Effects of experimental calcium availability,egg parameters and laying order on Great Tit Parus major eggshell pigmentation patterns

Many bird species lay eggs speckled with protoporphyrin‐based spots, however, for most of them the function of eggshell spotting is unknown. A plausible hypothesis is that protoporphyrin might have a structural function in strengthening the eggshell and is therefore deposited when calcium is scarce. In this study, we experimentally provided Great Tit Parus major females with supplemental calcium to examine its effect on the protoporphyrin‐based maculation of their eggs. In addition, we studied variation in eggshell pigmentation patterns in relation to other egg parameters and laying order. Calcium‐supplemented females laid larger eggs but shell thickness was not significantly affected by the treatment. Calcium supplementation may reduce the time and energy females devote to searching for calcium‐rich material, so that they can collect more nutrients and so lay larger eggs. Furthermore, pigment darkness was associated with egg volume and shape, which suggests that female quality and environmental food availability may also influence the shell pigmentation pattern. Within clutches, later‐laid eggs had larger and darker spots that were distributed more unevenly on the shell surface. This within‐clutch pattern could be explained by the increase in egg volume and egg shape and a decline in shell thickness with egg‐laying order, which characteristics were all related to shell‐spotting pattern. Eggs with a coronal ring had thinner shells, but pigment intensity and spot size were not related to shell thickness. Thus, our results suggest that concentrated spotting distribution may have a mechanical function, supporting the structural‐function hypothesis.     

Multispectral image analysis for algal biomass quantification

This article reports a novel multispectral image processing technique for rapid, noninvasive quantification of biomass concentration in attached and suspended algae cultures. Monitoring the biomass concentration is critical for efficient production of biofuel feedstocks, food supplements, and bioactive chemicals. Particularly, noninvasive and rapid detection techniques can significantly aid in providing delay‐free process control feedback in large‐scale cultivation platforms. In this technique, three‐band spectral images of Anabaena variabilis cultures were acquired and separated into their red, green, and blue components. A correlation between the magnitude of the green component and the areal biomass concentration was generated. The correlation predicted the biomass concentrations of independently prepared attached and suspended cultures with errors of 7 and 15%, respectively, and the effect of varying lighting conditions and background color were investigated. This method can provide necessary feedback for dilution and harvesting strategies to maximize photosynthetic conversion efficiency in large‐scale operation. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:808–816, 2013     

贲门失弛缓症可回收支架治疗的疗效评价

目的：观察评价可回收式支架治疗贲门失弛缓症的疗效。方法：选取来我院治疗的2003年11月～2012年7月收治的48例贲门失弛缓症患者,在DSA透视下行经口可回收食道支架置入,15-90天后将支架取出术。对术后患者治疗情况进行评价。结果：98%患者取得显著疗效。结论：可回收支架扩张治疗术具有简便、安全和疗效好等优点,并发症少,可作为贲门失弛缓症的首选治疗方法。     

介入技术在下肢动脉硬化闭塞症合并血栓形成中的应用

目的:探讨导管接触性溶栓(catheter-directed thrombolysis,CDT)联合球囊及支架成形术治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症合并血栓形成的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择2011年1月~2014年12月收治的36例下肢动脉硬化闭塞症合并血栓形成性病变患者,先行置管溶栓治疗,再联合球囊及支架成形术治疗,观察其溶栓效果及血管再通情况。结果:本组溶栓总有效率为86.1%,尿激酶用量(75.5±34.6)万单位,溶栓后31例下肢缺血症状改善,下肢疼痛症状有不同程度减轻,下肢跛行距离明显延长,无垃圾脚发生。球囊及支架成形术后踝肱指数(ABI)由术前的0.39±0.11升高至术后的0.79±0.19,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。随访1~48月,无死亡病例,9例出现支架内膜增生血管再狭窄,5例出现糖尿病膝下动脉狭窄闭塞,给予球囊扩张及支架成形术后下肢缺血症状减轻,其中1例患者于术后3年行下肢截肢治疗。结论:CDT联合球囊及支架成形术治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症合并血栓形成具有较高的临床价值,可以为PTA血管成形或支架置入赢得时机,改善下肢缺血,该方式创伤小,并发症少。     

阿托伐他汀对颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术后患者临床预后及炎症因子的影响

目的：研究阿托伐他汀对颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术后患者临床预后及炎症因子的影响。方法：选取2013 年1 月到2014 年1 月我院收治的接受支架置入术的颈动脉狭窄患者90例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组45 例,对照组给予 常规治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予阿托伐他汀治疗,连续治疗1 年,比较两组支架内再狭窄率及不良反应发生率,分析治 疗前和治疗后两组超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）水平。结果：研究组1 年内支架再狭窄率显著低于对照组,两 组比较差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;治疗后两组hs-CRP 和IL-6 水平均显著低于治疗前,且研究组显著低于对照组,比较差异 具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;两组不良反应比较无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗颈动脉狭窄并支架置入术患者,能 显著降低支架内再狭窄率及炎症因子水平。     

In Situ Measurement of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Evolution on Silicon Anodes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

In situ measurements of the growth of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on silicon and the lithiation‐induced volume changes in silicon in lithium ion half‐cells are reported. Thin film amorphous silicon electrodes are fabricated in a configuration that allows unambiguous separation of the total thickness change into contribution from SEI thickness and silicon volume change. Electrodes are assembled into a custom‐designed electrochemical cell, which is integrated with an atomic force microscope. The electrodes are subjected to constant potential lithiation/delithiation at a sequence of potential values and the thickness measurements are made at each potential after equilibrium is reached. Experiments are carried out with two electrolytes—1.2 m lithium hexafluoro‐phosphate (LiPF₆) in ethylene carbonate (EC) and 1.2 m LiPF₆ in propylene carbonate (PC)—to investigate the influence of electrolyte composition on SEI evolution. It is observed that SEI formation occurs predominantly during the first lithiation and the maximum SEI thickness is ≈17 and 10 nm respectively for EC and PC electrolytes. This study also presents the measured Si expansion ratio versus equilibrium potential and charge capacity versus equilibrium potential; both relationships display hysteresis, which is explained in terms of the stress–potential coupling in silicon.     

宝石能谱CT评估冠状动脉介入治疗术后支架内成像质量的研究

目的:探讨宝石能谱CT用于冠状动脉支架内成像质量评估的应用价值。方法:回顾分析56例冠状动脉支架植入后患者,按照支架厚度及直径分成四组。采用宝石能谱CT对冠状动脉成像及同时进行冠状动脉造影患者的影像学资料,通过分析宝石能谱CT的冠状动脉的成像质量,与冠状动脉造影进行对比,得出宝石能谱CT用于冠状动脉介入治疗术后支架内成像质量评估的价值。结果:宝石能谱CT显示支架内再狭窄的敏感度为100%,特异度为98.6%,阴性预测值为100%。直径≥3 mm的支架内成像质量优于直径3 mm的支架。但支架直径和厚度对宝石能谱CT支架内成像质量的可评估率没有差异。结论:宝石能谱CT均能提供优秀的冠状动脉支架内成像质量,采用宝石能谱CT替代冠状动脉造影术可对冠脉支架术后支架内影像进行评估。     

Room Temperature Processed Highly Efficient Large‐Area Polymer Solar Cells Achieved with Molecular Engineering of Copolymers

The room temperature (RT) processability of the photoactive layers in polymer solar cells (PSCs) from halogen‐free solvent along with their highly reproducible power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and intrinsic thickness tolerance are extremely desirable for the large‐area roll‐to‐roll (R2R) production. However, most of the photoactive materials in PSCs require elevated processing temperatures due to their strong aggregation, which are unfavorable for the industrial R2R manufacturing of PSCs. These limiting factors for the commercialization of PSCs are alleviated by synthesizing random terpolymers with components of (2‐decyltetradecyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)naphtho[1,2‐c:5,6‐c′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole and bithiophene substituted with methyl thiophene‐3‐carboxylate (MTC). In contrast to the temperature‐dependent PNTz4T polymer, the resulting random terpolymers (PNTz4T‐MTC) show better solubility, slightly reduced crystallinity and aggregation, and weaker intermolecular interaction, thus enabling PNTz4T‐MTC to be processed at RT from a halogen‐free solvent. Particularly, the PNTz4T‐5MTC‐based photoactive layer exhibits an excellent PCE of 9.66%, which is among the highest reported PCEs for RT and ecofriendly halogen‐free solvent processed fullerene‐based PSCs, and a thickness tolerance with a PCE exceeding 8% from 100 to 520 nm. Finally, large‐area modules fabricated with the PNTz4T and PNTz4T‐5MTC polymer have shown 4.29% and 6.61% PCE respectively, with an area as high as 54.45 cm² in air.     

Inner structural organization of the mandibular corpus in the late Early Pleistocene human specimens Tighenif 1 and Tighenif 2

The present study investigates the inner structural organization of the two mandible specimens Tighenif 1 and Tighenif 2 from the late early Pleistocene site of Tighenif, Algeria. Using (micro)tomographic scans, we built a new protocol to investigate the cortical bone topography at the post-canine level. We selected two cross-sectional slices placed between the P3/P4 and M1/M2 on the right and left sides and assessed the cortical bone thickness topography (CBT) on each slice. Our analyses demonstrate that the mandibles from Tighenif exhibit higher CBT and a different topographic distribution pattern at the molar level than in modern humans, resulting in a proportionally more robust inner structure, while a similar signal is observed between the fossil and extant specimens at the premolar level. Further studies need to be done in order to determine if this feature is related to functional constraints during mastication or paramasticatory activities; or if it is related to any independent evolutionary process.     

冷冻胚胎移植周期中内膜形态及内膜厚度对妊娠结局的预测价值分析

目的:评价内膜厚度及内膜形态对于体外受精-胚胎移植中冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植的临床妊娠结局的预测价值。方法:回顾性分析1521个冷冻胚胎解冻复苏移植周期,将患者按子宫内膜厚度分为4组,子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm,根据子宫内膜形态分为A型内膜、B型内膜、C型内膜。分别比较不同内膜厚度分组及不同内膜形态分组患者的年龄,移植胚胎数目、内膜准备方案构成比、移植胚胎类型(卵裂期胚胎、囊胚)构成比及各组间的临床妊娠率和活产率。采用ROC曲线分析子宫内膜厚度、形态对临床妊娠结局的预测价值。使用逐步回归分析内膜厚度、形态、年龄及移植胚胎类型与妊娠结局的相关性。结果:纳入1521个解冻复苏周期中按内膜厚度分为4组,各组周期数分别为96周期、454周期、893周期、78周期,各组间平均年龄分别为34.1±5.5岁、33.3±5.4岁、32.5±5.2岁、33.7±6.0岁(P0.05)。内膜厚度≤6 mm组临床妊娠率为31.3%,子宫内膜≤6mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组临床妊娠率分别为48.5%、51.8%、47.4%(P0.05)。子宫内膜≤6 mm、6.1-8.0 mm、8.0-12 mm、12.0 mm组间活产率分别为18.8%、37.7%、44.6%、39.7%(P0.05)。A型、B型及C型内膜组周期数分别为920周期、189周期及412周期,三组间平均年龄分别为32.3±5.1、33.0±5.7、34.2±5.5岁(P0.05)。A型/B型及C型内膜组临床妊娠率分别为51.2%、46.6%及46.4%,三组间活产率分别为42.1%、36.0%及37.1%,三组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。子宫内膜厚度ROC曲线下面积为0.534(95%可信区间0.505-0.564),子宫内膜形态ROC曲线下面积为0.526(0.476-0.955)。逐步回归分析纳入内膜厚度、内膜形态、年龄、胚胎类型4个可变量,女方年龄(OR=0.929,P0.001),移植胚胎中囊胚比例(OR=1.595,P0.001)与临床妊娠率明显相关,内膜厚度(OR=1.054,P=0.05)及内膜形态(OR=0.864)与临床妊娠率无相关性。结论:虽然子宫内膜薄临床妊娠率下降,但是子宫内膜厚度与内膜形态不能够预测体外受精-胚胎移植解冻复苏周期临床妊娠率,患者年龄以及移植胚胎的发育潜能才是预测临床妊娠率的参考指标。