Prostate-specific antigen half-life： a new predictor of progression- free survival and overall survival in Chinese prostate cancer patients

We investigated the potential value of prostate-specific antigen half-life （PSAHL） and decreasing velocity （PSAVd） to predict progression-free survival （PFS） and overall survival （OS） in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. A total of 153 patients treated with hormonal therapy were included in the study. Of these, 78 patients progressed to hormone- refractory prostate cancer （HRPC） and 24 patients died by the end of follow-up. PSAHL was defined as the time during which prostate-specific antigen （PSA） concentration became half of the initial value during the first hormonal therapy. PSAVd reflected the decreasing velocity of PSA during the first hormonal therapy. PFS was defined as the interval from the beginning of hormonal therapy to HRPC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate whether PSAHL and PSAVd were significantly associated with PFS and OS. The median PSAHL and PSAVd were 0.50 months and 33.8 ng mL^-1 per month. The median PFS and OS were 22.7 months （95% confidence interval [CI], 22.0-29.6 months） and 43.5 months （95% CI, 37.9-48.4 months）, respectively. On univariate and multivariate analysis, long PSAHL （〉 0.5 months）, metastatic disease, high biopsy Gleason scores （〉 8） and high nadir PSA （〉 0.4 ng mL^-1） were all found to be significantly associated with short PFS. Long PSAHL, high nadir PSA and short PSA doubling time （PSADT 〈 2.0 months） were significantly associated with short OS. There were no significant relationships between PSAVd and either PFS or OS. Thus, PSAHL is a promising new independent predictor of survival. Patients with long PSAHL were identified as those at high risk for a relatively short PFS and OS.

Exploring the sensitivity of α-decay half-life to neutron skin thickness for nuclei around ^(208)Pb

Based on the newest experimentally extracted nuclear density distributions for double-magic nucleus208Pb(Tarbert et al. in Phys Rev Lett 112:242502, 2014),the sensitivity of α-decay half-life to nuclear skin thickness is explored in the vicinity of the shell closure region around208 Pb, i.e., isotopes of Z ? 82 and isotones of N ? 126.With the two-parameter Fermi(2PF) density distributions and an analytically derived formula, the α-decay half-life is found to be closely related to the magnitude of nuclear skin thickness. For a decays to the Z ? 82 isotopes, the α-decay half-life is found to decrease with the increasing neutron skin thickness, while the opposite behavior is found for a decays to the N ? 126 isotones. Therefore, it could be a possible way to extract the nuclear skin thickness from measured α-decay half-lives.

Antibody fragments: Prolonging circulation half-life special issue-antibody research

Antibodies are currently the fastest growing class of therapeutic proteins. When antibody fragments are included, there are over thirty-five antibody-based medicines approved for human therapy. Many more antibody and antibody-like fragments are being evaluated clinically. Production of antibody fragments can be efficient and their compact size can allows for better tissue extravasation into solid tumors than full antibodies. Unfortunately, a key limitation of antibody fragments for systemic use is their short half-life in circulation. Prolonging their circulation half-life can be accomplished clinically by the covalent conjugation of the antibody fragment to the water-soluble polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Many polymers and strategies are also being pursued to increase antibody fragment half-life.

Determinations of ^(171)Er half-life and some ^(171)Tm transition energies

The neutrons have been captured by Erbium nuclei which were received by using clinical electron linear accelerator. In this experiment, the possibility of the neutron capture process has been observed because of emitted neutrons appearing in the experimental area. In particular,neutron capture of ^(170)Er nucleus has been observed. After the neutron capture of ^(170)Er nucleus, the unstable ^(171)Er has been formed and decayed into the ^(171)Tm. By using this reaction path, some transition energies of ^(171)Tm obtained from the residual activity measurements and the half-life of ^(171)Er have been determined, and they are in agreement with adopted values in the literature.

a-Decay half-life screened by electrons

In this paper,by considering the electrons in different external environments,including neutral atoms,a metal,and an extremely strong magnetic-field environment,the screened a-decay half-lives of the a emitters with proton number Z = 52–105 are systematically calculated.In the external environment,the decay energy and the interaction potential between a particle and daughter nucleus are both changed due to the electron screening effect and their variations are both very important for the electron screening effect.Besides,the electron screening effect is found to be closely related to the decay energy and its proton number.

Half-life measurement of neutron-rich isotope^(237)Th

MeV/u 18O ions were used to bombard natural uranium targets, and the heavy neutron-rich isotope 237Th was produced via multi-nucleon transfer reaction and dissipative fragmentation of the heavy target. A relatively fast radiochemical procedure was used to separate thorium from the mixture of uranium and complex reaction products. The chemically separated thorium fractions were studied by the 7-ray spectroscopic method. The behaviors of the growth and decay of 853.7 and 865.0 keV-γrays of 237Pa decay were observed. The half-life of 237Th was determined to be 4.69±0.60 nun.

3D-QSAR study on atmospheric half-lives of POPs using CoMFA and CoMSIA

3D-QSAR studies of persistent organic pollutants(POPs)screening for atmosphere persistence were performed by comparative molecular field analysis(CoMFA)and comparative molecular similarity index analysis(CoMSIA)methods.The mean and maximum half-life estimations for degradation in air of 49 UNEP POPs and possible POPs were modeled.Both groups’data have been modeled to obtain an average estimate and a predictive value for ranking and screening purposes.CoMFA and CoMSIA models have given cross-validation regre...

A two-parameter model to predict fatigue life of high-strength steels in a very high cycle fatigue regime

In this paper, ultrasonic （20 kHz） fatigue tests were performed on specimens of a high-strength steel in very high cycle fatigue （VHCF） regime. Experimental results showed that for most tested specimens failed in a VHCF regime, a fatigue crack originated from the interior of specimen with a fish-eye pattern, which contained a fine granular area （FGA） centered by an inclusion as the crack origin. Then, a two-parameter model is proposed to predict the fatigue life of high-strength steels with fish-eye mode failure in a VHCF regime, which takes into account the inclusion size and the FGA size. The model was verified by the data of present experiments and those in the literature. Furthermore, an analytic formula was obtained for estimating the equivalent crack growth rate within the FGA. The results also indicated that the stress intensity factor range at the front of the FGA varies within a small range, which is irrespective of stress amplitude and fatigue life.

LiFe_(1-0.01x)Ni_(0.01x)PO_4薄膜干燥温度对其光学性质及气敏性的影响

将水热合成的Li Fe1-0.01xNi0.01xPO4（x=0.5,1.0）粉体作为敏感试剂,用旋转-甩涂法涂于锡掺杂玻璃光波导表面,在不同温度下进行热处理。采用紫外-可见分光光度计,测厚仪和平面玻璃光波导气敏测试系统（自组装）研究了薄膜干燥温度对Li Fe1-0.01xNi0.01xPO4薄膜光学及气敏特性的影响。研究结果表明,450℃下干燥的薄膜具有良好的光学透明性并对应的敏感元件显出良好的气敏特性。相同浓度的不同挥发性有机气体中,Li Fe0.99Ni0.01PO4传感元件对二甲苯气体有较大的响应,其检测响应范围为1×10^-7~1×10^-3（V/V0）,响应-恢复时间分别小于5s和70s。

Preparation of Microcapsules and Half Life of the Kiwi Fruit Seed Oil by Complex Coacervation

The experiment adopts complex coacervation to prepare microcapsules. Through the experimental comparison, soybean protein isolated-maltodextrin is determined as the wall material for the experimental preparation of the microcapsules of kiwi fruit seed oil. This paper researched the effects of wall material concentration, core wall ratio and other factors on complex coacervation of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules embedding rate, determining that the best wall material concentration is 1%, core wall ratio is 1:1, and the optimum pH ratio is 3.0, temperature is 40°C, and the optimum curing time is 6 hours. The experiment carried out half life research on the microcapsules prepared by the complex coacervation of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsule. By calculation: the degradation rate constant of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules prepared by complex coacervation is 2.793. According to the regression equation it can calculate the half life of kiwi fruit seed oil microcapsules is 18.58 months, about a year and a half.

Bi-variable damage model for fatigue life prediction of metal components

Based on the theory of continuum damage mechanics,a bi-variable damage mechanics model is developed,which,according to thermodynamics,is accessible to derivation of damage driving force,damage evolution equation and damage evolution criteria. Furthermore,damage evolution equations of time rate are established by the generalized Drucker＇s postulate. The damage evolution equation of cycle rate is obtained by integrating the time damage evolution equations,and the fatigue life prediction method for smooth specimens under repeated loading with constant strain amplitude is constructed. Likewise,for notched specimens under the repeated loading with constant strain amplitude,the fatigue life prediction method is obtained on the ground of the theory of conservative integral in damage mechanics. Thus,the material parameters in the damage evolution equation can be obtained by reference to the fatigue test results of standard specimens with stress concentration factor equal to 1,2 and 3.

“史上最佳PC游戏的续篇”——Half Life 2发布（Valve Software）

在1998年，众多的FPS类游戏中，除了ID Software的Doom和Quake系列，真正出色的游戏其实很少，而Half Life就是其中之一。极棒的游戏性，流畅的故事情节，易上手却又多变的操作．凭借这些优点Half Life当年被PC Gamer杂志评为“有史以来最佳PC游戏”．而其任务扩展包Counter Strike的生命力则一直持续至今。而到了今年．在经历了源代码泄露等诸多磨难之后．续作Half Life2终于正式发售。

Effect of TCM Combined with Chemotherapy on Immune Function and Quality of Life of Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer inStage Ⅲ-Ⅳ

Objective: To observe and compare the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) on immune function and quality of life (QOL)of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ. Methods: One hundred cases with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC were randomly divided into two groups. The treated group (n=50) received CT combined with TCM, and the control group received CT alone. The percentage of T lymphocyte subset in peripheral blood and the change of natural killer (NK) cell count were observed after treatment. The QOL and tolerance of CT were also compared between the two groups after treatment. Results: In the treated group, CD3 cell count, CD4 cell count, CD4/ CDg ratio and NK cell activity were higher than those in control group, while CD8 cell count in the treated group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), and QOL and tolerance of CT in the treated group were also better (P<0.05). Conclusion: TCM combined with CT could raise the patients' ability in tolerating CT in stage Ⅲ-ⅣNSCLC.

Net Present Value Method: A Method Recommended by ISO 15686-5 for Economic Evaluation of Building Life Cycle Costs

The publication of ISO 15686-5 is significant for studies related to the life-cycle costs of buildings. Among the many economic evaluation methods, the NPV method is recommended for use by this standard. This study explains the concept and method of PV, and then provides an explanation of the concept and method of NPV, and points out the limitations in the practical application of the method.

终极Half Life2华硕造

在1998年夏经过E3大展的洗礼后，无数游戏爱好者熟悉了一个以前从未听说过的名字——Valve游戏开发小组。更让人印象深刻的则是他们的作品——HaIfLife，它获得了超过40家媒体的一致公认，并荣获了“年度最佳游戏”称号，被誉为“史诗般杰出的作品”。此后，Half Life在竞争激烈的动作类游戏市场中与Quake系列、Unreal系列形成三足鼎立之势，这对于一款采用Quake Ⅱ引擎开发，又反过来和id竞争的游戏来说是多么不易。

Systematic Analysis of Post-Translational Modifications for Increased Longevity of Biotherapeutic Proteins

Protein-based therapeutics (PPTs) are drugs used to treat a variety of different conditions in the human body by alleviating enzymatic deficiencies, augmenting other proteins and drugs, modulating signal pathways, and more. However, many PPTs struggle from a short half-life due to degradation caused by irreversible protein aggregation in the bloodstream. Currently, the most researched strategies for improving the efficiency and longevity of PPTs are post-translational modifications (PTMs). The goal of our research was to determine which type of PTM increases longevity the most for each of three commonly-used therapeutic proteins by comparing the docking scores (DS) and binding free energies (BFE) from protein aggregation and reception simulations. DS and BFE values were used to create a quantitative index that outputs a relative number from −1 to 1 to show reduced performance, no change, or increased performance. Results showed that methylation was the most beneficial for insulin (p < 0.1) and human growth hormone (p < 0.0001), and both phosphorylation and methylation were somewhat optimal for erythropoietin (p < 0.1 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Acetylation consistently provided the worst benefits with the most negative indices, while methylation had the most positive indices throughout. However, PTM efficacy varied between PPTs, supporting previous studies regarding how each PTM can confer different benefits based on the unique structures of recipient proteins.

Prognostic Potential of B - type Natriuetic Peptide and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Objectives To study wheth- er change of BNP levels reflect the change of cardiac function and to investigate the short - term prognostic potential of BNP and QOL in patients with CHF. Methods 96 consecutive patients admittedwith CHF between September 2002 and January 2003 were stud- ied , upon entry the study, BNP levels were measured, Patients administered the disease - specificquality of life questionnaire Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (LiHFe) within 1 day. BNP levels and administering LiHFe were repeated three months later. Results BNP levels were increased proportional to the severity of cardiac function. Physical domain and total score of LiHFe were significantly correlated to the severity of CHF ( p < 0. 05 ). BNP levels were de- creased in improving group(p =0. 032) . In deteriora- ting group BNP levels increased (P = 0. 043 ) . Kaplan - meier analysis according to BNP level cutoff point 150 ng/1, the life curve of higher BNP level group was significantly lower than the lower group ( p = 0. 001 ) . In univariate logistic regression, NYHA class, BNP, LVEF, LVEDD, heart size, total score of LiHFe, phys- ical domain of LiHFe and the emotional domain of LiH- Fe were all significant prognostic factors of CHF ( p < 0. 05 for all). While in multiple regression, only BNP level( p = 0. 036) and the emotional domain of LiHFe ( p = 0. 025 ) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Change of BNP reflects the treatment efficacy of CHF. BNP and QOL are the two major short - time prognostic factors of the chronic heart failure patients.

An aqueous BiI_(3)-Zn battery with dual mechanisms of Zn^(2+)(de)intercalation and I^(-)/I_(2)redox

The development of aqueous battery with dual mechanisms is now arousing more and more interest.The dual mechanisms of Zn^(2+)(de)intercalation and I^(-)/I_(2)redox bring unexpected effects.Herein,differing from previous studies using Zn I_(2)additive,this work designs an aqueous Bi I_(3)-Zn battery with selfsupplied I^(-).Ex situ tests reveal the conversion of Bi I_(3)into Bi(discharge)and Bi OI(charge)at the 1st cycle and the dissolved I^(-)in electrolyte.The active I^(-)species enhances the specific capacity and discharge medium voltage of electrode as well as improves the generation of Zn dendrite and by-product.Furthermore,the porous hard carbon is introduced to enhance the electronic/ionic conductivity and adsorb iodine species,proven by experimental and theoretical studies.Accordingly,the well-designed Bi I_(3)-Zn battery delivers a high reversible capacity of 182 m A h g^(-1)at 0.2 A g^(-1),an excellent rate capability with 88 m A h g^(-1)at 10 A g^(-1),and an impressive cyclability with 63%capacity retention over 20 K cycles at 10 A g^(-1).An excellent electrochemical performance is obtained even at a high mass loading of 6 mg cm^(-2).Moreover,a flexible quasi-solid-state Bi I_(3)-Zn battery exhibits satisfactory battery performances.This work provides a new idea for designing high-performance aqueous battery with dual mechanisms.

渤海水交换的数值研究-水质模型对半交换时间的模拟

介绍了几种关于水交换的概念和模型。认为以水质模型模拟半交换时间研究海域的水交换能力更全面、客观。对渤海水交换的研究表明 ,由于渤海环流结构及季节变化 ,使得渤海 3个海湾及渤海中部交换能力相差很大 ,莱州湾交换能力最强 ,辽东湾特别是其西部海域交换能力最弱。交换时间与物质初始浓度无关 ,与投放时刻、外源强迫密切相关。在治理渤海环境时 ,应分区进行 。

无溶剂体系中酶催化亚油酸、甘油生产1,3-甘油二酯工艺的研究

以亚油酸、甘油为原料,用专一性脂肪酶在无溶剂系统中快速合成了1,3 dilinolein,实验发现真空脱水可有效增加亚油酸的转化率,使反应平衡向合成方向移动。不同反应温度、底物摩尔比条件下的酯化进程曲线对比研究表明,温度、底物摩尔比不仅影响酯化反应的初速度、转化率,还与产物组成密切相关。60℃、亚油酸与甘油摩尔比为2∶1,0.01MPa真空脱水,反应8h亚油酸酯化率可达90.2%。产品经分子蒸馏纯化后1,3 DAG可达84.25%