Rate dependent of strength in metallic glasses at different temperatures

The correlation between the strength at the macroscale and the elastic deformation as well as shear cracking behavior at the microscale of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is investigated. The temperatures of 298 K and 77 K as well as the strain rate ranging from 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ to 10⁻² s⁻¹ are applied to the BMGs, in which the mechanical responses of the BMGs are profiled through the compression tests. The yield strength is associated with the activation of the elementary deformation unit, which is insensitive to the strain rate. The maximum compressive strength is linked to the crack propagation during shear fracture process, which is influenced by the strain rate. The cryogenic temperature of 77 K significantly improves the yield strength and the maximum compressive strength of the BMGs.

Analysis of postoperative PSA changes after ultrasound-guided permanent [125I] seed implantation for the treatment of prostate cancer

The aim of this study was to explore postoperative changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and risk factors that influence the clinical effects of ultrasound-guided permanent [(125)I] seed implantation in the treatment of prostate cancer. From July 2009 to December 2012, 41 prostate cancer patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided [(125)I] seed implantation were followed up for 3-56 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their results: group A, benign rebound group, 31 cases; and group B, biochemical relapse group, 10 cases. A blood analysis of group A showed that the initial PSA rise after a nadir occurred postoperatively at 16.8 ± 1.2 months, and in 65.8% (27/41) patients the rise occurred during 15-27 weeks. For group B, the initial PSA rise after a nadir occurred postoperatively at 30.2 ± 2.1 months, and the difference in the time parameter of the initial PSA rise after the nadir was statistically significant between the 2 groups (P < 0.01). During treatment, age was shown to be a risk factor for group A (P = 0.0027, P < 0.01). Postoperative changes in PSA levels after ultrasound-guided permanent [(125)I] seed implantation contributed to the assessment of the clinical treatment effects.

[Subcloning and sequencing of DNA fragment related to salt tolerance in Sinorhizobium fredii RT19]

A 23 kb DNA fragment related to salt tolerance was obtained from the gene library of S. fredii strain RT19. In this study, BamH I was selected to digest 23 kb DNA fragment into different length of DNA fragments. The resulting fragments were ligated with plasmid pML122, then the recombinant plasmids were transformed to competent cells of E. coli S17-1 on selective medium and three transformants TR were obtained. Two-parental mating experiments were carried out with these transformants as donor and salt sensitive S. fredii strain RC3-3 as recipient, and the transconjugant BR2 was selected on FY plates containing gentamycin and 0.4 mol/L NaCl. Thus, a 4.4 kb DNA fragment related to salt tolerance was obtained. Based on its physical map, six restriction fragments were subcloned into plasmid pUC18 for DNA sequencing. Subsequently, sequencing and analysis of 4.4 kb DNA fragment showed that fixO, fixN genes and three ORFs were obtained.