Patient-specific virtual stent-graft deployment for Type B aortic dissection: a pilot study of the impact of stent-graft length

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been accepted as a standard treatment option for complicated type B aortic dissection. Distal stent-graft induced new entry (SINE) is recognized as one of the main post-TEVAR complications, which can lead to fatal prognosis. Previous retrospective cohort studies suggested that short stent-graft (SG) length (<165 mm) might correlate with increased risk of distal SINE. However, the influence of SG length on changes in local biomechanical conditions before and after TEVAR is unknown. In this paper, we aim to address this issue using a virtual SG deployment simulation model developed for application in type B aortic dissection. Our model incorporates detailed SG design and hyperelastic behaviour of the aortic wall. By making use of patient-specific geometry reconstructed from pre-TEVAR computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan, our model can predict post-TEVAR SG configuration and wall stress. Virtual SG deployment simulations were performed on a patient who underwent TEVAR with a short SG (158 mm in length), mimicking the actual clinical procedure. Further simulations were carried out on the same patient geometry but with different SG lengths (183 mm and 208 mm) in order to evaluate the effect of SG length on changes in local stress in the treated aorta

Application of geoelectrical and chemical methods for groundwater assessment in Isheri-North, Ogun state, Nigeria

Geoelectrical investigation and chemical analyses were carried out at Isheri North area of Ogun State in order to assess the groundwater quality at shallow depth and its deep potential zone for groundwater development. The study area has been selected for investigation due to infiltration of the polluted Ogun River. Forty-three (43) Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) and chemical analyses of water samples from one hand dug well and two shallow boreholes in the study area were carried out. Four to five geoelectric layers which correspond to top soil, clayey sand, sandy clay, clay and sand were delineated. The longitudinal conductance values (0.02 - 0.106mhos) of the topsoil in the area reveal its poor to weak protective capacity, thus exposing the underlying clayey sand to contamination as reflected from its resistivity values ranging from 4.8-15.1m. This low resistivity zone at shallow depth (3 – 26m), occasioned by infiltration, was further ascertained by high values of conductivity, turbidity, total hardness, TDS, Cl, Fe, and Mn ions in the analyzed water samples taken at depth ranges from 9 – 16m. The results of the analyzed water samples from this shallow zone are beyond international standards for drinking water. The underlying clay resistivity values ranged between 1.9 - 6.1m and thickness varied from 50.8 - 100.5m. This acts as the seal for the underlying aquifer (sand layer). The resistivity of the sand layer varied from 91.7-159m with a depth interval of 101.7-109.4m and 73.4-82.3m in VES 1 and VES 14 respectively. This constitutes the deep aquifer units in the study area. The longitudinal conductance values of the overburden above the profound aquifer units varied between 10.5-33.0 mhos and are indicative of very good to excellent protective capacity rating. Thus, the underlying deep aquifer units are well protected from being contaminated.Keywords: Electrical Resistivity, Groundwater, Aquifer, Geoelectric Sectio

Sulfur Fumigation Processing of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs: Beneficial or Detrimental?

Majority of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs need to undergo post-harvesting processing to convert raw material into the form readily used for prescription. In general, processing procedures are either according to China Pharmacopeia or based on traditional methods. Recently sulfur fumigation is increasingly used to replace traditional sun-drying for its pesticidal and anti-bacterial properties in a cheap and convenient manner. However, to date information on effects of sulfur fumigation on herbal safety and efficacy are limited. This article addresses potential destructive effects of sulfur fumigation on herbal efficacy and safety through reviewing currently available information. Since recently increased numbers of studies have demonstrated that sulfur fumigation-induced dramatic changes in chemical profiles of various sulfur-fumigated herbs, consequent alteration of efficacy, and/or potential incidence of toxicity are suspected. Therefore comprehensive investigations on effects of sulfur fumigation on toxicity, chemical profiles, pharmacokinetics, and bioactivities of TCM herbs are timely to provide scientific basis for standardization and regulation of this currently common but potentially harmful processing method

Concrete-encased CFST structures: behaviour and application

[EN] Concrete-encased CFST (concrete-filled steel tube) is a kind of composite structure comprised of a CFST component and a reinforced concrete (RC) component. The concrete encased CFST possesses superior ductility and higher stiffness. They are gaining popularity in high-rise buildings, large-span structures, bridges, subway stations and workshops. This paper initially reviews the recent research on concrete-encased CFST structures. The major research findings on bond performance, static performance, dynamic performance and fire resistance are presented. This paper also outlines some construction considerations, such as the utilization of materials, the fabrication of the steel tube, and the methods of casting the inner and outer concrete. Finally, some typical practical projects utilizing concrete-encased CFST members are presented and reviewed.The research reported in this paper is part of the Project 51678341 supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). The financial support is highly appreciated.Han, L.; Ma, D.; Zhou, K. (2018). Concrete-encased CFST structures: behaviour and application. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7109OCS11

Reliability and Hardware Implementation of Rank Modulation Flash Memory

We review a novel data representation scheme for NAND flash memory named rank modulation (RM), and discuss its hardware implementation. We show that under the normal threshold voltage (Vth) variations, RM has intrinsic read reliability advantage over conventional multiple-level cells. Test results demonstrating superior reliability using commercial flash chips are reviewed and discussed. We then present a read method based on relative sensing time, which can obtain the rank of all cells in the group in one read cycle. The improvement in reliability and read speed enable similar program-and-verify time in RM as that of conventional MLC flash