As regular inspection for the bolt connection in inaccessible areas is difficult and costly, computer vision technology provides a suitable noncontact approach for real-time bolt looseness detection ...as an alternative to inspection approaches. However, computer vision still suffers from various impracticalities. In this paper, a new vision-based bolt looseness detection method is designed and implemented with the bolt images acquired by a camera at arbitrary positions around the bolts. The new method includes the perspective transformation of original images acquired, identification of bolt positioning with the convolutional neural network digit recognition, detection of bolt rotation angles using Hough transform line detection, and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the new method, an experiment with bolted connections is setup. The experimental results demonstrate that the new method can accurately detect the looseness of the bolts in the bolted connection.
Converting and storing solar energy and releasing it on demand by using solar flow batteries (SFBs) is a promising way to address the challenge of solar intermittency. Although high solar-to-output ...electricity efficiencies (SOEE) have been recently demonstrated in SFBs, the complex multi-junction photoelectrodes used are not desirable for practical applications. Here, we report an efficient and stable integrated SFB built with back-illuminated single-junction GaAs photoelectrode with an n-p-n sandwiched design. Rational potential matching simulation and operating condition optimization of this GaAs SFB lead to a record SOEE of 15.4% among single-junction SFB devices. Furthermore, the TiO
protection layer and robust redox couples in neutral pH electrolyte enable the SFB to achieve stable cycling over 408 h (150 cycles). These results advance the utilization of more practical solar cells with higher photocurrent densities but lower photovoltages for high performance SFBs and pave the way for developing practical and efficient SFBs.
Lignin valorization is essential for biorefineries to produce fuels and chemicals for a sustainable future. Today's biorefineries pursue profitable value propositions for cellulose and hemicellulose; ...however, lignin is typically used mainly for its thermal energy value. To enhance the profit potential for biorefineries, lignin valorization would be a necessary practice. Lignin valorization is greatly advantaged when biomass carbon is retained in the fuel and chemical products and when energy quality is enhanced by electrochemical upgrading. Though lignin upgrading and valorization are very desirable in principle, many barriers involved in lignin pretreatment, extraction, and depolymerization must be overcome to unlock its full potential. This Review addresses the electrochemical transformation of various lignins with the aim of gaining a better understanding of many of the barriers that currently exist in such technologies. These studies give insight into electrochemical lignin depolymerization and upgrading to value‐added commodities with the end goal of achieving a global low‐carbon circular economy.
Electrons to Molecules: Rather than lignin's use as a source of low‐value heat and power, electrocatalysis provides the means for valorizing lignin and its aromatics to higher‐value fuels and chemicals. Electrochemical methods provide tunable selectivity via the control of electrical potential while eliminating the need for oxidizing/reducing reagents and allow for the direct integration of renewable energy to facilitate chemical transformations.
The aim of this study was to investigate changes in myocardial uptake evaluated by oncologic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT scans and to determine the relationship between myocardial FDG uptake ...and cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients who underwent anthracycline or trastuzumab.
We reviewed 121 consecutive patients who underwent oncologic FDG PET/CT and echocardiography at baseline and post-therapy with anthracyclines or trastuzumab for breast cancer. Grade in LV wall, uptake pattern in LV wall, and the presence of RV wall uptake were assessed by visual analysis, and the mean SUV in the LV and RV walls and the change of SUV (ΔSUV) between baseline and post-therapy PET/CT were measured by quantitative analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between PET parameters and cardiotoxicity.
Fifteen patients (12%) showed cardiotoxicity after therapy. The cardiotoxic group tended to show more diffuse LV uptake, higher SUV, and ΔSUV of RV wall than the non-cardiotoxic group following therapy with anthracyclines or trastuzumab. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of RV wall uptake, SUV of RV wall (> 1.8), and ΔSUV of RV wall (> 0.4) were significantly associated with cardiotoxicity after controlling for age, radiotherapy, and treatment.
The presence of RV wall uptake and the increase of SUV of RV wall on post-therapy PET/CT were associated with cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients who underwent anthracycline or trastuzumab. Oncologic FDG PET/CT scans can provide information regarding cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity as well as tumor response.
Nano-biochar presents superior physicochemical properties over bulk biochar such as highly stable and unique nanostructure, high catalytic activity and large specific surface area. A comprehensive ...understanding of the current nano-biochar research is required while progressing to real-world implementations, including preparation, characteristic properties and targeted applications. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review on nano-biochar research for (1) definition and production methodologies, (2) compositions and properties, (3) high-value applications and performances, (4) environmental concerns, and (5) implications to conventional biorefineries and perspectives. Following a sequence of biochar preparation, size reduction and screening, nano-biochar can be obtained for high-value applications such as a high-performance adsorbent, a carrier of biocatalysts, electrodes in electrochemistry and additives. Compared with bulk biochar, nano-biochar performs better in general uses such as wastewater treatment and soil amendment and promises high-value applications in emerging areas such as electrochemistry and biocatalysis. This review highlights that the preparation of nano-biochar from conventional bioenergy and biorefinery technologies such as thermochemical liquefaction and gasification is promising to generate adding values, contributing to enhanced techno-economic feasibility. Integrating nano-biochar preparation and application with conventional biofuel production is thus highly recommended as a future research endeavour.
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•Nano-biochar is obtained from biochar via size reduction and particle screening.•Nano-biochar has distinctive physiochemical properties compared with bulk biochar.•Nano-biochar promises high-value applications in electrocatalysis and biocatalysis.•Introducing nano-biochar production to biorefineries may boost the overall economy.
Purpose
The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of secondary cancers and the factors associated with their development among patients who underwent radioiodine therapy (RIT) with ...differentiated thyroid cancer.
Methods
We retrospectively collected medical records for patients who underwent first RIT between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005, from seven tertiary hospitals in South Korea after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer. Cancer incidence and calculated standardized rate ratio were compared with Korean cancer incidence data. The association between the development of secondary cancers and various parameters was analyzed by Cox-proportional hazard regression.
Results
A total of 3106 patients were included in this study. Mean age at the time of diagnosis of thyroid cancer was 45.7 ± 13.3 years old, and 2669 (85.9%) patients were female. The follow-up period was 11.9 ± 4.6 (range, 1.2–19.6) years. A total of 183 secondary cancers, which included 162 solid and 21 hematologic cancers, occurred in 173 patients (5.6%). There was no significant difference between solid cancer incidence in our study population who underwent RIT and the overall Korean population, but the incidence of hematologic cancers and total cancer in our study was significantly higher compared with that of the Korean population. A multivariate analysis identified independent prognostic factors for the development of secondary cancer including age at 1st RIT, male, and total cumulative dose over 200 mCi.
Conclusion
We need to assess the risk benefit for patients who receive over 200 mCi of a total cumulative dose.
Increasing evidence indicates that sarcopenia and obesity can be risk factors for incident dementia. We investigated the association of body composition including muscle and visceral adipose tissue ...(VAT) with the probability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects using
F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). This study included 110 healthy subjects with available whole-body FDG PET/CT scans and medical records. Muscle and VAT tissues were measured on the abdominal CT slice, and the PMOD Alzheimer's discrimination FDG PET analysis tool (PALZ) score was evaluated on the brain PET of the same subject using software PALZ. Skeletal muscle index (r: -0.306; P = 0.031) was significantly negatively associated with the PALZ score in the elderly patients. Muscle area (β: -0.640; P = 0.043) and skeletal muscle index (β: -0.557; P = 0.043) were independently associated with the PALZ score in elderly subjects after adjustments for sex, duration of education, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking and drinking status. Increased muscle tissue was associated with a lower probability of AD in elderly subjects, but VAT was not associated with a lower probability of AD in middle-or older-aged adults.
Myocardial ischemia varies in chronic total occlusion (CTO) despite the occluded artery. We analyzed whether it is associated with the plaque characteristics of the occluded segment.
We ...retrospectively enrolled 100 patients with CTO who underwent myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) within 2 months. CTO-related ischemia was classified as moderate to severe (summed difference score SDS of the CTO territory ≥ 5) or mild or none (SDS < 5) on SPECT. Using CCTA, the atherosclerotic plaques of the occluded segment were subdivided into low-density (− 100-30 HU), intermediate-density (31-350 HU), and high-density (351-1000 HU) plaques. The plaque composition was compared according to the severity of CTO-related ischemia.
Moderate-to-severe CTO-related ischemia (n = 23) showed significantly higher proportion of intermediate-density plaques (72.4% vs. 64.0%), intermediate/low-density (7.10 vs. 3.65) and intermediate-to-high/low-density (7.78 vs. 3.80) plaque ratios, frequent shorter occlusion (30% vs. 6%), and lower volume (26.5 mm3 vs. 58.8 mm3) and proportion (11.4% vs. 20.8%) of low-density plaques. Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between higher proportion of intermediate-density plaques and moderate-to-severe CTO-related ischemia, independent of occlusion length.
Higher proportion of intermediate-density plaques in the occluded segment was associated with the moderate-to-severe CTO-related ischemia.
To identify epigenetic molecular makers in plasma for the early detection of colorectal cancer.
We retrospectively analyzed the methylation status of 10 genes in fresh-frozen tissues and ...corresponding plasma samples from 243 patients with stage I and II sporadic colorectal cancer, 276 healthy individuals, and plasma from 64 colorectal adenoma patients using methylation-specific PCR. The methylation score (Mscore) was used to find molecular markers with high sensitivity and specificity.
Of the 243 colorectal cancer tissues, methylation was detected in 18% for p14, 34% for p16, 27% for APC, 34% for DAPK, 32% for HLTF, 21% for hMLH1, 39% for MGMT, 24% for RARbeta2, 58% for RASSF2A, and 74% for Wif-1. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis in plasma from 243 patients with cancer and 276 healthy individuals showed that the M score of any single gene had a sensitivity of <40% after controlling for age, sex, and tumor location. The specificity of the M score was not different between multigene and single gene analyses, but the sensitivity of the M score was significantly increased by multigene analysis. For all patients, the M score in a model including APC, MGMT, RASSF2A, and Wif-1 genes had a sensitivity of 86.5% and a specificity of 92.1% when 1.6 was used as a cutoff. In this model, the M score had a positive predictive value of 90.6% and a negative predictive value of 88.8%.
The present study suggests that tumor-specific methylation of APC, MGMT, RASSF2A, and Wif-1 genes might be a valuable biomarker in plasma for the early detection of colorectal cancer.
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