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Magnetron sputtering systems are widely used for depositing industrially important coatings. Research has been conducted to optimize and improve these structures to increase coating effectiveness and target utilization. The paper investigates the engineering problem of uneven target etching caused by an uneven magnetic field in magnetron sputtering equipment. The characteristics of the desired magnetic field distribution required by magnetron sputtering equipment are analyzed, and a corresponding excitation structure and analytical model for cylindrical magnetron sputtering equipment are proposed and calculated. The uniform magnetic field design is realized by analytical modeling of the excitation structure. The axial magnetic field distributions produced by an axisymmetric solenoid system and several similar excitation structures are analyzed and compared. The analytical results were verified through finite element simulations and experiments, demonstrating the accuracy and effectiveness of the method. The excitation structure, which is designed with a uniform magnetic field, can produce an axial component of magnetic flux density with a uniformity deviation of less than 4.3% across 73% of the target surface. The analytical model describes the distribution of the axial component of the magnetic flux density and optimizes the magnetic field. The model enables the simulation of plasma distribution and film growth, aiming to enhance the target utilization rate and substrate deposition rate. The conclusions serve as a reference for designing high-performance magnetron sputtering equipment.

Abstract Background Primary bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare form of adrenal Cushing’s syndrome. The slowly progressing expansion of bilateral adrenal tissues usually persists for dozens of years, leading to delayed onset with severe conditions due to chronic mild hypercortisolism. About 20–50% cases were found to be caused by inactivating mutation of armadillo repeat-containing protein 5 (ARMC5) gene. Case presentation A 51-year-old man was admitted for severe diabetes mellitus, resistant hypertension, centripedal obesity and edema. PBMAH was diagnosed after determination of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels, dexamethasone suppression tests and abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scanning. The metabolic disorders of the patient remarkably improved after sequentially bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy combined with hormone replacement. Sanger sequencing showed germline nonsense mutation of ARMC5 c.967C>T (p.Gln323Ter). The second somatic missense mutation of ARMC5 was detected in one out of two resected nodules, reflecting the second-hit model of tumorigenesis. Routine genetic testing in his apparently healthy offspring showed one of two daughters and one son harbored the germline mutation. Conclusions In conclusion, our case report highlight the importance of genetic testing in the molecular diagnosis of PBMAH. Genetic screening in related family members will find out asymptomatic variant carriers to guide life-long follow-up.

Objective: Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by oropharyngeal swabs (OPS) and nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is an essential method for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management. It is not clear how detection rate, sensitivity, and the risk of exposure for medical providers differ in two sampling methods.Methods: In this prospective study, 120 paired NPS and OPS specimens were collected from 120 inpatients with confirmed COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in swabs were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The SARS-CoV-2 detection rate, sensitivity, and viral load were analyzed with regards NPS and OPS. Sampling discomfort reported by patients was evaluated.Results: The SARS-CoV-2 detection rate was significantly higher for NPS [46.7% (56/120)] than OPS [10.0% (12/120)] (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of NPS was also significantly higher than that of OPS (P < 0.001). At the time of sampling, the time of detectable SARS-CoV-2 had a longer median duration (25.0 vs. 20.5 days, respectively) and a longer maximum duration (41 vs. 39 days, respectively) in NPS than OPS. The mean cycle threshold (Ct) value of NPS (37.8, 95% CI: 37.0–38.6) was significantly lower than that of OPS (39.4, 95% CI: 38.9–39.8) by 1.6 (95% CI 1.0–2.2, P < 0.001), indicating that the SARS-CoV-2 load was significantly higher in NPS specimens than OPS. Patient discomfort was low in both sampling methods. During NPS sampling, patients were significantly less likely to have nausea and vomit.Conclusions: NPS had significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 detection rate, sensitivity, and viral load than OPS. NPS could reduce droplets production during swabs. NPS should be recommended for diagnosing COVID-19 and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 load.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number: ChiCTR2000029883.

Abstract Detecting circulating tumour cells (CTCs) is considered as effective and minimally invasive technique to predict the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but its clinical validity is still conflicting in patients without metastasis. We performed this meta-analysis to evaluate whether detection of CTCs in the peripheral blood can be used as a prognostic marker for patients with non-metastatic CRC. We performed a comprehensive search of the EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases (up to September 2016). Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model with the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) as the effect measures. Twenty studies including 3,687 patients were eligible for inclusion. Overall analyses demonstrated that the presence of CTCs was significantly associated with aggressive disease progression (HR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.64–4.02, P heterogeneity

The effects of surface texture on the lubrication performance of a compression ring-cylinder liner system are studied in this paper. By considering the surface roughness of the compression ring and cylinder liner, a mixed lubrication model is presented to investigate the tribological behaviors of a barrel-shaped compression ring-cylinder liner system with spherical dimples on the liner. In order to determine the rupture and reformulation positions of fluid film accurately, the Jacoboson-Floberg-Olsson (JFO) cavitation boundary condition is applied to the mixed lubrication model for ensuring the mass-conservative law. On this basis, the minimum oil film thickness and average friction forces in the compression ring-cylinder liner system are investigated under the engine-like conditions by changing the dimple area density, radius, and depth. The wear load, average friction forces, and power loss of the compression ring-cylinder liner system with and without dimples are also compared for different compression ring face profiles. The results show that the spherical dimples can produce a larger reduction of friction in mixed lubrication region, and reduce power loss significantly in the middle of the strokes. In addition, higher reduction percentages of average friction forces and wear are obtained for smaller crown height or larger axial width.

In this paper, a scheme for chaotic modulation secure communication is proposed based on chaotic synchronization of an improved Lorenz system. For the first time, the intensity limit and stability of the transmitted signal, the characteristics of broadband and the requirements for accuracy of electronic components are presented by Multisim simulation. In addition, some improvements are made on the measurement method and the proposed experimental circuit in order to facilitate the experiments of chaotic synchronization, chaotic non-synchronization, experiment without signal and experiment with signal. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, some numerical simulations are presented. Then, the proposed chaotic secure communication circuit is implemented through analog electronic circuit, which is characterized by its high accuracy and good robustness.

An improved Lorenz chaotic system is proposed, making it into a circuit which is easy to be implemented by using some basic electronic components. The antisynchronization error systems can be asymptotically stabilized at the origin with three different methods which are proposed to control the improved Lorenz system. Theoretical analyses and simulation results are given to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of these proposed schemes. Then the hardware circuit for the proposed Lorenz system is implemented by repeated optimization design. Experimental results show that the circuit has good comprehensive performance.

The normal growth of blood vessels is the result of dynamic balance of angiogenic factor and inhibitory factor in vascular tissue. However, when the balance is broken, the growth of new blood vessels will be induced. Endogenous angiogenesis inhibitory factor, is a group of negative feedback molecules produced by the body itself that inhibit angiogenesis. Its function of inhibiting angiogenesis is mainly realized by promoting the binding of angiogenic factor to its receptor, or its downstream angiogenesis signal, or promoting vascular endothelial apoptosis. The study of angiogenesis inhibitory factor has potential clinical significance for the prevention and treatment of retinal neovascularization. Recent studies on retinal neovascularization inhibitory factor are reviewed in this paper.

Objective To evaluate the effect of Myozyme on one ventilator dependent patient with late-onset glycogen storage disease typeⅡ (GSDⅡ). Methods Myozyme infusion was administered based on manufacturer's recommendations at 20 mg/kg every 2 to 4 weeks, beginning at actual body weight, and was continuously treated for 6 times. No premedication was performed except 5 mg dexamethasone was administered at the first use of Myozyme. Clinical assessment was completed every day and was lasted for 16 months including motor function, the time free of ventilation, and the change of respiration parameters. Results Myozyme was well tolerated without adverse reactions. Pain on shoulder began to alleviate the next day after taking Myozyme. With the prolonged time and increased number of taking drugs, the time free of ventilation and doing in-situ stepping prolonged, and the speed of stepping in-situ also increased. Besides, the strength of lifting the upper limbs increased, and both the time and speed of walking free of ventilation prolonged. The maximus curative effect occured at the 7th month (3 months after drug withdrawal) after treatment and returned to pre-treatment levels at the 8th month (4 months after drug withdrawal). The pain on shoulder was the first symptom that got improved, and the fastest symptom that returned to baseline. Conclusions Myozyme has positive effect on ventilated patients with late-onset glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.05.009