Dimensional Shift Research Articles

Assessment of Wire Offset While Machining EN-24 on WEDM

Wire offset is the dimensional shift that is experienced while machining a job on Wire-EDM machine. This modeling of wire offset during machining of EN-24 (EN is Euro Norm) was performed implementing Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Factors under consideration are peak current, on duration and off duration of pulse. Scanning Electron Microscopy was later performed for measurement of dimensional shift experienced under various machining conditions. The difference of programmed width and actual width obtained revealed the wire offset of the machined specimen. The tests revealed that Wire-EDM (Wire-Electro Discharge Machine) variables and Wire Offset can be modelled using Quadratic equations. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) depicted that quadratic term of peak current is crucial parameter for Wire offset trailed by off duration. Keeping medium level of electrical parameters will lead to lower wire offset. Further model validation was performed and the residual error for Wire Offset was found to be 2.43% which suggest the competence of the present model.

Semi-Supervised Triply Robust Inductive Transfer Learning

In this work, we propose a Semi-supervised Triply Robust Inductive transFer LEarning (STRIFLE) approach, which integrates heterogeneous data from a label-rich source population and a label-scarce target population and uses a large amount of unlabeled data simultaneously to improve the learning accuracy in the target population. Specifically, we consider a high dimensional covariate shift setting and employ two nuisance models, a density ratio model and an imputation model, to combine transfer learning and surrogate-assisted semi-supervised learning strategies effectively and achieve triple robustness. While the STRIFLE approach assumes the target and source populations to share the same conditional distribution of outcome Y given both the surrogate features S and predictors X , it allows the true underlying model of Y⏧ X to differ between the two populations due to the potential covariate shift in S and X . Different from double robustness, even if both nuisance models are misspecified or the distribution of Y⏧ S , X is not the same between the two populations when the shifted source population and the target population share enough similarities, the triply robust STRIFLE estimator can still partially use the source population when the shifted source population and the target population share enough similarities. Moreover, it is guaranteed to be no worse than the target-only surrogate-assisted semi-supervised estimator with an additional error term from transferability detection. These desirable properties of our estimator are established theoretically and verified in finite samples via extensive simulation studies. We use the STRIFLE estimator to train a Type II diabetes polygenic risk prediction model for the African American target population by transferring knowledge from electronic health records linked genomic data observed in a larger European source population. Supplementary materials for this article are available online, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work.

Narrative production and executive functions in post-stroke agrammatic aphasia

ABSTRACT Background Narrative production has been widely characterized as providing an ecologically valid way to assess language skills in post-stroke aphasia. Although narrative tasks have been instrumental in delineating patterns of lexical and syntactic production in individuals with agrammatic aphasia, our knowledge of how narrative skills are affected in agrammatic aphasia is still limited. Aims The study’s aims were to (a) compare narrative performance between individuals with agrammatic aphasia and a language-unimpaired group, (b) investigate the contribution of lexical and syntactic skills in each group’s narrative organizational skills, and (c) explore the effects of executive functions on each group’s narrative performance. Methods & Procedures The study included 14 individuals with agrammatic aphasia and 14 age- and education-matched language unimpaired individuals as the control group. Both groups told the Cinderella story, and their narrative production was analyzed in terms of microstructure (lexical diversity, syntactic complexity, clause length) and macrostructure (story grammar, story structure complexity). Each group’s executive functions were evaluated through the One-Touch Stockings of Cambridge test that assesses working memory, and the Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift test that assesses cognitive flexibility. Outcomes & Results Regarding narrative microstructure, the individuals with agrammatism scored significantly lower than controls in syntactic complexity and clause length, but not in lexical diversity, but they performed lower than controls in both narrative macrostructural measurements. Also, the agrammatic group scored lower than controls in both executive function tasks. A series of linear regression models showed that microstructural skills significantly affected narrative macrostructural abilities in the cohort with agrammatic aphasia, while controls’ macrostructure was affected by both narrative microstructure and executive function skills. Conclusions The individuals with agrammatic aphasia exhibited impairment in both low-level language features of narrative production, such as syntactic complexity and narrative length, and global measures of narrative organization. Their macrostructural performance critically relied on their language resources, while controls’ narrative macrostructure seemed to also draw on domain-general cognitive skills. These findings suggest that both low-level language and high-level discourse organizational skills are vulnerable in narrative production in agrammatic aphasia, and that macrostructural skills are mainly related to the individuals’ microstructural skills.

Neuropsychological features of somatic symptom disorder and depression/anxiety in Taiwan: An analysis based on the comorbidity status

Individuals with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) often have comorbid depression or anxiety, but whether SSD is associated with specific neuropsychological functions has yet to be fully examined. We analyzed which neuropsychological features are more closely associated with SSD, anxiety, and depression. In this case-control study, we recruited 140 individuals with SSD, 104 individuals with affective disorders without SSD, and 159 healthy controls in Taiwan. We collected DSM-5 diagnoses, questionnaire scores, and performance on eight tasks from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) for each participant. Several CANTAB tasks involving attention, executive function, and social cognition showed significant group differences. In the adjusted analysis, the tasks significantly associated with SSD were the Match to Sample Visual Search (MTS) and the Emotion Recognition Task (ERT). Among the questionnaires, the Cognitions about Body and Health Questionnaire showed the most significant associations with the tasks, specifically with Rapid Visual Information Processing, MTS, Paired Associates Learning, Spatial Working Memory, Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift, and ERT. We conclude that the MTS and ERT tasks show significant relationships with both SSD diagnosis and related questionnaires. These tasks primarily involve selective attention and negative emotion regulation.

Multimodal neuroimaging network associated with executive function in adolescent major depressive disorder patients via cognition-guided magnetic resonance imaging fusion.

Adolescents are high-risk population for major depressive disorder. Executive dysfunction emerges as a common feature of depression and exerts a significant influence on the social functionality of adolescents. This study aimed to identify the multimodal co-varying brain network related to executive function in adolescent with major depressive disorder. A total of 24 adolescent major depressive disorder patients and 43 healthy controls were included and completed the Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task. Multimodal neuroimaging data, including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and gray matter volume from structural magnetic resonance imaging, were combined with executive function using a supervised fusion method named multimodal canonical correlation analysis with reference plus joint independent component analysis. The major depressive disorder showed more total errors than the healthy controls in the Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift task. Their performance on the Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task was negatively related to the 14-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety score. We discovered an executive function-related multimodal fronto-occipito-temporal network with lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and gray matter volume loadings in major depressive disorder. The gray matter component of the identified network was negatively related to errors made in Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift while positively related to stages completed. These findings may help to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in adolescent depression.

Changes in Personality Functioning and Pathological Personality Traits as a Function of Treatment: A Feasibility Study

With the dimensional shift, personality pathology is now commonly conceptualized using a combination of personality functioning and (pathological) personality traits. Personality functioning has been deemed more sensitive to treatment than the specific trait combination of personality problems. To empirically examine just that, the goal of this pilot study was to simultaneously compare changes in personality functioning (LPFS-BF 2.0), pathological traits (PID-5-BF), and normal-range traits (BFI-2) among individuals receiving integrative, dynamic-relational psychotherapy (baseline n = 52, follow-up n = 31) and a matched control group (n = 31). The results showed that clients had stronger changes in personality functioning than in traits when compared to the control group. In addition, clients lower on personality functioning were more inclined to drop-out of therapy. This study points to the unique clinical utility of personality functioning and provides a foundation for future research focusing on the sensitivity of personality functioning and personality traits to changes within the context of psychotherapy.

Relationship between cognitive function and functional outcomes in remitted major depression

BackgroundFew studies have focused on functional impairment in depressed patients during symptomatic remission. The exact relationship between cognitive performance and functional outcomes of patients with Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear.MethodsParticipants diagnosed with MDD were included and interviewed at both baseline and follow-up. Cognitive function was assessed during acute episodes using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), which targeted attention (Rapid Visual Processing - RVP), visual memory (Pattern Recognition Memory - PRM), and executive function (Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift - IED). The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used for symptom assessment. Participants were divided into two groups based on their SDSS (Social Disability Screening Schedule) scores, and the differences between their demographic information, HAMD scores, and baseline CANTAB test results were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify cognitive predictors of social function during symptomatic remission.ResultsAccording to the SDSS score at follow-up, 103 patients were divided into the normal social function group (n = 81,78.6%) and the poor social function group (n = 22, 21.4%) during clinical remission. Participants with poorer social function performed worse in the visual memory (PRM) and executive function tests (IED) at the baseline. Logistic regression analysis suggested that performance on the PRM (95%CI = 0.31–0.93, p = 0.030) and IED (95%CI = 1.01–1.13, p = 0.014) tests, instead of less severe symptoms, significantly contributed to functional outcomes.ConclusionBetter performance in visual memory and executive function during acute episodes may predict better social functional outcomes in individuals with MDD. A potential early intervention to improve social function in individuals with MDD could include the treatments for executive function and visual memory.

An In Vivo Study to Compare the Clinical Effectiveness of Clear Retainer Made on a Conventional and a Digitally Fabricated Model Over a Six-Month Period After Debonding.

Background With the advent of 3D printing, many more possibilities have arisen for treatment planning. 3D rapid prototyping has enabled us to see a whole other dimension that has helped us to give the best possible care for our patients. With more and more advancements being made in this subject, it becomes necessary to check the reliability of the equipment and its effectiveness in the management of the problem at hand. This original study was conducted with the aim of checking the accuracy, dimensional stability, and reliability of orthodontic retainers made on a conventional and digitally fabricated model over a six-month period after debonding. Material and methods The patients were selected from those who have completed fixed orthodontic mechanotherapy from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Sri Amritsar. Fifty patients received a clear retainer, which was fabricated for the upper and lower arch after removing the brackets. Patients were included in this study irrespective of their age groups.The manual method used a vacuum-forming machine to fabricate six retainers on stone models. In the digital method, new impressions were taken after three months, and digital models were obtained through 3D scanning and printing, followed by clear retainer fabrication. The data were gathered through a systematic process involving manual and digital methods for clear retainer fabrication and subsequent evaluation. The data obtained was computed for statistical evaluation and comparison. Results Mean and standard deviations of conventional (manual) and digital variables in the two groups were calculated. An ANOVA test was used to evaluate statistically significant differences for mesiodistal widthand buccolingual width, and a post hoc Tuckey test was applied for multiple comparisons. The results indicated that most mesiodistal and buccolingual width measurements showed non-significant variations and exhibited a good correlation. Extraction space opening, assessed through an independent t-test for both the maxilla and mandible, also yielded non-significant and comparable results. Additionally, intra-operator and inter-operator measurements using a digital caliper demonstrated high agreement. Intra-class correlation (ICC) values exceeded 0.75, and inter-operator ICC results reflected a high level of agreement ranging from 0.8 to 0.99. Conclusion The primary objective of this study was to establish a correlation between the accuracy, dependability, and clinical efficacy of orthodontic retainers produced using both conventional and digitally created models. This investigation spanned a duration of six months following the removal of orthodontic brackets. The results showed that most of the statistically significant values were due to the inherent potential of the 3D printer for polymerization shrinkage, which, being a stereolithographic 3D printer, had a potential for a slight dimensional shift in the transverse dimension. However, the mean difference between all the models printed was slight and clinically insignificant.

Clarifying the link between psychopathologies and heart rate variability, and the sex differences: Can neuropsychological features serve as mediators?

BackgroundPatients with common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms) often exhibit lower heart rate variability (HRV) than healthy individuals. Under the hypothesis that disorder status affects cognitive function, we examined whether neuropsychological features can be mediators between psychopathologies and HRV and possible sex differences. MethodsWe recruited 359 individuals (aged 42.47 ± 12.23) with and without common mental disorders. Questionnaires were used to measure their psychopathologies. Eight tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery were selected to measure neuropsychological functions. Resting-state HRV measurements were obtained for 5 min. The associations among these constructs were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis and structural equation modelling. ResultsAmong women, Reaction Time (RTI, a task of psychomotor speed) indicator mediated the relationship between depression and low-frequency power (LF); Emotion Recognition Task (ERT, a task of emotional regulation) indicator mediated the relationship between health anxiety and high-frequency power (HF). Among men, Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED, a task of shifting) indicator mediated the relationship between depression and LF; Match to Sample Visual Search (MTS, a task of selective attention) indicator mediated the relationship between health cognition and HF. The depression-RTI-LF pathway in women tended to lower HRV; whereas health anxiety-ERT-HF in women, depression-IED-LF and health cognition-MTS-HF in men tended to increase HRV. LimitationsPossible medication effects; not directly measuring brain activity; only gathering resting-state HRV. ConclusionOur findings support the notion that neuropsychological features mediate the relationship between psychopathologies and HRV, and that sex differences exist.

Can computerized cognitive training enhance executive functions in healthy young adults? A preliminary study

Computerized cognitive training (CCT) is a computer-based intervention that targets cognitive functioning that has become increasingly popular in the recent decade. We examined the effectiveness of RehaCom as a standard computerized cognitive training on the executive functions of healthy adults in this preliminary study. The study was a quasi-experimental study using a pretest-posttest experimental design without a control group. The participants included 10 healthy adults. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Trail Making Test (TMT), Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) computerized tasks. The subjects trained by RehaCom software for 45 minutes per day, one day per week, for a total of four sessions over one month. Data were analyzed in the SPSS software (version 26) using the paired t-test test. Results show significant enhancement in participants’ central executive functioning (p < 0.01), shifting (p<0.05), and planning (p<0.05). A computerized cognitive training program can improve cognitive functions of healthy adults.

MP27-12 FUNCTIONAL ERECTOGENIC NERVE MAPPING OF THE ENTIRE RAT PROSTATE WITH OPTICAL CLEARING

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP27-12 FUNCTIONAL ERECTOGENIC NERVE MAPPING OF THE ENTIRE RAT PROSTATE WITH OPTICAL CLEARING Selman Unal, Biljana Musicki, Ahmet Hoke, and Arthur Burnett Selman UnalSelman Unal More articles by this author , Biljana MusickiBiljana Musicki More articles by this author , Ahmet HokeAhmet Hoke More articles by this author , and Arthur BurnettArthur Burnett More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003255.12AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Erectile dysfunction is an important complication of radical prostatectomy (RP) due to cavernous nerve (CN) injury, which is in part a result of the unknown exact distribution of the CN branches (CNBs) on the prostate. We hypothesized that preserving functional pro-erectile CNBs promotes the success of retaining erectile function after RP. The aim of this study was to determine the functional erectogenic nerve distribution surrounding the entire prostate using a rat model. METHODS: Submaximal electrical stimulation of the CN was performed in male rats to induce penile erection by stimulating nNOS phosphorylation on Ser-1412 (functional nNOS). For localization of the P-nNOS (Ser-1412)-containing and nNOS-containing nerves, whole mount immunofluorescence staining was performed on the prostate, using ß-III-tubulin, a non-specific nerve marker, as control. Furthermore, the staining was combined with optical clearing with benzylalcohol/benzylbenzoate (BABB), which removes lipids and minimizes light scattering, allowing imaging of the tissue in situ. Because the BABB clearing technique has not been used previously for the CN or the whole prostate, we first modified it by optimizing stringency of lipid removal. RESULTS: We achieved optimum staining signal and prostate transparency by modification of BABB clearing technique to include shortening dehydration to prevent fluorescence quenching, followed by incubation with tert-butanol and BABB (1:2) at decreased acidity for 1.5 hour (Figure 1a). Microscopic examination localized nNOS and P-nNOS (Ser-1412)-containing cell bodies in the major pelvic ganglia, CN, and CNBs on the prostate. All nerves stained with nNOS/P-nNOS were also stained with ß-III-tubulin (Figure 1b, c). While there was no background noise in ß-III-tubulin staining, a minor signal of the nNOS and P-nNOS (Ser-1412) staining was observed in other tissues such as vascular smooth muscles. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first mapping of the pro-erectile nerves, in contrast to all nerves, surrounding the anatomically preserved whole rat prostate. This approach allows a dimensional shift from 2D to 3D histology of the whole intact prostate, providing further information about the distribution of pro-erectile CNBs in penile erection. Source of Funding: This study was supported by the Patrick C. Walsh Prostate Cancer Research Grant. Selman Unal was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) for this study © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e366 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Selman Unal More articles by this author Biljana Musicki More articles by this author Ahmet Hoke More articles by this author Arthur Burnett More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Relationship of insight to neurocognitive function and risk of recurrence in depression: A naturalistic follow-up study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly recurrent mental illness accompanied by impairment of neurocognitive function. Lack of insight may affect patients' motivation to seek treatment, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. This study explores the relationship of insight to neurocognitive function and the risk of recurrence of depressive episodes in patients with MDD. Demographic, clinical variables, and neurocognitive function measured with Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift (IED) from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were collected from 277 patients with MDD. Among them, 141 participants completed a follow-up visit within 1-5 years. Insight was measured using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). To explore the factors associated with recurrence, binary logistic regression models were used. Patients with MDD, without insight, had significantly higher total and factor scores (anxiety/somatization, weight, retardation, and sleep) on the HAM-D and worse performance in the neurocognition task, compared to those with insight. Furthermore, binary logistic regression revealed that insight and retardation can predict recurrence. Lack of insight is associated with recurrence and impaired cognitive flexibility in patients with MDD.

UV divergence and tensor reduction

We present an efficient algorithm to decompose the ultraviolet (UV) divergences of Feynman integrals to local divergences and various types of sub-divergences. With some reasonable assumptions the local divergences of Feynman integrals can be uniquely defined in dimensional regularization scheme. By an asymptotic expansion in the hard momenta, the computation of local and sub-divergences is reduced to the computation of local divergences of massless vacuum integrals. In theories with spin $$\le \frac{1}{2}$$ , the beta functions and anomalous dimensions can be extracted directly from the local divergence of integrals. We also propose two methods to reduce the tensor structures which can be used in the computation of local divergence. The first method is based on dimensional shift and is extremely powerful for integrals with loop number $$L\le 3$$ . The second method is based on a PV reduction in a $$d_{\infty }$$ dimension subspace, and it is more suited in four and more loops.

Study of Integrated Crop-targeted Production Efficient Fertilizer Uptake Response

The targeted pattern of multi-crops in investigation, control and treatment blocks emphasize on different crops or integrated approach to farming system in same field at temporal shift in cropping season. Studies and researches through programmes on “Integrated Farming System” paves and does incursion towards re-engineering process in plans and programme structure under farming systems mode. This gamut of framework led to neo institutional birth, through rigorous investigations of past models, approaches, plans, systems by analysis of productivity, viability and constraints prevailing. Designs of resource efficient, efficacious, economic farming system models and proto-modules for different farming scenario have been developed, in temporal dimensional shift of Kharif, Rabi and Zaid. Stoichiometric analysis-based use of balanced uptake fertilizers is done to meet the targeted productivity. Regression analysis and optimization models, equations, quasi-newton method and Jacobi method, amongst others , and conditions and constraints further give boost towards targeted yield productivity of integrated crops in contingency, feasibility and brisk growth , developmental choice models for thriving and succeeding in agriculture scenario through rolling a successful agricultural Integrated Farming System model and approach, with systems intelligence , thinking and technology at core of heart driving simplicity, spirituality and sustainability of global flat world agricultural productivity, in sync and harmony with mother earth.

Brain‐Wide Cellular Resolution Regional Quantification of Microglia and Amyloid in 5xFAD mice

AbstractBackgroundRecent advances in optical clearing and light sheet imaging have opened an exciting new avenue for brain‐wide, cellular resolution immunostaining at the forefront of a dimensional shift from 2D to 3D histology. Traditional histological methods have been a mainstay of neuroscience research dating back more than 100 years. Yet, despite great advances in tissue labeling and imaging technology, until very recently imaging more than a few hundred microns into a tissue has required slicing and mounting on slides. When looking for read‐outs of genetic or pharmacological manipulations that affect the entire brain, this traditional focused approach is lacking, forcing researchers to look at specific brain regions of interest.MethodTo help solve this issue, we have developed an optimized iDISCO‐based tissue clearing method and with our Mesoscale Imaging System for ZEISS Lightsheet microscopes, we can image cellular‐resolution immunoreactivity across entire intact mouse brains in ∼25 min. Further, our machine learning‐enabled 3TK software identifies individual immunostained cells and objects throughout the brain and aligns them to the Allen Reference Atlas to produce an unbiased, regionalized read‐out of cellular patterns across 100’s brain areas. We have applied this technology to quantify microglia and β‐amyloid plaques in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease.ResultUsing antibodies targeting the microglial protein Iba1, we can identify microglia throughout the entire brain. We have developed two machine learning‐enabled workflows; one counts the microglia and the other measures microglial shape. We have also validated methods for labeling β‐amyloid throughout the brain and have used machine learning to differentially quantify immunoreactivity in plaques vs neuronal cell bodies in the same fluorescence channel. In 5xFAD Tg mice, rather than displaying the ramified morphology seen in WT mice, microglia become condensed and colocalize with β‐amyloid plaques. Our automated methods can identify and count plaques and plaque‐associated microglia (PAM) throughout the brain.ConclusionThese new methods for whole‐brain, next generation 3D immunohistochemistry are ideally suited to pre‐clinical studies for unbiased, complete and anatomically precise mapping of the efficacy of CNS therapeutics affecting amyloid deposition and neuroinflammation. We thank NIMH for Grant R43MH122070.

Brain‐Wide Monitoring of Antibody Therapeutics Crossing the Blood‐Brain‐Barrier

AbstractBackgroundRecent advances in optical clearing and light sheet imaging have opened an exciting new avenue for brain‐wide, cellular resolution immunostaining at the forefront of a dimensional shift from 2D to 3D histology. Providing access to the intricate anatomy of the whole intact brain, tissue clearing offers neuroscientists unbiased and complete views of brain anatomy and function. One area where these methods have particular utility is in the development of CNS therapeutics where they can be used to examine the regional distribution of the therapeutic in the brain as well as brain‐wide target engagement and phenotypic efficacy.MethodWe have developed an optimized iDISCO‐based clearing method and with our Mesoscale Imaging System for ZEISS Lightsheet microscopes, we can image cellular‐resolution immunoreactivity across entire mouse brains in ∼25 min. Here we examined whether our technology can detect antibody therapeutics crossing the blood‐brain‐barrier. To do this, we took advantage of a bispecific antibody engineered to bind to the Alzheimer’s Disease target, BACE1, as well as the transferrin receptor (TfR1), which helps shuttle the antibody across the brain endothelium and into the brain parenchyma. Twenty‐four hours after dosing we perfusion‐fixed the brains and performed our modified iDISCO‐based clearing and staining protocol using 3 different anti‐human IgG secondary antibodies.ResultWe found anti‐human antibodies revealed high levels of the bi‐specific antibody in the brain vasculature and parenchyma. Importantly, in brains dosed with a monospecific control antibody that does not bind TfR1, immunoreactivity was at background levels, similar to that seen in control mice that were not dosed with antibody. These data are consistent with binding to TfR1 localizing the bispecific antibody in the vasculature and enabling transport into the brain parenchyma. Importantly, the pattern of immunoreactivity in the cleared brain matched the pattern seen with traditional 2D slice immunohistochemistry. But unlike traditional methods, we were able to examine the concentration of the bi‐specific antibody throughout the entire brain and assess whether the pattern matched that of the therapeutic target.ConclusionTogether, these data provide a clear demonstration of the utility of tissue clearing methods for quantitative brain‐wide monitoring of therapeutic antibody exposure.

STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF ZINC-COATED WIRE MATERIAL ON 3D PROFILE MACHINING OF INCONEL 825 ALLOY USING WEDM PROCESS

The experimental analysis carried out in this paper aimed at the selection of optimal machining conditions for the 3D profile machining of Inconel 825 alloy using Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM). It was noticed that the 3D profile machining of Inconel 825 alloy using WEDM process has not been performed and reported so far by the researchers in this domain to the best of our knowledge. As the machining of Inconel 825 alloy is difficult using the conventional machining processes, nontraditional machining is generally used. As the material is conductive, the WEDM process is suitable to machine this material. The effects of input factors such as wire material, pulse on-time, pulse off-time, peak current, wire tension and gap voltage on the material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (SR) and dimensional shift (DS) have been investigated using [Formula: see text] mixed-level orthogonal array of experiments. The DS value for every machining condition has been predicted and inputted into the CNC system as the wire offset value to enhance the dimensional accuracy of the product. The parametric analysis has been done by Minitab software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to find the significant parameters affecting surface quality. The regression equations have also been formulated to study the adequacy of the model. Multi-response optimization based on the Gray Relational Analysis has been employed and the results that optimize the MRR and SR simultaneously have been suggested. SEM images have been taken on the machined surfaces to compare the surface finish on the specimens.

Obesity and cognitive impairment in the adult population: A case-control study

In Western populations, obesity has been shown to have deleterious effects on many functions of the human body, including cognitive functions. To investigate the relationship between obesity and cognitive function impairment in the Saudi adult population. This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud University Hospital, Riyadh. All adult visitors to clinics and wards from February 2014 to March 2016 who met the selection criteria were included in the sample. The participants were divided into three comparable groups according to BMI: normal weight (BMI <25; Group I), overweight (BMI 25–29.9; Group II), and obese (BMI ≥30; Group III). The Cambridge Neurophysiological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) was used to record the following cognitive function parameters: stop signal tasks (SST) and intra-extra dimensional shift (IED). A total of 138 participants were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 22.2 ± 2.7 years. SST mean correct reaction time on GO trials for Group I was 601.6 ± 290.2; for Group II it was 797.8 ± 303.2 (p = 0.011 compared to Group I), and for Group III it was 893.5 ± 378.7 (p < 0.001 compared to Group I). SST median correct reaction time on GO trials for Group I was 551.57 ± 234.49; for Group 2 it was 693.2 ± 275.7 (p = 0.025), and for Group III it was 742.7 ± 287.1 (p = 0.002). The stop signal task stop signal delay (SST SSD) 50% last half was 327.51 ± 178.63 for Group I; for Group II it was 449.5 ± 207.7 (p = 0.020), and for Group III it was 447.4 ± 263.7 (p = 0.028). Group I completed an average of 8.3 ± 1.3 IED stages; Group II completed 7.5 ± 2.6 (p = 0.090), and Group III completed 8.5 ± 0.8 (p = 1.000). PRM values did not differ significantly across groups. However, cognitive function was significantly delayed for the higher BMI groups when a post-hoc Bonferroni correction was applied. Age and gender correlated significantly, as did gender and BMI. Our findings suggest that Saudi subjects with higher BMI values exhibit poorer performance in many domains of cognitive function than Saudi individuals with a BMI in the normal range. • Obesity significantly affects brain structure and cognitive function. • The relationship between obesity and cognitive function impairment. • An increase in BMI is related to a decrease in cognitive performance.

Effect of USAID-funded obstetric ultrasound service interventions on maternal and perinatal health outcomes at primary healthcare facilities in Ethiopia: a propensity score matching analysis

ObjectiveA dimensional shift in the health service delivery in the primary healthcare setting is required to raise maternal and child well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of US...

Linear Dimensional Change in Acrylic Denture Teeth Positions Factored by Different Processing Techniques and Occlusal Forms: An In Vitro Study

The current literature lacks substantial evidence for the effect of denture base processing techniques and posterior denture tooth forms on denture tooth shifts due to denture base resin polymerization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of PMMA-based denture processing techniques (compression packing and injection molding) and posterior tooth forms (semi-anatomic and non-anatomic) on the linear dimensional shift of denture teeth following denture processing in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Two different complete denture fabrication techniques were used to prepare forty ideal maxillary complete dentures using two different types of posterior tooth forms. The used fabrication techniques were conventional heat polymerized compression packing and injection molding. The posterior tooth forms used in the current study were non-anatomic tooth (0 degrees) and semi-anatomic tooth forms (approximately 20 degrees). Initial linear measurements (vertical and horizontal) were taken from pre-specified points for the central incisor and first molar. Specimens were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10), and denture processing was performed using the two techniques. Final linear measurements were recorded. The linear change in dimension for all six parameters was calculated by deducting the after values from the before values. Since the discrepancies were both positive and negative in magnitude, the absolute value of the difference was taken for further analysis. This value represents the dimensional change. T-tests were used to compare the mean dimensional changes. Furthermore, the mean dimensional changes for all the six parameters were compared using a two-way analysis of variance. The alpha error was set at 5%, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The injection molding technique showed significantly fewer tooth movements in both the vertical and horizontal measurements as compared to the conventional compression packing technique. The non-anatomic tooth showed significantly fewer changes in tooth movement as compared to semi-anatomic teeth in both the compression and injection techniques. This study can guide the selection of a proper processing technique for a particular posterior tooth form, thus minimizing occlusal discrepancies and reducing occlusal corrections during laboratory and clinical remount procedures.