We investigate the neutron star (NS) equation of state (EOS) by incorporating multi-messenger data of GW170817, PSR J0030 + 0451, PSR J0740 + 6620, and state-of-the-art theoretical progresses, ...including the information from chiral effective field theory (χEFT) and perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD) calculation. Taking advantage of the various structures sampling by a single-layer feed-forward neural network model embedded in the Bayesian nonparametric inference, the structure of NS matter’s sound speed cs is explored in a model-agnostic way. It is found that a peak structure is common in the cs2 posterior, locating at (2.4-4.8)ρsat (nuclear saturation density) and cs2 exceeds c2/3 at 90% credibility. The non-monotonic behavior suggests evidence of the state deviating from the hadronic matter inside the very massive NSs. Assuming the new/exotic state is featured as it is softer than typical hadronic models or even with hyperons, we find that a sizable (⩾10-3M⊙) exotic core, likely made of quark matter, is plausible for the NS with a gravitational mass above about 0.98MTOV, where MTOV represents the maximum gravitational mass of a non-rotating cold NS. The inferred MTOV=(2.18-0.13+0.27)M⊙ (90% credibility) is well consistent with the value of (2.17-0.12+0.15)M⊙ estimated independently with GW170817/GRB 170817A/AT2017gfo assuming a temporary supramassive NS remnant formed after the merger. PSR J0740 + 6620, the most massive NS detected so far, may host a sizable exotic core with a probability of ≈0.36.
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•Short channel SBA-15 (SBA-S) was synthesized in presence of ZrOCl2.•The influence of residual Zr in SBA-S on surface acidic properties was documented.•Interaction between Ag, Au, Cu, ...Fe species and residual Zr in SBA-S was evidenced.•Zirconium species remained in SBA-S strongly affected 2-propanol decomposition.•Long channel SBA-15 (SBA-L) modified with metals were used as reference materials.
Mesoporous silicas, SBA-15, synthesized with the addition of zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl2) which ensures obtaining short channels, were used as supports for metallic modifiers including silver, copper, gold and iron. Different preparation routes of these materials, denoted as SBA-S (S stands for short channels), resulted in different morphologies and different contents of zirconium left after the preparation. Samples SBA-S1 and SBA-S2 were obtained after treatment with sulfuric acid (leaching of ca. 98.5% of zirconium ions), whereas SBA-S3 was not treated with H2SO4, which resulted in a higher zirconium content. Metallic catalysts were prepared by grafting of metal species on organosilane functionalized supports. Characterizations by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy allowed determination of the oxidation state of metallic modifiers and evidenced the interactions between the modifier (Ag, Au, Cu, Fe) and the zirconium that remained in the silica support. The reaction of 2-propanol decomposition and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy combined with adsorption of pyridine clearly showed the effect of zirconium on surface properties of metallic catalysts. Strong acidic Zr4+ species modified the surface acidic-basic properties of the catalysts. This phenomenon should be taken into account when the SBA-S materials are used as supports for potential catalytic applications. The reference material was the long channel SBA-15 (denoted as SBA-L) prepared and modified with metals by the same routes as the short channel materials.
The Jiedu Huazhuo Quyu formula (JHQ) shows significant beneficial effects against liver fibrosis caused by Wilson’s disease (WD). Hence, this study aimed to clarify the mechanisms of the JHQ ...treatment in WD-associated liver fibrosis. First, we collected 103 active compounds and 527 related targets of JHQ and 1187 targets related to WD-associated liver fibrosis from multiple databases. Next, 113 overlapping genes (OGEs) were obtained. Then, we built a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network with Cytoscape 3.7.2 software and performed the Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses with GENE DENOVO online sites. Furthermore, module analysis was performed, and the core target genes in the JHQ treatment of WD-associated liver fibrosis were obtained. Pathway and functional enrichment analyses, molecular docking studies, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, and Western blot (WB) were then performed. The results indicated that 8 key active compounds including quercetin, luteolin, and obacunone in JHQ might affect the 6 core proteins including CXCL8, MAPK1, and AKT1 and 107 related signaling pathways including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, and human cytomegalovirus infection signaling pathways to exhibit curative effects on WD-associated liver fibrosis. Mechanistically, JHQ might inhibit liver inflammatory processes and vascular hyperplasia, regulate the cell cycle, and suppress both the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). This study provides novel insights for researchers to systematically explore the mechanism of JHQ in treating WD-associated liver fibrosis.
Aerosols and droplets are the transmission routes of many respiratory infectious diseases. The COVID-19 management guidance recommends against the use of nebulized inhalation therapy directly in the ...emergency room or in an ambulance to prevent possible viral transmission. The three-dimensional printing method was used to develop an aerosol inhalation treatment mask that can potentially prevent aerosol dispersion. We conducted this utility validation study to understand the practicability of this new nebulizer mask system. The fit test confirmed that the filter can efficiently remove small particles. The different locations of the mask had an excellent fit with a high pressure making a proper face seal usability. The full-face mask appeared to optimize filtration with pressure and is an example of materials that perform well for improvised respiratory protection using this design. The filtering effect test confirmed that the contamination of designated locations could be protected when using the mask with filters. As in the clinical safety test, a total of 18 participants (10 55.6% females; aged 33.1 + or - 0.6 years) were included in the final analysis. There were no significant changes in SPO.sub.2, EtCO.sub.2, HR, SBP, DBP, and RR at the beginning, 20th, 40th, or 60th minutes of the test (all p >.05). The discomfort of wearing a mask increased slightly after time but remained within the tolerable range. The vision clarity score did not significantly change during the test. The mask also passed the breathability test. The results of our study showed that this mask performed adequately in the fit test, the filtering test, and the clinical safety test. The application of a full-face mask with antiviral properties, together with the newly designed shape of a respirator that respects the natural curves of a human face, will facilitate the production of personal protective equipment with a highly efficient filtration system. We conducted three independent tests in this validation study: (1) a fit test to calculate the particle number concentration and its association with potential leakage; (2) a filtering effect test to verify the mask's ability to contain aerosol spread; and (3) a clinical safety test to examine the clinical safety, comfortableness, and visual clarity of the mask.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The use of livestock waste for the production of biogas and the application of biogas slurry to agricultural soil can resolve livestock waste problems and reduce synthetic fertiliser use. However, ...the migration of veterinary drugs to land and crops resulting from biogas slurry irrigation is a potential food safety concern. This study employed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight high-resolution mass spectrometry system for wide-scope suspect screening of pharmaceutically active substances on crop cultivated under biogas slurry irrigation. Briefly, a total of 22 pak choi samples were obtained from a greenhouse farmed in tropical south Taiwan between March 2019 and March 2020. Molecular spectra and fragmented ions (between m/z 70 and 1100) were acquired. Ion features were searched and matched with a library consisting of 1068 compounds. The matrixes in the crop production environment including soil, livestock wastewater, biogas slurry, and groundwater were included in this study to elucidate potential sources of the pharmaceutically active substances. Results demonstrated 23 suspects were matched with high mass accuracy (mass error within ±5.0 ppm) in pak choi. The detection of both bufexamac and nandrolone were confirmed using standards, where a new system of identification points was applied. Nandrolone was detected throughout the pak choi samples as well as livestock wastewater. Tetracycline, macrolide, and sulfonamide antibiotics were presented in biogas slurry and soil but not pak choi. This is the first study to reveal the presence of multiclass pharmaceutically active substances in a crop supplied as food. Such findings suggest that anabolics and antibiotics should be closely monitored in the corps irrigated by biogas slurry in future.
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•Farm samples were screened for 1068 pharmaceutically active substances using HRMS.•Pak choi, intended for human consumption, was irrigated with biogas slurry.•23 substances were tentatively identified and 2 were further confirmed in pak choi.•Nandrolone was prevalent in pak choi and found in livestock wastewater.•Antibiotics rarely occurred in pak choi but could be an environmental soil concern.
•Introduce the quantity of luggage and the group behavior into the aircraft boarding process.•Propose a boarding model with the quantity of luggage and the group behavior.•Explore the influences of ...the quantity of luggage and the group behavior on the boarding efficiency.
A reasonable boarding model can effectively improve the boarding efficiency. Therefore, developing boarding models/strategies to improve the boarding efficiency has been an interesting topic in the air transportation. In this paper, we incorporate the group behavior and the quantity of luggage into the boarding process, and then develop an extended boarding model to investigate the effects of the two factors on the delay time and boarding time. The numerical results show that the quantity of luggage may make each passenger’s boarding behavior more complex, while the group behavior can shorten some passengers’ delay time and the total boarding time. The results can help administrators organize the boarding process and enhance the boarding efficiency.
Guidelines for infant CPR recommend the two-thumb encircling hands technique (TTT) and the two-finger technique (TFT) for chest compression. Some devices have been designed to assist with infant CPR, ...but are often not readily available. Syringe plungers may serve as an alternative infant CPR assist device given their availability in most hospitals. In this study, we aimed to determine whether CPR using a syringe plunger could improve CPR quality measurements on the Resusci-Baby manikin compared with traditional methods of infant CPR.
Compression area with a diameter of 1 to 2 cm is recommended in previous infant CPR device researches. In this is a randomized crossover manikin study, we examined the efficacy of the Syringe Plunger Technique (SPT) which uses the plunger of the 20 ml syringe with a 2 cm diameter flat piston, commonly available in hospital, for infant External Chest Compressions (ECC). Participants performed TTT, TFT and SPT ECC on Resusci® Baby QCPR® according to 2020 BLS guidelines.
Sixty healthcare providers participated in this project. The median (IQR) ECC depths in the TTT, TFT and SPT in the first minute were 41 mm (40–42), 40 mm (38–41) and 40 mm (39–41), respectively, with p < 0.001. The median (IQR) ECC recoil in the TTT, TFT and SPT groups in the first minute was 15% (1–93), 64% (18–96) and 53% (8–95), respectively, with p = 0.003. The result in the second minute had similar findings. The SPT had the best QCPR score and less fatigue.
The performance of chest compression depth and re-rebound ratio was statistically different among the three groups. TTT has good ECC depth and depth accuracy but poor recoil. TFT is the complete opposite. SPT can achieve a depth close to TTT and has a good recoil performance as TFT. Regarding comprehensive performance, SPT obtains the highest QCPR score, and SPT is also less fatigued. SPT may be an effective alternative technique for infant CPR.
Head and neck cancer is highly prevalent in Taiwan. Its treatment mainly relies on clinical staging, usually diagnosed from images. A major part of the diagnosis is whether lymph nodes are involved ...in the tumor. We present an algorithm for analyzing clinical images that integrates a deep learning model with image processing and attempt to analyze the features it uses to classify lymph nodes.
We retrospectively collected pretreatment computed tomography images and surgery pathological reports for 271 patients diagnosed with, and subsequently treated for, naïve oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx cancer between 2008 and 2018. We chose a 3D UNet model trained for semantic segmentation, which was evaluated for inference in a test dataset of 29 patients.
We annotated 2527 lymph nodes. The detection rate of all lymph nodes was 80%, and Dice score was 0.71. The model has a better detection rate at larger lymph nodes. For those identified lymph nodes, we found a trend where the shorter the short axis, the more negative the lymph nodes. This is consistent with clinical observations.
The model showed a convincible lymph node detection on clinical images. We will evaluate and further improve the model in collaboration with clinical physicians.
