Increase In Diameter Research Articles

Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects both men and women, characterized by progressive hair thinning. While current treatments like minoxidil and finasteride have efficacy limitations and side effects, low-level light therapy (LLLT) using red or near-infrared light has emerged as a promising alternative. Recent animal studies suggest potential benefits from green LED light, though human data are sparse. This study utilized an innovative LED helmet emitting red and green LED light on respective halves of the frontal scalp, delivering an energy density of 40 J/cm2 over 20 min. Clinical photography, physician evaluations on a 7-point scale, patient satisfaction, and measurements of hair density and hair diameter were employed. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, with significance set at p < 0.05. Seventeen participants (47.1% male, 52.9% female, average age 46.47 years) demonstrated notable improvements after 6 months of treatment. Red and green LEDs both significantly increased hair diameter, non-vellus hair density, and satisfaction scores. Notably, the red LED therapy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in vellus hair density and achieved a greater increase in hair diameter compared to the green LED therapy. Minimal adverse effects were reported, primarily consisting of tolerable scalp heat and mild redness. Both red and green LED therapies effectively enhanced hair growth, increasing density and thickness over 6 months. Red LED demonstrated superior improvements in specific measures. Consequently, both therapies present safe and viable alternatives for the management of AGA, expanding the repertoire of available treatment options.

Numerical investigations of heat transfer and pressure drop in packed bed duct exposed to forced convection boundaries under local thermal non-equilibrium conditions

The present study is a 2-D numerical study which discusses the thermohydraulic performance of packed bed duct under local thermal non-equilibrium and steady state conditions exposed to forced convection boundaries (BC-6). The numerical model is well validated with the experimental work reported in the literature and found to be accurate enough to perform further parametric investigations. The analysis is done to see the effect of different ball diameter (5 mm, 9 mm and 11 mm), bed porosity, heat transfer fluid (air, water and engine oil - Pr = 0.70–645) and ball material (EPS, steel and bronze) on heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics in turbulent flow region of Reynolds number ranging from 900 to 14,320. The numerical results obtained using commercial CFD software COMSOL shows that, the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop in packed bed increases with increase in ball diameter, thermal conductivity of ball and bed porosity which is exactly reverse as reported in literature for BC-1 to BC-5. The maximum thermal performance factor with bronze particles is 2.45 and 24.5 times more than stainless steel and EPS particles respectively for larger particle size and bed porosity. Engine oil exhibits significantly higher heat transfer coefficient (9.7 × 105 W/m2K) and pressure drop (3.3 × 106 Pa) compared to water (40,126 W/m2K and 2028 Pa) and air (600 W/m2K and 250 Pa) respectively. Overall, the combination of water as heat transfer fluid along with bronze particles of larger diameter and larger bed porosity emerges as the optimal choice for enhancing heat transfer in the packed duct exposed to forced convection boundary condition BC-6.

Proline Accumulation and Drought Tolerance in Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.)

Green gram (Vigna radiata L.), a key legume crop in Asia, contributes to sustainable agriculture by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and providing valuable nutrients. Despite its importance, productivity is hindered by various factors including drought, affecting key physiological and biochemical processes, leading to reduced yields. This study aimed to identify drought-tolerant green gram genotypes by evaluating 50 accessions for root, shoot and biochemical parameters under controlled moisture stress. An increase in root length and diameter under stress was observed, which aids in nutrient uptake and osmoregulation. Conversely, shoot length and dry weight decreased due to moisture limitations, with genotypes like VBN 3 and PLM 38 showing resilience by maintaining higher dry weights. Biochemical analysis revealed that proline accumulation, which correlates positively with drought tolerance, increased in most genotypes, particularly in IC 395518 and ML 1415. This suggests its role in maintaining cell turgor and mitigating stress effects. Chlorophyll content decreased under stress, while total phenolic content increased in some genotypes, further indicating drought tolerance. Correlation and path analysis revealed strong positive relationships between root traits and proline content, emphasizing their importance in drought tolerance. The study concludes that genotypes with robust root systems and higher proline accumulation are more capable of withstanding drought, highlighting the need for breeding programs targeting these traits for improved green gram productivity under changing climates.

Echocardiographic and clinical features of patients developing prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVI: insights from an international multicenter registry

Abstract Background The impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is controversial. Purpose Our study aims to evaluate the impact of PPM on mortality and clinical-echocardiographic progression of cardiac damage in a "real world" cohort of patients at intermediate and low surgical risk and to characterize its main predictors. Methods 963 patients who underwent TAVI procedure between 2017 and 2021, from an international multicenter observational registry, were included in this analysis. Multiparametric echocardiographic data were analyzed at 1-year follow-up (FU). Clinical and echocardiographic features were stratified by presence of PPM and PPM severity, as per the most current international recommendations (VARC-3 criteria). Results 18% of patients developed post-TAVI PPM, (7.7% of the whole cohort severe). At baseline, 50.3% of patients with PPM were male (vs 46.2% in the cohort without PPM, p=0.33), aged 82y (interquartile range (IQR) 79-85y) vs 82y (IQR 78-86y; p=0.46), and 55.6% had Balloon-Expandable valves implanted (vs 46.8% of patients without PPM, p=0.04); they had smaller left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter (20mm, IQR 19-21 vs 20mm, IQR 20-22, p=0.02), reduced Stroke Volume index (SVi) (34.2 vs 38 ml/m2, p&amp;lt;0.01) and transaortic flow rate (190.6 vs 211 ml/s, p&amp;lt;0.01). At pre-discharge FU patients with PPM had more paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) (moderate/severe AR 15.8% vs 9.2%, p&amp;lt;0.01). At a median FU of 1.46 years (IQR 1-4), there was no evidence of a significant impact of PPM on overall mortality (15.3% vs 13.1%, p=0.46) nor on rehospitalization rate for heart failure (4.3% vs 8.0%, p=0.10). At 1-year FU, maladaptive alterations of left ventricular parameters were found in patients with PPM, with a significant increase in endsystolic diameter (ESD) (33 vs 28mm, p=0.03) and a statistically non-significant increase in LV mass index (121 vs 106g/m2, p=0.07). Interestingly, trajectory parameters of patients with PPM from baseline to 1-year FU showed a reduced cardiac remodeling compared to patients without PPM, including no LVEF improvement (p=0.88), absent reduction of LV end-diastolic volume (p=0.70), indexed LV mass (p=0.31), ESD (p=0.48) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p=0.82), and an increase of basal RV diameter (p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients with moderate/severe PPM had worse NYHA functional class at 1 year (NYHA III-IV 13% vs 7.8%, p=0.03). Independent predictor of PPM at multivariable logistic regression was male gender (OR=1.93, p=0.04); while SVi (OR=0.86, p&amp;lt;0.001), prosthetic size &amp;gt;23mm (OR=0.62, p=0.03) and LVOT diameter (OR=0.79, p=0.02) had protective effect. Conclusions There was no evidence of a short- or medium-term impact of PPM on mortality. However, clinical-echocardiographic evaluations demonstrated a PPM-related pattern of early ventricular maladaptive alterations associated with a significant deterioration in NYHA class at 1 year.

Left atrial and left ventricular positive and negative remodeling after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with negative remodeling of left atrium (LA) and in later stages of diseases with negative remodeling of left ventricle (LV). Can radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of pulmonary veins cure AF and retain progression of arrhythmia? Purpose This study evaluated positive and negative remodeling of LA and LV after RFA of pulmonary veins and a 7-year follow-up. The patients were divided into 4 groups on the basis of Pulmonary Vein Isolation Outcome Degree (PVIOD 1-4), a new measure for the efficacy of catheter ablation of AF. Methods One hundred seventeen patients with symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal and persistent AF were treated with RFA. At baseline and after a 7 years of follow-up, 2-dimensional echocardiography was performed to assess LA diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results After a 7-year follow-up 32.5% patients with successful single RFA of AF (PVIOD 1) showed significant positive LA and LV remodeling: LA diameter 39.3±0.6 vs 36.5±0.6 mm, p=0.0007; LVEDD 53.1±0.6 vs 50.9±0.7 mm, p=0.008; LVESD 34.7±0.8 vs 32.0±0.1 mm, p=0.005 and LVEF 56.8±0.8 vs 62.1±1.1 %, p=0.000008. In 29.1% of patients with success after multiple procedures (PVIOD 2) occurred significant reverse LA remodeling: LA diameter 41.9±0.7 vs 40.2±0.6 mm, p=0.04. Clinical success (PVIOD 3) after RFA was defined as a significant reduction in the number and duration of AF episodes with or without previously ineffective antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) class I and III. In 14.5% of subjects with long-term clinical success (PVIOD 3 and baseline LA diameter 43.2±1.0 mm) remodeling of LA and LV was not occurred. In 23.9% of patients with procedural and clinical failure after RFA (PVIOD 4) long-term follow-up showed significant negative remodeling of LA and LV: LA diameter 44.7±0.7 vs 47.4±0.7 mm, p=0.006; LVEDD 52.8±0.9 vs 57.1±0.6 mm, p=0.0006; LVESD 36.5±1.1 vs 40.7±1.2 mm, p=0.006 and LVEF 50.7±1.7 vs 43.8±1.8 %, p=0.004. Conclusions Single successful RFA of pulmonary veins in early stage of AF with normal LA diameter cure arrhythmia, which was proved with LA and LV positive remodeling after a 7-year follow-up. With increase of LA diameter, the success of RFA decrease. The multiple procedures slow the progression of AF, but are less effective because of long periods of time between them. Clinical success and role of AAD therapy are also important in AF management. If AF is not treated with RFA properly on time it becomes progressive disease.

Endothelial NRG-1 knock-out causes left ventricle dilation in the presence and absence of angiotensin II administration

Abstract Introduction Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is a growth factor derived from endothelial cells and belongs to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family. While NRG-1 is expressed by various cell types, including epithelial cells, glial cells, neurons, and myocytes, the primary source of NRG-1 is considered to be the endothelium. NRG-1 exerts its effects through the EGF receptors ERBB2, ERBB3, and ERBB4. Upon ligand binding, these receptors dimerize and become phosphorylated, leading to downstream signaling that impacts tissue proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The biological role of NRG-1 is intricate due to its isoforms and differential expression across distinct tissue types. In our study, we investigated the impact of endothelial NRG-1 knock-out (KO) on the heart, both in the presence and absence of angiotensin II (ANGII) treatment. ANGII serves as a trigger for NRG-1 upregulation. Methods C57BL/6N-VE-cad-cre-ERT2 mice were crossbred with C57BL/6N-NRG F/F mice, enabling endothelial-specific NRG-1 knockout (KO) using a tamoxifen-inducible promoter. At eight weeks of age, C57BL/6N-VE-cad-cre-ERT2-NRG F/F mice received tamoxifen (1 mg) or vehicle injections for nine consecutive days intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce the KO. Two days after injection, osmotic minipumps were subcutaneously implanted, releasing a stable dose of angiotensin II (ANGII) at a rate of 400 ng·kg·min⁻¹ for a four-week period. Sham operations served as controls (SHAM). In the final week of treatment, high-frequency ultrasound imaging was performed to assess cardiac function and dimensions. After four weeks of ANGII treatment, mice were sacrificed, and organs were weighed and harvested for further molecular analysis. Results High-frequency ultrasound revealed left ventricle dilation in the absence of endothelial NRG-1, both in ANGII-treated and SHAM-treated mice. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in systolic and diastolic left ventricle internal diameter (LVID) in the endothelial NRG-1 KO groups compared to their respective controls. Additionally, systolic and diastolic LV volume (LV-vol) was significantly increased in the endothelial NRG-1 KO groups, regardless of ANGII treatment. Notably, there was no difference in LVID and LV-vol between SHAM and ANGII-treated groups in the presence of endothelial NRG-1, indicating that LV dilation is primarily due to the absence of endothelial NRG-1 rather than ANGII. Furthermore, heart weights of the endothelial NRG-1 KO mice were significantly increased compared to the control groups, as shown in Figure 1. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that endothelial NRG-1 KO leads to LV dilation, suggesting a crucial role for endothelial-secreted NRG-1 in maintaining normal LV function in adulthood. Further research is needed to fully understand the precise role of NRG-1 in LV homeostasis.

Mung Bean Functional Protein Enhances Endothelial Function via Antioxidant Activity and Inflammation Modulation in Middle-Aged Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial

This study examines the impact of mung bean (Vigna radiata) protein consumption on endothelial function in middle-aged adults, focusing on antioxidant enzyme activity and anti-inflammatory markers. Mung beans have shown promise in enhancing cardiovascular function, lowering blood pressure, and improving lipid profiles, but the underlying mechanisms of these functions remain unclear. Conducted as a three-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, this study involved male and female participants aged 45 to 60 and assigned them to consume either a placebo or a mung bean functional drink containing 10 or 15 g of mung bean protein daily for six weeks. Vasodilation was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activity, and inflammatory markers were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The results indicate that six weeks of mung bean consumption significantly benefits healthy middle-aged adults by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing inflammatory mediators’ expression. Additionally, the increase in brachial artery diameter following FMD indicates improved endothelial function.

Effects of Microbial Organic Fertilizer, Microbial Inoculant, and Quicklime on Soil Microbial Community Composition in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Continuous Cropping System

The additions of microbial organic fertilizer (MOF), a microbial inoculant (MI), and quicklime (Q) are considered to be sustainable practices to restore land that has been damaged by continuous cropping of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). However, the combined effects of these three additives on pepper yield, soil chemical properties, and soil microbial communities were unclear. The experimental design consists of 13 treatment groups: the untreated soil (control); soil amended solely with three treatments for each of MOF (1875–5625 kg ha−1), MI (150–450 mL plant−1), and Q (1500–4500 kg ha−1); and soil amended with combinations of MOF, MI, and Q at three comparable concentrations. A significant increase in pepper fruit diameter, length, yield, and soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents occurs upon exclusive and combined applications of MOF, MI, and Q. Pepper yield was greatest (29.89% more than control values) in the combined treatment with concentrations of 1875 kg ha−1 MOF, 150 mL plant−1 MI, and 1500 kg ha−1 Q. The application of Q increased soil pH and reduced soil–fungal richness. The application of MOF, MI, and Q increased the relative abundance of bacterial genera and the complexity of bacterial and fungal co-occurrence networks compared with control levels. The combined application of MOF, MI, and Q resulted in the greatest microbial network complexity. A Mantel test revealed the key role of soil available nitrogen content and bacterial diversity in the regulation of pepper growth and yield. We conclude that the combined application of MOF, MI, and Q improves soil nutrient availability and modifies soil microbial community composition, significantly promoting plant growth and pepper yield during continuous cultivation.

Conservative Management of mild symptomatic descending thoracic aneurysm – A case report with 1year follow-up

Background: The thoracic aorta is made up of the ascending, descending, aortic arch, and aortic root. An aneurysm forms when the artery's usual diameter increases by fifty percent. Thoracic aneurysms affect 10 of every 100,000 elderly adults and are less common than their abdominal counterparts. Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) rarely experience symptoms, and 95% of TAA patients are asymptomatic. Case history: A 47-year-old male patient who had a medical history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking. During the first visit, the patient presented with two months of dull back pain. The patient's blood pressure was 180/110 mm of Hg. Our initial assessment involved taking an X-ray and an echocardiography of the patient's chest. The data from his echocardiography and chest reveals that he has a thoracic aneurysm. After a confirmatory CT scan, the diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysm was made. Conclusion: In our case report, conservative method was successful in the management of a mild symptomatic descending thoracic aorta aneurysm. However, the size, growth pace, and underlying cause of an aortic aneurysm might all affect whether doctors recommend surgery to repair it. If an aneurysm ruptures or dissects, immediate surgery may be required. J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2023; 15(1): 87-90

Ovarian and testicular ripening process, reproductive season and size at maturity in Octopus hubbsorum (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to the knowledge of the reproductive biology of Octopus hubbsorum Berry 1953. Its reproductive season in Bahía Magdalena, Baja California Sur ranges from May to October. The increase of gonadosomatic index in females coupled with the decline in Guerra’s index and the increase in oocyte diameter in May and September were indicative of spawning. The total sex ratio was 1:1; males were larger than females. Females reach sexual maturity at 119.7 mm of dorsal mantle length and 628.6 g of total weight. This paper also addressed different aspects on reproductive studies, allowing the identification of the type of gonadal development as a group-synchronous type and the transition from physiological to functional maturity, in both qualitative and quantitative terms (proportion of oocyte stages). Detailed descriptions of the oogenesis/folliculogenesis stages of O. hubbsorum are presented with detailed photographs (in Supplemental online material).

Autoignition of premixed hydrogen/air mixtures with uniformly dispersed carbon particles

The autoignition of a stoichiometric hydrogen/air mixture laden with uniformly distributed coal char particles is simulated with the Eulerian-Lagrangian approach under isochoric conditions. A zero-dimensional model is adopted to assess the effects of gas temperature, pressure, particle diameter, and concentration on ignition dynamics. Increasing the initial temperature reduces the ignition time and maximum heat release rate of the homogeneous reactions, while the parameters for particle reactions stabilize after reaching a critical temperature. Initial pressure exhibits a non-monotonic influence on gas phase ignition, with higher pressures promoting particle autoignition. An increase in particle diameter decreases the ignition time for the homogeneous reaction, approaching that of particle-free conditions. Meanwhile, particle ignition time first decreases and then linearly increases. Increasing particle concentration reduces the interphase disparities of ignition times, while the two-phase ignition times rapidly rise after exceeding the critical concentration. Moreover, pre-ignition temperature equilibrium (PTE) significantly impacts the ignition parameters and processes. PTE results in a minimal ignition time disparity between the gas and particles, with coal char particles markedly influencing hydrogen ignition. Failure to reach PTE leads to significant two-phase ignition time differences, with negligible impact from the solid phase on gas phase ignition. The particle effect ratio, δ, is introduced to evaluate these effects. Notably, the evolution variations in ignition time and heat release rate are determined by the existence of the PTE under corresponding initial conditions. The findings of this study are crucial for developing strategies to mitigate explosion hazards and enhance the performance of detonation propulsion systems using hybrid fuels.

A promising pullulan/PLA composite: Influence of pullulan in the scaffolds morphology constructed by 3D printing

AbstractManufacturing three‐dimensional scaffolds with significant rough and porous structures is advantageous in tissue regeneration approaches influencing cell growth. Thus, this work aims to study the effect of using different Pullulan contents (PULL) in the poly(lactic) acid (PLA) matrix for 3D printing scaffolds. PLA composites filler with PULL (5 and 10% wt.) were prepared in a thermokinetic mixer, extruded in a machine, and then used to print samples using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer. The prepared filaments and scaffolds were characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry analyses (TGA), water contact angle (WCA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and hardness techniques. The insertion of PULL into the PLA matrix influenced the increase in diameter and roughness, and density reduction of the composite filaments compared to pristine PLA. Furthermore, the filler promoted an increase in thermal stability, shore hardness, and the development of promising morphological characteristics for cell growth because the walls of the scaffolds are more robust and have more regular‐sized holes. The scaffold fabrication reinforced with 10% PULL presented high surface roughness (up to 1022% if compared with pristine PLA), and open pores can be confirmed successfully compared to pristine PLA. Thus, the use of PULL as a filler in a PLA matrix guarantees the development of composite scaffolds with improved morphological and hardness properties, which could allow the possibility of future research into the application of the proposed material (10% wt. PULL) as an ecologically correct and biocompatible alternative for application in tissue engineering.

Rice Under Dry Cultivation–Maize Intercropping Improves Soil Environment and Increases Total Yield by Regulating Belowground Root Growth

Under the one-season-a-year cropping pattern in Northeast China, continuous cropping is one of the main factors contributing to the degradation of black soil. Previous studies (on maize–soybean, maize–peanut, and maize–wheat intercropping) have shown that intercropping can alleviate this problem. However, it is not known whether intercropping is feasible for maize and rice under dry cultivation, and its effects on yield and soil fertility are unknown. A three-year field-orientation experiment was conducted at Jilin Agricultural University in Changchun city, Jilin Province, China, consisting of three cropping regimes, namely rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping (IRM), sole rice under dry cultivation (SR), and sole maize (SM). All straw was fully returned to the field after mechanical harvesting. Rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping with a land-equivalent ratio of 1.05 (the average of three years values) increased the total yield by 8.63% compared to the monoculture system. The aggressivity (A), relative crowding coefficient (K), time–area-equivalent ratio (ATER), and competition ratio (CR) value were positive or ≥1, also indicating that the rice under dry cultivation–maize intercropping had a yield advantage of the overall intercropping system. This is because the intercropped maize root length density (RLD) increased by 33.94–102.84% in the 0–40 cm soil layer, which contributed to an increase in the soil porosity (SP) of 5.58–10.10% in the 0–30 cm soil layer, an increase in the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) of 3.00–15.69%, an increase in the geometric mean diameter of soil aggregates (GMD) of 8.16–26.42%, a decrease in the soil bulk density (SBD) of 4.02–7.35%, and an increase in the soil organic matter content (SOM) of 0.60–4.35%. This increased the water permeability and aeration of the soil and facilitated the absorption of nutrients and water by the root system and their transportation above ground, and the plant nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium accumulation in the intercropping system were significantly higher than that in monoculture treatment, further promoting the total yield of intercropping. This suggests that rice under a dry cultivation–maize intercropping system is feasible in Northeast China, mainly because it promotes belowground root growth, improves the soil environment, and increases the total yield of intercropping.

Influence of Tool Wear and Workpiece Diameter on Surface Quality and Prediction of Surface Roughness in Turning

In turning, tool wear and cutting vibration are inevitable, which have great influence on surface quality. Analyzing the influence mechanism of tool wear and cutting vibration on surface quality is important to achieve the accurate prediction of surface roughness before machining and improve machining quality. In this paper, a turning vibration experiment is conducted to reveal that the diameter of shafts is an important factor affecting the vibration amplitude and frequency. In addition, based on machining parameters, tool wear and workpiece diameter, this empirical model, the response surface method and a support vector machine are used to model and predict surface roughness. The fitting accuracy, prediction accuracy and generalization performance of the proposed methods are compared in detail. The results show that the response surface modeling method has the highest fitting accuracy, but the exponential empirical modeling method has the highest prediction accuracy and best generalization performance. Additionally, the prediction results indicate that the surface roughness increases with the increase in tool wear and decreases with the increase in workpiece diameter.

Emotional contagion to vocal smile revealed by combined pupil reactivity and motor resonance

The interplay between the different components of emotional contagion (i.e. emotional state and facial motor resonance), both during implicit and explicit appraisal of emotion, remains controversial. The aims of this study were (i) to distinguish between these components thanks to vocal smile processing and (ii) to assess how they reflect implicit processes and/or an explicit appraisal loop. Emotional contagion to subtle vocal emotions was studied in 25 adults through motor resonance and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) reactivity. Facial expressions (fEMG: facial electromyography) and pupil dilation were assessed during the processing and judgement of artificially emotionally modified sentences. fEMG revealed that Zygomaticus major was reactive to the perceived valence of sounds, whereas the activity of Corrugator supercilii reflected explicit judgement. Timing analysis of pupil dilation provided further insight into both the emotional state and the implicit and explicit processing of vocal emotion, showing earlier activity for emotional stimuli than for neutral stimuli, followed by valence-dependent variations and a late judgement-dependent increase in pupil diameter. This innovative combination of different electrophysiological measures shed new light on the debate between central and peripherical views within the framework of emotional contagion.

Transcriptome analysis identifies potential molecular mechanisms for growth of fast muscle in Chinese perch juvenile

Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) is an important commercial fish species in China. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of growth and development of skeletal muscle is helpful for selection breeding and improving the growth rate of Chinese perch. We analyzed histological and transcriptomic differences in fast muscle of Chinese perch between 30 days post hatching (dph) and 60 dph using histological sections and high-throughput RNA-Seq. The results showed that the diameter of muscle fibers in 30 dph Chinese perch was mainly distributed in range of 30 − 40 μm, and that of 60 dph was primarily in the range of 40 − 50 μm. 34 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the fast muscle of Chinese perch between 30 and 60 dph, of which 9 were up-regulated and 25 were down-regulated (60 dph vs 30 dph). The DEGs, including MYH4, ENO3, Bag3, krt13 and krt18, are associated with muscle cell differentiation and fusion in Chinese perch. The analysis of the protein–protein interaction network of DEGs revealed that FOS, junb and EGR1 may involve in the development of fast muscle. KEGG enrichment results showed that the up-regulated genes in the 60 dph were associated with several pathways related to metabolism and protein synthesis, such as glycosphingolipid biosynthesis and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. The results suggest that the development of fast muscle in Chinese perch from 30 to 60 dph is accompanied by an increase in muscle fiber diameter and changes in gene expression related to muscle cell differentiation and protein synthesis.Abbreviations: DEGs, differentially expressed genes; dph, days post hatching; FC, fold change; FDR, False Discovery Rate; GO, Gene Ontology; KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes; MyHCs, Myosin heavy chains; qRT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR.

Study on Shear Strength of Soil–Root Systems of Different Vegetation Types

The root systems of vegetation significantly contribute to enhancing slope stability. The shear strength of soil–root systems is a crucial parameter for assessing slope stability. This study focuses on six types of vegetation in the Yellow River Basin of China (woodland: Populus przewalskii and Broussonetia papyrifera; shrubland: Periploca sepium and Ziziphus jujuba; grassland: Artemisia hedinii and Setaria viridis), employing in situ shear tests and the Wu–Waldron model (Wu model) to investigate the shear strength of soil–root systems. The results show that the shear stress–displacement curves for P. przewalskii, B. papyrifera, and Z. jujuba are higher and steeper, with clear inflection points. The tensile strength of the roots from the six vegetation types decreases as the root diameter increases. According to the Wu model, the additional root cohesion is ranked as follows: A. hedinii &gt; B. papyrifera &gt; P. przewalskii &gt; Z. jujuba &gt; P. sepium &gt; S. viridis. Based on the in situ shear tests, the shear strength increments are ranked as follows: Z. jujuba &gt; B. papyrifera &gt; P. przewalskii &gt; A. hedinii &gt; P. sepium &gt; S. viridis. Overall, the additional root cohesion obtained by the Wu model in each soil layer is greater than the shear strength increment measured from the in situ shear tests. In the 0–30 cm soil layers, the soil–root systems of Z. jujuba, B. papyrifera, P. przewalskii, and A. hedinii exhibit a better shear strength, whereas P. sepium and S. viridis perform poorly. A principal component analysis reveals that the shear strength of the soil–root systems of different vegetation types is primarily influenced by the soil moisture content and root mass density. Z. jujuba, B. papyrifera, P. przewalskii, and A. hedinii are recommended for ecological restoration projects in the Yellow River Basin of China.

Optimal design of deep stormwater drainage tunnels to address urban flooding in Korea

Deep stormwater drainage tunnels play a crucial role in mitigating severe urban flooding in Korea, particularly as climate change leads to more extreme weather events. These tunnels typically consist of an entrance reservoir, a circular reinforced concrete culvert with a flat slope, a downstream reservoir, and an outlet to a nearby river. In this system, the flow within the circular culvert is driven solely by the momentum of free-falling stormwater runoff. However, concerns have emerged within the Korean water resources engineering community about the drainage capacity of these tunnels, even with a substantial fall height of approximately 30 m. Intensified localized rainfall, the abrupt transition from flood waves to pressurized flow within the circular culvert, and trapped air pockets can also pose significant challenges to the tunnel’s drainage efficiency. Conventional design methods often fail to optimize the culvert’s diameter and spatial configuration, leading to suboptimal performance. In response, this study utilizes 3D numerical simulations with the interFoam solver from the OpenFOAM toolbox to address these issues. The results indicate that smaller culvert diameters—provided they do not exceed the maximum permissible flow velocity—enhance drainage capacity by reducing the impact of shock waves and stabilizing flow. These findings challenge the prevailing design practice in Korea, which holds that larger culverts inherently offer superior drainage capacity. Moreover, the simulations suggest that as culvert diameters increase, the size of trapped air pockets grows, further reducing efficiency. Although air chambers can help mitigate the retarding effects of trapped air pockets, their effectiveness diminishes if positioned near the origin of shock waves, where they risk being filled with stormwater. Based on these insights, several key recommendations are proposed: First, the design of deep stormwater tunnels should prioritize minimizing the extent of trapped air pockets, even when air chambers are used. Second, the current focus on detention capacity in design practices should be reevaluated, as excessive detention capacity may exacerbate air pocket formation. Finally, modifying the inlet channel to induce spiral flow within the entrance reservoir could reduce impulsive forces, lower maintenance costs related to armoring rocks at the reservoir bottom, and stabilize flow more quickly, thereby enhancing overall drainage capacity.

Comprehensive quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment of skeletal muscle pathophysiology in golden retriever muscular dystrophy: Insights from multicomponent water T2 and extracellular volume fraction.

Quantitative MRI and MRS have become important tools for the assessment and management of patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Despite significant progress, there is a need for new objective measures with improved specificity to the underlying pathophysiological alteration. This would enhance our ability to characterize disease evolution and improve therapeutic development. In this study, qMRI methods that are commonly used in clinical studies involving NMDs, like water T2 (T2H2O) and T1 and fat-fraction (FF) mapping, were employed to evaluate disease activity and progression in the skeletal muscle of golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dogs. Additionally, extracellular volume (ECV) fraction and single-voxel bicomponent water T2 relaxometry were included as potential markers of specific histopathological changes within the tissue. Apart from FF, which was not significantly different between GRMD and control dogs and showed no trend with age, T2H2O, T1, ECV, and the relative fraction of the long-T2 component, A2, were significantly elevated in GRMD dogs across all age ranges. Moreover, longitudinal assessment starting at 2months of age revealed significant decreases in T2H2O, T1, ECV, A2, and the T2 of the shorter-T2 component, T21, in both control and GRMD dogs during their first year of life. Notably, insights from ECV and bicomponent water T2 indicate that (I) the elevated T2H2O and T1 values observed in dystrophic muscle are primarily driven by an expansion of the extracellular space, likely driven by the edematous component of inflammatory responses to tissue injury and (II) the significant decrease of T2H2O and T1 with age in control and GRMD dogs reflects primarily the progressive increase in fiber diameter and protein content during tissue development. Our study underscores the potential of multicomponent water T2 relaxometry and ECV to provide valuable insights into muscle pathology in NMDs.

The pinning characteristics of droplets and the self-repair mechanism of lubricating film on nanoporous surface: A molecular dynamics perspective

The nanoscale pore gives rich dynamic information to the flow behavior of the droplets exuded on the SLIPS (Smooth Liquid-Infused Porous Surface). The key to realizing fast self-healing of lubricating film is to understand the dynamic law of droplets at nano-orifice. In this paper, a dynamics model of the exudation and spreading behavior is established by the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. The characteristics and the mechanism of pinning and spreading of nano-droplets were studied. We found that adjusting the wettability and pore diameter can change the liquid exudation and the pinning time of droplets at the orifice. The weaker wettability and larger pore diameter both can increase the exudation velocity and reduce the pinning time of the droplets, which then improves the spreading of exuded droplets and the self-repairing efficiency of the damaged liquid film. As the pore diameter increases, the spreading area of the droplets on the surface of the pore increases. The increase in the wettability also facilitates the spreading behavior, but the outflow rate of the liquid from the pore decreases. Under the combined effect of the two factors, the spreading area of droplets first increases and then decreases with the wettability increases. The results provide potential insights into the spreading mechanism of nanodroplets on porous surfaces.