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For the use of a gas aggregation cluster source a high and stable deposition rate is desired. For many metals, nanoparticle formation is enhanced by admixture of reactive gases. Here, the role of reactive gas admixtures on the nanoparticle deposition rates is investigated for the case of reactive direct current magnetron sputtering of Ti in a gas aggregation chamber. The results show that, at low working gas (argon) pressures, stable cluster deposition at high rates can only be achieved for admixtures with a very narrow oxygen flow range. At higher pressures, stable deposition can be observed only after an intermediate maximum rate has been crossed or a stable deposition rate is not reached at all. For the different sputtering conditions, the partial pressure of oxygen was monitored with a mass spectrometer. The results are explained in terms of the competing roles of oxygen in cluster nucleation as well as in target poisoning. The cluster size distributions for different conditions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy.

ObjectiveThere is little evidence that adjuvant therapy after radical surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS). We conducted a multicentre, randomised, controlled, phase IV trial evaluating the benefit of an aqueous extract of Trametes robinophila Murr (Huaier granule) to address this unmet need.Design and resultsA total of 1044 patients were randomised in 2:1 ratio to receive either Huaier or no further treatment (controls) for a maximum of 96 weeks. The primary endpoint was RFS. Secondary endpoints included OS and tumour extrahepatic recurrence rate (ERR). The Huaier (n=686) and control groups (n=316) had a mean RFS of 75.5 weeks and 68.5 weeks, respectively (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.81). The difference in the RFS rate between Huaier and control groups was 62.39% and 49.05% (95% CI 6.74 to 19.94; p=0.0001); this led to an OS rate in the Huaier and control groups of 95.19% and 91.46%, respectively (95% CI 0.26 to 7.21; p=0.0207). The tumour ERR between Huaier and control groups was 8.60% and 13.61% (95% CI −12.59 to −2.50; p=0.0018), respectively.ConclusionsThis is the first nationwide multicentre study, involving 39 centres and 1044 patients, to prove the effectiveness of Huaier granule as adjuvant therapy for HCC after curative liver resection. It demonstrated a significant prolongation of RFS and reduced extrahepatic recurrence in Huaier group.Trial registration NCT01770431; Post-results.

Meisner and Albrechtsen present two methods for inferring population structure and admixture proportions in low depth next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS methods provide large amounts of genetic data but are associated with statistical uncertainty, especially for low-depth... We here present two methods for inferring population structure and admixture proportions in low-depth next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Inference of population structure is essential in both population genetics and association studies, and is often performed using principal component analysis (PCA) or clustering-based approaches. NGS methods provide large amounts of genetic data but are associated with statistical uncertainty, especially for low-depth sequencing data. Models can account for this uncertainty by working directly on genotype likelihoods of the unobserved genotypes. We propose a method for inferring population structure through PCA in an iterative heuristic approach of estimating individual allele frequencies, where we demonstrate improved accuracy in samples with low and variable sequencing depth for both simulated and real datasets. We also use the estimated individual allele frequencies in a fast non-negative matrix factorization method to estimate admixture proportions. Both methods have been implemented in the PCAngsd framework available at http://www.popgen.dk/software/.

Acute allergic symptoms are caused by allergen-induced crosslinking of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) bound to Fc-epsilon receptors on effector cells. Desensitization with allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) has been used for over a century, but the dominant protective mechanism remains unclear. One consistent observation is increased allergen-specific IgG, thought to competitively block allergen binding to IgE. Here we show that the blocking potency of the IgG response to Cat-SIT is heterogeneous. Next, using two potent, pre-selected allergen-blocking monoclonal IgG antibodies against the immunodominant cat allergen Fel d 1, we demonstrate that increasing the IgG/IgE ratio reduces the allergic response in mice and in cat-allergic patients: a single dose of blocking IgG reduces clinical symptoms in response to nasal provocation (ANCOVA, p  = 0.0003), with a magnitude observed at day 8 similar to that reported with years of conventional SIT. This study suggests that simply augmenting the blocking IgG/IgE ratio may reverse allergy. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is used to treat patients affected by acute immunoglobulin E (IgE) responses, but the function mechanism is unclear. Here the authors show that the administration of two cat allergen-specific IgGs reduces allergic responses in mouse models and helps ameliorate clinical symptoms in a phase 1b clinical trial.

In order to increase the suitability of coarse recycled concrete aggregates and improve the frost resistance of recycled coarse aggregate concrete, this study aims to investigate the effects of an antifreeze-type water-reducing admixture, air-entraining admixture, and antifreeze admixture on the frost resistance of recycled coarse aggregate concrete. The effectiveness of these admixtures is gauged by the mass loss rate and the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDM). Mercury-impressed porosimetry (MIP), super depth of field microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the hydration products, microstructure, and pore structure of recycled coarse aggregate concrete, with a view to establishing a connection between the microstructural characteristics and the macro properties and analyzing the micro-mechanism of the improvement effect of frost resistance. The test results demonstrate that the admixtures have a significant impact on the frost resistance of recycled coarse aggregate concrete. In particular, the recycled coarse aggregate concrete with an antifreeze admixture (dosage of 1%) and a water–cement ratio of 0.41 exhibited a mass loss of only 1.23% after 200 freezing and thawing cycles, a relative dynamic modulus of elasticity of up to 93.97%; however, the control group had reached the stopping condition at 150 freeze–thaw cycles with more than 10% mass loss. The recycled coarse aggregate concrete with added antifreeze admixture had a tight connection between the aggregate and the paste and a more pronounced improvement in the pore structure, indicating excellent resistance to frost damage.

Karos2/47 adult woman with Europo-Mongoloid features. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208295.g001 thumbnail Download: * PPT PowerPoint slide * PNG larger image * TIFF original image Fig 3. Origin of modern individuals with closest matches to Conqueror sequences are listed next to the indicated regions, ordered according to the frequency of appearances. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208295.g002 thumbnail Download: * PPT PowerPoint slide * PNG larger image * TIFF original image Fig 4. Abbreviations of population names are given in S3B Table. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208295.g004 thumbnail Download: * PPT PowerPoint slide * PNG larger image * TIFF original image Fig 6.

Portland cement has been a very satisfactory hydraulic binder for structural applications for a long time now. However, there are many new issues stemming from its ever increasing use. Sustainable development today demands development of new concrete technologies, which use less natural resources and energy, and generate less CO2, without compromising on strength and durability properties. Supplementary Cementing Materials (SCM) such as Flyash, Blast Furnace Slag, Silica Fume and Metakaoline etc, either in singly or in combination, in development of alternate binder systems is thus of economic and ecological significance. In the recent years, use of High Performance Concrete (HPC) in the construction industry as got momentum. For designing HPC, both SCMs and Superplasticizers are essential for the improvement of Workability and Mechanical Properties. This article presents experimental studies conducted on two grades of HPC mixes of M^sub 50^ and M^sub 60^ using mineral and chemical admixtures in various proportions.

Aiming at the application limitations of single slump-retaining mother liquor in complex construction scenarios, this study innovatively proposes a compounding technology for three types of slump-retaining mother liquors (early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage) and develops a novel composite slump-retaining product. Through systematic orthogonal experiments and mechanistic analysis, the optimal compounding ratio of the three mother liquors is determined, while the synergistic dosages of retarder and air-entraining agent are optimized. The results indicate that when the early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage slump-retaining mother liquors are compounded at a ratio of 5:2:7, combined with 30 kg/t retarder and 0.6 kg/t air-entraining agent, the composite system can effectively control the time-dependent loss of concrete slump flow and enhance the comprehensive performance of the slump-retaining product. This innovative technology provides a solution with both engineering applicability and technical advancement for the field of concrete slump retention, which is of great significance for promoting the development of high-performance concrete construction technologies.

There is a vast literature on Bonus-Malus System (BMS), in which a policyholders responsible for positive claims will be penalised by a malus and the policyholders who had no claim will be rewarded by a bonus. In this paper, we present an optimal BMS using finite mixture models. We conduct a numerical study to compare the new model with the current BMS that use finite mixture models.

As one of the concrete admixtures, water reducing admixtures and superplasticizers are usually used to reduce the mixing water volume and improve the performance of the harden concrete while maintaining better workability of the fresh concrete. However, the concrete strength and durability properties are affected differently by different types and dosages of the water reducing admixtures and superplasticizers. Based on the published literatures, this paper comprehensively reviews and analyzes this problem. Different types of the concretes, including ordinary Portland cement concrete, ordinary Portland cement concrete containing pozzolan, fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag, calcium sulfoaluminate cement concrete, ferrite aluminate cement concrete, recycled aggregates concrete, lightweight aggregate concrete, self-compacting concrete and ultra-high performance concrete, are considered to discuss the influence of types and dosages of the water reducing admixtures and superplasticizers on their strengths. Water absorption, frost resistance and permeability resistance of the concrete are mainly reviewed to discuss this influence on the durability properties of the concrete. Then, some suggestions on the application of the water reducing admixtures and superplasticizers in reinforced concrete structures and projects are proposed.