Electrolytic capacitors (ECs) are important components in power converters. However, their lifespan is much shorter than other components, and their sizes increase greatly with larger capacitance. As a result, ECs limit power converters’ lifespans and contribute to larger sizes. This study proposes three schemes of eliminating ECs in the quasi-Z-source DC-DC converter (QZSC). In scheme A, a non-electrolytic capacitor quasi-Z-source DC-DC converter (NEC-A-QZSC) is realized to minimize the converter size and with low-cost design, but has high voltage ripples. The schemes B and C are then proposed to add a low-pass filter to different voltage ports on QZSC to reduce output voltage ripples with the same boost capability, hence achieving a better performance and stability. For proof of concept, theoretical analysis with small-signal models, simulation studies and prototype experiments of the proposed NEC-QZSC converter are presented. Simulation and experimental results well agree with the theoretical analysis. The NEC-QZSCs proposed in the schemes B and C achieve small converter sizes while improving the voltage conversion performance, realizing better nonlinear response, and having high economic advantages.

:30.0 The development of machine learning technologies are broadly changing how humans interact with their environments across all sectors. In industrial settings, this is referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, Industry 4.0, and encompasses several technologies that are pushing the boundaries of industrial automation. In this study, a general industrial process optimization (GIPO) methodology is formulated in the context of Industry 4.0 and tested on an industrial Injection Molding Machine (IMM). GIPO aims to encourage the practical inclusion of industrial artificial intelligence at all levels of the manufacturing process while enabling industrial equipment to adapt to a changing processing environment. Special attention is given to the generality of the methodology so that it can be extended to other applications. In the example case study presented here, GIPO combines nearest neighbors classification and nearest neighbors optimization methods to effectively optimize an Injection molding process. Practical implementation conducted on the IMM demonstrates a novel methodology to leverage data mining and machine learning methods in a real-world setting to improve the overall performance regarding production time, energy cost, and production quality.

Ischemic priapism is a urological emergency which may be caused by drugs, sickle cell disease, haematological dyscrasias and neoplastic syndromes. We report a case of a 48-year-old male who presented with refractory ischemic priapism following the concomitant use of recreational Viagra and Cocaine.

Explaining the mechanisms underlying spatial and temporal variation in community composition is a major challenge. Nevertheless, the processes controlling temporal variation at a site (i.e., temporal β-diversity, including its turnover and nestedness components) are less understood than those affecting variation among sites (i.e., spatial β-diversity). Short-term temporal turnover (e.g., throughout an annual cycle) is expected to correlate positively with seasonal environmental variability and landscape connectivity, but also species pool size (γ-diversity). We use the megadiverse Amazonian freshwater ichthyofauna as a model to ask whether seasonality and landscape connectivity drive variation in temporal species turnover among geomorphological habitat types, while taking into account between-habitat variation in γ-diversity. 11,397 fish representing 260 species were collected during a year-long sampling program in an area containing the lowland Amazon’s four major geomorphological habitat types: rivers, floodplains, terra firme streams, and shield streams. River-floodplain systems exhibit strong but predictable seasonality (via a high-amplitude annual flood pulse), high connectivity, and high species richness with many rare species. Terra firme and shield streams exhibit low seasonality, low connectivity, and low species richness with proportionally fewer rare species. Based on these parameters we predicted that river-floodplain systems should have higher temporal turnover than stream systems. Using a null model approach combined with β-deviation calculations, we confirmed that rivers and floodplains do exhibit higher turnover (but not nestedness) than terra firme and shield streams, even when controlling for the potentially confounding effect of higher species richness in river-floodplain systems. All habitats exhibit low temporal nestedness, indicating that short-term changes in community composition result primarily from temporal species turnover. Our results provide a timely reminder that efforts to conserve the Amazon’s threatened aquatic biodiversity should account for the distinct temporal dynamics of habitat types and variation in hydrological seasonality.

Objective: Low-dose aspirin is widely used in the preventions of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Given the differential aspirin use recommendations for primary and secondary prevention according to the most recent guidelines, this study intend to exam influences of online information search on the use of aspirin in CVD prevention among the applicable adult population in the U.S. Methods: We used data of the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Our study sample is limited to adults age 40 or older to consistent with the AHA/ACCF guidelines for aspirin use. Results: Our results show that the use of aspirin for CVD prevention was associated with online health information seeking in different ways. When patients received doctors’ advice to use aspirin, online information seeking have a negative influence, depending on whether the individual has CVD risk factors. However, for patients without recommendations from providers, the effects of online information seeking on self-initiated aspirin use depend on the different types of preventions (primary vs. secondary) and CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Overall, online health information might lead to both overuse and underuse of aspirin in CVD preventions. Findings in this study raise concerns, and resonate with other studies that found inconsistency between different information sources used by consumers, which may lead to decision making that is not consistent with advice from health care professionals and/or established clinical guidelines.

Effective tissue sealing of resected gastrointestinal organs (GO) is essential to improvingtreatment and healing of wounds. Successful healing of GO often requires gentle tissue handling,hemodynamic stability with tissue oxygenation, and adequate surgical repair. The most commontechniques utilized for wound closure in GO are hand-sewn sutures. However, these methodsrequire high precision and often are associated with anastomotic leakages. In this work, I reviewcurrent clinical advancements in techniques and technologies used to improve wound healing for GO.

A document by Joshua Pillai. Click on the document to view its contents.

Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is currently the main cause of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in women. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of HPV genotypes in women from Yueyang city and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in this city. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 125,604 women who had received treatment from eight hospitals in Yueyang city from September 2019 to September 2022. The HPV infection rate of the patients was analyzed. Results: The HPV infection rate was 20.47%, of which the high-risk type (HR-HPV) accounted for 17.47% and the low-risk type (LR-HPV) accounted for 4.97%. Among the HR-HPV subtypes, the top five infection rates, from the highest to the lowest, were HPV 52 (5.11%), HPV 16 (2.71%), HPV 58 (2.55%), HPV 53 (2.39%), and HPV 51 (1.67%). The main LR-HPV infection types were HPV 81 (2.05%), HPV 42 (1.04%), and HPV 43 (0.78%). Among the infected patients, 74% had a single subtype, 18% had two subtypes, and 8% had three or more subtypes. The main infected populations were <25 years old, 55–64 years old, and ≥65 years old, accounting for 26.68%, 29.03%, and 32.28% of the total infected population in this study, respectively. Conclusion: The HPV infection rate in women in Yueyang city was 20.47%, with HR-HPV being dominant. As women aged <25 years, 55–64 years, and ≥65 years are at a relatively higher risk, more attention should be paid to them for prevention and control of HPV infections.

Thermal adaptation of organisms is a property emerging from the complex interplay of biophysical constraints and selective forces. The shape of thermal performance curves has been well investigated but we lack knowledge of how they may evolve. Two extreme cases can be expected: i) under the hypothesis of local adaptation, species should shift their thermal performance curves and have an optimum at the temperature at which they evolve, or ii) under the hypothesis of thermodynamical constraints, universal biophysical rules dictate a fixed performance curve with an optimum at warm temperatures. We perform an evolutionary experiment to test these two hypotheses on the thermal response of bacteria growth rate, expecting a strong evolutionary response of the thermal performance curve. We use four wild bacterial strains and allow them to evolve at ten different temperatures (ranging from 8.5 to 40°C) to subsequently measure their growth rate at these ten temperatures. We investigate the difference in growth rate between evolved lines and their ancestors. We observe signs of adaptation, as growth rates of evolved and ancestral strains exhibit small but significant differences. Our analysis shows however that the shape of the thermal performance curves does not systematically vary between evolved and ancestral strains, and none of the evolved lines have an optimal growth rate at the evolution temperature. One strain grows significantly faster than its ancestor at the temperature of evolution, but we find that for other strains, evolution leads to faster as well as slower growth rates. These differences are repeated between evolutionary replicates, suggesting they are selected. Our study demonstrates that adaptation does not always overcome thermodynamical constraints on growth rates, and helps to better understand how microbes will respond to temperature changes.

Haloxylon species were dominant vegetation components of deserts across Central Asia, considering as typical desert plants. Recent studies based on stable isotope showed that they are groundwater-dependent plants, but their tolerance strategies and limits to groundwater variation remain unknown. We adopted the method of spatial-for-temporal, took Haloxylon ammodendron and H. persicum in Gurbantunggut Desert in Central Aisa as study objects, combined field survey with model estimation exploring their quantity, structure, age, and biomass characteristics along a natural groundwater gradient, aiming to reveal responses to groundwater depth changes and predict their future development. The results showed that: (1) Along the groundwater gradient, the stand density, and plant height, canopy width, and basal diameter of two species all decreased significantly. （2）When the groundwater depth descended to lower than 12 m, H. persicum replaced H. ammodendron becoming the more dominant species. (3) As the groundwater depth declined, the dominant diameter class of H. ammodendron increased, its percentage of adult individuals increased, but H. persicum was always dominated by young trees. (4) The above-ground, below-ground and total biomass of two species were all going down with the lowering of groundwater table, especially those of H. ammodendron exhibited a much sharper decline, while the root-to-shoot ratio of H. persicum increased more significantly (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that continuous decline in groundwater depth greatly limited the survival and development of H. ammodendron, the strong allocation regulation of H. persicum helped to cushion the adverse effects at a certain extent. In the long run, decreased accessibility of groundwater would be not conducive to their various ecological roles. The obtained results in this study could provide a scientific basis for the protection and management of these valuable species.

We report a case of a 19-year-old woman,with complaints of neck and shoulder pain with numbness in her hands.The magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal revealed a cystic lesion from C4 to C5 vertebral levels. Finally, after surgical resection, the case was diagnosed as a bronchogenic cys

Objective: To evaluate of the effectiveness of low-dose (LD) vaginal misoprostol administration, where dose adjustment was made by taking into account the gestational week and cesarean section (C/S) history in termination of pregnacy (ToP). Design: Retrospective observational cohort study. Setting: A single tertiary center Population: 563 patients who opted ToP under 34 weeks of gestation. Methods: Outcomes were ascertained by health record review and compared between subgroups according to gestational weeks and previous C/S history. Main Outcome Measures: Total misoprostol administration time, total labor time, total misoprostol dose, >1 ToP method, uterin rupture, uterine atony Results: 63% (357) of 563 cases with pregnancy termination were below the 24th gestational week (Gx). The remaining 206 cases (Gy) (37%) were between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. The rate of C/S history was statistically significantly higher in Gx (p=0.030). While a single termination method below 24 weeks was sufficient in 94% of cases, this rate remained at 86% in Gy (p=0.002). There was no difference in the complication rate between the groups according to the gestational week or the presence of a prior C/S (p>0.05). Concusions: The present regimen is an effective method with low maternal morbidity and high success without increasing the total treatment time. Especially in patients with a history of C/S where the ‘experience of ToP with misoprostol’ have relatively high risk , and in all ToPs below 34 weeks, achieving a high birth rate without increasing the uterine rupture rate suggests that it is a safe approach.

Through the integration of numerical and analytical methods, the performance of an offshore cross-axis wind turbine (CAWT) with a flow deflector has been examined in this work. The deflector’s geometry is created in a way that it can redirect flow in all directions. This deflector causes the flow to exit vertically, where it collides with the wind turbine’s horizontal axis (HAWT). On the other hand, the blades of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) harness the power of horizontal wind flow. The total power absorbed by HAWT and VAWT blades will represent the power of CAWT. In the current study, firstly, the speed of the outflow from the deflector was determined using numerical simulation. The numerical simulation output was utilized as an input for the turbine’s performance analysis, which was performed using the analytical methods double-multiple streamtube theory (DMST) and blade element momentum theory (BEMT). In fact, the aforementioned process establishes an offline coupling between analytical and numerical approaches. The results of this study show that an offshore CAWT with a deflector can produce power equal to 83 W and a power coefficient of 0.35 at a wind speed of 8 m/s. This amount of power and efficiency is approximately 48% and 45% greater than a single VAWT, respectively.

A robust method of soft variable structure control for fractional-order systems is proposed to achieve a faster response in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. In the proposed system the control signal is continuous and constrained. Our proposed method, through the pole placement algorithm, by designing proper polynomials, and applying a simple optimization routine, leads the system to the robust and desired character within the framework of the stability region. The sufficient condition of stability of the control system is developed based on the stability theory of fractional order linear differential equations, and attributes of the Mittag-Leffler function. Finally, numerical simulations and examples are presented to show the efficiency of the proposed method.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) for a primary immunodeficiency is a rare but highly morbid condition with potential irreversible consequences despite optimal antiviral pharmacotherapy. Viral-specific T cells (VSTs) pose a promising and safe approach eradicating intractable viral disease. We describe the case of a 21-month-old male with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and CMVR post-HCT with sustained long-term virologic and clinical response after CMV-specific T cell therapy. This case highlights the need to consider VSTs as an adjunct upfront strategy in refractory CMVR and for routine ophthalmologic screening and surveillance in high-risk patients post-HCT.

Artificial muscles with large strokes are of special interest in diverse fields. However, it is difficult for large-diameter muscles to be rapidly cycled. In this study, hair artificial muscles with extremely large tensile stroke and fast recovery were prepared simply by twist insertion, coiling and steaming. The maximum tensile stroke for the hair artificial muscles upon water actuation was as large as 10000% and the large-stroke muscles could recover fast in ethanol. With a diameter of 7 mm and a twist density of 2500 turns m-1, the compacted heterochiral hair artificial muscle could elongate 100 times of its original length in water and returned to its initial length in ethanol within 10 s. In addition, these hair artificial muscles maintained their excellent performance after either 100 water-ethanol stimulation cycles or staying in open air for 5 months. Moreover, the hair artificial muscle was able to contract by 59% when lifting 10 times its own weight, pull a wheel model or climb a long distance under water and work as a smart water-sensitive switch. This work demonstrates a facile and green strategy to prepare advanced natural fiber-based artificial muscles that have promising applications in soft robotics and biomedical engineering. Corresponding author(s) Email:  sunsi@gzhu.edu.cn (Dr. Si Sun), qiangxl@gzhu.edu.cn (Dr. Xiao-Li Qiang), & xlshi@gzhu.edu.cn (Dr. Xiao-Long Shi)

Chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) is a valuable glycosaminoglycan that has great market demand. However, current synthetic methods are limited by requiring the expensive sulfate group donor 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) and inefficient enzyme carbohydrate sulfotransferase 11 (CHST11). Herein, we report the design and integration of the PAPS synthesis and sulfotransferase pathways to realize whole-cell catalytic production of CSA. Using mechanism-based protein engineering, we improved the thermostability and catalytic efficiency of CHST11; its T m and half-life increased by 6.9°C and 3.5 h, respectively, and its specific activity increased 2.1-fold. Via cofactor engineering, we designed a dual cycle strategy of regenerating ATP and PAPS to increase the supply of PAPS. Through surface display engineering, we realized the outer membrane expression of CHST11 and constructed a whole-cell catalytic system of CSA production with a 89.5% conversion rate. This whole-cell catalytic process provides a promising method for the industrial production of CSA.

Objective To compare the frequency of Ureaplasma-positive gastric fluid (GF) cultures based on the cause and mode of delivery in preterm newborns. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A single university hospital in South Korea. Population Women with a singleton pregnancy who delivered prematurely (between 23+0 and 32+0 weeks of gestation, N=464). Methods The newborns’ GF was obtained on the day of birth via nasogastric intubation. The frequency of Ureaplasma-positive GF cultures was compared according to the cause and mode of delivery. Main outcome measures Ureaplasma spp.-positivity in GF cultures. Results Ureaplasma spp. was detected in 20.3% of the GF samples. The presence of Ureaplasma spp. was significantly higher in the spontaneous preterm birth group than in the indicated preterm birth group (30.2% vs 3.0%; P < 0.001). Additionally, Ureaplama spp. was more frequently found in the vaginal delivery group than in the cesarean delivery group, irrespective of the cause of preterm delivery [indicated preterm birth group (22.2% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.023); spontaneous preterm birth group (37.7% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.015)]. Conclusions Ureaplasma spp. were found in 20.3% of the GFs. However, only 1.9% of newborns in the indicated preterm birth group with cesarean delivery had a Ureaplasma-positive GF culture. Our findings support the view that the amniotic cavity is a sterile environment before the onset of parturition. Funding Ministry of Health & Welfare and Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea (Grant No. HI22C1859) and the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Research Fund (Grant No. 14-2021-0025).

Understanding the physical, chemical and biological changes that occur during the drying of a bloodstain is important in many aspects of forensic science including bloodstain pattern analysis and time since deposition estimation. This research assesses the use of optical profilometry to analyze changes in the surface morphology of degrading bloodstains created using three different volumes (4, 11, and 20 µL) up to four weeks after deposition. We analyzed six surface characteristics, including surface average roughness, kurtosis, skewness, maximum height, number of cracks and pits, and height distributions from the topographical scans obtained from bloodstains. Full and partial optical profiles were obtained to examine long-term (minimum of 1.5 hour intervals) and short-term (5 minute intervals) changes. The majority of the changes in surface characteristics occurred within the first 35 minutes after bloodstain deposition, in agreement with current research in bloodstain drying. Optical profilometry is a non-destructive and efficient method to obtain surface profiles of bloodstains, and can be integrated easily into additional research workflows including but not limited to time since deposition estimation.

In this paper, we define a non-iterative transformation method for boundary-layer flows of non-Newtonian fluids past a flat plate. The problem to be solved is an extended Blasius problem depending on a parameter. This method allows us to solve numerically the extended Blasius problem by solving a related initial value problem and then rescaling the obtained numerical solution. Therefore, it is a non-iterative initial value method. We find that our computed numerical results, for a wide range of the parameter involved, are in very good agreement with the data reported in the literature.

The current analysis focuses on the MHD effects of a steady Casson fluid flowing over a stretching sheet in the porous medium. To examine the properties of non-Newtonian fluid, a mathematical model for Casson fluid is developed. Similarity transformation is used to convert higher order nonlinear governing partial differential equations (PDEs) into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Analytical expressions of flow characteristics like velocity and skin friction coefficient are produced by applying the proper boundary conditions. Reports on specific instances of skin friction coefficient and fluid velocity (horizontal/transversal) are supplied. For various values of flow parameters, such as Casson parameter, suction velocity, conductivity, and permeability parameter, fluid flow characteristics, i.e. velocity profiles, and skin friction coefficient are sketched and analysed. MSC (2020): 76A05, 76S05, 76W05, 35C05

Brugada syndrome is a genetic arrhythmia syndrome characterized by a coved type of ST segment elevation in the ECG.The patients are usually asymptomatic, with unmasking of the disease under certain conditions.We are reporting the case of such a patient who was diagnosed during an attack of dengue fever

Aim This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of phytochemicals of Aframomum melegueta (Alligator pepper; AM) seeds on the bioavailability of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol; APAP) and amlodipine. Methods The everted intestinal sac model was used to assess the transfer of Acetaminophen and amlodipine across the GIT wall. A portion of the GIT was excised, everted, filled with physiological solution with both ends ligated to make a closed loop, and immersed in a beaker containing a concentration of the test drug either alone or in the presence of AM seed extract (AMSE). After a period of time to achieve transfer equilibrium, the everted tissues were removed, blotted dry on an absorbent paper and drained into a test-tube. The concentration of the test drug was determined in these serosal fluids to assess transfer efficiency. Results The seed extract severely inhibited the intestinal transfer of acetaminophen by as much as 82.4% while amlodipine transfer was enhanced up to 94.5%. Serosal concentration of acetaminophen in the absence and presence of AMSE were 7.62 ± 0.95 µg ml-1 and 1.34 ± 0.96 µg ml-1 (P<0.001), while that for amlodipine were 2.54 ±1.03 µg ml-1 and 4.94 ± 0.739 µg ml-1 respectively.. Conclusion The depression of APAP transfer was suggested to be as a result of chemical interaction with nitric oxide produced by the interaction of the phytoestrogens in the extract on GPCR-bound estrogen receptor. This type of interaction may have serious health consequences.

Earthworms modulate the carbon and nitrogen cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, their effect may be affected by deposited compounds due to human activity such as industrial emissions. However, studies investigating how deposited compounds affect the role of earthworms in carbon cycling such as litter decomposition are lacking, although they are important for understanding the influence of deposited compounds on ecosystems and the bioremediation by applying earthworms. For this, we performed a 365-day in situ litterbag decomposition experiment in a deciduous (Quercus variabilis) and coniferous (Pinus massoniana) forest in southeast China. We manipulated nitrogen (N), sodium (Na) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) deposited compounds during litter decomposition with and without earthworms (Eisenia fetida). After one year, N, Na and PAH compounds all slowed down litter mass loss, with the effects of Na being the strongest. By contrast, E. fetida generally increased litter mass loss and their positive effects were uniformly maintained irrespective of the type of deposited compounds. Further, the pathways earthworms increasing litter mass loss varied among the types of deposited compounds and forests. As indicated by structural equation modeling, earthworms maintained their positive effects and mitigated the negative effects of deposited compounds by directly increasing litter mass loss and indirectly increasing soil pH and microbial biomass. Overall, the results indicate that the acceleration of earthworms on litter mass loss is not affected by deposited compounds, with the pathways of earthworms increasing litter mass loss varying among the types of deposited compounds and forests. This suggests that the effects of atmospheric deposited compounds and earthworms on terrestrial ecosystem processes need to be taken into account because earthworms may cancel out the detrimental influence of deposited compounds on litter decomposition.