Reduction Rate Research Articles

Physical and mechanical properties of concrete containing plastic tube fibers

Plastic tube fibers (PTFs) are one form of plastic waste resulting from the production of plastic mats that end up in the landfill. Until today, no attempt has been made to explore the applicability of PTFs as a construction material for a circular economy. This paper investigates the applicability of PTFs as fibers in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) production. A series of tests are carried out to investigate the effects of volume fractions (VFs) and the length of the fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of FRC-containing PTFs. The effects of the length and VFs on the unit weight, compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, pulse velocity, thermal conductivity, and microstructure of FRC are examined. Three different lengths of fibers of 20 mm, 30 mm, and 50 mm, and VFs of PTFs of 0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, and 1.5 % are studied. Results show that although the mechanical properties of concrete decrease as the VFs increase from 0 % to 1.5 %, the rate of reduction becomes smaller as the length of the fiber becomes larger. The maximum reduction of compressive, tensile, and flexural strength was found to be as high as 35 %, 25 %, and 35 % compared to the control sample obtained for 20 mm fiber length having 1.5 % VFs. Formulas to predict the tensile and flexural strengths of concrete containing PTFs as a function of the compressive strength are proposed and found to be providing satisfactory results. From a microscopic view, it is seen that the sample containing higher VFs shows less density and homogeneity of concrete which leads to an increase in the micropores of the concrete. Furthermore, the ultrasonic pulse velocity and attenuation coefficient decrease as the VFs of PTFs increase.

Микронизация в технологии минорного компонента консервирующего действия

Natural preservatives are a global trend in the food industry. As a rule, they are traditional herbs or spices. Flavonoids inhibit microbial activity. However, they are effective only when their distribution in the food matrix is uniform. This uniformity is achieved by increasing their solubility, e.g., by micronization. The research assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of micronization of a plant preservative using a purified flavonoi d fraction obtained from defatted sea-buckthorn meal. The study featured samples of purified flavonoid fraction of sea-buckthorn meal with different dispersions. Their solubility, antioxidant properties, antimicrobial activity, and fungicidal effect were assessed by standard methods. Micronization under ultrasonic conditions and cryogenic grinding increased the solubility in water, ethyl, and oil. Ultrasonic micronization proved efficient as it produced particles of 1,400 nm under rational conditions, i.e., 50 W ultrasonic vibration in a 0.5% suspension for 10 min. The sample obtained in this way increased the rate of catalase reaction by 19% relative to the control sample while maintaining a constant rate of glutathione reduction. Its antioxidant activity increased fourfold. The samples demonstrated bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as fungistatic activity against Candida albicans. Purified flavonoid fraction of sea-buckthorn meal micronized under ultrasonic conditions can be recommended as a natural preservative in various food systems.

A slow-release reduction material of Escherichia sp. F1 coupled with micron iron powder achieves the remediation of trichloroethylene-contaminated soil

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a prevalent organic pollutant found in soil. The oxide passivation layer on the surface of micron iron powder inhibits the release of its reducing components, leading to ineffective reduction and purification of TCE in soil. To enhance TCE degradation, a slow-release reduction material "Escherichia sp. F1-micron iron powder" was developed. A novel iron-reducing bacterium, Escherichia sp. F1, was isolated from soil contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. This bacterium demonstrated a sustained iron reduction capability, achieving a reduction rate of 38.7% for Fe(Ⅲ) within 15 days. Genome sequencing revealed that strain F1 harbors 53 functional iron reduction genes and 2 dehalogenation genes. Single-factor experiments identified the optimal conditions for TCE degradation in soil using the coupling material: glucose concentration at 40 mmol/kg, soil water content at 50%, and bacterial inoculum at 1% (v:w). Under these optimal conditions, the coupled material achieved 86.86% degradation of TCE in soil within 28 days. Further analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of micron iron powder, soil Fe(Ⅱ) concentration, and soil physicochemical properties demonstrated that the addition of strain F1 to the soil could disrupt the passivation layer of iron oxide on the surface of micron iron powder, promoting the exposure of its reactive sites and internal reducing active components. This resulted in an in situ self-actuated activation of passivated micron iron powder, leading to an improved removal rate and complete dechlorination of TCE in the soil. Soil microbial high-throughput sequencing revealed that the addition of strain F1 regulated the soil bacterial community, significantly enriching of Escherichia-Shigella species associated with iron-reducing functions. This enrichment facilitated the degradation of TCE in the soil through coupling materials. The functional material plays a crucial role in achieving green treatment and risk control of sites contaminated with chlorinated organic pollutants.

Drag reduction utilizing a wall-attached ferrofluid film in turbulent channel flow

This study explores the application of a wall-attached ferrofluid film to decrease skin-friction drag in turbulent channel flow. We conduct experiments using water as a working fluid in a turbulent channel flow set-up, where one wall is coated with a ferrofluid layer held in place by external permanent magnets. Depending on the flow conditions, the interface between the two fluids is observed to form unstable travelling waves. While ferrofluid coating has been previously employed in laminar and moderately turbulent flows (Reynolds number $Re<4000$ ) to reduce drag by creating a slip condition at the fluid interface, its effectiveness in fully developed turbulent conditions, particularly when the interface exhibits instability, remains uncertain. Our primary objective is to assess the effectiveness of ferrofluid coating in reducing turbulent drag with particular focus on scenarios when the ferrofluid layer forms unstable waves. To achieve this, we measure flow velocity using two-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (2D-PTV), and the interface contour between the fluids is determined using an interface tracking algorithm. Our results reveal the significant potential of ferrofluid coating for drag reduction, even in scenarios where the interface between the surrounding fluid and ferrofluid exhibits instability, with observed drag reduction rates up to 95 %. In particular, waves with an amplitude significantly smaller than a viscous length scale positively contribute to drag reduction, while larger waves are detrimental, because of induced turbulent fluctuations. However, for the latter case, slip outcompetes the extra turbulence so that drag is still reduced.

Occurrence characteristics of authigenic pyrite in the deep-sea environment and its paleoceanographic implications based on core sediments from IODP Expedition 342 Site U1406

Although authigenic pyrite (FeS2) in marine sediment is an important proxy for oxygen conditions and microbial activities at its formation site, very little is known about its morphological characteristics in the deep-sea (> 3500 m) environment and their paleoceanographic implications. Here, we report the occurrence characteristics of authigenic pyrite including texture, size distribution, and relative content in North Atlantic deep-sea sediments from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 342 Site U1406. The results of electron microscopy show octahedral pyrite microcrystals of 1.5–4.0 μm, the spherical texture of greigite (Fe3S4), and large pyrite framboids (average, 25 μm) relative to those of the continental margin. These features may demonstrate an unchanged supersaturation level of the pore water for octahedral pyrite after its initial formation, replacement of the precursor greigite by pyrite, and an expanded pyrite framboid formation zone with a low sulfate reduction rate in deep-sea sediments, respectively. Although the size distribution of pyrite framboids measured in this study falls into the range of pyrites formed in the sulfate–methane transition zone, based on onboard geochemical data and previous research, these pyrites most likely formed through organoclastic sulfate reduction during diagenesis. We assessed the implications of these findings for paleoceanographic changes, as the formation of diagenetic pyrite is controlled by the supply rate and reactivity of organic matter, which are closely related to ocean productivity and circulation. A comparison between the profiles of relative pyrite content and benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotope (δ18Obf) values indicated that these factors were anti-phased during the late Oligocene. Based on our results, we conclude that the formation of diagenetic pyrite was favored during interglacial periods due to increases in the amount and reactivity of organic matter driven by more energetic formation of proto-North Atlantic Deep Water. Our findings provide new insights into the formation of authigenic pyrite in deep-sea environments and its potential as a paleoceanographic proxy.

Effect of surface charge on laser-produced silver nanoparticles for dye reduction and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are widely used in biological, chemical, and physical fields due to their distinct properties. However, the effect of surfactants with different polarities on the catalytic and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) performance of Ag NPs has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we tailor the surface charge of laser-synthesized Ag NP without changing their morphology and investigate their catalytic and SERS capabilities. The surfactant-free silver nanoparticles (NPBare), synthesized via pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL), are subsequently coated with ionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (NPSDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (NPCTAB). The synthesis and morphology of Ag NPs are confirmed using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The surface charge of fabricated NPs is determined using zeta potential (ZP) measurements. The ZP values of NPBare, NPSDS, and NPCTAB are determined to be -17 mV, 28.7 mV, and 5.58 mV, respectively. The catalytic activity of bare and coated Ag NPs was tested against the cationic and anionic dyes, Methylene blue (MB) and Methyl orange (MO) respectively. The reduction rate of both dyes was highest when using NPBare. However, in the case of coated nanoparticles, the rate of MB and MO reduction depends on the difference between the ZP of the dye and nanoparticles: the rate of reduction increases with the difference between the zeta potentials of the dye and coated nanoparticles increases. The SERS capability of bare and coated NPs was evaluated for anionic (MO) and cationic (MB, Rhodamine B, and Crystal Violet) dyes. The SERS intensity of dyes strongly enhanced with the increase in ZP difference between the dye molecules and NPs. Surface charge modified NPs shown excellent SERS sensitivity with detection limit up to nanomolar for dye molecules as well as the homogeneity of NPs demonstrated in Raman mapping results with relative standard deviation of 17%. The results suggest that the electrostatic interaction between the nanoparticles and dye molecules plays a dominant role in SERS enhancement. These findings highlight the significance of surface charge in improving the catalytic and sensing properties of noble metal nanoparticles.

Efficacy of eptinezumab in non-responders to subcutaneous monoclonal antibodies against CGRP and the CGRP receptor: A retrospective cohort study.

Migraine patients unresponsive to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)(-receptor, -R) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) may benefit from switching between CGRP(-R) mAbs. However, some patients do not tolerate or respond to any subcutaneous mAbs. This study evaluates the efficacy of the intravenous CGRP mAb eptinezumab in these therapy-refractory patients. In this retrospective cohort study, patients with migraine who previously failed erenumab and at least one CGRP mAb (fremanezumab and/or galcanezumab) received eptinezumab 100 mg, followed by a second dose of 100 mg or 300 mg after 12 weeks. Monthly headache days, monthly migraine days, acute medication days, and migraine pain intensity were recorded from standardized headache diaries during the four weeks before the first infusion (baseline), and during weeks 9-12 and 21-24 of treatment. Patient-reported outcomes were analyzed at baseline, weeks 12, and 24. From January 2023 to February 2024, 41 patients received eptinezumab 100 mg. Of these, 38 (93%) received a second infusion after 12 weeks, with 29 (71%) increasing the dose to 300 mg. The percentage of patients with a ≥30% reduction rate in monthly migraine days was 23.1% at week 12 and 29.7% at week 24. Monthly migraine days decreased from 16.3 ± 8.0 at baseline to 15.4 ± 8.1 days during weeks 9-12 and 14.4 ± 8.0 days during weeks 21-24 (p = 0.07). During weeks 21-24, 38.5% reported a clinically meaningful reduction in HIT-6 scores and 52.4% in MIDAS scores. No adverse events were reported. Eptinezumab may be an effective and well-tolerated option for some treatment-refractory migraine patients unresponsive to subcutaneous CGRP-(R) mAbs.

Novel biomass carbon dots/chitosan hydrogel-modified TiO2: An effective reduction of Cr(VI) in various wastewater under sunlight

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) poses a serious threat to the environment and human health owing to its inherent toxicity. Photocatalysis technology has garnered widespread attention owing to its efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, existing photocatalysts are constrained by light conditions, low reduction rates, and lack of studies in real wastewater. In this study, biomass carbon dots (P-CDs) were synthesized from peanut shell powder, then combined with chitosan (CS) and TiO2 to create a novel photocatalyst (9:1 1 % P-CDs/TiO2@CS). The photocatalyst exhibited a smaller band gap and a broader light absorption range than TiO2, while the porous structure of the hydrogel increased the contact area between P-CDs/TiO2@CS and Cr(VI), thereby enhancing its photocatalytic performance. Our study demonstrates that under simulated sunlight using a xenon lamp, 0.2 g of 9:1 1 % P-CDs/TiO2@CS reduced 50 mg/L Cr(VI) at a rate of 99.64 % in 30 min (pH 7). The photocatalyst also exhibited excellent reduction capabilities for Cr(VI) across a pH range (pH 2–9), at different concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mg/L), and in various real wastewater samples (influent, effluent, and electroplating wastewater). After five cycles, the reduction rate was still maintained at 90.38 %. Experiments conducted under natural sunlight and ion interference further confirmed its outstanding photocatalytic performance and stability in real-world applications. Free radical trapping experiments indicated that electrons (e-) and holes (h+) were the primary active species. Additionally, antibacterial experiments showed that the reactive oxygen species generated by the photocatalyst under light irradiation effectively inhibited the proliferation ofEscherichia coli. Thus, P-CDs/TiO2@CS holds significant potential for practical application in environmental wastewater treatment.

Change in Tear Layer Thickness under Scleral Contact Lenses in Keratoconus Patients and Normal Cornea Volunteers

Objective: To quantify rate of post-lens tear thickness change under scleral contact lenses in keratoconus patients and normal cornea volunteers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study where semi-scleral lenses were fitted to 20 eyes (5 subjects, 10 eyes in each group). After insertion, post-lens tear thickness was measured at 0, 30 minutes and every hour up to 6 hours using Anterior Segment OCT. To analyze post-lens tear thickness and its rate of change at each time point, both within and between groups, a linear mixed model was used. Results: The initial mean post-lens tear thickness (µm) was 742 ± 50 and 440 ± 50 in keratoconus and normal cornea group, respectively. The mean rate of change (µm/hr) was highest in the first 30 minutes in both groups (80.8 ± 8.7, 132.2 ± 8.8 in keratoconus and normal cornea group). Following the first four hours in keratoconus and the first hour in normal cornea group, the reduction rate in post-lens tear thickness exhibited no statistically significant difference from the rate of change observed during the 5-6 hour period. The mean percentage of total change over 6 hours after lens insertion was higher in normal cornea compared to keratoconus group (36.6% vs 22.5%). Conclusion: The reduction in post-lens tear thickness follows a nonlinear pattern. The mean rate of change was highest after insertion and remained stable after four hours in keratoconus and one hour in normal cornea group. The percent change over the 6-hour period was greater in normal cornea group.

Characterization of Cr(VI)-reducing indigenous bacteria from a long-term tannery waste-contaminated soil

This paper investigated the Cr (VI) detoxification potential of 4 novel bacterial strains isolated from a long-term tannery waste-contaminated soil. Molecular techniques were used to identify the bacterial strains using 16 S rDNA gene sequencing. The Cr (VI) detoxification capacity of the bacteria was determined by 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) methods. The identified bacterial strains were Bacillus subterraneus MMKT-10, Klebsiella quasivariicola MMKT-15, Acinetobacter seohaensis MMKT-19, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus MMKT-25. All the strains showed maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) of Cr (VI) up to 4000 mg/L. However, in terms of Cr(VI) reduction rate, K. quasivariicola can be considered the most efficient, reducing the two preliminary Cr(VI) concentrations (10 and 20 mg/L) at 15 and 18 h, respectively, while the rest of the strains needed 30 h to reduce the same concentrations from the culture medium. The favorable temperature for Cr(VI) detoxification ranged from 30–40 °C. However, 100 % Cr (VI) reduction was achieved by all the strains at 35 0C. Interestingly, all the bacterial strains reduced a significant amount of Cr (VI) at 50 0C, indicative of their thermotolerant nature. The ideal pH for Cr (VI) reduction was 7 for B. subterraneus MMKT-10 and K. quasivariicola MMKT-15, whereas it was 8 for Acinetobacter seohaensis MMKT-19 and Staphylococcus saprophyticus MMKT-25. The indigenous bacterial strains isolated in this study could be one of the promising candidates for the detoxification of Cr (VI) contaminated sites.

Enhance Oil Recovery by Carbonized Water Flooding in Tight Oil Reservoirs

The low permeability of tight sandstone reservoirs limits the application of water flooding to enhance oil recovery. Due to the properties of CO2, people improve crude oil recovery by carbonizing water flooding. However, many studies have not prioritized determining the concentration of carbonated water before comparing the recovery rates of carbonated water flooding and pure water flooding after water flooding. This article takes the Chang 6 oil reservoir as the research object, and uses a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance testing and displacement experiments to conduct experiments on optimizing the concentration of carbonated water. Based on this, experiments on water flooding and carbon water flooding after water flooding to improve crude oil recovery are conducted to compare and analyze the oil enhancement potential of carbonated water flooding. The experimental results show that the physical properties, pore throat structure and seepage capacity of sandstone samples of type I, II and III decrease in turn. With the increase of carbonated water concentration, the expansion coefficient, viscosity reduction rate, contact angle reduction rate and core permeability loss rate of crude oil increase. The damage rate of 0.4mmol/cm3 carbonated water solution (17.6g CO2: 1L water) to the core permeability is only 0.98%, which is the optimal experimental concentration. During the water flooding process, crude oil in pores of different scales in Type I rock cores is utilized, and the degree of utilization in large pores is relatively high. Continuing to use carbonated water to drive oil in the rock cores after water flooding increased the recovery rate of crude oil by 15.24%; The degree of crude oil utilization in small pores of Tpye II core after carbonization and water flooding increased by 29.4%, and the final recovery rate of crude oil increased by 11.35% compared to the core after water flooding; The physical properties of Tpye III core are poor, with a small proportion of large pores, resulting in a 9.04% increase in crude oil recovery rate. Compared with pure water flooding, the recovery rate and utilization degree of large and small pores in the three types of rock cores after carbonization water flooding have been improved to varying degrees. Among them, the utilization degree of crude oil in large pores is the most significant, which increases the recovery rate of crude oil in the rock core after displacement. This study can provide a theoretical basis for improving crude oil recovery by carbonizing water flooding.

A data-driven microstructure-based model for predicting circumferential behavior and failure in degenerated human annulus fibrosus

The degeneration of the intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus poses significant challenges in understanding and predicting its mechanical behavior. In this article, we present a novel approach, enriched with detailed insights into microstructure and degeneration progression, to accurately predict the mechanics of the degenerated human annulus. Central to this framework is a fully three-dimensional continuum-based model that integrates hydration state and multiscale structural features, including proteoglycan macromolecules and interpenetrating collagen fibrillar networks across various hierarchical levels within the multi-layered lamellar/inter-lamellar soft tissue, capable of sustaining deformation-induced damage. To ensure accurate and comprehensive predictions of the degenerated annulus mechanical behavior, we establish a data-driven correlation between disc degeneration grade and individual age, which influences the composition and mechanical integrity of annulus constituents while accounting for regional variations. The methodology includes a thorough identification of age- and grade-related evolutions of model inputs, followed by a detailed quantitative evaluation of the model predictive capabilities, with a focus on circumferential behavior and failure. The model successfully replicates experimental data, accurately capturing stiffness, transverse response (Poisson's ratio), and ultimate properties across different annulus regions, while also accommodating the modulation of the age/grade relationship. The reduction rates between normal and severe degeneration align reasonably well with experimental data, with the inner region exhibiting the largest decrease in stiffness (34.63%) and no significant change observed in the outer region. Failure stress drops considerably in both regions (49.86% in the inner and 45.33% in the outer), while failure strain decreases by 36.39% in the outer and 24.74% in the inner. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed framework significantly enhances the predictive accuracy of annulus mechanics across a spectrum of degeneration levels, from normal to severely degenerated states. This approach promises improved predictive accuracy, deeper insights into disc health and injury risk, and a robust foundation for further research on the impact of degeneration on disc integrity. Statement of SignificanceUnderstanding and predicting the mechanical behavior of degenerated human annulus fibrosus remains a significant challenge due to the complex interplay of structural, biochemical, and age-related factors. This study presents a microstructure-based approach to address this challenge by integrating hydration state, detailed structural features across hierarchical scales, and deformation-induced damage and failure, alongside age-related changes and degeneration grade factors. This approach enables accurate simulations of annulus mechanics across regions, with model results thoroughly compared to available data, reinforcing its applicability in capturing degeneration effects. By capturing the intricate interactions between microstructure and mechanical behavior in degenerated discs, the model lays a strong foundation for improving clinical assessments and guiding future treatment strategies for disc-related conditions.

Research on the treatment and secondary fluid mixing technology for oil-containing drilling wastewater in gas fields

Drilling operations in oil and gas fields will generate a large amount of highly polluted and difficult to degrade drilling wastewater. Oil drilling wastewater mainly includes diluted drilling fluid mud, heavy metals and radioactive substances. At present, the treatment methods for oily drilling wastewater mainly include reinjection into the formation, recycling and discharge after standard treatment, but the treatment effect is not good. This article describes the treatment of oily drilling wastewater through wastewater oxidation, flocculation, mechanical dehydration, intermediate water oxidation, flocculation and filtration. The experimental results show that the RR of the wastewater can reach 93.50%, the maximum oil recovery rate (ORR) can reach 89.56%, the light transmittance (LT) of the purified water can reach 98.40%, the suspended solids (SS) can be reduced to 46.12mg/L, the HBO2- content can be reduced to 4.20mg/L. The water quality meets the requirements of DB61/T 1248-2019. Indoor technology was used for on-site testing, and the lowest reduction rate (RR) and ORR after wastewater treatment were 87.64% and 84.21%, respectively. Comparing the cost of treating the same type of wastewater, the treatment cost of the process in this article can be reduced by 1.87 USD/m3, which has higher economic benefits.

Study on Oil Resistance of Polyurethane Protective Material

Abstract The polyurethane protective tape is a new type of protective material made by coating high performance pressure-sensitive adhesive on polyurethane elastomers, which is widely used in aviation. During its operational life, the polyurethane protective tape inevitably comes into contact with oil, and its oil resistance directly impacts its lifespan. This study focuses on the polyurethane protective tape and conducts immersion tests in No. 15 aviation hydraulic fluid, aircraft gear oil 4450 and RP3 aviation kerosene at room temperature. A comparative analysis was also conducted on the tensile strength, tear resistance, fracture morphology, chemical structure, and thermophysical properties before and after immersion. The research indicates that the tensile properties of polyurethane protective tapes remain essentially unchanged after immersion in RP3 aviation kerosene. After being immersed in No.15 aviation hydraulic fluid and aircraft gear oil 4450, the tensile strength of the polyurethane protective tape gradually decreases. Furthermore, compared to No.15 aviation hydraulic fluid, the rate of tensile strength reduction in polyurethane protective tape immersed in aircraft gear oil 4450 is more rapid. The resistance to tearing of polyurethane protective tapes diminishes gradually with prolonged immersion, with the rate of decline being greater for aircraft gear oil 4450 than for No.15 aviation hydraulic fluid, and even greater for RP3 aviation kerosene. The decrease in mechanical properties of polyurethane protective tapes after immersion in oil is attributed to the swelling effect of the oil, which reduces the intermolecular forces within the polyurethane material and leads to a decrease in physical cross-linking. This process is physical aging, with no evident chemical aging occurring.

Real World Outcomes In Patients With Recurrent, Advanced Or Metastatic Endometrial Cancer Treated With Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab

ObjectivePatients with endometrial cancer who progress following first line therapy have improved survival outcomes with pembrolizumab and lenvatinib (pem/len) compared with standard of care chemotherapy, as demonstrated in KEYNOTE-775. This was in a group of trial patients with a good performance status and excluded those with carcinosarcoma histology. In KEYNOTE-775 pem/len was associated with significant toxicity leading to dose reductions, treatment cessation and patient morbidity. We set out to assess the tolerability, toxicity and outcomes following pem/len for patients with recurrent, advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer in a real-world setting. MethodsUK centres treating patients with pem/len for advanced endometrial cancer within the compassionate access programme were approached. Retrospective data was analysed for those treated between May 2022 and June 2023. Data on patient demographics, treatment, toxicity and outcomes was extracted from medical records. Toxicity and tolerability were compared in those over and under the age of 70. Results7 centres returned data for 70 patients. Median age of patients was 68.5 years (range 45-85) with a performance status of 0-1 in 77.1% and of 2 in 22.9%. Histological subtypes included serous (34.3%), endometrioid (32.9%), carcinosarcoma (14.3%), clear cell (7.1%), mixed (2.9%) and other (8.6%). Grade ≥3 toxicity was reported in 55.7% with any-grade toxicity observed in 85.7%. In those aged ≥70 years (n=30) the rate of grade ≥3 toxicity was 60.0%. Rates of dose reduction of lenvatinib were 64.3% and toxicity-related treatment interruption 45.7%. The 6-month progression-free and overall survival rates were 54.0% (95%CI: 39.0-66.8) and 70.1% (95%CI:56.5-80.1) respectively. ConclusionThis real-world, observational study of pem/len showed comparable tolerability, toxicity and outcomes to previously reported clinical trial data. Our cohort included patients with a poorer PS and a broader range of histological subtypes including carcinosarcoma.

Improving business performance: A case study at Vietnam dairy products joint stock company

Improving business efficiency is one of the most important goals of enterprises. In the context of current world economic integration, domestic and international competition is increasingly fierce, the requirement to improve business efficiency of enterprises is becoming more urgent. Especially for export enterprises, world economic integration has a very strong impact. In the process of international economic integration, Vietnamese enterprises must face increasingly fierce competition from foreign enterprises. Weaknesses in capital, management experience and technical level are barriers for Vietnamese enterprises in general and enterprises operating in the dairy industry in particular. The basic way to improve business efficiency is to find every measure to increase revenue or reduce costs, or make the rate of revenue increase or reduce costs, or make the rate of revenue increase faster than the rate of cost reduction, especially for dairy enterprises. The article will provide useful solutions to improve business efficiency at Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company. Keywords: Finance, Business, Business Activities.

Isolated Latissimus Dorsi Transfer versus Combined Latissimus Dorsi and Teres Major Tendon Transfer for Irreparable Anterosuperior Rotator Cuff Tears.

Irreparable anterosuperior rotator cuff tears (IASRCTs) present significant challenges, especially in young, active patients with limited joint-preserving options. Recently, latissimus dorsi (LD) transfer and combined latissimus dorsi and teres major (LDTM) transfer have gained attention as a potential surgical option. We aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of LD versus combined LDTM transfer in IASRCTs. In this retrospective comparative study, 53 patients with IASRCTs were analyzed after undergoing either LD transfer attached to lesser tuberosity (LT) (LD group, n = 23) or combined LDTM transfer attached to greater tuberosity (GT) (LDTM group, n = 30). Clinical evaluations included the visual analog scale score for pain, active shoulder range of motion (ROM), University of California Los Angeles Shoulder Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, activities of daily living that require active internal rotation (ADLIR) scores, and subscapularis (SSC)-specific examinations. Radiographic analyses involved assessing acromiohumeral distance (AHD), Hamada grade, the rate of anterior glenohumeral subluxation reduction, and integrity of the transferred tendon. Postoperatively, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain and clinical scores (p < 0.001). At the 2-year follow-up, the LDTM group showed superior internal rotation strength (p < 0.001), ADLIR score (p = 0.017), and SSC-specific physical examination results (belly-press, p = 0.027; bear-hug, p = 0.031; lift-off, p = 0.032). No significant changes in AHD or Hamada grade were observed in either group. At final follow-up, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of AHD (p = 0.539) and Hamada grade (p = 0.974). Although preoperative anterior glenohumeral subluxation was improved in both groups, the LDTM group showed a statistically significantly higher rate of restoration compared to the LD group (p = 0.015). While both LD and combined LDTM transfers for IASRCTs improved postoperative pain relief, clinical scores, and active ROM, the combined LDTM transfer attached to GT was superior to LD transfer attached to LT in terms of internal rotational strength, ADLIR score, and SSC-specific examinations. Neither group showed significant progress in cuff tear arthropathy or decreased AHD at 2-year follow-up; however, the combined LDTM transfer notably improved preoperative anterior glenohumeral subluxation.

Examination of sex differences in fatigability and neuromuscular responses during continuous, maximal, isometric leg extension

Objective.This study examined sex-related differences in fatigability and neuromuscular responses using surface electromyographic (sEMG) and mechanomyographic (sMMG) amplitude (AMP) and frequency (MPF) during fatiguing, maximal, bilateral isometric leg extensions.Approach.Twenty recreationally active males and females with resistance training experience performed continuous, maximal effort, bilateral isometric leg extensions until their force reduced by 50%. Linear mixed effect models analyzed patterns of force, sEMG, and sMMG AMP and MPF responses in the dominant limb. An independent samples t-test compared time-to-task failure (TTF) between sexes.Main Results.There were no significant differences in TTF between males and females. However, males experienced a greater rate of force loss compared to females. Furthermore, sEMG AMP and MPF and sMMG AMP responses followed similar linear trends for both sexes, while sMMG MPF showed non-linear responses with sex-dependent differences.Significance.These data suggest that although TTF was similar, males had a higher rate of force reduction, likely due to greater absolute strength. Furthermore, despite parallel changes in sEMG AMP and MPF, as well as sMMG AMP, the divergent responses observed in sMMG MPF highlight sex-dependent differences in how males and females experience changes in the firing rates of active motor units during sustained maximal contractions.

Analysis of the response of wind-induced vibrations on flexible photovoltaic mounts

Abstract This article investigates a flexible photovoltaic bracket’s response to wind vibration. A finite element model is established using SAP2000 software for time course analysis. Representative units and nodes were selected to analyze internal force response, displacement response, and acceleration response. The prestress and span change rule of the flexible photovoltaic bracket are also explored, and quantitative research is conducted on the size of prestress and span size. The magnitude of the prestress affects a structure’s responsiveness to wind vibration. As prestress grows, so do deflection and acceleration, and the rate at which axial force is increasing also increases. Conversely, when prestress increases, the rate of deflection reduction falls. Consequently, considering the prestress size, it is advised that 50-kN prestressing be used for the support and wind cables. As the span rises, so do the mid-span span and the axial force of the wind cables, while acceleration also increases. The rate of mid-span deflection increases gradually with the flexible PV mount span, but the rate of axial force increase decreases. It is recommended to limit the span to below 50 m.

Photoelectron-promoted metabolism of sulphate-reducing microorganisms in substrate-depleted environments.

Sulphate-reducing microorganisms, or SRMs, are crucial to organic decomposition, the sulphur cycle, and the formation of pyrite. Despite their low energy-yielding metabolism and intense competition with other microorganisms, their ability to thrive in natural habitats often lacking sufficient substrates remains an enigma. This study delves into how Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G20, a representative SRM, utilizes photoelectrons from extracellular sphalerite (ZnS), a semiconducting mineral that often coexists with SRMs, for its metabolism and energy production. Batch experiments with sphalerite reveal that the initial rate and extent of sulphate reduction by G20 increased by 3.6 and 3.2 times respectively under light conditions compared to darkness, when lactate was not added. Analyses of microbial photoelectrochemical, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data suggest that in the absence of lactate, G20 extracts photoelectrons from extracellular sphalerite through cytochromes, nanowires, and electron shuttles. Genes encoding movement and biofilm formation are upregulated, suggesting that G20 might sense redox potential gradients and migrate towards sphalerite to acquire photoelectrons. This process enhances the intracellular electron transfer activity, sulphur metabolism, and ATP production of G20, which becomes dominant under conditions of carbon starvation and extends cell viability in such environments. This mechanism could be a vital strategy for SRMs to survive in energy-limited environments and contribute to sulphur cycling.