An 80-year-old female patient with a pacemaker was found massive pericardial effusion, and the sagittal image of CTA revealed the atrial lead tip extended slightly beyond the atrial wall. During operation, we found the criminal lead keep going in and out of the atrial wall and appearing as a dot when penetrated. This case gives us a lesson on diagnosis of lead perforation in patients with pacemakers.

Speech-induced atrial tachycardia is rarely reported worldwide, and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia combined with speech-induced left atrial tachycardia is rarer. Herein, we describe the case of a 65-year-old man who was diagnosed with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia at admission, and atrial tachycardia occurred after radiofrequency ablation. Simultaneously, his speech was confirmed as the cause of almost persistent left atrial tachycardia. The earliest potential was mapped at the right lower pulmonary vein orifice using the CARTO system. After ablation, atrial tachycardia was terminated but the trigger mechanism remained unclear and may be related to the left atrial cardiac plexus.

Laser- based PVI has been around for many years and this modality of ablation is to provide a continuous circular overlapping lesions around the PVs' ostia. In order to ensure the continuity of the lesion, a camera is embedded in the system as to guide the placement of sequential applications with the target to make an adequate overlapping of two contiguous lesions as to reduce the likelihood of gaps. The first version of the system required the operator to manually rotate the catheter as to create a continuous arc of lesion around the PV's ostium. This approach is time-consuming, with a substantial overall time for each PV. The evolvement of the technique has been recently offered, with a novel semi-automated VGLA as to improve ablation efficiency by using a motorized system which moves the laser arc continuously in order to reduce the application time and, hopefully, minimize the creation of gaps.

A document by Shan Xue. Click on the document to view its contents.

The multiplicity of matching between reaction and separation for reactive distillation (RD) process leads to a more complex design of RD column, however, the exploration of coupling problem between reaction and separation for the design of reaction section in the RD column is still a blank of RD research. In this article, a design framework for the reaction section in the RD column based on the reaction equilibrium degree (RED) is demonstrated. The interaction relationship between residence degree and separation efficiency of reaction section is established by means of spline interpolation method. Herein, the synthesis of malonic acid (MA) from dimethyl malonate (DM) hydrolysis, as case study, was investigated to obtain coupling regularities of reaction and separation for specified design targets and further design the reaction section of RD column from principle. The results validated the effectiveness of the proposed framework and provided theoretical guidance for challenging RD process.

Rationale: Position-Specific (PS) δ13C values of propane has proven its ability to provide valuable information on evolution history of natural gases. Two major approaches to measure PS δ13C values of propane are quantitative NMR (qNMR) and GC-Py(rolysis)-GC-IRMS. The qNMR has verified measurement accuracy, however, required large sample size and long experimental time limit its applications. The GC-Py-GC-IRMS is more versatile method with small sample size, but its accuracy has not been demonstrated. Methods: We measured PS δ13C values of propane from nine natural gases, using the both methods and evaluated the accuracy of GC-Py-GC-IRMS method. Results: The results show that large carbon isotope fractionations occurred for the both terminal and central carbons within propane during pyrolysis. The isotope fractionations during the pyrolysis are reproducible at optimum conditions, but vary between the two GC-Py-GC-IRMS systems tested, affected by experimental conditions (e.g., pyrolysis temperature, flow rate, and reactor conditions). Conclusions: Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate and calibrate each GC-Py-GC-IRMS system using propane gases whose PS δ13C values are accurately determined. This study also highlights a need of PS isotope standards for propane and other molecules.

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) happens in osmotic stress. Thiamine deficiency causes Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). A 39-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa presented with impaired consciousness. Sodium was 179, MRI showed signs of ODS and WKS. Hypernatremia is argued as a rare ODS cause. In malnutrition, WKS might overlap with ODS.

The tire lateral force control is crucial to vehicle lateral stability. Vehicle side slip and out of control can be prevented effectively by observing accurately the lateral force. Thus, a novel hyperbolic tangent sliding mode observation algorithm (NTSMO) is proposed. The algorithm adopts the longitudinal tire force error as feedback considering vehicle parameter uncertainties and without a complex tire model. First, the on-line verification of the algorithm was carried out by dSPACE to using the experimental data of the real vehicle linear acceleration and deceleration conditions, and comparison of experimental output with different observation algorithms. Furtherly, the simulation under emergency obstacle avoidance conditions and the double-line shifting conditions were conducted to verify the accuracy of the algorithm respectively. Simulation results show that the percentage errors between the tire lateral forces from the proposed NTSMO and the actual data are less than 5.35%, and the prediction accuracy of the NTSMO by 38.78% is higher than that of the sliding mode observation(SMO), which indicates that the NTSMO is superior to the SMO.

This paper focuses on the compressed sensing $\ell_{1-2}$-minimization problem and develops new bounds on cumulative coherence $\mu_1(s)$. We point out that if cumulative coherence $\mu_1(s-1)$ and $\mu_1(2s-1)$ satisfy $(\ref{eq:EqNo2})$, or cumulative coherence $ \mu_1(2s-1)$ satisfies $(\ref{eq:EqNo11})$ then the sparse signal can via $\ell_{1-2}$-minimization problem stably recover in noise model and exact recovery in free noise model.

A new method has been developed for the determination of sulfur in topical formulations by GC-MS. The separation of the sulfur was achieved on a TR-5MS, 30m, 0.25mmID, 0.25µm column with a mobile phase containing helium at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The column temperature is 190°C and the total run time is 13 min. The sulfur was detected at 64 m/z with selective ion mode. The injection volume was 1 μL. The assay was in for sulfur the concentration ranges from 10–15 µg/mL. LLOQs (µg/mL) and LLODs (µg/mL) 0.75 and 0.25 for sulfur. Recoveries of the sulfur were between 95% and 105% with intra-and inter-day precisions (as relative standard deviation) of ≤2%. Method validation was carried out according to ICH guideline Q2 (R1). Also, the uncertainty measurement study of the method developed for the determination of sulfur in topical formulations was carried out. The analytical method validated was successfully applied to topical formulations.

Linum usitatissimum is one of the popular medicinal plants. The plant has many pharmaceutical uses in traditional medicine. In this study, cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized according to green chemistry rules using the aqueous extract of Linum usitatissimum. The green-synthesized CoNPs@ L. usitatissimum were characterized using different techniques such as EDX, FE-SEM, XRD, and FT-IR. The FE-SEM results confirm spherical morphology for the nanoparticles with size of 38.42 to 75.26 nm. The properties of CoNPs@ L. usitatissimum against common human esophageal cancer cell lines i.e. KYSE-270, OE33, ESO26 and FLO-1 were evaluated. The antioxidant test with DPPH free radical indicates the significant antioxidant properties of CoNPs@ L. usitatissimum. The IC50 of the CoNPs@ L. usitatissimum was 359, 176, 371, and 387 against KYSE-270, OE33, ESO26 and FLO-1, respectively. It seems that the anti-human esophageal cancer effect of cobalt nanoparticles mediated by Linum usitatissimum leaf aqueous extract is due to their antioxidant effects.

A document by Mohammad Sadeq Najafi. Click on the document to view its contents.

Quinoa is an Andean crop whose cultivation has been extended to many different parts of the world in the last decade. It shows a great capacity for adaptation to diverse climate conditions, including environmental stressors, and moreover, the seeds are very nutritious in part due to their high protein content which is rich in essential amino acids. They also contain good amounts of other nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals and are gluten-free seeds. Also, the use of quinoa hydrolysates and peptides has been linked to numerous health benefits. Altogether, these aspects have situated quinoa as a crop able to contribute to food security worldwide. Aiming to deepen our understanding of the protein quality and function of quinoa seeds and how they can vary when this crop is subjected to water-limiting conditions, a shotgun proteomics analysis was performed to obtain the proteomes of quinoa seeds harvested from two different water regimes in field: rainfed and irrigated conditions. Overrepresented proteins in seeds from each field condition were analysed, and the enrichment of chitinase-related proteins in seeds harvested from rainfed conditions was found. These proteins are described as pathogen-related proteins and can be accumulated under abiotic stress. Thus, our findings suggest that chitinase-like proteins in quinoa seeds can be potential biomarkers of drought. Also, this study points to the need for further research to unveil their role in conferring tolerance when coping with water-deficient conditions.

Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disorder characterized by blister formation. Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a myeloproliferative disorder that presents with papules, nodules, urticarial lesions, and blisters. The coexistence of these disorders may highlight common molecular and cellular factors. We describe a 16-years-old patient with coexistence of hypereosinophilic syndrome and bullous pemphigoid.

70-year-old male with primary progressive multiple sclerosis that had a severe episode of oropharyngeal dysphagia following initiation of carbamazepine. He was being treated for trigeminal neuralgia. Four days after discontinuation of carbamazepine resulted in a complete resolution of the patient's dysphagia, and he returned to baseline.

This paper presents the experimental for the types of mixers used in mixing natural gas with air to operate the irrigation pump to save energy, many of measurements were carried 2021 year in workshops of Agricultural Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Egypt. Used engine single-cylinder, air-cooled. A new pump with a discharge diameter of 2 inches, which was an Egyptian manufacture. Several types of mixers were manufactured to mix natural gas with air before entering the engine. Using iron pipes of different diameters, three types of mixers were used Mixer with a perforated inner tube of 8, 10. 12cm (L8, L10, L12) . selected determine the four shaft speeds (1750, 2300, 2900 and 3500 rpm) using the engine speed measuring device. The results here dealt with study the analysis of technical indicators for the types of mixers used in mixing natural gas with air to operate the irrigation pump. where the actual power (Braking power) is superior to all types when operating with gasoline was (3.07 kW) A comparison with the use of natural gas, where the mixer type (L10) (2.69 kW) was 10% less than gasoline.

Background: Among children with tracheostomies, little is known about how respiratory culture results differ between states with and without acute respiratory infections (ARI), or the overall test performance of respiratory cultures. Objective: To determine the association of respiratory culture organism isolation with diagnosis of ARI in children with tracheostomies, and assess test characteristics of respiratory cultures in the diagnosis of bacterial ARI (bARI). Methods: This single-center, retrospective cohort study included respiratory cultures of children with tracheostomies obtained between 2010-2018. The primary predictor was ARI diagnosis code at the time of culture; the primary outcomes were respiratory culture organism isolation and species identified. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess for association between ARI diagnosis and isolation of any organism while controlling for potential confounders and accounting for within-patient clustering. A multinomial logistic regression equation assessed for association with specific species. Test characteristics were calculated using bARI diagnosis as the reference standard. Results: Among 3,578 respiratory cultures from 533 children (median 4 cultures/child, IQR: 1-9), 25.9% were obtained during ARI and 17.2% had ≥1 organism. Children with ARI diagnosis had higher odds of organism identification (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16–1.44). When controlling for covariates, ARI was associated with isolation of H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. pneumoniae, and S. pyogenes. Test characteristics revealed a 24.3% sensitivity, 85.2% specificity, 36.5% positive predictive value, and 76.3% negative predictive value in screening for bARI. Conclusion: The utility of respiratory culture testing to screen for, diagnose, and direct treatment of ARI in children with tracheostomies is limited.

Background: Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) may be associated with asthma. In the absence of a gold standard diagnosis for children, its impact on asthma has been rarely assessed. Objective: to assess the impact of HVS, diagnosed by a positive hyperventilation test (HVT), on the symptoms and lung function of children with asthma and determine the diagnostic value of the Nijmegen questionnaire in comparison to a HVT. Methods: Data from asthmatic children followed in the department of Pediatric Pulmonology of Necker Hospital and explored for HVS were retrospectively analyzed. HVS was diagnosed by a positive HVT. Asthma symptoms and lung function were assessed in children with or without a positive HVT. The sensitivity and specificity of the Nijmegen questionnaire were determined relative to the positivity of a HVT. Results: Data from 112 asthmatic children, median age 13.9 years [11.6–16], were analyzed. Twenty-eight children (25%) had mild or moderate asthma and 84 (75%) severe asthma. The HVT was performed on 108 children and was negative for 34 (31.5%) and positive for 74 (68.5%). The number of asthma exacerbations in the past 12 months, ACT score, and lung function did not differ between children with a positive HVT and a negative HVT. The Nijmegen questionnaire was administered to 103 children. With a threshold of 23, its sensitivity was 56.3% and specificity 56.3%. Conclusion: The symptoms and lung function of adolescents with asthma are not affected by the presence of HVS. The sensitivity and specificity of the Nijmegen questionnaire are low.

Introduction. Exercise intolerance is common in chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), but its mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise capacity and its association with lung function, ventilatory limitation, and ventilatory efficiency in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma when compared to healthy controls. Methods. Cross‐sectional study including patients with mild‐to‐moderate asthma, CF and healthy children and adolescents. Anthropometric data, lung function (spirometry) and exercise capacity (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) were evaluated. Primary outcomes were peak oxygen consumption (VO 2peak), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1), breathing reserve (BR), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen consumption (V E/VO 2) and for carbon dioxide production (V E/VCO 2), both at the ventilatory threshold (VT 1) and peak exercise. Results. Mean age of 147 patients included was 11.8±3.0 years. There were differences between asthmatics and CF children when compared to their healthy peers for anthropometric and lung function measurements. Asthmatics showed lower VO 2peak when compared to both healthy and CF subjects, although no differences were found between healthy and CF patients. A lower BR was found when CF patients were compared to both healthy and asthmatic. Both CF and asthmatic patients presented higher values for V E/VO 2 and V E/VCO 2 at VT 1 when compared to healthy individuals. For both V E/VO 2 and V E/VCO 2 at peak exercise CF patients presented higher values when compared to their healthy peers. Conclusion. Patients with CF achieved good exercise capacity despite low ventilatory efficiency, low BR, and reduced lung function. However, asthmatics reported reduced cardiorespiratory capacity and normal ventilatory efficiency at peak exercise. These results demonstrate differences in the mechanisms of ventilatory limitation to maximum exercise testing in children and adolescents with CRD.

An improved hybrid valve based on diode rectifier units (DRUs) and full-bridge MMC (FB-MMC) to transmit large scale offshore wind power to onshore is proposed to balance the performance and cost of pure DRU- or MMC-based schemes. Approximate one third of DC voltage is constructed by the FB-MMC and the remaining by DRUs. Active power-DC voltage droop control is proposed to regulate the DC voltage of FB-MMC to adaptively transmit the offshore wind farm active power to onshore. Meanwhile, the reactive power consumed by DRUs and generated by wind turbine converters (WTCs) is dynamically balanced by the FB-MMC. During start-up of offshore wind farm, the DC link capacitors of WTCs and auxiliary systems can be energized from onshore. And most importantly, DC pole-to-pole short circuit fault can be ridden-through as quickly as possible by the reverse and double DC voltage of FB-MMC with no severe submodule (SM) capacitor overvoltage after fault occurrence. The system performance is investigated by time-domain simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC. Thus, the feasibility of the proposed scheme is verified.

This article examines the issues related to the modern views on the law and its impact on the criminal legislation of Ukraine. The analysis of the current scientific thought about the volume and meaning of the categories of “right” and “law” is carried out, their juxtaposition is explained, and it is argued that these categories differ one from another and do not coincide neither for their volume, nor for their meaning. It is suggested to use integrative approach as the most optimal in determining the impact of law and order on the implementation of domestic criminal legislation.

A Perfect Clock is an algorithm that can perfectly identify programs with a regular output from those with an irregular one. We argue that such an algorithm may not logically exist.

It is well understood that natural disasters interact to affect the resilience and prosperity of communities and disproportionately affect low income families and communities of color. However, given the lack of a common theoretical framework, it is rare for these interactions to be well understood or quantified. As an example, we consider the interaction of severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes and tornadoes) and epidemics (e.g., COVID-19). Observing events unfolding in southeastern U.S. communities has caused us to conjecture that the interactive effects of catastrophic disturbances and stressors might be much more considerable than previously recognized. For instance, hurricane evacuations increase human aggregation, a key factor that affects the transmission of acute respiratory infections like SARS-CoV-2. Similarly, weather damage to health infrastructure could significantly reduce a community’s ability to provide services to people sick with COVID-19 and other diseases. As globalization and human population and movement continue to increase and weather events due to climate change are becoming more intense and severe, such complex interactions are expected to magnify and significantly impact environmental and human health.

Deimatic displays typically involve body parts that can conceal or reveal visual signals, potentially reducing detectability at a distance while startling predators up close. Some species may achieve this “conceal-then-reveal” effect using modified aspects of their environment (environmental deimatism hypothesis). The larvae of spicebush swallowtail butterflies (Papilio troilus) possess large eyespots, and rest in leaf rolls during the day. I tested the hypothesis that leaf rolls reduce eyespot conspicuousness while maintaining eyespot effectiveness by comparing avian predation on 659 artificial larvae: eyespotted and non-eyespotted, presented in leaf rolls or on open leaves. Leaf rolls reduced predation regardless of color pattern. Eyespots also reduced predation, but only for artificial larvae in leaf rolls. On open leaves, eyespots neither increased nor decreased predation. These results suggest that eyespots and leaf rolls can combine to create a deimatic display – and that this strategy likely evolved to enhance existing antipredator effects of leaf rolls.