Crossover Time Research Articles

Subcutaneous vs Intravenous Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab: A Time and Motion Substudy of a Phase II Trial of Adjuvant Trastuzumab/Pertuzumab for Stage I HER2+ Breast Cancer (ADEPT trial).

The time required for in-clinic drug administration can substantially affect breast cancer patients' quality of life. Subcutaneous (SC) drug administration, as opposed to intravenous (IV), may reduce this time commitment. This study sought to estimate the difference in time burden between IV and SC administration of trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP). We prospectively enrolled a subcohort of patients participating in the ADEPT trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04569747, investigating adjuvant HP plus endocrine therapy for stage I human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer) to this single-arm crossover time and motion substudy. Patients received two cycles of IV HP followed by two cycles of SC HP. During each cycle, time points in drug preparation and administration were captured. The primary end point was total patient time in the treatment chair. Additional end points included total patient treatment experience time and total pharmacy workflow time. A sample size of 22 patients was estimated to provide 90.7% power with two-sided alpha .05 to detect a difference of 70 minutes in the primary end point by treatment arm (IV v SC). Twenty-two patients were enrolled. The mean total patient time in the treatment chair was 61.8 minutes shorter with SC versus IV HP (22.5 v 84.3 minutes; P < .0001). The mean total patient treatment experience time (incorporating time spent waiting for treatment initiation and time spent in the treatment chair) was 81.8 minutes shorter for SC administration (96 v 177.8 minutes; P < .0001). The pharmacy workflow time was 78.2 minutes shorter for SC versus IV formulation (41 v 119.2 minutes; P < .0001). SC administration of HP shortened patient time burden by approximately 1 hour. SC drug administration can facilitate faster workflows for health care professionals and improve patients' breast cancer treatment experience.

Soft switching multiple model predictive control with overlapping cross-over time strategy in an industrial high speed pick and place application

In industrial machinery, position-controlled systems executing repetitive tasks are of significant importance. In such mechanisms, the load-side inertia and torque vary with the angular position of the driven axis, thus imposing a significant nonlinearity in the system dynamics. Linear controllers have a relatively low computational time, but are unable to achieve the required performance over the whole operating region. Nonlinear controllers, such as nonlinear model predictive control (NLMPC), demand an extensive computational time that is difficult to bound. The current Soft Switching Multiple MPC (SSM-MPC) techniques rely solely on the gap metric or weighting techniques to guarantee soft switching between controllers. However, in nonlinear systems with fast dynamics, it may result in poor performance and/or high computational time. In this work, we have addressed these issues by introducing an overlapping cross-over time strategy in the switching unit of the SSM-MPC to ensure a smooth transition when switching in adjacent regions. The key idea behind the overlapping cross-over time strategy is introducing a delay i.e. cross-over time during switching. The cross-over time helps to improve the completeness and non-redundancy of the model bank. The closed loop system stability is guaranteed using Lyapunov theory and a general switching stability proof is provided. The proposed SSM-MPC performance is benchmarked against the available SSM-MPC method and a single linear MPC on a high speed industrial pick and place machine through simulations and experiments. The results verify the superior performance of the presented SSM-MPC with 37.67% reduction in tracking error and 20.36% decrease in control signal oscillations at the highest operating speed of the machine compared to the available SSM-MPC technique without cross-over time. Moreover, in contrast to the nonlinear MPC, it is proven that the computational load of the SSM-MPC is 77.5% lower, which allows implementation in a standard industrial controller.

Feasibility and Safety of the Routine Distal Transradial Approach in the Anatomical Snuffbox for Coronary Procedures: The ANTARES Randomized Trial.

The distal transradial approach (dTRA) through the anatomical snuffbox is hypothesized to offer greater benefits than the conventional transradial access (cTRA) for patients undergoing coronary procedures. Our goal was to assess the safety and efficacy of dTRA. Out of 465 consecutive Caucasian patients, 400 were randomized (1:1) to dTRA or cTRA in a prospective single-center trial. Clinical and ultrasound follow-ups were obtained at 24 h and 60 days post-procedure. The primary combined endpoint consisted of access crossover, access-related complications, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included clinical success endpoints (puncture success, crossover, and access time), access-site complications endpoints, and MACE at 60 days. The primary endpoint was significantly higher in the dTRA [odds ratio (OR): 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38-3.86, p = 0.001]. Clinical success endpoints, namely crossover (10% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.05) and access-time [median: 140s (85-322) vs. 80s (58-127), p < 0.001], did not favor the dTRA, despite a similar success rate in radial artery puncture between the dTRA and cTRA (99.5% vs. 99%). Radial artery spasm (19% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.0001), physical discomfort during access, and transient thumb numbness after the procedure occurred more frequently with the dTRA. However, early (2.5% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.41) and mid-term (2.5% vs. 3%, p = 0.98) forearm radial artery occlusion rates were comparable between the dTRA and cTRA. Randomization to the dTRA, lower forearm radial pulse volume, higher body mass index, and lower body surface area independently predicted the primary endpoint in multivariate analysis. In the interaction effect analysis, only diabetes increased the incidence of the primary endpoint with the dTRA (OR: 18.67, 95% CI: 3.96-88.07). The dTRA was a less favorable strategy than cTRA during routine coronary procedures due to a higher incidence of arterial spasm and the necessity for access crossover. The majority of local complications following the dTRA were clinically minor complications. Individuals with diabetes were particularly susceptible to complications associated with the dTRA.

ZnO/Ag2O/g-C3N4 composite heterostructures with Ag0-induced superior visible light photocatalytic activity via unique bi-phasic dye-degradation phenomena

ZnO-nanostructures, having low in-vivo toxicity and bio-degradability, need appropriate architectures, aiding maximal photon absorption and minimal charge recombination, for endorsing efficient photocatalysis. Accordingly, ZnO-nanorods are impregnated with Ag2O-nanoparticles and embedded on g-C3N4-nanosheets (ZAO/GCN), the photocatalytic performance of which is primarily attributable to augmented optical absorption via narrow band gap, fast propagation of photo-electrons with reduced recombination, inducted by the synergistic interactions between ZnO/Ag2O/g-C3N4, and the improved specific surface area and pore-volume of g-C3N4 sheets providing efficient adsorption of the dye-molecules. Subsequently, metallic Ag0 formation helps scavenge the valence electrons of Ag2O nanoparticles, thus encouraging e–/h+ detachment and faster dye-degradation. Eventually, photo dye-degradation starts by forming g-C3N4/ZnO/Ag2O double-junction and accelerates by g-C3N4/ZnO/Ag0/Ag2O triple-junction via inducting the unique bi-phasic two-slope photocatalysis phenomena. During photocatalysis, h+ acts as the predominant reactive species, O2•–, e–, and OH• being substantially less relevant. On increasing g-C3N4 loading, dye-degradation improves with corresponding faster crossover time (tC) via the enhanced contribution of trapped conduction band electrons (etr−) of g-C3N4 generating surplus Ag0. The optimized ZAO/GCN1.0 photocatalyst demonstrates the visible-light MB dye-degradation efficiency of ∼94.5% with a rate-constant (∼0.0933 min−1) ∼10 times superior to ZnO, which, including the robust design and recyclability, could pave the way for advanced water disinfection.

Irrigation contrasts through the morning transition

AbstractThe Land surface Interactions with the Atmosphere over the Iberian Semi‐arid Environment (LIAISE) campaign was conducted in July 2021, primarily to investigate the role of irrigation in modulating the boundary‐layer evolution in the Catalan region of northeastern Spain. Contrasts in near‐surface meteorological parameters and boundary‐layer thermodynamic profiles at an irrigated and rainfed (arid) site were established during the morning transition. Evapotranspriation dominated the flux partitioning at the irrigated site (Bowen ratio of 0.07–1.1), whilst sensible heat flux dominated at the rainfed (arid) site (Bowen ratio greater than 10.0). The cumulative evapotranspiration during July 2021 was a factor of 10 greater at the irrigated site than at the rainfed (arid) site. The presence of irrigation was shown to modulate the vertical gradients of turbulence, temperature, and moisture. Irrigation is shown to have a significant effect on the development of the boundary layer, including during the morning transition. The morning transition mean buoyancy flux was 2.8 times smaller at the irrigated site (1.1 ms) compared with the rainfed (arid) site (3.1 ms), with a resultant delay in the near‐surface buoyancy‐flux crossover time (30–90 min) at the irrigated site. At the start of the morning transition (sunrise), the average screen‐level (50‐m) temperature was K ( K) colder at the irrigated site relative to the rainfed (arid) site. The colder temperatures at sunrise at the irrigated site are predominantly the result of a colder boundary‐layer thermodynamic profile from the previous day. At the end of the morning transition (convective onset), temperature differences between the two sites extend through much of the boundary layer and increase in magnitude. The average screen‐level (50‐m) temperature difference was K ( K) colder at the irrigated site relative to the rainfed (arid) site. There was considerable day‐to‐day variability in temperature contrasts at a regional level ( to K).

Edwards–Wilkinson depinning transition in fractional Brownian motion background

There are various reports about the critical exponents associated with the depinning transition. In this study, we investigate how the disorder strength present in the support can account for this diversity. Specifically, we examine the depinning transition in the quenched Edwards–Wilkinson (QEW) model on a correlated square lattice, where the correlations are modeled using fractional Brownian motion (FBM) with a Hurst exponent of H.We identify a crossover time T^* that separates the dynamics into two distinct regimes: for T>T^*, we observe the typical behavior of pinned surfaces, while for T<T^*, the behavior differs. We introduce a novel three-variable scaling function that governs the depinning transition for all considered H values. The associated critical exponents exhibit a continuous variation with H, displaying distinct behaviors for anti-correlated (H<0.5) and correlated (H>0.5) cases. The critical driving force decreases with increasing H, as the host medium becomes smoother for higher H values, facilitating fluid mobility. This fact causes the asymptotic velocity exponent theta to increase monotonically with H.

Nonequilibrium diffusion of active particles bound to a semiflexible polymer network: Simulations and fractional Langevin equation.

In a viscoelastic environment, the diffusion of a particle becomes non-Markovian due to the memory effect. An open question concerns quantitatively explaining how self-propulsion particles with directional memory diffuse in such a medium. Based on simulations and analytic theory, we address this issue with active viscoelastic systems where an active particle is connected with multiple semiflexible filaments. Our Langevin dynamics simulations show that the active cross-linker displays superdiffusive and subdiffusive athermal motion with a time-dependent anomalous exponent α. In such viscoelastic feedback, the active particle always exhibits superdiffusion with α = 3/2 at times shorter than the self-propulsion time (τA). At times greater than τA, the subdiffusive motion emerges with α bounded between 1/2 and 3/4. Remarkably, active subdiffusion is reinforced as the active propulsion (Pe) is more vigorous. In the high Pe limit, athermal fluctuation in the stiff filament eventually leads to α = 1/2, which can be misinterpreted with the thermal Rouse motion in a flexible chain. We demonstrate that the motion of active particles cross-linking a network of semiflexible filaments can be governed by a fractional Langevin equation combined with fractional Gaussian noise and an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise. We analytically derive the velocity autocorrelation function and mean-squared displacement of the model, explaining their scaling relations as well as the prefactors. We find that there exist the threshold Pe (Pe∗) and crossover times (τ∗ and τ†) above which active viscoelastic dynamics emerge on timescales of τ∗≲ t ≲ τ†. Our study may provide theoretical insight into various nonequilibrium active dynamics in intracellular viscoelastic environments.

Randomized phase II trial of cabozantinib combined with PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition versus cabozantinib in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma.

LBA11504 Background: Cabozantinib (C) has been combined successfully with either PD-1 or CTLA-4 inhibition in cancer clinical trials. The combination of nivolumab (N) and ipilimumab (I) previously was evaluated in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and demonstrated activity as well as an acceptable safety profile. Given these data, we hypothesize that C in combination with both I and N is a therapeutic strategy that will be more effective than C alone in metastatic STS that lack translocations. Additionally, we hypothesized that C priming would enhance the efficacy of combination I and N at the time of crossover. Methods: This is a 2:1 randomized phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the overall response rate (RR) of C 40mg orally daily in combination with I (1mg/kg IV) / N (3mg/kg) for 4 doses Q3W and then maintenance N 480mg Q4W compared to C 60mg oral alone, with crossover. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), RR in crossover, quality of life by FACT-G7, RR by iRECIST and safety. Correlative and biomarker analysis are preplanned. Key patient selection includes ECOG 0-1, 1-2 lines of prior therapy, and sarcomas that lack of translocations. The trial was balanced for leiomyosarcoma (LMS), liposarcoma and UPS. Results: 69 patients were randomized to C+I/N and 36 patients were randomized to C alone. 19 patients crossed over to C+I/N at progression. 54/105 patients had LMS. RR of C+I/N was 11% (5 PR and 2 CR), while the RR of C was 6% (2 PR and 0 CR) (p = NS). C+I/N responding histologies included LMS, angiosarcoma, epithelioid sarcoma, and myxofibrosarcoma. C responding histologies included 2 PRs in LMS. There were also 2 LMS PRs in crossover to C+I/N. The median PFS for C+I/N was 5.4 months and for C was 3.8 months (p = 0.016). The DCR for C+I/N was 80% (41 SD, 5 PR, 2 CR), and 42% for C (11 SD, 2 PR) (p = 0.0004). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events affecting &gt; 10% of patients included hypothyroidism, diarrhea, mucositis, oral dysesthesia, nausea, vomiting, elevated AST and ALT, anorexia, dysgeusia, headache, pruritis, maculopapular rash, and hypertension for C+I/N and hypothyroidism, diarrhea, oral dysesthesia, fatigue, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, and hypertension for C. Conclusions: The combination of C+I/N was superior to C for the treatment of non-translocation STS for DCR and PFS. Most frequent responding histology was LMS. Correlative work is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT04551430 .

Symmetrized Liouvillian Gap in Markovian Open Quantum Systems.

Markovian open quantum systems display complicated relaxation dynamics. The spectral gap of the Liouvillian characterizes the asymptotic decay rate toward the steady state, but it does not necessarily give a correct estimate of the relaxation time because the crossover time to the asymptotic regime may be too long. We here give a rigorous upper bound on the transient decay of autocorrelation functions in the steady state by introducing the symmetrized Liouvillian gap. The standard Liouvillian gap and the symmetrized one are identical in an equilibrium situation but differ from each other in the absence of the detailed balance condition. It is numerically shown that the symmetrized Liouvillian gap always gives a correct upper bound on the decay of the autocorrelation function, but the standard Liouvillian gap does not.

Efficacy and Safety of Coronary Intervention Via Distal Trans-Radial Access (DTRA) in Patients with Low Body Mass Index

Background: The distal transradial approach (dTRA) is anticipated to improve the benefits of transradial availability, hemorrhagic incidents and the occurrence of radial artery occlusion (RAO) with the dTRA is uncertain. The aim of this study to investigate the puncture time rate, homeostasis and radial artery occlusion related to low BMI in distal artery access (dTRA) vs conventional radial artery access (cTRA). Study design: This cross-sectional study was carried out at NICVD, Nawabshah, for the duration of six months from July 2022 to December 2022. Materials and Methods: The total participants were 160 who diagnosed coronary artery disorder and include 75 participants in dTRA and 85 participants in cTRA. The age group were included &gt;21 years. The demographic data, surgical methods, catheterization, procedure-related data, procedures of puncture, ultrasound follow up and BMI were recorded. All data was analyzed by SPSS 22 version. Results: The mean age of participants in dTRA group was 72.0±10.1 years and cTRA group was 73.0±18.0 years. In gender, age and BMI were non-significant in both groups. The crossover rate, puncture time, one needle puncture rate and radial artery occlusion were shown significantly change in dTRA and cTRA group, p=0.005. Conclusion: Distal radial access is a new facility for cardiovascular interventions that provides several benefits over prior links. The key benefits would be less arterial blockage and faster hemostasis. When compared to traditional radial artery access, the dTRA may be a viable and reliable connectivity site for both diagnostic and interventional coronary methods, with a decreased prevalence of RAO, high crossover rate and time needed for hemostasis. Keywords: Distal transradial artery (dTRA); conventional transradial artery (cTRA); Radial artery occlusion (RAO)

The permeability effect on the diffusion and correlation process of fluid flow in porous media

This study numerically examines the fluid flow in porous media used in desalination. This topic is of significant current interest in the fields of science, engineering and technology, particularly in the process of water filtration. Moreover, in this work, we are attracted to correlation and diffusion process of the porous medium below the effect of permeability, dynamic pressure and friction coefficient. These parameters characterized the fluid flow in porous medium. To study numerically this phenomenon, many models have been proposed. However, we developed our investigation by using the Langevin dynamics model. Furthermore, this dynamic framework is based on Newton’s second law and Darcy’s law. Hence, we modeled the medium as a set of random diameters pores, which are dispersed randomly. The obtained results indicate that the average velocity time evolution presents an exponential profile with two different states: the first is transient and the second is permanent. The two regimes are separated by a cross-over time. Furthermore, time evolution exhibits an increasing profile versus the permeability, then it presents a decreasing profile versus the friction coefficient. Likewise, the diffusion process and correlation are tested for different parameters, especially the permeability and the dynamic pressure. We remark that the effective diffusion coefficient decreases exponentially with permeability and increases linearly with dynamic pressure. Hence, the fluid flow correlation in porous media presents a Gaussian function profile, with standard deviation function which increases exponentially with permeability.

Low-dose curcumin enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and memory retention in young mice.

Adult neurogenesis generates new functional neurons from adult neural stem cells in various regions, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles and subgranular zone (SGZ) of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Available evidence shows hippocampal neurogenesis can be negatively or positively regulated by dietary components. In a previous study, we reported that curcumin (diferuloylmethane; a polyphenolic found in curry spice) stimulates the proliferation of embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs) by activating adaptive cellular stress responses. Here, we investigated whether subchronic administration of curcumin (once daily at 0.4, 2, or 10mg/kg for 14 days) promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and neurocognitive function in young (5-week-old) mice. Oral administration of low-dose curcumin (0.4mg/kg) increased the proliferation and survival of newly generated cells in hippocampus, but surprisingly, high-dose curcumin (10mg/kg) did not effectively upregulate the proliferation or survival of newborn cells. Furthermore, hippocampal BDNF levels and phosphorylated CREB activity were elevated in only low-dose curcumin-treated mice. Passive avoidance testing revealed that low-dose curcumin increased cross-over latency times, indicating enhanced memory retention, and an in vitro study showed that low-concentration curcumin increased the proliferative activity of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by upregulating NF1X levels. Collectively, our findings suggest that low-dose curcumin has neurogenic effects and that it may prevent age and neurodegenerative disease-related cognitive deficits.

Lateral diffusion in the presence of obstacles, reexamined.

In transient anomalous subdiffusion, diffusion is anomalous at short times, crossing over to normal at long times. This behavior is well-known for obstructed diffusion with obstacle concentrations below the percolation threshold, and is characterized by the anomalous exponent alpha, the limiting diffusion coefficient D(inf), and the crossover time t(cross), all functions of the obstacle concentration. In my work [Biophys J 66 (1994) 394], the anomalous and normal regions are chosen by eye in a log-log plot of D(t) = RSQ/t versus time t. Straight lines are found for each region by a least-squares fit, and t(cross) is defined as the intersection of these lines. Ellery et al. [J Chem Phys 144 (2016) 171104] criticized this approach and presented a method based on eigenvalues of the transition matrix. Their crossover times were significantly different from mine, and Ellery et al. claimed that their method provides a simpler and more objective evaluation of t(cross). I examine an alternative interpretation, that their method is an elegant measurement of a different characteristic time of the random walk. To test this, I compare results of the eigenvalue method with results of standard Monte Carlo calculations for various characteristic times, including distinct sites visited as a function of time, the number of visits per site (yielding the cover time and the blanket time), and the first passage time from the center of the lattice to the boundary of the region without periodic boundary conditions. The calculations are done for random walks on a square lattice with random obstacles and periodic boundary conditions. Importantly, I examine the dependence of the results on system size, and include percolation analysis so that higher obstacle concentrations can be included in some calculations. The so-called lazy random walk algorithm is also examined.

Search for optimal driving in finite quantum systems with precursors of criticality

Using the adiabatic perturbation theory of driven dynamics [Phys. Rev. A 78, 052508 (2008)] we design a hierarchy of quantum state preparation protocols that systematically increase the fidelity at very long driving times. We test these and other protocols, including those based on the geometric analysis of the parameter space, in a single-qubit system and in a fully connected multiqubit system showing in its infinite-size limit several quantum phase transitions. Our protocols excel in the asymptotic driving regime, above a crossover time from the Landau-Zener regime which increases with a decreasing minimal energy gap along the driving path (with the size of the system). In the medium-time domain, the performance of all tested protocols is indecisive.

Crossover behavior in stress relaxations of poroelastic and viscoelastic dominant hydrogels.

The mechanical response and relaxation behavior of hydrogels are crucial to their diverse functions and applications. However, understanding how stress relaxation depends on the material properties of hydrogels and accurately modeling relaxation behavior at multiple time scales remains a challenge for soft matter mechanics and soft material design. While a crossover phenomenon in stress relaxation has been observed in hydrogels, living cells, and tissues, little is known about how the crossover behavior and characteristic crossover time depend on material properties. In this study, we conducted systematic atomic-force-microscopy (AFM) measurements of stress relaxation in agarose hydrogels with varying types, indentation depths, and concentrations. Our findings show that the stress relaxation of these hydrogels features a crossover from short-time poroelastic relaxation to long-time power-law viscoelastic relaxation at the micron scale. The crossover time for a poroelastic-dominant hydrogel is determined by the length scale of the contact and diffusion coefficient of the solvent inside the gel network. In contrast, for a viscoelastic-dominant hydrogel, the crossover time is closely related to the shortest relaxation time of the disordered network. We also compared the stress relaxation and crossover behavior of hydrogels with those of living cells and tissues. Our experimental results provide insights into the dependence of crossover time on poroelastic and viscoelastic properties and demonstrate that hydrogels can serve as model systems for studying a wide range of mechanical behaviors and emergent properties in biomaterials, living cells, and tissues.

Crossover times in bipartite networks with activity constraints and time-varying switching rates

In this paper, we study the performance of a bipartite network in which customers arrive at the nodes of the network, but not all nodes are able to serve their customers at all times. Each node can be either active or inactive, and two nodes connected by a bond cannot be active simultaneously. This situation arises in wireless random-access networks where, due to destructive interference, stations that are close to each other cannot use the same frequency band. We consider a model where the network is bipartite, the active nodes switch themselves off at rate 1 and the inactive nodes switch themselves on at a rate that depends on time and on which half of the bipartite network they are in. An inactive node cannot become active when one of the nodes it is connected to by a bond is active. The switching protocol allows the nodes to share activity among each other. In the limit as the activation rate becomes large, we compute the crossover time between the two states where one-half of the network is active and the other half is inactive. This allows us to assess the overall activity of the network depending on the switching protocol. Our results make use of the metastability analysis for hard-core interacting particle models on finite bipartite graphs derived in an earlier paper. They are valid for a large class of bipartite networks, subject to certain assumptions. Proofs rely on a comparison with switching protocols that are not time varying, through coupling techniques.

Comparability of a provisioned device versus bring your own device for completion of patient-reported outcome measures by participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: quantitative study findings

ObjectiveTo quantitatively compare equivalence and compliance of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data collected via provisioned device (PD) versus bring your own device (BYOD).MethodsParticipants with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) completed the EXAcerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool (EXACT®) daily and COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT) and Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) of COPD weekly on either PD or BYOD for 15 days, then switched device types for 15 days. EXACT was scored using the Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms in COPD (E-RS®: COPD) algorithm and equivalence assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) adjusting for cross-over sequence, period, and time. Two one-sided tests (TOSTs) used ICC adjusted means with 10%, 20%, and 40% of total score tested as equivalence margins. Compliance and comfort with technology were assessed. Equivalence across 3 device screen sizes was assessed following the second completion period.ResultsParticipants (N = 64) reported high comfort with technology, with 79.7% reporting being “quite a bit” or “very” comfortable. Weekly compliance was high (BYOD = 89.7–100%; PD = 76.9–100%). CAT and E-RS: COPD scores correlated well with PGIS (r > 0.50) and demonstrated equivalence between PD and BYOD completion (ICC = 0.863–0.908). TOST equivalence was achieved within 10% of the total score (p > 0.05). PRO measure scores were equivalent across 3 different screen sizes (ICC = 0.972–0.989).ConclusionsMeasure completion was high and scores equivalent between PD and BYOD, supporting use of BYOD in addition to PD for collecting PRO data in COPD studies and in demographically diverse patient populations.

Effect of low-dose atropine eyedrops on pupil metrics: results after half a year of treatment and cessation

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of low-dose atropine eyedrops on pupil metrics.MethodsThis study was based on a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, and cross-over trial in mainland China. In phase 1, subjects received 0.01% atropine or placebo once nightly. After 1 year, the atropine group switched to placebo (atropine-placebo group), and the placebo group switched to atropine (placebo-atropine group). Ocular parameters were measured at the crossover time point (at the 12th month) and the 18th month.ResultsOf 105 subjects who completed the study, 48 and 57 children were allocated into the atropine-placebo and placebo-atropine groups, respectively. After cessation, the photopic pupil diameter (PD) and mesopic PD both decreased (− 0.46 ± 0.47 mm, P < 0.001; − 0.30 ± 0.74 mm, P = 0.008), and the constriction ratio (CR, %) increased (4.39 ± 7.54, P < 0.001) compared with values at the crossover time point of the atropine-placebo group; pupil metrics of the atropine-placebo group had no difference from the values at the crossover time point of the placebo-atropine group. After 6 months of treatment, the photopic PD and the mesopic PD increased (0.54 ± 0.67 mm, P < 0.001; 0.53 ± 0.89 mm, P < 0.001), the CR (%) decreased (− 2.53 ± 8.64, P < 0.001) compared with values at the crossover time point of the placebo-atropine group. There was no significant relationship between pupil metrics and myopia progression during 0.01% atropine treatment.ConclusionPupil metrics and the CR could return to pre-atropine levels after cessation. Pupil metrics had no significant effect on myopia progression during treatment.

Isothermal and non-isothermal spreading of a viscous droplet on a solid surface in total wetting condition

We study the isothermal and non-isothermal spreading of viscous silicone oil droplets on a glass surface in total wetting condition. In particular, the effects of viscosity, impact velocity, and substrate temperature on the spreading dynamics are reported. We employ high-speed photography to record time-varying droplet shapes from the side. An infrared camera maps the temperature distribution on the liquid–gas interface. In the isothermal inertial-capillary or early regime, the initial spreading is driven by inertial forces, and kinetic energy converts into surface energy and gets dissipated by bulk viscosity. The later stage is governed by the balance of surface energy and viscosity dissipation, i.e., capillary–viscous or late regime. The characteristics timescales of the two regimes are obtained using scaling arguments. The measured crossover time from early to late spreading regimes for different cases of impact velocity and viscosity corroborates with a scaling analysis developed in the present work. Measurements confirm the value of exponents of established power-law spreading with time in early and late regimes r∼tn. At a larger substrate temperature, the spreading magnitude is larger for droplets with larger viscosity and is explained by the reduction of viscous dissipation by heating the droplet. However, in the case of non-isothermal spreading of a low viscosity droplet, recoiling after the early spreading reduces the spreading magnitude compared to the isothermal case. We explain the recoiling and spreading rates obtained in different cases. We analyze unsteady heat transfer between the droplet and substrate by combining measurements and a numerical model.

Dynamic-State Analysis of Inverter Based on Cascode GaN HEMTs for PV Application

With the increase in renewable energy generation, microgrid has put forward higher requirements on the power density and performance of the photovoltaic inverter. In this paper, the dynamic process of inverter based on the cascode Gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) for the photovoltaic (PV) application is analyzed in detail. The parasitic inductors and capacitors have been considered in our proposed equivalent model, which can explain the phenomenon that the crossover time of the voltage and current is prolonged by the parasitic parameters. The influence of the parasitic parameters is identified through theoretical analysis. By analyzing the influence of parasitic parameters, the design process of high-frequency inverter can be optimized. A 500 W inverter based on the cascode GaN HEMT is built, and the correctness of theoretical and simulation analysis is verified by the experimental results.