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Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a frequent complication following a stroke, characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness and loss of interest, which can significantly impede stroke rehabilitation, increase disability, and raise mortality rates. Traditional antidepressants often have significant side effects and poor patient adherence, necessitating the exploration of more suitable treatments for PSD. Previous researchers and our research team have discovered that Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) exhibits antidepressant effects. Therefore, our objective was to assess the efficacy and side effects of BoNT-A treatment in patients with PSD. Methods: A total of 71 stroke patients meeting the inclusion criteria were allocated to the two group. 2 cases were excluded due to severe neurological dysfunction that prevented cooperation and 4 cases were lost follow-up. Ultimately, number of participants in the BoNT-A group (n = 32) and Sertraline group (n = 33). Treatment efficacy was evaluated 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks posttreatment. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (p > 0.05). Both groups exhibited comparable treatment efficacy, with fewer side effects observed in the BoNT-A group compared to the Sertraline group. BoNT-A therapy demonstrated significant effects as early as the first week (p < 0.05), and by the 12th week, there was a notable decrease in neuropsychological scores, significantly lower than the baseline level. The analysis revealed significant differences in measurements of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) (F(770) = 12.547, p = 0.000), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) (F(951) = 10.422, p = 0.000), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) (F(1385) = 10.607, p = 0.000), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (F(1482) = 11.491, p = 0.000). Conclusion: BoNT-A treatment effectively reduces depression symptoms in patients with PSD on a continuous basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials such as graphene present an opportunity for band structure engineering using custom superlattice potentials. In this study, we demonstrate how self-assemblies of magnetic iron-oxide (Fe3O4) nanospheres stacked on monolayer graphene generate a proximity-induced magnetic superlattice in graphene and modify its band structure. Interactions between the nanospheres and the graphene layer generate superlattice Dirac points in addition to a gapped energy spectrum near the K and K′ valleys, resulting in magnetic confinement of quasiparticles around the nanospheres. This is evidenced by gate-dependent resistance oscillations, observed in our low temperature transport measurements, and confirmed by self-consistent tight binding calculations. Furthermore, we show that an external magnetic field can tune the magnetic superlattice potential created by the nanospheres, and thus the transport characteristics of the system. This technique for magnetic-field-tuned band structure engineering using magnetic nanostructures can be extended to a broader class of 2D van der Waals and topological materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concept of solar energy convertible zinc-air battery (SZAB) is demonstrated through rational design of an electrode coupled with multifunction. The multifunctional electrode is fabricated using nitrogen-substituted graphdiyne (N-GDY) with large π-conjugated carbonous network, which can work as photoresponsive bifunctional electrocatalyst, enabling a sunlight-promoted process through efficient injection of photoelectrons into the conduction band of N-GDY. SZAB enables direct conversion and storage of solar energy during the charging process. Such a battery exhibits a lowered charge voltage under illumination, corresponding to a high energy efficiency of 90.4% and electric energy saving of 30.3%. The battery can display a power conversion efficiency as high as 1.02%. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the photopromoted oxygen evolution reaction kinetics originates from the transition from the alkyne bonds to double bonds caused by the transfer of excited electrons, which changes the position of highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, thus greatly promoting the formation of intermediates to the conversion process. Our findings provide conceptual and experimental confirmation that batteries are charged directly from solar energy without the external solar cells, providing a way to manufacture future energy devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research of abrasive belt grinding rail mainly focuses on the contact mechanism and structural design. Compared with the closed structure abrasive belt grinding, open-structured abrasive belt grinding has excellent performance in dynamic stability, consistency of grinding quality, extension of grinding mileage and improvement of working efficiency. However, in the contact structure design, the open-structured abrasive belt grinding rail using a profiling pressure grinding plate and the closed structure abrasive belt using the contact wheel are different, and the contact mechanisms of the two are different. In this paper, based on the conformal contact and Hertz theory, the contact mechanism of the pressure grinding plate, abrasive belt and rail is analyzed. Through finite element simulation and static pressure experiment, the contact behavior of pressure grinding plate, abrasive belt and rail under single concentrated force, uniform force and multiple concentrated force was studied, and the distribution characteristics of contact stress on rail surface were observed. The results show that under the same external load, there are three contact areas under the three loading modes. The outer contour of the middle contact area is rectangular, and the inner contour is elliptical. In the contact area at both ends, the stress is extremely small under a single concentrated force, the internal stress is drop-shaped under a uniform force, and the internal stress under multiple concentration forces is elliptical. Compared with the three, the maximum stress is the smallest and the stress distribution is more uniform under multiple concentrated forces. Therefore, the multiple concentrated forces is the best grinding pressure loading mode. The research provides support for the application of rail grinding with open-structured abrasive belt based on pressure grinding plate, such as contact mechanism and grinding pressure mode selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unique topology and physics of chiral superlattices make their self-assembly from nanoparticles highly sought after yet challenging in regard to (meta)materials1–3. Here we show that tetrahedral gold nanoparticles can transform from a perovskite-like, low-density phase with corner-to-corner connections into pinwheel assemblies with corner-to-edge connections and denser packing. Whereas corner-sharing assemblies are achiral, pinwheel superlattices become strongly mirror asymmetric on solid substrates as demonstrated by chirality measures. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy and computational models show that van der Waals and electrostatic interactions between nanoparticles control thermodynamic equilibrium. Variable corner-to-edge connections among tetrahedra enable fine-tuning of chirality. The domains of the bilayer superlattices show strong chiroptical activity as identified by photon-induced near-field electron microscopy and finite-difference time-domain simulations. The simplicity and versatility of substrate-supported chiral superlattices facilitate the manufacture of metastructured coatings with unusual optical, mechanical and electronic characteristics.Chiroptically active pinwheel assemblies on substrates are formed by tetrahedral gold nanoparticles from the effective ‘compression’ of a perovskite-like, low-density phase, thereby enabling the manufacture of metastructured coatings with special chiroptical characteristics as identified by photon-induced near-field electron microscopy and chirality measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food safety is related to people's health and the sustainable development of the food supply chain, so it is of crucial practical significance to study food supply chain quality management. This paper employs the evolutionary game method to develop a tripartite evolutionary game model that reflects the interaction of interests among food raw material suppliers, food manufacturers, and consumers. It identifies the key factors that influence the decision-making of each game participant and attempts to use these factors to guide the behavior of the food supply chain members scientifically. The study results demonstrate that sustainable management of food supply chains can be improved by strengthening the intensity of government supervision, narrowing the production cost gap between high-quality and poor-quality food raw materials, improving the inspection ability of the food manufacturer, increasing complaint incentives of consumers, etc. Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions and countermeasures for the government to improve the supervision mechanism of food safety, thereby achieving sustainable management of the food supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early diagnosis and classification of infections increase the cure rate while decreasing complications, which is significant for severe infections, especially for war surgery. However, traditional methods rely on laborious operations and bulky devices. On the other hand, point-of-care (POC) methods suffer from limited robustness and accuracy. Therefore, it is of urgent demand to develop POC devices for rapid and accurate diagnosis of infections to fulfill on-site militarized requirements. Methods: We developed a wave-shaped microfluidic chip (WMC) assisted multiplexed detection platform (WMC-MDP). WMC-MDP reduces detection time and improves repeatability through premixing of the samples and reaction of the reagents. We further combined the detection platform with the streptavidin–biotin (SA-B) amplified system to enhance the sensitivity while using chemiluminescence (CL) intensity as signal readout. We realized simultaneous detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the detection platform and evaluated the sensitivity, linear range, selectivity, and repeatability. Finally, we finished detecting 15 samples from volunteers and compared the results with commercial ELISA kits. Results: Detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 exhibited good linear relationships between CL intensities and concentrations in the range of 1.25–40 μg/ml, 0.4–12.8 ng/ml, and 50–1600 pg/ml, respectively. The limit of detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 were 0.54 μg/ml, 0.11 ng/ml, and 16.25 pg/ml, respectively. WMC-MDP is capable of good adequate selectivity and repeatability. The whole detection procedure takes only 22 min that meets the requirements of a POC device. Results of 15 samples from volunteers were consistent with the results detected by commercial ELISA kits. Conclusions: WMC-MDP allows simultaneous, rapid, and sensitive detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 with satisfactory selectivity and repeatability, requiring minimal manipulation. However, WMC-MDP takes advantage of being a microfluidic device showing the coefficients of variation less than 10% enabling WMC-MDP to be a type of point-of-care testing (POCT). Therefore, WMC-MDP provides a promising alternative to POCT of multiple biomarkers. We believe the practical application of WMC-MDP in militarized fields will revolutionize infection diagnosis for soldiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early diagnosis and classification of infections increase the cure rate while decreasing complications, which is significant for severe infections, especially for war surgery. However, traditional methods rely on laborious operations and bulky devices. On the other hand, point-of-care (POC) methods suffer from limited robustness and accuracy. Therefore, it is of urgent demand to develop POC devices for rapid and accurate diagnosis of infections to fulfill on-site militarized requirements. Methods: We developed a wave-shaped microfluidic chip (WMC) assisted multiplexed detection platform (WMC-MDP). WMC-MDP reduces detection time and improves repeatability through premixing of the samples and reaction of the reagents. We further combined the detection platform with the streptavidin–biotin (SA-B) amplified system to enhance the sensitivity while using chemiluminescence (CL) intensity as signal readout. We realized simultaneous detection of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the detection platform and evaluated the sensitivity, linear range, selectivity, and repeatability. Finally, we finished detecting 15 samples from volunteers and compared the results with commercial ELISA kits. Results: Detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 exhibited good linear relationships between CL intensities and concentrations in the range of 1.25–40 μg/ml, 0.4–12.8 ng/ml, and 50–1600 pg/ml, respectively. The limit of detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 were 0.54 μg/ml, 0.11 ng/ml, and 16.25 pg/ml, respectively. WMC-MDP is capable of good adequate selectivity and repeatability. The whole detection procedure takes only 22 min that meets the requirements of a POC device. Results of 15 samples from volunteers were consistent with the results detected by commercial ELISA kits. Conclusions: WMC-MDP allows simultaneous, rapid, and sensitive detection of CRP, PCT, and IL-6 with satisfactory selectivity and repeatability, requiring minimal manipulation. However, WMC-MDP takes advantage of being a microfluidic device showing the coefficients of variation less than 10% enabling WMC-MDP to be a type of point-of-care testing (POCT). Therefore, WMC-MDP provides a promising alternative to POCT of multiple biomarkers. We believe the practical application of WMC-MDP in militarized fields will revolutionize infection diagnosis for soldiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the emerging rail grinding method using abrasive belt has been proposed to efficiently achieve the required geometric profile and the surface quality of the railhead. Although the abrasive features indeed have a great influence on this rail grinding process, the surface topography of abrasive belt regarding grits at the microscopic scale is neglected. In this article, a microscopic contact pressure model was developed to reveal the contact behavior of every active grit based on the digital representation of the surface topography of abrasive belt. Then a numerical model of material removal quantity was also established based on the consideration of the characteristics of abrasive grits and their interactions. Finally, the series of finite element simulations and grinding tests were successively implemented. The normal load and the surface topography of abrasive belt significantly affected the microscopic contact behavior of grits, thus confirming the proposed theoretical models of microscopic contact pressure and material removal quantity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the operation of the railway system, various defects that occurred on the rail surface significantly affect the service life of the rail and undermine the stability, safety, and passenger comfort of the train. For this problem, abrasive belt rail grinding (ABRG) has obtained increasingly rapid development for the daily rail maintenance due to the merits of efficient grinding, elastic grinding, and cold grinding. In the process of ABRG, the contact behavior between the abrasive belt and rail is the main factor for material removal. However, current researches on contact behavior concentrated in the contact area and pressure distribution under the static state having ignored the role of dynamic abrasives when considering material deformation. Therefore, this paper proposed a mechanical model of single and multiple grits grinding for ABRG based on local material deformation induced by grit indentation, in which the credibility of the model was verified by the dynamic contact simulation based on the particle hydrodynamics-finite element method (SPH-FEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogenetic interrelationships among four hexapod lineages (Protura, Collembola, Diplura and Insecta) are pivotal to understanding the origin of insects and the early diversification of Hexapoda, but they have been difficult to clarify based on the available data. In this study, we identified 91 conserved microRNA (miRNA) families from 36 panarthropod taxa, including seven newly sequenced non‐insect hexapods. We found major clade differentiation accompanied by the origin of novel miRNA families, and most miRNA clusters are conserved with a high degree of microsynteny. Importantly, we were able to identify two miRNA families unique to Hexapoda, and four miRNA families and a miRNA cluster that exist exclusively in Diplura and Insecta, suggesting a close relationship between Diplura and Insecta as well as the monophyly of Hexapoda. Combined with a phylogenetic analysis based on the presence/absence matrix of miRNA families, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of miRNA in resolving deep phylogenetic problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DT‐13 combined with topotecan (TPT) showed stronger antitumour effects in mice subcutaneous xenograft model compared with their individual effects in our previous research. Here, we further observed the synergistically effect in mice orthotopic xenograft model. Metabolomics analysis showed DT‐13 combined with TPT alleviated metabolic disorders induced by tumour and synergistically inhibited the activity of the aerobic glycolysis‐related enzymes in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that the combination treatment promoted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degradation through non‐muscle myosin IIA (NM IIA)‐induced endocytosis of EGFR, further inhibited the activity of hexokinase II (HK II), and eventually promoted the aerobic glycolysis inhibition activity more efficiently compared with TPT or DT‐13 monotherapy. The combination therapy also inhibited the specific binding of HK II to mitochondria. When using the NM II inhibitor (‐)002Dblebbistatin or MYH‐9 shRNA, the synergistic inhibition effect of DT‐13 and TPT on aerobic glycolysis was eliminated in BGC‐823 cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed selective up‐regulation of NM IIA while specific down‐regulation of p‐CREB, EGFR, and HK II by the combination therapy. Collectively, these findings suggested that this regimen has significant clinical implications, warranted further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are attracting tremendous attention due to the abundant potassium resources and their low price and high safety. However, the main problem faced by KIBs is the lack of high-capacity and high-stability materials for the intercalation/deintercalation of large-sized K ions. Graphite, alloying-dealloying materials, transition metal chalcogenides, etc. have been reported as KIBs anodes; however, neither the capacity nor the stability is satisfactory. In this work, CoS/N-doped carbon core/shell nanocrystals (CSNCs) were synthesized as a superior anode for boosting the performance in the aspects of capacity, rate performance, and cycling stability. This CSNCs feature with small-sized CoS of 20-30 nm as the core and N-doped amorphous carbon as the shell. The small-sized particles can buffer the volume change due to the reduction of stress in particle dimensions after the intercalation of alkali ions. The flexible carbon shell can overcome the agglomeration of small particles and meanwhile confine the active CoS particles in case of crack and pulverization after large volume expansion. As a consequence, the CSNCs exhibit a high capacity of 303 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.2 A g−1 after 150 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mechanical model is proposed to describe the vibration of a taut inclined cable excited by a deck. The dynamic system is simplified into a one-degree-of-freedom nonlinear system with non-dimensional parameters by using the Galerkin and non-dimensional analysis methods. The periodicity ratio (PR) method is improved and applied to the parameter analysis for the cable system. The frequency ratio between the natural frequency of the cable and the vibration frequency of the deck and the amplitude of deck vibration are the main variable parameters, and nonlinear motion is diagnosed for a large range of parameters. Several forms of motion are distinguished, and the evolution between the forms is studied. Meanwhile, several types of parametric resonance are revealed in different ranges of parameters. The results indicate that the parametric resonance in the case of a 3:2 frequency ratio is significant and should be given more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we first define ecological technologies and the need for identification technology, and we then examine all the present methods of identification technology: Delphi method, Technology Road Mapping Method, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Patentometric method and the text mining method. Among these methods, the combination of Delphi + Analytic Hierarchy Process incorporates ecological technologies into social and economic systems for a systematic identification, and is able to build an index system for an identification model of ecological technologies, identifying technical features, technical level and performance, and economic, social and ecological benefits. Patentometric method presents an objective perspective for identification, based on the characteristics and the internal development logic of ecological technologies. We find that the Delphi + Analytic Hierarchy Process and Patentometric method are the best choices for identification of ecological technologies, because both combine the advantages of qualitative and quantitative identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-pressure processing ( HPP) (0.1-400 MPa for 9 min) on the water holding capacity ( WHC) of heat-induced rabbit myosin gel and structural changes during thermal treatment (25-75 °C). HPP at 100 MPa significantly increased the WHC ( P < 0.05) and formed more regular and homogeneous three-dimensional network. Myosin tails at 100 MPa unfolded completely during the thermal treatment, which was beneficial to form a high WHC gel network. However, myosin pressurised at 200 MPa and above formed a weak gel. Their heads were already aggregated before heating, preventing from subsequent thermal denaturation and aggregation. With the temperature increasing, unfolding of myosin tails was not sufficient for a filamentous network formation. These results suggested that HPP could modify the myosin structure and affect the gel formation during heating. The 100 MPa was the optimum pressure level for the WHC of rabbit myosin gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to compare the gene expression profiles in aortic dissection (AD) and healthy human aortic tissue samples by DNA microarray analysis in order to screen the differential genes. In total, five AD and four healthy aortic specimens were selected; the total RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA and in vitro transcribed into aRNA, followed by microarray hybridization for analysis. Thereafter, the transcription levels of six differential genes, myosin light chain kinase (MYLK), polycystin 1, transient receptor potential channel interacting (PKD-1), myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11), superoxide dismutase 3, extracellular (SOD3), filamin A (FLNA), and transgelin (TAGLN), screened from the expression profiles were quantitatively verified. Compared with the healthy aortic specimens, a total of 1,661 genes in the AD group demonstrated more than 2-fold differential expression, of which 997 genes were upregulated and 664 genes were downregulated. Thereafter, six AD-associated genes that showed downregulation in the microarray assay were selected for quantitatively verifying the gene transcription level using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), which confirmed their downregulation compared with the healthy aortic tissue genes; of the six genes, the expression levels of MYLK, PKD-1, MYH11, SOD3 and TAGLN were significantly downregulated (P<0.05), while the expression of FLNA was not significantly downregulated (P>0.05). Thus, whole genome microarray may be used to screen differentially expressed genes between AD and healthy aortic tissues. When used in combination with RT-qPCR validation, this method may provide novel strategies for investigating AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walk), is one of the most serious pests of cereals in Asia and Australasia. The structure and distribution of the antennal sensilla of M. separata were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that antennae of both female and male M. separata are filiform in shape. Three groups and seven morphological sensillum types were recorded in both sexes, including uniporous sensilla (sensilla chaetica), multiporous sensilla (sensilla trichodea, basiconica, coeloconica, and styloconica), and aporous sensilla (sensilla squamiformia and Böhm bristles). S. trichodea, which were the most abundant sensilla, was made of three subtypes (ST I, ST II, and ST III) according to external features and two subtypes of s. basiconica (SB I and SB II) and s. coeloconica (SCo I and SCo II) were identified, respectively. Sexual dimorphisms in sensilla of M. separata were mainly perceived as the variations in the numbers of several sensilla subtypes. Also, the possible functions of the antennal sensilla were discussed. These results contribute to our understanding of the function of antennae in the behavior of M. separata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of a bond fluctuation self-avoiding walk polymer on an attractive homogeneous flat surface at temperature below the critical adsorption point is studied using dynamic Monte Carlo simulation. Results show that the apparent size Rg,xy2 of the polymer parallel to the surface increases exponentially with time during the adsorption process. The relaxation time for Rg,xy2 reaching its asymptotic value σeq decreases with the increase in the polymer-surface attraction strength Eps, whereas σeq increases with Eps, indicating that the polymer is adsorbed faster and becomes more extended at stronger adsorption. The polymer's asphericity Axy parallel to the surface is sensitive to intra-polymer interaction and its behavior is different from that of Rg,xy2. Simulation results also show that the two-dimensional behaviors of Rg,xy2 and Axy are different from that of the three-dimensional conformational size Rg2 and asphericity A during the adsorption process. During the adsorption, the surface contacted monomer number M increases with time, but Rg2 and A show novel behavior as they first increase with M at small M, then decrease with M at moderate M and finally increase with M again at large M. Whereas Rg,xy2 and Axy first decrease with M and then increase with M during the adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic resource supply is a complex issue to resolve in a cyber-physical system (CPS). In our previous work, a resource model called the dynamic resource supply model (DRSM) has been proposed to handle resources specification, management and allocation in CPS. In this paper, we are integrating the DRSM with service-oriented architecture and applying it to a smart grid (SG), one of the most complex CPS examples. We give the detailed design of the SG for electricity charging request and electricity allocation between plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and DRSM through the Android system. In the design, we explain a mechanism for electricity consumption with data collection and re-allocation through ZigBee network. In this design, we verify the correctness of this resource model for expected electricity allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genome-wide association studies have identified 8q24.21-rs6983267 as a new colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA) susceptibility locus in populations of European descent. Since then, the relationship between 8q24.21-rs6983267 and CRC/CRA has been reported in various ethnic groups; however, these studies have yielded inconsistent results. To investigate this inconsistency and derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we conducted a meta-analysis of 31 studies, including 51,293 cases and 58,962 controls for CRC, and 8,148 cases and 17,065 controls for CRA. Potential sources of heterogeneity and publication bias were also systematically explored. Overall, the summary odds ratio of G variant for CRC was 1.18 (95 % CI, 1.16-1.21; P < 10) and 1.17 (95 % CI, 1.11-1.23; P < 10) for CRA. Significant results were observed using dominant or recessive genetic model for the polymorphism. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risks were found in East Asians and Caucasian populations; while no significant associations were detected among African Americans. After stratifying by sample size and control source, significant associations were also obtained. This meta-analysis suggests that the 8q24.21-rs6983267 polymorphism is associated with CRC/CRA susceptibility, but these associations vary in different ethnic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lattice self-avoiding polymer chain with one end attached to an adsorbing flat surface is simulated using Monte Carlo method. The chain model has z = 26 bond vectors with bond length being 1, $\sqrt 2$, and $\sqrt 3$ on the simple cubic lattice. The dependence of the number of surface contacts M on temperature T in the unit E/ k B with E the interacting energy and k B the Boltzmann constant and chain length N is investigated by a finite-size scaling law M = Nϕ( a0 + a1( T − T c) N 1/δ + O(( T − T c)2 N 2/δ)) near the critical adsorption point T c. It was estimated that T c = 1.625 and the exponents ϕ = 0.52 and δ = 1.63. It was observed that both mean square end-to-end distance 〈 R2〉 and mean square radius of gyration 〈 R [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2004, our institution has adopted venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients who otherwise could not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass and patients experiencing cardiogenic shock and/or pulmonary dysfunction unresponsive to conventional treatments. In this study, we reviewed our experience with ECMO support and tried to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 121 consecutive patients receiving ECMO. Patients were divided into adult and pediatric groups and analyzed separately. Demographics, clinical characteristics at the time of ECMO implantation, ECMO-related complications, and in-hospital mortality were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate predictors of mortality. A P value ≤0.05 was accepted as significant. Sixty-eight adult patients and 53 pediatric patients were included in this study. In adult patients, 52 were weaned from ECMO and 43 survived upon discharge. After univariate analysis, ECMO setup location, receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation before ECMO, leg ischemia, hemolysis, acute renal failure (ARF), neurological dysfunction, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome were associated with in-hospital death. In multiple logistic regression analyses, leg ischemia (OR 14.68, 95% CI 1.67-129.1), ARF (OR 12.14, 95% CI 2.5-58.8), and neurological dysfunction (OR 49.0, 95% CI 2.28-1051.96) were risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Patients put on ECMO in the operating room had a better chance of survival (OR 0.078, 95% CI 0.013-0.417). In pediatric patients, 30 were weaned from ECMO and 26 survived upon discharge. After univariate analysis, age, weight, and eight ECMO complications were associated with in-hospital death. In multiple logistic regression analyses, ARF (OR 24.0, 95% CI 4.2-137.3) was a risk factor associated with in-hospital mortality. A P value of 0.921 and >0.99 was obtained by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and the area under the curve was 0.863 and 0.867 for adult and pediatric patients, respectively. The overall survival rate was 57%. ECMO is a justifiable alternative treatment for refractory cardiac and/or pulmonary dysfunction which could rescue more than 50% of carefully selected patients. Higher survival rates could be achieved by preventing ECMO complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphological changes of muscle can be accurately detected by sonography, a process we have termed sonomyography (SMG). This article investigates the feasibility of using muscle thickness deformation SMG as a new signal source to control a prosthetic hand in real time. Thickness deformation SMG of the extensor muscle was measured by a block-matching algorithm during wrist extension-flexion; the amplitude of the deformation was used to control the prosthetic hand. We compared various fast-search algorithms to select the best one for real-time prosthetic control. The two-dimensional logarithmic search (TDL) algorithm, with and without streaming single-instruction multiple-data extensions, showed excellent execution efficiency, with an overall mean correlation coefficient of about 0.99, a mean standard root-mean-square error <0.75, and a mean relative root-mean-square error <8.0% referenced to the cross-correlation algorithm baseline. The mean frame rates were greater than the ultrasound sampling rate (12 Hz), indicating that TDL could be implemented in real-time control. These results demonstrate that only one muscle position is needed to control a prosthetic hand, allowing for proprioception of muscle tension, and that the SMG provides good control of the prosthetic hand, allowing it to proportionally open and close with a fast-search algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a cardiopulmonary supportive therapy. In this study, we reviewed our experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and tried to identify measurable values which might predict in-hospital mortality. Methods: From January 2004 through December 2008, 50 of 21,298 adult patients received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of these 50 consecutive patients. Details of demographics, preoperative measurements, clinical characteristics at the time of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related complications and in-hospital mortality were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate predictors of mortality. A p-value = 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: Thirty-eight patients were weaned from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and 33 patients survived to discharge. The overall survival rate was 66%. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, blood lactate level before initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was a risk factor associated with in-hospital mortality (OR 1.27 95% CI 1.042-1.542). To evaluate the utility of the lactate in predicting mortality, a conventional receiver operating characteristic curve was produced. Sensitivity and specificity were optimal at a cut-off point of 12.6mmol/L, with an area under the curve of 0.752. The positive and negative predictive values were 73.3% and 83.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a justifiable alternative treatment for postoperative refractory cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction which could rescue more than sixty percent of otherwise fatal patients. Patients with pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation lactate levels above 12.6mmol/L are at higher risks for in-hospital death. Evidence-based therapy for this group of high risk patients is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the aggregation of particles on a hetero-substrate consisting of two different substrates A and B with finite surface barriers EAB and EBA between the AB and BA boundaries, respectively. With the diffusion energy limited aggregation (DELA) model, we find that the number of clusters and the mean radius of gyration of the clusters are dependent on the surface barriers EAB and EBA. For the case with a constant of EBA, a series of minima are summarized as EAB = (E0 - kBAEBA)/kAB with kAB and kBA being two integers, for main minima (kBA = kAB [?] 1) and two local minima (kBA = kAB and kBA = kAB + 1) between two neighbouring main minima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]