Comparative Study of Temperature Impact in Spin-Torque Switched Perpendicular and Easy-Cone MTJs.

The writing performance of the easy-cone magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and perpendicularly magnetized MTJ (pMTJ) under various temperatures was investigated based on the macrospin model. When the temperature is changed from 273 K to 373 K, the switching current density of the pMTJ changes by 56%, whereas this value is only 8% in the easy-cone MTJ. Similarly, the temperature-induced variation of the switching delay is more significant in the pMTJ. This indicates that the easy-cone MTJ has a more stable writing performance under temperature variations, resulting in a wider operating temperature range. In addition, these two types of MTJs exhibit opposite temperature dependence in the current overdrive and write error rate. In the easy cone MTJ, these two performance metrics will reduce as temperature is increased. The results shown in this work demonstrate that the easy-cone MTJ is more suitable to work at high temperatures compared with the pMTJ. Our work provides a guidance for the design of STT-MRAM that is required to operate at high temperatures.

Multi-focused psychosocial residential rehabilitation interventions improve quality of life among cancer survivors: a community-based controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Even though multi-focused psychosocial residence rehabilitation intervention (MPRRI) programs are widely implemented by the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club, these programs have not been rigorously evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a 21-day MPRRI program, on the quality of life (QoL) among cancer survivors. METHODS: A total of 388 cancer patients were enrolled to either receive the 21-day MPRRI (n = 129) intervention or a waiting-list comparison (WLC) intervention (n = 259). The intervention group was offered community-based 21-day MPRRI program, combining supportive-expressive group, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Guolin Qigong. QoL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Version 3 Questionnaire. Multivariable linear models were used to compare changes in QoL values between the two groups. RESULTS: After adjustment for the QoL score and other covariates at baseline, there was no significant difference in global health status (mean = 3.8, 95% CI - 1.3-9.0, P = 0.14) between the two groups after 6 months intervention. While compared with the WLC group, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the QoL score (all P < 0.05); however, there were no clinically relevant changes in subscales including emotional functioning (ES = 0.58), cognitive functioning (ES = 0.53), pain (ES = 0.52), physical functioning (ES = 0.36), and insomnia (ES = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest the MPRRI program is both feasible and acceptable intervention for cancer survivors in community settings and is effective in significant improving QoL above.

Physical exercise, vegetable and fruit intake and health-related quality of life in Chinese breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer has long-term effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of cancer survivors after treatment. Few research studies have focused on the association between health behaviors and HRQOL of Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCS). The aim of this study was to examine the separate and combined influence of physical exercise, vegetable and fruit intake on health-related quality of life of BCS. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among BCS from April to July 2013, in Shanghai, China. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire, which included questions about basic socio-demographic characteristics, health conditions and treatments, health behaviors and HRQOL. HRQOL was measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) simplified Chinese V3.0 version and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) simplified Chinese 4th version. Multiple linear regression models were performed to estimate the effects of physical exercise, vegetable and fruit intake as well as the effects of health behavior patterns on HRQOL adjusting for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: Exercisers reported significantly higher scores in most HRQOL dimensions than non-exercisers. Participants who ate more than 250 g of vegetables reported significantly higher scores in most HRQOL dimensions than participants who ate equal or less than 250 g of vegetables. Participants who ate fruit every day reported significantly higher scores in all HRQOL dimensions than those who did not eat fruit every day (P Adjusted ≤ 0.032), except symptom subscales. All subscale scores and total scores of HRQOL, except symptom subscales, were positively associated with the number of adopted healthy lifestyle behaviors (P Trend ≤ 0.003). Compared to participants who adopted only one healthy behavior, participants who adopted two or three healthy behaviors both reported significantly higher HRQOL scores. CONCLUSION: Physical exercise, enough vegetable and fruit intake are positively associated with HRQOL of BCS. BCS who adopted several healthy behaviors simultaneously had better HRQOL than one healthy behavior alone. Healthy behaviors, including engagement in exercise, proper diet, especially comprehensive lifestyle behavior interventions, should be valued in improving HRQOL of BCS.

The association between comorbidities and the quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors in the People's Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors with certain comorbidities had lower quality of life (QOL). This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and the association between comorbidities and the QOL among Chinese colorectal cancer survivors (CCS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,398 CCS between April and July 2013 in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. All the participants were asked to complete a simplified Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire and questions on sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities. In order to mitigate the bias caused by confounding factors, multiple linear regression models were employed to calculate the adjusted means of QOL scores. RESULTS: The proportion of participants without any comorbidity was only 20.2%. The CCS with comorbidities except hypertension scored significantly lower on the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire global health and functioning scales and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scales but higher on the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire symptom scores, indicating that they had poorer QOL, particularly for cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and musculoskeletal diseases. CONCLUSION: There exists a significant association between comorbidities and QOL among Chinese CCS, and participants with comorbidities generally reported lower QOL scores. These findings suggested comprehensive care for CCS.

A qualitative exploration of the unmet psychosocial rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the unmet psychosocial rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors. METHODS: Sixty-eight cancer survivors from the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club in China participated in one of the eight focus groups. These were transcribed verbatim, coded using thematic analysis and analysed using NVivo 10. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: the need for (1) better information: Chinese cancer survivors find it difficult to sort and evaluate the overwhelming mass of information with which they are confronted; (2) psychological support: survivors fear cancer relapse and neighbours' discrimination against them; support from other cancer survivors can relieve the stress; (3) support for survivors' families: like the survivors, family members are under great but usually unacknowledged pressure; (4) improved health and medical services: community health service centres provide little medical, informational or psychological support for cancer survivors, who seek and expect more communication with doctors; and (5) assistance with the financial burden: costs of treatment and lack of adequate medical insurance cause substantial financial pressure for survivors. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that, in addition to their illness, Chinese cancer survivors experience a range of stresses related to their financial circumstances, lack of reliable and summarised information, poor access to support and services (including for their families) and discrimination. Support from families seems to improve survivors' ability to cope. Cancer survivors (and their families) need an integrated package of support from their families, doctors and other service providers, hospitals and communities. These findings can inform approaches to continuing care for cancer survivors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comorbid chronic diseases and their associations with quality of life among gynecological cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Many gynecological cancer survivors (GCS) have comorbid chronic diseases (CCD). This study was to estimate the impacts of CCD on quality of life (QOL) in GCS. METHODS: We collected cross-sectional self-reported survey data from 598 GCS between April and July 2013, in Shanghai, China. All the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire containing the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and questions on socio-demographic characteristics and CCD. In order to mitigate the bias caused by confounding factors, multiple linear models were employed to calculate adjusted means of QOL scores. RESULTS: Approximately three-quarters of subjects reported at least one CCD. The highest overall prevalence of all CCD was found in endometrial cancer survivors. Subjects with CCD generally reported lower scores for most EORTC QLQ-C30 scales when compared to subjects without CCD, indicating poorer QOL, particularly for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, and musculoskeletal disease. CONCLUSIONS: The CCD are common health problems among GCS. CCD have significantly negative influence on QOL, and GCS with CCD generally reported lower QOL scores. These findings suggested comprehensive cares for GCS.

The experience of cancer survivors in community-based psycho-social support activities in Shanghai, China: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Cancer survivors are often embroiled in various physical and psycho-social issues as a consequence of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Psycho-social support activities in the phase of rehabilitation were provided to enhance their quality of life. This study seeks to explore and understand their experience of engagement in Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club (SCRC). METHODS: Sixty-eight participants attended eight semi-structured focus group interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis framework was adopted for data analysis. RESULTS: The participants reported benefits such as psychological support, informational provision and tangible support in the activities. Public services were reported to have restored their dignity and enabled them to rediscover their own meaning of life. Participants also pointed out challenges on functioning and opportunity for development of SCRC. CONCLUSIONS: The psycho-social support activities of SCRC had influenced cancer survivor's life. Public health resources and supportive policies should be in place to support local self-help cancer rehabilitation groups.

Cancer survivors' perspectives and experience on western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine treatment and rehabilitation: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In the People's Republic of China, both western medicine (WM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are the main treatment and rehabilitation options for cancer patients. This study aimed to explore cancer survivors' perspectives and experience of treatment and rehabilitation, in order to promote patient-centered activities of treatment and rehabilitation. METHODS: Using a qualitative research approach, 68 cancer survivors were recruited from eight community cancer rehabilitation organizations in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Eight focus group interviews were conducted. All these interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed by theme analysis. RESULTS: WM was the main choice in treatment phase though study participants noted more side effects. TCM was primarily used in the recovery phase. The lack of communication between doctors and cancer patients appears to affect treatment adherence and impair the doctor-patient relationship. WM was expensive for diagnostic procedures and treatment, while the cumulative costs of frequent use of TCM in the long rehabilitation period were also high. Both treatment options created significant perceived economic burden on patients. Conflicting information about dietary supplements tended to make cancer survivors confused. CONCLUSION: Improving the communication between doctors and cancer patients helps to ameliorate cancer patient adherence and the effect of treatments. It is essential to educate cancer patients about the effect and cost of both WM and traditional TCM. Meanwhile, marketing management and guidance to consumers regarding use of dietary supplements in the cancer rehabilitation field are also necessary.

The influence of comorbid chronic diseases and physical activity on quality of life in lung cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of comorbid chronic diseases (CCD) and physical activity (PA) on quality of life (QOL) in lung cancer survivors (LCSs). METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional study design. A total of 701 LCSs were recruited from 17 comprehensive cancer rehabilitation clubs in Shanghai, China. Measurements used included the European Organization for Research and Treatment quality of life version 3 questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy -General version 4 questionnaire (FACT-G). Independent variables were CCD and PA. Multiple linear regression models were used to control for the effect of sociodemographic characteristic. RESULTS: Subjects with CCD generally reported lower scores for most EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G scales when compared to subjects without CCD, indicating poorer QOL. Subjects with PA generally reported higher scores for most EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G scales when compared to subjects without PA, indicating better QOL. The influences of five times and more PA per week were larger than the influence of less than five times PA per week. Subjects without CCD and with PA generally reported similar scores for most EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G scales when compared to others without CCD and PA. Subjects with CCD and PA generally reported higher scores for most EORTC QLQ-C30 and FACT-G scales when compared to other LCSs with CCD and without PA. CONCLUSIONS: CCD have significantly negative influence on QOL. PA has significantly positive influence on QOL among the LCSs with CCD, not among the other LCSs without CCD.

[Associations between vegetables and fruit intake and quality of life in breast cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between vegetables and fruit intake and quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 3 344 community breast cancer patients were selected through cluster sampling method between April and July 2013, in Shanghai, China. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which included socio-demographic situation, cancer survival and health behaviors(i.e. vegetables or fruit intake, exercise), European Organization for Research and Treatment (EORTC) QLQ-C30 Simplified Chinese version(3rd edition) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale (FACT-G) Simplified Chinese version(4th edition) were used to evaluate the quality of life. Crude quality of life scores were compared between groups. Multiple linear models were used to calculate and compare adjusted means of quality of life between groups, controlling relevant factors. RESULTS: After adjusting relevant factors, breast cancer patients who ate more than 250 g vegetables reported higher EORTC physical functioning scores, cognitive functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, global health scores than patients who ate equal or less than 250 g vegetables(respectively (80.79 ± 0.85) vs (79.34 ± 0.82), (80.07 ± 1.03) vs (77.84 ± 0.99), (84.17 ± 0.95) vs (82.76 ± 0.92), (65.75 ± 1.50) vs (62.92 ± 1.45)), t values respectively were 2.76, 3.54, 2.40, 3.17, all P values were <0.05; and breast cancer patients who ate more than 250 g vegetables reported higher FACT-G social well-being scores, function well-being scores, FACT-G total scores than patients who ate equal or less than 250 g vegetables (respectively (17.92 ± 0.40) vs (17.31 ± 0.39), (14.86 ± 0.42) vs (14.34 ± 0.40), (74.78 ± 1.01) vs (73.05 ± 0.97)), t values respectively were 2.49, 2.05, 2.90, all P values were <0.05. After adjusting relevant factors, breast cancer patients who ate fruit everyday reported higher EORTC physical functioning scores, role functioning scores, cognitive functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, social functioning scores, global health scores than patients who didn't eat fruit everyday (respectively (80.40 ± 0.82) vs (79.22 ± 0.87), (89.81 ± 1.00) vs (88.06 ± 1.05), (79.78 ± 0.99) vs (77.11 ± 1.04), (84.43 ± 0.92) vs (81.56 ± 0.97), (77.95 ± 1.25) vs (75.56 ± 1.31), (65.48 ± 1.44) vs (61.74 ± 1.51)), t values respectively were 2.15, 2.64, 4.07, 4.71, 2.89, 4.02, all P values were <0.05; and breast cancer patients who ate fruit everyday reported higher FACT-G physical well-being scores, social well-being scores, emotional well-being scores, functional well-being scores, FACT-G total scores than patients who didn't eat fruit everyday(respectively (23.35 ± 0.26) vs (22.85 ± 0.28), (17.91 ± 0.39) vs (16.98 ± 0.41), (18.59 ± 0.22) vs (18.18 ± 0.23), (14.79 ± 0.40) vs (14.17 ± 0.42), (74.71 ± 0.97) vs (72.17 ± 1.02)), t values respectively were 2.92, 3.65, 2.91, 2.35, 4.05 , all P values were <0.05. CONCLUSION: There are active associations between vegetables / fruit intake and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Proper diet may help improve quality of life in breast cancer patients.

[Associations between physical exercise and quality of life in breast cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between physical exercise and quality of life in breast cancer patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 344 community breast cancer patients between April and July 2013 in Shanghai, China. Data were collected using a questionnaire, including socio-demographic situation, cancer survival and health behaviors, and scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 Simplified Chinese version and FACT-G Simplified Chinese version. RESULTS: Among a total of 3 344 breast cancer patients, the patients doing exercise reported significantly higher EORTC physical functioning scores, role functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, global health scores, and FACT-G physical well-being scores, social well-being scores, emotional well-being scores, functional well-being scores, and FACT-G total scores than the patients who didn't take exercise (P < 0.05, P(Adjusted)<0.05) . Breast cancer patients who did exercise more than or equal to 5 times/week reported significantly higher EORTC role functioning scores, cognitive functioning scores, emotional functioning scores, global health scores and FACT-G physical well-being scores, functional well-being scores, and FACT-G total scores than patients who did exercise less than 5 times/week (P < 0.05, P(Adjusted)<0.05 ). CONCLUSIONS: There are active associations between physical exercise and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Engagement in physical exercise is beneficial to breast cancer patients with long-term survival.

[Fixed ammonium content of chief paddy soil types in Hunan Province and its influencing factors].

By the method of Silva and Bremner, the fixed ammonium content of chief paddy soil types in Hunan Province and its influencing factors were studied. The results showed that the content of fixed ammonium in plough layer ranged from 141 mg.kg-1 to 353 mg.kg-1, averaged 272 +/- 67 mg.kg-1, and accounted for 11.2% of total soil N. The content of fixed ammonium was in order of alluvial sandy soil > purple clayey soil > newly alluvial sandy soil > yellow clayey soil > reddish yellow clayey soil. There were four distribution models of fixed ammonium in the soil profiles: 1) fixed ammonium content increased with the increase of depth in the profiles; 2) fixed ammonium content decreased with the increase of depth; 3) there was no distinct change; and 4) abrupt increase or decrease was found in the profiles. The percentage of fixed ammonium to total N in soils always increased with the increase of depth. The fixation of NH4+ by soil was the strongest under 30 degrees C. Long-term submergence benefited to the fixation of NH4+ in newly alluvial sandy soil, purple clayey soil, and alluvial sandy soil, while the alternation of drying and wetting contributed to the fixation of NH4+ in yellow clayey soil best. The content of fixed ammonium in tested soil was correlated with the content of clay < 0.01 mm at the significant level, and not correlated with the content of clay < 0.001 mm, total N, organic N, and matter.