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Background:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) plays an important role in the management of locally advanced breast cancer. It allows for downstaging of tumours, potentially allowing for breast conservation. NAC also allows for in-vivo testing of the tumours’ response to chemotherapy and provides important prognostic information. There are currently no clearly defined clinical models that incorporate imaging with clinical data to predict response to NAC. Thus, the aim of this work is to develop a predictive AI model based on routine CT imaging and clinical parameters to predict response to NAC. Methods:The CT scans of 324 patients with NAC from multiple centers in Singapore were used in this study. Four different radiomics models were built for predicting pathological complete response (pCR): first two were based on textural features extracted from peri-tumoral and tumoral regions, the third model based on novel space-resolved radiomics which extract feature maps using voxel-based radiomics and the fourth model based on Deep Learning (DL). Clinical parameters were included to build a final prognostic model. Results:The best performing models were based on space-resolved and deep learning approaches. Space-resolved radiomics improves the clinical AUCs of pCR prediction from 0.743 (0.650 to 0.831) to 0.775 (0.685 to 0.860) and our DL model improved it from 0.743 (0.650 to 0.831) to 0.772 (0.685 to 0.853). The tumoral radiomics model performs the worst with no improvement of the AUC from the clinical model. The peri-tumoral combined model gives moderate performance with an AUC of 0.765 (0.671 to 0.855). Conclusions:Radiomics features extracted from diagnostic CT augments the predictive ability of pathological complete response when combined with clinical features. The novel space-resolved radiomics and deep learning radiomics approaches outperformed conventional radiomics techniques.

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) plays a key role in digital signal processing. With the rapid development of signal processing technology, high performance ultra-long point FFT is required. This paper analyzes the characteristics of FFT algorithm, generalizes the two-dimensional decomposition algorithm to the multi-dimensional decomposition algorithm, and proposes a high-performance ultra-long point FFT hardware implementation architecture. This architecture implements the three-dimensional transpose operation by using the collision free bank addressing technology based on prime number banks. The synthesis results show that the operating frequency can reach more than 1GHz. The number of points supported and the performance in this paper are significantly improved compared with the existing research results.

Performance improvements and device miniaturization achieved through heterogeneous integration of multiple functional dies into a single package increases assembly complexity and poses challenges in performing failure analysis (FA). For 2.5D packages, the standard FA flow used for flip chip package analysis may no longer be suitable due to the added dimension of depth. Consequently, it is important to have appropriate sample preparation techniques to perform localized delayering iteratively with electrical fault isolation (EFI) to isolate the defect. In this paper, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) die of a 2.5D package was thinned down and delayered using a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) based machine after initial testing with Lock-in Thermography (LIT). The process of sample preparation and EFI were iteratively done to localize the defect. The case study will demonstrate the importance of integrating suitable sample preparation techniques to the typical FA workflow to achieve good EFI results which enhances the success rate of the failure analysis significantly.

Delirium is commonly encountered in the elderly. It is important to recognize and subsequently treat delirium early to prevent morbidity and mortality. The primary objective of this article review is to gather specific information about each clinical manifestation of delirium in elderly. Sieving through numerous literature and studies regarding the topic of Delirium in the elderly. Majority of the article source were from Medline and PubMed as subscribed by the institution where there are more than 27 million citations in the field of biomedical articles. The articles include articles that was published in Malaysia and also international article due to the limitation in Malaysia itself. The articles were retrieved from publications in the year 1992 up to the current year 2017. Clinical manifestation of delirium that had been reviewed include disordered thinking, euphoric, language impairment, illusion, reversal of sleep wake cycle, inattention, disoriented and memory deficit. Most of the information is about prevalence, clinical diagnosis, and pathophysiology of each of the clinical manifestation. Delirium in elderly is very complex and complicated which involve physical, emotion feelings not only for the patient but also for people in their surroundings. Many articles reviewed explain about each of the symptoms in further details in term on how they act and how they interact with people surrounding.

Background Many smokers have undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and yet screening for COPD is not recommended. Smokers who know that they have airflow limitation are more likely to quit smoking. This study aims to identify the prevalence and predictors of airflow limitation among smokers in primary care. Methods Current smokers ≥ 40 years old who were asymptomatic clinic attendees in a primary care setting were recruited consecutively for two months. We used a two-step strategy. Step 1: participants filled in a questionnaire. Step 2: Assessment of airflow limitation using a pocket spirometer. Multiple logistic regression was utilised to determine the best risk predictors for airflow limitation. Results Three hundred participants were recruited. Mean age was 58.35 (SD 10.30) years old and mean smoking history was 34.56 pack-years (SD 25.23). One in two smokers were found to have airflow limitation; the predictors were Indian ethnicity, prolonged smoking pack-year history and Lung Function Questionnaire score ≤ 18. Readiness to quit smoking and the awareness of COPD were low. Conclusions The high prevalence of airflow limitation and low readiness to quit smoking imply urgency with helping smokers to quit smoking. Identifying airflow limitation as an additional motivator for smoking cessation intervention may be considered. A two-step case-finding method is potentially feasible.

In this work, we investigate how local shape elements of agrasped object affect performance of haptic rotation. Blindfolded participantswere asked to grasp a rotary knob using thumb and index fingerand to rotate it 90◦ counterclockwise around its own axis. The knobsexhibited a suitably distributed “grasp conform” combination of localshape elements (edged, flat or round). We tested all possible scenarioswhere both fingers had to grasp one of the three shape elements, resultingin a total of nine experimental conditions. Based on the rotation angle,determined with a novel apparatus named Twister, we evaluated thevariable and signed errors. The results imply that a round rotary knobis the hardest to rotate by a correct goal angle, while other local shapeelements can benefit the performance. Independent of the experimentalcondition, we found a bias towards rotating too far.

The growing usage of permanently moored floating production storage and offloadings (FPSO) in harsh environment regions increases the frequency and severity of the green water problem. Many numerical researches on green water prediction for FPSOs have been carried out. Most of the past researches chose to neglect or consider only part of the effects by appendages and attachments, such as bilge keel, mooring lines, and risers. The influences of these appendages on green water prediction have not been thoroughly studied. This paper presents a practical numerical approach of green water prediction for FPSOs in irregular waves. The calculation of relative wave elevation is conducted in frequency domain, including linear and nonlinear effects of bilge keels, spread mooring system, and asymmetrically arranged risers. Numerical approach was applied to calculate the statistical distribution of relative wave elevation for an FPSO. Comparison with experimental results showed that the accuracy of relative wave motion prediction is significantly improved by incorporating the linear and nonlinear effects of bilge keels, mooring, and risers. Analysis of the results by different numerical models further indicated that the relative wave elevation at sides of the FPSO in oblique waves was strongly affected by bilge keel, mooring, and risers.

Since the industrialisation of Malaysia, the energy demand which mainly relied on fossil fuels has risen continuously. Therefore, all parties including the government, academic society and communities have explored alternative fuel resources to improve the reliability and security of energy supply to meet the future energy. In recent years, biomass has been identified as one of the most promising renewable energy resources compared to hydro, solar, wind, etc. It is projected that energy crops could potentially supply around 200-400 EJ/year in Malaysia at a competitive cost by 2050. Perennial grass is one type of energy crop that could address the above mentioned challenge. In this work, Napier grass (NG) is chosen as the subject due to its desirable characteristics (availability, high growth rates, carbon neutrality and high volatility). In order to investigate the feasibility of NG for heat and power application, the thermal decomposition characteristics, reactivity, and kinetic of NG needed were tested via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under inert (nitrogen) and air atmosphere conditions, respectively. The results indicated that NG biomass has great potential as sustainable energy fuel source for energy generation via gasification process.

Fuel resource diversification is a global effort to deviate from non-renewable fossil fuels. Biomass has been identified as an alternative solid biofuel source due to its desirable properties and carbon neutrality. As reported in the literature, biomass can positively contribute towards combating climate change while providing alleviation for energy security issue. As part of efforts to diversify biomass resources, this work intends to explore the potential of Napier grass, one type of energy crop, for the production of renewable syngas via gasification. This energy crop is originally from Africa, which is highly productive with low cost (40 tonnes per year per hectare). Limited studies were conducted to analyze the potential of such an energy crop as a fuel source, which is the subject of this work. In order to analyze the full potential of such energy crop, the physical and chemical characteristics of this biomass was first analyzed. To determine the productivity of syngas from this biomass, fluidized bed gasifier was used in this work. The effects of gasification process parameters (i.e., equivalence ratio and temperature) on product yield and producer gas compositions were examined. Besides, the effects of equivalence ratio towards higher heating value of syngas and carbon conversion efficiency were analyzed. Based on the ultimate analysis results, the molecular formula of Napier gas was CH1.56O0.81N0.0043. Meanwhile, the higher heating value of such biomass was determined as 16.73 MJ/kg, which was comparable to other biomasses. It is noted that in this work, the volatile matter was determined as 85.52% and this promoted gasification process remarkably. The dynamics of the reactions involved were observed as a significant variation in product yield and biogas components were recorded at varying equivalence ratio and gasifier operating temperature.

Food safety has been a major concern in recent years as a result of numerous food safety events in many nations. This could increase the health risks associated with eating low-quality food, lowering customer confidence in food safety. It is critical to overcome this challenge and gain consumer trust in order to improve food quality and safety. To address this issue, we suggested an intelligent deep learning method for identifying which foods are potentially harmful to human health based on chemical and additive qualities, which could have a significant impact on consumer health. The findings of our survey show that deep learning surpasses other methods such as manual feature extractors, as well as the promising findings of categorization of hazardous food, further research efforts to apply deep learning to the field of food will be made in the future.

Developing production and operation in scales in the major grain producing areas is the direction of the paper. Seizing the opportunity of modern agriculture comprehensive reform in two plains (Songnen Plain and Sanjiang Plain) of Heilongjiang Province and supporting to build a new type of production and management based on the big grain production householding, which plays demonstration and leading roles, have an important strategic position in improving agricultural comprehensive production capacity and ensuring national food security. In this paper, based on the survey data about the big grain production households production operations and analyses of the obstacles in expansion of production in Heilongjiang Province, specific suggestions in supporting the development of the big grain production household were put forward, such as, increasing agricultural production socialized level; perfecting the service system of land transferring; improving financial policies and farmer-friendly policy measures and perfecting the agriculture socialized service system.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a fixation technique for comminuted patellar fracture using non-absorbable suture cerclage and nickel-titanium patellar concentrator (Ni-Ti PC). Methods Twenty-nine consecutive patients with displaced comminuted patellar fractures accepted internal fixation procedure using Ni-Ti PC augmented with different types of non-absorbable suture cerclage. During follow-up, the clinical grading scales of Bostman, including range of movement, pain, work, atrophy, assistance in walking, effusion, giving way, and stair-climbing, were used to evaluate the clinical results. Complications including implant loosening, fragment displacement, bone nonunion, infection, breakage of the implants, painful hardware, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis were also assessed. Results Patients were followed up for a mean period of 27 months. The bone union radiographically occurred approximately 2.5 months without implant loosening and fragment displacement. According to Bostman method, satisfactory results were obtained, and the mean score at final follow-up was 28 (range 20–30) points. Twenty-two patients with excellent results had mean score of 29.8 ± 0.5 (range 28–30) and seven patients with good results had mean score of 22.7 ± 3.14 (range 20–27). No postoperative complications, such as infection, dislocation, breakage of the implants, painful hardware, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis, were observed. Conclusion Ni-Ti PC fixation with non-absorbable suture cerclage is a feasible approach for comminuted patellar fractures. Firm fixation with this technique resulted in satisfactory outcomes without obvious complications.

With the vigorous promotion of national policies and funds, green campus construction is booming in Chinese universities. It's in great need to develop an evaluation system, as a long-term mechanism, to assess and compare the sustainability performance in different Chinese universities, and to guide the green campus revolution in Chinese universities. Aiming at the characteristics of green campus evolution in China, a campus sustainability evaluation system is developed, that contains five categories of Organization & Management (C1), Energy & Resource Saving (C2), Friendly Environment (C3), Campus Culture (C4), and Social Outreach (C5). The indicators include mandatory indicators, all of which must be met in order to pass the evaluation, and optional indicators, which take the form of scoring. The scores of all optional indicators should be accumulated to get the final score. The achievements and shortcomings of sustainable campus development in a pilot Chinese university were revealed by this system as a case study, and the results indicate more attention should be paid on C1, C2, C4, and hence detailed suggestions were put forward. Discussions are made in terms of the potential contribution and the limitation of this evaluation system, and the capacity building needed to generalize the evaluation in China.

Large volumes of customers' information is routinely collected and stored on various of e-service platforms. Data analysis on these data could help decipher the information that truly counts, and it further uncovers hidden patterns, unknown correlations and comprehensive overview for better decision making. However, customers' personal privacy breaches occur in this process despite regulations on the collection, storage and trading of personal data. There is a strong demand for personal privacy protection enforcement starting from data collection, merging to analysis. This paper is mainly address the privacy protection for collection and merging. Its main objective is for secure multi-party data sharing without trusted third-party involvement. Such a merging result will not violate individual privacy yet enable further analysis can be executed on the big data set. For example, medical records from di erent clinics can be securely stored on third-party service center for comprehensive analysis without leaking individual patient's privacy. The main contribution of this work includes: 1) A searchable encryption to provide secure equality test, 2) Independent and exible privacy protection at each party's site, 3) Secure data merging on the collected multi-party data. Our experiments show that merging of 100,000 entries of data takes about 3 minutes while the encryption time is less than 1 seconds. We did the experiment with single process at Intel Core 2 Duo CPU @2.33GHz and 4GB RAM.The results show the encryption and merging schemes can be practically used to operate secure data merging and analysis on untrusted en- vironment, such as cloud computing environment.

Ecological environmental changes play critical roles in economic development,but environment conservation and economic growth always assumes the two-direcrtional interactions between them.When many countries and regions achieved high-speed economic growth,these activities also led to over-exploration and consumption of ecological resources that further caused serious environmental pollution and ecological damage.Based the related research literatures,the e influencing mechanisms of eco-environmental changes on economic growth can be concluded into 3 catagories,but most of the literatures ignored the two-way influencing mechanism between economic growth and ecological environmental changes because the feedback response of ecological environmental changes on economic growth was ignored,which led to a statistically variable deviation because economic growth itself is endogenous variable together determined by environmental change and other factors. Based on the time-series data between 1980—2009,this research conducted a dynamic quantitative analysis on economic development and environmental changes by using co-integration test and variance decomposition model,Compared with the previous studies,this research has mainly the following characteristics: 1)the long-term dynamic impulse response analysis between eco-environmental changes and economic growth using impulse response function method;2) predictive variance decomposition method is used to further investigate the relative importance level of economic growth and environmental changes in explaining the changes in economic and environmental factors. We have some conclusions as follows: There exists a long-term equilibrium relationship between economic growth and environmental changes.The non-stationary indicators of economic growth and eco-environmental factors becomes stationary treated by a first-order difference technique and have statistically co-integration relations between them.Co-nintegration test showed that per capita GDP,gas discharge,solid wastes,fertilizer usage amount and exploiting of mineral resources by using the test model with intercept and trend term.The trace test and the maximum eigenvalue showed that there exists co-integration relationships among per capita GDP,waste gas discharge amount,solid wastes discharge,fertilizer usage amount and exploitting amount of mineral resources with an 5% of significance level.In the long run,per capita GDP is negatively correlated with waste gas discharge amount and solid waste discharge amount while it is positively correlated with exploiting amount of mineral resources and fertilizer usage intensity.The exploiting amount of mineral resources is negatively correlated with waste gas discharge amount and solid waste discharge amount while positively correlated with per capita GDP.Impulse response analysis based on VECM shows that fast economic growth was the main factor influencing environmental change,and eco-environmental degradation had a feedback actionon economic growth.From the effects of this kind of responses,the negative responses of eco-environmental degradation on economic growth showed that the increase of eco-environmental degradation led to the change in citizens′environmental preference which caused an external pressure on economic growth,but the feedback actions of eco-environmental changes on economic growth had a time delay.

This paper indicates that Extenics theory can be used to solve the problem of mine safety. The method includes 4 steps: building the evaluation indexes system and matter-element model, determining the classical field and controlled field of the matter-element model of the coal mine safety comprehensive evaluation, determining the connection function of each index on every safety level and determining the evaluation grade. This paper builds up a coal mine safety comprehensive evaluation indexes system and a matter-element model of coal mine based on extension theory, and then illustrates.the model using a case of Bei-zao Mine and its data.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of a passive core cooling system (PCCS) with passive injection during the cold-leg small break loss-of-coolant accidents (SBLOCAs) experiments conducted at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) Integral System Test (IIST) facility. Four tests were performed simulating break sizes of 0.2–2% (approximately corresponding to 1.25–4″ breaks for a referenced nuclear power plant) at cold-leg for assessing the PCCS capability in accident management. The key thermal–hydraulic phenomena to core heat removal for PCCS are observed and discussed. The experimental results show that the PCCS has successfully provided a continuous removal of core heat and a long term core cooling can be reached for all cases of SBLOCA.

Focusing on the character of long time correlation of network traffic data, a hybrid model based on multi-scale wavelet transform, ARMA model and ARFIMA model is proposed. The original data are transferred into four layers data by Mallat algorithm, and ARMA models apply in approximate layers data to predict the future trend, and ARFIMA model apply in detail layers data to predict the future volatility, then we reconstruct them into predicted the network data. The simulation experiment on the hybrid model is conduced by using the data collected from the university network system. The experiment result shows that the hybrid ARMA model and ARFIMA model has higher accuracy on predication the network traffic and is practical on network management and optimization.

This work employs a combinatorial optimization method in selecting the appropriate pair of off-the-shelf generator and gearbox within a rapid evaluation framework for tidal in-stream energy (TISE) systems that allows users to easily vary block/module characteristics. The suitable combination of discretely-paired blocks exhibit desirable performance in accord with the following criteria: high energy, at reasonable cost ($/kWh is low), with manageable weight (less complex deployment). The study makes use of a fixed-pitch vertical axis turbine with known characteristics to be installed at a specific site where predicted resource data is available. The performance of various combinations are presented and compared. The top 3 combinations yielding highest energy output are put forward and are further investigated in terms of cost and weight to ultimately decide the best performing / most suitable configuration given the site's resource, and device characteristics.

Accurate tidal in-stream energy resource estimation is very important for planning purposes. Hydrodynamic simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is commonly employed in the assessment of candidate sites for tidal energy extraction. The estimated energy of a site using simulations may vary as certain CFD parameters change. This work studies the effects of varying grid size (x, y, and z) and boundary conditions (number of tidal constituents and amplitudes) on the current velocities' magnitude (histogram) and direction, and ultimately the estimated energy. A sensitivity analysis of the changes in tidal energy resource estimate as a result of simulation parameter variations is presented. The trade-off between accuracy and computational resource used is also presented. Results indicate that energy resource estimates are affected by the variation of the investigated parameters in the following order of significance: grid (x, y), number of boundary conditions, amplitude of boundary conditions, and computing layer (z).

Based on System Dynamics methodology, this paper analyzes the characters of eco-city and structure of the system comprehensively and constructs a system dynamics model of eco-city. The model simulates the flow and circulation of material, energy and information in Eco-city system which is composed of population, economy, resource and environment subsystems. Using system dynamics software Vensim PLE, results show that scenario 5 & 6 of the six are the optimal scenarios of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, whose economic progress stably; whose ecological system is virtuous circle; whose industrial structure is optimized. And the policy could provide scientific evidences and powerful supports for the sustainable development of Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

To segment the Oracle-Bone Inscriptions correctly based on the grammar and the dictionary of the Shang Oracle-Bone Inscriptions, is the prerequisite and basis for the establishment of the corpus of the Shang Oracle-Bone Inscriptions to realize Computer Aided textual explanation about the Shang Oracle-Bone Inscriptions. This paper takes the technology of modern Chinese word segmentation, combination of mechanical word segmentation and Characteristics scanning. In the experiment, 200 pieces of the segmentation of the Shang Oracle-Bone Inscriptions are the experimental samples. By experts, the correct rate of the segmentation result drawing from the experiment can reach above 90%. So, whether the correct rate and the segmentation efficiency is good. The technology of combination of mechanical word segmentation and Characteristics scanning to segment the Shang Oracle-Bone Inscriptions is an efficiency method.

The more efficient way of developing the application software is to use general tools. This article is to introduce a rapid Web user interface development tool-TWUI which is based on the extended interaction model.

A novel inverter output filter based on DC magnetic flux controllable inductor can change its inductance according to different working states of AC variable frequency speed regulating control system, appropriately by adjusting the power applied on the inductor DC control coils. A better filtering effect and better electrical driving effect thus can be achieved. The unique structure inductor has advantages of simple configuration, less harmonic, relative less response time .It also can run continuously and has larger regulating range, etc. Applying harmonic suppression winding of control side can reduce the harmonic, and the inductor is easier to control. The characteristics of structure and control, the effect of harmonic suppression are mentioned. The effect of AC variable frequency speed regulating control system which applying the adjustable inverter output filter is also discussed. And the experimental results are given.

In the strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS) the inertial sensors mounted directly on the vehicle, have large scales inputs. Even in the low-cost SINS the gyroscopes have over 19 bits scales inputs. Conventional A/D converters only have 12~14 bits, can not meet the need. The oversampled A/D converter can reduce the quantization errors and improve the scales to fit for the low-cost SINS. The effect of oversampling was analyzed, not only in reducing quantization errors and signal noise, but also in improving integral filtering precision. The DPS+FPGA structure was used to collect the six signals of gyros and accelerometers in high speed and parallel mode. The experiment results show that, the low-cost SINS using the oversampled A/D converter have good performance in common integrate navigation applications.

In wafer foundry it is important to make use of reliability monitoring strategy as part of process monitoring. A fast reliability monitoring strategy has been developed, which enables a fast feedback to the production line. The three main critical reliability failure mechanisms associated with the CMOS device are hot carrier effects, gate oxide breakdown and electromigration. The fast wafer level reliability (WLR) methodology was employed for monitoring of the critical reliability failure mechanisms in the wafer fab. Using substrate current measurement as monitoring parameter for hot carrier effects, accelerated testing for electromigration and monitoring gate oxide integrity through standard production tests, the new methodology has proved to help the fab decrease test time while increasing monitoring frequency.

This study analyzed the progressive changes in canal shape after the use of different instruments by hand in simulated S-shaped canals. Forty simulated canals with double curvatures, 30 degrees coronally and 20 degrees apically, were randomly divided into four groups and prepared with stainless steel K-files, the ProTaper for hand use (PHU) system, NiTi K-files, and the combination of PHU and NiTi K-files, respectively, by hand. All canals were scanned pre-and postoperatively. Each postinstrumentation image was superimposed with the preoperative one in a computer. The amount of material removed after every instrument was measured at 14 points. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test at alpha=0.05. All four instruments straightened the S-shaped canals, except the combination of PHU (S1, Sx, and S2) and NiTi K-files, which created a continuous funnel shape. There was a significant difference in the amount of material removed between S2 and F1 of the PHU system (p0.05), and the finishing files of PHU created the same transportation as the stainless steel instruments with the same tip size (p0.05).

The purpose of this study is to conduct the experiments at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) Integral System Test (IIST) facility for evaluation of the performance of the passive core cooling system (PCCS) during the cold-leg small break loss-of-coolant accidents (SBLOCAs). Five experiments were performed with (1) three different break sizes, 2%, 0.5%, and 0.2% (approximately corresponding to 1 1/4”, 2”, and 4” breaks for Maanshan nuclear power plant), and (2) 0.2% and 0.5% without actuation of the first-stage and third-stage automatic depressurization valve (ADS-1 and ADS-3) to initiate PCCS for assessing its capacity in accident management. The detailed descriptions of general system response and the interactions of core makeup tanks (CMTs), accumulators (ACCs), automatic depressurization system (ADS), passive residual heat Removal (PRHR), and in-containment refueling water storage tank (IRWST) on the core heat removal are included. The results show: (1) core long term cooling can be maintained for all cases following the PCCS procedures, (2) the core can be covered for the cases of the 0.2% and 0.5% breaks without actuation of ADS-1 and ADS-3.Copyright © 2002 by ASME

Introduction: Several observational studies suggest that statins modulate the pathophysiology of sepsis and may\ud prevent its progression. The aim of this study was to determine if the acute administration of atorvastatin reduces\ud sepsis progression in statin naïve patients hospitalized with sepsis.\ud \ud Methods: A single centre phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Patients with sepsis were\ud randomized to atorvastatin 40 mg daily or placebo for the duration of their hospital stay up to a maximum of\ud 28-days. The primary end-point was the rate of sepsis progressing to severe sepsis during hospitalization.\ud \ud Results: 100 patients were randomized, 49 to the treatment with atorvastatin and 51 to placebo. Patients in the\ud atorvastatin group had a significantly lower conversion rate to severe sepsis compared to placebo (4% vs. 24% p =\ud 0.007.), with a number needed to treat of 5. No significant difference in length of hospital stay, critical care unit\ud admissions, 28-day and 12-month readmissions or mortality was observed. Plasma cholesterol and albumin\ud creatinine ratios were significantly lower at day 4 in the atorvastatin group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.049 respectively).\ud No difference in adverse events between the two groups was observed (p = 0.238).\ud \ud Conclusions: Acute administration of atorvastatin in patients with sepsis may prevent sepsis progression. Further\ud multi-centre trials are required to verify these findings.\ud \ud Trial Registration: International Standard Randomized Control Trial Registry ISRCTN64637517.

Objectives A 28-year-old woman presenting with a 3-month history of dyspnoea after the parturition was referred to our department for the diagnosis of mural thrombus in the left atrium. In the past, she was never found to have heart diseases, lung disease, relevant history of familial heart disorders and she had never been exposure to the poison or radiation during pregnancy. A physical examination revealed a distinct oedema on the face. Routine echocardiography in our centre revealed a huge ‘mural thrombus’ like immobile mass (Figure A,B, asterisks) in the left and right atrium. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography showed the sessile mass in the atrium, suggestive of malignant tumour, had caused superior vena cava (SVC) and left inferior pulmonary vein obstruction (Figure C,D, arrows; Online Video 1–2). Multidetector CT angiography demonstrated a huge mediastinal neoplasm surrounding the great vessels. The SVC was compressed and invased and it was so narrow (4 mm) that almost no blood could get through (figure E,F). The most common malignancy associated with superior vena cava syndrome is lung cancer, followed by lymphomas and metastatic tumours to the mediastinum. Unfortunately this patient refused to get the surgery for the high medical costs, so the properties of the tumour is unknown, while the case has told us that multimodality imaging is recommended in such a patient in order to distinguish the mural thrombus from the extracardic malignant disorders. Methods Conclusions

Purpose: In heart failure or ischemia-reperfusion injury, intracellular calcium overload occurs in the myocardium. However, mitochondrial functions during calcium overload are not well known. Additionally failing myocardium have source of oxygen free radicals from mitochondrial electron transport complex 1. Recently, a beta-blocker is known to be useful for heart failure, and also suggested the difference between the drugs depending on the lipid solubility, and with or without antioxidant effect. Methods: Isolated mitochondria from SD rat hearts were loaded in the cuvette mounted by Clark oxygen sensor to measure the mitochondrial oxygen consumption. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an index of superoxide production. Calcium concentration was varied at 10, 100 μM and carvedilol and metoprolol concentration was varied at 1, 10, 100 μM. Rotenone was used for injuring complex 1. Result: The oxygen consumption was significantly augmented by increasing the calcium concentration from 10 to 100 μM (p Conclusion: These data strongly suggest the distinct effect of carvedilol on superoxide production and oxygen consumption from metoprolol, which may be beneficial for the protection of cardiomyocyte from oxidant stress.

In this paper, a solar curing equiment with the optimum dry-wet curing condition is reported and described. The test data were given under the practical operating condition for various type of this equipment. The mechanism of solar curing was also explained. The economical effects are apparent. The new method can raise the working efficiency 2–3 times over that of traditional natural curing. Two tons of water can be saved for each cubic meter of concrete, and the cost of curing will be cut down by 25%. Comparing to steam curing, 150–200kg of coal can be saved for each cubic meter of concrete, and the cost of energy for curing process will be reduced by 70%. The quality of concrete products also gets improved.