Aim
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are used for the removal of rectal carcinoid tumours. There are no current guidelines or consensus on the optimal ...treatment strategy for these lesions. A systematic review was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of ESD and EMR.
Method
The generation of inclusion criteria and analysis of data were based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses recommendations. A systematic literature review was conducted using the following databases: Medline, Embase, SpringerLink, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Science Citation Index and the Cochrane Library. Only papers comparing treatment of rectal carcinoid tumours by EMR and by ESD were selected. The data collected included the patients' demographic information, interventions made, observed outcome and sources of bias.
Results
Four papers were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. ESD was more effective than EMR in complete resection (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.14–0.58; P = 0.000). ESD was as safe as EMR rate difference (RD) −0.01; 95% CI −0.07 to 0.05; P = 0.675. Recurrence rates did not differ significantly between the EMR and ESD groups (RD 0.04; 95% CI −0.01 to 0.09; P = 0.150). The duration of ESD was longer than EMR (standardized mean difference −1.73; 95% CI −2.73 to −0.74; P = 0.001).
Conclusion
The study indicates that ESD is the better treatment for rectal carcinoid tumours.
Semi-solid deformation mechanisms are important in a range of manufacturing and natural phenomena, which range from squeeze casting to magma flows. Using fast synchrotron X-ray tomography and a ...bespoke precision thermomechanical rig, we performed a four-dimensional (3-D plus time) quantitative investigation of the granular behaviour of equiaxed dendritic three-phase materials. This methodology produced new insights into the formation of damage during the isothermal semi-solid compression (∼30% liquid fraction) of an Al–15wt.%Cu alloy at both a macroscopic and microscopic level. Grain rearrangements, such as translation and rotation, were observed and lead to local dilatancy. The resulting flow of Cu-rich intergranular liquid into the dilated interstices gave rise to a local increase in liquid fraction, followed by rapid void growth above a critical axial strain of −6.4%. The local normal and shear strain distributions were quantified using digital volume correlation, identifying dilatant shear bands. At a microstructural level, the individual grains were also seen to undergo intragranular deformation, leading to bending and fragmentation of dendrites as grains interlock.
This paper proposes a Pareto-based grouping discrete harmony search algorithm (PGDHS) to solve the multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP). Two objectives, namely the maximum ...completion time (makespan) and the mean of earliness and tardiness, are considered simultaneously. Firstly, two novel heuristics and several existing heuristics are employed to initialize the harmony memory. Secondly, multiple harmony generation strategies are proposed to improve the performance of harmony search algorithm. The operation sequence in a new harmony is produced based on the encoding method and the characteristics of FJSP. Thirdly, two local search methods based on critical path and due date are embedded to enhance the exploitation capability. Finally, extensive computational experiments are carried out using well-known benchmark instances. Three widely used performance measures, number of non-dominated solutions, diversification metric and quality metric, are employed to test the performance of PGDHS algorithm. Computational results and comparisons show the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed PGDHS algorithm for solving multi-objective flexible job-shop scheduling problem.
Flexible job-shop scheduling problem (FJSP) is a practically useful extension of the classical job shop scheduling problem. This paper proposes an effective discrete harmony search (DHS) algorithm to ...solve FJSP. The objectives are the weighted combination of two minimization criteria namely, the maximum of the completion time (Makespan) and the mean of earliness and tardiness. Firstly, we develop a new method for the initial machine assignment task. Some existing heuristics are also employed for initializing the harmony memory with discrete machine permutation for machine assignment and job permutation for operation sequencing. Secondly, we develop a new rule for the improvisation to produce a new harmony for FJSP incorporating machine assignment and operation sequencing. Thirdly, several local search methods are embedded to enhance the algorithm’s local exploitation ability. Finally, extensive computational experiments are carried out using well-known benchmark instances. Computational results and comparisons show the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed DHS algorithm for solving the FJSP with weighted combination of two objectives.
Glass-forming ability, thermal stability and magnetocaloric properties of Gd25Co25Al25Y25 and Gd25Co25Al25Y15RE10 (RE = Dy, Ho, and Er) high entropy metallic glasses are evaluated. With the ...substitution of Y by adjacent heavy rare earth elements, i.e., Dy, Ho, or Er, the critical dimension (Dc), the width of the supercooled liquid region, magnetic entropy changes (|ΔSM|) and refrigeration capacity (RC) increase obviously. However, the magnetic transition temperature (TC) almost keeps constant around 40 K, which may be attributed to the exchange interaction between Y and transition metal or other rare earth elements. Among resulting Gd25Co25Al25Y15RE10 metallic glasses, the peak values of |ΔSM| and RC can be improved from 6.76 to 7.35 Jkg−1K−1and 424 to 488 Jkg-1 when substituting Dy by Ho. This makes Gd25Co25Al25Y15Ho10 as an attractive candidate for magnetic refrigerants in hydrogen liquefaction temperature range.
•The Gd25Co25Al25Y25 and Gd25Co25Al25Y15RE10 (RE = Dy, Ho, and Er) high entropy metallic glasses were fabricated.•With the substitution of Y by Dy, Ho, or Er, the glassy forming ability, thermal stability, and magnetocaloric properties are improved.•The magnetic transition temperature of these alloys has no obvious correlation with the changing trend of de Gennes factor.•Gd25Co25Al25Y15Ho10 with the excellent refrigeration capacity can be as an attractive candidate for magnetic refrigerants.
Early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is important as it is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for heart failure due to its ...ability to promote cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy; however, the relationship between FGF2 concentration and heart failure is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether FGF2 could aid in distinguishing patients with heart failure from healthy controls and those with dyspnea without heart failure. Additionally, to evaluate the possible correlation between serum FGF2 levels and its diagnostic parameters in patients with heart failure.
Plasma FGF2 concentration was measured in 114 patients with a complaint of dyspnea (enrolled in the study between January 2022 and August 2022). Based on heart failure diagnosis, the patients were assigned to three groups, as follows: heart failure (n = 80), non-heart-failure dyspnea (n = 34), and healthy controls (n = 36), following physical examination. Possible correlations between serum FGF2 levels and other prognostic parameters in patients with heart failure were analyzed.
Serum FGF2 levels were higher in patients with heart failure (125.60 88.95, 183.40 pg/mL) than in those with non-heart-failure dyspnea (65.30 28.85, 78.95 pg/mL) and healthy controls (78.90 60.80, 87.20 pg/mL) (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified FGF2 concentration as a significant predictor in heart failure diagnosis, with an area under the curve of 0.8693 (p < 0.0001). Importantly, in the heart failure group, serum FGF2 concentrations correlated with key prognostic parameters for heart failure, such as reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and elevated serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide.
Elevated serum FGF2 level is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure and could serve as a useful biomarker to complement vital diagnostic parameters for heart failure.
Coastal saltmarshes provide globally important ecosystem services including ‘blue carbon’ sequestration, flood protection, pollutant remediation, habitat provision and cultural value. Large portions ...of marshes have been lost or fragmented as a result of land reclamation, embankment construction, and pollution. Sea level rise threatens marsh survival by blocking landward migration where coastlines have been developed. Research-informed saltmarsh conservation and restoration efforts are helping to prevent further loss, yet significant knowledge gaps remain. Using a mixed methods approach, this paper identifies ten research priorities through an online questionnaire and a residential workshop attended by an international, multi-disciplinary network of 35 saltmarsh experts spanning natural, physical and social sciences across research, policy, and practitioner sectors. Priorities have been grouped under four thematic areas of research: Saltmarsh Area Extent, Change and Restoration Potential (including past, present, global variation), Spatio-social contexts of Ecosystem Service delivery (e.g. influences of environmental context, climate change, and stakeholder groups on service provisioning), Patterns and Processes in saltmarsh functioning (global drivers of saltmarsh ecosystem structure/function) and Management and Policy Needs (how management varies contextually; challenges/opportunities for management). Although not intended to be exhaustive, the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for addressing each research priority examined here, providing a blueprint of the work that needs to be done to protect saltmarshes for future generations.
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•Saltmarshes are key ecosystems for coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services.•Science-based evidence is needed for successful conservation and management.•An international, interdisciplinary network of saltmarsh experts was assembled.•10 top research priorities were identified for future saltmarsh research.
KEY MESSAGE : A novel downy mildew resistance gene, Pl ₁₈ , was introgressed from wild Helianthus argophyllus into cultivated sunflower and genetically mapped to linkage group 2 of the sunflower ...genome. The new germplasm, HA-DM1, carrying Pl ₁₈ has been released to the public. Sunflower downy mildew (DM) is considered to be the most destructive foliar disease that has spread to every major sunflower-growing country of the world, except Australia. A new dominant downy mildew resistance gene (Pl ₁₈) transferred from wild Helianthus argophyllus (PI 494573) into cultivated sunflower was mapped to linkage group (LG) 2 of the sunflower genome using bulked segregant analysis with 869 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Phenotyping 142 BC₁F₂:₃ families derived from the cross of HA 89 and H. argophyllus confirmed the single gene inheritance of resistance. Since no other Pl gene has been mapped to LG2, this gene was novel and designated as Pl ₁₈. SSR markers CRT214 and ORS203 flanked Pl ₁₈ at a genetic distance of 1.1 and 0.4 cM, respectively. Forty-six single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that cover the Pl ₁₈ region were surveyed for saturation mapping of the region. Six co-segregating SNP markers were 1.2 cM distal to Pl ₁₈ , and another four co-segregating SNP markers were 0.9 cM proximal to Pl ₁₈ . The new BC₂F₄-derived germplasm, HA-DM1, carrying Pl ₁₈ has been released to the public. This new line is highly resistant to all Plasmopara halstedii races identified in the USA providing breeders with an effective new source of resistance against downy mildew in sunflower. The molecular markers that were developed will be especially useful in marker-assisted selection and pyramiding of Pl resistance genes because of their close proximity to the gene and the availability of high-throughput SNP detection assays.
Three types of titanium clad steel sheets were fabricated by a hot-roll bonding process at different rolling reductions (40%, 55%, and 65%). The specimens with stacking sequences of TA1/steel/TA1, ...TA1/T2/steel/T2/TA1 and TA1/BAg-8/steel/BAg-8/TA1, corresponding to Ti/steel clad composites bonded without a filler, with a red copper filler, and with a BAg-8 filler, are referred to here as Ti-steel, Ti-T2-steel, and Ti-Ag-steel, respectively. The Ti-steel specimen was prepared by direct hot-roll bonding with its four sides welded by arc welding, while the Ti-T2-steel and Ti-Ag-steel specimens were prepared by a combined brazing and hot-roll bonding process, named as a brazing-rolling process. These three types of as-roll bonded specimens were subjected to heat treatments, under 65% rolling reduction. The bonding quality, interface structure evolution, and mechanical properties of the clad composites were systemically studied. The results showed that the reduction in the shear strength of Ti-T2-steel under 65% rolling reduction was due to the poor interface components. The presence of brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and the rapid increase of α-β Ti at the interface of Ti-T2-steel with increasing temperature were regarded as the key factors influencing interfacial failure. The formation of the TiFe2 phase at 800°C for Ti-Ag-steel provided major sites for the nucleation and propagation of cracks during the tensile tests, leading to interfacial delamination. The experimental elongation values of these three types of clad composites were enhanced significantly at all heat-treatment temperatures compared with the calculated elongation values using the rule of mixture (ROM). In addition, the experimental values of yield strength (YS) decreased while those of the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased for Ti-Ag-steel, in contrast with the corresponding values by ROM, suggesting the favourable formability of the clad composite by lamination owing to low yield ratio.
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