Cost‐effectiveness analysis of additional docetaxel for metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer treated with androgen‐deprivation therapy from a Chinese perspective

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139091/1/ecc12505_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139091/2/ecc12505.pd

Dust events in Beijing, China (2004–2006): Comparison of ground-based measurements with columnar integrated observations

Ambient particle number size distributions spanning three years were used to characterize the frequency and intensity of atmospheric dust events in the urban areas of Beijing, China in combination with AERONET sun/sky radiometer data. Dust events were classified into two types based on the differences in particle number and volume size distributions and local weather conditions. This categorization was confirmed by aerosol index images, columnar aerosol optical properties, and vertical potential temperature profiles. During the type-1 events, dust particles dominated the total particle volume concentration (4 m s−1). The type-2 events occurred in rather stagnant air masses and were characterized by a lower volume fraction of coarse mode particles (on average, 55%). Columnar optical properties showed that the superposition of dust and anthropogenic aerosols in type-2 events resulted in a much higher AOD (average: 1.51) than for the rather pure dust aerosols in type-1 events (average AOD: 0.36). A discrepancy was found between the ground-based and column integrated particle volume size distributions, especially for the coarse mode particles. This discrepancy likely originates from both the limited comparability of particle volume size distributions derived from Sun photometer and in situ number size distributions, and the inhomogeneous vertical distribution of particles during dust events

A Superstabilizing log⁡(n)\log(n)-Approximation Algorithm for Dynamic Steiner Trees

In this paper we design and prove correct a fully dynamic distributed algorithm for maintaining an approximate Steiner tree that connects via a minimum-weight spanning tree a subset of nodes of a network (referred as Steiner members or Steiner group) . Steiner trees are good candidates to efficiently implement communication primitives such as publish/subscribe or multicast, essential building blocks for the new emergent networks (e.g. P2P, sensor or adhoc networks). The cost of the solution returned by our algorithm is at most $\log |S|$ times the cost of an optimal solution, where $S$ is the group of members. Our algorithm improves over existing solutions in several ways. First, it tolerates the dynamism of both the group members and the network. Next, our algorithm is self-stabilizing, that is, it copes with nodes memory corruption. Last but not least, our algorithm is \emph{superstabilizing}. That is, while converging to a correct configuration (i.e., a Steiner tree) after a modification of the network, it keeps offering the Steiner tree service during the stabilization time to all members that have not been affected by this modification

Probabilistic Simulation of Shape Instability Based on the True Microstructure Model

Shape instability belongs to one of significant types of violation for disposable structural elements under high-stress levels. Due to lack of fundamental data on materials, it is quite problematic to consider the shape instability in the design of disposable structural elements. The crystal plastic finite element method is proposed to investigate the dispersion of shape instability life data. It allows these data to be obtained from traditional material parameters. The shape instability behavior is described with the constitutive crystal model of plastic damage accumulation. Then, to improve the accuracy of life prediction, the new method is developed to construct the simulation model of true microstructure. A modeling algorithm based on the image processing technology is provided to reduce the virtual stresses from the transient crystal plastic modeling method. Comparison of experimental and predicted results shows good agreement at high stresses close to the elastic limit of the material.Одним из видов потери устойчивости является формоизменение элементов конструкции одноразового применения при высоких уровнях напряжений. Отсутствие основных данных о материалах не позволяет учесть этот параметр при их проектировании. Предложен метод конечных элементов в пластической постановке для оценки разброса данных о сроке службы элемента при его формоизменении. Для этого могут быть использованы традиционные параметры материала. Характер формоизменения описывается с помощью определяющей модели накопления пластических повреждений на кристалле. Разработан новый метод построения имитационной модели реальной микроструктуры с целью повышения точности прогнозирования срока службы. Моделирующий алгоритм, основанный на технологии обработки изображения, позволяет уменьшить эффект виртуальных напряжений при применении нестационарного метода пластического моделирования на кристалле. Сравнение экспериментальных и расчетных данных демонстрирует их хорошее соответствие при высоких напряжениях, близких к пределу упругости материала

Development of a multiplex event-specific PCR assay for detection of genetically modified rice

Global rice supplies have been found contaminated with unapproved varieties of genetically modified (GM) rice in recent years, which has led to product recalls in several of countries. Faster and more effective detection of GM contamination can prevent adulterated food, feed and seed from being consumed and grown, minimize the potential environmental, health or economic damage. In this study, a simple, reliable and cost-effective multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for identifying genetic modifications of TT51-1, Kemingdao1 (KMD1) and Kefeng6 (KF6) rice was developed by using the event-specific fragment. The limit of detection (LOD) for each event in the multiplex PCR is approximately 0.1%. Developed multiplex PCR assays can provide a rapid and simultaneous detection of GM rice

Characteristics of regional new particle formation in urban and regional background environments in the North China Plain

Long-term measurements of particle number size distributions were carried out both at an urban background site (Peking University, PKU) and a regional Global Atmospheric Watch station (Shangdianzi, SDZ) from March to November in 2008. In total, 52 new particle formation (NPF) events were observed simultaneously at both sites, indicating that this is a regional phenomenon in the North China Plain. On average, the mean condensation sink value before the nucleation events started was 0.025 s−1 in the urban environment, which was 1.6 times higher than that at regional site. However, higher particle formation and growth rates were observed at PKU (10.8 cm−3 s−1 and 5.2 nm h−1) compared with those at SDZ (4.9 cm−3 s−1 and 4.0 nm h−1). These results implied that precursors were much more abundant in the polluted urban environment. Different from the observations in cleaner environments, the background conditions of the observed particle homogeneous nucleation events in the North China Plain could be characterized as the co-existing of a stronger source of precursor gases and a higher condensational sink of pre-existing aerosol particles. Secondary aerosol formation following nucleation events results in an increase of particle mass concentration, particle light scattering coefficient, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) number concentration, with consequences on visibility, radiative effects, and air quality. Typical regional NPF events with significant particle nucleation rates and subsequent particle growth over a sufficiently long time period at both sites were chosen to investigate the influence of NPF on the number concentration of "potential" CCN. As a result, the NPF and the subsequent condensable growth increased the CCN number concentration in the North China Plain by factors in the range from 5.6 to 8.7. Moreover, the potential contribution of anthropogenic emissions to the CCN number concentration was more than 50%, to which more attention should be drawn in regional and global climate modeling, especially in the polluted urban areas