Quantification of carbonated Mg-based cement pastes by Raman spectroscopy

This study presented a detailed investigation of the carbonation of reactive magnesia cement (RMC) and brucite cement by using Raman spectroscopy and other characterization techniques. Quantification of carbonation at different depths and formation of various reaction products in each system were demonstrated. Correlations between Raman peak intensities and carbonation degree were established by Raman mapping. Established correlations were employed to evaluate the carbonation behaviour of RMC and brucite cement. Results indicated the higher sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy than XRD in detecting different carbonation products at early stages. This information can be used to assess the strength and microstructural development of RMC and brucite cement since different HMCs have distinct properties and performance contributions, and their transformation plays a key role in microstructural and strength development. This study provided further understanding of the carbonation mechanisms of Mg-based systems, which could enable carbonation degree and performance prediction via the established correlations.</p

Treatment with lamivudine versus lamivudine and thymosin alpha-1 for e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B patients: a meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Currently, there is no evidence on the combination of lamivudine and thymosin alpha-1 on chronic hepatitis B patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of lamivudine monotherapy with that of lamivudine and thymosin alpha-1 combination therapy for the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive hepatitis B patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We searched PUBMED (from 1966 onwards), EMBASE (from 1966), CBMdisk (Chinese Biomedical Database, from 1978), CNKI (National Knowledge Infrastructure, from 1980), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Eight trials (583 patients in total) were identified. The lamivudine and thymosin alpha-1 combination treatment was significantly superior to lamivudine treatment in terms of ALT normalization rate (80.2% vs. 68.8%, P = 0.01), virological response rate (84.7% vs. 74.9%, P = 0.002), and HBeAg seroconversion rate (45.1% vs. 15.2%, P < 0.00001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among HBeAg-positive patients, thymosin alpha-1 and lamivudine combination therapy may be more effective than lamivudine monotherapy, providing superior rates of biochemical response, virological response, and HBeAg seroconversion.</p

Diversity of the Photoreceptors and Spectral Opponency in the Compound Eye of the Golden Birdwing, Troides aeacus formosanus

The compound eye of the Golden Birdwing, Troides aeacus formosanus (Papilionidae, Lepidoptera), is furnished with three types of ommatidia, which are clearly different in pigmentation around the rhabdom. Each ommatidium contains nine photoreceptors, whose spectral sensitivities were analyzed electrophysiologically. We identified nine spectral types of photoreceptor with sensitivities peaking at 360 nm (UV), 390 nm (V), 440 nm (B), 510 nm (BG), 540 nm (sG), 550 nm (dG), 580 nm (O), 610 nm (R), and 630 nm (dR) respectively. The spectral sensitivities of the V, O, R and dR receptors did not match the predicted spectra of any visual pigments, but with the filtering effects of the pigments around the rhabdom, they can be reasonably explained. In some of the receptors, negative-going responses were observed when they were stimulated at certain wavelengths, indicating antagonistic interactions between photoreceptors