Initial experiences with circumferential pulmonary vein ablation guided by CartoMerge

Backgrounds This study was to report the initial experiences of the technique of fusion of either MSCT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with three-dimensional (3-D) electroanatomic mapping (CartoMerge) to guide circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Fifty-five patients [42 men, mean age (SS + 14) years] with symptomatic drug-refractory AF underwent MRI or 64-slice MSCT 1 to 3 days prior to the ablation procedure. Using the new CartoMerge?Image Integration Module, 3-D anatomic images of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) derived from MRI/MSCT were established and fused with the electroanatomic map. The end-point of CPVA was abolish or dissociation of pulmonary vein potentials (PVPs). Results MRI and 64-slice MSCT was performed in 30 and 25 patients, respectively. A mean of (49±13) mapping points was used to establish the electroanatomic model of the LA/PVs. In all patients, MRI/MSCT images could be fused with the 3-D electroanatomic map. Mean distance between the mapping points and the MRI/MSCT surfaces ranged from (1.16±0.89) mm to (2.20±1.76) mm.Conclusions Integration of MRI/MSCT image and the 3-D electroanatomic mapping is a useful tool to facilitate ablation procedure for AF. However, the accuracy of the fusion procedure is dependent on the precision of electroanatomic mapping.

Diagnostic Value between 1984 and 2018 of Transrectal Biopsy Guided by Ultrasonography after Radical Prostatectomy

Objectives—to determine correlation between GSs(Gleason scores)on needle biopsy and RP(radical prostatectomy),evaluating diagnostic tests on biopsy and RP within the last years,between 1984 and 2018.Method—analysis of 100 patients,diagnosed with PCa(prostate cancer)needle biopsy using 18-gauge needle,who underwent RP with lymphadenectomy and for which preoperative and postoperative GSs were available.GS group analysis used three categorization schemes for differentiation:mild,moderate and poor for the whole group and we determined SE(sensitivity),SP(specificity),PVPR(positive predictive value),negative predictive value and accuracy.Results—we found that 42%of the patients had no changes between GS on biopsy and prostatectomy,while 20%were overgraded and 38%undergraded by needle biopsy.Graduation of+1 point in GS(32%)or-1 point(17%)was the most common.Most patients were classified as moderately differentiated by biopsies(78 and 35%in scheme 1 and 2 or 3,respectively),while 43%of patients received an intermediate differentiation classification.Biopsy accuracy varied from 44 to 76%for the analysis of all three schemes.Conclusion—there are differences in correlation between GS on biopsy and on surgical specimen,and Gleason’s graduation also depends on the experience of the pathologist.We have shown that sextant biopsies using 18-gauge and a same group of pathologists showed acceptable concordance values(42%)between the GS on biopsy and prostatectomy.

Transrectal 12-core biopsy of the prostate guided by transrectal ultrasonography

To evaluate the clinical value of transrectal ultrasound guided systematic 12-sample needle biopsy in patients with elevated serum prostate-specific antigen and/or abnormal digital rectal examination findings.Methods The data of 2200 patients who underwent 12-sample transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy (comprising conventional 6 biopsies and 3 biopsies in each lateral peripheral zone) of the prostate were retrospectively analyzed.Results Of the 220 patients,73 (33.2%) had prostate cancers on biopsy;the clinical stages were as follows:4 cases of stage T1,21 of T2,15 of T3 and 3 of T4.If the conventional 6-core biopsy alone was performed,the detection rate would be 31.4%,4 cases (3 of stage T1 and 1 of stage T2,all with tumor volume less than 0.5 ml) would be missed.The improvement by 12-core biopsy was marked in patients with stage T1-T2 prostate disease (16%,4/25).No serious complications were observed in patients with transrectal ultrasound guided systematic 12-core biopsy of the prostate.Conclusion The 12-sample procedure can improve the cancer detection rate of the early stage prostate cancer and tumor with volume less than 0.5 ml.Therefore,more attention should be paid to the lateral peripheral zone biopsy.11 refs,1 fig,2 tabs.

基于Guided BERTopic模型的产业链关键核心技术识别与发展趋势研判--以未来工业互联网为例

产业链关键核心技术不仅是国之重器,而且对推动我国经济的高质量发展和保障国家安全起着至关重要的作用。当前,工业互联网产业链的关键技术发展成为我国的研究重点,该领域的重要性在2023年被提升至国家级重大研究计划。综合收集了1989-2024年中美两国在工业互联网领域的专利数据,基于《关键和新兴技术清单》和《未来工业互联网基础理论与关键技术重大研究计划》,构建了一套工业互联网产业链核心关键技术的种子词库。利用Guided BERTopic模型提取了产业链关键技术主题,并采用Logistic模型评估了这些技术的生命周期,进而对比中美两国的发展情况,提出了针对未来发展的建议。研究结果表明,相比美国,我国在大多数产业链核心技术方面仍处于成长阶段,而美国则已步入技术饱和阶段。展望未来,设备监测系统、设备管理系统、无线通信技术及能耗监测分析系统等被认为是具有巨大发展潜力的技术。研究提出了一种基于政策文件的产业链关键技术识别方法,并通过对工业互联网专利技术的实证分析,为制定相关政策提供了科学指导和建议。

Pipeline thickness estimation using the dispersion of higher-order SH guided waves

Thickness measurement plays an important role in the monitoring of pipeline corrosion damage. However, the requirement for prior knowledge of the shear wave velocity in the pipeline material for popular ultrasonic thickness measurement limits its widespread application. This paper proposes a method that utilizes cylindrical shear horizontal(SH) guided waves to estimate pipeline thickness without prior knowledge of shear wave velocity. The inversion formulas are derived from the dispersion of higher-order modes with the high-frequency approximation. The waveform of the example problems is simulated using the real-axis integral method. The data points on the dispersion curves are processed in the frequency domain using the wave-number method. These extracted data are then substituted into the derived formulas. The results verify that employing higher-order SH guided waves for the evaluation of thickness and shear wave velocity yields less than1% error. This method can be applied to both metallic and non-metallic pipelines, thus opening new possibilities for health monitoring of pipeline structures.

Guided Care护理模式对老年骨质疏松症患者自我管理能力和生活质量的影响

目的探讨分析Guided Care护理模式对老年骨质疏松症患者自我管理能力和生活质量的影响。方法简单随机选取2022年1月—2023年9月山东省泰安荣军医院收治的60例老年骨质疏松症患者为研究对象,按随机数表法将其分为常规组(实施常规护理干预),模式组(在常规组的基础上给予Guided Care护理模式干预),每组30例,两组均持续干预2个月,比较两组患者干预前后的健康认知水平、跌倒风险、自我管理能力、生活质量、护理满意度。结果干预2个月后,模式组的健康认知水平评分高于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的跌倒风险评分低于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的自我管理能力评分高于常规组,生活质量评分低于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的护理满意度为93.33%,高于常规组的护理满意度73.33%,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=4.320,P<0.05)。结论在老年骨质疏松症患者中,应用Guided Care护理模式,可以有效地提升患者的健康认知水平及自我管理能力,提高患者的生活质量,降低患者跌倒的风险。

Detection of internal crack growth in polyethylene pipe using guided wave ultrasonic testing

Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.

Research on the navigation method of large-scale differential tail-control improvised guided munitions based on rotational speed constraints

In the process of launching guided projectile under the conventional system, it is difficult to effectively obtain the precise navigation parameters of the projectile in the high dynamic environment. Aiming at this problem, this paper describes a new system of guided ammunition based on tail spin reduction. After analyzing the mechanism of the ammunition's tail spin reduction, a navigation method of large scale difference tail control simple guided ammunition based on speed constraint is proposed. In this method,the corresponding navigation constraints can be carried out by combining the rotation speed state of the ammunition itself, and the optimal solution of navigation parameters during the flight of the missile can be obtained by Extended Kalman Filter(EKF). Finally, the performance of the proposed method was verified by the simulation environment, and the hardware-in-the-loop simulation test and flight test were carried out to verify the performance of the method in the real environment. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve the optimal estimation of navigation parameters for simple guided ammunition with large-scale difference tail control. Under the conditions of simulation test and hardware-in-loop simulation test, the position and velocity errors calculated by the method in this paper converged. Under the condition of flight test, the spatial average error calculated by the method described in this paper is 6.17 m, and the spatial error of the final landing point is 3.50 m.Through this method, the accurate acquisition of navigation parameters in the process of projectile launching is effectively realized.

Arbitrary skin metallization by pencil-writing inspired solid-ink rubbing for advanced energy storage and harvesting

The development of a durable metallic coating on diverse substrates is both intriguing and challenging,particularly in the research of metal-conductive materials for applications such as batteries,soft electronics,and beyond.Herein,by learning from the pencil-writing process,a facile solid-ink rubbing technology(SIR-tech)is invented to address the above challenge.The solid-ink is exampled by rational combination of liquid metal and graphite particles.By harnessing the synergistic effects between rubbing and adhesion,controllable metallic skin is successfully formed onto metals,woods,ceramics,and plastics without limitation in size and shape.Moreover,outperforming pure liquid-metal coating,the composite metallic skin by SIR-tech is very robust due to the self-lamination of graphite nanoplate exfoliated by liquid-metal rubbing.The critical factors controlling the structures-properties of the composite metallic skin have been systematically investigated as well.For applications,the SIR-tech is demonstrated to fabricate high-performance composite current collectors for next-generation batteries without traditional metal foils.Meanwhile,advanced skin-electrodes are further demonstrated for stable triboelectricity generation even under temperature fluctuation from-196 to 120℃.This facile and highly-flexible SIR-tech may work as a powerful platform for the studies on functional coatings by liquid metals and beyond.

Apically guiding electron/mass transfer reaction induced by Ag/FeN_(x)Mott-Schottky effect within a hollow star reactor toward high performance zinc-air batteries

The disparity in the transfer of carriers(electrons/mass)during the reaction in zinc-air batteries(ZABs)results in sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER),along with elevated overpotentials,thereby imposing additional constraints on its utilization.Therefore,the pre-design and target-development of inexpensive,high-performance,and long-term stable bifunctional catalysts are urgently needed.In this work,an apically guiding dual-functional electrocatalyst(Ag-FeN_(x)-N-C)was prepared,in which a hierarchical porous nitrogen-doped carbon with three-dimensional(3D)hollow star-shaped structure is used as a substrate and high-conductivity Ag nanoparticles are coupled with iron nitride(FeN_(x))nanoparticles.Theoretical calculations indicate that the Mott-Schottky heterojunction as an inherent electric field comes from the two-phase bound of Ag and FeN_(x),of which electron accumulation in the FeN_(x)phase region and electron depletion in the Ag phase region promote orientated-guiding charge migration.The effective modulation of local electronic structures felicitously reforms the d-band electron-group distribution,and intellectually tunes the masstransfer reaction energy barriers for both ORR/OER.Additionally,the hollow star-s haped hierarchical porous structure provides an apical region for fast mass transfer.Experimental results show that the halfwave potential for ORR is 0.914 V,and the overpotential for OER is only 327 mV at 10 mA cm^(-2).A rechargeable ZAB with Ag-FeN_(x)-N-C as the air cathode demonstrates long-term cycling performance exceeding 1500 cycles(500 h),with a power density of 180 mW cm^(-2).Moreover,when employing AgFeN_(x)-N-C as the air cathode,flexible ZABs demonstrate a notable open-circuit voltage of 1.42 V and achieve a maximum power density of 65.6 mW cm^(-2).Ag-FeN_(x)-N-C shows guiding electron/mass transfer route and apical reaction microenvironment for the electrocatalyst architecture in the exploration prospects of ZABs.

Polycrystalline ZSM-5 Aggregates Induced by Seed and Catalytic Performance in Methanol to Hydrocarbon

Synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite typically utilizes small molecule polyamines or quaternary ammonium salts as organic structure guiding agent(OSDA).By contrast,the OSDA-free hydrothermal synthesis system eliminates the use of organic templates and the subsequent calcination procedure.This not only reduces the cost of synthesis,but also prevents environmental pollution from the combustion of organic templates,representing an eco-friendly approach.Despite this,literature suggests that even so-called template-free synthesis systems often involve trace amount of organic substances like alcohol.In the present work,a calcined commercial ZSM-5 zeolite was served as seed,with sodium aluminate as aluminum source and silica sol as silicon source,ensuring an entirely template-free synthesis system.Polycrystalline ZSM-5 aggregates consisted of rod-like nanocrystals were successfully prepared in the completely OSDA-free system.Effects of the Si/Al ratio in ZSM-5 seed,dosage and crystallization conditions such as crystallization temperature and crystallization time on ZSM-5 synthesis were investigated.The results show that a highly crystallinity ZSM-5 aggregate consisting of primary nano-sized crystals less than 100 nm is produced from a gel precursor with 5.6%(in mass)seed after hydrothermal treatment for 48 h.Furthermore,the Si/Al ratio in ZSM-5 seed has little effect on the topological structure and pore structure of the synthesized samples.However,the seeds with a low Si/Al ratio facilitate faster crystallization of zeolite and enhance the acidity,especially the strong acid centers,of the catalyst.The catalytic performance of the synthesized polycrystalline ZSM-5 was evaluated during dehydration of methanol and compared with a commercial reference ZSM-5r.The results exhibit that as compared with the reference catalyst,the fabricated sample has a longer catalytic lifetime(16 h vs 8 h)attributed to its hierarchical pores derived from the loosely packed primary nanoparticles.Additionally,the prepared polycrystalline catalyst also exhibits a higher aromatics selectivity(28.1%-29.8%vs 26.5%).

Research on High-Velocity Impact Damage Monitoring Method of CFRP Based on Guided Wave

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer(CFRP)is widely used in aerospace applications.This kind of material may face the threat of high-velocity impact in the process of dedicated service,and the relevant research mainly considers the impact resistance of the material,and lacks the high-velocity impact damage monitoring research of CFRP.To solve this problem,a real high-velocity impact damage experiment and structural health monitoring(SHM)method of CFRP plate based on piezoelectric guided wave is proposed.The results show that CFRP has obvious perforation damage and fiber breakage when high-velocity impact occurs.It is also proved that guided wave SHM technology can be effectively used in the monitoring of such damage,and the damage can be reflected by quantifying the signal changes and damage index(DI).It provides a reference for further research on guided wave structure monitoring of high/hyper-velocity impact damage of CFRP.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)directs bile flow into the digestive tract and has been mostly used in patients with malignant biliary obstruction(MBO)where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided biliary drainage was unsuccessful or was not feasible.Lumen apposing metal stents(LAMS)are deployed during EUS-BD,with the newer electrocautery-enhanced LAMS reducing procedure time and complication rates due to the inbuilt cautery at the catheter tip.EUS-BD with electrocautery-enhanced LAMS has high technical and clinical success rates for palliation of MBO,with bleeding,cholangitis,and stent occlusion being the most common adverse events.Recent studies have even suggested comparable efficacy between EUS-BD and endosc-opic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as the primary approach for distal MBO.In this editorial,we commented on the article by Peng et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery in 2024.

Clinical Efficacy of GBR Technique Combined with Temporary Bridgework-Guided Gingival Contouring in Treating Upper Anterior Tooth Loss with Labial Bone Defects

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the guided bone regeneration(GBR)technique combined with temporary bridgework-guided gingival contouring in treating upper anterior tooth loss with labial bone defects.Methods:From July 2023 to April 2024,80 patients with upper anterior tooth loss and labial bone defects were admitted to the hospital and selected as evaluation samples.They were divided into an observation group(n=40)and a control group(n=40)using a numerical table lottery scheme.The control group received treatment with the GBR technique,while the observation group received treatment with the GBR technique combined with temporary bridges to guide gingival contouring.The two groups were compared in terms of clinical red aesthetic scores(PES),labial alveolar bone density,labial bone wall thickness,gingival papillae,gingival margin levels,and patient satisfaction.Results:The PES scores of patients in the observation group were higher than those in the control group after surgery(P<0.05).The bone density of the labial alveolar bone and the thickness of the labial bone wall in the observation group were higher than those in the control group.The levels of gingival papillae and gingival margins were lower in the observation group after surgery(P<0.05).Additionally,patient satisfaction in the observation group was higher than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The GBR technique combined with temporary bridge-guided gingival contouring for treating upper anterior tooth loss with labial bone defects can improve the aesthetic effect of gingival soft tissue,increase alveolar bone density and the thickness of the labial bone wall,and enhance patient satisfaction.This approach is suitable for widespread application in healthcare institutions.

Quantum cascade laser thermal therapy guided by FDOCT

We demonstrate Fourier domain optical coherenc tomography （FDOCT） monitoring and guiding of quantum cascade laser （QCL） therapy. The laser therapy is performed with a 6.1-tim mid-IR QCL and it involves both tissue coagulation or ablation. FDOCT allows real-time monitoring that minimize unnecessary damage to the surrounding tissues. We perform lipid phantom tissue ablation, chicken egg yolk coagulation, and tissue and blood vessel coagulation on chicken embryo to validate the FDOCT guiding quantum cascade laser therapy.

Adaptive genetic algorithms guided by decomposition for PCSPs： application to frequency assignment problems

This paper proposes Adaptive Genetic Algorithms Guided by structural knowledges coming from decomposition methods, for solving PCSPs. The family of algorithms called AGAGD_x_y is designed to be doubly genetic, meaning that any decomposition method and different heuristics for the genetic operators can be considered. To validate the approach, the decomposition algorithm due to Newman was used and several crossover operators based on structural knowledge such as the cluster, separator and the cut were tested. The experimental results obtained on the most challenging Minimum Interference-FAP problems of CALMA instances are very promising and lead to interesting perspectives to be explored in the future.

Improved guided bone regeneration by combined application of unmodified, fresh autologous adipose derived regenerative cells and plasma rich in growth factors:A first-in-human case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Novel strategies are needed for improving guided bone regeneration(GBR) in oral surgery prior to implant placement, particularly in maxillary sinus augmentation(GBR-MSA) and in lateral alveolar ridge augmentation(LRA). This study tested the hypothesis that the combination of freshly isolated, unmodified autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells(UA-ADRCs), fraction 2 of plasma rich in growth factors(PRGF-2) and an osteoinductive scaffold(OIS)(UAADRC/PRGF-2/OIS) is superior to the combination of PRGF-2 and the same OIS alone(PRGF-2/OIS) in GBR-MSA/LRA.CASE SUMMARY A 79-year-old patient was treated with a bilateral external sinus lift procedure as well as a bilateral lateral alveolar ridge augmentation. GBR-MSA/LRA was performed with UA-ADRC/PRGF-2/OIS on the right side, and with PRGF-2/OIS on the left side. Biopsies were collected at 6 wk and 34 wk after GBRMSA/LRA. At the latter time point implants were placed. Radiographs(32 mo follow-up time) demonstrated excellent bone healing. No radiological or histological signs of inflammation were observed. Detailed histologic,histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsies evidenced that UA-ADRC/PRGF-2/OIS resulted in better and faster bone regeneration than PRGF-2/OIS.CONCLUSION GBR-MSA with UA-ADRCs, PRGF-2, and an OIS shows effectiveness without adverse effects.

Vitrectomy with air tamponade for surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by eye position guided fluid-air exchange

AIM:To observe the efficacy and safety of pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)with eye position guided fluid-air exchange(FAX)and air to mponade in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD).METHODS:RRD patients without severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)C1 or more were enrolled.All patients underwent PPV combining with air tamponade.During operation,the primary retinal break(s)were placed at lower site and subretinal fluid was aspirated through the break(s)at the same time when eye position guided FAX was proceeding.Sufficient laser spots were made to seal the retinal break(s)after FAX,and filtered air was left in vitreous cavity as to mponade agent finally.The main outcomes were primary and final success rates,best corrected visual acuity(BCVA),and the secondary outcomes were rate of postoperative cataract surgery and high intraocular pressure.RESULTS:A total of 37 eyes(20 males and 17 females)with a follow-up time of≥6 mo were included.The range of RRD was 5.6±1.8 h,and the number of retinal breaks was 1.9±1.2.The breaks located at inferior quadrants(between 3:00 and 9:00)in 5 cases(13.5%),and both superior and inferior breaks were found in 3 cases(8.1%).A total of 25 cases(67.6%)with macular detached involvement,9 cases(24.3%)with intraocular lens,and 8 patients(21.6%)were treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation together.The success rate of primary retinal reattachment was 100%(37/37).At 6 mo postoperatively,BCVA(logMAR)was increased from 1.13±1.07 to 0.23±0.15(P<0.001).Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation was performed in 2 patients(5.4%),and one of them underwent macular epiretinal membrane peeling in addition(2.7%).Furthermore,high intraocular pressure was found in 4 cases(10.8%).CONCLUSION:PPV with air tamponade by eye position guided FAX can achieve a high reattachment success rate in the management of patients with RRD,and it has the advantages of short postoperative prone time and fewer operative complications.

Enhancement effect of cumulative second-harmonic generation by closed propagation feature of circumferential guided waves

On the basis of second-order perturbation approximate and modal expansion approach,we investigate the enhancement effect of cumulative second-harmonic generation(SHG)of circumferential guided waves(CGWs)in a circular tube,which is inherently induced by the closed propagation feature of CGWs.An appropriate mode pair of primary-and double-frequency CGWs satisfying the phase velocity matching and nonzero energy flux is selected to ensure that the second harmonic generated by primary CGW propagation can accumulate along the circumference.Using a coherent superposition of multi-waves,a model of unidirectional CGW propagation is established for analyzing the enhancement effect of cumulative SHG of primary CGW mode selected.The theoretical analyses and numerical simulations performed directly demonstrate that the second harmonic generated does have a cumulative effect along the circumferential direction and the closed propagation feature of CGWs does enhance the magnitude of cumulative second harmonic generated.Potential applications of the enhancement effect of cumulative SHG of CGWs are considered and discussed.The theoretical analysis and numerical simulation perspective presented here yield an insight previously unavailable into the physical mechanism of the enhancement effect of cumulative SHG by closed propagation feature of CGWs in a circular tube.

Efficient numerical analysis of guided wave structures by compact FDFD with PVL method

An efficient numerical simulation technique is introduced to extract the propagation characteristics of a millimeter guided wave structure. The method is based on the application of the Krylov subspace model order reduction technique (Padé via Lanczos) to the compact finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) method. This new technique speeds up the solution by decreasing the originally larger system matrix into one lower order system matrix. Numerical experiments from several millimeter guided wave structures demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of this algorithm.