastewater.

This paper deals with the third order nonlinear neutral delay difference equation with a forced term $$\begin{aligned}& \Delta^{2} \bigl(a(n)\Delta \bigl(x(n)+c(n)x(n-\tau) \bigr) \bigr)+f \bigl(n,x \bigl(n-b_{1}(n) \bigr),x \bigl(n-b_{2}(n) \bigr), \ldots,x \bigl(n-b_{k}(n) \bigr) \bigr) \\& \quad =d(n),\quad n\geq n_{0}. \end{aligned}$$ Using the Banach fixed point theorem, we prove the existence of uncountably many bounded positive solutions for the equation, suggest some Mann iterative schemes and obtain the error estimates between these bounded positive solutions and the sequences generated by the iterative schemes. Five nontrivial examples are also included.

Aim The study was conducted to assess and compare the overall diagnostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) alone and PET/computed tomography (CT) for the detection of recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer. Methods A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese literature databases (CNKI, VIP and Wanfang) up to August 2014 was performed to identify relevant articles. The diagnostic performance of PET alone or PET/CT was assessed in terms of the following evaluation indexes: summary sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve summary receiver operating characteristics. Results Sixty-four studies with 3722 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Favorable results were obtained for both PET/CT and PET alone with similar sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve in diagnosing recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer (P > 0.05). However, the sensitivity of PET/CT was significantly higher than PET alone in European patients. Conclusions Both PET and PET/CT have promising diagnostic value in recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer. The diagnostic performance of PET/CT may be superior to PET alone in European patients.

Since complex barriers need to be passed through during the process of drilling long-distance horizontal freezing boreholes, the stability of the borehole wall at the soft and hard stratum interface is the key in controlling the deflection of the horizontal boreholes. The author puts forward to establishing the stability mechanical model of horizontal freezing borehole walls with fluid loss as the control index, starting from the stability mechanism of horizontal freezing boreholes and combined with the working conditions of horizontal freezing boreholes; selects two optimal fluid loss additives from the perspective of the molecular structure of bentonite materials, and determines the optimal formula by formulation optimization by virtue of orthogonal tests; applies the optimal formula into the long-distance pile and borehole penetration test, and validates the reliability of wall protection slurry formula materials for horizontal boreholes via comparing the water loss and soil erosion at the pile interface and analyzing the deflection rules, which is of certain value in engineering promotion and application.

Based on the principle of fiber-optic gyro inclinometer, the characteristics of horizontal freezing hole and the working conditions, it is analyzed that the horizontal hole fiber-optic gyroscope tilting technology for freezing holes is one of the most reliable methods. In order to verify the azimuth measurement error of the horizontal fiber optic-gyro inclinometer, the simulation test under the 1:1 working condition was carried out with the actual working conditions on site. Compared with the total station measurement data, it was concluded that 85.2% of the data is in measurement error within ±2°, 55.6% of the data is within ±1°, which verifies the reliability of the measurement data of the horizontal fiber-optic gyro inclinometer. At the test level of α=0.05, the azimuth test error accords with the normal distribution of μ=0.54 and σ=0.73. In the actual use process, the algorithm can be used to optimize the measurement data by taking multiple measurements and taking the average value in combination with the field conditions, so that the data can be closer to the true value.

The aim of this study is to estimate the timing impact on levothyroxine replacement among pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Ninety-eight pregnant women diagnosed as SCH in the first trimester were randomly divided into three groups: Group A, instantly initiated levothyroxine after diagnosis; Group B, administrated treatment in the second trimester, and Group C, received no prescription. Incidence of pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcomes were compared among three groups and subgroup analysis were performed stratified with TPO status in Group B. Group A exhibited lower rate of pregnancy complications (9.7%) and adverse outcome (3.2%) than Group B (41.9% and 32.3%) and Group C (64.5% and 38.7%). But the late initiation treatment group shared a comparable complication and maternal outcome with untreated women (p = .075 and .596, respectively). After stratified with TPOAb status in Group B, TPOAb+ women experienced a remarkable lower complication (14.2%) and adverse outcome rate (7.1%) compared with negative subjects (64.7% and 45%, respectively). Our data suggest that levothyroxine administrated in the first trimester was associated with decreased risk of adverse obstetric event. Additionally, pregnant women with TPOAb positive could also benefit from thyroid hormone therapy even initiated in the second trimester.

Aim We compared outcomes for traditional vaginal surgery with uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) versus transvaginal mesh repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of pelvic organ prolapse cases that occurred between February 2007 and December 2011. Success rates for traditional vaginal repair plus USLS and transvaginal mesh repair were determined. Results As compared with traditional surgery (n = 81), using mesh (n = 90) for stage III or IV prolapse resulted in higher rates of successful treatment. However, mesh repair also resulted in increased intraoperative blood loss and postoperative adverse events, such as pain and dyspareunia. Conclusion Traditional vaginal repair plus USLS was an improvement on traditional surgery, resulting in a higher anatomical success rate. On the other hand, both intraoperative and postoperative complications in mesh repair could be reduced by protective factors such as the surgeon's experience.

ObjectivesStroke survivors require assistance and support in their daily lives. This survey aims to investigate the needs and rights awareness in Chinese stroke survivors and caregivers in rural and urban settings.SettingThis survey was adapted from the one created by the World Stroke Organization. The questionnaire included demands for psychological support, treatment and care, social support and information. From January 2015 to January 2016, the survey was pilot tested with urban and rural-dwelling stroke survivors and caregivers from 12 hospitals. Stroke survivors were invited to participate if they were over 18 years old and had experienced a stroke. Exclusion criteria were patients who had disorders of consciousness, significant cognitive impairment, aphasia, communication difficulties or psychiatric disorders. Only caregivers who were family members of the patients were chosen. Paid caregivers were excluded.ParticipantsOne thousand, one hundred and sixty-seven stroke survivors and 1119 caregivers were enrolled.Primary outcome measuresThe needs of stroke survivors and caregivers in rural and urban areas were compared. The correlations between needs of rural and urban stroke survivors and caregivers and potential effect factors were analysed, respectively.ResultsAmong the cohort, 93.5% reported the need for psychological support, 88.6% for treatment and care, 84.8% for information and 62.7% for social support. The total needs and each aspect of needs of stroke survivors in urban settings were greater than of those in rural settings (pConclusionsNeeds and rights awareness of stroke survivors should also be recognised in both urban and rural China. According to the different needs of patients and their caregivers, regional and individualised services were needed by stroke survivors and their caregivers.

The study was conducted to assess and compare the overall diagnostic value of positron emission tomography (PET) alone and PET/computed tomography (CT) for the detection of recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer.A systematic literature search in PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese literature databases (CNKI, VIP and Wanfang) up to August 2014 was performed to identify relevant articles. The diagnostic performance of PET alone or PET/CT was assessed in terms of the following evaluation indexes: summary sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve summary receiver operating characteristics.Sixty-four studies with 3722 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Favorable results were obtained for both PET/CT and PET alone with similar sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve in diagnosing recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer (P0.05). However, the sensitivity of PET/CT was significantly higher than PET alone in European patients.Both PET and PET/CT have promising diagnostic value in recurrent/metastatic ovarian cancer. The diagnostic performance of PET/CT may be superior to PET alone in European patients.

This paper investigates the second order nonlinear neutral delay difference equation $$\begin{aligned}& \Delta \bigl[a_{n}\Delta (x_{n}+bx_{n-\tau}-d_{n} ) \bigr] +\Delta f (n,x_{f_{1}(n)},x_{f_{2}(n)},\ldots,x_{f_{k}(n)} ) \\& \quad{} +g (n,x_{g_{1}(n)},x_{g_{2}(n)},\ldots,x_{g_{k}(n)} )=c_{n},\quad n\ge n_{0}. \end{aligned}$$ By using the Banach fixed point theorem and some new techniques, we establish the existence results of uncountably many bounded nonoscillatory solutions for the above equation, propose a few Mann type iterative approximation schemes with errors and obtain several errors estimates between the iterative approximations and the nonoscillatory solutions. Examples that cannot be solved by known results are given to illustrate our theorems.

In this paper, fixed point theorems for contractive and expansive maps are established, some of which extend a few results of Das and Debata, Edelstein, Fisher, Leader, Shih and Yeh, and Jungck.

We compared outcomes for traditional vaginal surgery with uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) versus transvaginal mesh repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).We performed a retrospective chart review of pelvic organ prolapse cases that occurred between February 2007 and December 2011. Success rates for traditional vaginal repair plus USLS and transvaginal mesh repair were determined.As compared with traditional surgery (n=81), using mesh (n=90) for stage III or IV prolapse resulted in higher rates of successful treatment. However, mesh repair also resulted in increased intraoperative blood loss and postoperative adverse events, such as pain and dyspareunia.Traditional vaginal repair plus USLS was an improvement on traditional surgery, resulting in a higher anatomical success rate. On the other hand, both intraoperative and postoperative complications in mesh repair could be reduced by protective factors such as the surgeon's experience.

The purpose of this paper is to study solvability of the higher order nonlinear neutral delay differential equation $$\begin{aligned}& \frac{d^{n}}{dt^{n}}\bigl[x(t)+c(t)x(t-\tau)\bigr]+(-1)^{n+1}f\bigl(t,x \bigl(\sigma _{1}(t)\bigr),x\bigl(\sigma_{2}(t)\bigr), \ldots,x\bigl(\sigma_{k}(t)\bigr)\bigr) \\ & \quad =g(t),\quad t\geq t_{0}, \end{aligned}$$ where n and k are positive integers, $\tau>0 $ , $t_{0}\in{\mathbb{R}}$ , $f\in C ([t_{0},+\infty)\times {\mathbb{R}}^{k},{\mathbb{R}} ) $ , $c,g,\sigma_{i}\in C([t_{0},+\infty),{\mathbb{R}})$ and $\lim_{t\rightarrow +\infty}\sigma_{i}(t)=+ \infty$ for $i \in\{1,2,\ldots,k\}$ . Under suitable conditions, several existence results of uncountably many nonoscillatory solutions and convergence of Mann iterative approximations for the above equation are shown. Three nontrivial examples are given to demonstrate the advantage of our results over the existing ones in the literature.