Expiratory Flow Limitation and Its Relation to Dyspnea and Lung Hyperinflation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Analysis Using the Forced Expiratory Flow-Volume Curve and Critique

Background: Tidal expiratory flow limitation (tEFL) is defined as absence of increase in air flow during forced expiration compared to tidal breathing and is related to dyspnea at rest and minimal exertion in patients with chronic airflow limitation (CAL). Tidal EFL has not been expressed as a continuous variable (0% - 100%) in previous analyses. Objective: To relate the magnitude of tEFL to spirometric values and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) score and Asthma Control Test (ACT). Methods: Tidal EFL was computed as percent of the tidal volume (0% - 100%) spanned (intersected) by the forced expiratory-volume curve. Results: Of 353 patients screened, 192 (114 M, 78 F) patients (136 with COPD, 56 with asthma) had CAL. Overall characteristics: (mean ± SD) age 59 ± 11 years, BMI 28 ± 7, FVC (% pred) 85 ± 20, FEV1 (% pred) 66 ± 21, FEV1/FVC 55% ± 10%, RV (% pred) 147 ± 42. Tidal EFL in patients with tEFL was 53% ± 39%. Using univariate analysis, strongest correlations were between tEFL and FVC and between tEFL and RV in patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2. In patients with nonreversible CAL, tEFL was positively associated with increasing MMRC, negatively with spirometric measurements, and positively with RV/TLC. In asthmatics, ACT scores were higher in patients with mean BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2 (p < 0.00014) and RV/TLC values > 40% (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Dyspnea is strongly associated with tEFL and lung function, particularly in patients with nonreversible CAL. Air trapping and BMI contribute to tEFL.

马来西亚达道河二维潮流数学模型

计算域中的达道河水流既有河流径流影响 ,又有外海潮流侵入的影响 ,流态比较复杂 ,为动态的感潮河段。潮流界、潮区界随外海潮流、潮位及上游旱季、雨季径流的变化而摆动。

潮流场中质点运动的可视化

提出了一种适用于非结构化网格系统中质点运动轨迹的跟踪算法。利用数值计算方法的稳定性限制条件对质点位置的搜索算法进行了优化,极大地降低了算法的时间复杂度,提高了计算效率。用VisualFortran语言实现了质点运动的动态显示。将其用于渤海潮流场中质点运动规律的研究,初步得出了渤海中质点运动和水交换的一些规律。

Fluctuations in the tidal limit of the Yangtze River estuary in the last decade

The tidal limit is the key interface indicating whether water levels will be affected by tidal waves, which is of great significance to navigation safety and regional flood control. Due to limitations in research methods, recent changes in the Yangtze River tidal limit, caused by sea level rise and large-scale engineering projects, urgently need to be studied. In this study,spectrum analysis was undertaken on measured water level data from downstream Yangtze River hydrological stations from2007 to 2016. The bounds of the tidal limit were identified through comparisons between the spectra and red noise curves, and the fluctuation range and characteristics were summarized. The results showed that:(1) During the extremely dry period, when the flow rate at Jiujiang station was about 8440 m3 s-1, the tidal limit was near Jiujiang; whereas during the flood season, when the flow rate at Jiujiang station was about 66700 m3 s-1, the tidal limit was between Zongyang Sluice and Chikou station.(2)From the upper to lower reach, the effect of the Jiujiang flow rate on the tidal limit weakens, while the effect of the Nanjing tidal range increases. The tidal limit fluctuates under similar flow rates and tidal ranges, and the fluctuation range increases with increasing flow rate and decreasing tidal range.(3) With the continued influence of rising sea levels and construction in river basin estuaries, the tidal limit may move further upstream.