Hot flushes, experienced by 75% of menopausal women, are associated with estrogen deprivation. Estrogen was shown to ameliorate hot flushes by interacting with monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain; reducing noradr...Hot flushes, experienced by 75% of menopausal women, are associated with estrogen deprivation. Estrogen was shown to ameliorate hot flushes by interacting with monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain; reducing noradrenaline and increasing serotonin. Hormone replacement therapy(HRT), the first treatment option, causes concerns over possible increased risks particularly breast cancer. Folic acid is involved in the biosynthesis of serotonin and nordrenaline, which is responsible for its effects on mood and cognition, and degrees of folate inadequacy, not severe enough to produce megaloblastic anaemia, were found to be associated with depression and cognitive malfunctioning. Also, increased age was observed to relate to reduced serum and cerebrospinal fluid folic acid levels. There is emerging evidence that folic acid supplementation ameliorates hot fl ushes by the same mechanism as estrogen. To explore this hypothesis, a multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized is being set up to compare the effect of 5 mg folic acid vs placebo in reducing the frequency and severity of hot fl ushes in postmenopausal women, and on the blood level of serotonin and noradrenaline. If folic acid supplementation is demonstrated to be effective, this will be a turning point in the clinical practice since it represents a cheap, safe and well-tolerated alternative to HRT.展开更多
The trace war being fought between America and the European Union over the use of hormones in cattle depends largely on how the scientific evidence is interpreted. And not even scientists can agree on that.
Post-reperfusion syndrome(PRS)in liver transplant recipients remains one of the most dreaded complications in liver transplant surgery.PRS can impact the short-term and long-term patient and graft outcomes.The definit...Post-reperfusion syndrome(PRS)in liver transplant recipients remains one of the most dreaded complications in liver transplant surgery.PRS can impact the short-term and long-term patient and graft outcomes.The definition of PRS has evolved over the years,from changes in arterial blood pressures and heart and/or de-creases in the systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output to including the fibrinolysis and grading the severity of PRS.However,all that did not reflect on the management of PRS or its impact on the outcomes.In recent years,new scientific techniques and new technology have been in the pipeline to better understand,manage and maybe prevent PRS.These new methods and techniques are still in the infancy,and they have to be proven not in prevention and management of PRS but their effects in the patient and graft outcomes.In this article,we will review the long history of PRS,its definition,etiology,mana-gement and most importantly the new advances in science and technology to prevent and properly manage PRS.展开更多
This article comments on the article by Du et al,who conducted a randomized controlled trial aiming at evaluating the effectiveness of a novel spray flushing system in cleaning flexible endoscopes while minimizing dam...This article comments on the article by Du et al,who conducted a randomized controlled trial aiming at evaluating the effectiveness of a novel spray flushing system in cleaning flexible endoscopes while minimizing damage to the working channels.We share our perspective on the importance of improving endoscope reprocessing methods.The findings highlight the spray flushing system's capacity to improve cleaning efficacy while minimizing damage,suggesting that it might be important in enhancing endoscope reprocessing procedures.展开更多
The advancement in endoscopic technology and techniques has increased its use in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.Reprocessing of reusable endoscopes remains a challenge.Inadequate reprocessing...The advancement in endoscopic technology and techniques has increased its use in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.Reprocessing of reusable endoscopes remains a challenge.Inadequate reprocessing leads to bacterial contamination of the endoscope,a significant cause of endoscope-related infections.To thoroughly address the complexities of cleaning a flexible endo-scope,various cleaning methods have been devised and tested across different studies.This letter evaluates one such method,spray flushing for flexible gastro-scopes,developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial by Du et al.Based on the post-processing test results for this method,Du et al conclude that there is improved cleaning efficacy and reduced damage compared to manual brush cleaning.The validity and reliability of the results could be further enhanced by carefully considering the study design and a few underlying concepts that contribute to the reprocessing quality of different types of endoscopes.展开更多
The development and application of large Die⁃Casting Al Alloy(DCAA)parts and Thermo⁃Formed Steel Sheets(TFSS)in Body⁃in⁃White(BIW)have created higher demands for the joining technology of high⁃strength steel/Al dissim...The development and application of large Die⁃Casting Al Alloy(DCAA)parts and Thermo⁃Formed Steel Sheets(TFSS)in Body⁃in⁃White(BIW)have created higher demands for the joining technology of high⁃strength steel/Al dissimilar materials.As an emerging technology,Flush Self⁃Piercing Riveting(FSPR)is still in the experimental phase and undergoing small batch equipment verification.This paper focuses on the joining methods for DCAA and TFSS in BIW,investigating the joining mechanisms,technical features,and forming principles of FSPR for steel/Al dissimilar materials with two⁃layer or three⁃layer plate combinations.Considering the TL4225/C611/CR5 sheet combination as a subject,the forming mechanism of high⁃quality joints was studied,and a physical and mathematical model was established to depict the relationship between the filling amount of the arc⁃gap and die dimensions,as well as the extrusion amount.This model effectively illustrates the relationship between the filling amount of the flowing metal in the arc⁃gap and critical parameters,such as die dimensions and feeding amounts.By simplifying the process of selecting joining parameters,it significantly reduces both the time and experimental workload associated with parameter selection.This provides a technical foundation for the application of DAAA and TFSS parts in BIW,enabling the rapid choice of appropriate joining parameters to meet the requirements for obtaining high⁃quality joints.The model can be effectively utilized to investigate the relationships between key parameters,including arc⁃gap radius,plate thickness,rivet arc radius,nail head radius,groove width,and feeding amount,while keeping other parameters constant.This approach provides a theoretical foundation for the design of Friction Stir Processing(FSP)joints and aids in the selection of optimal parameters.展开更多
There is a lack of information of whether the behavior pattern and physical condition of the Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) have been limited by conditions encountered at stopover sites in Changgou village,which is adjac...There is a lack of information of whether the behavior pattern and physical condition of the Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) have been limited by conditions encountered at stopover sites in Changgou village,which is adjacent to Zhalong Nature Reserve in northeastern China,one of the most important stopover sites of this crane.The objective of our research was to investigatethe impact of human-caused disturbances on the Hooded Cranes.We investigated three behavior activities of the Hooded Cranes,i.e.,flying time,flushing distance and the duration of vigilance.The results indicate that the auditory stimuli caused by local people provoked the most pronounced disturbances to the Hooded Crane.Human-caused disturbances not only frequently interrupt the feeding process of the cranes,but also lead to an increase of 200％ in the duration of their vigilance and a significant increase in flying time from 0.4 to 0.7 h (p ＜ 0.05).In addition,high-intensity noise can cause larger flushing distances; foraging cranes will flush away by about 600 m when disturbed by the honking of vehicles.Whistles or shouts by local farmers in the field generated the largest sound intensity,about 120 dB,which caused a flushing distance of over 700 m.In order to reduce the negative effect of human-caused disturbances on these cranes,it is imperative to define a buffer zone around sensitive areas during the fall stopover period.To solve the conflict between the interest of farmers and the demand for crops on the part of the cranes requires financial compensation to the farmers for the crops consumed by the Hooded Crane in order to enhance the conservation of this vulnerable bird species.展开更多
Randomized controlled trial(RCT)is the golden standard for evaluation of clinical evidence.To assess the effect of acupuncture,due to the specificity of acupuncture intervention,the blinding and control methods are th...Randomized controlled trial(RCT)is the golden standard for evaluation of clinical evidence.To assess the effect of acupuncture,due to the specificity of acupuncture intervention,the blinding and control methods are the difficulties in study design.It is not practical to blind investigators,participants and evaluators simultaneously.At present,blinding is generally conducted for the participants and evaluators in clinical trial.We took a comparative study of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture for menopausal hot flush as an example to explore a new way with the reference of double-dummy design in new drug study.A single-blind and double-dummy clinical trial model of acupuncture was established.Based on individual acupuncture intervention in each group,the placebo intervention was combined to ensure the form consistency of two groups.Such a study design may eliminate non-specific effect of acupuncture,and can be conductive to comparing the specific effect of acupuncture and can provide the references and regimens for study design.展开更多
In order to have an in-depth understanding of road runoff characteristics and the linkages to their influential factors this paper investigates the road runoff quality in a city of South China Shenzhen.Four rainfall e...In order to have an in-depth understanding of road runoff characteristics and the linkages to their influential factors this paper investigates the road runoff quality in a city of South China Shenzhen.Four rainfall events with different characteristics are monitored on a typical urban road.It is noted that the road runoff quality is worse than Grade Ⅳ of environmental quality standards for surface water.This means that the road runoff has posed a serious risk to water environment health. Furthermore the research outcomes indicate that first flush highly varies with rainfall patterns and pollutant species.This means that for road runoff treatment design rainfall patterns as well as pollutant species should be taken into consideration and this is particularly essential to design first flush capturing devices. Additionally the threshold of an initial 3 to 5 mm rainfall depth is suggested to the first flush capturing device design.These results provide useful suggestions to the effective road runoff treatment design.展开更多
Storm runoff pollution process was investigated in an urban catchment with an area of 1.3 km^2 in Wuhan City of China. The results indicate that the pollutant concentration peaks preceded the flow peaks in all of 8 mo...Storm runoff pollution process was investigated in an urban catchment with an area of 1.3 km^2 in Wuhan City of China. The results indicate that the pollutant concentration peaks preceded the flow peaks in all of 8 monitored storm events. The intervals between pollution peak and flow peak were shorter in the rain events with higher intensity in the initial period than those with lower intensity. The fractions of pollution load transported by the first 30% of runoff volume （FF30） were 52.2%-72.1% for total suspended solids （TSS）, 53.0%-65.3% for chemical oxygen demand （COD）, 40.4%-50.6% for total nitrogen （TN）, and 45.8%-63.2% for total phosphorus （TP）, respectively. Runoff pollution was positively related to non-raining days before the rainfall. Intercepting the first 30% of runoff volume can remove 62.4% of TSS load, 59.4% of COD load, 46.8% of TN load, and 54.1% of TP load, respectively, according to all the storm events. It is suggested that controlling the first flush is a critical measure in reduction of urban stormwater pollution.展开更多
Titanium and its alloys have found very wide application in aerospace due to their excellent characteristics although their processing is still a challenge. Electrochemical machining is an important issue in the fabri...Titanium and its alloys have found very wide application in aerospace due to their excellent characteristics although their processing is still a challenge. Electrochemical machining is an important issue in the fabrication of titanium and titanium alloys. Wire electrochemical machining （WECM） is mainly used for workpiece cutting under the condition of different thickness plates. It has a great advantage over wire electro-discharge machining, which is the absence of heat-affected zone around the cutting area. Moreover, the wire electrode in WECM could be used repetitively because it is not worn out. Thus, much attention has been paid to WECM. The effective way of removing electrolysis products is of importance to WECM. In this paper, the axial electrolyte flushing is presented to WECM for removing electrolysis products and renewing electrolyte. The Taguchi experiment is conducted to optimize the machining parameters, such as wire feedrate, machining voltage, electrolyte concentration, etc. Experimental results show that WECM with axial electrolyte flushing is a promising issue in the fabrication of titanium alloy （TC1）. The feasibility of multi-wire electrochemical machining is also demonstrated to improve the machining productivity of WECM.展开更多
Foam flushing is an in situ soil remediation technology based on the traditional surfactant flushing method. The contribution of mobility control to contaminant removal by foam is helpful for improving this technology...Foam flushing is an in situ soil remediation technology based on the traditional surfactant flushing method. The contribution of mobility control to contaminant removal by foam is helpful for improving this technology. Foam flushing of polychlorinated biphenyl （PCB）- contaminated unconsolidated media was performed to evaluate the effect of the partition coefficient （PC） and sweep efficiency （SE） on PCB removal. Column flushing with surfactant solution and foam with different types and concentrations of surfactant was carried out for PCB removal. Two types of quartz sand were investigated to evaluate the Jamin effect on the SE value of the washing agent. The results demonstrate that a small PC value and large SE value are necessary to achieve high PCB removal for foam flushing. Compared with solution flushing, the introduction of foam can effectively control the mobility of the washing agent. Similar to solution flushing, solubilization is a key factor which dominates the removal of PCBs in foam flushing, In addition, the SE value and PCB removal by foam flushing is less affected by particle size. Therefore, foam flushing was proved to be more effective in porous media with low hydraulic conductivity and high porosity. An integrated flushing with water, surfactant solution and foam was performed and the results prove that this technology successfully combines the advantages of solution solubilization and mobility control by foam, and thus further increases the remediation efficiency of PCBs to 94.7% for coarse sand.展开更多
文摘Hot flushes, experienced by 75% of menopausal women, are associated with estrogen deprivation. Estrogen was shown to ameliorate hot flushes by interacting with monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain; reducing noradrenaline and increasing serotonin. Hormone replacement therapy(HRT), the first treatment option, causes concerns over possible increased risks particularly breast cancer. Folic acid is involved in the biosynthesis of serotonin and nordrenaline, which is responsible for its effects on mood and cognition, and degrees of folate inadequacy, not severe enough to produce megaloblastic anaemia, were found to be associated with depression and cognitive malfunctioning. Also, increased age was observed to relate to reduced serum and cerebrospinal fluid folic acid levels. There is emerging evidence that folic acid supplementation ameliorates hot fl ushes by the same mechanism as estrogen. To explore this hypothesis, a multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized is being set up to compare the effect of 5 mg folic acid vs placebo in reducing the frequency and severity of hot fl ushes in postmenopausal women, and on the blood level of serotonin and noradrenaline. If folic acid supplementation is demonstrated to be effective, this will be a turning point in the clinical practice since it represents a cheap, safe and well-tolerated alternative to HRT.
文摘The trace war being fought between America and the European Union over the use of hormones in cattle depends largely on how the scientific evidence is interpreted. And not even scientists can agree on that.
文摘Post-reperfusion syndrome(PRS)in liver transplant recipients remains one of the most dreaded complications in liver transplant surgery.PRS can impact the short-term and long-term patient and graft outcomes.The definition of PRS has evolved over the years,from changes in arterial blood pressures and heart and/or de-creases in the systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output to including the fibrinolysis and grading the severity of PRS.However,all that did not reflect on the management of PRS or its impact on the outcomes.In recent years,new scientific techniques and new technology have been in the pipeline to better understand,manage and maybe prevent PRS.These new methods and techniques are still in the infancy,and they have to be proven not in prevention and management of PRS but their effects in the patient and graft outcomes.In this article,we will review the long history of PRS,its definition,etiology,mana-gement and most importantly the new advances in science and technology to prevent and properly manage PRS.
文摘This article comments on the article by Du et al,who conducted a randomized controlled trial aiming at evaluating the effectiveness of a novel spray flushing system in cleaning flexible endoscopes while minimizing damage to the working channels.We share our perspective on the importance of improving endoscope reprocessing methods.The findings highlight the spray flushing system's capacity to improve cleaning efficacy while minimizing damage,suggesting that it might be important in enhancing endoscope reprocessing procedures.
文摘The advancement in endoscopic technology and techniques has increased its use in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.Reprocessing of reusable endoscopes remains a challenge.Inadequate reprocessing leads to bacterial contamination of the endoscope,a significant cause of endoscope-related infections.To thoroughly address the complexities of cleaning a flexible endo-scope,various cleaning methods have been devised and tested across different studies.This letter evaluates one such method,spray flushing for flexible gastro-scopes,developed and tested in a randomized controlled trial by Du et al.Based on the post-processing test results for this method,Du et al conclude that there is improved cleaning efficacy and reduced damage compared to manual brush cleaning.The validity and reliability of the results could be further enhanced by carefully considering the study design and a few underlying concepts that contribute to the reprocessing quality of different types of endoscopes.
文摘The development and application of large Die⁃Casting Al Alloy(DCAA)parts and Thermo⁃Formed Steel Sheets(TFSS)in Body⁃in⁃White(BIW)have created higher demands for the joining technology of high⁃strength steel/Al dissimilar materials.As an emerging technology,Flush Self⁃Piercing Riveting(FSPR)is still in the experimental phase and undergoing small batch equipment verification.This paper focuses on the joining methods for DCAA and TFSS in BIW,investigating the joining mechanisms,technical features,and forming principles of FSPR for steel/Al dissimilar materials with two⁃layer or three⁃layer plate combinations.Considering the TL4225/C611/CR5 sheet combination as a subject,the forming mechanism of high⁃quality joints was studied,and a physical and mathematical model was established to depict the relationship between the filling amount of the arc⁃gap and die dimensions,as well as the extrusion amount.This model effectively illustrates the relationship between the filling amount of the flowing metal in the arc⁃gap and critical parameters,such as die dimensions and feeding amounts.By simplifying the process of selecting joining parameters,it significantly reduces both the time and experimental workload associated with parameter selection.This provides a technical foundation for the application of DAAA and TFSS parts in BIW,enabling the rapid choice of appropriate joining parameters to meet the requirements for obtaining high⁃quality joints.The model can be effectively utilized to investigate the relationships between key parameters,including arc⁃gap radius,plate thickness,rivet arc radius,nail head radius,groove width,and feeding amount,while keeping other parameters constant.This approach provides a theoretical foundation for the design of Friction Stir Processing(FSP)joints and aids in the selection of optimal parameters.
文摘There is a lack of information of whether the behavior pattern and physical condition of the Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) have been limited by conditions encountered at stopover sites in Changgou village,which is adjacent to Zhalong Nature Reserve in northeastern China,one of the most important stopover sites of this crane.The objective of our research was to investigatethe impact of human-caused disturbances on the Hooded Cranes.We investigated three behavior activities of the Hooded Cranes,i.e.,flying time,flushing distance and the duration of vigilance.The results indicate that the auditory stimuli caused by local people provoked the most pronounced disturbances to the Hooded Crane.Human-caused disturbances not only frequently interrupt the feeding process of the cranes,but also lead to an increase of 200％ in the duration of their vigilance and a significant increase in flying time from 0.4 to 0.7 h (p ＜ 0.05).In addition,high-intensity noise can cause larger flushing distances; foraging cranes will flush away by about 600 m when disturbed by the honking of vehicles.Whistles or shouts by local farmers in the field generated the largest sound intensity,about 120 dB,which caused a flushing distance of over 700 m.In order to reduce the negative effect of human-caused disturbances on these cranes,it is imperative to define a buffer zone around sensitive areas during the fall stopover period.To solve the conflict between the interest of farmers and the demand for crops on the part of the cranes requires financial compensation to the farmers for the crops consumed by the Hooded Crane in order to enhance the conservation of this vulnerable bird species.
基金Supported by the program of "the 12^(th) Five-year" National Science and Technology Pillar Program:2012BAJ24B01Scientific research project of Hunan Provincial Health Committee:20201633+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province:2020JJ5437The fourth batch of academic experience inheritance of Hunan old TCM experts:[2020]No.37The seventh batch of academic experience inheritance of national old TCM experts:[2022]No.76
文摘Randomized controlled trial(RCT)is the golden standard for evaluation of clinical evidence.To assess the effect of acupuncture,due to the specificity of acupuncture intervention,the blinding and control methods are the difficulties in study design.It is not practical to blind investigators,participants and evaluators simultaneously.At present,blinding is generally conducted for the participants and evaluators in clinical trial.We took a comparative study of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture for menopausal hot flush as an example to explore a new way with the reference of double-dummy design in new drug study.A single-blind and double-dummy clinical trial model of acupuncture was established.Based on individual acupuncture intervention in each group,the placebo intervention was combined to ensure the form consistency of two groups.Such a study design may eliminate non-specific effect of acupuncture,and can be conductive to comparing the specific effect of acupuncture and can provide the references and regimens for study design.
基金The National Science and Technology Major Project of China(No.2012ZX07301-001)the Shenzhen Environmental Research Project,China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2013M530642)
文摘In order to have an in-depth understanding of road runoff characteristics and the linkages to their influential factors this paper investigates the road runoff quality in a city of South China Shenzhen.Four rainfall events with different characteristics are monitored on a typical urban road.It is noted that the road runoff quality is worse than Grade Ⅳ of environmental quality standards for surface water.This means that the road runoff has posed a serious risk to water environment health. Furthermore the research outcomes indicate that first flush highly varies with rainfall patterns and pollutant species.This means that for road runoff treatment design rainfall patterns as well as pollutant species should be taken into consideration and this is particularly essential to design first flush capturing devices. Additionally the threshold of an initial 3 to 5 mm rainfall depth is suggested to the first flush capturing device design.These results provide useful suggestions to the effective road runoff treatment design.
基金Project supported by the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program(863) of China (No. 2002AA601022).
文摘Storm runoff pollution process was investigated in an urban catchment with an area of 1.3 km^2 in Wuhan City of China. The results indicate that the pollutant concentration peaks preceded the flow peaks in all of 8 monitored storm events. The intervals between pollution peak and flow peak were shorter in the rain events with higher intensity in the initial period than those with lower intensity. The fractions of pollution load transported by the first 30% of runoff volume （FF30） were 52.2%-72.1% for total suspended solids （TSS）, 53.0%-65.3% for chemical oxygen demand （COD）, 40.4%-50.6% for total nitrogen （TN）, and 45.8%-63.2% for total phosphorus （TP）, respectively. Runoff pollution was positively related to non-raining days before the rainfall. Intercepting the first 30% of runoff volume can remove 62.4% of TSS load, 59.4% of COD load, 46.8% of TN load, and 54.1% of TP load, respectively, according to all the storm events. It is suggested that controlling the first flush is a critical measure in reduction of urban stormwater pollution.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51005120)Jiangsu Natural Science Foundation (Nos. BK2010508 and BE2010193)
文摘Titanium and its alloys have found very wide application in aerospace due to their excellent characteristics although their processing is still a challenge. Electrochemical machining is an important issue in the fabrication of titanium and titanium alloys. Wire electrochemical machining （WECM） is mainly used for workpiece cutting under the condition of different thickness plates. It has a great advantage over wire electro-discharge machining, which is the absence of heat-affected zone around the cutting area. Moreover, the wire electrode in WECM could be used repetitively because it is not worn out. Thus, much attention has been paid to WECM. The effective way of removing electrolysis products is of importance to WECM. In this paper, the axial electrolyte flushing is presented to WECM for removing electrolysis products and renewing electrolyte. The Taguchi experiment is conducted to optimize the machining parameters, such as wire feedrate, machining voltage, electrolyte concentration, etc. Experimental results show that WECM with axial electrolyte flushing is a promising issue in the fabrication of titanium alloy （TC1）. The feasibility of multi-wire electrochemical machining is also demonstrated to improve the machining productivity of WECM.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40772148)
文摘Foam flushing is an in situ soil remediation technology based on the traditional surfactant flushing method. The contribution of mobility control to contaminant removal by foam is helpful for improving this technology. Foam flushing of polychlorinated biphenyl （PCB）- contaminated unconsolidated media was performed to evaluate the effect of the partition coefficient （PC） and sweep efficiency （SE） on PCB removal. Column flushing with surfactant solution and foam with different types and concentrations of surfactant was carried out for PCB removal. Two types of quartz sand were investigated to evaluate the Jamin effect on the SE value of the washing agent. The results demonstrate that a small PC value and large SE value are necessary to achieve high PCB removal for foam flushing. Compared with solution flushing, the introduction of foam can effectively control the mobility of the washing agent. Similar to solution flushing, solubilization is a key factor which dominates the removal of PCBs in foam flushing, In addition, the SE value and PCB removal by foam flushing is less affected by particle size. Therefore, foam flushing was proved to be more effective in porous media with low hydraulic conductivity and high porosity. An integrated flushing with water, surfactant solution and foam was performed and the results prove that this technology successfully combines the advantages of solution solubilization and mobility control by foam, and thus further increases the remediation efficiency of PCBs to 94.7% for coarse sand.
