Force CT高级建模迭代重建算法对门静脉图像质量的影响

目的:探讨Force CT高级建模迭代重建算法(ADMIRE)对门静脉图像质量影响。方法:回顾性分析2022年1—4月于中山大学附属第八医院行上腹部CT平扫及增强的40例患者影像资料,在syngo.via后处理工作站重建,采用门脉期原始数据重建出滤波反投影算法(FBP)、ADMIRE1、ADMIRE3、ADMIRE5 4组不同重建算法的图像,在4组不同算法图像上测量门静脉干中心位置、肝实质及同层竖脊肌的CT值和噪声值,计算门静脉和肝实质的信噪比(SNR)和对比噪声比(CNR)。此外,由两位具有5年以上诊断经验的医生对图像进行主观评分。结果:随着迭代等级的增高,图像的CNR、SNR呈现上升的趋势,图像的噪声值呈现下降的趋势,其中ADMIRE5组图像中门静脉和肝脏具有最高的CNR和SNR且具有最低的噪声值,以及最高的主观评分,采用ADMIRE5重建算法的门静脉与周围组织对比非常好,门静脉5级分支显示良好。结论:高级建模迭代重建ADMIRE算法相比于FBP重建算法,降噪效果更好,门静脉的显示更加锐利,能提升门静脉的图像质量。

Comparisons of Wave Force Model Effects on the Structural Responses and Fatigue Loads of a Semi-Submersible Floating Wind Turbine

The selection of wave force models will significantly impact the structural responses of floating wind turbines.In this study,comparisons of wave force model effects on the structural responses and fatigue loads of a semi-submersible floating wind turbine(SFWT)were conducted.Simulations were performed by employing the Morison equation(ME)with linear or second-order wave kinematics and potential flow theory(PFT)with first-or second-order wave forces.A comparison of regular waves,irregular waves,and coupled wind/waves analyses with the experimental data showed that many of the simulation results and experimental data are relatively consistent.However,notable discrepancies are found in the response amplitude operators for platform heave,tower base bending moment,and tension in mooring lines.PFT models give more satisfactory results of heave but more significant discrepan-cies in tower base bending moment than the ME models.In irregular wave analyses,low-frequency resonances were captured by PFT models with second-order difference-frequency terms,and high-frequency resonances were captured by the ME models or PFT models with second-order sum-frequency terms.These force models capture the response frequencies but do not reasonably predict the response amplitudes.The coupled wind/waves analyses showed more satisfactory results than the wave-only analyses.However,an important detail to note is that this satisfactory result is based on the overprediction of wind-induced responses.

Culturally competent care across borders: Implementing culturally responsive teaching for nurses in diverse workforces

The migration of healthcare professionals,including nurses,is a global phenomenon.It is driven by various factors,including the pursuit of better opportunities,living conditions,and professional development,as well as political instability or conflict in their home countries.The World Health Organization(WHO)has noted that high-income countries often rely on foreign-trained nurses to fill gaps in their healthcare systems[1].For instance,as of 2021,over 40%(52 million)of all nurses in the United States(US)were expatriates[2].In the United Kingdom(UK),the percentage of expatriate nurses was even higher,reaching approximately 18%in 2021[3].Owing to globalization and migration,healthcare providers must possess cultural competence to deliver improved care[4,5].Culturally responsive teaching(CRT)is rooted in the idea that culture plays a vital role in shaping people’s behaviors,beliefs,values,and communication styles[6].Furthermore,these cultural factors influence patients’perspectives on health,illness,healing,and their preferences for care and communication[7].By recognizing and embracing these cultural differences,nurses can provide more effective and compassionate care to their diverse patient population[8].

Electric field and force characteristic of dust aerosol particles on the surface of high-voltage transmission line

High-voltage transmission lines play a crucial role in facilitating the utilization of renewable energy in regions prone to desertification. The accumulation of atmospheric particles on the surface of these lines can significantly impact corona discharge and wind-induced conductor displacement. Accurately quantifying the force exerted by particles adhering to conductor surfaces is essential for evaluating fouling conditions and making informed decisions. Therefore, this study investigates the changes in electric field intensity along branched conductors caused by various fouling layers and their resulting influence on the adhesion of dust particles. The findings indicate that as individual particle size increases, the field strength at the top of the particle gradually decreases and eventually stabilizes at approximately 49.22 k V/cm, which corresponds to a field strength approximately 1.96 times higher than that of an unpolluted transmission line. Furthermore,when particle spacing exceeds 15 times the particle size, the field strength around the transmission line gradually decreases and approaches the level observed on non-adhering surface. The electric field remains relatively stable. In a triangular arrangement of three particles, the maximum field strength at the tip of the fouling layer is approximately 1.44 times higher than that of double particles and 1.5 times higher compared to single particles. These results suggest that particles adhering to the transmission line have a greater affinity for adsorbing charged particles. Additionally, relevant numerical calculations demonstrate that in dry environments, the primary adhesion forces between particles and transmission lines follow an order of electrostatic force and van der Waals force. Specifically, at the minimum field strength, these forces are approximately74.73 times and 19.43 times stronger than the gravitational force acting on the particles.

Self-assembly of perovskite nanocrystals:From driving forces to applications

Self-assembly of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals(NCs)into superlattices can exhibit unique collective properties,which have significant application values in the display,detector,and solar cell field.This review discusses the driving forces behind the self-assembly process of perovskite NCs,and the commonly used self-assembly methods and different self-assembly structures are detailed.Subsequently,we summarize the collective optoelectronic properties and application areas of perovskite superlattice structures.Finally,we conclude with an outlook on the potential issues and future challenges in developing perovskite NCs.

Distributed Dynamic Load in Structural Dynamics by the Impulse-Based Force Estimation Algorithm

This paper proposes a novel approach for identifying distributed dynamic loads in the time domain.Using polynomial andmodal analysis,the load is transformed intomodal space for coefficient identification.This allows the distributed dynamic load with a two-dimensional form in terms of time and space to be simultaneously identified in the form of modal force,thereby achieving dimensionality reduction.The Impulse-based Force Estimation Algorithm is proposed to identify dynamic loads in the time domain.Firstly,the algorithm establishes a recursion scheme based on convolution integral,enabling it to identify loads with a long history and rapidly changing forms over time.Secondly,the algorithm introduces moving mean and polynomial fitting to detrend,enhancing its applicability in load estimation.The aforementioned methodology successfully accomplishes the reconstruction of distributed,instead of centralized,dynamic loads on the continuum in the time domain by utilizing acceleration response.To validate the effectiveness of the method,computational and experimental verification were conducted.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Defence and Security Forces in Northern Benin (2023)

Introduction: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined as “actual exposure to death or the threat of death, serious injury or sexual violence”, either directly or indirectly, resulting in a symptomatic procession of repetition, avoidance, neurovegetative hyperactivity and individualized symptoms, with or without negative cognitive and mood changes. It therefore goes without saying that the defence and security forces constitute a high-risk population in need of attention. Objective: To study post-traumatic stress disorder in defence and security forces in the city of Parakou in 2023. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2022 to July 2023. The study population consisted of active military, republican police and firefighters in the city of Parakou in 2023. Non-proportional stratified sampling was used, given the inaccessibility of the source population size for national security reasons. Post-traumatic stress disorder was assessed using the “post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-5 (PCLS-5) scale. Results: A total of 305 subjects participated in the survey. Males dominated 90.2%. The most represented corps was the Republican Police (41.6%), most of whom were non-commissioned officers (46.6%). The majority count between 11 and 20 years of service (48.9%), with 2 to 5 missions completed (67.5%). The calculated prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was 11.8%, based on the post-traumatic stress disorder checklist-5 (PCL-5). Of the 36 respondents with post-traumatic stress disorder, 20 (55.6%) had experienced an armed attack, 25 (69.4%) had witnessed a violent death, 18 (50.0%) had witnessed the agony of a colleague, 15 (41.7%) had been exposed to a fire or explosion, while 26 (72.2%) had been traumatized by physical and/or verbal aggression. 5 (13.9%) had consulted a specialist psychiatrist, while 6 (16.7%) were on medication and 26 (72.2%) used sport as a means of maintaining physical and mental health. Respectively 22 (61.1%) and 21 (58.3%) had definite symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between post-traumatic stress disorder and the following variables: total number of children ≤ 2 (p = 0.015), comorbidities such as arterial hypertension (p = 0.007), history of hepatitis (p = 0.017), work accidents (p = 0.016), alcohol dependence (p = 0.004), domestic violence (p = 0.004), psychological violence (p = 0.017) and anxiety disorders (p Conclusion: Defence and security personnel can also be prey to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which needs to be systematically taken into account when they are subjected to trauma in the course of their duties. Mental health should be an integral part of the periodic medical check-up objectives for defence and security forces throughout the country.

Scheme of negative acoustic radiation force based on a multiple-layered spherical structure

Acoustic radiation force(ARF), as an important particle manipulation method, has been extensively studied in recent years. With the introduction of the concept of “acoustic tweezers”, negative acoustic radiation has become a research hotspot. In this paper, a scheme of realizing negative ARF based on the multiple-layered spherical structure design is proposed. The specific structure and design idea are presented. Detailed theoretical calculation analysis is carried out.Numerical simulations have been performed to verify the correctness of this prediction. The conjecture that the suppression of backscattering can achieve negative ARF is verified concretely, which greatly expands the application prospect and design ideas of the ARF. This work has laid a theoretical foundation for realizing precise control of the structure.

An extended social force model on unidirectional flow considering psychological and behavioral impacts of hazard source

An accurate assessment of the evacuation efficiency in case of disasters is of vital importance to the safety design of buildings and street blocks.Hazard sources not only physically but psychologically affect the pedestrians,which may further alter their behavioral patterns.This effect is especially significant in narrow spaces,such as corridors and alleys.This study aims to integrate a non-spreading hazard source into the social force model following the results from a previous experiment and simulation,and to simulate unidirectional pedestrian flows over various crowd densities and clarity–intensity properties of the hazard source.The integration include a virtual repulsion force from the hazard source and a decay on the social force term.The simulations reveal(i)that the hazard source creates virtual bottlenecks that suppress the flow,(ii)that the inter-pedestrian push forms a stabilisation phase on the flow-density curve within medium-to-high densities,and(iii)that the pedestrians are prone to a less orderly and stable pattern of movement in low clarity–intensity scenarios,possibly with lateral collisions passing the hazard source.

Dynamic-based model for calculating the boulder impact force in debris flow

The boulder impact force in debris flow is generally calculated by static methods such as the cantilever beam models.However,these methods cannot describe the dynamic scenario of boulder collision on structures,so the inertia and damping effects of the structures are not involved causing an overestimation on the boulder impact force.In order to address this issue,a dynamic-based model for calculating the boulder impact force of a debris flow was proposed in this study,and the dynamic characteristics of a cantilever beam with multiple degrees of freedom under boulder collision were investigated.By using the drop-weight method to simulate boulders within debris flow,seven experiments of drop-weight impacting the cantilever beam were used to calibrate the error of the dynamicbased model.Results indicate that the dynamic-based model is able to reconstruct the impact force history on the cantilever beam during impact time and the error of dynamic-based model is 15.3%in calculating boulder impact force,significantly outperforming the cantilever beam model’s error of 285%.Therefore,the dynamic-based model can overcome the drawbacks of the static-based models and provide a more reliable theoretical foundation for the engineering design of debris flow control structures.

Effect of preload forces on multidimensional signal dynamic behaviours for battery early safety warning

Providing early safety warning for batteries in real-world applications is challenging.In this study,comprehensive thermal abuse experiments are conducted to clarify the multidimensional signal evolution of battery failure under various preload forces.The time-sequence relationship among expansion force,voltage,and temperature during thermal abuse under five categorised stages is revealed.Three characteristic peaks are identified for the expansion force,which correspond to venting,internal short-circuiting,and thermal runaway.In particular,an abnormal expansion force signal can be detected at temperatures as low as 42.4°C,followed by battery thermal runaway in approximately 6.5 min.Moreover,reducing the preload force can improve the effectiveness of the early-warning method via the expansion force.Specifically,reducing the preload force from 6000 to 1000 N prolongs the warning time(i.e.,227 to 398 s)before thermal runaway is triggered.Based on the results,a notable expansion force early-warning method is proposed that can successfully enable early safety warning approximately 375 s ahead of battery thermal runaway and effectively prevent failure propagation with module validation.This study provides a practical reference for the development of timely and accurate early-warning strategies as well as guidance for the design of safer battery systems.

An Analysis of Specific Categories of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities for Children of Participants of the Air Force Health Study

Background: The Air Force Health Study collected reproductive outcomes for live-born children of male Air Force veterans of the Vietnam War. Methods: Dioxin values for participants were obtained from blood samples. Analyses were conducted of occurrence of 16 specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Children were categorized as conceived before and after the start of participants’ Vietnam War service. Children conceived before the start of Vietnam War service were treated as being conceived when their fathers had unquantifiable dioxin values. Children conceived after the start of Vietnam War service for participants with missing dioxin values were excluded from primary analyses, but were used to assess the impact of their exclusion on conclusions. Correlation between values for specific categories for multiple children fathered by the same participant was accounted for. The dose-response relationship was treated as a step function increasing for dioxin values larger than adaptively identified individual thresholds changing with the specific category. Results: For 15 of 16 specific categories, the probability of occurrence increased substantially for a sufficiently high dioxin level above identified thresholds. Exclusion of children due to missing dioxin likely did not affect these results. Conclusions: Results supported the conclusion of substantial adverse effects on a wide variety of specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities due to sufficiently high exposures to dioxin, a toxic contaminant of Agent Orange used for herbicide spraying in the Vietnam War. Results may hold more generally, but might also have been affected by a variety of limitations.

Influence of different magnetic forces on the effect of colonic anastomosis in rats

BACKGROUND Despite much work having been conducted on magnetic compression anastomo-sis(MCA)in the digestive tract,there are no reports on the influence of magnetic force on the anastomosis.AIM To investigate the effect of different magnetic force magnets on the MCA of the digestive tract.METHODS Two groups of magnets of the same sizes but different magnetic forces were designed and produced.A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into two groups(powerful magnet group and common magnet group),with 12 rats in each group.Two types of magnets were used to complete the colonic side-to-side anastomosis of the rats.The operation time and magnet discharge time were recorded.The anastomotic specimens were obtained 4 wk after the operation and then the burst pressure and diameter of the anastomosis were measured,and the anastomosis was observed via the naked eye and subjected to histological examination.RESULTS The magnetic forces of the powerful and common magnet groups at zero distance were 8.26 N and 4.10 N,respectively.The colonic side-to-side anastomosis was completed in all 24 rats,and the operation success rate and postoperative survival rate were 100%.No significant difference was noted in the operation time between the two groups.The magnet discharge time of the powerful magnet group was slightly longer than that of the common magnet group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P=0.513).Furthermore,there was no statistical difference in the burst pressure(P=0.266)or diameter of magnetic anastomosis(P=0.095)between the two groups.The gross specimens of the two groups showed good anastomotic healing,and histological observation indicated good mucosal continuity without differences on healing.CONCLUSION In the rat colonic side-to-side MCA model,both the powerful magnet with 8.26 N and the common magnet with 4.10 N showed no significant impact on the anastomosis establishment process or its effect.

Predicting impact forces on pipelines from deep-sea fluidized slides:A comprehensive review of key factors

Deep-sea pipelines play a pivotal role in seabed mineral resource development,global energy and resource supply provision,network communication,and environmental protection.However,the placement of these pipelines on the seabed surface exposes them to potential risks arising from the complex deep-sea hydrodynamic and geological environment,particularly submarine slides.Historical incidents have highlighted the substantial damage to pipelines due to slides.Specifically,deep-sea fluidized slides(in a debris/mud flow or turbidity current physical state),characterized by high speed,pose a significant threat.Accurately assessing the impact forces exerted on pipelines by fluidized submarine slides is crucial for ensuring pipeline safety.This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in understanding pipeline impact forces caused by fluidized deep-sea slides,thereby identifying key factors and corresponding mechanisms that influence pipeline impact forces.These factors include the velocity,density,and shear behavior of deep-sea fluidized slides,as well as the geometry,stiffness,self-weight,and mechanical model of pipelines.Additionally,the interface contact conditions and spatial relations were examined within the context of deep-sea slides and their interactions with pipelines.Building upon a thorough review of these achievements,future directions were proposed for assessing and characterizing the key factors affecting slide impact loading on pipelines.A comprehensive understanding of these results is essential for the sustainable development of deep-sea pipeline projects associated with seabed resource development and the implementation of disaster prevention measures.

The deterministic condition for the ground reaction force acting point on the combined knee valgus and tibial internal rotation moments in early phase of cutting maneuvers in female athletes

Background:Combined knee valgus and tibial internal rotation(VL+IR)moments have been shown to stress the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)in several in vitro cadaveric studies.To utilize this knowledge for non-contact ACL injury prevention in sports,it is necessary to elucidate how the ground reaction force(GRF)acting point(center of pressure(CoP))in the stance foot produces combined knee VL+IR moments in risky maneuvers,such as cuttings.However,the effects of the GRF acting point on the development of the combined knee VL+IR moment in cutting are still unknown.Methods:We first established the deterministic mechanical condition that the CoP position relative to the tibial rotational axis differentiates the GRF vector’s directional probability for developing the combined knee VL+IR moment,and theoretically predicted that when the CoP is posterior to the tibial rotational axis,the GRF vector is more likely to produce the combined knee VL+IR moment than when the CoP is anterior to the tibial rotational axis.Then,we tested a stochastic aspect of our theory in a lab-controlled in vivo experiment.Fourteen females performed 60˚cutting under forefoot/rearfoot strike conditions(10 trials each).The positions of lower limb markers and GRF data were measured,and the knee moment due to GRF vector was calculated.The trials were divided into anterior-and posterior-CoP groups depending on the CoP position relative to the tibial rotational axis at each 10 ms interval from 0 to 100 ms after foot strike,and the occurrence rate of the combined knee VL+IR moment was compared between trial groups.Results:The posterior-CoP group showed significantly higher occurrence rates of the combined knee VL+IR moment(maximum of 82.8%)at every time point than those of the anterior-CoP trials,as theoretically predicted by the deterministic mechanical condition.Conclusion:The rearfoot strikes inducing the posterior CoP should be avoided to reduce the risk of non-contact ACL injury associated with the combined knee VL+IR stress.

New Quality Productive Forces:New Hope for Economic Growth

On January 17,China announced a GDP growth rate of 5.2 percent for 2023,successfully reaching the major projected targets.In 2024,the Chinese economy will continue to seek progress while maintaining stability and provide great dynamism for the stability and recovery of the world economy.New quality productive forces will become a new driver for economic growth in China.

Game-Changing Forces

President Xi Jinping stressed at this year’s“Two Sessions”the importance of fostering new quality productive forces to generate high-quality development.THE C919,China’s self-developed large passenger aircraft,soared into the sky on its maiden commercial flight in May 2023,while the Adora Magic City,China’s first domestically built large cruiseship,set sail on its maiden voyage to northeast Asian destinations in January 2024.The country has achieved one technological breakthrough after another in its endeavor to generate new forces to power its economy.

Opportunities And Outlooks Embracing new quality productive forces

New quality productive forces refer to advanced productivity driven by revolutionary technological breakthroughs and empowered by digital technology.They are distinguished from conventional productive capacity which is supported by workshop flfloors,assembly lines,and modular technology.

Ratio of Gravitational Force to Electric Force from Empirical Equations in Terms of the Cosmic Microwave Background Temperature

Previously, we presented several empirical equations using the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature. Next, we propose an empirical equation for the fine-structure constant. Considering the compatibility among these empirical equations, the CMB temperature (Tc) and gravitational constant (G) were calculated to be 2.726312 K and 6.673778 × 10−11 m3∙kg−1∙s−2, respectively. Every equation could be explained in terms of the Compton length of an electron (λe), the Compton length of a proton (λp) and a. Furthermore, every equation could also be explained in terms of Avogadro’s number and the number of electrons in 1 C. However, the ratio of the gravitational force to the electric force cannot be uniquely determined when the unit of the Planck constant (Js) is changed. In this study, we showed that every equation can be described in terms of Planck constant. From the assumption of minimum mass, the ratio of gravitational force to electric force could be elucidated.