Factors contributing to myasthenic crisis after thymectomy-a multivariate analysis study

Objective To evaluate the risk factors of myasthenic crisis (MC) after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) . Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 84 patients with MG from July 1995 to December 2009. The following factors were evaluated: sex,age,history of preoperative myasthenic crisis,Ossermen classification, steroid hormones use and anticholinesterase drugs before operation,operation methods,operation time,thymoma,

AN APPLICATION OF TOPOLOGICAL ANALYSIS TO STUDYING THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL FLOW IN CASCADES;PART I—TOPOLOGICAL RULES FOR SKIN-FRICTION LINES AND SECTION STREAMLINES

Based on the working of Lighthill and Hunt et al., in the present paper the author has established the topological rules adapting to analysing the skin-friction lines and the section streamlines in cascades. These rules are (1) for a rotor cascade without shroud band, the total number of nodal points equals that the saddle points on the skin-friction line vector fields in eachpitch range; (2) for an annular or straight cascade with no-clearances at blade ends, the total number of saddle points is two more than that of nodal points on the skin-friction line fields in a pitch; (3) the total number of saddles in the secondary flow fields on cross-sections in cascade is one less than that of nodes; (4) in the section streamline vector fields on a meridian surface penetrating a flow passage, and on leading and trailing edge sections, the total number of nodes is equal to that of saddles; (5) on the streamline vector fields of a blade-to-blade surface, the total number of nodes is one less than that of saddles.

Analysis and Study of a Mesoscale Inertia-Gravitational Wave in Upper Air

A mesoscale inertia-gravitational wave at 200 hPa is analysed. The reasons of this wave occurring are also discussed. It is indicated that the occurrence of this wave is due to inertia-gravitational instability, and closely related to horizontal and vertical shear of wind.

Study on analysis method of tritium in seawater

-The reclamation rate formula for concentrating tritium by the addition of 'regular and quantitative aqueous sample' is advanced.Effects of different adding modes on reclamation rate and the reclamation rate reappearance are studied; and the analytic program of tritium in seawater is also proposed. By using Fe-Ni electrodes and the electrolysis temperature of 2± 0. 5℃, β value reaches 20. Reclamation rates reach 83% and 76% when 250 cm3 and 500 cm3 seawater is concentrated to 8 cm3.The relatively appropriate toluene/Trition ratio for counting aqueous sample under the normal temperature is proposed.The computer program of different addition electrolytic concentrations for measuring tritium is coded, and the tritium data base is established.

Investigation and Analysis on Production Cost of Guangxi Sugar Industry

Guangxi is the largest cane sugar production base in China,with more than 20 million sugar related personnel,and sugar related personnel account for about 50%of the total population in Guangxi.The development of cane sugar industry plays an important role in Guangxi and even the whole country.At present,there are still many difficulties and problems in Guangxi sugar industry,such as imperfect industrial chain,high industrial operation cost and weak comprehensive competitiveness.In this paper,by analyzing production cost of cane sugar,management cost,financial cost and cane consumption of sugar per ton in Guangxi,and starting from the problems in cane sugar production of Guangxi,development countermeasures of Guangxi sugar industry reducing cost and increasing efficiency under the new situation are put forward.

Should State Capital Withdraw from Competitive Sectors?——An Analysis Based on the Efficiency of SOEs in the Wholesale Sector

That SOEs are inefficient is still a consensus in most economic literature. However, in recent studies, more and more arguments are made in favor of the efficiency of SOEs, yet existing empirical studies are mostly based on production industry data as samples. On the basis of adopting distribution samples and conducting a cross-sector comparison between the production industry and the distribution sector, this paper offers a multi-perspective empirical assessment on the efficiency of SOEs. Through the analysis of major JTnancial indicators and adopting the Data Envelopment Analysis-Malmquist index for total factor productivity comparison, we find that SOEs generally do not have any disadvantage in efficiency and their superior efficiency is particularly pronounced in the distribution sector as compared with production industry. Moreover, the high share and high efficiency of state capital in the wholesale sector needs particular attention. This paper employs case studies to reveal the positive correlation between the assets-heavy operation of state-owned wholesale firms and their profitability. The implications are as follows： policymakers must deliberate prudently before deciding to withdraw or increase state capital in various sectors; in the wholesale sector where state capital is more efficient, the functions of state capital can be bolstered by increasing its presence in the sector,＂ the notion that state capital must be withdrawn from competitive sectors cannot be adopted likely, nor should the benefits of asset-light operation be exaggerated.

The Stochastic Regression Analysis as a Tool in Ecotoxicological QSAR Studies

Correspondence factor analysis(CFA)was used in conjunction with linear regression analysis to examine the structure-activity relationships of 50 benzene derivatives tested on Pimephales promelas.From nine molecular descriptors(numbers of C,H,O,N,Br,Cl,NO_2,OH,and NH_2 included in the molecules),CFA made it possible to define five new independent variables which were introduced in a stepwise regression analysis procedure to describe the acute toxicity(96-h LC_(50))of the aromatic compounds.The model log 1/C=-0.727F_1+1.248F_3+4.052(r=0.918; s=0.270)is more relevant to describe the ecotoxicological behavior of the studied compounds on the fathead minnow than that obtained with principal components(log 1/C=0.151 PC_1 -0.271 PC_2+4.124;r=0.737;s=0.460).The heuristic potency of this particular statistical analysis,which is called stochastic regression analysis,is discussed in detail.1989 Academic Press,Inc.

Identification, characterization and evolution of non-local quasi-Lagrangian structures in turbulence

The recent progress on non-local Lagrangian and quasi-Lagrangian structures in turbulence is reviewed.The quasi-Lagrangian structures, e.g., vortex surfaces in viscous flow, gas-liquid interfaces in multi-phase flow, and flame fronts in premixed combustion, can show essential Lagrangian following properties, but they are able to have topological changes in the temporal evolution. In addition,they can represent or influence the turbulent flow field. The challenges for the investigation of the non-local structures include their identification, characterization, and evolution.The improving understanding of the quasi-Lagrangian structures is expected to be helpful to elucidate crucial dynamics and develop structure-based predictive models in turbulence.

Method study and uncertainty analysis of calibration coefficients validation based on the Inner Mongolia test site

Calibration coefficients validation is the foundation for ascertaining the sensor performance and carrying out the quantitative application.Based on the analysis of the differences between the calibration and validation,two calibration coefficients validation methods were introduced in this paper.Taking the HJ-1A satellite CCD1 camera as an example,the uncertainties of calibration coefficients validation were analyzed.The calibration coefficients validation errors were simulated based on the measured data at an Inner Mongolia test site.The result showed that in the large view angle,the ground directional reflectance variation and the atmospheric path variation were the main error sources in calibration coefficients validation.The ground directional reflectance correction and atmospheric observation angle normalization should be carried out to improve the validation accuracy of calibration coefficients.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIP-MOUTH REGION IN SMILING POSITION FROM 80 PERSONS WITH ACCEPTABLE FACES AND INDIVIDUAL NORMAL OCCLUSIONS

OBJECTIVE: The characteristics of lip-mouth region including the soft and hard tissues in smiling position with frontal fixed position photographic computer-aided analysis were studied. METHODS: The subjects were 80 persons (40 male and 40 females, age range: 17 to approximately 25 years) with acceptable faces and individual normal occlusions. The subjects were asked to take maximum smiling position to accept photographic measurement with computer-aided analysis. RESULTS: The maximum smile line could be divided into 3 categories: low smile line (16.25%), average smile line (68.75%), and high smile line (15%). CONCLUSION: The method adopting maximum smiling position to study the lip-month region is reproducible and comparable. This study would be helpful to provide a quantitative reference for clinical investigation, diagnosis, treatment and efficacy appraisal.

Relational Capital and Open Innovation： Two Cases of Successful Italian Companies

Praxis and doctrine agree on the importance of innovation for the competitiveness and profitability of the firm. Innovation is considered as a leverage to start a virtuous circle that improves company performance and, consequently, reduce financial constraints for its development. Being creative is definitely the first mechanism that leads to innovation. Creativity spreads from both the individuals that work in the firm and from the social processes and contextual factors that characterize individual relationships within the company. Relational capital is the second mechanism that brings innovation. Relationships with clients, suppliers, competitors, producers of complementary products, public and private research institutions provide creative elements that, once screened, give rise to innovation. The first mechanism requires the firm to be creative on its own as innovations come directly from within the organization （＂closed innovation＂ model）. In the second, the firm must get in touch with potentially innovative idea~ coming from outside （＂open innovation＂ model）. Doctrine and praxis point out that firms, which do not stop at the first mechanism of innovation, turn out to be more innovative. The paper is structured as follows. In the first part, a theoretical framework is provided, describing the main findings, in the literature, in terms of relationships among innovation, creativity and relational capital. The second part is based on the analysis of two case studies. The first case （Coswell）, the very different degree of success （in terms of generated income） of its products seems to be tightly related on how much ＂relational capital＂ is ＂inside＂ the innovation. In the second case （Pastificio Rana） shows that innovation resulting from relational capital allows the company to excel against its far bigger and financially superior competitors.

STUDIES ON THE INITIATION MECHANISM OF CERIC ION AND ACETYLACETONE REDOX SYSTEM IN VINYL POLYMERIZATION

The initiation mechanism of acrylamide (AAM)polymerization using ceric ion/acetylacetone system as an initiator has been studied. The redox polymerization was revealed by the low value of overall activation energy of AAm polymerization. The structure of free radicals formed from above-mentioned initiation sytem were detected by radical trapping and ESR spectra techniques and the end groups of polymers obtained were determined by FT-IR spectra analysis method. Based on these results the initiation mechanism is proposed.

Microstructural white matter lesion in Alzheimer's disease: a diffusion tensor imaging study using voxel-based analysis

Objective To study the microscopic changes of white matter and the relationship between white matter changes and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease(AD)using voxel-based analysis of DTI.Methods Thirty-seven patients with probable AD,and 32 normal controls(NC)were all examined by MMSE scores,and un-

A study of differential potentiometric stripping analysis for lead and cadmium with Nafion coated carbon fibre electrode

The differential potentiometric stripping analysis (DPSA) with Nafion coated carbon fibre electrode has been studied, and a method to determine lead and cadmium in urine directly has been attempted. The effect of various experimental parameters on the DPSA response is discussed. The experimental conditions include 0.2M sodium perchlorate, deposition potential of-1.0 or -1.1 V and using 20 ppm mercuric ion as oxidizing agent. The response of the signal is in linear relation with the concentrations of lead and cadmium respectively up to 0.5 ppm. The electrode coated with Nafion film alleviates the interference from organics in urine samples.

Application of systems biology to the study of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease （CKD） is a major public health problem that affects about 10% of the general population. Current approaches to characterize the category and progression of CKD are normally based on renal histopathological results and clinical parameters. However, this information is not sufficient to predict CKD progression risk reliably or to guide preventive interventions. Nowadays, the appearance of systems biology has brought forward the concepts of ＂-omics＂ technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Systems biology, together with molecular analysis approaches such as microarray analysis, genome-wide association studies （GWAS）, and serial analysis of gene expression （SAGE）, has provided the framework for a comprehensive analysis of renal disease and serves as a starting point for generating novel molecular diagnostic tools for use in nephrology. In particular, analysis of urinary mRNA and protein levels is rapidly evolving as a non-invasive approach for CKD monitoring. All these systems biological molecular approaches are required for application of the concept of ＂personalized medicine＂ to progressive CKD, which will result in tailoring therapy for each patient, in contrast to the ＂one-size-fits-all＂ therapies currently in use.

Evaluation of employee profiles using a hybrid clustering and optimization model Practical study

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to introduce an evaluation methodology for employee profiles that will provide feedback to the training decision makers.Employee profiles play a crucial role in the evaluation process to improve the training process performance.This paper focuses on the clustering of the employees based on their profiles into specific categories that represent the employees’characteristics.The employees are classified into following categories:necessary training,required training,and no training.The work may answer the question of how to spend the budget of training for the employees.This investigation presents the use of fuzzy optimization and clustering hybrid model(data mining approaches)as a fuzzy imperialistic competitive algorithm(FICA)and k-means to find the employees’categories and predict their training requirements.Design/methodology/approach-Prior research that served as an impetus for this paper is discussed.The approach is to apply evolutionary algorithms and clustering hybrid model to improve the training decision system directions.Findings-This paper focuses on how to find a good model for the evaluation of employee profiles.The paper introduces the use of artificial intelligence methods(fuzzy optimization(FICA)and clustering techniques(K-means))in management.The suggestion and the recommendations were constructed based on the clustering results that represent the employee profiles and reflect their requirements during the training courses.Finally,the paper proved the ability of fuzzy optimization technique and clustering hybrid model in predicting the employee’s training requirements.Originality/value-This paper evaluates employee profiles based on new directions and expands the implication of clustering view in solving organizational challenges(in TCT for the first time).

Studies on flow injection analysis of platinum metals——I. Flow injection catalytic determination of ruthenium by phthalin-hydrogen peroxide reaction

A new method has been developed for the determination of trace ruthenium by flow in- jection analysis. The proposed method is rapid, simple and sensitive. The method has a limit of detection for ruthenium of 0.020 μg/mL and permits 70 determinations per hour. The method has been applied to determine ruthenium in refined ore with satisfactory result.

Identification of novel drug targets for diabetic retinopathy:proteome-wide mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses

Background:Diabetic retinopathy(DR)urgently needs novel and effective therapeutic targets.Integrated analyses of plasma proteomic and genetic markers can clarify the causal relevance of proteins and discover novel targets for diseases,but no systematic screening for DR has been performed.Methods:Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci(pQTL)were derived from two extensive genome-wide analysis study(GWAS)datasets and one systematic review,with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins.DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study,comprising 10,413 DR cases and 308,633 European controls.Genetic instrumental variables were identified using multiple filters.In the two-sample MR analysis,Wald ratio and inverse variance-weighted(IVW)MR were utilized to investigate the causality of plasma proteins with DR.Bidirectional MR,Bayesian Co-localization,and phenotype scanning were employed to test for potential reverse causality and confounding factors in the main MR analyses.By systemically searching druggable gene lists,the ChEMBL database,DrugBank,and Gene Ontology database,the druggability and relevant functional pathways of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated.Results:Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk at a false discovery rate<0.05 including 11 with positive associations and 13 with negative associations.For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels,the odds ratios(ORs)for DR varied from 0.51(95%CI:0.36-0.73;P=2.22×10-5)for tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3(TPPP3)to 2.02(95%CI:1.44-2.83;P=5.01×10-5)for olfactomedin like 3(OLFML3).Bidirectional MR indicated there was no reverse causality that interfered with the results of the main MR analyses.Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence(PH4≥0.8):cytoplasmic tRNA synthetase(WARS),acrosin binding protein(ACRBP),and intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM1)were negatively associated with DR risk,while neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2(NOTCH2)showed a positive association.No confounding factors were detected between pQTLs and DR according to the phenotypic scan.Drugability assessments highlighted 6 proteins already in drug development endeavor and 18 novel drug targets,with metalloproteinase inhibitor 3(TIMP)currently in phase I clinical trials for DR.GO analysis identified 18 of 24 plasma proteins enriching 22 pathways related to cell differentiation and proliferation regulation.Conclusions:Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified,including four plasma proteins with particular co-localization evidence.These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting,exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.