Cyclic Analysis of Laterally Loaded Pile Foundations

A three-dimensional numerical analysis, based on the indirect boundary element method, is developed to model the cyclic behaviour of laterally loaded pile foundations embedded in cohesive soils. Phenomena observed in cyclic pile-load tests, such as gapping, backsliding and soil strength degradation effects are accounted for in the analysis. The analysis is capable of solving one-way and two-way cyclic loading problems subjected to load-controlled and displacement-controlled conditions

International Guideline on Dose Prioritization and Acceptance Criteria in Radiation Therapy Planning for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose: The treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma requires high radiation doses. The balance of the risks of local recurrence owing to inadequate tumor coverage versus the potential damage to the adjacent organs at risk (OARs) is of critical importance. With advancements in technology, high target conformality is possible. Nonetheless, to achieve the best possible dose distribution, optimal setting of dose targets and dose prioritization for tumor volumes and various OARs is fundamental. Radiation doses should always be guided by the As Low As Reasonably Practicable principle. There are marked variations in practice. This study aimed to develop a guideline to serve as a global practical reference. Methods and Materials: A literature search on dose tolerances and normal-tissue complications after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma was conducted. In addition, published guidelines and protocols on dose prioritization and constraints were reviewed. A text document and preliminary set of variants was circulated to a panel of international experts with publications or extensive experience in the field. An anonymized voting process was conducted to rank the proposed variants. A summary of the initial voting and different opinions expressed by members were then recirculated to the whole panel for review and reconsideration. Based on the comments of the panel, a refined second proposal was recirculated to the same panel. The current guideline was based on majority voting after repeated iteration for final agreement. Results: Variation in opinion among international experts was repeatedly iterated to develop a guideline describing appropriate dose prioritization and constraints. The percentage of final agreement on the recommended parameters and alternative views is shown. The rationale for the recommendations and the limitations of current evidence are discussed. Conclusions: Through this comprehensive review of available evidence and interactive exchange of vast experience by international experts, a guideline was developed to provide a practical reference for setting dose prioritization and acceptance criteria for tumor volumes and OARs. The final decision on the treatment prescription should be based on the individual clinical situation and the patient's acceptance of optimal balance of risk. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

International Recommendations on Reirradiation by Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose: Reirradiation for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is challenging because prior radiation dose delivered in the first course is often close to the tolerance limit of surrounding normal structures. A delicate balance between achieving local salvage and minimizing treatment toxicities is needed. However, high-level evidence is lacking because available reports are mostly retrospective studies on small series of patients. Pragmatic consensus guidelines, based on an extensive literature search and the pooling of opinions by leading specialists, will provide a useful reference to assist decision-making for these difficult decisions. Methods and Materials: A thorough review of available literature on recurrent NPC was conducted. A set of questions and preliminary draft guideline was circulated to a panel of international specialists with extensive experience in this field for voting on controversial areas and comments. A refined second proposal, based on a summary of the initial voting and different opinions expressed, was recirculated to the whole panel for review and reconsideration. The current guideline was based on majority voting after repeated iteration for final agreement. Results: The initial round of questions showed variations in clinical practice even among the specialists, reflecting the lack of high-quality supporting data and the difficulties in formulating clinical decisions. Through exchange of comments and iterative revisions, recommendations with high-to-moderate agreement were formulated on general treatment strategies and details of reirradiation (including patient selection, targets contouring, dose prescription, and constraints). Conclusion: This paper provides useful reference on radical salvage treatment strategies for recurrent NPC and optimization of reirradiation through review of published evidence and consensus building. However, the final decision by the attending clinician must include full consideration of an individual patient's condition, understanding of the delicate balance between risk and benefits, and acceptance of risk of complications. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Inhibition of Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) Infections by a Novel Antiviral Peptide Derived from EV-71 Capsid Protein VP1

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) is the main causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). In recent years, EV-71 infections were reported to cause high fatalities and severe neurological complications in Asia. Currently, no effective antiviral or vaccine is available to treat or prevent EV-71 infection. In this study, we have discovered a synthetic peptide which could be developed as a potential antiviral for inhibition of EV-71. Ninety five synthetic peptides (15-mers) overlapping the entire EV-71 capsid protein, VP1, were chemically synthesized and tested for antiviral properties against EV-71 in human Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. One peptide, SP40, was found to significantly reduce cytopathic effects of all representative EV-71 strains from genotypes A, B and C tested, with IC50 values ranging from 6–9.3 µM in RD cells. The in vitro inhibitory effect of SP40 exhibited a dose dependent concentration corresponding to a decrease in infectious viral particles, total viral RNA and the levels of VP1 protein. The antiviral activity of SP40 peptide was not restricted to a specific cell line as inhibition of EV-71 was observed in RD, HeLa, HT-29 and Vero cells. Besides inhibition of EV-71, it also had antiviral activities against CV-A16 and poliovirus type 1 in cell culture. Mechanism of action studies suggested that the SP40 peptide was not virucidal but was able to block viral attachment to the RD cells. Substitutions of arginine and lysine residues with alanine in the SP40 peptide at positions R3A, R4A, K5A and R13A were found to significantly decrease antiviral activities, implying the importance of positively charged amino acids for the antiviral activities. The data demonstrated the potential and feasibility of SP40 as a broad spectrum antiviral agent against EV-71

The morphology of matured Bark of Non-Dipterocarp tree species in Deramakot forest reserve, Sabah

Bark morphology was found useful in distinguishing between some tropical tree species, especially during inventory for stock mapping in the tropical rain forest reserve. The present study was to determine the variety of the morphology of matured bark while producing a bark morphology description that allows the identification of nondipterocarp tree species in the field. From these, some useful taxonomic characters to distinguish non-dipterocarp species could reach a better approach. The investigated non-dipterocarp bark samples consisted of 64 species from 29 families. The materials for this study were by field note, bark samples and photographs taken from both felled and standing tree from Compartment 40, Deramakot Forest Reserve. The field examination on bark was done macroscopically. Further microscopic identification was done in the laboratory by using the stereomicroscope for detail characteristics descriptions writing. The data combination of colours and all the three main parts of the analysed bark descriptions: bark texture, bark patterns and exudation characters or smell gave a fully description of bark morphology for each species. A large number of macroscopic bark terms listed in Junikka's (1994) study used to describe the investigated barks. The comparison between obtained results and the existing studies, a revealed that profound distinct characteristics of slash of the tree bark showed more variety of living bark patterns. These visible bark pattems on fiving bark were mainly related with the growth structure of bark. The outer bark surface patterns also showed the unique feature for certain species. The results also showed that some of the species exhibited similar features within their genus or family. In condusion, matured barks of tropical non-dipterocarp tree species showed the variety of bark morphology

Qualities of a good banker

From humble beginnings in entrepot trade, Singapore has grown into a celebrated business and financial hub; offering a host of activities in international trade and business. Singapore's success was by no means an accident but one which was brought about by the effective leadership of the government who have steered the economy towards the areas of growth. All these would not have been made possible without the efforts of a cohesive, well-trained and productive Iabour force. With regards to the banking and financial sector, it is the aim of the government to nurture and promote the region into a one-stop-full-service financial centre. An Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) in the third quarter of 1993 identified the three latest growth areas over 1992-1993 period as forex/treasury, futures/options and investment management. On a more recent note, an assessment made in early January 1994 by the Association of Banks of Singapore (ABS) that the banking and financial sector will be expecting another bumper year ahead, riding on the back of a prosperous Singapore economy. Consequently, with the economic and telecommunication infrastructure in place, a stable political climate and a strong and resilient economy, a pool of well educated and trained professional expertise would be a valuable edge to the achievement of this mission.BUSINES

Syngas from palm oil mill effluent (POME) steam reforming over lanthanum cobaltite : effects of net-basicity

Steam reforming (SR) of palm oil mill effluent (POME) over net-basic LaCoO3 was optimised for syngas production (FSyngas) and degradation efficacies (XP) by tuning temperature (T), POME flow rate (V˙POME), catalyst weight (Wcat), and particle size (dcat). Net-basicity of LaCoO3 facilitated the adsorption of Lewis acid CO2, thereby assisted carbon removal via reverse Boudouard reaction. POME SR over LaCoO3 was promoted by using (i) higher T (endothermicity), (ii) greater V˙POME (larger partial pressure at constant weight-hourly-space-velocity and total feed rate), (iii) larger Wcat (longer residence time for POME vapour), and (iv) smaller dcat (higher surface area to volume ratio). Nevertheless, the catalytic activity of LaCoO3 declined with (i) severe coking and sintering deactivation (T≥973 K), (ii) carbon-encapsulation (V˙POME  = 0.10 mL/min), (iii) agglomeration (Wcat>0.3 g), and (iv) pore occlusion (dcat<74 μm). Hence, the optimum conditions of POME SR over LaCoO3 were T  = 873 K, V˙POME  = 0.09 mL/min, Wcat  = 0.3 g, and dcat  = 74–105 μm. The optimised process able to produce syngas at a rate of 86.60 μmol/min whilst degrading POME to a less polluted liquid condensate (COD = 435 mg/L and BOD5 = 62 mg/L)

Alanine scanning analysis.

<p>Alanine scanning was performed on the SP40 peptide. Thirteen different peptides were synthesized by replacing one residue at a time with an A and their inhibitory effect was determined as described above. Activity of each peptide was compared with the wild-type SP40, which was represented by the red line. Numbers higher than the red line showed a gain of activity whereas a lower number represented a loss of activity.</p

Proposed locations of the SP40 peptide based on sequence alignment and molecular modeling of poliovirus structure.

<p>(A) The EV-71 strain 41 was aligned with Mahoney poliovirus strain using Clustal W2 program and (B) The molecular structure of poliovirus VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4 is represented by purple, blue, brown and green, respectively. The SP40 sequence is indicated in yellow.</p