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This paper analyzes the effects of complex geometries on three-dimensional (3D) slope stability using an elastoplastic finite difference method (FDM) with a strength reduction technique. A series of special 3D slopes with various geometric configurations, including curving slope surface, turning corners, turning arcs, and turning forms, is presented in terms of factor of safety, shear slip surface, and deformed mesh. More than 180 cases with various geometries for different slope gradient (90°, 45°, and 26.57°) under different boundary conditions (smooth–smooth, rough–smooth, and rough–rough) are calculated and discussed in detail. Many interesting results are obtained and some of them appear to be surprising. These results can be used directly to offer suggestions for landslide hazard preparedness or safe and economical design of infrastructures, e.g., excavations, embankments, and so on.

The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of the expression of MET and cyclin D1 and MET gene copy number in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and patient clinicopathologic characteristics and survival. Sixty-one NSCLC tissue specimens were included in the study. The expression of MET and cyclin D1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and MET gene copy number was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Positive expression of MET and cyclin D1 protein and increased MET gene copy number occurred in 59.0%, 59.0% and 18.0% of 61 NSCLC tissues, respectively. MET-positivity correlated with poor differentiation (P = 0.009). Increased MET gene copy number was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.004) and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.048), while the expression of cyclin D1 was not associated with any clinicopathologic parameters. There was a significant correlation between the expression of MET and MET gene copy number (P = 0.002). Additionally, the expression of cyclin D1 had a significant association with the expression of MET as well as MET gene copy number (P = 0.002 and P = 0.017, respectively). MET-positivity and increased MET gene copy number were significantly associated with poor overall survival (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively) in univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis confirmed that the expression of MET and MET gene copy number were prognostic indicators of NSCLC (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively). The overexpression of MET and the increased MET gene copy number might be adverse prognostic factors for NSCLC patients. The activation of the MET/cyclin D1 signaling pathway may contribute to carcinogenesis and the development of NSCLC, and may represent a target for therapy.

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ObjectiveWe compare different dosimetric parameters in cervical cancer patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and explore the incidence of hematological toxicity (HT) in these patients.MethodsTwenty patients receiving 3DCRT or IMRT and 4 weekly doses of cisplatin (25 mg/m2/w) were studied. The volumes of bone marrow receiving 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Gy or greater (V10, V20, V30, V40, and V50, respectively) were calculated. The HT was graded according to the guidelines of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group system. The associations between dosimetric parameters and HT and chemotherapy delivery were analyzed.ResultsThe bone marrows V30, V40, and V50 were lower in the IMRT group than in the 3DCRT group (62.93% vs 76.91%, 31.36% vs 39.60%, and 9.79% vs 15.44%, respectively). No statistical difference was observed for both V10 and V20. Acute hematologic toxicity occurred in both groups but was more frequent in the 3DCRT group. The percentage of patients with grade 2 and worse leukopenia and neutropenia was 90% and 80% in the 3DCRT group, whereas it was 80% and 40% in the IMRT group. The median nadir of white blood cells and the absolute neutrophil count were significantly lower in the 3DCRT group than in the IMRT group (1.96 × 109 vs 2.72 × 109 and 1.09 × 109 vs 1.86 × 109, respectively).ConclusionThe IMRT reduced the volume of bone marrow irradiated at the higher doses and the incidence and severity of acute hematologic toxicity in cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films with fine control over composition and pure phase were fabricated by sulfurization of co-electroplated Cu–Zn–Sn–S precursors.

Figure 2. The schematic illustration of the general aspects over iron-based nanocatalysts for electrochemical NO 3 RR.

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