Deriving inherent optical properties from classical water color measurements: Forel-ule index and secchi disk depth

Secchi disk depth (ZSD) and Forel-Ule index (FUI) are the two oldest and easiest measurements of water optical properties based on visual determination. With an overarching objective to obtain water inherent optical properties (IOPs) using these historical measurements, this study presents a model for associating remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs) with FUI and ZSD. Based upon this, a scheme (FZ2ab) for converting FUI and ZSD to absorption (a) and backscattering coefficients (bb) is developed and evaluated. For a data set from HydroLight simulations, the difference is < 11% between FZ2ab-derived a and known a, and < 28% between FZ2ab-derived bb and known bb. Further, for a data set from field measurements, the difference is < 30% between FZ2ab-derived a and measured a. These results indicate that FZ2ab can bridge the gap between historical measurements and the focus of IOP measurements in modern marine optics, and potentially extend our knowledge on the bio-optical properties of global seas to the past century through the historical measurements of FUI and ZSD

A nomogram for prediction of deep venous thrombosis risk in elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients: A dual-center retrospective study

ObjectiveDeep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity is a common perioperative complication of femoral intertrochanteric fracture. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients and establish a nomogram model.MethodsFrom August 2014 to June 2021, a total of 1,652 femoral intertrochanteric fracture patients over the age of 65 were enrolled in our study. We distinguished independent risk factors by univariate and multivariate Cox analyses. A nomogram model was then built, and the discriminative and calibration of the model was evaluated through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and calibration plots.ResultsA total of 378 patients developed DVT (292 in the training group, 86 in the validation group) while the remaining patients did not. According to the univariate and multivariate Cox analyses results, age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04–1.10), fibrinogen (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.68–2.60), D-dimer (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.27–1.40), time from injury to admission (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.55–2.05), functional status (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.86–6.20), and diabetes (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.10–2.48) were identified as independent risk factors of DVT. The ROC values for DVT of the training and validation group were 0.862 and 0.912, and the P-value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration test was 0.767.ConclusionThis nomogram model can be used to predict the probability of preoperative DVT in elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture and guide physician in perioperative thrombosis management

Utility of clinical metagenomics in diagnosing malignancies in a cohort of patients with Epstein-Barr virus positivity

BackgroundsDifferentiation between benign and malignant diseases in EBV-positive patients poses a significant challenge due to the lack of efficient diagnostic tools. Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) is commonly used to identify pathogens of patients with fevers of unknown-origin (FUO). Recent studies have extended the application of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in identifying tumors in body fluids and cerebrospinal fluids. In light of these, we conducted this study to develop and apply metagenomic methods to validate their role in identifying EBV-associated malignant disease.MethodsWe enrolled 29 patients with positive EBV results in the cohort of FUO in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University from 2018 to 2019. Upon enrollment, these patients were grouped for benign diseases, CAEBV, and malignant diseases according to their final diagnosis, and CNV analysis was retrospectively performed in 2022 using samples from 2018 to 2019.ResultsAmong the 29 patients. 16 of them were diagnosed with benign diseases, 3 patients were diagnosed with CAEBV and 10 patients were with malignant diseases. 29 blood samples from 29 patients were tested for mNGS. Among all 10 patients with malignant diagnosis, CNV analysis suggested neoplasms in 9 patients. Of all 19 patients with benign or CAEBV diagnosis, 2 patients showed abnormal CNV results. The sensitivity and specificity of CNV analysis for the identification for tumors were 90% and 89.5%, separately.ConclusionsThe application of mNGS could assist in the identification of microbial infection and malignancies in EBV-related diseases. Our results demonstrate that CNV detection through mNGS is faster compared to conventional oncology tests. Moreover, the convenient collection of peripheral blood samples adds to the advantages of this approach

An electrodeposition metal layers method for magnetic powders and warm-pressing preparation of Nd-Fe-B/Sn-bonded magnets

The method of magnetic stirring in fluid-bed galvanic deposits was used for cladding low-melting-point metallic tins onto the surface of rapid quenching Nd-Fe-B magnetic powders. This form of bonding was also used to make Nd-Fe-B/Sn composite magnets by warm pressing at 300 degrees C. The tin-plating layers of the Nd-Fe-B magnetic particles were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The magnetic properties of the coated and uncoated powders were examined by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), respectively. Furthermore, both the compressive strength and magnetic properties of Sn-coated Nd-Fe-B/Sn-bonded magnets were measured. The results indicate that not only the tin plated and magnetic powders were bonded closely, but also the content of tin-plated layers can be controlled by the electrical current. The (BH)(max) and B-r value of magnetic powders decrease with the increasing content of plated tin. An increase in the tin-plated content results in an elevation in magnetic properties of composite magnets by warm-pressing preparation. The composite magnets exhibit excellent integrated magnetic property when the content of Sn was 5.079 wt.%, at (BH)(max)=113.7kJm(-3), B-r=0.821 T, H-cj=732.6 kAm(-1). The results indicate that the required electrodeposited tin is less than 5 wt.% achieving the same magnetic properties and compressive strength which demands 10 wt.% tin in mechanical mixing method

Double coating protection of Nd-Fe-B magnets: Intergranular phosphating treatment and copper plating

In this work, a double coating protection technique of phosphating treatment and copper plating was made to improve the corrosion resistance of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets. In other words, the intergranular region of sintered Nd-Fe-B is allowed to generate passive phosphate conversion coating through phosphating treatment, followed by the copper coating on the surface of sintered Nd-Fe-B. The morphology and corrosion resistance of the phosphated sintered Nd-Fe-B were observed using SEM and electrochemical method respectively. The phosphate conversion coating was formed more preferably on the intergranular region of sintered Nd-Fe-B than on the main crystal region; just after a short time of phosphating treatment, the intergranular region of sintered Nd-Fe-B has been covered by the phosphate conversion coating and the corrosion resistance is significantly improved. With the synergistic protection of the intergranular phosphorization and the followed copper electrodeposition, the corrosion resistance of the sintered Nd-Fe-B is significantly better than that with a single phosphate film or single plating protection. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Maintenance of a living understory enhances soil carbon sequestration in subtropical orchards.

Orchard understory represents an important component of the orchards, performing numerous functions related to soil quality, water relations and microclimate, but little attention has been paid on its effect on soil C sequestration. In the face of global climate change, fruit producers also require techniques that increase carbon (C) sequestration in a cost-effective manner. Here we present a case study to compare the effects of understory management (sod culture vs. clean tillage) on soil C sequestration in four subtropical orchards. The results of a 10-year study indicated that the maintenance of sod significantly enhanced the soil C stock in the top 1 m of orchard soils. Relative to clean tillage, sod culture increased annual soil C sequestration by 2.85 t C ha(-1), suggesting that understory management based on sod culture offers promising potential for soil carbon sequestration. Considering that China has the largest area of orchards in the world and that few of these orchards currently have sod understories, the establishment and maintenance of sod in orchards can help China increase C sequestration and greatly contribute to achieving CO2 reduction targets at a regional scale and potentially at a national scale