4,074 research outputs found
Estimate black hole masses of AGNs using ultraviolet emission line properties
Based on the measured sizes of broad line region of the reverberation-mapping
AGN sample, two new empirical relations are introduced to estimate the central
black hole masses of radio-loud high-redshift () AGNs. First, using
the archival spectroscopy data at UV band for the
reverberation-mapping objects, we obtained two new empirical relations between
the BLR size and \Mg/\C emission line luminosity. Secondly, using the newly
determined black hole masses of the reverberation-mapping sample for
calibration, two new relationships for determination of black hole mass with
the full width of half maximum and the luminosity of \Mg/\C line are also
found. We then apply the relations to estimate the black hole masses of AGNs in
Large Bright Quasar Surveyq and a sample of radio-loud quasars. For the objects
with small radio-loudness, the black hole mass estimated using the R_{\rm BLR}
- L_{\eMg/\eC} relation is consistent with that from the relation. But for radio-loud AGNs, the mass estimated
from the R_{BLR} - L_{\eMg/\eC} relation is systematically lower than that
from the continuum luminosity . Because jets could have
significant contributions to the UV/optical continuum luminosity of radio-loud
AGNs, we emphasized again that for radio-loud AGNs, the emission line
luminosity may be a better tracer of the ionizing luminosity than the continuum
luminosity, so that the relations between the BLR size and UV emission line
luminosity should be used to estimate the black hole masses of high redshift
radio-loud AGNs.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figure
Interplay between Quantum Size Effect and Strain Effect on Growth of Nanoscale Metal Thin Film
We develop a theoretical framework to investigate the interplay between
quantum size effect (QSE) and strain effect on the stability of metal
nanofilms. The QSE and strain effect are shown to be coupled through the
concept of "quantum electronic stress. First-principles calculations reveal
large quantum oscillations in the surface stress of metal nanofilms as a
function of film thickness. This adds extrinsically additional strain-coupled
quantum oscillations to surface energy of strained metal nanofilms. Our theory
enables a quantitative estimation of the amount of strain in experimental
samples, and suggests strain be an important factor contributing to the
discrepancies between the existing theories and experiments
Incidence of central nervous system metastases in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with trastuzumab: A meta-analysis
This study aimed to estimate the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with trastuzumab.
Studies were identified through a literature search of electronic databases. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the incidence rate of CNS metastases, trastuzumab therapy duration, and time from trastuzumab therapy to CNS metastasis diagnosis. A meta-analysis of odds ratios was performed to evaluate the significance of a difference in CNS metastasis incidence between patients with and without trastuzumab treatment.
Thirty studies (8121 trastuzumab-treated and 3972 control patients) were included. The follow-up duration was 18.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.8, 24.1). The trastuzumab treatment duration was 9.0 months (95% CI: 7.0, 11.0). The median interval between the start of trastuzumab therapy and CNS metastasis diagnosis was 12.2 months (95% CI: 9.5, 14.7). The incidence of CNS metastasis after the start of trastuzumab therapy was 22% (95% CI: 16, 27). The incidence of CNS metastases was significantly higher in trastuzumab-treated than in non-trastuzumab-treated patients (odds ratio: 1.39 [95% CI: 1.06, 1.82], p=0.02). The survival time from the start of the study was 23.4 months (95% CI: 19.7, 27.1) in trastuzumab-treated patients and 18.4 months (95% CI: 12.7, 24.1) in patients treated with control regimens. The survival time after the development of CNS metastases in trastuzumab-treated patients was 19.2 months (95% CI: 15.6, 25.9).
Approximately 22% of patients with HER2-positive MBC who were treated with trastuzumab developed CNS metastases. However, trastuzumab-treated patients had a longer survival than patients who were not treated with trastuzumab
A Highly Controllable Electrochemical Anodization Process to Fabricate Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membranes
Due to the broad applications of porous alumina nanostructures, research on fabrication of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) with nanoporous structure has triggered enormous attention. While fabrication of highly ordered nanoporous AAO with tunable geometric features has been widely reported, it is known that its growth rate can be easily affected by the fluctuation of process conditions such as acid concentration and temperature during electrochemical anodization process. To fabricate AAO with various geometric parameters, particularly, to realize precise control over pore depth for scientific research and commercial applications, a controllable fabrication process is essential. In this work, we revealed a linear correlation between the integrated electric charge flow throughout the circuit in the stable anodization process and the growth thickness of AAO membranes. With this understanding, we developed a facile approach to precisely control the growth process of the membranes. It was found that this approach is applicable in a large voltage range, and it may be extended to anodization of other metal materials such as Ti as well.Hong Kong Research Grant Council [612113]; Hong Kong Innovation Technology Commission [ITS/362/14FP]; Fundamental Research Project of Shenzhen Science & Technology Foundation [JCYJ20130402164725025]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [61574005]; Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions [PAPD]SCI(E)[email protected]; [email protected]
Elective caesarean section versus vaginal delivery for preventing mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus – a systematic review
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Caesarean section before labor or before ruptured membranes ("elective caesarean section", or ECS) has been introduced as an intervention for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Currently, no evidence that ECS versus vaginal delivery reduces the rate of MTCT of HBV has been generally provided. The aim of this review is to assess, from randomized control trails (RCTs), the efficacy and safety of ECS versus vaginal delivery in preventing mother-to-child HBV transmission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (January, 2008), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (the Cochrane Library 2008, issue 1), PubMed (1950 to 2008), EMBASE (1974 to 2008), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) (1975 to 2008), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1979 to 2008), VIP database (1989 to 2008), as well as reference lists of relevant studies. Finally, four randomized trails involving 789 people were included. Based on meta-analysis, There was strong evidence that ECS versus vaginal delivery could effectively reduce the rate of MTCT of HBV (ECS: 10.5%; vaginal delivery: 28.0%). The difference between the two groups (ECS <it>versus </it>vaginal delivery) had statistical significance (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.60, P < 0.000001). No data regarding maternal morbidity or infant morbidity according to mode of delivery were available.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ECS appears to be effective in preventing MTCT of HBV and no postpartum morbidity (PPM) was reported. However, the conclusions of this review must be considered with great caution due to high risk of bias in each included study (graded C).</p
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