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Objective: To investigate the correlation between ultrasonic measurements of swallowing movement parameters and aggravation of swallowing dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: COPD patients with swallowing dysfunction (n = 120) and COPD patients with normal swallowing function (n = 100) treated in our hospital between January 2020 and January 2023 were included in observation and control groups, respectively. The correlation between ultrasonic measurements of swallowing movement parameters and COPD with swallowing dysfunction was analyzed. The observation group was divided into mild and severe groups according to their Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) scores. The correlation between ultrasonic measurements of swallowing movement parameters and COPD exacerbation combined with swallowing dysfunction was analyzed. Results: In the observation group, Hyoid muscle thickness, hyoid bone displacement, geniohyoid muscle movement distance, HLAS, and CSR were lower compared to the control group, negatively associated with COPD‐related swallowing issues. Conversely, geniohyoid muscle movement time and minimum hyohyoid distance (NHLA) were higher in the observation group, positively correlated with COPD‐related swallowing dysfunction. In COPD patients with swallowing problems, the severe group exhibited lower values for lingual muscle thickness, hyoid bone displacement, geniohyoid muscle movement distance, HLAS, and CSR compared to the mild group, while geniohyoid muscle movement time and NHLA were higher in the severe group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created, indicating the promising diagnostic utility of these parameters for assessing the presence and severity of swallowing dysfunction in COPD patients. Conclusion: The ultrasonic measurement of swallowing motion parameters can effectively assess swallowing dysfunction in COPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional materials have a wide range of applications in many aspects due to their unique properties. Here we carry out a detailed structural search and design of the BP2 using the first principles method, and find a new PMM2 sheet. The analysis of the phonon dispersive curves shows that the 2D PMM2 is dynamic stable. The study of molecular dynamics shows that the 2D PMM2 can be stable under high temperature, even at 600 K. Most importantly, when a suitable strain is applied, the structure can exhibit other electronic properties such as direct band gap semiconductor. In addition, the small strain can tune the band gap value of the PMM2 structure to around 1.4 eV, which is very close to the ideal band gap of solar materials. Therefore, the 2D PMM2 may have potential applications in the field of photovoltaic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PP/EPDM (TPV) is a common thermoplastic elastomer with excellent performance and a wide range of uses. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with its own functional organic group (OV-POSS) was used to improve the combustion performance of TPV systems. 1 wt%, 3 wt% and 5wt% OV-POSS were added to TPV respectively, and their mechanical properties and thermal stability were tested. The results showed that the TPV mechanics performance of OV-POSS was slightly reduced, but the thermal stability was improved. Cone test results showed a 53% reduction in the heat release rate of TPV containing 5wt% OV-POSS compared with TPV without adding OV-POSS. The release of CO and CO2 also decreased significantly, and the amount of carbon formation increased from 1.1% to 14.8%. As can be seen from TG-IR analysis, the addition of OV-POSS slows down the thermal decomposition process of hydrocarbons. OV-POSS was added to improve flame-retardant properties and reduces fire risk of TPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]