Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)are considered promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to cost-effective potassium resources and a suitable redox potential of-2.93 V(vs.-3.04 V for Li+/Li).However,the explo...Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)are considered promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to cost-effective potassium resources and a suitable redox potential of-2.93 V(vs.-3.04 V for Li+/Li).However,the exploration of appro-priate electrode materials with the correct size for reversibly accommodating large K+ions presents a significant challenge.In addition,the reaction mecha-nisms and origins of enhanced performance remain elusive.Here,tetragonal FeSe nanoflakes of different sizes are designed to serve as an anode for PIBs,and their live and atomic-scale potassiation/depotassiation mechanisms are revealed for the first time through in situ high-resolution transmission electron micros-copy.We found that FeSe undergoes two distinct structural evolutions,sequen-tially characterized by intercalation and conversion reactions,and the initial intercalation behavior is size-dependent.Apparent expansion induced by the intercalation of K+ions is observed in small-sized FeSe nanoflakes,whereas unexpected cracks are formed along the direction of ionic diffusion in large-sized nanoflakes.The significant stress generation and crack extension originating from the combined effect of mechanical and electrochemical interactions are elucidated by geometric phase analysis and finite-element analysis.Despite the different intercalation behaviors,the formed products of Fe and K_(2)Se after full potassiation can be converted back into the original FeSe phase upon depotassiation.In particular,small-sized nanoflakes exhibit better cycling perfor-mance with well-maintained structural integrity.This article presents the first successful demonstration of atomic-scale visualization that can reveal size-dependent potassiation dynamics.Moreover,it provides valuable guidelines for optimizing the dimensions of electrode materials for advanced PIBs.展开更多
AIM To establish minimum clinically important difference(MCID) for measurements in an orthopaedic patient population with joint disorders.METHODS Adult patients aged 18 years and older seeking care for joint condition...AIM To establish minimum clinically important difference(MCID) for measurements in an orthopaedic patient population with joint disorders.METHODS Adult patients aged 18 years and older seeking care for joint conditions at an orthopaedic clinic took the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function(PROMIS~? PF) computerized adaptive test(CAT), hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction(HOOS JR), and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction(KOOS JR) from February 2014 to April 2017. MCIDs were calculated using anchorbased and distribution-based methods. Patient reports of meaningful change in function since their first clinic encounter were used as an anchor.RESULTS There were 2226 patients who participated with a mean age of 61.16(SD = 12.84) years, 41.6% male, and 89.7% Caucasian. Mean change ranged from 7.29 to 8.41 for the PROMIS~? PF CAT, from 14.81 to 19.68 for the HOOS JR, and from 14.51 to 18.85 for the KOOS JR. ROC cut-offs ranged from 1.97-8.18 for the PF CAT, 6.33-43.36 for the HOOS JR, and 2.21-8.16 for the KOOS JR. Distribution-based methods estimated MCID values ranging from 2.45 to 21.55 for the PROMIS~? PF CAT; from 3.90 to 43.61 for the HOOS JR, and from 3.98 to 40.67 for the KOOS JR. The median MCID value in the range was similar to the mean change score for each measure and was 7.9 for the PF CAT, 18.0 for the HOOS JR, and 15.1 for the KOOS JR.CONCLUSION This is the first comprehensive study providing a wide range of MCIDs for the PROMIS? PF, HOOS JR, and KOOS JR in orthopaedic patients with joint ailments.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects ...AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects with Hepatic coma,20 subjects with minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) and 20 subjects control. All subjects underwent blood analysis,Child Pugh and Model for End- stage liver disease(MELD) assessment,endozepine-4 analysis. RESULTS:Subjects with hepatic coma showed significant difference in endozepine-4(P < 0.001) and NH3 levels(P < 0.001) compared both to MHE and controls patients. Between NH3 and endozepine-4 we observed a significant correlation(P = 0.009; Pearson correlation 0.570). There was a significant correlation between endozepine-4 and MELD(P = 0.017; Pearsoncorrelation = 0.529). In our study blood ammonia concentration was noted to be raised in patients with hepatic coma,with the highest ammonia levels being found in those who were comatose. We also found a high correlation between endozepine-4 and ammonia(P < 0.001). In patients with grade Ⅳ hepatic coma,endozepine levels were significantly higher compared to other groups. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that an increased level of endozepine in subjects with higher levels of MELD was observed. In conclusion,data concerning involvement of the GABA-ergic system in HE coma could be explained by stage-specific alterations.展开更多
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can reduce retinal ganglion cell death and effectively prevent vision loss. Previously, we found that during differentiation, female rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ...Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can reduce retinal ganglion cell death and effectively prevent vision loss. Previously, we found that during differentiation, female rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells acquire a higher neurogenic potential compared with male rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. This suggests that female bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have a stronger neuroprotective effect than male bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we first isolated and cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from female and male rats by density gradient centrifugation. Retinal tissue from newborn rats was prepared by enzymatic digestion to obtain primary retinal ganglion cells. Using the transwell system, retinal ganglion cells were co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxia. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay. We found a marked increase in apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of retinal ganglion cells after 24 hours of hypoxia compared with normoxia. Moreover, apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of retinal ganglion cells significantly decreased with both female and male bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-culture under hypoxia compared with culture alone, with more significant effects from female bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Our results indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exert a neuroprotective effect against hypoxia-induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, and also that female cells have greater neuroprotective ability compared with male cells.展开更多
Analyzed the relation between time delay difference and time delay estimation errors, based on the principles of three-point locating, a reformed threshold method for time delay difference estimation of impulse signal...Analyzed the relation between time delay difference and time delay estimation errors, based on the principles of three-point locating, a reformed threshold method for time delay difference estimation of impulse signals, called as amendment estimation for short, is developed by introducing channel equalization technique to its conventional version, named as direct estimation in this paper, to improve the estimation stability. After inherent relationship between time delay and phase shift of signals is analyzed, an integer period error compensation method utilized the diversities of both contribution share and contribution mode of concerned estimates is proposed under the condition of high precision phase lag estimation. Finally, a cooperative multi-threshold estimation method composed of amendment and direct estimations to process impulse signals with three thresholds is established. In sea trials data tests of passive locating, this method improves the estimation precision of time delay difference efficiently. The experiments verify the theoretical predictions.展开更多
The mixed venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide(CO_2)tension difference[P(v-a) CO_2]is the difference between carbon dioxide tension(PCO_2) in mixed venous blood(sampled from a pulmonary artery catheter) and the PCO_2 in ...The mixed venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide(CO_2)tension difference[P(v-a) CO_2]is the difference between carbon dioxide tension(PCO_2) in mixed venous blood(sampled from a pulmonary artery catheter) and the PCO_2 in arterial blood.P(v-a) CO_2 depends on the cardiac output and the global CO_2 production,and on the complex relationship between PCO_2 and CO_2 content.Experimental and clinical studies support the evidence that P(v-a) CO_2 cannot serve as an indicator of tissue hypoxia,and should be regarded as an indicator of the adequacy of venous blood to wash out the total CO_2generated by the peripheral tissues.P(v-a) CO_2 can be replaced by the central venous-to-arterial CO_2 difference(△PCO_2),which is calculated from simultaneous sampling of central venous blood from a central vein catheter and arterial blood and,therefore,more easy to obtain at the bedside.Determining the △PCO_2 during the resuscitation of septic shock patients might be useful when deciding when to continue resuscitation despite a central venous oxygen saturation(SCVO_2) > 70%associated with elevated blood lactate levels.Because high blood lactate levels is not a discriminatory factor in determining the source of that stress,an increased △PCO_2(> 6 mmHg)could be used to identify patients who still remain inadequately resuscitated.Monitoring the △PCO_2 from the beginning of the reanimation of septic shock patients might be a valuable means to evaluate the adequacy of cardiac output in tissue perfusion and,thus,guiding the therapy.In this respect,it can aid to titrate inotropes to adjust oxygen delivery to CO_2 production,or to choose between hemoglobin correction or fluid/inotrope infusion in patients with a too low ScvO_2 related to metabolic demand.The combination of P(v-a) CO_2 or △PCO_2 with oxygen-derived parameters through the calculation of the P(v-a) CO_2 or △PCO_2/arteriovenous oxygen content difference ratio can detect the presence of global anaerobic metabolism.展开更多
The obesity epidemic continues to challenge global cardiovascular(CV)health,but not all obesity is equal.Emerging evidence underscores that distinct obesity phenotypes—particularly metabolically healthy vs unhealthy ...The obesity epidemic continues to challenge global cardiovascular(CV)health,but not all obesity is equal.Emerging evidence underscores that distinct obesity phenotypes—particularly metabolically healthy vs unhealthy profiles—confer differential CV risks.Recent large-scale studies have revealed that even metabol-ically healthy obesity(MHO)is associated with an increased risk of adverse CV events,particularly in the context of socioeconomic disadvantage.Central is the role of chronic low-grade inflammation,termed“metaflammation”,which can persist even in the absence of overt metabolic syndrome and is shaped by both gender and fat distribution.Epicardial and visceral adiposity contribute to this pro-inflammatory state and are strongly associated with conditions such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation.Notably,aging and hormonal changes,particularly in women,may destabilize MHO status,increasing CV vulnerability over time.This overview calls for a paradigm shift in cardiometabolic care,moving beyond anthropometric parameters toward a more refined assessment that incorporate inflammatory biomarkers,fat distribution and sex-specific factors.Recognizing these underlying biological and phenotypic differences enables more accurate CV risk stratification and supports the development of precision-based therapeutic strategies.Ultimately,understanding not just who is at risk,but why,is essential to improving prevention and outcomes across diverse populations facing the bur-den of obesity.展开更多
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is common among people with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of MS and its individual components among type 2 diabetic adults, to stratify the...Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is common among people with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of MS and its individual components among type 2 diabetic adults, to stratify these by gender and to determine their association with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Method: A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in public and private sector clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. A pretested structured questionnaire and medical records were used to collect information from 889 people with type 2 diabetes after informed consent. Chi-square test and odds ratios with 95% CI were used to assess the association of MS, its components and IHD. Adjusted odds ratios were used to evaluate the differences of MS and its components by gender. Results: In all, 70% of the participants had MS. The likelihood of having IHD among those with MS was higher (OR = 3.21;95%CI = 2.22 - 4.65). Of the individual MS components, obesity conferred the strongest association with IHD (OR = 2.57;95%CI = 1.91 - 3.43). Multivariate analysis showed an increased proportion of MS among women (AOR = 1.63;95%CI = 1.18 - 2.24). Of the individual MS components, women had a higher prevalence of obesity (AOR = 4.70;95%CI = 3.30 - 6.70). Conclusion: A very high burden of MS among type 2 diabetics has been identified in this study. Dedicated interventions are needed to prevent/delay the onset of MS and the associated morbidity and mortality.展开更多
This article computes effect of uniform magnetic field on nanofluid flow filling porous medium inside parallel sheets. Darcy's law is used to characterize porous medium. Flow is caused by stretching of the lower s...This article computes effect of uniform magnetic field on nanofluid flow filling porous medium inside parallel sheets. Darcy's law is used to characterize porous medium. Flow is caused by stretching of the lower sheet. The governing systems are computed using Finite difference technique. This scheme is used due to its more general and powerful nature to solve nonlinear problems. Results are obtained and discussed graphically. Nusselt number, skin friction, streamlines,velocity and temperature are emphasized.展开更多
An adjustable mixer for surface acoustic wave( SAW)-less radio frequency( RF) front-end is presented in this paper. Through changing the bias voltage,the presented mixer with reconfigurable voltage conversion gain( VC...An adjustable mixer for surface acoustic wave( SAW)-less radio frequency( RF) front-end is presented in this paper. Through changing the bias voltage,the presented mixer with reconfigurable voltage conversion gain( VCG) is suitable for multi-mode multi-standard( MMMS) applications. An equivalent local oscillator( LO) frequency-tunable high-Q band-pass filter( BPF) at low noise amplifier( LNA) output is used to reject the out-of-band interference signals. Base-band( BB) capacitor of the mixer is variable to obtain 15 kinds of intermediate frequency( IF) bandwidth( BW). The proposed passive mixer with LNA is implemented in TSMC 0. 18μm RF CMOS process and operates from 0. 5 to 2. 5 GHz with measured maximum out-of-band rejection larger than 40 d B. The measured VCG of the front-end can be changed from 5 to 17 d B; the maximum input intercept point( IIP3) is0 d Bm and the minimum noise figure( NF) is 3. 7 d B. The chip occupies an area of 0. 44 mm^2 including pads.展开更多
An idea on interfacial equilibrium-potential differences () which are generated for the extraction of univalent metal picrate (MPic) and divalent ones (MPic2) by crown ethers (L) into high-polar diluents was improved....An idea on interfacial equilibrium-potential differences () which are generated for the extraction of univalent metal picrate (MPic) and divalent ones (MPic2) by crown ethers (L) into high-polar diluents was improved. These potentials were clarified with some experimental extraction-data reported before on the M = Ag(I), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) extraction with 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) and benzo-18C6 into 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and nitrobenzene (NB). Consequently, it was demonstrated that the? values from the extraction-experimentally obtained logKD,Pic ones are in agreement with or close to those calculated from charge balance equations in many cases, where the symbol, KD,Pic, denotes an individual distribution constant of Pic﹣ into the DCE or NB phase. Also, it was experimentally shown that extraction constants based on the overall extraction equilibria do not virtually contain the? terms in their functional expressions.展开更多
Based on direct current measurements from two separated cruises in October 2008-January 2009 and July-August 2009, we obtained a valuable deep current observation of the Luzon Strait (LS). Rectified wavelet power spec...Based on direct current measurements from two separated cruises in October 2008-January 2009 and July-August 2009, we obtained a valuable deep current observation of the Luzon Strait (LS). Rectified wavelet power spectra analysis (RWPSA) and the geostrophic current calculation are used to study the deep current. We find that the deep current differs in different seasons. The current is strongest in autumn (October-November) and weaker in summer (July-August) and in winter (December-January). The cyclonic and anti-cyclonic meander with different subtidal current directions plays an important role in the seasonal difference of the deep current in the LS. The observed seasonal difference of the deep current in the LS is connected with the deep current observed at the western boundary of the northern Philippine Basin and is also linked with the overflow near the central Bashi Channel and Luzon Trough. The RWPSA of the long observation suggests the dominant periods of 8 d, 19 d in the deep current. The dynamical cause of the resulting velocity distribution at 1850 and 1760 m is the pressure field and bottom topography steering. The observed deep current agrees well with the geostrophic current calculation.展开更多
This paper deals with a new higher order compact difference scheme, which is, O(h4) using coupled approach on the 19-point 3D stencil for the solution of three dimensional nonlinear biharmonic equations. At each inter...This paper deals with a new higher order compact difference scheme, which is, O(h4) using coupled approach on the 19-point 3D stencil for the solution of three dimensional nonlinear biharmonic equations. At each internal grid point, the solution u(x,y,z) and its Laplacian Δ4u are obtained. The resulting stencil algo-rithm is presented and hence this new algorithm can be easily incorporated to solve many problems. The present discretization allows us to use the Dirichlet boundary conditions only and there is no need to discretize the derivative boundary conditions near the boundary. We also show that special treatment is required to handle the boundary conditions. Convergence analysis for a model problem is briefly discussed. The method is tested on three problems and compares very favourably with the corresponding second order approximation which we also discuss using coupled approach.展开更多
In view of the disadvantage that the absolute difference of time-lapse seismic(the difference between monitoring data and base data) is not only related to the change of oil saturation, but also closely related to the...In view of the disadvantage that the absolute difference of time-lapse seismic(the difference between monitoring data and base data) is not only related to the change of oil saturation, but also closely related to the thickness of reservoir, a time-lapse seismic "relative difference method"(the ratio of monitoring data to base data) not affected by the thickness of reservoir but only related to the change of fluid saturation, is proposed through seismic forward modeling after fluid displacement simulation. Given the same change of fluid saturation, the absolute difference of time-lapse seismic conforms to the law of "tuning effect" and seismic reflection of "thin bed", and the remaining oil prediction method based on absolute difference of time-lapse seismic is only applicable to the reservoirs with uniform thickness smaller than the tuning thickness or with thickness greater than the tuning thickness. The relative difference of time-lapse seismic is not affected by reservoir thickness, but only related to the change of fluid saturation. It is applicable to all the deep-sea unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs which can exclude the effect of pressure, temperature, pore type and porosity on seismic. Therefore, the relation between the relative difference of time-lapse seismic and the change of fluid saturation, which is obtained from seismic forward modeling after Gassmann fluid displacement simulation, can be used to quantitatively predict the change of reservoir water saturation and then the distribution of the remaining oil. The application of this method in deep sea Zeta oil field in west Africa shows that it is reasonable and effective.展开更多
In this paper we consider the numerical method of characteristics for the numerical solution of initial value problems (IVPs) for quasilinear hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations, as well as the difference scheme...In this paper we consider the numerical method of characteristics for the numerical solution of initial value problems (IVPs) for quasilinear hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations, as well as the difference scheme Central Time Central Space (CTCS), Crank-Nicolson scheme, ω scheme and the method of characteristics for the numerical solution of initial and boundary value prob-lems for the one-dimension homogeneous wave equation. The initial deriva-tive condition is approximated by different second order difference quotients in order to examine which gives more accurate numerical results. The local truncation error, consistency and stability of the difference schemes CTCS, Crank-Nicolson and ω are also considered.展开更多
In this present context, mathematical modeling of the propagation of surface waves in a fluid saturated poro-elastic medium under the influence of initial stress has been considered using time dependent higher order f...In this present context, mathematical modeling of the propagation of surface waves in a fluid saturated poro-elastic medium under the influence of initial stress has been considered using time dependent higher order finite difference method (FDM). We have proved that the accuracy of this finite-difference scheme is 2M when we use 2nd order time domain finite-difference and 2M-th order space domain finite-difference. It also has been shown that the dispersion curves of Love waves are less dispersed for higher order FDM than of lower order FDM. The effect of initial stress, porosity and anisotropy of the layer in the propagation of Love waves has been studied here. The numerical results have been shown graphically. As a particular case, the phase velocity in a non porous elastic solid layer derived in this paper is in perfect agreement with that of Liu et al. (2009).展开更多
The study of specific differences between women and men is arousing huge interests in various fields of medicine, including dermatology. The available data on gender medicine applied to common skin diseases are unfort...The study of specific differences between women and men is arousing huge interests in various fields of medicine, including dermatology. The available data on gender medicine applied to common skin diseases are unfortunately still scanty. Psoriasis is a chronic immunemediated skin disease which affects 1%-3% of most populations worldwide and can involve also the joints and entheses. The pathogenesis of the disease is very complex, resulting from the interaction between genetic predisposition and several environmental triggers. The pathogenic role of sex hormones has also been hypothesized. The analysis of gender-specific differences in psoriasis seems to suggest some interesting findings, such as an earlier age of disease onset in females, a higher probability of severe disease in men, or different tendencies in care utilization, adherence to treatment, development of psychological distress, and coping strategies. Moreover, sex-related differences have been recently described in some epidemiological and clinical features among patients with psoriatic arthritis. The objective of this article is to review briefly the available evidence regarding gender differences in various aspects of psoriasis, such as epidemiology, genetics, risk factors, associated conditions, quality of life, clinical and therapeutic aspects.展开更多
基金This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2018YFB1304902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12004034,U1813211,22005247,11904372,51502007,52072323,52122211,12174019,and 51972058)+1 种基金the Gen-eral Research Fund of Hong Kong(Project No.11217221)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Funded Project(Grant No.2021M690386).
文摘Potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)are considered promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries owing to cost-effective potassium resources and a suitable redox potential of-2.93 V(vs.-3.04 V for Li+/Li).However,the exploration of appro-priate electrode materials with the correct size for reversibly accommodating large K+ions presents a significant challenge.In addition,the reaction mecha-nisms and origins of enhanced performance remain elusive.Here,tetragonal FeSe nanoflakes of different sizes are designed to serve as an anode for PIBs,and their live and atomic-scale potassiation/depotassiation mechanisms are revealed for the first time through in situ high-resolution transmission electron micros-copy.We found that FeSe undergoes two distinct structural evolutions,sequen-tially characterized by intercalation and conversion reactions,and the initial intercalation behavior is size-dependent.Apparent expansion induced by the intercalation of K+ions is observed in small-sized FeSe nanoflakes,whereas unexpected cracks are formed along the direction of ionic diffusion in large-sized nanoflakes.The significant stress generation and crack extension originating from the combined effect of mechanical and electrochemical interactions are elucidated by geometric phase analysis and finite-element analysis.Despite the different intercalation behaviors,the formed products of Fe and K_(2)Se after full potassiation can be converted back into the original FeSe phase upon depotassiation.In particular,small-sized nanoflakes exhibit better cycling perfor-mance with well-maintained structural integrity.This article presents the first successful demonstration of atomic-scale visualization that can reveal size-dependent potassiation dynamics.Moreover,it provides valuable guidelines for optimizing the dimensions of electrode materials for advanced PIBs.
基金National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health,No.U01AR067138.
文摘AIM To establish minimum clinically important difference(MCID) for measurements in an orthopaedic patient population with joint disorders.METHODS Adult patients aged 18 years and older seeking care for joint conditions at an orthopaedic clinic took the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function(PROMIS~? PF) computerized adaptive test(CAT), hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction(HOOS JR), and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score for joint reconstruction(KOOS JR) from February 2014 to April 2017. MCIDs were calculated using anchorbased and distribution-based methods. Patient reports of meaningful change in function since their first clinic encounter were used as an anchor.RESULTS There were 2226 patients who participated with a mean age of 61.16(SD = 12.84) years, 41.6% male, and 89.7% Caucasian. Mean change ranged from 7.29 to 8.41 for the PROMIS~? PF CAT, from 14.81 to 19.68 for the HOOS JR, and from 14.51 to 18.85 for the KOOS JR. ROC cut-offs ranged from 1.97-8.18 for the PF CAT, 6.33-43.36 for the HOOS JR, and 2.21-8.16 for the KOOS JR. Distribution-based methods estimated MCID values ranging from 2.45 to 21.55 for the PROMIS~? PF CAT; from 3.90 to 43.61 for the HOOS JR, and from 3.98 to 40.67 for the KOOS JR. The median MCID value in the range was similar to the mean change score for each measure and was 7.9 for the PF CAT, 18.0 for the HOOS JR, and 15.1 for the KOOS JR.CONCLUSION This is the first comprehensive study providing a wide range of MCIDs for the PROMIS? PF, HOOS JR, and KOOS JR in orthopaedic patients with joint ailments.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the serum levels of endozepine-4,their relation with ammonia serum levels,the grading of coma and the severity of cirrhosis,in patients with hepatic coma. METHODS:In this study we included 20 subjects with Hepatic coma,20 subjects with minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) and 20 subjects control. All subjects underwent blood analysis,Child Pugh and Model for End- stage liver disease(MELD) assessment,endozepine-4 analysis. RESULTS:Subjects with hepatic coma showed significant difference in endozepine-4(P < 0.001) and NH3 levels(P < 0.001) compared both to MHE and controls patients. Between NH3 and endozepine-4 we observed a significant correlation(P = 0.009; Pearson correlation 0.570). There was a significant correlation between endozepine-4 and MELD(P = 0.017; Pearsoncorrelation = 0.529). In our study blood ammonia concentration was noted to be raised in patients with hepatic coma,with the highest ammonia levels being found in those who were comatose. We also found a high correlation between endozepine-4 and ammonia(P < 0.001). In patients with grade Ⅳ hepatic coma,endozepine levels were significantly higher compared to other groups. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that an increased level of endozepine in subjects with higher levels of MELD was observed. In conclusion,data concerning involvement of the GABA-ergic system in HE coma could be explained by stage-specific alterations.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81100664the Open Project of the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology,Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center,China,No.303060202400306+1 种基金the Wuhan Science and Technology Dawn Project of China,No.2014070404010222the Independent Research Project of Wuhan University of China,No.2042014kf0259
文摘Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can reduce retinal ganglion cell death and effectively prevent vision loss. Previously, we found that during differentiation, female rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells acquire a higher neurogenic potential compared with male rhesus monkey bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. This suggests that female bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have a stronger neuroprotective effect than male bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we first isolated and cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from female and male rats by density gradient centrifugation. Retinal tissue from newborn rats was prepared by enzymatic digestion to obtain primary retinal ganglion cells. Using the transwell system, retinal ganglion cells were co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxia. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay. We found a marked increase in apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of retinal ganglion cells after 24 hours of hypoxia compared with normoxia. Moreover, apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of retinal ganglion cells significantly decreased with both female and male bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-culture under hypoxia compared with culture alone, with more significant effects from female bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Our results indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exert a neuroprotective effect against hypoxia-induced apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, and also that female cells have greater neuroprotective ability compared with male cells.
文摘Analyzed the relation between time delay difference and time delay estimation errors, based on the principles of three-point locating, a reformed threshold method for time delay difference estimation of impulse signals, called as amendment estimation for short, is developed by introducing channel equalization technique to its conventional version, named as direct estimation in this paper, to improve the estimation stability. After inherent relationship between time delay and phase shift of signals is analyzed, an integer period error compensation method utilized the diversities of both contribution share and contribution mode of concerned estimates is proposed under the condition of high precision phase lag estimation. Finally, a cooperative multi-threshold estimation method composed of amendment and direct estimations to process impulse signals with three thresholds is established. In sea trials data tests of passive locating, this method improves the estimation precision of time delay difference efficiently. The experiments verify the theoretical predictions.
文摘The mixed venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide(CO_2)tension difference[P(v-a) CO_2]is the difference between carbon dioxide tension(PCO_2) in mixed venous blood(sampled from a pulmonary artery catheter) and the PCO_2 in arterial blood.P(v-a) CO_2 depends on the cardiac output and the global CO_2 production,and on the complex relationship between PCO_2 and CO_2 content.Experimental and clinical studies support the evidence that P(v-a) CO_2 cannot serve as an indicator of tissue hypoxia,and should be regarded as an indicator of the adequacy of venous blood to wash out the total CO_2generated by the peripheral tissues.P(v-a) CO_2 can be replaced by the central venous-to-arterial CO_2 difference(△PCO_2),which is calculated from simultaneous sampling of central venous blood from a central vein catheter and arterial blood and,therefore,more easy to obtain at the bedside.Determining the △PCO_2 during the resuscitation of septic shock patients might be useful when deciding when to continue resuscitation despite a central venous oxygen saturation(SCVO_2) > 70%associated with elevated blood lactate levels.Because high blood lactate levels is not a discriminatory factor in determining the source of that stress,an increased △PCO_2(> 6 mmHg)could be used to identify patients who still remain inadequately resuscitated.Monitoring the △PCO_2 from the beginning of the reanimation of septic shock patients might be a valuable means to evaluate the adequacy of cardiac output in tissue perfusion and,thus,guiding the therapy.In this respect,it can aid to titrate inotropes to adjust oxygen delivery to CO_2 production,or to choose between hemoglobin correction or fluid/inotrope infusion in patients with a too low ScvO_2 related to metabolic demand.The combination of P(v-a) CO_2 or △PCO_2 with oxygen-derived parameters through the calculation of the P(v-a) CO_2 or △PCO_2/arteriovenous oxygen content difference ratio can detect the presence of global anaerobic metabolism.
文摘The obesity epidemic continues to challenge global cardiovascular(CV)health,but not all obesity is equal.Emerging evidence underscores that distinct obesity phenotypes—particularly metabolically healthy vs unhealthy profiles—confer differential CV risks.Recent large-scale studies have revealed that even metabol-ically healthy obesity(MHO)is associated with an increased risk of adverse CV events,particularly in the context of socioeconomic disadvantage.Central is the role of chronic low-grade inflammation,termed“metaflammation”,which can persist even in the absence of overt metabolic syndrome and is shaped by both gender and fat distribution.Epicardial and visceral adiposity contribute to this pro-inflammatory state and are strongly associated with conditions such as heart failure and atrial fibrillation.Notably,aging and hormonal changes,particularly in women,may destabilize MHO status,increasing CV vulnerability over time.This overview calls for a paradigm shift in cardiometabolic care,moving beyond anthropometric parameters toward a more refined assessment that incorporate inflammatory biomarkers,fat distribution and sex-specific factors.Recognizing these underlying biological and phenotypic differences enables more accurate CV risk stratification and supports the development of precision-based therapeutic strategies.Ultimately,understanding not just who is at risk,but why,is essential to improving prevention and outcomes across diverse populations facing the bur-den of obesity.
文摘Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is common among people with type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of MS and its individual components among type 2 diabetic adults, to stratify these by gender and to determine their association with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Method: A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in public and private sector clinics in Karachi, Pakistan. A pretested structured questionnaire and medical records were used to collect information from 889 people with type 2 diabetes after informed consent. Chi-square test and odds ratios with 95% CI were used to assess the association of MS, its components and IHD. Adjusted odds ratios were used to evaluate the differences of MS and its components by gender. Results: In all, 70% of the participants had MS. The likelihood of having IHD among those with MS was higher (OR = 3.21;95%CI = 2.22 - 4.65). Of the individual MS components, obesity conferred the strongest association with IHD (OR = 2.57;95%CI = 1.91 - 3.43). Multivariate analysis showed an increased proportion of MS among women (AOR = 1.63;95%CI = 1.18 - 2.24). Of the individual MS components, women had a higher prevalence of obesity (AOR = 4.70;95%CI = 3.30 - 6.70). Conclusion: A very high burden of MS among type 2 diabetics has been identified in this study. Dedicated interventions are needed to prevent/delay the onset of MS and the associated morbidity and mortality.
文摘This article computes effect of uniform magnetic field on nanofluid flow filling porous medium inside parallel sheets. Darcy's law is used to characterize porous medium. Flow is caused by stretching of the lower sheet. The governing systems are computed using Finite difference technique. This scheme is used due to its more general and powerful nature to solve nonlinear problems. Results are obtained and discussed graphically. Nusselt number, skin friction, streamlines,velocity and temperature are emphasized.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2010CB327404)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
文摘An adjustable mixer for surface acoustic wave( SAW)-less radio frequency( RF) front-end is presented in this paper. Through changing the bias voltage,the presented mixer with reconfigurable voltage conversion gain( VCG) is suitable for multi-mode multi-standard( MMMS) applications. An equivalent local oscillator( LO) frequency-tunable high-Q band-pass filter( BPF) at low noise amplifier( LNA) output is used to reject the out-of-band interference signals. Base-band( BB) capacitor of the mixer is variable to obtain 15 kinds of intermediate frequency( IF) bandwidth( BW). The proposed passive mixer with LNA is implemented in TSMC 0. 18μm RF CMOS process and operates from 0. 5 to 2. 5 GHz with measured maximum out-of-band rejection larger than 40 d B. The measured VCG of the front-end can be changed from 5 to 17 d B; the maximum input intercept point( IIP3) is0 d Bm and the minimum noise figure( NF) is 3. 7 d B. The chip occupies an area of 0. 44 mm^2 including pads.
文摘An idea on interfacial equilibrium-potential differences () which are generated for the extraction of univalent metal picrate (MPic) and divalent ones (MPic2) by crown ethers (L) into high-polar diluents was improved. These potentials were clarified with some experimental extraction-data reported before on the M = Ag(I), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) extraction with 18-crown-6 ether (18C6) and benzo-18C6 into 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and nitrobenzene (NB). Consequently, it was demonstrated that the? values from the extraction-experimentally obtained logKD,Pic ones are in agreement with or close to those calculated from charge balance equations in many cases, where the symbol, KD,Pic, denotes an individual distribution constant of Pic﹣ into the DCE or NB phase. Also, it was experimentally shown that extraction constants based on the overall extraction equilibria do not virtually contain the? terms in their functional expressions.
文摘Based on direct current measurements from two separated cruises in October 2008-January 2009 and July-August 2009, we obtained a valuable deep current observation of the Luzon Strait (LS). Rectified wavelet power spectra analysis (RWPSA) and the geostrophic current calculation are used to study the deep current. We find that the deep current differs in different seasons. The current is strongest in autumn (October-November) and weaker in summer (July-August) and in winter (December-January). The cyclonic and anti-cyclonic meander with different subtidal current directions plays an important role in the seasonal difference of the deep current in the LS. The observed seasonal difference of the deep current in the LS is connected with the deep current observed at the western boundary of the northern Philippine Basin and is also linked with the overflow near the central Bashi Channel and Luzon Trough. The RWPSA of the long observation suggests the dominant periods of 8 d, 19 d in the deep current. The dynamical cause of the resulting velocity distribution at 1850 and 1760 m is the pressure field and bottom topography steering. The observed deep current agrees well with the geostrophic current calculation.
文摘This paper deals with a new higher order compact difference scheme, which is, O(h4) using coupled approach on the 19-point 3D stencil for the solution of three dimensional nonlinear biharmonic equations. At each internal grid point, the solution u(x,y,z) and its Laplacian Δ4u are obtained. The resulting stencil algo-rithm is presented and hence this new algorithm can be easily incorporated to solve many problems. The present discretization allows us to use the Dirichlet boundary conditions only and there is no need to discretize the derivative boundary conditions near the boundary. We also show that special treatment is required to handle the boundary conditions. Convergence analysis for a model problem is briefly discussed. The method is tested on three problems and compares very favourably with the corresponding second order approximation which we also discuss using coupled approach.
基金Supported by the China National Science and Technology Major Project(2017ZX05005-001)
文摘In view of the disadvantage that the absolute difference of time-lapse seismic(the difference between monitoring data and base data) is not only related to the change of oil saturation, but also closely related to the thickness of reservoir, a time-lapse seismic "relative difference method"(the ratio of monitoring data to base data) not affected by the thickness of reservoir but only related to the change of fluid saturation, is proposed through seismic forward modeling after fluid displacement simulation. Given the same change of fluid saturation, the absolute difference of time-lapse seismic conforms to the law of "tuning effect" and seismic reflection of "thin bed", and the remaining oil prediction method based on absolute difference of time-lapse seismic is only applicable to the reservoirs with uniform thickness smaller than the tuning thickness or with thickness greater than the tuning thickness. The relative difference of time-lapse seismic is not affected by reservoir thickness, but only related to the change of fluid saturation. It is applicable to all the deep-sea unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs which can exclude the effect of pressure, temperature, pore type and porosity on seismic. Therefore, the relation between the relative difference of time-lapse seismic and the change of fluid saturation, which is obtained from seismic forward modeling after Gassmann fluid displacement simulation, can be used to quantitatively predict the change of reservoir water saturation and then the distribution of the remaining oil. The application of this method in deep sea Zeta oil field in west Africa shows that it is reasonable and effective.
文摘In this paper we consider the numerical method of characteristics for the numerical solution of initial value problems (IVPs) for quasilinear hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations, as well as the difference scheme Central Time Central Space (CTCS), Crank-Nicolson scheme, ω scheme and the method of characteristics for the numerical solution of initial and boundary value prob-lems for the one-dimension homogeneous wave equation. The initial deriva-tive condition is approximated by different second order difference quotients in order to examine which gives more accurate numerical results. The local truncation error, consistency and stability of the difference schemes CTCS, Crank-Nicolson and ω are also considered.
文摘In this present context, mathematical modeling of the propagation of surface waves in a fluid saturated poro-elastic medium under the influence of initial stress has been considered using time dependent higher order finite difference method (FDM). We have proved that the accuracy of this finite-difference scheme is 2M when we use 2nd order time domain finite-difference and 2M-th order space domain finite-difference. It also has been shown that the dispersion curves of Love waves are less dispersed for higher order FDM than of lower order FDM. The effect of initial stress, porosity and anisotropy of the layer in the propagation of Love waves has been studied here. The numerical results have been shown graphically. As a particular case, the phase velocity in a non porous elastic solid layer derived in this paper is in perfect agreement with that of Liu et al. (2009).
文摘The study of specific differences between women and men is arousing huge interests in various fields of medicine, including dermatology. The available data on gender medicine applied to common skin diseases are unfortunately still scanty. Psoriasis is a chronic immunemediated skin disease which affects 1%-3% of most populations worldwide and can involve also the joints and entheses. The pathogenesis of the disease is very complex, resulting from the interaction between genetic predisposition and several environmental triggers. The pathogenic role of sex hormones has also been hypothesized. The analysis of gender-specific differences in psoriasis seems to suggest some interesting findings, such as an earlier age of disease onset in females, a higher probability of severe disease in men, or different tendencies in care utilization, adherence to treatment, development of psychological distress, and coping strategies. Moreover, sex-related differences have been recently described in some epidemiological and clinical features among patients with psoriatic arthritis. The objective of this article is to review briefly the available evidence regarding gender differences in various aspects of psoriasis, such as epidemiology, genetics, risk factors, associated conditions, quality of life, clinical and therapeutic aspects.
