Search

The mechanical power (MP) is the energy delivered into the respiratory system over time. It can be computed as a direct measurement of the inspiratory area of the airway pressure and volume loop during the respiratory cycle or calculated by "power equations". The absence of a bedside computation limited its widespread use. Recently, it has been developed an automatic monitoring system inside of a mechanical ventilator. Purpose Our aim was to investigate the repeatability and the accuracy of the measured MP at different PEEP values and tidal volume compared with the calculated MP. Material and methods MP was measured and calculated in sedated and paralyzed ARDS patients at low and high tidal volume, at 5-10-15 cmH2O of PEEP both in volume and pressure-controlled ventilation. The same measurements were performed twice. Results Fifty ARDS patients were enrolled. MP was measured and calculated for a total of 300 measurements. The bias and limits of agreement were 0.38 from -1.31 to 2.0 J/min. The measured and calculated MP were similar in each ventilatory condition. Conclusions The mechanical power measured by a new automatic real time system implemented in a mechanical ventilator was repeatable and accurate compared with the computed one.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer was concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy was poor in locally advanced cervical cancer (lump ≥4 cm) (LACC) (lump ≥4 cm). We conduct this research in order to explore the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with concurrent radiotherapy in LACC (lump ≥4 cm). MATERIALS/METHODS A phase III, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at Guizhou Cancer Hospital. LACC (lump ≥4 cm) (FIGO 2018) were randomly divided into two groups, neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (NACT+CCRT) group and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) group. In NACT+CCRT group, patients were treated with paclitaxel cisplatin (TP) for 2 cycles, then they received concurrent chemoradiotherapy with TP for 2 cycles. In CCRT group, the patients were treated concurrent chemoradiotherapy with TP for 2 cycles. Tumor volume shrinkage, response rate and toxicity were the primary endpoints. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the second endpoints. RESULTS Between March 2019 and December 2020, 97 patients randomly assigned (52 patients in the NACT+CCRT group and 45 patients in the CCRT group). In the NACT+CCRT group, after NACT, of evaluable 52, 52 responded: complete response (CR) 1(1.92%) and partial response (PR) 24(46.15%), stable disease (SD) 27(51.92%) and progressive disease (PD) 0(0%). 52 patients have completed CCRT, after NACT+CCRT, of evaluable 52, 52 responded: CR17(32.69%) and PR 35(67.31%), SD 0 and PD 0. In the CCRT group, 5 patients have not completed CCRT (because of the large tumor and concurrent radiotherapy not be tolerated), of evaluable 40, 40 responded: CR 8(20.00%) and PR 32(80.00%), SD 0 and PD 0. The immediate CR rate was better in NACT+CCRT than in the CCRT (P = 0.001). Treatment completion status: in the NACT+CRT group, all the patients (100%) have completed the NACT+CCRT, there were 40 (88.89%) patients have completed treatment (P = 0.013). In the tumor shrinkage, the median tumor volume after NACT was 33.91cm3 and 79.74cm3 in the CCRT group. There was significant difference between two groups (P = 0.000). Adverse event Hematological and gastrointestinal toxicity were most common. The Acute toxicities were hematological toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, there was no significant difference between two groups in the NACT+CCRT group versus the CCRT group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION NACT can minify the tumor volume of LACC (lump≥4cm) before CCRT and reduce the radiation dose of normal organs around the target area, thereby improved the completion rate of concurrent radiotherapy treatment. After NACT+CRT, the immediate response rate was improved significantly, especially the CR. However, there were more significant adverse events during NACT+CRT but it was well tolerated by patients. The high efficiency can be transformed into the advantage of prolonging survival or not, longer follow up and further research is needed. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE F. Li: None. J. Li: None. S. Yin: None. F. Mei: None. Y. Du: None. L. Hu: None. X. Tian: None. W. Hong: None. L. Shan: None. M. Liu: None. Y. Chen: None. W. Mao: None. J. Mu: None. B. Lu: None.

Drag-free flight has played a more and more important role in many space missions. The thrust control system is the key unit to achieve drag-free flight by providing a precise compensation for the disturbing force except gravity. The cusped field thruster has shown a significant potential to be capable of the function due to its long life, high efficiency, and simplicity. This paper demonstrates a cusped field thruster's feasibility in drag-free flight based on its instinctive characteristics and describes a detailed design of a cusped field thruster made by Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). Furthermore, the performance test is conducted, which shows that the cusped field thruster can achieve a continuously variable thrust from 1 to 20 mN with a low noise and high resolution below 650 W, and the specific impulse can achieve 1800 s under a thrust of 18 mN and discharge voltage of 1000 V. The thruster's overall performance indicates that the cusped field thruster is quite capable of achieving drag-free flight. With the further optimization, the cusped field thruster will exhibit a more extensive application value.

The characteristics of nat .,7 LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent detectors exposed to high-energy 12 C (165 MeV/nucleon) ions and 60 Co γ -rays have been investigated. Through a careful analysis of the glow curves by the GlowFit program, it is found that the relative amplitude of satellite peaks 3, 5, 6 and 7 to peak 4, measured after irradiated with high-energy 12 C ions, is higher than that with 60 Co γ -rays for both types of TL detectors. It is observed that nat .,7 LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent detectors would also exhibit a good linear dose response when the delivered dose of high-energy 12 C ions is in the range from 100 mGy to 1600 mGy. Furthermore, the relative efficiency of the nat .,7 LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent detectors is independent of the absorbed dose in the linear dose response range. Compared to previously published data, the relative efficiency of the 7 LiF:Mg,Cu,P TL detectors decreases with increasing LET values.

In this study, polyol process was used to synthesize anisotropic silver nanowires (AgNWs). The ranges of synthesis temperature from 100 to 200 degrees were explored, and the ranges from 4.53 to 13.75 wt% Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were investigated. The lengths and diameters of AgNWs from 15 to 30 μm and from 10 to 50 nm can be obtained, respectively. Then, the AgNWs embedded in PVP fibers (PVP/AgNWs) were fabricated by the near-field electrospinning (NFES) process. The AgNWs were broken down into nanoparticles when the applied electric field was over 1.4 × 107 V/m. However, the AgNWs could remain undamaged when the electric field was controlled between 8 × 106 and 1.2 × 107 V/m. Therefore, the threshold electric field can be determined and the diameter of the PVP/AgNWs fibers from 500 nm to 10 μm can be obtained. Next, the characteristics of the PVP/AgNWs were examined by N&K analyzer, four-point probe, EDS and FTIR. The transmittance of PVP/AgNWs films was 51.29–68.97% and the sheet resistance of purified AgNWs was 0.125 Ω/sq which was superior to that of commercial ITO. In addition, the haze of PVP/AgNWs with 30–90 nm thick was from 11.5% to 13.3%. In the near future, the PVP/AgNWs fibers can be used as transparent conductive electrodes.

Revascularization of diabetic patients is challenging owing to the high frequency of complex disease and is consistently associated with increased rates of cardiac events compared to non-diabetic patients. We evaluated the impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of clinical events after XIENCE V (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) stenting.Background: The XIENCE V USA (XIENCE V Everolimus ...

The XIENCE V USA (XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System Condition-of-Approval Post-Market Study) sought to evaluate the safety of everolimus-eluting coronary stent systems in a real-world population with a total of 5,054 participants (1,875 standard-risk; 3,179 extended-risk). At 1 year, the rate of Academic Research Consortium-defined definite and probable stent thrombosis was 0.84%, and the composite rate of cardiac death and Academic Research Consortium-defined myocardial infarction was 6.5%. Consistent safety outcomes between the matched standard-risk cohorts from the XIENCE V USA study and the SPIRIT IV randomized trial (Clinical Evaluation of the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Subjects With de Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions) suggest that this study affords a reliable benchmark for understanding the safety of everolimus-eluting coronary stent systems in real-world clinical practice. Objectives The XIENCE V USA (XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System Condition-of-Approval Post-Market study) sought to: 1) evaluate the safety of everolimus-eluting coronary stent systems (EECSS) in a contemporary cohort of real-world subjects; and 2) prospectively test the quality of event reporting with analysis of matched patients from the randomized SPIRIT IV (Clinical Evaluation of the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Subjects With de Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions) trial. Background Randomized trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of EECSS in selected “standard-risk” patients. Methods The XIENCE V USA trial was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study in unselected patients. The primary endpoint was Academic Research Consortium (ARC)-defined definite and probable stent thrombosis (ST); the co-primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death and myocardial infarction at 1 year. Secondary analyses included: 1) stratification by standard-risk and extended-risk cohorts; and 2) late ST after dual antiplatelet therapy interruption. Results Of 5,054 participants (1,875 standard-risk; 3,179 extended-risk), 4,958 (98.1%) reached 1-year follow-up. The rate of ARC-defined definite and probable ST was 0.84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60% to 1.14%) in the overall population and 0.33% (95% CI: 0.12% to 10.72%) and 1.14% (95% CI: 0.80% to 11.58%) in the standard-risk and extended-risk cohorts, respectively. No late ST was observed after dual antiplatelet therapy interruption in either cohort after 6 months. The composite rate of cardiac death and ARC-defined myocardial infarction was 6.5% (95% CI: 5.79% to 17.17%) in the overall population, 3.8% (95% CI: 2.98% to 14.78%) in the standard-risk cohort, and 8.0% (95% CI: 7.09% to 19.02%) in the extended-risk cohort. Conclusions This study comprehensively reports ST rates for EECSS in a contemporary real-world population. The absence of ST after dual antiplatelet therapy interruption beyond 6 months in standard-risk and high-risk patients is notable. Consistent safety outcomes between matched standard-risk cohorts from the XIENCE V USA study and the SPIRIT IV randomized trial suggest that this study affords a reliable benchmark for understanding the safety of EECSS in the context of real-world clinical practice. (XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System [EECSS] USA Post-Approval Study; NCT00676520)

The nanoscale pop-in phenomena in polycrystalline α-Al2O3 and single crystal α-Al2O3(0 0 0 1) were comparatively investigated by nanoindentation with Berkovich indenters. It was found that different radii and loading rates have significant effects on the pop-ins formation, stress distributions and dislocation nucleations. Using the Hertzian contact theory and energetic model approach, the pop-in observations and resolved shear stress analysis are consistent with the explanation that the first pop-in corresponds to the nucleation of homogeneous dislocations when the theoretical shear strength is exceeded.

The trend in DNA-binding affinities and the spectral properties of a series of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy) 2 (dmdpq)] 2+ ( 1 ), [Ru(bpy) 2 (dpq)] 2+ ( 2 ), [Ru(bpy) 2 (cndpq)] 2+ ( 3 ) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; dpq = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline; dmdpq = di-methyl-dpq; dcdpq = di-cyano-dpq), have been experimentally and theoretically investigated. The DNA-binding constants K b of the complexes were determined systematically with spectrophotometric titration. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations were carried out for these complexes. The experimental results show that these complexes bind to DNA in intercalation mode, and the order of their intrinsic DNA-binding constants K b is K b ( 1 ) K b ( 2 ) ≪ K b ( 3 ). The substituents on the intercalative ligands of the complexes play a very important role in the control of DNA-binding affinities of the complexes, in particular, the stronger electron-withdrawing substituent (–CN) on the intercalative ligand can greatly improve the DNA-binding property of the derivative complex. The trend in DNA-binding affinities as well as the spectral properties of metal–ligand charge-transition ( 1 MLCT) of this series of complexes can be reasonably explained by applying the DFT and TDDFT calculations and the frontier molecular orbital theory.

Liquid-phase siliconizing method is proposed to improve the oxidation resistance of the TiAl-based alloy. The expected effect was obtained on the siliconizing condition of 780 °C/10 min + 680 °C/10 min using Al–10 wt.%Si alloy. The presence of the compounds Ti 5 Si 3 and Al 12 Si 3 Ti 5 was identified by TEM in the siliconized layer, and the formation mechanism was elucidated from the thermodynamical point of view.

We present plane strain simulations about the dependence of orientational in-grain subdivision and crystallographic deformation textures in aluminum polycrystals on grain interaction. The predictions are compared to experiments. For the simulations we use a crystal plasticity finite element and different polycrystal homogenization models. One set of finite element simulations is conducted by statistically varying the arrangement of the grains in a polycrystal. Each grain contains 8 integration points and has different neighbor grains in each simulation. The reorientation paths of the 8 integration points in each grain are sampled for the different polycrystal arrangements. For quantifying the influence of the grain neighborhood on subdivision and texture we use a mean orientation concept for the calculation of the orientation spread among the 8 originally identical in-grain orientation points after plastic straining. The results are compared to Taylor–Bishop–Hill-type and Sachs-type models which consider grain interaction on a statistical basis. The study reveals five important points about grain interaction. First, the consideration of local grain neighborhood has a significant influence on the reorientation of a grain (up to 20% in terms of its end orientation and its orientation density), but its own initial orientation is more important for its reorientation behavior than its grain neighborhood. Second, the sharpness of the deformation texture is affected by grain interaction leading to an overall weaker texture when compared to results obtained without interaction. Third, the in-grain subdivision of formerly homogeneous grains occurring during straining is strongly dependent on their initial orientation. For instance some crystals build up ingrain orientation changes of more than 20° after 95% straining while others do practically not subdivide. Fourth, the dependence of in-grain subdivision on the neighbor grains is different for crystals with different initial orientation (cube or rotated Goss grains reveal strong subdivision). Fifth, the upper bound for the variation of texture due to changes in grain neighborhood amounts at most to 5% in terms of the positions of the main texture components. In terms of the overall orientation density all predictions (using different neighborhood configurations) remain within a narrow tube with an orientation scatter of 10% (β-fiber) to 20% (Brass component, α -fiber)) when the neighborhood changes.  2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

XIENCE V USA is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, FDA condition- of-approval study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the XIENCE V® Everolimus Eluting Stent (XIENCE V, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) in a real-world, all-comer population. Clinical outcomes at 1 year in AMI patients

Biocontrol of soilborne diseases of tomato caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum alone or in combination with Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici were studied in the greenhouse and field. Soilborne diseases of pepper caused by the first three pathogens were also studied alone or in combination with Phytophthora capsici. Tomato and pepper seeds were treated with biomass of Gliocladium virens (Gl-3) and Burkholderia cepacia (Bc-F), individually and in combination, and planted in pathogen-infested soilless mix. Seedling stands for tomato from treated seeds were comparable to that in non-infested soilless mix. Although seed treatments with individual biocontrol agents reduced damping-off in peppers, only the Gl-3 + Bc-F treatment resulted in stands similar to the non-infested control. When healthy seedlings of both crops were transplanted into pathogen-infested soil/soilless mix in the greenhouse, and supplementary root drenches of suspensions of Gl-3, Bc-F, and Gl-3 + Bc-F were applied, the plant fresh weight was significantly greater and the disease severity (DSI) significantly less than for infested controls. When transplants were set out into infested field plots, the combined Gl-3 + Bc-F application resulted in greater fresh weight and lower DSI for pepper, and greater fruit yield for tomato than those obtained with either Gl-3 or Bc-F alone.

In this paper, we have presented a new image-processing system for the measurement of skeletal growth in pediatric radiology. From a standard posterior and anterior view radiograph, taken from a left hand, the proposed system first automatically locates the phalangeal region of interest, and then measures the geometrical parameters associated with skeletal maturity. Finally, the bone age is estimated by using the standard phalangeal length table. Clinical studies reveal that the computer processing has resulted in an objective and accurate assessment of skeletal age. It greatly improves the shortcomings, including inter- and intraobserver variations and inaccuracy, reported in other research by manual methods. In conclusion, it is an inexpensive and useful tool for the evaluation of short-term abnormalities in the skeletal growth of children.

Inhomogeneity of rolling texture in metal sheets has been investigated, which should be avoided if the normal rolling texture is expected, or promoted if a certain special property could be thus obtained (e.g. in Fe-3%Si sheet). On the other hand, the investigation could also help in revealing the detailed deformation mechanism in metal sheets. Iron aluminides based on Fe[sub 3]Al are well known for their good oxidation resistance, excellent sulfidation resistance, low cast and lower density than stainless steel. But the knowledge of texture development and its inhomogeneity, which could affect the properties of the material, has so far been obtained less.

This paper presents a coded block adaptive neural network system using a radical-partitioned structure for large-volume Chinese characters recognition. Using the coded block adaptive neural network system with a radical-partitioned structure, 1,000 frequently-used Chinese characters have been successfully trained in 139.2 hours using an 18 MIPs computer. According to the simulation results, the coded block system with a radical-partitioned structure provides an acceptable learning time, a good recognition rate, and an excellent expansion capability for large-volume Chinese characters recognition.

Morphological changes of platelets activated on glass and dimethyldichlorosilane-treated glass were investigated using video microscopy. The platelet morphological changes were quantified by measuring the area and circularity of spreading platelets. In addition, re-organization of cytoskeletal structures of spread platelets was examined. The effects of precoated albumin and fibrinogen on the platelet spreading kinetics were examined as a function of surface protein concentrations. Results showed that platelet shape changes were very sensitive to the surface concentration of precoated proteins. In general, platelets on fibrinogen-precoated surfaces spread fully to a circular shape and developed an extensive inner filamentous zone. In the presence of albumin on the surface, however, platelets could not spread fully and the development of the inner filamentous zone was very poor. For both albumin and fibrinogen, the maximum effects of precoated proteins on platelet shape changes were observed when the surface protein concentration reached the monolayer concentration.

A North American population's predictors of early clopidogrel discontinuation after drug-eluting stent implantation Ana Laynez, Michael A. Gaglia, Jr., Kohei Wakabayashi, Rafael Romaguera, Gabriel Maluenda, Gabriel Sardi, Itsik Ben-Dor, Manuel A. Gonzalez, Michael Mahmoudi, Camille Hauville, Rebecca Torguson, Zhenyi Xue, William O. Suddath, Lowell F. Satler, Kenneth M. Kent, Joseph Lindsay, Augusto D. Pichard, Ron Waksman Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has been widely used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the incidence of EGFR mutation in NSCLC is higher in China than in the United States and European countries. Mutations of EGFR exons 19 and 21 in NSCLC is related to response of tumors to EGFR TKIs, suggesting their usefulness as biomarkers. Some case studies reported a gefitinib-responsive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with EGFR mutation. However, there are few large studies which reported the mutation status of SCLC patients. It is difficult to obtain tumor tissues to detect EGFR mutations in SCLC patients especially from surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the EGFR mutation status in SCLC patients in China, and evaluate the feasibility of EGFR mutation detection from plasma by mutant-enriched liquidchip (MEL) technology. From September 2011 to March 2012, plasma from 35 cases of SCLC were collected at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China. There were 7 female, 28 male; age from 46 to 74 years old and median age of 60 years old. The stage (Veterans Administration Lung Study Group, VALSG): limited disease (LD) 8 cases, extensive disease (ED) 27 cases. Smoking history: non-smoker 10 cases, light smoker 0 cases, moderate smoker 3 cases and heavy smoker 22 cases. MEL technology was used to detect EGFR exon 19 and exon 21 mutations from plasma of 35 SCLC patients. One of 35 cases was found with mutation in exon 19 of the EGFR gene. The patient with EGFR exon 19 mutation was a female and non-smoker. EGFR mutation is rare in SCLC patients, and may more easily occur in females and non-smokers. It is feasible to detect EGFR mutation for SCLC from plasma by MEL technology. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.