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Purpose: To investigate the imaging features indicating portal vein invasion (PVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and to create more accurate diagnostic criteria than the presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) on MRI. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with surgically resected HCC larger than 5 cm, and the presence of PVI was investigated. On MRI, we evaluated the image findings of portal vein occlusion, the parenchymal signal change caused by hemodynamic alterations of the portal vein, and their combination showing the highest odds ratio (OR) to define the diagnostic criteria for radiological PVI detection (rPVI criteria). The diagnostic performance and recurrence-free survival were compared between the rPVI criteria and the presence of PVTT using McNemar's test and Kaplan–Meier method, respectively. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using Cohen's weighted ĸ statistics. Results: Of 189 enrolled patients, 25 (13.2%) had PVI on histology. To diagnose PVI on MRI, either peripheral wedge-shaped arterial peritumoral hyperemia with an abrupt cut-off of a portal vein or the presence of PVTT had the highest OR (41.67, p < 0.001). The sensitivity of PVI was significantly increased under this diagnostic criterion (64.0% to 88.0%; p = 0.031) with comparable accuracy (95.2% vs. 94.7%; p > 0.999). In terms of recurrence-free survival, the patient group with rPVI was significantly worse (p = 0.017) compared with the patients without rPVI. Interobserver agreement of radiologic findings was substantial (ĸ = 0.64). Conclusion: Diagnostic criteria for radiologically PVI detection increase the sensitivity more than the only presence of PVTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air quality, especially in terms of particulate matter (PM), is a critical public health concern. Although various methods for removing indoor PM have been suggested, the effects of various influential factors on PM deposition have not been clearly understood. Here, the effect of the flow structure inside a test chamber on PM deposition was quantitatively investigated using flow visualization techniques. To elucidate the flow parameters that influence the PM deposition, the efficiency of PM removal and deposition constant were examined for different flow directions, flow velocities, and distances between the fan and the surface of the test chamber. The spatial distributions of the mean velocity and turbulence intensity inside the test chamber were obtained experimentally using a particle image velocimetry technique to understand the mechanism associated with PM deposition. The overall mean velocity, recirculating flow region, and turbulent intensity in the near-wall regions may partially explain the difference in the PM deposition under various flow conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, domestic gas turbines are primarily operated under partial loads. Hence, thermal expansion of components decreases, leading to a discontinuity between the 1st blade and 2nd vane. In this study, the local heat transfer coefficients are derived using the naphthalene sublimation method to analyze thermal characteristics based on step height, and flow characteristics are analyzed using numerical simulation. An extreme heat load of the flat endwall appears around the leading edge of the vane due to the secondary vortex. Under the step conditions, the heat load increases in the upstream region as the main flow near the endwall is reattached to the endwall surface. In addition, two high heat transfer distributions appear due to the recirculation flow, and a step-induced vortex is formed. As the step-induced vortex moves to the suction side within the vane flow path, a high thermal load appears in the corresponding region. Consequently, we found that the occurrence of a step causes severe thermal damage in the upstream region of the vane endwall. The area-averaged heat transfer of the stepped endwall is increased by about 10.6 % and 17.3 % at hs/Cx = 0.05 and 0.1, respectively, as compared to that of the flat endwall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]