Computation of acoustic scattered fields and derived radiation force and torque for axisymmetric objects at arbitrary orientations.

This study presents a theoretical framework for calculating acoustic scattering fields, as well as radiation force and torque resulting from the interaction between an incident wave and an axisymmetric object positioned at arbitrary orientations. Grounded in the partial-wave expansion method, it formulates scattering products using beam-shape and scalar scattering coefficients. The incorporation of geometric features into the scalar scattering coefficients is achieved through the conformal transformation approach.

Decomposition-assisted analysis of transmission in periodic resonator arrays using mode-matching method.

This paper focuses on analysing acoustic structures containing locally reacting resonators, aiming to establish a framework for discussing sound properties related to scattering and transmission in a periodic resonator array. The paper introduces an analytical model for the input surface impedance of non-uniform resonator arrays, which is a challenging task when addressing sound propagation to the opposite side of the array. To address this challenge, a mode-matching method is employed within a one-dimensional periodic structure combined with the decomposition of the initial mirror-symmetric system into symmetric and antisymmetric sub-systems.

Psychometric properties of the Cognitive Functioning Self-Assessment Scale in community-dwelling adults: A cross-sectional online survey.

Background: The Cognitive Functioning Self-Assessment Scale (CFSS) was developed to allow the self-assessment of perceived cognitive functioning. It has been tested with satisfactory reliability and validity but was not available for the Chinese population. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Chinese version of the CFSS for community-dwelling adults.

Soundiation: A software in evaluation of acoustophoresis driven by radiation force and torque on axisymmetric objects.

Acoustic radiation force and torque arising from wave scattering are commonly used to manipulate micro-objects without contact. We applied the partial wave expansion series and the conformal transformation approach to estimate the acoustic radiation force and torque exerted on the axisymmetric particles. Meanwhile, the translational and rotational transformations are employed to perform the prediction of the acoustophoresis.

Acoustic levitation of axisymmetric Mie objects above a transducer array by engineering the acoustic radiation force and torque.

Transducer arrays are a versatile tool for the contactless manipulation of spherical Rayleigh objects. Here we propose an analytical model for stable levitation of axisymmetric Mie objects through directly engineering the desired radiation force and torque. Acoustic contributions from multiple transducers are superimposed through the translation addition theorem, and the nonspherical objects are mapped into a sphere using the conformal transformation technique so that the scattered field can be asymptotically obtained.

Theoretical framework to predict the acoustophoresis of axisymmetric irregular objects above an ultrasound transducer array.

Acoustic radiation force and torque arising from wave scattering are able to translate and rotate matter without contact. However, the existing research mainly focused on manipulating simple symmetrical geometries, neglecting the significance of geometric features. For the nonspherical geometries, the shape of the object strongly affects its scattering properties, and thus the radiation force and torque as well as the acoustophoretic process.

Agglomeration of particles by a converging ultrasound field and their quantitative assessments.

The acoustic radiation force resulting from acoustic waves have been extensively studied for the contact-free generation of organized patterning arrays. The precise arrangement of microscopic objects clustered at the pressure nodes is critical to the development of functional structures and patterned surfaces. However, the size of the clusters is restricted by the saturation limit of the acoustic nodes.

Indoor nocturnal noise is associated with body mass index and blood pressure: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Studies have demonstrated that noise is associated with various health problems, such as obesity and hypertension. Although the evidence of the associations of noise with obesity and hypertension is inconsistent, there seems to be a stronger association of the latter. This study aimed to investigate the associations of noise with body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in adults living in multi-story residential buildings.

Noise sensitivity associated with nonrestorative sleep in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Nonrestorative sleep is a common sleep disorder with a prevalence ranging from 1.4 to 35%, and is associated with various psychological and physical health issues. Noise exposure and noise sensitivity have been proposed to contribute to nonrestorative sleep.

A Short Form of the Chinese Version of the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale through Optimal Test Assembly.

This study developed a short form of the traditional Chinese version of the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS) through optimal test assembly (OTA). A total of 1069 Chinese adults (64.8% female) completed the territory-wide cross-sectional study.

Effect of noise tolerance on non-restorative sleep: a population-based study in Hong Kong.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of auditory noise tolerance on non-restorative sleep using an objective audiometric test in a representative sample.

Design: A total of 202 Chinese individuals aged 15 years and above were recruited from a population-based household survey. Their non-restorative sleep was assessed by a single item, the degree of feeling refreshed on waking up, on a 0-10 scale, while noise tolerance was measured by the most comfortable level expressed in A-weighted decibels.

Hybrid acoustic metamaterial as super absorber for broadband low-frequency sound.

A hybrid acoustic metamaterial is proposed as a new class of sound absorber, which exhibits superior broadband low-frequency sound absorption as well as excellent mechanical stiffness/strength. Based on the honeycomb-corrugation hybrid core (H-C hybrid core), we introduce perforations on both top facesheet and corrugation, forming perforated honeycomb-corrugation hybrid (PHCH) to gain super broadband low-frequency sound absorption. Applying the theory of micro-perforated panel (MPP), we establish a theoretical method to calculate the sound absorption coefficient of this new kind of metamaterial.

Bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7) as a potential tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Bromodomain-containing protein 7 (BRD7) is a subunit of the PBAF complex, which functions as a transcriptional cofactor for the tumor suppressor protein p53. Down-regulation of BRD7 has been demonstrated in multiple types of cancer. This study aimed to investigate BRD7 expression and its tumor suppressive effect in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Adjuvant cellular immunotherapy in patients with resected primary non-small cell lung cancer.

Postoperative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients require adjuvant therapy to improve their prognosis. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a sequential combination of autologous cellular immunotherapy (CIT) and chemotherapy for postoperative NSCLC. This retrospective study included 120 postoperative NSCLC patients: 60 cases received only chemotherapy; 33 cases received chemotherapy and sequential CIT with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells; and 27 cases received chemotherapy and sequential CIT with alternate CIK and natural killer (NK) cells.

Phase I trial of adoptively transferred tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte immunotherapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancers using autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can induce immune responses and antitumor activity in metastatic melanoma patients. Here, we aimed to assess the safety and antitumor activity of ACT using expanded TILs following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Twenty-three newly diagnosed, locoregionally advanced NPC patients were enrolled, of whom 20 received a single-dose of TIL infusion following CCRT.

A nomogram for predicting the benefit of adjuvant cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The benefits of adjuvant cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain mixed among patients. Here, we constructed a prognostic nomogram to enable individualized predictions of survival benefit of adjuvant CIK cell treatment for HCC patients. Survival analysis showed that the median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients in the hepatectomy/CIK combination group were 41 and 16 months, respectively, compared to 28 and 12 months for patients in the hepatectomy alone group (control).

Thin broadband noise absorption through acoustic reactance control by electro-mechanical coupling without sensor.

Broadband noise with profound low-frequency profile is prevalent and difficult to be controlled mechanically. This study demonstrates effective broadband sound absorption by reducing the mechanical reactance of a loudspeaker using a shunt circuit through electro-mechanical coupling, which induces reactance with different signs from that of loudspeaker. An RLC shunt circuit is connected to the moving coil to provide an electrically induced mechanical impedance which counters the cavity stiffness at low frequencies and reduces the system inertia above the resonance frequency.

Clinical activity of adjuvant cytokine-induced killer cell immunotherapy in patients with post-mastectomy triple-negative breast cancer.

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a high risk form of this disease, even after surgery, due to the absence of targets for hormone treatment and anti-Her-2 therapy. Chemotherapy is the main therapeutic strategy for such patients with breast cancer, although the outcome is often unsatisfactory. Thus, the development of combination adjuvant therapies is essential for improved prognosis in patients with TNBC.

The phenotype of ex vivo generated cytokine-induced killer cells is associated with overall survival in patients with cancer.

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are ex vivo generated heterogeneous NK-like T lymphocytes. It is not very clear whether the phenotype of CIK cells is associated with their therapeutic efficacy to cancer patients. Thus, in this study, the association of phenotype of CIK cells and the overall survival of 121 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 74 patients with lung cancer and 42 patients with colorectal cancer, all of whom underwent surgical resection and received autogenous CIK cell therapy, was analyzed.

The efficacy of cytokine-induced killer cell infusion as an adjuvant therapy for postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Even after surgery, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis; adjuvant therapy is needed to improve effectively the outcome of HCC patients. We evaluated the efficacy of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell infusion as an adjuvant therapy for postoperative HCC patients.

Methods: A total of 410 patients were studied retrospectively (January 2002 to January 2007): 206 received surgery alone; 204 received surgery and at least four cycles of CIK cell transfusion (CIK group).

Effects of secondary loudspeaker properties on broadband feedforward active duct noise control.

Dependence of the performance of feedforward active duct noise control on secondary loudspeaker parameters is investigated. Noise reduction performance can be improved if the force factor of the secondary loudspeaker is higher. For example, broadband noise reduction improvement up to 1.

Flow oscillation - a measure to predict the surgery outcome for obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) subject.

Obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder which may need surgery to widen the airway; however the success rate of surgery is limited. Here we report a finding that could be used to predict the outcome of the OSA surgery. We found that inspiratory flow oscillates due to flow separation near the larynx, and the resulting periodic signal (3-5Hz) is an intrinsic property of breathing.

Decreased expression of the ARID1A gene is associated with poor prognosis in primary gastric cancer.

Background: The ARID1A gene encodes adenine-thymine (AT)-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A, which participates in chromatin remodeling. ARID1A has been showed to function as a tumor suppressor in various cancer types. In the current study, we investigated the expression and prognosis value of ARID1A in primary gastric cancer.