فهرست مطالب ji

The pantograph monitoring device on high-speed trains bears not only its own strength but also the aerodynamic load applied by the air flow when the train is running at high speed. A well designed shape of the pantograph monitoring device on high-speed trains reduces the loads and pressure fluctuations acting on it, and therefore, increases its function stability and life cycle. In this paper, we present an aerodynamic shape design method for such device. Firstly, an efficient and reliable numerical simulation approach is established for the evaluation of the aerodynamic loads acting on the device. According to the numerical computations, a basic shape for the monitoring device is formed, with which the minimum functional space of the device is reserved. Then, the corners of the basic shape are smoothed out with three types of continuous transitions. By comparing the numerical results of the three smoothed shapes, we obtain an optimal aerodynamic shape for the pantograph monitoring device. The design method is not limited to the monitoring device studied in this manuscript. The aerodynamic shape of other small functional devices on high-speed trains can also be generated or optimized with the method presented herein.

In accordance with two different design methods including the technical specification for steel structures of tall buildings and the shear-bearing capacity method for infilled steel wall plates, two types of steel plate shear wall with unstiffened panels have been designed and constructed. All shear wall specimens are exposed to ultimate static monotonic and low horizontal cyclic loading conditions to determine their structural behaviors under an idealized severe earthquake event. The seismic performances of these two types of specimens are identified by the overall roof displacement angle, lateral stiffness, ductility, different distribution of horizontal force and overturning moment, and inclined angle of diagonal tension field. These two types of steel plate shear wall exhibit excellent seismic performance. However, the specimens with thin infill plate thickness of 1.1 mm perform better than the thicker specimens with plate thickness of 3.75 mm. In terms of serviceability performance, the experimental results exhibit that the thicker specimens designed by the technical specification tend to be more conservative. Their over-strength factor, strength assurance coefficient and drift angle are 4.98, 6.3 and 1/1335, respectively. However, the thinner specimens designed by the shear capacity method for shear panel yield the serviceability performance factors of 2.22, 2.71 and 1/407, respectively. It is important to note that design practice generally adopts the over-strength factor between 2 and 3, and the strength assurance coefficient is often designed for 3 and the maximum inter-story drift limit given by the design specification is 1/300. On this ground, it is apparent that the shear-bearing capacity method enables relatively more economical compared to the technical specification for steel structures.

To investigate the characteristics of the bubbles trapped in liquid cross flow, air was injected into flowing water circulated in a closed loop. High speed photography was used to record bubble images instantaneously. An image-processing code was specifically developed to identify bubbles in the images and to calculate bubble parameters. Effects of the water velocity and the flow rate of the injected air on bubble patterns were investigated. The results indicate that the inclination of bubble trajectory relative to the nozzle axis is enhanced as the water velocity rises. Meanwhile, bubble size varies inversely with the water velocity. The bubble profile tends to be rounded as the water velocity increases. Fluctuations of the bubble velocity are intensified as the water velocity decreases. As the balance between the external forces exerted on the bubble is reached, an approximately linear relationship between the velocities of the bubble and the water is manifested. For a given equivalent bubble diameter, the bubble terminal velocity is higher than that associated with quiescent water. At small Eötvös number, the consistency of the bubble aspect ratio in the liquid flow and quiescent water is revealed. The range of Eötvös number is extended considerably due to the flowing water. Values of Weber number are accumulated in a range within which high bubble aspect ratio is associated with relatively high water velocity.

Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is a highly malignant form of cancer in women, characterized by its high propensity for rapid extra-pelvic distant metastasis and poor prognosis. The best treatment strategy for this type of cancer is still controversial. We report here a case of small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated by extensive total hysterectomy followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A 45-year-old Chinese woman was diagnosed with stage IIA small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The patient suffered from head metastasis following a diagnosis made fifteen months prior. We describe the optimal treatment and prognostic factors of this tumour. The stage of the tumour, main treatment, prognostic factors and outcome of this disease are presented with a review of the related literature.

The aim of this study was to report the early and mid-term outcomes of the left ventricular volume reduction surgery (LVVRS) and to carry out an observational analysis of prognostic factors related to early and late death after LVVRS, especially in pediatric patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP). We reviewed the medical records of 10 patients (M:F = 5:5) under 19 years of age who had LVVRS for idiopathic DCMP between March 1997 and February 2014. We reviewed clinical characteristics, pre-and postoperative functional evaluation, and early/late postoperative mortality. The mean age at diagnosis of idiopathic DCMP was 63.10 ± 44.39 (median 50, range 5.00 - 147.00) months and the mean age at the time of LVVRS was 83.30 ± 68.80 (median 63.5, range 14.00 - 210.00) months. The mean interval from diagnosis to LVVRS was 20.30 ± 35.34 (median 4, range 1.00 - 114.00) months. The failure of LVVRS was confirmed in seven cases. We defined failed LVVRS as death (n = 4) or heart transplant (n = 3) within two months of LVVRS. The most common cause of failed LVVRS was low cardiac output (n = 5, 71.4%), followed by ventricular tachycardia (n = 2, 28.6%). Although high mortality after LVVRS was noted in children with idiopathic DCMP, some patients had favorable mid-term outcomes. LVVRS might be considered as a bridge therapy to heart transplantation in young patients.

Keratitis induced by type I hypersensitivity to metronidazole is rarely reported. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) is a promising method for the investigation of corneal morphology under pathological conditions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the IVCM features of keratitis associated with anaphylaxis to metronidazole and review the literature regarding IVCM application to study drug-related changes in the cornea. A 50-year-old woman with acute bilateral keratitis induced by anaphylaxis to intravenous metronidazole presented to the Department of Ophthalmology, the first affiliated hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China in Jan 2018. She initially experienced photophobia, moderate conjunctival injection, and watery discharge after infusion of intravenous metronidazole. These symptoms gradually resolved one month after she was administered anti-allergic drugs. Corneal morphology related to anaphylaxis to metronidazole was investigated by IVCM before and after treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of IVCM images of keratitis associated with anaphylaxis to metronidazole. In vivo confocal microscopy can allow objective evaluation of treatment response through cellular changes in the cornea and could provide good-quantity images of ocular surface tissues for follow-up.

Accurate estimation of leaf stomatal conductance (gs) is important in predicting carbon and water cycles of terrestrial ecosystem. To estimate gs on field-grown soybean and maize under water-stressed condition accurately, a modified optimal stomatal conductance (OSCM) model was established based on the relationship between marginal water cost of carbon gain and soil water content by introducing a water stress factor (f(θv)). f(θv) had same form with that in Jarvis and Ball-Berry-Leuning (BBL) models. The OSCM model was evaluated and compared with the original optimal stomatal conductance (OSC), Jarvis and BBL models by comparing observed and estimated gs of three-year data on soybean and four-year data on maize in an arid region of northwest China. Results show that the OSCM and OSC models were more steady and accurate than the Jarvis and BBL models for estimating gs on soybean and maize at the different years. Moreover, the OSCM model performed better than the OSC model because of considering the effect of water stress. Compared with the OSC, Jarvis and BBL models, the OSCM model improved the accuracy of estimating gs on soybean and maize on average by 7%, 25% and 35% and reduced the RMSE by 19%, 56% and 43%, respectively. As for estimating diurnal change of gs on soybean and maize under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions, the OSCM model also performed better than the OSC, Jarvis and BBL models. Under water-stressed condition, only the OSCM model is recommended due to its high accuracy, conservative and accessible parameter, which can provide a more accurate and convenient tool in predicting water and carbon fluxes of terrestrial ecosystem in the arid area.

Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcomas are rare soft tissue malignancies; combined metastatic involvement of the heart is extremely rare. In this case report, a 17-year-old female presented with a history of chest pain. Chest radiographs revealed a round mass in the left upper hemithorax, and computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined heterogeneous enhancing mass abutting the pleura. A core needle biopsy revealed malignant spindle cells. Surgical resection was performed, and a final diagnosis of primary pleural synovial sarcoma, monophasic fibrous type, was made. The patient underwent radical irradiation and chemotherapy and remained stable for 28 months until a follow-up chest CT showed a poorly enhancing nodule in the left pericardial region that enlarged after 5 months. Surgical resection was performed. Histological examination confirmed metastatic cardiac involvement from a primary pleural synovial sarcoma. We report this unusual case of a primary pleural synovial sarcoma metastasis to the heart..

To overcome the space limit of orifice-type and capillary restrictors in hybrid bearings, a kind of atypical long orifice-type restrictor is proposed and its experimental model is established. Through the analysis of the structure and flow rate of orifice-type restrictor and capillary restrictor, a long orifice-type restrictor and a feasible experimental modeling method are presented by use of orifice plate instead of the whole bearing. The flow rate of water film restrictors are tested under the aspect ratio of 4-10 and the pressure difference of 1.5-5.5MPa and the experimental model of long orifice-type restrictor is established. The result shows that the restrictor of atypical structures needs to be modeled by experiment. The flow discipline of atypical restrictor is approximate to typical orifice-type restrictor and the throttling model is a nearly turbulent model.

This study detected osteopontin (OPN) and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expressions to explore the roles of OPN and MMP-7 in the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A retrospective study was conducted on NSCLC tissues (n = 152; case group) and adjacent nonneoplastic lung parenchyma (adjacent to tumor >5 cm; n = 152; control group) collected from 152 NSCLC patients. The protein expressions of OPN and MMP-7 were detected by immunohistochemistry. OPN and MMP-7 messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein and mRNA expressions of OPN and MMP-7 in NSCLC tissues were evidently higher than those in adjacent nonneoplastic lung parenchyma (all P < 0.05). OPN protein and mRNA expression were associated with the degree of differentiation, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC (all P < 0.05). MMP-7 protein expression was associated with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (both P < 0.05) while MMP-7 mRNA expression was associated with the degree of differentiation, TNM staging, and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). A significantly positive relativity was revealed between OPN expression and MMP-7 expression (protein: r = 0.789, P < 0.001; mRNA: r = 0.377, P < 0.001). Lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, OPN, and MMP-7 protein expressions were independent risk factors for the prognosis of NSCLC (all P < 0.05). High MMP-7 and OPN protein expressions are closely related to the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of NSCLC, and can be served as unfavorable prognostic factors for NSCLC.

Considering the fact that the standardized uptake value (SUV) of a normal lung tissue is expressed as x±SD, x+3×SD could be considered as the threshold value to outline the internal tumor volume (ITV) of a lung neoplasm. Three hollow models were filled with 55.0 kBq/mL fluorine18- fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) to represent tumors. The models were fixed to a barrel filled with 5.9 kBq/mL 18F-FDG to characterize normal lung tissues as a phantom. The PET/CT images of the phantom were acquired at rest. Then, the barrel was moved periodically to simulate breathing while acquiring PET/CT data. Volume recovery coefficient (VRC) was applied to evaluate the accuracy of ITVs. For statistical analysis, paired t-test and analysis of variance were applied. The VRCs ranged from 0.74 to 0.98 and significantly varied among gross tumor volumes for delineating ITV (P<0.01). In two-dimensional PET scans, the motion distance did not affect VRC (P>0.05), whereas VRC decreased with increasing distance in three-dimensional PET scans (P<0.05). The threshold value (x+3×SD) had the potential to delineate the ITV of cancerous tissues, surrounded by lung tissues, particularly in two-dimensional PET images.

EMAP-like Protein 5 (EML5) is a new echinoderm microtubule-associated protein that is expressed in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression profile of EML5 in the anterior temporal neocortex of patients presenting with intractable epilepsy (IE). Western blot assays were performed to determine EML5 expression in 36 surgically resected anterior temporal neocortices of patients with IE and eight control tissues. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were employed to explore protein expression in IE. EML5 was highly expressed in both neurons and glial cells of the anterior temporal neocortex of IE patients, whereas only low levels of EML5 were detected in control brain tissues. Western blotting showed an enhanced expression of EML5 protein in the anterior temporal neocortex of IE (optical density (OD) = 1.8030 ± 0.1335/1.1852 ± 0.2253,P<0.05) compared with normal control tissues. The results demonstrate that highly expressed EML5 in the neurons and glial cells of the cortex of patients with epilepsy is associated with microtubular dysfunction after frequent and recurrent seizures.

Cancer-screening programs are effective in reducing cancer prevalence and mortality; however, cancer remains the leading cause of death in elderly people in Korea. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with elders’ participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) and differences in screening rates by gender. Original data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition and Examination Survey were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. The sample consisted of 5,505 elderly individuals over age 60. Selected demographic variables, cancer screening participation, physical and psychological health status, and lifestyle were examined. The NCSP participation rates decreased in both men and women as age increased. Private medical insurance (OR 95% CI: 1.04–1.78), one or more chronic disease (OR 95% CI: 1.07–1.71), and current smoker (OR 95% CI: 0.52–0.94) had the strongest associations with cancer screening participation among men after multivariate adjustment. In contrast, cancer screening participation among women was significantly associated only with living place (OR 95% CI: 1.06–2.203) after multivariate adjustment. Effective health promoting interventions for elders require individualized programs that address gender-related factors associated with elders’ participation in cancer screening programs.

Persistent Helicobacter pylori infection confers an increased risk for serious illnesses such as peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Various cytokines are involved in the regulation of inflammatory immune response in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. The current study aimed to obtain evidence regarding the association between IL-17, IL-8 and IL-18 expression in peripheral blood and H. pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils. Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with H. pylori by a metal stomach catheter. After sacrifice, their gastric mucosae were examined in macroscopic, histological and electron microscopy levels. In addition, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay was performed on the IL-17, IL-8 and IL-18 cytokines in the blood samples. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-8 and IL-18 were remarkably up-regulated compared to those of the control group. There was an obvious correlation between the increase of IL-17 and the serious extent of gastritis in the current study. However, the serum levels of IL-8 and IL-18 without getting increasingly more for repetitive intragastric administration. There were plenty of neutrophils infiltrating in the infected group mucosal. Intestinal metaplasia and gastric ulcers were also founded in H. pylori infected animals after enhanced inoculation. The edema, degeneration and necrosis changes could be found in organelles by transmission electron microscopy. More serious pathological changes were detected in the enhanced inoculation groups compared to the cycle group. The serum levels of IL-17, but not IL-8 and IL-18 may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and predicting the prognosis of gastritis caused by H. pylori.

Patient, a 59-year-old male coming from an undeveloped area of Sichuan Province, China, was admitted because of chest pain for one month. Compute tomography angiography showed descending aorta pseudoaneurysm at the level of the 6th thoracic vertebra (T6). History of bone tuberculosis and tuberculosis DNA test had confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis. Interventional surgery was performed 3 days after admission. A covered stent (Medtronic TF 3030C200EE) was deployed slowly and accurately. Digital subtraction angiography showed that the pseudoaneurysm was isolated successfully and completely. The chest pain syndrome was relieved considerably. On the day after surgery, the patient was discharged. Fourteen months later, a recent CT revealed that the stent was in the right place and fluent and no infective clue was detected. The patient did not have any discomfort. Interventional therapy for infective pseudoaneurysm still has long promising prognosis. At the same time, anti-infection therapy is also essential.

This 4x2 factorial study compared the effect of four sites (A=Siphon as upstream, and B=Shahdera, C=Sunder and D= Balloki as 3 downstream sites) during low and high flow seasons of river Ravi on metal cconcentrations in muscles from Cirrhinus (C) mrigala, a bottom feeder carp. While weight and length of studied specimens did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Overall metal accumulations appeared in the order of calcium (Ca) > sodium (Na) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > zinc (Zn) > iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) > nickel (Ni) > cadmium (Cd). The sampling sites were significantly different (P<0.001) for all the metals except Mg. The metal accumulation pattern for sites was C > B > D > A, except Mg, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn and Fe. The macro metal contents, except K and trace metals except Cd were significantly higher during low flow than the high flow season. The bioaccumulation of Cd, Cr and Mn were greater than those permissible for human consumption by the WHO standards. The most alarming results contradict the views of local fish consumers that riverine fish are more healthy and valuable than the pond fish. This fish species inhabiting the downstream sites was more polluted and may be a source of risk to consumer health. Regular monitoring is obligatory to evaluate eco-health of the river Ravi by choosing perhaps C. mrigala as a bio-indicator which might provide reliable measurements to frequently assess environmental quality of rivers.

This study examined hearing loss prevalence and hearing aid usage rates among Korean elders by comparing the differences between those with and without hearing loss, and between those who used and did not use hearing aids. This study was based on data collected during the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012). The study sample consisted of 5,447 Koreans aged ≥60 years who received a hearing assessment. Hearing loss was measured using a pure tone audiometry test and classified according to the World Health Organization’s criteria. Hearing aid use was assessed by self-report. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between hearing loss, hearing aid use, and related variables. Hearing loss was found in 16.8% of the elders and only 15.9% of them used a hearing aid. Male (95% CI: 1.27–2.15), tinnitus (95% CI: 1.58–2.32), dizziness (95% CI: 1.05–1.73), and occupational noise exposure (95% CI: 1.32–2.38) were the variables most strongly associated with hearing loss after multivariate adjustment. Tinnitus (95% CI: 1.34–4.13) and occupational noise exposure (95% CI: 1.01–5.02) were strongly associated with hearing aid use after multivariate adjustment. More than half of South Korean elders aged ≥60 and older have hearing loss but the rate of hearing aid use is very low. An aural public health program should address modifiable risk factors, such as tinnitus and noise exposure, and non-modifiable risk factors associated with hearing loss in the elderly.

The adsorption thermodynamic characteristic of Cu2+ from aqueous solution onto humin and also humic acid from a typical black soil in northeast China were examined at three different temperatures (298, 318 and 338 K) by batch isotherm experiments. Results showed that humin was structurally different from humic acid. The increase of temperature had a positive effect on the adsorption process. Freundlich equation described the equilibrium data better with respect to Langmuir equation. Thermodynamic parameters, i.e. standard free energy changes (ΔGº), standard enthalpy change (ΔHº) and standard entropy change (ΔSº), revealed that Cu2+ adsorption by humin and humic acid were a feasible, spontaneous and endothermic process with an increase in disorder. The values of isosteric heat of adsorption (ΔHx) increased with increasing surface Cu2+ loading, and the increase in ΔHx values was smaller for humin than for humic acid. The results indicated that humin and humic acid possessed energetically heterogeneous surfaces. Humic acid had greater surface heterogeneity than humin.

The Holy Quran has been descended to guide the Jinn and mankind. One of the necessities of the guidance is comprehension of verses. There are undoubtedly numerous difficulties in front of the translators in translating the verses of Quran، because of different grammar، syntax and eloquence elegances and subtleties. One of these issues is observance of the category، Tazmin، applied much in Quran. Surely this term has several meneanings، which is intentioned on syntax Tazmin in this essay. Chief benefit of Tazmin is a word enunciation with the meaning of two words. This quest researches the exact meaning of Tazmin، problems concerning to it، and investigation of the most important contemporary translations and necessaries of its translations in the Holy Quran. Additionally، the essay regards the recognition of the most successful method of translation of syntax Tazmin.

We report two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia in patients following gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging confirmed with histopathology. These cases showed an atypical pattern during the delayed-hepatobiliary phase after the injection of gadoxetic acid. One case showed a total defect, and the other showed a peripheral ring-like enhancement without a visible central scar, mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathologic examination demonstrated that the two lesions were focal nodular hyperplasia..

The oscillatory diameter of the charged jet during the bubble electrospinning results in beads on the obtained nanofibers. We demonstrate that the applied voltage and the initial flow rate of the jet are the crucial parameters that are necessary to control morphology of the nanofibers. We also find that there is a criterion for production of smooth nanofibers without beads. The theory developed in this paper can be extended to the classical electrospinning and the blown bubble-spinning.

We report two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia in patients following gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging confirmed with histopathology. These cases showed an atypical pattern during the delayed-hepatobiliary phase after the injection of gadoxetic acid. One case showed a total defect, and the other showed a peripheral ring-like enhancement without a visible central scar, mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathologic examination demonstrated that the two lesions were focal nodular hyperplasia..

Carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) is a tumor marker for gastric cancer however its role in esophageal cancer (EC) is still controversial. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of CA72-4 in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). From January 2006 to December 2007 we conducted a retrospective analysis of 192 consecutive patients with ESCC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for survival prediction was plotted to verify the optimum cut-off point for CA72-4. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic parameters. The positive rate for CA 72-4 in our study was 18.8% (36/192). The ROC curve for survival prediction showed the optimum cut-off point for CA 72-4 to be 3.95 U/mL. Patients with CA 72-4 ≤3.95 U/mL had a significantly better five-year overall survival (51.4% vs. 13.6%; P<0.001) and relapse-free survival (49.5% vs. 19.8%; P < 0.001) than those with CA 72-4 levels >3.95 U/mL. Multivariate analyses showed that CA 72-4 was a significant predictor of both overall survival and relapse-free survival. CA 72-4 levels >3.95 U/mL had a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.129 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.436-3.155; P < 0.001] for overall survival and 2.151 (95% CI: 1.449-3.192; P < 0.001) for relapse-free survival. CA 72-4 is an independent predictive factor for long-term survival in ESCC. We conclude that 3.95 U/mL may be the optimum cut-off point for CA72-4 in predicting survival in ESCC. Although CA 72-4 shows significant association with poorer prognosis, its low sensitivity limits clinical application.

Water use efficiency (WUE) reflects the coupling of the carbon and water cycles and is an effective integral trait for assessing the responses of vegetated ecosystems to climate change. In this study, field experiments were performed to examine leaf WUE (WUE leaf) in response to changes in CO2concentration and other environmental variables, including soil moisture and air temperature. We also used yield of maize and soybean, soil water content and precipitation data to calculate water use efficiency at the level of grain yield (WUE grain) in a manner that enabled us to analyze the effects of climatic factors on WUE grain. The results showed that theWUE leaf measurements of maize and soybean plants were negatively correlated withsoil moisture and air temperature. At a photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 1.600 μmol m-2s-1, increasing ambient CO2 concentrations (from 400 to 800 μ -1) improved WUEleaf by 52.0% and 75.8% for maize (a C4species) and soybean (a C 3 species), respectively. Increased annual precipitation stimulated maize WUE grain up to levels of approximately 500-550 mm, although maize WUE grain decreased when annual precipitation exceeded 550 mm. It appears that 400-450 mm is an economical evaportranspiration (ET) for spring maize in Chaoyang area of northeast China. For soybean, more water often reduces WUE grain, and there is a linear relationship between changes in WUE grain and changes in annual temperature. The different responses of WUE grain and WUEleaf to climate change suggest that caution should be taken when attempting to up-scale WUE from leaf to grain or biomass levels.