Plateau Curve Research Articles

Study of Gas Amplification Impact on Plateau Curve Characteristics in Boron-Coated Proportional Counters

The characteristics of the plateau curve, specifically its length and slope, in boron-coated proportional counters are key performance indicators that impact the detector’s overall performance. Currently, the lack of research on the plateau curve of boron-coated proportional counters is holding back progress in engineering design and scientific research. This study harnesses the Diethorn formula, a calculation method for gas gain, to explore the relationship between gas amplification and the plateau curve in a boron-coated proportional counter. Based on the analysis of experimental data, this study proposes methods for improving the characteristics of the plateau curve in a proportional counter, including modifications to the counter structure and gas pressure, along with an evaluation method for assessing the effectiveness of these improvements. First, the causes of the plateau curve in a boron-coated proportional counter are analyzed through a physical process perspective, identifying factors that influence gas amplification and subsequently affect the plateau curve. Building upon this foundation, the Diethorn formula is utilized to explore the effects of structural parameters and gas pressure on gas multiplication. Finally, experimental validation is conducted, resulting in the proposal of three methods for improving the characteristics of the plateau curve and an evaluation method for assessing the effectiveness of improvements.

Abstract PO4-07-07: The construction and clinical research value of the prediction model of sentinel lymph node metastasis based on indocyanine green fluorescence quantification in breast cancer

Abstract Objective: To establish a prediction model of sentinel lymph node metastasis by quantitative indocyanine green fluorescence analysis in breast cancer. Methods: From May 2023 to June 2023, 20 patients with breast cancer underwent modified radical mastectomy in the General Surgery Department of Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital were chosen for research and analysis. Sentinel lymph node were taken from all the patients. The sentinel lymph nodes were located by using the double staining method of subcutaneous injection of Methylene blue and intravenous injection of indocyanine green. The postoperative pathology is used as the standard for evaluating the presence or absence of metastatic cancer in lymph nodes. At the same time, the transcutaneous fluorescence of sentinel lymph node was recorded and the peak time of fluorescence intensity curve was plotted. To establish a logistic diagnostic prediction model and fluorescence threshold, the sentinel lymph node was incised during operation and the fluorescence of sentinel lymph node was recorded again. The criteria for ICG positive determination are determined by the Youden index, which was used to judge the lymph nodes above the threshold in the Logistic diagnostic prediction model. Lymph nodes below the threshold determined in the Logistic diagnostic prediction model are the criteria for ICG negative determination. Cases with less than 3 sentinel lymph node were excluded. Results: 19 cases were ultimately selected. Methylene blue staining data was taking as the judgment standard of sentinel lymph node. Fluorescence imaging was 100% in 14 patients, 66.7% (2/3) in 1 patient, and 125%-150% (5/4-6/4) in 4 patients. Fluorescence quantification values below 2.91 are negative lymph nodes, and values above 4.69 are positive lymph nodes. Moreover, caution is required between 2.91 and 4.69. Combining with the fluorescence dynamic attenuation curve, the positive group has a plateau curve, while the negative group mostly has a decline curve. Combining fluorescence quantification with fluorescence dynamic attenuation curve, the diagnostic rate of positive lymph nodes has a lower false negative rate compared to simple fluorescence quantification and fluorescence dynamic attenuation curve. Conclusion: The quantitative difference value of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography can be used to predict the positive metastasis of sentinel lymph node in breast cancer, making it an attempt to exempt sentinel lymph node biopsy. Citation Format: Yang Wu, Wei Zhang, Jinhai Tang. The construction and clinical research value of the prediction model of sentinel lymph node metastasis based on indocyanine green fluorescence quantification in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-07-07.

Non-mass enhancement on breast MRI: Clues to a more confident diagnosis

BackgroundNon-mass enhancement (NME) seen on dynamic contrast enhanced breast MRI (DCE-MRI) may be caused by benign, high risk or malignant lesions. Making a clear distinction between these lesions is challenging due to the significant overlap in their imaging appearance. Our study aims to assess the various patterns of distribution, internal enhancement patterns (IEPs) and kinetics of NME using the BI-RADS lexicon fifth edition with histopathologic correlation to aid in making a more confident recommendation regarding clinical management.ResultsSixty-six female patients with NME on DCE-MRI were included. Thirty-four lesions (51.5%) were histopathologically proven to be benign and 32 (48.5%) were malignant. Segmental distribution was the most common pattern and was found in 22 cases (33.3%), 14 of them were malignant with p-value < 0.05. Linear distribution was reported in 14 cases, (21.2%), five of which were malignant, with p-value > 0.05. Thirteen cases (19.7%) had focal distribution, only two of them were malignant with p-value < 0.05. Twelve cases (18.2%) were of regional distribution, seven of which were malignant. Multiregional and diffuse distribution were the least common and were found in 3% and 4.5% of cases respectively. As for the enhancement pattern, 30 cases (45.5%) had heterogeneous enhancement. Nineteen of which were malignant with a p-value < 0.05. Clumped enhancement was found in 24 cases (36.4%); 12 cases were found to be malignant. Nine cases (13.6%) were of homogeneous enhancement, all of them were benign and three cases (4.5%) were of clustered ring enhancement with p-value > 0.05. Restricted diffusion value was detected in 75% of malignant cases with p-value < 0.05. In terms of kinetic curve, the most frequent curve was found to be type II plateau curve (26 cases, 39.4%), 15 cases were of benign pathology and the other 11 cases were proven to be malignant. Followed by type III washout curve which was detected in 25 cases (37.9%), 20 cases were malignant and five cases were benign. And type I persistent curve was found in 15 cases (22.7%); 14 cases were histopathologically proven to be benign, and only one case was of malignant pathology, with a total p-value < 0.05.ConclusionsOur study found that the most common distribution pattern was segmental distribution, being statistically significant with p-value < 0.05, being more common among malignant lesions. As for the enhancement pattern, heterogeneous enhancement was the most common pattern, mainly detected in malignant lesions, with p-value < 0.05. The most common type of kinetic curve was type II curve.

Method for stabilizing the detection efficiency of grazing angle incidence boron-lined neutron detectors

Boron-lined gaseous neutron detectors intrinsically suffer from the “self-absorption” effect and hence their neutron detection efficiencies might be nonconstant, when the threshold of them undergoes unexpected variation. To address this problem, we propose a maximum likelihood estimation-based threshold determining method, via which the pulse height spectra acquired under different high voltages could be rescaled to the same abscissa axis of deposited energies. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to study the relationship between the precision of the threshold determination and the counting statistics, as well as the energy deposition spectrum, indicating that the grazing angle incidence neutron detector can achieve a fairly small relative standard variation for a spectrum with a modest total neutron counts. A prototype grazing angle incidence neutron detector has been constructed and tested under high voltages ranging from 500 V to 950 V. The experimental results show that, with the maximum likelihood estimation-based method, the threshold's relative standard deviations are less than 10% even with a total neutron counts as low as 100. As a result, the maximum relative variance of the counting plateau curve is 4.8% in the region of [500 V, 900 V] when the detector operates at a grazing angle of 1.8°. The results presented in this study indicate that combining the grazing angle incidence and the maximum likelihood estimation-based threshold determining method would be a promising way to achieve stable neutron detection efficiency for neutron detectors with the boron layer as the neutron convertor.

Evaluation of molecular subtypes of breast cancer using MRI BI-RADS Lexicon

BackgroundMolecular subtyping of breast cancer is one of the prognostic factors which play a very important role in managing patient’s treatment plan. The MRI BI-RADS Lexicon is initially used to categorize breast lesions but recent attempts were employed to differentiate breast lesions based on their molecular subtypes using this lexicon. The study aimed to evaluate of the role of the MRI BI-RADS Lexicon in classifying different molecular subtypes of breast cancer especially after coupling with Kaiser scoring system.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted on 147 patients with 170 malignant breast lesions. They underwent Pre-contrast and a Dynamic contrast MRI study. Retrospective interpretation of the morphological and dynamic criteria of the breast lesions based on the MRI BI-RADS criteria was carried out followed by reassessment of the same lesions by Kaiser scoring. Resulting data were correlated with histopathological and immunological characterization.ResultsLuminal subtypes were more frequently encountered as mass lesions, contrary to the Non-Luminal lesions which showed a more frequent non-mass presentation value (P 0.002). The shape, margin, internal enhancement pattern of the mass lesions showed significant variability between different molecular subtypes (P < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001) respectively. On Dynamic study, Plateau curve was a more evident pattern with Luminal lesions contrasting with their Non-Luminal counterparts which showed a washout pattern more frequently (P 0.0004). Most of luminal A cancers were presented as mass lesions with rim enhancement and categorized as BIRADS 4 while most of Her2neu positive cancers (including luminal B entity) were presented as non-mass lesions with irregular shape and dark internal septations and categorized as BIRADS 5 with statistically significant values (P < 0.001). Coupling with Kaiser scoring system improved the categorization of non-luminal tumors as BIRADS 5 lesions especially the aggressive TN cancers.ConclusionsMRI-BIRADS lexicon can be of great value in the non-invasive molecular characterization of breast cancer. Kaiser score improved the categorization of TN cancers which were upgraded to BIRADS 5 category.

Low-cost vanadium-free Ti–Zr–Cr–Mn–Fe based alloys for metal hydride hydrogen compressor under mild conditions

Hydrogen is the ideal green fuel and carbon-neutral energy carrier alternative to nonrenewable fuel sources. The high construction cost of hydrogen refueling stations has become one of the limitations to the further promotion and application of hydrogen energy. To realize 8–22 MPa hydrogen compression under mild conditions, the low cost Ti0.95Zr0.07Cr1.7-xMn0.3Fex (x = 0–0.5) alloys were designed and prepared by magnetic levitation melting in this work. The effect of Fe on Cr substitution on the microstructure and hydrogen storage properties of the alloy has been systematically investigated. With the increase of Fe substitution for Cr, all the alloys maintain a single C14 Laves phase, the thermodynamic plateau curve broadens and rises, while the hydrogen storage capacity diminishes slightly. For a better description of the thermodynamic properties of alloys at high temperatures as the function of temperature, a non-linear Van't Hoff fitting is introduced with satisfactory prediction. On account of significant Fe substitution for Cr, the unit cell shrinks and the interstitial size of alloy decreases, an optimal alloying constituent, Ti0.95Zr0.07Cr1.3Mn0.3Fe0.4, has been proposed and experimentally proved for the first time. This alloy exhibits the best overall performances and the plateau pressure is respectively 5.74 MPa for hydrogenation at 283 K and 25.97 MPa for dehydrogenation at 353 K without apparent hysteresis phenomenon. The hydrogen storage capacity is 1.59 wt% within 3 min and dehydrogenation enthalpy is 21.20 kJ/mol H2. This study provides a comprehensive insight into the low-cost hydrogen storage alloy design and application on quick response and high cycle stability metal hydride hydrogen compressors.

MR‐based follow‐up after brachytherapy and proton beam therapy in uveal melanoma

AbstractPurpose: Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with conventional ultrasound for the follow‐up in Uveal Melanoma (UM) patients treated with brachytherapy or proton beam therapy (PBT).Methods: 26 UM patients were scanned before, 3, 6 and 12 months after ruthenium brachytherapy (n = 13) or PBT (n = 13) at 3Tesla MRI. Tumour prominence measurements were compared between MRI and ultrasound. On Perfusion weighted MR‐imaging (PWI), the relative enhancement and outflow at 2 min after peak were assessed. Treatment response was defined as a reduction of ≥0.6 mm prominence and/or ≥5% perfusion outflow was achieved.Results: Pretreatment prominences were comparable on MR and ultrasound (mean absolute difference 0.49 ± 0.46 mm), larger differences were observed at 3 and 6 months post treatment (0.88 ± 0.86 mm and 0.74 ± 0.72 mm, respectively). At 12 months post treatment, the difference was reduced to 0.55 ± 0.33 mm. Pretreatment, 76% of the UM showed a washout perfusion curve. The pretreatment average enhancement and outflow were 98% (SD:49%) and 31% (SD: 25%) respectively. At 3 months post treatment tumours showed 41% less outflow on average with more favourable perfusion curves (e.g. 68% showed a persistent or plateau curve). At 6 and 12 months post treatment, tumours continued to show less outflow (respectively, −47% and −38%) and more favourable perfusion curves (respectively, 79% and 76% with either persistent or plateau curves). These, generally favourable, perfusion changes were also observed when no reduction in prominence was yet apparent, which is why treatment response was more frequently detected on MRI as opposed to ultrasound. For example, at 3 months post treatment &gt;80% of patients were already detected on MRI versus 46% on ultrasound.Conclusions: MRI is beneficial for the follow‐up of UM patients, especially for PBT treated patients as these generally take longer before a reduction in prominence can be observed.

Excellent air storage stability of Na-based transition metal oxide cathodes benefiting from enhanced Na−O binding energy

O3-type layered oxides NaTmO2 are promising cathodes for Na-ion batteries. However, their practical applications have been greatly hindered by the high air affinity of lattice Na, originating from the reaction of NaTmO2 with H2O/CO2 in air accompanying the production of Na1-xTmO2 and NaOH/Na2CO3, which leads to serious loss of active Na and performance degradation. Here we propose that the air storage stability can be significantly improved by introducing a weak orbital hybridization between transition metal and oxygen layers. The weakened hybridization can facilitate more charge transfer from sodium to oxygen to form a stronger Na−O binding energy, suppressing the unfavorable active Na loss. With the tailored electronic structure in transition metal layer and more active Na being reserved in Na layers, the optimized material exhibits a smooth electrochemical profile, a high capacity of 137.5 mAh g−1, and an improved active Na retention of 90.4% after air exposure, in sharp contrast with plateau curve, 101.1 mAh g−1 and 58.0% of unmodified sample. This research provides a new insight to design air stable layered oxide materials to push their mass production and practical applications.

The risk of algorithm transparency: How algorithm complexity drives the effects on the use of advice

Although algorithmic decision support is omnipresent in many managerial tasks, a lack of algorithm transparency is often stated as a barrier to successful human–machine collaboration. In this paper, we analyze the effects of algorithm transparency on the use of advice from algorithms with different degrees of complexity. We conduct a set of laboratory experiments in which participants receive identical advice from algorithms with different levels of transparency and complexity. Our results indicate that not the algorithm itself, but the individually perceived appropriateness of algorithmic complexity moderates the effects of transparency on the use of advice. We summarize this effect as a plateau curve: While perceiving an algorithm as too simple severely harms the use of its advice, the perception of an algorithm as being too complex has no significant effect. Our insights suggest that managers do not have to be concerned about revealing algorithms that are perceived to be appropriately complex or too complex to decision‐makers, even if the decision‐makers do not fully comprehend them. However, providing transparency on algorithms that are perceived to be simpler than appropriate could disappoint people's expectations and thereby reduce the use of their advice.

Measurements of basal d-glucose transport through GLUT1 across the intact plasma membrane of isolated segments from single fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscle fibres ofrat.

AimTo develop a method for direct measurement of the fluorescent d‐glucose analogue 2‐NBDG transport across the plasma membrane of single skeletal muscle fibres and derive the theoretical framework for determining the kinetic parameters for d‐glucose transport under basal conditions.MethodsA novel method is described for measuring free 2‐NBDG transport across plasma membrane of single rat muscle fibres at rest. The 2‐NBDG uptake was >90% suppressed by 100 µM cytochalasin B in both fast‐twitch and slow‐twitch fibres, indicating that the 2‐NBDG transport is GLUT‐mediated. Fibres were identified as fast‐twitch or slow‐twitch based on the differential sensitivity of their contractile apparatus to Sr2+.ResultsThe time course of 2‐NBDG uptake in the presence of 50 µM 2‐NBDG follows a one‐phase exponential plateau curve and is faster in fast‐twitch (rate constant 0.053 ± 0.0024 s‐1) than in slow‐twitch fibres (rate constant 0.031 ± 0.0021 s‐1). The rate constants were markedly reduced in the presence of 20 mM d‐glucose to 0.0082 ± 0.0004 s‐1 and 0.0056 ± 0.0002 s‐1 in fast‐twitch and slow‐twitch fibres respectively. 2‐NBDG transport was asymmetric, consistent with GLUT1 being the major functional GLUT isoform transporting 2‐NBDG in muscle fibres at rest. The parameters describing the transport kinetics for both 2‐NBDG and d‐glucose (dissociation constants, Michaelis–Menten constants, maximal rates of uptake and outflow) were calculated from the measurements made with 2‐NBDG.ConclusionFree 2‐NBDG and d‐glucose transport across the plasma membrane of single rat muscle fibres at rest is fast, conclusively showing that the rate‐limiting step in d‐glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is not necessarily the GLUT‐mediated transport of d‐glucose.

Water intercalation strategy to fabricate low-potential and dense grapheme film anode for high energy density K-ion batteries

Carbon materials have appealing potential as anode for Potassium ion batteries (KIBs), but achieving low-potential plateau curve and high energy density for anode materials is a primary challenge. Herein, a 3D holey reduced graphene oxide/ carbon nanotubes (L-HRGO/CNT) film was constructed via chemical etching and low- temperature drying method. The micro/mesoporous in graphene oxide (GO) sheets are created by chemical etching, which shorts ion transfer distance, and thus increases the K+ intercalation/deintercalation rate. During low-temperature drying process, the water molecules inside the GO interlayer serve as self-sacrificial spacers for extending the stacked structure and maintaining integrity, increasing capacity contributed from K+ intercalation for a low discharge voltage. And the CNTs introduced into the film via vacuum co-filtration can enhance the conductivity and mechanical strength of the film. The optimized L-HRGO/CNT film delivered a high K+ storage capacity of 307.0 mA h g−1, high-rate capability, and the capacity retention reaches 72.6% at 200 mA g−1 for 200 cycles. When assembled with the KVPO4F cathode, the reversible capacity remains 93.8 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles, and 473.0 Wh kg−1(776.9 Wh L−1) of the energy density is achieved.

Milkability traits across milk flow curve types in Sarda sheep

A temporary interruption of the milk flow is observed between alveolar and cisternal fraction in ewes for the peculiar anatomy of the mammary gland. Often during milking a physiological delay in milk excretion between the cisternal and the alveolar fraction occurs. However, long delays may indicate suboptimal pre-stimulation of teats and/or insufficient oxytocin release in the bloodstream, resulting in undesired protracted interruptions between the 2 milk peaks. Moreover, a clear distinction between the fractions may be undetectable in high-producing ewes, particularly in early lactation. Based on both milk flow curve shape and duration of different excretion phases during milking, 3 curve types can be identified: single-peak (P1), double-peak (P2), and long plateau (PL). The aim of the present study was to compare milkability traits across the 3 milk flow curve types using data recorded in Sarda sheep breed; for this scope, 10 features were measured with a milkmeter in 568 ewes belonging to different parities, lactation stages, and commercial farms. After editing, data of 544 ewes reared in 17 farms were available for the analysis. The P1 curves were the most frequent (57.5 %), but ewes with a PL curve were significantly more productive than those with a P1 curve (0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.53 ± 0.02 kg of milk/milking). Milk yield of P2 ewes was intermediate (0.58 ± 0.03 kg of milk/milking) and in all curves the majority of milk was excreted in the first 60 s of milking. The highest milk flow rate and the shortest milk emission time were estimated for the P1 curves; moreover, the blind time, indicator of overmilking, was the minimum in PL curves and the maximum in P1 curves. Based on such findings, farmers are recommended to pay more attention to milk emission curves in their herd in order to avoid overmilking, particularly in the presence of P1 curves. Considering the large herd size of Sarda breed farms (170.3 ewes per farm in 2020), part of milking routine could be slightly modified and customized according to milk flow curve type and lactation stage. Ideally, this will allow optimal milking practices to be adopted within groups of ewes with similar milkability. Monitoring milk emission curves and adopting less-standard and more adjusted milking practices is useful to meet the ewe’s individual milking ability and in the long term would limit mammary gland stress, reduce antimicrobial use due to udder issues, and improve the udder health in Sarda sheep.

Conquering stroke epidemiological statistics in Brazil an innovative initiative from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology

Abstract Background Stroke has been the second major cause of death in Brazil in the last decades. A better understanding on epidemiological statistics as well as on the diseases burden is crucial for enabling stakeholders to better tackle the disease. Purpose This project aims to continuously monitor and evaluate the data sources on heart disease and stroke in Brazil to provide the most up-to-date information on the epidemiology of these diseases to Brazilian society annually. Methods This initiative is based on the Heart Disease &amp; Stroke Statistics Update methodology of the American Heart Association, with the support of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, the Global Burden of Diseases Brazil network and an international committee. The project incorporates official statistics provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and other government agencies, as well as data generated by other sources and scientific studies on heart disease, stroke, and other CVD, including GBD/IHME data. Results The age-standardized prevalence rates per 100.000 for ischemic stroke in 1990 was 1327,6 (1151.2 to 1516) and 870.1 (761.1 to 992.8) in 2019 representing a percent change of −34.5 (−36.7 to −0.3). The age-standardized prevalence rates for intracerebral hemorrhage in 1990 was 507.5 (438.9 to584.1) and 315.9 (275 to 361.4) in 2019 representing a percent change of −37.7 (−40.5 to −0.3). The age-standardized incidence rates for stroke in 1990 was 224.6 (201.6 to 251.8) and 127 (113.8 to 142.1) in 2019 representing a percent change of −43.5 (−44.7 to −0.4). the age-standardized mortality rates for stroke in 1990 was 137.8 (127.8 to 144) and 58.1 (52.6 to 61.8) in 2019 representing a percent change of −57.8 (−60.4 to −0.6). The age-standardized DALY rates for stroke in 1990 was 2959 (2829.6 to 3063) and 1219.6 (1142 to 1285.5) in 2019 representing a percent change of −58.8 (−61 to −0.6). Conclusion This project represents a fundamental step on a better understanding on the stroke epidemiology in Brazil. While we observed a significant decrease in mortality rates from 1990 to 2019, we also raise a concern on a possible shift for a plateau curve or even increased rates in the next years. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Brazilian Society of Cardiology

Teaching and Learning through Laboratory Experiments in the Area of Nuclear Technology

Abstract Simulated laboratories are an effective tool to complement teaching and learning processes, in this case, in the area of nuclear physics and related sciences. They can be used in universities, schools, and research centers for personnel ramp up and training. This work presents the development of a simulator of a nuclear radiation counter and the elements used in experiments alongside it, such as simulated radioactive sources, absorbing materials and dispersing materials of radiation. This simulator allows us to verify the scientific laws that are involved in the interaction of radiation with matter, in a safe and reproducible way. The simulated laboratory experiments include determining the plateau curve of a Geiger-Müller tube, beta particle absorption and backscattering, and radioactive background. The data obtained from the simulations is based on the real experiments, eliminating the inherent risks of the manipulation of radioactive materials. This also allows to verify theoretical concepts in practice, strengthening the learning process and incentivizing research, interpretation, integration and communication of the obtained results. By incorporating this simulator in the multidisciplinary teaching and learning processes in STEM fields, it is possible to run these laboratories in a simple manner using non-radioactive materials.

A sealed ceramic GEM-based neutron detector

The GEM-based neutron detector has flourished in the past decade. However, most of the GEM-based neutron detectors operate in the flow-gas mode, and the long-term performances of the detectors may be unstable due to the dynamic changes of atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. In this work, a sealed ceramic GEM-based neutron detector with 100 mm × 100 mm sensitive area was developed at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). Various characteristics of the detector were determined. These included the plateau curve, neutron beam profile, neutron wavelength spectrum, spatial resolution (FWHM: 2.77 ± 0.01(stat) mm), two-dimensional (2D) imaging ability, neutron detection efficiency and long-term counting rate instability (Relative Standard Deviation (RSD): 0.80%). The results revealed the good performance of the detector in sealed mode. Furthermore, the detector can be used for measurements of the direct neutron beam at CSNS.

USE OF BYPASS PROTEIN AND STARCH TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GAS AND AMMONIA

The article considers the ways of reducing the formation of greenhouse gases and ammonia in the digestive tract of lactating cows. Reduction of emissions is based on increasing the absorption of nutrients by animals due to the use of our specialized additive that rumen escape proteinand starch protected from disintegration in the rumen. The effect of increasing the absorption of nutrients was confirmed in an experiment on fistula animals. It was found that feeding the developed supplement led to some changes in the digestibility of dietary nutrients. In the rumen, the digestibility of crude protein decreased from 6.52 ± 10.047 % to –15.62 ± 3.047 % and crude fat - from 13.49 ± 10.545 % to 1.33 ± 9.611 %, that indicates an increase in microbial synthesis; and the digestibility of crude fiber and nitrogen-free extractives increased from 73.98 ± 6.995 % to 77.82 ± 8.920 % and from 71.29 ± 5.629 % to 80.71 ± 8.878 %, respectively. Tests of the developed additive under production conditions were also carried out. The productivity of experimental cows directly depended on the level of introduction of the additive TEP-mix to the diet. Along with the increase in milk yield of experimental animals, there was a pronounced trend of increasing fat content and protein content in milk, which indicated a significant improvement in protein and energy nutrition in experimental cows. It was found that during the experiment the milk yield of cows probably increased by 7-137 %. The use of the supplement provided lengthening of the lactation peak plateau and lactation curve from 52 to 61 - 65 days, or 22-25 %. There was also a positive effect of the supplement on the prevention of the syndrome of weight loss of cows; there was a reduction in its losses during the first 100 days of lactation by more than 22-27%. Increasing the nutrient uptake of nutrients by cows provided an equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions. It was found that when using the additive TEP-mix in feeding lactating cows (feeding 1 kg of additive TEP-mix instead of 1 kg of standard feed) productivity increases by 2.15 kg of milk and reduces emissions of carbon dioxide by 522.54 ± 13.41 g and ammonia per 41 ± 0.13 g per day.

A selective multiple fit method of the point of inflection for the large-area HTFP melting plateau curve

National Institute of Metrology (NIM) has set up a new large-area tungsten carbide–carbon (WC-C) high-temperature fixed-point (HTFP) blackbody system as the direct radiation source for measuring spectral irradiance. The point of inflection (POI) of the HTFP melting plateau curve was important to determine the liquidus point and applied as the reference point in temperature calibration. This paper presented a selective multiple fit method. The maximum discrepancy of different factors for the new method and traditional methods were 0.001 K and 0.633 K which led to 0.0003% and 0.20% spectral irradiance errors at 500 nm. In addition, when used to calculate POIs of WC-C and Re-C small-area HTFPs, the maximum deviation between the new method and the average value of traditional methods were −0.004 K and −0.03 K. This method was verified to be insensitive to the influencing factors and more effective for large-area HTFPs applications.

Interpretation of uroflow curves: A global survey measuring inter and intra rater reliability.

There is a large amount of intra and inter observer variability in defining curve shapes. This study aims to evaluate inter and intra rater reliability (RR) on evaluating uroflow curves in a broad spectrum of international practitioners. Eight hundred sixty-four questionnaires were sent by email to health professionals that care for children with voiding dysfunction. It included demographic questions and 11 different uroflow curves and two duplicates. Four hundred forty-one emails were opened and 29.5% of those responded. Seventy percent of responders were physicians, including 46% pediatric urologists. Europe, South America, North America, Oceania, and Asia represented respondents. For the repeated bell smooth curve the intra rater agreement was 82.1% utilizing the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS) classification and 92.3% for the shape of the curve (bell, plateau, and tower [BPT]) (P = .04). For the repeated interrupted plateau curve it was 69.5% and 97.5% for ICCS and for the continuity of the curve (smooth or fractionated [SF]) classifications, respectively (P < .001). The curves were then divided into two groups for evaluation of inter RR. For the set of seven smooth curves, the inter RR was low in all classifications with α = .282, .497, and .242 for ICCS, SF, and BPT, respectively. The group of six fractionated curves showed a slightly better agreement with α = .533, .404, and .662 for ICCS, SF, and BPT, respectively. This is the largest study looking at inter and intra RR of uroflows in a disparate population of readers. It was evident from our findings that inter RR was poor and additionally intra RR was equally poor, indicating the unreliability of uroflow shapes to be used for research purposes.

Construcción y Caracterización de un Detector tipo A cámara Proporcional multialambres

Se construyó y caracterizó un detector gaseoso de partículas tipo “cámara proporcional multialambres”, conocida por sus siglas en inglés como MWPC. El detector consta de un circuito electrónico dentro de una caja hermética de acrílico en una atmósfera de gas apropiado. Una vez verificado su funcionamiento mecánico y eléctrico, se realizó la caracterización como detector de partículas. Se midió la curva característica, consistente en la carga eléctrica colectada en los electrodos, en función del voltaje aplicado. Luego se midió la curva de conteo de muones provenientes de la radiación cósmica en función del voltaje, conocida como “curva plateau”. Las mediciones se realizaron con diferentes mezclas de gases: 100% Aire, 100% Ar, 100% CH4 y 90%Ar + 10% CH4 (P10).En los resultados se discute el funcionamiento del detector para distintos voltajes, con estas mezclas de gas. El mejor desempeño fue obtenido con la mezcla P10, para la cual el detector funciona en la región proporcional, para voltajes entre 3700 V y 4000 V, con un voltaje óptimo de operación de 3850 V.

Characteristics of Yield and Harvest Index, and Evaluation of Balanced Nutrient Uptake of Soybean in Northeast China

The balance between fertilizer application and plant nutrient demand is essential for ensuring agricultural production because it is effective to prevent nutrient deficiency and excess, especially for soybean. This study used data from 29 sites of field experiments carried out in the soybean planting area of Liaoning province, China in 2011 to 2013. We (i) study the characteristics of yield, nutrient concentration, and harvest index to (ii) valuate the balanced nutrient uptake at different potential yield levels for soybean. The grain yield ranged from 804 to 4484 kg/ha, and average N, P, and K concentrations in grains were 45.7, 5.0, and 10.1 g/kg, respectively, while those in straw were 14.1, 1.8, and 6.7 g/kg, respectively. Average harvest index values of N, P, and K were 0.69, 0.65, and 0.52 kg/kg, respectively, while approximately 69% N and 65% P of the plant were stored in soybean grain, and 48% K was stored in straw. The two boundary lines of the QUEFTS (quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils) model were aN = 10.5, dN = 20.6, aP = 65.6, dP = 289.6, aK = 30.4, and dK = 162.7 as model parameters. The QUEFTS model estimated the balanced nutrient uptake with yield targets increased following a linear–parabolic–plateau curve. A continual linear increase in grain yield with 65.5 kg N, 7.0 kg P, and 13.9 kg K was required to produce 1000 kg grain, until the yield target reached approximately 60–70% of the potential yield, and the corresponding ratio of N, P, and K was 9.35:1:1.8. Results could be used to estimate balanced nutrient uptake to prevent excessive fertilizer being applied and reduce environment risk for ensuring sustainable agricultural development.