Distribution Of Branches Research Articles

Solvent gradient fractionation and chain microstructure of complex branched polyethylene resin

A complex branched polyethylene resin with excellent processing and film-forming properties is fractionated through solvent gradient fractionation (SGF) technique. Here, the good solvent is 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (TMB) and poor solvent is ethyl cellosolve (ECS). The fractions are further analyzed using high-temperature gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled with triple detectors (refractive index (RI)-light scattering (LS)-viscometer (VIS)), and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-NMR). The molecular weight distribution of SGF fractions is very narrow, most of them are less than 1.1. The molecular weights of SGF fractions gradually increase as the content of good solvent increases in the mixture. The fractions with different molecular weights all have branching structure, the short chain branching is major in all fractions and along with certain content of long chain branching. Branching distribution across the molecular weight distribution is discussed in detail, and branching distribution within a SGF fraction is also researched.

Trigeminal neuralgia: New classification and diagnostic grading for practice and research.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an exemplary condition of neuropathic facial pain. However, formally classifying TN as neuropathic pain based on the grading system of the International Association for the Study of Pain is complicated by the requirement of objective signs confirming an underlying lesion or disease of the somatosensory system. The latest version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders created similar difficulties by abandoning the term symptomatic TN for manifestations caused by major neurologic disease, such as tumors or multiple sclerosis. These diagnostic challenges hinder the triage of TN patients for therapy and clinical trials, and hamper the design of treatment guidelines. In response to these shortcomings, we have developed a classification of TN that aligns with the nosology of other neurologic disorders and neuropathic pain. We propose 3 diagnostic categories. Classical TN requires demonstration of morphologic changes in the trigeminal nerve root from vascular compression. Secondary TN is due to an identifiable underlying neurologic disease. TN of unknown etiology is labeled idiopathic. Diagnostic certainty is graded possible when pain paroxysms occur in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve branches. Triggered paroxysms permit the designation of clinically established TN and probable neuropathic pain. Imaging and neurophysiologic tests that establish the etiology of classical or secondary TN determine definite neuropathic pain.

Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for anterolateral thigh flap outlining: A retrospective case series of 68 patients.

Flap transfer is increasingly used for repairing limb defects secondary to trauma or tumor, and appropriate preoperative planning plays a critical role. The present study aimed to examine the use of three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) in evaluating the blood supply distribution and perforating branch pattern of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps. Bilateral donor lower limbs were scanned in 68 patients (136 limbs) using a Siemens Avanto 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner with a 3D fast low-angle shot sequence, following the thin-slab maximum intensity projection (TS-MIP) technique. The lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) was visualized in all patients: 101 limbs (101/136, 74.3%) were type I; 20 limbs (20/136, 14.7%) were type II; 3 limbs (3/136, 2.2%) were type III; and 12 limbs (12/136, 8.8%) were type IV. Tertiary branches were identified in 94 limbs (94/136, 69.1%). Donor flaps were outlined according to MRA TS-MIP findings in 4 patients. All flaps survived uneventfully following the transfer. In donor flap outlining, 3D CE-MRA with the TS-MIP technique allowed an accurate, direct visualization of the branching pattern and distribution profile of the LFCA supplying the ALT flap.

On the red giant branch mass loss in 47 Tucanae: Constraints from the horizontal branch morphology

We obtain stringent constraints on the actual efficiency of mass loss for red giant branch stars in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tuc, by comparing synthetic modeling based on stellar evolution tracks with the observed distribution of stars along the horizontal branch in the colour-magnitude-diagram. We confirm that the observed, wedge-shaped distribution of the horizontal branch can be reproduced only by accounting for a range of initial He abundances --in agreement with inferences from the analysis of the main sequence-- and a red giant branch mass loss with a small dispersion. We have carefully investigated several possible sources of uncertainty that could affect the results of the horizontal branch modeling, stemming from uncertainties in both stellar model computations and the cluster properties such as heavy element abundances, reddening and age. We determine a firm lower limit of ~0.17$Mo for the mass lost by red giant branch stars, corresponding to horizontal branch stellar masses between ~0.65Mo and ~0.73Mo (the range driven by the range of initial helium abundances). We also derive that in this cluster the amount of mass lost along the asymptotic giant branch stars is comparable to the mass lost during the previous red giant branch phase. These results confirm for this cluster the disagreement between colour-magnitude-diagram analyses and inferences from recent studies of the dynamics of the cluster stars, that predict a much less efficient red giant branch mass loss. A comparison between the results from these two techniques applied to other clusters is required, to gain more insights about the origin of this disagreement.

Level of helium enhancement among M3’s horizontal branch stars

(Abridged) The color and luminosity distribution of horizontal branch (HB) stars in globular clusters are sensitive probes of their original helium abundances. However, recent analyses based on visual and near-ultraviolet (UV) CMDs have provided conflicting results. To clarify the situation, we address the optimum ranges of applicability (in terms of the $T_{eff}$ range covered by the HB stars) for visual and near-UV CMDs, as far as application of this HB $Y$ test goes. We consider both Stromgren and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) bandpasses. Our results indicate that the distributions of HB stars in the y vs (b-y) plane can be a reliable indicator of the He content in cool blue HB (BHB) stars, particularly when a differential comparison between blue and red HB stars is carried out in the range $T_{eff}<8300$K. Conversely, we demonstrate that CMDs using the F336W filter have a much less straightforward interpretation at the cool end of the BHB, as the distributions of HB stars in the F336W vs (F336W-F555W) plane are affected by a triple degeneracy effect. In other words, the position of an HB star is exactly the same, for a given chemical composition, for multiple combinations of the parameters $Y$, $M_{HB}$, and age along the HB evolutionary track. Other HST UV filters do not appear to be as severely affected by this degeneracy effect, to which visual bandpasses are also immune. We do find, on the other hand, that such near-UV CMDs can be extremely useful for the hottest stars along the cool BHB end. Based on a reanalysis of the distribution of HB stars in the y vs (b-y) plane, we find that the coolest among the BHB stars in M3 are likely enhanced in helium by $\Delta Y\approx 0.01$, compared with the red HB stars in the same cluster. Using near-UV HST photometry we find evidence of a progressive increase in $Y$ with increasing temperature, reaching $\Delta Y=0.02$ at $T_{eff}=10900$K.

Microwave photonic network for active electronically scanned array radar

Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has large number oftransmit/Receive (T/R) modules which require multiple microwave and digital signals. Distribution of these signals through conventional method such as coaxial cable, twisted pair, etc. not only introduces engineering complexities and signal loss but also have limitation of bandwidth, data rate, transmission distance, etc. This paper addresses design and implementation of microwave photonic network for distribution of microwave and digital signals over single optical fiber using wavelength division multiplexing for AESA radars. The design challenge is to limit the variation in output radio frequency power within ±1 dB over full operational band of radar from 2 to 4 GHz and functionality under hostile military environment. Optical amplifiers have been used in all channels to stabilize optical output independent of wavelength with automatic light control. The optical signal is split into 64 identical parts to feed multiplexed signal into different digital receivers physically spread across the antenna array. It is an additional challenge to normalize performance as all 64 receivers show variation in output in spite of identical electronic circuitry. Experimental results validate the feasibility of microwave photonic network for wide branching distribution of multiple microwave and digital signals for AESA radar.

Characterization of Low-Density Polyethylene in Dibutoxymethane by High-Temperature Gel Permeation Chromatography with Triple Detection

The study presents the possibility to replace the 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) for the analysis by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of low-density polyethylenes (LDPE) with dibutoxymethane (DBM, butylal), a halogen free and less toxic solvent. The molecular weight distributions and the viscosity plots were measured for commercial LDPE samples solubilized in TCB, and DBM, using a GPC system with triple detection (light scattering, differential refractive index and viscometer). Similar results were obtained in both solvents for the molecular weight and long chain branching distributions of the analyzed resins, thus confirming the possibility to replace TCB with DBM for the analysis by high-temperature GPC of all types of polyolefins.

Nonlinear mixed-effects branch diameter and length models for natural Dahurian larch (Larix gmelini) forest in northeast China

We developed the generalized branch diameter and length models using the multi-level nonlinear mixed-effects techniques for the natural Dahurian larch ( Larix gmelini ) forest in northeast China. Dahurian larch (Larix gmelini) is the most commercially cultivated timber species in northeastern China due to its ecological prevalence and its superior wood attribute. However, its timber quality was largely driven by the crown architecture, i.e., the number, size and distribution of branches. The majority of branch-level models in the literature are focused on planted forests, which have substantially different crown architecture than that grown in natural mixed forests. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to develop branch diameter and length models for Dahurian larch that are grown in natural mixed forests. A multi-level nonlinear mixed-effects model technique, including the fixed-effects, random-effects, variance functions and correlation structures, was employed to develop the branch growth models. The results suggested that the cumulative branch diameter and length were both increased with the increases of branch depth into the crown. Diameter at breast height (DBH) had significant positive influences on the branch size; however, tree height (HT) produced negative influences on the branch size, i.e., larger DBH and smaller HT could lead to larger branch size. Model fitting and validation results confirmed that we should avoid developing over-complex models from the perspective of application. As for the branch diameter and length models in our study, addressing the stand and tree level effects as random component were quite reliable and accurate for predicting the branch growth process of Dahurian larch in northeastern China.

A New Insight of the Photothermal Effect on the Highly Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Performance of Novel-Designed TiO2 Rambutan-Like Microspheres Decorated by Au Nanorods

Photocatalyst-assisted degradation of organic pollutants, which exhibits a novel strategy for solar-energy utilization, possesses enormous potential in various applications. Extending the light-absorption range in the spectrum of sunlight and improving light-conversion efficiency are always primary issues to enhance the catalytic performance of these photocatalysts. Herein, a new structure of gold-nanorod-decorated TiO2 rambutan-like microspheres is designed, which exhibits superior photocatalytic ability toward Rhodamine B in the range of visible light due to the 3D distribution of the TiO2 branches on the surface of the microspheres, which prompts the multireflection of photons. The absorption rate of photons is thereby tremendously enhanced. This is beneficial for the generation of hot electrons originating from the localized surface plasmonic resonance of Au nanorods, which can be used to both initiate the reaction and produce the photothermal effect. Hot electrons generated by a single Au nanorod in microspheres to initiate the degradation reaction can be as high as 2.5 times of those in the nanowires' counterpart. Moreover, the heating power of a single Au nanorod in microspheres reaches up to 4.4 times higher than that in nanowires, which further accelerates the degradation rate. The reaction pathway of visible-light-assisted RhB degradation catalyzed by Au/TiO2 microspheres goes through an initial N-deethylation process instead of the complete cycloreversion catalyzed by pure TiO2 microspheres under UV irradiation. This strategy of structure design for improved photon absorption, which achieves high degradation rate and photothermal effect, is promising for the development of novel photocatalysts.

Shoot Architecture and Morphology of Different Branch Orders in Fig Tree (Ficus carica L.)

ABSTRACTTree architecture describes plant form by defining the spatial organization of different structures. Shoot branching is an important step in understanding the tree architecture. Such studies are required for analyzing phenotypic diversity of plant architecture. Because such studies are rare on fig trees, the architecture diversity among nine Tunisian fig cultivars grown in Chott-Mariem (center-east Tunisia) was explored. Quantitative morphological descriptors were noted on six annual shoots and studied during four yearly growth cycles, from 2007–10. Coding strategy was adopted for fig branch description. Branch growth characteristics, location, and distribution of axillary shoots were determined for three axis orders. Results showed a great variability of fig branches, particularly in terms of branching density and position, branching angle, and shoot dimensions. Shoot length was closely related to its architectural position in the branch, i.e., all low-order shoots in all cultivars had more growth than high-order shoots. The meso-basitony tendency was frequent. Thus, an architectural typology characterizing all cultivars was established and three principal groups were distinguished. The first one (Type I) with orthotropic branches located at the basal and median parts of the bearer axis had dense and continuous ramification. The second group (Type II) with a diffuse branching differed in lateral shoot distribution, and finally, the third group (Type III) had open and diffuse branching located on the basal zone of the carrier axis. This typology could be used in future genetic improvement programs of local fig trees in Tunisia.

Anatomy of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.

The aim of this study was to provide a clear description of the course, precise branching pattern and distribution of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. A total of 36 hands from 18 preserved cadavers were dissected. The vertical distance from the pisoscaphoid line to the crossing points between the deep branch of the ulnar nerve and each metacarpal was about 4 cm. The deep branch of the ulnar nerve gave off two types of muscular branches: (1) trunks that innervate more than two intrinsic hand muscles; and (2) multiple separate branches innervating only a single muscle. The median numbers of trunks and separate branches were 5 and 6, respectively. N/A.

The importance of accurately representing submerged vegetation morphology in the numerical prediction of complex river flow

AbstractThis paper reports a novel method for the incorporation of complex plant morphologies into a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, allowing the numerical prediction of flows around individual plants. The morphological complexity, which comprises the vertical and lateral distribution of individual branches and leaves is captured through terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and is maintained in the numerical prediction of flow fields. This is achieved where the post‐processed, voxelized plant representation is incorporated into a CFD scheme through a mass flux scaling algorithm (MFSA). Flow around Prunus laurocerasus has been modelled under foliated and defoliated states following the removal of leaves. The complex plant morphologies are shown to produce spatially heterogeneous downstream velocity fields, with velocity profiles that deviate significantly from the idealized inflected shape. Rapid transition between the high velocity free stream zone and the zone of reduced velocity in the plant wake indicate shearing of flow, with the point of reattachment extending up to seven plant lengths downstream. The presence of leaves significantly modifies the flow field response, with development of a second, more pronounced wake structure around the dense foliage. This approach provides a full flow numerical description of the pressure field, enabling the vegetative drag force to be quantified. For the example given here, drag force is an order of magnitude greater for the foliated state. The methodology outlined here demonstrates the importance of accurately representing complex plant morphology in hydraulic models, and allows drag forces and coefficients to be calculated for specific plant species. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Pattern analysis and distribution of the superior mesenteric artery branches in corpses in a death survey service

Abstract Introduction: The distribution pattern of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) varies in the studies described by the literature. Objectives: To establish the variation pattern for the Brazilian population as well as to compare this distribution according to sex and ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 corpses were dissected in the Death Survey Service of Paraiba (SVO/PB), and the variation patterns were analyzed by comparing sex and ethnic groups by means of the statistical program SPSS 21.0. Results and Conclusion: From the 41 dissected corpses, 43,9%, n=18 were classified as normal, standard type 1, 7,3%, n=3, standard type 2, 24,3%, n=10, standard type 3, 14,6%, n=6, standard type 4, 9,7%, n=4, standard type 5, 9,7%, n=4. Statistically significant variations of the SMA patterns in relation to sex and ethnic groups were not found. The described patterns should be verified in order to inform and lead the health professionals in relation to the patient's care, especially in the surgical scope.

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of soft palate muscles and nerves in dogs with an elongated soft palate.

To histologically evaluate and compare features of myofibers within the elongated soft palate (ESP) of brachycephalic and mesocephalic dogs with those in the soft palate of healthy dogs and to assess whether denervation or muscular dystrophy is associated with soft palate elongation. Soft palate specimens from 24 dogs with ESPs (obtained during surgical intervention) and from 14 healthy Beagles (control group). All the soft palate specimens underwent histologic examination to assess myofiber atrophy, hypertrophy, hyalinization, and regeneration. The degrees of atrophy and hypertrophy were quantified on the basis of the coefficient of variation and the number of myofibers with hyalinization and regeneration. The specimens also underwent immunohistochemical analysis with anti-neurofilament or anti-dystrophin antibody to confirm the distribution of peripheral nerve branches innervating the palatine myofibers and myofiber dystrophin expression, respectively. Myofiber atrophy, hypertrophy, hyalinization, and regeneration were identified in almost all the ESP specimens. Degrees of atrophy and hypertrophy were significantly greater in the ESP specimens, compared with the control specimens. There were fewer palatine peripheral nerve branches in the ESP specimens than in the control specimens. Almost all the myofibers in the ESP and control specimens were dystrophin positive. These results suggested that palatine myopathy in dogs may be caused, at least in part, by denervation of the palatine muscles and not by Duchenne- or Becker-type muscular dystrophy. These soft palate changes may contribute to upper airway collapse and the progression of brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome.

Government control of the territorial distribution of farming branches in the Central Black-Earth Zone of Russia

This paper considers the role and position of the government control of location and specialization of the main types of agricultural production in the region. Technical approaches to agricultural subsidizing are assessed. Principles of budgeting apportionment are formed. The technique of the government control of the location of agricultural production across the region is expounded.

Assessment of facial asymmetry using stereophotogrammetry

Asymmetry in the dimensions and spatial position of facial structures is a common finding in healthy individuals and in esthetically pleasing faces (1). Additionally, a variety of craniofacial anomalies are characterized by severe hard- and soft-tissue asymmetry (2). Facial asymmetry can impair the affected people from both aesthetical and functional points of view. Currently, facial asymmetry is mainly evaluated using the entire facial surface, thus providing measurements that give only general information about facial morphology. In contrast, several pathologies affecting facial appearance are localized in selected parts of the face, and a local assessment can provide helpful information for clinical decisions. For these reasons a detailed, focused and objective evaluation of facial asymmetry is advised, both for surgical planning and treatment evaluation. In this study we present a new quantitative method to assess symmetry in different facial thirds, objectively defined on the territories of distribution of trigeminal branches. Forty healthy young adults (21 women; 19 men; average age 39 ± 12 years) were acquired with a stereophotogrammetric system and the level of asymmetry of their hemi-facial thirds was evaluated, comparing the root mean square of the distances (RMSD) between their original and mirrored facial surfaces. The method resulted highly reproducible (Bland and Altman coefficient of reproducibility for area selection, 98.8%). In the upper facial third, median asymmetry was 0.726 mm (IQ range: 0.579-0.954 mm); in the middle facial third, median asymmetry was 0.739 mm (IQ range: 0.558-0.887 mm); in the lower facial third, median asymmetry was 0.679 mm (IQ range: 0.552-0.907 mm). No significant differences in RMSD values among the facial thirds were found (ANOVA, p>0.05). The presented method provides an accurate, reproducible and local facial symmetry analysis, that can be used for different conditions, especially when only part of the face is asymmetric.This work was supported by grants from University of Milan (Grant for Research 2015-2017).

New air stable cationic methallyl Ni complexes bearing imidoyl-indazole carboxylate ligand: Synthesis, characterization and their reactivity towards ethylene

Three new neutral N,N imidoyl-indazole ligands with a methoxycarbonyl functional group (1–3) and three new air-stable cationic methallyl nickel complexes (4–6) were prepared. These compounds were characterized by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analyses. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 were analyzed using X-ray diffraction. An evaluation of the reactivity of complexes 4–6 toward ethylene was conducted by using 5 equivalents of B(C6F5)3. At 1bar of ethylene and 20°C, only complexes 4 and 6 were able to produce butene, showing unusual air stability and dimerizing ethylene even after exposure to air for 48h. By increasing the pressure to 12bar at 20°C, complex 6 showed a catalytic activity of 401Kg product (mol Ni)−1h−1, producing a low molecular weight polyethylene (26.6Kg/mol) with almost exclusively methyl branches (2.3mol%). By increasing the temperature to 60°C at 12bar of ethylene, the system 6/B(C6F5)3 increased its catalytic activity to 487Kg product (mol Ni−1) h−1, but produced a significant decrease in the molecular weight of the polymer (1.8Kg/mol) and a broad distribution of branches.

RAB-10 Regulates Dendritic Branching by Balancing Dendritic Transport.

The construction of a large dendritic arbor requires robust growth and the precise delivery of membrane and protein cargoes to specific subcellular regions of the developing dendrite. How the microtubule-based vesicular trafficking and sorting systems are regulated to distribute these dendritic development factors throughout the dendrite is not well understood. Here we identify the small GTPase RAB-10 and the exocyst complex as critical regulators of dendrite morphogenesis and patterning in the C. elegans sensory neuron PVD. In rab-10 mutants, PVD dendritic branches are reduced in the posterior region of the cell but are excessive in the distal anterior region of the cell. We also demonstrate that the dendritic branch distribution within PVD depends on the balance between the molecular motors kinesin-1/UNC-116 and dynein, and we propose that RAB-10 regulates dendrite morphology by balancing the activity of these motors to appropriately distribute branching factors, including the transmembrane receptor DMA-1.

Reprint of: Effect of Mo-modification over Phillips CrOx/SiO2 catalyst for ethylene polymerization

Phillips CrOx/SiO2 catalyst is an important catalyst for industrial production of polyethylene. In this work, a Mo-modified Phillips catalyst for ethylene polymerization (defined as CrMo/Si) was developed. The characterizations of the Phillips catalyst (defined as Cr/Si) and the CrMo/Si catalyst by temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed an obvious interaction between the chromium and molybdenum components on the silica support. The ethylene polymerization performances at different conditions, in terms of H2 responds, polymerization temperatures, and the copolymerization with 1-hexene were systematically investigated. Although the polymerization activity of the CrMo/Si catalyst was lower, the copolymer presented a higher molecular weight (MW) and a broader molecular weight distribution (MWD). The Mo-modified Phillips catalyst (CrMo/Si) exhibited 67% higher 1-hexene incorporation ability as determined by 13C NMR. Moreover, the short chain branch distribution (SCBD) of the copolymer obtained via the CrMo/Si catalyst was also improved as confirmed by temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) cross successive self-nucleation and annealing (SSA) methods. The results of TREF and SSA showed that the amount of short chain branches for the copolymer was increased in the high MW part, which would benefit for the long term mechanical property of polyethylene.

English

The Sturge-Weber syndrome is a sporadic congenital neurocutaneous disorder with port- wine stain affecting the facial skin in the distribution of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve, abnormal capillary venous vessels in the leptomeninges of the brain and choroid resulting in glaucoma, seizures, stroke and intellectual disability. (1) Sturge-Weber syndrome and port-wine stains are believed to be caused by Somatic Mutation in GNAQ. (2) We present a case of 18 years old patient of SWS for its rarity of occurrance and the difficulties posed in the management of this condition. The aim of this article is to stress the importance of this condition that may be overlooked in the diagnosis.