Three-dimensional weighting reconstruction algorithm for circular cone-beam CT under large scan angles

Improving imaging quality of cone-beam CT under large cone angle scan has been an important area of CT imaging research. Considering the idea of conjugate rays and making up missing data, we propose a three-dimensional(3D) weighting reconstruction algorithm for cone-beam CT. The 3D weighting function is added in the back-projection process to reduce the axial density drop and improve the accuracy of FDK algorithm. Having a simple structure, the algorithm can be implemented easily without rebinning the native cone-beam data into coneparallel beam data. Performance of the algorithm is evaluated using two computer simulations and a real industrial component, and the results show that the algorithm achieves better performance in reduction of axial intensity drop artifacts and has a wide range of application.

Phase Ⅱb trial of in vivo electroporation mediated dualplasmid hepatitis B virus DNA vaccine in chronic hepatitis B patients under lamivudine therapy

AIM To assess the efficacy and safety of in vivo electroporation(EP)-mediated dual-plasmid hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA vaccine vs placebo for sequential combination therapy with lamivudine(LAM) in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS Two hundred and twenty-five patients were randomized to receive either LAM + vaccine(vaccine group, n = 109) or LAM + placebo(control group, n = 116). LAM treatment lasted 72 wk. Patients received the DNA vaccine or placebo by intramuscular injection mediated by EP at weeks 12(start of treatment with vaccine or placebo, SOT), 16, 24, and 36(end of treatment with vaccine or placebo, EOT). RESULTS In the modified intent-to-treat population, morepatients had a decrease in HBV DNA > 2 log10 IU/m L in the vaccine group at week 12 after EOT compared with the control group. A trend toward a difference in the number of patients with undetectable HBV DNA at week 28 after EOT was obtained. Adverse events were similar. In the dynamic per-protocol set, which excluded adefovir(ADV) add-on cases at each time point instantly after ADV administration due to LAM antiviral failure, more patients had a decrease in HBV DNA > 2 log10 IU/mL in the vaccine group at week 12 and 28 after EOT compared with the control group. More patients with undetectable HBV DNA at week 28 after EOT in the vaccine group were also observed. Among patients with a viral load < 1000 copies/mL at week 12, more patients achieved HBeA g seroconversion in the vaccine group than among controls at week 36 after EOT, as well as less virological breakthrough and YMDD mutations. CONCLUSION The primary endpoint was not achieved using the HBV DNA vaccine. The HBV DNA vaccine could only be beneficial in subjects that have achieved initial virological response under LAM chemotherapy.

Wear behavior of bainite ductile cast iron under impact load

The dry impact wear behavior of bainite ductile cast iron was evaluated under three different impact loads for 30000 cycles. The strain-hardening effects beneath the contact surfaces were analyzed according to the surfaces＇ micro-hardness profiles. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and X-ray diffraction （XRD） were used to observe the wom surfaces. The results indicated that the material with the highest hardness was the one continuously cooled at 20℃, which exhibited the lowest wear rate under each set of test conditions. The hardness of the worn surface and the thickness of the hardened layer increased with the increases in impact load and in the number of test cycles. The better wear performance of the sample cooled at 20℃ is attributed to its finer microstructure and superior mechanical properties. All the samples underwent the transformation induced plasticity （TRIP） phenomenon after impact wear, as revealed by the fact that small amounts of retained austenite were detected by XRD.

Preparation mechanism,physical characteristic and antitumor activity of nano-scheelite

After preparing the EU^3＋-doped scheelite nano-material by Pechini method with the nanoparticles of 30-50 nm in diameter, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and high resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM） were used to show a microcosmic description of the particle morphology and crystal structure. The spectrum signature of the nano-scheelite, which was taken by fluorescence spectrometer, was used to discuss the difference of luminescent performance between the nano-scheelite and bulk scheelite. The atomic site of the nano-scheelite was intuitively shown through HRTEM images and HRTEM simulated images from the relation between luminescent properties and crystal structure, which was analyzed by spectrum probe. The results of antitumor activity examined by the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） method show that the inhibition of human promyelocytic leukemia cell line （HL60） is enhanced immediately with increasing the concentration and presents a reliance on the quantity. The results of fluorescence spectra and structure show that the antitumor activity has something to do with micro-structure and surface charge.

Hot Deformation and Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of Austenite-Based Low-Density Fe-Mn-AI-C Steel

The hot deformation and dynamic recrystallization （DRX） behavior of austenite-based Fe-27Mn-ll.5A1- 0.95C steel with a density of 6.55 g cm-3 were investigated by compressive deformation at the temperature range of 900-1150 ℃ and strain rate of 0.01-10 s-1. Typical DRX behavior was observed under chosen deformation conditions and yield-point-elongation-like effect caused by DRX of 6-ferrite. The flow stress characteristics were determined by DRX of the 6-ferrite at early stage and the austenite at later stage, respectively. On the basis of hyperbolic sine function and linear fitting, the calculated thermal activation energy for the experimental steel was 294.204 kJ mo1-1. The occurrence of DRX for both the austenite and the 6-ferrite was estimated and plotted by related Zener-Hollomon equations. A DRX kinetic model of the steel was established by flow stress and peak strain without considering dynamic recovery and 6-ferrite DRX. The effects of deformation temperature and strain rate on DRX volume fraction were discussed in detail. Increasing deformation temperature or strain rate contributes to DRX of both the austenite and the 6-ferrite, whereas a lower strain rate leads to the austenite grains growth and the 6-ferrite evolution, from banded to island-like structure.