Value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculoma: 53 cases analysis and review of literature

Tuberculoma of the lung is one of manifestations in tuberculosis and usually presents as a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). It is difficult to differentiate tuberculoma from SPN by other benign or malignant diseases. At present, the crucial role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases has been well acknowledged. Here, we reported 53 patients undergoing VATS resection for tuberculomas in our series. No postoperative mortality was found and only two patients experienced prolonged air-leakage (>7 d) and two had minor wound infections that were recovered after anti-tuberculosis or antibiotic treatment. Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy from 6 to 12 months was routinely used postoperatively. We conclude that VATS is a satisfactory tool for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculoma and can also establish a reliable diagnosis for all patients with SPNs.     

Metamorphosed mafic rocks with N-type MORE geochemical features in Hainan Island-Remnants of the Paleo-Tethys Oceanic Crust?

A number of metamorphosed mafic rocks occurred within the Paleozoic strata in the Chenxing and Bangxi regions at the northern side of the Changjiang-Qionghai Fault in Central Hainan Island. These metamorphosed mafic rocks are tholeiites in chemistry. They are characterized by extreme depletion of Th, Nb, Ta and LREEs, resembling the depleted N-type mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Field relations suggest that the protolith of the metamorphosed mafic rocks were likely formed in Paleozoic. These metamorphosed mafic rocks with N-type MORB geochemical features were probably the remnants of the Paleo-Tethys oceanic crust.     

Optical detection of liquid-state NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in liquids and solids is primarily detected by recording the net dipolar magnetic field outside the spin-polarized sample. But the recorded bulk magnetic field itself provides only limited spatial or structural information about the sample. Most NMR applications rely therefore on more elaborate techniques such as magnetic field gradient encoding or spin correlation spectroscopy, which enable spatially resolved imaging and molecular structure analysis, respectively. Here we demonstrate a fundamentally different and intrinsically information-richer modality of detecting NMR, based on the rotation of the polarization of a laser beam by the nuclear spins in a liquid sample. Optical NMR detection has in fact a long history in atomic vapours with narrow resonance lines, but has so far only been applied to highly specialized condensed matter systems such as quantum dots. It has been predicted that laser illumination can shift NMR frequencies and thus aid detection, but the effect is very small and has never been observed. In contrast, our measurements on water and liquid 129Xe show that the complementary effect-the rotation of light polarization by nuclear spins-is readily measurable, and that it is enhanced dramatically in samples containing heavy nuclei. This approach to optical NMR detection should allow correlated optical and NMR spectroscopy on complex molecules, and continuous two-dimensional imaging of nuclear magnetization with spatial resolution limited only by light diffraction.     

The redox state of arc mantle using Zn/Fe systematics

Many arc lavas are more oxidized than mid-ocean-ridge basalts and subduction introduces oxidized components into the mantle. As a consequence, the sub-arc mantle wedge is widely believed to be oxidized. The Fe oxidation state of sub-arc mantle is, however, difficult to determine directly, and debate persists as to whether this oxidation is intrinsic to the mantle source. Here we show that Zn/Fe(T) (where Fe(T) = Fe(2+)?+?Fe(3+)) is redox-sensitive and retains a memory of the valence state of Fe in primary arc basalts and their mantle sources. During melting of mantle peridotite, Fe(2+) and Zn behave similarly, but because Fe(3+) is more incompatible than Fe(2+), melts generated in oxidized environments have low Zn/Fe(T). Primitive arc magmas have identical Zn/Fe(T) to mid-ocean-ridge basalts, suggesting that primary mantle melts in arcs and ridges have similar Fe oxidation states. The constancy of Zn/Fe(T) during early differentiation involving olivine requires that Fe(3+)/Fe(T) remains low in the magma. Only after progressive fractionation does Fe(3+)/Fe(T) increase and stabilize magnetite as a fractionating phase. These results suggest that subduction of oxidized crustal material may not significantly alter the redox state of the mantle wedge. Thus, the higher oxidation states of arc lavas must be in part a consequence of shallow-level differentiation processes, though such processes remain poorly understood.     

Estimating nutrient budgets in a coastal lagoon

To estimate nutrient budgets,water samples were collected at 16 sites in Tapong lagoon from January 2004 through April 2005 and the parameters of water quality were analyzed immediately after collection.These data were used to build a box model for calculating nutrient budgets of the lagoon.We estimated the net amount of nutrient fluxes into (coming from creeks) and out (from tidal inlet) of the lagoon and calculated the total amount of nutrient that deposits into the sediment in a full tidal cycle.During J...     

台湾可持续能源发展指标建构与耦合性分析

为应对全球气候变迁之冲击,以及迈向低碳社会,推动可持续能源发展,已成为本世纪各国政府施政的重点.依据国际可持续能源指标架构,建立"台湾可持续能源指标系统",并以Eview计量软件进行指标项目与架构之"单根"(unit root)、"共整合"(integration)、与"因果"(causality)检定,并据此建构的长期稳定关系与各方面耦合性(coupling)的可持续能源发展指标"压力-状态-响应"(Pressure,State,Response,PSR)架构系统.回顾了台湾近18年(1990-2007)来可持续能源发展绩效,获得结论如下:1)台湾能源发展已朝向可持续性,其中以环境保护方面绩效最佳,而能源安全与经济竞争力仍需改善;2)整体指标架构的状态与响应指标耦合度相当高,惟压力指标则呈现脱钩(decoupling)现象;3)权重模拟分析发现,适当调整权重,可以大幅提高经济竞争力与环境保障方面指标耦合性,显示权重具敏感性;惟能源安全指标方面的权重较不具敏感性.     

Characteristics of U-pattern distribution of highconcentration <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb in surface air at central Guizhou,China

A better understanding of the variation of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air is the key to trace lake sedimentation and catchment erosion, to establish and validate the global diffusion model of contaminants, and to assess the impact of natural radiation on the ecological system. Basing on the study progresses of the sedimentation, the atmospheric model and the unique environmental background in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and starting from December 20, 2001, we made use of a 500 NE Type aerosol sampler to collect filter samples, once a week in the past consecutive two years, in the surface air at Mt. Guanfeng, Guiyang City, China. Synchronous detailed γ-energy spectrometric observations of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations at both Chinese and U.S. laboratories have shown that the average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentration displays a regular U-patterns distribution of annual variations, with high values appearing in winter and low values in late spring and summer. The average annual ²¹⁰Pb concentrations are estimated to be 2.77±0.63 mBq/m³, about 4 times the average maximum concentrations reported from quite a number of monitoring stations throughout the world. The possible factors affecting the sources of ²¹⁰Pb in the surface air in the central part of Guizhou Province are: Release of ²²²Rn from the U-Ra series enriched in the soils; chemical weathering of carbonate rocks; the exploitation, processing and utilization of coal and phosphorous resources. The principal factor controlling the high ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air in the central Guizhou and their annual U-pattern distribution is the release of ²²²Rn. The average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations show a good negative powerfunction relationship with increasing precipitation and also show a good negative linear-function relationship with the rise of air temperature in month grouping. Group No.1 (June to November) reflects a relatively low release of ²²²Rn from soils in relatively high temperature seasons; Group No.2 (December to May) mirrors a relatively high release of ²²²Rn from soils in relatively low temperature seasons. The average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations simulated in terms of the precipitation and air temperature are in good consistency with the measured values, revealing that the regular U-pattern distribution characteristics of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air in the central Guizhou are controlled predominantly by regional precipitation and air temperature. Meanwhile, it is also indicated that the magnitude of variation of air temperature and precipitation within the same year also constrains the ratio of high values over low values of average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations. On a month time scale, precipitation and air temperature are a main factor affecting the release of ²²²Rn from soils (rocks). In this aspect strong evidence has been obtained.