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This article proposes a data-physical hybrid-driven air balancing (DPH-AB) method for the ventilation system. First, a data-driven model is proposed to establish the relationship among the airflow, path pressure drop, pressure, and damper angle in the duct system. Specifically, the airflow-path pressure drop relationship is modeled by the denoising autoencoder neural network (DAENN) while the pressure-angle relationship is obtained by the ridge regression method. Then, the physical information of the duct system is considered together with the proposed data-driven model to find the optimal angle for each damper to minimize the total fan power. With the proposed DPH-AB method, the airflow of all terminals can be accurately adjusted to the desired value while the energy consumption of the duct system can reach the lowest value. It is easy to identify which damper needs to be fully open to save the energy. The experiments verify the accuracy of the proposed DPH-AB method and its energy saving potential. The experiments also demonstrate that the DPH-AB method is robust against the noise in the actual duct system.

Ventilation is of critical importance to containing COVID-19 contagion in indoor environments. Keeping the ventilation rate at high level is recommended by many guidelines to dilute virus-laden respiratory particles and mitigate airborne transmission risk. However, high ventilation rate will cause high energy use. Demand-controlled ventilation is a promising technology option for controlling indoor air quality in an energy-efficient manner. This paper proposes a novel CO

Air balancing is a key technology to reduce energy consumption of ventilation system and improve the quality of indoor living environment. So far, most of the existing data-driven non-iterative air balancing methods only focus on the prediction of terminal damper angle to supply appropriate airflow, but they do not pay attention to the energy-saving constraint of fan voltage and terminal damper. Therefore, their energy efficiencies are not high enough. In this paper, energy-saving constraint strategy of low fan voltage and small damper friction resistance is considered and a novel data-driven non-iterative air balancing model with energy-saving constraint strategy is proposed. The model parameters can be trained by the proposed optimization algorithm inputting acquisition data. Then, given a design airflow rate, the required fan voltage and terminal damper angle can be predicted by the trained model to achieve accurate air balancing control with high energy efficiency. The performance validation of the proposed method is executed on our experimental duct system with five terminals. Compared with the current air balancing method, the proposed method can improve energy saving potential up to 13.7%, while keeping accurate air balancing within 10% relative error standard. This work is supported by NSFC (61976005, 6177219, 61902167, 61871204), Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (1908085MF215, 1908085QE247), Open Research Fund of AnHui Key Laboratory of Detection Technology and Energy Saving Devices (DTESD2020A03), Open Research Fund of AnHui Polytechnic University (Xjky02201903).

ObjectivesVarious blood inflammatory biomarkers were associated with treatment response and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in previous studies. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the prognostic role of pretreatment blood inflammatory biomarkers and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC patients with trimodality therapy.MethodsCompletely resected stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC patients with adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) were assessed in this study. Cutoff values of blood inflammatory factors were calculated by the R package SurvivalROC of R software. SPSS Statistics software was used for survival analyses. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to compare the survival difference between every two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses of predictive factors were performed by Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsThe univariate analysis showed that T stage (p=0.007), EGFR mutation status (p=0.043), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (p=0.067), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (p=0.043) were significant prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS). In the multivariate analysis, T2 (HR=0. 885, 95% CI: 0.059-0.583, p=0.004), EGFR mutation-positive (HR=0.108, 95% CI: 0.023-0.498, p=0.004) and elevated pretreatment SII (HR=0.181, 95%CI: 0.046-0.709, p=0.014) were independently related to shorter DFS. High pretreatment neutrophil counts (HR=0.113, p=0.019) and high systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) (HR=0.123, p=0.025) were correlated with worse overall survival (OS) by the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only high pretreatment SIRI was an independent predictor for poorer OS (HR=0.025, 95% CI: 0.001-0.467, p=0.014).ConclusionsIn conclusion, we identified that high pretreatment SII and SIRI were unfavorable prognostic factors in stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC patients treated with surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy and PORT. Patients with high pretreatment SII, high pretreatment SIRI, T2, and EGFR mutation-positive may need more forceful adjuvant treatment. Further prospective studies with large-scale are needed to validate our results and identify the proper cut-off values and optimum adjuvant treatment for distinct patient population.

Background Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) is a widely-used minimally invasive technique in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH), our aim was to investigate the long-term effect of PETD on clinical outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of LDH patients.Methods This is a retrospective case series to assess patients who underwent single level PETD from January 2015 to June 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical outcomes included numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and adverse events. Radiographic parameters included sagittal spine geometry, characteristics of protrusion, and degeneration grading of intervertebral disc and facet joint. Sensitivity analysis and risk factor analysis were also performed.Results Thirty-eight patients (43.16 ± 13.32 years; M: F = 20: 18) were assessed. During the follow-up period (33.47±12.53 months), the mean disc height decreased from 10.27 ± 1.92 mm to 8.95 ± 1.74 mm (P=0.000), and lumbar lordosis increased from 31.31 ± 8.63° to 35.07 ± 8.07° (P=0.002). The size of protrusion significantly decreased after PETD (P=0.000). Disc degeneration grading was generally higher at last follow-up compared with baseline (p=0.002). Compared with baseline, significant improvements were observed on NRS and ODI at 3-months follow-up and the last follow-up. On risk factor analysis, facet tropism was correlated with radiographic recurrence of disc herniation (OR=6.00 [95% confidential interval (CI)1.176-30.624], p=0.031).Conclusions This study demonstrates that at long-term follow-up, despite the good clinical results, the PETD resulted in significant aggravation of intervertebral disc degeneration.

C5-PFK has attracted much attention as one of the most promising SF 6 substitutes for medium voltage (MV) power equipment because of its high insulation strength and low global warming potential (GWP). In this paper, the dielectric properties of C5-PFK-Air and C5-PFK-CO 2 mixtures are experimentally investigated, to explore the most effective solution for C5-PFK mixtures for application in MV power equipment. The basic physical properties of C5-PFK and its mixtures are calculated and compared with those of C4-PFN based gases and SF 6 -N 2 mixtures. The GWP and saturated vapor pressure for gas mixtures are calculated, and a relative value R-GWP is defined to evaluate the greenhouse effect at specific pressure. The 50% breakdown voltages of C5-PFK-Air and C5-PFK-CO 2 mixtures under lightning impulse voltage are determined experimentally. The mixture ratio and filling pressure are determined taking into account of the ambient temperature and pressure for MV apparatus. The possibility of practical applications for these mixtures are analyzed by combining the saturated vapor pressure characteristics and the breakdown electric field strength. The synergy effects of the C5-PFK-CO 2 and SF 6 -N 2 mixtures are greater than those of the C5-PFK-Air and C4-PFN-CO 2 mixtures. The C5-PFK-Air and C5-PFK-CO 2 mixtures have higher dielectric strength than SF 6 at 0.1 MPa when the C5-PFK is about 28% under the temperature limitation of −5°C. The pressure increments of 0.014 and 0.066 MPa are required for C5-PFK-CO 2 and C5-PFK-Air mixtures, respectively to reach the dielectric strength of pure SF 6 at 0.1 MPa under the temperature limitation of − 25°C.

Soft and conformable haptics devices have the potential to dynamically change one’s percept of object compliance. With this problem in mind, this work presents the design and initial evaluation of a soft actuator and sensor, built of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) with a programmable stiffness of 33 – 57 kPa at magnetic fields of 0-5 mT. In addition to its programmable stiffness, the material’s flexibility affords the generation of vibratory feedback. Furthermore, the device can be used as a capacitive sensor to detect a contact and to measure forces between 0.1 – 4.9 N.

Background: Camrelizumab (SHR1210) is a high-affinity, humanized immunoglobulin programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody. It was developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd. and has been approved for relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma patients and hepatocellular carcinoma patients in China. Apatinib is an orally administered vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor and has been approved for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in China. Camrelizumab alone and its combination with apatinib have been used in the treatment of various solid cancers. Methods: We searched Embase, PubMed, and other databases with the keyword “camrelizumab” or “SHR1210,” and evaluated the safety and efficacy data of the involved studies. Adverse events (AEs) mentioned in at least two studies were summarized, including any grade and grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs. Meanwhile, efficacy data were collected, such as overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response, 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate, median PFS time, 12-month overall survival rate, and median overall survival time. Results: The major AEs of camrelizumab alone were reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation, fatigue, aspartate aminotransferase increase, proteinuria, pruritus, and alanine transaminase increase. The ORR and DCR were 20.2% (95% CI: 15.1–26.6%, p = 0.000, I2 = 70.360) and 45.8% (95% CI: 39.0–52.7%, p = 0.256, I2 = 58.661), respectively. In the three studies of combination therapy, two studies were combined with apatinib and one combined with chemotherapy. For these studies, common AEs were hypertension, platelet count decrease, nausea, proteinuria, aspartate aminotransferase increase, and white blood cell count decrease. The pooled ORR, DCR, and 6-month PFS rate were 41.8% (95% CI: 29.7–54.9%, p = 0.220, I2 = 86.265), 82.4% (95% CI: 75.9–87.4%, p = 0.000, I2 = 55.207), and 56.2% (95% CI: 35.8–74.6%, p = 0.559, I2 = 79.739), respectively. Conclusion: Camrelizumab and its combination are tolerable and appear to be efficient in treating numerous solid cancers. The combination therapy appears to have better efficacy with durable toxicity. However, these remain to be shown in future studies. Besides, baseline lactate dehydrogenase, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, tumor mutation burden, and the incidence of reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation may be efficacy predictors and need to be clarified in further studies.

This paper proposes an energy-saving oriented air balancing method based on the extreme learning machine. First, the relationship between the design airflow and the damper angles of all terminals is modeled by the extreme learning machine. Then, a top-down searching method for the minimal required fan voltage is proposed. The optimal damper angles and the minimal required fan voltage can be determined. Under the minimal fan voltage, the energy consumption of the air balancing system can reach the smallest value for each case. This air balancing method can accurately adjust the airflow in each terminal to the design value. The effectiveness of this method is verified by the experiments.

We regularly touch soft, compliant fruits and tissues. To help us discriminate them, we rely upon cues embedded in spatial and temporal deformation of finger pad skin. However, we do not yet understand, in touching objects of various compliance, how such patterns evolve over time, and drive perception. Using a 3-D stereo imaging technique in passive touch, we develop metrics for quantifying skin deformation, across compliance, displacement, and time. The metrics map 2-D estimates of terminal contact area to 3-D metrics that represent spatial and temporal changes in penetration depth, surface curvature, and force. To do this, clouds of thousands of 3-D points are reduced in dimensionality into stacks of ellipses, to be more readily comparable between participants and trials. To evaluate the robustness of the derived 3-D metrics, human subjects experiments are performed with stimulus pairs varying in compliance and discriminability. The results indicate that metrics such as penetration depth and surface curvature can distinguish compliances earlier, at less displacement. Observed also are distinct modes of skin deformation, for contact with stiffer objects, versus softer objects that approach the skin’s compliance. These observations of the skin’s deformation may guide the design and control of haptic actuation.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers with poor survival in the world. Nowadays, a generous number of clinical trials are underway on the use of immunotherapy in EC patients, especially the programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors. However, only a few patients could benefit from single-agent therapy. Others need combination therapies to enhance the response rate and survival. In this review, we focus on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and its combination options in EC patients. We also summarized the potential predictive biomarkers for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors treatment.

Summary Background Autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI) is a heterogeneous group of diseases of keratinization, characterized primarily by abnormal skin scaling over the whole body surface. Recently, ARCI has been designated to include the major forms of lamellar ichthyosis (LI), congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE) and harlequin ichthyosis. The first two conditions are the most common major clinical subtypes, and both are caused principally by mutations in the transglutaminase 1 gene, TGM1, although other genes may be responsible in some cases. Aim To identify the genetic mutations underlying LI in a Chinese family with LI, and to review all the known TGM1 mutations in Chinese patients with ARCI. Methods The proband had the severe classic LI phenotype, and was a member of a four-generation family with close blood relationships. We sequenced the DNA of the patients and close relatives. We also reviewed 13 Chinese patients with ARCI from 8 reported families, comprising 10 patients with LI, 2 with CIE and 1 with bathing suit ichthyosis. Results We characterized 14 different TGM1 mutations. Six of these were reported in other ethnic groups initially and later in Chinese patients, while the remaining eight were first described in Chinese patients. Of the latter, five have been reported only in Chinese patients, while the remaining three have also been reported in other ethnic groups. Conclusion This study expands the current spectrum on TGM1 mutation and increases the knowledge of TGM1 mutation characteristics.

] Suenaga M. Genetical studies on skin diseases. VII. Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria in five generations. Tohoku J Exp Med 1952;55:373–6. ] Urabe K, Hori Y, Dyschromatosis. Semin Cutan Med Surg 1997;16:81–5. Chaoxia Lu, Jie Liu, Fang Liu, Yaping Liu, Donglai Ma*, Xue Zhang** McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100073, China

This paper investigates the dielectric breakdown properties of humid air, taking into account ion kinetics. Initially, an overall kinetic scheme that includes all the main reactions likely to happen in humid air is established for the first time. Then, the calculation method of dielectric properties is improved, based on more comprehensive avalanche model considering both spatial growth and temporal processes. Better consistency between present results and experimental values confirms the validity of the improved method and kinetic schemes. Finally, the effective ionization Townsend coefficients α eff in humid air at different humidity and gas pressures are calculated and analyzed considering ion kinetics. Reduced critical electric field strength (E/N) cr can be determined when α eff = 0. The results show that (E/N) cr in humid air increases sharply in the beginning and then tends to be constant with the humidity rises. Besides, the mechanism of humidity's effect on dielectric breakdown properties is well explained: at relatively low E/N, α eff decreases with the increase of humidity mainly due to more frequent three-body conversions, while at higher E/N, the main reason is the increased number of attachment reactions.

Several strategies have been used to enhance the vaccine-induced immunity of peptide vaccines and effective therapeutic benefits, including the utilization of heat shock proteins (HSP), especially the HSP70 family. HSP110 exhibits a higher binding affinity with protein and is capable of enhancing the immunogenicity of protein antigens; however, whether HSP110 can also increase the efficiency of peptide vaccine remains unclear. Here, we investigated mHSP110 as a chaperone immunoadjuvant to enhance the immune response to HPV16 oncoprotein E7-derived CTL epitope E7(49-57) in a mouse model. We developed the HSP110-E7(49-57) complex and demonstrated that mHSP110 could form complexes with peptide E7(49-57) using FITC-labeled E7(49-57) as the tracer. Inoculation of the mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex was capable of priming strong epitope-specific immune response as determined by its ability to elicit an epitope-specific splenocytes proliferation and a cytotoxic T cell response, and IFNgamma production in splenocytes. Results also showed that immunization with the mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex completely protected mice against subsequent challenge with tumor cells. More importantly, immunization of this complex also significantly inhibited the growth of established tumors and prolonged the survival time of the tumor-bearing animals. Thus, mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex vaccine represents a potentially powerful approach for use in the immunotherapy of cervical cancer associated with HPV16 infection. More importantly, the multi-epitopes derived from E7 and other E proteins can be applied to the strategy described in this study to form a multi-antigenic vaccine to induce an improved antitumor immune response to cervical cancer in the future.

ejd.2013.2121 Auteur(s) : XueQi Zhang tigar@aliyun.com, JingJing Liu, XiaoHong Shao, JianFeng Cai, ShenMeng Gao, XiaoHua Lin, YueYue Yuan, ZhiMing Li, BingXu Li, YunSheng Xu First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, No 1 Fuxue lane, 325000 Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China We report a 19-year-old patient (III10) from a four-generation Chinese pedigree with desquamation covering almost all the body since about 10 months of age. The development of cutaneous lesions initially occurred on the extremities [...]

Several strategies have been used to enhance the vaccine-induced immunity of peptide vaccines and effective therapeutic benefits, including the utilization of heat shock proteins (HSP), especially the HSP70 family. HSP110 exhibits a higher binding affinity with protein and is capable of enhancing the immunogenicity of protein antigens; however, whether HSP110 can also increase the efficiency of peptide vaccine remains unclear. Here, we investigated mHSP110 as a chaperone immunoadjuvant to enhance the immune response to HPV16 oncoprotein E7-derived CTL epitope E7(49-57) in a mouse model. We developed the HSP110-E7(49-57) complex and demonstrated that mHSP110 could form complexes with peptide E7(49-57) using FITC-labeled E7(49-57) as the tracer. Inoculation of the mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex was capable of priming strong epitope-specific immune response as determined by its ability to elicit an epitope-specific splenocytes proliferation and a cytotoxic T cell response, and IFNgamma production in splenocytes. Results also showed that immunization with the mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex completely protected mice against subsequent challenge with tumor cells. More importantly, immunization of this complex also significantly inhibited the growth of established tumors and prolonged the survival time of the tumor-bearing animals. Thus, mHSP110-E7(49-57) complex vaccine represents a potentially powerful approach for use in the immunotherapy of cervical cancer associated with HPV16 infection. More importantly, the multi-epitopes derived from E7 and other E proteins can be applied to the strategy described in this study to form a multi-antigenic vaccine to induce an improved antitumor immune response to cervical cancer in the future.