Risk factors for cardio-cerebrovascular events among patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and their association with serum magnesium.

Serum magnesium levels exceeding 0.9 mmol/L are associated with increased survival rates in patients with CKD. This retrospective study aimed to identify risk factors for cardio-cerebrovascular events among patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and to examine their correlations with serum magnesium levels. Sociodemographic data, clinical physiological and biochemical indexes, and cardio-cerebrovascular event data were collected from 189 patients undergoing CAPD. Risk factors associated with cardio-cerebrovascular events were identified by univariate binary logistic regression analysis. Correlations between the risk factors and serum magnesium levels were determined by correlation analysis. Univariate regression analysis identified age, C-reactive protein (CRP), red cell volume distribution width standard deviation, red cell volume distribution width corpuscular volume, serum albumin, serum potassium, serum sodium, serum chlorine, serum magnesium, and serum uric acid as risk factors for cardio-cerebrovascular events. Among them, serum magnesium ≤0.8 mmol/L had the highest odds ratio (3.996). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that serum magnesium was an independent risk factor, while serum UA (<440 µmol/L) was an independent protective factor for cardio-cerebrovascular events. The incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular events differed significantly among patients with different grades of serum magnesium (χ2 = 12.023, p = 0.002), with the highest incidence observed in patients with a serum magnesium concentration <0.8 mmol/L. High serum magnesium levels were correlated with high levels of serum albumin (r = 0.399, p < 0.001), serum potassium (r = 0.423, p < 0.001), and serum uric acid (r = 0.411, p < 0.001), and low levels of CRP (r = -0.279, p < 0.001). In conclusion, low serum magnesium may predict cardio-cerebrovascular events in patients receiving CAPD.

Wedged Fiber Optic Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor for High-Sensitivity Refractive Index and Temperature Measurements.

Here, we experimentally demonstrate a wedged fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor enabling high-sensitivity temperature detection. The sensing probe has a geometry with two asymmetrical bevels, with one inclined surface coated with an optically thin film supporting propagating plasmons and the other coated with a reflecting metal film. The angle of incident light can be readily tuned through modifying the beveled angles of the fiber tip, which has a remarkable impact on the refractive index sensitivity of SPR sensors. As a result, we measure a high refractive index sensitivity as large as 8161 nm/RIU in a wide refractive index range of 1.333-1.404 for the optimized sensor. Furthermore, we carry out a temperature-sensitivity measurement by packaging the SPR probe into a capillary filled with n-butanol. This showed a temperature sensitivity reaching up to -3.35 nm/°C in a wide temperature range of 20 °C-100 °C. These experimental results are well in agreement with those obtained from simulations, thus suggesting that our work may be of significance in designing reflective fiber optic SPR sensing probes with modified geometries.

Minimization of Entropy Generation Rate in Hydrogen Iodide Decomposition Reactor Heated by High-Temperature Helium.

The thermochemical sulfur-iodine cycle is a potential method for hydrogen production, and the hydrogen iodide (HI) decomposition is the key step to determine the efficiency of hydrogen production in the cycle. To further reduce the irreversibility of various transmission processes in the HI decomposition reaction, a one-dimensional plug flow model of HI decomposition tubular reactor is established, and performance optimization with entropy generate rate minimization (EGRM) in the decomposition reaction system as an optimization goal based on finite-time thermodynamics is carried out. The reference reactor is heated counter-currently by high-temperature helium gas, the optimal reactor and the modified reactor are designed based on the reference reactor design parameters. With the EGRM as the optimization goal, the optimal control method is used to solve the optimal configuration of the reactor under the condition that both the reactant inlet state and hydrogen production rate are fixed, and the optimal value of total EGR in the reactor is reduced by 13.3% compared with the reference value. The reference reactor is improved on the basis of the total EGR in the optimal reactor, two modified reactors with increased length are designed under the condition of changing the helium inlet state. The total EGR of the two modified reactors are the same as that of the optimal reactor, which are realized by decreasing the helium inlet temperature and helium inlet flow rate, respectively. The results show that the EGR of heat transfer accounts for a large proportion, and the decrease of total EGR is mainly caused by reducing heat transfer irreversibility. The local total EGR of the optimal reactor distribution is more uniform, which approximately confirms the principle of equipartition of entropy production. The EGR distributions of the modified reactors are similar to that of the reference reactor, but the reactor length increases significantly, bringing a relatively large pressure drop. The research results have certain guiding significance to the optimum design of HI decomposition reactors.

Telephone-based reminiscence therapy for colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy complicated with depression: a three-arm randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy often exhibit symptoms of depression that in turn may negatively affect outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of telephone-based reminiscence therapy on the depression, anxiety, subjective well-being, and social support of colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy complicated with depression. METHODS: Patients were divided randomly into a control group (CON, n = 45), telephone support group (TS, n = 45), and telephone-based reminiscence therapy group (TBR, n = 45). Patients in TS and TBR groups received six 20-40-min telephone intervention sessions conducted weekly. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 6 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes on the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), which were used to evaluate depression symptoms. Secondary outcomes were changes in Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) scores, which were used to evaluate anxiety symptoms, subjective well-being, and social support, respectively. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, SDS and HAMD scores were significantly lower than pre-intervention baseline in the TBR group but not in the CON and TS groups (P < 0.05). Both SAS and HAMA scores were significantly reduced in TBR and TS groups but not the CON group (P < 0.05) following intervention; however, there was no significant difference in post-intervention scores between TS and TBR groups (P > 0.05). Neither telephone support nor telephone-based reminiscence therapy improved subjective well-being or social support (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that telephone-based reminiscence therapy can reduce depression symptoms in colorectal cancer patients undergoing postoperative chemotherapy. Telephone-based reminiscence therapy may also improve anxiety, but no better than telephone support. Alternatively, telephone-based reminiscence therapy did not improve subjective well-being or social support. We suggest that clinicians provide appropriate telephone-based reminiscence therapy in long-term care institutions based on patient mental health status.

Entropy Generation Rate Minimization for Methanol Synthesis via a CO2 Hydrogenation Reactor.

The methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation (MSCH) reaction is a useful CO2 utilization strategy, and this synthesis path has also been widely applied commercially for many years. In this work the performance of a MSCH reactor with the minimum entropy generation rate (EGR) as the objective function is optimized by using finite time thermodynamic and optimal control theory. The exterior wall temperature (EWR) is taken as the control variable, and the fixed methanol yield and conservation equations are taken as the constraints in the optimization problem. Compared with the reference reactor with a constant EWR, the total EGR of the optimal reactor decreases by 20.5%, and the EGR caused by the heat transfer decreases by 68.8%. In the optimal reactor, the total EGRs mainly distribute in the first 30% reactor length, and the EGRs caused by the chemical reaction accounts for more than 84% of the total EGRs. The selectivity of CH3OH can be enhanced by increasing the inlet molar flow rate of CO, and the CO2 conversion rate can be enhanced by removing H2O from the reaction system. The results obtained herein are in favor of optimal designs of practical tubular MSCH reactors.

Luminescent properties of a water-soluble conjugated polymer incorporating graphene-oxide quantum dots.

We report the incorporation of graphene-oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) into films, diluted solutions, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as part of a water-soluble derivative of poly(p-phenylene vinylene), or PDV.Li, to investigate their impact on the light-emission properties of this model conjugated polymer. Despite the well-known ability of graphene and graphene oxide to quench the photoluminescence of nearby emitters, we find that the addition of GOQDs to diluted solutions of PDV.Li does not significantly affect the photoluminescence (PL) dynamics of PDV.Li, bringing about only a modest quenching of the PL. However, loading the polymer with GOQDs led to a substantial decrease in the turn-on voltage of LEDs based on GOQD-PDV.Li composites. This effect can be attributed to either the improved morphology of the host polymer, resulting in an increase in the charge mobility, or the enhanced injection through GOQDs near the electrodes.

A clustering-optimized segmentation algorithm and application on food quality detection.

For solving the problem of quality detection in the production and processing of stuffed food, this paper suggests a small neighborhood clustering algorithm to segment the frozen dumpling image on the conveyor belt, which can effectively improve the qualified rate of food quality. This method builds feature vectors by obtaining the image's attribute parameters. The image is segmented by a distance function between categories using a small neighborhood clustering algorithm based on sample feature vectors to calculate the cluster centers. Moreover, this paper gives the selection of optimal segmentation points and sampling rate, calculates the optimal sampling rate, suggests a search method for optimal sampling rate, as well as a validity judgment function for segmentation. Optimized small neighborhood clustering (OSNC) algorithm uses the fast frozen dumpling image as a sample for continuous image target segmentation experiments. The experimental results show the accuracy of defect detection of OSNC algorithm is 95.9%. Compared with other existing segmentation algorithms, OSNC algorithm has stronger anti-interference ability, faster segmentation speed as well as more efficiently saves key information ability. It can effectively improve some disadvantages of other segmentation algorithms.

Research on Intelligent Distribution of Liquid Flow Rate in Embedded Channels for Cooling 3D Multi-Core Chips.

A numerical simulation model of embedded liquid microchannels for cooling 3D multi-core chips is established. For the thermal management problem when the operating power of a chip changes dynamically, an intelligent method combining BP neural network and genetic algorithm is used for distribution optimization of coolant flow under the condition with a fixed total mass flow rate. Firstly, a sample point dataset containing temperature field information is obtained by numerical calculation of convective heat transfer, and the constructed BP neural network is trained using these data. The "working condition-flow distribution-temperature" mapping relationship is predicted by the BP neural network. The genetic algorithm is further used to optimize the optimal flow distribution strategy to adapt to the dynamic change of power. Compared with the commonly used uniform flow distribution method, the intelligently optimized nonuniform flow distribution method can further reduce the temperature of the chip and improve the temperature uniformity of the chip.

Network Construction for Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Double Attention Mechanism.

Aiming at the difficulty of feature extraction in the case of multicomponent and strong noise in the traditional rolling bearing fault diagnosis method, this paper proposes a bearing fault diagnosis network with double attention mechanism. The original signal with noise is decomposed into a series of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by the Empirical Mode Decomposition method. The Pearson correlation coefficient is discussed to filter the IMFs components for signal reconstruction. The spatial features of the reconstructed signal are extracted by attention convolutional networks. Then, time series features are extracted based on the long short-term memory method. Furthermore, the importance of temporal features is measured through a temporal attention mechanism. The Softmax layer of the constructed network is used as the classifier for fault diagnosis. Comparing this method with the existing methods of experiments, the proposed method has not only better diagnosis accuracy but also stronger antiinterference ability and generalization ability, which can accurately diagnose and classify the bearing fault types. The fault diagnosis accuracy rate for each load is above 99%.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels are associated with disease activity and possible complications in membranous nephropathy.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and complementary components in the epithelium of the glomerular capillary wall. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory mediator released by macrophages. MIF plays a key regulatory function in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis. This study aimed to investigate whether MIF level could be associated with the activity of MN. Plasma and urine samples from 57 MN patients and 20 healthy controls were collected. The MIF levels in plasma and urine were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The expression of MIF in the renal specimens from 5 MN patients was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The associations of the plasma and urinary levels of MIF and glomerular MIF expression with clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed. It was revealed that with the increase of MIF levels in plasma and urine, the severity of renal pathological injury in MN patients gradually increased. Correlation analysis showed that the MIF levels in plasma were positively correlated with the platelet (PLT) count (r = 0.302, P = 0.022), and inversely correlated with the prothrombin time (PT) (r = - 0.292, P = 0.028) in MN patients. The MIF levels in plasma were positively correlated with the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = 0.651, P < 0.0001; r = 0.669, P < 0.0001) in MN patients. The urinary levels of MIF were positively correlated with ESR (r = 0.562, P < 0.0001). IHC suggested that MIF was expressed in glomerular basement membrane and tubulointerstitial areas. MIF levels in plasma and urine could reflect the severity of MN, and MIF levels in plasma and urine could be associated with venous thrombosis and infectious complications in MN patients. The glomerular MIF expression could be used to indicate the activity of MN.

Frontiers of graphene-based Hall-effect sensors.

Hall sensors have become one of the most used magnetic sensors in recent decades, performing the vital function of providing a magnetic sense that is naturally absent in humans. Various electronic applications have evolved from circuit-integrated Hall sensors due to their low cost, simple linear magnetic field response, ability to operate in a large magnetic field range, high magnetic sensitivity and low electronic noise, in addition to many other advantages. Recent developments in the fabrication and performance of graphene Hall devices promise to open up the realm of Hall sensor applications by not only widening the horizon of current uses through performance improvements, but also driving Hall sensor electronics into entirely new areas. In this review paper we describe the evolution from the traditional selection of Hall device materials to graphene Hall devices, and explore the various applications enabled by them. This includes a summary of the selection of materials and architectures for contemporary micro-to nanoscale Hall sensors. We then turn our attention to introducing graphene and its remarkable physical properties and explore how this impacts the magnetic sensitivity and electronic noise of graphene-based Hall sensors. We summarise the current state-of-the art of research into graphene Hall probes, demonstrating their record-breaking performance. Building on this, we explore the various new application areas graphene Hall sensors are pioneering such as magnetic imaging and non-destructive testing. Finally, we look at recent encouraging results showing that graphene Hall sensors have plenty of room to improve, before then discussing future prospects for industry-level scalable fabrication.

Hsa_circ_0029589 knockdown inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of vascular smooth muscle cells via regulating miR-214-3p and STIM1.

AIMS: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are relevant to atherosclerosis progression. However, the role and mechanism of circRNA hsa_circ_0029589 (circ_0029589) in atherosclerosis are not fully understood. This research aims to explore the function and mechanism of circ_0029589 in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-caused vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) injury in vitro. MAIN METHODS: VSMCs were challenged via ox-LDL to mimic atherosclerosis-like injury in vitro. Circ_0029589, microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) abundances were detected via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or western blot. Cell proliferation was investigated via cell viability, cycle, apoptosis and proliferation-associated protein levels. Cell migration and invasion were assessed via transwell analysis. The relationship between miR-214-3p and circ_0029589 or STIM1 was tested via dual-luciferase reporter analysis and RNA immunoprecipitation. KEY FINDINGS: Circ_0029589 level was enhanced in ox-LDL-challenged VSMCs. Circ_0029589 interference constrained cell proliferation, migration and invasion in ox-LDL-challenged VSMCs. miR-214-3p was targeted by circ_0029589 and miR-214-3p knockdown weakened the suppressive function of circ_0029589 silence on VSMCs proliferation, migration and invasion. STIM1 was targeted via miR-214-3p and miR-214-3p could suppress VSMCs proliferation, migration and invasion via decreasing STIM1. Moreover, circ_0029589 modulated STIM1 level by miR-214-3p. SIGNIFICANCE: Circ_0029589 knockdown repressed proliferation, migration and invasion of VSMCs challenged via ox-LDL by regulating miR-214-3p and STIM1, indicating that circ_0029589 might play important role in atherosclerosis.

Nanoscale graphene Hall sensors for high-resolution ambient magnetic imaging.

A major challenge to routine non-invasive, nanoscale magnetic imaging is the development of Hall sensors that are stable under ambient conditions and retain low minimum detectable fields down to nanoscale dimensions. To address these issues we have fabricated and characterised chemical vapour deposition (CVD) graphene Hall sensors with wire widths between 50 nm and 1500 nm, in order to exploit the high carrier mobility and tuneability of this material. The measured Hall voltage noise is in good agreement with theoretical models and we demonstrate that minimum detectable fields at fixed drive current are lowest in the vicinity of the charge neutrality point. Our best performing deep sub-micron sensors, based on a wire width of 85 nm, display the excellent room temperature resolution of 59 µT/√Hz at a dc drive current of 12 µA and measurement frequency of 531 Hz. We observe a weak increase in minimum detectable field as the active sensor area is reduced while the Hall offset field is largely independent of size. These figures-of-merit significantly surpass prior results on larger probes in competing materials systems, with considerable scope for further optimisation. Our results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of using CVD graphene to realise very high spatial resolution nanosensors for quantitative room temperature magnetic imaging.

Isobavachalcone isolated from Psoralea corylifolia inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via inhibiting the AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer cells.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common form of cancer associated with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Given the limited efficacy of current therapies for CRC, interest in novel therapeutic agents isolated from natural sources has increased. We studied the anticancer properties of isobavachalcone (IBC), a flavonoid isolated from the herb Psoralea corylifolia, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, in an in vitro model of CRC. Materials and methods: Cell viability and growth of CRC cells were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays following treatment with varying concentrations of IBC, respectively. Apoptosis was examined by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining and flow cytometry with Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining. Western blot analysis was used to analyze expression of apoptosis-associated protein pathway and the AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Results: Initial experiments showed that IBC inhibited proliferation and colony formation of human CRC cell lines in dose- and time-dependent manners. The antiproliferative effect of IBC resulted from induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by morphological changes in the nucleus, flow cytometry analysis, upregulation of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, changes in the ratio of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, translocation of Bax from the cytosol to the mitochondria, and decreased expression of two inhibitors of apoptosis family proteins, XIAP, and survivin. Western blot analysis of signaling pathway proteins demonstrated that IBC downregulated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, which has previously been associated with CRC, by inhibiting the AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that IBC inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through inhibition of the AKT/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin pathway in CRC. These results suggest the potential of IBC as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC.

Dual functions of a novel low-gap polymer for near infra-red photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes.

We have synthesised and characterised a new low-gap conjugated polymer, with a broad absorption profile. In blends with a C(70) derivative we demonstrate power conversion efficiencies of 0.76%. We show electroluminescence from the polymer peaking at 956 nm, and quantum efficiency of 0.02% in a blend.