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In-plane elastic and interlaminar properties of composite laminates are commonly obtained through separate experiments. In this paper, a simultaneous identification method for both properties using a single experiment is proposed. The mechanical properties of laminates were treated as uncertainties and Bayesian inference was employed with measured strain-load curves in compression tests of laminates with embedded delamination. The strain–load curves were separated into two stages: the pre-delamination stage and the post-delamination stage. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the critical properties at different stages, in order to alleviate the ill-posed problem in inference. Results showed that the in-plane Young's modulus and shear modulus in elastic properties are dominant in the pre-delamination stage, and the interlaminar strength and type I fracture toughness in interlaminar properties are dominant in the post-delamination stage. Five times of property identification were carried out; the maximum coefficient of variation of identified properties was less than 1.11%, and the maximum error between the mean values of the identified properties and the ones from standard experiments was less than 5.44%. The proposed method can reduce time and cost in obtaining multiple mechanical properties of laminates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work conducts ablation experiments and multi-scale numerical simulations of C/SiC composite materials under CW laser action. The highest surface temperature, macroscopic and microscopic ablation morphology, and approximate ablation threshold for C/SiC composites at different power densities were obtained. A multi-scale ablation calculation method for C/SiC composite materials under CW laser action was established using the level-set method. At the meso-scale, a macro-mesoscopic cross-scale surface ablation model was established, taking into account factors such as solid heat transfer, heat exchange of chemical reactions, differential temperature rise process between internal fibers and matrix, and differences in ablation behavior of two-dimensional plain weave fabrics. The experimental and microscale simulation results indicate that different ablation behaviors (oxidation and sublimation) occur in different regions, resulting in "shoot tip" fibers and residual matrix pore morphology. This work can provide theoretical and experimental basis for the design and precision machining of C/SiC materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weaker transverse mechanical response of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (UD-CFRP) composites has raised a lot of attention and research. The single-task modeling strategies based on deep learning (DL) have achieved impressive results in terms of surrogating the finite element method to accelerate computation, but they do not sufficiently consider the data correlation between different tasks. In this study, a multi-task learning (MTL) model based on DL is developed for fast and accurate prediction of the transverse mechanical response of UD-CFRP, which includes crack morphology and stress–strain response. Different from traditional single-task learning (STL) models, MTL models can take into account the relevance of different tasks to achieve one model to predict multiple tasks simultaneously. The prediction results of the RVE model confirmed that the developed MTL model has better prediction accuracy and generalization compared to the STL model. Moreover, the model can perform inference for two subtasks simultaneously in milliseconds. The developed MTL model takes the image of the initial structure as input without any prior assumptions and simplifications. Therefore, it has good potential to be extended and transferred to other multitask scenarios in the field of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delamination of laminates around the hole edge is one of the most common but most threatening forms of damage in composites. The numerical solutions based on the finite element method (FEM) are difficult to meet the requirements of online evaluation and decision-making of the structure operation in terms of prediction efficiency. In this study, an end-to-end spatiotemporal prediction model with Encoder-Translator-Decoder architecture is developed to rapidly predict the delamination growth of laminates under compressive loading. The prediction results of single-hole delamination growth at different locations show that the model has good accuracy and generalization. The trained model can complete an inference prediction at the millisecond level, which is hard to achieve with FEM. Furtherly, a transfer framework is designed to promote the forecasting of multi-hole delamination growth. The framework is designed with a coupling coding block for learning the complex relationship of delamination damage superposition, which can effectively accelerate the training and achieve better prediction accuracy and inference speed. The developed deep learning model has good potential to be extended and applied to predict the spatiotemporal evolution of other physical fields. [Display omitted] • A spatiotemporal prediction model was developed to predict the delamination growth of laminates. • The model can be used as a reliable agent of FEM to predict delamination growth. • The model has a faster prediction speed compared to FEM, which takes only 58.1 ms. • A transfer framework was designed to apply predictions for multi-hole delamination growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two kinds of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) including untreated APP and surface-modified APP treated by a silane coupling agent were microencapsulated by MF resin. Then PP/MCAPP flame-retardant material was prepared. The results indicated that the coating of MF microencapsulated surface-modified APP was more uniform and complete, and its thermal stability was higher than that of MF-microencapsulated untreated APP. Furthermore, the LOI value of PP/MCAPP (MF-microencapsulated surface-modified APP) composites was 30 and it could pass the UL-94 V-0 test; moreover, the water resistance of the composites was better than that of PP/MCAPP (MF-microencapsulated untreated APP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fluorescence property of bovine serum albumin was investigated in the presence of PEGs of different molecular weights. Based on our results, we propose that PEGs of different molecular weights bind to albumin in the pH 7.4 aqueous solution, but only when the polymer size is larger than the protein size, one polymer chain may bind to multiple proteins and cause the proteins to aggregate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a relationship between continuous electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring patterns and prognosis for children with severe brain damage. Patients and Methods The different patterns of EEG were analyzed for 103 children (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score < 8) who were monitored with continuous video-EEG (CVEEG) within 72 hours after the onset of coma. The clinical outcomes were scored and evaluated at hospital discharge by the modified Pediatric Cerebral and Overall Performance Category Scale (PCOPCS). EEG parameters of the different prognosis groups were compared and risk factors for prognosis were identified. Results Of the 103 children, 36 were in the good prognosis group (PCOPCS scores 1 and 2) and 67 were in the poor prognosis group (PCOPCS scores 3-6). The poor prognosis group had the lower proportion of events in reactive EEG patterns and sleep architecture, and a higher proportion of low-voltage events. Multivariate analyses showed that the lower GCS score and no sleep architecture were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions Comatose children with higher GCS score and sleep architecture have better clinical outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, atomic structure of single-layered graphene oxide (GO) and chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) nanosheets was investigated using atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (AFM and STM). Furthermore, friction properties of the graphene and GO nanosheets were studied by frictional force microscopy (FFM). STM imaging provided direct evidence and the morphology was influenced by oxygen-containing groups and defects. The atomic scale structural disorder in a hexagonal two-dimensional network of carbon atoms changes the surface condition, which also caused the frictional property variations of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reports a large-scale production route for graphene/TiO2 nanocomposites using water-based in situ precipitation method. In this method, freshly prepared graphene oxides/TiO2 obtained by precipitating Ti(SO4)2 with NH3H2O was subjected to heat treatment in the presence of N2, which resulted in the formation of graphene/TiO2 nanocomposites. Graphene/TiO2 composites prepared by our method were found to be suitable as anode materials for lithium ion batteries because of its stable cycling performance and high capacity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Surface adhesion properties are important to various applications of graphene-based materials. Atomic force microscopy is powerful to study the adhesion properties of samples by measuring the forces on the colloidal sphere tip as it approaches and retracts from the surface. In this paper we have measured the adhesion force between the colloid probe and the surface of graphene (graphene oxide) nanosheet. The results revealed that the adhesion force on graphene and graphene oxide surface were 66.3 and 170.6nN, respectively. It was found the adhesion force was mainly determined by the water meniscus, which was related to the surface contact angle of samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of lowering crude protein level and fish-meal inclusion rate by using commercially available synthetic amino acid supplements in practical diets on the growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei. In experiment 1, three diets were formulated to assess whether 50% of fish meal could be replaced by soybean meal with synthetic amino acid supplementation. Diet 1 was formulated as the normal control with 20% fish meal and 36% crude protein; diet 2 was the negative control with 34% crude protein and half of the fish meal was replaced with soybean meal; and diet 3 was similar to diet 2 but was supplemented with amino acids to ensure the level of lysine, methionine plus cystine, and threonine similar to that in the diet 1. After a 70-day feeding trial, weight gain and specific growth rate of shrimps fed diet 2 were significantly lower than those fed diet 3, and numerically lower than those fed diet 1. Feed intake of shrimps fed diet 3 was significantly higher than those fed diets 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio among shrimps fed different diets. In experiment 2, four diets were prepared with diet 1 as the normal control with 41.26% crude protein, diets 2–4 were formulated to contain 39.81, 38.40, and 35.52% of crude protein with synthetic amino acids were added to simulate the amino acid levels of the diet 1. After a 70-day feeding trial, it was found that reducing dietary crude protein from 41.26 to 35.52% did not affect weight gain or feed conversion ratio. The survival of crude protein 35.52% treatment was significantly lower than other treatments. No difference was observed in body protein, lipid composition, and apparent digestibility coefficient among dietary treatments. Results of this study suggested that dietary crude protein could be reduced from 41.26 to 35.52% in the diets of L. vannamei as long as synthetic amino acids were supplemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the threonine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-salinity water (0.50–1.50 g L−1). Diets 1–6 were formulated to contain 360 g kg−1 crude protein with fish meal, wheat gluten and pre-coated crystalline amino acids with six graded levels ofl-threonine (9.9–19.0 g kg−1 dry diet). Diet 7, which was served as a reference, contained only intact proteins (fish meal and wheat gluten). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.48±0.01 g), each four times daily. Shrimps fed the reference diet had similar growth performance and feed utilization efficiency compared with shrimps fed the diets containing 13.3 g kg−1 or higher threonine. Maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio were obtained at 14.6 g kg−1 dietary threonine, and increasing threonine beyond this level did not result in a better performance. Body compositions, triacyglycerol and total protein concentrations in haemolymph were significantly affected by the threonine level; however, the threonine contents in muscle, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in haemolymph were not influenced by the dietary threonine levels. Broken-line regression analysis on SGR indicated that optimal dietary threonine requirement for L. vannamei was 13.6 g kg−1 dry diet (37.8 g kg−1 dietary protein). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The mechanisms for Fe(III) oxide reduction in Geobacter species are of interest because Fe(III) oxides are the most abundant form of Fe(III) in many soils and sediments and Geobacter species are prevalent Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in many of these environments. Protein abundance in G. sulfurreducens grown on poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxide or on soluble Fe(III) citrate was compared with a global accurate mass and time tag proteomic approach in order to identify proteins that might be specifically associated with Fe(III) oxide reduction. A total of 2991 proteins were detected in G. sulfurreducens grown with acetate as the electron donor and either Fe(III) oxide or soluble Fe(III) citrate as the electron acceptor, resulting in 86% recovery of the genes predicted to encode proteins. Of the total expressed proteins 76% were less abundant in Fe(III) oxide cultures than in Fe(III) citrate cultures, which is consistent with the overall slower rate of metabolism during growth with an insoluble electron acceptor. A total of 269 proteins were more abundant in Fe(III) oxide-grown cells than in cells grown on Fe(III) citrate. Most of these proteins were in the energy metabolism category: primarily electron transport proteins, including 13 c-type cytochromes and PilA, the structural protein for electrically conductive pili. Several of the cytochromes that were more abundant in Fe(III) oxide-grown cells were previously shown with genetic approaches to be essential for optimal Fe(III) oxide reduction. Other proteins that were more abundant during growth on Fe(III) oxide included transport and binding proteins, proteins involved in regulation and signal transduction, cell envelope proteins, and enzymes for amino acid and protein biosynthesis, among others. There were also a substantial number of proteins of unknown function that were more abundant during growth on Fe(III) oxide. These results indicate that electron transport to Fe(III) oxide requires additional and/or different proteins than electron transfer to soluble, chelated Fe(III) and suggest proteins whose functions should be further investigated in order to better understand the mechanisms of electron transfer to Fe(III) oxide in G. sulfurreducens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The proteome of Geobacter sulfurreducens, a model for the Geobacter species that predominate in many Fe(III)-reducing subsurface environments, was characterized with ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry using accurate mass and time (AMT) tags as well as with more traditional two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). Cells were grown under six different growth conditions in order to enhance the potential that a wide range of genes would be expressed. The AMT tag approach was able to identify a much greater number of proteins than could be detected with the 2-D PAGE approach. With the AMT approach over 3,000 gene products were identified, representing about 90% of the total predicted gene products in the genome. A high proportion of predicted proteins in most protein role categories were detected; the highest number of proteins was identified in the hypothetical protein role category. Furthermore, 91 c-type cytochromes of 111 predicted genes in the G. sulfurreducens genome were identified. Differences in the abundance of cytochromes and other proteins under different growth conditions provided information for future functional analysis of these proteins. These results demonstrate that a high percentage of the predicted proteins in the G. sulfurreducens genome are produced and that the AMT tag approach provides a rapid method for comparing differential expression of proteins under different growth conditions in this organism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The protein (AfpA, for archaeoflavoprotein) encoded by AF1518 in the genome of Archaeoglobus fulgidus was produced in Escherichia coli and characterized. AfpA was found to be a homodimer with a native molecular mass of 43 kDa and containing two noncovalently bound flavin mononucleotides (FMNs). The cell extract of A. fulgidus catalyzed the CO-dependent reduction of AfpA that was stimulated by the addition of ferredoxin. Ferredoxin was found to be a direct electron donor to purified AfpA, whereas rubredoxin was unable to substitute. Neither NADH nor NADPH was an electron donor. Ferricyanide, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, several quinones, ferric citrate, bovine cytochrome c, and O[sub 2] accepted electrons from reduced AfpA, whereas coenzyme F[sub 420] did not. The rate of cytochrome c reduction was enhanced in the presence of O[sub 2] suggesting that superoxide is a product of the interaction of reduced AfpA with O[sub 2]. Although AF1518 was previously annotated as encoding a decarboxylase involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis, the results establish that AfpA is an electron carrier protein with ferredoxin as the physiological electron donor. The genomes of several diverse Archaea contained afpA homologs clustered with open reading frames annotated as homologs of genes encoding reductases involved in the oxidative stress response of anaerobes from the domain Bacteria. A potential role for AfpA in coupling electron flow from ferredoxin to the putative reductases is discussed. A search of the databases suggests that AfpA is the prototype of a previously unrecognized flavoprotein family unique to the domain Archaea for which the name archaeoflavoprotein is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each of the genomic sequences of Methanosarcina acetivorans, Methanosarcina mazei, and Methanosarcina thermophila revealed two homologs of mtaA, three homologs of mtaB, and three homologs of mtaC encoding enzymes specific for methanogenesis from methanol. Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analyses of polypeptides from M. thermophila established that methanol induces the expression of mtaA-1, mtaB-1, mtaB-2, mtaB-3, mtaC-1, mtaC-2, and mtaC-3 whereas mtaB-3 and mtaC-3 are constitutively expressed in acetate-grown cells. The gene product of one of three mttC homologs, encoding trimethylamine-specific methyltransferase I, was detected in methanol- but not acetate-grown M. thermophila. A postulated role for the multiple homologs is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the pfp gene from Dictyoglomus thermophilum. Correlation of pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PFK) from Dictyoglomus thermophilum with the pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme from Thermoproteus tenax; Presence of high degree of similarity for most properties; PFK as an extremely thermophilic bacterial enzyme.

It has been widely reported that dysregulated long-chain noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely associated with epilepsy. This study aimed to probe the function of lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5), microRNA (miR)-219 and Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)γ/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) pathway in epilepsy. Epileptic cell and animal models were constructed using magnesium deficiency treatment and diazepam injection, respectively. GAS5 and miR-219 expressions in epileptic cell and animal models were determined using qRT-PCR assay. The protein levels of CaMKIIγ, NMDAR and apoptosis-related proteins levels were assessed by western blot. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was employed to determine cell proliferation. Besides, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining and flow cytometric analysis. Finally, the binding relationship between GAS5 and EZH2 was verified using RIP and ChIP assay. Our results revealed that GAS5 was markedly upregulated in epileptic cell and animal models, while miR-219 was down-regulated. GAS5 knockdown dramatically increased cell proliferation of epileptic cells, whereas suppressed inflammation and the apoptosis. Furthermore, our results showed that GAS5 epigenetically suppressed transcriptional miR-219 expression via binding to EZH2. miR-219 mimics significantly enhanced cell proliferation of epileptic cells, while inhibited inflammation and the apoptosis, which was neutralized by CaMKIIγ overexpression. Finally, miR-219 inhibition reversed the effects of GAS5 silence on epileptic cells, which was eliminated by CaMKIIγ inhibition. In conclusion, GAS5 affected inflammatory response and cell apoptosis of epilepsy via inhibiting miR-219 and further regulating CaMKIIγ/NMDAR pathway (See graphic summary in ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the necessity of cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation in osteoporotic patients with single-segment isthmic spondylolisthesis.Fifty-nine cases were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-three cases were in the polymethylmethacrylate-augmented pedicle screw (PMMA-PS) group, and the other 26 cases were in the conventional pedicle screw (CPS) group. Evaluation data included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization cost, hospitalization days, rates of fusion, screw loosening, bone cement leakage, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS).The operation time and blood loss in the CPS group decreased significantly compared to those in the PMMA-PS group. The average hospitalization cost of the PMMA-PS group was significantly higher than that of the CPS group. There was no significant difference in the average hospital stay between the 2 groups. The initial and last follow-up postoperative VAS and ODI scores improved significantly in the two groups. There were no significant differences in VAS and ODI between the 2 groups at each time point. The last postoperative spine-pelvic parameters were significantly improved compared with those preoperatively. In the PMMA-PS group, the fusion rate was 100%. The fusion rate was 96.15% in the CPS group. No significant difference was found between the two groups for the fusion rate. Nine patients in the PMMA-PS group had bone cement leakage. There was no screw loosening in the PMMA-PS group. There were 2 cases of screw loosening in the CPS group. There were no significant differences in screw loosening, postoperative adjacent segment fractures, postoperative infection or postoperative revision between the 2 groups. The use of PMMA-PS on a regular basis is not recommended in posterior lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of single-segment isthmic spondylolisthesis with osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bi-metal multilayer nanowires attract much more attention in recent years because of potential applications in NEMS. In this work, the tensile loading process is simulated by molecular dynamics method on the Cu–Ni bi-metal multilayer nanowires to investigate their mechanical behaviors. According to the stress–strain curves as well as accompanying microstructural evolution, we focus on analyzing the influence of coherent interfaces on the plastic deformation of the nanowires. These results show that the interfacial stress has considerable effect on the plastic behaviors, which is extraordinarily sensitive to the local regions. Specifically, the interfacial stress may accelerate the destructive lattice distortion in Cu sublayers, while it will retard the plastic deformation in Ni sublayers. In such a case, the plastic deformation takes place in Cu sublayers more easily than in Cu nanowires, and then propagates into Ni sublayers. This should be emphasized in the design of NEMS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previous studies failed to detect c-type cytochromes in Pelobacter species despite the fact that other close relatives in the Geobacteraceae, such as Geobacter and Desulfuromonas species, have abundant c-type cytochromes. Analysis of the recently completed genome sequence of Pelobacter carbinolicus revealed 14 open reading frames that could encode c-type cytochromes. Transcripts for all but one of these open reading frames were detected in acetoin-fermenting and/or Fe(III)-reducing cells. Three putative c-type cytochrome genes were expressed specifically during Fe(III) reduction, suggesting that the encoded proteins may participate in electron transfer to Fe(III). One of these proteins was a periplasmic triheme cytochrome with a high level of similarity to PpcA, which has a role in Fe(III) reduction in Geobacter sulfurreducens. Genes for heme biosynthesis and system II cytochrome c biogenesis were identified in the genome and shown to be expressed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels of protein extracted from acetoin-fermenting P. carbinolicus ceils contained three heme-staining bands which were confirmed by mass spectrometry to be among the 14 predicted c-type cytochromes. The number of cytochrome genes, the predicted amount of heme c per protein, and the ratio of heme-stained protein to total protein were much smaller in P. carbinolicus than in G. sulfurreducens. Furthermore, many of the c-type cytochromes that genetic studies have indicated are required for optimal Fe(III) reduction in G. sulfurreducens were not present in the P. carbinolicus genome. These results suggest that further evaluation of the functions of c-type cytochromes in the Geobacteraceae is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outer membrane cytochromes are often proposed as likely agents for electron transfer to extracellular electron acceptors, such as Fe(III). The omcF gene in the dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing microorganism Geobacter sulfurreducens is predicted to code for a small outer membrane monoheme c-type cytochrome. An OmcF-deficient strain was constructed, and its ability to reduce and grow on Fe(III) citrate was found to be impaired. Following a prolonged lag phase (150 h), the OmcF-deficient strain developed the ability to grow in Fe(III) citrate medium with doubling times and yields that were ca. 145% and 70% of those of the wild type, respectively. Comparison of the c-type cytochrome contents of outer membrane-enriched fractions prepared from wild-type and OmcF-deficient cultures confirmed the outer membrane association of OmcF and revealed multiple changes in the cytochrome content of the OmcF-deficient strain. These changes included loss of expression of two previously characterized outer membrane cytochromes, OmcB and OmcC, and overexpression of a third previously characterized outer membrane cytochrome, OmcS, during growth on Fe(III) citrate. The omcB and omcC transcripts could not be detected in the OmcF-deficient mutant by either reverse transcriptase PCR or Northern blot analyses. Expression of the omcF gene in trans restored both the capacity of the OmcF-deficient mutant to reduce Fe(III) and wild-type levels of omcB and omcC mRNA and protein. Thus, elimination of OmcF may impair Fe(III) reduction by influencing expression of OmcB, which has previously been demonstrated to play a critical role in Fe(III) reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, optimal performance of the multi‐input multi‐output networked control systems (NCSs) is analysed. The systems are with a time‐delay and channel noise constraints in the forward network channel, and encoding–decoding and quantisation constraints, and packet dropouts in the feedback network channel. By using the Youla parameterisation of a two‐degree‐of‐freedom controller, a new and explicit expression of the optimal performance is derived. The optimal performance is obtained using the method of H2 norm technique. The results show that the positions and directions of the non‐minimum phase zeros and unstable poles of a given plant are related to the optimal tracking error. On the other hand, the optimal tracking error is dependent on channel noise, quantisation noise, encoding–decoding, time‐delay, packet dropout probability and other correction factors. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedicle screw loosening is a common postoperative complication for osteoporotic patients, and several studies have identified the important role of fusion length in internal fixation failure, but the relationship between the number of fusion segments and the potential risks remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the rate and risk factors of screw loosening in osteoporotic patients with different levels of degenerative lumbar disease. The total cohort of 217 patients was divided into 3 groups according to the different fusion levels: single-level (group A; 100 cases), double-level (group B; 73 cases), and multilevel group (group C; 44 cases). Patient baseline demographic characteristics and assessments with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before operation and at the last follow-up were compared among the 3 groups. Compared with preoperative values, VAS and ODI scores at the last follow-up were significantly improved in all 3 groups. Operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, screw loosening rate, fusion rate, and VAS and ODI scores at the last follow-up obviously increased with the increasing number of fusion segments (group C> group B> group A). Of note, all the screw loosening was observed in cranial and caudal vertebra. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified lumbosacral fixation, larger pelvic incidence (PI)–lumbar lordosis (LL) difference (PT-LL), and greater postoperative pelvic tilt (PT) as independent predictors of screw loosening. However, sex, bone mineral density, body mass index, LL, sacral slope, PI, the change in LL, and preoperative PT were not relevant to screw loosening (P > 0.05). Owing to the high rate of screw loosening in cranial and caudal vertebra, osteoporotic patients with double-level or multilevel pedicle screw fixation benefited less than those with single-level pedicle screw fixation. Larger PI-LL, larger PT, and lumbosacral fixation are other risk factors for screw loosening. An instrument with stronger holding strength at cranial and caudal pedicle screws is recommended for those high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is commonly used for cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation (CAPSI) to improve the fixation stability and reduce the risk of screw loosening in the osteoporotic thoracolumbar spine. Biomechanical researches have shown that various dose of cement (1-3 ml) can be injected to enhance screw stability. To date, there have been no studies on the relationship between adjacent segment degeneration and the volume of PMMA. This study aimed to explore the influence of CAPSI with different volumes of PMMA in osteoporotic lumbar vertebrae over adjacent segments by using finite element analysis.Methods: Seven different finite element models were reconstructed and simulated under different loading conditions, including (1) an intact model, (2) three single-level CAPSI models with different volumes of PMMA (1, 1.73, and 2.5 ml), and (3) three double-level CAPSI models with different volumes of PMMA (1, 1.73, and 2.5 ml). To improve the accuracy of the finite element analysis, the models of the injectable pedicle screw and bone cement were created by using a three-dimensional scanning machine and the CAPSI patient's CT data, respectively. The range of motion (ROM), the stress of intervertebral discs, and the stress of facet in the adjacent segment were comparatively analyzed among the different models.Results: The ROMs of the different segments were compared with experimental data, with good agreement under the different load conditions (21.3°, 13.55°, 13.99°, and 6.11° in flexion, extension, bending, and rotation at L3-S1 level, respectively). Compared with the intact model, the ROM, disc stresses, and facet stress in adjacent segments were found to be higher in the six operative models. Otherwise, with a larger volume of PMMA injected, the ROM, disc stresses, and facet stress slightly increased at the adjacent segment. However, the differences were insignificant with the biggest difference less than 3.8%.Conclusions: CAPSI could increase the incidence of disk degeneration in the adjacent segment, while within a certain range, different volumes of PMMA provided an approximate impact over the adjacent segment degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly tends to address distributed bipartite tracking consensus problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems subject to logarithmic quantization. Based on appropriate quantized criterion, a distributed protocol with static coupling gain is developed. By employing Lyapunov technique and other mathematical analysis, the results show that distributed bipartite tracking consensus of multi-agent systems can be ensured with quantized relative state measurements, if some conditions are met. Additionally, compared with distributed protocol, the fully distributed protocol with dynamic coupling gain is further designed and analyzed via adaptive control, which is independent of any global information. Finally, simulations are exploited to support our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the biomechanical performance of various fixation constructs after oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF). This study aimed to explore the stability of various fixation options for OLIF by using finite element analysis based on three-dimensional scanning models. Six validated finite element models of the L3-L5 segment were reconstructed via computed tomography images, including (1) intact model, (2) stand-alone model with no instrument, (3) lateral rod-screw model, (4) lateral rod-screw plus contralateral translaminar facet screw (LRS-CTLFS) model, (5) unilateral pedicle screw model, and (6) bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) model. Models of the OLIF cage and pedicle screw were created with three-dimensional scanning to improve the accuracy of finite element analysis. Range of motion, stress of the cage, and stress of fixation were evaluated in the different models. Range of motion increased from least to greatest as follows: BPS, LRS-CTLFS, unilateral pedicle screw, lateral rod-screw, stand-alone. Differences in range of motion between BPS and LRS-CTLFS were not significant for all loading cases. Compared with the other 3 models, the stress of the cage was found to be lower in BPS and LRS-CTLFS under all loading conditions, especially in BPS. Stress exerted on the fixation was the greatest in LRS-CTLFS, and the stress experienced by the translaminar facet screw was concentrated in part of the facet joint. The BPS model provided the best biomechanical stability for OLIF; the stand-alone model could not provide sufficient stability. The LRS-CTLFS procedure increases the approximate stability and reduces stress at the cage-endplate interface; however, it causes an increase in screw stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increase of augmented level and bone cement dose are accompanied by the rising incidence of cement leakage (CL) of cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation (CAPSI). But the effect and potential risks of the application of CAPSI to osteoporotic lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) have not been studied in the case of multilevel fixation. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and potential complications of using multilevel CAPSI for patients with osteoporotic LDD.Methods: A total of 93 patients with multilevel LDD were divided into the CAPSI group (46 subjects) and the conventional pedicle screw (CPS) group (47 subjects), including 75 cases for three levels and 18 cases for four levels. Relevant data were compared between two groups, including baseline data, clinical results, and complications.Results: In the CAPSI group, a total of 336 augmented screws was placed bilaterally. The CL was observed in 116 screws (34.52%). Three cemented screws (0.89%) were found loosened during the follow-up and the overall fusion rate was 93.47%. For perioperative complications, two patients (4.35%) experienced pulmonary cement embolism (PCE), one patient augmented vertebral fracture, and three patients (6.52%) wound infection. And in the CPS group, thirty-three screws (8.46%) suffered loosening in cranial and caudal vertebra with a fusion rate of 91.49%. The operation time and hospital stay of CAPSI group were longer than the CPS group, but CAPSI group has a lower screw loosening percentage (P<0. 05). And in terms of blood loss, perioperative complications, fusion rate, and VAS and ODI scores at the follow-up times, there were no significant differences between the two groups.Conclusions: Patients with osteoporotic LDD underwent multilevel CPS fixation have a higher rate of screw loosening in the cranial and caudal vertebra. The application of cemented pedicle screws for multilevel LDD can achieve better stability and less screw loosening, but it also accompanied by longer operating time, higher incidence of CL, PCE and wound infections. Selective cement augmentation of cranial and caudal pedicle screws may be a worthy strategy to decrease the complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for adjacent vertebral compression fractures after lumbar spinal fusion with instrumentation. A total of 669 patients who received lumbar instrumented spinal fusion between January 2012 and December 2015 were divided into 2 groups according to whether the adjacent vertebral body was fractured. The covariates recorded were age, sex, bone mineral density, and the number of fixed segments. The anatomic variables were pelvic incidence angle (PI), preoperative lumbar lordosis angle (Pre-LL), postoperative lumbar lordosis angle (Post-LL), Pre-LL minus Post-LL (Loss of LL), postoperative pelvic tilt (Post-PT), postoperative sacral slope, Pre–PI-LL mismatch (Pre-PI minus Pre-LL), and Post–PI-LL mismatch (Post-PI minus Post-LL). A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with the aforementioned parameters, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relative risk factors. The 669 patients were followed-up for a mean of 2.7 ± 1.1 years (range, 2–4 years). Twenty-seven patients demonstrated fractures in the adjacent vertebral body after surgery. Analysis by 1-way ANOVA demonstrated that age, PI, Pre-LL, Post-LL, Loss of LL, Post–PI-LL mismatch, Post-PT, and osteoporosis were potential risk factors (all parameters, P < 0.001). Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis showed that a large Loss of LL, osteoporosis, and old age were also risk factors for adjacent vertebral compression fractures. A greater Loss of LL, osteoporosis, and advanced age may be risk factors for fractures in the adjacent vertebral body of the fixed segment after lumbar fusion fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) with cord compression is challenging and it usually requires surgical interventions to decompress nerves and restore spinal sequences. To describe a novel surgical strategy for treating OVFs with cord compression. Methods: This is a single‐center retrospective analysis. The inclusion criteria were Frankel grade C‐E, single level T10‐L2. Between January 2008 and December 2016, a total of 56 OVF patients (47 females and nine males, with an average age of 72 years (66–88 years), comprising of eight grade C, 23 grade D, and 25 grade E patients) were enrolled. The treatment algorithm included preoperative evaluation by MRI, extension CT, and radiography to classify the OVFs as type 1.1 (reducible, stable; n = 13), type1.2 (reducible, unstable; n = 16), type 2 (irreducible; n = 19) or type 2M (modifier; n = 8). Vertebroplasty (VP)/kyphoplasty (KP) was applied in type 1.1. VP/KP with posterior fixation and posterolateral fusion was applied in type 1.2. And additional laminectomy/osteotomy was used in type 2, except in a modifier group (2M) where same procedure as applied for type 1.2 was used. VAS, ODI, Cobb angle, Frankel functional grade, and complications were recorded. Results: Thirteen cases were classified as type 1.1, 16 cases as type 1.2, 19 cases as type 2, and eight cases as type 2M. The follow‐up period was 38.9 months (range, 24–108 months). All patients were followed‐up in at least 24 months, in which time four patients died, two patients were lost at the last follow‐up, and 50 patients completed the full study. The total VAS and ODI improved from 8 (7, 9) and 75.5% (67.2%, 80.0%) preoperatively to 2 (1, 3) and 31% (24.0%, 37.0%) on conclusion, respectively (P < 0.01). The local kyphotic angle was corrected from 22.3° (17.1°, 33. 8°) preoperatively to 10.4° (6.4°, 15.3°) on conclusion (P < 0.01). Twenty‐three patients had achieved neurological recovery on conclusion (42E, 8D, P < 0.01). Asymptotic cement leakage was observed in 17/56 cases (30.4%), 6/56 in the affected vertebra (10.7%), and 24/330 in the screw trajectory (7.3%). At 2 years postoperatively, 11 new VFs had occurred in nine patients (16.1%), including VFs in nine adjacent segments that all occurred within 1 year after surgery. No cement migration or implant failure was noted. Conclusion: The novel surgical strategy for treating OVFs with cord compression consists of the most tailored and least invasive treatment for each patient. The positive mid‐ and long‐term clinical and radiological outcomes observed could represent a step forward in devising the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, type and risk factors of cement leakage (CL) with cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation (CAPSI) in degenerative lumbosacral disease.Methods: Two hundred and two patients using a total of 950 cement-augmented screws were enrolled. CL was classified into three types: type S: leakage via segmental veins; type B: leakage via basivertebral veins; and type I: leakage via pedicle screw instrumentation to paravertebral soft tissue. The age, gender, operation stage (primary or later stage), body mass index, bone mineral density, the number and type of augmented screw, the position of the tip of screw (lateral or internal part of vertebral body), the position of screw (left or right side), the volume of bone cement, location of the augmented vertebra (lumbar or sacrum), the type of CL and complications were recorded. Binary logistic regression correlation was used to analyze risk factors of veins leakage (type S and type B).Results: The CL was observed in 165 patients (81.68%) and 335 screws (35.26%), leakage types of S, B and I were seen in 255 (76.12%), 77 (22.99%), and 30 (8.96%) of screws, respectively. Besides, double or multiple routes of leakage were seen in 27 screws. Number of augmented screw was a risk factor for vein leakage (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.44-0.77; P = 0.000). Furthermore, the doses of cement (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.61-0.99; P = 0.038) and the position of screw (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.29-0.53; P = 0.000) were identified as risk factors for type S, and the doses of bone cement (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.25-0.54; P = 0.000) and the position of the tip of screw (OR 0.07; 95% CI 0.04-0.13; P = 0.000) were risk factors for type B.Conclusions: CAPSI bears a high risk of asymptomatic CL, with a higher rate of leakage into segmental veins and basivertebral veins. As is known, more augmented screws and larger doses of cement are risk factors for veins leakage (type S and type B), while the tip of screw approaching to the midline of the vertebral body is another risk factor to type B. Thus, the CL could be reduced by the amelioration of operative techniques and procedures. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimal tracking performance for single‐input multiple‐output (SIMO) systems under control energy constraints is investigated. The packet dropouts in the upstream channel and down channel are adequately considered. The minimal tracking error is obtained by searching through all stablising controllers. The main results of this study show that the optimal tracking performance in these kinds of system is closely dependent on the structure of the given plant and statistic characteristics of the reference signal. Furthermore, the packet dropouts in the communication channel will degenerate the tracking performance. Finally, a typical example is given to illustrate the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Li storage in P-doped borophene nanosheet was stimulated by Density Functional Theory (DFT). Without destroying the nanosheet structure, borophene doped with P atom possessed high binding energy of 3.42 eV. The electronic properties, binding energy, capacity and open-circuit voltage of P-doped borophene were calculated. These results demonstrated that P-doping has a positive effect on the Li storage of borophene nanosheet. Besides, the maximum adsorption number of Li atoms in P-doped borophene is 18, accompanied with an ultra-high theoretical capacity of 1732 mAh/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of defects on the relaxation properties of bilayered graphene (BLG) has been studied by molecular dynamics simulation in nanometre sizes. Type and position of defects were taken into account in the calculated model. The results show that great changes begin to occur in the morphology after introducing defects into BLG sheets. Compared with point defects, line defects have a significant effect on the relaxation properties of BLG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure and physical properties of anatase TiO 2 (101) surface doped with copper have been studied by using density functional theory. Results show that Cu@Ti and Cu@O systems behave as p and n type semiconductors, respectively. Anatase TiO 2 (101) surface exhibits a blue shift in optical absorption spectra compared with pure TiO 2 bulk materials. Enhanced photocatalytic activity at wavelength around 400 nm could be contributed by the change in electronic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structure and physical properties of BiF 3 doped with M=Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, V and Co are calculated by the DFT+ U method. Effect of metal doping on the electronic structure and optical response of host materials BiF 3 is investigated systematically. New energy levels are formed and located within the band gap, which could decrease the recombination rate of e − /h + pairs. Furthermore, transition metal doping extends the optical absorption of BiF 3 to the visible spectral region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relaxation properties of single layer graphene sheets containing line defects were investigated using molecular dynamics simulation with AIROBE bond-order interatomic potential. The dynamic evolution of graphene sheets during relaxation condition was analyzed. The simulation results show that the single layer graphene sheets are not perfectly flat in an ideal state, and the graphene sheet shows a significant corrugations at the verge of sheet. The graphene sheet is bent with the line defects at the end of the sheet, and the extent of this bend also increases with the increase of the defect number. Furthemore, the graphene sheet transforms into a paraboloid with the line defects at the middle of the sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GaN nanowires are grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy using nickel as a catalyst. The properties of the obtained GaN nanowires are characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, room-temperature photoluminescence and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that the nanowires are wurtzite single crystals growing along the [0001] direction and a redshift in the photoluminescence is observed due to a superposition of several effects. The Raman spectra are close to those of the bulk GaN and the significantly broadening of those modes indicates the phonon confinement effects associated with the nanoscale dimensions of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new dual fluorescent probe was prepared by encapsulating the complex of cerium (III) and quinizarin into silica nanoparticles. Cerium (III) and quinizarin can form a stable dual fluorescent complex in ethanol, but this complex would dissociate in the aqueous medium, which limited its application in biosystem. So, such complex was encapsulated inside the silica nanoparticles to solve this problem. The results indicated that the stability and water solubility of the complex were greatly improved after been encapsulated into the silica nanoparticles. In addition, its dual fluorescent probe function was studied in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aerosol number concentration and size distribution were measured with the newly developed Wide-range Particle Spectrometer in summer and winter of 2006 at the urban site of Jinan City. Here reported the characteristics of fine particles of the different observation seasons. Relative high number concentrations for the particles in the diameter range of 10–500 nm were observed in both seasons. It was found that the dominant number distributed in particle diameter smaller than 100 nm and the percentage over the number concentration of all air particles is much higher than what has been measured in other urban sites over the world. The number mean diameter in summer was much smaller than in winter, strongly suggesting the different origin of ultrafine particles in different seasons. That is, particles in ultrafine mode mainly came from nucleation and new particle formation in summer while from traffic emission in winter. The diurnal variation also supported this point. Number concentration in the diameter range of 10–200 nm got their peak values at noontime, well correlated with the mixing ratio of SO2 and the intensity of solar radiation in summer. While in winter, those in the same diameter range showed the main peaks during the traffic hours happened in the morning and evening. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]