SO2 enhanced desorption from basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution by falling-film evaporation

To find the optimal structure of the converging–diverging tube and develop a high-efficiency falling-film evaporator, the heat and mass transfer performances of falling-film evaporation with converging–diverging tubes of different dimensions were studied. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of the basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, and different influential factors on the desorption effect were analyzed. It was found that converging–diverging tubes with large falling-film flow rate performed well in the heat and mass transfer of falling-film evaporation, and their rib height largely affected the heat and mass transfer performances. At the same rib height and rib pitch, the longer the converging segment of the converging–diverging tube was, the better the heat transfer performance was. The evaporation heat transfer coefficient and evaporation mass transfer rate in the optimal converging–diverging tube were 1.6 and 1.38 times larger than the smooth tube, respectively. The optimal converging–diverging tube was used in falling-film evaporation desorption of basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution, at a perimeter flow rate of 0.114–0.222 kg m⁻¹ s⁻¹, the desorption efficiency inside the tube was up to 94.2%, which was 10.3–10.5% higher than that of the smooth tube. At the inlet sulfur concentration of 0.02–0.1 kmol m⁻³, the desorption efficiency was up to 94.1%, which was 12.0–16.3% larger than that of the smooth tube. At the heating temperature of 371.15–386.15 K, the desorption efficiency was up to 93.4%, which was 6.7–11.5% larger than that of the smooth tube. Smaller falling-film flow rate, higher sulfur concentration, or higher heating temperature was more constructive to SO₂ desorption. Correlations were obtained to predict the mass transfer coefficient and SO₂ desorption efficiency. This study develops a new type of falling-film evaporator for SO₂ desorption from basic aluminum sulfate desulphurization–regeneration solution and provides a basis for process design and industrial application.

The heat and mass transfer performances of falling-film evaporation with converging–diverging tubes of different dimensions were studied.     

A Gd-doped HfO2 single film for a charge trapping memory device with a large memory window under a low voltage

In this study, a performance-enhanced charge trapping memory device with a Pt/Gd-doped HfO₂/SiO₂/Si structure has been investigated, where Gd-doped HfO₂ acts as a charge trapping and blocking layer. The device demonstrates a large memory window of 5.4 V under a ±5 V sweeping voltage (360% of the device with pure HfO₂), which is extremely attractive in low-power applications. In addition, the device also exhibits good retention characteristics with a 24.5% charge loss after the retention time of 1 × 10⁵ seconds and robust endurance performance with a 1% degradation after 1 × 10⁴ program/erase cycles. It is considered that the high density of defect states and the reduction in the defect energy levels induced by Gd-doping contribute to the performance improvement.

In this study, a performance-enhanced charge trapping memory device with a Pt/Gd-doped HfO₂/SiO₂/Si structure has been investigated, where Gd-doped HfO₂ acts as a charge trapping and blocking layer.     

Impact of Targeted Therapy on the Quality of End-of-Life Care for Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Population-Based Study in Taiwan

Context

Targeted therapies with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been widely used in the treatment of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, little research has focused on the use of targeted therapies at the end of life (EOL).

Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave-Mediated Transdermal Local Anesthetic Drug Delivery on Rat Caudal Nerves

Cavitation plays a substantial role in the clinical effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). It is also generally accepted as a major mechanism in sonophoresis. To identify the enhancing effect of extracorporeal shock wave-mediated transdermal drug delivery, 24 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (i) topical application of a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA); (ii) 1-MHz ultrasound; (iii) ESWT pre-treatment combined with EMLA application; (iv) ESWT concurrent with EMLA application on rat tails. The degree of anesthesia was assessed using the amplitude and latency of sensory nerve action potentials within 5?min after a 60-min EMLA application. The results indicated that ESWT pre-treatment and concurrent ESWT accelerated the anesthetic effects of the EMLA cream on the tail nerve (p?<?0.05). This finding might indicate that shock wave-mediated transdermal drug delivery is possible during the ESWT period.     

A Cadaveric and Preliminary Clinical Study of Ultrasonographically Assisted Percutaneous Carpal Tunnel Release

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety profile of a new technique for ultrasonographically assisted percutaneous carpal tunnel release. Experiments were performed on 40 hands in 20 cadavers. We first performed a detailed ultrasonographic examination and correlation study that included surgical dissection of the transverse carpal ligament, the related neurovascular structures and the bony landmarks of the radiocarpal, midcarpal and carpometacarpal joints of the right hand. We then used the measurements we made for percutaneous carpal tunnel release of the transverse carpal ligament using intra-operative ultrasonography for guidance and a hook knife on the left-hand side. The completeness of the release and the potential risks of injury to the flexor tendon and neurovascular bundles were examined. Using real-time intra-operative ultrasonographic monitoring to clearly delineate these targets, we were able to percutaneously release the transverse carpal ligament completely in 18 (90%) of the 20 hands and partially release it in 2 without injuring any neurovascular bundles. We then performed the procedure on 91 consecutive cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and found that the sensory disturbances disappeared in 100% patients 12 mo post-operatively; only 2 hands were graded as unsatisfactory. There were no intra- or post-operative complications. Based on the results from the cadaveric studies and our successful preliminary clinical outcomes, we conclude that this method is tolerable and that its clinical application can be encouraged.     

Assessing the psychometric and language equivalency of the Chinese versions of the Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching, and the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire

This study was an initial psychometric test of the Chinese versions of the Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching (INVR), and the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) in pregnant Taiwanese women. Although there already is evidence that the English-language versions of the scales are reliable and valid, it is important to verify the proper psychometric characteristics of the Chinese versions. Forward and backward translation, and a multiphase instrumentation study describing internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and content validity of the translated versions were conducted. A convenience sample was recruited from prenatal clinics in the south of Taiwan. Three measurement instruments were used in this study: the demographic inventory (DI), the INVR, and the PSEQ. Thirty pregnant women participated in the study. Both the internal consistency and stability coefficients of the INVR and PSEQ were satisfactory. The indices of content validity (CVI) for the Chinese versions of these two instruments were both 1.0, indicating that they are acceptable for use among Taiwanese pregnant women. This was the first instrumentation study of the INVR and PSEQ applied to Taiwanese pregnant women. Researchers could use this study as a model for future translation and application of psychometric instrumentation.     

Pulmonary embolism in a patient with multiple myeloma receiving thalidomide–dexamethasone therapy

Massive pulmonary embolism is an uncommon complication of multiple myeloma treated with thalidomide-dexamethasone regimen. In 2006, multiple myeloma was diagnosed in a 72-year-old man, who received thalidomide-dexamethasone therapy. In January 2007, echocardiography and computerized tomography identified massive pulmonary embolism in the pulmonary arteries and a deep vein thrombus of the right leg. The patient also had an elevated concentration of B-type natriuretic peptide. After heparinization and warfarin therapy, the patient's condition improved. This is the first report of a patient with a rare complication of pulmonary embolism from thalidomide-treated multiple myeloma.     

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Taiwan

OBJECTIVES: To survey the seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection in healthy subjects in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used microimmunofluorescence antibody assay to survey the prevalence of antibodies to C. pneumoniae in 620 serum samples from healthy subjects aged 6 months to 86 years in Taiwan. RESULTS: The mean prevalence (+/-SD) of IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae at titer greater than or equal 1:16 was 55.8% (range 7.8-81.8%). The antibody prevalence was low in children under the age of 10 years (7.8%), and increased rapidly with age. Most individual acquired infection during the second and third decades of life with highest antibody prevalence reached up to 81.8% at fifth decade of life and remained high (70%) thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is highly endemic in Taiwan. These data contribute to the understanding of asymptomatic infections with C. pneumoniae in general population and should serve as a basis for studies on the role of C. pneumoniae infections and their related diseases.     

Mislocalisation of hephaestin, a multicopper ferroxidase involved in basolateral intestinal iron transport, in the sex linked anaemia mouse

BACKGROUND: Hephaestin is a multicopper ferroxidase required for basolateral transport of iron from enterocytes. Sex linked anaemia (sla) mice have a defect in the release of iron from intestinal enterocytes into the circulation due to an interstitial deletion in the hephaestin gene (heph). RESULTS: We have demonstrated that hephaestin is primarily localised to a supranuclear compartment in both intestinal enterocytes and in cultured cells. In normal intestinal enterocytes, hephaestin was also present on the basolateral surface. In sla mice, hephaestin was present only in the supranuclear compartment. In contrast, the iron permease Ireg1 localised to the basolateral membrane in both control and sla mice. CONCLUSION: We suggest that mislocalisation of hephaestin likely contributes to the functional defect in sla intestinal epithelium.     

Effect of 2-month detraining on body composition and insulin sensitivity in young female dancers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 2-month detraining on body composition and glucose tolerance for female collegiate dancers. DESIGN: Longitudinal study of dancers who stopped their regular training for 2 months. SUBJECTS: 16 female collegiate dancers (age: 19.7 +/-0.11 year, body mass index (BMI): 20.7 +/- 0.56 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin response during OGTT, and blood lipids at baseline and after a 2-month detraining.Results:Glucose tolerance was not significantly affected by the detraining, but the fasted insulin and insulin levels during OGTT were significantly elevated. Fasted free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride levels were significantly elevated without change in cholesterol level. BMI was not significantly altered during this detraining period, but the waist circumference and WHR ratio were significantly elevated. CONCLUSION: Only a 2-month cessation of regular training in female dancers significantly elevated basal and postprandial insulin levels and triglycerides, and were associated with increased basal FFA. This result appears to be partly related to the increased central fatness but not body mass, indicating that the early development of obesity due to reduced physical activity may not necessarily reflect on weight status. A warning is thus warranted for those young women who depend on weight measurement for body fat status monitoring.