Cone-Henig Subdifferentials of Set-Valued Maps in Locally Convex Spaces.

In locally convex spaces, the concepts of cone-Henig subgradient and cone-Henig subdifferential for the set-valued mapping are introduced through the linear functionals. The theorems of existence for Henig efficient point and cone-Henig subdifferential are proposed, and the sufficient and necessary condition for a linear functional being a cone-Henig subgradient is established

Higher-Order Weakly Generalized Epiderivatives and Applications to Optimality Conditions

The notions of higher-order weakly generalized contingent epiderivative and higher-order weakly generalized adjacent epiderivative for set-valued maps are proposed. By virtue of the higher-order weakly generalized contingent (adjacent) epiderivatives, both necessary and sufficient optimality conditions are obtained for Henig efficient solutions to a set-valued optimization problem whose constraint set is determined by a set-valued map. The imposed assumptions are relaxed in comparison with those of recent results in the literature. Examples are provided to show some advantages of our notions and results

Higher-Order Weakly Generalized Epiderivatives and Applications to Optimality Conditions

The notions of higher-order weakly generalized contingent epiderivative and higher-order weakly generalized adjacent epiderivative for set-valued maps are proposed. By virtue of the higher-order weakly generalized contingent adjacent epiderivatives, both necessary and sufficient optimality conditions are obtained for Henig efficient solutions to a set-valued optimization problem whose constraint set is determined by a set-valued map. The imposed assumptions are relaxed in comparison with those of recent results in the literature. Examples are provided to show some advantages of our notions and results

Cell patterning using a dielectrophoretic–hydrodynamic trap

The paper presents a dielectrophoretic method for cell patterning using dielectrophoretic–hydrodynamic trap. A distinctive characteristic of the device is that the dielectrophoretic (DEP) force is generated using a structure that combines conventional electrode-based DEP (eDEP) with insulator-based DEP method (iDEP). The conventional eDEP force is generated across the microfluidic channel between a top plate indium tin oxide electrode and a thin CrAu electrode. Meantime, an isolating cage built from SU8 photoresist around the thin electrode modifies the electric field generating an iDEP force. The cells that are flowing through a microfluidic channel are trapped in the SU8 cage by the total DEP force. As a result, according to the cell dimension and the thickness of the SU8 layer, different cell patterns can be achieved. If the cell’s size is sensitively smaller than the dimensions of the hydrodynamic trap, due to the dipole–dipole interaction, the cell can be organized in 3D structures. The trapping method can be used for conducting genetic, biochemical or physiological studies on cells

Interannual variability of extreme precipitation in late summer over west China during 1961–2021

The characteristics and related mechanisms of the interannual variability of late summer (August) extreme precipitation in West China (WC) were investigated from 1961 to 2021. Precipitation and extreme precipitation (defined as the 99th percentile) generally decreased in the southeast-northwest direction, with a maximum in the Sichuan Basin. The non-linear trends in extreme precipitation have increased since the 1980s. Therefore, we further found that the interannual increase in extreme precipitation in the WC was significantly related to the eastward-strengthened South Asian high, western-stretched Western Pacific Subtropical high, enhanced westerly jet, anomalous cyclone in Mongolia, and anomalous anticyclone in the western Pacific. The anti-cyclonic anomaly is a Gill-type response to increase the sea surface temperature in the western Pacific. A mid-high latitude barotropic Rossby-wave train can be induced and has essential effects on the above key circulation patterns, further cooperating with the strong updrafts rather than strengthening and maintaining extreme precipitation in the WC

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of transversus abdominis plane block with compound lidocaine hydrochloride injection on postoperative pain and opioid consumption and gastrointestinal motility in patients undergoing gynecological laparotomy

IntroductionIncorporation of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block into multimodal analgesia has been emphasized in Enhanced Recovery protocols (ERPs). However, benefit is limited in clinical practice. A potential explanation is the short duration of analgesia of standard local anesthetics. Herein, this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial evaluated whether TAPB with long-acting compound lidocaine hydrochloride injection reduces postoperative pain.Methods164 patients undergoing elective gynecological laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia randomly received ultrasound-guided TAP block with either saline, or ropivacaine, or compound lidocaine before anesthesia induction. The postoperative pain intensity (primary outcome) was evaluated by pain 11-point numerical rating scale. We also recorded sufentanil consumptions, time to first flatus, side-effects and hospital stay after surgery.ResultsWe reported that pain scores at rest at postoperative 3h in group 0.375% ropivacaine was lower than that in group saline [mean 2.4 (SD 1.2) vs. 3.0 (1.0), p = 0.036]. Compared with saline, 0.4% and 0.6% compound lidocaine caused lower pain scores at rest at postoperative 12h [2.8 (0.9) vs. 2.1 (0.9) and 2.0 (0.9), p = 0.016 and p = 0.006]. Sufentanil usage for the first postoperative 48h was lower in group 0.6% compound lidocaine than group saline [24.2 (5.4) vs. 45.6 (7.5) µg, p  < 0.001]. Time to first flatus and hospital stay after surgery was shortest and the incidence of postoperative nausea was lowest in patients receiving 0.6% compound lidocaine.ConclusionTAP block with 0.6% compound lidocaine hydrochloride injection attenuates postoperative pain, reduces opioid consumption, accelerates gastrointestinal function recovery, and shortens length of hospital stay in patients after gynecological laparotomy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04938882