Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in the tumour microenvironment (TME), impacting the immune response via cellular and humoral immunity. RT can induce local immunity to modify the TME. It can stimulate dendritic cell maturation and T-cell infiltration. Moreover, B cells, macrophages and other immune cells may also be affected. Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is a unique structure within the TME and a class of aggregates containing T cells, B cells and other immune cells. The maturation of TLS is determined by the presence of mature dendritic cells, the density of TLS is determined by the number of immune cells. TLS maturation and density both affect the antitumour immune response in the TME. This review summarized the recent research on the impact and the role of RT on TLS, including the changes of TLS components and formation conditions and the mechanism of how RT affects TLS and transforms the TME. RT may promote TLS maturation and density to modify the TME regarding enhanced antitumour immunity.

We conducted a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional and single-centre study that included 190 hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch between December 2022 and January 2023 to analyse the correlation of viral loads of throat swabs with clinical progression and outcomes. To normalise the Ct value as quantification of viral loads, we used RNase P gene as internal control gene and subtracted the Ct value of SARS-CoV-2 N gene from the Ct value of RNase P gene, termed △Ct. Most patients were discharged (84.2%), and only 10 (5.6%) individuals who had a lower △Ct value died. The initial △Ct value of participants was also significantly correlated with some abnormal laboratory characteristics, and the duration time of SARS-CoV-2 was longer in patients with severe symptoms and a lower △Ct value at admission. Our study suggested that the △Ct value may be used as a predictor of disease progression and outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

The Viséan–Serpukhovian boundary is poorly defined in South China, hampering regional and global stratigraphical correlations. The foraminiferal and conodont distribution of the Baping Formation in the carbonate-slope Danlu section permits the recognition of an interval from the middle Viséan to the uppermost Serpukhovian in a continuous succession. The base of the Serpukhovian in Danlu is recognized by the first occurrences of Janischewskina delicata, Howchinia subplana and questionable ‘Millerella’ tortula. At a slightly younger level, the conodont Lochriea ziegleri is first recorded. A calibration on the first occurrence of L. ziegleri in different basins at a global scale has been revised compared to auxiliary markers within the ammonoids and foraminifers. The late occurrence of L. ziegleri in the Danlu section also supports a lack of synchronicity in the global first occurrence of this taxon. This study calls for the recognition of a new base for the Serpukhovian under a far better correlation between different zonal schemes and fossil groups.

Trimethylgallium (TMGa) adsorption on GaAs(100) has been studied by infrared spectroscopy. The adsorbed TMGa exhibits up to five C-H stretching vibrations between 2700 and 3000 cm−1 and five C-H deformations between 1100 and 1500 cm−1. The adsorbate uptake is a maximum at arsenic coverages of –65%. These and other results indicate that TMGa dissociatively adsorbs onto As dimers with methyl transfer to second-layer Ga atoms and to As atoms. Above 333 K, molecular desorption competes with adsorption, causing the saturation coverage to fall with increasing temperature. The desorption kinetics depend on the composition of the GaAs(100) surface. These kinetics suggest that above 773 K, TMGa is more likely to decompose on the c(2×8) than on a more Ga-rich surface.

In 1986 Egypt and Israel agreed to submit for resolution by binding arbitration the boundary disputes involving the location of 14 demarcation pillars along their shared border on the Sinai Peninsula. A five-member tribunal (Tribunal), appointed and empowered under provisions of the 1979 Treaty of Peace Between Egypt and Israel (Treaty), and authorized by the Compromis to adopt only locations proposed by one of the state parties, held (4-1): that the Egyptian position is to be accepted on the most important dispute, the location of the southernmost pillar denoting “Ras Taba on the western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba”; and, with respect to the 13 remaining pillars in an uninhabited desert region, the position of Egypt is to be accepted in nine instances and that of Israel in four. Professor Lapidoth dissented from the decision as to the pillars in the Taba and Ras el Naqb areas.