Large Branches Research Articles

New Icosahedra-based B4N phases by particle swarm optimization

B4N is expected to be a superhard material with outstanding mechanical properties like B4C. The longstanding uncertainty in its stable structural information impeded the understanding of its physical and chemical properties. Here, we systematically investigated the thermodynamically stable phases of B4N and their corresponding functional properties by using the particle swarm optimization method combined with first-principles calculations. Two new icosahedra-based B4N phases that different from the rhombohedral boron carbide type structure were predicted to be more thermodynamically stable in the pressure range of 0–300 GPa. Their dynamical stability has been identified by the theoretical phonon dispersion curves. By contrast, the long-assumed rhombohedral boron carbide type structure of B4N was currently determined to have much higher formation enthalpy and large imaginary phonon branches at zero pressure. As a result, it is obviously less stable than the newly predicted two phases. The calculated electrical and mechanical properties of these two new phases show that they possess both metallic and superhard characters, which will stimulate further high-pressure studies on synthesis and characterization.

Picea species from humid continental and temperate marine climates perform better in monsoonal areas of middle latitudes of China

Picea spp. are a prominent component of the boreal, montane, and sub-alpine forests in the Northern Hemisphere, and have substantial economic importance due to their high quality fibre. However, performance and wood properties of the genus have not been systematically evaluated in China. This study aimed to examine genetic variations in growth traits, phenology, and wood properties of 17 Picea species, (three from North America, two from Europe, and 12 from China), in response to specific climate factors using a randomized complete block design in a monsoonal, middle latitude area of China. Results show that all growth traits and wood properties significantly varied among species (P < 0.00). Of the 17 species examined, P. abies and P. pungens were the tallest with heights of 2.5 and 1.9 m at 9 years old, respectively, 90% and 50% greater than the average heights. Branch length, number, and angles of both P. abies and P. pungens were greater than those of the other species. Heights of P. glauca and P. omorika were 20–33% greater than the average. Fast-growing species had high quantities of first lateral branches and large top whorl branch lengths. The taller species exhibited greater tracheid lengths and average tracheid lengths to radial central diameter ratios (TL/R_D2), but smaller cell wall thicknesses to tracheid radial lumen diameter ratios (WT/R_D1), which is favorable for pulp production. Correlation analysis revealed that height and ring width had significant positive correlations with latitude but strongly negative correlations with longitude. Height was positively correlated with average annual rainfalls, but negative correlations with average yearly sunshine. Due to the increased average annual sunshine at the China test site relative to the seed source, species such as P. abies, P. pungens, P. glauca, and P. omorika from wet, humid areas performed better than native species. Considering similar temperatures, precipitation may be the main factor affecting growth, which is beneficial for predicting the extent of spruce expansion. These results should encourage further testing and provide reference information for future exotic species studies in this part of China.

Complete genome sequences of porcine circovirus-like virus P1 mutants with 163 amino acids in the capsid protein.

Porcine circovirus-like virus P1 is a novel circovirus that was originally detected in China in 2005. Here, we report the genome sequences of P1 isolates JS02, JS03, and HuN06, each with 163 amino acids in its capsid protein. The complete genome of each of these isolates contains 649 nucleotides and has a T insertion at position 207. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete genome sequences of 18 P1 reference strains grouped 16 P1 sequences from this study into one cluster, with the JS02, JS03, and HuN06 isolates forming an independent clade. However, phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences of the capsid protein showed that the JS02, JS03, and HuN06 strains were on the same large branch with PCV2, distinct from other P1 isolates. These results help us to understand the origin and evolution of P1.

Pulmonary artery thrombosis as one of the crucial pathonorphological signs of COVID-19: results of 7 autopsies and literature review

Pulmonary artery thrombosis is one of the crucial mechanisms of severe COVID-19 development. Histological examination reveals widespread microvascular thrombosis in 87 % and large branches pulmonary artery thrombosis in 13 % of deceased patients. Caused by viral and immune cytotoxic effect thrombotic lung vasculopathy appears to be the main trigger of pulmonary artery thrombosis. In this study we examined 7 lungs obtained from patients who died from COVID-19. Thrombotic lung vasculopathy was typical sign of all 7 lungs. Endothelial cell destruction, media fibrinoid necrosis, neutrophil and lymphocytic infiltrates of the arterial wall and perivascular tissues were the basic histological changes in the lung arteries of different diameters. All this fatal changes developed independently of the therapeutic and prophylactic anticoagulation.

Model of the onset of liquid entrainment in large branch T-junction with the consideration of surface tension

The T-junction exists widely in industrial engineering, especially in nuclear power plants, which plays an important part in nuclear power reactor thermal-hydraulics. However, the existing prediction models of the liquid entrainment are mainly based on the small branches or small breaks while there are a few researches for large branches (d/D > 0.2). Referring to the classical models about the onset of liquid entrainment of the T-junction, most of previous models regard liquid as ideal working fluid and ignore surface tension. This paper aims to study the effect of surface tension on the liquid entrainment, and develops an improved model based on the reasonable assumption. The establishment of new model employs the methods of force analysis, dimensional analysis. Besides, the dimensionless Weber number is adopted innovatively into the model to show the effect of surface tension. What is more, in order to validate the new model, three kinds of working fluids with different surface tensions are creatively adopted in the experiments: water, silicone oil and ethyl alcohol. The final results show that surface tension has a nonnegligible effect on the onset of liquid entrainment in large branch T-junction. The new model is well matched with the experimental data.

Plasmons and screening in finite-bandwidth two-dimensional electron gas

The dynamical and nonlocal dielectric function of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) with finite energy bandwidth is computed within random-phase approximation. For large bandwidth, the plasmon dispersion has two separate branches at small and large momenta. The large momenta branch exhibits negative quasi-flat dispersion. The two branches merge with decreasing bandwidth. We discuss how the maximum energy plasmon mode which resides at energies larger than all particle-hole continuum can potentially open a route to low-loss plasmons. Moreover, we discuss the bandwidth effects on the static screening of the charged and magnetic impurities.

The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat is the first-line therapy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a precapillary type of pulmonary hypertension with chronic obstruction of large and medium branches of pulmonary arteries along with secondary alterations in pulmonary microcirculation, which cause progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure and ensuing severe right heart dysfunction and heart failure. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is the treatment of choice for CTEPH; however, this procedure is available not for all patients. Although the surgery performed in the conditions of centers with advanced experience generally shows good results, up to 40% of patients are technically inoperable or PTE is associated with a high risk of complications. At present, riociguat, the only officially approved drug from the class of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, is considered as a first-line treatment for inoperable and residual forms of STEPH. Introduction of riociguat to clinical practice can be called a real breakthrough in the treatment of patients with STEPH who cannot undergo PTE or those with relapse or persistent STEPH after the surgery.

Structural features of the anterior region of the mandible

The research aims were to find out further intraosseous mandible organization indications and to structure it systematically. Material and methods: in our research 400 mandibles were used: for the intraosseous examinations in total 300 mandibles of persons aged 20–65 were used. For all corpses cephalic index was measured. Segmentation of the mandibles were made by Jigley saw between medial root of the first molar at one side and central and second incisor of the opposite one. After that segments were stained with Schiff's reagent with following preparation. Dry preparations (n = 100) were used in exploration of mental foramen macroanatomy. Results: mental foramen cavity depth was divided into three types: low, n = 33 (depth 269 ± 081 mm), medium, n = 36 (depth 358 ± 092 mm) and deep, n = 31 (depth 417 ± 036 mm); transverse size of the cavity is 3109 ± 041 mm and longitudinal size is 397 ± 055 mm. According to the mandible anterior intraosseous organization research it is possible to make a mental nerve intraosseous canal types systematization: semi-oval; straight; s-shaped type, formed by two opposite and transient bends. The S-shaped type (49%) is more common in persons with a dolichocephalic skull type, especially (57.55%) in mesocephalic type and semi-oval (66.36%) in brachycephalic type. Conclusion: nerve in the eponymous mental foramen, (which we would like to call a cavity), is branched into two large branches: the extraosseous branch, which innervates the soft tissues (such as Rr. mentales, Rr. labiales and Rr. gingivales), and the intraosseous branch, which runs from the mental foramen to the symphysis, from the latter branch to the first premolar, to the canine and to the incisors.

Flow-induced acoustic resonances in closed tandem side branches with large diameter

Flow-induced acoustic resonances in closed tandem side branches with large branch diameter are investigated experimentally. The diameters of the main pipe and branches are 305 mm and 64 mm, respectively. Three single branches with different lengths, L/d = 5.86–8.52, are investigated. The first and second hydrodynamic modes are excited at Strouhal numbers close to 0.4 and 0.8, respectively. The normalized pulsation amplitude of a certain mode decreases in branch length. For tandem branches, the resonances are rarely affected by the distance in the investigated range of Lt/D = 3.28–9.84. The branch number has no effects on dominant frequencies, but the critical velocity increases in branch number. In the delayed regions, the amplitudes in tandem branches are enhanced remarkably due to change in resonance mode. The maximum amplitudes excited by the first acoustic mode in the tandem branches, which are much higher than that in the single branch, are all in delay regions and close.

Comparison of fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave-free ratio and a novel technique for assessing coronary arteries with serial lesions.

Physiological indices such as fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and resting distal coronary to aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) are increasingly used to guide revascularisation. However, reliable assessment of individual stenoses in serial coronary disease remains an unmet need. This study aimed to compare conventional pressure-based indices, a reference Doppler-based resistance index (hyperaemic stenosis resistance [hSR]) and a recently described mathematical correction model to predict the contribution of individual stenoses in serial disease. Resting and hyperaemic pressure wire pullbacks were performed in 54 patients with serial disease. For each stenosis, FFR, iFR, and Pd/Pa were measured by the translesional gradient in each index and the predicted FFR (FFRpred) derived mathematically from hyperaemic pullback data. "True" stenosis significance by each index was assessed following PCI of the accompanying stenosis or measurements made in a large disease-free branch. In 27 patients, Doppler average peak flow velocity (APV) was also measured to calculate hSR (hSR=∆P/APV, where ∆P=translesional pressure gradient). FFR underestimated individual stenosis severity, inversely proportional to cumulative FFR (r=0.5, p<0.001). Mean errors for FFR, iFR and Pd/Pa were 33%, 20% and 24%, respectively, and 14% for FFRpred (p<0.001). Stenosis misclassification rates based on FFR 0.80, iFR 0.89 and Pd/Pa 0.91 thresholds were not significantly different (17%, 24% and 20%, respectively) but were higher than FFRpred (11%, p<0.001). Apparent and true hSR correlated strongly (r=0.87, p<0.001, mean error 0.19±0.3), with only 7% of stenoses misclassified. Individual stenosis severity is significantly underestimated in the presence of serial disease, using both hyperaemic and resting pressure-based indices. hSR is less prone to error but challenges in optimising Doppler signals limit clinical utility. A mathematical correction model, using data from hyperaemic pressure wire pullback, produces similar accuracy to hSR and is superior to conventional pressure-based indices.

Anatomical Study and Clinical Application of Ulnar Artery Proximal Perforator Flaps.

The purpose of this study is to document the vascular anatomy of the free ulnar artery proximal perforator flap and to highlight the possibility of harvesting it based on the perforators originating from the posterior ulnar recurrent artery (PURA), to spare both the main axis of vascular supply to the hand. In addition, we present a case series of five patients treated for soft tissue defects of the hand with free ulnar artery proximal perforator flaps. Ten specimens of anterior forearm were dissected in this study to register number and characteristics of ulnar perforators. The dissection was focused on the perforators originating from the larger branch of the ulnar artery, the PURA, at the proximal third of anteromedial forearm. The anatomical dissections were evaluated in relationship with clinical dissections performed during flap harvesting in five patients. In three of the specimens dissected, the proximal perforator originated from the PURA, and in the other seven specimens, it originated directly from the ulnar artery. Five cases of reconstruction of the hand were performed with success using the free ulnar artery proximal perforator flap, and in two cases, the perforator from the PURA was found and it was possible to raise the flap based on this branch of the ulnar artery. The free ulnar artery proximal perforator flap can be harvested in two different manners for the same skin island of the forearm. When possible, harvesting it form the PURA allows lengthening of the pedicle. In our experience, this flap presents many advantages such as thinness and hairlessness; it allows preservation of the ulnar neurovascular bundle with an acceptable donor site morbidity. IV.

Bonbu and Bangmyeon: The Lineage Principle in Daesoon Jinrihoe

Park Wudang formally registered Daesoon Jinrihoe in 1969. While it shares ideas and history with other Jeungsanist groups, this paper argues that its organizational profile is unique. The two major institutional structures, the bonbu (headquarters) and the bangmyeon (branch) have together created space for the rapid development of this Korean new religion. The bonbu is a centralized hierarchy, while the bangmyeon exhibits the strong loyalty and cohesiveness of the clan. Running throughout both structural forms is the lineage concept, which is conceived here as an articulating paradigm able to operate in different organizational forms. This finely-balanced institutional structure makes a major contribution to Daesoon Jinrihoe’s ability to fulfill its religious mission. The first side of this balance is the headquarters, which includes the core organization based in Yeoju as well as some outside temples and training centers. All of these were established under the direction of the Lord of Principle, the Dojeon, Park Wudang. Park Wudang also fixed the Dao Constitution, the Doheon, which serves as a blueprint for governance. From the Central Council to the various institutions for propagation, guidance, and auditing, current management practices conform closely to Park Wudang’s organization vision. The second aspect of Daesoon Jinrihoe’s organization is the branch structure. The larger branches, such as Yeongwol and Geumreung, are complex organizations in their own rights. The paper concludes by characterizing the two major axes of headquarters and branch as organizational types. Using Robert Quinn and Kim Cameron’s institutional typology, the paper concludes that the bonbu is a classic centralized hierarchy with its focus on efficiency. The bangmyeon, in contrast, with its high level of group identity and spirit, comes approximates the clan institutional structure.

Morphometry of the Brachiocephalic Artery: A Cadaveric Anatomical Study

IntroductionThe brachiocephalic artery (BCA) is the largest branch that arises from the aortic arch, which varies in length. The present study focuses on BCA length and its probable correlation with height and torso length.MethodsThe BCA length (from the artery’s origin to the arcus aortae), the length of the torso, and height were measured in 76 embalmed adult human cadavers of Caucasian (Hellenic) origin.ResultsA total of 74 arteries were measured (36 females and 38 males). The mean length was found to be 3.82 cm (SD=±0.947, SE=0.110). In male cadavers, the mean BCA length was 3.94 cm (SD=±0.980, SE=0.159) and in females, it was found to be 3.69 cm (SD=±0.905, SE=0.151). No statistically significant difference was found (p=0.248, p>0.05) The mean torso length was 62.27 cm (SD=±4.325, SE=0.496) and the mean height was 155.3 cm (SD=±10.124, SE=1.161). The BCA length was correlated with body height and torso length in both sexes. A statistically significant correlation was found only between BCA length and body height in male cadavers (r=0.267, p=0.021).ConclusionThe morphometric characteristics of the BCA are of great importance in a number of surgical procedures, such as stenting and catheterization in cases of aneurysms. One statistically significant correlation was observed in our study, which could be considered an important finding, as it could lead to the plausible assumption that greater height leads to the formation of larger arteries.

Tribute to Prof. Geoffrey Burnstock: transition of purinergicsignaling to drug discovery.

Geoffrey Burnstock made a chance observation early in his research career that did not fit the conventional scientific dogma-non-noradrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves. Instead of rejecting these as an artifact, he followed their logical course to characterize the actions of extracellular ATP on nerves and muscles, eventually founding a large branch of pharmacology around purinergic signaling. The solid proof that validated his concept and dismissed many detractors was the cloning of seven ionotropic P2X receptors and eight metabotropic P2Y receptors, which are expressed in some combination in every tissue and organ. Given the broad importance of this signaling system in biology, medicinal chemists, inspired by Burnstock, began creating synthetic agonists and antagonists for these purinergic receptors. Various ligands have advanced to clinical trials, for disorders of the immune, nervous, cardiovascular, and other systems, and a few are already approved. Thus, medically important approaches have been derived from Burnstock's original pharmacological concepts and his constant guiding of the course of the field. The therapeutic potential of modulators of purinergic signaling is vast.

Reduction of wildfire hazard by automated monitoring of vegetation interference with power lines: point cloud analysis combined with cable mechanics

Vegetation interference with power lines is one of the most common causes of electrical outages of distribution systems and have a high potential of causing vast wildfires when combined with dry and hot weather under high wind conditions. The paper highlights the results of a case study of an approach using automated monitoring of vegetation and degree of its interference with power lines. It is based on the utilization of the so-called point clouds, which can be collected by terrestrial or airborne laser scanners or generated from stereoscopic images taken by drones. The approach allows the estimation of the location of the power lines in space and also allows the identification of the location of vegetation in the vicinity of the power lines. Sequential repetitive collections of the point cloud and its analysis allows us to automate the monitoring of vegetative growth and the quantification of the volume of vegetation to be removed to reduce or eliminate the hazard. In addition, the estimated shapes of the power lines are checked against the physically possible shapes to estimate their interference with large tree branches (for example, if a large branch with a lot of vegetation is resting on the power line). The advantages of the approach are presented in a case study of two typical power lines.

Retrospective analysis of gastrointestinal pathology associated with Takayasu arteritis

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a systemic vasculitis, affecting mainly large aortal branches. AT is considered to be a rare disease [1]. TA actual frequency in the general population is not estimated due to a number of objective and subjective factors [2]. Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in TA patients are not sufficiently studied. GI involvement can be a consequence of the main pathological process as well as drug treatment complication. The need to analyze the frequency and structure associated with at lesions of the digestive system determines the relevance of this work.Objective: in a retrospective cohort study to assess the frequency and structure of TA-associated GI pathology.Materials and methods: a retrospective cohort study included 183 patients with verifi ed TA. All had been hospitalized and observed in the Sverdlovsk regional Clinical Hospital 1 from 1979 to 2018, and were examined according to the clinical guidelines valid by the period of hospitalization. The results of 22 fatal cases autopsies were also analyzed. The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee, the Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital 1.Results: GI diseases were registered in 70 (38%) of the cohort 183 participants. The most frequently registered GI disease was chronic gastritis (28 cases; 40%), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (22 cases; 31%), chronic pancreatitis (33 cases; 47%). Meanwhile, GI lesion was confi rmed in 20 cases of autopsy (87%). Moreover, 2 tumors of the stomach and hepar were revealed only postmortem.Conclusion: the data obtained emphasize the importance of more thorough clinical and instrumental monitoring of the GI tract in TA patients.

Study of anatomical variations of hepatic vasculature using multidetector computed tomography angiography.

Preoperative evaluation of the hepatic vasculature is necessary to minimize mortality and morbidity during various surgeries due to the complexity of liver anatomy. The purpose of our investigation is to determine the anatomical variations in the hepatic vascular system by using multidetector computed tomography. In this observational study, 500 patients aged between 1 and 86years were randomly chosen from a patient population referred for computed tomography angiography for various clinical indications. Multidetector computed tomography angiography examinations were performed using a 128 detector scanner. The area from the lower thoracic spine to symphysis pubis level, with the patient in a supine position, was adopted as the field of view. The percentage of occurrence of each of the vascular variant was determined. Normal arterial anatomy [Type I] was seen in 306 patients [61.2%]. Replaced left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery was the most common variant in our study, which was seen in 57 patients [11.4%]. Classic hepatic venous anatomy was found in 261 [52.2%] patients. An accessory inferior right hepatic vein was found in 110 [22%] patients. A large early branch of segment VIII into middle hepatic vein was found in 157 patients [31.4%]. Extraparenchymal branching of the right anterior portal vein from the left portal vein was the most common anomaly found in 12 [2.4%] patients. Computed tomography angiography can be used in preoperative evaluation in various hepatobiliary surgeries and interventional procedures, which give a lot of information regarding parenchyma and vascular system.

Averrhoa bilimbi pectin-based edible films: Effects of the linearity and branching of the pectin on the physicochemical, mechanical, and barrier properties of the films

The potential of Averrhoa bilimbi pectin (ABP) as a source of biopolymer for edible film (EF) production was explored, and deep eutectic solvent (DES) (1% w/w) containing choline chloride–citric acid monohydrate at a molar ratio of 1:1 was used as the plasticizer. The EF-ABP3:1, which was produced from ABP with large branch size, showed a higher value of melting temperature (175.30 °C), tensile stress (7.32 MPa) and modulus (33.64 MPa). The EF-ABP3:1 also showed better barrier properties by obtaining the lowest water vapor transmission rates (1.10–1.18 mg/m2.s) and moisture absorption values (2.61–32.13%) depending on the relative humidity compared to other EF-ABPs (1.39–1.83 mg/m2.s and 3.48–51.50%, respectively) that have linear structure with smaller branch size. From these results, it was suggested that the galacturonic acid content, molecular weight, degree of esterification and pectin structure of ABP significantly influenced the properties of EFs. The interaction of highly branched pectin chains was stronger than the linear chains, thus reduced the effect of plasticizer and produced a mechanically stronger EF with better barrier properties. Hence, it was suggested that these EFs could be used as alternative degradable packaging/coating materials.

Percutaneous management of coronary bifurcation lesions: current perspective.

Coronary artery disease affecting bifurcations poses a challenge for percutaneous intervention. Several techniques and strategies for percutaneous management of bifurcation lesions have been described in the literature with variable data available for outcomes. In this review, we provide an overview of the strategies and techniques used for percutaneous intervention of bifurcation lesions with an update of recent technical developments and clinical evidence. The coronary bifurcation lesions of both left main and other coronary segments are best treated with a provisional stenting strategy where main branch is treated with a stent placement and side branch intervention reserved for angiographically or physiologically determined hemodynamically significant residual stenosis despite application of a proximal stent optimization technique. When a provisional stent strategy is not likely to be successful due to anatomic or morphologic lesion characteristics and a large side branch or distal left main bifurcation is involved, an upfront bifurcation stenting strategy with double kissing crush technique may provide the optimum results. Coronary imaging and fractional flow determination may guide lesion specific management, facilitate device selection and improve clinical outcomes for percutaneous therapy for bifurcation lesions. Despite advances in technology and procedural techniques, percutaneous intervention of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging and associated with higher adverse outcomes compared to non bifurcation lesions. Among the several bifurcation strategies, a provisional stenting approach is preferred for technical simplicity and better long term outcomes. Double kissing crush technique provides superior clinical results and should be preferred when a two stent strategy is indicated. Use of coronary imaging and physiology assessment should be incorporated in the algorithm of bifurcation interventions for greater technical and clinical success.

Feedback Mechanism in Bifurcating River Systems: the Effect on Water-Level Sensitivity

Accurate and reliable estimates of water levels are essential to assess flood risk in river systems. In current practice, uncertainties involved and the sensitivity of water levels to these uncertainties are studied in single-branch rivers, while many rivers in deltas consist of multiple distributaries. In a bifurcating river, a feedback mechanism exists between the downstream water levels and the discharge distribution at the bifurcation. This paper aims to quantify the sensitivity of water levels to main channel roughness in a bifurcating river system. Water levels are modelled for various roughness scenarios under a wide range of discharge conditions using a one-dimensional hydraulic model. The results show that the feedback mechanism reduces the sensitivity of water levels to local changes of roughness in comparison to the single-branch river. However, in the smaller branches of the system, water-level variations induced by the changes in discharge distribution can exceed the water-level variations of the single-branch river. Therefore, water levels throughout the entire system are dominated by the conditions in the largest branch. As the feedback mechanism is important, the river system should be considered as one interconnected system in river maintenance of rivers, flood-risk analyses, and future planning of river engineering works.