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We consider system of rod eutectic growth under directional solidification for the normal amplitude of the contact angles. The objective of this work is to obtain the uniformly valid asymptotic solutions for steady growth of rod eutectics using the asymptotic expansion method. For the contact angles being the normal order, system of rod eutectic growth will exist a boundary layer at the triple phase junction. According to different length scales, we divide the whole liquid region into three subregions. Solutions in every subregion are derived by asymptotic expansion method. Finally, all the asymptotic expansion solutions are matched in the intermediate regions and the composite solutions are obtained. Results show that the average undercooling in front of both phases are not equal. The dimensional average undercooling exhibits a minimum at the critical eutectic spacing. The critical spacing of SCN-DC is predicted and it is in agreement with the small-spacing stability limit.

OBJECT Donor-side morbidity associated with contralateral C-7 (CC7) nerve transfer remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional deficits in the donor limb resulting from prespinal route CC7 nerve transfer. METHODS A total of 63 patients were included. Forty-one patients had undergone CC7 nerve transfer surgery at least 6 months previously and were assigned to one of 2 groups based on the duration of postoperative follow-up. Group 1 (n = 21) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery between 6 months and 2 years previously, and Group 2 (n = 20) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery more than 2 years previously. An additional 22 patients who underwent CC7 nerve transfer surgery later than those in Groups 1 and 2 were included as a control group (Group 3). Results of preoperative testing in these patients and postoperative testing in Groups 1 and 2 were compared. Testing included subjective assessments and objective examinations. An additional 3 patients had undergone surgery more than 6 months previously but had severe motor weakness and were therefore evaluated separately; these 3 patients were not included in any of the study groups. RESULTS The revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) was the only subjective test that showed a significant difference between Group 3 and the other 2 groups, while no significant differences were found in objective sensory, motor, or dexterity outcomes. The interval from injury to surgery for patients with a normal SF-MPQ-2 score in Groups 1 and 2 was significantly less than for those with abnormal SF-MFQ-2 scores (2.4 ± 1.1 months vs 4.6 ± 2.9 months, p = 0.002). The 3 patients with obvious motor weakness showed a tendency to gradually recover. CONCLUSIONS Although some patients suffered from long-term sensory disturbances, resection of the C-7 nerve had little effect on the function of the donor limb. Shortening preoperative delay time can improve sensory recovery of the donor limb.

Functional reconstruction following severe traumatic muscle loss may cause problems for reconstructive surgeons. In such situations, functioning free muscle transplantation (FFMT) represents an important alternative treatment option.The clinico-demographic characteristics of 11 patients receiving modified FFMT between 2005-2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The muscle strength, range of joint motion (ROM), total active motion (TAM) of the fingers, and Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were adopted to assess the functional results.All FFMTs were performed in the secondary stage. The authors found that the mean ROM, TAM, ratio of TAM compared with the contralateral side, and DASH score were 112 degrees, 150 degrees, 62%, and 22.8, respectively; and eight and nine patients achieved greatly improved grip function and M4 muscle strength, respectively.Using one-stage free muscle transplantation to restore finger and thumb movement simultaneously is an effective method for functional restoration following traumatic multi-muscle loss.

Purpose/aim of the study: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) has been implicated as one of the susceptibility genes for some subtypes of epilepsy and may be related to anti-epileptic drugs resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between APOE variants and the anti-epileptic drugs resistance in Chinese population.APOE gene rs429358 and rs7412 variants were genotyped for ϵ2, ϵ3, ϵ4 alleles using amplification refractory mutation system in 480 subjects including 207 anti-epileptic drugs-resistant patients and 273 drug-responsive patients.We found that the frequency of APOE gene rs429358 C allele in the drug resistant patients is higher than that in the drug-responsive patients (14.98% vs. 10.1%, OR = 1.25[1.02 - 1.52], p = 0.017). Moreover, according to the two variants, we analyzed the distributions of -ϵ4 and +ϵ4 alleles of APOE gene and found that there were higher frequencies of +ϵ4 allele in drug-resistant epileptic patients than that in drug-responsive patients (31.8% vs. 13.2%, OR = 1.15[1.05 - 1.25], p = 0.002).Our study demonstrated that APOE rs429358 variant C allele and ϵ4 allele were associated with the anti-epileptic drugs resistance in Han Chinese patients.

A numerical and experimental investigation is performed into the flow characteristics and mixing performance of three microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane blood plasma mixing devices incorporating square-wave, curved and zigzag microchannels, respectively. For each device, the plasma is introduced into the microfluidic channel under the effects of capillary action alone. Of the three devices, that with the square-wave microchannel is found to yield the best mixing performance, and is therefore selected for design optimization. Four microfluidic micromixers incorporating square-wave microchannels with different widths in the x- and y-directions are fabricated using conventional photolithography techniques. The mixing performance of the four microchannels is investigated both numerically and experimentally. The results show that given an appropriate specification of the microchannel geometry, a mixing efficiency of approximately 76 % can be obtained within 4 s. The practical feasibility of the micromixer is demonstrated by performing prothrombin time (PT) tests using a total liquid volume of 4.0 μL (2.0 μL of plasma and 2.0 μL of PT reagent). It is shown that the mean time required to complete the entire PT test (including loading, mixing and coagulation) is less than 30 s.

A cave surface for heterogeneous nucleation is always assumed as a concave spherical or conical substrate. Nucleation in such assumed geometries has been well understood. However, a cave or a groove always has some cusps and certain lateral surface curvature. These geometries of a cave will have important effects on heterogenous nucleation. Here the nucleation in a cave with iso-curvature lateral surface and one apex was investigated in the scope of classical nucleation theory. Nucleation in a cave was described by comparing with nucleation on spherical and conical substrates. Results show that when the contact angle is the acute angle, nucleation in a cave with the convex or concave lateral surface is easier than nucleation on the corresponding spherical surfaces. Furthermore, nucleation in a cave with the concave surface is the easiest and nucleation on the convex surface of a cave is the most difficult, while nucleation in a conical cavity is always in between. However, whether a nucleus is more easily formed in a cave is dependent on the sizes of the cave geometry for the contact angle being the obtuse angle. As the apex angle is close to zero, nucleation in a conical cavity is easier than in a cave with the concave surface but more difficult than in a cave with the convex surface for the contact angle being the obtuse angle. The effect degree of the surface curvature of a cave on nucleation is dependent on the apex angle and the contact angle.

This objective of this work is to semi-physical simulate the power blackout of electrical propulsion marine. With the development of power electronics and variable frequency speed adjusting technology, electrical propulsion marine will be the most important aim of the marine research. Due to the high propulsion power and the adding of high new electrical load, more requirements about the management of marine power are needed. Power blackout is one of the most important technologies when managing the power of electrical propulsion marine. The semi-physical simulation research on power blackout of electrical propulsion marine is first proposed. The mathematical models of power generator equipment and main power consumption equipments are built and analyzed in this paper, and it is subsequently verified experimentally. After research and verification, the algorithms in this article can unload fast and black out the power.

Recurrent patella dislocation (RPD) is the most common complication of patellar instability. The effects of different surgical techniques on the outcome of RPD treatments remain unclear. This study was conducted to compare the effects of three surgical techniques in treating RPD by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction from computed tomography (CT) scans. Sixty-eight patients with RPD and no previous surgical treatments who attended our hospital between October 2010 and 2013 were enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups: (1) medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and medial patellar retinaculum (MPR) plication group; (2) lateral patellar retinaculum (LPR) release and MPR plication group; and (3) MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group. Knee joints with flexion of 20° were scanned by a 64-row CT scanner and 3D reconstructed. Congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA), lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA), and congruence of the lateral patellofemoral articular surface were measured. Knee joint function was evaluated by the Lysholm knee scoring scale, Kujala patellofemoral score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Pre-operative clinical characteristics were similar across groups. After treatment, the CA, PTA, and LPFA were reverted to normal post-operatively without statistically significant between-group differences. The MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group had the highest congruence of the lateral patellofemoral articular surface; while the (LPR) release and (MPR) plication group had the lowest Lysholm knee scoring scale, Kujala patellofemoral score, and IKDC score after surgery. The MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group had the best clinical outcomes among the three surgical methods, as indicated by better joint congruence after 3D joint reconstruction and higher knee function scores.

In the study, the functional recovery and relative comprehensive quality of life of cases of global brachial plexus treated with free functioning muscle transfers were investigated. Patients who received functioning gracilis muscle transfer between August 1999 and October 2014 to reconstruct elbow flexion, wrist and fingers extension were recruited. The mean age of the patients was 26.36 (range, 16–42) years. The mean period of time from gracilis transfer to the last follow-up was 54.5 months (range, 12–185 months). Muscle power, active range of motion of the elbow flexion, wrist extension and total active fingers extension were recorded. SDS, SAS and DASH questionnaires were given to estimate patients’ quality of life. 35.71% reported good elbow flexion and 50.00% reported excellent elbow flexion. The average ROM of the elbow flexion was 106.5° (range, 0–142°) and was 17.00° (range, 0–72°) for wrist extension. The average DASH score was 51.14 (range, 17.5–90.8). The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 42.86% and 45.24%. Thrombosis and bowstringing were the most common short and long-term complications. Based on these findings, free gracilis transfer using accessory nerve as donor nerve is a satisfactory treatment to reconstruct the elbow flexion and wrist extension in global-brachial-plexus-injured patients.

OBJECTIVE: In gracilis functioning free muscle transplantation, the limited caliber of the dominant vascular pedicle increases the complexity of the anastomosis and the risk of vascular compromise. The purpose of this study was to characterize the results of using a T-shaped vascular pedicle for flow-through anastomosis in gracilis functioning free muscle transplantation for brachial plexus injury. METHODS: The outcomes of patients with brachial plexus injury who received gracilis functioning free muscle transplantation with either conventional end-to-end anastomosis or flow-through anastomosis from 2005 to 2013 were retrospectively compared. In the flow-through group, the pedicle comprised a segment of the profunda femoris and the nutrient artery of the gracilis. The recipient artery was interposed by the T-shaped pedicle. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients received flow-through anastomosis, and 25 patients received conventional end-to-end anastomosis. The surgical time was similar between the groups. The diameter of the arterial anastomosis in the flow-through group was significantly larger than that in the end-to-end group (3.87 mm vs. 2.06 mm, respectively, p

Objective: Breast and ovarian cancer is rare in Japan compared with other developed countries but their mortality rates are increasing. It is necessary to examine the experience of Japan as a guide to further prevent breast and ovarian cancer in our country. Methods: We conducted an epidemiological study of breast and ovarian cancer in the past 50 years to investigate the trends and characteristics of the mortality rates in Japan. The numbers of age-specific death from breast and ovarian cancer and the population of 5-year groups were obtained from the Vital Statistics of Japan. The truncated age specific mortality rates were calculated according to the patterns of age specific mortality rates from both cancers. Age adjustments were made to the standard world population. Results: In the past 50 years, mortality rates of breast and ovarian cancer increased about 2 or 6 fold, respectively. This increase was most marked over 50 years old. The death pattern of breast cancer was same as that of ovarian cancer, but that of ovarian cancer changed greatly with time. The birth cohort study had some interesting findings. Common to breast and ovarian cancer, the later the year of birth, the higher the mortality rates from both malignancies in later life. Conclusion: The increase of the yearly mortality rates from breast and ovarian cancer might be due to changes in lifestyle and environmental factors. We are very concerned about dietary practices. Further investigation is needed to clarify the possible causes of animal food.

In Japan dramatic lifestyle changes occurred after World War 2. To examine the experience of Japan as a clue to the etiology, trends in the mortality rates of testicular and prostatic cancers from 1947 to 1998 were related to changes in dietary practices. The male population born before 1945 had a peak in death from testicular cancer in their thirties or forties, whereas those born after 1946 had a peak in their twenties. The death rate of prostatic cancer increased 25-fold almost linearly after the war. The intake of milk, meat, and eggs increased 20-, 9-, and 7-fold, respectively, after the war. In connection with the development and growth of testicular and prostatic cancers in Japan, particular attention should be paid to milk, because the increase in its consumption in this country is a recent occurrence and because milk contains considerable amounts of estrogens plus saturated fats.

Although breast and ovarian cancers are rare in Japan compared with other developed countries, the death rates for both are increasing. In Japan, dramatic lifestyle changes occurred after World War II. Over the past 50 years (1947-1997), the age-standardized death rates of breast and ovarian cancers increased about 2- and 4-fold, respectively, and the respective intake of milk, meat, and eggs increased 20-, 10-, and 7-fold. The increase in the annual death rates from breast and ovarian cancers might be due to the lifestyle changes (increased consumption of animal-derived food) that occurred after 1945. Among the food, milk and dairy products should receive particular attention since they contain considerable amounts of estrogens.

The incidence and mortality rates of testicular and prostatic cancers in 42 countries were correlated with the dietary practices in these countries using the cancer rates (1988-92) provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the food supply data (1961-90) provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Among the food items we examined, cheese was most closely correlated with the incidence of testicular cancer at ages 20-39, followed by animal fats and milk. The correlation coefficient (r) was highest (r = 0.804) when calculated for cheese consumed during the period 1961-65 (maternal or prepubertal consumption). Stepwise-multiple-regression analysis revealed that milk + cheese (1961-65) made a significant contribution to the incidence of testicular cancer (standardized regression coefficient [R] = 0.654). Concerning prostatic cancer, milk (1961-90) was most closely correlated (r = 0.711) with its incidence, followed by meat and coffee. Stepwise-multiple-regression analysis identified milk + cheese as a factor contributing to the incidence of prostatic cancer (R = 0.525). The food that was most closely correlated with the mortality rate of prostatic cancer was milk (r = 0.766), followed by coffee, cheese and animal fats. Stepwise-multiple-regression analysis revealed that milk + cheese was a factor contributing to mortality from prostatic cancer (R = 0.580). The results of our study suggest a role of milk and dairy products in the development and growth of testicular and prostatic cancers. The close correlation between cheese and testicular cancer and between milk and prostatic cancer suggests that further mechanistic studies should be undertaken concerning the development of male genital organ cancers.

Background Clinical diagnosis of sensory disturbances is extremely challenging, partly because the utility of sensory tests is questionable. Transection of C7 nerve root provides an objective assessment model to determine the diagnostic accuracy of sensory tests. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments (SWM; Sammons Preston, Bolingbrook, IL), static two-point discrimination (s2PD), and current perception threshold (CPT) tests in patients with contralateral C7 nerve root transfer. Methods The contralateral index finger of patients was tested preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively, including the Revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2), SWM, s2PD, and CPT tests. The SF-MPQ-2 was used as a gold standard for sensory disturbances. Results A total of 38 patients were included in the study. The likelihood probability ratio of SWM and CPT tests generated small shifts in probability, whereas the s2PD test did not show any capacity to detect sensory disturbances. The areas under the curves (AUC) for SWM and CPT tests were 0.724 and 0.697, respectively. Based on different positive test standards, the AUCs for s2PD (≥ 6 mm) and s2PD (≥ 7 mm) tests were 0.632 and 0.658, respectively. When CPT and SWM tests were combined as a measure, the AUC increased to 0.763. Conclusion The SWM and CPT tests show a small capacity to detect sensory disturbances, whereas the s2PD test does not show any diagnostic capacity. To better understand sensory disturbances, a comprehensive testing protocol including valid measures of physical impairment and symptom-specific measurement tools should be adopted.

An integrated microcomputer system interfacing an IBM PC XT/AT and compatible computers with an optical scanner is described. The system is capable of controlling the instruments (including a plotter used as the positioner for an optical biosensor) and obtaining and displaying the luminescent signals simultaneously as a function of time by different output units. The system is written mainly in Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0 and it can also be easily modified to fulfil real-time monitoring of some other composition(s) or parameter(s).

A comprehensive decision support system (DSS) is designed for use in participant-multiple criteria decision situations. The proposed DSS consists of six major components that are described in the paper. Within the model base management system component of the DSS, the graph model for conflict resolution is suggested as a technique for systematically studying real world disputes. >