Assessment of heavy metal pollution in Laizhou Bay(China)using the ecological risk index and the integrated biomarker response of the goby Acanthogobius ommaturus

We used the Integrated Biological Responses version 2(IBRv2)method to evaluate the biological eff ects of heavy metals in the sediments in Laizhou Bay,China on the benthic goby Acanthogobius ommaturus.In December 2018,gobies and sediments were collected from 15 stations.We measured the activities of defense enzymes and the contents of malondialdehyde(MDA)and metallothionein(MT)in the goby liver as well as the levels of heavy metals in the sediments and goby muscle tissue.Most of the heavy metal concentrations in sediment at each station were below the Class I criteria set by Chinese Standards for Marine Sediment Quality,and the Håkanson ecological risk index suggested low risk for the heavy metals.We found that A.ommaturus could eff ectively accumulate mercury,cadmium,arsenic,and zinc and that the contents of MT and MDA and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were suitable biomarkers of heavy metal pollution in this species.The IBRv2 method integrated these four biomarkers and discriminated stations according to heavy metal pollution.Higher IBRv2 values suggested more adverse eff ects in gobies,corroborating more serious heavy metal contamination.The stations with high IBRv2 values and high contents of heavy metals were mainly distributed in the west and northeast parts of the bay.These results show that the IBRv2 approach is a feasible strategy for assessing heavy metal pollution through biological response and biological status and that it can be implemented for environmental monitoring in Laizhou Bay.

An Analysis of Supply Chain Environment in Great Wall Motor Based on Life-Cycle Assessment

Great Wall Motor(GWM),a leading automotive manufacturer,places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and social responsibility.The company focuses on comprehensively evaluating and enhancing its supply chain to align with these objectives.This evaluation spans the entire product life cycle,encompassing design,manufacturing,packaging,distribution,usage,and recycling and disposal processes.Key areas of focus include optimizing raw material selection,improving product recyclability,reducing energy consumption and waste emissions,and minimizing carbon emissions during transportation.Through these endeavors,GWM not only enhances its environmental performance by reducing carbon emissions and resource consumption but also bolsters its brand image and competitiveness in the market.GWM’s dedication to environmental innovation and technological leadership serves as a driving force behind sustainable development and social responsibility within the industry.

Neoadjuvant treatment for advanced esophageal cancer: response assessment before surgery and how to predict response to chemoradiation before starting treatment

Patients with advanced esophageal cancer（T3-4, N） have a poor prognosis. Chemoradiation or chemotherapy before esophagectomy with adequate lymphadenectomy is the standard treatment for patients with resectable advanced esophageal carcinoma. However, only patients with major histopathologic response（regression to less than 10% of the primary tumor） after preoperative treatment will have a prognostic benefit of preoperative chemoradiation. Using current therapy regimens about 40% to 50% of the patients show major histopathological response. The remaining cohort does not benefit from this neoadjuvant approach but might benefit from earlier surgical resection. Therefore, it is an aim to develop tools for response prediction before starting the treatment and for early response assessment identifying responders. The current review discusses the different imaging techniques and the most recent studies about molecular markers for early response prediction. The results show that [^18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography（FDGPET） has a good sensitivity but the specificity is not robust enough for routine clinical use. Newer positron emission tomography detector technology, the combination of FDG-PET with computed tomography, additional evaluation criteria and standardization of evaluation may improve the predictive value. There exist a great number of retrospective studies using molecular markers for prediction of response. Until now the clinical use is missing. But the results of first prospective studies are promising. A future perspective may be the combination of imaging technics and special molecular markers for individualized therapy. Another aspect is the response assessment after finishing neoadjuvant treatment protocol. The different clinical methods are discussed. The results show that until now no non-invasive method is valid enough to assess complete histopathological response.

Strategies for accurate response assessment of radiochromic film using flatbed scanner for beam quality assurance

Radiochromic film is a useful tool for beam quality assurance, but accurate response assessment of the film is still a problem. In this study, the response uncertainties of HDV2 film were investigated using a flatbed scanner from both the scanning settings and interscan variability. Scanning settings are fixed conditions for scanning, including scanning resolution and focus setting.In this study, multipeak distributions of pixel values were found under some dots-per-inch values, which should be avoided, and the optimal setting of 2000 dpi without this problem was selected. By changing the focus setting, the relative standard deviation of pixel values was reduced by 36–50%. The influence of the interscan variability induced by three factors was investigated, including the outside illumination intensity, film homogeneity, and operating temperature. Scanning the film before and after irradiation at the same position was recommended. Moreover, the suitable operating temperature range for the scanner was found to be 15–24 °C, which results in stable film responses. Regarding the studied factors, correction methods and strategies were proposed, and the accurate response assessment of HDV2 film was realized. Finally, a standard operating procedure for response assessment of films was introduced. It can help other researchers study more scanners, films, and particle types.

Application of Voltage Response Method to Condition Assessment of Power Transformer

Power transformer is one of the most important equipment in the power system.Its operating condition affects the reliability of power supply directly.Therefore,in order to guarantee transformer operation safely and reliably,it is necessary to assess condition of power transformer accurately.Return voltage method based on voltage response measurements is still a new non-intrusive diagnosis method for internal insulation aging of transformer.In this paper the technique and application of return voltage measurement and some results of voltage response measurements of several transformers was introduced.Voltage response measurements were performed on various transformers with different voltage grades,various operating periods,different moisture contents and aging degrees on site.Derived moisture contents from return voltage measurement were compared with the corresponding moisture contents obtained from the analysis of oil samples.Based on on-site experiments and theoretical analysis,the criteria for insulation state of transformer are proposed.Moisture condition of transformer insulation can be determined by using return dominant time constant,and a good correlation between aging degree and the return voltage initial slopes of the aged transformers.Field test performed on several transformers,its interpretation of results are also presented,which proves that return voltage measurements can be used as a reliable tool for evaluating moisture content in transformer insulation.

Development Strategy of Infrastructure Risk Assessment Based Disaster Response and Management System

Major infrastructures such as levee, dam, bridge, road, etc. have a significant meaning in that they are the means to support ordinary social and industrial activities and also protect human and physical assets at the occurrence of disaster. Especially, integrated risk management of SOC facilities provides the policy maker in charge of SOC facility safety and related disaster prevention with a reasonable means of decision making and ultimately contributes to improving the safety of the applicable SOC facility. Furthermore, a variety of issues raised in the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred recently in Korea, such as, a proper response method and the relevant Golden time decision making at the occurrence of disaster, rapid grasping and reporting the situation on disaster sites, management and mobilization of resources for rescue and recover, loss of integrated control tower function, etc., might occur as well in facility disaster management. As the method of solving such issues adequately, this study suggests a strategy of new disaster response and management system. The analyses of Hazus-MH (FEMA) and DIMSuS (Purdue University) were comprehensively conducted, and based on the results required functions of new disaster response system of major infrastructure and its development directions were suggested.

Assessment of clinical and radiological response to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Sorafenib is an effective anti-angiogenic treatment forhepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The assessment of tumor progression in patients treated with sorafenib is crucial to help identify potentially-resistant patients,avoiding unnecessary toxicities. Traditional methods to assess tumor progression are based on variations in tumor size and provide unreliable results in patients treated with sorafenib. New methods to assess tumor progression such as the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors or European Association for the Study of Liver criteria are based on imaging to measure the vascularization and tumor volume(viable or necrotic). These however fail especially when the tumor response results in irregular development of necrotic tissue. Newer assessment techniques focus on the evaluation of tumor volume,density or perfusion. Perfusion computed tomography and Dynamic ContrastEnhanced-UltraS ound can measure the vascularization of HCC lesions and help predict tumor response to antiangiogenic therapies. Mean Transit Time is a possible predictive biomarker to measure tumor response. Volumetric techniques are reliable,reproducible and time-efficient and can help measure minimal changes in viable tumor or necrotic tissue,allowing the prompt identification of non-responders. Volume ratio may be a reproducible biomarker for tumor response. Larger trials are needed to confirm the use of these techniques in the prediction of response to sorafenib.

Distress Assessment and Response Systems in Patients With Cancer Pain

Objective This study used the Distress Assessment and Response Tool(DART)to screen,evaluate,and explore physical symptoms,psychological problems,and social support in patients with cancer pain,with an aim to provide data for the comprehensive care of these patients to improve their quality of life.Methods The DART was used to survey 497 patients with cancer pain who were admitted to the Cancer Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University from June 2014 to March 2017.All patients were diagnosed with malignant tumors by clinical,radiological and/or cytological examinations,and were experiencing tumor-related pain.This study recorded the patient’s somatic symptoms,psychological problems and social support in detail.After the data were collected,the SPSS 21.0 software was used to perform the statistical analysis,with the significance level set at P<0.05.Results In total,82.7%of patients were experiencing mild pain(NRS≤3);of these,29.7%and 15.8%reported depression and anxiety,respectively.In addition,17.3%of patients were experiencing moderate or severe pain(NRS≥4);of these,53.5%and 40.7%reported depression and anxiety,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of anxiety and depression between the two groups.Conclusion Patients with cancer pain,particularly those with moderate-to-severe pain,showed a high incidence of distress.In addition,they were likely to report physical symptoms,were conscious of poor health conditions,and were prone to have anxiety and depression.In terms of social support,patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain should receive substantial support,as they experience work-related and economic concerns and report difficulties in family life and social activities.

Correction of Corporation Value Assessment Model Based on Corporate Social Responsibility

The performance of corporate social responsibility is conducive to the con- tinuous improvement of their profitability, and promotes the upgrading of corporation value. However, it is difficult to confirm, calculate and check the costs and benefits brought by the implementation of corporate social responsibility under the current ac- counting theory system, so it is difficult to estimate whether the fulfillment of corpo- rate social responsibility has any effects on the corporation value assessment. Therefore, based on corporate social responsibility, the correction mode of corpora- tion value assessment is put forward.

Pneumo-CT assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer: Imaging-pathological correlation

Pneumo-computed tomography (PnCT) is a technique primarily developed and used to study stenotic lesions of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction and stom-ach for pre-surgical planning. It helps to define both upper and lower borders of neoplasms located in the aforementioned areas. It achieves maximum lumen distension with CO2 highlighting thickened areas of the esophageal wall, thus allowing an accurate quantifica-tion of their extents. Although there are other alterna-tives for distension (oral contrast agents, water and ef-fervescent granules), they may be suboptimal. Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer have a dismal prognosis despite surgical resection. Therefore, neo-adjuvant treatment strategies using radiation therapy and chemotherapy were developed to improve sur-vival. Neoadjuvant therapy improves esophageal tumor prognosis in a substantial proportion of patients, and the use of imaging techniques is mandatory to detect their response. PnCT combined with virtual endoscopy and multiplanar reconstruction enhances morphologic details in esophageal cancer, and thus would allow animproved assessment of response to neoadjuvant treat-ment. Therefore, more information could be provided to assess the efficacy of pre-surgical treatment. We de-scribe the potential use of PnCT to assess the response to neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer with an imaging pathologic correlation.

Complete blood and urine paraprotein tests as response assessments in multiple myeloma patients treated with bortezomib,cyclophosphamide,and dexamethasone

Background: This study assessed the effect of standardized efficacy markers on prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma(MM)during the induction phase of treatment with bortezomib,cyclophosphamide,and dexamethasone(BCD).Methods :We retrospectively analyzed clinical data in 197 newly diagnosed MM patients treated with BCD as front-line regimen at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1,2013 to December 31,2018.Results: There were 107 patients with International Staging System(ISS)III and 51 with paraprotein of light chain.Of these,77 completed nine cycles of the BCD regimen.As the number of treatment cycles increased,the proportions of serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis(IFE)tests elevated from 40.39%to 62.22%and 16.75%to 37.78%,respectively.More than 90%of intact immunoglobulin chain MM patients were evaluated for blood M protein per cycle,but that of urinary M protein was less than 60%.The detection rate of urinary M protein in light chain MM was more than 70%per cycle.Patients with a very good partial response(VGPR)had longer progression-free survival(PFS)than those with uncertain VGPR(32 vs.26 months,p=0.0336).Of the 141 patients who completed at least four cycles without undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,those who were regularly assessed at every other cycle showed more favorable PFS than those who visited irregularly(27 vs.22 months,p=0.059).Conclusion: Urinary M protein detection rate is significantly lower than that in serum,leading to an overestimation of efficacy,premature reduction of treatment intensity,and shortened PFS.Precise response assessments are critical to treatment decisions and clinical diagnoses.

Condition assessment of structures under unknown support excitation

A new method is proposed to assess the condition of structures under unknown support excitation by simultaneously detecting local damage and identifying the support excitation from several structural dynamic responses. The support excitation acting on a structure is modeled by orthogonal polynomial approximations, and the sensitivities of structural dynamic response with respect to its physical parameters and orthogonal coefficients are derived. The identification equation is based on Taylor＇s first order approximation, and is solved with the damped least-squares method in an iterative procedure. A fifteen-story shear building model and a five-story three-dimensional steel frame structure are studied to validate the proposed method. Numerical simulations with noisy measured accelerations show that the proposed method can accurately detect local damage and identify unknown support excitation from only several responses of the structure. This method provides a new approach for detecting structural damage and updating models with unknown input and incomplete measured output information.

Application of an integrated methodology for eutrophication assessment:a case study in the Bohai Sea

An integrated methodology for eutrophication assessment,which integrates both water quality indicators(causative factors) and ecological response indicators(effect factors),is described.It is then applied to rank the eutrophication status of the years 2007 and 2008 in the southwest Bohai Sea.The assessment model identified that north Bohai Bay and west Laizhou Bay were the two areas with the most serious eutrophication problems in the southwest Bohai Sea.In addition,compared to that in the west Laizhou Bay,the eutrophication conditions in the north Bohai Bay was more serious in both years.Eutrophication problems such as harmful algal blooms(HABs) and low dissolved oxygen(DO) events in north Bohai Bay were frequent.The integrated method outmatched the currently used Chinese nutrient index method by definitely identifying areas with the most serious eutrophication problems,while the nutrient index method gave ambiguous results between the two years.Inclusion of both causative factors and effect factors,combining concentration,spatial coverage and frequency of indicators,as well as use of multi-season monitoring datasets in the methodology result in a more accurate,representative and useful assessment.

Early radiological assessment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with electrochemotherapy

To report early imaging assessment of ablated area post electrochemotherapy (ECT) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). METHODSECT was performed in 19 LAPC patients enrolled in an approved ongoing clinical phase I/II study. Before and after ECT, 18 patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, 11 patients underwent morphological and functional magnetic resonance (MR) scan (dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI) calculating wash-in slope (WIS) and wash-out slope (WOS); diffusion weighted imaging calculating pseudo-diffusivity (Dp), perfusion fraction (fp) and tissue diffusivity (Dt); 10 patients underwent positron emission tomography (PET). Response evaluation criteria in solid tumour (RECIST) on MR and CT were used to assess tumour therapy response. Choi on CT, PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST) on PET and functional parameters on MR were used to evaluate treatment response. RESULTSFor each patient no significant reduction was measurable by CT and MR using RECIST. According Choi criteria a partial response was obtained in 18/18 (100.0%) patients. According PERCIST criteria 6/10 (60.0%) patients showed a partial response, 3/10 (30.0%) stable disease and 1/10 (10.0%) progression disease. Moreover, using functional MR parameters, a significant reduction of viable tumour after ECT can be observed. According ΔWIS and ΔWOS 9/11 (81.8%) patients exhibited a partial response and 2/11 (18.2%) stable disease; 8/11 (72.7%) patients were considered in partial response by ΔDp evaluation and 3/11 (27.3%) in stable disease; according ΔDt 7/11 (63.6%) patients showed a partial response, 1/11 (9.1%) showed progression of disease and 3/11 (27.3%) were stable. Perfusion fraction fp showed a significant reduction after ECT only in four patients. No significant difference was observed after ECT in signal intensity of T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images, and in equilibrium-phase of contrast study, according to χ2 test was observed. A good correlation was reported between ΔHounsfield unit and Δmaximum standardized uptake value and between Δfp and ΔWOS, with a significant statistically difference (P < 0.05) using Spearman correlation coefficient. CONCLUSIONPerfusion and diffusion MR derived parameters, Choi, PERCIST criteria are more performant than morphological MR and CT criteria to assess ECT treatment response.

Hepatitis C virus induced insulin resistance impairs response to anti viral therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important risk factor for insulin resistance (IR). The latter is the pathogenic foundation underlying metabolic syndrome, steatosis and cirrhosis, and possibly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors ultimately leads to the development of IR. Obesity is considered a major risk factor, with dysregulation of levels of secreted adipokines from distended adipose tissue playing a major role in IR. HCV-induced IR may be due to the HCV core protein inducing proteasomal degradation of insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2, blocking intracellular insulin signaling. The latter is mediated by increased levels of both tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOC-3). IR, through different mechanisms, plays a role in the development of steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and even HCC. In addition, IR has a role in impairing TNF signaling cascade, which in turn blocks STAT-1 translocation and interferon stimulated genes production avoiding the antiviral effect of interferon.

Multi-perspective analysis on rainfall-induced spatial response of soil suction in a vegetated soil

In this study, an intelligent monitoring platform is established for continuous quantification of soil,vegetation, and atmosphere parameters (e.g. soil suction, rainfall, tree canopy, air temperature, and windspeed) to provide an efficient dataset for modeling suction response through machine learning. Twocharacteristic parameters representing suction response during wetting processes, i.e. response time andmean reduction rate of suction, are formulated through multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) usingeight selected influential parameters including depth, initial soil suction, vegetation- and atmosphererelated parameters. An error standardebased performance evaluation indicated that MGGP has appreciable potential for model development when working with even fewer than 100 data. Global sensitivityanalysis revealed the importance of tree canopy and mean wind speed to estimation of response timeand indicated that initial soil suction and rainfall amount have an important effect on the estimatedsuction reduction rate during a wetting process. Uncertainty assessment indicated that the two MGGPmodels describing suction response after rainfall are reliable and robust under uncertain conditions. Indepth analysis of spatial variations in suction response validated the robustness of two obtained MGGPmodels in prediction of suction variation characteristics under natural conditions.

Can the computed tomography texture analysis of colorectal liver metastases predict the response to first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy?

BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence in radiology has the potential to assist with the diagnosis,prognostication and therapeutic response prediction of various cancers.A few studies have reported that texture analysis can be helpful in predicting the response to chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases,however,the results have varied.Necrotic metastases were not clearly excluded in these studies and in most studies the full range of texture analysis features were not evaluated.This study was designed to determine if the computed tomography(CT)texture analysis results of non-necrotic colorectal liver metastases differ from previous reports.A larger range of texture features were also evaluated to identify potential new biomarkers.AIM To identify potential new imaging biomarkers with CT texture analysis which can predict the response to first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy in non-necrotic colorectal liver metastases(CRLMs).METHODS Patients who presented with CRLMs from 2012 to 2020 were retrospectively selected on the institutional radiology information system of our private radiology practice.The inclusion criteria were non-necrotic CRLMs with a minimum size of 10 mm(diagnosed on archived 1.25 mm portal venous phase CT(FOLFOX,FOLFIRI,FOLFOXIRI,CAPE-OX,CAPE-IRI or capecitabine).The final study cohort consisted of 29 patients.The treatment response of the CRLMs was classified according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria.By means of CT texture analysis,various first and second order texture features were extracted from a single nonnecrotic target CRLM in each responding and non-responding patient.Associations between features and response to chemotherapy were assessed by logistic regression models.The prognostic accuracy of selected features was evaluated by using the area under the curve.RESULTS There were 15 responders(partial response)and 14 non-responders(7 stable and 7 with progressive disease).The responders presented with a higher number of CRLMs(P=0.05).In univariable analysis,eight texture features of the responding CRLMs were associated with treatment response,but due to strong correlations among some of the features,only two features,namely minimum histogram gradient intensity and long run low grey level emphasis,were included in the multiple analysis.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the multiple model was 0.80(95%CI:0.64 to 0.96),with a sensitivity of 0.73(95%CI:0.48 to 0.89)and a specificity of 0.79(95%CI:0.52 to 0.92).CONCLUSION Eight first and second order texture features,but particularly minimum histogram gradient intensity and long run low grey level emphasis are significantly correlated with treatment response in non-necrotic CRLMs.

Cursory seismic drift assessment for buildings in moderate seismicity regions

This paper outlines a methodology to assess the seismic drift of reinforced concrete buildings with limited structural and geotechnical information. Based on the latest and the most advanced research on predicting potential near-field and far field earthquakes affecting Hong Kong, the engineering response spectra for both rock and soil sites are derived. A new step-by-step procedure for displacement-based seismic hazard assessment of building structures is proposed to determine the maximum inter-storey drift demand for reinforced concrete buildings. The primary information required for this assessment is only the depth of the soft soil above bedrock and the height of the building. This procedure is further extended to assess the maximum chord rotation angle demand for the coupling beam of coupled shear wall or frame wall structures, which may be very critical when subjected to earthquake forces. An example is provided to illustrate calibration of the assessment procedure by using actual engineering structural models.

Finite Mixture Normal Models, with Application to Dose-Response Studies

In this paper, we consider the risk assessment problem under multi-levels and multiple mixture subpopulations. Our result is the generalization of the results of [1-5].1 Finite Mixture Normal ModelsIn dose-response studies, a class of phenomena that frequently occur are that experimental subjects (e.g., mice) may have different responses like ’none, mild, severe’ after a toxicant experiment, or ’getting worse, no change, getting better’ after a medical treatment, etc. These phenomena have attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. Finite

Seismic Hazard Assessment for Tabuk City, NW Saudi Arabia

Tabuk city is located within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba active tectonic environment where it has ex- perienced considerable earthquakes in the historical and instrumental period. Recently, Tabuk city is ex- pected to become one of the future economic communities in Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, assessment of seismic hazard of Tabuk city plays an important role to minimize earthquake damage and to anticipate the future safe development for the strategic projects. For this purposes, earthquake data were collected from local and regional data centers to construct earthquake catalogue. The earthquake source zones that affect Tabuk city, maximum magnitude and closest distance have been identified. The stochastic approach has been applied through this study for seismic hazard assessment in terms of peak ground acceleration and the response spectra. The results illustrated that, the maximum peak ground acceleration resulted from Tabuk source zone with moment magnitude (Mw) of 7.5. The calculated peak ground acceleration of218 cm/sec2 at distance of10 KmforTabukCityat the bedrock. The response spectra of Pseudo-Spectral Acceleration (PSA) have been calculated at 5% of the critical damping with a value of470 cm/sec2 at10 Kmdistance. The results of the present study are highly recommended to improve Saudi Building Code (SBC) for earthquake resistant design in Tabuk city.