A Novel Kinetic Analysis of Crystallization of Polypropylene (PP) in Dynamically-vulcanized PP/Ethylene-propylene-diene Rubber (EPDM) Blends Using an In-situ Measurement Technique

Lei Hu,Bin Yang,Yan-Li Deng,Fei-Xue Lu,Ru Xia,Zheng-Zhi Zheng,Ji-Bin Miao,Jia-Sheng Qian,Chuan-Ru Zhang,Peng Chen,Yu-Chuan Zhang 한국고분자학회 2017 폴리머 Vol.41 No.4

The effects of cooling medium temperatures and plastic/rubber ratios on solidification and crystallization kinetics of dynamically-vulcanized polypropylene/ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (PP/EPDM) blends were investigated with the aid of an in-situ measurement technique. The cooling medium temperature heavily influenced the solidification kinetics primarily due to a combination of latent heat liberated from the molten polymer and the heat transferred away via the metallic wall during the cooling period. Interestingly, the parameter C in three-parameter model was not only affected by the material properties, but also by the cooling condition, different from the previous literature. The crystallization kinetics analysis indicated that the effect of EPDM in the blends consisted of both nucleation-promoting effect (low EPDM loading) and steric effect (higher EPDM loading). The present kinetic analysis may be helpful to further studies on improving the product performances for industrial applications.

Magnetic Resonance Venography Findings of Obstructed Hepatic Veins and the Inferior Vena Cava in Patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Ru-Xin Song,Shi-Feng Cai,Shuang Ma,Zhi-Ling Liu,Yong-Hao Gai,Chun-Qing Zhang,Guang-Chuan Wang 대한영상의학회 2018 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.19 No.3

Objective: This study aimed to illustrate the magnetic resonance venography (MRV) manifestations of obstructed hepatic veins (HVs), the inferior vena cava (IVC), and accessory hepatic veins (AHVs) in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and to evaluate the visualization capacity of MRV in the diagnosis of BCS. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with chronic BCS were included in this study. All patients were examined via MRV performed with a 3T system following injections of gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) or Gdethoxibenzyl-DTPA. HV and IVC lesions were classified, and their characteristics were described. HV cord-like occlusions detected via MRV were compared using ultrasonography (US). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed as a contrast in the MRV detection of IVC lesions. The HVs draining collaterals, mainly AHVs, were carefully observed. HV lesions were classified as segmental stenosis, segmental occlusion, membranous stenosis, membranous occlusion, cord-like occlusion, or non-visualized. Except for patent IVCs, IVC lesions were classified as segmental occlusion, segmental stenosis, membranous occlusion, membranous stenosis, and hepatomegaly-induced stenosis. Results: All patients (52/52, 100%) showed HV lesions of different degrees. MRV was inferior to US in detecting cord-like occlusions (6 vs. 19, χ2 = 11.077, p < 0.001). Dilated AHVs, including 50 (50/52, 96.2%) caudate lobe veins and 37 (37/52, 71.2%) inferior HV and AHV lesions, were well-detected. There were no significant differences in detecting segmental lesions and thrombosis between MRV and DSA (χ2 = 0.000, p1 = 1.000, p2 = 1.000). The capacity of MRV to detect membranous lesions was inferior to that of DSA (7 vs. 15, χ2 = 6.125, p = 0.013). Conclusion: In patients with BCS, MRV can clearly display the lesions in HVs and the IVC, as well as in AHVs, and it has diagnostic and therapeutic value.

Simplifi ed Calculation Methods for Static Behaviors of Triple-Tower Suspension Bridges and Parametric Study

Lijun Jia,Chuan Zhang,Yang Jiang,Jin Cheng,Ru-Cheng Xiao 한국강구조학회 2018 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.18 No.2

In this paper, simplifi ed formulas to determine the static behaviors of triple-tower suspension bridges were derived, including the formulas for the force of main cable, the defl ection of the stiff ening girder, the safety factor of anti-slipping on the saddle and the moment of the tower under the live load. Also, formulas were verifi ed by a fi nite element model for three triple-tower suspension bridges with main span of 1500, 2000 and 2500 m. In the end, a parametric study was performed to investigate the infl uence of sag to span ratio, ratio of side span to main span as well as the stiff ness of mid tower on the static performance using analytical method.

Validity and Necessity of Sub-classification of N3 in the 7^th UICC TNM Stage of Gastric Cancer

Li, Fang-Xuan,Zhang, Ru-Peng,Liang, Han,Quan, Ji-Chuan,Liu, Hui,Zhang, Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: The $7^{th}$ TNM staging is the first authoritative standard for evaluation of effectiveness of treatment of gastric cancer worldwide. However, revision of pN classification within TNM needs to be discussed. In particular, the N3 sub-stage is becoming more conspicuous. Methods: Clinical data of 302 pN3M0 stage gastric cancer patients who received radical gastrectomy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2001 to May 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Location of tumor, depth of invasion, extranodal metastasis, gastric resection, combined organs resection, lymph node metastasis, rate of lymph node metastasis, negative lymph nodes count were important prognostic factors of pN3M0 stage gastric cancers. TNM stage was also associated with prognosis. Patients at T2N3M0 stage had a better prognosis than other sub-classification. T3N3M0 and T4aN3aM0 patients had equal prognosis which followed the T2N3M0. T4aN3bM0 and T4bN3aM0 had lower survival rate than the formers. T4bN3bM0 had worst prognosis. In multivariate analysis, TNM stage group and rate of lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The sub-stage of N3 may be useful for more accurate prediction of prognosis; it should therefore be applied in the TNM stage system.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Comorbid Major Depression and Heart Rate Variability: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan

Hsin-An Chang,Chuan-Chia Chang,Nian-Sheng Tzeng,Terry B. J. Kuo,Ru-Band Lu,San-Yuan Huang 대한신경정신의학회 2013 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.10 No.4

Objective Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but the results are mixed. Little is known about the impact of comorbid major depression (MD) on HRV in GAD patients. Both issues necessitate further investigation. Methods Twenty unmedicated, physically healthy GAD patients, 20 GAD patients with a secondary diagnosis of MD, 40 MD patients and 60 matched controls were recruited. We used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale to assess anxiety and depression severity, respectively. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring HRV parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained. Results Three patient groups had more anxiety and depression symptoms than control subjects, but heart rates (HRs) were significantly elevated only in GAD patients with comorbid depression. Relative to controls, GAD patients had reduced HRV while GAD patients with comorbid depression displayed the greatest reductions in HRV among three patients groups. Correlation analyses revealed anxiety/depression severity significantly associated with HRs, variance, LF-HRV and HF-HRV. However, separately analyzing among individual groups and adjusting for HRV-associated covariables rendered the correlations non-significant. Conclusion Our results suggest that reduction in HRV is a psychophysiological marker of GAD and individuals with comorbid GAD and MD may be distinguished based on psychophysiological correlates (for example, HF-HRV) from non-comorbid GAD patients. Taken into account that comorbid depression may confer increased risks for cardiovascular events in GAD patients, this subgroup of GAD patients may benefit better from cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.

Ubi-PowerMeter: A Novel Paradigm to Reduce Energy Consumption

Yi-chao Jin,Ru-chuan Wang,Hai-ping Huang,Li-juan Sun 보안공학연구지원센터 2010 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.4 No.2

Living Experiences of Male Spouses of Patients with Metastatic Cancer in Taiwan

Lin, Hui-Chen,Lin, Wen-Chuan,Lee, Tzu-Ying,Lin, Hung-Ru Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.1

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death in Taiwan. Spouses are generally the main caregivers of affectyed patients but previous studies have seldom investigated the needs of male spouses of patients with metastatic cancer. Purpose: To explore the lived experiences of such male spouses. Methods: A qualitative design using in-depth interviewswasconducted with male spouses of patients with metastatic cancer being treated at the oncology outpatient department in a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Results: Nine participants aged 31-78 were interviewed. Content analysis of the interviews revealed five themes: suffering and struggling, difficulty in focusing on communication and interaction, shouldering responsibility, cherishing the love between husband and wife, and enabling each other to live better. This study demonstrated how male spousse experienced physical and psychological suffering when their wives suffered from metastatic cancer. They had to bear the pain of their wife's suffering, and also had to shoulder the responsibility for everything. All their efforts were put towards enabling each other to live a better life. They cherished the rest of the time they could spend with their wives, even though they had to live a hard life. As the male spouses of patients with metastatic cancer, the participants exhibited both the masculinity of men and the ability to express care and tenderness. Conclusions: The results showed that male spouses need more attention in terms of communication and bearing with suffering. Health care professionals should more actively understand the needs and provide assistance when facing the male spouse of patients with cancer, so as make sure that they possess the ability to take care of their wives. Health care professionals should also assist and properly act as a bridge of communication between husbands and wives.

Case-Control Study of Diet in Patients with Cervical Cancer or Precancerosis in Wufeng, a High Incidence Region in China

Jia, Yao,Hu, Ting,Hang, Chuan-Ying,Yang, Ru,Li, Xiong,Chen, Zhi-Lan,Mei, Ye-Dong,Zhang, Qing-Hua,Huang, Ke-Cheng,Xiang, Qun-Ying,Pan, Xiu-Yu,Yan, Yu-Ting,Wang, Xiao-Li,Wang, Shao-Shuai,Hang, Zhou,Tang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.10

Purpose: To investigate the diet of patients with cervical cancer and precancerosis in the Wufeng area, a high-incidence region in China. Methods: In the case group, 104 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CINII/III) were recruited from the Wufeng area. Nine hundred thirty-six healthy women were selected from the same area as the matched controls. A questionnaire, which included questions about general lifestyle conditions, smoking and alcohol status, source of drinking water, green tea intake, and diet in the past year, was presented to all participants. Results: Green tea intake (P=0.022, OR=0.551, 95% CI=0.330-0.919) and vegetable intake (P=0.035, OR=0.896, 95% CI=0.809-0.993) were identified as protective factors against cervical cancer or CINII/III. There was no indication of any associations of other lifestyle factors (smoking status, alcohol status, source of drinking water) or diet (intake of fruit, meat/egg/milk, soybean food, onion/garlic, staple food and pickled food) with cervical cancer. Conclusions: The results suggest that eating more fresh vegetables and drinking more green tea may help to reduce the risk of cervical cancer or CINII/III in people of the Wufeng area.