Epileptic brain network mechanisms and neuroimaging techniques for the brain network

Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network,and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated diffe rently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges.Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tra ctography,diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography,fiber ball imagingbased tra ctography,electroencephalography,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,positron emission tomography,molecular imaging,and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks.In this review,we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy,and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms,advantages,limitations,and clinical application ranges of each technique.A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies,new data analysis software,a combination of multiple techniques,and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.

Pretreatment and analysis techniques development of TKIs in biological samples for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies,exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the modulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways.However,there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites,which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theoretically efficacious anticancer treatments,alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions.Therefore,an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods,clinical pharmacokinetics,and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs.This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods,such as protein precipitation(PPT),liquid-liquid extraction(LLE),solid-phase extraction(SPE),micro-SPE(μ-SPE),magnetic SPE(MSPE),and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE(VA-DSPE)achieved since 2017.It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)methods,capillary electrophoresis(CE),gas chromatography(GC),supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)procedures,surface plasmon resonance(SPR)assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques.In addition,a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while presenting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Optimization of tracheoesophageal fistula model established with Tshaped magnet system based on magnetic compression technique

BACKGROUND The magnetic compression technique has been used to establish an animal model of tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF),but the commonly shaped magnets present limitations of poor homogeneity of TEF and poor model control.We designed a Tshaped magnet system to overcome these problems and verified its effectiveness via animal experiments.AIM To investigate the effectiveness of a T-shaped magnet system for establishing a TEF model in beagle dogs.METHODS Twelve beagles were randomly assigned to groups in which magnets of the Tshaped scheme(study group,n=6)or normal magnets(control group,n=6)were implanted into the trachea and esophagus separately under gastroscopy.Operation time,operation success rate,and accidental injury were recorded.After operation,the presence and timing of cough and the time of magnet shedding were observed.Dogs in the control group were euthanized after X-ray and gastroscopy to confirm establishment of TEFs after coughing,and gross specimens of TEFs were obtained.Dogs in the study group were euthanized after X-ray and gastroscopy 2 wk after surgery,and gross specimens were obtained.Fistula size was measured in all animals,and then harvested fistula specimens were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson trichrome staining.RESULTS The operation success rate was 100%for both groups.Operation time did not differ between the study group(5.25 min±1.29 min)and the control group(4.75 min±1.70 min;P=0.331).No bleeding,perforation,or unplanned magnet attraction occurred in any animal during the operation.In the early postoperative period,all dogs ate freely and were generally in good condition.Dogs in the control group had severe cough after drinking water at 6-9 d after surgery.X-ray indicated that the magnets had entered the stomach,and gastroscopy showed TEF formation.Gross specimens of TEFs from the control group showed the formation of fistulas with a diameter of 4.94 mm±1.29 mm(range,3.52-6.56 mm).HE and Masson trichrome staining showed scar tissue formation and hierarchical structural disorder at the fistulas.Dogs in the study group did not exhibit obvious coughing after surgery.X-ray examination 2 wk after surgery indicated fixed magnet positioning,and gastroscopy showed no change in magnet positioning.The magnets were removed using a snare under endoscopy,and TEF was observed.Gross specimens showed well-formed fistulas with a diameter of 6.11 mm±0.16 mm(range,5.92-6.36 mm),which exceeded that in the control group(P<0.001).Scar formation was observed on the internal surface of fistulas by HE and Masson trichrome staining,and the structure was more regular than that in the control group.CONCLUSION Use of the modified T-shaped magnet scheme is safe and feasible for establishing TEF and can achieve a more stable and uniform fistula size compared with ordinary magnets.Most importantly,this model offers better controllability,which improves the flexibility of follow-up studies.

Establishment of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula using a modified magnetic compression technique in rabbits and its postmodeling evaluation

BACKGROUND Previous studies have validated the efficacy of both magnetic compression and surgical techniques in creating rabbit tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF)models.Magnetic compression achieves a 100%success rate but requires more time,while surgery,though less frequently successful,offers rapid model establishment and technical maturity in larger animal models.AIM To determine the optimal approach for rabbit disease modeling and refine the process.METHODS TEF models were created in 12 rabbits using both the modified magnetic compression technique and surgery.Comparisons of the time to model establishment,success rate,food and water intake,weight changes,activity levels,bronchoscopy findings,white blood cell counts,and biopsies were performed.In response to the failures encountered during modified magnetic compression modeling,we increased the sample size to 15 rabbit models and assessed the repeatability and stability of the models,comparing them with the original magnetic compression technique.RESULTS The modified magnetic compression technique achieved a 66.7%success rate,whereas the success rate of the surgery technique was 33.3%.Surviving surgical rabbits might not meet subsequent experimental requirements due to TEF-related inflammation.In the modified magnetic compression group,one rabbit died,possibly due to magnet corrosion,and another died from tracheal magnet obstruction.Similar events occurred during the second round of modified magnetic compression modeling,with one rabbit possibly succumbing to aggravated lung infection.The operation time of the first round of modified magnetic compression was 3.2±0.6 min,which was significantly reduced to 2.1±0.4 min in the second round,compared to both the first round and that of the original technique.CONCLUSION The modified magnetic compression technique exhibits lower stress responses,a simple procedure,a high success rate,and lower modeling costs,making it a more appropriate choice for constructing TEF models in rabbits.

Modified Black Widow Optimization-Based Enhanced Threshold Energy Detection Technique for Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks

This study develops an Enhanced Threshold Based Energy Detection approach(ETBED)for spectrum sensing in a cognitive radio network.The threshold identification method is implemented in the received signal at the secondary user based on the square law.The proposed method is implemented with the signal transmission of multiple outputs-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing.Additionally,the proposed method is considered the dynamic detection threshold adjustments and energy identification spectrum sensing technique in cognitive radio systems.In the dynamic threshold,the signal ratio-based threshold is fixed.The threshold is computed by considering the Modified Black Widow Optimization Algorithm(MBWO).So,the proposed methodology is a combination of dynamic threshold detection and MBWO.The general threshold-based detection technique has different limitations such as the inability optimal signal threshold for determining the presence of the primary user signal.These limitations undermine the sensing accuracy of the energy identification technique.Hence,the ETBED technique is developed to enhance the energy efficiency of cognitive radio networks.The projected approach is executed and analyzed with performance and comparison analysis.The proposed method is contrasted with the conventional techniques of theWhale Optimization Algorithm(WOA)and GreyWolf Optimization(GWO).It indicated superior results,achieving a high average throughput of 2.2 Mbps and an energy efficiency of 3.8,outperforming conventional techniques.

Novel magnetic compression technique for the treatment of postoperative anastomotic stenosis in rectal cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND The treatment of postoperative anastomotic stenosis after excision of rectal cancer is challenging.Endoscopic balloon dilation and radial incision are not effective in all patients.We present a new endoscopy-assisted magnetic compression technique(MCT)for the treatment of rectal anastomotic stenosis.We successfully applied this MCT to a patient who developed an anastomotic stricture after radical resection of rectal cancer.A 50-year-old man had undergone laparoscopic radical rectal cancer surgery at a local hospital 5 months ago.A colonoscopy performed 2 months ago indicated that the rectal anastomosis was narrow due to which ileostomy closure could not be performed.The patient came to the Magnetic Surgery Clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University after learning that we had successfully treated patients with colorectal stenosis using MCT.We performed endoscopy-assisted magnetic compression surgery for rectal stenosis.The magnets were removed 16 d later.A follow-up colonoscopy performed after 4 months showed good anastomotic patency,following which,ileostomy closure surgery was performed.CONCLUSION MCT is a simple,non-invasive technique for the treatment of anastomotic stricture after radical resection of rectal cancer.The technique can be widely used in clinical settings.

Treatment of anastomotic stricture after rectal cancer operation by magnetic compression technique:A case report

BACKGROUNDThe treatment of postoperative anastomotic stenosis(AS)after resection of colorectalcancer is challenging.Endoscopic balloon dilation is used to treat stenosisin such cases,but some patients do not show improvement even after multipleballoon dilations.Magnetic compression technique(MCT)has been used for gastrointestinalanastomosis,but its use for the treatment of postoperative AS aftercolorectal cancer surgery has rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARYWe report a 72-year-old man who underwent radical resection of colorectal cancerand ileostomy one year ago.An ileostomy closure was prepared six months ago,but colonoscopy revealed a narrowing of the rectal anastomosis.Endoscopic balloondilation was performed three times,but colonoscopy showed no significantimprovement in stenosis.The AS was successfully treated using MCT.CONCLUSIONMCT is a minimally invasive method that can be used for the treatment of postoperativeAS after colorectal cancer surgery.

Clinical feasibility of laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection with magnetic anchor technique:The first clinical study from China

BACKGROUND Magnetic anchor technique(MAT)has been applied in laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy,but has not been reported in laparoscopic partial hepatectomy.AIM To evaluate the feasibility of the MAT in laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection.METHODS Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of eight patients who underwent laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection assisted by MAT in our department from July 2020 to November 2021.The Y-Z magnetic anchor devices(Y-Z MADs)was independently designed and developed by the author of this paper,which consists of the anchor magnet and magnetic grasping apparatus.Surgical time,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative accidents,operator experience,postoperative incision pain score,postoperative complications,and other indicators were evaluated and analyzed.RESULTS All eight patients underwent a MAT-assisted laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection,including three patients undertaking conventional 5-port and five patients having a transumbilical single-port operation.The mean operation time was 138±34.32 min(range 95-185 min)and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 123±88.60 mL(range 20-300 mL).No adverse events occurred during the operation.The Y-Z MADs showed good workability and maneuverability in both tissue and organ exposure.In particular,the operators did not experience either a“chopstick”or“sword-fight”effect in the single-port laparoscopic operation.CONCLUSION The results show that the MAT is safe and feasible for laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection,especially,exhibits its unique abettance for transumbilical single-port laparoscopic left lateral segment liver resection.

APPROXIMATION TECHNIQUES FOR APPLICATION OF GENETIC ALGORITHMS TO STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION

Although the genetic algorithm (GA) has very powerful robustness and fitness, it needs a large size of population and a large number of iterations to reach the optimum result. Especially when GA is used in complex structural optimization problems, if the structural reanalysis technique is not adopted, the more the number of finite element analysis (FEA) is, the more the consuming time is. In the conventional structural optimization the number of FEA can be reduced by the structural reanalysis technique based on the approximation techniques and sensitivity analysis. With these techniques, this paper provides a new approximation model-segment approximation model, adopted for the GA application. This segment approximation model can decrease the number of FEA and increase the convergence rate of GA. So it can apparently decrease the computation time of GA. Two examples demonstrate the availability of the new segment approximation model.

Finite element solution based on fast numerical technique for large-scale electromagnetic computation

A numerical technique of the target-region locating （TRL） solver in conjunction with the wave-front method is presented for the application of the finite element method （FEM） for 3-D electromagnetic computation. First, the principle of TRL technique is described. Then, the availability of TRL solver for nonlinear application is particularly discussed demonstrating that this solver can be easily used while still remaining great efficiency. The implementation on how to apply this technique in FEM based on magnetic vector potential （MVP） is also introduced. Finally, a numerical example of 3-D magnetostatic modeling using the TRL solver and FEMLAB is given. It shows that a huge computer resource can be saved by employing the new solver.

Novel magnetic compression technique for establishment of a canine model of tracheoesophageal fistula

BACKGROUND Clinically,tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF)is lack of effective surgical strategies.One reason is due to the lack of appropriate animal models of acquired TEF,which is usually complex and difficult.Recently,the magnetic compression technique has been applied for digestive tract anastomosis or vascular anastomosis in animals.In this study,an animal model of TEF in dogs was developed by using the magnetic compression technique,hoping to provide a new method for mimicking TEF.AIM To establish a TEF model in dogs by using the magnetic compression technique.METHODS Six male beagles were used as models with two Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets for TEF.The parent magnet and the daughter magnet were placed in the cervical esophagus and trachea,respectively.The anterior wall of the esophagus and the posterior wall of the trachea were compressed when the two magnets coupled.After 4-6 d,the necrotic tissue between the two magnets fell off and the parent and daughter magnets disengaged from the target location,leaving a fistula.Gastroscopy/bronchoscopy,upper gastrointestinal contrast study,and histological analysis were performed.RESULTS The establishment of the TEF model in all six beagles was successful.The average time of magnet placement was 4.33±1.11 min(range,3-7 min).Mean time for the magnets to disengage from the target location was 4.67±0.75 d(range,4-6 d).TEFs were observed by gastroscopy/bronchoscopy and esophageal angiography.The gross anatomical structure of the esophagus and the trachea was in good condition.There was no esophageal mucosa or pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium at the site of the fistula according to histological analysis.CONCLUSION It is simple,feasible,and minimally invasive to use the magnetic compression technique for the establishment of the TEF model in dogs.

Extrahepatic portacaval shunt via a magnetic compression technique: A cadaveric feasibility study

AIM: To explore the anatomical feasibility of portacaval shunt using a magnetic compression technique(MCT) in cadavers.METHODS: Computed tomography(CT) images of 30 portal hypertensive patients were obtained.The diameters of the portal vein(PV),the inferior vena cava(IVC),and distance between the two structures were measured.Similar measurements were performed on 20 adult corpses.The feasibility of portacaval shunt based on those measurements was analyzed.First stage of the extrahepatic portacaval shunt using MCT was performed on five cadavers.Specifically,the PV and IVC were exposed through an abdominal incision of the cadavers.The parent magnet was introduced from the femoral vein and was delivered into the IVC by an anchor wire and a 5F Cook catheter.The daughter magnet was introduced into the PV through the splenic vein using aninterventional guide wire.When the daughter magnet met the parent magnet,they automatically clipped together and the first stage of the portacaval shunt was set up.RESULTS: The average diameters of the PV and the IVC measured from the 30 CT image were 14.39 ± 2.36 mm and 18.59 ± 4.97 mm,respectively,and the maximum and minimum distances between the PV and the IVC were 9.79 ± 4.56 mm and 9.50 ± 4.79 mm,respectively.From 20 cadavers,the average diameters of the PV and the IVC were 14.48 ± 1.47 mm and 24.71 ± 2.64 mm,and the maximum and minimum distances between the PV and the IVC were 10.14 ± 1.70 mm and 8.93 ± 1.17 mm,respectively.The distances between the PV and the IVC from both the CT images and the cadavers were within the effective length of portacaval anastomosis using MCT(30.30 ± 4.19 mm).The PV and IVC are in close proximity to each other with no intervening tissues or structures in between.Simulated surgeries of the first stage using MCT on five cadavers was successfully performed.CONCLUSION: Anatomically,extrahepatic portacaval shunt employing MCT is highly feasible in humans.

Crack Fault Classification for Planetary Gearbox Based on Feature Selection Technique and K-means Clustering Method

During the condition monitoring of a planetary gearbox, features are extracted from raw data for a fault diagnosis.However, different features have different sensitivity for identifying different fault types, and thus, the selection of a sensitive feature subset from an entire feature set and retaining as much of the class discriminatory information as possible has a directly effect on the accuracy of the classification results. In this paper, an improved hybrid feature selection technique(IHFST) that combines a distance evaluation technique(DET), Pearson’s correlation analysis, and an ad hoc technique is proposed. In IHFST, a temporary feature subset without irrelevant features is first selected according to the distance evaluation criterion of DET, and the Pearson’s correlation analysis and ad hoc technique are then employed to find and remove redundant features in the temporary feature subset, respectively, and hence,a sensitive feature subset without irrelevant or redundant features is selected from the entire feature set. Further, the k-means clustering method is applied to classify the different kinds of health conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed method was validated through several experiments carried out on a planetary gearbox with incipient cracks seeded in the tooth root of the sun gear, planet gear, and ring gear. The results show that the proposed method can successfully distinguish the different health conditions of a planetary gearbox, and achieves a better classification performance than other methods. This study proposes a sensitive feature subset selection method that achieves an obvious improvement in terms of the accuracy of the fault classification.

Magnetic resonance enterography in Crohn’s disease: Standard and advanced techniques

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects mainly young people. The clinical management is based on the Crohn's Disease Activity Index and especially on biologic parameters with or without additional endoscopic and imaging procedures, such as barium and computed tomography examinations. Recently, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been a promising diagnostic radiologic technique with lack of ionizing radiation, enabling superior tissue contrast resolution due to new pulse-sequence developments. Therefore, MR enterography has the potential to become the modality of choice for imaging the small bowel in CD patients.

Nanocrystalline and nanocomposite permanent magnets by melt spinning technique

The melt-spinning technique offers an opportunity for tailoring magnetic properties by controlling the structures and microstructures in both single-phase and composite magnets.This review first broadly discusses the principle of cooling control,amorphization,crystallization,annealing,and consolidation of the melt-spun ribbons.The phase,microstructure,and magnetic properties of popular single-phase nanocrystalline magnets are reviewed,followed by the nanocomposite magnets consisting of magnetically hard and soft phases.The precipitation-hardened magnetic materials prepared by melt spinning are also discussed.Finally,the role of intergrain exchange coupling,thermal fluctuation,and reversible/irreversible magnetization processes are discussed and correlated to the magnetic phenomena in both single-phase and nanocomposite magnets.

Kinetics of Forward Extraction of Boric Acid from Salt Lake Brine by2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol in Toluene Using Single Drop Technique

The kinetics of forward extraction of boric acid from salt lake brine by 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol in toluene was investigated using the single drop technique. The factors affecting the extraction rate include interfacial area between aqueous phase and organic phase, initial concentration of boric acid in aqueous phase, initial concentration of 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol in organic phase, and extraction temperature. The experimental results show that the extraction rate increases with the increase of the initial concentration of boric acid and2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, interfacial area of two phases, and temperature. With the temperature-dependence study, it is showed that the extraction is a diffusion-controlled process. The kinetic equation is presented for pH 1.0 in the aqueous phase and temperature of 318 K.

Extraction and stripping kinetics of copper(Ⅱ)by N902 using single drop technique

The kinetics of extraction and stripping of copper （Ⅱ） was investigated by the single drop technique with a new extractant N902 （a derivative of the salicylal-doxime） and the rate equations of extraction and stripping were derived, respectively. The apparent activation energies of extraction and stripping were estimated to be 20.14 kJ/mol and 30.0 k J/mol.

Robust adaptive synchronization of chaotic neural networks by slide technique

In this paper, we focus on the robust adaptive synchronization between two coupled chaotic neural networks with all the parameters unknown and time-varying delay. In order to increase the robustness of the two coupled neural networks, the key idea is that a sliding-mode-type controller is employed. Moreover, without the estimate values of the network unknown parameters taken as an updating object, a new updating object is introduced in the constructing of controller. Using the proposed controller, without any requirements for the boundedness, monotonicity and differentiability of activation functions, and symmetry of connections, the two coupled chaotic neural networks can achieve global robust synchronization no matter what their initial states are. Finally, the numerical simulation validates the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed technique.

Nuclear magnetic resonance for quantum computing： Techniques and recent achievements

Rapid developments in quantum information processing have been made, and remarkable achievements have been obtained in recent years, both in theory and experiments. Coherent control of nuclear spin dynamics is a powerful tool for the experimental implementation of quantum schemes in liquid and solid nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） system, especially in liquid-state NMR. Compared with other quantum information processing systems, the NMR platform has the advantages such as the long coherence time, the precise manipulation, and well-developed quantum control techniques, which make it possible to accurately control a quantum system with up to 12-qubits. Extensive applications of liquid-state NMR spectroscopy in quantum information processing such as quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum simulation have been thoroughly studied over half a century. This article introduces the general principles of NMR quantum information processing, and reviews the new-developed techniques. The review will also include the recent achievements of the experimental realization of quantum algorithms for machine learning, quantum simulations for high energy physics, and topological order in NMR. We also discuss the limitation and prospect of liquid-state NMR spectroscopy and the solid-state NMR systems as quantum computing in the article.

Research on Full Space Transient Electro-magnetism Technique for Detecting Aqueous Structures in Coal Mines

Based on the transmitting theory of "smoke ring effect", the transient electromagnetism technique was used in coal mines to detect abnormal areas of aquiferous structures in both roofs and floors of coal seams and in front of excavated roadways. Survey devices, working methods and techniques as well as data processing and interpretation are discussed systematically. In addition, the direction of mini-wireframe emission electromagnetic wave of the full space transient electromagnetism technique was verified by an underground borehole for water detection and drainage. The result indicates that this technique can detect both horizontal and vertical development rules of abnormal water bodies to a certain depth below the floor of coal seams and can also detect the abnormal, low resistance water bodies within a certain distance of roofs. Furthermore, it can detect such abnormal bodies in ahead of the excavated roadway front. Limited by the underground environment, the full space transient electromagnetism technique can detect to a depth of only 120 m or so.