193 research outputs found
An alternative simulation approach for surface flashover in vacuum using a 1D2V continuum and kinetic model
Surface flashover across insulator in vacuum is a destructive plasma
discharge which undermines the behaviors of a range of applications in
electrical engineering, particle physics, space engineering, etc. This
phenomenon is widely modeled by the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation, here the
continuum and kinetic simulation method is first proposed and implemented as an
alternative solution for flashover modeling, aiming for the prevention of the
unfavorable particle noises in PIC models. The 1D2V (one dimension in space,
two dimensions in velocity) kinetic simulation model is constructed. Modeling
setup, physical assumptions, and simulation algorithm are presented in detail,
and a comparison with the well-known secondary electron emission avalanche
(SEEA) analytical expression and existing PIC simulation is made. Obtained
kinetic simulation results are consistent with the analytical prediction, and
feature noise-free data of surface charge density as well as particle fluxes of
primary and secondary electrons. Discrepancies between the two simulation
models and analytical predictions are explained. The code is convenient for
updating to include additional physical processes, and possible implementations
of outgassing and extra plasma species for final breakdown stage are discussed.
The proposed continuum and kinetic approach is expected to inspire future
flashover modeling studies for the understanding and mitigation
Roles of NMDA and dopamine in food-foraging decision-making strategies of rats in the social setting
Momentum matching and band-alignment type in van der Waals heterostructures: Interfacial effects and materials screening
Momentum-matched type II van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) have been
designed by assembling layered two-dimensional semiconductors (2DSs) with
special band-structure combinations - that is, the valence band edge at the
Gamma point (the Brillouin-zone center) for one 2DS and the conduction band
edge at the Gamma point for the other [Ubrig et al., Nat. Mater. 19, 299
(2020)]. However, the band offset sizes, band-alignment types, and whether
momentum matched or not, all are affected by the interfacial effects between
the component 2DSs, such as the quasichemical-bonding (QB) interaction between
layers and the electrical dipole moment formed around the vdW interface. Here,
based on density-functional theory calculations, first we probe the interfacial
effects (including different QBs for valence and conduction bands, interface
dipole, and, the synergistic effects of these two aspects) on band-edge
evolution in energy and valley (location in the Brillouin zone) and the
resulting changes in band alignment and momentum matching for a typical vdWH of
monolayer InSe and bilayer WS2, in which the band edges of subsystems satisfy
the special band-structure combination for a momentum-matched type II vdWH.
Then, based on the conclusions of the studied interfacial effects, we propose a
practical screening method for robust momentum-matched type II vdWHs. This
practical screening method can also be applied to other band alignment types.
Our current study opens a way for practical screening and designing of vdWHs
with robust momentum-matching and band alignment type
CT findings of COVID-19 in follow-up: comparison between progression and recovery
PURPOSEWe aimed to retrospectively analyze the imaging changes detected in the follow-up of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients on thin-section computed tomography (CT).METHODSWe included 54 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The mean interval between the initial and follow-up CT scans was 7.82±3.74 days. Patients were divided into progression and recovery groups according to their outcomes. We evaluated CT images in terms of distribution of lesions and imaging manifestations. The manifestations included ground-glass opacity (GGO), crazy-paving pattern, consolidation, irregular line, and air bronchogram sign.RESULTSCOVID-19 lesions showed mainly subpleural distribution, which was accompanied by bronchovascular bundle distribution in nearly 30% of the patients. The lower lobes of both lungs were the most commonly involved. In the follow-up, the progression group showed more involvement of the upper lobe of the left lung than the recovery group. GGO was the most common sign. As the disease progressed, round GGO decreased and patchy GGO increased. On follow-up CT, consolidation increased in the progression group while decreasing in the recovery group. Air bronchogram sign was more commonly observed at the initial examination (90.9%) than at follow-up (30%) in the recovery group, but there was no significant change in the progression group. Pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy were absent in the initial examination, but pleural effusion was observed in three cases after follow-up.CONCLUSIONAs COVID-19 progressed, round GGOs tended to evolve into patchy GGOs, consolidation increased, and pleural effusion could be occasionally observed. As COVID-19 resolved, the crazy-paving pattern and air bronchogram significantly decreased
An alternative simulation approach for surface flashover in a vacuum using a 1D2V continuum and kinetic model
Surface flashover across an insulator in a vacuum is a destructive plasma discharge which undermines the behaviors of a range of applications in electrical engineering, particle physics and space engineering, etc. This phenomenon is widely modeled by the particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation, here the continuum and kinetic simulation method is first proposed and implemented as an alternative solution for flashover modeling, aiming for the prevention of unfavorable particle noises in PIC models. A one dimension in space, two dimensions in velocity kinetic simulation model is constructed. Modeling setup, physical assumptions, and simulation algorithm are presented in detail, and a comparison with the well-known secondary electron (SE) emission avalanche analytical expression and existing PIC simulation are made. The obtained kinetic simulation results are consistent with the analytical prediction, and feature noise-free data of surface charge density as well as fluxes of primary and SEs. Discrepancies between the two simulation models and analytical predictions are explained. The code is convenient for updating and to include additional physical processes. The possible implementations of outgassing and plasma species for the final breakdown stage are discussed. The proposed continuum and kinetic approach are expected to inspire future modeling studies for the flashover mechanism and mitigation
Deep underground laboratory measurement of C(,)O in the Gamow windows of the - and -processes
The C(,)O reaction is the main neutron source for
the slow-neutron-capture (s-) process in Asymptotic Giant Branch stars and for
the intermediate (i-) process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in
above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections
and vast cosmic-ray induced background. We performed the first consistent
direct measurement in the range of 0.24 MeV to 1.9 MeV using the
accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) and Sichuan
University. Our measurement covers almost the entire i-process Gamow window in
which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from
60\% down to 15\%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the
extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing data sets, and
provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the s- and
i-processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for
the near-threshold state
Facile synthesis of a interleaved expanded graphite-embedded sulphur nanocomposite as cathode of Li–S batteries with excellent lithium storage performance
Clopidogrel Plus Aspirin vs Aspirin Alone in Patients With Acute Mild to Moderate Stroke
Importance
Dual antiplatelet therapy has been demonstrated to be superior to single antiplatelet in reducing recurrent stroke among patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke, but robust evidence for its effect in patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke is lacking.
Objective
To evaluate whether dual antiplatelet therapy is superior to single antiplatelet among patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This was a multicenter, open-label, blinded end point, randomized clinical trial conducted at 66 hospitals in China from December 20, 2016, through August 9, 2022. The date of final follow-up was October 30, 2022. The analysis was reported on March 12, 2023. Of 3065 patients with ischemic stroke, 3000 patients with acute mild to moderate stroke within 48 hours of symptom onset were enrolled, after excluding 65 patients who did not meet eligibility criteria or had no randomization outcome.
Interventions
Within 48 hours after symptom onset, patients were randomly assigned to receive clopidogrel plus aspirin (n = 1541) or aspirin alone (n = 1459) in a 1:1 ratio.
Main Outcomes and Measures
The primary end point was early neurologic deterioration at 7 days, defined as an increase of 2 or more points in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, but not as a result of cerebral hemorrhage, compared with baseline. The superiority of clopidogrel plus aspirin to aspirin alone was assessed based on a modified intention-to-treat population, which included all randomized participants with at least 1 efficacy evaluation regardless of treatment allocation. Bleeding events were safety end points.
Results
Of the 3000 randomized patients, 1942 (64.6%) were men, the mean (SD) age was 65.9 (10.6) years, median (IQR) NIHSS score at admission was 5 (4-6), and 1830 (61.0%) had a stroke of undetermined cause. A total of 2915 patients were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Early neurologic deterioration occurred in 72 of 1502 (4.8%) in the dual antiplatelet therapy group vs 95 of 1413 (6.7%) in the aspirin alone group (risk difference −1.9%; 95% CI, −3.6 to −0.2; P = .03). Similar bleeding events were found between 2 groups.
Conclusions and Relevance
Among Chinese patients with acute mild to moderate ischemic stroke, clopidogrel plus aspirin was superior to aspirin alone with regard to reducing early neurologic deterioration at 7 days with similar safety profile. These findings indicate that dual antiplatelet therapy may be a superior choice to aspirin alone in treating patients with acute mild to moderate stroke.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0286900
Metformin can block precancerous progression to invasive tumors of bladder through inhibiting STAT3-mediated signaling pathways
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