Unraveling the efficacy network: A network meta-analysis of adjuvant external beam radiation therapy methods after hepatectomy

BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer is a malignant tumor with a high recurrence rate that significantly affects patient prognosis.Postoperative adjuvant external radiation therapy(RT)has been shown to effectively prevent recurrence after liver cancer resection.However,there are multiple RT techniques available,and the differ-ential effects of these techniques in preventing postoperative liver cancer re-currence require further investigation.AIM To assess the advantages and disadvantages of various adjuvant external RT methods after liver resection based on overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)and to determine the optimal strategy.METHODS This study involved network meta-analyses and followed the PRISMA guidelines.The data of qualified studies published before July 10,2023,were collected from PubMed,Embase,the Web of Science,and the Cochrane Library.We included relevant studies on postoperative external beam RT after liver resection that had OS and DFS as the primary endpoints.The magnitudes of the effects were determined using risk ratios with 95%confidential intervals.The results were analyzed using R software and STATA software.RESULTS A total of 12 studies,including 1265 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after liver resection,were included in this study.There was no significant heterogeneity in the direct paired comparisons,and there were no significant differences in the inclusion or exclusion criteria,intervention measures,or outcome indicators,meeting the assumptions of heterogeneity and transitivity.OS analysis revealed that patients who underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)after resection had longer OS than those who underwent intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)or 3-dimensional conformal RT(3D-CRT).DFS analysis revealed that patients who underwent 3D-CRT after resection had the longest DFS.Patients who underwent IMRT after resection had longer OS than those who underwent 3D-CRT and longer DFS than those who underwent SBRT.CONCLUSION HCC patients who undergo liver cancer resection must consider distinct advantages and disadvantages when choosing between SBRT and 3D-CRT.IMRT,a RT technique that is associated with longer OS than 3D-CRT and longer DFS than SBRT,may be a preferred option.

An Evidence-Based CoCoSo Framework with Double Hierarchy Linguistic Data for Viable Selection of Hydrogen Storage Methods

Hydrogen is the new age alternative energy source to combat energy demand and climate change.Storage of hydrogen is vital for a nation’s growth.Works of literature provide different methods for storing the produced hydrogen,and the rational selection of a viable method is crucial for promoting sustainability and green practices.Typically,hydrogen storage is associated with diverse sustainable and circular economy(SCE)criteria.As a result,the authors consider the situation a multi-criteria decision-making(MCDM)problem.Studies infer that previous models for hydrogen storage method(HSM)selection(i)do not consider preferences in the natural language form;(ii)weights of experts are not methodically determined;(iii)hesitation of experts during criteria weight assessment is not effectively explored;and(iv)three-stage solution of a suitable selection of HSM is unexplored.Driven by these gaps,in this paper,authors put forward a new integrated framework,which considers double hierarchy linguistic information for rating,criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation(CRITIC)for expert weight calculation,evidence-based Bayesian method for criteria weight estimation,and combined compromise solution(CoCoSo)for ranking HSMs.The applicability of the developed framework is testified by using a case example of HSM selection in India.Sensitivity and comparative analysis reveal the merits and limitations of the developed framework.

Deciphering gastric inflammation-induced tumorigenesis through multi-omics data and AI methods

Gastric cancer(GC), the fifth most common cancer globally, remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Inflammation-induced tumorigenesis is the predominant process in GC development;therefore, systematic research in this area should improve understanding of the biological mechanisms that initiate GC development and promote cancer hallmarks. Here, we summarize biological knowledge regarding gastric inflammation-induced tumorigenesis, and characterize the multi-omics data and systems biology methods for investigating GC development. Of note, we highlight pioneering studies in multi-omics data and state-of-the-art network-based algorithms used for dissecting the features of gastric inflammation-induced tumorigenesis, and we propose translational applications in early GC warning biomarkers and precise treatment strategies. This review offers integrative insights for GC research, with the goal of paving the way to novel paradigms for GC precision oncology and prevention.

Fast and Accurate Predictor-Corrector Methods Using Feedback-Accelerated Picard Iteration for Strongly Nonlinear Problems

Although predictor-corrector methods have been extensively applied,they might not meet the requirements of practical applications and engineering tasks,particularly when high accuracy and efficiency are necessary.A novel class of correctors based on feedback-accelerated Picard iteration(FAPI)is proposed to further enhance computational performance.With optimal feedback terms that do not require inversion of matrices,significantly faster convergence speed and higher numerical accuracy are achieved by these correctors compared with their counterparts;however,the computational complexities are comparably low.These advantages enable nonlinear engineering problems to be solved quickly and accurately,even with rough initial guesses from elementary predictors.The proposed method offers flexibility,enabling the use of the generated correctors for either bulk processing of collocation nodes in a domain or successive corrections of a single node in a finite difference approach.In our method,the functional formulas of FAPI are discretized into numerical forms using the collocation approach.These collocated iteration formulas can directly solve nonlinear problems,but they may require significant computational resources because of the manipulation of high-dimensionalmatrices.To address this,the collocated iteration formulas are further converted into finite difference forms,enabling the design of lightweight predictor-corrector algorithms for real-time computation.The generality of the proposed method is illustrated by deriving new correctors for three commonly employed finite-difference approaches:the modified Euler approach,the Adams-Bashforth-Moulton approach,and the implicit Runge-Kutta approach.Subsequently,the updated approaches are tested in solving strongly nonlinear problems,including the Matthieu equation,the Duffing equation,and the low-earth-orbit tracking problem.The numerical findings confirm the computational accuracy and efficiency of the derived predictor-corrector algorithms.

Patients’Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Disposal Methods of Expired and Unused Medicines: Implication for Creation of Drug Take-Back Program

Background: Handling of medicines is a day-to-day activity by patients and many health care providers. However, multiple studies have brought to light inappropriate disposal methods for expired and unused medication (EUM). Improper disposal of expired and unused medicines is hazardous both to humans and the environment. Objective: This sought to measure patients’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on disposal methods of EUM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 384 patients at three outpatient pharmacies at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTHs). The structured questionnaire was used to collect data and STAT version 15.1 was used to analyse the data. Results: 384 respondents participated in this study and, at some point, had EUM. In this study, 356 (92.7%) of the participants reported that they had never heard of a drug take-back system. Most of the participants 285 (74.2%) and 239 (62.2%) kept and donated their unused medicine, respectively. Additionally, 244 (63.5%), 212 (55.2%), and 176 (44.8%) of the participants disposed of expired medicines in the bin or garbage, flushed them in toilets or sinks, or burned them, respectively. Occupation was significantly associated with unsafe disposal of unused medicine [P-value = 0.019]. Conclusion and Relevance: Knowledge of safe disposal methods for EUM was good amongst most participants. However, used unsafe disposal methods. The majority of the participants exhibited positive attitude concerning safe disposal methods. This study highlights the need for drug-take-back program creation in Zambia.

Research Progress of Detection Methods for Microplastics

Microplastics are plastic particles or fibers with a diameter of less than 5 mm,and they widely exist in the environment and pose potential risks to the ecosystem and human health.Microplastics detection can provide basic data for formulating effective environmental protection strategies.In this paper,the physical,chemical and biological detection methods of microplastics are reviewed,and the advantages and disadvantages of different methods are analyzed.The problems and challenges encountered in microplastics detection are analyzed,and the future research is discussed.

Impacts of Aggregation Methods and Trophospecies Number on the Structure and Function of Marine Food Webs

Aggregation of species with similar ecological properties is one of the effective methods to simplify food web researches.However,species aggregation will affect not only the complexity of modeling process but also the accuracy of models’outputs.Selection of aggregation methods and the number of trophospecies are the keys to study the simplification of food web.In this study,three aggregation methods,including taxonomic aggregation(TA),structural equivalence aggregation(SEA),and self-organizing maps(SOM),were analyzed and compared with the linear inverse model–Markov Chain Monte Carlo(LIM-MCMC)model.Impacts of aggregation methods and trophospecies number on food webs were evaluated based on the robustness and unitless of ecological net-work indices.Results showed that aggregation method of SEA performed better than the other two methods in estimating food web structure and function indices.The effects of aggregation methods were driven by the differences in species aggregation principles,which will alter food web structure and function through the redistribution of energy flow.According to the results of mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)which can be applied to evaluate the accuracy of the model,we found that MAPE in food web indices will increase with the reducing trophospecies number,and MAPE in food web function indices were smaller and more stable than those in food web structure indices.Therefore,trade-off between simplifying food webs and reflecting the status of ecosystem should be con-sidered in food web studies.These findings highlight the importance of aggregation methods and trophospecies number in the analy-sis of food web simplification.This study provided a framework to explore the extent to which food web models are affected by dif-ferent species aggregation,and will provide scientific basis for the construction of food webs.

Numerical Simulation of Surrounding Rock Deformation and Grouting Reinforcement of Cross-Fault Tunnel under Different Excavation Methods

Tunnel construction is susceptible to accidents such as loosening, deformation, collapse, and water inrush, especiallyunder complex geological conditions like dense fault areas. These accidents can cause instability and damageto the tunnel. As a result, it is essential to conduct research on tunnel construction and grouting reinforcementtechnology in fault fracture zones to address these issues and ensure the safety of tunnel excavation projects. Thisstudy utilized the Xianglushan cross-fault tunnel to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the construction, support,and reinforcement of a tunnel crossing a fault fracture zone using the three-dimensional finite element numericalmethod. The study yielded the following research conclusions: The excavation conditions of the cross-fault tunnelarray were analyzed to determine the optimal construction method for excavation while controlling deformationand stress in the surrounding rock. The middle partition method (CD method) was found to be the most suitable.Additionally, the effects of advanced reinforcement grouting on the cross-fault fracture zone tunnel were studied,and the optimal combination of grouting reinforcement range (140°) and grouting thickness (1m) was determined.The stress and deformation data obtained fromon-site monitoring of the surrounding rock was slightly lower thanthe numerical simulation results. However, the change trend of both sets of data was found to be consistent. Theseresearch findings provide technical analysis and data support for the construction and design of cross-fault tunnels.

New method of local adjuvant therapy with bicarbonate Ringer’s solution for tumoral calcinosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Tumoral calcinosis is a condition characterized by deposits of calcium phosphate crystals in extra-articular soft tissues,occurring in hemodialysis patients.Calcium phosphate crystals are mainly composed of hydroxyapatite,which is highly infilt-rative to tissues,thus making complete resection difficult.An adjuvant method to remove or resolve the residual crystals during the operation is necessary.CASE SUMMARY A bicarbonate Ringer’s solution with bicarbonate ions(28 mEq/L)was used as the adjuvant.After resecting calcium phosphate deposits of tumoral calcinosis as much as possible,while filling with the solution,residual calcium phosphate deposits at the pseudocyst wall can be gently scraped by fingers or gauze in the operative field.A 49-year-old female undergoing hemodialysis for 15 years had swelling with calcium deposition for 2 years in the shoulders,bilateral hip joints,and the right foot.A shoulder lesion was resected,but the calcification remained and early re-deposition was observed.Considering the difficulty of a complete rection,we devised a bicarbonate dissolution method and excised the foot lesion.After resection of the calcified material,the residual calcified material was washed away with bicarbonate Ringer’s solution.CONCLUSION The bicarbonate dissolution method is a new,simple,and effective treatment for tumoral calcinosis in hemodialysis patients.

Effects of Milling Methods on Rice Flour Properties and Rice Product Quality:A Review

High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products.Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour,during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and quality characteristics of the flour.Although rice flour obtained through mainstream wet milling methods exhibits superior quality,low production efficiency and wastewater discharge limit the development of the industry.Dry milling,on the other hand,conserves water resources,but adversely affects flour performance due to excessive heat generation.As an emerging powder-making technique,semi-dry milling offers a promising solution by enhancing flour quality and reducing environmental impact.This is achieved by minimizing soaking time through hot air treatment while reducing mechanical energy consumption to reach saturated water absorption levels.However,continuous production remains a challenge.This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of various milling technologies on rice flour properties and product qualities.It also discusses key control indicators and technical considerations for rice flour processing equipment and processes.

A comparison study on structure-function relationship of polysaccharides obtained from sea buckthorn berries using different methods:antioxidant and bile acid-binding capacity

In this study,the structural characters,antioxidant activities and bile acid-binding ability of sea buckthorn polysaccharides(HRPs)obtained by the commonly used hot water(HRP-W),pressurized hot water(HRP-H),ultrasonic(HRP-U),acid(HRP-C)and alkali(HRP-A)assisted extraction methods were investigated.The results demonstrated that extraction methods had significant effects on extraction yield,monosaccharide composition,molecular weight,particle size,triple-helical structure,and surface morphology of HRPs except for the major linkage bands.Thermogravimetric analysis showed that HRP-U with filamentous reticular microstructure exhibited better thermal stability.The HRP-A with the lowest molecular weight and highest arabinose content possessed the best antioxidant activities.Moreover,the rheological analysis indicated that HRPs with higher galacturonic acid content and molecular weight showed higher viscosity and stronger crosslinking network(HRP-C,HRP-W and HRP-U),which exhibited stronger bile acid binding capacity.The present findings provide scientific evidence in the preparation technology of sea buckthorn polysaccharides with good antioxidant and bile acid binding capacity which are related to the structure affected by the extraction methods.

Comparative Studies between Picard’s and Taylor’s Methods of Numerical Solutions of First Ordinary Order Differential Equations Arising from Real-Life Problems

To solve the first-order differential equation derived from the problem of a free-falling object and the problem arising from Newton’s law of cooling, the study compares the numerical solutions obtained from Picard’s and Taylor’s series methods. We have carried out a descriptive analysis using the MATLAB software. Picard’s and Taylor’s techniques for deriving numerical solutions are both strong mathematical instruments that behave similarly. All first-order differential equations in standard form that have a constant function on the right-hand side share this similarity. As a result, we can conclude that Taylor’s approach is simpler to use, more effective, and more accurate. We will contrast Rung Kutta and Taylor’s methods in more detail in the following section.

Almost Sure Convergence of Proximal Stochastic Accelerated Gradient Methods

Proximal gradient descent and its accelerated version are resultful methods for solving the sum of smooth and non-smooth problems. When the smooth function can be represented as a sum of multiple functions, the stochastic proximal gradient method performs well. However, research on its accelerated version remains unclear. This paper proposes a proximal stochastic accelerated gradient (PSAG) method to address problems involving a combination of smooth and non-smooth components, where the smooth part corresponds to the average of multiple block sums. Simultaneously, most of convergence analyses hold in expectation. To this end, under some mind conditions, we present an almost sure convergence of unbiased gradient estimation in the non-smooth setting. Moreover, we establish that the minimum of the squared gradient mapping norm arbitrarily converges to zero with probability one.

Two-Stream Approximation to the Radiative Transfer Equation:A New Improvement and Comparative Accuracy with Existing Methods

Mathematical modeling of the interaction between solar radiation and the Earth's atmosphere is formalized by the radiative transfer equation(RTE), whose resolution calls for two-stream approximations among other methods. This paper proposes a new two-stream approximation of the RTE with the development of the phase function and the intensity into a third-order series of Legendre polynomials. This new approach, which adds one more term in the expression of the intensity and the phase function, allows in the conditions of a plane parallel atmosphere a new mathematical formulation of γparameters. It is then compared to the Eddington, Hemispheric Constant, Quadrature, Combined Delta Function and Modified Eddington, and second-order approximation methods with reference to the Discrete Ordinate(Disort) method(δ –128 streams), considered as the most precise. This work also determines the conversion function of the proposed New Method using the fundamental definition of two-stream approximation(F-TSA) developed in a previous work. Notably,New Method has generally better precision compared to the second-order approximation and Hemispheric Constant methods. Compared to the Quadrature and Eddington methods, New Method shows very good precision for wide domains of the zenith angle μ 0, but tends to deviate from the Disort method with the zenith angle, especially for high values of optical thickness. In spite of this divergence in reflectance for high values of optical thickness, very strong correlation with the Disort method(R ≈ 1) was obtained for most cases of optical thickness in this study. An analysis of the Legendre polynomial series for simple functions shows that the high precision is due to the fact that the approximated functions ameliorate the accuracy when the order of approximation increases, although it has been proven that there is a limit order depending on the function from which the precision is lost. This observation indicates that increasing the order of approximation of the phase function of the RTE leads to a better precision in flux calculations. However, this approach may be limited to a certain order that has not been studied in this paper.

Effects of Different Grinding Methods on the Quality of Soybean Bean Milk

[Objectives] This study was conducted to improve the nutritional value of soybean milk, enrich the variety and taste of soybean milk, and find healthy food that is more conducive to people s nutritional needs. [Methods] Whole soybean milk was prepared by grinding with a grinding wheel at a low concentration (low-concentration grinding) and a stainless steel mill at a high concentration (high-concentration grinding). The sensory, physical and chemical characteristics and anti-nutritional factors of whole soybean milk produced by different grinding methods were studied. [Results] Compared with low-concentration grinding, the protein content in soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding increased by 24%, and the dietary fiber content increased by 74.7%. Before and after high-pressure homogenization, the particle size D(4, 3) of soybean milk prepared by low-concentration grinding was 212.1 and 93.59 μm, respectively, and the particle size D(4, 3) of soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding was 134.0 and 64.64 μm, respectively. The trypsin inhibitor activity and phytic acid content of soybean milk prepared by high-concentration grinding were significantly lower than those of soybean milk prepared by low-concentration grinding. [Conclusions] This study improves the diet structure of the broad masses of people, strengthens people s physique, and provides a new idea for the implementation and development of China s "Soybean Action Programme".

Overview of Factors Affecting Dust Deposition on Photovoltaic Cells and Cleaning Methods

Dust deposition on the surface of photovoltaic (PV) cells poses a significant challenge to their efficiency, especially in arid regions characterized by desert and semi-desert conditions. Despite the pronounced impact of dust accumulation, these regions offer optimal solar radiation and minimal cloud cover, making them ideal candidates for widespread PV cell deployment. Various surface cleaning methods exist, each employing distinct approaches. Choosing an appropriate cleaning method requires a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in both dust deposition on module surfaces and dust adhesion to PV cell surfaces. The mechanisms governing dust deposition and adhesion are complex and multifaceted, influenced by factors such as the nature and properties of the dust particles, environmental climatic conditions, characteristics of protective coatings, and the specific location of the PV installation. These factors exhibit regional variations, necessitating the implementation of diverse cleaning approaches tailored to the unique conditions of each location. The first part of this article explores the factors influencing dust deposition on PV cell surfaces, delving into the intricate interplay of environmental variables and particle characteristics. Subsequently, the second part addresses various cleaning methods, offering an analysis of their respective advantages and disadvantages. By comprehensively examining the factors influencing dust accumulation and evaluating the effectiveness of different cleaning strategies, this article aims to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing efforts to optimize the performance and longevity of photovoltaic systems in diverse geographical contexts.

Exploring Digital Visualization Methods in Urban Public Building Space Design

Digital technology has driven the innovation of architectural design methods and tools,applying digital techniques to allow greater possibilities for more innovative and scientific design of public building spaces.This article first analyzes the characteristics of digital visualization and its advantages in the design of urban public building spaces,including aspects such as visualizing three-dimensional expression,rational analysis of building space,Virtual Reality Experience,and integration of design and construction processes.Subsequently,by introducing digital design methods such as parametric design,algorithmic generation,nonlinear design,and artificial intelligence-assisted design,it explores the methods and implementation approaches of digital visualization in the design of public building spaces.The aim is to offer insights and references for the deeper integration of digital technology into architectural design practices.

Analysis of Perioperative Respiratory Care Methods and their Application Value in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Objective:To analyze the perioperative respiratory care methods and application value in children with congenital heart disease.Methods:60 children with congenital heart disease(treated from January 2021 to October 2023)were screened and divided into two groups randomly.Each group consisted of 30 cases.The perioperative routine was used in the control group.The observation group underwent the perioperative routine along with better respiratory care.Oxygenation indicators,surgical complications,and family satisfaction levels of the groups were compared.Results:There was no significant difference in the oxygenation index between the two groups of children at admission(P>0.05).At discharge,the oxygenation indicators in the observation group were better than those of the control group,and the incidence of surgical complications was lower than that of the control group.The total satisfaction of family members in the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:During the perioperative period for children with congenital heart disease,the implementation of respiratory care,which mainly involves symptomatic care,catheter care,sputum suction care,etc.,can actively improve the oxygenation indicators,reduce surgical complications,and promote faster and better recovery,of children with congenital heart disease.

Overview of Precious Metal Content Analysis Methods in Automotive Catalytic Converter

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, people’s concern of pollution issues arising. Vehicles, as the most important means of transportation, its exhaust emission has received considerable attention. The catalytic converter is able to purify harmful substances in exhaust gas. The absolute content of precious metals in the catalytic converter dominates the exhaust gas purification effect. Accurate detection of precious metal content is of great significance for controlling the cost of catalysts, ensuring catalytic performance and recovering precious metals from spent catalysts. We herein summarized several instruments for precious metals content exploration, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP) and spectrophotometer. In this thesis, the feasibility of using various devices for characterizing precious metal content in catalytic converters is analyzed and their strengths or weaknesses are elaborated.

Physicochemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides from the peel of Dioscorea opposita Thunb.extracted by four different methods

Polysaccharides are the important biologically active components found in the peel of Dioscorea opposita Thunb.(DTTP).The influences of 4 extraction methods,namely hot water extraction(W),acidic extraction(HA),hot-compressed water extraction(HCW)and enzyme-assisted extraction(EAE),on the yields,physicochemical properties,hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from DTTP were studied and compared.Among these DTTP polysaccharides,DTTP-HA was outstanding in several respects.DTTP-HA was the most water soluble;it had the highest total carbohydrate content(85.08%),the highest uronic acid(13.20%)and the highest thermal stability.DTTP-HA and DTTP-W possessed a triple-helix structure.These 4 kinds of polysaccharides have the same types of monosaccharides,but in different molar percentages.Extraction method had a significant impact on the microstructures of the extracted polysaccharides.DTT-HA exhibited irregular structure with many holes.Among the 4 extracted methods,the DTTP-HA and DTTP-W initially exhibited higher hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities.The better bioactivities of DTTP-HA may be related to the above factors.The findings indicated that acid extraction is an effective method to extract polysaccharides with high biological activities from DTTP.