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Purpose To compare the long-term outcomes of combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation (TACE-RFA) with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) monotherapy for small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods A total of 248 patients with 329 HCC nodules who underwent TACE-RFA or RFA monotherapy as the only first-line treatment between January 2009 and December 2020 were included in this study. The technical success, complications, survival rate, and local tumor progression (LTP) rate were compared between the two treatments. Results The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were similar between the two groups (98.7%, 93.0% and 75.9% vs 97.4%, 88.0% and 77.4%; p = 0.444). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative LTP rates were significantly lower in the TACE-RFA group than in the RFA monotherapy group (2.9%, 9.2%, and 13.8% vs. 5.2%, 17.0%, and 21.0%; p = 0.043). Subgroup analyses suggested that TACE-RFA showed significantly lower LTP rates than RFA monotherapy for small HCC with tumor size>2cm (p = 0.008), subphrenic location (p = 0.021), and perivessel (p = 0.030). Furthermore, HCC with well-defined lipiodol deposition in the TACE-RFA group showed better local tumor control than the small HCC in the RFA monotherapy group (p = 0.013). There was no significant difference in the technical success rates (p = 0.064) and complication rates (p = 0.952) between the two groups. Conclusions TACE-RFA is superior to RFA monotherapy in providing local tumor control for small HCC with tumor size 2–3 cm in diameter, subphrenic location, perivessel and HCCs with well-defined lipiodol deposition by TACE before RFA.

Abstract Background/aim Recent studies have suggested that periportal location of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered as one of the independent risk factors for local tumor progression (LTP). However, the long-term therapeutic outcomes of percutaneous RFA as the first-line therapy for single periportal HCCand corresponding impacts on tumor recurrence or progression are still unclear. Materials and methods From February 2011 to October 2020, a total of 233 patients with single nodular HCC ≤ 5 cm who underwent RFA ± transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) as first-line therapy was enrolled and analyzed, including 56 patients in the periportal group and 177 patients in the nonperiportal group. The long-term therapeutic outcomes between the two groups were compared, risk factors of tumor recurrence or progression were evaluated. Results The LTP rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were significantly higher in the periportal group than those in the nonperiportal group (15.7, 33.7, and 46.9% vs 6.0, 15.7, and 28.7%, respectively, P = 0.0067). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in the periportal group were significantly worse than those in the nonperiportal group (81.3, 65.1 and 42.9% vs 99.3, 90.4 and 78.1%, respectively, P

The advantages of hybrid ships in energy conservation and emission reduction are increasingly prominent in the context of countries around the world paying increasing attention to such matters. Energy management is the key to achieving energy conservation and emission reduction on the premise of ensuring power performance. This paper summarizes the research progress and status of hybrid ship energy management. First, the energy management objectives are summarized in the three aspects of reliability objectives, economy objectives and environmental protection objectives. Second, the energy management strategies are compared and analyzed from the perspectives of rules and optimization, and the advantages, disadvantages and application conditions of the existing energy management strategies are summarized and analyzed deeply and comprehensively. Finally, according to the gaps in the existing research, the future research directions of hybrid ship energy management are predicted.

Over the past 2 decades, researches in artificial neural networks (ANNs) and deep learning have flourished and enabled the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in image recognition, natural language processing, medical image analysis, molecular and material science, autopilot and so on. As the application scenarios for AI become more complex, massive perceptual data need to be processed in real-time. Thus, the traditional electronic integrated chips for executing the calculation of ANNs and deep learning algorithms are faced with higher requirements for computation speed and energy consumption. However, due to the unsustainability of Moore’s Law and the failure of the Dennard’s scaling rules, the growth of computing power of the traditional electronic integrated chips based on electronic transistors and von Neumann architecture could difficultly match the rapid growth of data volume. Enabled by silicon-based optoelectronics, analog optical computing can support sub-nanosecond delay and ∼fJ energy consumption efficiency, and provide an alternative method to further greatly improve computing resources and to accelerate deep learning tasks. In Chapter 1, the challenges of electronic computing technologies are briefly explained, and potential solutions including analog optical computing are introduced. Then, separated by four photonic platforms, including coherent integration platform, incoherent integration platform, space-propagation optical platform, and optical fiber platform, the recent important research progresses in analog optical computing are outlined in Chapter 2. Then, the nonlinearity and training algorithm for analog optical computing are summarized and discussed in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, the prospects and challenges of analog optical computing are pointed out.

Abstract Background Renal angiomyolipoma (RAML) is a rare benign kidney tumour comprised of adipose tissue, smooth muscle, and blood vessels. It can cause fatal complications if it ruptures. Although there have been reports of RAMLs rupturing, it is unusual to see RAMLs rupture during pregnancy, especially in pregnant women with tuberous sclerosis (TSC). Moreover, we reported a rare complication after selective arterial embolization (SAE) for the first time, which called aseptic liquefaction necrosis. Case presentation The case is a 16-week-pregnant woman with TSC who presented with severe flank pain, which was secondary to the rupture of a large, previously unknown RAML. This was confirmed by emergency computed tomography and successfully treated with selective arterial embolization after the patient received counselling and provided prior informed written consent for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). The patient underwent abortion 3 weeks after the SAE. The patient required drainage 2 months after the SAE because of aseptic liquefaction necrosis. During follow-up, the patient’s lesion remained stable. Conclusion RAML rupture is a rare but rather serious complication in pregnant tuberous sclerosis patients. Selective arterial embolization (SAE) should be performed immediately, and the status of the pregnancy needs to be assessed by a multidisciplinary team. We also report for the first time the rare complication of aseptic liquefaction necrosis after SAE of RAML, for which percutaneous drainage is effective.

With the development and application of large-scale distributed generation and new electrify transportation loads such as electric vehicles and electric ships, the intermission and randomness of distributed generation and transportation loads lead to enormous challenges in the operation and planning of distribution network. In this paper, a multi-objective planning model is proposed for the distributed generations that considers the transportation loads and the typical source-load spatiotemporal scenarios. Firstly, the probability model of distributed generation and various electric loads are established. And the typical source-load spatiotemporal scenarios are established according to the probability theory and the multi-scenario analysis method. Then three objective functions are represented for the planning model, the objective functions includes the economic objective minimal average annual comprehensive cost of distributed generation, the technical objective maximal comprehensive utilization rate and the security objective minimal average voltage offset of the bus. The multi-objective function is solved by a hybrid multi-objective algorithm, which combines Particle Swarm Optimization, Simulated Annealing. Finally, A IEEE-33 bus system in port area of China is employed to verify the effectiveness of the prosed model and algorithm.

Due to the simple structure, low inertia and the ability to operate for a long time under high-speed and high-temperature conditions, the induction motor is widely used in high-speed applications. Aiming at the most prominent loss and stress problems in high-speed induction motors, the use of low loss material and the choice of a reliable rotor structure are effective optimized methods. In this paper, the electromagnetic loss, stator temperature distribution and performance parameters of high-speed induction motor are analyzed with stator cores of different materials. In addition, for the different rotor structures, the mechanical stress is compared. Furthermore, the comparison and analysis are used to improve the motor performance and provide a reference for prototype development. A performance test of the prototype is conducted, which proves the validity of the study in this paper.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is the primary contributor to end-stage renal disease in developed countries. Existing clinical interventions for DN encompass lifestyle modifications, blood glucose regulation, blood pressure reduction, lipid management, and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications. Despite these measures, a significant number of patients progress to end-stage renal disease, underscoring the need for additional therapeutic strategies. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, a cellular defense mechanism in eukaryotic cells, has been implicated in DN pathogenesis. Moderate ER stress can enhance cell survival, whereas severe or prolonged ER stress may trigger apoptosis. As such, the role of ER stress in DN presents a potential avenue for therapeutic modulation. Chinese herbal medicine, a staple in Chinese healthcare, has emerged as a promising intervention for DN. Existing research suggests that some herbal remedies may confer renoprotective benefits through the modulation of ER stress. This review explores the involvement of ER stress in the pathogenesis of DN and the advancements in Chinese herbal medicine for ER stress regulation, aiming to inspire new clinical strategies for the prevention and management of DN.