Introduction: In hyperthyroidism, selective irradiation of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine is a radical treatment and an alternative to surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the medium-term efficacy o...Introduction: In hyperthyroidism, selective irradiation of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine is a radical treatment and an alternative to surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the medium-term efficacy of outpatient treatment of hyperthyroidism with iodine-131 in Africa. Methods: We identified the studies carried out in Africa on outpatient radiation therapy between 2016 and 2020. For each article included, we noted the country concerned and the year of publication, the numbers studied, the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, the indications for radio iodine therapy, the dose administered, the results of the hormonal dosage 6 months after radiation. Results: 13 retrospective studies were included to constitute a total population of 925 patients. The average age was 40.77 years, the sex ratio of 1/5.4 with a clear female predominance. The 3 main etiologies of hyperthyroidism justifying outpatient radio iodine therapy were Graves’ disease (55.89%), toxic multinodular goiter (22.70%) and toxic adenoma (21.40%). The average dose of iodine 131 administered per course is 13.7 mCi. No short-and medium-term complications were reported. The radio iodine therapy was effective in 86.08% (n = 796) of the patients with extremes of 72% and 100%. Conclusion: Radio iodine therapy is effective in Africa. It is simple, inexpensive on an outpatient basis and well tolerated. The introduction of outpatient radio iodine therapy could improve the management of patients with hyperthyroidism in Burkina Faso.展开更多
Background: The accumulation of free radicals is linked to a number of diseases. Free radicals can be scavenged by antioxidants and reduce their harmful effects. It is therefore essential to look for naturally occurri...Background: The accumulation of free radicals is linked to a number of diseases. Free radicals can be scavenged by antioxidants and reduce their harmful effects. It is therefore essential to look for naturally occurring antioxidants that come from plants, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic, carcinogenic and problematic for the environment. Lycopene is one of the carotenoids, a pigment that dissolves in fat and has antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The impact of lycopene on bacteria (E. coli) susceptibility to γ-radiation was examined by radio sensitivity assay. The study also examined the induction of strand breaks in plasmid pUC19 DNA and how lycopene extract protected the DNA from γ-radiation in vitro. Results: At varying concentrations, lycopene demonstrated its ability to scavenge free radicals such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). IC<sub>50</sub> for lycopene was determined at 112 μg/mL which was almost partial to IC<sub>50</sub> of standard antioxidant L-ascorbic acid. The D<sub>10</sub> value 180 Gy of E. coli was found to be >2-fold higher in the extract-containing lycopene sample than in the extract-free controls. The lycopene extracts inhibited the radiation-induced deterioration of the plasmid pUC19 DNA. At an IC<sub>50</sub> concentration, lycopene provided the highest level of protection. Conclusion: Lycopene functions as an efficient free radical scavenger and possible natural antioxidant source. For cancer patients and others who frequently expose themselves to radiation, lycopene may be a useful plant-based pharmaceutical product for treating a variety of diseases caused by free radicals.展开更多
Congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (CRUS) is a rare skeletal malformation of the upper limb and the most common congenital functional disorder of the elbow joint, causing limitation in forearm rotational movements, whi...Congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (CRUS) is a rare skeletal malformation of the upper limb and the most common congenital functional disorder of the elbow joint, causing limitation in forearm rotational movements, which may lead to difficulties with some activities of daily living. We reported a 4-year-old girl with congenital bilateral proximal radio-ulnar synostosis who presented with functional discomfort due to limitation of the prono-supination movements of the forearms and abnormal gestures when handling objects. She has clinical and radiological features of congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (CRUS). However, the parents declined corrective surgery because of wrong perception of the condition to be normal. This case highlighted the poor health seeking behavior and wrong illness perception prevalent in the developing countries.展开更多
The science of radio astronomy focuses on the observation and study of celestial objects by reading their radio waves. The 5 meter radio-telescope is able to observe different radio sources using a C-band LNB. This re...The science of radio astronomy focuses on the observation and study of celestial objects by reading their radio waves. The 5 meter radio-telescope is able to observe different radio sources using a C-band LNB. This research was essentially focused on Crab Nebula, also known as Taurus A. The study led to interesting observations, which were validated numerically using various scientific computing software. The radio waves emitted by Taurus A are readable by the RTL-SDR, a software defined radio receiver. This device is capable of reading radio frequencies in the range of 0.5 MHZ to 1700 MHZ.展开更多
Nonlinear distortion is one of key limiting factors in radio over fiber (RoF) transmission systems. To suppress the nonlinear distortion, digital pre-distortion (DPD) has been investigated considerably. However, for m...Nonlinear distortion is one of key limiting factors in radio over fiber (RoF) transmission systems. To suppress the nonlinear distortion, digital pre-distortion (DPD) has been investigated considerably. However, for multi-band signals, DPD becomes very complex, which limits the applications. To reduce the complexity, many simplified DPDs have been proposed. In this work, a new multidimensional DPD is proposed, in which in-band and out-of-band distortion are separated and the out-of-band distortion is evaluated by sum and differences of all input signals instead of all individual input signals, thus complexity is reduced. An up to 6-band 64-QAM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal with each bandwidth of 200 MHz in simulations and a 5-band 20 MHz 64-QAM OFDM signal in experiments are used to validate the pro-posed DPD. The validation is illustrated in the means of power spectrum, AM/AM and AM/PM distortion, and error vector magnitude (EVM) of the received signal constellations. The average EVM improvement by simulation for 3-band, 4-band, 5-band and 6-band signals is 19.97 dB, 18.65 dB, 16.64 dB and 15.44 dB, respectively. The average EVM improvement by experiments for 5-band signals is 8.1 dB. Considering the ten times of bandwidth difference, experiments and simulation agree well.展开更多
We suggest a possible explanation of the influence of pre-seismic activity on the registration rate of natural ELF(extremely low frequency)/VLF(very low frequency) pulses and the changes of their characteristics. The ...We suggest a possible explanation of the influence of pre-seismic activity on the registration rate of natural ELF(extremely low frequency)/VLF(very low frequency) pulses and the changes of their characteristics. The main idea is as follows. The distribution of the electric field around a thundercloud depends on the conductivity profile of the atmosphere. Quasi-static electric fields of a thundercloud decrease in those tropospheric regions where an increase of air conductivity is generated by pre-seismic activities due to emanation of radioactive gas and water into the lower atmosphere. The electric field becomes reduced in the lower troposphere, and the probability decreases of the cloud-to-ground (CG) strokes in such “contaminated” areas. Simultaneously, the electric field grows inside and above the thunderclouds, and hence, we anticipate a growth in the number of horizontal and tilted inter-cloud (or intra-cloud) (both termed as IC discharges) strokes. Spatial orientation of lightning strokes reduces vertical projection of their individual amplitudes, while the rate (median number strokes per a unit time) of discharges grows. We demonstrate that channel tilt of strokes modifies the spectral content of ELF/VLF radio noise and changes the rate of detected pulses during the earthquake preparation phase.展开更多
运用开源软件无线电(GNU's Not Unix Radio,GNU Radio)技术和与之配套的通用软件无线电外设(TheSecond-generation Universal Software Radio Peripheral,USRP2),设计出了未知无线电信号自动检测系统。系统采用能量检测法,能够快速...运用开源软件无线电(GNU's Not Unix Radio,GNU Radio)技术和与之配套的通用软件无线电外设(TheSecond-generation Universal Software Radio Peripheral,USRP2),设计出了未知无线电信号自动检测系统。系统采用能量检测法,能够快速识别一定频段内未知无线电信号,并记录其带宽、中心频率和起止时间,同时存储相应的同相正交(Inphaseand Quadrature,IQ)数据,为后续载频的精确估计提供必要的参数。在实际测试中发现,该系统检测速度快、准确率高,对未知强信号检测具有一定的可靠性和实用性。展开更多
文摘Introduction: In hyperthyroidism, selective irradiation of the thyroid gland with radioactive iodine is a radical treatment and an alternative to surgery. The aim of this review is to assess the medium-term efficacy of outpatient treatment of hyperthyroidism with iodine-131 in Africa. Methods: We identified the studies carried out in Africa on outpatient radiation therapy between 2016 and 2020. For each article included, we noted the country concerned and the year of publication, the numbers studied, the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, the indications for radio iodine therapy, the dose administered, the results of the hormonal dosage 6 months after radiation. Results: 13 retrospective studies were included to constitute a total population of 925 patients. The average age was 40.77 years, the sex ratio of 1/5.4 with a clear female predominance. The 3 main etiologies of hyperthyroidism justifying outpatient radio iodine therapy were Graves’ disease (55.89%), toxic multinodular goiter (22.70%) and toxic adenoma (21.40%). The average dose of iodine 131 administered per course is 13.7 mCi. No short-and medium-term complications were reported. The radio iodine therapy was effective in 86.08% (n = 796) of the patients with extremes of 72% and 100%. Conclusion: Radio iodine therapy is effective in Africa. It is simple, inexpensive on an outpatient basis and well tolerated. The introduction of outpatient radio iodine therapy could improve the management of patients with hyperthyroidism in Burkina Faso.
文摘Background: The accumulation of free radicals is linked to a number of diseases. Free radicals can be scavenged by antioxidants and reduce their harmful effects. It is therefore essential to look for naturally occurring antioxidants that come from plants, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic, carcinogenic and problematic for the environment. Lycopene is one of the carotenoids, a pigment that dissolves in fat and has antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The impact of lycopene on bacteria (E. coli) susceptibility to γ-radiation was examined by radio sensitivity assay. The study also examined the induction of strand breaks in plasmid pUC19 DNA and how lycopene extract protected the DNA from γ-radiation in vitro. Results: At varying concentrations, lycopene demonstrated its ability to scavenge free radicals such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). IC<sub>50</sub> for lycopene was determined at 112 μg/mL which was almost partial to IC<sub>50</sub> of standard antioxidant L-ascorbic acid. The D<sub>10</sub> value 180 Gy of E. coli was found to be >2-fold higher in the extract-containing lycopene sample than in the extract-free controls. The lycopene extracts inhibited the radiation-induced deterioration of the plasmid pUC19 DNA. At an IC<sub>50</sub> concentration, lycopene provided the highest level of protection. Conclusion: Lycopene functions as an efficient free radical scavenger and possible natural antioxidant source. For cancer patients and others who frequently expose themselves to radiation, lycopene may be a useful plant-based pharmaceutical product for treating a variety of diseases caused by free radicals.
文摘Congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (CRUS) is a rare skeletal malformation of the upper limb and the most common congenital functional disorder of the elbow joint, causing limitation in forearm rotational movements, which may lead to difficulties with some activities of daily living. We reported a 4-year-old girl with congenital bilateral proximal radio-ulnar synostosis who presented with functional discomfort due to limitation of the prono-supination movements of the forearms and abnormal gestures when handling objects. She has clinical and radiological features of congenital radio-ulnar synostosis (CRUS). However, the parents declined corrective surgery because of wrong perception of the condition to be normal. This case highlighted the poor health seeking behavior and wrong illness perception prevalent in the developing countries.
文摘The science of radio astronomy focuses on the observation and study of celestial objects by reading their radio waves. The 5 meter radio-telescope is able to observe different radio sources using a C-band LNB. This research was essentially focused on Crab Nebula, also known as Taurus A. The study led to interesting observations, which were validated numerically using various scientific computing software. The radio waves emitted by Taurus A are readable by the RTL-SDR, a software defined radio receiver. This device is capable of reading radio frequencies in the range of 0.5 MHZ to 1700 MHZ.
文摘Nonlinear distortion is one of key limiting factors in radio over fiber (RoF) transmission systems. To suppress the nonlinear distortion, digital pre-distortion (DPD) has been investigated considerably. However, for multi-band signals, DPD becomes very complex, which limits the applications. To reduce the complexity, many simplified DPDs have been proposed. In this work, a new multidimensional DPD is proposed, in which in-band and out-of-band distortion are separated and the out-of-band distortion is evaluated by sum and differences of all input signals instead of all individual input signals, thus complexity is reduced. An up to 6-band 64-QAM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal with each bandwidth of 200 MHz in simulations and a 5-band 20 MHz 64-QAM OFDM signal in experiments are used to validate the pro-posed DPD. The validation is illustrated in the means of power spectrum, AM/AM and AM/PM distortion, and error vector magnitude (EVM) of the received signal constellations. The average EVM improvement by simulation for 3-band, 4-band, 5-band and 6-band signals is 19.97 dB, 18.65 dB, 16.64 dB and 15.44 dB, respectively. The average EVM improvement by experiments for 5-band signals is 8.1 dB. Considering the ten times of bandwidth difference, experiments and simulation agree well.
文摘We suggest a possible explanation of the influence of pre-seismic activity on the registration rate of natural ELF(extremely low frequency)/VLF(very low frequency) pulses and the changes of their characteristics. The main idea is as follows. The distribution of the electric field around a thundercloud depends on the conductivity profile of the atmosphere. Quasi-static electric fields of a thundercloud decrease in those tropospheric regions where an increase of air conductivity is generated by pre-seismic activities due to emanation of radioactive gas and water into the lower atmosphere. The electric field becomes reduced in the lower troposphere, and the probability decreases of the cloud-to-ground (CG) strokes in such “contaminated” areas. Simultaneously, the electric field grows inside and above the thunderclouds, and hence, we anticipate a growth in the number of horizontal and tilted inter-cloud (or intra-cloud) (both termed as IC discharges) strokes. Spatial orientation of lightning strokes reduces vertical projection of their individual amplitudes, while the rate (median number strokes per a unit time) of discharges grows. We demonstrate that channel tilt of strokes modifies the spectral content of ELF/VLF radio noise and changes the rate of detected pulses during the earthquake preparation phase.
文摘运用开源软件无线电(GNU's Not Unix Radio,GNU Radio)技术和与之配套的通用软件无线电外设(TheSecond-generation Universal Software Radio Peripheral,USRP2),设计出了未知无线电信号自动检测系统。系统采用能量检测法,能够快速识别一定频段内未知无线电信号,并记录其带宽、中心频率和起止时间,同时存储相应的同相正交(Inphaseand Quadrature,IQ)数据,为后续载频的精确估计提供必要的参数。在实际测试中发现,该系统检测速度快、准确率高,对未知强信号检测具有一定的可靠性和实用性。