Abstract
We report an unusual pressure-induced superconducting state that coexists with an antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu
2+
moments and shows a large upper critical field comparable to the Pauli ...paramagnetic limit in EuTe
2
. In concomitant with the emergence of superconductivity with
T
c
≈ 3–5 K above
P
c
≈ 6 GPa, the antiferromagnetic transition temperature
T
N
(
P
) experiences a quicker rise with the slope increased dramatically from d
T
N
/d
P
= 0.85(14) K/GPa for
P
≤
P
c
to 3.7(2) K/GPa for
P
≥
P
c
. Moreover, the superconducting state can survive in the spin-flop state with a net ferromagnetic component of the Eu
2+
sublattice under moderate magnetic fields
μ
0
H
≥ 2 T. Our findings establish the pressurized EuTe
2
as a rare magnetic superconductor possessing an intimated interplay between magnetism and superconductivity.
Many stress–strain models have been developed for fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)–confined concrete. These models fall into two categories: (a) design-oriented models in simple closed-form expressions ...for direct use in design; and (b) analysis-oriented models in which the stress–strain curve is generated via an incremental process. This paper is concerned with analysis-oriented models, and in particular, those models based on the commonly accepted approach in which a model for actively-confined concrete is used as the base model. The paper first provides a critical review and assessment of existing analysis-oriented models for FRP–confined concrete. For this assessment, a database of 48 recent tests conducted by the authors’ group is presented; this database includes 23 new tests which have not previously been published. This assessment clarifies how each of the key elements forming such a model affects its accuracy and identifies a recent model proposed by the authors’ group as being the most accurate. The paper then presents a refined version of this model, which provides more accurate predictions of the stress–strain behaviour, particularly for weakly-confined concrete.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Summary
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of telbivudine (LdT, 600 mg/day) vs control patients (no treatment) in decreasing vertical transmission of HBV, in HBeAg‐positive mothers (HBVDNA ...>6log10 copies/mL). HBeAg‐positive pregnant women either in the second or third trimester were recruited in a prospective, case–control, open‐label study, at the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Southeast University, China (February 2008‐December 2010). Efficacy (month 7: HBVDNA (+), HBsAg (+) infants) in either the overall group or the treated group and control group was analysed using student's t‐test. Infants were followed for at least 1 year. 362 women received LdT (second trimester n = 257; third trimester n = 105) and 92 were untreated. Before delivery, the mean maternal HBVDNA was 2.73, 2.47, 3.34 and 7.94 log10 copies/mL in the overall, second and third trimester treated and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). At birth, 11.8% of babies overall (43/365), 13.5% (35/259) of those treated in the second trimester, 7.5% of those treated in the third trimester (8/106) and 20.7% (19/92) of untreated infants were HBsAg positive. At month 7, none of the LdT‐treated infant had detectable HBVDNA, while eight infants from control mothers were HBsAg positive. Vertical transmission was 0% in LdT treated and 9.3% (8/86) in the control groups (P < 0.001). No difference in the vertical transmission rate was found in mothers treated in the second or third trimester. LdT treatment was safe for mothers and infants, and no congenital deformities were reported.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
High circulating neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) appears to be prognostic in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We investigated the relationship of NLR with circulating cytokines and molecular ...alterations.
We performed retrospective analyses on multiple cohorts of CRC patients (metastatic untreated (n=166), refractory metastatic (n=161), hepatectomy (n=198), stage 2/3 (n=274), and molecularly screened (n=342)). High NLR (ratio of absolute neutrophil-to-lymphocyte counts in peripheral blood) was defined as NLR>5. Plasma cytokines were evaluated using multiplex-bead assays. Kaplan-Meier estimates, non-parametric correlation analysis, and hierarchical cluster analyses were used.
High NLR was associated with poor prognosis in mCRC (hazard ratio (HR) 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.03-2.89; P=0.039) independent of known prognostic factors and molecular alterations (KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA/CIMP). High NLR correlated with increased expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-2Rα, hepatocyte growth factor, macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and vascular epidermal growth factor in exploratory (n=39) and validation (n=166) cohorts. Fourteen additional cytokines correlated with high NLR in the validation cohort. All 20 cytokines fell into three major clusters: inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic cytokines, and epidermal growth factor ligands. In mCRC, composite stratification based on NLR-cytokine score provided enhanced prognostic information (HR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.59-2.76; P<0.001) over and above NLR.
High NLR is an independent poor prognostic marker in CRC and correlates with a distinct cytokine profile related to key biological processes involved in carcinogenesis. A composite NLR-cytokine stratification has enhanced prognostic value in mCRC.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Understanding the combined effect of stress, pore pressure and temperature on methane permeability is crucial to hazards detection and mitigation in deep coal mining. It is well known that mine ...temperature increases with mining depth and methane permeability decreases correspondingly. Methane extraction before coal mining lowers mine temperature and thus enhances permeability near working faces. On the other hand, coal seams can reach yield deformation more easily and even induce stress sharp drop or failure in higher temperature environments. The combined effect of stress, pore pressure and temperature might easily trigger a rapid enhancement of permeability near working faces or even coal and gas outbursts. Therefore, understanding this combined effect on methane permeability is a key issue to hazard detection and mitigation. So far, this combined effect has not been well understood in either experimental measurements or numerical simulations. This paper investigated the methane permeability of six gas-containing coal samples in a complete stress–strain process through our thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupled test apparatus. In these tests, coal specimens were taken from the anthracite coals of Sihe colliery and Zhaozhuang colliery within the southeast Qinshui Basin in Shanxi province of China. A self-made ‘THM coupled with triaxial servo-controlled seepage apparatus for containing-gas coal’ was developed for these tests. The evolution of methane permeability in a complete stress–strain process was continuously measured under constant differential gas pressure, constant confining pressure and three constant temperatures of 30, 50 and
70
∘
C
. These experimental results revealed that: (1) Higher temperature had lower compressive strength and lower limit strain, thus coal seams more easily failed. (2) The evolution of methane permeability of coal heavily depended on stress–strain stages. The permeability decreased with the increase of deviatoric stress at the initial compaction and elastic deformation stages, while it increased with the increase of deviatoric stress at the stages of yield deformation, stress sharp drop and residual stress. (3) Temperature effect on the permeability of coal varied with deformation stages, too. This effect was significant before yield deformation, where higher temperature caused lower permeability, but not important after yield deformation, at which the development of coal cracks became dominant. These observations and measurements are helpful for the design of hazards detection and mitigation measures during coal mining process.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Unambiguous chemical identification of individual molecules closely packed on a surface can offer the possibility to address single chemical species and monitor their behaviour at the individual ...level. Such a degree of spatial resolution can in principle be achieved by detecting their vibrational fingerprints using tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS). The chemical specificity of TERS can be combined with the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy techniques, an approach that has stimulated extensive research in the field. Recently, the development of nonlinear TERS in a scanning tunnelling microscope has pushed the spatial resolution down to ∼0.5 nm, allowing the identification of the vibrational fingerprints of isolated molecules on Raman-silent metal surfaces. Although the nonlinear TERS component is likely to help sharpen the optical contrast of the acquired image, the TERS signal still contains a considerable contribution from the linear term, which is spatially less confined. Therefore, in the presence of different adjacent molecules, a mixing of Raman signals may result. Here, we show that using a nonlinear scanning tunnelling microscope-controlled TERS set-up, two different adjacent molecules that are within van der Waals contact and of very similar chemical structure (a metal-centred porphyrin and a free-base porphyrin) on a silver surface can be distinguished in real space. In addition, with the help of density functional theory simulations, we are also able to determine their adsorption configurations and orientations on step edges and terraces.
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IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Antimicrobials, parasiticides, feed additives and probiotics are used in Asian aquaculture to improve the health status of the cultured organisms and to prevent or treat disease outbreaks. Detailed ...information on the use of such chemicals in Asian aquaculture is limited, but of crucial importance for the evaluation of their potential human health and environmental risks. This study reports the outcomes of a survey on the use of chemical and biological products in 252 grow-out aquaculture farms and 56 farm supply shops in four countries in Asia. The survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012, and included nine aquaculture farm groups: Penaeid shrimp farms in Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Vietnam; Macrobrachium prawn farms, and farms producing both Penaeid shrimps and Macrobrachium prawns in Bangladesh; tilapia farms in China and Thailand; and Pangasius catfish farms in Vietnam. Results were analysed with regard to the frequencies of use of active ingredients and chemical classes, reported dosages, and calculated applied mass relative to production. A range of farm management and farm characteristics were used as independent variables to explain observed chemical use patterns reported by farmers within each group. Sixty different veterinary medicinal ingredients were recorded (26 antibiotics, 19 disinfectants, and 15 parasiticides). The use of antibiotic treatments was found to be significantly higher in the Vietnamese Pangasius farms. However, total quantities of antibiotics, relative to production, applied by the Pangasius farmers were comparable or even lower than those reported for other animal production commodities. Semi-intensive and intensive shrimp farms in China, Thailand and Vietnam showed a decrease in the use of antibiotic treatments. These farm groups utilised the largest amount of chemicals relative to production, with feed additives and plant extracts, probiotics, and disinfectants, being the most used chemical classes, mainly for disease prevention. The surveyed farmers generally did not exceed recommended dosages of veterinary medicines, and nationally or internationally banned compounds were (with one exception) reported neither by the surveyed farmers, nor by the surveyed chemical sellers. Factors underlying the observed differences in chemical use patterns differed widely amongst farm groups, and geographical location was found to be the only factor influencing chemical ingredient application patterns in the majority of the studied farm groups.
•We assessed the use of chemicals in 252 aquaculture grow-out farms from Asia.•The use of antibiotics was significantly higher in the Vietnamese Pangasius farms.•Chemical use practices varied according to the species and production intensity.•Applied chemical volumes are comparable to other food producing commodities.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Summary
Telbivudine, an FDA pregnancy category B drug, has been found to reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) perinatal transmission with no safety concerns in infants aged up to 1 year. This study ...evaluated the long‐term efficacy and safety of telbivudine in 214 infants born to 210 pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B infection who were treated with telbivudine during pregnancy (weeks 20‐32 of gestation). The infants were followed for up to 5 years after birth. The efficacy endpoint was the rate of perinatal transmission, which was established by HBsAg and HBV DNA levels at 7 and 12 months. Safety endpoints included head circumference, weight, height, congenital abnormality and hospitalization rates. In addition, the Denver Developmental Screening Test was performed in 92 randomly selected infants. None of the 214 infants born to these women were infected with HBV, and all had effective serum hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) levels. Compared with Chinese standard values, there were few differences in the infants’ mean head circumference, weight, and height values. No birth defects were diagnosed, and the congenital abnormality rate was 0.934%. Serious adverse events requiring hospitalization occurred in 20 infants (9.35%). The qualified Denver Developmental Screening Test rate in 92 infants was 97.82%, which was comparable to a rate of 92% in normal Chinese children. Thus, treatment with telbivudine during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy safely blocked perinatal transmission of HBV. Infants born to telbivudine‐treated mothers showed normal growth and development during long‐term follow‐up of up to 5 years.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Wenchuan earthquake was a catastrophic earthquake in China. The aim of this study is to explore longitudinally the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in adolescents ...after the Wenchuan earthquake, and to identify independent predictors of PTSD.
PTSD and depression symptoms among adolescents at 6, 12 and 18 months after the Wenchuan earthquake were investigated using the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Subjects in this study included 548 high school student survivors in a local boarding high school.
The rates of PTSD symptoms were 9.7%, 1.3% and 1.6% at the 6-, 12- and 18-month follow-ups, respectively. BDI scores were found to be the best predictor of severity of PTSD at 6, 12 and 18 months. Gender was another variable contributing significantly to PTSD at 6 and 12 months after the earthquake. In the 12-month follow-up, home damage was found to be a predictor of severity of PTSD symptoms. Being a child with siblings was found to be a predictor of severity of PTSD symptoms at 12 and 18 months after the earthquake.
PTSD symptoms changed gradually at various stages after the earthquake. Depression symptoms were predictive of PTSD symptoms in the 18-month follow-up study. Other predictors of PTSD symptoms included female gender and being a child with siblings. The results of this study may be helpful for further mental health interventions for adolescents after earthquakes.
Polypropylene (PP) is incorporated with four different grades (H100, M25, M5, and C300) of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) via twin screw extrusion followed by injection moulding. The composites' ...thermal stability, crystallization behaviour, tensile strength, and electrical property are carefully examined. The thermal stability is significantly enhanced with the incorporation of small-sized GnPs as shown by the 11.2% improvement in T5% (the temperature at which 5 wt% of the mass loss occurs) and 5.1% improvement in Tmax (the temperature at which the maximum loss rate occurs). The thermal stabilizing effect of fillers can be significantly enhanced when they are well distributed with less aggregation as is the case for small-sized GnPs. The GnPs show a considerable nucleating effect on PP by increasing the crystallization temperature (Tc). The greatest improvement in tensile property is achieved with the use of small-sized GnPs. A 33.0% enhancement in tensile strength and 59.1% improvement of tensile modulus are obtained with the use of C300 and M5, respectively. The significantly increased thermal stability and mechanical property with small-sized GnPs are due to the fact that these smallsized fillers achieve a high degree of dispersion with less agglomeration as shown in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. However, the fillers with a large sheet size are still beneficial for purposes concerning electrical conductivity since the lowest percolation is obtained with H100. The greater the size of the GnPs, the smaller the percolation threshold of composites is exhibited.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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