A note on the free degrees of homeomorphisms on genus 2 orientable compact surfaces

AbstractFor a compact surface F, the free degree fr(F) of homeomorphisms on F is defined as the maximum of least periods among all periodic points of self-homeomorphisms on F. We show that maxbfr(F2,b)=12

Adaptive design towards optimal dose

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

Fixed subgroups are compressed in surface groups

For a compact surface $\Sigma$ (orientable or not, and with boundary or not) we show that the fixed subgroup, $\operatorname{Fix} B$, of any family $B$ of endomorphisms of $\pi_1(\Sigma)$ is compressed in $\pi_1(\Sigma)$ i.e., $\operatorname{rk}((\operatorname{Fix} B)\cap H)\leq \operatorname{rk}(H)$ for any subgroup $\operatorname{Fix} B \leq H \leq \pi_1(\Sigma)$. On the way, we give a partial positive solution to the inertia conjecture, both for free and for surface groups. We also investigate direct products, $G$, of finitely many free and surface groups, and give a characterization of when $G$ satisfies that $\operatorname{rk}(\operatorname{Fix} \phi) \leq \operatorname{rk}(G)$ for every $\phi \in Aut(G)$

Fixed subgroups in direct products of surface groups of Euclidean type

We give an explicit characterization of which direct products G of surface groups of Euclidean type satisfy that the fixed subgroup of any automorphism (or endomorphism) of G is compressed, and of which is it always inert.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

The role of MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with more than 40% of new cases occurring in China. With the advancement of treatment methods, the application of adjuvant therapy and targeted drugs, the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer has been significantly improved. In recent years, more and more studies have reported that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed great value in the clinical application among patients with gastric cancer, including preoperative staging, treatment response evaluation, predicting prognosis and histopathological features, treatment guidance, and molecular imaging. The remarkable research progress of MRI in gastric cancer will provide new evaluation and treatment approaches for clinical diagnosis and treatment. This article aims to review the current status of the application and research progress of MRI in patients with gastric cancer

Investigating the role of E-commerce marketing capabilities to achieve the strategic performance of tourism firms

IntroductionThis study aims to explore the relationships between strategic performance, e-commerce marketing capabilities (ECMCs), the Internet of Things (IoT) and customer engagement. This study examines the direct association between ECMC and strategic performance. Current research also explores the customer engagement mediation between ECMC and strategic performance (SP). Furthermore, our study investigates the IoT moderation between ECMC and SP.MethodsWe test our research hypotheses using data collected in the tourism sector in the context of digital commerce. The questionnaire is used to collect data through random sampling, and these data are useful as a basis for future research. By adding e-commerce capabilities, we show firms how to become more efficient and improve their strategic performance. Moreover, this study, by incorporating the findings of the existing literature, provides a strong foundation for studying the impact of ECMCs and customer engagement on strategic performance as well as the mediating role of e-trust.ResultsThe results can be useful for managers who conduct digital business internationally, as they need to understand the importance of ECMCs. In fact, the adaptation of ECMCs to the organization enhances customer engagement and helps to improve strategic performance.DiscussionThe approach used in this study is in line with previous theoretical analyses and shows emerging patterns in international digital businesses. Moreover, this study adds insights to the e-commerce research by linking different dimensions to reach an in-depth understanding of each item that is affected by ECMCs

MLVA distribution characteristics of Yersinia pestis in China and the correlation analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Yersinia pestis</it>, the aetiological agent of plague, has been well defined genotypically on local and worldwide scales. In November 2005, five cases of severe pneumonia of unknown causes, resulting in two deaths, were reported in Yulong, Yunnan province. In this study, we compared <it>Y. pestis </it>isolated from the Yulong focus to strains from other areas.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two hundred and thirteen <it>Y. pestis </it>strains collected from different plague foci in China and a live attenuated vaccine strain of <it>Y. pestis </it>(EV76) were genotyped using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) on 14 loci. A total of 214 <it>Y. pestis </it>strains were divided into 85 MLVA types, and Nei's genetic diversity indices of the various loci ranged between 0.02 - 0.76. Minimum spanning tree analysis showed that <it>Y. pestis </it>in China could be divided into six complexes. It was observed that Microtus strains were different from the other three biovar strains. Each plague focus had its own unique MLVA types.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The strains isolated from Yulong, Yunnan province had a unique MLVA type, indicating a new clone group. Our results suggest that Yulong strains may have a close relationship with strains from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau plague focus.</p

Capillary imbibition of confined water in nanopores

The spontaneous capillary imbibition of confined nanopores is investigated using an analytical model that includes the slip effect, wettability and effective viscosity at the water surface interface. The results show that the effective viscosity of confined water is larger than that of bulk water and decreases with diameter and wettability. The effective slip length is negative for a contact angle of 0◦, and the effective slip length is positive and increases with diameter. The results of the presented model show that the capillary imbibition length for nanoconfined water can vary up to 0.389-1.033 times that determined by the Lucas-Washburn equation with no-slip boundary conditions for nanopores due to the effective viscosity and slippage with various dimensions and contact angles. The enhancement increases with diameter and contact angle. These results elucidate the confined movement through nanopores, which can be used to understand fracturing-fluid flow in the nanopores of shale reservoir formations.Cited as: Zeng, F., Zhang, Q., Guo, J., Meng, Y., Shao, X., Zheng, Y. Capillary imbibition of confined water in nanopores. Capillarity, 2020, 3(1): 8-15, doi: 10.26804/capi.2020.01.0