No abstract

A higher-order zig-zag theory has been developed for laminated composite plates with multiple delaminations. By imposing top and bottom surface transverse shear stress-free conditions and interface continuity conditions of transverse shear stresses including delaminated interfaces, the displacement field with minimal degree-of-freedoms are obtained. This displacement field can systematically handle the number, shape, size, and locations of delaminations. Through the dynamic version of variational approach, the dynamic equilibrium equations and variationally consistent boundary conditions are obtained. The delaminated beam finite element is implemented to evaluate the performance of the newly developed theory. Linear buckling and natural frequency analysis demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present theory. The present higher-order zig-zag theory should work as an efficient tool to analyze the static and dynamic behavior of the composite plates with multiple delaminations.

Radiotherapy is an available treatment for management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This study aims to analyse the published literature about radiotherapy in treatment of BCC. A focus of this study will be to compare the dosing regimens adopted in these studies. A search of the Medline database was conducted from 1984 to August 2013. Search terms used were 'basal cell carcinoma', 'radiotherapy', 'epithelial skin cancer' and 'external irradiation'. Fourteen studies on the use of radiotherapy for BCC were included. Seven studies included only cases of BCC, while six studies also included patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma. The overall cure rates ranged from 79·2% to 100%. More than 90% of the patients reported good or excellent aesthetic outcome from radiotherapy (three studies). There was a wide variation in the total dose and dose per fraction of radiotherapy used. Nine studies utilized dosing regimens within the recommended guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. There are a limited number of high-quality prospective studies of radiotherapy for BCC. Based on the available evidence, radiotherapy provides a high rate of local control with low rates of complications that are comparable with surgery.

[1] We report new He and CO 2 data for geothermal fluids from Changbaishan Volcano located on the border of China and North Korea. Helium isotope ratios reach a maximum of 5.4 R A (where R A = 3 He/ 4 He in air) whereas carbon isotope values (d 13 C) fall between À2 and À7 % (vs. PDB). The ratio of CO 2 / 3 He varies between 0.5-7.1 (Â10 9 ) for gas samples but is considerably higher ($10 12 ) in waters. The combined He-CO 2 systematics reveal the clear imprint of a dominant subducted slab contribution to the total CO 2 inventory. We conclude that these geothermal volatiles originate from the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) in NE China and represent ancient fluids captured by prior metasomatic events.

This pigmentation evaluation system can reproduce the physicians' consensus, suggesting that this system can support the dermatologists' objective evaluation of pigmentation.