We present models designed to represent the evolution of microstructure and crystallographic texture during recrystallization. For engineering applications the models are tied to a finite element approach. A connectio...We present models designed to represent the evolution of microstructure and crystallographic texture during recrystallization. For engineering applications the models are tied to a finite element approach. A connection to the deformed microstructure is established by dislocation theory of work hardening and Taylor type texture simulations. For temporal and spatial resolution a modified cellular automaton model was developed. A fast statistical approach for prediction of recrystallization kinetics and texture development discrete in time is presented. Predictions of the models are compared with experimental data.展开更多
Small, cysteine-rich, highly stable antifungal proteins secreted by filamentous Ascomycetes have great po- tential for the development of novel antifungal strate- gies. However, their practical application is still li...Small, cysteine-rich, highly stable antifungal proteins secreted by filamentous Ascomycetes have great po- tential for the development of novel antifungal strate- gies. However, their practical application is still limited due to their not fully clarified mode of action. The aim of this work was to provide a deep insight into the anti-fungal mechanism of Neosartorya fischeri antifungal protein （NFAP）, a novel representative of this protein group. Within a short exposure time to NFAP, reduced cellular metabolism, apoptosis induction, changes in the actin distribution and chitin deposition at the hyphal tip were observed in NFAP-sensitive Aspergillus nidulans. NFAP did show neither a direct membrane disrupting- effect nor uptake by endocytosis. Investigation of A. nidulans signalling mutants revealed that NFAP acti- vates the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway via G-protein signalling which leads to apoptosis and inhibition of polar growth. In contrast, NFAP does not have any in- fluence on the cell wall integrity pathway, but an un- known cell wall integrity pathway-independent mitogen activated protein kinase A-activated target is assumed to be involved in the cell death induction. Taken to- gether, it was concluded that NFAP shows similarities, but also differences in its mode of antifungal action compared to two most investigated NFAP-related pro-teins from Aspergillus giganteus and Penicillium chrysogenum.展开更多
Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa ...Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.展开更多
The construction industry continues to rely on conventional materials like cement,which often can come with a high cost and significant environmental impact,particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.To tackle ...The construction industry continues to rely on conventional materials like cement,which often can come with a high cost and significant environmental impact,particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.To tackle the challenges of sustainable development,there is growing interest in using local available materials with low environmental impact.This study primarily focuses on synthesizing and characterizing a geopolymer binder made from local materials found in Benin to stabilize CEB(compressed earth brick).The synthesis involves combining amorphous aluminosilicate powder with a highly concentrated alkaline solution.Local calcined kaolinite clay(metakaolin)and corn cob ash obtained after calcination at 600°C were used with a 12 M sodium hydroxide(NaOH)solution.Different mixtures of geopolymer were formulated substituting metakaolin by corn cob ash at rates of 0%,5%,10%,and 15%of the dry weight of the mixture.Thereafter physical and mechanical characterization tests were conducted on each formulation.Results showed that geopolymer binders containing 85%metakaolin and 15%corn cob ash exhibited the best physical and mechanical performance(e.g.12.08 MPa for compression strength).Subsequently,this geopolymer formulation was used to stabilize CEB.Characterization revealed that CEBs stabilized with 10%geopolymer exhibit good mechanical properties(6.93 MPa),comparable to those of CEBs stabilized with 10%cement(7.40 MPa),justifying their use as load-bearing walls in construction.展开更多
Although optical microscopy is a widely used technique across various multidisciplinary fields for inspecting small-scale objects,surfaces or organisms,it faces a significant limitation:the lateral resolution of optic...Although optical microscopy is a widely used technique across various multidisciplinary fields for inspecting small-scale objects,surfaces or organisms,it faces a significant limitation:the lateral resolution of optical microscopes is fundamentally constrained by light diffraction.Dielectric micro-spheres,however,offer a promising solution to this issue as they are capable of significantly enhancing lateral resolution through extraordinary phenomena,such as a photonic nanojet.Building upon the potential of dielectric micro-spheres,this paper introduces a novel approach for fabricating 3D micro-devices designed to enhance lateral resolution in optical microscopy.The proposed 3D micro-device comprises a modified coverslip and a micro-sphere,facilitating easy handling and integration into any existing optical microscope.To manufacture the device,two advanced femtosecond laser techniques are employed:femtosecond laser ablation and multi-photon lithography.Femtosecond laser ablation was employed to create a micro-hole in the coverslip,which allows light to be focused through this aperture.Multi-photon lithography was used to fabricate a micro-sphere with a diameter of 20μm,along with a cantilever that positions the above the processed micro-hole and connect it with the coverslip.In this context,advanced processing strategies for multi-photon lithography to produce a micro-sphere with superior surface roughness and almost perfect geometry(λ/8)from a Zr-based hybrid photoresist are demonstrated.The performance of the micro-device was evaluated using Mirau-type coherence scanning interferometry in conjunction with white light illumination at a central wavelength of 600 nm and a calibration grid(Λ=0.28μm,h>50 nm).Here,the 3D micro-device proved to be capable of enhancing lateral resolution beyond the limits achievable with conventional lenses or microscope objectives when used in air.Simultaneously,it maintained the high axial resolution characteristic of Mirau-type coherence scanning interferometry.The results and op展开更多
Gender inclusiveness is important in the rural transformation process of Bangladesh as rural women play key roles in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.Gender inclusiveness also leads to gender equity.We e...Gender inclusiveness is important in the rural transformation process of Bangladesh as rural women play key roles in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.Gender inclusiveness also leads to gender equity.We empirically evaluate relationships between rural transformation and gender inclusiveness in Bangladesh.We consider three rural transformation indicators:high-value commodities’share in agricultural output values,non-farm employment’s share in rural labor employment,and non-agricultural GDP’s share in total GDP.Indicators capturing gender inclusiveness include the per capita rural income of males and females,ratio of investments into gender programs,female access to education,access to healthcare,employment participation,land ownership,and asset ownership.We test the effect of the difference in per capita rural income of males and females and the ratio of their incomes and check for the robustness of the gender variables across different model specifications.Analyzing 128 district-level observations from 32 districts of Bangladesh across four time periods(2000,2005,2010 and 2016),we use both ordinary least squares and fixed effects panel regression models.We find that female land and asset ownership and access to education and healthcare are robust determinants of various stages of rural transformation.Thus,our results suggest that improving women’s ownership of land and assets and investing in women’s education and healthcare will likely contribute to a more inclusive rural transformation.展开更多
Objective:Anoctamin 7(ANO7)is a calcium2+-dependent chloride ion channel protein.Its expression is restricted to prostate epithelial cells.The exact function is unknown.This study aimed to analyze ANO7 expression and ...Objective:Anoctamin 7(ANO7)is a calcium2+-dependent chloride ion channel protein.Its expression is restricted to prostate epithelial cells.The exact function is unknown.This study aimed to analyze ANO7 expression and its clinical significance in prostate cancer(PCa).Methods:ANO7 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 17,747 clinical PCa specimens.Results:ANO7 was strongly expressed in normal prostate glandular cells but often less abundant in cancer cells.ANO7 staining was interpretable in 13,594 cancer tissues and considered strong in 34.4%,moderate in 48.7%,weak in 9.3%,and negative in 7.6%.Reduced staining was tightly linked to adverse tumor features[high classical and quantitative Gleason grade,lymph node metastasis,advanced tumor stage,high Ki67 labeling index,positive surgical margin,and early biochemical recurrence(P<0.0001 each)].The univariate Cox hazard ratio for prostate-specific antigen(PSA)recurrence after prostatectomy in patients with negative vs.strong ANO7 expression was 2.98(95%confidence interval 2.61–3.38).The prognostic impact was independent of established pre-or postoperatively available parameters(P<0.0001).Analysis of annotated molecular data showed that low ANO7 expression was linked to TMPRSS2:ERG fusions(P<0.0001),elevated androgen receptor expression(P<0.0001),as well as presence of 9 of 11 chromosomal deletions(P<0.05 each).A particularly strong association of low ANO7 expression with phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN)deletion may indicate a functional relationship with the PTEN/AKT pathway.Conclusions:These data identify reduced ANO7 protein expression as a strong and independent predictor of poor prognosis in PCa.ANO7 measurement,either alone or in combination,might provide clinically useful prognostic information in PCa.展开更多
Hydraulic conductivity is the ability of a porous media to transfer water through its pore matrix. That is a key parameter for the design and analysis of soil fluid associated structures and issues. This paper present...Hydraulic conductivity is the ability of a porous media to transfer water through its pore matrix. That is a key parameter for the design and analysis of soil fluid associated structures and issues. This paper presents the test results of the vertical hydraulic conductivity k<sub>v</sub><sub> </sub>carried out on one poorly graded sand and three gap graded gravely sand. It was found that the vertical hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil depends on the grain size distribution curve, on the initial relative density of the soil. Compilation of these current test results and other test results published, shows that the common approaches predict well to some extent the vertical hydraulic conductivity k<sub>v</sub> for the poorly graded sand materials and underestimate the k<sub>v</sub> values for gap graded gravely sand materials. Therefore, new approaches are developed for the prediction of the vertical hydraulic conductivity in saturated poorly graded sand and gap graded gravely sand. The derived results from the new approaches lie in the range of the recommended values by (EAU 2012) and (NAVFAC DM 7 1974).展开更多
In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which...In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which is described by a reduction factor α. According to a theory of Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1], this reduction factor is related to the stress conditions in the soil. In an unstable soil, the average stresses acting in the fine portion are believed to be smaller than the average stresses in the coarse portion. It is assumed that the stress ratio and the reduction factor for the hydraulic gradient are almost equal. In order to prove this theory, laboratory tests and discrete element modelings are carried out. Models of stable and unstable soils are established, and the stresses inside the sample are analysed. It is found that indeed in unstable soils the coarse grains are subject to larger stresses. The stress ratios in stable soils are almost unity, whereas in unstable soils smaller stress ratios, which are dependent on the soil composition and on the relative density of the soil, are obtained. A comparison between the results of erosion tests and numerical modeling shows that the stress ratios and the reduction factors are strongly related, as assumed by Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1].展开更多
Rural transformation can improve poverty reduction,living standards,and health outcomes in developing countries.However,impacts associated with rural transformation vary by region,household,and individual trait(includ...Rural transformation can improve poverty reduction,living standards,and health outcomes in developing countries.However,impacts associated with rural transformation vary by region,household,and individual trait(including gender).While research on rural transformation has been increasing over the last decade,there has been no comprehensive review conducted on the relationships between gender and rural transformation.Here,we conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the impacts of rural transformation on gender and the influence of gender inclusiveness on rural transformation.We reviewed 82 studies from 1960-2021 that explore the relationships between rural transformation and gender.We then developed a framework that captures incidences and flow directions between indicators.Results show that most studies examined the impacts of rural transformation on women and between gender indicators.Few investigated the role of women and the influence of gender inclusiveness on rural transformation.Overall,studies showed that rural transformation typically leads to positive outcomes for women regarding employment,income,and empowerment.However,negative impacts on women’s control over income,stability of new income sources,and access to healthy food are also common.Tailoring future development policies and programs to explicitly account for gender inclusiveness can lead to more successful rural transformation.展开更多
Early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC)has been rising in global prevalence and incidence over the past several decades.Environmental influences,including generational lifestyle changes and rising obesity,contribute to t...Early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC)has been rising in global prevalence and incidence over the past several decades.Environmental influences,including generational lifestyle changes and rising obesity,contribute to these increased rates.While the rise in EOCRC is best documented in western countries,it is seen throughout the world,although EOCRC may have distinct genetic mutations in patients of different ethnic backgrounds.Pathological and molecular characterizations show that EOCRC has a distinct presentation compared with later-onset colorectal cancer(LOCRC).Recent studies have identified DNA,RNA,and protein-level alterations unique to EOCRC,revealing much-needed biomarkers and potential novel therapeutic targets.Many molecular EOCRC studies have been performed with Caucasian and Asian EOCRC cohorts,however,studies of other ethnic backgrounds are limited.In addition,certain molecular characterizations that have been conducted for LOCRC have not yet been repeated in EOCRC,including high-throughput analyses of histone modifications,mRNA splicing,and proteomics on large cohorts.We propose that the complex relationship between cancer and aging should be considered when studying the molecular underpinnings of EOCRC.In this review,we summarize current EOCRC literature,focusing on sporadic molecular alterations in tumors,and their clinical implications.We conclude by discussing current challenges and future directions of EOCRC research efforts.展开更多
In many research disciplines, hypothesis tests are applied to evaluate whether findings are statistically significant or could be explained by chance. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney （WMW） test is among the most popular h...In many research disciplines, hypothesis tests are applied to evaluate whether findings are statistically significant or could be explained by chance. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney （WMW） test is among the most popular hypothesis tests in medicine and life science to analyze if two groups of samples are equally distributed. This nonparametric statistical homogeneity test is commonly applied in molecular diagnosis. Generally, the solution of the WMW test takes a high combinatorial effort for large sample cohorts containing a significant number of ties. Hence, P value is frequently approximated by a normal distribution. We developed EDISON-WMW, a new approach to calcu- late the exact permutation of the two-tailed unpaired WMW test without any corrections required and allowing for ties. The method relies on dynamic programing to solve the combinatorial problem of the WMW test efficiently. Beyond a straightforward implementation of the algorithm, we pre- sented different optimization strategies and developed a parallel solution. Using our program, the exact P value for large cohorts containing more than 1000 samples with ties can be calculated within minutes. We demonstrate the performance of this novel approach on randomly-generated data, benchmark it against 13 other commonly-applied approaches and moreover evaluate molec- ular biomarkers for lung carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. We foundthat approximated P values were generally higher than the exact solution provided by EDISON- WMW. Importantly, the algorithm can also be applied to high-throughput omics datasets, where hundreds or thousands of features are included. To provide easy access to the multi-threaded version of EDISON-WMW, a web-based solution of our algorithm is freely available at http：// www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/software/wtest/.展开更多
Wounds are a serious public health problem in our country. Access to effective, low-cost treatment is still far from the reality for many patients leading to a chronic and serious condition. They interfere in the qual...Wounds are a serious public health problem in our country. Access to effective, low-cost treatment is still far from the reality for many patients leading to a chronic and serious condition. They interfere in the quality of life of these individuals who isolate themselves socially constrained by the appearance of their wounds. The report shows the case of a patient with type II diabetes mellitus, with chronic wounds in lymphedema in the lower limbs who was treated with the Scar Acceleration Methodology associated with Complex Decongestive Therapy, leading to an improvement in her social participation and quality of life.展开更多
The knowledge of the internal stability of granular soils is a key factor for the design of granular and filter for the geotechnical infrastructures such as dykes, barrages, weirs and roads embankment. To evaluate the...The knowledge of the internal stability of granular soils is a key factor for the design of granular and filter for the geotechnical infrastructures such as dykes, barrages, weirs and roads embankment. To evaluate the internal instability of granular soils different criteria are generally used in the practice. However, the results of these criteria on the same soil may lead to different evaluations of the internal instability. In this paper the common criteria used for the internal instability have been presented and compared as far as possible. It was found that the most internal instability criteria define a limit value for the secant slope of the grain size distribution curve of the granular soils. Based on this finding an own criterion for the evaluation of the internal instability of granular soil has been developed and compared to the common criteria. A very good agreement between some criteria was found. Furthermore, a site specific assessment for the evaluation of the internal instability of granular soil has been proposed in order to get more confidence in this evaluation.展开更多
Frozen ground is significantly stiffer than unfrozen ground. For bridges supported on deep foundations, bridge stiffness is also measurably higher in winter months. Significant changes due to seasonal freezing in brid...Frozen ground is significantly stiffer than unfrozen ground. For bridges supported on deep foundations, bridge stiffness is also measurably higher in winter months. Significant changes due to seasonal freezing in bridge pier boundary conditions require addi- tional detailing in order to ensure a ductile performance of the bridge during a design earthquake event. This paper reports the lat- est results obtained from a project that systematically investigated the effects of seasonally frozen soil on the seismic behavior of highway bridges in cold regions. A bridge was chosen and was monitored to study its seismic performance and assess the impact of seasonally frozen soil on its dynamic properties. A Finite Element （FE） model was created for this bridge to analyze the impact of seasonal frost. It was found that when frost depth reaches 1.2 m, the first transverse modal frequency increases about 200% when compared with the no-frost case. The results show that seasonal frost has a significant impact on the overall dynamic be- havior of bridges supported by pile foundations in cold regions, and that these effects should be accounted for in seismic design.展开更多
文摘We present models designed to represent the evolution of microstructure and crystallographic texture during recrystallization. For engineering applications the models are tied to a finite element approach. A connection to the deformed microstructure is established by dislocation theory of work hardening and Taylor type texture simulations. For temporal and spatial resolution a modified cellular automaton model was developed. A fast statistical approach for prediction of recrystallization kinetics and texture development discrete in time is presented. Predictions of the models are compared with experimental data.
文摘Small, cysteine-rich, highly stable antifungal proteins secreted by filamentous Ascomycetes have great po- tential for the development of novel antifungal strate- gies. However, their practical application is still limited due to their not fully clarified mode of action. The aim of this work was to provide a deep insight into the anti-fungal mechanism of Neosartorya fischeri antifungal protein （NFAP）, a novel representative of this protein group. Within a short exposure time to NFAP, reduced cellular metabolism, apoptosis induction, changes in the actin distribution and chitin deposition at the hyphal tip were observed in NFAP-sensitive Aspergillus nidulans. NFAP did show neither a direct membrane disrupting- effect nor uptake by endocytosis. Investigation of A. nidulans signalling mutants revealed that NFAP acti- vates the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway via G-protein signalling which leads to apoptosis and inhibition of polar growth. In contrast, NFAP does not have any in- fluence on the cell wall integrity pathway, but an un- known cell wall integrity pathway-independent mitogen activated protein kinase A-activated target is assumed to be involved in the cell death induction. Taken to- gether, it was concluded that NFAP shows similarities, but also differences in its mode of antifungal action compared to two most investigated NFAP-related pro-teins from Aspergillus giganteus and Penicillium chrysogenum.
文摘Elevation is one of many components that influence agriculture, and this in turn affects the level of both inputs and outputs of farmers. This article focuses on the productivity and technical efficiency of 100 cocoa farms using cross-sectional data from areas ranging from 190 to 1021 m above sea level which were classified as low, medium, and high elevation in Davao City, considered as the chocolate capital of the Philippines. Using stochastic frontier analysis, the results showed that the cost of inputs per ha and the number of cocoa trees per ha significantly increase yield. Farms at high elevations were less technically efficient, as this entails lower temperatures and increased rainfall, and cocoa farming in those areas and conditions can be more challenging, especially with changes in farming practices, terrain, and distance to markets. Other significant variables were age of cocoa farms, married farmers, and age of the farmers. Older farms may be more developed, farmers who are married benefit from their spouses being able to readily contribute as farm labor, and lastly, older farmers' inefficiency may likely stem from nonadaptation of newer farming practices. With an average technical efficiency of 0.61, 0.63, and 0.26 in low, medium, and high elevation areas, respectively, farmers therefore have an incentive to improve farm practices and consider topographical variations found in high elevation areas. Recommendations for the improvement of technical efficiency of cocoa farms are better connectivity to markets, enhancing farm practices, and continuation and improvement of government programs on cocoa with an added emphasis on research. For farmers in high elevation areas, mitigating solutions such as sustainable agriculture practices and ecolabelling are key to improving efficiency and minimizing the potential negative impact on upland farming systems. Moreover, such adaptation measures may also contribute to sustainability of cocoa farming in high elevation areas.
基金support received for this work from the UNSTIM Competitive Funds,2023 edition of the University of Science,Technology,Engineering,and Mathematics(UNSTIM).
文摘The construction industry continues to rely on conventional materials like cement,which often can come with a high cost and significant environmental impact,particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.To tackle the challenges of sustainable development,there is growing interest in using local available materials with low environmental impact.This study primarily focuses on synthesizing and characterizing a geopolymer binder made from local materials found in Benin to stabilize CEB(compressed earth brick).The synthesis involves combining amorphous aluminosilicate powder with a highly concentrated alkaline solution.Local calcined kaolinite clay(metakaolin)and corn cob ash obtained after calcination at 600°C were used with a 12 M sodium hydroxide(NaOH)solution.Different mixtures of geopolymer were formulated substituting metakaolin by corn cob ash at rates of 0%,5%,10%,and 15%of the dry weight of the mixture.Thereafter physical and mechanical characterization tests were conducted on each formulation.Results showed that geopolymer binders containing 85%metakaolin and 15%corn cob ash exhibited the best physical and mechanical performance(e.g.12.08 MPa for compression strength).Subsequently,this geopolymer formulation was used to stabilize CEB.Characterization revealed that CEBs stabilized with 10%geopolymer exhibit good mechanical properties(6.93 MPa),comparable to those of CEBs stabilized with 10%cement(7.40 MPa),justifying their use as load-bearing walls in construction.
基金supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions,under grant agreement No.101059253,as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programmeIt also received support from a Feodor Lynen Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.Additional funding was provided by Laserlab-Europe(Proposal IDs:ULF-FORTH_002794 and ULF-FORTH_025264).We further gratefully acknowledge funding by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under grant 16KN053050.The authors would also like to thank Mrs.Aleka Manousaki for SEM technical support.
文摘Although optical microscopy is a widely used technique across various multidisciplinary fields for inspecting small-scale objects,surfaces or organisms,it faces a significant limitation:the lateral resolution of optical microscopes is fundamentally constrained by light diffraction.Dielectric micro-spheres,however,offer a promising solution to this issue as they are capable of significantly enhancing lateral resolution through extraordinary phenomena,such as a photonic nanojet.Building upon the potential of dielectric micro-spheres,this paper introduces a novel approach for fabricating 3D micro-devices designed to enhance lateral resolution in optical microscopy.The proposed 3D micro-device comprises a modified coverslip and a micro-sphere,facilitating easy handling and integration into any existing optical microscope.To manufacture the device,two advanced femtosecond laser techniques are employed:femtosecond laser ablation and multi-photon lithography.Femtosecond laser ablation was employed to create a micro-hole in the coverslip,which allows light to be focused through this aperture.Multi-photon lithography was used to fabricate a micro-sphere with a diameter of 20μm,along with a cantilever that positions the above the processed micro-hole and connect it with the coverslip.In this context,advanced processing strategies for multi-photon lithography to produce a micro-sphere with superior surface roughness and almost perfect geometry(λ/8)from a Zr-based hybrid photoresist are demonstrated.The performance of the micro-device was evaluated using Mirau-type coherence scanning interferometry in conjunction with white light illumination at a central wavelength of 600 nm and a calibration grid(Λ=0.28μm,h>50 nm).Here,the 3D micro-device proved to be capable of enhancing lateral resolution beyond the limits achievable with conventional lenses or microscope objectives when used in air.Simultaneously,it maintained the high axial resolution characteristic of Mirau-type coherence scanning interferometry.The results and op
基金supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
文摘Gender inclusiveness is important in the rural transformation process of Bangladesh as rural women play key roles in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.Gender inclusiveness also leads to gender equity.We empirically evaluate relationships between rural transformation and gender inclusiveness in Bangladesh.We consider three rural transformation indicators:high-value commodities’share in agricultural output values,non-farm employment’s share in rural labor employment,and non-agricultural GDP’s share in total GDP.Indicators capturing gender inclusiveness include the per capita rural income of males and females,ratio of investments into gender programs,female access to education,access to healthcare,employment participation,land ownership,and asset ownership.We test the effect of the difference in per capita rural income of males and females and the ratio of their incomes and check for the robustness of the gender variables across different model specifications.Analyzing 128 district-level observations from 32 districts of Bangladesh across four time periods(2000,2005,2010 and 2016),we use both ordinary least squares and fixed effects panel regression models.We find that female land and asset ownership and access to education and healthcare are robust determinants of various stages of rural transformation.Thus,our results suggest that improving women’s ownership of land and assets and investing in women’s education and healthcare will likely contribute to a more inclusive rural transformation.
基金supported by the Wilhelm Sander-Stiftung(Grant No.2015.010.1)。
文摘Objective:Anoctamin 7(ANO7)is a calcium2+-dependent chloride ion channel protein.Its expression is restricted to prostate epithelial cells.The exact function is unknown.This study aimed to analyze ANO7 expression and its clinical significance in prostate cancer(PCa).Methods:ANO7 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 17,747 clinical PCa specimens.Results:ANO7 was strongly expressed in normal prostate glandular cells but often less abundant in cancer cells.ANO7 staining was interpretable in 13,594 cancer tissues and considered strong in 34.4%,moderate in 48.7%,weak in 9.3%,and negative in 7.6%.Reduced staining was tightly linked to adverse tumor features[high classical and quantitative Gleason grade,lymph node metastasis,advanced tumor stage,high Ki67 labeling index,positive surgical margin,and early biochemical recurrence(P<0.0001 each)].The univariate Cox hazard ratio for prostate-specific antigen(PSA)recurrence after prostatectomy in patients with negative vs.strong ANO7 expression was 2.98(95%confidence interval 2.61–3.38).The prognostic impact was independent of established pre-or postoperatively available parameters(P<0.0001).Analysis of annotated molecular data showed that low ANO7 expression was linked to TMPRSS2:ERG fusions(P<0.0001),elevated androgen receptor expression(P<0.0001),as well as presence of 9 of 11 chromosomal deletions(P<0.05 each).A particularly strong association of low ANO7 expression with phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN)deletion may indicate a functional relationship with the PTEN/AKT pathway.Conclusions:These data identify reduced ANO7 protein expression as a strong and independent predictor of poor prognosis in PCa.ANO7 measurement,either alone or in combination,might provide clinically useful prognostic information in PCa.
文摘Hydraulic conductivity is the ability of a porous media to transfer water through its pore matrix. That is a key parameter for the design and analysis of soil fluid associated structures and issues. This paper presents the test results of the vertical hydraulic conductivity k<sub>v</sub><sub> </sub>carried out on one poorly graded sand and three gap graded gravely sand. It was found that the vertical hydraulic conductivity of saturated soil depends on the grain size distribution curve, on the initial relative density of the soil. Compilation of these current test results and other test results published, shows that the common approaches predict well to some extent the vertical hydraulic conductivity k<sub>v</sub> for the poorly graded sand materials and underestimate the k<sub>v</sub> values for gap graded gravely sand materials. Therefore, new approaches are developed for the prediction of the vertical hydraulic conductivity in saturated poorly graded sand and gap graded gravely sand. The derived results from the new approaches lie in the range of the recommended values by (EAU 2012) and (NAVFAC DM 7 1974).
文摘In unstable soils, a special erosion process termed suffusion can occur under the effect of relatively low hydraulic gradient. The critical hydraulic gradient of an unstable soil is smaller than in stable soils, which is described by a reduction factor α. According to a theory of Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1], this reduction factor is related to the stress conditions in the soil. In an unstable soil, the average stresses acting in the fine portion are believed to be smaller than the average stresses in the coarse portion. It is assumed that the stress ratio and the reduction factor for the hydraulic gradient are almost equal. In order to prove this theory, laboratory tests and discrete element modelings are carried out. Models of stable and unstable soils are established, and the stresses inside the sample are analysed. It is found that indeed in unstable soils the coarse grains are subject to larger stresses. The stress ratios in stable soils are almost unity, whereas in unstable soils smaller stress ratios, which are dependent on the soil composition and on the relative density of the soil, are obtained. A comparison between the results of erosion tests and numerical modeling shows that the stress ratios and the reduction factors are strongly related, as assumed by Skempton and Brogan (1994) [1].
基金supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research(ACIAR,ADP/2017/024)。
文摘Rural transformation can improve poverty reduction,living standards,and health outcomes in developing countries.However,impacts associated with rural transformation vary by region,household,and individual trait(including gender).While research on rural transformation has been increasing over the last decade,there has been no comprehensive review conducted on the relationships between gender and rural transformation.Here,we conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the impacts of rural transformation on gender and the influence of gender inclusiveness on rural transformation.We reviewed 82 studies from 1960-2021 that explore the relationships between rural transformation and gender.We then developed a framework that captures incidences and flow directions between indicators.Results show that most studies examined the impacts of rural transformation on women and between gender indicators.Few investigated the role of women and the influence of gender inclusiveness on rural transformation.Overall,studies showed that rural transformation typically leads to positive outcomes for women regarding employment,income,and empowerment.However,negative impacts on women’s control over income,stability of new income sources,and access to healthy food are also common.Tailoring future development policies and programs to explicitly account for gender inclusiveness can lead to more successful rural transformation.
文摘Early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC)has been rising in global prevalence and incidence over the past several decades.Environmental influences,including generational lifestyle changes and rising obesity,contribute to these increased rates.While the rise in EOCRC is best documented in western countries,it is seen throughout the world,although EOCRC may have distinct genetic mutations in patients of different ethnic backgrounds.Pathological and molecular characterizations show that EOCRC has a distinct presentation compared with later-onset colorectal cancer(LOCRC).Recent studies have identified DNA,RNA,and protein-level alterations unique to EOCRC,revealing much-needed biomarkers and potential novel therapeutic targets.Many molecular EOCRC studies have been performed with Caucasian and Asian EOCRC cohorts,however,studies of other ethnic backgrounds are limited.In addition,certain molecular characterizations that have been conducted for LOCRC have not yet been repeated in EOCRC,including high-throughput analyses of histone modifications,mRNA splicing,and proteomics on large cohorts.We propose that the complex relationship between cancer and aging should be considered when studying the molecular underpinnings of EOCRC.In this review,we summarize current EOCRC literature,focusing on sporadic molecular alterations in tumors,and their clinical implications.We conclude by discussing current challenges and future directions of EOCRC research efforts.
文摘In many research disciplines, hypothesis tests are applied to evaluate whether findings are statistically significant or could be explained by chance. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney （WMW） test is among the most popular hypothesis tests in medicine and life science to analyze if two groups of samples are equally distributed. This nonparametric statistical homogeneity test is commonly applied in molecular diagnosis. Generally, the solution of the WMW test takes a high combinatorial effort for large sample cohorts containing a significant number of ties. Hence, P value is frequently approximated by a normal distribution. We developed EDISON-WMW, a new approach to calcu- late the exact permutation of the two-tailed unpaired WMW test without any corrections required and allowing for ties. The method relies on dynamic programing to solve the combinatorial problem of the WMW test efficiently. Beyond a straightforward implementation of the algorithm, we pre- sented different optimization strategies and developed a parallel solution. Using our program, the exact P value for large cohorts containing more than 1000 samples with ties can be calculated within minutes. We demonstrate the performance of this novel approach on randomly-generated data, benchmark it against 13 other commonly-applied approaches and moreover evaluate molec- ular biomarkers for lung carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. We foundthat approximated P values were generally higher than the exact solution provided by EDISON- WMW. Importantly, the algorithm can also be applied to high-throughput omics datasets, where hundreds or thousands of features are included. To provide easy access to the multi-threaded version of EDISON-WMW, a web-based solution of our algorithm is freely available at http：// www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/software/wtest/.
文摘Wounds are a serious public health problem in our country. Access to effective, low-cost treatment is still far from the reality for many patients leading to a chronic and serious condition. They interfere in the quality of life of these individuals who isolate themselves socially constrained by the appearance of their wounds. The report shows the case of a patient with type II diabetes mellitus, with chronic wounds in lymphedema in the lower limbs who was treated with the Scar Acceleration Methodology associated with Complex Decongestive Therapy, leading to an improvement in her social participation and quality of life.
文摘The knowledge of the internal stability of granular soils is a key factor for the design of granular and filter for the geotechnical infrastructures such as dykes, barrages, weirs and roads embankment. To evaluate the internal instability of granular soils different criteria are generally used in the practice. However, the results of these criteria on the same soil may lead to different evaluations of the internal instability. In this paper the common criteria used for the internal instability have been presented and compared as far as possible. It was found that the most internal instability criteria define a limit value for the secant slope of the grain size distribution curve of the granular soils. Based on this finding an own criterion for the evaluation of the internal instability of granular soil has been developed and compared to the common criteria. A very good agreement between some criteria was found. Furthermore, a site specific assessment for the evaluation of the internal instability of granular soil has been proposed in order to get more confidence in this evaluation.
基金funded by the Alaska University Transportation Center (AUTC) and the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF),under AUTC Project No. 107014
文摘Frozen ground is significantly stiffer than unfrozen ground. For bridges supported on deep foundations, bridge stiffness is also measurably higher in winter months. Significant changes due to seasonal freezing in bridge pier boundary conditions require addi- tional detailing in order to ensure a ductile performance of the bridge during a design earthquake event. This paper reports the lat- est results obtained from a project that systematically investigated the effects of seasonally frozen soil on the seismic behavior of highway bridges in cold regions. A bridge was chosen and was monitored to study its seismic performance and assess the impact of seasonally frozen soil on its dynamic properties. A Finite Element （FE） model was created for this bridge to analyze the impact of seasonal frost. It was found that when frost depth reaches 1.2 m, the first transverse modal frequency increases about 200% when compared with the no-frost case. The results show that seasonal frost has a significant impact on the overall dynamic be- havior of bridges supported by pile foundations in cold regions, and that these effects should be accounted for in seismic design.
