Tea （Camellia sinensis） is one of the most valuable cash crops in southern China; however, the planting distribution of tea crops is not optimal and the production and cultivation regions of tea crops are restricted...Tea （Camellia sinensis） is one of the most valuable cash crops in southern China; however, the planting distribution of tea crops is not optimal and the production and cultivation regions of tea crops are restricted by law and custom. In order to evaluate the suitability of tea crops in Zhejiang Province, the annual mean temperature, the annual accumulated temperature above 10 ℃, the frequency of extremely low temperature below -13 ℃, the mean humidity from April to October, slope, aspect, altitude, soil type, and soil texture were selected from climate, topography, and soil factors as factors for land ecological evaluation by the Delphi method based on the ecological characteristics of tea crops. These nine factors were quantitatively analyzed using a geographic information system （GIS）. The grey relational analysis （GRA） was combined with the analytic hierarchy process （AHP） to address the uncertainties during the process of evaluating the traditional land ecological suitability, and a modified land ecological suitability evaluation （LESE） model was built. Based on the land-use map of Zhejiang Province, the regions that were completely unsuitable for tea cultivation in the province were eliminated and then the spatial distribution of the ecological suitability of tea crops was generated using the modified LESE model and GIS. The results demonstrated that the highly, moderately, and non-suitable regions for the cultivation of tea crops in Zhejiang Province were 27552.66, 42 724.64, and 26507.97 km2, and accounted for 28.47%, 44.14%, and 27.39% of the total evaluation area, respectively. Validation of the method showed a high degree of coincidence with the current planting distribution of tea crops in Zhejiang Province. The modified LESE model combined with GIS could be useful in quickly and accurately evaluating the land ecological suitability of tea crops, providing a scientific basis for the rational distribution of tea crops and acting as a reference to land policy makers and land use 展开更多
Structures undergoing inelastic displacements during earthquake ground motions are known to sustain some amount of residual displacements, which may make them unusable or unsafe. In this study an attempt is made to es...Structures undergoing inelastic displacements during earthquake ground motions are known to sustain some amount of residual displacements, which may make them unusable or unsafe. In this study an attempt is made to estimate residual displacements for elastic-perfectly-plastic single-degree-of-freedom oscillators with a given lateral strength ratio. It is observed in the case of a class of ground motions that there are no trends in the dependence of residual displacement on the temporal features of the ground motion, and thus any estimation of residual displacements should be carried out only in the statistical sense. Statistical estimation of residual displacement spectrum via normalization with respect to inelastic or elastic spectral displacements is considered, and it is found that normalization with respect to inelastic spectral displacements is preferable. Expressions for residual displacement spectra are proposed for both types of normalizations and for the givenlateral-strength-ratio type oscillators.展开更多
Necrotizing otitis externa(NOE)is an aggressive and fast‐evolving infection of the external auditory canal.Late diagnoses and untreated cases can lead to severe,even fatal consequences and so early diagnosis and trea...Necrotizing otitis externa(NOE)is an aggressive and fast‐evolving infection of the external auditory canal.Late diagnoses and untreated cases can lead to severe,even fatal consequences and so early diagnosis and treatment are paramount.NOE is a notoriously challenging diagnosis to make.It is therefore important to understand what diagnostic modalities are available and how otolaryngologists can use them to accurately treat such an aggressive disease.This review aims to evaluate the different diagnostic options available in NOE and discuss their advantages and limitations,thus,providing an up‐to‐date picture of the multimodal approach required in the diagnosis of this disease.展开更多
Efficient electrocatalytic rupture of energy-rich molecules(H_(2)and O_(2))is a green approach for gener-ating clean energy for modern societies.In this context,porphyry-type molecular electrocatalysts act intelligent...Efficient electrocatalytic rupture of energy-rich molecules(H_(2)and O_(2))is a green approach for gener-ating clean energy for modern societies.In this context,porphyry-type molecular electrocatalysts act intelligently toward oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),a fundamental process in fuel cells,due to their redox-rich chemistry,which involves core metal ions and macrocyclic ligands.The concerned scientific community has tried many times to correlate the ORR intermediates with their formation kinetics and simplify the associated multi H+/e-stages during the ORR process,constructing several volcano plots be-tween catalytic Tafel data,turnover frequencies,and overpotentials for many electrocatalysts.Despite the fact that many review articles on molecular electrocatalysts for ORR have been published,understanding the strategic implications and molecular catalyst intelligence towards homogenous ORR has been poorly explored.This review examined the relationships between volcano plots of current vs.thermodynamic parameters and the Sabatier principle in order to explain the intelligence of molecular electrocatalysts and approaches for their creation,as well as the difficulties and potential prospects of molecular electro-catalysts.These facts distinguish this review from previously published articles and will pique the scien-tific community’s interest in avoiding trial-and-error procedures for catalyst creation while also allowing for more exact evaluations of the molecular catalyst’s performance.展开更多
The estimation of residual displacements in a structure due to an anticipated earthquake event has increasingly become an important component of performance-based earthquake engineering because controlling these displ...The estimation of residual displacements in a structure due to an anticipated earthquake event has increasingly become an important component of performance-based earthquake engineering because controlling these displacements plays an important role in ensuring cost-feasible or cost-effective repairs in a damaged structure after the event.An attempt is made in this study to obtain statistical estimates of constant-ductility residual displacement spectra for bilinear and pinching oscillators with 5%initial damping,directly in terms of easily available seismological,site,and model parameters.None of the available models for the bilinear and pinching oscillators are useful when design spectra for a seismic hazard at a site are not available.The statistical estimates of a residual displacement spectrum are proposed in terms of earthquake magnitude,epicentral distance,site geology parameter,and three model parameters for a given set of ductility demand and a hysteretic energy capacity coefficient in the case of bilinear and pinching models,as well as for a given set of pinching parameters for displacement and strength at the breakpoint in the case of pinching model alone.The proposed scaling model is applicable to horizontal ground motions in the western U.S.for earthquake magnitudes less than 7 or epicentral distances greater than 20 km.展开更多
We study here the response of photonic hydrogels(PHs),made of photonic crystals of homogeneous silica particles in polyacrylamide hydrogels(SPHs),to the uranyl ions 22 UO_(2)^(2+) in aqueous solutions.It is found that...We study here the response of photonic hydrogels(PHs),made of photonic crystals of homogeneous silica particles in polyacrylamide hydrogels(SPHs),to the uranyl ions 22 UO_(2)^(2+) in aqueous solutions.It is found that the reflection spectra of the SPH show a peak due to the Bragg diffraction,which exhibits a blue shift in the presence of 22 UO_(2)^(2+).Upon exposure to the SPH,22 UO_(2)^(2+)gets adsorbed on the SPH and forms complex coordinate bonds with multiple ligands on the SPH,which causes shrinking of hydrogel and leads to the blue shift in the diffraction peak.The amount of the blue shift in the diffraction peak increases monotonically up to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)concentrations as high as 2300μM.The equilibration time for the shift in the Bragg peak upon exposure to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)is found to be~30 min.These results are in contrast to the earlier reports on photonic hydrogels of inhomogeneous microgel particles hydrogel(MPH),which shows the threshold 22 UO_(2)^(2+)concentration of~600μM,below which the diffraction peak exhibits a blue shift and a change to a red shift above it.The equilibration time for MPH is~300 min.The observed monotonic blue shift and the faster time response of the SPH to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)as compared to the MPH are explained in terms of homogeneous nature of silica particles in the SPH,against the porous and polymeric nature of microgels in the MPH.We also study the extraction of 22 UO_(2)^(2+)from aqueous solutions using the SPH.The extraction capacity estimated by the arsenazo-III analysis is found to be 112 mM/kg.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)is known to harbor considerable heterogeneity.1 Consequently,it could be hypothesized that similar-appearing tumors might exhibit substantial genetic differences while diverse-appearing tumors ma...Colorectal cancer(CRC)is known to harbor considerable heterogeneity.1 Consequently,it could be hypothesized that similar-appearing tumors might exhibit substantial genetic differences while diverse-appearing tumors may have a similar genetic landscape.2 Due to these differences at the molecular level,they behave or respond differently to therapies as well.CRC progression is a multistep process and involves the accumulation of substantial genetic and epigenetic events in a stage-dependent manner.展开更多
This review describes briefly the beneficial use of two vaccines developed by us for treatment of cancers. The vaccine against Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) is effective in carcinoma of prostate as well...This review describes briefly the beneficial use of two vaccines developed by us for treatment of cancers. The vaccine against Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) is effective in carcinoma of prostate as well as in breast cancers dependent on androgens and estrogens respectively. LHRH being identical in both males and females, the same vaccine is usable in both Prostate and Breast steroid hormones-dependent-cancers. Monoclonal antibodies are finding therapeutic utility in several cancers, and many have received Drugs Regulatory approval. The monoclonals developed by us against hCG and against epitopes present on androgen-independent castration resistant prostate cancers are briefly recapitulated. Anti-hCG antibodies kill several cancers expressing hCG. An example is given of A549 lung carcinoma. MoAb730 and MoAb7B2G10 kill DU-145 and PC-3 androgen-independent castration resistant prostate cancer cells. Some cancers such as MOLT-4, a T-lymphoblastic leukemia, though expressing hCG are not killed by PiPP, the high affinity anti-hCG antibody. Linking the antibody to curcumin however works like a “Magic Bullet”. All MOLT-4 cells are killed by this conjugate, the antibody homes selectively to cancer cells expressing hCG to deliver curcumin which exercises the killing effect. A recombinant vaccine, hCGβ-LTB (human chorionic gonadotropin subunit β linked to B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin of E. coli) has been made, which induces high titre bioeffective antibodies not only in BalbC, but also in other genetic strains of mice. The vaccine employs autoclaved Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MiP) as adjuvant. MiP invigorates both humoral and cell mediated immune responses against Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Besides being a potent adjuvant, MiP used alone heals anogenital warts in humans and has the property of preventing and curing SP2/O Myelomas in mice.展开更多
Objective:Conservative approaches in muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)have been evolved to avoid aggressive surgery,but are limited to elderly,frail,and patients medically unfit for surgery.Our study aimed to asses...Objective:Conservative approaches in muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)have been evolved to avoid aggressive surgery,but are limited to elderly,frail,and patients medically unfit for surgery.Our study aimed to assess the response rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)before radiotherapy(RT)in MIBC patients.Methods:Forty patients with urothelial carcinoma of stage T2-T4a,N0,M0 were enrolled between November 2013 and November 2015,and treated with three cycles of NACT with gemcitabine-cisplatin.Post-NACT response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST)criteria.Patients who achieved complete response(CR)and partial response(PR)>50%were treated with radical RT,and those who had PR<50%,stable disease(SD),and progressive disease(PD)underwent radical cystectomy(RC).Survival analysis was done with Kaplan-Meier method and point-to-time events were analyzed with Cox-proportional hazards regression model.Results:After NACT,35(87.5%)patients achieved either PR>50%or CR,and were treated with RT.Five(12.5%)patients who had PR<50%,SD,or PD underwent RC.All patients who received radiation showed CR after 6 weeks.Median follow-up was 43 months(range:10-66 months)and median overall survival(OS)was not reached.Three-year OS,local control,and disease-free survival were 70.1%,60.9%,50.6%,respectively,and 50%of patients preserved their functioning bladder.Three-year OS rate was 88.9%in patients who achieved CR to NACT,73.1%in patients with PR≥50%and 40%in patients with PR<50%.Conclusion:NACT followed by RT provides a high probability of local response with bladder preservation in CR patients.Appropriate use of this treatment regimen in carefully selected patients may omit the need for morbid surgery.展开更多
Donor-specific transplantation tolerance that enables weaning from immunosuppressive drugs but retains immune competence to non-graft antigens has been a lasting pursuit since the discovery of neonatal tolerance.More ...Donor-specific transplantation tolerance that enables weaning from immunosuppressive drugs but retains immune competence to non-graft antigens has been a lasting pursuit since the discovery of neonatal tolerance.More recently,efforts have been devoted not only to understanding how transplantation tolerance can be induced but also the mechanisms necessary to maintain it as well as how inflammatory exposure challenges its durability.This review focuses on recent advances regarding key peripheral mechanisms of T cell tolerance,with the underlying hypothesis that a combination of several of these mechanisms may afford a more robust and durable tolerance and that a better understanding of these individual pathways may permit longitudinal tracking of tolerance following clinical transplantation to serve as biomarkers.This review may enable a personalized assessment of the degree of tolerance in individual patients and the opportunity to strengthen the robustness of peripheral tolerance.展开更多
BACKGROUND: As per the "Disaster Management Act, 2005" of India, it is mandatory for government hospitals in India to prepare a disaster plan. This study aimed to prepare a disaster manual of a 1 900 bed ter...BACKGROUND: As per the "Disaster Management Act, 2005" of India, it is mandatory for government hospitals in India to prepare a disaster plan. This study aimed to prepare a disaster manual of a 1 900 bed tertiary care hospital, in consultation and involvement of all concerned stakeholders.METHODS: A committee of members from hospital administration, clinical, diagnostic and supportive departments worked on an initial document prepared according to the Act and gave their inputs to frame a final disaster manual.RESULTS: The prepared departmental standard operating procedures involved 116 people(doctors and paramedical staff), and were then synchronized, in 12 committee meetings, to produce the final hospital disaster manual.CONCLUSIONS: The present disaster manual is one of the few comprehensive plans prepared by the stakeholders of a government hospital in India, who themselves form a part of the disaster response team. It also helped in co-ordinated conduction of mock drills.展开更多
The prediction and optimization of surface roughness values remain a critical concern in nano-fluids based minimum quantity lubrication (NFMQL) turning of titanium (grade-2) alloys.Here,we discuss an application of re...The prediction and optimization of surface roughness values remain a critical concern in nano-fluids based minimum quantity lubrication (NFMQL) turning of titanium (grade-2) alloys.Here,we discuss an application of response surface methodology with Box-Cox transformation to determine the optimal cutting parameters for three surface roughness values,i.e.,Ra,Rq,and Rz,in turning of titanium alloy under the NFMQL condition.The surface roughness prediction model has been established based on the selected input parameters such as cutting speed,feed rate,approach angle,and different nano-fluids used.Then the multiple regression technique is used to find the relationship between the given responses and input parameter.Further,the experimental data were optimized through the desirability function approach.The findings from the current investigation showed that feed rate is the most effective parameter followed by cutting speed,different nano-fluids,and approach angle on Ra and Rq values,whereas cutting speed is more effective in the case of Rz under NFMQL conditions.Moreover,the predicted results are comparatively near to the experimental values and hence,the established models of RSM using Box-Cox transformation can be used for prediction satisfactorily.展开更多
Aim:Heparin is a multifaceted compound with uses not only as an anticoagulant,but also as an anti-inflammatory,anti-allergenic,anti-histaminic,anti-serotonin,anti-proteolytic and neoangiogenic agent.The aim of the stu...Aim:Heparin is a multifaceted compound with uses not only as an anticoagulant,but also as an anti-inflammatory,anti-allergenic,anti-histaminic,anti-serotonin,anti-proteolytic and neoangiogenic agent.The aim of the study was to study the effect of topical heparin in the management of second-degree burns.Methods:Between December 2005 and January 2007,60 consecutive patients,aged 10-60 years,with first-and second-degree thermal injuries ranging from 10%to 60%,were randomly enrolled in the study divided into a control group(C)and a heparin group(H)of 30 patients each.Results:Patients treated with topical heparin experienced statistically significant improved pain relief,faster healing,fewer complications and shorter hospital stays.The majority of the patients admitted were in an economically productive age group and were predominantly female.The distribution between the two groups according to age,type of burns and extent of burns was not statistically different.Conclusion:The current study demonstrates the efficacy of topical heparin in the treatment of first-and second-degree burns.展开更多
Graphene nanoplatelets （GNPs） were used as multifunctional nanofiller to enhance thermal and mechanical properties as well as electrical conductivity of two different biodegradable thermoplastics： poly lactide （PL...Graphene nanoplatelets （GNPs） were used as multifunctional nanofiller to enhance thermal and mechanical properties as well as electrical conductivity of two different biodegradable thermoplastics： poly lactide （PLA） and poly （butylene adipate-co-terephthalate） （PBAT）. Morphological investigations showed different levels of GNP dispersion in the two matrices, and consequently physical properties of the two systems exhibited dissimilar behaviours with GNP incorporation. Crystallinity of PLA, determined from differential scanning calorimetry, was observed to increase markedly with addition of GNPs in contrast to the decrease in crystallinity of PBAT. Isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetric analyses also revealed a more significant delay in thermal decomposition of PLA upon addition of GNPs compared to that of PBAT. Furthermore, results showed that increasing GNP content of PLA and PBAT nanocomposites influenced their Young＇s modulus and electrical conductivity in different ways. Modulus of PBAT increased continuously with increasing GNP loading while that of PLA reached a maximum at 9wt% GNPs and then decreased. Moreover, despite the higher conductivity of pure PBAT compared to pure PLA, conductivity of PLA/GNP nanocomposites overtook that of PBATIGNP nanocomposites above a certain GNP concentration. This demonstrated the determining effect of nanoplatelets dispersion state on the matrices properties.展开更多
The molecular signalling pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma have been extensively studied.The treatment of these highly vascular tumors mainly revolves around chemotherapy and surgery.Yet there i...The molecular signalling pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma have been extensively studied.The treatment of these highly vascular tumors mainly revolves around chemotherapy and surgery.Yet there is a high associated morbidity and mortality due to advanced stages,adverse effects owing to chemotherapy and recurrence.The role of Curcumin as an adjuvant remedy is explored in this article.Curcumin stimulates apoptosis of cancer cells,acts as anti-proliferative agent,has anti-angiogenic action,prevents tumor invasiveness and metastasis and prevents recurrence.It also has been proven to decrease the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents and has a synergistic anticancer action.It acts at the molecular level and affects the various metabolic pathways involved in tumorigenesis.It also promotes healing and has anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidant and anti-infective action.This natural phytocompounds has immense anti-cancer potential and holds future promise as an adjuvant remedy to treat liver cancer.展开更多
With the increasing use of metal foams in various engineering applications, investigation of their dynamic behaviour under varying strain rate is necessary. Closed cell aluminium fly ash foam developed through liquid ...With the increasing use of metal foams in various engineering applications, investigation of their dynamic behaviour under varying strain rate is necessary. Closed cell aluminium fly ash foam developed through liquid metallurgy route was investigated for its stress--strain behaviour at different strain rates ranging from 700 s^-1 to 1950 s^-1. The numerical model of split Hopkinson pressure bar （SHPB） was simulated using commercially available finite element code Abaqus/Explicit. Validation of numerical simulation was carried out using available experimental and numerical results. Full scale stress--strain curves wez＇e developed for various strain rates to study the effect of strain rate on compressive strength and energy absorption. The results showed that the closed cell aluminium fly ash foam is sensitive to strain rate.展开更多
Introduction:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are progressive disorders characterized by decreased bone mass,especially in postmenopausal women.These can be associated with body pain,fractures,hearing loss and balance diso...Introduction:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are progressive disorders characterized by decreased bone mass,especially in postmenopausal women.These can be associated with body pain,fractures,hearing loss and balance disorders.The present study aims to evaluate audio-vestibular function in postmenopausal patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis.Methods:The study included 48 postmenopausal women(new subjects)diagnosed with osteoporosis(n=23)or osteopenia(n=25)in the age range of 50e66 years,as well as 28 normal women as controls.Audiological testing included pure tone audiometry(conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry),speech audiometry,impedance audiometry and otoacoustic emissions,including both transient evoked otoacoustic emissions(TEOAEs)and distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs).All subjects also underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing(both ocular and cervical VEMPs).Results:In the present study,hearing was worse at all frequencies in the osteoporosis group in comparison with the osteopenia and control groups,with worse speech recognition and discrimination scores and OAEs.Vestibular function was affected in 95.65%of women with osteoporosis and 76%of those with osteopenia.Conclusion:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are risk factors for vestibular dysfunction and hearing deficits in postmenopausal women.Thus,hearing and vestibular function should be monitored by audiological and vestibular testing periodically in these individuals.展开更多
Zinc oxide （ZnO） thin films were grown on silicon substrate by RF （radio frequency） magnetron sputtering.Surface topography of these films exhibited a nanostructured granular appearance with the size of individual...Zinc oxide （ZnO） thin films were grown on silicon substrate by RF （radio frequency） magnetron sputtering.Surface topography of these films exhibited a nanostructured granular appearance with the size of individual grains between 50 to 100 nm.Corresponding cross-sectional electron micrographs revealed columnar grains in the form of aggregated nanorods/wires with length of about 500 nm,similar to the thickness of these thin films of ZnO nucleated and grown vertically on the silicon substrate.High resolution lattice scale imaging using high resolution transmission electron microscope （HRTEM） elucidated the single crystalline 1010 planes of hexagonal-ZnO constituting the columnar grains with the individual nanorod diameter between 3 and 4 nm.The photoluminescence measurements showed the prominent emission peak at around 460 nm for the blue band,normally attributed to intrinsic defects in particular interstitial zinc （Zn）.These films were further characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）,Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance （EPR） to evaluate various aspects on preferred growth orientations,band structures and vibrational modes originated in such fascinating nano-grained thin films of ZnO.The present investigations inferred that these films are advantageous in various potential applications for fabricating nano-scaled devices.展开更多
Unidirectionally aligned nanorods(NRs)are of great importance for different applications,including displays,lighting,and photodetectors.Recently,many alignment techniques were studied to align quantum rods(QRs).Howeve...Unidirectionally aligned nanorods(NRs)are of great importance for different applications,including displays,lighting,and photodetectors.Recently,many alignment techniques were studied to align quantum rods(QRs).However,the brightness of these films,due to the limited concentration of aligned quantum rods in the film,is not enough for their implementation as brightness enhancement films(BEFs)in displays.This can be ascribed to the poor miscibility of quantum rods in polymer and strong concentration dependence of the polarized emission.The ligands of NR are very important for the alignment and brightness.In this article,we proposed a ligand combination comprising T-shape promesogenic phosphonic acid,which on being photoaligned provides mutually parallel alignment of the quantum rods.The T-shape ligands enable the fabrication of hybrid films with a QRs concentration as high as 10 wt.%–20 wt.%retaining high brightness and luminescence polarization property.Later,we used these films in the in-plane switching(IPS)display backlight that shows the color gamut up to 121%of national television system committee(NTSC)(CIE1931),liquid-crystal display(LCD)efficiency up to 7.9%,power efficacy 103±2 nits/W,and the high brightness of~550±10 nits.Thus,the proposed ligands can be used for the alignment of a variety of nanorods.展开更多
基金Supported by the Agricultural Science and Technology Achievement Transformation Foundation of the Ministry of Sciences and Technology,China (No. 2008GB24160442)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 40871158and 51108405 )
文摘Tea （Camellia sinensis） is one of the most valuable cash crops in southern China; however, the planting distribution of tea crops is not optimal and the production and cultivation regions of tea crops are restricted by law and custom. In order to evaluate the suitability of tea crops in Zhejiang Province, the annual mean temperature, the annual accumulated temperature above 10 ℃, the frequency of extremely low temperature below -13 ℃, the mean humidity from April to October, slope, aspect, altitude, soil type, and soil texture were selected from climate, topography, and soil factors as factors for land ecological evaluation by the Delphi method based on the ecological characteristics of tea crops. These nine factors were quantitatively analyzed using a geographic information system （GIS）. The grey relational analysis （GRA） was combined with the analytic hierarchy process （AHP） to address the uncertainties during the process of evaluating the traditional land ecological suitability, and a modified land ecological suitability evaluation （LESE） model was built. Based on the land-use map of Zhejiang Province, the regions that were completely unsuitable for tea cultivation in the province were eliminated and then the spatial distribution of the ecological suitability of tea crops was generated using the modified LESE model and GIS. The results demonstrated that the highly, moderately, and non-suitable regions for the cultivation of tea crops in Zhejiang Province were 27552.66, 42 724.64, and 26507.97 km2, and accounted for 28.47%, 44.14%, and 27.39% of the total evaluation area, respectively. Validation of the method showed a high degree of coincidence with the current planting distribution of tea crops in Zhejiang Province. The modified LESE model combined with GIS could be useful in quickly and accurately evaluating the land ecological suitability of tea crops, providing a scientific basis for the rational distribution of tea crops and acting as a reference to land policy makers and land use
文摘Structures undergoing inelastic displacements during earthquake ground motions are known to sustain some amount of residual displacements, which may make them unusable or unsafe. In this study an attempt is made to estimate residual displacements for elastic-perfectly-plastic single-degree-of-freedom oscillators with a given lateral strength ratio. It is observed in the case of a class of ground motions that there are no trends in the dependence of residual displacement on the temporal features of the ground motion, and thus any estimation of residual displacements should be carried out only in the statistical sense. Statistical estimation of residual displacement spectrum via normalization with respect to inelastic or elastic spectral displacements is considered, and it is found that normalization with respect to inelastic spectral displacements is preferable. Expressions for residual displacement spectra are proposed for both types of normalizations and for the givenlateral-strength-ratio type oscillators.
文摘Necrotizing otitis externa(NOE)is an aggressive and fast‐evolving infection of the external auditory canal.Late diagnoses and untreated cases can lead to severe,even fatal consequences and so early diagnosis and treatment are paramount.NOE is a notoriously challenging diagnosis to make.It is therefore important to understand what diagnostic modalities are available and how otolaryngologists can use them to accurately treat such an aggressive disease.This review aims to evaluate the different diagnostic options available in NOE and discuss their advantages and limitations,thus,providing an up‐to‐date picture of the multimodal approach required in the diagnosis of this disease.
基金funding this work through large group Research Project under grant number RGP2/172/44.
文摘Efficient electrocatalytic rupture of energy-rich molecules(H_(2)and O_(2))is a green approach for gener-ating clean energy for modern societies.In this context,porphyry-type molecular electrocatalysts act intelligently toward oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),a fundamental process in fuel cells,due to their redox-rich chemistry,which involves core metal ions and macrocyclic ligands.The concerned scientific community has tried many times to correlate the ORR intermediates with their formation kinetics and simplify the associated multi H+/e-stages during the ORR process,constructing several volcano plots be-tween catalytic Tafel data,turnover frequencies,and overpotentials for many electrocatalysts.Despite the fact that many review articles on molecular electrocatalysts for ORR have been published,understanding the strategic implications and molecular catalyst intelligence towards homogenous ORR has been poorly explored.This review examined the relationships between volcano plots of current vs.thermodynamic parameters and the Sabatier principle in order to explain the intelligence of molecular electrocatalysts and approaches for their creation,as well as the difficulties and potential prospects of molecular electro-catalysts.These facts distinguish this review from previously published articles and will pique the scien-tific community’s interest in avoiding trial-and-error procedures for catalyst creation while also allowing for more exact evaluations of the molecular catalyst’s performance.
文摘The estimation of residual displacements in a structure due to an anticipated earthquake event has increasingly become an important component of performance-based earthquake engineering because controlling these displacements plays an important role in ensuring cost-feasible or cost-effective repairs in a damaged structure after the event.An attempt is made in this study to obtain statistical estimates of constant-ductility residual displacement spectra for bilinear and pinching oscillators with 5%initial damping,directly in terms of easily available seismological,site,and model parameters.None of the available models for the bilinear and pinching oscillators are useful when design spectra for a seismic hazard at a site are not available.The statistical estimates of a residual displacement spectrum are proposed in terms of earthquake magnitude,epicentral distance,site geology parameter,and three model parameters for a given set of ductility demand and a hysteretic energy capacity coefficient in the case of bilinear and pinching models,as well as for a given set of pinching parameters for displacement and strength at the breakpoint in the case of pinching model alone.The proposed scaling model is applicable to horizontal ground motions in the western U.S.for earthquake magnitudes less than 7 or epicentral distances greater than 20 km.
文摘We study here the response of photonic hydrogels(PHs),made of photonic crystals of homogeneous silica particles in polyacrylamide hydrogels(SPHs),to the uranyl ions 22 UO_(2)^(2+) in aqueous solutions.It is found that the reflection spectra of the SPH show a peak due to the Bragg diffraction,which exhibits a blue shift in the presence of 22 UO_(2)^(2+).Upon exposure to the SPH,22 UO_(2)^(2+)gets adsorbed on the SPH and forms complex coordinate bonds with multiple ligands on the SPH,which causes shrinking of hydrogel and leads to the blue shift in the diffraction peak.The amount of the blue shift in the diffraction peak increases monotonically up to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)concentrations as high as 2300μM.The equilibration time for the shift in the Bragg peak upon exposure to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)is found to be~30 min.These results are in contrast to the earlier reports on photonic hydrogels of inhomogeneous microgel particles hydrogel(MPH),which shows the threshold 22 UO_(2)^(2+)concentration of~600μM,below which the diffraction peak exhibits a blue shift and a change to a red shift above it.The equilibration time for MPH is~300 min.The observed monotonic blue shift and the faster time response of the SPH to 22 UO_(2)^(2+)as compared to the MPH are explained in terms of homogeneous nature of silica particles in the SPH,against the porous and polymeric nature of microgels in the MPH.We also study the extraction of 22 UO_(2)^(2+)from aqueous solutions using the SPH.The extraction capacity estimated by the arsenazo-III analysis is found to be 112 mM/kg.
基金funded by the Department of Biotechnology India section order 6242-P103/RGCB/PMD/DBT/SMSV/2015.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)is known to harbor considerable heterogeneity.1 Consequently,it could be hypothesized that similar-appearing tumors might exhibit substantial genetic differences while diverse-appearing tumors may have a similar genetic landscape.2 Due to these differences at the molecular level,they behave or respond differently to therapies as well.CRC progression is a multistep process and involves the accumulation of substantial genetic and epigenetic events in a stage-dependent manner.
文摘This review describes briefly the beneficial use of two vaccines developed by us for treatment of cancers. The vaccine against Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) is effective in carcinoma of prostate as well as in breast cancers dependent on androgens and estrogens respectively. LHRH being identical in both males and females, the same vaccine is usable in both Prostate and Breast steroid hormones-dependent-cancers. Monoclonal antibodies are finding therapeutic utility in several cancers, and many have received Drugs Regulatory approval. The monoclonals developed by us against hCG and against epitopes present on androgen-independent castration resistant prostate cancers are briefly recapitulated. Anti-hCG antibodies kill several cancers expressing hCG. An example is given of A549 lung carcinoma. MoAb730 and MoAb7B2G10 kill DU-145 and PC-3 androgen-independent castration resistant prostate cancer cells. Some cancers such as MOLT-4, a T-lymphoblastic leukemia, though expressing hCG are not killed by PiPP, the high affinity anti-hCG antibody. Linking the antibody to curcumin however works like a “Magic Bullet”. All MOLT-4 cells are killed by this conjugate, the antibody homes selectively to cancer cells expressing hCG to deliver curcumin which exercises the killing effect. A recombinant vaccine, hCGβ-LTB (human chorionic gonadotropin subunit β linked to B subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin of E. coli) has been made, which induces high titre bioeffective antibodies not only in BalbC, but also in other genetic strains of mice. The vaccine employs autoclaved Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MiP) as adjuvant. MiP invigorates both humoral and cell mediated immune responses against Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Besides being a potent adjuvant, MiP used alone heals anogenital warts in humans and has the property of preventing and curing SP2/O Myelomas in mice.
文摘Objective:Conservative approaches in muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC)have been evolved to avoid aggressive surgery,but are limited to elderly,frail,and patients medically unfit for surgery.Our study aimed to assess the response rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT)before radiotherapy(RT)in MIBC patients.Methods:Forty patients with urothelial carcinoma of stage T2-T4a,N0,M0 were enrolled between November 2013 and November 2015,and treated with three cycles of NACT with gemcitabine-cisplatin.Post-NACT response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST)criteria.Patients who achieved complete response(CR)and partial response(PR)>50%were treated with radical RT,and those who had PR<50%,stable disease(SD),and progressive disease(PD)underwent radical cystectomy(RC).Survival analysis was done with Kaplan-Meier method and point-to-time events were analyzed with Cox-proportional hazards regression model.Results:After NACT,35(87.5%)patients achieved either PR>50%or CR,and were treated with RT.Five(12.5%)patients who had PR<50%,SD,or PD underwent RC.All patients who received radiation showed CR after 6 weeks.Median follow-up was 43 months(range:10-66 months)and median overall survival(OS)was not reached.Three-year OS,local control,and disease-free survival were 70.1%,60.9%,50.6%,respectively,and 50%of patients preserved their functioning bladder.Three-year OS rate was 88.9%in patients who achieved CR to NACT,73.1%in patients with PR≥50%and 40%in patients with PR<50%.Conclusion:NACT followed by RT provides a high probability of local response with bladder preservation in CR patients.Appropriate use of this treatment regimen in carefully selected patients may omit the need for morbid surgery.
文摘Donor-specific transplantation tolerance that enables weaning from immunosuppressive drugs but retains immune competence to non-graft antigens has been a lasting pursuit since the discovery of neonatal tolerance.More recently,efforts have been devoted not only to understanding how transplantation tolerance can be induced but also the mechanisms necessary to maintain it as well as how inflammatory exposure challenges its durability.This review focuses on recent advances regarding key peripheral mechanisms of T cell tolerance,with the underlying hypothesis that a combination of several of these mechanisms may afford a more robust and durable tolerance and that a better understanding of these individual pathways may permit longitudinal tracking of tolerance following clinical transplantation to serve as biomarkers.This review may enable a personalized assessment of the degree of tolerance in individual patients and the opportunity to strengthen the robustness of peripheral tolerance.
文摘BACKGROUND: As per the "Disaster Management Act, 2005" of India, it is mandatory for government hospitals in India to prepare a disaster plan. This study aimed to prepare a disaster manual of a 1 900 bed tertiary care hospital, in consultation and involvement of all concerned stakeholders.METHODS: A committee of members from hospital administration, clinical, diagnostic and supportive departments worked on an initial document prepared according to the Act and gave their inputs to frame a final disaster manual.RESULTS: The prepared departmental standard operating procedures involved 116 people(doctors and paramedical staff), and were then synchronized, in 12 committee meetings, to produce the final hospital disaster manual.CONCLUSIONS: The present disaster manual is one of the few comprehensive plans prepared by the stakeholders of a government hospital in India, who themselves form a part of the disaster response team. It also helped in co-ordinated conduction of mock drills.
文摘The prediction and optimization of surface roughness values remain a critical concern in nano-fluids based minimum quantity lubrication (NFMQL) turning of titanium (grade-2) alloys.Here,we discuss an application of response surface methodology with Box-Cox transformation to determine the optimal cutting parameters for three surface roughness values,i.e.,Ra,Rq,and Rz,in turning of titanium alloy under the NFMQL condition.The surface roughness prediction model has been established based on the selected input parameters such as cutting speed,feed rate,approach angle,and different nano-fluids used.Then the multiple regression technique is used to find the relationship between the given responses and input parameter.Further,the experimental data were optimized through the desirability function approach.The findings from the current investigation showed that feed rate is the most effective parameter followed by cutting speed,different nano-fluids,and approach angle on Ra and Rq values,whereas cutting speed is more effective in the case of Rz under NFMQL conditions.Moreover,the predicted results are comparatively near to the experimental values and hence,the established models of RSM using Box-Cox transformation can be used for prediction satisfactorily.
文摘Aim:Heparin is a multifaceted compound with uses not only as an anticoagulant,but also as an anti-inflammatory,anti-allergenic,anti-histaminic,anti-serotonin,anti-proteolytic and neoangiogenic agent.The aim of the study was to study the effect of topical heparin in the management of second-degree burns.Methods:Between December 2005 and January 2007,60 consecutive patients,aged 10-60 years,with first-and second-degree thermal injuries ranging from 10%to 60%,were randomly enrolled in the study divided into a control group(C)and a heparin group(H)of 30 patients each.Results:Patients treated with topical heparin experienced statistically significant improved pain relief,faster healing,fewer complications and shorter hospital stays.The majority of the patients admitted were in an economically productive age group and were predominantly female.The distribution between the two groups according to age,type of burns and extent of burns was not statistically different.Conclusion:The current study demonstrates the efficacy of topical heparin in the treatment of first-and second-degree burns.
基金the support received from the Australian Government through a Research Training Program(RTP)Scholarshipthe support received from the School of Engineering,RMIT Universitythe support received from the Australian Research Council(ARC)Research Hub for Future Fibres(IH140100018)funded by the Australian Government
文摘Graphene nanoplatelets （GNPs） were used as multifunctional nanofiller to enhance thermal and mechanical properties as well as electrical conductivity of two different biodegradable thermoplastics： poly lactide （PLA） and poly （butylene adipate-co-terephthalate） （PBAT）. Morphological investigations showed different levels of GNP dispersion in the two matrices, and consequently physical properties of the two systems exhibited dissimilar behaviours with GNP incorporation. Crystallinity of PLA, determined from differential scanning calorimetry, was observed to increase markedly with addition of GNPs in contrast to the decrease in crystallinity of PBAT. Isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetric analyses also revealed a more significant delay in thermal decomposition of PLA upon addition of GNPs compared to that of PBAT. Furthermore, results showed that increasing GNP content of PLA and PBAT nanocomposites influenced their Young＇s modulus and electrical conductivity in different ways. Modulus of PBAT increased continuously with increasing GNP loading while that of PLA reached a maximum at 9wt% GNPs and then decreased. Moreover, despite the higher conductivity of pure PBAT compared to pure PLA, conductivity of PLA/GNP nanocomposites overtook that of PBATIGNP nanocomposites above a certain GNP concentration. This demonstrated the determining effect of nanoplatelets dispersion state on the matrices properties.
文摘The molecular signalling pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma have been extensively studied.The treatment of these highly vascular tumors mainly revolves around chemotherapy and surgery.Yet there is a high associated morbidity and mortality due to advanced stages,adverse effects owing to chemotherapy and recurrence.The role of Curcumin as an adjuvant remedy is explored in this article.Curcumin stimulates apoptosis of cancer cells,acts as anti-proliferative agent,has anti-angiogenic action,prevents tumor invasiveness and metastasis and prevents recurrence.It also has been proven to decrease the adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents and has a synergistic anticancer action.It acts at the molecular level and affects the various metabolic pathways involved in tumorigenesis.It also promotes healing and has anti-inflammatory,anti-oxidant and anti-infective action.This natural phytocompounds has immense anti-cancer potential and holds future promise as an adjuvant remedy to treat liver cancer.
文摘With the increasing use of metal foams in various engineering applications, investigation of their dynamic behaviour under varying strain rate is necessary. Closed cell aluminium fly ash foam developed through liquid metallurgy route was investigated for its stress--strain behaviour at different strain rates ranging from 700 s^-1 to 1950 s^-1. The numerical model of split Hopkinson pressure bar （SHPB） was simulated using commercially available finite element code Abaqus/Explicit. Validation of numerical simulation was carried out using available experimental and numerical results. Full scale stress--strain curves wez＇e developed for various strain rates to study the effect of strain rate on compressive strength and energy absorption. The results showed that the closed cell aluminium fly ash foam is sensitive to strain rate.
文摘Introduction:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are progressive disorders characterized by decreased bone mass,especially in postmenopausal women.These can be associated with body pain,fractures,hearing loss and balance disorders.The present study aims to evaluate audio-vestibular function in postmenopausal patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis.Methods:The study included 48 postmenopausal women(new subjects)diagnosed with osteoporosis(n=23)or osteopenia(n=25)in the age range of 50e66 years,as well as 28 normal women as controls.Audiological testing included pure tone audiometry(conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry),speech audiometry,impedance audiometry and otoacoustic emissions,including both transient evoked otoacoustic emissions(TEOAEs)and distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs).All subjects also underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potentials testing(both ocular and cervical VEMPs).Results:In the present study,hearing was worse at all frequencies in the osteoporosis group in comparison with the osteopenia and control groups,with worse speech recognition and discrimination scores and OAEs.Vestibular function was affected in 95.65%of women with osteoporosis and 76%of those with osteopenia.Conclusion:Osteoporosis and osteopenia are risk factors for vestibular dysfunction and hearing deficits in postmenopausal women.Thus,hearing and vestibular function should be monitored by audiological and vestibular testing periodically in these individuals.
文摘Zinc oxide （ZnO） thin films were grown on silicon substrate by RF （radio frequency） magnetron sputtering.Surface topography of these films exhibited a nanostructured granular appearance with the size of individual grains between 50 to 100 nm.Corresponding cross-sectional electron micrographs revealed columnar grains in the form of aggregated nanorods/wires with length of about 500 nm,similar to the thickness of these thin films of ZnO nucleated and grown vertically on the silicon substrate.High resolution lattice scale imaging using high resolution transmission electron microscope （HRTEM） elucidated the single crystalline 1010 planes of hexagonal-ZnO constituting the columnar grains with the individual nanorod diameter between 3 and 4 nm.The photoluminescence measurements showed the prominent emission peak at around 460 nm for the blue band,normally attributed to intrinsic defects in particular interstitial zinc （Zn）.These films were further characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）,Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance （EPR） to evaluate various aspects on preferred growth orientations,band structures and vibrational modes originated in such fascinating nano-grained thin films of ZnO.The present investigations inferred that these films are advantageous in various potential applications for fabricating nano-scaled devices.
基金supported by the RGC of Hong Kong SAR,China(No.26202019)the funding for The State Key Laboratory of Advanced Displays and Optoelectronics Technologies.
文摘Unidirectionally aligned nanorods(NRs)are of great importance for different applications,including displays,lighting,and photodetectors.Recently,many alignment techniques were studied to align quantum rods(QRs).However,the brightness of these films,due to the limited concentration of aligned quantum rods in the film,is not enough for their implementation as brightness enhancement films(BEFs)in displays.This can be ascribed to the poor miscibility of quantum rods in polymer and strong concentration dependence of the polarized emission.The ligands of NR are very important for the alignment and brightness.In this article,we proposed a ligand combination comprising T-shape promesogenic phosphonic acid,which on being photoaligned provides mutually parallel alignment of the quantum rods.The T-shape ligands enable the fabrication of hybrid films with a QRs concentration as high as 10 wt.%–20 wt.%retaining high brightness and luminescence polarization property.Later,we used these films in the in-plane switching(IPS)display backlight that shows the color gamut up to 121%of national television system committee(NTSC)(CIE1931),liquid-crystal display(LCD)efficiency up to 7.9%,power efficacy 103±2 nits/W,and the high brightness of~550±10 nits.Thus,the proposed ligands can be used for the alignment of a variety of nanorods.
