The effect and side effects of Gemcitabine plus Vinorelbine in patients with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer

Objective： The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor activity and safety of Gemcitabine （GEM） combined with Vinorelbine （NVB） in patients with advanced TNABC after chemotherapy. Methods： Thirty-seven patients with immunohistochemical proved TNABC were enrolled. The patients received 21-day cycles of NVB 25mg/m^2 i.v. with GEM 1000 mg/m^2 i.v. on days 1 and 8. Results： A total of 136 cycles were given to 37 patients（median 4 cycles, ranged 2-6 cycles）. The treatment response was evaluable in all patients. Of the 37 patients, 1 received complete remission （CR）, 8 received partial remission （PR）, 20 had stable disease （SD）, 9 had progressive disease （PD）. Overall objective response （CR＋ PR） were 24.3 %. The median time to progress （TTP） was 6 months （95% CI, 4-6 months）. The median overall survival was 24 months （95% CI, 11-37 months）. The median 1-year survival rate was （66.24±8.43）%. The median 3-year survival rate was （28.77±11.96）%. The major adverse events were grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ myelosuppression, peripheral neurologic toxicities, nausea and vomiting. Some patients had rash and hepatic dysfunction. A total of 40% of patients experienced flu-like symptoms. Alopecia and diarrhea were rare. Conclusion： The combination of GEM and NVB is an effective and well tolerated regimen for the patients with TNABC.

Excellent effects and possible mechanisms of action of a new antibody–drug conjugate against EGFR-positive triple-negative breast cancer

Background:Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)is the most aggressive subtype and occurs in approximately 15%–20%of diagnosed breast cancers.TNBC is characterized by its highly metastatic and recurrent features,as well as a lack of specific targets and targeted therapeutics.Epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)is highly expressed in a variety of tumors,especially in TNBC.LR004-VC-MMAE is a new EGFR-targeting antibody–drug conjugate produced by our laboratory.This study aimed to evaluate its antitumor activities against EGFR-positive TNBC and further studied its possible mechanism of antitumor action.Methods:LR004-VC-MMAE was prepared by coupling a cytotoxic payload(MMAE)to an anti-EGFR antibody(LR004)via a linker,and the drug-to-antibody ratio(DAR)was analyzed by HIC-HPLC.The gene expression of EGFR in a series of breast cancer cell lines was assessed using a publicly available microarray dataset(GSE41313)and Western blotting.MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with LR004-VC-MMAE(0,0.0066,0.066,0.66,6.6 nmol/L),and the inhibitory effects of LR004-VC-MMAE on cell proliferation were examined by CCK-8 and colony formation.The migration and invasion capacity of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells were tested at different LR004-VCMMAE concentrations(2.5 and 5 nmol/L)with wound healing and Transwell invasion assays.Flow cytometric analysis and tumorsphere-forming assays were used to detect the killing effects of LR004-VC-MMAE on cancer stem cells(MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells).The mouse xenograft models were also used to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of LR004-VC-MMAE in vivo.Briefly,BALB/c nude mice were subcutaneously inoculated with MDA-MB-468 or MDAMB-231 cells.Then they were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=6 per group)and treated with PBS,naked LR004(10 mg/kg),LR004-VC-MMAE(10 mg/kg),or doxorubicin,respectively.Tumor sizes and the body weights of mice were measured every 4 d.The effects of LR004-VC-MMAE on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry.Western blotting was used to detect the effects of LR004-VC-MMAE on EGFR,ERK,MEK phosphorylation and tumor stemness marker gene expression.Results:LR004-VC-MMAE with a DAR of 4.02 were obtained.The expression of EGFR was found to be significantly higher in TNBC cells compared with non-TNBC cells(P<0.01).LR004-VC-MMAE inhibited the proliferation of EGFRpositive TNBC cells,and the ICvalues of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells treated with LR004-VC-MMAE for 72 h were(0.13±0.02)nmol/L and(0.66±0.06)nmol/L,respectively,which were significantly lower than that of cells treated with MMAE[(3.20±0.60)nmol/L,P<0.01,and(6.60±0.50)nmol/L,P<0.001].LR004-VC-MMAE effectively inhibited migration and invasion of MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells.Moreover,LR004-VC-MMAE also killed tumor stem cells in EGFR-positive TNBC cells and impaired their tumorsphere-forming ability.In TNBC xenograft models,LR004-VC-MMAE at 10 mg/kg significantly suppressed tumor growth and achieved complete tumor regression on day 36.Surprisingly,tumor recurrence was not observed until the end of the experiment on day 52.In a mechanistic study,we found that LR004-VC-MMAE significantly induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G/M phase in MDAMB-468[(34±5)%vs.(12±2)%,P<0.001]and MDA-MB-231[(27±4)%vs.(18±3)%,P<0.01]cells.LR004-VC-MMAE also inhibited the activation of EGFR signaling and the expression of cancer stemness marker genes such as Oct4,Sox2,KLF4 and EpCAM.Conclusions:LR004-VC-MMAE showed effective antitumor activity by inhibiting the activation of EGFR signaling and the expression of cancer stemness marker genes.It might be a promising therapeutic candidate and provides a potential therapeutic avenue for the treatment of EGFR-positive TNBC.

Grain Boundary Triple Junction Effects on the Fatigue Deformation and Cracking Behaviors of Copper Tricrystal and Tetracrystals

Cyclic symmetrical tension-compression fatigue tests in an axial plastic strain range of 2.0×10-4 to 1.5×10-3 were performed on three copper tetracrystal specimens containing two grain boundary triple lines as well as one copper tricrystal specimen employing a multiple step method. Experimental results show that the strengthening effect of triple junction (TJ) on axial saturation stress increased with increasing plastic strain amplitude. The strengthening effects owe much to the strain incompatibilities at TJ. The cyclic stress-strain (CSS) curves of tetracrystals are higher than that of tricrystal. At low strain amplitude, deformation at TJ is smaller than that near grain boundary (GB), which results in that the width of TJ effect zone is smaller than that near GB. Whether GB split or not is associated with the angle between GB and loading axis, activation of slip systems beside GB and the accommodation and annihilation of residual dislocations on GB planes.

Effects of Non-Uniform Temperature Gradients on Triple Diffusive Marangoni Convection in a Composite Layer

The problem of triple diffusive Marangoni convection is investigated in a composite layer comprising an incompressible three component fluid saturated, sparsely packed porous layer over which lies a layer of the same fluid. The lower rigid surface of the porous layer and the upper free surface are considered to be insulating to temperature, insulating to both salute concentration perturbations. At the upper free surface, the surface tension effects depending on temperature and salinities are considered. At the interface, the normal and tangential components of velocity, heat and heat flux, mass and mass flux are assumed to be continuous. The resulting eigenvalue problem is solved exactly for linear, parabolic and inverted parabolic temperature profiles and analytical expressions of the thermal Marangoni number are obtained. The effects of variation of different physical parameters on the thermal Marangoni numbers for the profiles are compared.

Effects of TAM-derived exosomes on migration and invasion of MDA-MB- 231 cells in triple negative breast cancer

Objective:To investigate the effects of exosomes derived from tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)on migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in triple negative breast cancer.Methods:The MDA-MB-231 cells,a human breast cancer cell line,were divided into the experimental group and the blank control group.The exosomes were isolated from the supernatant of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(THP-1)by a multi-step ultracentrifugal procedure.The effects of exosomes on migration and invasion of MDAMB-231 cells were studied by endocytosis assay of exosomes,Transwell migration assay and Celigo scratch assay.Results:Exosomes were ingested and endocytosed by MDAMB-231 cells,brought into the cytoplasm at 3h and enriched significantly at 6h.Compared with the blank control group,the number of metastatic cells in the Transwell compartment(241±3.35)and its variation relative to normal cells(144±2.33)in the experimental group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The 24 h migration rate of MDA-MB-231 cells treated with exosomes in the scratch assay showed similar results(39.86±3.47 in the experimental group vs.24.48±2.97 in the control group,P<0.05).Conclusion:TAM-derived exosomes can be ingested and endocytosed by MDA-MB-231 cells,and promote their migration and invasion in vitro.

The Kondo and Fano Effects in Triple Quantum Dots Coupled to Noncollinear Ferromagnetic Leads

We use the equation-of-motion technique and non-equilibrium Green's function theory to study the Kondo effect and the Fano effect in triple quantum dots (QDs) coupled to symmetrically ferromagnetic leads whose magnetic moments are noncollinear.We address the question of how the noncollinear ferromagnetic leads influence the Kondo effect and how the side-coupled QDs present Fano interference.The results show that the spin splitting of the density of state (DOS) takes place in an intermediate direction between the magnetic moments in the two leads.When interdot coupling strength ti is nonzero,Fano interference begins to play a major role in complicating the DOS of QD0.

Effects of ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective: To investigate the effects of ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods:A total of 138 patients with acute cerebral infarction between July 2016 and July 2017 were divided into control group (n=69) and triple group (n=69) by random number table method. Control group accepted conventional symptomatic treatment combined with aspirin and atorvastatin therapy, triple group accepted conventional symptomatic treatment combined with ganglioside, aspirin and atorvastatin triple therapy, and both groups were treated for 1 month. The differences in oxidative stress and inflammatory response were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Immediately after admission, There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of oxidative stress indexes and inflammatory mediators between the two groups. After 1 week of treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment, serum oxidative stress indexes ROS and AOPPs levels of triple group were lower than those of control group whereas SOD and CAT contents were higher than those of control group;serum inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were lower than those of control group whereas IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 levels were higher than those of control group. Conclusion: ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy can effectively inhibit the systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction.

Effects of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction Combined with Standard Triple Therapy on Reducing Serum CagA and Hp-NAP in Patients with H.pylori-Related Gastritis

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction combined with standard triple therapy on treating H.pylori-related gastritis. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with H. pylori-related gastritis treated in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were selected according to the random number table method and divided into experimental group and control group, with 41 patients in each group. The control group was treated with standard triple therapy, while the experimental group was additionally treated with modified Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction. The venous blood of one elbow was taken before and after treatment. The concentrations of serum CagA and Hp-NAP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The symptoms were evaluated according to the change of symptom scores before and after the intervention. The H.pylori eradication rate was calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in CagA and Hp-NAP concentrations between the 2 groups before intervention(P > 0.05). After intervention, CagA and Hp-NAP concentrations in experimental group were(19.21±6.27) ng/L and(24.37±6.10) ng/L respectively which were lower than(25.81±7.14) ng/L and(32.09±5.73) ng/L of control group. The differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). The total effective rate of major symptoms in experimental group was 39 cases(95.12%), which was significantly higher than that of the control group(31 cases, 75.61%). There was statistically significant difference between the 2 groups(P < 0.05). The eradication rate of H.pylori was 38 cases(92.68%) in the experimental group, which was significantly higher than 31 cases(75.61%) of the control group. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction combined with standard triple therapy can effectively reduce CagA, Hp-NAP of serum level in patients with H.pylori-related gastritis, improve efficacy of symptoms and eradication rate of H.pylori, and is worthy of clinical promotion.

Effects of subsampling on characteristics of RNA-seq data from triple-negative breast cancer patients

Background:Data from RNA-seq experiments provide a wealth of information about the transcriptome of an organism.However,the analysis of such data is very demanding.In this study,we aimed to establish robust analysis procedures that can be used in clinical practice.Methods:We studied RNA-seq data from triple-negative breast cancer patients.Specifically,we investigated the subsampling of RNA-seq data.Results:The main results of our investigations are as follows:(1) the subsampling of RNA-seq data gave biologically realistic simulations of sequencing experiments with smaller sequencing depth but not direct scaling of count matrices;(2) the saturation of results required an average sequencing depth larger than 32 million reads and an individual sequencing depth larger than 46 million reads;and(3) for an abrogated feature selection,higher moments of the distribution of all expressed genes had a higher sensitivity for signal detection than the corresponding mean values.Conclusions:Our results reveal important characteristics of RNA-seq data that must be understood before one can apply such an approach to translational medicine.

基于UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS技术初步分析雅安产道地中药材川牛膝中生物碱成分

采用乙醇提取、成盐、二氯甲烷萃取等方法初步富集川牛膝总生物碱,确定最优提取分离工艺;通过超高液相色谱串联三重四级杆飞行时间质谱法,采用Waters XSelect CSH-C_(18)色谱柱(2.1 mm×150 mm,1.7μm),梯度洗脱,流速为0.3 mL/min,测试波长254 nm,柱温为50℃,进样量为3μL,采用电喷雾离子源正离子模式,扫描范围为m/z 100~1500,并采用全扫描模式对样品数据进行收集,根据高分辨质谱结合二级质谱所得信息对川牛膝中生物碱类化学成分进行快速鉴定,通过对比分子离子峰和碎片离子的质荷比、Scifinder和Reaxy数据库及相关文献,推测出两种生物碱成分。研究建立的生物碱类化学成分提取与分析方法,为提高雅安产道地中药材川牛膝的质量控制水平及后续阐明药效物质基础提供了实验依据。

一类特殊的完备左对称代数的导子与triple导子

利用导子和triple导子的定义,通过计算线性变换在一组基下的结果,得到与Abelian李代数相容的维数小于或等于4维的完备左对称代数的导子,以及triple导子的矩阵形式.

Cumulative effects of excess high-normal alanine aminotransferase levels in relation to new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in China

BACKGROUND Within the normal range,elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels are associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).AIM To investigate the associations between repeated high-normal ALT measurements and the risk of new-onset MAFLD prospectively.METHODS A cohort of 3553 participants followed for four consecutive health examinations over 4 years was selected.The incidence rate,cumulative times,and equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of excess high-normal ALT levels(ehALT)were measured.Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the association between the cumulative effects of ehALT and the risk of new-onset MAFLD.RESULTS A total of 83.13%of participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.The incidence rate of MAFLD showed a linear increasing trend in the cumulative ehALT group.Compared with those in the low-normal ALT group,the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios of the equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of ehALT were 1.651[95%confidence interval(CI):1.199-2.273]and 1.535(95%CI:1.119-2.106)in the third quartile and 1.616(95%CI:1.162-2.246)and 1.580(95%CI:1.155-2.162)in the fourth quartile,respectively.CONCLUSION Most participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels.Long-term high-normal ALT levels were associated with a cumulative increased risk of new-onset MAFLD.

Carbon Emission Effects Driven by Evolution of Chinese Dietary Structure from 1987 to 2020

Exploring carbon emission effects based on the evolution of residents’ dietary structure to achieve the carbon neutrality goal and mitigate climate change is an important task.This study took China as the research object(data excluding Hong Kong,Macao and Taiwan) and used the carbon emission coefficient method to quantitatively measure the food carbon emissions from 1987–2020,then analyzed the carbon emission effects under the evolution of dietary structure.The results showed that during the study period,the Chinese dietary structure gradually changed to a high-carbon consumption pattern.The dietary structure of urban residents developed to a balanced one,while that of rural residents developed to a high-quality one.During the study period,the per capita food carbon emissions and total food consumption of Chinese showed an increasing trend.The per capita food carbon emissions of residents in urban and rural showed an overall upward trend.The total food carbon emissions in urban increased significantly,while that in rural increased first and then decreased.The influence of beef and mutton on carbon emissions is the highest in dietary structure.Compared with the balanced dietary pattern,the food carbon emissions of Chinese residents had not yet reached the peak,but were evolving to a high-carbon consumption pattern.

Simulation of the Ecosystem Productivity Responses to Aerosol Diffuse Radiation Fertilization Effects over the Pan-Arctic during 2001–19

The pan-Arctic is confronted with air pollution transported from lower latitudes.Observations have shown that aerosols help increase plant photosynthesis through the diffuse radiation fertilization effects(DRFEs).While such DRFEs have been explored at low to middle latitudes,the aerosol impacts on pan-Arctic ecosystems and the contributions by anthropogenic and natural emission sources remain less quantified.Here,we perform regional simulations at 0.2o×0.2ousing a well-validated vegetation model(Yale Interactive terrestrial Biosphere,YIBs)in combination with multi-source of observations to quantify the impacts of aerosol DRFEs on the net primary productivity(NPP)in the pan-Arctic during 2001-19.Results show that aerosol DRFEs increase pan-Arctic NPP by 2.19 Pg C(12.8%)yr^(-1)under clear-sky conditions,in which natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to 8.9% and 3.9%,respectively.Under all-sky conditions,such DRFEs are largely dampened by cloud to only 0.26 Pg C(1.24%)yr^(-1),with contributions of 0.65% by natural and 0.59% by anthropogenic species.Natural aerosols cause a positive NPP trend of 0.022% yr^(-1)following the increased fire activities in the pan-Arctic.In contrast,anthropogenic aerosols induce a negative trend of-0.01% yr^(-1)due to reduced emissions from the middle latitudes.Such trends in aerosol DRFEs show a turning point in the year of 2007 with more positive NPP trends by natural aerosols but negative NPP trends by anthropogenic aerosols thereafter.Though affected by modeling uncertainties,this study suggests a likely increasing impact of aerosols on terrestrial ecosystems in the pan-Arctic under global warming.

改良Kite技术联合Triple-button治疗急性肩锁关节脱位

目的探讨关节镜下采用改良Kite技术联合Triple-button治疗肩锁关节脱位的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2019年12月至2022年5月保定市第一中心医院与北京大学第三医院采用关节镜下改良Kite技术结合Triple-button治疗急性肩锁关节脱位的33例患者资料。其中男21例,女12例;年龄21~58岁,平均(38.22±0.60)岁;左肩20例,右肩13例;Rockwood分型:Ⅲ型16例,Ⅴ型17例。记录患者术前、末次随访疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、患侧肩关节Constant-Murley评分、肩关节前屈上举活动度(range of motion,ROM),正位X线片上测量喙突锁骨间距(coracoclavicular distance,CCD)、肩峰锁骨间距(acromioclavicular distance,ACD),记录并发症情况。结果33例患者均获得随访,随访时间6~19个月,平均(13.36±0.28)个月。患者切口均甲级愈合,无肩锁关节再脱位、锁骨和喙突骨折等并发症。VAS评分术前(7.44±0.53)分,末次随访(0.56±0.73)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。Constant-Murley评分术前(35.11±1.45)分,末次随访(90.11±2.80)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。术前肩关节前屈上举(47.22±9.39)°,末次随访(178.89±3.33)°,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。术前CCD为(16.73±3.73)mm,末次随访(10.61±3.24)mm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术前ACD为(12.18±3.34)mm,末次随访(6.49±2.64)mm,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论关节镜下改良Kite技术结合Triple-button治疗肩锁关节脱位安全可重复,可以获得满意的近期临床疗效,其远期疗效仍需观察。

Comparison of displacement damage effects on the dark signal in CMOS image sensors induced by CSNS back-n and XAPR neutrons

This study investigates the effects of displacement damage on the dark signal of a pinned photodiode CMOS image sensor(CIS)following irradiation with back-streaming white neutrons from white neutron sources at the China spallation neutron source(CSNS)and Xi'an pulsed reactor(XAPR).The mean dark signal,dark signal non-uniformity(DSNU),dark signal distribution,and hot pixels of the CIS were compared between the CSNS back-n and XAPR neutron irradiations.The nonionizing energy loss and energy distribution of primary knock-on atoms in silicon,induced by neutrons,were calculated using the open-source package Geant4.An analysis combining experimental and simulation results showed a noticeable proportionality between the increase in the mean dark signal and the displacement damage dose(DDD).Additionally,neutron energies influence DSNU,dark signal distribution,and hot pixels.High neutron energies at the same DDD level may lead to pronounced dark signal non-uniformity and elevated hot pixel values.

Triple points and phase transitions of D-dimensional dyonic Ad S black holes with quasitopological electromagnetism in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity

By considering the negative cosmological constant Λ as a thermodynamic pressure, we study the thermodynamics and phase transitions of the D-dimensional dyonic Ad S black holes(BHs) with quasitopological electromagnetism in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet(EGB) gravity. The results indicate that the small/large BH phase transition that is similar to the van der Waals(vdW) liquid/gas phase transition always exists for any spacetime dimensions. Interestingly, we then find that this BH system exhibits a more complex phase structure in 6-dimensional case that is missed in other dimensions.Specifically, it shows for D = 6 that we observed the small/intermediate/large BH phase transitions in a specific parameter region with the triple point naturally appeared. Moreover, when the magnetic charge turned off, we still observed the small/intermediate/large BH phase transitions and triple point only in 6-dimensional spacetime, which is consistent with the previous results. However, for the dyonic Ad S BHs with quasitopological electromagnetism in Einstein–Born–Infeld(EBI) gravity, the novel phase structure composed of two separate coexistence curves observed by Li et al. [Phys. Rev. D105 104048(2022)] disappeared in EGB gravity. This implies that this novel phase structure is closely related to gravity theories, and seems to have nothing to do with the effect of quasitopological electromagnetism. In addition, it is also true that the critical exponents calculated near the critical points possess identical values as mean field theory. Finally, we conclude that these findings shall provide some deep insights into the intriguing thermodynamic properties of the dyonic Ad S BHs with quasitopological electromagnetism in EGB gravity.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) Program on Viral Load Suppression amongst Members of the Adolescent Club in 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba Lagos, Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria, adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 10 - 24, comprise 22.3% of the population and with HIV prevalence of 3.5%. The AYP living with HIV enrolled at the 68 NARHY, Lagos reflects the national challenges with poor viral suppression. The OTZ program aligns with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. It seeks to empower AYPLHIV to be in charge of their treatment and commit to triple zero outcomeszero missed appointments, zero missed drugs, and zero viral loads. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the OTZ program on viral load suppression among members of the adolescent club in 68 NARHY, Lagos. Method: A cross-sectional retrospective study to evaluate the impact of the OTZ program on the viral load of 53 AYP enrolled in the OTZ program between March 2019 to December 2019 was analyzed. The Percentage of viral load suppression before enrollment compared with 6 and 12 months after enrollment into the OTZ program. The AYP is grouped into 10 - 14, 15 - 19, and 20 - 24 years. Activities conducted were peer driven monthly meetings with the AYP during which the adolescents interacted on issues relating to improving their treatment outcomes, healthcare workers reviewed their clinical status, viral load result, provider peer counseling, and caregivers engagement to support adherence to medication and ARV refills. Results: Before OTZ, 81% aged 10 - 14 years, 75% aged 15 - 19 years, and 25% aged 20 - 24 years were virally suppressed (VL less than 1000 copies/ml). Six months after enrollment, 94% were virally suppressed95% aged 10 - 14 years, 96% aged 15 - 19 years, and 66% aged 20-24 years. Twelve months after enrollment, 96% of AYP were virally suppressed100% aged 10-14 years, 93% aged 15 - 19 years, and 100% aged 20 - 24 years. Males viral load (VL) suppression improved from 79% to 96% and 92%, while females VL suppression improved from 69% to 93% and 100% at 6 and 12 months respectively. Conclusion: The OTZ activities contributed to improved viral load suppression in the AYP of the facility.

The Triple Helix of innovation as a double game involving domestic and foreign actors

Purpose:The collaboration relationships between innovation actors at a geographic level may be considered as grouping two separate layers,the domestic and the foreign.At the level of each layer,the relationships and the actors involved constitute a Triple Helix game.The paper distinguished three levels of analysis:the global grouping together all actors,the domestic grouping together domestic actors,and the foreign related to only actors from partner countries.Design/methodology/approach:Bibliographic records data from the Web of Science for South Korea and West Africa breakdown per innovation actors and distinguishing domestic and international collaboration are analyzed with game theory.The core,the Shapley value,and the nucleolus are computed at the three levels to measure the synergy between actors.Findings:The synergy operates more in South Korea than in West Africa;the government is more present in West Africa than in South Korea;domestic actors create more synergy in South Korea,but foreign more in West Africa;South Korea can consume all the foreign synergy,which is not the case of West Africa.Research limitations:Research data are limited to publication records;techniques and methods used may be extended to other research outputs.Practical implications:West African governments should increase their investment in science,technology,and innovation to benefit more from the synergy their innovation actors contributed at the foreign level.However,the results of the current study may not be sufficient to prove that greater investment will yield benefits from foreign synergies.Originality/value:This paper uses game theory to assess innovation systems by computing the contribution of foreign actors to knowledge production at an area level.It proposes an indicator to this end.

Study of plasma parameters of coaxial plasma source using triple Langmuir probe and Faraday cup diagnostics

Coaxial plasma guns are a type of plasma source that produces plasma which propagates radially and axially controlled by the shape of the ground electrode, which has attracted much interest in several applications. In this work, a 120° opening angle of CPG nozzle is used as a plasma gun configuration that operates at the energy of 150 J. The ionization of polyethylene insulator between the electrodes of the gun produces a cloud of hydrogen and carbon plasma.The triple Langmuir probe and Faraday cup are used to measure plasma density and plasma temperature. These methods are used to measure the on-axis and off-axis plasma divergence of the coaxial plasma gun. The peak values of ion densities measured at a distance of 25 mm on-axis from the plasma gun are(1.6±0.5)×10^(19)m^(-3)and(2.8±0.6)×10^(19)m^(-3)for hydrogen and carbon plasma respectively and the peak temperature is 3.02±0.5 eV. The mean propagation velocity of plasma is calculated using the transit times of plasma at different distances from the plasma gun and is found to be 4.54±0.25 cm/μs and 1.81±0.18 cm/μs for hydrogen and carbon plasma respectively. The Debye radius is obtained from the measured experimental data that satisfies the thin sheath approximation. The shot-to-shot stability of plasma parameters facilitates the use of plasma guns in laboratory experiments. These types of plasma sources can be used in many applications like plasma opening switches, plasma devices, and as plasma sources.