bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Evaluation of the CDI-100 In-Line Hematocrit/Saturation Monitor
Authors: Walton Howard G. , Boucher David , Linne Dan
Published: August 2023

This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy, reliability, consistency and biases of the CDI-100 saturation monitor when compared with a blood gas analyzer. The advantage of continuous in-line monitoring is that the perfusionist has continuous updates as to the patient’s changing physiologic state. During this study, if the sample readout of the CDI-100 was off by greater than 10% from that of the Gem-Premier, the CDI-100 parameter was recalibrated. The accuracy of the CDI-100 was fair (greater than 10% of the samples needed recalibration) with regards to the initial sample comparisons. Recalibration was needed 67% of the time for the hematocrit and 35% for the saturation. The reliability of the CDI-100 was good (no equipment failure). The CDI-100 was consistent. It consistently overestimated both the hematocrit and saturation. This overestimation is the bias of the monitor. We recommend recalibration of the CDI-100 during clinical use to insure greater accuracy.
Activated Clotting Time (ACT) Testing: Analysis of Reproducibility
Authors: Zucker Marcia L. , Jobes Christopher , Siegel Matt , Jobes David , LaDuca Frank M.
Published: August 2023

Activated Clotting Time (ACT) has been the standard for monitoring heparin anticoagulation in cardiac surgery for three decades. Although a 10% coefficient of variation (CV) is the referenced standard for the test, no recent reports of precision are available. The precision of Hemochron FTCA510 (celite) and KACT (kaolin) ACT test tubes was evaluated using a retrospective analysis of results from both laboratory studies and routine clinical usage.

Laboratory studies of reproducibility included analysis of the CV from repetitive testing using multiple lots of ACTs. Substrates used included 40 consecutive lots of control plasma and freshly heparinized donor blood. Across the lots of control plasma, the celite ACT yielded an average CV of 5.4% for the normal control level and 4.0% in the abnormal control level (range 3.6–9.7% and 2.7–6.3%, respectively). The KACT showed similar performance for the normal (mean = 4.5%, range 2.2–7.8%) and abnormal (mean = 3.8%, range 2.0–10.0%). These values, significantly less than 10%, reflect the combined variability of both the ACT tests and the lyophilized, single use vial, control material. Fresh whole blood samples exhibited improved ACT precision when compared to this artificial substrate. CVs for the celite ACT ranged from 0.6–6.0% at one unit heparin/ml blood to 2.4–11.6% at 5 units/ml where clotting times exceed 650 sec. The KACT showed even lower CVs at all heparin levels, with values of 2.4–7.0%.

Clinical evaluations included samples (N = 56) collected from cardiac surgery patients with celite ACT values ranging to 744 sec. Duplicate values differed by an average of 7.5 sec or 1.8%. There was only one clinically significant difference in paired values; a 376 sec paired with a 406 sec, 400 sec being the clinical target time. This retrospective data analysis demonstrates that Hemochron ACT variability is significantly less than 10%.
The Emergency Use of Recombinant Hirudin in Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Johnston Nicklett , Jessen Michael E. , DiMaio Michael , Douglass Debra S.
Published: August 2023

The most common anticoagulant used for cardiopumonary bypass is heparin. An alternate form of anticoagulant therapy is needed for patients who have immune-mediated heparinassociated thrombocytopenia (HIT). Thrombocytopenia causes bleeding and may lead to serious arterial and venous thrombosis. HIT or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis type II (HITT) are both described as adverse reactions to heparin. They are diagnosed with a platelet count less than a 100,000/mcl for 2 consecutive days. HITT, the severe form, is characterized with the thrombocytopenia in combination with thromboembolic complications, such as strokes, myocardial infarctions, and limb ischemia. Two cases are presented in which r-hirudin was used for anticoagulation for aortocoronary bypass surgery and mitral valve replacement. The activated partial prothrombin time (aPTT) was used to monitor coagulation. In the first case, the aPTT was maintained greater than 100 seconds, and at the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, some clot was noted in the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. In the second case, a longer cardiopulmonary bypass run was anticipated, the hirudin bolus and infusion rate were increased, and the aPTT was maintained at greater than 200 sec. Adequate coagulation resulted, and, at the end of bypass, no clot was noted. These case studies seem to suggest a higher dosage of r-hirudin may be required for the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and a need to maintain aPTT values greater than 200 sec to help monitor anticoagulation.
Factors Affecting Perfusionists′ Decisions on Equipment Utilization: Results of a United States Survey
Authors: Stammers Alfred H. , Mejak Brian L. , Rauch Eric D. , Vang See N. , Viessman Thomas W.
Published: August 2023

The decision to utilize extracorporeal equipment is influenced by a number of factors, including clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness, and personal judgment. The purpose of this study was to report the results of a national survey that examined factors affecting perfusionists’ decisions on equipment utilization.

An 80-question survey was mailed to chief perfusionists at 1030 U.S. hospitals performing open-heart surgery. 524 completed surveys were returned, which represented 797 hospitals (78.8%) and 671,290 procedures over a 2-year period (July 1996–June 1998). Within the survey, 36 questions pertained to equipment utilization and served as the basis for this report.

The perfusion equipment that had seen the greatest reduction in use were; heparin-coated circuits (HCC) (12.0%), in-line blood gas monitors (9.7%), soft-shell venous reservoirs (SSVR) (7.2%), and in-line arterial hemoglobin monitors (6.3%). Cost was the major determinant affecting the decision for the following devices: in-line blood gas monitors (82.4%), cardioplegia in-line delivery filters (75.0%), in-line arterial hemoglobin monitors (69.7%), HCC (55.6%), and SSVR (43.2). Ineffectiveness was the major reason reported for discontinuation of arterial-line bubble traps (64.7%), venous reservoir level detectors (50.0%), and arterial-line pressure manometers with pump shutdown (50.0%). 438 respondents discontinued use of one or more of 29 different devices during the past 2 years. Cost was the major reason in 52.7% of the cases, ineffectiveness in 33.1%, and 14.2% were in a category labeled “other.”

The pressures brought upon by the changing healthcare structure have influenced perfusionists’ equipment selection, with cost being a major factor affecting clinical decisions for certain device utilization.
Quality of Processed Blood for Autotransfusion
Authors: Shulman Gerald
Published: August 2023

Centrifugal red blood cell washers for intraoperative autotransfusion process shed blood during surgery. In this study, the quality of processed fresh, human bank blood was assessed in a standardized laboratory setting during standard, medium, and high flow processing. Red cell recovery rates and plasma washout efficiencies were compared using three different devices. The accurate parameters measuring effectiveness and product quality were red cell mass (RCM) flow rate and the plasma washout efficiency. Cobe BRAT 2, a system with discontinuous flow (DF) and a cylindrical centrifuge bowl, permitted processing in standard and medium flow of 26 and 35 mL RCM/min, respectively, with washout of residual plasma albumin of 93.2 and 91.2%. The Medtronic Sequestra 1000, a DF system with a conical centrifuge bowl processed blood at 15 and 23 mL RCM/min and eliminated plasma albumin with 98.4 and 96.8% washout during standard and medium flow, respectively, with significant red cell loss occurring during medium flow. The respective speeds of high-flow programs with BRAT 2 and Sequestra 1000 were 15 and 22 mL RCM/min, related to a hematocrit in the holding bag, less than that of the incoming blood from the reservoir. Washout was 58.2 and 58.3%, respectively. Fresenius CATS, a continuous flow (CF) device, produced flow rates of 19, 24, and 43 mL RCM/min and plasma albumin elimination of 97.8, 94.4, and 93.3% in standard, medium, and high-flow, respectively. Holding bag hematocrits with CF exceeded that of DF. Standard, medium, and high-flow programs of CATS may be used without restriction.
The Effects of Continuous Blood Gas Monitoring During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Prospective, Randomized Study—Part I
Authors: Trowbridge Cody C. , Vasquez Marco , Stammers Alfred H. , Glowgowski Kimberly , Tremain Kimberly , Niimi Kevin , Muhle Michelle , Yiang Tianyu
Published: August 2023

The use of continuous in-line blood gas management (CILBGM) is steeped in controversy concerning its potential utility and impact on patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of CILBGM results in improved quality of patient care.

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in a Institutional Review Board-approved, prospective, randomized study. An in-line blood gas monitor (CDI 500) was placed into the arterial and venous lines for all patients. Blood gas monitoring in the control group was managed by intermittent sampling (every 20–30 min), while the treatment group was managed with continuous monitoring.

There were no differences between groups in preoperative, surgical, anesthetic, or perfusion variables. The accuracy of the in-line monitor was comparable to laboratory analysis for arterial blood gas parameters (N = 160; pH bias = 0.00; PaCO2 bias = −1.1 mmHg; and PaO2 bias = 0.7 mmHg). There was less deviation from target values (pH = 7.40, PaCO2 = 40 mmHg, PaO2 = 150–200 mmHg) when in-line monitoring was used versus intermittent sampling (N = 784; pH deviation = 0.05 ± 0.03 vs. 0.03 ± 0.01, p < 0.0001; PaCO2 deviation 44.0 ± 2.9 mmHg vs. 2.0 ± 0.9 mmHg, p < 0.0001; and PaO2 deviation = 22.7 ± 16.9 mmHg vs. 11.7 ± 8.3 mmHg, p < 0.0001).

In conclusion, the results of part I of this study demonstrate that the use of CILBGM results in more accurate blood gas management during CPB.
In Vitro Comparison of Inhibitors of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in a Macrophage Model
Authors: Hunter Kyler , Sanders D. Bradford , Larson Douglas F.
Published: August 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to decrease cardiac performance, induce global hypotension, and generate oxygen free-radicals. Nitric oxide is produced from the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and is a component of many cellular second messenger systems. It is not clearly understood if NO and iNOS are compensatory mechanisms or pathological processes in heart failure, and this study was designed to understand better inhibition of iNOS in a cell culture model.

Inhibitors of iNOS were compared for in vitro capability of inhibiting the production of NO. Ethanol and S-methylisothiourea (MITU) were applied to macrophage populations in 120 μM and 1 μM, 100 and 10 nM for an 8-h incubation. Level of iNOS expression was measured in the ethanol-treated populations using an anti-iNOS primary antibody with a fluorescent labeled secondary antibody. Serum nitrites were measured in both treatment groups by the nonenzymatic Griess method to determine enzyme function.

Our data indicate that ethanol demonstrates a stimulation and simultaneous inhibition of iNOS during an 8-h incubation. No dose-dependent correlation between amount of serum nitrites produced and ethanol treatment was observed. However, MITU demonstrated a clear inhibition of iNOS at 120 μM with a serum nitrite value of 25.7002 ± 0.0647, with control values of 24.3421 μM. Lower concentrations of MITU also demonstrated no correlation. Although both agents display inhibitory effects upon iNOS, MITU seems to have no apparent simultaneous stimulation and may hold more potential as a post-translational inhibitor of iNOS.
Effects of L-Arginine Cardioplegia on Myocardium
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Kejian Hu , Lei Ye , Gu Kefang
Published: August 2023

Infusion of L-arginine (a precursor of nitric oxide, NO) in cardioplegia was examined to test its effect on metabolism of myocardium after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Twenty-eight patients undergoing valve replacement were involved and randomly divided into two groups: the control group (crystalloid cardioplegia) and the experimental group (crystalloid cardioplegia + L-arginine). Blood samples were taken both before aortic clamping and after aortic unclamping from right radial artery to measure the concentrations of NO2−/NO3−, lactic acid (LA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and xanthine oxidase (XOD). In the control group, the NO2−/NO3− level decreased at aortic unclamping, and 30 min later, it decreased significantly as compared with that before aortic clamping (p < .05). In the experimental group, it increased at aortic unclamping (p < .05), and 60 min later, increased to the peak. Five, fifteen, and thirty min after aortic unclamping, the concentrations of LA and MDA in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (p < .05). Thirty and sixty min after aortic unclamping, the concentrations of SOD remained higher in the experimental group than those in the control group (p < .05). There was no difference between groups in the concentrations of XOD. The addition of L-arginine to the cardioplegia can protect the myocardium from injury by releasing nitric oxide.
Neuromonitoring in the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgical Patient: Clinical Applications
Authors: Moehle David A.
Published: August 2023

Intraoperative multimodality neurodiagnostic monitoring utilizing a transcranial Doppler, electroencephalography (EEG), and cerebral oximetry has been shown to reduce the incidence of neurological complications greatly. Potential problems affecting the brain can be detected and resolved or managed before disastrous consequences result. The use of multimodality neuromonitoring combined with traditional hemodynamic monitoring provides the clinician with additional data to manage the cardiac/vascular surgical patient better. Because the brain has the highest blood flow and metabolic demand of any organ, it seems the ideal and most logical place to monitor the adequacy of body perfusion. This review discusses our experiences and research over the last decade with the use of multimodality EEG monitoring on cardiopulmonary bypass surgical patients.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With and Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Comparison Analysis
Authors: Kirk Kelly C. , Aldridge Ruth A. , Sistino Joseph J. , Zellner James L. , Crumbley Arthur J. , Kratz John M. , Crawford Fred A. , Reeves Scott T.
Published: August 2023

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using stabilization devices in place of the heart–lung machine is being performed on a wide range of patients. This study retrospectively compared the performance of off-pump coronary artery grafting bypass (OPCAB) with conventional bypass patients over the same 6-month period at The Medical University of South Carolina. Data were collected and compared from the National Cardiac Database of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Parameters studied included age, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), previous myocardial infarction (MI), disease severity, number of grafts, complications, blood usage, ventilation times, operating room (OR) time, and hospital length of stay (LOS).

There were no significant difference between the patient groups with regard to age, gender, LVEF, previous MI, predicted mortality, and LOS. Operative mortality was also similar in the two groups: conventional bypass 4/117 (3%) and OPCAB 2/86 (2%). The conventional bypass patients (CPB) had significantly (p < 0.05) more diseased vessels (2.9 vs. 2.6) and distal grafts (4.1 vs. 2.7), as compared to the OPCAB group. OPCAB procedures resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) lower mean OR time (365 min vs. 406 min) and reduced mean postoperative ventilation hours (3.4 vs. 8.3 hours), as compared to conventional bypass. There were significantly (p < 0.05) fewer blood transfusions in the OPCAB group (1.1 units vs. 2.4 units), and the percentage of patients transfused blood was significantly less (34.9% vs. 57.3%). Nine out of 95 (9.5%) of patients who presented for OPCAB were converted to conventional bypass. Although there may be potential benefits to OPCAB, further studies must be directed at determining those patients who would benefit most from CABG using the off-pump technique.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass with Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for a Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia: A Case Report
Authors: Vocelka Craig R. , Lindley Gina G. , Mulligan Michael S.
Published: August 2023

A 36-year-old sickle cell anemia patient undergoing a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy required the use of cardiopulmonary bypass incorporating deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Being aware of reported incidences of sickling crises, a team of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, hematologist, and perfusionist met to devise a plan of treatment. Treatment included preoperative and intraoperative exchange transfusion, optimal blood gas management, and increased blood flows during bypass. The surgical procedure was performed and was successful in reducing pulmonary hypertension, incorporating a team approach and utilizing these techniques. No incidence of adverse sickling events was observed during this procedure.
Seltene vaskuläre Erkrankungen der Netzhaut – Teil 1
Authors: Heimann Heinrich , Schüler Andreas , Kellner Ulrich , Lommatzsch Albrecht , Krause Lothar
Published: August 2023

Neben der diabetischen Retinopathie und den arteriellen und venösen
Verschlusserkrankungen existiert eine Reihe weiterer Ursachen für vaskuläre
Netzhauterkrankungen, deren Früherkennung für die Differenzialdiagnose und
Therapie bedeutsam sind. Diese Übersicht stellt wichtige generalisierte oder
periphere vaskuläre Netzhauterkrankungen vor. Der zweite Teil fasst vaskuläre
Netzhauterkrankungen mit vorwiegend makulärer Symptomatik zusammen.
CD68 in Cerebral Aneurysms of Smokers and Nonsmokers: An Immunohistochemical Analysis
Authors: Crusius Cassiano Ughini , Cambruzzi Eduardo , Crusius Marcelo Ughini , Aguiar Paulo Henrique Pires de , Tognon Alexandre Pereira , Crusius Paulo Sérgio , Stefani Marco Antônio
Published: August 2023

Background There is some evidence indicating that inflammation of the aneurysmal wall is related to aneurysmal growth and rupture. The presence of CD68 may indicate greater inflammatory activity. The objective of this study is to evaluate CD68 immunoexpression in surgically resected brain aneurysms and its association with smoking.

Methods The resected brain aneurysmal walls after microsurgical clipping were envoyed to immunohistochemistry investigation. The objective was to evaluate the expression of CD68 and CD34 antibodies. The associations between inflammatory markers, smoking, and rupture were tested using Fischer's exact test.

Results CD68 immunoexpression in the tunica media was associated with larger aneurysms: 7.0 mm (7.0–9.0 mm) versus 5.0 mm (3.5–5 mm; p = 0.011). There was no statistically significant association between smoking and CD68 expression in the tunica media (p = 0.234) or in either the tunica media or the tunica intima (p = 0.628). There was also no statistically significant association between hemorrhagic presentation of the aneurysm and CD68 expression in the tunica media (p = 0.689) or in either the tunica media or the tunica intima (p = 0.348). Therefore, the presence of CD68-positive cells in the aneurysmal walls indicates an association with size, especially if the tunica media is exclusively compromised (p = 0.011).

Conclusion Immunohistochemistry investigation for CD68 antibodies was used to determine histiocytic infiltration. Adequately powered studies are necessary to further investigate the association between CD68-positive cells and both smoking history and hemorrhagic presentation of aneurysms.
Running Functional Threshold versus Critical Power: Same Concept but
Different Values
Authors: Ñancupil-Andrade Alberto A , Ruiz-Alias Santiago A. , Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , Jaén-Carrillo Diego , García-Pinillos Felipe
Published: August 2023

The aims of this study were (i) to estimate the functional threshold power (FTP)
and critical power (CP) from single shorter time trials (TTs) (i. e. 10,
20 and 30 minutes) and (ii) to assess their location in the
power-duration curve. Fifteen highly trained athletes randomly performed ten TTs
(i. e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 60 minutes). FTP was
determined as the mean power output developed in the 60-min TT, while CP was
estimated in the running power meter platform according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations. The linear regression analysis revealed
an acceptable FTP estimate for the 10, 20 and 30-min TTs
(SEE≤12.27 W) corresponding to a correction factor of 85, 90 and
95%, respectively. An acceptable CP estimate was only observed for the
20-min TT (SEE=6.67 W) corresponding to a correction factor of
95%. The CP was located at the 30-min power output (1.0 [–5.1 to
7.1] W), which was over FTP (14 [7.0 to 21] W). Therefore, athletes and
practitioners concerned with determining FTP and CP through a feasible testing
protocol are encouraged to perform a 20-min TT and apply a correction factor of
90 and 95%, respectively.
Sludge-derived biochar: Physicochemical characteristics for environmental remediation
Authors: Mayilswamy Neelaambhigai , Nighojkar Amrita , Edirisinghe Mohan , Sundaram Senthilarasu , Kandasubramanian Balasubramanian
Published: August 2023

The global production of fecal wastes is envisioned to reach a very high tonnage by 2030. Perilous handling and consequential exposition of human and animal fecal matter are inextricably linked with stunted growth, enteric diseases, inadequate cognitive skills, and zoonoses. Sludge treatment from sewage and water treatment processes accounts for a very high proportion of overall operational expenditure. Straightforward carbonization of sludges to generate biochar adsorbents or catalysts fosters a circular economy, curtailing sludge processing outlay. Biochars, carbonaceous substances synthesized via the thermochemical transformation of biomass, possess very high porosity, cation exchange capacity, specific surface area, and active functional sorption sites making them very effective as multifaceted adsorbents, promoting a negative carbon emission technology. By customizing the processing parameters and biomass feedstock, engineered biochars possess discrete physicochemical characteristics that engender greater efficaciousness for adsorbing various contaminants. This review provides explicit insight into the characteristics, environmental impact considerations, and SWOT analysis of different sludges (drinking water, fecal, and raw sewage sludge) and the contemporary biochar production, modification, characterization techniques, and physicochemical characteristics, factors influencing the properties of biochars derived from the aforestated sludges, along with the designing of chemical reactors involved in biochar production. This paper also manifests a state-of-the-art discussion of the utilization of sludge-derived biochars for the eviction of toxic metal ions, organic compounds, microplastics, toxic gases, vermicomposting approaches, and soil amelioration with an emphasis on biochar recyclability, reutilization, and toxicity. The practicability of scaling up biochar generation with multifaceted, application-accustomed functionalities should be explored to aggrandize socio-economic merits.
Nonlocal resonances in pedestal high-index-contrast metasurfaces based on a silicon-on-insulator platform
Authors: Franceschini P. , Tognazzi A. , Finco G. , Carletti L. , Alessandri I. , Cino A. C. , De Angelis C. , Takayama O. , Malureanu R. , Lavrinenko A. V. , de Ceglia D.
Published: August 2023

Subwavelength control of the electromagnetic field distribution represents one of the current challenges in photonics research. In this field, diffractive metasurfaces with spatially extended (i.e., nonlocal) resonant modes have recently gained great interest for their versatility in molding the electromagnetic field beyond the approximation of independent resonators. In this framework, we design a high-contrast nonlocal metasurface featuring modes situated in the third operating spectral window of optical communications. The optical properties of the fabricated metasurface are investigated by linear spectroscopy and numerical simulations. Our analysis allows to discern the magnetic and electric nature of the bounded modes by means of polarization-resolved reflectance measurements. Our results represent a step toward integrated nano-photonics in the telecom regime and open promising opportunities for the development of compact nonlinear optical devices.
A study of explosive-induced fracture in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)
Authors: Torres S. M. , Vorobiev O. Y. , Robey R. E. , Hargather M. J.
Published: August 2023

The fracture response of geologic materials is of interest for applications, including geothermal energy harnessing and containment of underground explosions. To better understand the explosively induced fracture response of geomaterials, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was used as a transparent rock surrogate to allow imaging of internal shock propagation and fracture growth processes. Experiments were conducted using high-speed shadowgraphy and photon Doppler velocimetry (PDV), which were compared to numerical simulations. Experiments measured fractures produced in 304.8mm×304.8mm×304.8mm PMMA cubes with two simultaneously initiated detonators. The cubes were subjected to varying amounts and directions of externally applied uniaxial stresses, including no stress, 2 MPa stress, and 20 MPa stress. The fracture radius as a function of time was extracted from the high-speed videos. Post-test images of the PMMA cubes aided in the determination of three-dimensional effects not directly imaged by the cameras. The surface velocity history and the shock response captured in PDV and the high-speed videos were compared to the simulated explosive-induced shock response. The simulation results indicate that the shock drives the fracture for the first 20 μs corresponding to a fracture radius of approximately 15 mm in the experiments. The gas-driven fracture extent was estimated analytically using an equilibrium stress distribution calculated after the shock wave propagation through the sample. Reduction in the gas pressure due to the leakage of the explosive products through the crack as a function of time was accounted for. The estimated fracture lengths were in agreement with the experimentally observed fracture lengths.
IL-6 translation is a therapeutic target of human cytokine release syndrome
Authors: Yang Yuzhuo , Zhang Yajing , Xing Xiaoyan , Xu Gang , Lin Xin , Wang Yao , Chen Meixia , Wang Chunmeng , Zhang Bin , Han Weidong , Hu Xiaoyu
Published: August 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapies have achieved remarkable success for treating hematologic malignancies, yet are often accompanied by severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Here, an accidental clinical observation raised the possibility that metoprolol, an FDA-approved β1 adrenergic receptor blocker widely used for cardiovascular conditions, may alleviate CAR T–induced CRS. Metoprolol effectively blocked IL-6 production in human monocytes through unexpected mechanisms of action of targeting IL-6 protein translation but not IL6 mRNA expression. Mechanistically, metoprolol diminished IL-6 protein synthesis via attenuating eEF2K–eEF2 axis–regulated translation elongation. Furthermore, an investigator-initiated phase I/II clinical trial demonstrated a favorable safety profile of metoprolol in CRS management and showed that metoprolol significantly alleviated CAR T–induced CRS without compromising CAR T efficacy. These results repurposed metoprolol, a WHO essential drug, as a potential therapeutic for CRS and implicated IL-6 translation as a mechanistic target of metoprolol, opening venues for protein translation–oriented drug developments for human inflammatory diseases.
The dose-related plateau effect of surviving fraction in normal tissue during the ultra-high-dose-rate radiotherapy
Authors: Hu Shuai , Lan Xiaofei , Zheng Jinfen , Bi Yuanjie , Ye Yuanchun , Si Meiyu , Fang Yuhong , Wang Jinghui , Liu Junyan , Chen Yuan , Chen Yuling , Xiang Pai , Niu Tianye , Huang Yongsheng
Published: August 2023

Objective. Ultra-high-dose-rate radiotherapy, referred to as FLASH therapy, has been demonstrated to reduce the damage of normal tissue as well as inhibiting tumor growth compared with conventional dose-rate radiotherapy. The transient hypoxia may be a vital explanation for sparing the normal tissue. The heterogeneity of oxygen distribution for different doses and dose rates in the different radiotherapy schemes are analyzed. With these results, the influence of doses and dose rates on cell survival are evaluated in this work. Approach. The two-dimensional reaction–diffusion equations are used to describe the heterogeneity of the oxygen distribution in capillaries and tissue. A modified linear quadratic model is employed to characterize the surviving fraction at different doses and dose rates. Main results. The reduction of the damage to the normal tissue can be observed if the doses exceeds a minimum dose threshold under the ultra-high-dose-rate radiation. Also, the surviving fraction exhibits the ‘plateau effect’ under the ultra-high dose rates radiation, which signifies that within a specific range of doses, the surviving fraction either exhibits minimal variation or increases with the dose. For a given dose, the surviving fraction increases with the dose rate until tending to a stable value, which means that the protection in normal tissue reaches saturation. Significance. The emergence of the ‘plateau effect’ allows delivering the higher doses while minimizing damage to normal tissue. It is necessary to develop appropriate program of doses and dose rates for different irradiated tissue to achieve more efficient protection.
The quasi-reversibility regularization method for backward problems of the time-fractional diffusion-wave equation
Authors: Wen Jin , Wang Yong-Ping
Published: August 2023

This paper is devoted to two backward problems in a time-fractional diffusion-wave equation, with the aid of extra measurement data at a final time. Since these two problems are ill-posed, a quasi-reversibility method is obtained by employing eigenfunction expansion, and the existence, uniqueness and regularity of the regularized solutions are also proven. We can get order-optimal error estimates from the a-priori parameter choice rule. Finally, several numerical examples of both one- and two-dimension show that the proposed regularization method is effective and stable.
Spin-to-charge conversion in tantalum with structural phase transition
Authors: Yang Xia , Yu Rui , Cao Jiefeng , Long Zhipeng , Li Junqin , Wang Yong
Published: August 2023

Tantalum (Ta), which is widely used as a spin sink material, especially for its β-phase with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) exhibits a high spin-charge interconversion efficiency. In this work, we investigate the spin-to-charge conversion (SCC) process of Ta/Permalloy (Ta/Py) bilayers with Ta having different crystalline phases. The structural phase transition of Ta film from tetragonal to body-centered cuboidal (BCC) which corresponds to β- and α-phases was obtained via high-temperature annealing in vacuum atmosphere. By applying ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) measurements, the measured spin mixing conductance and SCC DC voltage show a strong correlation with the crystalline phase of Ta thin films in Ta/Py bilayers. A significant enhancement of spin mixing conductance in (β + α)-Ta/Py has been found and a higher SCC DC voltage was detected for α-phase Ta film with a weak SOC than β-phase Ta film with a strong SOC. These results reveal the significant role of the interfacial constitution in heavy metal/ferromagnet bilayers for spin current transportation, which can promote the development of high-efficiency spin-based devices through interfacial engineering.
Translation gauge field theory of gravity in Minkowski spacetime*
Authors: Li 李 Hang 航 , Wang 王 Ping 平
Published: August 2023

The gravitational field

with spin-2 is introduced naturally by the requirement that the Lagrangian is locally translation invariant in Minkowski spacetime. The interactions between the

and spin-

, 0, 1 matter fields are obtained along with the Lagrangian for the gravitational field including self-interactions. The deflection angle of light when it passes through the sun is calculated with different gauge conditions as an example. Our leading-order result is the same as that from general relativity, although the basic ideas are different. It is interesting that gravity can be described in a similar way to other fundamental interactions in Minkowski spacetime, and it may provide a new scenario for the Universe.
Large deviation principle for a stochastic process with random reinforced relocations
Authors: Boci Erion-Stelios , Mailler Cécile
Published: August 2023

Stochastic processes with random reinforced relocations have been introduced in a series of papers by Boyer and co-authors (Boyer and Solis Salas 2014, Boyer and Pineda 2016, Boyer, Evans and Majumdar 2017) to model animal foraging behaviour. Such a process evolves as a Markov process, except at random relocation times, when it chooses a time at random in its whole past according to some ‘memory kernel’, and jumps to its value at that random time. We prove a quenched large deviation principle for the value of the process at large times. The difficulty in proving this result comes from the fact that the process is not Markovian due to relocations. Furthermore, the random inter-relocation times act as a random environment.
Loewner time conversion for q-generalized stochastic dynamics
Authors: Shibasaki Yusuke , Saito Minoru , Judai Ken
Published: August 2023

Generalized statistical mechanics based on q-Gaussian has been demonstrated to be an effective theoretical framework for the analysis of non-equilibrium systems. Since q-generalized (non-extensive) statistical mechanics reduces the nonlinearity in the system into deformed entropy and probability distributions, we introduce an alternative method based on the time conversion method using the Loewner equation by investigating the statistical physical properties of one-dimensional stochastic dynamics described by the Langevin equation with multiplicative noise. We demonstrate that a randomized time transformation using Loewner time enables the conversion of the multiplicative Langevin dynamics into an equilibrium system obeying a conventional microcanonical ensemble. For the equilibrium Langevin system after the Loewner time conversion, the fluctuation-dissipation relation and path integral fluctuation theorem were discussed to derive the response function under a nonlinear perturbation and an extended Jarzynski equality. The present results suggest the efficacy of the introducing randomized time for analyzing non-equilibrium systems, and indicate a novel connection between q-generalized (non-extensive) and Boltzmann–Gibbs statistical mechanics.
Epileptic Seizure Detection Based on Semi-supervised Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Liu Xiaojia
Published: August 2023

Since the manual diagnosis of electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings requires a lot of labor and material costs for clinical seizure detection, the annotation for seizure data is of great challenge for seizure detection. To tackle the issue of small samples of epilepsy-labeled data, we propose a semi-supervised generative adversarial network-based seizure detection method. To begin with, a Butterworth filter is used to preprocess the EEG, and the filtered EEG signal is input into the SGAN model. Finally, the output of the SGAN model is subjected to post-processing operations including averaging filtering and threshold comparison, and the discriminative result of whether the tested EEG is a seizure is output. The method achieved an average sensitivity of 90.36%, an average specificity of 93.72%, and an average accuracy of 93.72% in the CHB-MIT EEG dataset. Experiments demonstrate that the semi-supervised generative adversarial network has more accurate classification performance in epilepsy detection.
Multi-branch Context Awareness Network for Prostate MRI Segmentation
Authors: Sang Zijiang , Shao Yeqin , Xu Changyan
Published: August 2023

Prostate image segmentation is a precondition for the diagnosis of prostate diseases and subsequent treatment. However, the blurry organ edges and low image contrast make accurate segmentation difficult. In order to overcome the difficulties, this paper proposes an innovative Multi-branch Context Awareness Network (MBCA-Net) for prostate MRI segmentation. MBCA-Net uses the 3D UNet as the backbone network with an encoder-decoder framework. To improve the feature extraction capacity of the network, a multi-branch residual module with different convolution kernels is proposed. To better make use of extracted features and reduce semantic ambiguity, a context awareness module is used to fuse low-level features in the encoder and high-level features in the decoder in a full process manner. To improve the stability of the model during training, a mixed loss function is adopted. Experiments on the public dataset PROMISE12 show that our model’s Dice coefficient is 90.19%. Compared with other advanced techniques, the proposed model has better segmentation results.
Image stitching method based on feature optimization and circular function weighted fusion
Authors: Hou Yufang , Jiang Pinqun , Xia Haiying , Song Shuxiang , Luo Jiarong
Published: August 2023

To address the issues of ghosting and chromatic gaps in parallax image stitching, this paper proposes a novel method based on feature optimization and circular function weighted fusion. The method employs the Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm with dimensionality reduction optimization to extract point features, while the Grid-based Motion Statistics (GMS) algorithm is utilized to eliminate mismatched points. To further enhance the number of features, line features are also introduced. A local warping model is employed to guide the deformation of the grid image. Finally, a nonlinear fading-in and fading-out fusion model with circular function weighting is proposed for better image transition. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in dealing with ghosting and chromatic gaps compared to several existing methods.
Short-term PV Power Prediction Based on SAGA-FCM and XGBoost
Authors: Zhong Min , Zhou Yucai
Published: August 2023

The stable and economic operation of the power grid cannot be achieved without accurate prediction of PV plant power. To address the problem of unstable clustering quality of the fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm, this paper proposes to combine the genetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm to optimize the FCM clustering algorithm, and then combine it with XGBoost to construct a short-term PV power generation prediction model. Firstly, the robustness of the clustering algorithm is improved. Secondly, the differences in power generation characteristics under different weather types are considered, and the prediction models under three typical weather types are separately trained. Finally, to verify the improvement of the model on prediction accuracy, different clustering methods are used to compare the prediction results, and the results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper has higher accuracy compared with the other three methods.
A Novel PCB Defect Detection Method Based on Digital Image Processing
Authors: Zhang Guangxin , Cao Yu
Published: August 2023

Printed circuit board (PCB) has a wide range of applications, and its automated quality inspection is a vital part of economic production. The time overhead of the current PCB defect detection method will increase with the increase in the number of detection targets. To ensure the stability of detection performance, this paper proposes a novel PCB detection method based on color threshold segmentation. Experiments show that this method can effectively detect and analyse various information about solder pads and solder pastes, among which the detection accuracy rate of solder pads is 99.4%, the missed detection rate is 0.4%, and the detection accuracy rate of solder paste is 99.3%, The missed detection rate is 0.03%. At the same time, the method in this paper has better robustness and stability than other PCB defect detection methods, and can better meet the needs of industrial production.
Design of a Wind Power Forecasting System Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Sun Qitao , Duan Lianda , Liang Hao , Zhao Chaofan , Lu Nana
Published: August 2023

In recent years, wind energy, as a ubiquitous, easy-to-capture cost-effective clean energy, is accounting for a sharp increase in the installed capacity of China’s new energy grid. However, its stochastic volatility has always brought challenges to the generation scheduling of wind farms. To better optimize the energy management level of wind farms and improve the stability of wind power grid connection, this paper proposes a design of a wind power forecasting system based on deep learning. Our system architecture mainly includes data pre-processing, power prediction, and data application modules. The data pre-processing module will correct the numerical weather forecast (NWP) updated twice daily to get the wind turbine generator (WTG) hub height weather forecast and resample the SCADA data in a 15-minute time resolution. The power prediction module will periodically perform the ultra-short-term and short-term forecasting results and record them in the database. On one hand, the data application module will present the power prediction results and SCADA data to the web page for display. On the other hand, it will provide data to the energy dispatching department for reference. The experiment shows the effect of using a residual channel attention network (RCAN) to correct the NWP and the influence of two different RNN cores, including GRU and LSTM, on the prediction of ultra-short-term wind power results of the DeepAR model. The experimental results show that the proposed RCAN can effectively correct the results of the numerical weather forecast to a single WTG, and the DeepAR model using the GRU core can achieve better performance in the test set than the DeepAR model using the LSTM core. Thus, we choose GRU as the core of the model of our power prediction module.
A Generative Design Method for Typical Structural Parts of Aircraft
Authors: Chu Tao , Pei Yang , Cheng Puqiang
Published: August 2023

Typical structural parts of aircraft are the main frame of the aircraft and the carrier of other parts and equipment. Their good design is the basis to ensure the overall performance of aircraft and reduce maintenance costs. If the selection estimation, parameter setting, and model normative inspection of typical structural parts are carried out manually, the design quality and efficiency of large quantities of structural parts will be low especially. In this paper, a generative design method for typical structural parts of aircraft is proposed. Based on the introduction of the design framework, the intelligent design of 3D models for typical structural parts of aircraft is elaborated by taking shear slices of aircraft as an example. It includes the intelligent recommendation of the structural scheme, intelligent design of structural parameters, and intelligent generation of the 3D model. Engineering implementation shows that the proposed method greatly improves the design efficiency and the overall quality of the aircraft.
Automatic Cooperative Robot Intelligent Production Line
Authors: Feng Wenxuan , Xiao Junxiang , Sun Huajie
Published: August 2023

Due to the diversification of consumer demand, “fast iteration, less batch, and flexible delivery” has become an inevitable choice for enterprises to have market competitiveness. In order to survive in the market competition, it is necessary to transform the traditional manufacturing line. This paper mainly puts forward and introduces a set of reconstruction schemes. The revamp of the production line will incorporate new collaborative robots. The TM5-900 robot produced by Daming was used in the scheme. Compared with the artificial situation, the man-machine cooperative production line improves the production efficiency of products, improves the balance rate, and reduces the smoothness index, which makes resource allocation more reasonable and production more stable. In addition, the man-machine cooperative scheme can realize the rapid change of product types to meet customer needs. The robot follows the operating frequency of humans so that humans can achieve the best comfort in the operation.
Research on the Control Method of Anti-vibration Hammer Fastening Robot Operation for High-voltage Transmission Lines
Authors: Wu Wenjie , Wang Xuhong
Published: August 2023

The problem of low efficiency and high danger is addressed by mainly relying on the manual tightening of the anti-vibration hammer. A transmission line anti-vibration hammer fastening robot is designed, and its operation control method is focused on the study. Firstly, we use the visual YOLOV-5 algorithm to detect the anti-vibration hammer in real time to achieve rough positioning and then cooperate with the depth camera to obtain the accurate 3D coordinates of the anti-vibration hammer bolts. After obtaining the position of the anti-vibration hammer bolt, a fuzzy PID controller is used to control the robot’s operation motion to ensure the stability and accuracy of the operation. Finally, the tightening experiment of the anti-vibration hammer under the transmission line verifies that the proposed operation control method can meet the requirements of efficiency and reliable tightening of the anti-vibration hammer.
Numerical Simulation of Atomization Characteristics of Perfluorohexanone under Low-Pressure Environment
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , He Yuanhua , Huang Jiang
Published: August 2023

Since perfluorohexanone can play a role in cooling and extinguishing the heat loss of lithium batteries, it is urgent to study the atomization characteristics of perfluorohexanone in different ambient pressures (49 kPa, 75 kPa, 101 kPa) to ensure the flight safety of all-electric aircraft in the future and the storage and use the safety of lithium-ion battery in high plateau areas. The process of the primary and secondary breakup was studied by using the VOF-DPM model, and the influence of different environmental pressures on the development of atomization and its atomization characteristics was analyzed. The results showed that the primary breakup of the perfluorohexanone liquid sheet was caused by Kelvin Helmholtz/Rayleigh-Taylor (KH-RT), while the secondary breakup was mainly caused by RT instability. Under different environmental pressures, the Sauter Mean Diameter of (D32) along the spray axis decreases sharply at first and then increases slowly. As the air density decreases with the decrease of air pressure, D32 gradually increases, resulting in the decrease of atomization mass. Moreover, when the atomization drops from 101 kPa to 49 kPa, D32 of droplets increases by 38% to 51%, which is conducive to providing evidence for the effectiveness of perfluorohexanone in fire extinguishing under low-pressure conditions.