Converting TREx-RGB green-channel data to 557.7 nm auroral intensity:Methodology and initial results

The recently deployed Transition Region Explorer(TREx)-RGB(red-green-blue)all-sky imager(ASI)is designed to capture“true color”images of the aurora and airglow.Because the 557.7 nm green line is usually the brightest emission line in visible auroras,the green channel of a TREx-RGB camera is usually dominated by the 557.7 nm emission.Under this rationale,the TREx mission does not include a specific 557.7 nm imager and is designed to use the RGB green-channel data as a proxy for the 557.7 nm aurora.In this study,we present an initial effort to establish the conversion ratio or formula linking the RGB green-channel data to the absolute intensity of 557.7 nm auroras,which is crucial for quantitative uses of the RGB data.We illustrate two approaches:(1)through a comparison with the collocated measurement of green-line auroras from the TREx spectrograph,and(2)through a comparison with the modeled green-line intensity according to realistic electron precipitation flux measurements from low-Earth-orbit satellites,with the aid of an auroral transport model.We demonstrate the procedures and provide initial results for the TREx-RGB ASIs at the Rabbit Lake and Lucky Lake stations.The RGB response is found to be nonlinear.Empirical conversion ratios or formulas between RGB green-channel data and the green-line auroral intensity are given and can be applied immediately by TREx-RGB data users.The methodology established in this study will also be applicable to the upcoming SMILE ASI mission,which will adopt a similar RGB camera system in its deployment.

Risk stratification for radioactive iodine refractoriness using molecular alterations in distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

Objective: Patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC) are often diagnosed with delay and constrained to limited treatment options. The correlation between RAI refractoriness and the underlying genetic characteristics has not been extensively studied.Methods: Adult patients with distant metastatic DTC were enrolled and assigned to undergo next-generation sequencing of a customized 26-gene panel(Thyro Lead). Patients were classified into RAIR-DTC or non-RAIR groups to determine the differences in clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. Molecular risk stratification(MRS) was constructed based on the association between molecular alterations identified and RAI refractoriness, and the results were classified as high, intermediate or low MRS.Results: A total of 220 patients with distant metastases were included, 63.2% of whom were identified as RAIRDTC. Genetic alterations were identified in 90% of all the patients, with BRAF(59.7% vs. 17.3%), TERT promoter(43.9% vs. 7.4%), and TP53 mutations(11.5% vs. 3.7%) being more prevalent in the RAIR-DTC group than in the non-RAIR group, except for RET fusions(15.8% vs. 39.5%), which had the opposite pattern. BRAF and TERT promoter are independent predictors of RAIR-DTC, accounting for 67.6% of patients with RAIR-DTC. MRS was strongly associated with RAI refractoriness(P<0.001), with an odds ratio(OR) of high to low MRS of 7.52 [95%confidence interval(95% CI), 3.96-14.28;P<0.001] and an OR of intermediate to low MRS of 3.20(95% CI,1.01-10.14;P=0.041).Conclusions: Molecular alterations were associated with RAI refractoriness, with BRAF and TERT promoter mutations being the predominant contributors, followed by TP53 and DICER1 mutations. MRS might serve as a valuable tool for both prognosticating clinical outcomes and directing precision-based therapeutic interventions.

Galerkin-based quasi-smooth manifold element(QSME)method for anisotropic heat conduction problems in composites with complex geometry

The accurate and efficient analysis of anisotropic heat conduction problems in complex composites is crucial for structural design and performance evaluation. Traditional numerical methods, such as the finite element method(FEM), often face a trade-off between calculation accuracy and efficiency. In this paper, we propose a quasi-smooth manifold element(QSME) method to address this challenge, and provide the accurate and efficient analysis of two-dimensional(2D) anisotropic heat conduction problems in composites with complex geometry. The QSME approach achieves high calculation precision by a high-order local approximation that ensures the first-order derivative continuity.The results demonstrate that the QSME method is robust and stable, offering both high accuracy and efficiency in the heat conduction analysis. With the same degrees of freedom(DOFs), the QSME method can achieve at least an order of magnitude higher calculation accuracy than the traditional FEM. Additionally, under the same level of calculation error, the QSME method requires 10 times fewer DOFs than the traditional FEM. The versatility of the proposed QSME method extends beyond anisotropic heat conduction problems in complex composites. The proposed QSME method can also be applied to other problems, including fluid flows, mechanical analyses, and other multi-field coupled problems, providing accurate and efficient numerical simulations.

Determination of Coumoxystrobin Residue in Vegetables by QeEChERS-UPLC-MS/MS

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a method for determining residual coumoxystrobin in vegetables using QeEChERS-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(QeEChERS-LC-MS/MS).[Methods]The sample was extracted by acetonitrile,and the extract was purified by QeEChERS,concentrated by nitrogen blowing,and then detected.[Results]Coumoxystrobin had a good linear relation in the range of 0.01-10.0 mg/kg,and the linear equation was y=4686.92×x+5683.28,R^(2)=0.999.The limit of detection was 0.001 mg/kg,and the limit of quantitation was 0.003 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method has the advantages of convenient and fast operation and stable detection process,and can provide technical support for the supervision and monitoring of coumoxystrobin.

Combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel,cisplatin and fluorouracil for patients with advanced and metastatic gastric or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma:a multicenter prospective study

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination regimen of paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-FU （PCF） as first-line or second-line therapy in patients with advanced gastric and esophagogastric junction （EGJ） adenocarcinoma in China. Methods： The patients were treated with paclitaxel 150 mg/m2 on dl; fractionated cisplatin 15 mg/m2 and continuous infusion 5-FU 600 mg/（mLd） intravenously on d 1-d5 of a 21-d cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. Results： Seventy-five patients have been enrolled, among which, 41 received PCF regimen as the first-line therapy （group A） and 34 received the regimen as the second-line therapy （group B） with the median age of 59 years old and Karnofsky performance status （KPS） score 〉80. Toxicities were analyzed in all 75 patients. Seventy-one patients were evaluable for efficacy. The median overall survival （mOS） was 12.0 months （95% CI： 7.9-16.2 months） in group A and 7.3 months （95% CI： 4.3-10.3 months） in group B, respectively. The median progression-free survival （mPFS） was 5.7 months （95% CI： 4.1-7.2 months） and 5.0 months （95% CI： 3.1-6.9 months）, respectively. The response rate （CR^PR） was 40% （16/40; 95% CI： 24.9-56.7%） in group A and 22.6% （7/31; 95% CI： 9.6-41.1%） in group B. Major grade 3 or 4 adverse events include neutropenia （41.3 %）, febrile neutropenia （9.3 %）, nausea/anorexia （10.7%）, and vomiting （5.3 %）. There was no treatment-related death. Conclusions： The combination chemotherapy with PCF is active and tolerable as first-line and second- line therapy in Chinese patients with advanced gastric and EGJ adenocarcinoma. The response and survival of PCF are same as those of DCF, but the tolerance is much better.

Band alignment of p-type oxide/ε-Ga2O3 heterojunctions investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Theε-Ga2O3 p-n heterojunctions(HJ)have been demonstrated using typical p-type oxide semiconductors(NiO or SnO).Theε-Ga2O3 thin film was heteroepitaxial grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD)with three-step growth method.The polycrystalline SnO and NiO thin films were deposited on theε-Ga2O3 thin film by electron-beam evaporation and thermal oxidation,respectively.The valence band offsets(VBO)were determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)to be 2.17 eV at SnO/ε-Ga2O3 and 1.7 eV at NiO/ε-Ga2O3.Considering the bandgaps determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy,the conduction band offsets(CBO)of 0.11 eV at SnO/ε-Ga2O3 and 0.44 eV at NiO/ε-Ga2O3 were obtained.The type-Ⅱband diagrams have been drawn for both p-n HJs.The results are useful to understand the electronic structures at theε-Ga2O3 p-n HJ interface,and design optoelectronic devices based onε-Ga2O3 with novel functionality and improved performance.

Hierarchical CNNPID Based Active Steering Control Method for Intelligent Vehicle Facing Emergency Lane-Changing

To resolve the response delay and overshoot problems of intelligent vehicles facing emergency lane-changing due to proportional-integral-differential(PID)parameter variation,an active steering control method based on Convolutional Neural Network and PID(CNNPID)algorithm is constructed.First,a steering control model based on normal distribution probability function,steady constant radius steering,and instantaneous lane-change-based active for straight and curved roads is established.Second,based on the active steering control model,a three-dimensional constraint-based fifth-order polynomial equation lane-change path is designed to address the stability problem with supersaturation and sideslip due to emergency lane changing.In addition,a hierarchical CNNPID Controller is constructed which includes two layers to avoid collisions facing emergency lane changing,namely,the lane change path tracking PID control layer and the CNN control performance optimization layer.The scaled conjugate gradient backpropagation-based forward propagation control law is designed to optimize the PID control performance based on input parameters,and the elastic backpropagation-based module is adopted for weight correction.Finally,comparison studies and simulation/real vehicle test results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness,significance,and advantages of the proposed controller.

Hepatitis B virus infection in patients with Wilson disease:A large retrospective study

BACKGROUND Wilson disease(WD)is the most common genetic metabolic liver disease.Some studies have shown that comorbidities may have important effects on WD.Data on hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection in patients with WD are limited.AIM To investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of HBV infection in patients with WD.METHODS The clinical data of patients with WD were analyzed retrospectively,and the data of patients with concurrent WD and HBV infection were compared with those of patients with isolated WD.RESULTS Among a total of 915 WD patients recruited,the total prevalence of current and previous HBV infection was 2.1%[95%confidence interval(CI):1.2%-3.0%]and 9.2%(95%CI:7.3%-11.1%),respectively.The main finding of this study was the identification of 19 patients with concurrent WD and chronic hepatitis B(CHB)infection.The diagnosis of WD was missed in all but two patients with CHB infection.The mean delay in the diagnosis of WD in patients with concurrent WD and CHB infection was 32.5 mo,which was significantly longer than that in patients with isolated WD(10.5 mo).The rates of severe liver disease and mortality in patients with concurrent WD and CHB infection were significantly higher than those in patients with isolated WD(63.1%vs 19.3%,P=0.000 and 36.8%vs 4.1%,P<0.001,respectively).Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of severe liver disease at the diagnosis of WD in patients with current HBV infection[odds ratio(OR)=7.748;95%CI:2.890-20.774;P=0.000)]or previous HBV infection(OR=5.525;95%CI:3.159-8.739;P=0.000)than in patients with isolated WD.CONCLUSION The total prevalence of current HBV infection in patients with WD was 2.1%.The diagnosis of WD in CHB patients is usually missed.HBV infection is an independent risk factor for severe liver disease in WD patients.The diagnosis of WD should be ruled out in some patients with CHB infection.

非小细胞肺癌围手术期免疫治疗相关不良反应管理的临床诊疗建议

背景与目的肺癌围手术期治疗(术前新辅助治疗及术后辅助治疗)作为手术的重要辅助手段,已成为非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)全程管理中越来越重要的环节。近年来,小规模临床研究发现免疫新辅助治疗主要病理缓解率明显提升,甚至达到完全病理缓解,有望成为NSCLC治疗的重要组成部分。然而,免疫新辅助治疗带来疗效和生存获益,同时,其相关严重不良反应(延误手术、丧失手术机会、死亡等)备受关注。本诊疗建议目的是针对免疫检查点抑制剂相关不良反应(immune-related adverse event,irAE)形成适合国内医疗现状的诊疗方案。方法本文由胸外科专家、肿瘤学专家、胸内科专家以及irAE相关科室专家(消化内科、呼吸内科、心血管内科、感染内科、血液内科、内分泌科、风湿免疫科、神经内科、皮肤科和急诊科)共同完成本诊疗意见的制定工作。专家充分参考irAE指南、胸外科公开发表的大型临床研究数据以及国内医生的临床实战经验和公开发表个案,多学科反复讨论,形成针对围手术期免疫治疗相关不良反应的诊疗建议。结果本诊疗意见涵盖irAE相关的预防、评估、检查、治疗和监测全过程,以便全面、有效的指导临床工作。结论围手术期irAE管理是肺癌免疫围手术期治疗的重要组成部分,随着免疫围手术期治疗的不断发展,未来需要更多的研究,以优化围手术irAE的诊疗。

面向复杂曲率变化的智能车路径跟踪控制

针对智能车路径跟踪过程中对于复杂曲率变化工况适应能力弱的问题,提出了一种基于RBF神经网络补偿模型预测的控制方法。首先以3自由度智能车动力学模型作为预测模型,通过对线性时变方程分析后得到状态转移误差模型,利用RBF神经网络自适应补偿误差,保证控制的精确性,提高了路径跟踪准确性。最后,以中国智能汽车大赛比赛赛道为原型构建了包括直线路段、蛇行路段与双移线路段的复杂路径曲率变化工况,在半实车仿真平台上验证了高速环境下控制方法的路径跟踪效果。结果显示,最大轨迹跟踪误差在0.285 m范围内,并且侧向加速度最大为0.3299 m/s2,保证了路径跟踪的准确性与稳定性。

Efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer:a randomized phase Ⅲ ARTIST trial

The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab with modified irinotecan,leucovorin bolus,and 5-fluorouracil intravenous infusion(mIFL) in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC) has not been well evaluated in randomized clinical trials in Chinese patients.We conducted a phrase Ⅲ trial in which patients with previously untreated mCRC were randomized 2:1 to the mIFL [irinotecan(125 mg/m2),leucovorin(20 mg/m2) bolus,and 5-fluorouracil intravenous infusion(500 mg/m2) weekly for four weeks every six weeks] plus bevacizumab(5 mg/kg every two weeks) group and the mIFL group,respectively.Co-primary objectives were progression-free survival(PFS) and 6-month PFS rate.In total,214 patients were enrolled.Our results showed that addition of bevacizumab to mIFL significantly improved median PFS(4.2 months in the mIFL group vs.8.3 months in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group,P < 0.001),6-month PFS rate(25.0% vs.62.6%,P < 0.001),median overall survival(13.4 months vs.18.7 months,P = 0.014),and response rate(17% vs.35%,P = 0.013).Grades 3 and 4 adverse events included diarrhea(21% in the mIFL group and 26% in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group) and neutropenia(19% in the mIFL group and 33% in the bevacizumab plus mIFL group).No wound-healing complications or congestive heart failure occurred.Our results suggested that bevacizumab plus mIFL is effective and well tolerated as first-line treatment for Chinese patients with mCRC.Clinical benefit and safety profiles were consistent with those observed in pivotal phase Ⅲ trials with mainly Caucasian patients.

Genome-wide Analysis of MYB Gene Family in Potato Provides Insights into Tissue-specific Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

The MYB transcription factor is one of the largest gene families in plants,playing an important role in regulating plant growth,development,response to stress,senescence,and especially the anthocyanin biosynthesis.In this study,A total of 217 MYB genes,including 901R-MYBs,124 R2R3-MYBs,and 3 R1R2R3-MYBs have been identified from the potato genome.The 1R-MYB and R2R3-MYB family members could be divided into 20 and 35 subgroups respectively.Analysis of gene structure and protein motifs revealed that members within the same subgroup presented similar exon/intron and motif organization,further supporting the results of phylogenetic analysis.Potato is an ideal plant to reveal the tissue-specific anthocyanins biosynthesis regulated by MYB,as the anthocyanins could be accumulated in different tissues,showing colorful phenotypes.Five pairs of colored and colorless tissues,stigma,petal,stem,leaf,and tuber flesh,were applied to the transcriptomic analysis.A total of 70 MYB genes were found to be differentially expressed between colored and colorless tissues,and these differentially expressed genes were suspected to regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanin of different tissues.Co-expression analysis identified numerous potential interactive regulators of anthocyanins biosynthesis,involving 39 MYBs,24 bHLHs,2 WD-repeats,and 29 biosynthesis genes.Genome-wide association study(GWAS)of tuber flesh color revealed amajor signal at the end of Chromosome 10,which was co-localized with reported I gene(StMYB88),controlling tuber peel color.Analyses of DEGs(Differentially Expression Genes)revealed that both StMYB88 and StMYB89 were closely related to regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis of tuber flesh.This work offers a comprehensive overview of the MYB family in potato and will lay a foundation for the functional validation of these genes in the tissue-specific regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Serial stimulated thyroglobulin measurements are more specific for detecting distant metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer before radioiodine therapy

Objective: Preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) has the potential to be used in identifying distant metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DM-DTC), but its single level can be affected by remnant thyroid tissue and thyrotropin (TSH). The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the value of serial ps-Tg measurements in identifying DM-DTC specifically. Methods: A total of 317 DTC patients with serial measurements of ps-Tg, TSH and anti-Tg antibody were divided into M1 (n=72) and M0 (n=245) according to the presence of distant metastasis (DM) or not. The initial psTg measurement, with a corresponding TSH exceeding 30 mu IU/mL, was marked as Tg1, and ps-Tg measured right before radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy was defined as Tg2, with a median interval of 8 days. Delta Tg denotes Tg2-Tg1, and Delta TSH denotes TSH2-TSH1. Tg1, Tg2, Delta Tg, and Delta Tg/Delta TSH were tested for efficacy in identifying DM-DTC using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and further compared with chest computed tomography (CT) and posttreatment whole-body RAI scan (RxWBS). Results: Compared with single ps-Tg measurement (Tg1 or Tg2), both Delta Tg and Delta Tg/Delta TSH were more narrowly distributed around zero in the M0 group, which made their distribution in the M1 group more distinguished in a relatively dispersed way. Delta Tg/Delta TSH manifested a higher accuracy (88.64%) and specificity (90.20%) in identifying DM-DTC than Tg1 or Tg2 measurements, with a much higher specificity than chest CT (90.20% vs. 66.00%) and a much higher sensitivity than RxWBS (83.33% vs. 61.11%). Conclusions: Serial ps-Tg measurements even over as short an interval as 8 days hold incremental value in identifying DM-DTC. Delta Tg/Delta TSH is a specific early biochemical marker for DM-DTC.

Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into retinal progenitor cells

Human Wharton＇s jelly mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from fetal umbilical cord. Cells were cultured in serumfree neural stem cellconditioned medium or neural stem cellconditioned medium supplemented with Dkk1, a Wnt/13 catenin pathway antagonist, and LeftyA, a Nodal signaling pathway antagonist to induce differentiation into retinal progenitor cells. Inverted microscopy showed that after induction, the spindleshaped or fibroblastlike Wharton＇s jelly mesenchymal stem cells changed into bulbous cells with numerous processes. Immunofluorescent cytochemical stain ing and reversetranscription PCR showed positive expression of retinal progenitor cell markers, Pax6 and Rx, as well as weakly downregulated nestin expression. These results demonstrate that Wharton＇s jelly mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiating into retinal progenitor cells in vitro.

Clinicopathological parameters predicting recurrence of pT1N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM To identify the clinicopathological characteristics of pT1 N0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) that are associated with tumor recurrence. METHODS We reviewed 216 pT1 N0 thoracic ESCC cases who underwent esophagectomy and thoracoabdominal two-field lymphadenectomy without preoperative chemoradiotherapy. After excluding those cases with clinical follow-up recorded fewer than 3 mo and those who died within 3 mo of surgery, we included 199 cases in the current analysis. Overall survival and recurrencefree survival were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method, and clinicopathological characteristics associated with any recurrence or distant recurrence were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Early recurrence(≤ 24 mo) and correlated parameters were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.RESULTS Forty-seven(24%) patients had a recurrence at 3 to 178(median, 33) mo. The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 80.7%. None of 13 asymptomatic cases had a recurrence. Preoperative clinical symptoms, upper thoracic location, ulcerative or intraluminal mass macroscopic tumor type, tumor invasion depth level, basaloid histology, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor thickness, submucosal invasion thickness, diameter of the largest single tongue of invasion, and complete negative aberrant p53 expression were significantly related to tumor recurrence and/or recurrence-free survival. Upper thoracic tumor location, angiolymphatic invasion, and submucosal invasion thickness were independent predictors of tumor recurrence(Hazard ratios = 3.26, 3.42, and 2.06, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.002, respectively), and a nomogram for predicting recurrence-free survival with these three predictors was constructed. Upper thoracic tumor location and angiolymphatic invasion were independent predictors of distant recurrence. Upper thoracic tumor location, angiolymphatic invasion, submucosal invasion thickness, and diameter of the largest single tongue of invasion were independent predictors of early recurrence.CONCLUSION These results should be useful for designing optimal individual follow-up and therapy for patients with T1 N0 ESCC.

Effects of Different Surfactant Administrations on Cerebral Autoregulation in Preterm Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

To treat respiratory distress syndrome,surfactant is currently delivered via less invasive surfactant administration（LISA） or INtubation SURfactant Extubation（INSURE）.The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the two delivery methods of surfactant on cerebral autoregulation.Near infrared spectroscopy monitoring was carried out to detect cerebral oxygen saturation（Sc O2）,and the mean arterial blood pressure（MABP） was simultaneously recorded.Of 44 preterm infants included,the surfactant was administrated to 22 via LISA and 22 via INSURE.The clinical characteristics,treatments and outcomes of the infants showed no significant differences between the two groups.The correlation coefficient of Sc O2 and MABP（rSc O2-MABP） 5 min before administration was similar in the two groups.During surfactant administration,rSc O2-MABP increased in both groups（0.44±0.10 to 0.54±0.12 in LISA,0.45±0.11 to 0.69±0.09 in INSURE）.In the first and second 5 min after instillation,rSc O2-MABP was not significantly different from baseline in the LISA group,but increased in the first 5 min after instillation（0.59±0.13,P=0.000 compared with the baseline in the same group） and recovered in the second 5 min after instillation（0.48±0.10,P=0.321） in the INSURE group.There were significant differences in the change rates of rSc O2-MABP between the two groups during and after surfactant administration.Our results suggest that cerebral autoregulation may be affected transiently by surfactant administration.The effect duration of LISA is shorter than that of INSURE（〈5 min in LISA vs.5–10 min in INSURE）.

Radiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab for elderly esophageal cancer patients:A phaseⅡclinical trial

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy for elderly patients with non-resectable esophageal carcinoma(EC).Methods:Eligible patients were aged 70 years or older and had treatment-naive,histologically proven inoperable locally advanced EC.Enrolled patients received radiotherapy with a total dose of 50-60 Gy in 25-30 fractions,concurrent with weekly infusion of nimotuzumab.The primary end point was the rate of more than grade 3 toxicities.Results:From June 2011 to July 2016,46 patients with stageⅡ-IV EC with a median age of 76.5 years were enrolled.There were 10,28 and 8 patients with stageⅡ,III and IV disease,respectively.The common acute toxicities included esophagitis(grade 1-2,75.4%;grade 3,8.7%),pneumonitis(grade 1,4.3%;grade 2,6.5%;grade3,2.2%),leukopenia(grade 1-2,60.9%;grade 3-4,4.4%),gastrointestinal reaction(grade 1-2,17.3%;grade 3,2.2%),thrombocytopenia(grade 1-2,21.7%;grade 3,2.2%),and radiothermitis(grade 1-2,39.2%).The incidence of grade 3-4 adverse effects was 17.4%.No grade 5 toxicities were observed.Clinical complete response,partial response,stable disease,and progressive disease were observed in 1(2.2%),31(67.4%),12(26.1%),and 2(4.3%)patients,respectively.The median overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were 17 and 10 months,respectively.The 2-,3-,and 5-year OS and PFS rates were 30.4%,21.7%,19.6%,and 26.1%,19.6%,19.6%,respectively.Conclusions:Nimotuzumab combined with radiotherapy is a safe and effective therapy for elderly patients who are not surgical candidates.Further studies are warranted to confirm its therapeutic effects in elderly EC patients.

Electrochemical deposition of Mg(OH)_(2)/GO composite films for corrosion protection of magnesium alloys

Mg(OH)_(2)/graphene oxide(GO)composite film was electrochemical deposited on AZ91D magnesium alloys at constant potential.The characteristics of the Mg(OH)_(2)/GO composite film were investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM),energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS),X-ray diffractometer(XRD)and Raman spectroscopy.It was shown that the flaky GO randomly distributed in the composite film.Compared with the Mg(OH)_(2)film,the Mg(OH)_(2)/GO composite film exhibited more uniform and compact structure.Potentiodynamic polarization tests revealed that the Mg(OH)_(2)/GO composite film could significantly improve the corrosion resistance of Mg(OH)_(2)film with an obvious positive shift of corrosion potential by 0.19 V and a dramatic reduction of corrosion current density by more than one order of magnitude.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of enthesitis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity and responsiveness of power Doppler ultrasound （PDUS） in detecting enthesitis for ankylosing spondylitis （AS） patients compared to clinical examinations. Twenty AS patients initiating etanerceptunderwent clinical and PDUS examinations of six bilateral entheseal sites at baseline and after 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment. Clinical and PDUS examinations identified at least one entheseal lesion in nine （45%） and 19 （95%） patients, respectively. Furthermore, of 240 entheseal sites examined in these 20 patients, PDUS detected 123 entheseal lesions （51.3% of sites）, compared with only 47 entheseal lesions （19.6%） detected by clinical examination （P〈0.05）. The entheseal lesions found on PDUS were most commonly identified by calcification （33.3%）, tendon edema （29.2%）, abnormal blood flow （25.8%）, a thickened tendon （22.1%）, cortical irregularity （12.9%）, bony erosions （9.6%） and bursitis at the tendon insertion to the bone cortex （7.1%）. Improvements in clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters, and significant decreases in PDUS scores were observed following treatment with etanereept. Improvements in PDUS scores continued during follow-up in patients who entered remission following treatment. In conclusion, PDUS improves detection of structural and inflammatory abnormalities of the enthesis in AS compared to physical examination. In addition, PDUS may be useful inascertaining medications.

Studies of commutation failures in hybrid LCC/MMC HVDC systems

A hybrid of line commutated converters(LCCs)and modular multi-level converters(MMCs)can provide the advantages of both the technologies.However,the commutation failure still exists if the LCC operates as an inverter in a hybrid LCC/MMC system.In this paper,the system behavior during a commutation failure is investigated.Both halfbridge and full-bridge MMCs are considered.Control strategies are examined through simulations conducted in PSCAD/EMTDC.Additionally,commutation failure protection strategies for multi-terminal hybrid LCC/MMC systems with AC and DC circuit breakers are studied.This paper can contribute to the protection design of future hybrid LCC/MMC systems against commutation failures.