The purpose of this work is to develop a reliable deep-learning-based method that is capable of synthesizing needed CT from MRI for radiotherapy treatment planning. Simultaneously, we try to enhance ...the resolution of synthetic CT. We adopted pix2pix with a 3D framework, which is a conditional generative adversarial network, to map the MRI data domain into the CT data domain of our dataset. The original dataset contains paired MRI and CT images of 31 subjects; 26 pairs were used for model training and 5 were used for model validation. To identify the correctness of the synthetic CT of models, all of the synthetic CTs were calculated by the quantized image similarity formulas: cosine angle distance, Euclidean distance, mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and mean structural similarity. Two radiologists independently evaluated the satisfaction score, including spatial, detail, contrast, noise, and artifacts, for each imaging attribute. The mean (±standard deviation) of the structural similarity indices (CAD, L2 norm, MSE, PSNR, and MSSIM) between five real CT scans and the synthetic CT scans were 0.96 ± 0.015, 76.83 ± 12.06, 0.00118 ± 0.00037, 29.47 ± 1.35, and 0.84 ± 0.036, respectively. For synthetic CT, radiologists rated the results as evincing excellent satisfaction in spatial geometry and noise level, good satisfaction in contrast and artifacts, and fair imaging details. The similarity index and clinical evaluation results between synthetic CT and original CT guarantee the usability of the proposed method.
Two issues need to be resolved when fabricating p–i–n semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST‐PVSCs) for four‐terminal (4 T) perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells: 1) damage to the underlying ...absorber (MAPbI3), electron transporting layer (6,6‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM), and work function (WF) modifier (polyethylenimine, PEI), resulting from the harsh sputtering conditions for the transparent electrodes (TEs) and 2) low average near‐infrared transmittance (ANT) of TEs. Herein, a unique SnO2 layer to protect the MAPbI3 and PCBM layers is developed and functions as a WF modifier for a new TE (cerium‐doped indium oxide, ICO), which exhibits an excellent ANT of 86.7% in the range of 800−1200 nm. Moreover, a MAPbI3‐based p–i–n ST‐PVSC is prepared, achieving an excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.23%. When it is placed over the Si solar cell, a 4 T tandem solar cell with a PCE of 26.14% is obtained.
Herein, a unique SnO2 layer to protect the underlaying layers from damage of the sputtered transparent electrode is developed. Moreover, a high‐near‐infrared transparent perovskite solar cell using cerium‐doped indium oxide is prepared, achieving a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.23%. As a result, a four‐terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with a PCE of 26.14% is obtained.
An implantable port device provides an easily accessible central route for long-term chemotherapy. Venous catheter migration is one of the rare complications of venous port implantation. It can lead ...to side effects such as pain in the neck, shoulder, or ear, venous thrombosis, and even life-threatening neurologic problems. To date, there are few published studies that discuss such complications.
This retrospective study of venous port implantation in a single center, a Taiwan hospital, was conducted from January 2011 to March 2013. Venous port migration was recorded along with demographic and characteristics of the patients.
Of 298 patients with an implantable import device, venous port migration had occurred in seven, an incidence rate of 2.3%. All seven were male and had received the Bard port Fr 6.6 which had smaller size than TYCO port Fr 7.5 and is made of silicon. Significantly, migration occurred in male patients (P = 0.0006) and in those with lung cancer (P = 0.004). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that lung cancer was a significant risk factor for port migration (odds ratio: 11.59; P = 0.0059). The migration rate of the Bard port Fr 6.6 was 6.7%. The median time between initial venous port implantation and port migration was 35.4 days (range, 7 to 135 days) and 71.4% (5/7) of patients had port migration within 30 days after initial port implantation.
Male sex and lung cancer are risk factors for venous port migration. The type of venous port is also an important risk factor.
Introducing dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) into polyurethane (PU) foams can solve the problem of their poor recyclability. However, a dilemma arises between reprocessability and mechanical robustness ...because of the low bond energies of DCBs. In this work, an aromatic diol (VAN-AM) containing imine bonds is synthesized to serve as the polyol together with castor oil. A series of bio-based polyurethane foams (BPUFs) with tunable bio-based carbon content, apparent density, cell properties and mechanical properties are prepared by adjusting the proportions of VAN-AM and castor oil. Benefiting from the molecular rigidity of VAN-AM, the dynamic imine bonds are enriched in the hard domains of PU. This allows for the kinetic control of the dynamicity of the PU networks. When the foams work at ambient temperature, which is much lower than the glass transition temperature of PU (113 ºC), the frozen segments of the hard domains inhibit the dynamic behavior of the imine bonds even if the latter may be somewhat activated (their triggering temperature ≈ 50 ºC). Consequently, the good mechanical properties of BPUFs can be maintained during service. At higher temperatures (> 113 ºC) or swollen state, the segmental mobility in the hard domains and dynamicity of imine bonds are greatly enhanced. Recycling of BPUFs is enabled as evidenced by hot-pressing the crushed foams into the compact sheets under mild conditions. The findings would facilitate the rational design of crosslinked polymeric foams with both high reprocessability and mechanical performance.
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•Dynamic imine bonds can be enriched in hard phases of PU foams.•Frozen segments in hard domains dominate the dynamicity of the PU networks.•Mechanical property and reprocessibility can be balanced by confining imine bonds.
Increasing rice yield has always been one of the primary objectives of rice breeding. However, panicle degeneration often occurs in rice‐growing regions and severely curbs rice yield. In this study, ...we obtained a new apical panicle degeneration mutant, which induces a marked degeneration rate and diminishes the final grain yield. Cellular and physiological analyses revealed that the apical panicle undergoes programmed cell death, accompanied by excessive accumulations of peroxides. Following, the panicle degeneration gene OsCAX1a was identified in the mutant, which was involved in Ca2+ transport. Hydroponics assays and Ca2+ quantification confirmed that Ca2+ transport and distribution to apical tissues were restricted and over‐accumulated in the mutant sheath. Ca2+ transport between cytoplasm and vacuole was affected, and the reduced Ca2+ content in the vacuole and cell wall of the apical panicle and the decreased Ca2+ absorption appeared in the mutant. RNA‐Seq data indicated that the abnormal CBL (calcineurin b‐like proteins) pathway mediated by deficient Ca2+ might occur in the mutant, resulting in the burst of ROS and programmed cell death in panicles. Our results explained the key role of OsCAX1a in Ca2+ transport and distribution and laid a foundation to further explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms of panicle degeneration in rice.
Summary statement
Panicle degeneration in rice severely curbs yield. In this study, a new apical panicle degeneration mutant was obtained and panicle degeneration gene OsCAX1a was identified, which was involved in Ca2+ transport through tonoplast. To the mutant, Ca2+ transport to apical tissues was restricted and over‐accumulated in the rice sheath. The Ca2+ deficiency resulted in the burst of ROS and programmed cell death in the apical panicles of the mutant.
Increasing rice yield has always been one of the primary objectives of rice breeding. However, panicle degeneration often occurs in rice-growing regions and severely curbs rice yield. In this study, ...we obtained a new apical panicle degeneration mutant, which induces a marked degeneration rate and diminishes the final grain yield. Cellular and physiological analyses revealed that the apical panicle undergoes programmed cell death, accompanied by excessive accumulations of peroxides. Following, the panicle degeneration gene OsCAX1a was identified in the mutant, which was involved in Ca
transport. Hydroponics assays and Ca
quantification confirmed that Ca
transport and distribution to apical tissues were restricted and over-accumulated in the mutant sheath. Ca
transport between cytoplasm and vacuole was affected, and the reduced Ca
content in the vacuole and cell wall of the apical panicle and the decreased Ca
absorption appeared in the mutant. RNA-Seq data indicated that the abnormal CBL (calcineurin b-like proteins) pathway mediated by deficient Ca
might occur in the mutant, resulting in the burst of ROS and programmed cell death in panicles. Our results explained the key role of OsCAX1a in Ca
transport and distribution and laid a foundation to further explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms of panicle degeneration in rice.
Aim: To examine the expression of prostate cancer antigen‐1 (PCA‐1) in prostate cancer (PCa) and to validate it as a potential marker for diagnosis of PCa. Methods:In situ hybridization analysis of ...PCA‐1 mRNA expression was performed on 40 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), 16 high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (HG‐PIN), 74 PCa and 34 other malignant carcinoma specimens. The level of PCA‐1 expression was semiquantitatively scored by assessing both the percentage and intensity of PCA‐1 positive staining cells in the specimens. We then compared the PCA‐1 expression between BPH, HG‐PIN and PCa and evaluated the correlation of PCA‐1 expression level with clinical parameters of PCa. Results: PCA‐1 mRNA was expressed in the majority of both PCa and HG‐PIN specimens but not in BPH and other malignant carcinoma. The expression level of PCA‐1 increased along with a high Gleason score (P < 0.05), and was unrelated to other clinical parameters of PCa (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: The data suggest that PCA‐1 might be a novel diagnostic marker for PCa, and that increased PCA‐1 expression might denote more aggressive variants of PCa.
Through lettuce potting experiments, the effects of different types of biochar (apple branch, corn straw, and modified sorghum straw biochar with phosphoric acid modification) on lettuce growth under ...tetracycline (TC) and copper (Cu) co-pollution were investigated. The results showed that compared with those under CK, the addition of biochar treatment significantly increased the plant height, root length, shoot fresh weight, and root fresh weight of lettuce (
< 0.05). The addition of different biochars significantly increased the nitrate nitrogen, chlorophyll, and soluble protein content in lettuce physiological indicators to varying degrees, while also significantly decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde, proline content, and catalase activity. The effects of biochar on lettuce physiological indicators were consistent during both the seedling and mature stages. Compared with those in CK, the addition of biochar resulted in varying degrees of reduction in the TC and Cu contents of both the aboveground and u
Titanium dioxide (TiO sub(2)) based material is probably the most promising environmentally friendly photocatalyst, with low cost, high photocatalytic activity, and excellent photostability as ...demonstrated in photocatalytic hydrogen generation and in abatement of organic pollutant. In this study, sodium hydrogen titanate nanofibers were prepared by alkaline hydrothermal synthesis at first. Then, a quick screening was carried out to find the appropriate calcination condition for preparing the high catalytically active titanium dioxide nanofibers (TiO sub(2) NFs) with anatase-rutile mixed phase (anatase-rutile TiO sub(2) NFs). The crystalline structure of anatase-rutile TiO sub(2) NFs was analyzed by Raman spectrometer and X-ray diffraction meter. The anatase-rutile TiO sub(2) NFs calcined at 800 degree C for 4 h shows the highest decomposition rate of the brilliant green, higher than that of the commercial photocatalyst - Degussa P25. Furthermore, palladium based nanoparticles was decorated on the surface of anatase-rutile TiO sub(2) NFs to enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen performance. We also developed a method to make use of catalyst materials for large-area coatings and freestanding films by preparing the cellulose/catalyst composite films. The obtained catalysts in this study might be a reasonable alternative for the commercial TiO sub(2), Degussa P25, for photocatalytic applications in the decomposition of organic dyes and photocatalytic hydrogen generation.
Perovskite Solar Cells
In article number 2100891, Yu‐Ching Huang, Wei‐Fang Su, and co‐workers developed a highly efficient semi‐transparent perovskite solar cell (ST‐PVSC) using a unique electron ...transport layer of ligand modified SnO2 on a fullerene derivative and near‐infrared transparent conducting electrode of cerium doped SnO2. The high efficiency 4‐terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells are obtained by employing this new ST‐PVSC.
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