Methods of computed tomography screening and management of lung cancer in Tianjin: design of a population-based cohort study

Objective: European lung cancer screening studies using computed tomography(CT) have shown that a management protocol based on measuring lung nodule volume and volume doubling time(VDT) is more specific for early lung cancer detection than a diameter-based protocol. However, whether this also applies to a Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of a volume-based protocol with a diameter-based protocol for lung cancer detection and optimize the nodule management criteria for a Chinese population.Methods: This study has a population-based, prospective cohort design and includes 4000 participants from the Hexi district of Tianjin, China. Participants will undergo low-dose chest CT at baseline and after 1 year. Initially, detected lung nodules will be evaluated for diameter and managed according to a routine diameter-based protocol(Clinical Practice Guideline in Oncology for Lung Cancer Screening, Version 2.2018). Subsequently, lung nodules will be evaluated for volume and management will be simulated according to a volume-based protocol and VDT(a European lung nodule management protocol). Participants will be followed up for 4 years to evaluate lung cancer incidence and mortality. The primary outcome is the diagnostic performance of the European volume-based protocol compared to diameter-based management regarding lung nodules detected using low-dose CT.Results: The diagnostic performance of volume-and diameter-based management for lung nodules in a Chinese population will be estimated and compared.Conclusions: Through the study, we expect to improve the management of lung nodules and early detection of lung cancer in Chinese populations.

Clinical characteristics and work-up of small to intermediate-sized pulmonary nodules in a Chinese dedicated cancer hospital

Objectives:To evaluate the characteristics and work-up of small to intermediate-sized pulmonary nodules in a Chinese dedicated cancer hospital.Methods:Patients with pulmonary nodules 4–25 mm in diameter detected via computed tomography(CT)in 2013 were consecutively included.The analysis was restricted to patients with a histological nodule diagnosis or a 2-year follow-up period without nodule growth confirming benign disease.Patient information was collected from hospital records.Results:Among the 314 nodules examined in 299 patients,212(67.5%)nodules in 206(68.9%)patients were malignant.Compared to benign nodules,malignant nodules were larger(18.0 mm vs.12.5 mm,P<0.001),more often partly solid(16.0%vs.4.7%,P<0.001)and more often spiculated(72.2%vs.41.2%,P<0.001),with higher density in contrast-enhanced CT(67.0 HU vs.57.5 HU,P=0.015).Final diagnosis was based on surgery in 232 out of 314(73.9%)nodules,166 of which were identified as malignant[30(18.1%)stage III or IV]and 66 as benign.In 36 nodules(11.5%),diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy and the remainder verified based on stability of nodule size at follow-up imaging(n=46,14.6%).Among 65 nodules subjected to gene(EGFR)mutation analyses,28(43.1%)cases(EGFR19 n=13;EGFR21 n=15)were identified as EGFR mutant and 37(56.9%)as EGFR wild-type.Prior to surgery,the majority of patients[n=194(83.6%)]received a contrast-enhanced CT scan for staging of both malignant[n=140(84.3%)]and benign[n=54(81.8%)]nodules.Usage of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT was relatively uncommon[n=38(16.4%)].Conclusions:CT-derived nodule assessment assists in diagnosis of small to intermediate-sized malignant pulmonary nodules.Currently,contrast-enhanced CT is commonly used as the sole diagnostic confirmation technique for pre-surgical staging,often resulting in surgery for late-stage disease and unnecessary surgery in cases of benign nodules.

Advances in component and operation optimization of solid oxide electrolysis cell

Considering the earth powered by intermittent renewable energy in the coming future,solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC)will play an indispensable role in efficient energy conversion and storage on demand.The thermolytic and kinetic merits grant SOEC a bright potential to be directly integrated with electrical grid and downstream chemical synthesis process.Meanwhile,the scientific community are still endeavoring to pursue the SOEC assembled with better materials and operated at a more energy-efficient way.In this review article,at cell level,we focus on the recent development of electrolyte,cathode,anode and buffer layer materials for both steam and CO_(2)electrolysis.On the other hand,we also discuss the next generation SOEC operated with the assistant of other fuels to further reduce the energy consumption and enhance the productivity of the electrolyzer.And stack level,the sealant,interconnect and stack operation strategies are collectively covered.Finally,the challenges and future research direction in SOECs are included.

Review and outlook on the international renewable energy development

Renewable energy has become an important choice to solve the energy crisis and environmental problems.A sustainable development needs policies and strategies policies,which can improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.By collecting the research results released by relevant statistical departments and authoritative institutions,this paper summarizes the international energy development situation,systematically combs the energy development situation of the European Union,United States,Australia,India,Brazil.The development trend of wind,solar,biomass,geothermal,ocean,and hydrogen energy have been analyzed.In addition,this paper proposes that China should draw up its own development path of renewable energy from international development experience,and actively explore renewable energy policies and strategies adapted to different stages of development.

Perspective on the R&Ds in energy chemistry systems engineering

1 Introduction Energy chemistry systems engineering(ECSE),the application of the principles of system engineering in the field of energy chemistry,is a rapidly developing cutting-edge interdiscipline.It is used for various processes and systems in the domain of energy chemistry,dealing with problems of the efficient conversion,comprehensive utilization and complementary integration of material and energy with the theories,methods and techniques of system engineering,in order