Combining prognostic value of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and tumor size reduction ratio in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a common cancer with increasing morbidity and mortality due to changes of social environment.AIM To evaluate the significance of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)and tumor size changes pre-and post-neoadjuvant therapy(NAT).METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment,Chongqing University Cancer Hospital.This study specifically assessed CA19-9 levels and tumor size before and after NAT.RESULTS A total of 156 patients who completed NAT and subsequently underwent tumor resection were included in this study.The average age was 65.4±10.6 years and 72(46.2%)patients were female.Before survival analysis,we defined the post-NAT serum CA19-9 level/pre-NAT serum CA19-9 level as the CA19-9 ratio(CR).The patients were divided into three groups:CR<0.5,CR>0.5 and<1 and CR>1.With regard to tumor size measured by both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging,we defined the post-NAT tumor size/pre-NAT tumor size as the tumor size ratio(TR).The patients were then divided into three groups:TR<0.5,TR>0.5 and<1 and TR>1.Based on these groups divided according to CR and TR,we performed both overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)analyses.Log-rank tests showed that both OS and DFS were significantly different among the groups according to CR and TR(P<0.05).CR and TR after NAT were associated with increased odds of achieving a complete or near-complete pathologic response.Moreover,CR(hazard ratio:1.721,95%CI:1.373-3.762;P=0.006),and TR(hazard ratio:1.435,95%CI:1.275-4.363;P=0.014)were identified as independent factors associated with OS.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that post-NAT serum CA19-9 level/pre-NAT serum CA19-9 level and post-NAT tumor size/pre-NAT tumor size were independent factors associated with OS in patients with PDAC who received NAT and subsequent surgical resection.

Semi-quantum private comparison protocol of size relation with d-dimensional GHZ states

A novel efficient semi-quantum private comparison protocol based on the d-dimensional GHZ states is proposed.With the assistance of semi-honest third party,two classical participants can compare the size relation of their secrets without any information leakage.To reduce the consumption of quantum devices,the qubit efficiency of our protocol is improved by introducing the semi-quantum conception via the existing semi-quantum private comparisons.Furthermore,it is unnecessary to prepare the secure classical authentication channel among participants in advance.It is shown that our protocol is not only correct and efficient,but also free from external and internal attacks.

Identification of a novel seed size associated locus SW9-1 in soybean

Seed size is one of the vital traits determining seed appearance, quality, and yield. Untangling the genetic mechanisms regulating soybean 100-seed weight (100-SW), seed length and seed width across environments may provide a theoretical basis for improving seed yield. However, there are few reports related to QTL mapping of 100-SW across multiple ecological regions. In this study, 21 loci associated with seed size traits were identified using a genome-wide association of 5361 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across three ecoregions in China, which could explain 8.12%–14.25% of the phenotypic variance respectively. A new locus, named as SW9-1 on chromosome 9 that explained 10.05%–10.93% of the seed weight variance was found significantly related to seed size traits, and was not previously reported. The selection effect analysis showed that SW9-1 locus has a relatively high phenotypic effect (13.67) on 100-SW, with a greater contribution by the accessions with bigger seeds (3.69) than the accessions with small seeds (1.66). Increases in seed weight were accompanied by increases in the frequency of SW9-1T allele, with >90% of the bred varieties with a 100-SW >30 g carrying SW9-1T. Analysis of SW9-1 allelic variation in additional soybean accessions showed that SW9-1T allele accounting for 13.83% of the wild accessions, while in 46.55% and 51.57% of the landraces and bred accessions, respectively, this results indicating that the SW9-1 locus has been subjected to artificial selection during the early stages of soybean breeding, especially the utilization of SW9-1T in edamame for big seed. These results suggest that SW9-1 is a novel and reliable locus associated with seed size traits, and might have an important implication for increasing soybean seed weight in molecular design breeding. Cloning this locus in future may provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying soybean seed size traits.

Size Determination of Ultramicropores and Small Mesopores Using a Calculation Procedure Based on the Tangents of Comparison Plot

Pore size distribution（PSD） curves of synthesized hollow silica spheres with ultrmicropores and small mesopores were obtained from calculations based on the BJH,KJS,SF,MP,NLDFT models and Prof.Zhu＇s method.Comparisons indicate that Zhu＇s method not only gives reasonable small mesopore size but also could be further extended to the ultramicropores region for the PSD evaluation.

Effect of Pyrophyllite Particle Size on Properties of AI_2O_3-SiC-C Bricks for Iron Ladles

The Al2O3 -SiC-C bricks for iron ladles were pre-pared asing bauxite, fused corundum,pyrophyllite, SiC powder and flake graphite as main starting materials, and phenolic resin as binder. The effect of pyroph,yllite particle size on permanent change in dimensions, cold crushing strength, oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance of Al2O3 - SiC - C bricks was investigated. The results show that with the decrease of the pyrophyllite particle size, the permanent change in dimensions of Al2O3 - SiC - C bricks decreases, cold crushing strength increases, the oxidation resistance at 1400 ℃ increases, and the corrosion resistance at 1500℃ decreases.

A Study on Modifying the Calculation Model of Valid Opening Size of Heat-bonded Nonwoven Fabrics

It has been found that there are marked errors in the value of valid opening size of heat-bonded nonwoven fabrics between theoretical calculations and engineering measurements. A new modified theoretical model is advanced in this paper. The equivalent diameter of the pore of a fibre web is used to calculate the valid opening size instead of the maximum diameter of inscribed circle used, because the fibres in practical fibre webs are flexible elastomers with definite diameters and the pore of fibre web may produce deformation in screening teat and engineering usage. The results show that the theoretical calculations coincide well with the engineering measurements. This method offers a theoretical basis for computer simulation to the performance of filters of heatbonded nonwoven fabrics.

The New Molecular Entity Evolocumab, One Kind of PCSK9 Inhibitor, Reduce Plasma Small Size LDL-Cholesterol Levels by Using a New Standardized Method of Measuring LDL Size

Aims: There has been no evidence on the effects of evolocumab, protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor, on small size LDL. We observationally investigated the efficacy and side effects of evolocumab on the LDL subfraction particle diameter using PAGE system for lipoprotein analysis. Methods: We defined 30 patients with high-risk hyperlipidemia. As for analysis of LDL subfraction profile, we used polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis three methods: 1) 3% nondenatured poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis method (3%PAGE), 2) 2% - 16% nondenatured poly-acrylamide gradient gel electro-phoresis method (2% - 16% GGE) and 3) 2.7% - 5% GGE. Evolocumab 140 mg/day administered together with statin significantly improved serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-dense lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and LDL-C after four-week treatment. Results: TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were improved by, respectively, 33%, 20%, 10%, and 54%. The mean LDL size significantly increased from 25.6 ± 0.4 nm to 26.4 ± 0.8 nm. The small dense LDL-cholesterol (sdLDL-C), large buoyant LDL-cholesterol (lbLDL-C), and mid-band lipoprotein-cholesterol were reduced, respectively. Therefore, the preliminary study on this paper can be the first step into a new insight on the world of lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Short-term administration of evolocumab addedons to statin therapy, significantly reduced small size LDL levels.

YRCC.NKG-2800型激光粒度仪在黄河上游测区适用性研究

为使国产YRCC.NKG-2800型激光粒度仪很好地应用于黄河泥沙颗粒分析,以SL42—2010《河流泥沙颗粒分析规程》为依据,对基础参数进行适用性优化,开展重复性、平行性、准确性等误差检验及成果精度分析,对国产YRCC.NKG-2800型激光粒度仪与英国的马尔文激光粒度分析仪进行比测分析,提出2种颗粒分析方法级配成果互换的思路和方法,建立“过滤”前、后的2种相关关系。试验结果表明:国产YRCC.NKG-2800型激光粒度仪各项试验指标均符合《河流泥沙分析规程》中规定的允许误差,仪器性能稳定可靠,可应用于黄河上游测区悬移质泥沙颗粒级配分析。

具有size结构的捕食种群系统的最优收获策略

分析了一类捕食者种群带有Size结构的捕食-被捕食系统的最优收获问题.利用不动点定理证明了状态系统及其共轭系统非负解的存在唯一性、解对控制变量的连续依赖性.应用切锥法锥技巧导出了最优性条件,借助Ekeland变分原理讨论了最优收获策略的存在唯一性,推广了年龄结构种群模型中的相应结论.

Nukiyama-Tanasawa型雾化液滴尺寸分布函数的引申

使用信息论推导Ｎｕｋｉｙａｍ ａ－Ｔａｎａｓａｗ ａ型喷雾液滴尺寸分布函数的具体形式，与实验数据进行比较，并提出了修正分布函数的方法。

贴砾过滤器贴砾层渗透性试验研究

贴砾过滤器、砾石充填在地热开采、水文观测等工程中得到了广泛应用。他们的主要工作部位为贴砾层、充填层,研究最常用的贴砾材料石英砂的渗透性能。通过调节砂样的粒径、细颗粒含量,测试砂样固结前后在饱和状态下的渗透性,分析粒径、级配对砂样固结前后渗透性的影响,通过试验数据整理,分析相同条件的砂样固结前后的渗透性能差异。试验表明,固结前后的砂样的渗透系数随粒径的减小而减小,在中砂范围内变化最大,在细砂范围变化较小;固结前后砂样的渗透系数都随着细颗粒含量的增多而减小,复配砂的最小渗透系数小于构成其细颗粒组砂的渗透系数;相同条件下,粗砂范围内,石英砂的渗透性能要优于固结后的石英砂,中细砂范围内,固结后的石英砂的渗透性能要优于石英砂。

铝合金晶粒度测定方法探讨

通过对4个铝合金晶粒度测定标准进行对比分析,明确了各标准间的一致性和差异性。结合GB/T 3246.1—2012、GB/T 3246.2—2012两个标准,对铝合金晶粒度实际测定过程中存在的问题进行了讨论、分析,对晶粒度测试试样的前处理方法、浸蚀方法及结果判定标准给出了建议,为同类测定问题提供参考解决方案,有利于铝合金晶粒度测试方法的不断改进。

基于动静比对试验的圆砾持力层预应力管桩选型分析

根据某工地4根不同桩径预应力管桩在沉桩后不同间歇时间的高应变和静载试验结果,分析高应变法与静载试验的机理差异,指出由于圆砾层的多成分颗粒结构,桩端阻力的发挥存在明显的“尺寸效应”,应谨慎对待大直径管桩高应变法的检测结果,为提高基桩承载力、降低单位承载力成本,宜优先选用大直径管桩。

百把寨水库坝址工程地质条件分析及坝型比选

为降低百把寨水库工程建设风险和确保工程安全运行,充分发挥其经济与社会效益,针对水库工程可选坝址的地质构造、岩土性质、水文条件等,深入探究了上、下两处坝址的坝基、边坡和防渗条件等,推荐选择上坝址为宜;同时通过技术、经济、环境影响、运行管理等方面对重力坝、拱坝和面板堆石坝三种坝型进行工程适宜性分析,推荐采用砌石重力坝。该工程的分析论证可供类似中型水库工程坝址坝型比选参考。

大弹簧圈技术与传统方式栓塞治疗颈内动脉-后交通动脉瘤临床效果对比分析

目的对比分析大弹簧圈技术与传统方式栓塞治疗颈内动脉-后交通动脉瘤的临床效果。方法选取2018年6月至2020年6月云南省第二人民医院收治的68例颈内动脉-后交通动脉瘤介入栓塞治疗患者,根据手术方法不同分为实验组(大弹簧圈技术栓塞治疗)和对照组(传统方式栓塞治疗),每组34例。比较两组术后即刻Raymond-Roy分级、动脉瘤填塞密度、弹簧圈用量、弹簧圈费用、术中支架辅助、手术并发症、出院时Glasgow预后量表(GOS)评分及术后6个月随访GOS评分。结果实验组患者术后即刻Raymond-Roy分级、弹簧圈用量、弹簧圈费用均低于对照组,动脉瘤填塞密度高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者术中支架辅助、手术并发症、出院时GOS评分及术后6个月随访GOS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论大弹簧圈技术栓塞治疗颈内动脉-后交通动脉瘤安全有效,与传统方式相比,可提高动脉瘤栓塞密度和治愈率、降低动脉瘤复发率、减少弹簧圈用量及其费用。

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.

Hierarchical structure observation and nanoindentation size effect characterization for a limnetic shell

In the present research, hierarchical structure observation and mechanical property characterization for a type of biomaterial are carried out. The investigated bioma- terial is Hyriopsis cumingii, a typical limnetic shell, which consists of two different structural layers, a prismatic ＂pillar＂ structure and a nacreous ＂brick and mortar＂ structure. The prismatic layer looks like a ＂pillar forest＂ with variationsection pillars sized on the order of several tens of microns. The nacreous material looks like a ＂brick wall＂ with bricks sized on the order of several microns. Both pillars and bricks are composed of nanoparticles. The mechanical properties of the hierarchical biomaterial are measured by using the nanoindentation test. Hardness and modulus are measured for both the nacre layer and the prismatic layer, respectively. The nanoindentation size effects for the hierarchical structural materials are investigated experimentally. The results show that the prismatic nanostructured material has a higher stiffness and hardness than the nacre nanostructured material. In addition, the nanoindentation size effects for the hierarchical structural materials are described theoretically, by using the trans-scale mechanics theory considering both strain gradient effect and the surface/interface effect. The modeling results are consistent with experimental ones.

Measurements of suspended particulate matter with laser in-situ scattering and transmissometry in the Jiaozhou Bay in China

A laser in-situ scattering and transmissemetry probe （LISST - 100） was used to estimate the spatial variations of suspended particle （aggregate） distribution, volume concentration and beam attenuation in the Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China on 18 July 2003. One study site was located at the mouth （Sta. J1 ）, with the other being within the inner bay （Sta. J2）. Measurements of total suspended matter （TSM） and chlorophyll fluorescence and sampling of bottom sediments were carried out simultaneously. On the basis of the field data, the in-situ particle effective density, settling velocity and flux, and particle projected surface area （PSA） were estimated. The results demonstrate that both profiles have similar particle size distributions from surface to bottom within the water columns. Mean particle diameters for Stas J1 and J2 are 38 - 74 and 1 - 20 μm, respectively, particles within these ranges dominate over the particulate components. Suspended particle volume concentrations increase with water depth, with spikes near the bottom. At Sta. J1, the mean size of bottom sediments and those of suspended particles at 10.8 m below the water surface are almost the same, as well as their size distributions. This observation suggests that a special affinity exists between bottom sediment and suspended particles. In addition, the estimates show that the effective density, settling velocity and flux are higher in the innet bay. Beam attenuation coefficient correlates well with the volume concentration, positively. It is inferred that the optical scattering was mostly caused by 1 - 250 μm components, among which the particles finer than 20 μm dominate the beam attenuation. The PSA appears a proxy for the leaving reflectance estimation.

Preparation of Light-weight Spinel Refractories by Foaming-gel Process

Light-weight magnesium -aluminate spinel materi- als were prepared by foaming-gel process with polyalumi- nium chloride （PAC） as gel. Effect of solid loading in initial slurry on microstructure, porosity, pore size distri- bution, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties was investigated. The results show that the bulk density of the light-weight magnesium -aluminate spinel mate- rials is in the range of O. 7 1.2 g cm-3 ; pore size distribution curves show single-peak characteristics and the mean pore size is in the range of 30. 83 - 61.37 μm ; with the increase of solid loading, the linear shrinkage of the green body during firing and the permanent change in dimensions on heating at l 600 ℃ for 3 h de- crease, but the bulk density increases, the mechanical properties increase obviously; the maximum compressive strength and bending strength reach 35. 25 MPa and 9. 92 MPa, respectively, while the bulk density is 1. 16 g · cm ; and the thermal conductivity at 1 000 ℃ tea- ches 0. 371 W · m-1 . K-1 while the bulk density is O. 7 -3 g · cm

Size effect on the static behavior of electrostatically actuated microbeams

We present a new analytical model for electrostatically actuated microbeams to explore the size effect by using the modified couple stress theory and the minimum total potential energy principle. A material length scale parameter is introduced to represent the size-dependent characteristics of microbeams. This model also accounts for the nonlinearities associated with the mid-plane stretching force and the electrostatical force. Numerical analysis for microbeams with clamped-clamped and cantilevered conditions has been performed. It is found that the intensity of size effect is closely associated with the thickness of the microbeam,and smaller beam thickness displays stronger size effect and hence yields smaller deffection and larger pull-in voltage. When the beam thickness is comparable to the material length scale parameter,the size effect is significant and the present theoretical model including the material length scale parameter is adequate for predicting the static behavior of microbeam-based MEMS.