Decrement Of Energy Research Articles

Common and Distinct Characteristics Associated With Trajectories of Morning and Evening Energy in Oncology Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

ContextAlthough energy conservation strategies are recommended in clinical practice guidelines, little is known about changes in energy levels in oncology patients undergoing cancer treatment. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to identify variations in the trajectories of morning and evening energy levels and determine which characteristics predicted initial levels and the trajectories of morning and evening energy. MethodsOutpatients receiving chemotherapy (CTX) completed demographic and symptom questionnaires six times over two CTX cycles. Energy was assessed using the Lee Fatigue Scale. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the data. ResultsA large amount of interindividual variability was found in the morning and evening energy trajectories. Patients who lived alone, had childcare responsibilities, had a lower functional status, did not exercise on a regular basis, had lower hemoglobin levels, had lower attentional function, higher trait anxiety, and higher sleep disturbance reported lower morning energy levels at enrollment. Variations in the trajectories of morning energy were associated with a higher body mass index and higher levels of morning energy and higher sleep disturbance scores. For evening energy, patients who were female, white, had lower functional status, and had lower attentional function and higher sleep disturbance reported lower evening energy levels at enrollment. Evening energy levels at enrollment were associated with changes in evening energy over time. ConclusionPatients undergoing CTX experience decrements in both morning and evening energy. The modifiable characteristics associated with these decrements can be used to design intervention studies to increase energy levels in these patients.

Polymorphisms in Cytokine Genes Are Associated With Higher Levels of Fatigue and Lower Levels of Energy in Women After Breast Cancer Surgery

ContextLittle is known about the phenotypic and molecular characteristics associated with changes over time in fatigue and lack of energy in patients with breast cancer. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify subgroups (i.e., latent classes) of women with distinct fatigue and energy trajectories; evaluate for differences in phenotypic characteristics between the latent classes for fatigue and energy; and evaluate for associations between polymorphisms in genes for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, their receptors, and their transcriptional regulators and latent class membership. MethodsPatients were enrolled before and followed for six months after breast cancer surgery. Latent class analyses were done to identify subgroups of patients with distinct fatigue and energy trajectories. Candidate gene analyses were done to identify cytokine genes associated with these two symptoms. ResultsFor both fatigue and lack of energy, two distinct latent classes were identified. Phenotypic characteristics associated with the higher fatigue class were younger age, higher education, lower Karnofsky Performance Status score, higher comorbidity, higher number of lymph nodes removed, and receipt of chemotherapy (CTX). Polymorphisms in interleukin (IL) 1β and IL10 were associated with membership in the higher fatigue class. Phenotypic characteristics associated with the lower energy class included: a lower Karnofsky Performance Status score and a higher comorbidity score. A polymorphism in IL1R1 was associated with membership in the lower energy class. ConclusionWithin each latent class, the severity of fatigue and decrements in energy were relatively stable over the first six months after breast cancer surgery. Distinct phenotypic characteristics and genetic polymorphisms were associated with membership in the higher fatigue and lower energy classes.

Age differences in fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

The number of older adults with cancer is increasing. Given the limited amount of research and the inconsistent findings regarding age differences in common physical symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments, the purposes of this study, in a sample of oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy (CTX), were to evaluate for age differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as in occurrence rates of and severity ratings for fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance. In addition, using regression analysis techniques, within and across age groups, demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the severity of each symptom were evaluated. Patients (n=1343) were dichotomized into younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) age groups. Patients completed self-report questionnaires prior to their next dose of CTX. Overall, our findings suggest that compared to younger patients, older adults experience a lower or similar level of fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance. However, it should be noted that both age groups experienced high occurrence rates and moderate to severe levels of all three symptoms. Clinicians need to assess all oncology patients receiving CTX for these three symptoms. Future research needs to determine the biopsychosocial reasons that underlie these age-related differences in fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance.

Mapping of the seasonal dynamic properties of building walls in actual periodic conditions and effects produced by solar radiation incident on the outer and inner surfaces of the wall

In this work, the dynamic characteristics of the external walls of air-conditioned buildings subject to the joint action of periodic non-sinusoidal external and internal loadings are determined. The dynamic parameters used are the energy decrement factor, which is evaluated by means of the fluctuating heat flux in a semi-period exiting and entering the wall, the decrement factor of the maximum peak and minimum peak of the heat flux in a period and the relative time lags. The fluctuating heat flux in the wall in steady periodic regime conditions is determined with an analytical model obtained by resolving the equivalent electrical circuit. The preceding parameters are used for a study of the influence of solar radiation on the dynamic characteristics of the walls in summer and winter air-conditioning. Solar radiation is considered as operating on the external surface and on the internal surface due to the presence in the indoor environments of a shortwave radiant field. The absorbed solar heat flux by the external surface varies, modifying the solar absorption coefficient and wall orientation. Indoors, we considered a continuous operating regime of the plant and a regime with nocturnal attenuation.The results obtained, relating to 1152 different boundary conditions, were used for the construction of maps of dynamic characteristics, different on variation of the plant functioning regime and of the shortwave radiant load on the internal surface. The maps show the dependence of the decrement factors and of the time lags on variation of the season, of the external surface absorption coefficient, of the orientation and the type of wall, and of the locations. This representation allows a comparison of the dynamic behaviour of the wall in the two air conditioning seasons and, for defined boundary conditions, to quickly determine the dynamic characteristics.

Phenotypic and Molecular Evidence Suggests That Decrements in Morning and Evening Energy Are Distinct but Related Symptoms

ContextLittle is known about energy levels in oncology patients and their family caregivers. ObjectivesThis study sought to identify latent classes of participants, based on self-reported energy levels and evaluate for differences in phenotypic and genotypic characteristics between these classes. MethodsEnergy subscale scores from the Lee Fatigue Scale were used to determine latent class membership. Morning and evening energy scores were obtained just before, during, and for four months after the completion of radiation therapy. Genetic associations were evaluated for 15 proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes. ResultsTwo latent classes with distinct morning energy trajectories were identified. Participants who were younger, female, not married/partnered, black, and had more comorbidities, and a lower functional status were more likely to be in the low morning energy class. Two polymorphisms (IL2 rs1479923 and NFKB1 rs4648110) were associated with morning energy latent class membership. Two latent classes with distinct evening energy trajectories were identified. Participants who were younger and male and who had more comorbidities, decreased body weight, and a lower functional status were more likely to be in the moderate evening energy class. Five different polymorphisms (IL1R2 rs4141134, IL6 rs4719714, IL17A rs8193036, NFKB2 rs1056890, and TNFA rs1800683) were associated with evening energy latent class membership. ConclusionThis study provides preliminary evidence that decrements in morning and evening energy are associated with different phenotypic risk factors and cytokine gene variations.

Study of zinc incorporation on the non-isothermal crystallization in glassy selenium using iso-conversional approach

The crystallization kinetics of glassy Se (g-Se) and glassy Se98Zn2 alloy has been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) technique. Iso-conversional methods [Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Tang and Straink] were used to determine the various kinetic parameters (i.e. crystallization temperature Tα, activation energy of crystallization Eα) of crystallization process in non-isothermal mode. The monotonous decrement in activation energy, Eα with the extent of conversion, α confirms the complex kinetic mechanism of g-Se and Se98Zn2 alloy. The reaction model, ‘Avrami–Erofeev’ g(α)=[−ln(1−α)]1/n has been followed to describe the crystallization process with n=1.5 for g-Se and n=2.0 for Se98Zn2 alloy.

Research of Electric Vehicles' Discharging Price

Through the vehicle to the network (V2G) control, the objective of the "load shifting" is possible. Reasonable charging and discharging price is the fundamental driving force for EV users to participate in V2G and the analysis of the game process of the grid company and the EV users becomes critical. A bilevel programming problem is established which makes company the largest gains and consumers the minimum cost. Through a control scheme whose purpose is minimizing the sample variance of load, the relationship of annual discharging electricity energy and peak load decrement is obtained. At last the optimal discharging price of power grid company and the corresponding proportion of EV participating in V2G is calculated by chaos algorithm. It provides a reference for company to formulate discharging price.

In situ investigation on the mixed-interaction mechanisms in the metal–ceramic system’s microwave sintering

In situ investigation of the microstructure evolution and the mixed-interaction mechanisms of metal–ceramic materials during the microwave sintering process was carried out using the synchrotron radiation computed tomography technique. The results indicate that there are some special mixed-interaction mechanisms, which may promote the sintering process during the microwave heating of metal–ceramic materials. In the experiment, some particular sintering phenomena that differ from the microwave sintering of pure metal materials were observed, such as fast interface bonding and particle swallowing. Quantitative analysis of the microstructure evolution during microwave sintering showed that the decrement of grain surface bending energy of metal–ceramic materials was slower, while the sintering-neck growth rate was higher than that of the pure metal materials. These results may be caused by the mixed-interaction mechanisms between microwave and metal–ceramic materials, such as the “micro-focusing effect”, the special microwave interaction mechanisms on the particle surface and the heterogeneous metal–ceramic interface. This study will help to provide a useful reference for the improvement of the microstructure characteristics of metal–ceramic materials in microwave sintering.

The challenge of rapid weight loss prior to competition for Muslim combat sport athletes during Ramadan

Muslim athletes observe the Ramadan intermittent fast (RIF) while training and/or competition are often maintained during this period. In combat sports, where contestants compete in different weight categories, some athletes often undertake a prescribed acute weight loss over 4–5 days prior to competition. On the day of competition, they normally restore the body water content lost during the pre-competition period between the weigh-in and the start of the matches. However, this is not possible for those who observe the RIF. Body water and energy decrements are exacerbated when Muslim combat sport athletes have to compete in the morning and afternoon during the same day when a competition is scheduled during Ramadan. This article focuses on the several challenges faced by Muslim combat sport athletes, especially those who undergo a rapid weight loss before a major competition during Ramadan. Suggestions that could limit the difficulties encountered by these athletes during the fasting month are presented.

A comparative study on viscoelastic properties of polymeric composites measured by a longitudinal free vibration non-destructive test and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis

In this study, viscoelastic properties of polymeric composites were investigated through a non-destructive test (NDT) method based on longitudinal free vibration. First, three different polyester composites reinforced separately with carbon, glass, and hemp fibers, as well as, one polyester composite sample reinforced with poplar wood powder were manufactured via pultrusion and hand lay-up methods, respectively. In the proposed resonant free vibration non-destructive method, each rod-shaped test specimen was hit by a hammer at one end of specimen and immediately the acoustic response of the specimen was recorded by a microphone at the other end of the sample. Subsequently, the recorded sounds were analysed using fast Fourier transform technique. Then, frequency of the first mode of vibration for each composite specimen was utilised to calculate modulus of elasticity. Further, decrement in vibration energy as a function of time was examined to obtain loss parameter (tan {\delta}) of the provided composites. Moreover, parameters (i.e., elastic modulus and tan {\delta}) were also compared with those determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). It is found that the results obtained from the examined non-destructive test method are in consistent with those measured by DMTA approach, providing reliable, accurate and quick responses.

Saving energy by modification of Tomita heat treatment method for AISI 4340 steel

In this paper a modified up-quenching heat treatment method (Tomita method) for AISI 4340 steel (ultra high strength steel) is proposed. A low alloy steel (0.33%C), was used to study the effect of isothermal austempering and modified up-quenching austempering heat treatment on the mechanical properties. The specimens, were cut from a bar with 25mm diameter and after achieving the best temperature and time of austenitizing, austenitized at 800oC for 60min and followed by quenching at 430oC for the high austempering temperature to achieve the upper bainite morphology and at 360oC for the lower austempering temperature to achieve the lower bainite morphology. The specimens selected for up-quenching, after austenitization were quenched to below Ms (martensite start temperature) (320oC) for 120sec, followed by heating at 500oC to achieve the mixed structure of tempered martensite and upper bainite for 1000sec. The specimens selected for modified up-quenching, after austenitization were quenched to below Ms for 120sec, followed by heating at 400oC to achieve the mixed structure of tempered martensite and lower bainite for 1000sec. It is also shown that the best combination of strength and ductility can be achieved by the modified heat treatment that has been suggested in this investigation by the decrement of heat energy for the austenitization temperature, up-quenching temperature and time.

Redundant Protective Barriers: Minimizing Operator Occupational Risk

The ubiquitous use of less invasive therapeutic angiographic procedures has created the milieu for long-term occupational risk of cancer and genetic defects. This study set out to determine the relative effectiveness of redundant radiation protective barriers and their impact on operator total-body-ionizing radiation exposure in the catheterization suite. Thermolucent dosimeter x-irradiation was measured inside and outside personal and movable protective barriers used concurrently during 50 consecutive procedures by a single operator. Additionally, the entrance/exit doses were recorded on the back and chest for all patients to provide insight into radiation scatter patterns. The x-ray beam had an average 90.8% decrement in energy traversing the patient's chest when entrance and exit doses were compared, suggesting a 3.3-fold greater operator scatter radiation exposure below the table compared with that above the table. All 0.5-mm lead equivalent personal barriers reduced operator exposure by 72-95%, whereas the 1.0-mm leaded personal barrier (overlapping gown) reduced exposure by 96%. The 0.75-mm leaded glasses reduced exposure to the left eye by 67%. A leaded left-hand glove reduced exposure by only 20%. The effective calculated operator radiation exposure risk reduction provided by the use of personal and movable barriers reduced the theoretical risk of fatal or nonfatal cancer by 22-fold while decreasing potential severe genetic effect by 25-fold in comparison to movable barriers alone. The optimal use of combined personal and movable (redundant) lead barriers results in a significant reduction in total-body operator radiation exposure in the catheterization laboratory. The use of redundant barriers in the catheterization suite is associated with a dramatic theoretical long-term occupational risk reduction and should be encouraged.

Effector/memory T cells of the weanling mouse exhibit Type 2 cytokine polarization in vitro and in vivo in the advanced stages of acute energy deficit

Our objective was to determine whether the polarizing cytokine profile of the effector/memory T-cell compartment reflects the profound decline of cell-mediated inflammatory competence that characterizes acute prepubescent malnutrition. Weanling C57BL/6J mice were permitted free access to a complete purified diet, free access to an isocaloric low-protein diet or restricted intake of the complete diet for 14 days. First, interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ concentrations generated in vitro by splenic and nodal effector/memory T cells were assessed following exposure to plate-bound anti-CD3. Second, net systemic production of IFN-γ and IL-4 by the effector/memory T-cell compartment was assessed by the in vivo cytokine capture assay following anti-CD3 stimulation. In vitro stimulation generated less IFN-γ ( P=.002) but more IL-4 ( P=.05) by T cells from the restricted-intake group relative to the age-matched control group. Similarly, in vivo stimulation generated low serum levels of antibody-captured IFN-γ in the restricted-intake group vis-à-vis the age-matched control group ( P=.01), while the IL-4 response was sustained ( P=.39). By contrast, the 14-day low-protein model exhibited no change in T-cell cytokine signature either in vitro or in vivo. However, following extended consumption of the low-protein diet (26 days), carcass energy losses exceeded those of the 14-day protocol and serum levels of in vivo antibody-captured IFN-γ were low after anti-CD3 challenge relative to the age-matched control group ( P=.02), while levels of captured IL-4 remained unaffected ( P=.07). Acute weanling malnutrition elicits a Type 2 polarizing cytokine character on the part of the effector/memory T-cell compartment, but only in the most advanced stages of energy decrement.

Transmission of Force and Displacement within the Myosin Molecule

Myosin is a repetitive impeller of actin, using its catalysis of ATP hydrolysis to derive repeatedly the required free energy decrements. In each impulsion, changes at the myosin active site are transmitted through a series of structural elements to the myosin propeller (lever arm), almost 5 nm away. While the nature of transmission through most elements is evident, that through the so-called converter is not. To investigate how the converter changes linear displacement into rotation, we tested (one at a time) the effect of two Phe residue mutations (at 721 and 775) in the converter on the overall function of a heavy meromyosin (or subfragment 1) system, after first showing by observing kinetic behaviors that neither mutation affects other elements in the transmission. Using three tests (direct movement of the lever arm, activity in a motility assay with actin filaments, and direct force measurement of lever arm function), we found that these mutations affected only movements of the converter and the lever arm. From interpreting our observations in terms of the structure of the converter, we deduce that the linear-rotational transformation in the converter is mediated by a little machine (two Phe residues linked to a Gly) within a machine.

Mechanical properties of low alloy steel sintered at conventional and high temperatures.

In this paper a modified up-quenching heat treatment method (Tomita method) for AISI 4340 steel (ultra high strength steel) is proposed. A low alloy steel (0.33%C), was used to study the effect of isothermal austempering and modified up-quenching austempering heat treatment on the mechanical properties. The specimens, were cut from a bar with 25 mm diameter and after achieving the best temperature and time of austenitizing, austenitized at 800oC for 60 min and followed by quenching at 430oC for the high austempering temperature to achieve the upper bainite morphology and at 360oC for the lower austempering temperature to achieve the lower bainite morphology. The specimens selected for up-quenching, after austenitization were quenched to below Ms (martensite start temperature) (320oC) for 120 sec, followed by heating at 500oC to achieve the mixed structure of tempered martensite and upper bainite for 1000sec. The specimens selected for modified up-quenching, after austenitization were quenched to below Ms for 120 sec, followed by heating at 400oC to achieve the mixed structure of tempered martensite and lower bainite for 1000sec. It is also shown that the best combination of strength and ductility can be achieved by the modified heat treatment that has been suggested in this investigation by the decrement of heat energy for the austenitization temperature, up-quenching temperature and time.

On the decrement of energy in dissipative systems

On the decrement of energy in dissipative systems

Multiband detection of energy fluctuations

this study sought to characterize the integration of synchronous energy fluctuations across relatively independent spectral regions. The detection of four classes of signal was examined where each class of signal was associated with a change in energy over time. The four signal types were: (1) multicomponent tonal complexes, with each component centered in a narrow band of noise; (2) intensity increments in multiple narrow bands of noise; (3) intensity decrements in multiple narrow bands of noise; and (4) temporal gaps in multiple narrow bands of noise. Each signal type was examined in a separate experiment, although stimulus characteristics such as presentation level and frequency location were held constant. Experiment 1 confirmed that the detection of multitonal complexes masked by narrow bands of noise is linearly related to the square root of N, where N is the number of signal components. Experiment 2 extended this to show that, when the signal was an increment in the level of a noise band carrier, threshold continued to be a linear function of the square root of N, although threshold was about 2 dB higher than for a comparable tonal signal. Experiment 3 indicated that the detection of a decrement in energy in one or more noise bands was relatively poorer in terms of absolute level changes than was the detection of an energy increment in the same stimulus. Examination of psychometric functions for decrement detection suggested that performance improved by less than the square root of N. Experiment 4 found that gap detection improved with increasing N but by a factor greater than the square root of N expected on statistical grounds. Examination of the underlying psychometric functions confirmed this effect. The results of these experiments suggest that, for energy increments, the auditory system integrates information from across the spectrum in a statistically independent manner, at least over the frequency range examined here. This does not appear to be the case for the detection of energy gaps or decrements.

Cooling-rate dependence of the ground-state energy using microcanonical simulated annealing.

We have studied the cooling-rate dependence of approaching the ground state in several spin glass models within the microcanonical simulated annealing scheme. The final state energies of the two-dimensional (2D) and 3D Gaussian models and the 3D \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}J model were found to depend on the cooling rate \ensuremath{\Delta}E/\ensuremath{\tau}, where \ensuremath{\Delta}E is the energy decrement in the microcanonincal simulation and \ensuremath{\tau} is the number of Monte Carlo steps per spin at each annealing stage. In particular the ground-state energy dependence on \ensuremath{\tau} for all models studied shows a stretched exponential form for a wide range of the values \ensuremath{\tau}. This behavior is very different from that of the conventional simulated annealing algorithms. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Ar-Hg放電における253.7nm光発光効率の管径依存性

The dependence of 253.7 nm emission efficiency on the discharge tube radius in argon-mercury-mixture gases is investigated using the simulation model for a positive column. The calculated waveforms of electric field, 253.7nm emission, electron energy and electron density show good agreement with the measured waveforms, respectively, for 50 Hz and 50 kHz operations. The obtained results are as follows: (1) The 253.7 nm emission efficiency takes a maximum with the tube radius under the constant discharge power and the constant mercury atom density condition, even though the dependence of emission efficiency on the discharge tube radius is rather weak except for the small radius region.(2) At the large radius region, the effective radiative decay-time increases with the radius. The density at radiative excitation level also decreases with the radius due to the decrement of electron energy and electron density. Thus, 253.7 nm emission decreases even if the discharge volume is increased.(3) At the small radius region, the increasing rate of the density at radiative excitation level begins to decrease with the radius, since the excited atoms at the triplet levels are excited to higher levels. Thus, 253.7 nm emission decreases with a decreasing discharge volume.

Thermodynamic criteria of crystallization from supercooled liquid

The value of the Gibbs energy decrement ΔG c is the force of crystallization during crystallization from a supercooled melt (glass). The impact of the supercooled melt properties, the number of components, the degree of deviation from ideality and crystallization features with respect to phase diagram are considered in this paper.