Role of 2-dimensional Doppler echo-cardiography in screening portopulmonary hypertension in portal hypertension patients

BACKGROUND: Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) is difficult to recognize in the early and middle stages because it is frequently asymptomatic. As right ventricular function is impaired in patients with moderate and severe PPH, any dramatic hemodynamic changes in liver transplantation or other procedures may result in death from pulmonary and cardiac events. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of PPH in patients with portal hypertension (PHT) mainly caused by hepatitis B virus, and evaluated the effect of 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography (2D-ECHO) in screening for PPH. METHODS: One hundred and five PHT patients received transthoracic 2D-ECHO preoperatively, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP, normal range <30 mmHg) and pulmonary acceleration time (PAT, normal range >= 120 msec) were measured to screen for PPH (positive result: SPAP >= 30 mmHg and/or PAT <100 msec). Subsequently, pulmonary hemodynamic parameters were measured by right heart catheterization (RHC) for definitive diagnosis of PPH. The results of the two methods were compared to assess the screening effect of 2D-ECHO. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPH in this study was 3.8% (4/105). About 90% (95/105) of patients had a detectable tricuspid regurgitation by 2D-ECHO and the mean SPAP was 27.7 +/- 5.9 mmHg. Twenty-two of these 95 patients had an SPAP >30 mmHg. The mean PAT of all patients was 140 23 msec and 5 were <100 msec. Twenty-two patients were screened out by 2D-ECHO and 4 were diagnosed by RHC. A positive significant correlation (r=0.55, P<0.01) was found between SPAP measured by 2D-ECHO and mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) measured by RHC, and a weak but significant negative correlation (r=-0.27, P=0.005) existed between PAT and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The sensitivity, specificity, agreement rate, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the screening test were 100%, 82%, 83%, 18% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PPH in this study is lower than in Western countries. As a screening test, 2D-ECHO has very high sensitivity and negative predictive value. A negative test result can directly be used to exclude PPH, while a positive result should be confirmed by RHC.

From 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional: Overcoming dilemmas in intestinal mucosal interpretation

The purpose of this review is to provide a definitive account of small intestinal mucosal structure and interpretation. The coeliac lesion has been well known, but not well described to date and this review aims to identify the interpretative difficulties which have arisen over time with the histological assessment of coeliac disease. In early coeliac interpretation, there were significant inaccuracies, particularly surrounding intraepithelial lymphocyte counts and the degree of villous flattening which occurred in the tissue. Many of these interpretive pitfalls are still encountered today, increasing the potential for diagnostic errors. These difficulties are mostly due to the fact that stained 2-dimensional sections can never truly represent the 3-dimensional framework of the intestinal tissue under investigation. Therefore, this review offers a critical account occasioned by these 2-dimensional interpretative errors and which, in our opinion, should in general be jettisoned. As a result, we leave a framework regarding the true 3-dimensional knowledge of mucosal structure accrued over the 70-year period of study, and one which is available for future reference.

Strong Law of Large Numbers for a 2-Dimensional Array of Pairwise Negatively Dependent Random Variables

In this paper, we obtain the strong law of large numbers for a 2-dimensional array of pairwise negatively dependent random variables which are not required to be identically distributed. We found the sufficient conditions of strong law of large numbers for the difference of random variables which independent and identically distributed conditions are regarded. In this study, we consider the limit as which is stronger than the limit as m× n→?∞ when m, n →?∞?are natural numbers.

The Detection of THCA Using 2-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Human Fingernail Clippings: Method Validation and Comparison with Head Hair

Marijuana use as well as abuse is a significant public health and public safety concern in the United States and using hair to identify marijuana users and abusers has been gaining acceptance in a number of venues including workplace, court ordered, and substance abuse treatment monitoring. After the presentation of a fully validated 2-dimensional gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection of 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCA), the chief metabolite of the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), we evaluated the usefulness of fingernail clippings as an alternative specimen type to hair by the analysis of a set of 60 matched pairs of head hair and fingernail clippings. The limit of detection was 10 fg/mg, the limit of quantitation was 20 fg/mg, and the assay was linear from 20 fg/mg to 500 fg/mg. The intra- and inter-assay imprecision and bias studies at 4 different concentrations (50, 100, 500, and 1000 fg/mg) were acceptable where all % Target observations were within 16% of their expected concentrations and all %CV calculations were less than 13.5%. THCA was detectable in more fingernail specimens (53.3%) than hair specimens (46.7%) and the mean concentrations in nails were on average 4.9 times higher than in hair (1813 fg/mg and 364 fg/mg, respectively). The THCA concentrations in hair and nail were strongly associated (r = 0.974, P < 0.01, n = 60) and the association was significant. The study demonstrated that fingernail clippings are a suitable alternative specimen type to hair to monitor for marijuana use and abuse.

An Amorphous 2-Dimensional Barcode

Most existing 2-dimensional barcodes are designed with a fixed shape and clear area.Having a fixed shape and clear area makes the barcode difficult to lay out with other text and pictures.To solve this problem,an amorphous 2-dimensional barcode is presented in this paper.The barcode uses encoding graph units to encode data.There are two key points in a 2-dimensional barcode:One is the encoding graph unit,the other is its encoding rules.Because encoding graph units of a 2-dimensional barcode are surrounded by other graphics,the units should be self-positioned and distinguished from other units.This paper presents an encoding graph unit generation algorithm,which is based on genetic algorithms.Encoding rules of the barcode are also given in this paper.Those rules include data encoding rules and encoding graph unit sequence arrangement rules.Data encoding rules are used to encode data to an encoding graph unit sequence.Encoding graph unit sequence arrangement rules are used to embed the unit sequence in the target picture.In addition to those rules,it also discussed the steps to restore encoding graph unit sequence from a picture.In the experiments section of this paper,an example is provided to encode a string and embed it in a car ad picture by the barcode.According to encoding rules of the barcode,those encoding graphic units can be scattered and embedded in a picture with other graphics,so amorphous 2-dimensional barcode has no fixed shape.Take advantage of this,designer can present a more elegant design to lay out barcodes with other graphic elements.

Evaluation of Ventricular-vascular Coupling in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging

The elastic and functional coupling of heart and vessels makes the stroke work （SW） of the heart optimal. Speckle tracking imaging （STI） can evaluate the myocardial strain and function. We studied ventricular-vascular coupling in 80 diabetic patients with different systolic function using STI. The patients were divided into two groups according to ejection fraction （EF）： the diabetes mel- litus with normal EF （DMN） group and the diabetes mellitus with abnormal EF （DMA） group. Forty-two volunteers served as control group. The relative wall thickness （RWT）, left ventricular mass index （LVMI）, stroke volume （SV）, SW, rate-pressure product （RPP）, systemic vascular resis- tance index （SVRI）, left ventricular end-systolic elastance （Ees）, effective arterial elasticity （Ea） and ventricular-vascular coupling index （VVI） were measured and calculated by conventional echocardi- ography. The longitudinal strain （LS） at basement （LSBA）, papillary muscle （LSvM） and cardiac apex （LSAv） was assessed with STI. It was found： （A） compared with control group, in DMN and DMA groups, LSBA, LSvM and LSAp decreased, and they were lower in DMA group. （B） VVI, RPP and SVRI increased, and they were higher in DMN group; Ees decreased, and it was lower in DMA group. （C） LSBA, LSpM, and LSAv had negative correlation with VVI. LSAp, RWT, LVMI and SW were independent predictors for VVI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves was used for identification of DMA and DMN with LSBA, LSpM, and LSAp, and the area under the ROC of LSAp was the largest. This study supports that myocardial LS could reflect the ventricu- lar-vascular coupling. Different segments had an order to “respond to” the state of the coupling, and the cardiac apex might be the earliest.

MEASUREMENT OF 2-DIMENSIONAL DISPLACEMENT USING 2-D ZERO-REFERENCE MARKS

Several 2-D displacement sensing methods are reviewed. As to the crossdiffraction grating, there is no absolute zero-reference. In regards to the optical fiber method,the output signal is affected greatly by the quality of the reflecting surface and it is hard to gethigh resolution. Considering the concentric-circle gratings, the displacement can only be gainedwith complicated calculating of the experiment data. Compared with the advantages and limitations ofthe methods above, a novel 2-D zero-reference mark is especially proposed and demonstrated. Thiskind of mark has an absolute zero-reference when used in pair, and the experimental result is simpleto dispose. By superimposing a pair of specially coded 2-D marks, the correct alignment position ofthe two marks can be detected by the maximum output of the sharp intensity peak. And each slope ofthe peak is of good linearity which can be used to achieve high resolution in positioning andalignment in two dimensions. Design and fabrication of such 2-D zero-reference marks are introducedin detail. The experiment results are agreed with the theoretical ones.

A 2-Dimensional Micro Flow Sensor with Wide Range Flow Sensing Properties

A new silicon micro flow sensor with multiple temperature sensing elements was proposed and numerically simulated in considering wide range flow measuring properties.The micro flow sensor has three pairs of temperature sensing elements with a central heater compared with typical sensor which has only a temperature sensing element on each side of a central heater.A numerical analysis of the micro flow sensor by Finite Difference Formulation for Heat Transfer Equation was performed.The nearest pair of temperature sensor showed very good linear sensitivity between 0 to 0.4m/s flow and saturated from 0.75m/s flow.However the furthest pair of temperature sensor showed some flow sensitivity even though the flow rate of 2.0m/s.Thus,this suggested new micro flow meter with multiple temperature sensing elements could be used as a thermal mass flow sensor which has accuracy sensitivity for very wide flow range.

MONTE CARLO STUDY OF SU(2)×SU(2) CHIRAL MODEL WITH MIXED ACTION ON THE 2-DIMENSIONAL RANDOM LATTICE

We analyzed the SU(2)×SU(2)chiral model with mixed fundamental-adjoint action on the 2-dimensional(2-D)random lattice by using Monte-Carlo(M-C)simulation.The results sluw that the model behaves like the mixed SU(2)×SU(2)chiral model on the 2-D regular lattice,but the character of the phase transition seems to be different.

Localized wave solutions and interactions of the (2+1)-dimensional Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation

This paper studies the(2+1)-dimensional Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation.Based on an associated Hirota bilinear form,lump-type solution,two types of interaction solutions,and breather wave solution of the(2+1)-dimensional Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation are obtained,which are all related to the seed solution of the equation.It is interesting that the rogue wave is aroused by the interaction between one-lump soliton and a pair of resonance stripe solitons,and the fusion and fission phenomena are also found in the interaction between lump solitons and one-stripe soliton.Furthermore,the breather wave solution is also obtained by reducing the two-soliton solutions.The trajectory and period of the one-order breather wave are analyzed.The corresponding dynamical characteristics are demonstrated by the graphs.

Construction of MnS/MoS_(2) heterostructure on two-dimensional MoS_(2) surface to regulate the reaction pathways for high-performance Li-O_(2) batteries

The inherent catalytic anisotropy of two-dimensional(2D) materials has limited the enhancement of LiO_(2) batteries(LOBs) performance due to the significantly different adsorption energies on 2D and edge surfaces.Tuning the adsorption strength in 2D materials to the reaction intermediates is essential for achieving high-performance LOBs.Herein,a MnS/MoS_(2) heterostructure is designed as a cathode catalyst by adjusting the adsorption behavior at the surface.Different from the toroidal-like discharge products on the MoS_(2) cathode,the MnS/MoS_(2) surface displays an improved adsorption energy to reaction species,thereby promoting the growth of the film-like discharge products.MnS can disturb the layer growth of MoS_(2),in which the stack edge plane features a strong interaction with the intermediates and limits the growth of the discharge products.Experimental and theoretical results confirm that the MnS/MoS_(2) heterostructure possesses improved electron transfer kinetics at the interface and plays an important role in the adsorption process for reaction species,which finally affects the morphology of Li_2O_(2),In consequence,the MnS/MoS_(2) heterostructure exhibits a high specific capacity of 11696.0 mA h g^(-1) and good cycle stability over 1800 h with a fixed specific capacity of 600 mA h g^(-1) at current density of100 mA g^(-1) This work provides a novel interfacial engineering strategy to enhance the performance of LOBs by tuning the adsorption properties of 2D materials.

Two-dimensional layered In_(2)P_(3)S_(9): A novel superior anode material for sodium-ion batteries

Developing reliable and efficient anode materials is essential for the successfully practical application of sodium-ion batteries.Herein,employing a straightforward and rapid chemical vapor deposition technique,two-dimensional layered ternary indium phosphorus sulfide(In_(2)P_(3)S_(9)) nanosheets are prepared.The layered structure and ternary composition of the In_(2)P_(3)S_(9) electrode result in impressive electrochemical performance,including a high reversible capacity of 704 mA h g^(-1) at 0.1 A g^(-1),an outstanding rate capability with 425 mA h g^(-1) at 5 A g^(-1),and an exceptional cycling stability with a capacity retention of88% after 350 cycles at 1 A g^(-1).Furthermore,sodium-ion full cell also affords a high capacity of 308 and114 mA h g^(-1) at 0.1 and 5 A g^(-1).Ex-situ X-ray diffraction and ex-situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy tests are conducted to investigate the underlying Na-storage mechanism of In_(2)P_(3)S_(9).The results reveal that during the first cycle,the P-S bond is broken to form the elemental P and In_(2)S_(3),collectively contributing to a remarkably high reversible specific capacity.The excellent electrochemical energy storage results corroborate the practical application potential of In_(2)P_(3)S_(9) for sodium-ion batteries.

MOLECULES AND NEW INTERACTIONAL STRUCTURES FOR A(2+1)-DIMENSIONAL GENERALIZED KONOPELCHENKO-DUBROVSKY-KAUP-KUPERSHMIDT EQUATION

Soliton molecules(SMs)of the(2+1)-dimensional generalized KonopelchenkoDubrovsky-Kaup-Kupershmidt(gKDKK)equation are found by utilizing a velocity resonance ansatz to N-soliton solutions,which can transform to asymmetric solitons upon assigning appropriate values to some parameters.Furthermore,a double-peaked lump solution can be constructed with breather degeneration approach.By applying a mixed technique of a resonance ansatz and conjugate complexes of partial parameters to multisoliton solutions,various kinds of interactional structures are constructed;There include the soliton molecule(SM),the breather molecule(BM)and the soliton-breather molecule(SBM).Graphical investigation and theoretical analysis show that the interactions composed of SM,BM and SBM are inelastic.

Hyper Catastrophe on 4-Dimensional Canards

When discovering the potential of canards flying in 4-dimensional slow-fast system with a bifurcation parameter, the key notion “symmetry” plays an important role. It is of one parameter on slow vector field. Then, it should be determined to introduce parameters to all slow/fast vectors. It is, however, there might be no way to explore for another potential in this system, because the geometrical structure is quite different from the system with one parameter. Even in this system, the “symmetry” is also useful to obtain the potentials classified by R. Thom. In this paper, via the coordinates changing, the possible way to explore for the potential will be shown. As it is analyzed on “hyper finite time line”, or done by using “non-standard analysis”, it is called “Hyper Catastrophe”. In the slow-fast system which includes a very small parameter , it is difficult to do precise analysis. Thus, it is useful to get the orbits as a singular limit. When trying to do simulations, it is also faced with difficulty due to singularity. Using very small time intervals corresponding small , we shall overcome the difficulty, because the difference equation on the small time interval adopts the standard differential equation. These small intervals are defined on hyper finite number N, which is nonstandard. As and the intervals are linked to use 1/N, the simulation should be done exactly.

Resonant interactions among two-dimensional nonlinear localized waves and lump molecules for the(2+1)-dimensional elliptic Toda equation

The(2+1)-dimensional elliptic Toda equation is a high-dimensional generalization of the Toda lattice and a semidiscrete Kadomtsev–Petviashvili I equation.This paper focuses on investigating the resonant interactions between two breathers,a breather/lump and line solitons as well as lump molecules for the(2+1)-dimensional elliptic Toda equation.Based on the N-soliton solution,we obtain the hybrid solutions consisting of line solitons,breathers and lumps.Through the asymptotic analysis of these hybrid solutions,we derive the phase shifts of the breather,lump and line solitons before and after the interaction between a breather/lump and line solitons.By making the phase shifts infinite,we obtain the resonant solution of two breathers and the resonant solutions of a breather/lump and line solitons.Through the asymptotic analysis of these resonant solutions,we demonstrate that the resonant interactions exhibit the fusion,fission,time-localized breather and rogue lump phenomena.Utilizing the velocity resonance method,we obtain lump–soliton,lump–breather,lump–soliton–breather and lump–breather–breather molecules.The above works have not been reported in the(2+1)-dimensional discrete nonlinear wave equations.

Interaction solutions and localized waves to the(2+1)-dimensional Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation with variable coefficient

This article investigates the Hirota-Satsuma-Ito equation with variable coefficient using the Hirota bilinear method and the long wave limit method.The equation is proved to be Painlevé integrable by Painlevé analysis.On the basis of the bilinear form,the forms of two-soliton solutions,three-soliton solutions,and four-soliton solutions are studied specifically.The appropriate parameter values are chosen and the corresponding figures are presented.The breather waves solutions,lump solutions,periodic solutions and the interaction of breather waves solutions and soliton solutions,etc.are given.In addition,we also analyze the different effects of the parameters on the figures.The figures of the same set of parameters in different planes are presented to describe the dynamical behavior of solutions.These are important for describing water waves in nature.

Three-dimensional kagome structures in a PCL/HA-based hydrogel scaffold to lead slow BMP-2 release for effective bone regeneration

Osteoconductive function is remarkably low in bone disease in the absence of bone tissue surrounding the grafting site,or if the bone tissue is in poor condition.Thus,an effective bone graft in terms of both osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity is required for clinical therapy.Recently,the three-dimensional(3D)kagome structure has been shown to be advantageous for bone tissue regeneration due to its mechanical properties.In this study,a polycaprolactone(PCL)kagome-structure scaffold containing a hyaluronic acid(HA)-based hydrogel was fabricated using a 3D printing technique.The retention capacity of the hydrogel in the scaffold was assessed in vivo with a rat calvaria subcutaneous model for 3 weeks,and the results were compared with those obtained with conventional 3D-printed PCL grid-structure scaffolds containing HA-based hydrogel and bulk-type HA-based hydrogel.The retained hydrogel in the kagome-structure scaffold was further evaluated by in vivo imaging system analysis.To further reinforce the osteoinductivity of the kagome-structure scaffold,a PCL kagome-structure scaffold with bone morphogenetic protein-2(BMP-2)containing HA hydrogel was fabricated and implanted in a calvarial defect model of rabbits for 16 weeks.The bone regeneration characteristics were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin(H&E),Masson’s trichrome staining,and micro-CT image analysis.

Flower-like tin oxide membranes with robust three-dimensional channels for efficient removal of iron ions from hydrogen peroxide

Membrane technology has become the mainstream process for the production of electronic grade hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)).But due to the oxidation degradation of the organic membranes(e.g.polyamide)by the strong oxidative radicals(e.g.OH)generated via the activation of H_(2)O_(2)by iron ions(Fe^(3+)),the short effective lifetime of membranes remains a challenge.Inorganic nano tin oxide(SnO_(2))has great potential for the removal of Fe^(3+)in strongly oxidative H_(2)O_(2)because of its ability to stabilize H2O_(2)and preferentially adsorb Fe^(3+).Herein,we have designed for the first time a flower-like robust SnO_(2)membrane on the ceramic support by in situ template-free one-step hydrothermal method.The three-dimensional loose pore structure in the membrane built by interlacing SnO_(2)nanosheets endows the SnO_(2)membrane with a high specific surface area and abundant adsorption sites(AOH).Based on the coordination complexation and electrostatic attraction between the SnO_(2)surface and Fe^(3+),the membrane shows a high Fe3+removal efficiency(83%)and permeability(24 L·m^(-2)·h^(-1)·MPa^(-1))in H_(2)O_(2).This study provides an innovative and simple approach to designing robust SnO_(2)membranes for highly efficient removal of Fe^(3+)in harsh environments,such as strong oxidation conditions.

A family of flexible two-dimensional semiconductors:MgMX2Y6(M=Ti/Zr/Hf;X=Si/Ge;Y=S/Se/Te)

Inspired by the recently predicted 2D MX_(2)Y_(6)(M=metal element;X=Si/Ge/Sn;Y=S/Se/Te),we explore the possible applications of alkaline earth metal(using magnesium as example)in this family based on the idea of element replacement and valence electron balance.Herein,we report a new family of 2D quaternary compounds,namely MgMX_(2)Y_(6)(M=Ti/Zr/Hf;X=Si/Ge;Y=S/Se/Te)monolayers,with superior kinetic,thermodynamic and mechanical stability.In addition,our results indicate that MgMX_(2)Y_(6)monolayers are all indirect band gap semiconductors with band gap values ranging from 0.870 to 2.500 eV.Moreover,the band edges and optical properties of 2D MgMX_(2)Y_(6)are suitable for constructing multifunctional optoelectronic devices.Furthermore,for comparison,the mechanical,electronic and optical properties of In_(2)X_(2)Y_(6)monolayers have been discussed in detail.The success of introducing Mg into the 2D MX_(2)Y_(6)family indicates that more potential materials,such as Caand Sr-based 2D MX_(2)Y_(6)monolayers,may be discovered in the future.Therefore,this work not only broadens the existing family of 2D semiconductors,but it also provides beneficial results for the future.

Two-Dimensional Co_(2)(OH)1,4-Benzenedicarboxylate-Halloysite Nanotube Nanocomposite-Epoxy Coating with High Corrosion Resistance

Introducing inorganic nanomaterials into a polymer matrix greatly improves the anticorrosion performance of epoxy coatings(EP);however,poor compatibility between the materials can limit the improvement in properties.In this work,based on the high interface compatibility of two-dimensional(2D)Co_(2)(OH)_(2)BDC(BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)in the epoxy coating that we reported in previous work,we fabricated a 2D Co_(2)(OH)_(2)BDC-halloysite nanotube(HNT)nanocomposite have a structure consisting of alternating of nanosheets and nanotube by in situ synthesis.The nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction,and scanning electron microscopy.The mechanical and anticorrosion performance of the 2D Co_(2)(OH)_(2)BDC-HNT/EP coating was evaluated by mechanical tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy spectra.Compared with a conventional unreinforced epoxy coating,the 2D Co_(2)(OH)_(2)BDC-HNT/EP coating had higher mechanical strength and toughness,and the low-frequency impedance modulus of 2D Co_(2)(OH)_(2)BDC-HNT/EP coating was increased by three orders of magnitude,demonstrating the high corrosion resistance of our reinforced coating.