Determination and Analysis of the Optical Parameters of Polymer Thin Film based on Spectrum

A method to determine the optical parameters of polymer thin film by use of the transmission spectrum is proposed, with the improved simulated annealing algorithm developed to perform its inverse calculation. A special phenomenon due to the almost equal refractive index between film and substrate, that is, the small waves on spectrum curves which make the information of film thickness losing, has been discussed in detail. Based on the tested transmission spectrums of polymer optical thin films fabricated on K9 glass substrates, the dispersion curve of refractive index in visible band is figured out. Its calculated refractive index in the wavelength of 1547 nm is 1.3933, with the accuracy higher than 0.58% by comparing with the one measured by traditional coupled prism method. The analyzed result shows that the improved algorithm works well, by which the calculated optical parameters can converge to the right values

Causative agent distribution and antibiotic therapy assessment among adult patients with community acquired pneumonia in Chinese urban population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of predominant microbial patterns in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) constitutes the basis for initial decisions about empirical antimicrobial treatment, so a prospective study was performed during 2003–2004 among CAP of adult Chinese urban populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualified patients were enrolled and screened for bacterial, atypical, and viral pathogens by sputum and/or blood culturing, and by antibody seroconversion test. Antibiotic treatment and patient outcome were also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Non-viral pathogens were found in 324/610 (53.1%) patients among whom <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent (126/610, 20.7%). Atypical pathogens were identified in 62/195 (31.8%) patients carrying bacterial pathogens. Respiratory viruses were identified in 35 (19%) of 184 randomly selected patients with adenovirus being the most common (16/184, 8.7%). The nonsusceptibility of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>to penicillin and azithromycin was 22.2% (Resistance (R): 3.2%, Intermediate (I): 19.0%) and 79.4% (R: 79.4%, I: 0%), respectively. Of patients (312) from whom causative pathogens were identified and antibiotic treatments were recorded, clinical cure rate with β-lactam antibiotics alone and with combination of a β-lactam plus a macrolide or with fluoroquinolones was 63.7% (79/124) and 67%(126/188), respectively. For patients having mixed <it>M. pneumoniae </it>and/or <it>C. pneumoniae </it>infections, a better cure rate was observed with regimens that are active against atypical pathogens (e.g. a β-lactam plus a macrolide, or a fluoroquinolone) than with β-lactam alone (75.8% vs. 42.9%, <it>p </it>= 0.045).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Chinese adult CAP patients, <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent with mixed infections containing atypical pathogens being frequently observed. With <it>S. pneumoniae</it>, the prevalence of macrolide resistance was high and penicillin resistance low compared with data reported in other regions.</p

Anomalous systemic arterial supply of pulmonary sequestration in adult patients

OBJECTIVES: This study described the characteristics of the systemic arterial supply of pulmonary sequestration (PS) in an attempt to better distinguish PS from other acquired lesions. METHODS: We identified 25 patients hospitalized at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital during January 2013 to December 2015 with the assistance of medical catalogers. Twenty-three patients with a definite diagnosis of "pulmonary sequestration" clinically or pathologically were included in the study. The medical records, imaging information, and pathological data were reviewed retrospectively. The general characteristics of the patients and the features of the anomalous arteries were summarized. RESULTS: Aberrant arterial supply of PS was found in all 23 (100%) cases. Among them, twenty patients received surgery, including 14 (70%) with aberrant arterial supply found before surgery, and the other 6 (30%) found during surgery. Nineteen (82.6%) patients had a single systematic arterial supply, with a median diameter of 8 mm. More than one arterial supplies were found in four (17.4%) cases. In 21 (91.3%) cases, the anomalous systemic artery originated from the descending thoracic aorta just adjacent to the sequestrated lung which it supplied, without the presence of accompanying bronchi. In twenty (87.0%) patients who received the surgical intervention, samples of 12 (85.7%) were proved to have elastic vessel walls, out of the 14 samples in which the anomalous systemic arteries were available for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There are no certain pathology diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of PS. The detecting of the aberrant systematic artery and distinguishing it from the bronchial arteries corresponded to certain lung abnormalities are the keys to the accurate diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration in adult patients. We propose that the characteristic features of the anomalous arteries include: Originating from aorta and its main branches, adjacent to the sequestrated area, directly running into the sequestrated mass without accompanying bronchus branch, being large in diameter, and having elastic vessel wall

Pattern Bandwidth Improving of Printed Notched-Monopole Antenna

Conference Name:Asia Pacific Conference on Postgraduate Research in Microelectronics and Electronics. Conference Address: Shanghai, PEOPLES R CHINA. Time:NOV 19-21, 2009.A printed monopole antenna of the tapered and notched radiator with the microstrip feed-line is designed. The simulated and measured results show that the printed antenna achieves a broad impedance bandwidth of 3.1-11.1 GHz for the 10-dB return loss. This antenna features the stable omnidirectional radiation patterns over the impedance bandwidth. Using the current distribution modes the influence of the radiator cut on the radiation performance is analyzed. It is indicated that the notched radiator can improve the pattern bandwidth due to the enhanced standing-wave current by the cut at the high frequency. Compared with the cut depth, the cut width performs more important functions on the radiation characteristics. To maintain the similar radiating performance, the width of the residual lower-side patch of the notched radiator must be larger than one eighth of the high-frequency resonant wavelength

Exacerbation in patients with stable COPD in China: analysis of a prospective, 52-week, nationwide, observational cohort study (REAL)

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management in China is inadequate and there is a need to improve care and outcomes for patients nationwide. Objectives: The REAL study was designed to generate reliable information on COPD management from a representative sample of Chinese patients with COPD. Here, we present study outcomes related to acute exacerbations. Design: A 52-week, multicentre, prospective, observational study. Methods: Outpatients (aged ⩾ 40 years) enrolled from 25 tertiary and 25 secondary hospitals across six geographic regions in China were followed for 12 months. Risk factors for COPD exacerbation and disease severity by exacerbation were assessed using multivariate Poisson and ordinal logistic regression models, respectively. Results: Between June 2017 and January 2019, 5013 patients were enrolled, with 4978 included in the analysis. Mean (standard deviation) age was 66.2 (8.9) years. More patients presented with exacerbations in secondary versus tertiary hospitals (59.4% versus 40.2%) and in rural versus urban areas (53.2% versus 46.3%). Overall exacerbation rates differed across regions (range: 0.27–0.84). Patients from secondary versus tertiary hospitals had higher rates of overall exacerbation (0.66 versus 0.47), severe exacerbation (0.44 versus 0.18) and exacerbation that resulted in hospitalisation (0.41 versus 0.16). Across regions and hospital tiers, the rates of overall exacerbation and exacerbations that resulted in hospitalisation were highest in patients with very severe COPD (based on the severity of airflow limitation or GOLD 2017 combined assessment). Strong predictors of exacerbation included demographic and clinical characteristics, modified Medical Research Council scores, mucus purulence, exacerbation history and the use of maintenance mucolytic treatment. Conclusion: COPD exacerbation rates varied across regions and were higher in secondary compared with tertiary hospitals in China. Understanding the factors associated with COPD exacerbation may facilitate improved management of COPD exacerbations in China. Registration: The trial was registered on 20 March 2017 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03131362; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03131362 ). Plain language summary Exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. As the disease progresses, patients often experience a flare up of symptoms referred to as an exacerbation. There is inadequate management of COPD in China and, therefore, there is a need to improve care and outcomes for patients across the country. Objective: This study aimed to generate reliable information on exacerbations among Chinese patients with COPD to help inform future management strategies. Study design and methods: Patients (aged ⩾ 40 years) were enrolled from 25 secondary and 25 tertiary hospitals across six regions of China. Physicians collected data over 1 year during routine outpatient visits. Results: There were more patients who experienced an exacerbation in secondary versus tertiary hospitals (59% versus 40%) and in rural versus urban areas (53% versus 46%). Patients in different geographic regions experienced varying frequencies of exacerbations over 1 year. Compared with patients from tertiary hospitals, patients from secondary hospitals experienced exacerbations (including exacerbations that were severe and those that resulted in hospitalisation) at a higher frequency over 1 year. Patients with very severe disease experienced exacerbations (including exacerbations that resulted in hospitalisation) at the highest frequency over 1 year, regardless of the patient’s geographic region or hospital tier. Patients who had certain characteristics and symptoms, had exacerbation(s) over the previous year, or received medication that aids in the clearance of mucus were more likely to experience exacerbations. Conclusion: The frequency of exacerbations among Chinese patients with COPD varied between patients living in different geographic regions and between patients presenting to different hospital tiers. Understanding the factors related to the occurrence of an exacerbation may help physicians better manage the disease

Chinese experts consensus for aerosol therapy assisted by Internet of Things

Aerosol inhalation treatment imposes direct effects on target organs with less systematic side effects and no need of deliberate cooperation of patients. However, the lack of resources and experience impairs the drug efficacy and even causes side effects. The editorial board of International Journal of Respiration reviewed the literature, discussed and summarized their experience, and finalized the Chinese experts consensus on the treatment of aerosol inhalation assisted by Internet of Things. This practice guideline was designed to guide medical staffs at all levels to carry out standardized aerosol inhalation treatment more properly. Keywords: Aerosol inhalation, Indications, Therapeutic schedules, Safety, Side effects, Internet of Thing

3D Printable Modular Soft Elastomers from Physically Crosslinked Homogeneous Associative Polymers

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of elastomers enables the fabrication of many technologically important structures and devices. However, there remains a critical need for the development of reprocessable, solvent-free soft elastomers that can be printed without the need for post-treatment. Here, we report modular soft elastomers suitable for direct ink write (DIW) printing by physically crosslinking associative polymers with a high fraction of reversible bonds. We design and synthesize linear-associative-linear (LAL) triblock copolymers; the middle block is an associative polymer carrying amide groups that form double hydrogen bonding, and the end blocks aggregate to hard glassy domains that effectively act as physical crosslinks. The amide groups do not aggregate to form nanoscale clusters and only slow polymer dynamics without changing the shape of the linear viscoelastic spectra; this enables molecular control over energy dissipation by varying the fraction of the associative groups. Exploiting the more ordered microstructures afforded by block copolymer self-assembly increases the network stiffness by >100 times without significantly compromising extensibility. We use a high-temperature DIW printing platform to print these LAL polymers and manufacture complex, highly deformable 3D structures. Our printing process uses melt processing and is solvent-free, and the printed parts do not require any post-print processing. We create elastomers with Young’s moduli ranging from 8 kPa to 8 MPa while maintaining tensile breaking strain around 150%. Our elastomers represent the softest melt reprocessable materials for DIW printing. The developed LAL polymers synergize emerging homogeneous associative polymers with high fraction of reversible bonds and classical block copolymer self-assembly to form a dual-crosslinked network, providing a versatile platform for the modular design and development of soft, melt reprocessable elastomeric materials for practical applications

Current situation of asthma-COPD overlap in Chinese patients older than 40 years with airflow limitation: a multicenter, cross-sectional, non-interventional study.

Background and aimsAsthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) is poorly recognized in China. Our study determined the distribution of ACO and its clinical characteristics among patients (aged ⩾40 years) with airflow limitation at Chinese tertiary hospitals.MethodsThis cross-sectional, non-interventional study (NCT02600221), conducted between December 2015 and October 2016 in 20 Tier-3 Chinese hospitals, included patients aged ⩾40 years with post-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1/FVC &lt;0.7. The primary variable was distribution of ACO in adults with post-BD forced expiratory volume /forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) &lt;0.7 based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2015 and 2017 reports. Other variables included determination of characteristics of ACO and its clinical recognition rate.ResultsIn 2003 patients (mean age 62.30 ± 9.86 years), distribution of ACO, COPD and asthma were 37.40%, 48.50% and 14.10%, respectively. Proportions of patients with A, B, C and D grouping were 11.70%, 31.00%, 6.90% and 50.30% as per GOLD 2017, whereas they were 15.10%, 51.10%, 3.60% and 30.20% as per GOLD 2015. Similar clinical symptoms were reported in all three groups. A higher percentage of ACO patients presented with dyspnea, wheezing and chest tightness. Compared with the COPD group, a greater proportion of ACO patients reported wheezing (74.6% and 65.40%), while a lower proportion in the ACO group reported cough (79.40% versus 82.70%) and expectoration (76.50% versus 81.60%). Blood eosinophil count ⩾0.3 × 109/L was observed in 34.6% of ACO patients. The clinical recognition rate of ACO was 31.4%.ConclusionDespite ACO affecting two-fifths of the study population, the initial diagnosis rate was low at 6% in China, thus warranting concerted efforts to improve ACO diagnosis.Clinicaltrials.gov[ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02600221] registered 22 October 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02600221The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section