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Human cadaveric study has indicated that the metacarpal head (MCH) is intracapsular in location. We hypothesized that exposure to the intra-articular inflammatory milieu in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) will lead to bone loss in the MCH. To compare the bone structure and microstructure in the MCH between patients with PsA and healthy controls by high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT), and to ascertain factors associated with bone loss in PsA patients. Sixty-two PsA patients without joint destruction and 62 age-, gender-, and body mass index–matched healthy subjects underwent HR-pQCT imaging of the second and third MCH (MCH 2&3). The number and volume of bone erosion and enthesiophytes, as well as volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microstructure at the MCH 2&3, were recorded. Correlation analysis and multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the association of demographic and disease-specific variables with compromised bone structure and microstructure in PsA. At the MCH 2&3, bone erosion (p = 0.003) and enthesiophyte (p = 0.000) volumes in PsA patients were significantly larger than healthy controls. In PsA patients, older age was associated with a larger erosion and enthesiophyte volume. Concerning the mean vBMD and microstructure at the MCH 2&3, PsA patients had significantly lower mean vBMD (average vBMD − 6.9%, trabecular vBMD − 8.8%, peri-trabecular vBMD − 7.7%, meta-trabecular vBMD − 9.8%), trabecular bone volume fraction (− 8.8%), and trabecular thickness (− 8.1%) compared with control subjects. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that older age and a higher C-reactive protein level were associated with trabecular bone loss. PsA patients had a higher burden of bone damages (erosions and enthesiophytes) and trabecular bone loss compared with healthy control at the MCH. Inflammation contributed to the deterioration in trabecular microstructure in these patients.

In this research, we propose a high-accuracy price prediction model for the purpose of constructing a support system for information collection and automatic analysis of profitable properties in the real estate investment market. In the traditional real estate investment process, investors needed to go through the following processes: 1) collect information on the Internet, 2) make price predictions based on their own judgement, 3) order, 4) negotiate and purchase. 1 and 2 in particular are inefficient because they seem simple, but are very time-consuming and must be repeated many times until a suitable property is found. Therefore, we aim to construct an efficient real estate investment support system by automating the information gathering process and substituting the price prediction process with a machine learning model. In this paper, we focus on the price prediction of part (2) and propose a highly accurate price prediction model using LightGBM. Specifically, the accuracy was improved by incorporating the condominium brand name, which is a price determining factor unique to Japan, and the Geo Data, a geographic factor, into the price prediction model.

Background Located inside the joint capsule,1 the entire metacarpal head (MCH) is directly exposed to intra-articular inflammatory milieu in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We hypothesise that bone loss and new bone formation in the MCH will be more prominent in PsA compared to healthy controls. Objectives To investigate structural (bone erosion and enthesiophyte) and microstructural intra-articular bone changes in patients with PsA at the second and third MCH (MCH 2 and 3) compared with controls. Methods 139 subjects (77PsA, 62 control) underwent HR CT scanning at the MCH 2 and 3 and distal radius. 15 patients with joint destruction2 were excluded from further analysis. An integrative CART-EBEE approach was developed to investigate the structural and microstructural bone changes. CART method (AB) was used to calculate volume of bone erosion and enthesiophyte [Crop of metacarpal bone(a,b); Automated segmentation of periosteal surface (c,e);Restoration of the missing cortical boundary based on anatomic curve(d,f);Three-dimensional calculation of volume(g)]; EBEE method was used to calculate volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and microstructure before and after exclusion of Bone Erosion (C) and Enthesiophyte (D). Results 62 patients with PsA and controls were comparable in age, gender and body mass index. PsA patients had a significantly increased number (mean ±SD/patient 2.4±1.4 vs 1.3±1.1, p Conclusions Intra-articular trabecular bone loss and entheseal new bone formation was more prevalent in the MCH of patients with PsA. References [1] Simon D, et al. J Bone Miner Res2017;32:722–730. [2] Stach CM, et al. Arthritis Rheum2010;62:330–9. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Highly epitaxial thin films of YBa2Cu3Oy (YBCO) have been grown on silicon with a double buffer of Eu2CuO4(ECO)/Y-ZrO2(YSZ). The utilization of the ECO layer, which possesses a very stable 214-T' structure and excellent compatibility with YBCO, greatly improves the epitaxy and surface morphology of the grown YBCO film, whereas the YSZ layer efficiently blocks the interaction between silicon substrate and YBCO. The grown films were characterized by grazing incidence X-ray reflection, rocking scans of the X-ray diffraction peaks, scanning electron microscopy, cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, and surface profilometry. The results showed an enhanced crystallinity and very clear interfaces between layers, demonstrating the advantages of such an ECO/YSZ double buffer. It was also found that this bi-layer buffer structure could greatly improve the surface roughness of the YBCO films.

An alumina reinforced Al–Cu alloy matrix composite was prepared by reaction sintering of Al and CuO powders. Precipitation hardening by further aging the composite at 250 °C was studied. In situ formed micron-sized alumina particles were present in the Al(Cu) matrix of the un-aged composite, while additional nanometer-sized Al2Cu rods were obtained in the matrix of the aged composite. Both hardness and bending strength were enhanced after the composite was aged. In the bending test, the sample was plastically deformed before fracture. Microstructural analysis revealed that the size of dimples found in the fracture mouth of the un-aged composite was micron-sized, and that in the aged composite was much smaller. It was evident that when the composite was subjected to stress, micron-sized alumina particles were responsible for the formation of cracks in the un-aged sample, while in the aged sample, Al2Cu nanorods were the dominant nucleation sites for crack growth. Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ltd

We report the synthesis of nano-structured LiAlO 2 network in an Al-based metal matrix composite (MMC) by sintering a powder compact of Al–15 wt.%Li 2 O. The morphology of the in situ formed network in the Al matrix was similar in all the samples prepared at temperatures between 300 °C and the arc-melting temperature. However, it was found that the LiAlO 2 was initially amorphous when the MMC sample was prepared at temperatures below ∼700 °C, but it would be completely converted to crystalline γ-phase LiAlO 2 by sintering at 1000 °C. The MMCs had made nano-porous by removing the Al matrix with NaOH solution. The sizes of pores were determined to be about 130–230 nm and the width of the branches of the γ-phase lithium aluminate (γ-LiAlO 2 ) network were about 50–100 nm.

We propose a general methodology for fabricating single crystal alpha-Al2O3 whiskers by displacement reactions. The methodology is based on studies in which Al-rich powder mixtures that contain different kinds of metal oxides (MOx) were sintered. In some sintered products, the in situ formed Al2O3 appeared as particulate while in other it appeared as whiskers. Some conclusions from this study are: growth of the whiskers involves the presence of MOx-1 vapor and Al2O vapor during sintering, and the dimension of the whiskers depends oil the size of the initial MO., particles. Micron-sized whiskers were produced in Al-MoO3 and in Al-WO3, while nanorods were produced ill Al-SiO2. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We report a double buffer of Eu/sub 2/CuO/sub 4/ (ECO)/YSZ to improve the growth of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub y/(YBCO) on Si wafer. The ECO buffer material possesses a very stable 214-T' structure. It has excellent structural and chemical compatibilities with YBCO and YSZ. Our study showed that the epitaxy and crystallinity of YBCO deposited on Si could be considerably enhanced by using such a double buffer of ECO/YSZ. The grown films were characterized by grazing incidence X-ray reflection, rocking curve, SEM, TEM, and surface profiler. It was also found that such a double buffer could lead to a very smooth surface in the YBCO layer.

A range of managerial styles are commonly found in foreign companies in China. Multiple factors influencing management development in China require attention owing to differences of management practices and cultural values across nations. This paper discusses the relationship between values systems and managerial styles among foreign and indigenous managers in China.

High quality lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) films have been deposited on (111)Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates by direct liquid injection (DLI) metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The as-deposited PLZT films have smooth, reflective surfaces which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicated that single perovskite phase with a -axis oriented PLZT films were formed in situ at a substrate temperature of 650 °C. Typical P-E hysteresis loop exhibits remanent polarization as high as 2 P r = 48.1 μC / cm 2 . The coercive field is 2 E c = 98 kV / cm . Electrical fatigue tests show 70% of the original switched polarization remained after 1 × 10 10 cycles.

The property of PCMO RRAM memory resistors have been studied in terms of electrical pulse width, temperature dependent of resistance, trap state, and electrode effects. The PCMO material is deposited using MOD, PVD, or PLD process. The MOD PCMO is a small grain polycrystal material. The PLD PCMO is mainly having a single crystal structure, while the PVD PCMO has a large grain polycrystal structure. The experimental results clearly shown the RRAM non-volatile resistance change is neither an interface effect, nor due to field induced electro-chemical migration. In addition there is neither crystalline to polycrystalline phase change nor metallic conduction filament formation causing the resistance changes. The experimental data on the pulse width dependent of the resistance change, the temperature dependent of the resistance, and the charge transport property in PCMO with different crystalline structure lead to the conclusion that the electrical pulsed induced resistance increase is a current driven process and is due to the localization of valence electrons by electron-electron interaction. The electrical pulse induced reduction of resistance is a field driven process and is due to delocalization of localized valence electrons by high electric fields. We define the interface as the region no deeper than 1nm each side from the metal contact

Ferroelectric memory transistor is known for poor charge retention time. An alternative device structure has been developed to solve the retention problem of ferroelectric memory transistors. The gate structure of the new ferroelectric memory transistor is metal on ferroelectric thin film on bottom electrode on n-type semiconductive metal oxide on p-type silicon. The bottom electrode is in direct contact to the semiconductive metal oxide. Therefore, there is no floating gate in this device. The threshold voltage memory window of an experimental device extrapolation from 4 days of measured data to 10 years is about 1V.

A newly fabricated prosthesis may need a complete remake if it does not match the patient's skin tone. Remakes of craniofacial implant-retained prostheses may require significant time and incur additional costs. An alternative procedure is presented to improve the predictability of such prostheses.

We have developed a new technique for simultaneously determining the plutonium concentration and the isotopic composition of highly irradiated fuel dissolver solutions, such as the input to a chemical reprocessing plant. This technique combines the high-resolution, low- energy, gamma-ray spectroscopy technique, the isotope dilution technique, and the resin head technique in one; it is referred to as isotope dilution gamma-ray spectroscopy (IDGS). The IDGS involves adding a well-characterized plutonium isotope to the unknown solution and then extracting the plutonium from the spiked (mixed) solution on resin beads and subsequently measuring the beads with high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy. The spike used in this experiment is a large size spike of {sup 239}Pu. The plutonium concentration of the dissolver solution obtained from the first IDGS measurement agrees with that obtained by isotope dilution mass spectrometry within 0. 042%. 4 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs.

The impact-parameter dependence of K-vacancy production in Ta, Au, Bi and U by 4 MeV protons has been measured using a magnetic spectrometer and fast coincidence techniques. The ionization probabilities are greater than non-relativistic SCA predictions by as much as a factor of four. The inclusion of relativistic electronic wavefunctions in the SCA calculations substantially reduces the discrepancies.

The capacity of rat liver mitochondria to transport and metabolize B6 compounds has been studied. In B6-sufficient rats, 20% of the B6 content in liver is located in mitochondria. The ratio of pyridoxal-P to pyridoxamine-P in isolated mitochondria is increased with 2-oxoglutarate as substrate and decreased with glutamate. Isolated mitochondria contain pyridoxal-P(pyridoxamine-P) hydrolase activity in the intermembranous space. They exhibit no pyridoxal kinase activity and less than 5% of the pyridoxamine-P(pyridoxine-P) oxidase activity in cytosol and cannot synthesize pyridoxal-P or pyridoxamine-P from pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxine-P. When isolated hepatocytes are incubated with [14C]pyridoxine, [14C]pyridoxal-P synthesized in the cytosol is taken up by mitochondria at a rate approximating linearity. Additionally, as reflected by the lower specific radioactivity of [14C]pyridoxal-P in mitochondria than that in cytosol, the extent of mixing of newly synthesized and endogenous pools of pyridoxal-P in these subcellular compartments is heterogeneous. When cytosol from hepatocytes incubated with [14C]pyridoxine is dialyzed to equilibrium, a dialyzable pool of [14C]pyridoxal-P with specific radioactivity similar to that of the added [14C]pyridoxine is identified. It appears that pyridoxal-P from this newly synthesized pool is preferentially transported into mitochondria or secreted and degraded by hepatocytes.

The structure of the 20 O nucleus was studied by the 18 O( 18 O, 16 O) 20 O reaction at E 1ab = 52 MeV. Angular distributions for the transitions to the lowest four states in 20 O were obtained and analyzed with finite-range DWBA calculations. Optical potential sets were used which fit the experimental elastic scattering differential cross sections over almost the whole angular range. The two L = 0 transitions to the ground state and the 4.45 MeV state of 20 O populated by the 18 O( 18 O, 16 O) reaction were analyzed with exact finite-range DWBA calculations using microscopic form factors. These calculations underestimate the absolute cross sections by a factor of 11. The relative strength of the two L = 0 transitions is well reproduced in the 18 O( 18 O, 16 O) reaction. However, DWBA calculations for the 18 O(t, p) 20 O reaction overestimated the relative cross sections for the excited 0 + state by a factor of 6. Several model wave functions were tested for the ground-state transition. It was found that the absolute cross sections of the ( 18 O, 16 O) reaction are very sensitive to the mixing of shell-model configurations. The angular distribution shapes are also slightly dependent on the mixing.

The shapes of the observed angular distributions for the reactions $^{28,30}\mathrm{Si}$($^{19}\mathrm{F}$, $^{16}\mathrm{O}$)$^{31,33}\mathrm{P}$ to ${\frac{3}{2}}^{+}$ and ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}$ states differ strongly. A consistent description of this $j$ dependence and of the ground-state ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$ angular distributions is given by distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations which assume triton cluster transfer and include spin-orbit potentials in both entrance and exit channels. We find from coupled-channel Born-approximation calculations that inelastic excitation of $^{19}\mathrm{F}$ does not affect the shapes significantly.

The energies and intensities of curium L X-rays associated with the α-decay of 252Cf were measured with a high-resolution Si(Li) spectrometer. The measured total intensity of L X-rays was (7.83±0.40) × 10−2 per α-decay. In addition, theγ-ray from the first excited state in 248Cm was observed. The energy of this γ-ray was determined to be 43.399±0.025 keV and its intensity is (1.53±0.09) × 10−4 per α-decay. From the γ-ray intensity and the α-branching ratio to the first excited state, the total conversion coefficient for this transition was found to be 1013±70. Using the L X-ray and γ-ray intensities, the LII and LIII subshell fluorescence yields were derived. The values obtained are: ωLII = 0.59±0.04, ωLIII = 0.68±0.05. As part of the calibration procedure, a detailed examination of the intensities of Np L X-rays associated with the α-decay of 241Am was carried out. Results of this analysis are compared with previously reported intensities which had been renormalised to approximately correct for large absorption effects.