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Abstract Introduction Despite improvement in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during the past two decades, 10–22% of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) will progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney transplantation is among the possible treatment for patients with SLE progressing to ESRD. However, the issue with kidney transplantation in patients with SLE is controversial. In this analysis, we aimed to compare the complications associated with kidney transplantation, causes of graft failure and causes of mortality following kidney transplantation in patients with SLE with ESRD. Methods The sources of data included http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov , EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Science and the Cochrane database. Revman software version 5.4 was used for the data analysis whereby risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent data following analysis. In addition, the Q statistic test and the I 2 statistic test were used to assess heterogeneity. A random effect statistical model was used and a subgroup outcome with a P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total number of 149,330 participants enrolled between the years 1968 and 2018 were included in this analysis with 7534 participants with SLE. Results of this analysis showed that mortality (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89–1.29; P = 0.45), graft failure (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.99–1.55; P = 0.07) and delayed graft function (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.44–2.34; P = 0.98) were not significantly higher in renal transplant patients with SLE versus a control group. When the causes of graft failure were analysed in renal transplant patients with SLE versus without SLE, acute graft rejection (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.98–1.47; P = 0.07), chronic graft rejection (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57–1.03; P = 0.08), graft thrombosis (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.83–2.63; P = 0.19), recurrence of disease (RR 3.08, 95% CI 1.00–9.47; P = 0.05) and chronic allograft nephropathy (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.60–1.95; P = 0.80) were also not significantly higher in patients with SLE. On the basis of the analysis, mortality from any cardiac cause (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–1.01; P = 0.06), sepsis (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.93–1.53; P = 0.17), malignancy (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.51–1.24; P = 0.31) and cerebrovascular attack (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.44–1.30; P = 0.31) were not significantly different in kidney transplantation patients with versus without SLE. Conclusions Complications associated with kidney transplantation including mortality, graft failure and delayed graft function were not significantly higher in patients with SLE when compared with a control group. The causes of graft failure and mortality after kidney transplantation were also comparable in both groups. Therefore, kidney transplantation represents a promising treatment in patients with SLE with ESRD.

Lobe pumps are used in many different sectors because of their versatility and effectiveness for managing multiphase flows. In this study, three-dimensional unsteady numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the vortex cavitation phenomenon in these pumps. The work combines dynamic meshing techniques, advanced vortex recognition methods, and a full cavitation model to provide insight into the genesis, evolution, and influence of vortex cavitation on pump performance. The results of the study demonstrate that under high-speed and high-pressure conditions, vortex flow occurs at the edge of the rear of the rotor lobe in the suction chamber of the lobe pump, resulting in the production of vortex cavitation. Cavitation is most strong at the core of the vortex, while the degree of cavitation at the edge of the vortex gradually diminished. The gas volume fraction reduces from 0.135 to 0.0832, and this makes the pressure decrease from 1.055 to 1.02 MP. The process of genesis, development, and removal of vortex cavitation is cyclic. At different levels of cavitation, the degree of pulsation in pump outlet flow, pressure, and radial force increases with increasing cavitation. Periodic vortex cavitation leads to periodic changes in pump output pressure, flow rate, radial force, and axial force.

Abstract Drainage equipment is an important part of paddy field drainage and irrigation system, and its performance research and application are conducive to the promotion and implementation of high‐standard farmland construction. Aiming at the different water demand of rice in different growing stages, low water level control precision, large manual operation and extensive management of existing drainage machinery, a tilting‐plate drainage equipment using upper overflow mode was proposed in this paper. Based on the Geneva mechanism principle, a unique linkage mechanism is designed, which can realize water retaining operation and silt discharge operation through a single motor drive, and the relationship between the motor angle and the water retaining height is established. Through mechanical analysis and dynamic simulation of the mechanism, the motion characteristics of the water baffle, silt plate and the change of the motor torque are studied. A remote control system based on a 4G module is designed to control the drainage equipment easily through the user layer. The performance test of the prototype shows that the precision error of the optimized water retaining height control is less than 3.75%. The maximum height of water retaining operation is 180 mm, and the maximum load of silt discharge operation is 10 kg, which can meet the actual operation requirements. The design is beneficial to improve the precision and intelligence level of paddy field drainage management, and the research process can provide some help for the development and application of this kind of equipment.

To investigate the variations in the flow field of centrifugal pumps with different cavitation numbers, this study utilized the shear stress transport k–ω turbulence model and Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model to examine the correlation between stall vortices and cavitation flow. The findings indicate that cavitation consistently coincides with the formation of stall vortices, and the distribution of cavitation mirrors the pattern of stall vortex structure. Cavitation tends to develop and aggregate around stall vortices, obstructing a significant portion of inlet areas within the flow channel. As the cavitation number decreases, both the area and intensity of stall vortices increase. For cavitations margins σ = 0.41, 0.23, and 0.15, we observed propagation frequencies of stall vortices at fs = 2.7, 1.8, and 0.9 Hz respectively, as these frequencies decrease relative to impeller movement until reaching near-stationary states. The pressure pulsations in various flow channels exhibit distinct phase differences; smaller cavity numbers result in larger phase disparities along with a gradual reduction in pressure pulsation amplitude. These discoveries present effective strategies for controlling and reducing both cavity formation and pressure fluctuations within centrifugal pumps, thereby enhancing overall stability.

This study focuses on the pretreatment and characterization of natural fibers from the bamboo shoot shell (BSS) of Phyllostachys heterocycla to determine their suitability as biorefining materials. The discarded bamboo shoot shell was used as a source of fibers, which were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and microstructure properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectra, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that a mixture of sodium hydroxide immersion plus high-pressure steam treatment allowed the cellulose structure to be disrupted, providing more adsorption sites for cellulases. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) also showed that the pretreatment exposed the internal structure of the fibers and that high-mass silicon compounds were present in the eluted solution. After adding the cellulase produced by Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus niger, the reducing sugar yield was increased by 268% and 251%, compared to unpretreated BSS fibers. This strategy may apply to many industries, especially biorefining and lignocellulose biotransformation technology.

Background/Objectives: Hemorrhagic transformation after endovascular thrombectomy predicts poor outcomes in acute ischemic stroke with large-vessel occlusion. The roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of parenchymal hematoma (PH) after endovascular thrombectomy still remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the miRNA and mRNA regulatory network associated with PH after mechanical reperfusion in an animal stroke model and an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model. Methods: Twenty-five miRNAs were assessed in a mechanical reperfusion-induced hemorrhage transformation model in rats under hyperglycemic conditions receiving 5 h middle cerebral artery occlusion. The differentially expressed miRNAs associated with PH were assessed in a neuron, astrocyte, microglia, brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC), and pericyte model of OGD/R. The predicted target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs were further assessed in the animal model. The miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of PH was established. Results: Thirteen down-regulated miRNAs (miRNA-29a-5p, miRNA-29c-3p, miRNA-126a-5p, miRNA-132-3p, miRNA-136-3p, miRNA-142-3p, miRNA-153-5p, miRNA-218a-5p, miRNA-219a-2-3p, miRNA-369-5p, miRNA-376a-5p, miRNA-376b-5p, and miRNA-383-5p) and one up-regulated miRNA (miRNA-195-3p) were found in the rat peri-infarct with PH after mechanical reperfusion. Of these 14 PH-related miRNAs, 10 were significantly differentially expressed in at least two of the five neuron, astrocyte, microglia, BMEC, and pericyte models after OGD/R, consistent with the animal stroke model results. Thirty-one predicted hub target genes were significantly differentially expressed in the rat peri-infarct with PH after mechanical reperfusion. Forty-nine miRNA-mRNA regulatory axes of PH were revealed, and they were related to the mechanisms of inflammation, immunity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Conclusions: Fourteen miRNAs were associated with PH after mechanical reperfusion in the rat stroke and the OGD/R models. Simultaneously differentially expressed miRNAs and related genes in several cells of the neurovascular unit may serve as valuable targets for PH after endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke.

To enhance the stability of photovoltaic power grid integration and improve power prediction accuracy, a photovoltaic power prediction method based on an improved snow ablation optimization algorithm (Good Point and Vibration Snow Ablation Optimizer, GVSAO) and Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) network is proposed. Weather data is divided into three typical categories using K-means clustering, and data normalization is performed using the minmax method. The key structural parameters of Bi-LSTM, such as the feature dimension at each time step and the number of hidden units in each LSTM layer, are optimized based on the Good Point and Vibration strategy. A prediction model is constructed based on GVSAO-Bi-LSTM, and typical test functions are selected to analyze and evaluate the improved model. The research results show that the average absolute percentage error of the GVSAO-Bi-LSTM prediction model under sunny, cloudy, and rainy weather conditions are 4.75%, 5.41%, and 14.37%, respectively. Compared with other methods, the prediction results of this model are more accurate, verifying its effectiveness.

The fundamentals of the design and operation of self-priming pumps, as indispensable equipment in industry, have been the focus of research in the field of fluid mechanics. This paper begins with a comprehensive background on self-priming pumps and gas-liquid two-phase flow, and it outlines recent advances in the field. Self-priming pumps within the gas-liquid two-phase flow state and the spatial and temporal evolution of the transient characteristics of self-priming pumps determine the self-priming pump self-absorption performance. Through mastery of the self-absorption mechanism, high-performance self-absorption pump products can be formed to provide theoretical support for the development of products. In current research, numerical simulation has become an important tool for analyzing and predicting the behavior of gas-liquid two-phase flow in self-priming pumps. This paper reviews existing numerical models of gas-liquid two-phase flow and categorizes them. Reviewing these models not only provides us with a comprehensive understanding of the existing research but also offers possible directions for future research. The complexity of gas–liquid interactions and their impact on pump performance is analyzed. Through these detailed discussions, we are able to identify the challenges in the simulation process and summarize what has been achieved. In order to further improve the accuracy and reliability of simulations, this paper introduces the latest simulation techniques and research methodologies, which provide new perspectives for a deeper understanding of gas-liquid two-phase flow. In addition, this paper investigates a variety of factors which affect the operating efficiency of self-priming pumps, including the design parameters, fluid properties, and operating conditions. Comprehensive consideration of these factors is crucial for optimizing pump performance. Finally, this paper summarizes the current research results and identifies the main findings and deficiencies. Based on this, the need to improve the accuracy of numerical simulations and to study the design parameters in depth to improve pump performance is emphasized.

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Major adverse cardiac events are associated not only with coronary luminal stenosis but also with atherosclerotic plaque components. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) enables non-invasive evaluation of atherosclerotic plaque along the entire coronary tree. However, precise and efficient assessment of plaque features on CCTA is still a challenge for physicians in daily practice. Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to algorithms that can simulate intelligent human behavior to improve clinical work efficiency. Recently, cardiovascular imaging has seen remarkable advancements with the use of AI. AI-assisted CCTA has the potential to facilitate the clinical workflow, offer objective and repeatable quantitative results, accelerate the interpretation of reports, and guide subsequent treatment. Several AI algorithms have been developed to provide a comprehensive assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. This review serves to highlight the cutting-edge applications of AI-assisted CCTA in atherosclerosis plaque characterization, including detecting obstructive plaques, assessing plaque volumes and vulnerability, monitoring plaque progression, and providing risk assessment. Finally, this paper discusses the current problems and future directions for implementing AI in real-world clinical settings.

Using the RNG k-ε turbulence model and a full cavitation model, this study numerically simulated cavitating flow-induced pressure fluctuations in a gerotor pump and analyzed the relationship between cavitating flow and pressure fluctuations. The results demonstrate that, as the inlet pressure decreases, the cavitation phenomenon in the gerotor pump intensifies, and the cavitation range in the rotor increases. Some of the vapor even spreads into the oil inlet groove, leading to high vapor content in the chamber that is in contact with the oil inlet groove. The pressure fluctuation characteristics of the flow field in the pump exhibit evident periodic changes. Under different cavitation conditions, the pressure fluctuation amplitude at the monitoring point decreases with increasing inlet pressure, whereas the main frequency of pressure fluctuation remains unaffected by cavitation conditions. The pressure fluctuation amplitude is the strongest at point O1 of demarcation between the low-pressure and high-pressure zones in the chamber, and the volume between the oil inlet groove and the oil outlet groove serves as the main vibration source in the rotor pump. To ensure the stable and efficient operation of the gerotor pump, it is recommended to operate it at a larger NPSH.

BackgroundCircular RNAs (circRNAs) may involve the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms (IA). Inflammation plays a vital role in the development and progression of IA, which can be reflected by aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) on high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HR-VWI). This study aims to evaluate the role of circRNAs as the blood inflammatory biomarker for unruptured IA (UIA) patients with AWE on HR-VWI.MethodsWe analyzed the circRNA expression profiles in the peripheral blood samples among subjects from saccular UIA with AWE, UIA without AWE, and healthy controls by the circRNA microarray. The differential expression of hsa_circ_0007990 was assessed. We constructed the hsa_circ_0007990-microRNA-mRNA network and the regulatory axis of hub genes associated with the AWE in UIA.ResultsEighteen patients harboring saccular UIAs with HR VWI and five healthy controls were included. We found 412 differentially expressed circRNAs between UIA patients and healthy controls by circRNA microarray. Two hundred thirty-one circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in UIA patients with AWE compared with those without AWE. Twelve upregulated circRNAs were associated with AWE of UIA, including hsa_circ_0007990, hsa_circ_0114507, hsa_circ_0020460, hsa_circ_0053944, hsa_circ_0000758, hsa_circ_0000034, hsa_circ_0009127, hsa_circ_0052793, hsa_circ_0000301 and hsa_circ_0000729. The expression of hsa_circ_0007990 was increased gradually in the healthy control, UIA without AWE, and UIA with AWE confirmed by RT-PCR (P

BackgroundDiabetic Foot (DF) is one of the most common complications of diabetes, and it is characterized by high morbidity, disability, lethality and low cure rate. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment has certain characteristics and advantages in diabetic foot. Due to selective reporting bias and heterogeneity of research results, on the one hand, relevant clinical studies are of low quality and poor practicability, and on the other hand, similar studies cannot be included in meta-analysis to form high-quality evidence-based evidence and evaluate the value of studies. Therefore, the development of a core set of outcomes (COS-TCM-DF) for traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetic foot is an important way to address these issues.MethodsThe COS-TCM-DF project will refer to the developed COS methodology and the steps are divided into four stages: (1) a scoping review and analysis of enrolled research protocols to collect and analyze all existing outcomes that have been used in trials on the prevention or treatment of diabetic foot with Chinese Medicine; (2) qualitative interviews with Diabetic foot patient and attendants to Collect additional outcomes related to them; (3) Gather opinionest and obtain initial consensus from key stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, researchers, and pharmaceutical company staff, through a Delphi survey; (4) a consensus meeting was held to develop the final COS-TCM-DF.DiscussionCurrently, there is no COS on measuring or monitoring diabetic foot with TCM in trials or clinical practice. The COS-TCM-DF will be developed to advance the synthesis of evidence regarding the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot in TCM and to promote the standardized and consistent application of results in future studies in this field.Trial registrationRegistered with the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database, December 2019 https://www.comet-initiative.org/Studies/Details/1553.

Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications of breast implants, which often leads to secondary surgery. Patients with unconspicuous breast contracture do not need treatment, while for those with severe symptoms, a capsule revision surgery is of great necessity, including a total periprosthetic capsulectomy and replacement with a new implant. However, if the capsular contracture happens in the submuscular space, it will be very difficult to release it completely, and it may lead to more complications such as damage to surrounding tissue. The new method of pouch can create a new subpectoral plane for the insertion of a new implant instead of a total capsulectomy, but this method is unsuitable for patients who have little breast tissue or thin skin. To solve this thorny clinical problem, we invented a double-headed separating instrument and came up with a novel operation method to release the capsular contracture, which opened from the nipple by the punctiform-incision approach and caused only a mild and undetectable trauma. This operation went off without a hitch, and the postoperative breast shape was good, and the breast felt and moved naturally. In addition, there were no significant complications throughout the one-year follow-up period. This case was an excellent demonstration of the novel breast capsular contracture release surgery using our optimized double-headed capsule contracture separator.

Background and PurposeNeutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts clinical outcomes in patients with stroke. Aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) on high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HR-VWI) is an inflammation marker for intracranial aneurysm (IA). This study aims to evaluate the association of NLR as a peripheral blood inflammatory marker with circumferential AWE in patients with IA.MethodsWe analyzed data of consecutive patients harboring IAs between September 2017 and December 2021 at our institution. The peripheral blood inflammatory indicators were compared between patients with ruptured and unruptured IAs. The presence of circumferential AWE in unruptured IA was identified and quantitatively measured using the aneurysm-to-pituitary stalk contrast ratio (CRstalk) on HR-VWI. We used the optimal cutoff value of 0.5 for CRstalk to differentiate circumferential AWE in unruptured IAs. We assessed the relationship of clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics with circumferential AWE and CRstalk ≥0.5 in unruptured IAs.ResultsThe study group was composed of one hundred and twenty-five patients with 142 IAs. NLR level at admission was significantly higher in patients with ruptured IAs than those with unruptured IAs (7.55 vs. 1.81; P < 0.001). AWE on HR-VWI was present in 30 patients with unruptured IAs (38.5%), including 12 with focal AWE and 18 with circumferential AWE. NLR (odds ratio (OR), 2.168; 95% CI, 1.149–4.088) and size (odds ratio, 1.370; 95% CI, 1.126–1.667) were independently associated with circumferential AWE in unruptured IA. NLR was also independently associated with circumferential AWE in small unruptured IA (

Abstract Background Aneurysm wall enhancement on high‐resolution vessel wall imaging (HR‐VWI) may represent vessel wall inflammation for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Further evidence for the role of circumferential aneurysm wall enhancement (CAWE) in evaluating the instability of UIAs is required, especially in small aneurysms (

Due to the complexity of the working conditions and the diversity of application scenarios, the normal operation of a fan, whether volute tongue, volute shell surface, or blade, often encounters some unavoidable problems, such as flow separation, wear, vibration, etc.; the aerodynamic noise caused by these problems has a significant impact on the normal operation of the fan. However, despite the use of aerodynamic acoustics to design low-noise fans or the use of sound absorption, sound insulation, and sound dissipation as the main traditional noise control techniques, they are in a state of technical bottleneck. Thus, the search for more efficient methods of noise reduction is looking toward the field of bionics. For this purpose, this paper first analyzes the mechanism of fan noise in the volute tongue and blades, and then, this paper reviews the noise control mechanism and improvement research using the bionic structures in the volute tongue structure, the contact surface of the volute shell, and the leading and trailing edges of the blade in the centrifugal fan. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of bionic structures for aerodynamic noise control of centrifugal fans are discussed.

ObjectivesTo assess the potential of a radiomics approach of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA).Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study included 200 patients with biopsy-proven light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. CA was diagnosed on the basis of systemic amyloidosis confirmed with evidence of cardiac involvement by imaging and clinical biomarkers. A total of 139 patients [54 ± 8 years, 75 (54%) men] in our institution were divided into training cohort [n = 97, mean age of 53 ± 8 years, 54 (56%) men] and internal validation cohort [n = 42, mean age: 56 ± 8 years, 21 (50%) men] with a ratio of 7:3, while 61 patients [mean age: 60 ± 9 years, 42 (69%) men] from the other two institutions were enrolled for external validation. Radiomics features were extracted from global (all short-axis images from base-to-apex) left ventricular (LV) myocardium and three different segments (basal, midventricular, and apex) on short-axis LGE images using the phase-sensitive reconstruction (PSIR) sequence. The Boruta algorithm was used to select the radiomics features. This model was built using the XGBoost algorithm. The two readers performed qualitative and semiquantitative assessment of the LGE images based on the visual LGE patterns, while the quantitative assessment was measured using a dedicated semi-automatic CMR software. The diagnostic performance of the radiomics and other qualitative and quantitative parameters were compared by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A correlation between radiomics and the degree of myocardial involvement by amyloidosis was tested.ResultsA total of 1,906 radiomics features were extracted for each LV section. No statistical significance was indicated between any two slices for diagnosing CA, and the highest area under the curve (AUC) was found in basal section {0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86–0.97] in the LGE images in the training set, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.79–1.00) in the internal validation set, and 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85–0.99) in the external validation set}, which was superior to the visual assessment and quantitative LGE parameters. Moderate correlations between global or basal radiomics scores (Rad-scores) and Mayo stage in all patients were reported (Spearman’s Rho = 0.61, 0.62; all p < 0.01).ConclusionA radiomics analysis of the LGE images provides incremental information compared with the visual assessment and quantitative parameters on CMR to diagnose CA. Radiomics was moderately correlated with the severity of CA. Further studies are needed to assess the prognostic significance of radiomics in patients with CA.

Electromagnetic track brake is increasingly applied to improve emergency braking force together with the main wheel-rail brake system, while larger electromagnetic braking force is demanded. The bottom of pole shoe is designed as the same curved surface like track top in order to achieve a good contact between pole shoe and track and the pole shoe chamfering is also designed to improve electromagnetic attractive force. Three main variables that decide the electromagnetic attractive force are selected in the paper: pole shoe contact width, protection block length and pole shoe length. The reliability of electromagnetic simulation is verified through prototype test and then the electromagnetic attractive force in this study is achieved by electromagnetic simulation. First, the effects of the three variables on electromagnetic attractive force are investigated singly. Then, a uniform design method is employed in this study to further optimize electromagnetic attractive force by researching the interactional effects of the three variables. A regression model is established with pole shoe contact width, protection block length and pole shoe length as the independent variables, and electromagnetic attractive force as the dependent variable. Depending on the regression model, the optimum conditions of the three variables are achieved. In addition, finite element simulation of electromagnetic track brake is developed to investigate electromagnetic attractive force and magnetic field distribution by Ansoft Maxwell. Compared to the existing electromagnetic track brake, the electromagnetic braking force and electromagnetic braking deceleration of the optimized electromagnetic track brake are improved by 6.3% under the optimum conditions, which can greatly improve train safety in emergency. The proposed reinforcement optimizations have two outstanding characteristics. The first is keeping the space usage of electromagnetic track brake unaltered, and the other is its simplicity to conduct.

Francis turbines are most widely used in hydropower due to their characteristics which include a fast response and wide time-scale operation. The vortex rope inside Francis turbines is a common flow phenomenon, which always causes strong vibration, pressure pulsations, fatigue load, and even serious failure of the components. Vortex suppression methods can effectively change the velocity and pressure distribution of the flow field in the draft tube, reduce the volume of vortex rope and the amplitude of pressure pulsation, inhibit the development of cavitation erosion, and improve the operation stability of the hydro turbine. However, the vortex suppression method is not suitable for all working conditions, and the vortex suppression effect is also different. There are still many problems with how to analyze the vortex suppression effect and practicability of the turbine from multi-dimensions. It is of great significance to analyze the vortex suppression techniques and their practicability in hydraulic turbines from various aspects. The primary focus of the present study is to analyze the hazards of vortex rope in draft tubes and summarize the methods of suppressing vortex rope and pressure pulsation. This review article provides a basis for controlling the vortex rope in the draft tube, which can help the designers choose the suitable control method to mitigate it. Future research directions are also briefly discussed.

The self-priming pump is a kind of centrifugal pump product with self-priming function, and the structural parameters of its reflux hole determine the performance. In order to reveal the mechanism of the self-priming process, we summarized the influence of structure parameters of the reflux hole on the performance of the self-priming pump. In this study, the transparent experimental pump was designed and manufactured, and a visual test bench was built. The gas–liquid two-phase flow pattern during the self-priming process with different reflux hole structure parameters was captured by high-speed camera. Results showed that: (1) the reflux hole of the self-priming pump affected the self-priming performance of the pump by affecting the backflow rate of the gas and liquid phases during the self-priming process. (2) Due to the uneven distribution of liquid velocity in the pump, the position of reflux hole had an obvious impact on the duration of self-priming middle stage, and the shortest duration was 13 s when φ = +15° and the longest duration was 45 s when φ = −30°. (3) The diameter of reflux hole had a very significant impact on the duration of the self-priming middle stage, and the shortest duration was 17 s when d = 10 mm and the longest duration was 94 s when d = 0 mm.

In this paper, a symplectic algorithm is utilized to investigate constrained Hamiltonian systems. However, the symplectic method cannot be applied directly to the constrained Hamiltonian equations due to the non-canonicity. We firstly discuss the canonicalization method of the constrained Hamiltonian systems. The symplectic method is used to constrain Hamiltonian systems on the basis of the canonicalization, and then the numerical simulation of the system is carried out. An example is presented to illustrate the application of the results. By using the symplectic method of constrained Hamiltonian systems, one can solve the singular dynamic problems of nonconservative constrained mechanical systems, nonholonomic constrained mechanical systems as well as physical problems in quantum dynamics, and also available in many electromechanical coupled systems.

Abstract The uptake of formaldehyde (HCHO) on mineral dust affects its budget as well as particle properties, yet the process has not yet been fully investigate. Here, TiO2 and nitrate-doped TiO2 aerosols were used as proxies for mineral dust, and the uptake of HCHO was explored in a chamber under both dark and illuminated conditions. The uptake loss of HCHO on UV-illuminated aerosols is 2–9 times faster than its gaseous photolysis in our experimental system. The uptake coefficient in the range of 0.43–1.68 × 10−7 is 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than previous reports on model mineral dust particles. The reaction rate exhibits a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-type dependence on nitrate content and relative humidity, suggesting the competitive role of nitrate salts, water vapor and HCHO on the TiO2 surface. The reaction produces carbon dioxide as the main product and gaseous formic acid as an important intermediate. The hydroxyl radical produced on illuminated TiO2 primarily drives the fast oxidation of HCHO. The nitrate radical arising from the TiO2-catalyzed photoreaction of nitrate synergistically promotes the oxidation process. This study suggests a novel oxidation route for HCHO in the atmosphere, taking into account high abundance of both mineral dust and anthropogenic TiO2 aerosols.

An overwhelming neutrophil-driven response causes both acute symptoms and the lasting sequelae that result from infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Neutrophils undergo an aggressive opsonin-independent response to N. gonorrhoeae, driven by the innate decoy receptor CEACAM3. CEACAM3 is exclusively expressed by human neutrophils, and drives a potent binding, phagocytic engulfment and oxidative killing of Opa-expressing bacteria. In this study, we sought to explore the contribution of neutrophils to the pathogenic inflammatory process that typifies gonorrhea. Genome-wide microarray and biochemical profiling of gonococcal-infected neutrophils revealed that CEACAM3 engagement triggers a Syk-, PKCδ- and Tak1-dependent signaling cascade that results in the activation of an NF-κB-dependent transcriptional response, with consequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using an in vivo model of N. gonorrhoeae infection, we show that human CEACAM-expressing neutrophils have heightened migration toward the site of the infection where they may be further activated upon Opa-dependent binding. Together, this study establishes that the role of CEACAM3 is not restricted to the direct opsonin-independent killing by neutrophils, since it also drives the vigorous inflammatory response that typifies gonorrhea. By carrying the potential to mobilize increasing numbers of neutrophils, CEACAM3 thereby represents the tipping point between protective and pathogenic outcomes of N. gonorrhoeae infection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and burden of stroke in China is increasing rapidly. However, little is known about trends in mortality during stroke hospitalization. The objectives of this study were to assess trends of in-hospital mortality among patients with stroke and explore influence factors of in-hospital death after stroke in China. METHODS: 109 grade III class A hospitals were sampled by multistage stratified cluster sampling. All patients admitted to hospitals between 2007 and 2010 with a discharge diagnosis of stroke were included. Trends in in-hospital mortality among patients with stroke were assessed. Influence factors of in-hospital death after stroke were explored using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall stroke hospitalizations increased from 79,894 in 2007 to 85,475 in 2010, and in-hospital mortality of stroke decreased from 3.16% to 2.30% (P