Endoscopically placed intragastric balloons(IGBs)have played a significant role in obesity treatment over the last 30 years,successfully bridging the gap between lifestyle modification/pharmacotherapy and bariatric su...Endoscopically placed intragastric balloons(IGBs)have played a significant role in obesity treatment over the last 30 years,successfully bridging the gap between lifestyle modification/pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.Since they provide a continuous sensation of satiety that helps the ingestion of smaller portions of food,facilitating maintenance of a low-calorie diet,they have generally been considered an effective and reversible,less invasive,non-surgical procedure for weight loss.However,some studies indicate that balloons have limited sustainable effectiveness for the vast majority attempting such therapy,resulting in a return to the previous weight after balloon removal.In this review we try to summarize the pros and cons of various balloon types,to guide decision making for both the physician and the obese individual looking for effective treatment.We analyzed the six most commonly used IGBs,namely the liquid-filled balloons Orbera,Spatz3,ReShape Duo and Elipse,and the gas-filled Heliosphere and Obalon-also including comments on the adjustable Spatz3,and the swallowable Obalon and Elipse-to optimize the choice for maximum efficacy and safety.展开更多
We demonstrate a new fiber-based radio frequency （RF） dissemination scheme suitable for a star-shaped branching network. Without any phase controls on the RF signals or the use of active feedback-locking components,...We demonstrate a new fiber-based radio frequency （RF） dissemination scheme suitable for a star-shaped branching network. Without any phase controls on the RF signals or the use of active feedback-locking components, the highly stable reference frequency signal can be delivered to several remote sites simultaneously and independently. The relative frequency stabilities of 6 ×10^-15/s and 7×10^-17/10^4 s are obtained for a 10 km dissemination. This low cost and scalable method can be applied to a large-scale frequency synchroniza- tion network.展开更多
This paper presents a comprehensive simulation for a high-altitude dual-balloon system which consists of zero-and super-pressure balloons. Preliminary calculations were established to describe the basic concept of the...This paper presents a comprehensive simulation for a high-altitude dual-balloon system which consists of zero-and super-pressure balloons. Preliminary calculations were established to describe the basic concept of the new integrated system. A mathematical model was investigated to simulate the ascending and floating processes which considered the atmospheric conditions and thermodynamic variations. Based on the simulation, results showed that the floating altitude stability between daytime and nighttime was improved. This integrated system supports higher floating altitude levels than those of ordinary balloons and extends the lifetime of floating balloon systems. Moreover, results demonstrated that the integrated system was lighter than ordinary balloons, saving useful weight for effective payload. Furthermore, exploiting the advantages of both kinds of balloons while avoiding the difficulties was a significant goal in the current design to promote the floating performance of high-altitude balloons technology.展开更多
Background New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) was more effective in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) compared with the first-generation DES. Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) and new-generation DES had been ...Background New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) was more effective in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) compared with the first-generation DES. Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) and new-generation DES had been available strategies in treatment of bare-metal stents/DES ISR (BMS/DES-ISR). Six new randomized trials have recently examined the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new generation DES in BMS/DES-ISR. However, the optimal management for BMS/DES-ISR lesions remains controversial. Methods We searched the randomized clinical trials evaluating the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new-generation DES in patients with BMS/DES-ISR. The primary endpoints were the angiographic outcomes, including the minimal luminal diameter (MLD), diameter stenosis %(DS%), late lumen loss (LLL), and binary restenosis (BR). Results A total of six randomized clinical trials with 1177 BMS/DES-ISR patients were included in our meta-analysis. For angiographic outcomes, there were significantly less MLD and more DS% with DEB compared to new-generation DES (MLD: MD =?0.18, 95% CI:?0.31– ?0.04, P < 0.001;DS%: MD = 5.68, 95% CI: 1.00–10.37, P < 0.001). Moreover, for one-year clinical outcomes, DEB was associated with a significant increase risk in target lesion revascularization (TLR)(RR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.50–5.72, P = 0.002). However, DEB was associated with higher risks of major adverse cardiac event, target vessel revascularization, TLR, BR, and more DS% only in DES-ISR group. Conclusions DEB and new-generation DES have the similar clinical efficacy for the treatment of BMS-ISR. However, DES showed more MLD, less DS%, and a decreased risk of TLR for the treatment of DES-ISR.展开更多
The X-ray sources of the universe are extraterrestrial in nature which emit X-ray photons.The closest strong X-ray source is the Sun,which is followed by various compact sources such as neutron stars,black holes,the C...The X-ray sources of the universe are extraterrestrial in nature which emit X-ray photons.The closest strong X-ray source is the Sun,which is followed by various compact sources such as neutron stars,black holes,the Crab pulsar,etc.In this paper,we analyze the data received from several low-cost lightweight meteorological balloon-borne missions launched by the Indian Centre for Space Physics.Our main interest is to study the variation of the vertical intensity of secondary cosmic rays,the detection of strong X-ray sources,and their spectra in the energy band of^(1)0–80 keV during the complete flights.Due to the lack of an onboard pointing system,low exposure time,achieving a maximum altitude of only~42 km,and freely rotating the payload about its axis,we modeled the background radiation flux for the X-ray detector using physical assumptions.We also present the source detection method,observation of the pulsation of the Crab(^(3)3 Hz),and spectra of some sources such as the quiet Sun and the Crab pulsar.展开更多
New and sophisticated endovascular devices, such as drug-eluting stents(DES)and drug-coated balloons(DCB), provide targeted drug delivery to affected vessels. The invention of these devices has made it possible to add...New and sophisticated endovascular devices, such as drug-eluting stents(DES)and drug-coated balloons(DCB), provide targeted drug delivery to affected vessels. The invention of these devices has made it possible to address the reparative cascade of arterial wall injury following balloon angioplasty that results in restenosis. DESs were first used for the treatment of infrapopliteal lesions almost 20 years ago. More recently, however, DCB technology is being investigated to improve outcomes of endovascular below-the-knee arterial procedures, avoiding the need for a metallic scaffold. Today, level IA evidence supports the use of infrapopliteal DES for short to medium length lesions,although robust evidence that justifies the use of DCBs in this anatomical area is missing. This review summarizes and discusses all available data on infrapopliteal drug-elution devices and highlights the most promising future perspectives.展开更多
The field of medical and surgical weight loss is undergoing an explosion of new techniques and devices. A lot of these are geared towards endoscopic approaches rather than the conventional and more invasive laparoscop...The field of medical and surgical weight loss is undergoing an explosion of new techniques and devices. A lot of these are geared towards endoscopic approaches rather than the conventional and more invasive laparoscopic or open approach. One such recent advance is the introduction of intrgastric balloons. In this article, we discuss the recently Food and Drug Administration approved following balloons for weight loss: the Orbera? Intragastric Balloon System(Apollo Endosurgery Inc, Austin, TX, United States), the Re Shape? Integrated Dual Balloon System(Re Shape Medical, Inc., San Clemente, CA, United States), and the Obalon(Obalon? Therapeutics, Inc.). The individual features of each of these balloons, the method of introduction and removal, and the expected weight loss and possible complications are discussed. This review of the various balloons highlights the innovation in the field of weight loss.展开更多
An LES simulation of flow over an accumulator unit of an underwater compressed air energy storage facility was conducted. The accumulator unit consists of three touching underwater balloons arranged in a floral config...An LES simulation of flow over an accumulator unit of an underwater compressed air energy storage facility was conducted. The accumulator unit consists of three touching underwater balloons arranged in a floral configuration. The structure of the flow was examined via three dimensional iso surfaces of the Q criterion. Vortical cores were observed on the leeward surface of the balloons. The swirling tube flows generated by these vortical cores were depicted through three dimensional path lines. The flow dynamics were visualized via time series snapshots of two dimensional vorticity contours perpendicular to the flow direction; revealing the turbulent swinging motions of the aforementioned shedding-swirling tube flows. The time history of the hydrodynamic loading was presented in terms of lift and drag coefficients. Drag coefficient of each individual balloon in the floral configuration was smaller than that of a single balloon. It was found that the total drag coefficient of the floral unit of three touching balloons, i.e. summation of the drag coefficients of the balloons, is not too much larger than that of a single balloon whereas it provides three times the storage capacity. In addition to its practical significance in designing appropriate foundation and supports, the instantaneous hydrodynamic loading was used to determine the frequency of the turbulent swirling-swinging motions of the shedding vortex tubes; the Strouhal number was found to be larger than that of a single sphere at the same Reynolds number.展开更多
A narrative review of the data provided by Randomised Controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses was undertaken to assess how much reliance a clinician could place on these in selecting a treatment for patients with...A narrative review of the data provided by Randomised Controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses was undertaken to assess how much reliance a clinician could place on these in selecting a treatment for patients with disease of the Femoral artery. An attempt was made to detect and review every clinical trial and meta-analysis published on treatments relating to disease of the femoral artery but not relating to drug treatment. Disease of the femoral artery in >65 years age group occurs in approximately 20% of the population but symptomatology was present in 40%. In almost all trials the predominant (>90%) indication for treatment was intermittent claudication. In this setting, clinical benefit was limited and did not extend beyond 12 months. Mortality, from co-morbidities was high. The Basil Trial was the only one to examine intervention for critical limb ischemia. The results for Bypass surgery and Percutaneous transarterial balloon angioplasty (PTA) were equivalent. There is little evidence to support the use of PTA or stenting other than in the treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia.展开更多
We present the acoustic band gaps （ABGs） for a geometry of three-dimensional complex acoustic crystals： the NaCl-type structure. By using the super cell method based on the plane-wave expansion method （PWE）, we s...We present the acoustic band gaps （ABGs） for a geometry of three-dimensional complex acoustic crystals： the NaCl-type structure. By using the super cell method based on the plane-wave expansion method （PWE）, we study the three configurations formed by water objects （either a sphere of different sizes or a cube） located at the vertices of simple cubic （SC） lattice and surrounded by mercury background. The numerical results show that ABGs larger than the original SC structure for all the three configurations can be obtained by adjusting the length-diameter ratio of adjacent objects but keeping the filling fraction （f = 0.25） of the unit cell unchanged. We also compare our results with that of 3D solid composites and find that the ABGs in liquid composites are insensitive to the shapes as that in the solid composites. We further prove that the decrease of the translation group symmetry is more efficient in creating the ABGs in 3D water-mercury systems.展开更多
Obesity,with its increasing morbidity and prevalence,is now a worldwide public health problem.Obesity and its related comorbidities impose a heavy burden on societal health and the economy.The practice of bariatric su...Obesity,with its increasing morbidity and prevalence,is now a worldwide public health problem.Obesity and its related comorbidities impose a heavy burden on societal health and the economy.The practice of bariatric surgery has evolved from its early surgical procedures,many of which are no longer routine operations.With clinical practice,research,and experience,bariatric surgery has gradually become an important last resort for the control of weight and obesity-related metabolic diseases in moderately and severely obese patients.However,there is still room for further improvements in bariatric surgical procedures,especially with regard to long-term issues and complications.Endoscopic weight loss technology has developed rapidly in recent years.The advantages of this technology include minimal invasiveness,an obvious weight loss effect,and few complications,thus filling the gap between medications and lifestyle adjustments and surgical treatment of obesity.Endoscopic weight loss technology may even replace surgical bariatric procedures.This review summarized the current status of bariatric metabolic surgery and newly developed bariatric endoscopic procedures.展开更多
文摘Endoscopically placed intragastric balloons(IGBs)have played a significant role in obesity treatment over the last 30 years,successfully bridging the gap between lifestyle modification/pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery.Since they provide a continuous sensation of satiety that helps the ingestion of smaller portions of food,facilitating maintenance of a low-calorie diet,they have generally been considered an effective and reversible,less invasive,non-surgical procedure for weight loss.However,some studies indicate that balloons have limited sustainable effectiveness for the vast majority attempting such therapy,resulting in a return to the previous weight after balloon removal.In this review we try to summarize the pros and cons of various balloon types,to guide decision making for both the physician and the obese individual looking for effective treatment.We analyzed the six most commonly used IGBs,namely the liquid-filled balloons Orbera,Spatz3,ReShape Duo and Elipse,and the gas-filled Heliosphere and Obalon-also including comments on the adjustable Spatz3,and the swallowable Obalon and Elipse-to optimize the choice for maximum efficacy and safety.
基金supported by the National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Project under Grant No. 2013YQ09094303.
文摘We demonstrate a new fiber-based radio frequency （RF） dissemination scheme suitable for a star-shaped branching network. Without any phase controls on the RF signals or the use of active feedback-locking components, the highly stable reference frequency signal can be delivered to several remote sites simultaneously and independently. The relative frequency stabilities of 6 ×10^-15/s and 7×10^-17/10^4 s are obtained for a 10 km dissemination. This low cost and scalable method can be applied to a large-scale frequency synchroniza- tion network.
文摘This paper presents a comprehensive simulation for a high-altitude dual-balloon system which consists of zero-and super-pressure balloons. Preliminary calculations were established to describe the basic concept of the new integrated system. A mathematical model was investigated to simulate the ascending and floating processes which considered the atmospheric conditions and thermodynamic variations. Based on the simulation, results showed that the floating altitude stability between daytime and nighttime was improved. This integrated system supports higher floating altitude levels than those of ordinary balloons and extends the lifetime of floating balloon systems. Moreover, results demonstrated that the integrated system was lighter than ordinary balloons, saving useful weight for effective payload. Furthermore, exploiting the advantages of both kinds of balloons while avoiding the difficulties was a significant goal in the current design to promote the floating performance of high-altitude balloons technology.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81671731)the Capital Clinical Feature Research Project(Z171100001017158)
文摘Background New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) was more effective in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) compared with the first-generation DES. Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) and new-generation DES had been available strategies in treatment of bare-metal stents/DES ISR (BMS/DES-ISR). Six new randomized trials have recently examined the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new generation DES in BMS/DES-ISR. However, the optimal management for BMS/DES-ISR lesions remains controversial. Methods We searched the randomized clinical trials evaluating the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new-generation DES in patients with BMS/DES-ISR. The primary endpoints were the angiographic outcomes, including the minimal luminal diameter (MLD), diameter stenosis %(DS%), late lumen loss (LLL), and binary restenosis (BR). Results A total of six randomized clinical trials with 1177 BMS/DES-ISR patients were included in our meta-analysis. For angiographic outcomes, there were significantly less MLD and more DS% with DEB compared to new-generation DES (MLD: MD =?0.18, 95% CI:?0.31– ?0.04, P < 0.001;DS%: MD = 5.68, 95% CI: 1.00–10.37, P < 0.001). Moreover, for one-year clinical outcomes, DEB was associated with a significant increase risk in target lesion revascularization (TLR)(RR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.50–5.72, P = 0.002). However, DEB was associated with higher risks of major adverse cardiac event, target vessel revascularization, TLR, BR, and more DS% only in DES-ISR group. Conclusions DEB and new-generation DES have the similar clinical efficacy for the treatment of BMS-ISR. However, DES showed more MLD, less DS%, and a decreased risk of TLR for the treatment of DES-ISR.
文摘The X-ray sources of the universe are extraterrestrial in nature which emit X-ray photons.The closest strong X-ray source is the Sun,which is followed by various compact sources such as neutron stars,black holes,the Crab pulsar,etc.In this paper,we analyze the data received from several low-cost lightweight meteorological balloon-borne missions launched by the Indian Centre for Space Physics.Our main interest is to study the variation of the vertical intensity of secondary cosmic rays,the detection of strong X-ray sources,and their spectra in the energy band of^(1)0–80 keV during the complete flights.Due to the lack of an onboard pointing system,low exposure time,achieving a maximum altitude of only~42 km,and freely rotating the payload about its axis,we modeled the background radiation flux for the X-ray detector using physical assumptions.We also present the source detection method,observation of the pulsation of the Crab(^(3)3 Hz),and spectra of some sources such as the quiet Sun and the Crab pulsar.
文摘New and sophisticated endovascular devices, such as drug-eluting stents(DES)and drug-coated balloons(DCB), provide targeted drug delivery to affected vessels. The invention of these devices has made it possible to address the reparative cascade of arterial wall injury following balloon angioplasty that results in restenosis. DESs were first used for the treatment of infrapopliteal lesions almost 20 years ago. More recently, however, DCB technology is being investigated to improve outcomes of endovascular below-the-knee arterial procedures, avoiding the need for a metallic scaffold. Today, level IA evidence supports the use of infrapopliteal DES for short to medium length lesions,although robust evidence that justifies the use of DCBs in this anatomical area is missing. This review summarizes and discusses all available data on infrapopliteal drug-elution devices and highlights the most promising future perspectives.
文摘The field of medical and surgical weight loss is undergoing an explosion of new techniques and devices. A lot of these are geared towards endoscopic approaches rather than the conventional and more invasive laparoscopic or open approach. One such recent advance is the introduction of intrgastric balloons. In this article, we discuss the recently Food and Drug Administration approved following balloons for weight loss: the Orbera? Intragastric Balloon System(Apollo Endosurgery Inc, Austin, TX, United States), the Re Shape? Integrated Dual Balloon System(Re Shape Medical, Inc., San Clemente, CA, United States), and the Obalon(Obalon? Therapeutics, Inc.). The individual features of each of these balloons, the method of introduction and removal, and the expected weight loss and possible complications are discussed. This review of the various balloons highlights the innovation in the field of weight loss.
文摘An LES simulation of flow over an accumulator unit of an underwater compressed air energy storage facility was conducted. The accumulator unit consists of three touching underwater balloons arranged in a floral configuration. The structure of the flow was examined via three dimensional iso surfaces of the Q criterion. Vortical cores were observed on the leeward surface of the balloons. The swirling tube flows generated by these vortical cores were depicted through three dimensional path lines. The flow dynamics were visualized via time series snapshots of two dimensional vorticity contours perpendicular to the flow direction; revealing the turbulent swinging motions of the aforementioned shedding-swirling tube flows. The time history of the hydrodynamic loading was presented in terms of lift and drag coefficients. Drag coefficient of each individual balloon in the floral configuration was smaller than that of a single balloon. It was found that the total drag coefficient of the floral unit of three touching balloons, i.e. summation of the drag coefficients of the balloons, is not too much larger than that of a single balloon whereas it provides three times the storage capacity. In addition to its practical significance in designing appropriate foundation and supports, the instantaneous hydrodynamic loading was used to determine the frequency of the turbulent swirling-swinging motions of the shedding vortex tubes; the Strouhal number was found to be larger than that of a single sphere at the same Reynolds number.
文摘A narrative review of the data provided by Randomised Controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses was undertaken to assess how much reliance a clinician could place on these in selecting a treatment for patients with disease of the Femoral artery. An attempt was made to detect and review every clinical trial and meta-analysis published on treatments relating to disease of the femoral artery but not relating to drug treatment. Disease of the femoral artery in >65 years age group occurs in approximately 20% of the population but symptomatology was present in 40%. In almost all trials the predominant (>90%) indication for treatment was intermittent claudication. In this setting, clinical benefit was limited and did not extend beyond 12 months. Mortality, from co-morbidities was high. The Basil Trial was the only one to examine intervention for critical limb ischemia. The results for Bypass surgery and Percutaneous transarterial balloon angioplasty (PTA) were equivalent. There is little evidence to support the use of PTA or stenting other than in the treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 10674032, and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province under Grant Nos 032485 and 6021480.
文摘We present the acoustic band gaps （ABGs） for a geometry of three-dimensional complex acoustic crystals： the NaCl-type structure. By using the super cell method based on the plane-wave expansion method （PWE）, we study the three configurations formed by water objects （either a sphere of different sizes or a cube） located at the vertices of simple cubic （SC） lattice and surrounded by mercury background. The numerical results show that ABGs larger than the original SC structure for all the three configurations can be obtained by adjusting the length-diameter ratio of adjacent objects but keeping the filling fraction （f = 0.25） of the unit cell unchanged. We also compare our results with that of 3D solid composites and find that the ABGs in liquid composites are insensitive to the shapes as that in the solid composites. We further prove that the decrease of the translation group symmetry is more efficient in creating the ABGs in 3D water-mercury systems.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 82027801)National Key R&D Program of China(No. 2017YFC0113600)
文摘Obesity,with its increasing morbidity and prevalence,is now a worldwide public health problem.Obesity and its related comorbidities impose a heavy burden on societal health and the economy.The practice of bariatric surgery has evolved from its early surgical procedures,many of which are no longer routine operations.With clinical practice,research,and experience,bariatric surgery has gradually become an important last resort for the control of weight and obesity-related metabolic diseases in moderately and severely obese patients.However,there is still room for further improvements in bariatric surgical procedures,especially with regard to long-term issues and complications.Endoscopic weight loss technology has developed rapidly in recent years.The advantages of this technology include minimal invasiveness,an obvious weight loss effect,and few complications,thus filling the gap between medications and lifestyle adjustments and surgical treatment of obesity.Endoscopic weight loss technology may even replace surgical bariatric procedures.This review summarized the current status of bariatric metabolic surgery and newly developed bariatric endoscopic procedures.
