Continuous Contraction Research Articles

De novo sensorimotor learning through reuse of movement components.

From tying one's shoelaces to driving a car, complex skills involving the coordination of multiple muscles are common in everyday life; yet relatively little is known about how these skills are learned. Recent studies have shown that new sensorimotor skills involving re-mapping familiar body movements to unfamiliar outputs cannot be learned by adjusting pre-existing controllers, and that new task-specific controllers must instead be learned "de novo". To date, however, few studies have investigated de novo learning in scenarios requiring continuous and coordinated control of relatively unpractised body movements. In this study, we used a myoelectric interface to investigate how a novel controller is learned when the task involves an unpractised combination of relatively untrained continuous muscle contractions. Over five sessions on five consecutive days, participants learned to trace a series of trajectories using a computer cursor controlled by the activation of two muscles. The timing of the generated cursor trajectory and its shape relative to the target improved for conditions trained with post-trial visual feedback. Improvements in timing transferred to all untrained conditions, but improvements in shape transferred less robustly to untrained conditions requiring the trained order of muscle activation. All muscle outputs in the final session could already be generated during the first session, suggesting that participants learned the new task by improving the selection of existing motor commands. These results suggest that the novel controllers acquired during de novo learning can, in some circumstances, be constructed from components of existing controllers.

A rare presentation of stiff-person syndrome with a nonspecific focal myositis: A case report

Introduction. The stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disease whose incidence is estimated at approximately 1 in a million individuals in the general population. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, immunological, and electromyographic items. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with the idiopathic SPS, initially misdiagnosed as focal paravertebral myositis. Case presentation. A 36-year-old patient was referred to us for the investigation of subacute dorsal myalgias. The patient reported a severe torticollis seven months ago, which resolved spontaneously after one month, and some episodes of back stiffness. On examination, the patient was afebrile, had hyperlordosis with a paravertebral contracture and tenderness. Neurological and cognitive examinations were normal. C-reactive Protein was at 137 mg/l. The rest of laboratory investigations, including creatine phosphokinase (CPK), were within normal range. Spinal MRI revealed T2 hyperintensity in the semispinalis muscle, erector spinae muscle, trapezius muscle, as well as the intervertebral muscles. Therefore, focal paravertebral myositis was suspected. The electromyogram (EMG) revealed the presence of a continuous motor unit activity in agonist and antagonist muscles, suggestive of stiff-person syndrome. Antinuclear antibodies, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 and onconeuronal antibodies were negative. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, including anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 test, was normal. We noticed that the paravertebral contracture became less noticeable when the patient was commenced on diazepam. Diagnosis of SPS was established according to Dalakas criteria. Investigations for an underlying neoplasm, were normal. Associated autoimmune disorders have been ruled out. The MRI description was rather explained by the continuous contraction of the affected muscles. Treatment included diazepam, baclofen, intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. The patient showed important signs of improvement. Conclusion. SPS is a rare condition whose diagnosis can be delayed. Recognizing and managing SPS as early as possible is crucial. It is based on clinical reasoning, imaging, biological features and EMG.

Structural stability and metallization of orpiment at high pressure

Binary arsenic sulfide compounds have garnered significant attention owing to their wide-ranging physical properties and promising potential in the domains of electronics and optoelectronics. As a naturally abundant and historically significant semiconductor mineral, orpiment (crystalline As2S3) has encountered limited utilization in the realm of optoelectronics due to its considerable bandgap width. For orpiment with its quasi-two-dimensional layered structure, pressure is one of the most effective methods to regulate its crystal structure and physical properties. In this work, the structural behavior, optical and electrical properties of orpiment under high pressure have been investigated systematically utilizing a combination of experimental methods and theoretical calculations. The monoclinic structure of orpiment is stable up to 48 GPa without structural phase transitions involving changes in the space group occurred. The noticeable changes of lattice parameters, axial ratios, and interatomic distances above 20 GPa are ascribed to a transformation from a two-dimensional layered structure to a quasi-three-dimensional crystal framework. Continuous lattice contraction upon compression is accompanied by gradual bandgap narrowing, which leads to metallization of orpiment. The pressure-induced metallization of orpiment occurs above 40 GPa. The structural behavior, optical and electrical properties of orpiment at high pressure exhibit reversible hysteresis upon pressure release. This study offers a high-pressure approach for modulating crystal structure and physical properties of orpiment to expand its potential applications in the fields of electronics and optoelectronics.

In Situ Gelation Strategy for Efficient Drug Delivery in a Gastrointestinal System.

Developing a microenvironment-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) for the gastrointestinal system is of great interest to enhance drug efficiency and minimize side effects. Unfortunately, the rapid-flowing digestive juice in the gastrointestinal tract and the continuous contraction and peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract muscle accelerate the elimination of drug carriers. In this study, a boric hydroxyl-modified mesoporous Mg(OH)2 drug carrier is prepared to prolong the drug retention time. Results show that the newly designed DDS presents high biocompatibility and can immediately turn the free polyhydric alcohol molecules into a gelation form. The in situ-formed gelation network presents high viscosity and can prevent the drug carriers from being washed away by the digestive juice in the gastrointestinal tract.

Record-High Superconducting Transition Temperature in a Ti1-xMnx Alloy with the Rich Magnetic Element Mn.

It is well-known that magnetic moments are very harmful to superconductivity. A typical example is the element Mn, whose compounds usually exhibit strong magnetism. Thus, it is very difficult to achieve superconductivity in materials containing Mn. Here, we report enhanced superconductivity with a superconducting transition temperature (Tc) up to a record-high value of about 26 K in a beta-phase Ti1-xMnx alloy containing the rich magnetic element Mn under high pressures. This is contrary to the intuition that magnetic moments always suppress superconductivity. Under high pressures, we also found that in the middle-pressure regime, the Pauli limit of the upper critical field is surpassed. The synchrotron X-ray diffraction data show an unchanged beta-phase with a continuous contraction of the cell volume, which is well-supported by the first-principles calculations. Although the theoretical results based on electron-phonon coupling can interpret the Tc value in a certain pressure region, the monotonic enhancement of superconductivity by pressure cannot seek support from the theory. Our results show a surprising enhancement of superconductivity in the Ti1-xMnx alloy with a considerable Mn content.

Wrinkle-Improving Effect of Novel Peptide That Binds to Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.

Wrinkles, one of the most common signs of aging, are primarily caused by the continuous contraction of muscles. Muscle contraction is induced by the binding of acetylcholine (ACh), released at the neuromuscular junction, to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) present on the muscle cell surface. In this study, we aimed to develop a wrinkle-improving peptide that inhibits the binding of ACh to nAChR using peptide phage display technology. Our peptide showed a remarkably high binding affinity to nAChR subunit α1, with a value below 1 µM, and was found to inhibit the action of ACh through its interaction with these receptors. Furthermore, it increased collagen synthesis in skin cells and upregulated the expression of the aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and hyaluronan synthase-2 (HAS2) genes. These results confirm that the peptide effectively inhibits muscle contraction and enhances skin elasticity and hydration, contributing to its wrinkle-reducing effects. Clinical studies on humans observed significant improvement in wrinkles after three weeks of use, with substantial reduction observed after six weeks. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the efficacy of the peptide (named Medipep) in reducing wrinkles.

An<em> in-vitro</em> gastric digestion model with peristalsis function for the analysis of the food gastric digestion

In vitro models of the human stomach offer a robust platform to explore the physicochemical processes during gastric digestion. In Sri Lanka, limited research has been conducted on the digestion behavior of diverse food structures using in vitro digestion models. This study aims to create a custom-built in vitro gastric digestion model, specifically designed for Sri Lankan laboratories to analyze food digestion in a simulated stomach environment. The physical model comprises a butyl rubber chamber simulating the stomach, 4 nylon rollers with 2 rubber belts, driven by geared motors, and 6 nylon pulleys, creating continuous contractions of the rubber chamber. The model simulates the peristaltic movements of the stomach wall, with contraction waves occurring at a frequency of approximately 3 cycles per minute, mimicking in vivo peristaltic movement. Gastric sieving, secretion, emptying, and temperature control mechanisms are employed to recreate dynamic gastrointestinal conditions. A polyester mesh bag with a pore size of 1.5 mm replicates the gastric sieving function, while manual gastric emptying is performed. Gastric juice is secreted into the chamber at a rate of 2.5 mL/min using a programmed peristaltic pump, and an automated temperature control system maintains the ambient temperature at 37 °C. In conclusion, this developed gastric device serves as an effective tool for studying the gastric digestion of various food structures within a simulated stomach environment.

In Vivo Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Honey Produced by Melipona beecheii Bees

Background: Honey produced by the Melipona beecheii bees has been highly prized in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times for its therapeutic properties, particularly in wound healing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects of M. beecheii honey using an animal model. Methods: Honey samples were collected from the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Male albino mice were utilized to test the wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of the honey, with pirfenidone (KitosCell®) and indomethacin (1 and 30 mg/mL) serving as positive controls, respectively. Results: From day one, enhancements in wound healing, granulation tissue formation, and continuous contraction of the wound edges were observed. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, the honey dose was capable of reducing edema comparably to the control group receiving 1 mg/mL of indomethacin. However, differences were noted when compared to the 30 mg/mL indomethacin control group in three of the groups. Conclusions: It can be concluded that M. beecheii honey exhibits wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to those of the positive controls used in this study. Therefore, it offers a viable alternative for the topical treatment of wounds.

The role of dimension and electric charge on a collapsing geometry in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity

The analysis of the continual gravitational contraction of a spherically symmetric shell of charged radiation is extended to higher dimensions in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity. The spacetime metric, which is of Boulware–Deser type, is real only up to a maximum electric charge and thus collapse terminates with the formation of a branch singularity. This branch singularity divides the higher dimensional spacetime into two regions, a real and physical one, and a complex region. This is not the case in neutral Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity as well as general relativity. The charged gravitational collapse process is also similar for all dimensions N≥5\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N\\ge 5$$\\end{document} unlike in the neutral scenario where there is a marked difference between the N=5\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N=5$$\\end{document} and N>5\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N>5$$\\end{document} cases. In the case where N=5\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N=5$$\\end{document} uncharged collapse ceases with the formation of a weaker, conical singularity which remains naked for a time depending on the Gauss–Bonnet invariant, before succumbing to an event horizon. The similarity of charged collapse for all higher dimensions is a unique feature in the theory. The sufficient conditions for the formation of a naked singularity are studied for the higher dimensional charged Boulware–Deser spacetime. For particular choices of the mass and charge functions, naked branch singularities are guaranteed and indeed inevitable in higher dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity. The strength of the naked branch singularities is also tested and it is found that these singularities become stronger with increasing dimension, and no extension of spacetime through them is possible.

Memory and scission effects of polymers on the flow regime of polyethylene oxide solutions in continuous abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels with different cavity lengths

This study experimentally observes the flow regimes of polyethylene oxide solutions in continuous, abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels. In dilute solutions (0.5 × 10−3–1.5 × 10−3 wt. %), the effects of flow rate, concentration, and cavity length on flow characteristics in the contraction and expansion parts of each cavity are analyzed, including quantified calculations of normalized vortex lengths and extension rates. The results indicate that polymer memory and scission affect the flow transitions. Memory effects enhance vortex growth and scission weakens flow, and these effects occur continuously within the channel. Increased flow rates and cavity lengths intensify polymer scission, accelerating the transitions from elastic instability to corner vortex, lip vortex, and then to steady vortex-free flows in the contraction parts and from steady vortex-free flows to lip and corner vortices in the expansion parts. The flow-regime transitions for concentrations from 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % for dilute and unentangled semi-dilute solutions at various flow rates are summarized in the Reynolds and Weissenberg number spaces. Polymer chains tend to become entangled in higher-concentration solutions, rendering the solution rigid and inducing complex flow regimes.

Role Of Exercise Intensity in Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy

Endurance training, a form of physical activity that relies on continuous aerobic exercise and repetitive muscle contractions, is widely acknowledged for its positive effects on overall physical fitness. Aerobic exercise, an essential component of endurance training, has numerous benefits including improved cardiovascular and respiratory health, increased muscle endurance, and enhanced resistance against fatigue. It has also been found to contribute to skeletal muscles, potentially by stimulating the synthesis of proteins involved in muscle fiber formation. Although resistance exercise has been favored for promoting muscle growth, some suggests that aerobic exercise can also produce skeletal muscle hypertrophy comparable to that of resistance exercise if performed correctly. The duration, intensity, and specific type of aerobic exercise play important roles in determining skeletal muscle mass. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) known as a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis that associated with exercise activity. Several signaling pathways, such as Akt/mTOR and MAPK, are involved in controlling muscle protein synthesis during exercise. This review aimed to understand the impact of aerobic exercise intensity and other training parameters on skeletal muscle, to provide valuable insights for optimizing exercise programs and fostering muscle hypertrophy. In this review, we had systematically searched PubMed and Google Scholar from January 2013 to May 2023. Our result indicated that aerobic exercise can be expected to promote skeletal muscle hypertrophy and improve muscle mass and function. The regulation of skeletal muscle mass is complex, involving various signaling pathways such as mTOR, as well as the influence of hormones and growth factors.

2023년 민법(물권법 및 채권법) 중요 판례 평석

In this paper, among the major precedents of the Supreme Court on civil matters in the year of 2023, I analyzed the meaning and contents of 7 important decisions (focused on the law of real rights and claims). The Supreme Court explicitly ruled for the first time that in the so-called ‘mutual deprivation of the possession of his/her property,’ the claim for recovery of possession by the preceding encroacher could not be allowed. The Supreme Court repeatedly has held that claims by road site owners to local governments for land handover, road demolition, and traffic closures are, in principle, an abuse of rights. With respect to the claims of unjust enrichment, the Supreme Court also repeatedly states the legal principles of abandoning the exclusive right to use and profit. Although the legal principle is controversial in academia, in practice, it is firmly established as a useful legal principle in determining whether a claim for return of unjust enrichment is accept or not between the road site owners and the local governments. The Supreme Court explicitly ruled for the first time that a third party who acquired ownership after the unauthorized rental act by a person having a right of retention can also exercise the right to demand the extinction of the right of retention. In the past three years, there have been three Supreme Court rulings, including the target judgment in 2023, on issues that have been mainly disputed in academic fields regarding the right to demand the extinction of the right of retention, and it seems that many of the major issues regarding the right to demand the extinction of the right of retention have been settled through precedents. For the second time since 2017, the Supreme Court applied the ‘high probability theory with respect to obligee’s right of revocation’ to determine whether a claim based on continuous product supply contract arising after a fraudulent transfer is a claim protected by the law of revocation of the fraudulent transfer.

Effects of Electroporation on the Function of Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase in H9c2 Cells

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a promising new treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), in which pulmonary vein isolation is achieved by irreversible electroporation. Electroporation causes ATP to leak through the permeabilized membrane. ATP is required both for the healing of the cell membrane and for the functioning of ion pumps, such as sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) or Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA), which play a key role in maintaining continuous contractions of the heart muscle. We investigated the effects of electroporation on the expression of ion pumps and possible correlations with the activation of AMPK, the main energy sensor in cells. H9c2 rat cardiac cells were exposed to either monopolar or bipolar (H-FIRE) pulses. Cells lysed 4 or 24 h after electroporation were used for mRNA and protein expression analyses. Overall, both pulse protocols caused a dose-dependent downregulation of crucial SERCA and NKA isoforms, except for NKAα2 and β3, which were upregulated after 24 h. Monopolar pulses also decreased the phosphorylation of FXYD1, which may cause an inhibition of NKA activity. Both pulse protocols caused an increased AMPK activity, which may decrease both SERCA and NKA activity via calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Our results provide important new insights into what happens in surviving cardiomyocytes after they are exposed to PFA.

Role of exopolysaccharides of Anabaena sp. in desiccation tolerance and biodeterioration of ancient terracotta monuments of Bishnupur.

Colonization of the cyanobacteria in the Bishnupur terracotta temples, one of the heritage sites of West Bengal, India is in an alarming state of deterioration now. Among the cyanobacteria Anabaena sp. (VBCCA 052002) has been isolated from most of the crust samples of terracotta monuments of Bishnupur. The identification was done using micromorphological characters and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated strain produces enormous exopolysaccharides, which are extracted, hydrolyzed, and analyzed by HPLC. We have studied desiccation tolerance in this cyanobacterium and found biosynthesis of trehalose with an increase in durations of desiccation. The in vitro experiment shows that Chlorophyll-a and carotenoid content increase with fourteen days of desiccation, and cellular carbohydrates increase continuously. However, cellular protein decreases with desiccation. To gain insights into the survival strategies and biodeterioration mechanisms of Anabaena sp. in the desiccated conditions of the Bishnupur monuments, the present study focuses on the physiological aspects of the cyanobacteria under controlled in vitro conditions. Our study indicates that in desiccation conditions, trehalose biosynthesis takes place in Anabaena sp. As a result of the excessive sugar and polysaccharide produced, it adheres to the surface of the terracotta structure. The continuous contraction and expansion of these polysaccharides contribute to the biodeterioration of these monuments.

MOBILIZATION OF MIDWIFERY CARE FOR POSTPARTUM WOMEN AT PMB MONICA ROSWIYANTI, S.Tr.Keb

Involution is when the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy state weighing about 60 grams. This process begins immediately after delivery of the placenta due to contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus. Involution is caused by continuous contraction and retraction of uterine muscle fibers. The way to reduce morbidity in the postpartum period is to carry out early mobilization to accelerate uterine involution. Early mobilization or activity as soon as possible after resting for several hours and getting out of the mother's bed. This report's purpose is to teach patients early mobilization independently according to the steps and theory trained in Basic Clinical Practice Skills. The method used in this report is a case study. This report shows that after being taught to do early mobilization, postpartum mothers can tilt, sit, and walk around. Early mobilization steps have been carried out according to the procedure. The author suggests improving the Midwifery Clinic Basic Skills that are owned to improve the care that, by standards carried out skillfully, can overcome real problems in practice and apply according to the theory obtained in lectures.

Superhydrophobic and Highly Elastic Strain‐Sensing Fiber Embedded with Carbon Nanotubes and Aerogels Based on the Dipping and Drying Method

AbstractFor a fiber‐based strain sensor to be used as a wearable device, its conductivity and sensing characteristics should be stably maintained even during repeated mechanical movements. Additionally, the sensing characteristics should remain unaffected by external contaminants, such as water or sweat, as the sensor is expected to be in contact with the human body. In this study, a superhydrophobic and highly elastic strain‐sensing fiber with durability against continuous tension and contraction while maintaining a stable sensing performance even when in contact with water and sweat is developed. A carbon nanotube is embedded, which is a highly conductive material, inside a spandex fiber with high elasticity and shape recovery rate, enabling the stable measurement of repetitive joint movements under various strain conditions. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic silica aerogel is embedded inside the spandex fiber to facilitate stable sensing without malfunction even when exposed to external contaminants. The proposed strain‐sensing fiber can monitor joints of the human body during various movements, such as dumbbell pressing, squatting, walking, and running. Therefore, the study findings can contribute to the development of wearable healthcare devices that warrant reliable sensing.

Simulation of Proton Exchange Membrane Durability Under Fuel Cell Vehicle Operation – a Fundamental Study

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been proven to be a promising candidate to replace combustion engines due to their zero-carbon emission and high power densities. Despite the recent success in PEMFC commercialization, a number of challenges such as high cost and difficulty in lifetime estimation still hinder their further development. PEMFC durability tests require a long time to complete; therefore, durability predicting models are increasingly important as a supporting tool for further development and implementation.Fuel cell membranes undergo a variety of dynamic conditions during regular operation such as varying temperature, humidity, current density, and cell potential. The cyclic variations of humidity and temperature (hygrothermal variations) during dynamic operation lead to swelling and contraction of the membrane. The fluctuating stress caused by the continuous expansion and contraction of the membrane when confined within the cell leads to mechanical membrane degradation. The recurring swelling and contraction of the membrane which stem from water content changes in the membrane cause fatigue and creep and ultimately the formation of pinholes, cracks, and tears [1-2].Chemical membrane degradation occurs when radicals such as hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl are formed and attack the membrane and is escalated by high operating cell potentials. Chemical degradation results in decay in the ionomer chemical structure, membrane thinning, increased gas crossover, and potential electrode shorting [3]. The outcomes of such degradation are aggravated in the presence of mechanical degradation [4]. Hence, the study of combined chemo-mechanical membrane degradation is crucial for overall fuel cell membrane durability [5].The objective of the present work is to establish a predictive membrane lifetime simulation tool designed to represent chemo-mechanical membrane degradation under various operating conditions for automotive fuel cell applications. To this end, a statistical model is developed based on the membrane fibrillar morphology presented by El Hannach et al. [6-7]. A network of fibre bundles is generated to represent the membrane structure where any bundle is assumed as the primary building block of the membrane [8-10]. Each bundle contains an aggregate of backbone chains with typical mechanical and chemical properties. Mechanical and chemical degradation rates are separately studied and coupled in the model. The thermally activated breaking rate of each fibre is calculated to evaluate the mechanical degradation rate at any given time. In order to calibrate the mechanical degradation rate in the model, the mechanical degradation of a reinforced membrane under cross-pressure accelerated mechanical stress tests ( p-AMST) [11] is investigated to obtain the membrane fatigue lifetime for a variety of cross pressures and temperatures. Then, the genetic algorithm is successfully applied to optimize the experimental parameters considering the least squares method. Furthermore, accelerated membrane durability tests (AMDT) carried out by Macauley et al. [12] are considered to calibrate the chemical degradation rate parameter in the model. Finally, the fully calibrated model is used to estimate the membrane lifetime under realistic fuel cell vehicle operating conditions (e.g. drive cycles).Fuel cell components experience different degradation mechanisms. In this regard, this modelling framework on the membrane lifetime can be used in conjunction with other methodologies on the cathode catalyst lifetime such as [13-14] to scrutinize the key factors and their impacts on fuel cell durability under similar operating conditions. Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Research Chairs, and Simon Fraser University Community Trust Endowment Fund.

The Effect of A Warm Compress to Decrease the Degree of Menstral Pain in Teenage Girl at Sekip Village, Lubuk Pakam Districts, Deli Serdang Regency 2022

Continuous abdominal muscle contractions due to menstrual bleeding cause dysmenorrhea pain. Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is not only the most common problem, but also a cause of reduced activity in women during menstruation, for example not going to school. Non-pharmacological treatment of this problem needs to be developed, such as using warm water compresses. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hot water compresses on reducing the intensity of menstrual pain in adolescents in Sekip Village, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency in 2022. The research used was a pilot study with one group. before and after test design. Based on the inclusion criteria, samples were taken from a total of 30 people using appropriate sampling techniques. Proportion test analysis using paired sample t-test. Data analysis used the Shapiro-Wilk test and the research tool was a pain observation sheet, namely the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The results of this study showed that the average pain of dysmenorrhea before applying warm compresses was 6.93, with a median score of 7.00 and a standard deviation of 1.23. The lowest mean score for dysmenorrhea before warm compresses was 4 and the highest score was 9. The average dysmenorrhea pain after warm compresses was 3.90, with a median score of 4.00 and a standard deviation of 1.24. The lowest mean score for dysmenorrhea after warm compresses was 1 and the highest score was 6. There was an effect of warm compresses on the level of dysmenorrhea pain in adolescents in Sekip Village, Lubuk Pakam District, Deli Serdang Regency (?=0.000). It is hoped that warm compresses can be practiced as a treatment to relieve menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) in adolescents who experience menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea).

Genesis of Hg-Sb deposit controlled by strike-slip structures in Qinling orogenic belt: A case study of the Qingtonggou ore deposit, Shaanxi, China

The Qingtonggou deposit is the largest Hg-Sb deposit in the Qinling orogenic belt, but the deposit genesis remains unclear. Fluid inclusion study indicates that the homogenization temperature range from 139.9 °C to 217 °C and the salinities vary from 0.7 to 2.1 wt% (NaCleq). The δ13C value in ore-stage calcite is from-7.6 ‰ to −7.1 ‰, and the δ18OSMOW value is between 13.6 ‰ and 15.3 ‰. The δ18OV-SMOW value in hydrothermal quartz is from 21.5 ‰ to 24.8 ‰, and the δD value is between −138 ‰ to −99 ‰. The δ34SV-CDT value range from 4 ‰ to 11.6 ‰, the 206Pb/204Pb values range from 18.0351 to 18.5080, the 207Pb/204Pb values range from 15.6390 to 15.6672, and the 208Pb/204Pb values range from 38.1586 to 38.4128. The hydrothermal calcite Sm-Nd isochron age for ore-stage calcite is 98.02 ± 0.42 Ma. The Hg-Sb mineralization is controlled by tectonic space formed by the left strike-slip fault, the ore-forming fluid has the characteristics of medium–low temperature, low density, and supergene mineralization, the ore-forming fluid comes from meteoric water and formation water, the ore-forming material comes from the stratum and basement of Yaolinghe group and Lower Cambrian, the Hg-Sb mineralization occurred at early Late Cretaceous. The complete metallogenic process is that the Yaolinghe Group and Lower Cambrian in this area are the source areas for Hg-Sb mineralization, the subsequent high background values Hg and Sb strata which received the denudation deposit of the source bed all contributed ore-forming materials, with the Qinling collision orogeny and extrusion in the Indosinian period and the continuous contraction of the Paleozoic basin, porous meteoric water and formation water extracted the ore-forming materials in source bed, formed ore-forming fluids, during the strike-slip process in intracontinental environment, deep and large faults provide a channel for the upward discharge of ore-forming fluids, with the decrease of fluid temperature, sulfide precipitation occurs in secondary fracture.

Metabolic Remodeling during Early Cardiac Lineage Specification of Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Growing evidence indicates that metabolites and energy metabolism play an active rather than consequential role in regulating cellular fate. Cardiac development requires dramatic metabolic remodeling from relying primarily on glycolysis in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to oxidizing a wide array of energy substrates to match the high bioenergetic demands of continuous contraction in the developed heart. However, a detailed analysis of how remodeling of energy metabolism contributes to human cardiac development is lacking. Using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring metabolomics of central carbon metabolism, we evaluated temporal changes in energy metabolism during human PSC 3D cardiac lineage specification. Significant metabolic remodeling occurs during the complete differentiation, yet temporal analysis revealed that most changes occur during transitions from pluripotency to mesoderm (day 1) and mesoderm to early cardiac (day 5), with limited maturation of cardiac metabolism beyond day 5. Real-time metabolic analysis demonstrated that while hPSC cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CM) showed elevated rates of oxidative metabolism compared to PSCs, they still retained high glycolytic rates, confirming an immature metabolic phenotype. These observations support the opportunity to metabolically optimize the differentiation process to support lineage specification and maturation of hPSC-CMs.