Search

This article discusses a case study of a patient with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) who developed reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) after receiving immunochemotherapy. IVLBCL is a rare subtype of large B-cell lymphoma that can present with neurological symptoms. The patient experienced sudden blindness and was diagnosed with RCVS based on neurological symptoms and imaging findings. The article explores the potential triggers and pathogenesis of RCVS in IVLBCL patients and highlights the importance of considering RCVS as a differential diagnosis in these cases. Treatment with nimodipine and continuation of immunochemotherapy resulted in the resolution of symptoms and improvement in vision. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is one of the most common cerebrovascular diseases which accompanied by a disruption of aminothiols homeostasis. To explore the relationship of aminothiols with neurologic impairment severity, we investigated four aminothiols, homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), cysteinylglycine (CG) and glutathione (GSH) in plasma and its influence on ischemic stroke severity in AIS patients. Methods: A total of 150 clinical samples from AIS patients were selected for our study. The concentrations of free reduced Hcy (Hcy), own oxidized Hcy (HHcy), free reduced Cys (Cys), own oxidized Cys (cysteine, Cyss), free reduced CG (CG) and free reduced GSH (GSH) were measured by our previously developed hollow fiber centrifugal ultrafiltration (HFCF-UF) method coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The concentration ratio of Hcy to HHcy (Hcy/HHcy), Cys to Cyss (Cys/Cyss) were also calculated. The neurologic impairment severity of AIS was evaluated using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The Spearman correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis was used to estimate and perform the correlation between Hcy, HHcy, Cys, Cyss, CG, GSH, Hcy/HHcy, Cys/Cyss and total Hcy with NIHSS score. Results: The reduced Hcy and Hcy/HHcy was both negatively correlated with NIHSS score in AIS patients with P = 0.008, r=-0.215 and P = 0.002, r=-0.249, respectively. There was no significant correlation of Cys, CG, GSH, HHcy, Cyss, Cys/Cyss and total Hcy with NIHSS score in AIS patients with P value > 0.05. Conclusions: The reduced Hcy and Hcy/HHcy, not total Hcy concentration should be used to evaluate neurologic impairment severity of AIS patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the mutations of epigenetic genes in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and their relationship to treatment response. The study found that PTCL tumors frequently had mutations in epigenetic modifying genes, with TET2 mutations being the most common. The AITL and nTFHL subtypes had a higher frequency of certain mutations compared to PTCL-NOS. The study also found that patients with DNMT3A mutations had lower response rates and poorer survival. However, the study acknowledges its limitations and calls for further research to confirm these findings. [Extracted from the article]

High-entropy pyrochlore ceramics have received significant attention in the field of nuclear materials due to their ability to immobilize radioactive waste. In this study, a range of medium and high-entropy Ti-based pyrochlore powders were synthesized by a two-step method. Interestingly, a monoclinic phase was observed in some powders. An innovative experiment was conducted to adjust the cation ratio at the A site, which revealed that certain cations with larger ionic radii exhibit low solid solubility in the pyrochlore lattice, resulting in the formation of the monoclinic structure. To avoid the formation of monoclinic phase, the crystal structure was adjusted by introducing Zr4+ at the B site. Based on the selection of single-phase powders, high-density pyrochlore ceramic bulks with uniform distribution of elements were prepared by spark plasma sintering. Here (Sm 1/5 Yb 1/5 Gd 1/5 Er 1/5 Dy 1/5) 2 Ti 2 O 7 bulks exhibited the smallest grain size at approximately 2.48 µm among all sintered samples and demonstrated a hardness of around 10.14 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCLs). Plasma cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) was obtained, and the mutational profile was assessed in 47 patients with newly diagnosed mature T‐ and NK‐cell lymphoma. To validate the mutations detected in cfDNA, paired tumour tissue samples were available for 36 patients. Targeted next‐generation sequencing was performed. A total of 279 somatic mutations involving 149 genes were identified in the 47 cfDNA samples. The overall sensitivity of plasma cfDNA in discovering biopsy‐confirmed mutations was 73.9% with a specificity of 99.6%. When we considered only mutations with variant allele frequency >5% in the tumour biopsy, the sensitivity increased to 81.9%. Pretreatment ctDNA concentration and the number of mutations were highly correlated with tumour burden indicators including lactate dehydrogenase, Ann Arbor stage and International Prognostic Index score. Patients with high ctDNA level (>1.9 log ng/mL) had significantly lower overall response rates, inferior 1‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival rates than those with low level. Longitudinal analysis of ctDNA showed a strong agreement between ctDNA dynamics and the radiographic response. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that ctDNA may serve as a promising tool for mutational profiling, tumour burden assessment, outcome prediction and disease monitoring in PTCLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacteria form some of the most notorious and difficult-to-treat bacterial pathogens. As a group, they are intrinsically resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, such as tetracyclines and beta-lactams. In addition to intrinsic resistances, acquired multidrug resistance has also been observed and documented in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), Mycobacterium leprae and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). To combat multidrug resistant infections by these pathogens, innovative antimicrobials and treatment regimens are required. In this regard, linezolid, an oxazolidinone introduced for clinical use just two decades ago, was added to the therapeutic armamentarium for drug-resistant mycobacteria. It exhibits antibacterial activity by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibiting protein synthesis. Unfortunately, linezolid resistance has now been documented in MTB and NTM, in many parts of the world. Most linezolid-resistant mycobacterial strains show mutations in the ribosome or related genes, such as in the rplC, rrl and tsnR genes. Non-ribosomal mechanisms appear to be rare. One such mechanism was associated with a mutation in fadD32, which encodes a protein that plays an important role in mycolic acid synthesis. Mycobacterial efflux proteins have also been implicated in linezolid resistance. This review summarises current knowledge of genetic determinants of linezolid resistance in mycobacteria, with the aim of contributing information that could facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic approaches to overcome, delay or avoid further developments of drug resistance among these important pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid economic development, extensive human activity has changed landscape patterns (LPs) dramatically, which has further influenced hydrological processes. However, the effects of LPs changes on hydrological processes, especially for the streamflow–sediment relationship in the subtropical monsoon climate zone, have not been reported. In our study, 10 watersheds with different sizes in the subtropical monsoon climate zone of southeastern China were chosen as the study area, and the effect of the 14 most commonly used landscape metrics (LMs) on 4 typical hydrological indices (water yields (WY), the runoff coefficient (RC), the soil erosion modulus (SEM), and the suspended sediment concentration (SSC)) were analyzed based on land use maps and hydrological data from 1990 to 2019. The results reveal that the LP characteristics within the study area have changed significantly. The number of patches and landscape shape indices were significantly positively correlated with watershed size (p < 0.01). For most watersheds, the largest patch index was negatively correlated with WY, RC, and SEM, and the perimeter area fractal dimension was positively correlated with WY, RC, SEM, and SSC. The effects of several LMs on the hydrological indices had scale effects. WY/RC and the interspersion and juxtaposition index were negatively correlated in most larger watersheds but were positively correlated in most smaller watersheds. Similar results were found for Shannon's diversity/evenness index and SEM. In general, an increase in a small patch of landscape and in landscape diversity would increase WY, the fragmentation of LPs would result in more soil erosion, and LPs would affect the relationship between streamflow and sediment yield. As a result, a proper decrease in landscape fragmentation and physical connectivity in the subtropical monsoon climate zone of southeastern China would benefit soil erosion prevention. These results enhance the knowledge about the relationship between LPs and hydrological processes in the subtropical monsoon climate zone of southeastern China and benefit local water and soil conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to better characterize the clinicopathologic characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of AITL in China. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 312 patients with AITL enrolled between January 2011 and December 2020 from five institutions in China. Results: The median age was 65 years, with 92.6% advanced stage, 59.7% elevated LDH, 46.1% anemia, and 44.0% hypergammaglobulinemia. The majority of patients (84.9%) received anthracycline‐based regimens with or without etoposide, and only 6.1% underwent autologous stem cell transplantation following first remission. The 5‐year OS and PFS estimates were 43.4% and 25.0% with no significant improvement of survival between patients treated during 2011–2015 and 2016–2020, respectively. Both the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the prognostic index for PTCL, not otherwise specified (PIT), were predictive for OS. In multivariate analysis, age >70 years, elevated LDH, and albumin level <35 g/L were independent prognostic factors for OS. Combining these three factors, a novel prognostic model (the Chinese AITL score) was constructed, which stratified patients into low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, with 5‐year OS rates of 69.0%, 41.5%, and 23.7%, respectively. This new model was successfully validated in an independent cohort. Conclusions: Patients with AITL were mainly treated with anthracycline‐based regimens, and the outcomes were still unsatisfactory in China. Our novel prognostic model may improve our ability to identify patients at different risks for alternative therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Risso's dolphins have a sophisticated biosonar system. However, unlike other dolphins that have a round and smooth forehead, Risso's dolphins have a distinctive vertical crease (or cleft) along the anterior surface of the forehead. Researchers have speculated how the cleft may affect biosonar beam formation given its location on the biosonar sound propagation pathway. It is almost impossible to test this experimentally. To fill this gap, this study built 2D numerical sound propagation models based on CT scans of a Risso's dolphin. We digitally filled the cleft with neighboring soft tissues, creating a hypothetical "cleftless" head, representing a Risso's dolphin with a round and smooth forehead as other dolphins. After comparing the sound propagation process through the original head and cleftless head, we found that the cleft played an insignificant role in forehead sound propagation and far-field beam formation. Moreover, the cleft was not responsible for the bimodal click spectrum that has previously been reported from this species. Our study presents a promising approach to advance our understanding of the function of the internal biological structures in biosonar beam formation, specifically in the absence of experimental methods to measure tissue functions directly in situ. The Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) has a distinctive vertical crease (or cleft) along the anterior surface of the forehead. Previous studies have speculated that the cleft may contribute to biosonar beam formation. To explore this, we constructed 2D finite element models based on computer tomography data of the head of a naturally deceased Risso's dolphin. The simulated acoustic near-field signals, far-field signals, and transmission beam patterns were compared to corresponding measurements from a live, echolocating Risso's dolphin. To investigate the effect of the cleft, we filled the cleft with neighboring soft tissues in our model, creating a hypothetical "cleftless" forehead, as found in other odontocetes. We compared the acoustic pressure field and the beam pattern between the clefted and cleftless cases. Our results suggest that the cleft plays an insignificant role in forehead biosonar sound propagation and far-field beam formation. Furthermore, the cleft was not responsible for the bimodal click spectrum recorded and reported from this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous experiments have shown (1) evidence that exposure to high-intensity sounds (e.g., air-gun signals) may cause damage to the sensory hair cells of the fish ears and impair fish hearing and (2) evidence that in some circumstances such exposures cause minimal structural damage. The contradictory results regarding the damage accrued suggested that the angle of sound energy arrivals at the fish ears may play a part in the propensity of the sound to cause damage to sensory hair cells. To further study this and gain insight into specific details of the differential motion of the otolith relative to the sensory macula when incident sounds arrive from different directions, three-dimensional finite element models were constructed based on the micro-computed tomography imaging of the sagittal otoliths of the bight redfish (Centroberyx gerrardi). We used the models to study the response of fish sagittal otoliths to sounds arriving from horizontal and vertical directions. Sound pressure levels, relative displacement, acceleration, and shear stress of the otoliths and/or otolith-water boundary were calculated and compared. The results suggest that the angle of sound energy arrivals at the otoliths and the geometry of the otolith lead to different magnitudes of the differential motion between the macula and otoliths, with sound arriving in the vertical potentially creating more damage than the same sound arriving from the horizontal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are the two major radiative forcing factors of greenhouse gases. In this study, surface and column mole fractions of CO2 and CH4 were first measured at a desert site in Dunhuang, west China. The average column mole fractions of CO2 (XCO2) and CH4 (XCH4) were 413.00 ± 1.09 ppm and 1876 ± 6 ppb, respectively, which were 0.90 ppm and 72 ppb lower than their surface values. Diurnal XCO2 showed a sinusoidal mode, while XCH4 appeared as a unimodal distribution. Ground observed XCO2 and XCH4 were compared with international satellites, such as GOSAT, GOSAT-2, OCO-2, OCO-3, and Sentinel-5P. The differences between satellites and EM27/SUN observations were 0.26% for XCO2 and −0.38% for XCH4, suggesting a good consistency between different satellites and ground observations in desert regions in China. Hourly XCO2 was close to surface CO2 mole fractions, but XCH4 appeared to have a large gap with CH4, probably because of the additional chemical removals of CH4 in the upper atmosphere. It is necessary to carry out a long-term observation of column mole fractions of greenhouse gases in the future to obtain their temporal distributions as well as the differences between satellites and ground observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the analysis of the vane chattering phenomenon through measurements of the instantaneous working chamber pressure of the multi-vane Revolving Vane (RV) compressor. The paper presents the prototype design, measurement setup, and processing of the recorded data to support the phenomenon. The analysis confirmed that the vane chattering was originated by the two free vanes which were detached and re-collided with the cylinder inner wall repeatedly during the course of compressor operation in the 60°–135° and 190°–255° angular position regions, respectively. Reasons of vane chattering have been hypothesized through the data collected and further verified with the mathematical model describing the dynamic behaviour of the free vanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrochemical performance was greatly improved by the Co-V optimization strategy. • The Co-based species effectively avoids the agglomeration and facilitates fully electrochemical reaction. • V-based species owning abundant valence state improves the electrochemical activity. • CH-V16 provides high specific capacitance of 6.26F cm−2 at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. • CH-V16//CC shows high energy density of 0.347 mWh cm−2 at 4 mW cm−2 and excellent cycling performance. Insufficient utilization, low conductivity and sluggish kinetics of Co and V-based oxides usually hinder their practical application in supercapacitors. In this study, we employ a simple two-step hydrothermal process to obtain Co-V binary metal composites (Co-V-O-N, a composite comprising CoVO 3 , VO 2 (H 2 O) 0.5 , (NH 4) 0.38 V 2 O 5 , NH 4 V 10 O 25 ·8H 2 O). After optimizing the reaction time between the Co-based precursor (CH) and the subsequently grown V species, the optimal synergistic combination of these two components effectively avoids the agglomeration of the active materials and enhances the conductivity of electrode conductivity. Accordingly, the obtained CH-V16 electrode achieves a high areal capacitance of 6.26F cm−2 at 10 mA cm−2, excellent rate capability with 67 % capacitance retention when the current density is increased from 5 to 60 mA cm−2, much better than the electrodes only with one component. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor constructed with CH-V16 and conductive carbon cloth shows a high energy density of 0.347 mWh cm−2 at 4 mW cm−2 as well as impressive cyclic performance by remaining 90 % of the initial specific capacitance over 20,000 cycles at 30 mA cm−2. This work offers a perspective to design high-performance Co-V binary metal oxides for asymmetric supercapacitors by a synergistic combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose This study examined the relationship between critical success factors (CSFs), perceived benefits, and usage intention of Mobile Knowledge Management Systems (MKMS) via an integrated Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Information Systems Success Model (ISSM). Background This study investigates the CSFs (i.e., Strategic Leadership, Employee Training, System Quality, and Information Quality) that impact the usage intention of KMS in mobile contexts which have been neglected. Since users normally consider the usefulness belief in a system before usage, this study examines the role of perceived benefits as a mediator between the CSFs and usage intention. Methodology A survey-based research approach in the Malaysian semiconductor industry was employed via an integrated model of TAM and ISSM. At a response rate of 59.52%, the findings of this study were based on 375 usable responses. The data collected was analyzed using the Partial Least Squares with SmartPLS 3.0. Contribution This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the areas of mobile technology acceptance and knowledge management. Specifically, it helps to validate the integrated model of TAM and ISSM with the CSFs from knowledge management and information system. In addition, it provides the would-be adopters of MKMS with valuable guidelines and insights to consider before embarking on the adoption stage. Findings The findings suggest that Employee Training and Information Quality have a positive significant relationship with Perceived MKMS Benefits. On the contrary, Strategic Leadership, System Quality, and Perceived User-friendliness showed an insignificant relationship with Perceived MKMS Benefits. Additionally, Employee Training and Information Quality have an indirect relationship with MKMS Usage Intention which is mediated by Perceived MKMS Benefits. Recommendations for Practitioners The findings are valuable for managers, engineers, KM practitioners, KM consultants, MKMS developers, and mobile device producers to enhance MKMS usage intention. Recommendations for Researchers Researchers would be able to conduct more inter-disciplinary studies to better understand the relevant issues concerning both fields - knowledge management and mobile computing disciplines. Additionally, the mediation effect of TAM via Perceived Usefulness (i.e., perceived MKMS benefits) on usage intention of MKMS should be further investigated with other CSFs. Future Research Future studies could perhaps include other critical factors from both KM and IS as part of the external variables. Furthermore, Perceived Ease of Use (i.e., Perceived User-friendly) should be tested as a mediator in the future, together with Perceived Usefulness (i.e., perceived MKMS Benefits) to compare which would be a more powerful predictor of usage intention. Moreover, it may prove interesting to find out how the research framework would fit into other industries to verify the findings of this study for better accuracy and generalizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The aim of this paper is to examine the influences of KM-centred strategies on innovation capability among Malaysian R&D firms. It also deepens understanding of the pathways and conditions to improve the innovation capability by assessing the mediating role of both KM practices, i.e., knowledge exploration practices, and knowledge exploitation practices. Background Knowledge is the main organisational resource that is able to generate a competitive advantage through innovation. It is a critical success driver for both knowledge exploration and exploitation for firms to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. Methodology A total of 320 questionnaires were disseminated to Malaysian R&D firms and the response rate was 47 percent. The paper utilised structural equation modelling and cross-sectional design to test hypotheses in the proposed research model. Contribution This paper provides useful information and valuable initiatives in exploring the mediating role of knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation in influencing innovation in Malaysian R&D firms. It helps R&D firms to frame their KM activities to drive the capability of creating and retaining a greater value onto their core business competencies. Findings The findings indicate that all three KM-centred strategies (leadership, HR practices, and culture) have a direct effect on innovation. In addition, KM exploration practices mediate HR practices on innovation while KM exploitation mediates both leadership and HR practices on innovation. Recommendations for Practitioners This paper serves as a guide for R&D managers to determine the gaps and appropriate actions to collectively achieve the desired R&D results and national innovation. It helps R&D firms frame their KM activities to enhance the capability of creating and retaining a greater value to their core business competencies. Recommendations for Researchers This paper contributes significantly to knowledge management and innovation research by establishing new associations among KM-centred strategies, i.e., leadership, HR practices, and culture, both KM practices (knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation), and innovation. Impact on Society This paper highlights the important role of knowledge leaders and the practice of effective HR practices to help R&D firms to create a positive environment that facilitates both knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation in enhancing innovation capabilities. Future Research Further research could use a longitudinal sample to examine relationships of causality, offering a more comprehensive view of the effect of KM factors on innovation over the long term. Future research should also try to incorporate information from new external sources, such as customers or suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a benign and rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytic proliferative disorder. Laryngeal involvement is an unusual site of extranodal involvement of RDD. Laryngeal RDD can cause life-threatening airway obstruction that requires effective control of the disease. In this study, we report three cases of laryngeal RDD with excellent and durable responses to thalidomide. Patient 1 was a 39-year-old male who presented with a two-year history of nasal obstruction. Patient 2 was a 26-year-old woman who presented complaining of a hoarse voice for one year. Patient 3 was a 24-year-old man who presented with complaints of a hoarse voice and progressing dyspnea for five months. Electronic laryngoscopy revealed submucous nodular lesions in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and larynx of the three patients. Biopsy of the lesions showed large histiocytes with abundant pale cytoplasm which were S-100 and CD68 positive consistent with RDD. Before thalidomide treatment, patient 1 received chemotherapy and six times surgical excision due to the recurrence of laryngeal lesions. Patient 2 failed steroid treatment. Patient 3 underwent an emergency tracheostomy due to airway obstruction. All three patients then received thalidomide 100 mg/d treatment and achieved satisfactory and durable responses with the longest follow-up of 45 months. Thalidomide may induce long-term remission in laryngeal RDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel rotary compressor of multiple vanes and a rotating cylinder is introduced. • The compressor is deemed to be energy efficient yet low in gas pressure pulsations. • Mathematical models are formulated to describe its operational characteristics. • A prototype is instrumented and tested in an R134a refrigeration system. • Good agreement is obtained between the predicted and measured mass flow rates. This paper presents a new variant of the Revolving Vane (RV) compressor, suitable for applications that require high cooling capacity yet low pressure pulsation. By adding supplementary free sliding vanes into the original RV mechanism, the compressor produces multiple discharge cycles per revolution, and hence, it can be configured to produce high volumetric capacity with lower pressure pulsations which are expected to lower the discharge noise level. In this paper, the working principles and the theoretical modelling of the multi-vane RV compressor are presented. A functional prototype has been designed, fabricated, instrumented and tested at the industrial grade compressor performance test bench, using refrigerant R134a as the working fluid. The prototype has operated at 1000 to 2000 rpm and attained pressure ratios of 5.3. The prototype's mass flow rates and volumetric efficiency were successfully measured and correlated with the predictions from numerical simulations. Discrepancies between the predicted and the measured mass flow rates are within ±15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of reduced aminothiols, including homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), cysteinyl-glycine (CG), and glutathione (GSH), is significantly increased in the pathological state. However, there have been no reports on the relationship between reduced aminothiols (Hcy, Cys, CG, and GSH) and different genders, ages, and drug combinations in human blood. The accurate quantification of these reduced thiols in biological fluids is important for monitoring some special pathological conditions of humans. However, the published methods typically not only require cumbersome and technically challenging processing procedures to ensure reliable measurements, but are also laborious and time-consuming, which may disturb the initial physiological balance and lead to inaccurate results. We developed a hollow fiber centrifugal ultrafiltration (HFCF-UF) method for sample preparation coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method and used it to determine four reduced aminothiols (Hcy, Cys, CG, and GSH) in human blood for the first time. A total of 96 clinical patients were enrolled in our study. The influence of different genders, ages, and drug combinations on the levels of four reduced thiols in human blood was also discussed by SPSS 24.0. The sample preparation was simplified to a single 5 min centrifugation step in a sealed system that did not disturb the physiological environment. The validation parameters for the methodological results were excellent. The procedure was successfully applied to monitoring the concentrations of four reduced aminothiols (Hcy, Cys, CG, and GSH) in 96 clinical blood samples. There were no significant differences in Hcy, Cys, CG, or GSH for the different genders, ages, or combinations with methotrexate or vancomycin (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant increase in Hcy concentration in patients treated with valproic acid who were diagnosed with epilepsy (p=0.0007). It is advisable to measure reduced Hcy level in patients taking valproic acid. The developed HFCF-UF method was simple and accurate. It can be easily applied in clinical research to evaluate oxidative stress in further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the trajectory planning problem for automatic lane-change maneuvers, for which we propose a nonlinear programing model to generate the collision-avoidance lane-change trajectory in a spatiotemporal space. In this model, we regard a lane-change trajectory as the combination of a lane-change path and its velocity profiles. Based on the polynomial curve, the lane-change path is planned first in 2-dimensional Cartesian coordinates to connect the initial position with final position, and then a nonlinear mathematical programing model is used to generate the velocity profiles for maintaining the driving safety and comfort. To solve the nonlinear model efficiently, we design an inverse strategy to set the initial guess that can coordinate with the discrete scheme of the trajectory planning problem. Moreover, as the vehicle shifts from a lane-change maneuver to a car-following maneuver at the end of the lane-change process, the planned final acceleration is constrained from the car-following model. Finally, a series of numerical examples are provided, and the results indicate that the automated vehicle can drive along the planned lane-changing trajectory safely and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolphins use their biosonar to discriminate objects with different features through the returning echoes. Cross-modal matching experiments were conducted with a resident bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). Four types of objects composed of different materials (water-filled PVC pipes, air-filled PVC pipes, foam ball arrays, and PVC pipes wrapped in closed-cell foam) were used in the experiments, respectively. The size and position of the objects remained the same in each case. The data collected in the experiment showed that the dolphin's matching accuracy was significantly different across the cases. To gain insight into the underlying mechanism in the experiments, we used finite element methods to construct two-dimensional target detection models of an echolocating dolphin in the vertical plane, based on computed tomography scan data. The acoustic processes of the click's interaction with the objects and the surrounding media in the four cases were simulated and compared. The simulation results provide some possible explanations for why the dolphin performed differently when discriminating the objects that only differed in material composition in the previous matching experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CH4 (methane) is an important greenhouse gas that has a significant impact on the formation of, and change in, the global climate. Through the development of remote sensing technology, a series of remote sensing detectors to monitor CH4 sources and sinks have been launched into space. Although a series of studies have been conducted around the CH4 concentration retrieved by AIRS (The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument), SCIAMACHY (The Scanning Imaging Absorption spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography instrument), and GOSAT (The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite), there have been few comprehensive comparative studies between these three satellite results and ground-based data. In this article, the correlation coefficient, root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), and bias are used to evaluate the CH4 retrieved from satellite data. The results reveal that: AIRS can reflect the distribution and changes of CH4 all over the world. The space coverage of GOSAT is focused between 60°S to 60°N, and the correlation of GOSAT with land surface stations is generally better than that with ocean surface stations. The space coverage of SCIAMACHY is between GOSAT and AIRS. Though SCIAMACHY data show a poor consistency with surface measurements, SCIAMACHY can also reflect the spatial and temporal dynamic distribution of CH4 around the world to a certain extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a trajectory planning method for an automated lane change maneuver. We consider that the spatiotemporal trajectory of a controlled vehicle can be represented by a polynomial function and estimate the parameters of the polynomial function through nonlinear programming that does not rely on the assumed time horizon of lane change and the assumed final state of the controlled vehicle. When the controlled vehicle achieves its target lane, the state of this vehicle should be constrained by both the position and the speed of the forward vehicle. We integrate a car-following model into the nonlinear programming to constrain the state of the controlled vehicle at the end of the lane change. Notably, the interaction factors are taken into consideration: the motion of the vehicle that follows the controlled vehicle in the target lane can be influenced by the trajectory planning results of the controlled vehicle. The proposed trajectory planning method can simultaneously estimate the motion of the following vehicle and plan the trajectory for the controlled vehicle. Our proposed model can also work for curved road sections. We represent the curve information in the nonlinear programming by a regression model. We solve the nonlinear programming through the sequential quadratic program (SQP) algorithm and design a method to specify an initial guess for the algorithm. This paper finally demonstrates the effect of the proposed trajectory planning method under different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a highly aggressive tumor with relatively poor prognosis. In this prospective study, we investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a novel GDP-ML regimen (combined gemcitabine, cisplatin, dexamethasone, methotrexate, and pegaspargase) as front-line treatment in newly diagnosed ENKL. Eligible newly diagnosed stage I/II ENKL patients received sandwich chemoradiation therapy. Patients with stage III/IV disease received an initial 4 cycles of GDP-ML regimen. After 4 cycles, responding patients continued to receive either autologous transplantation or additional two courses of GDP-ML. A total of 44 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 26 months. The overall response rate (ORR) were 78.6% for the whole cohort, 84.6% for stage I/II, and 66.7% for stage III/IV, and corresponding complete remission (CR) rates were 61.9%, 76.9%, and 33.3%. The 1- year and 2- year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 69.3% and 62.9%, and 1- year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 76.5% and 67.4%, respectively. Patients with stage I/II disease showed better 2-year OS rate compared with stage III/IV patients (88.1% vs. 33.2%, p < 0.001). Patients who achieved CR had significantly better 2-year OS rate compared with non-CR patients (90.8% vs. 24.5%, p < 0.001). The main adverse event was hematologic toxicity. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 59.1% of patients. These results indicate that GDP-ML is an effective and well-tolerated induction regimen with newly diagnosed ENKL patients. This clinical trial was registered on www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR-ONC-12002055). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To present a novel method called triplanar chevron osteotomy to treat hallux valgus (HV). Methods: This is a retrospective study. In this study, the CT data of HV patients with painful callosities were evaluated retrospectively between 1 June 2018 and 1 June 2020. CT data from 49 consecutive patients (59 feet) with HV were evaluated. The average age at the time of surgery was 49.6 years (range, 30–63 years). The apex of the chevron osteotomy procedure was located at the center of the first metatarsal and was defined as the line formed by the central point perpendicular to the fourth metatarsal bone. The cut planes of the plantarward oblique chevron osteotomy (POCO) were defined as follows: chevron osteotomy along with 20° of plantarward obliquity. The triplanar osteotomy incision was made using the POCO method, with the direction inclined by 10° distally. The intermetatarsal angle (IMA), the HV angle (HVA), the projection of the second metatarsal (PSM), the metatarsal protrusion index (MPI), and the metatarsal protrusion distance (MPD) were all calculated before and after the operations. The length of the first metatarsal was measured and calculated with an equation. Results: The results showed that the HVA was significantly decreased after surgery (32.7° ± 4.6° vs 14.9° ± 2.1°, t = 25.583, P < 0.001) in the triplanar, traditional, and POCO groups. The IMA was also significantly decreased (14.7° ± 2.0°) compared with the results before surgery (8.0° ± 1.1°, t = 22.739, P < 0.001) in these groups. Compared with traditional osteotomy and POCO, there were no differences in correcting deformities on axial planes for the HVA (14.5° ± 1.7° vs 14.9° ± 2.1°, t = 1.835, P = 0.072) and IMA (8.1° ± 1.1° vs 8.0° ± 1.1°, t = −0.97, P = 0.336). There was a statistically significant decrease following surgery in terms of the PSM, MPI, and MPD after triplanar osteotomy. The length of the first metatarsal increased (10.9 ± 1.3 mm), as measured through three‐dimensional images in the triplanar osteotomy group. The length was calculated as follows: H = L2 * Tan θ ≈ L/COS β * Tan θ. Conclusion: The new triplanar osteotomy technique is safe and effective for treating HV, and in simulation experiments reveals potential benefits of correction and preventing transfer metatarsalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lane-changing and overtaking are conventional maneuvers on roads, and the reference trajectory is one of the prerequisites to execute these maneuvers. This study proposes a universal trajectory planning method for automated lane-changing and overtaking maneuvers, in which the trajectory is regarded as the combination of a path and its traffic state profiles. The two-dimensional path is represented by a suitable curve to connect the initial position with final position of the ego vehicle. Based on the planned path, its traffic state profiles are generated by solving a nonlinear mathematical optimization model. Moreover, the study discretizes the time horizon into several time intervals and determines the parameters to obtain the continuous and smooth profiles, which guarantees the safety and comfort of the ego vehicle. Finally, a series of simulation experiments are performed in the MATLAB platform and the results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed universal trajectory planning method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echolocation signals emitted by odontocetes can be roughly classified into three broad categories: broadband echolocation signals, narrowband high-frequency echolocation signals, and frequency modulated clicks. Previous measurements of broadband echolocation signal propagation in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) did not find any evidence of focusing as the signals travel from the near-field to far-field. Finite element analysis (FEA) of high-resolution computed tomography scan data was used to examine signal propagation of broadband echolocation signals of dolphins and narrowband echolocation signals of porpoises. The FEA results were used to simulate the propagation of clicks from phonic lips, traveling through the forehead, and finally transmission into the water. Biosonar beam formation in the near-field and far-field, including the amplitude contours for the two species, was determined. The finite element model result for the simulated amplitude contour in the horizontal plane was consistent with prior direct measurement results for Tursiops, validating the model. Furthermore, the simulated far-field transmission beam patterns in both the vertical and horizontal planes were also qualitatively consistent with results measured from live animals. This study indicates that there is no evidence of convergence for either Tursiops or Phocoena as the sound propagates from the near-field to the far-field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of risks arising from polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), particularly from the polar PACs [azaarenes (AZAs), oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs), nitrated PAHs (NPAHs)] requires us to understand the drivers of their spatial distribution. We determined the concentrations of 29 PAHs, 4 AZAs, 15 OPAHs and 11 NPAHs and their relationships with land use (urban vs. rural and forest vs. agriculture), climate (Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, temperate, sub tropical and tropical) and three C fractions (soil organic C, char, soot) in 36 mineral topsoils (0–5 cm) of China. The average concentrations±standard deviation of the Σ29PAHs, Σ16PAHs, Σ4AZAs, Σ15OPAHs and Σ11NPAHs were 352 ± 283, 206 ± 215, 5.7 ± 3.7, 108 ± 66.8 and 3.2 ± 3.4 ng g−1, respectively. PAH, OPAH, NPAH and AZA concentrations were frequently not correlated within or across the regions reflecting different sources and turnover of PAHs and their derivatives. Temperate urban soils showed the highest and tropical rural soils the lowest concentrations of PACs. Forest soils had higher PACs concentrations than agricultural soils. Longitude correlated positively with the ∑29PAHs concentrations, because of increasing emissions of PAHs from East to West. The tropical and plateau regions with the lowest PAH concentrations, were dominated by low molecular weight PAHs (LMW-PAHs) with LMW/high molecular weight (HMW)-PAHs ratios >1, while the other two climatic regions with more industrial sites showed the opposite. Latitude correlated with NPAHs likely because of enhanced formation by photochemical reactions during transport in the atmosphere. The concentrations of the ∑29PAHs, ∑4AZAs, ∑15OPAHs, ∑11NPAHs and their individual components were only occasionally correlated with those of carbon fractions (soil organic C, soot and char) suggesting a small role of soil C pool properties in driving PACs concentrations. Our results demonstrate that the strongest drivers of PACs concentrations are land use and distance to PAC emission sources followed by climate and size and properties of the soil organic C pool. Unlabelled Image • PAHs and their derivatives were determined in topsoils from four climate zones. • Concentration of PACs were highest in the temperate zone and lowest in the tropics. • ≥4-ring PAHs and <4-ring PAHs were dominant in temperate and tropical zones, respectively. • Longitude correlated with concentrations of PAHs and NPAHs and latitude with those of NPAHs. • Concentrations of carbon fractions only correlated sometimes with those of PACs in soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal ageing of zirconia ceramics (tetragonal-to monoclinic phase transformation in the presence of humidity) is highly sensitive to the surface characteristics. Thus chemical modifications of the surfaces over a few microns may be a good way to mitigate ageing without affecting bulk mechanical properties. Here, the efficiency of different post-sintering thermal treatments in powder beds of different compositions to prevent or slow down hydrothermal ageing of 3Y-TZP is tested. The microstructure, ageing kinetics at different temperatures and mechanical properties of the treated samples are then evaluated. Treatments with 12Ce-TZP proved to be the most efficient to limit ageing at 134 °C while keeping good mechanical properties. However, this is accompanied by a decrease of the activation energy of ageing, thus by an acceleration of ageing at lower temperature. These results also show that the activation energy of ageing is material-dependant, thus should be ascertained for every developed zirconia-based ceramic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies have explored psychological capital (PsyCap), there has been a limited endeavor to offer a comprehensive overview of PsyCap within the realm of hospitality and tourism. This study conducted a meta-analytical review, seeking to elucidate the direction and magnitude of effect sizes pertaining to the relationships between PsyCap, its antecedents and outcomes, while also considering the moderating effects of national culture, measurement and time lag. To test the proposed hypotheses, altogether, 68 empirical studies (21 antecedents and outcomes, total sample size N = 22,071) were collected and utilized. The results demonstrated that PsyCap had significant associations with antecedents such as leaderships and organizational context and outcomes including work attitudes, emotional labor, role conflicts and stressors, organizational contexts, performance, wellness and life satisfaction and intention to stay or leave. The findings also highlighted the moderating effects of national culture, measurement and time lag on the relationships between PsyCap and its outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis of PsyCap in the context of hospitality and tourism. In addition, the current research adds value by examining various moderators, which has not been done in previous review articles of PsyCap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to fabricate innovative diaphragm headphones using graphene oxide paper (GOP) and GOP/epoxy nanocomposites (GOPC). Initially, graphene oxide suspension is fabricated, and the vacuum filtration method is adopted to make GOP. Then, vacuum bag molding is used to fabricate GOPC from GOP. Hot pressing and associated molds are adopted to fabricate line-indented (GOPC-L) or curve-indented patterns (GOPC-C) on the GOPC. The performances of one kind of GOP and three kinds of GOPC diaphragm headphones are analyzed based on their sound pressure level (SPL) curves achieved by the Soundcheck measurement system. There are four important processing parameters that will influence the performance of the diaphragm, including material type GOP versus GOPC, indented pattern type, sonication time on suspension, and graphene weight fraction in suspension. Compliances of various diaphragms are measured by the Klippel LPM laser measurement system. The results indicate that effects of sonication time and graphene weight fraction on SPL of GOP and GOPC headphones are in reverse, and this is associated with their difference on compliance (modulus), mass, damping ratio, and microstructure uniformity. Either GOPC-L or GOPC-C seems to improve the microstructure of the GOPC, and leads to better SPL performance. The correlation between the previous four factors and SPLs of four kinds of diaphragm headphones is proposed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the microstructure of these diaphragms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are becoming more frequent due to the global climate change. Large amounts of greenhouse gases emitted by wildfires can lead to increases in extreme climate events. Accurately estimating the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from wildfires is important for mitigation of climate change. In this paper, we develop a novel method to estimate wildfire CO2 emissions from the relationship between local CO2 emissions and XCO2 anomalies. Our method uses the WRF-Chem assimilation system from OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals which coupled with Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART). To validate our results, we conducted three experiments evaluating the wildfire CO2 emissions over the conterminous United States. The four-month average wildfire emissions from July to October in 2015∼2018 were estimated at 4.408 Tg C, 1.784 Tg C, 1.514 Tg C and 2.873 Tg C, respectively. Compared to the average of established inventories CT2019B, FINNv1.5 and GFASv1.2 fire emissions, our estimates fall within one standard deviation, except for 2017 due to lacking of OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals. These results suggest that the regional carbon assimilation system, such as WRF-Chem/DART, using OCO-2 XCO2 retrievals has a great potential for accurately tracking regional wildfire emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three of the 7 patients with CNS involvement achieved CR response, 2 patients achieved PR response, while 1 patient progressed rapidly and 1 died of infection. The median OS of patients with CNS involvement was only 9 months, with 1- and 3- year OS rates of 14.3%, significantly worse than that of patients without CNS disease ( I p i =.023) (Figure 1(B)). Despite the dismal outcome of stage IV ENKL patients, CNS involvement did not translate into a significantly worse prognosis compared with other stage IV patients without CNS disease. Survival of the patients with CNS involvement was poor with no difference compared with other stage IV patients without CNS involvement. [Extracted from the article]

Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) are known to use the narrowband signals for echolocation. In this study, a finite-element model was configured based on computed tomography imaging technique and tissue physical properties measurement to simulate biosonar signal emission and transmission processes through animal’s head. The roles of the main structures in the head such as the air sacs, melon, bony structures, connective tissue, blubber, mandibular fat on the biosonar beam formation were investigated, and the relative importance of these structures was compared. The biosonar beam properties of this neonate porpoise were compared with those of adult ones. The method in this paper suggested an effective way for investigating the acoustic processes in the heads of the neonate odontocetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bottlenose dolphins project broadband echolocation signals for detecting and locating prey and predators, and for spatial orientation. There are many unknowns concerning the specifics of biosonar signal production and propagation in the head of dolphins and this manuscript represents an effort to address this topic. A two-dimensional finite element model was constructed using high resolution CT scan data. The model simulated the acoustic processes in the vertical plane of the biosonar signal emitted from the phonic lips and propagated into the water through the animal's head. The acoustic field on the animal's forehead and the farfield transmission beam pattern of the echolocating dolphin were determined. The simulation results and prior acoustic measurements were qualitatively extremely consistent. The role of the main structures on the sound propagation pathway such as the air sacs, melon, and connective tissue was investigated. Furthermore, an investigation of the driving force at the phonic lips for dolphins that emit broadband echolocation signals and porpoises that emit narrowband echolocation signals suggested that the driving force is different for the two types of biosonar. Finally, the results provide a visual understanding of the sound transmission in dolphin's biosonar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal ageing of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics can have a strong influence on the lifetime of zirconia devices. Ageing kinetics are often described by the Mehl–Avrami–Johnson equation, most often used as a phenomenological description. This work seeks to relate the parameters of MAJ equations (V max , n, b 0 and Q) to microstructural characteristics of the zirconia material: grain sizes, Y 2 O 3 partitioning, monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic phases ratio. Samples with identical nominal composition of 3Y-TZP were prepared with grain sizes ranging from 190 nm to 773 nm. From their microstructural parameters, a relationship between microstructural parameters and sintering cycles was first proposed, followed by a relationship between ageing parameters and microstructural parameters. These results provide a convenient framework to better develop the sintering cycle of zirconia biomaterial in order to maximize their resistance to hydrothermal ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Overall accuracy of products was ranked as CPC > HTLR > PERSIANN-CDR. • The ability of the HRLT in forcing a hydrological model has been evaluated firstly. • The streamflow parameter sensitivity changes with the precipitation inputs. • CPC performed best in hydrological simulation among these three products. • HTLR, PERSIANN-CDR, and CPC could simulate SY better than Q spatially. Precipitation is an important component of water circulation and an essential input for various hydrological models. A high quality, high spatial resolution, and long-term precipitation dataset would benefit hydrological investigations, particularly for regions having insufficient precipitation records. The upper Huaihe River Basin (UHRB) was selected as the research location in this study, and the accuracies of three precipitation products (PPs: a high-resolution daily gridded precipitation dataset for China (HRLT), Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center Global (CPC) precipitation dataset) were assessed at multiple spatio-temporal scales comparing with the gauge precipitation (GP) for 2000–2019. Subsequently, the applicability of the three PPs on streamflow (Q) and sediment yield (SY) simulations, as well as the impact on parameter sensitivity, were compared using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The results showed that the accuracy of the three PPs were ranked as CPC > HRLT > PERSIANN-CDR on the watershed average scale, HRLT would underestimate the extreme precipitation; and PERSIANN-CDR would overestimate the annual precipitation. On the grid-to-point scale, PERSIANN-CDR was found to be the most stable with high accuracy, followed by CPC and HRLT on all temporal scales. The ability of these PPs to detect rainfall events was ranked as CPC > HRLT > PERSIANN-CDR. The sensitivity of the Q parameters changed with the variation in the precipitation input. The sensitive parameters for GP were distributed on average for almost all processes, while the sensitive parameters for PPs mainly controlled the groundwater and evapotranspiration processes. Among all the PPs, the performance of CPC in the Q and SY simulations was found to be the best, followed by HRLT and PERSIANN-CDR, and all the PPs could simulate SY better than Q in spatial distribution. HRLT has the potential to be used in long-term hydrological simulations in ungauged or small watersheds based on its high spatial resolution compared to other products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaysia alone produces more than 49 million m 3 palm oil mill effluent per year. Biological treated palm oil mill effluent via ponding system often fails to fulfill the regulatory discharge standards. This is due to remaining of non-biodegradable organics in the treated effluent. Thus, the aim of this study was to resolve such issue by using electro persulphate oxidation process, for the first time, as a post treatment of palm oil mill effluent. Central composite design in response surface methodology was used to analyze and optimize the interaction of operational variables (i.e., current density, contact time, initial pH and persulphate dosage) targeted on maximum treatment efficiency. The significance of quadratic model of each response was determined by analysis of variance, where all models indicated sufficient significance with p-value < 0.0001. Optimum operational conditions with 45 mA/cm 2 of current density, 45 min of contact time, pH 4 and 0.892 g of S 2 O 8 2 − proved that 77.70% of Chemical Oxygen Demand, 97.96% of colour as well as 99.72% of Suspended Solids removal were achieved. The final pH of 5.88 of the effluent was obtained that fulfilled the limit and suitable for direct discharge to the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Flory's model for high polymers is based on the assumption that the final stretched state is achieved by two separate steps: stretching and strain-induced crystallization (SIC). This assumption is valid in fast stretching process, where SIC cannot occur instantaneously. We check if Flory's assumption can influence the equilibrium crystallinity of SIC ( C e ) for different elongation rates in natural rubber (NR). It is found that the C e is independent on the elongation rate. Thus, the calculation of C e in Flory's model is valid for all the equilibrium states of different elongation rates, not to be limited by the Flory's assumption. Furthermore, the calculated C e in Flory's model is used to calculate the elastocaloric temperature change (Δ T ), which agrees with the directly measured one. It can meet the theoretical requirement for the new potential cooling application of NR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In process synthesis, it is often useful to have generic design tools to allow process designers to assess various important aspects of chemical processes. In this work, a novel graphical visualisation tool, i.e. Piper diagram is proposed to trace the changes of composition of the process streams, while establishing relationship that contributes to various strategies for process design. This tool is generic in nature, hence is applicable to all processes and various process aspects that meet the objectives of the designer. Two case studies on the production of cinnamaldehyde and butanal are used to demonstrate the novel approach, with safety, environmental and economic aspects being investigated using the Piper diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The characteristics of rainfall erosivity in the Huaihe River Basin were analyzed. • 87% rainfall erosivity concentrated during May – September in the Huaihe River Basin. • Rainfall erosivity in the Huaihe River Basin was highest in the upper basin. • Climatic indexes were correlated with rainfall erosivity with different lag times. • Some advice was provide for local human activities based on soil erosion prevention. Rainfall erosivity (RE) is an important factor in the soil erosion process, which cannot be altered by human intervention alone. The Huaihe River Basin (HRB) is a large agricultural watershed, suffering severe water erosion, investigating the spatio-temporal variation of RE is essential for local soil erosion prevention. The linear regression, Yue-Pilon method, and the Hurst exponent were used in analyzing the spatio-temporal variation within the HRB during 1960–2018. The slip correlation analysis and F-test were applied to obtain the correlation between climatic indices [the Arctic Oscillation (AO), the Southern Oscillation (SOI), the North Pacific Index (NPI), and the Niño 4SST index (SST)] and RE in the HRB. Results revealed that the annual average RE were 4280, 5061, 4068, 4886, and 4089 MJ mm hm−2 h−1 within the HRB, upper-HRB, middle-HRB, lower-HRB, and the Yishusi River Watershed, respectively. The annual average RE will increase within the upper-HRB and lower-HRB and decrease within the middle-HRB and the Yishusi River Watershed in the future. The seasonal average RE was ranked as summer > autumn = spring > winter in the HRB. The spatiotemporal difference was significant in the HRB, and different sub-regions exhibited a different trend in seasonal RE, except for the winter RE that increased significantly in all sub-regions (p < 0.05). The highest monthly RE occurred in July, with RE during May–September accounting for approximately 87% of the annual RE in the HRB. The AO and NPI had significant correlations with RE (p < 0.05) both on the annual and monthly scales with different lag times. The monthly AO, SOI, SST, and NPI were significantly correlated with RE in the long term with different lag times in different months (p < 0.05). These findings could provide potential predictive factors for RE prediction and help prevent soil erosion within the HRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban road dusts are carriers of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and are therefore considered to be a major source of contamination of other environmental compartments and a source of exposure to PACs for urban populations. We determined the occurrence, composition pattern and sources of several PACs (29 alkyl- and parent-PAHs, 15 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs), 4 azaarenes (AZAs), and 11 nitrated-PAHs (NPAHs)) in twenty urban road dusts and six suburban surface soils (0–5 cm) from Xi’an, central China. The average concentrations of ∑29PAHs, ∑4AZAs, ∑15OPAHs, and ∑11NPAHs were 15 767, 673, 4754, and 885 ng g −1 in road dusts and 2067, 784, 854, and 118 ng g −1 in surface soils, respectively. The concentrations of most individual PACs were higher in street dusts than suburban soils, particularly for PACs with molecular weight >192 g mol −1 . The enrichment factors of individual PACs were significantly positively correlated with log K OA and log K OW , indicating an increasing deposition and co-sorption of the PACs in urban dusts with decreasing volatility and increasing hydrophobicity. Significant correlations between the concentrations of individual and sum of PACs, carbon fractions (soot and char), and source-characteristic PACs (combustion-derived PAHs and retene, etc.), indicated that PAHs, OPAHs and AZAs were mostly directly emitted from combustion activities and had similar post-emission fates, but NPAHs were possibly more intensely photolyzed after deposition as well as being emitted from vehicle exhaust sources. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) resulting from exposure to urban dust bound-PACs was higher than 10 −6 , indicating a non-negligible cancer risk to residents of Xi’an. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logistic regression models have been widely used in previous studies to analyze public transport utilization. These studies have shown travel time to be an indispensable variable for such analysis and usually consider it to be a deterministic variable. This formulation does not allow us to capture travelers’ perception error regarding travel time, and recent studies have indicated that this error can have a significant effect on modal choice behavior. In this study, we propose a logistic regression model with a hierarchical random error term. The proposed model adds a new random error term for the travel time variable. This term structure enables us to investigate travelers’ perception error regarding travel time from a given choice behavior dataset. We also propose an extended model that allows constraining the sign of this error in the model. We develop two Gibbs samplers to estimate the basic hierarchical model and the extended model. The performance of the proposed models is examined using a well-known dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an emerging construct, proactive customer service performance (PCSP) has been largely explored in recent years. However, previous research focusing on PCSP has been fragmented, each investigating the associations between a single or few selected antecedents and PCSP in the hospitality industry. The present study aims to meta-analytically examine the direction and magnitude of effect sizes of the relationships between PCSP and its main antecedents as well as the moderating effect of national culture in the hospitality context. A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted to test the hypotheses based on 17 antecedents and 42 independent studies (N=13,333). The antecedents of PCSP can be categorized into job attitudes, job strain, leader behaviors, performance, family context factor, workplace factors, positive psychological states, emotional labor and individual determinants. The results demonstrated that empowering leadership had the strongest impact on PCSP, followed by mindfulness and thriving at work. The results also indicated that national culture was a key moderator in the analysis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to collect, synthesize and analyze the theoretical links between PCSP and its antecedents and moderator has also been verified. What's more, this study has discussed future research directions for PCSP in hospitality. 作为一种新兴的构念, 主动性顾客服务绩效 (PCSP) 近年来得到了广泛的研究。然而, 以往对PCSP的研究一直是碎片化的, 每一项研究都调查了酒店业中单个或几个选定的前因变量与PCSP之间的关联。本研究旨在用元分析的方法检验酒店业背景下的PCSP与其主要前因变量之间关系的效应量的方向和大小, 以及国家文化的调节作用。基于17个前因变量和42项独立研究 (N=13333), 本文进行了定量元分析以检验假设。PCSP的前因变量可分为工作态度、工作压力、领导行为、绩效、家庭背景因素、工作场所因素、积极心理状态、情绪劳动和个人因素。 结果表明, 授权领导力对PCSP的影响最大, 其次是正念和工作繁荣。 结果还表明, 国家文化是重要的调节变量。 据作者所知, 这是第一个收集、综合和分析PCSP与其前因变量之间理论联系的元分析。此外, 本研究还探讨了PCSP在酒店业的未来研究方向。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of the acoustic properties of a neonate finless porpoise’s head was performed using X-ray computed tomography (CT). The head of the deceased neonate porpoise was also segmented across the body axis and cut into slices. The averaged sound velocity and density were measured, and the Hounsfield units (HU) of the corresponding slices were obtained from computed tomography scanning. A regression analysis was employed to show the linear relationships between the Hounsfield unit and both sound velocity and density of samples. Furthermore, the CT imaging data were used to compare the HU value, sound velocity, density and acoustic characteristic impedance of the main tissues in the porpoise’s head. The results showed that the linear relationships between HU and both sound velocity and density were qualitatively consistent with previous studies on Indo-pacific humpback dolphins and Cuvier’s beaked whales. However, there was no significant increase of the sound velocity and acoustic impedance from the inner core to the outer layer in this neonate finless porpoise’s melon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

29 parent- and alkyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 15 oxygenated-PAHs (OPAHs), 11 nitrated-PAHs (NPAHs) and 4 azaarenes (AZAs) in both the gaseous and particulate phases, as well as the particulate-bound carbon fractions (organic carbon, elemental carbon, char, and soot) in ambient air sampled in March and September 2012 from an urban site in Xi'an, central China were extracted and analyzed. The average concentrations (gaseous + particulate) of ∑ 29PAHs, ∑ 15OPAHs, ∑ 11NPAHs and ∑ 4AZAs were 1267.0 ± 307.5, 113.8 ± 46.1, 11.8 ± 4.8 and 26.5 ± 11.8 ng m − 3 in March and 784.7 ± 165.1, 67.2 ± 9.8, 9.0 ± 1.5 and 21.6 ± 5.1 ng m − 3 in September, respectively. Concentrations of ∑ 29PAHs, ∑ 15OPAHs and ∑ 11NPAHs in particulates were significantly correlated with those of the carbon fractions (OC, EC, char and soot). Both absorption into organic matter in particles and adsorption onto the surface of particles were important for PAHs and OPAHs in both sampling periods, with more absorption occurring in September, while absorption was always the most important process for NPAHs. The total carcinogenic risk of PAHs plus the NPAHs was higher in March. Gaseous compounds, which were not considered in most previous studies, contributed 29 to 44% of the total health risk in March and September, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In elderly HL patients, BV monotherapy showed a CR rate of 73% with no notable liver injury, suggesting that BV could be safe for patients with comorbidities [[3]]. Dear Editor, Severe liver injury in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is uncommon, leading to a lack of experience in treating this entity. The use of BV in patients with liver impairment was further supported in a series of 5 previously untreated cHL patients with hepatocellular or cholestatic pattern of liver injury, where BV provided successful bridging to definitive chemotherapy with no serious adverse effects [[4]]. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights: [•] A new formulation for the dynamic stochastic traffic assignment problem. [•] Treat route traffic packets as random variables. [•] Acquire the probability distribution of the random variables. [•] Estimate the characteristics of the probability distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human plasma, the total concentration of non-protein binding (NPB) drugs is equal to the free drug concentration because NPB drugs do not or hardly bind to plasma proteins. Thus, centrifuge ultrafiltration (CF-UF) has been used in the determination of the concentration of NPB drugs in human plasma. However, with only a common centrifugation, the recovery and the reproducibility were not as excellent as expected. In addition, we discovered that the values of the volume ratio of ultrafiltrate to sample solution (Vu/Vs) were different and could not be well controlled, which may affect the determination of the drug concentration. The problem also affected the determination of other NBP drugs. In the present work, we used biapenem as a representative drug to study the effect of Vu/Vs on the analysis of NPB drugs concentration in human plasma. The results showed that a Vu/Vs value of less than 0.4 had no effect on the analysis of free drug concentration, while a Vu/Vs value of more than 0.4 was associated with increased recovery rate and overestimation of drug concentration. Therefore, to maintain a Vu/Vs value of less than 0.4 and even at a constant value is the key to accurately determine the concentration of NPB drugs in plasma. Fortunately, with an HFCF-UF device, the Vu/Vs could be well controlled and kept at 0.08 in this study. The recovery rates were almost 100% and the analysis precision was greatly improved. In pharmacokinetics studies, this method was successfully employed to determine the concentration of biapenem with excellent accuracy and reproducibility. HFCF-UF may become a feasible platform for the determination of NPB drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] This study proposes a statistical model to estimate route traffic flows in congested networks. [•] We formulate the problem as a conditional distribution of route flows. [•] The Bayesian theorem is applied to derive the conditional distribution. [•] A hierarchical form is designed to integrate prior knowledge. [•] Characteristics of route/link traffic flows are estimated using a blocked Metropolis–Hastings (M–H) algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a computer vision-based damage inspection system for road markings. In order to evaluate the degree of damage of a marking objectively, the proposed system estimates its damage ratio according to the marking's damaged part and the marking's region. A hierarchical semantic segmentation strategy is proposed which employs a series of convolutional neural networks to recognize the 2D bounding box, damaged part and region of a marking. Specifically, this strategy can effectively identify the original region of a marking through an improved U-Net even if the marking is significantly damaged. The damage ratio estimation is enhanced by integrating information from multiple images based on object tracking and dynamic homography estimation. The experimental results confirm that the proposed system is effective in automating the inspection of road markings and producing objective damage assessments that should significantly assist road managers in prioritizing maintenance operations. • In order to objectively evaluate the damage level of a marking, its damage ratio is estimated. • A hierarchical strategy is proposed to recognize the bounding 2D box, damaged part and region of a marking. • The original region of a marking can be effectively identified through an improved U-Net even if the marking is damaged. • The proposed system can automatically estimate a homography matrix dynamically. • The damage ratio is estimated by integrating multiple images based on object tracking and the dynamic homography estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]