Adjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Adjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy After Radical Surgery for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Randomized, Non-Inferiority, Multicenter Trial

We conducted a prospective study to assess the non-inferiority of adjuvant chemotherapy alone versus adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) as an alternative strategy for patients with early-stage (FIGO 2009 stage IB-IIA) cervical cancer having risk factors after surgery. The condition was assessed in terms of prognosis, adverse effects, and quality of life. This randomized trial involved nine centers across China. Eligible patients were randomized to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or CCRT after surgery. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). From December 2012 to December 2014, 337 patients were subjected to randomization. Final analysis included 329 patients, including 165 in the adjuvant chemotherapy group and 164 in the adjuvant CCRT group. The median follow-up was 72.1 months. The three-year PFS rates were both 91.9%, and the five-year OS was 90.6% versus 90.0% in adjuvant chemotherapy and CCRT groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the PFS or OS between groups. The adjusted HR for PFS was 0.854 (95% confidence interval 0.415-1.757; P = 0.667) favoring adjuvant chemotherapy, excluding the predefined non-inferiority boundary of 1.9. The chemotherapy group showed a tendency toward good quality of life. In comparison with post-operative adjuvant CCRT, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment showed non-inferior efficacy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer having pathological risk factors. Adjuvant chemotherapy alone is a favorable alternative post-operative treatment

Optimization of karst water monitoring network based on information entropy: A case study in typical groundwater source sites in Xuzhou

In view of the unreasonable layout of monitoring wells and heterogeneity and anisotropy of the karst aquifer monitoring system, mutual information-distance (T-D) and maximum information minimum redundancy (MIMR) models can be used to study the information redundancy of the monitoring network and the optimal monitoring well combination.Dinglou-Maocun and Qiligou in Xuzhou City were selected to do the research.The results show that: the data dispersion degree, information entropy, information transfer amount and information attenuation rate in Dinglou-Maocun are all greater than those in Qiligou.When ε is set to be 10-1, the effective transmission distance of water level information is 4.7 km and 4.8 km respectively, indicating the similar karst development degree and hydraulic conductivity of the two sites.By comparing the actual value and the theoretical value of the control area of monitoring well, it can be found that information redundancy exists in both two water source sites.The optimized number of monitoring wells in Dinglou-Maocun is 6, and the corresponding combination of monitoring wells is D1-D2-D4-D5-D7-D9, while the optimized number of monitoring wells is 5 and the corresponding combination of monitoring wells is Q1-Q3-Q4-Q5-Q7 in Qiligou.Compared to the original monitoring network, three monitoring wells are reduced in both two water source sites with 98.5% and 94.9% of the total information retention, 0.4% and 1.2% of control range decrease, 49.0% and 56.4% of the information redundancy reduction, respectively.It shows that the optimized monitoring network can provide the same amount of information and control range as the original site network, and significantly reduce information redundancy and monitoring costs

Sociodemographic correlates of cervix, breast and oral cancer screening among Indian women.

IntroductionCervix, breast and oral cancers account for about one-third of all cancers in India which as a group is a major contributor to all non-communicable disease-related morbidity and mortality among women. Existing evidence suggests that early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the prevention and intervention of these cancers, and many community-based early screening and awareness programs have been in place in developed countries. Currently, there is not enough research evidence regarding the sociodemographic correlates of cervix, breast and oral cancer screening among Indian women. In the present study, we aimed to assess the self-reported percentage and sociodemographic factors associated with the use of these three types of cancer screening services among Indian women aged 15-49 years.MethodsData were collected from National Family Health Survey conducted during 2015-16. Sample population was 699,686 women aged 15-49 years. Associations between self-reported cervical, breast and oral cancer screening status and the associated sociodemographic factors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression methods.ResultsThe percentage of screening for cervical (21%), breast (8.95%), and oral cancers (13.45%) varied significantly across the population sub-groups. Higher age, urban residence, higher education, having employment, health insurance, use of electronic media, higher household wealth quintile, having healthcare autonomy, showed a positive effect on taking screening services. Further analyses revealed that the strength of the associations varied considerably between urban and rural residents, denoting the need for region-specific intervention strategies. Sex of household head, age, watching TV, using radio, and having health insurance were the most significant contributors to the outcome effects.ConclusionsThe present study provides important insights regarding the current scenario of seeking cancer screening services among women in India. These findings could inform policy analysis and make an avenue for further in-depth analysis for future studies. Our findings conclude that cancer prevention policies should focus on leveraging the positive effects of better socioeconomic status, employment, health insurance ownership, exposure to electronic media, and better healthcare autonomy to improve the cancer screening service uptake among Indian women

Design and Analysis of a High Power Density Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Direct-Drive Wave Power Generation

Wave energy is a new type of clean energy. Aiming at a low wave energy density and small wave height in China’s coastal areas, a tubular permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) with a short stroke, small volume, and high power density is designed for wave power generation. Firstly, the generator’s electromagnetic parameters are analyzed by the analytical method, and the magnetic circuit topology and basic structure of the generator are analyzed by the equivalent magnetic circuit method (EMCM). Then, the finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the influence law of the generator’s basic structural parameters on the output electromotive force (EMF) and its sinusoidal characteristics. The multi-factor and multi-level analysis is carried out based on the orthogonal test method to study the size parameters of the above analysis, and the optimal structure parameter combination for the generator is obtained. Finally, the prototype is trial-produced and tested for steady-state and transient performance to confirm the accuracy of the simulation calculations, and the output performance under no-load and load conditions is examined. The results show that both the optimized prototype’s power density and the output EMF’s sinusoidal properties have been improved under the proposed scheme

Design and Analysis of a High Power Density Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Direct-Drive Wave Power Generation

Wave energy is a new type of clean energy. Aiming at a low wave energy density and small wave height in China’s coastal areas, a tubular permanent magnet linear generator (PMLG) with a short stroke, small volume, and high power density is designed for wave power generation. Firstly, the generator’s electromagnetic parameters are analyzed by the analytical method, and the magnetic circuit topology and basic structure of the generator are analyzed by the equivalent magnetic circuit method (EMCM). Then, the finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the influence law of the generator’s basic structural parameters on the output electromotive force (EMF) and its sinusoidal characteristics. The multi-factor and multi-level analysis is carried out based on the orthogonal test method to study the size parameters of the above analysis, and the optimal structure parameter combination for the generator is obtained. Finally, the prototype is trial-produced and tested for steady-state and transient performance to confirm the accuracy of the simulation calculations, and the output performance under no-load and load conditions is examined. The results show that both the optimized prototype’s power density and the output EMF’s sinusoidal properties have been improved under the proposed scheme

Field Emission of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Pt-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were grown directly on a metal substrate with the assistance of Pt using a chemical vapor deposition method. In addition, the growth mechanism of Pt-assisted catalytic CNT was discussed. MWNTs were characterized by SEM, TEM, AFM, Raman, and EDS, and the field emission (FE) properties were investigated, comparing with the direct grown MWNTs. The results showed that CNTs could not been synthesized by Pt particles alone under the experimental condition, but Pt may accelerate the decomposition of the carbon source gas, i.e., assisting MWNT growth with other catalysts. The Pt-assisted MWNTs were longer with larger diameters of around 80 nm and possessed better structural qualities with very few catalyst particles inside. Improved field emission properties were demonstrated for the Pt-assisted MWNTs with lower turn-on fields (for 0.01 mA·cm−2 current density) of 2.0 V·μm−1 and threshold field (for 10 mA·cm−2 current density) of 3.5 V·μm−1, as well as better stability under a long-term test of 80 h (started at 3.0 mA for the Pt-assisted emitter and 3.25 mA for the direct grown emitter). This work demonstrated a promising approach to develop high performance CNT field emitters for device applications

Damping and Stiffness Responses of Silica Rock under Constant Amplitude and Variable Rate Cyclic Loading

In this paper, the shear modulus and damping ratio of silica rock under cyclic loading were experimentally analyzed using two loading modes, constant amplitude and increasing amplitude, combined with three increasing loading rates. Observations have indicated a decrease in the shear modulus of specimens as the number of cycles increased during the loading and unloading phases and an overall increase with larger amplitude intervals. The change in loading rate significantly affects the damping ratio of the specimens, leading to a stepwise decrease within the same cyclic group, while the damping ratio of a single specimen exhibits a ‘concave’ distribution throughout the cyclic interval. Based on the axial strain and dissipation energy, this paper develops two damage models that can effectively predict the damage accumulation process in rocks under cyclic loading. These findings have significant implications for a deeper understanding of the mechanical behavior of rocks under dynamic loading and offer theoretical guidance and technical support for rock engineering

LncRNA XIST/miR-200c regulates the stemness properties and tumourigenicity of human bladder cancer stem cell-like cells

Abstract Background The abnormal expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs and long ncRNAs, often contribute to the development of cancers. miR-200c functions as a tumour suppressor that impacts the growth of bladder cancer cells and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). LncRNA X inactive specific transcript (XIST) is highly expressed in tumour tissues, promotes cancer progression and might act as an miRNA molecular sponge. This study aimed to examine the relationship between lncRNA XIST and miR-200c and to assess their functions in the regulation of the stemness properties and tumourigenicity of human bladder cancer stem cell (BCSC)-like cells. Methods Biological effects including cell clone formation, sphere formation, self-renewal properties and mouse tumourigenesis were examined in BCSC-like cells with miR-200c overexpression or XIST knockdown. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression changing of related factors in BCSC-like cells gene models. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the changes of XIST and miR-200c expression levels. Results The results indicated that miR-200c overexpression and XIST knockdown could inhibit cell clone formation, self-renewal ability and EMT in BCSC-like cells. miR-200c knockdown could restore the tumour growth inhibition caused by XIST knockdown. Conclusion LncRNA XIST may act as an inhibitor of miR-200c to regulate the stemness properties and tumourigenicity of bladder cancer cells, and our findings might reveal a potential strategy of targeting XIST for bladder cancer therapy