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The Gibbs-Thomson effect on droplet condensation is discussed. A study intended to theoretically investigate growth of one spherical droplet as a result of condensation has been carried out. The Gibbs-Thomson effect suppresses droplet growth, and the effect becomes smaller as time goes on. If density difference between liquid and gas is increases, the induced convection is stronger resulting in more growth of droplets. Shape of container is not important if the distance from droplet to each wall exceeds 50 times the droplet radius.

In convective heat transfer, interfacial temperature distributions are nonuniform. This induces a thermocapillary flow and influences the transient heat transfer. A new study analyzes the thermocapillary effects on the transient heat transfer. A small Reynolds number and a large Peclet number were assumed, and analytic solutions were achieved for the stream function. The results suggest that the interfacial temperature distribution is nonuniform and that thermocapillarity might exist.

Background: The 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is indicated for adults who have a high risk of pneumonia; however, its effectiveness in patients with prostate cancer who are at a risk of pneumonia because of age and cancer treatments, including androgen‐deprivation therapy, is unknown. Methods: Between 2000 and 2010, 38,735 patients with prostate cancer were diagnosed in Taiwan. After exclusions and exact matching for age, previous pneumonia, and influenza vaccination, 2188 vaccinated patients and 2188 unvaccinated patients were recruited. The incidence density of all‐cause bacterial pneumonia hospitalizations was analyzed. Results: Over 7 years of follow‐up, patients who received the PPSV23 had a significantly lower incidence density, with 142.8 per 1000 person‐years versus 162.0 per 1000 person‐years for unvaccinated patients. More patients in the vaccinated cohort were never hospitalized for pneumonia compared with those in the unvaccinated cohort (64.2% vs 62.2%, respectively). After adjusting for the Charlson comorbidity index, cancer treatment modalities, and socioeconomic levels, the risk of pneumonia‐related hospitalization in the PPSV23 vaccination cohort was 0.48 times lower than that in the unvaccinated cohort (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.48; P =.046). For patients who received the influenza vaccination, subgroup analysis demonstrated that PPSV23 vaccination significantly decreased the risk (adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.45; P <.001). Compared with unvaccinated controls, PPSV23‐vaccinated patients had a lower cumulative incidence for the first occurrence of pneumonia‐related hospitalization (34.49% vs 36.36%; P =.178) and higher overall survival (47.5% and 42.3%, respectively; P <.001). Conclusions: Vaccination of elderly patients who have prostate cancer with the relatively common and inexpensive PPSV23 can decrease the risk of pneumonia and prolong survival. Elderly patients and those undergoing treatments for cancer, such as androgen‐deprivation therapy or chemotherapy, are at increased risk of developing pneumonia that requires hospitalization. In elderly patients who have prostate cancer, vaccination with the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is associated with lower rates of pneumonia‐related hospitalization and better survival outcomes compared with unvaccinated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Chun-Liang Lai, Kwoting Fang, Shou-Wei Chien Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest diseases in the world, especially given its ability to spread through the air. Medical institutes thus isolate active TB patients for a compelling medical cure. This work presents an RFID-based TB Isolation ward Management System (RTIMS) to monitor the location of TB patients. The proposed system using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies supports the hospital in identifying TB patients and monitoring the locations of TB patients, capable of reducing human resources and increasing work efficiency. Importantly, the proposed management system sheds light on RFID implementation practice in a clinical environment for researchers and practitioners.