Comparison of the Effectiveness of Marked Suction Tubes vs. Plain Suction Tubes in Pediatric Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Introduction: Endotracheal suction plays a crucial role in the management of mechanically ventilated patients. This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of suction tubes with markings in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: A randomized assignment was carried out on a cohort of 52 pediatric patients who underwent mechanical ventilation in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, covering the period from January 2022 to December 2022. These patients were divided into two groups: an improved group (n = 26) utilizing marked suction tubes, and a regular group (n = 26) employing conventional suction tubes. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of marked suction tubes. Results: The effects of the improved group on the vital signs of children undergoing mechanical ventilation were small and statistically significant compared with the regular group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the improved group exhibited a reduced frequency of sputum suction, shorter mechanical ventilation duration, and fewer days of hospitalization in the PICU compared to the regular group during the ventilation period. Notably, the difference in the duration of PICU hospitalization was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in the improved group was notably lower, with statistically significant differences observed in airway mucous membrane damage and irritating cough when compared to the regular group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The utilization of marked suction tubes provides clinical nurses with clear guidance for performing suctioning with ease, efficiency and safety. Consequently, advocating for the widespread implementation of marked suction tubes in clinical practice is a commendable pursuit.

Avalanching patterns of irregular sand particles in continual discrete flow

We investigate the flow patterns of irregular sand particles under avalanching mode in a rotating drum by using the spatial filtering velocimetry technique.By exploring the variations of velocity distribution of granular flow,we find a type of avalanching pattern of irregular sand particles which is similar to that of spherical particles flow.Due to the fact that the initial position of avalanche in this pattern locates at the middle of the drum and the avalanche propagates toward the edge area gradually,we named it as mid-to-edge avalanching pattern.Furthermore,we find another avalanching pattern which slumps from the edge and propagates toward the opposite edge of the flow surface,named as edge-to-edge pattern.By analyzing the temporal and spatial characteristics of these two types of avalanching patterns,we discover that these two types of avalanche patterns are caused by that the avalanching particles constantly perturb the axial adjacent particles.Thus,the particles on the flow surface are involved in avalanching sequentially in order of the axial distance from the initial position.

Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Atmospheric CO2 in East China Based on Data from Three Satellites

East China(23.6°–38.4°N,113.6°–122.9°E)is the largest developed region in China.Based on CO2 products retrieved from the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite(GOSAT),the spatial and temporal distributions of CO2 mixing ratios in East China during 2014–17 are discussed,and the retrieved CO2 from AIRS(Atmospheric Infrared Sounder)and OCO-2(Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2),as well as WLG(Waliguan)background station observations,are compared with those of GOSAT.The annual CO2 retrieved from GOSAT in East China ranged from 398.96±0.24 ppm in 2014 to 407.39±0.20 ppm in 2017,with a growth rate of 2.82±0.15 ppm yr^−1,which were higher than in other regions of China.The seasonal cycle presented a maximum in spring and a minimum in summer or autumn.Higher values were mainly concentrated in the coastal areas of Zhejiang Province,and lower values were concentrated in Jiangxi and the north of Fujian Province.CO2 observed in Fujian and parts of Jiangxi increased by less than 1.0 ppm during 2014–15,but enhanced significantly by more than 5.0 ppm during 2015–16,perhaps influenced by local emissions and global impacts.We calculated year-to-year CO2 enhancements in the Yangtze River Delta region during 2014–17 that were relatively low and stable,due to the region’s carbon emissions control and reduction policies.The annual and seasonal amplitudes of CO2 retrieved from AIRS were lower than those from GOSAT in East China,probably owing to the CO2 retrieved from AIRS better reflecting the characteristics of the mid-troposphere,while GOSAT is more representative of near-surface CO2.The spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of CO2 retrieved from OCO-2 were close to those from GOSAT in East China.

Improved spatial filtering velocimetry and its application in granular flow measurement

Spatial filtering velocimetry(SFV)has the advantages of simple structure,good stability,and wide applications.However,the traditional linear CCD-based SFV method requires an accurate angle between the direction of linear CCD and the direction of moving object,so it is not suitable for measuring a complex flow field or two-dimensional speed in a granular media.In this paper,a new extension of spatial filtering method(SFM)based on high speed array CCD camera is proposed as simple and effective technique for measuring two-dimensional speed field of granular media.In particular,we analyzed the resolution and range of array CCD-based SFV so that the reader can clarify the application scene of this method.This method has a particular advantage for using orthogonal measurement to avoid the angle measurement,which were problematic when using linear CCD to measure the movement.Finally,the end-wall effects of the granular flow in rotating drum is studied with different experimental conditions by using this improved technique.

Investigation and Analysis of Soil Pollution of Heavy Metals(Hg,As) in Duanzhou District,Zhaoqing City

The soil heavy metals(Hg and As)in Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing City were determined by AFS200 T atomic fluorescence spectropho-tometer,and the soil environment in Duanzhou District was evaluated by several evaluation methods of soil heavy metal pollution,such as single factor index method,pollution load index method and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method.Finally,according to the data and conclu-sions,the soil pollution situation in Duanzhou District of Zhaoqing was analyzed.The results will let more people pay attention to the changes of the environment and realize the harm of the environment,and the government can formulate a new plan conducive to the coordinated development of the environment and economy.

Seasonal dynamics of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton in a multiplereservoir recycling irrigation system

Background:Agricultural runoff recycling systems are manmade aquatic ecosystems of growing significance to global water sustainability,crop health,and production.This study investigated the seasonal dynamics of microbial community in a three-reservoir recycling irrigation system with a stepwise water flow and compared with that of an adjacent runoff-free stream.Runoff water from all production areas was captured in a sedimentation reservoir which overflowed to a transition reservoir then retention reservoir through a culvert.Stream water was pumped to replenish the reservoirs as needed during growing seasons.Results:16S rDNA PCR clone libraries of quarterly water samples from three reservoirs and one stream were sequenced,and 575 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)were identified and assigned to cyanobacteria,eukaryotic phytoplankton,and other bacteria.When compared to the stream,three reservoirs consistently had low microbial diversity.A distinct seasonal pattern of microbial community structure was observed for each reservoir and the stream.Stream was consistently dominated by other bacteria.Retention reservoir was dominated by cyanobacteria during the summer and fall and eukaryotic phytoplankton during the winter and spring.Sedimentation reservoir was dominated by cyanobacteria beginning in the spring but that dominance was altered when water was pumped from the stream from early spring to fall seasons.Transition reservoir had the greatest shift of microbial community structure,being dominated by other bacteria in the summer,cyanobacteria in the fall,and eukaryotic phytoplankton in the winter and spring.Water temperature and ammonium level were the two most important contributing factors to the seasonality of microbial community in these reservoirs.Conclusions:The three recycling irrigation reservoirs consistently had lower microbial diversity and distinct community structure when compared to the stream.These reservoirs were typically dominated by cyanobacteria during warm seasons and eukaryotic phytoplankton during cool seasons.This seasonal pattern was altered when water was pumped from the stream.The cyanobacteria dominance was associated with rising water temperature and ammonium level.These results highlight the importance of preventing agricultural runoff from entering natural waterways and water resources and provide a useful framework for further investigations into the ecological processes of this emerging ecosystem.