The treatment algorithm for solitary bone lesions of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (SBL-LCH) in children extremities still remains controversial. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to ...compare the feasibility of low-dose chemotherapy (LDC) and surgery for SBL-LCH in children extremities.
This study compares 43 pediatric patients starting LDC with a surgery control group (n = 44), matched for gender, age, follow-up time, and lesion sites and sizes, treated between 2001 and 2015 at our institution. Hospital stay (HS), time to symptom relief (TTSR), recovery time (RT), complications, relapse-free survival (RFS), health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cost-effectiveness were analyzed for each strategy.
HS, TTSR and RT in the LDC group were shorter than those in the surgery group (p < 0.01). Chemotherapy-related complications included nausea (16.30%), aminotransferase elevation (9.30%), slight hair loss (11.63%), decline in immune function (23.26%), growth retardation (16.30%), and moon face (9.30%). Chemotherapy-related side effects were mild and well tolerated. Pathologic fractures (6.81%), loosening of instrumentation (6.00%,), surgical site infection (4.00%) and rejection of bone grafting (9.09%) developed in surgery patients. LDC treatment resulted in a longer RFS (87 months) than surgery alone (59 months) (p = 0.011). Furthermore, compared with surgery patients, patients in the LDC group had a better HRQOL at 3 months’ follow-up for the physical, role, emotional and social function domains assessed (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) according to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30® survey. However, HRQOL scores at 2 years’ follow-up were similar between the two groups. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was ¥−137,030/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for LDC versus surgery.
Compared with surgery, LDC promotes more rapid recovery, is less invasive, is characterized by increased safety and a superior HRQOL, and is a more cost-effective treatment strategy for pediatric patients with SBL-LCH in the extremities.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A novel control strategy for synchronization control for network systems with communication constraints is presented in this paper. The dynamics of nodes in the network are nonidentical. The ...communication topology of network is weakly connected with communication constraints. The designed distributed controller for each node has two parts: reference generator (RG) and regulator. All RGs adopt the communication channels to exchange local information and track the target trajectory. Meanwhile, regulator can ensure that nonidentical node achieves synchronization with its RG. In order to reduce the communication frequency between node and its regulator, a sampled-date control strategy is utilized. The upper bound of the aperiodic sampling instants is calculated through the small-gain theorem, where the closed-loop system is equivalently formulated as the feedback interconnection of a linear time-invariant system and an integral sampled-data operator. Finally, some simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the controller design strategy.
Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a new method presented recently for analyzing nonlinear and non-stationary signals. Its basic idea is to decompose the signal into a series of complete ...orthogonal intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) based on the local characteristics of the signal in time domain. The key step of EMD is to use the cubic spline interpolation to connect the maximum and minimum values of the signals into upper and lower envelopes respectively, and then calculate the mean values of upper and lower envelopes. Based on the cubic trigonometric B-spline interpolation algorithm, a new improved method for EMD is proposed named CTB-EMD in this paper. In this method, the interpolation curve is more flexible because of the adjustability of shape of the cubic trigonometric B-splines curve. Thus, the overshoot and undershoot problems in the cubic spline interpolation curve can be avoided, and then the decomposition of the signal is more accurate and effect. Through numerical experiments, we compare the effect of this method with other methods on decomposing simulation signals and real signals. Experimental results show that this method can decompose signals more effectively and accurately.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In this paper, an adaptive fault-tolerant method is proposed to synthesize a compensation controller for the uncertain nonlinear pure-feedback systems possessing dead-zone actuators and stochastic ...failures. Each actuator's failure mode is described by a scalar Markovian type function, which is not only much more practical in control engineering but also challenging in control theory. By exploring the adaptive backstepping methodology, a compensation scheme for actuator failure is presented to guarantee that the solution of the closed-loop system is a unique and bounded in probability. Importantly, the proposed control method can achieve arbitrarily small tracking error in the presence of nonlinear actuators with random failures. The case study of active suspension system using the adaptive fault-tolerant compensation controller shows the effectiveness of the presented method.
Ag nanoparticles decorated N/S dual-doped graphene nanohybrids (Ag-NSRGO) are prepared by one-step hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure and composition of the samples are characterized and ...compared with graphene (RGO), Ag nanoparticles decorated graphene nanohybrids (Ag-RGO) and Ag nanoparticles decorated N-doped graphene nanohybrids (Ag-NRGO). The effect of Ag content on the sample’s performance is also studied. For the sample Ag-NSRGO, Ag nanoparticles are evenly dispersed in N/S dual-doped graphene (NSRGO) to form a three-dimensional network structure and there is a pair of unique redox peaks at around −0.9 V. The performance of Ag-NSRGO is much better than that of RGO, Ag-RGO, and Ag-NRGO. When the Ag content is 35 wt%, the electrochemical performance of the sample is the best. The optimal sample exhibits a specific capacitance as high as 1010.6 F g−1 at the potential window from −1.2 to 0 V. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled by using Ag-NSRGO35 and NSRGO as the negative and positive electrodes achieves a maximum energy density of 40.69 W h kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1 and the excellent cycling stability with 90.5% of the capacitance retained after 10000 cycles.
Display omitted A simple one-step hydrothermal method was used to successfully prepare Ag nanoparticles decorated N/S dual-doped graphene nanohybrids. By dual-doping graphene with nitrogen and sulfur and combining Ag with the N/S dual-doped graphene, the agglomeration stack of RGO is effectively inhibited; the defect density and specific surface area of the composites are improved. Ag nanoparticles are evenly dispersed in NSRGO to form a three-dimensional network structure. In addition, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) achieves a maximum energy density of 40.69 W h kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1 and the excellent cycling stability with 90.5% of the capacitance retained after 10000 cycles. The outstanding overall performance validates that Ag nanoparticles decorated N/S dual-doped graphene nanohybrids are promising materials for the future high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors, and hopefully bridge the gap between conventional batteries and high-power supercapacitors.
•Ag nanoparticles decorated N/S dual-doped graphene nanohybrids are fabricated.•Ag nanoparticles are evenly dispersed in NSRGO to form a three-dimensional network structure.•The specific capacitance of Ag-NSRGO is up to 1010.6 F g−1 at the potential window of −1.2-0 V.•The ASC device achieves a maximum energy density of 40.69 W h kg−1 at a power density of 500 W kg−1•The ASC device exhibits excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 90.5% after 10000 cycles.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A novel design featuring bifunctional Zn-doped Co3O4 nanowires have been developed for the simultaneous catalysis of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation and nitrate reduction. This innovative approach ...enables the green electrosynthesis of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and NH3, thereby offering significant environmental benefits.
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It is an appealing avenue for electrosyntheis of high-valued chemicals at both anode and cathode by coupling 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) oxidation and nitrate reduction reactions simultaneously, while the development such bifunctional electrocatalysts is still in its infancy with dissatisfied selectivity and low yield rate. Here, we first report that Zn-doped Co3O4 nanowires array can be served as an efficient and robust dual-functional catalyst for HMF oxidation and nitrate reduction at ambient conditions. Specifically, the catalyst shows a faradaic efficiency of 91 % and a yield rate of 241.2 μmol h−1 cm−2 for 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid formation together with a high conversion of nearly 100 % at a potential of 1.40 V. It also displays good cycling stability. Besides, the catalyst is capable of catalyzing the reduction of nitrate to NH3, giving a maximal faradaic efficiency of 92 % and a peak NH3 yield rate of 4.65 mg h−1 cm−2 at a potential of –0.70 V. These results surpass those obtained using pristine Co3O4 and are comparable to those of state-of-the-art electrocatalysts. Moreover, the catalyst is further employed as the cathode catalyst to assemble a Zn–nitrate battery, giving a peak power density of 5.24 mW cm−2 and a high yield rate of 0.72 mg h−1 cm−2. Theoretical simulations further reveal that Zn-doping favors the adsorption and dissociation of nitrate and HMF species and reduces the energy barrier as well. Our work demonstrates the potential interest of Co3O4-based materials for the highly selective production of valuable feedstocks via ambient electrolysis.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The transformation of natural habitats into cropland is a major issue in ecological conservation. Of particular concern is the large-scale biotic homogenization (reduced β-diversity) of soil ...microbial communities. Paddy fields represent the largest anthropogenic ecosystem in the world; however, bacterial homogenization and reduced biodiversity in paddy fields caused by intensive modern agricultural practices have yet to be explored. Here, samples were collected from 257 sites in four typical rice-growing regions across a 4,000-km transect in China, including both paddy fields and adjacent natural habitats. These four regions follow a unique gradient of rice cultivation management, from modern mechanical to traditional manual practices. Distance–decay patterns of bacterial communities in paddy fields revealed reduced β-diversity compared to surrounding natural habitats. Modern rice farming practices (plowing with machines) caused stronger homogenization of soil bacterial communities than traditional farming (plowing by hand). Among the four paddy regions, plowing by hand retained the highest soil bacterial β-diversity. Moreover, a significant inverse correlation was observed between bacterial β-diversity and the agricultural mechanization level. Among multiple environmental factors, dramatic spatial homogenization of soil physicochemical properties, particularly soil nutrient contents, and reduced dispersal limitation caused by modern farming activities both strongly predict a reduction of bacterial β-diversity in modern paddy fields.
•Large-scale bacterial β-diversity in paddy fields depends on farming practices.•Modern farming practices lead to homogenization of soil bacterial communities.•Bacterial β-diversity is inversely correlated to the agro-mechanization level.•Reduced soil heterogeneity leads to bacterial homogenization.•A balance is required between agricultural management and biodiversity conservation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This paper proposes a data‐driven bipartite leader‐following consensus strategy for a class of nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) under external disturbances and hybrid attacks, which are composed ...of denial‐of‐service attacks and false data injection attacks. This data‐driven algorithm incorporates no system dynamics and only utilizes the input and output data generated by the controlled plant. First, the nonlinear MAS with external disturbances can be transformed into an equivalent linear data model by applying a revised dynamic linearization method. Second, a hybrid‐attack compensation mechanism is proposed to alleviate the adverse impact of data dropout caused by hybrid attacks. Then, based on the compensation mechanism, an extended state observer is designed that can mitigate the negative influence induced by external disturbances and improve the control performance even though the MAS is threatened by hybrid attacks. The systems under hybrid attacks and external disturbances can still remain stable with the proposed data‐driven strategy. Finally, simulation examples demonstrate the validity of the data‐driven strategy, and the bipartite consensus error can be reduced to a small range.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This paper discusses the issue of choosing optimal designs when both blocking and foldover techniques are simultaneously employed to nonregular two-level fractional factorial designs. By using the ...indicator function, the treatment and block generalized wordlength patterns of the combined blocked design under a general foldover plan are defined. Some general properties of combined block designs are also obtained. Our results extend the findings of Ai et al. (2010) from regular designs to nonregular designs. Based on these theoretical results, a catalog of optimal blocking and foldover plans in terms of the generalized aberration criterion for nonregular initial design with 12, 16 and 20 runs is tabulated, respectively.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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