Sex Differences in Quality of Life and their Explanatory Variables in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) have poorer quality of life (QoL) than men; however, the factors contributing to the poorer QoL in women is unclear. Methods: We analyzed data for 3562 patients with non-valvular AF enrolled in the China Registry of Atrial Fibrillation. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate QoL, which was compared between women and men. A multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to explore factors potentially explaining the sex difference in QoL. Results: Overall, 43.3% of the cohort comprised women (n=1541) who were older than their male counterparts (72 ± 9.8 vs. 68 ± 11.9 years, P<0.001). Compared with men, women were more likely to have more symptoms, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure. Women were less likely than men to receive catheter ablation (4.5% vs. 6.1%, P=0.044). Women also had lower physical component summary (PCS) scores (48 ± 9 vs. 51 ± 9, P<0.001) and mental component summary (MCS) scores (49 ± 10 vs. 51 ± 10, P<0.001) than men. In the multivariable analysis of the poorer PCS scores in women, patient age explained 32.9%, low socioeconomic status explained 20.0%, lifestyle explained 14.3%, cardiovascular comorbidities explained 15.7%, the presence of more symptoms explained 5.7%, and less catheter ablation explained 1.4%. These factors also explained similar proportions of the sex difference in MCS scores. Together, these factors explained 54.3% of the poorer physical function status and 46.8% of the poorer mental function status in women than men. Conclusions: Women with AF had poorer QoL than men. The following factors partly explained the poorer QoL in women: older age, low level of socioeconomic status, more cardiovascular comorbidities, less smoking and drinking, more symptoms, and less catheter ablation

A sky-blue superhydrophobic coating and applications

Efforts made to efficiently fabricate traditional superhydrophobic coating have always faced limitations such as high cost, recontamination, and sophistication. An artificial superhydrophobic copper stearate (CS) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating was fabricated to achieve the transition of a water-adhesion surface to a water-repellent surface. This coating formed superhydrophobic surfaces in different types of substrates through dipping, spraying, and brushing, and demonstrated excellent water repellency, low contact angle hysteresis, and weak adhesive forces after exposure to tape-peeling cycles (VHB, 3 M), abrasion cycles, acid/alkali solutions, corrosive solutions, freezing water, and boiling water. Additionally, experiments were conducted on potential applications of the superhydrophobic coating in oil/water separation, self-cleaning, and anti-corrosion

Influence of solid oxide fuel cell on power system transient stability

Due to its modular, efficient and non-polluting characteristics, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is promising to be widely utilised in the area of distributed generation. Previous studies mainly focused on dynamic modelling of SOFC to analyse its load following behaviour, however, the influence of SOFC on power system transient stability is not yet clear and needs further discussion. In this study, a system-level electromechanical transient mathematical model for SOFC is proposed, based on the circuit structure of SOFC, DC/DC step-up converter and DC/AC converter. Then, a double closed-loop control scheme is designed for the control of SOFC. Finally, the effect of SOFC on the power system's transient stability is discussed through simulations based on IEEE 3-machine 9-bus standard system. Results show that, under real and reactive power coordinated control strategy, cell current can be adjusted. Therefore, the output power of SOFC can be modulated to help with voltage recovery and power angle stability. The authors’ work reveals the feasibility of using SOFC to enhance power system transient stability

Effect of surface roughness on the angular acceleration for a droplet on a super-hydrophobic surface

The motion of droplets on a super-hydrophobic surface, whether by sliding or rolling, is a hot research topic. It affects the performance of super-hydrophobic materials in many industrial applications. In this study, a super-hydrophobic surface with a varied roughness is prepared by chemical-etching. The adhesive force of the advancing and receding contact angles for a droplet on a super-hydrophobic surface is characterized. The adhesive force increases with a decreased contact angle, and the minimum value is 0.0169 mN when the contact angle is 151.47 degrees. At the same time, the motion of a droplet on the super-hydrophobic surface is investigated by using a high-speed camera and fluid software. The results show that the droplet rolls instead of sliding and the angular acceleration increases with an increased contact angle. The maximum value of the angular acceleration is 1,203.19 rad/s(2) and this occurs when the contact angle is 151.47 degrees. The relationship between the etching time, roughness, angular acceleration, and the adhesion force of the forward and backward contact angle are discussed

Prospects and Challenges of AI and Neural Network Algorithms in MEMS Microcantilever Biosensors

This paper focuses on the use of AI in various MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) biosensor types. Al increases the potential of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System biosensors and opens up new opportunities for automation, consumer electronics, industrial manufacturing, defense, medical equipment, etc. Micro-Electro-Mechanical System microcantilever biosensors are currently making their way into our daily lives and playing a significant role in the advancement of social technology. Micro-Electro-Mechanical System biosensors with microcantilever structures have a number of benefits over conventional biosensors, including small size, high sensitivity, mass production, simple arraying, integration, etc. These advantages have made them one of the development avenues for high-sensitivity sensors. The next generation of sensors will exhibit an intelligent development trajectory and aid people in interacting with other objects in a variety of scenario applications as a result of the active development of artificial intelligence (AI) and neural networks. As a result, this paper examines the fundamentals of the neural algorithm and goes into great detail on the fundamentals and uses of the principal component analysis approach. A neural algorithm application in Micro-Electro-Mechanical System microcantilever biosensors is anticipated through the associated application of the principal com-ponent analysis approach. Our investigation has more scientific study value, because there are currently no favorable reports on the market regarding the use of AI with Micro-Electro-Mechanical System microcantilever sensors. Focusing on AI and neural networks, this paper introduces Micro-Electro-Mechanical System biosensors using artificial intelligence, which greatly promotes the development of next-generation intelligent sensing systems, and the potential applications and prospects of neural networks in the field of microcantilever biosensors

Metabolic disorders and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a two-sample mendelian randomization study

Abstract Background Metabolic disorders are increasing worldwide and are characterized by various risk factors such as abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism, and dyslipidemia. Observational studies suggested a bidirectional association between cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders and its components. However, the causal associations between them remained unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods A two-sample MR analysis based on publicly available genome-wide association studies were used to infer the causality. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms with potential pleiotropy were excluded by MR-PRESSO. The effect estimates were constructed using the random-effects inverse-variance-weighted method as the primary estimate. Furthermore, MR-Egger and weighted median were also performed to detect heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results Genetically predicted metabolic disorders increased the risk for coronary heart disease (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.55–2.03, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.52–2.03, p < 0.001), heart failure (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14–1.39, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02, p = 0.002), and stroke (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.32, p < 0.001). The concordance of the results of various complementary sensitivity MR methods reinforces the causal relationship further. Conclusion This study provides evidence of a causal relationship between metabolic disorders and increased risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke. Special attention should be paid to improving metabolic disorders to reduce the development of cardiovascular diseases

Simple and Green Fabrication of a Superhydrophobic Surface by One-Step Immersion for Continuous Oil/Water Separation

In this paper, stainless steel meshes with super-hydrophobic and superoleophilic surfaces were fabricated by rapid and simple one-step immersion in a solution containing hydrochloric acid and stearic acid. The apparent contact angles were tested by a video contact angle measurement system (CA). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted to characterize the surface topographies and chemical compositions. The SEM results showed that mesh surfaces were covered by ferric stearate (Fe[CH3(CH2)(16)COO](2)) with low surface energy. The CA test results showed that the mesh had a maximum apparent contact angle of 160 +/- 1.0 degrees and a sliding angle of less than 5.0 degrees for the water droplet, whereas the apparent contact angle for the oil droplet was zero. Ultrasound oscillation and exposure tests at atmospheric conditions and immersion tests in 3.5 wt % NaCl aqueous solution were conducted to confirm the mesh with excellent superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties. On the basis of the superhydrophobic mesh, a miniature separation device pump was designed to collect pure oil from the oil/water mixture. It showed that the device was easier and convenient. The techniques and materials presented in this work are promising for application to wastewater and oil spill treatment