Volume Changes Research Articles

Thermodynamic modeling of pressure-dependent phase diagram in alkali metals Li, Na and K

The high-pressure behavior of the alkali metals has attracted much attention in both experimental and theoretical aspects. This study is focused on the thermodynamic optimization of the temperature and pressure dependence of the molar volumes, the compressibility and phase diagrams of Li, Na and K according to the CALPHAD method. The pressure- temperature phase diagrams of lithium, sodium and potassium up to 50-100 GPa were calculated using the obtained thermodynamic parameters. The available experimental data, such as extremely low melting temperatures at high pressure, pressure-induced structural transitions between simple bcc and fcc crystals and the molar volume changes with the increasing pressure, were well reproduced in our calculations. The good agreements between our calculations and the experiments assessed in the literature indicated that our thermodynamic parameters are reasonable. Our thermodynamic calculations would assist to understand the phase transitions and structural properties of alkali metals at high pressure.

Layer effects on MXenes electrode and it applied to silicon composite structures

Despite the very high capacity of Si (4200mAh g−1), the widespread application of Si anodes has been hampered by drastic volume changes (up to 300 %) during cycling, leading to electrical contact losses and thus a sharp drop in capacity as the cycle life is shortened. Here we present a class of layered MXene/Si electrodes, which consist of nano-Si embedded in the interlayers of MXene to form a coupling effect, which can inhibit the huge volume change of Si during cycling. Therefore, layered MXene/Si has a highly reversible capacity, much improved cycling performance and excellent mechanical properties. First-principles calculations reveal the excellent electronic conductivity and good diffusion ability of layered MXene/Si, confirming the rapid storage of Li ions. This study provides useful information for the development and production of anode materials with high energy density and good mechanical properties.

Synergistic manipulation of physical properties of Ni-Mn-In-B alloys by atomic occupancy and magnetic states

The physical properties of the Ni-Mn-In-B alloys synergistically modulated by atomic occupancy and magnetic states are systematically investigated. The results indicate that B atoms are indirectly substituted at the Mn2 position in the Ni2Mn1.5In0.5 alloy (i.e., B→In→Mn2). When B is doped in interstitial positions, the B atoms tend to be closer to Mn atoms rather than In atoms. Additionally, the higher the concentration of Mn around the B atom, the lower the formation energy of the austenite (A) phase. The lattice parameters of the A phase decreases with increasing x content, while c/a and phase stability gradually decrease for the 4O, 6M, and NM martensites in the ferrimagnetic (FIM) state. The magnetostrain of the alloy shows an increasing trend with increasing B content due to the decrease in c/a resulting in a decrease in the tangent variable S= |c/a-a/c|; however, the elastocaloric properties decrease due to the decrease in the volume change ΔV/VA after the transformation. The Ni2Mn1.5-xIn0.5Bx (0≤x≤0.042) alloys undergo an A→6MFIM→NMFIM transformation. The total magnetic moment of the A phase decreases, whereas those of the 4O, 6M, and NM phases increase with increasing x content. The phase stability is explained by analyzing the total densities of states (TDOS) from an electronic structure perspective.

Membraneless and membrane-bound organelles in an anhydrobiotic cell line are protected from desiccation-induced damage.

Anhydrobiotic species can survive virtually complete water loss by entering a reversible ametabolic glassy state that may persist for years in ambient conditions. The Pv11 cell line was derived from the egg mass of the anhydrobiotic midge, Polypedilum vanderplanki, and is currently the only available anhydrobiotic cell line. Our results demonstrate that the necessary preconditioning for Pv11 cells to enter anhydrobiosis causes autophagy and reduces mitochondrial respiration by over 70%. We speculate that reorganizing cellular bioenergetics to create and conserve energy stores may be valuable to successfully recover after rehydration. Furthermore, mitochondria in preconditioned cells lose their membrane potential during desiccation but rapidly restore it within 30min upon rehydration, demonstrating that the inner mitochondrial membrane integrity is well-preserved. Strikingly, the nucleolus remains visible immediately upon rehydration in preconditioned cells while absent in control cells. In contrast, a preconditioning-induced membraneless organelle reformed after rehydration, demonstrating that membraneless organelles in Pv11 cells can be either stabilized or recovered. Staining the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus revealed that these organelles fragment during preconditioning. We hypothesize that this process reduces sheering stress caused by rapid changes in cellular volume during desiccation and rehydration. Additionally, preconditioning was found to cause the filamentous-actin (F-actin) network to disassemble significantly and reduce the fusion of adjacent plasma membranes. This study offers several exciting avenues for future studies in the animal model and Pv11 cell line that will further our understanding of anhydrobiosis and may lead to advancements in storing sensitive biologics at ambient temperatures for months or years.

Hardware and software co-design for detecting hypertension from photoplethysmogram

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease morbidity in the world. If remains untreated, it may cause severe damage like heart attack or even death. Early detection is required to prevent the development of other cardiac abnormalities. Photoplethysmogram (PPG) is a bio signal that can be obtained optically by a sensor. It is studied to monitor the change of volume of blood and detect heart conditions. Previous studies have already applied PPG to detect hypertension at the software level. In this article, along with software-based detection, we have implemented a digital hardware-based system for detecting hypertension from signals recorded using PPG sensor. Xilinx ZedBoard Zynq-7000 field programmable gate array (FPGA) board is utilized for designing the embedded system. The hypertension detection accuracy is 98.02% at the software level while for the digital system, it is 96.05% consuming 0.374 W power. The study can be analyzed for other cardiac disease detection and medical equipment development.

Visceral Adipose Tissue Reduction Measured by Deep Neural Network Architecture Improved Reflux Esophagitis Endoscopic Grade.

Visceral obesity is a risk factor for reflux esophagitis (RE). We investigated the risk of RE according to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured by deep neural network architecture using computed tomography (CT) and evaluated the longitudinal association between abdominal adipose tissue changes and the disease course of RE. Individuals receiving health checkups who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and abdominal CT at Seoul National University Healthcare System Gangnam Center between 2015 and 2016 were included. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas and volumes were measured using a deep neural network architecture and CT. The association between the abdominal adipose tissue area and volume and the risk of RE was evaluated. Participants who underwent follow-up EGD and abdominal CT were selected; the effects of changes in abdominal adipose tissue area and volume on RE endoscopic grade were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression. We enrolled 6,570 patients who underwent EGD and abdominal CT on the same day. RE was associated with male sex, hypertension, diabetes, excessive alcohol intake, current smoking status, and levels of physical activity. The VAT area and volume increased the risk of RE dose-dependently. A decreasing VAT volume was significantly associated with improvement in RE endoscopic grade (hazard ratio: 3.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.82-5.71). Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue volume and the disease course of RE were not significantly correlated. Visceral obesity is strongly associated with RE. VAT volume reduction was prospectively associated with improvement in RE endoscopic grade dose-dependently. Visceral obesity is a potential target for RE treatment.

Liver Transplant Costs and Activity After United Network for Organ Sharing Allocation Policy Changes.

A new liver allocation policy was implemented by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in February 2020 with the stated intent of improving access to liver transplant (LT). There are growing concerns nationally regarding the implications this new system may have on LT costs, as well as access to a chance for LT, which have not been captured at a multicenter level. To characterize LT volume and cost changes across the US and within specific center groups and demographics after the policy implementation. This cross-sectional study collected and reviewed LT volume from multiple centers across the US and cost data with attention to 8 specific center demographics. Two separate 12-month eras were compared, before and after the new UNOS allocation policy: March 4, 2019, to March 4, 2020, and March 5, 2020, to March 5, 2021. Data analysis was performed from May to December 2022. Center volume, changes in cost. A total of 22 of 68 centers responded comparing 1948 LTs before the policy change and 1837 LTs postpolicy, resulting in a 6% volume decrease. Transplants using local donations after brain death decreased 54% (P < .001) while imported donations after brain death increased 133% (P = .003). Imported fly-outs and dry runs increased 163% (median, 19; range, 1-75, vs 50, range, 2-91; P = .009) and 33% (median, 3; range, 0-16, vs 7, range, 0-24; P = .02). Overall hospital costs increased 10.9% to a total of $46 360 176 (P = .94) for participating centers. There was a 77% fly-out cost increase postpolicy ($10 600 234; P = .03). On subanalysis, centers with decreased LT volume postpolicy observed higher overall hospital costs ($41 720 365; P = .048), and specifically, a 122% cost increase for liver imports ($6 508 480; P = .002). Transplant centers from low-income states showed a significant increase in hospital (12%) and import (94%) costs. Centers serving populations with larger proportions of racial and ethnic minority candidates and specifically Black candidates significantly increased costs by more than 90% for imported livers, fly-outs, and dry runs despite lower LT volume. Similarly, costs increased significantly (>100%) for fly-outs and dry runs in centers from worse-performing health systems. Based on this large multicenter effort and contrary to current assumptions, the new liver distribution system appears to place a disproportionate burden on populations of the current LT community who already experience disparities in health care. The continuous allocation policies being promoted by UNOS could make the situation even worse.

Extravasated contrast volumetric assessment on computed tomography angiography in gastrointestinal bleeding: A useful predictor of positive angiographic findings

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition, especially in cases of delayed treatment. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) plays a pivotal role in the early identification of upper and lower GIB and in the prompt treatment of the haemorrhage. AIM To determine whether a volumetric estimation of the extravasated contrast at CTA in GIB may be a predictor of subsequent positive angiographic findings. METHODS In this retrospective single-centre study, 35 patients (22 men; median age 69 years; range 16-92 years) admitted to our institution for active GIB detected at CTA and further submitted to catheter angiography between January 2018 and February 2022 were enrolled. Twenty-three (65.7%) patients underwent endoscopy before CTA. Bleeding volumetry was evaluated in both arterial and venous phases via a semi-automated dedicated software. Bleeding rate was obtained from volume change between the two phases and standardised for unit time. Patients were divided into two groups, according to the angiographic signs and their concordance with CTA. RESULTS Upper bleeding accounted for 42.9% and lower GIB for 57.1%. Mean haemoglobin value at the admission was 7.7 g/dL. A concordance between positive CTA and direct angiographic bleeding signs was found in 19 (54.3%) cases. Despite no significant differences in terms of bleeding volume in the arterial phase (0.55 mL vs 0.33 mL, P = 0.35), a statistically significant volume increase in the venous phase was identified in the group of patients with positive angiography (2.06 mL vs 0.9 mL, P = 0.02). In the latter patient group, a significant increase in bleeding rate was also detected (2.18 mL/min vs 0.19 mL/min, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION In GIB of any origin, extravasated contrast volumetric analysis at CTA could be a predictor of positive angiography and may help in avoiding further unnecessary procedures.

Objective Noninvasive Measurement of the Volumizing Effect of a Dermal Filler: An In Vivo Study.

Information about the volumizing effects of dermal fillers is critical for physicians' understanding of product features and prudent decision-making in clinical practice. It is important for material engineers to develop and optimize new dermal fillers, especially when comparing the physiochemical properties of a new product with those of existing fillers that are used worldwide. This study aimed to establish a reliable, noninvasive method for in vivo quantitative evaluation of the filling effect in order to predict possible effectiveness after filler injection and to evaluate the degradation trend over time. A rabbit model of ear injection with dermal fillers was established. Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler was injected into the subcutaneous layer of rabbit ears, resulting in a stable skin bulge. Ultrasonography was used to noninvasively measure the skin bulge for volume calculation; the volume change was analyzed periodically until 38weeks. Pathological examination, the gold standard, was performed to confirm degradation. The immediate volumizing effect of HA filler injection was macroscopically observed as a local skin bulge. Ultrasound was able to precisely detect the shape of the filler and calculate the length, width, and height of the skin bulge at each time point. The degree of uplift and amount of residual samples in the pathological evaluation were consistent with the results of morphological observation using ultrasound. Evaluation of the volume impact of dermal filler through the rabbit ear injection model evaluation enables material science evaluation in the early stage of material development, and has certain clinical reference value. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Optimization of mixed cargo allocation and stowage with heterogeneous vehicles

In order to solve the problem of low efficiency and high loading costs in business logistics and distribution operations, this paper classifies non-standard cargoes based on their spatial and temporal characteristics. Based on this, a dual-layer planning model for multi-vehicle cargoes loading and transportation is constructed to jointly optimize the loading process. This paper designs a space-inspired heuristic algorithm to solve the model and verifies the feasibility of the model. The results show that compared to a single vehicle type, the joint optimization of multi-vehicle combinations for loading and transportation has stronger adaptability and can better accommodate changes in cargo volume. Compared to the single vehicle type, not only did the loading rate increase by 18%, but also effectively reduced the transportation cost by 3%. Different proportions of spatial and temporal characteristic cargoes have different effects on the loading and transportation. Adjusting the proportion of cargoes that can be placed on both upper and lower layers to 50% can better utilize transportation resources such as vehicles. Increasing the proportion of urgent cargoes can improve the economic efficiency of loading and transportation.

First‐principles calculations on LaX3 (X: Sb, Sn) as electrode material for lithium‐ion batteries

AbstractUsing first‐principle calculations, we investigate the rare‐earth intermetallic compound LaX3 (X = Sb and Sn) as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The calculations have been performed to look into the stability of the structure and the electronic properties of host LaX3 as well as its lithiated phases, LixLa1−xX3 (0 &lt; x ≤ 1). In this study, we have observed a structural phase transformation of these intermetallic compounds from a cubic to a tetragonal structure upon lithiation to host structure. The ground state energy is calculated using the WIEN2k package to determine the structure stability and volume change due to lithium addition, which is further used to calculate the formation energy, open circuit voltage (OCV), and lithium‐ion storage capacity. The equilibrium structural parameters for all the phases are determined by achieving a total energy convergence of 10−4 Ry. The estimated band structure along high‐symmetry lines in the first Brillouin zone and the total as well as partial density of states demonstrate unequivocally that the addition of lithium does not change the metallic nature of these electrode materials. We have also calculated the theoretical lithium‐ion storage capacity and OCV for all the compounds. Despite a higher value for OCV larger than 5 V, many of the investigated materials could not be found suitable from a synthesis point of view due to positive formation energies. The formation energy calculation shows that LaSb3, with a 50% concentration of Li, is the most stable compound out of those investigated here. The calculated OCV for Li0.5La0.5Sb3 is 4.27 V. This is substantially higher than the value obtained up to this point for LIBs, which ranges from 3.20 to 3.65 V/cell. These improved results related to the most stable alloy (Li0.5La0.5Sb3) investigated in this work indicate that it is necessary to check the experimental feasibility of its synthesis and actual device performance.

Longitudinal changes in the volume of residual lung lobes after lobectomy for lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

It is unclear how the residual lobe volume changes over time after lobectomy. This study aims to clarify the temporal patterns of volume changes in each remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy. A retrospective review was conducted on patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer at Yueyang Central Hospital from January to December 2021. Lung CT images were reconstructed in three dimensions to calculate the volumes of each lung lobe preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12months postoperatively. A total of 182 patients were included. Postoperatively, the median total lung volume change rates relative to preoperative values were -20.1%, -9.3%, and -5.9% at 1, 6, and 12months, respectively. Except for the right middle lobe in patients who underwent right upper lobectomy, the volumes of individual lung lobes exceeded preoperative values. The volume growth of the lung on the side of the resection was significantly more than that of the lung on the opposite side. For left lobectomy patients, the right lower lobe's volume change rate exceeded that of the right upper and middle lobes. Among right lobectomy patients, the left lower lobe and the relatively inferior lobe of right lung had higher volume change rates than the superior one. Right middle lobe change rate was more in patients with right lower lobectomy than right upper lobectomy. Six months postoperatively, FEV1% and right middle lobectomy were positively correlated with the overall volume change rate. One year postoperatively, only age was negatively correlated with the overall volume change rate. 75 patients had pulmonary function tests. Postoperative FEV1 change linearly correlated with 1-year lung volume change rate, but not with theoretical total lung volume change rate or segmental method calculated FEV1 change. Time-dependent compensatory volume changes occur in remaining lung lobe post-lobectomy, with stronger compensation observed in the relatively inferior lobe compared to the superior one(s). Preoperative lung function and age may affect compensation level.

Tumour growth rate predicts overall survival in patients with recurrent WHO grade 4 glioma.

Accurate prognostication may aid in the selection of patients who will benefit from surgery at recurrent WHO grade 4 glioma. This study aimed to evaluate the role of serial tumour volumetric measurements for prognostication at first tumour recurrence. We retrospectively analyzed patients with histologically-diagnosed WHO grade 4 glioma at initial and at first tumour recurrence at a tertiary hospital between May 2000 and September 2018. We performed auto-segmentation using ITK-SNAP software, followed by manual adjustment to measure serial contrast-enhanced T1W (CE-T1W) and T2W lesional volume changes on all MRI images performed between initial resection and repeat surgery. Thirty patients met inclusion criteria; the median overall survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis from second surgery was 10.5 months. Seventeen (56.7%) patients received treatment post second surgery. Univariate cox regression analysis showed that greater rate of increase in lesional volume on CE-T1W (HR = 2.57; 95% CI [1.18, 5.57]; p = 0.02) in the last 2 MRI scans leading up to the second surgery was associated with a higher mortality likelihood. Patients with higher Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) (HR = 0.97; 95% CI [0.95, 0.99]; p = 0.01) and who received further treatment following second surgery (HR = 0.43; 95% CI [0.19, 0.98]; p = 0.04) were shown to have a better survival. Higher rate of CE-T1W lesional growth on the last 2 MRI images prior to surgery at recurrence was associated with increase mortality risk. A larger prospective study is required to determine and validate the threshold to distinguish rapidly progressive tumour with poor prognosis.

InSAR- and PCA-Based Inversion Reveals the Surface Deformation and Earthquake Sequence in the Weiyuan-Rongxian Shale Gas Field

In recent years, the rapid expansion and development of the shale gas industry in the Sichuan Basin has coincided with a series of unexpected moderate-sized earthquakes. Given that the Sichuan Basin is situated within a stable interior block, the focal mechanism of the 2019 earthquake sequence (ML4.7, ML5.4, and ML5.2) in the Weiyuan-Rongxian area remains a subject of debate. In this study, we propose a joint InSAR- and PCA- based inversion method utilizing the distributed Mogi model to investigate the spatial-temporal characteristics of a gas reservoir and evaluate the induced Coulomb stress change. The surface deformation derived from Sentinel-1 data between 2015 and 2021 was consistent with the spatial distribution of production wells, and it correlated with the temporal changes in reservoir volume associated with the shale gas operating process. The Coulomb stress loading on the regional faults suggests that human activities associated with shale gas operation likely triggered the three moderate earthquakes. Furthermore, our results indicate Coulomb stress loadings of 10 kPa, 15 kPa, 5 kPa, 3 kPa, and 87 kPa on the Dongxingchang fault, Gaoqiao fault, Dayaokou fault, Niujingao fault, and Lijiachang fold, respectively. Consequently, fluid injection and extraction during shale gas development could be contributing to the elevated seismic activity in the Weiyuan-Rongxian area.

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Changes in Calf Venous Volume during Postural Change and Skeletal Muscle Pump Activity in Healthy Young Adults

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Changes in Calf Venous Volume during Postural Change and Skeletal Muscle Pump Activity in Healthy Young Adults

Impact of Hurricane Irma on coral reef sediment redistribution at Looe Key Reef, Florida, USA

Abstract. Understanding event-driven sediment transport in coral reef environments is essential to assessing impacts on reef species, habitats, restoration, and mitigation, yet a global knowledge gap remains due to limited quantitative studies. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Lower Florida Keys with sustained 209 km h−1 winds and waves greater than 8 m on 10 September 2017, directly impacting the Florida Reef Tract (FRT) and providing an opportunity to perform a unique comprehensive, quantitative assessment of its impact on coral reef structure and sediment redistribution. We used lidar and multibeam derived digital elevation models (DEMs) collected before and after the passing of Hurricane Irma over a 15.98 km2 area along the lower FRT including Looe Key Reef to quantify changes in seafloor elevation, volume, and structure due to storm impacts. Elevation change was calculated at over 4 million point locations across 10 habitat types within this study area for two time periods using data collected (1) approximately 1 year before the passing of Irma and 3 to 6 months following the storm's impact as well as (2) 3 to 6 months after and up to 16.5 months after the storm. Elevation change data were then used to generate triangulated irregular network (TIN) models in ArcMap to calculate changes in seafloor volume during each time period. Our results indicate that Hurricane Irma was primarily a depositional event that increased mean seafloor elevation and volume at this study site by 0.34 m and up to 5.4 Mm3, respectively. Sediment was transported primarily west-southwest (WSW) and downslope, modifying geomorphic seafloor features including the migration of sand waves and rubble fields, formation of scour marks in shallow seagrass habitats, and burial of seagrass and coral-dominated habitats. Approximately 16.5 months after Hurricane Irma (during a 13-month period between 2017 and 2019), net erosion was observed across all habitats with mean elevation change of −0.15 m and net volume change up to −2.46 Mm3. Rates of elevation change during this post-storm period were 1 to 2 orders of magnitude greater than decadal and multi-decadal rates of change in the same location, and changes showed erosion of approximately 50 % of sediment deposited during the storm event as seafloor sediment distribution began to re-equilibrate to non-storm sea-state conditions. Our results suggest that higher-resolution elevation change data collected over seasonal and annual time periods could enhance characterization and understanding of short-term and long-term rates and processes of seafloor change.

Regional structural abnormalities in thalamus in idiopathic cervical dystonia

BackgroundThe thalamus has a central role in the pathophysiology of idiopathic cervical dystonia (iCD); however, the nature of alterations occurring within this structure remain largely elusive. Using a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach, we examined whether abnormalities differ across thalamic subregions/nuclei in patients with iCD.MethodsStructural MRI data were collected from 37 patients with iCD and 37 healthy controls (HCs). Automatic parcellation of 25 thalamic nuclei in each hemisphere was performed based on the FreeSurfer program. Differences in thalamic nuclei volumes between groups and their relationships with clinical information were analysed in patients with iCD.ResultsCompared to HCs, a significant reduction in thalamic nuclei volume primarily in central medial, centromedian, lateral geniculate, medial geniculate, medial ventral, paracentral, parafascicular, paratenial, and ventromedial nuclei was found in patients with iCD (P < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected). However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between altered thalamic nuclei volumes and clinical characteristics in iCD group.ConclusionThis study highlights the neurobiological mechanisms of iCD related to thalamic volume changes.

Anesthesia blunts carbon dioxide effects on glymphatic cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in mechanically ventilated rats.

Impaired glymphatic clearance of cerebral metabolic products and fluids contribute to traumatic and ischemic brain oedema and neurodegeneration in preclinical models. Glymphatic perivascular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow varies between anesthetics possibly due to changes in vasomotor tone and thereby in the dynamics of the periarterial CSF-containing space. To better understand the influence of anesthetics and carbon dioxide levels on CSF dynamics, we studied the effect of periarterial size modulation on CSF distribution by changing blood carbon dioxide levels and anesthetic regimens with opposing vasomotor influences - vasoconstrictive ketamine-dexmedetomidine (K/DEX) and vasodilatory isoflurane (ISO). End-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) was modulated with either supplemental inhaled carbon dioxide to reach hypercapnia (EtCO2 80 mmHg) or hyperventilation (EtCO2 20 mmHg) in tracheostomized and anesthetized female rats. Distribution of intracisternally infused radiolabeled CSF tracer 111In-diethylamine pentaacetate was assessed for 86 minutes in 1) normoventilated (EtCO2 40 mmHg) K/DEX, 2) normoventilated ISO, 3) hypercapnic K/DEX, and 4) hyperventilated ISO groups using dynamic whole-body single-photon emission tomography. CSF volume changes were assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. Under normoventilation, cortical CSF tracer perfusion, perivascular space size around middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), and intracranial CSF volume were higher under K/DEX compared with ISO (cortical Cmax ratio 2.33 [95% CI 1.35 to 4.04], perivascular size ratio 2.20 [95% CI 1.09 to 4.45], and intracranial CSF volume ratio 1.90 [95% CI 1.33 to 2.71]). Under ISO, tracer was directed to systemic circulation. Under K/DEX, the intracranial tracer distribution and CSF volume were uninfluenced by hypercapnia compared with normoventilation. Intracranial CSF tracer distribution was unaffected by hyperventilation under ISO despite a 28% increase in CSF volume around MCAs. K/DEX and ISO overrode carbon dioxide as a regulator of CSF flow. K/DEX could be used to preserve CSF space and dynamics in hypercapnia whereas hyperventilation was insufficient to increase cerebral CSF perfusion under ISO.

Demulsification of Pickering Emulsions by Chemical Dissolution of Stabilizers.

Demulsification of particle-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions is crucial in diverse fields such as treatment of produce water, recovery of valuable products of Pickering emulsion catalysis, and so on. In this work, we investigated a facile method for destabilizing emulsions by dissolving stabilizer particles by the introduction of acid or base. Nanoellipsoidal hematite-stabilized decane-in-water emulsions are destabilized by dissolving hematite with oxalic or hydrochloric acid in situ. Time required for complete demulsification decreased as the acid concentration is increased. The demulsification time is typically on the order of a few hours for the chosen protocol. Similarly, the silica-stabilized decane-water emulsion is demulsified by the addition of aqueous sodium hydroxide. Demulsification kinetics is presented as the temporal change of the emulsion volume with time. Emulsion volume decreases in two stages: an initial slow decrease followed by an exponential decrease. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that the stabilizing particles are completely dissolved and recrystallized as salts of respective kinds. An estimate of the desorption free energy suggests that particle size should be reduced to a few nanometers for inducing destabilization. This work describes a facile method to destabilize oil-in-water emulsion, and it can be generalized to any other particle-stabilized emulsions by choosing appropriate chemical reagent for dissolution.

Effect of sustained decreases in sedentary time and increases in physical activity on liver enzymes and indices in type 2 diabetes

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recommend high volumes and/or intensities of physical activity (PA), the achievement of which generally requires participation in supervised exercise training programs that however are difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. Conversely, counselling interventions may be more suitable, but result in only modest increases in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA). This study assessed whether a counseling intervention for increasing PA and decreasing sedentary time (SED-time) is effective in improving NAFLD markers in people with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThree-hundred physically inactive and sedentary patients were randomized 1:1 to receive one-month theoretical and practical counseling once-a-year (intervention group) or standard care (control group) for 3 years. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γGT) levels were measured and fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were calculated. Total PA volume, light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), and SED-time were objectively measured by an accelerometer.ResultsThroughout the 3-year period, NAFLD markers did not change in the control group, whereas ALT, γGT, FLI, and HSI decreased in the intervention group, with significant between-group differences, despite modest MVPA increases, which however were associated with larger decrements in SED-time and reciprocal increments in LPA. Mean changes in NAFLD markers varied according to quartiles of (and correlated with) changes in MVPA (all markers) and SED-time, LPA, and PA volume (ALT, γGT, and HSI). Mean changes in MVPA or PA volume were independent predictors of changes in NAFLD markers. When included in the models, change in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body muscle strength were independently associated with some NAFLD markers.ConclusionA behavior change involving all domains of PA lifestyle, even if insufficient to achieve the recommended MVPA target, may provide beneficial effects on NAFLD markers in people with type 2 diabetes.