Notable Effectiveness Research Articles

Evaluation of the Effects of Homologous Platelet Gel on Healing Lower Extremity Wounds in Patients With Diabetes

The treatment of chronic diabetic wounds remains complicated, despite new insight into the cellular and molecular basis of wound healing and cutaneous regeneration. A growing body of clinical trials has shown that platelet release has a notable effectiveness on refractory ulcer healing. However, patients with chronic diabetic ulcers usually have poor general health, and the large-volume blood absence required to produce autologous platelet-rich plasma often causes adverse effects. To overcome the limitation, the homologous platelet gel (PG) from healthy donor was used for the treatment of chronic diabetic lower extremity wound in the study. We show here that homologous derived platelets significantly enhanced EVC304 cell and HaCaT cell proliferation and homologous PG was capable of prompting cell migration. Twenty-one patients with refractory diabetic lower extremity ulcers, who had no response to conventional treatments, were treated in this study. Our data indicated that homologous PG was effective for the enhancement and acceleration of diabetic lower extremity wounds healing. We propose that homologous PG appeared to enhance vascularization and epithelialization, which might induce a quicker healing process and and encourage controlled studies in future.

Dynamic modeling and adaptive vibration control study for giant magnetostrictive actuators

Giant magnetostrictive actuators (GMA) used in vibration control and high precision positioning control have been studied widely in last decade. Recently, although many researchers commit themselves to modeling giant magnetostrictive actuators, there is still lack of simplified model of analyzing nonlinear properties to deal with the problems on active vibration control with giant magnetostrictive actuators. In this paper, a nonlinear constitutive model of a giant magnetostrictive actuator is put forward for the application of effectively suppressing vibration. The nonlinear constitutive model is established not only by combining linear constitutive equations with the Bouc–Wen equations but also by using Hamilton's principle and the assumed mode method to analyze the hysteresis phenomena and quadric frequency property in the giant magnetostrictive actuator. In addition, a minimum variance self-turning regulator (MVSTR) is incorporated into the design of a controller, which may be used in suppressing low frequency (≤5Hz) and micron-level (≤5μm) disturbances. In the end of this paper, some simulations are performed in LABVIEW and experimental control tests are implemented using a giant magnetostrictive actuator prototype. Both the numerical simulations and experimental tests results show that the amplitudes of disturbances may be reduced up to no less than 90% averagely in the whole sampling processes. This proves that the giant magnetostrictive actuator has not only the capacity of controlling low-frequency and micro-level vibration but also the notable effectiveness of active control by the adaptive regulator. Moreover, the minimum variance self-tuning regulator is testified as a feasible controller for vibration control in the paper.

Efficient Strengthening Technique to Increase the Flexural Resistance of Existing RC Slabs

Composite materials are being used with notable effectiveness to increase and upgrade the flexural load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete (RC) members. Near-surface mounted (NSM) is one of the most promising strengthening techniques, based on the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. According to NSM, the laminates are fixed with epoxy based adhesive into slits opened into the concrete cover on the tension face of the elements to strength. Laboratory tests have shown that the NSM technique is an adequate strengthening strategy to increase the flexural resistance of RC slabs. However, in RC slabs of low concrete strength, the increase of the flexural resistance that NSM can provide is limited by the maximum allowable compressive strain in the compressed part of the slab, in order to avoid concrete crushing. This restriction reduces the effectiveness of the strengthening, thus limiting the use of the NSM technique. A new thin layer of concrete bonded to the existing concrete at the...

Industrial Practice of BiPCI Process of Pulverized Coal Injection for Blast Furnace Ironmaking at SSAB

BiPCI technology of pulverized coal injection for blast furnace ironmaking was applied to No.2 Blast Furnace of SSAB Oxelösund in Sweden, and notable effectiveness of this BiPCI practice at SSAB has been achieved. The results show that if the tuyere injection rate of pulverized coal is kept nearly unchanged, (1) BiPCI can increase the overall coal rate and decrease the coke rate. When the second injection rate of pulverized coal attains 5 kg/tHM, the coke rate could be reduced by 5 kg/tHM; (2) BiPCI can increase the burden permeability, decrease the pressure drop of the furnace, and produce proper gas flow distribution, which is favourable to keep smooth running of the blast furnace and decrease the total reducing agent rate (RAR). During the test, the RAR showed a decrease by 2.8 kg/tHM (corrected RAR by 1.45 kg/tHM); (3) The pulverized coal through the second injection can be effectively used to protect the coke from fast degradation and improve the coke strength in the blast furnace, which is favourable to lower the high requirement on the coke quality under high coal rate operation.

Waste gas emission control and constraints of energy and economy in China

This paper studies the characteristics of waste gas emission (WGE), energy consumption (EC) and economic development in China, and analyzes the reason for the change of waste gas intensity (WI) in order to provide necessary information for policy maker. Firstly, this paper describes the situation of WGE and the primary factors in China in general to describe the relationship among energy, economy and environmental at the national level. Then we detect the main sectors for WGE that have notable effectiveness for economic and EC through the comparison of the percentage of EC, value added (VA) and industrial WGE from combustion in 39 industrial sectors. Then with the calculation of energy intensity (EI), clean level (CL) and WI, this paper selects those crucial sectors for waste gas control and shows the efficiency of waste gas control in these sectors from 2001 to 2005. The result showed most waste gas came from heavy industrial sectors. However, heavy industrial sectors usually have lower CL than light industries. Moreover, within these sectors, some sectors, particularly Production and supply of electric power and heat power, showed the tendency of worsening efficiency for waste gas control from 2001 to 2005.

Water saving technology for paddy rice irrigation and its popularization in China

In consideration of the fact that drought occurs very often in China and the demand for paddy rice irrigation is very large, the technology of water saving irrigation for paddy rice is studied, and popularized in a demonstration region of the city of Yancheng. Test results show that dry-foot paddy irrigation saves 48.5% of water, and increases from 8.9 to 12.9% of yield, increasing 1302 Yaun of benefit per hectare, compared to traditional flooding irrigation. The technology has the advantages of clear index, notable effectiveness of water saving, reduction of soil loss and high production; besides, the rice is of good quality and the investment is economical. So, it is easy to be popularized in large areas.

Effectiveness of antioxidant‐impregnated film in retarding lipid oxidation

AbstractThe effectiveness of an antioxidant‐impregnated film to retard autoxidation of a packaged model product containing linoleic acid, via an evaporation/sorption mechanism, was evaluated as a function of storage time and temperature. The rate of loss of antioxidant from the package film structure was described by a first‐order expression. The first‐order rate constants were dependent on the initial concentration of antioxidant in the film. The rate of loss of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxytoluene (BHT) from the package film structure was found to be much higher than the rate of loss of α‐tocopherol at both storage conditions (23 and 45 °C, 50% relative humidity) studied. A freeze‐dried model food product system was developed as the source for the autoxidation of linoleic acid in storage stability studies. The storage stability of this model food system packaged with antioxidant‐impregnated film pouches was evaluated. Hexanal as an index of oxidation from the model product system was collected by a dynamic purge and trap system and quantified by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry procedure. The BHT‐impregnated laminate pouch showed a notable effectiveness in retarding lipid oxidation of the model product at 45 °C as a function of storage time. The control (non‐antioxidant) and α‐tocopherol‐impregnated laminate pouch structures showed no effect on retarding lipid oxidation of the model product during storage at 45 °C. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Metronidazole. A therapeutic review and update.

The nitroimidazole antibiotic metronidazole has a limited spectrum of activity that encompasses various protozoans and most Gram-negative and Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. Metronidazole has activity against protozoans like Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, for which the drug was first approved as an effective treatment. Anaerobic bacteria which are typically sensitive are primarily Gram-negative anaerobes belonging to the Bacteroides and Fusobacterium spp. Gram-positive anaerobes such as peptostreptococci and Clostridia spp. are likely to test sensitive to metronidazole, but resistant isolates are probably encountered with greater frequency than with the Gram-negative anaerobes. Gardnerella vaginalis is a pleomorphic Gram-variable bacterial bacillus that is also susceptible to metronidazole. Helicobacter pylori has been strongly associated with gastritis and duodenal ulcers. Classic regimens for eradicating this pathogen have included metronidazole, usually with acid suppression medication plus bismuth and amoxicillin. The activity of metronidazole against anaerobic bowel flora has been used for prophylaxis and treatment of patients with Crohn's disease who might develop an infectious complication. Treatment of Clostridium difficile-induced pseudomembraneous colitis has usually been with oral metronidazole or vancomycin, but the lower cost and similar efficacy of metronidazole, coupled with the increased concern about imprudent use of vancomycin leading to increased resistance in enterococci, have made metronidazole the preferred agent here. Metronidazole has played an important role in anaerobic-related infections. Advantages to using metronidazole are the percentage of sensitive Gram-negative anaerobes, its availability as oral and intravenous dosage forms, its rapid bacterial killing, its good tissue penetration, its considerably lower chance of inducing C. difficile colitis, and expense. Metronidazole has notable effectiveness in treating anaerobic brain abscesses. Metronidazole is a cost-effective agent due to its low acquisition cost, its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, an acceptable adverse effect profile, and its undiminished antimicrobial activity. While its role as part of a therapeutic regimen for treating mixed aerobic/anaerobic infections has been reduced by newer, more expensive combination therapies, these new combinations have not been shown to have any therapeutic advantage over metronidazole. Although the use of metronidazole on a global scale has been curtailed by newer agents for various infections, metronidazole still has a role for these and other therapeutic uses. Many clinicians still consider metronidazole to be the 'gold standard' antibiotic against which all other antibiotics with anaerobic activity should be compared.

Linkages between biological and cultural diversity for participatory management: Nepal’s experiences with Makulu-Barun National park and its buffer zone

The Makalu-Barun National Park (MBNP) and its Buffer Zone (BZ) of eqastern Nepal shares is borders with Sagarmatha National Park on the west and with the Qomolongma Natural Preserve of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China on the North. The Park is rich in cultural diversity with many ethnic groups. Most of the households are economically poor and depend on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry and diverse natural resources for livelihoods. Slash and burn cultivation on steep slopes, poaching, hunting, over grazing, high dependency on natural resources, poverty and food deficits are the main threats to biodiversity in MBNP and BZ area. The MBNP was established in 1991 while its BZ was declared in 1998. the basic underlying approach of protection and management of the Park and its BZ is biodiversity conservation through people participation, without relying on military force.
 
 This paper highlights the implementation of the biodiversity conservation and management approaches through people participation in the MBNP and its BZ, and also explores notable achievements and effectiveness of partnership of the Government of Nepal, the Mountain Institute (TMI) – an INGO and the local communities to sustain conservation efforts as well as to improve local livelihoods.
 
 Key words: Biodiversity; National Park; Buffer Zone; participation; culture; linkages
 
 Banko Janakari Vol.16(2) 2006 pp.37-44