Differences In Wall Thickness Research Articles

Arterial Remodeling of the Intracranial Arteries in Patients With Hypertension and Controls: A Postmortem Study.

The intracranial arteries play a major role in cerebrovascular disease, but arterial remodeling due to hypertension has not been well described in humans. We aimed to quantify this remodeling for: the basilar artery, the vertebral, internal carotid, middle/anterior (inferior)/posterior cerebral, posterior communicating, and superior cerebellar arteries of the circle of Willis. Ex vivo circle of Willis specimens, selected from individuals with (n=24) and without (n=25) a history of hypertension, were imaged at 7T magnetic resonance imaging using a 3-dimensional gradient-echo sequence. Subsequently, histological analysis was performed. We validated the vessel wall thickness and area measurements from magnetic resonance imaging against histology. Next, we investigated potential differences in vessel wall thickness and area between both groups using both techniques. Finally, using histological analysis, we investigated potential differences in arterial wall stiffness and atherosclerotic plaque severity and load. All analyses were unadjusted. Magnetic resonance imaging and histology showed comparable vessel wall thickness (mean difference: 0.04 mm (limits of agreement:-0.12 to 0.19 mm) and area (0.43 mm2 [-0.97 to 1.8 mm2]) measurements. We observed no statistically significant differences in vessel wall thickness and area between both groups using either technique. Histological analysis showed early and advanced atherosclerotic plaques in almost all arteries for both groups. The arterial wall stiffness was significantly higher for the internal carotid artery in the hypertensive group. Concluding, we did not observe vessel wall thickening in the circle of Willis arteries in individuals with a history of hypertension using either technique. Using histological analysis, we observed a difference in vessel wall composition for the internal carotid artery.

Evaluation of Buccal Bone Wall Thickness of Anterosuperior Teeth and Nasopalatine Duct Morphology in Cone Beam Computed Tomography of Patients Living at Different Altitudes: A Two-Year Retrospective Study.

ABSTRACTAim:To evaluate the buccal bone wall thickness of anterosuperior teeth and the dimension and morphology of the nasopalatine duct in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of patients treated in two cities at different altitudes.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective analytical study, 79 CBCT scans were selected from a total of 347 in Juliaca, Peru (3824 m a.s.l.) and 171 CBCT scans were selected from a total of 622 in Lima, Peru (154 m a.s.l.). The buccal bone wall thickness of anterosuperior teeth was measured at 1 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm from the alveolar crest. For the nasopalatine duct, its length and diameter were measured, and its anatomical shape was determined in coronal view. Descriptive statistical data such as mean and standard deviation were used, and Mann–Whitney U test was used for bivariate analysis.Results:When comparing the CBCT scans from both cities, significant differences were observed in buccal bone wall thickness at 3 mm and 5 mm from the alveolar crest (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively); for men, at 1 mm and 3 mm (P = 0.04 and P = 0.04); for the age group from 33 to 47 years, at 3 mm and 5 mm (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01); and for the age group from 48 to 77 years, at 1 mm (P = 0.02). Regarding the nasopalatine duct, significant differences were observed in women in relation to length and nasal opening diameter (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01) and for men, in length (P < 0.01); for the age group from 18 to 32 years, in all three levels (P < 0.01); for the age group from 33 to 47 years, in length and diameter of the oral opening (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01); and for the age group from 48 to 77 years, in length and diameter of the nasal opening (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01). The most frequent nasopalatine duct shape was a single canal with more than 66% of cases, according to sex and age group.Conclusion:Patients living at different altitudes presented significant differences in buccal bone wall thickness according to sex and age; however, there were no differences related to dental inclination. Significant differences were found in the length and diameter of the nasopalatine duct at the nasal opening. In addition, the most frequent shape of the nasopalatine duct was the simple canal.

ANALYSIS AND PREDICTING THE ACCURACY OF PIPES AT SINKING

Pipes are subjected to free drawing after short-length drawing or rolling on cold rolling mills, that is, pipes that have a certain wall thickness difference. In order to assess the accuracy of pipes after non-dragging, technological routes for the production of pipes from various grades of steels were designed and investigated. Batches of pipes were pulled along the developed routes according to the production technology, samples were taken from each batch, and the wall thickness was measured at equidistant points of the pipe cross-section. Based on the measurement results, a correlation-regression analysis were performed, the factors influencing the change in wall thickness were determined, and regression models were built. The intensity of the correction depends on the coefficient of reduction in diameter, the greater the value of the ratio of the initial diameter to the final diameter of the pipe, the more intensive the correction of the wall thickness. That is, in order to correct the difference in wall thickness during uncorrected drawing, it is necessary to increase the stretch ratio. With a small wall thickness difference of the work piece (less than 3%), the wall thickness difference of the finished pipes increases, with a work piece wall thickness difference of 3 ... 4%, the wall thickness difference of the finished pipes changes little and at δ0 &gt; 4%, the wall thickness difference of the finished pipes decreases.When analyzing the dependences obtained in the work, some conclusions can be drawn: the more ductile the metal, the less the change in wall thickness. Less ductile steels have a greater tendency to change the wall thickness. At low values of the relative wall thickness difference of the work piece, the coefficient of change in wall thickness reaches 3.5, that is, the wall thickness difference increases by 3.5 times, and at large values of the relative wall thickness difference of the work piece, its correction is more intensive. The intensity of the correction depends on the coefficient of reduction in diameter: the larger the value of the reduction, the more intensive the correction of the difference in wall thickness. That is, in order to correct the difference in wall thickness during uncorrected drawing, it is necessary to increase the stretch ratio.

Study of Residual Wall Thickness and Multiobjective Optimization for Process Parameters of Water-Assisted Injection Molding

Residual wall thickness is an important indicator for water-assisted injection molding (WAIM) parts, especially the maximization of hollowed core ratio and minimization of wall thickness difference which are significant optimization objectives. Residual wall thickness was calculated by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The response surface methodology (RSM) model, radial basis function (RBF) neural network, and Kriging model were employed to map the relationship between process parameters and hollowed core ratio, and wall thickness difference. Based on the comparison assessments of the three surrogate models, multiobjective optimization of hollowed core ratio and wall thickness difference for cooling water pipe by integrating design of experiment (DOE) of optimized Latin hypercubes (Opt LHS), RBF neural network, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was studied. The research results showed that short shot size, water pressure, and melt temperature were the most important process parameters affecting hollowed core ratio, while the effects of delay time and mold temperature were little. By the confirmation experiments for the best solution resulted from the Pareto frontier, the relative errors of hollowed core ratio and wall thickness are 2.2% and 3.0%, respectively. It demonstrated that the proposed hybrid optimization methodology could increase hollowed core ratio and decrease wall thickness difference during the WAIM process.

Predictors of right ventricular function and size in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

We investigated factors associated with right ventricular (RV) function and size in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. Two hundred fifty-three consecutive HCM patients and 20 healthy volunteers underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. In addition to measuring RV function (ejection fraction—RVEF) and size (end-diastolic volume—RVEDV), each image was inspected for the presence of RV and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and the maximal wall thickness of the left and right ventricles was recorded. HCM patients had higher RVEF and lower RVEDV than healthy volunteers and similar RV mass. The mean RV wall thickness was higher in HCM patients than in controls. LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was present in 89.7% of patients, and RV LGE was present in 3.1% of patients (p < 0.0001). Univariate and multivariable analyses revealed that LVEF, peak LV outflow tract gradient, LV LGE, maximal LV wall thickness, and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) volume by magnetic resonance imaging were positive predictors of RVEF. In addition to TR volume, the only independent predictor of RVEF < 45% was LVEF (odds ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.95). Multivariable analysis revealed that LVEDV and TR volume were positive predictors of RVEDV, whereas negative predictors were RVEF, maximal RV wall thickness, LV LGE, and age. Neither estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure nor TR grade by echocardiography proved to be predictors of RVEF. There were no differences in either the maximal RV wall thickness or the maximal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness in patients stratified according to NYHA functional class (p = 0.93 and p = 0.15, respectively). There were no differences in mean RV wall thickness in patients categorised based on the number of clinical risk factors for sudden cardiac death (SCD), i.e., non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, family history of SCD, or unexplained syncope (p = 0.79). On the other hand, there was a weak positive association between RV hypertrophy and the estimated probability of SCD at 5 years (rho = 0.16, p = 0.01). RV systolic dysfunction measured as decreased RVEF was uncommon in HCM and was associated with poor LV systolic function. LV also had a significant impact on RV size.

Biometry and verification of papermaking potential of secondary xylem fibers of two Theobroma species

Theobroma glandiflorum and T. cacao, known as cupuacu and cacao, respectively, are species widely used for food purposes. However, when plantations are renewed, these plants are discarded, making studies on the reuse of this material necessary. Thus, the objective of this study was to perform biometry of cellular elements and to investigate the papermaking potential of the fibers of these two species. We used the cellular element maceration technique to measure fiber and vessel element dimensions and calculated the fiber slenderness ratio, wall fraction, coefficient of flexibility and the Runkel index. According to the classification literature, the fibers of these species were of medium size, and there was a significant difference in wall thickness, with cupuacu fibers being thicker. The values of the fiber slenderness ratio and the coefficient of flexibility were higher in cocoa, while those of wall fraction and the Runkel index were higher in cupuacu. To conclude, the fibers of both species have papermaking potential. However, the paper manufactured with these fibers should be tested to confirm the results of this study.

Temporal artery compression sonography for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis in elderly patients with acute ocular arterial occlusions.

To validate cut-off values of quantitative high-resolution temporal artery compression sonography (TCS) for the diagnosis of cranial GCA (cGCA) in patients with acute arterial ocular occlusions and in an independent control group. Consecutive patients who underwent TCS as part of the diagnostic workup of acute arterial ocular occlusions and controls not suffering from ocular ischaemia/systemic vasculitis were included. The diagnostic accuracy of the established TCS cut-off value of maximum temporal artery wall thickness (≥0.7 mm) and a novel numeric TCS score incorporating the degree of wall thickening in the four temporal artery segments assessed (0-3 points per segment) was tested by receiver operating characteristics analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed for female and male patients and patients older and younger than age of 70 years. Of 114 patients with acute ocular arterial occlusions, 30 patients received a final clinical diagnosis of cGCA. The sensitivity and specificity of the ≥0.7 mm TCS cut-off for the diagnosis of cGCA were 100 and 84.5% in the overall cohort. The TCS score did not improve the diagnostic yield (cut-off ≥5; sensitivity 100%, specificity 85.7%). In male patients >70 years of age, the specificity of TCS was limited, secondary to age- and sex-related differences in temporal artery wall thickness, which we confirmed in the independent control group. TCS yields high diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of cGCA in patients with acute ocular arterial occlusions. Age- and sex-related differences in temporal artery wall thickness influence the diagnostic accuracy of TCS.

An improved quality assessment of fuel pin end plug welds using digital X-ray radiography

In fast breeder reactors, the quality of fuel pin end plug welds is very important because the presence of any weld defect can cause fission products to be released into the coolant circuit. Among the various defects that can form during welding, a root defect at the end plug weld joint is the most prominent type observed in fuel pins. A conventional X-ray film radiographic procedure for end plug welds of fuel pins inserted in a stainless steel (SS) shape correction block with a thickness of 7 mm will limit the minimum detectable wall thickness difference to 1.1% of the specimen thickness due to film gradient and film granularity factors. In the present work, with a standard X-ray digital radiographic data acquisition procedure and optimised radiographic exposure conditions (kV, mAs, etc), the normalised signal-to-noise ratio (SNRn) achieved is 140, which limits the detectable wall thickness difference to 2.8% of the specimen thickness. Hence, a modified digital X-ray radiographic inspection procedure is proposed to assess the quality of end plug welded fuel pins using a suitable X-ray detector calibration technique. The structural noise and pixel intensity variations between the flat-panel pixel elements are minimised using this modified procedure, which results in an order of magnitude increase in the SNRn of the radiographic images. Following implementation of this procedure with end plug welds, the X-ray images show that the achievable wall thickness difference is enhanced to 0.9% of the specimen thickness and microdefects are clearly observed in the welds.

Effect of Fe/N-doped carbon nanotube (CNT) wall thickness on CO2 conversion: A DFT study

Many researches on CO2 adsorption using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been actively studied, but experimental and theoretical studies on CO2 conversion are still in demand. In particular, the effect of CNT wall thickness on CO2 conversion is not yet established clearly. This study employed two different-walled CNT catalysts doped with iron and nitrogen, single-walled CNT (Fe-N-SWCNT) and double-walled CNT (Fe-N-DWCNT). The structural and electrical properties of these CNTs and their influences on CO2 conversion were characterized and compared using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As a result, Fe-N-DWCNT was shown to improve catalyst stability with higher formation energy and adsorption energy for CO2 adsorption than Fe-N-SWCNT. Also, the CO2 molecules were found to be highly delocalized and strongly hybridized with Fe-N-DWCNT, leading to more active charge transfer in the catalyst. These findings demonstrate the potential of selective CO2 conversion, as wall thickness differences can lead to different electrical properties of CNTs by showing that the larger the thicknesses, the lower the energy barrier required for CO2 conversion. Specifically, Fe-N-DWCNT is easier to convert CO2 to HCOOH than Fe-N-SWCNT at lower overpotential (0.15 V) obtained with limiting potentials and free energies calculated by understanding the possible reaction pathways in the proton-electron transfer process. Therefore, these results support the hypothesis that the wall thickness of CNT influences CO2 conversion by showing that the double-walled heterogeneous CNT (Fe-N-DWCNT) is a potential catalyst to selectively produce HCOOH from CO2 conversion.

Feasibility of Ultra-Low-Dose CT for Bronchoscopy of Peripheral Lung Lesions.

Background and objectives: Thin-section computed tomography (CT) is essential for identifying small bronchi during bronchoscopy using radial endobronchial ultrasound. Some patients should receive an additional CT for a thin-section image. We performed a retrospective study with a prospectively collected database to identify the optimal radiation dose for thin-section CT during peripheral bronchoscopy. Materials and Methods: In total, 91 patients with peripheral lung lesions underwent thin-section CT (both standard CT as a reference and ultra-low-dose CT (ultra-LDCT)). The patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to the ultra-LDCT parameters: group 1 = 120 kVp, 25 mAs; group 2 = 100 kVp, 15 mAs; group 3 = 120 kVp, 5 mAs; and group 4 = 100 kVp, 5 mAs. Two radiologists and two physicians analyzed both the standard CT and ultra-LDCT. Results: The effective doses (EDs) of ultra-LDCT significantly differed among the four groups (median EDs were 0.88, 0.34, 0.19, and 0.12 mSv for groups 1–4, respectively; p < 0.001). Median differences in peripheral airway wall thickness were higher in group 4 than in other groups (differences in median wall thickness measured by two radiologists were 0.4–0.5 mm and 0.8–0.9 mm for groups 1–3 and group 4, respectively). Bronchus signs on ultra-LDCT in groups 1 and 2 were well correlated with those of the standard-dose CT (accuracies of two radiologists and two pulmonary physicians were 95–100%). Conclusions: Our results indicate that ultra-LDCT with ED of >0.34 mSv (ED of group 2) is feasible for peripheral bronchoscopy.

Spectral cues and temporal integration during cylinder echo discrimination by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

Three bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) participated in simulated cylinder wall thickness discrimination tasks utilizing electronic "phantom" echoes. The first experiment resulted in psychometric functions (percent correct vs wall thickness difference) similar to those produced by a dolphin performing the task with physical cylinders. In the second experiment, a wide range of cylinder echoes was simulated, with the time separation between echo highlights covering a range from <30 to >300 μs. Dolphin performance and a model of the dolphin auditory periphery suggest that the dolphins used high-frequency, spectral-profiles of the echoes for discrimination and that the utility of spectral cues degraded when the time separation between echo highlights approached and exceeded the dolphin's temporal integration time of ∼264 μs.

Quantitative Assessment of Radiologically Indeterminate Local Colonic Wall Thickening on Iodine Density Images Using Dual-Layer Spectral Detector CT

To assess local colonic wall thickening (LCWT, thicknesses: >3 mm, lengths: <5 cm) quantitatively on iodine density images using dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (DLSCT). This retrospective study included 80 patients who underwent both conventional contrast-enhanced CT and colonoscopy within one month. The region of interest was delineated on the chosen images with the iodine density image model. The iodine concentration (IC), normalized IC (NIC), and thickness of the colonic wall in the lesion area were compared between the pathological and nonpathological groups. There were 50 patients whose area of LCWT discovered at CT scans displayed colon neoplasia at colonoscopy. The other 30 patients with LCWT on CT images showed normal appearances during colonoscopy. There was no significant difference in colonic wall thickness between the pathological and nonpathological (p> 0.05) LCWT groups. The IC and NIC of patients with colon neoplasms were significantly higher than those with nonpathologic LCWT (both p< 0.001). The ROC curve showed that when IC and NIC was 1.49 mg/mL and 0.33, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing colon neoplasm were 91.5% and 75.8%, 85.1% and 84.8%, respectively. IC and NIC values from DLSCT could provide a satisfied diagnostic value to identify LCWT caused by colon neoplasia.

Changes in heart morphometric parameters over the course of a monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rat model

BackgroundAim of this study was to assess changes in cardiac morphometric parameters at different stages of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using a monocrotaline-induced rat model.MethodsFour groups were distinguished: I–control, non-PAH (n = 18); II–early PAH (n = 12); III–end-stage PAH (n = 23); and IV–end-stage PAH with myocarditis (n = 7).ResultsPerformed over the course of PAH in vivo echocardiography showed significant thickening of the right ventricle free wall (end-diastolic dimension), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion reduction and decrease in pulmonary artery acceleration time normalized to cycle length. No differences in end-diastolic left ventricle free wall thickness measured in echocardiography was observed between groups. Significant increase of right ventricle and decrease of left ventricle systolic pressure was observed over the development of PAH. Thickening and weight increase (241.2% increase) of the right ventricle free wall and significant dilatation of the right ventricle was observed over the course of PAH (p < 0.001). Reduction in the left ventricle free wall thickness was also observed in end-stage PAH (p < 0.001). Significant trend in the left ventricle free wall weight decrease was observed over the course of PAH (p < 0.001, 24.3% reduction). Calculated right/left ventricle free wall weight ratio gradually increased over PAH stages (p < 0.001). The reduction of left ventricle diameter was observed in rats with end-stage PAH both with and without myocarditis (p < 0.001).ConclusionsPAH leads to multidimensional changes in morphometric cardiac parameters. Right ventricle morphological and functional failure develop gradually from early stage of PAH, while left ventricle changes develop at the end stages of PAH.

664Local catheter impedance drop during pulmonary vein isolation predicts conduction block in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: initial results of the LOCALIZE clinical trial

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Boston Scientific Background Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) requires resistively heating cardiac tissue to create conduction block. Creation of an RF lesion results in an impedance drop and the magnitude of this drop depends on the temperature and amount of myocardium being heated. Pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of an advanced local impedance (LI) metric found that greater LI drops were indicative of more effective lesion formation. Purpose To evaluate whether LI drop is associated with conduction block after first pass encirclement of the PVs in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods LOCALIZE is an ongoing, single-arm, multi-center clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03232645). LOCALIZE consists of an index PVI procedure (results presented here) and a 3-month follow-up mapping procedure. In the index procedure, electroanatomical maps of the left atrium were created and ipsilateral PVs were divided into 8 anatomical segments (n = 16 per patient). PVI was performed using point-by-point ablation with blinding of operators to LI. Following initial encirclement and a 20-minute wait period, coronary sinus-paced electroanatomical maps were created to identify gaps within anatomical segments. Gaps were annotated on the map and subsequently ablated. Mean LI drop within each segment was calculated offline as an estimate of regional RF energy delivery (Figure - Left). The diagnostic accuracy of LI drop for predicting segment block was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in segments with inter-lesion spacing ≤6mm. Results Forty-seven patients with paroxysmal AF underwent PVI at 5 centers (age 62 ± 11 years, male 55.3%). All patients left the index procedure with all PVs isolated. When blinded to LI (n = 3,064 ablations), median baseline LI was 106 (IQR: 97-115) Ω and median LI drop was 18.4 (12.7-24.9) Ω. After first pass encirclement, blocked segments had a significantly larger LI drop (20.2 [14.6-26.0] Ω) than segments with gaps (10.6 [6.9-15.1] Ω, p &amp;lt; 0.01, Figure - Right). The association between LI drop and block was further evaluated along anatomical anterior/posterior wall thickness differences. Anterior block segments were found to have significantly larger LI drops (21.0 [15.9-27.2] Ω) than posterior block segments (16.6 [12.7-23.7] Ω, p &amp;lt; 0.01). ROC analysis of segments with inter-lesion spacing ≤6mm identified optimal LI cut-off values of 16Ω in anterior segments and 11Ω posteriorly, which had positive predictive values for conduction block of 95.6% and 96.7%, respectively. Conclusions The magnitude of LI drop is predictive of acute PVI segment conduction block in patients with paroxysmal AF. The thinner posterior wall required smaller LI drops for block compared to the thicker anterior wall. With inter-lesion spacing of ≤6mm, reaching a LI drop of ≥16Ω anteriorly and ≥11Ω posteriorly was highly predictive of acute segment block in de novo PVI. Abstract Figure. Local impedance drop in de novo PVI

In newly diagnosed hypertensive children, increased arterial stiffness and reduced heart rate variability were associated with a non-dipping blood pressure pattern

ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate the differences in pulsatile hemodynamics, echocardiographic findings, 24-h Holter monitoring and heart rate variability parameters of dipper patterns in children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. MethodsThis study included 30 children with newly diagnosed essential hypertension and 30 healthy controls. The essential hypertension cohort was divided into dippers and non-dippers. Physical examinations, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 24-h Holter monitoring, 24-h heart rate variability, conventional 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging were performed. Pulse wave analysis using an oscillometric monitor was conducted to measure augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). ResultsIn patients with essential hypertension, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and LV mass index were increased. There were no significant differences in LV mass index and LV wall thickness based on the dipping patterns. Time domain values and the standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) were substantially lower in the essential hypertension group. SDNN values were considerably lower in the non-dipper group compared with the dipper group. In terms of frequency domain measures, low frequency measured in daytime values was much lower in the essential hypertension group compared with the control. The dipper patterns revealed that low frequency measured in nighttime values was also substantially lower in the non-dipper group. Pulse wave analysis and AIx values were notably higher in the essential hypertension patient group and those with non-dipper status. ConclusionSDNN values, which reflect parasympathetic activity, were markedly lower in children with hypertension and the non-dipper group than healthy controls and the dipper group, respectively. Also, parameters related to arterial stiffness, such as PWV and AIx values were significantly higher in children with hypertension and the non-dipper group.

The influence of polyethylene processing on the plastic containers blowing

The materials of this article are devoted to the study of the influence of polyethylene processing on the plastic containers blowing. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of one-time processing on the properties of high-density polyethylene, used for packing of mineral oils, as well as the indication of opportunities to use recycled material in the manufacture of new packing. The material used in the study was high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and recycled polyethylene. In the course of research, it was found that the processing led to a deterioration of the thermal properties of the polymer material, and the difference in the amount of liquidity of raw materials compared with processed, was 47.7%, which is consistent with reference studies. The conditions used during the blowing process resulted in uniformity of the final product in thickness. The difference in wall thickness of products made from raw material and recycled material was within 0.02 mm. The smallest thickness of finished products was 0.66 mm for recycled material and 0.68 mm for raw materials.

Drag-reducing polymers attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in a rat model of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Drag-reducing polymers (DRPs) was previously demonstrated to increase blood flow, tissue perfusion, and reduce vascular resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DRPs on pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in a rat model of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). A total of forty male Wistar rats were randomly and equally assigned into four experimental groups (Group I: normoxia + saline, Group II: normoxia + PEO, Group III: hypoxia + saline, Group IV: hypoxia + PEO) and maintained in normoxia (21% O2) or hypobaric hypoxia (10% O2). After four weeks, comparisons were made of the following aspects: the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy, wall thickness of pulmonary trunk and arteries, internal diameter of pulmonary arteries, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (CM CSA), and ultrastructure of right ventricular. Treatment with PEO in Group IV attenuated the increases in RVSP and mPAP (40.5±7.2 and 34.7±7.0 mmHg, respectively, both P < 0.05), compared with Group III. Distal vascular remodeling was visible as a significant increase in medial wall thickness (64.2±12.3% vs. 43.95±7.0%, P < 0.01) and a remarkable decrease in internal diameter of small pulmonary arteries (35.2±9.7μ m vs. 50.4±14.7μ m, P < 0.01) in Group III, to a greater extent than that detected in Group IV. Nevertheless, no significant histopathological differences in medial wall thickness was observed in pulmonary trunk between Group III and Group IV (P > 0.05), denoting that PEO chiefly attenuated the remodeling of small pulmonary arteries rather than main arteries in hypoxic environment. Infusion of DRPs (intravenous injection twice weekly) also attenuated the index of right ventricular hypertrophy, protected against the increase of cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and provided protection for cardiac ultrastructure. DRP treatment with intravenous injection elicited a protective effect against pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in the rat model of HPH. DRPs may offer a new potential approach for the treatment of HPH, which may have theoretical significance and application value to society.

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of GMT Compression Molding and Fiber Displacement of UD-Tape Inserts

This publication deals with finite element based modelling and the experimental validation of the flow characteristics of glass mat reinforced thermoplastic composite (GMT). Furthermore, the interaction of GMT and UD-Tape inserts is examined. The simulation model is set up in LS-Dyna. In order to model the high degree of deformation of the GMT the smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used. A viscoplastic material model is applied in order to take into account the strain rate as well as strain hardening flow behavior. For the experimental validation of the numerical investigations, a heated plate tool with a surface area of 300 x 300 mm was built. This tool contains two internal pressure sensors as well as a temperature sensor. With the help of this test setup, it is possible to investigate the pressure build-up, pressure differences and surface temperatures of the GMT as well as the time-dependent position of the flow front. In addition, to pressure differences over the contact area between tool and GMT, there are differences in wall thickness, fiber orientation and fiber matrix separation depending on the flow path. The forming tests were carried out at a tool temperature of 115 °C. After the validation of the simulation model the fiber displacement of UD-Tapes insert is discussed.

Динамика механизма удержания оправки прошивного стана трубопрокатного агрегата

The paper presents the results of the vibrodiagnostics of a centering machine mechanism for holding piercing mill mandrel N1 of the pipe-rolling plant (PRP) 350. In the paper, it is established that vibration acceleration of a bearing roller lever of the centering machine mechanism for holding piercing mill mandrel during milling of an Æ282х50 mm shell, steel 20 reaches 5…12 m/s2, and of the upper roller’s vibration frequency is 33.3 Hz. The paper presents the results of the thickness measuring of the Æ282х50 shell, steel 20 after using the piercing mill N1 350. The results shows the distinctive influence of the dynamics of the milling holding mechanism rod. The system is put forth for calculating the energy-power parameters during the realization of the technical process for making shells of the required specifications in a piercing mill. The paper establishes the value of the milling axial resistance to the flow of the milled metal (taking the calibration values into account). The paper presents a refined system for making a dynamic model for the piercing bill milling holding mechanism rod with the milling calibration parameters taken fully included. A differential equation for the milling rod movement is made, specifically for the dynamic model of the PRP piercing mill mechanical system. The dynamic values of the mechanical system are refined, which is used as a starting point for solving the tasks dealing with the analysis of the PRP piercing mill milling rod’s vibroactivity state. In order to decrease rod vibroactivity levels, the paper recommends choosing rational milling calibration and to set the shell milling modes using mechanical system dynamics modelling during the corresponding stages of the design of technological processes. The paper pro-poses a scheme for modernization of the PRP 350 piercing bill exit side by switching the centering machine rod system holding bridges gear to proportional hydraulics. Keywords: piercing mill, vibration diagnostics, thickness measurement, piercing, sleeve; difference in wall thickness, energy-power parameters, calibration, mandrel, vibroactivity, dynamics, mandrel retention mechanism.

Myocardial structural and functional changes in patients with liver cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation: a comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance and echocardiographic study

BackgroundCardiac dysfunction is increasingly recognized in patients with liver cirrhosis. Nevertheless, the presence or absence of structural alterations such as diffuse myocardial fibrosis remains unclear. We aimed to investigate myocardial structural changes in cirrhosis, and explore left ventricular (LV) structural and functional changes induced by liver transplantation.MethodsThis study included 33 cirrhosis patients listed for transplantation and 20 healthy controls. Patients underwent speckle-tracking echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with extracellular volume fraction (ECV) quantification at baseline (n = 33) and 1 year after transplantation (n = 19).ResultsCMR-based LV ejection fraction (CMRLV-EF) and echocardiographic LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) demonstrated hyper-contractile LV in cirrhosis patients (CMRLV-EF: 67.8 ± 6.9% in cirrhosis vs 63.4 ± 6.4% in healthy controls, P = 0.027; echocardiographic GLS: − 24.2 ± 2.7% in cirrhosis vs − 18.6 ± 2.2% in healthy controls, P < 0.001). No significant differences in LV size, wall thickness, mass index, and diastolic function between cirrhosis patients and healthy controls were seen (all P > 0.1). Only one of the cirrhosis patients showed late gadolinium enhancement. However, cirrhosis patients showed a higher ECV (31.6 ± 5.1% vs 25.4 ± 1.9%, P < 0.001) than healthy controls. ECV showed a positive correlation with Child-Pugh score (r = 0.564, P = 0.001). Electrocardiogram-based corrected QT interval was prolonged in cirrhosis (P < 0.001). One-year post-transplantation, echocardiographic LV-GLS (from − 24.9 ± 2.4% to − 20.6 ± 3.4%, P < 0.001) and ECV (from 30.9 ± 4.5% to 25.4 ± 2.6%, P = 0.001) moved to the normal ranges. Corrected QT interval decreased after transplantation (from 475 ± 41 to 429 ± 30 msec, P = 0.001).ConclusionsMyocardial extracellular volume expansion with augmented resting LV systolic function was characteristic of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, which normalizes 1-year post-transplantation. Thus, myocardial extracellular expansion represents a structural component of myocardial changes in cirrhosis.