Larger Cross-sectional Area Research Articles

Immunohistochemical characteristics of local sites that trigger atrial arrhythmias in response to high-frequency stimulation.

The response to high frequency stimulation (HFS) is used to locate putative sites of ganglionated plexuses (GPs), which are implicated in triggering atrial fibrillation (AF). To identify topological and immunohistochemical characteristics of presumed GP sites functionally identified by HFS. Sixty-three atrial sites were tested with HFS in four Langendorff-perfused porcine hearts. A 3.5 mm tip quadripolar ablation catheter was used to stimulate and deliver HFS to the left and right atrial epicardium, within the local atrial refractory period. Tissue samples from sites triggering atrial ectopy/AF (ET) sites and non-ET sites were stained with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), for quantification of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves, respectively. The average cross-sectional area (CSA) of nerves was also calculated. Histomorphometry of six ET sites (9.5%) identified by HFS evoking at least a single atrial ectopic was compared with non-ET sites. All ET sites contained ChAT-immunoreactive (ChAT-IR) and/or TH-immunoreactive nerves (TH-IR). Nerve density was greater in ET sites compared to non-ET sites (nerves/cm2: 162.3 ± 110.9 vs. 69.65 ± 72.48; P = 0.047). Overall, TH-IR nerves had a larger CSA than ChAT-IR nerves (µm2: 11 196 ± 35 141 vs. 2070 ± 5841; P < 0.0001), but in ET sites, TH-IR nerves were smaller than in non-ET sites (µm2: 6021 ± 14 586 vs. 25 254 ± 61 499; P < 0.001). ET sites identified by HFS contained a higher density of smaller nerves than non-ET sites. The majority of these nerves were within the atrial myocardium. This has important clinical implications for devising an effective therapeutic strategy for targeting autonomic triggers of AF.

Axial conduction in cross-flow heat exchangers: An analytical approach to the coupled heat transfer problem

Cross-flow heat exchangers are widely used in the process intensification and air separation industry. Its miniaturized versions are touted to be especially useful for aircraft heat exchange, portable cooling systems, and micro-combustion chambers for fuel cells. The desired thermal effect is often obtained in a cross-flow heat exchanger of a shorter length leading to a lower pressure drop penalty. Although miniaturization leads to high heat transfer to volume ratio, the low flow rates and large solid cross-section area to fluid free-flow area ratio might lead to intense axial conduction. Standard mathematical models for macro-scale exchangers neglect this effect and must be modified for micro-scale applications. While the analytical models are available for the counter-current exchanger, a similar analytical tool is missing for the cross-flow device. The present work attempts to develop such a tool, wherein, unlike previous attempts, a three-dimensional modelling approach is undertaken. The unique flow configuration in the cross-flow system necessitates this modification if both axial conduction and thermal resistance of the separating wall (missing in earlier two-dimensional attempts) are to be simultaneously tackled. The developed model can handle both balanced and unbalanced flows. Validations have been performed using conjugate computational studies (with exact geometry and solved in COMSOL), a simplified numerical model, and by comparison with some of the standard cross-flow expressions in the limit of no axial conduction. Results are presented in the form of three-dimensional temperature profiles, effectiveness-NTU (number of transfer units), and conduction effect factor curves for different flow and geometric configurations. It is found that the balanced cross-flow exchanger can experience performance deterioration of ∼45% at low flow rates. The fast convergence of the proposed theory allows it to be nested in heat exchanger optimization routines, where a detailed computational step would have led to prohibitive computational costs.

Changes in the Cross-Sectional Profile of Treated Anterior Cruciate Ligament Within 2 Years After Surgery.

Background:The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and reconstructed graft has direct implications on its strength and knee function. Little is known regarding how the CSA changes along the ligament length and how those changes vary between treated and native ligaments over time.Hypothesis:It was hypothesized that (1) the CSA of reconstructed ACLs and restored ACLs via bridge-enhanced ACL restoration (BEAR) is heterogeneous along the length. (2) Differences in CSA between treated and native ACLs decrease over time. (3) CSA of the surgically treated ACLs is correlated significantly with body size (ie, height, weight, body mass index) and knee size (ie, bicondylar and notch width).Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:Magnetic resonance imaging scans of treated and contralateral knees of 98 patients (n = 33 ACL reconstruction, 65 BEAR) at 6, 12, and 24 months post-operation were used to measure the ligament CSA at 1% increments along the ACL length (tibial insertion, 0%; femoral insertion, 100%). Statistical parametric mapping was used to evaluate the differences in CSA between 6 and 24 months. Correlations between body and knee size and treated ligament CSA along its length were also assessed.Results:Hamstring autografts had larger CSAs than native ACLs at all time points (P < .001), with region of difference decreasing from proximal 95% of length (6 months) to proximal 77% of length (24 months). Restored ACLs had larger CSAs than native ACLs at 6 and 12 months, with larger than native CSA only along a small midsubstance region at 24 months (P < .001). Graft CSA was correlated significantly with weight (6 and 12 months), bicondylar width (all time points), and notch width (24 months). Restored ACL CSA was significantly correlated with bicondylar width (6 months) and notch width (6 and 12 months).Conclusion:Surgically treated ACLs remodel continuously within the first 2 years after surgery, leading to ligaments/grafts with heterogeneous CSAs along the length, similar to the native ACL. While reconstructed ACLs remained significantly larger, the restored ACL had a CSA profile comparable with that of the contralateral native ACL. In addition to size and morphology differences, there were fundamental differences in factors contributing to CSA profile between the ACL reconstruction and BEAR procedures.Registration:NCT 02664545 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Molecular and Morphological Characteristics of the De-Obstructed Rat Urinary Bladder-An Update.

Many patients with outlet obstruction secondary to prostatic enlargement have lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) and an increased frequency of micturition. The standard treatment is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), which alleviates obstruction and symptoms. However, after TURP, 20–40 percent of patients continue to experience LUTSs. The aim of the present study in rats was to identify the mechanisms that do not normalize after the removal of the obstruction and that could explain the persisting symptoms. We had microarray data from control, obstructed, and de-obstructed female rat bladders, which made it possible to study 14,553 mRNA expressions. We also had a bank of electron micrographs from similar detrusors. Microarrays: There were significant differences between the control and obstructed bladders for 1111 mRNAs. The obstructed and de-obstructed bladders differed significantly for 1059 mRNAs. The controls and the de-obstructed bladders differed significantly for 798 mRNAs. We observed many mRNAs that were increased in the obstructed bladder and then decreased to control levels after de-obstruction, and many mRNAs that were decreased in the obstructed bladder and then increased following de-obstruction. mRNAs that were significantly higher or lower in the de-obstructed bladder than in the control bladder were also found. Ultrastructure: The detrusor cells in the obstructed bladders had cross-sectional areas that were much larger than those in the controls. The control cells had smooth outlines and similar cross-sectional areas. The de-obstructed detrusor cells had larger cross-sectional areas than the controls, as well as corrugated surfaces. The cell areas varied, suggesting that the shrinkage of the de-obstructed cells was not even. We did not find any points of contact of the gap junction plaque type between the detrusor cells. There were abundant finger-like processes between the detrusor cells in the obstructed and in de-obstructed bladders, which were only occasionally found in the control detrusors. They are the only possible localization for gap junction channels. The de-obstructed rat bladder is not an organ with properties intermediate between those of the control and obstructed bladders. Instead, de-obstructed bladders have gene expressions, morphologies, and functional properties of the individual cells and their organization, which make them distinctly different from both control and obstructed bladders.

Identification of the differentially expressed genes in the leg muscles of Zhedong white geese (Anser cygnoides) reared under different photoperiods

Light is a factor affecting muscle development and meat quality in poultry production. However, few studies have reported on the role of light in muscle development and meat quality in geese. In this experiment, 10 healthy 220-day-old Zhedong white geese were reared for 60 d under a long photoperiod (15L:9D, LL) and short photoperiod (9L:15D, SL). The gastrocnemius muscles were collected after slaughter to evaluate muscle fiber characteristics and meat color, and RNA-seq analysis. The results showed that compared to the LL group, the SL group had large muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area, few muscle fibers per unit area, high meat color a* value, and low L* value at 24 h postmortem. On comparing the 2 groups, 70 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Compared to the SL group, the LL group had 25 upregulated and 45 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in cell, cell part, binding, cellular processes, and single-organism processes. Several significantly enriched athways were identified in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, such as the calcium and PI3k-Akt signaling pathways. The expression of five randomly selected DEGs was verified using quantitative real-time PCR, and the results were consistent with the RNA-seq data. This study provides a theoretical basis for studying the molecular mechanisms by which light affects muscle development and meat color in geese.

Visualization and comparison of methane and hydrogen jet dynamics using schlieren imaging

In the present work, methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) jet dynamics from a hollow-cone piezoelectric injector are experimentally investigated. The jet characteristics are studied under the effect of (1) pressure ratio, which is the ratio of the injection pressure (Pi) to the chamber pressure (Pch), (2) needle lift, and (3) nozzle geometry (hollow-cone outwardly opening nozzle without any caps versus the same nozzle with a single-hole cap). Z-type schlieren imaging is applied in a constant volume chamber equipped with optical access. The main characteristics of CH4 and H2 jets, i.e., penetration and cross-sectional area, are compared via MATLAB-based image post-processing. The novelty originates from the comparison of H2 and CH4 jet characteristics in similar conditions, from two different nozzle geometries, and investigating the effect of pressure ratio by changing the injection pressure and chamber pressure, separately. The results show that a 20% increase in the pressure ratio leads to at least a 13% increase in the H2 jet penetration and a 20% increase in its cross-sectional area. For CH4, the same rise in the pressure ratio enhances the jet penetration by at least 17% and its cross-sectional area by at least 21%. Change of Pi or Pch at the same pressure ratio leads to at least 3% and 10% difference in H2 and CH4 jet penetration, respectively, and at least 4% difference in their cross-sectional area. Increasing the needle lift leads to a greater jet penetration and cross-sectional area because of a larger injected mass and thereby a larger jet momentum, as well. Moreover, placing a single-hole cap on the hollow-cone outwardly opening nozzle causes approximately 50% pressure loss. However, the single-hole jet can still provide deeper penetration and enough cross-sectional area for efficient mixing. Overall, the comparison of H2 and CH4 jet characteristics shows that despite the large differences between their physical properties, jet penetrations are almost similar whereas the H2 jet possesses at least a 3.5% larger cross-sectional area than CH4.

Geranylgeraniol Supplementation Mitigates Muscle Atrophy With Mitochondrial Quality Improvement In Diabetic Rats

With diabetes, skeletal muscle mitochondrial quality control (mitochondrial fusion, fission & macro-autophagy) is impaired. Geranylgeraniol (GG) is shown to have a protective effect on preventing mitochondrial damage and muscle health; however, the effect of GG on a diabetic model is not known. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of GG on mitochondrial quality control and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three diet groups: control diet (CON), high-fat diet with 35 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin (HFD), and HFD with 800 mg/kg body weight of GG (GG). Due to the limited sample, a total of 21 (CON: n = 7; HFD: n = 7; GG: n = 7) rats’ muscle samples were used for this report. The soleus muscles were harvested after 7-weeks of feeding and were analyzed for OPA1, MFN2, DRP1, pDRP, PINK1, Parkin, LC3A, and LC3B protein content using western blot analysis. Muscle CSAs were assessed using Image J. RESULTS: A significant (p < 0.05) condition effect was observed for MFN2, DRP1, LC3A, and LC3B protein contents and muscle CSA. For mitochondrial fusion, GG (0.21 ± 0.08) had lower MFN2 than CON (0.43 ± 0.04; p = 0.007) and HFD (0.65 ± 0.08; p = 0.010). For mitochondrial fission, GG (0.26 ± 0.07) had lower DRP1 than HFD (0.59 ± 0.07; p = 0.019). For macro-autophagy, GG (1.08 ± 0.28) had lower LC3A than CON (2.81 ± 0.55; p = 0.028) and HFD (3.99 ± 0.57; p = 0.010); whereas GG (0.63 ± 0.21) had lower LC3B than HFD (1.93 ± 0.24; p = 0.012). No significant differences were observed for OPA1, pDRP, PINK1, Parkin, and LC3B/A. For muscle size, CON (10,092.88 ± 104.67μm2) had larger CSA than GG (7284.69 ± 70.91μm2, p = 0.001) and HFD (5615.59 ± 59.97μm2; p = 0.001), whereas GG (7284.69 ± 70.91μm2) had larger CSA than HFD (5615.59 ± 59.97μm2; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: GG supplementation could prevent mitochondrial fragmentation (reduction in DRP1), thus, potentially resulting in a decreased demand for mitochondrial fusion (reduction in MFN2). In addition, a greater rate of autophagosome degradation than formation (reduction in LC3A and LC3B) was observed (indicative of an increase in macro-autophagy). Improvement in mitochondrial quality could potentially contribute to attenuating the reduction of muscle size in diabetic rats with GG supplementation.

MRI Characterization Of Skeletal Muscle Size And Fatty Infiltration In Long-term Trained And Untrained Individuals

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate various body composition measures in highly trained and untrained men and women using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, correlations between these measures and skeletal muscle gene expression were performed. METHODS: Thirty-six individuals were included: endurance-trained men (ME, n = 8) and women (FE, n = 7), strength-trained men (MS, n = 7) or untrained control men (MC, n = 8) and women (FC, n = 6). Whole-body MRI scans were performed, and m. vastus lateralis biopsies were collected at rest. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and infiltration of muscular adipose tissue (IMAT) were calculated from Mm. pectoralis, M. erector spinae and M. multifidus combined, Mm. quadriceps, and Mm. triceps surae (TS). RESULTS: ME and FE had significantly lower liver fat fraction, visceral fat volume and total body fat mass relative to body weight than MC and FC, respectively. MS had larger CSA across all four muscle groups and less IMAT in all muscles apart from TS (p = 0.053) compared with MC. ME was found to have less IMAT across all muscle groups and a larger CSA in three of the four muscle groups compared with MC. However, the only difference in IMAT between FE and FC was found in Mm. pectoralis. Functional analysis of muscle gene expression of the top 50 genes that correlated most strongly with IMAT revealed a significant enrichment of the AMPK-pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that both regular endurance and resistance training are, over time, appropriate to maintain muscle mass and reduced skeletal muscle infiltration of adipose tissue in male adults. Although a significant relationship between IMAT and the AMPK pathway was found, future studies are needed to determine the mechanism by which infiltration of adipose tissue is regulated in muscle.

Acute Changes In Muscle Size Of The Vastus Medialis Oblique Following Resistance Training

Resistance training causes a temporary swelling of the muscle that leads to an increase in muscle size. This phenomenon has been studied in the literature, but there is a need for more research studies that compare the acute muscle changes due to fatigue between males and females. PURPOSE: To observe the changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus medialis oblique muscle after resistance training to fatigue and to compare these acute responses between males and females. METHODS: Twenty Males (71.00 ± 2.07 cm, 74.11 ± 9.37 kg, Age 19.85 ± 0.41) and 20 females (63.35 ± 2.99 cm, 60.62 ± 8.92 kg, Age 20.00 ± 0.72). Day one served as a familiarization and was to determine a one repetition max leg extension. Day two Panoramic ultrasound images were taken on the largest circumference of the vastus medialis oblique before and after the participant performed four sets of leg extension to failure at 70% max. Images where then analyzed to measure CSA. A time and sex were compared using a repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of the pre-areas for males and females were 22.97 ± 4.49 vs 14.36 ± 3.22 cm2 respectively, while the post-areas for males and females were 24.47 ± 5.66 vs 15.70 ± 3.51 cm2 respectively. There was no interaction effect (F = 0.04, p = 0.74), males had an overall a larger CSA (F = 41.5, p < 0.001) and the post measurement was larger than the pre for both groups (F = 36.56, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Males overall had larger muscle size but both responded similarly with an increase in CSA following an acute bout of resistance training to fatigue.

A Sub-THz High-Order Mode Backward Wave Oscillator Driven by Pseudospark Sourced Multiple Sheet Electron Beams

A novel concept of combining the advantages of pseudospark (PS)-sourced electron beam (high beam current density), multiple-sheet-electron-beams (large total beam cross-sectional area), and high-order mode (HOM) slow wave structure (SWS) (high power capacity) to produce high-power terahertz signals is presented in this article. As an example, a sub-terahertz backward wave oscillator (BEO) driven by PS-sourced dual-sheet-electron-beams is designed. Measured results of the interaction circuit, including transmission/reflection coefficients and the dispersion relation, were in good agreement with simulation predictions. Beam-wave interaction simulations having considered the plasma effect and conductor loss predicted stable output signals with radiation power of 167.4–255.4 W over a tunable bandwidth of 234.4–241.0 GHz.

PENGGUNAAN MESIN CROCKMETER UNTUK UJI GOSOK PADA KULIT PERKAMEN

One of the small industries that survives and needs to be developed is the shadow puppet industry. The shadow puppet industry uses parchment skin as the main raw material. As a laboratory institution, the author tested the quality of parchment skin dye paint for shadow puppet using a crockmeter machine. The test is carried out by adding an auxiliary material in the form of ethylene glycol to the dye paint which is expected to improve the quality of the rubbing resistance of the dye paint on the shadow puppets. In this test the author uses parchment skin from sun-dried buffalo skin with a transparent color and an even thickness of the skin and a large cross-sectional area so that no part is wasted. Furthermore, the parchment skin surface was sanded before staining. This sanding aims to level the parchment skin surface and remove the remaining collagen, protein and fat. The test was carried out using 3 samples. Sample I used coloring materials (mowilex paint, foxputih glue, water and finishing using mowilex clear). Sample II uses coloring materials (mowilex paint, white fox glue, water, Ethylen Glycol and finishing using mowilex clear). Sample III uses dyes (mowilex paint, white fox glue, water, Ethylen Glycol, finishing using mowilex clear and the addition of a clearing process using a sunlight wetting agent. From the experiments and tests carried out, better results were obtained for the use of Ethylen Glycol in the coloring and also the clearing process to improve the color quality of the wayang kulit products produced.

Three-dimensionalmagnetic resonance imaging analysis shows sex-specific patterns in changes in anterior cruciate ligament cross-sectional area along its length.

Smaller anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) size in females has been hypothesized to be a key contributor to a higher incidence of ACL tears in that population, as a lower cross-sectional area (CSA) directly corresponds to a larger stress on the ligament for a given load. Prior studies have used a mid-length CSA measurement to quantify ACL size. In this study, we used magnetic resonance imagingto quantify the CSA along the entire length of the intact ACL. We hypothesized that changes in the ACL CSA along its length would have different patterns in males and females. We also hypothesized that changes in ACL CSA along its length would be associated with body size or knee size with different associations in females and males. MR images of contralateral ACL-intact knees of 108 patients (62 females, 13-35 years) undergoing ACL surgery were used to measure the CSA along the ACL length, using a custom program. For both females and males, the largest CSA was located at 37%-39% of ACL length from the tibial insertion. Compared to females, males had a significantly larger CSA only within the distal 41% of the ACL (p < 0.001). ACL CSA was associated with patient height and weight in males (r > 0.3; p < 0.05), whereas it was associated with intercondylar notch width in females (r > 0.3; p < 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of standardizing the location of measurement of ACL CSA.

MRI characterization of skeletal muscle size and fatty infiltration in long-term trained and untrained individuals.

This study investigated body composition measures in highly trained and untrained individuals using whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, correlations between these measures and skeletal muscle gene expression were performed. Thirty‐six individuals were included: endurance‐trained males (ME, n = 8) and females (FE, n = 7), strength‐trained males (MS, n = 7), and untrained control males (MC, n = 8) and females (FC, n = 6). MRI scans were performed, and resting M. vastus lateralis (VL) biopsies were subjected to RNA sequencing. Liver fat fraction, visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT), total body fat, and total lean tissue were measured from MRI data. Additionally, cross‐sectional area (CSA) and fat signal fraction (FSF) were calculated from Mm. pectoralis, M. erector spinae and M. multifidus combined, Mm. quadriceps, and Mm. triceps surae (TS). Liver fat fraction, VAT, and total body fat relative to body weight were lower in ME and FE compared with corresponding controls. MS had a larger CSA across all four muscle groups and lower FSF in all muscles apart from TS compared with MC. ME had a lower FSF across all muscle groups and a larger CSA in all muscles except TS than MC. FE athletes showed a higher CSA in Mm. pectoralis and Mm. quadriceps and a lower CSA in TS than FC with no CSA differences found in the back muscles investigated. Surprisingly, the only difference in FSF between FE and FC was found in Mm. pectoralis. Lastly, correlations between VL gene expression and VL CSA as well as FSF showed that genes positively correlated with CSA revealed an enrichment of the oxidative phosphorylation and thermogenesis pathways, while the genes positively correlated with FSF showed significant enrichment of the spliceosome pathway. Although limited differences were found with training in females, our study suggests that both regular endurance and resistance training are useful in maintaining muscle mass, reducing adipose tissue deposits, and reducing muscle fat content in males.

In vivo 3D imaging of human motor units in upper and lower limb muscles

ObjectiveTo assess in-vivo cross-sectional and 3D morphology of human motor units in hand, forearm and lower leg muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MethodsDiffusion weighted MRI was used with in-scanner electrical stimulation in healthy controls to image motor units at a single slice in lower leg, forearm and hand muscles (n = 6) and multiple slices in the lower leg for 3D assessment (n = 7). ResultsMotor unit cross-sectional area (CSA) and maximum Feret diameter (FDmax) did not differ between the lower leg (CSA: 22.4 ± 8.4 mm2; FDmax: 8.7 ± 2.4 mm), forearm (CSA: 23.6 ± 14.1 mm2; FDmax: 9.0 ± 3.3 mm) and hand (CSA: 26.8 ± 12.8 mm2 and FDmax: 9.6 ± 2.7 mm) (ANOVA; p = 0.487 and p = 0.587, respectively). Lower leg motor units were 8.0 ± 3.8 cm long with largest CSA in the motor unit’s middle section. 3D motor unit imaging revealed a complex structure with several units splitting and re-forming along their length. ConclusionsMotor unit MRI (MUMRI) can be applied to upper limb muscles, and can reveal the 3D structure of human motor units in-vivo. SignificanceMUMRI provides the first in-vivo 2D images of upper limb motor units and 3D images of lower leg motor units. 3D imaging suggest a more complex human motor unit structure than previously thought.

Effects of cross-sectional area and aspect ratio coupled with orientation on mechanical properties and deformation behavior of Cu nanowires

Metal nanomaterials exhibit excellent mechanical properties compared with corresponding bulk materials and have potential applications in various areas. Despite a number of studies of the size effect on Cu nanowires mechanical properties with square cross-sectional, investigations of them in rectangular cross-sectional with various sizes at constant volume are rare, and lack of multifactor coupling effect on mechanical properties and quantitative investigation. In this work, the dependence of mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of Cu nanowires/nanoplates under tension on cross-sessional area, aspect ratio of cross-sectional coupled with orientation were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and the semi-empirical expressions related to mechanical properties were proposed. The simulation results show that the Young’s modulus and the yield stress sharply increase with the aspect ratio except for the 〈110〉{110}{001} Cu nanowires/nanoplates at the same cross-sectional area. And the Young’s modulus increases while the yield stress decreases with the cross-sectional area of Cu nanowires. However, both of them increase with the cross-sectional area of Cu nanoplates. Besides, the Young’s modulus increases with the cross-sectional area at all the orientations. The yield stress shows a mildly downward trend except for the 〈111〉 Cu nanowires with increased cross-sectional area. For the Cu nanowires with a small cross-sectional area, the surface force increases with the aspect ratio. In contrast, it decreases with the aspect ratio increase at a large cross-sectional area. At the cross-sectional area of 13.068 nm2, the surface force decreases with the aspect ratio of the 〈110〉 Cu nanowires while it increases at other orientations. The surface force is a linearly decreasing function of the cross-sectional area at different orientations. Quantitative studies show that Young’s modulus and yield stress to the aspect ratio of the Cu nanowires satisfy exponent relationship. In addition, the main deformation mechanism of Cu nanowires is the nucleation and propagation of partial dislocations while it is the twinning-dominated reorientation for Cu nanoplates.

The red blood cells cytometric characteristics of young fresh-water fish of various families

The morphometric indices of red blood cells of young fish of various species inhabiting coastal zones of the water bodies were studied. The subjects of the research were the fish of four families: Carp (Alburnus alburnus, Carassius gibelio, Rhodeus amarus, Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus), Needles (Syngnathus abaster nigro lineatus), Centrarchidae (Lepomis gibbosus), Loaches (Cobitis taenia taenia), Gobies (Neogobius fluviatilis). The hydroecological conditions were characterized by an intense oxygen regime, high content of phosphates, and heavy metals (zinc). The fish peripheral blood was taken from the tail vein; smears were made according to the classical Romanowsky-Giemsa method. Our research showed that the red blood cells of young fish belonging to the ecological group of inactive and unpretentious species (Neogobius fluviatilis, Carassius gibelio) had the largest cross-sectional area and a high index of nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. The indicators of erythrocyte eccentricity were the highest in the active fish with high energy costs (Alburnus alburnus, Lepomis gibbosus). The largest number of erythrocytes with pathological events (cytolysis, karyolysis, pyknosis, poikilocytosis) was observed in the young Alburnus alburnus (14%), and the smallest one in Rhodeus amarus and Lepomis gibbosus (2–4%). In the individuals of Syngnathus abaster nigro lineatus affected by parasitic nematodes of the genus Ascaris, the number of erythrocytes with pathologies increased to 81%. Under the toxic load, destabilization of the fish circulatory system begins with the appearance of the young forms of erythrocytes as compensation for depleted mature erythrocytes and ends with the mass destruction of mature erythrocytes. Given these patterns, as well as the relatively low number of young ballast forms of erythrocytes and mature erythrocytes with pathological features, we can assume that the state of the red blood cells in the studied young fishes meets the conditional norm, with the exception of the blood of Syngnathus abaster nigro lineatus infected with parasites. In our opinion, the main characteristics of the fish red blood that reflect the fishes’ adaptive capacities are as follows: eccentricity ratio of erythrocytes, the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, ratio of the young ballast forms of erythrocytes, and the relative number of erythrocytes with pathology.

No correlation identified between the proportional size of a prolapsed intravertebral disc with disability or leg pain.

The aim of the study was to determine if there was a direct correlation between the pain and disability experienced by patients and size of their disc prolapse, measured by the disc's cross-sectional area on T2 axial MRI scans. Patients were asked to prospectively complete visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores on the day of their MRI scan. All patients with primary disc herniation were included. Exclusion criteria included recurrent disc herniation, cauda equina syndrome, or any other associated spinal pathology. T2 weighted MRI scans were reviewed on picture archiving and communications software. The T2 axial image showing the disc protrusion with the largest cross sectional area was used for measurements. The area of the disc and canal were measured at this level. The size of the disc was measured as a percentage of the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal on the chosen image. The VAS leg pain and ODI scores were each correlated with the size of the disc using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Intraobserver reliability for MRI measurement was assessed using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We assessed if the position of the disc prolapse (central, lateral recess, or foraminal) altered the symptoms described by the patient. The VAS and ODI scores from central and lateral recess disc prolapses were compared. A total of 56 patients (mean age 41.1 years (22.8 to 70.3)) were included. A high degree of intraobserver reliability was observed for MRI measurement: single measure ICC was 0.99 (95% confidence interval (CI) from 0.97 to 0.99 (p < 0.001)). The PCC comparing VAS leg scores with canal occupancy for herniated disc was 0.056. The PCC comparing ODI for herniated disc was 0.070. We found 13 disc prolapses centrally and 43 lateral recess prolapses. There were no foraminal prolapses in this group. The position of the prolapse was not found to be related to the mean VAS score or ODI experienced by the patients (VAS, p = 0.251; ODI, p = 0.093). The results of the statistical analysis show that there is no direct correlation between the size or position of the disc prolapse and a patient's symptoms. The symptoms experienced by patients should be the primary concern in deciding to perform discectomy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J2022;104-B(6):715-720.

Magnetic Enhancement-Based Multi-Objective Optimization Design of the Large-Scale High-Intensity Homogeneous Magnetic Field Coil System

The large-scale high-intensity homogeneous magnetic field is an important resource to perform magnetic immunity tests for large scientific facilities. Generally, a multi-coil system with large cross-sectional area is used to generate the required test field, which has high power loss and conductor mass. In this article, we propose a novel method that introduces magnetically shielded room (MSR) to enhance the coil magnetic field and reduce power loss. The analytical model of the coil system based on MSR is established through the multi-reflection image method. In addition, the multi-objective optimization model is brought forward based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). Theoretical results indicate that the magnetic field can be significantly enhanced under the presence of MSR. Consequently, prominent reductions in total current by about 61.4% and in total power loss by 75.5%–81.7% are achieved. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical result is numerically verified by the finite-element analysis (FEA). The proposed method provides a novel and promising way to reduce the power loss and conductor mass of such high-intensity magnet systems and other similar applications.

A Funnel Type PVDF Underwater Energy Harvester with Spiral Structure Mounted on the Harvester Support.

For the purpose of stably supplying electric power to the underwater wireless sensor, the energy harvesting technology in which a voltage is obtained by generating displacement in a piezoelectric material using flow-induced vibration is one of the most attractive research fields. The funnel type energy harvester (FTEH) with PVDF proposed in this study is an energy harvester in which the inlet has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet and a spiral structure is inserted to generate a vortex flow at the inlet. Based on numerical analysis, when PVDF with L = 100 mm and t = 1 mm was used, the electric power of 39 μW was generated at flow velocity of 0.25 m/s. In experiment the average RMS voltage of FTEH increased by 0.0209 V when the flow velocity increased by 1 m/s. When measured at 0.25 m/s flow velocity for 25 s, it was shown that voltage doubler rectifier (VDR) generated a voltage of 133.4 mV, 2.25 times larger than that of full bridge rectifier (FBR), and the energy charged in the capacitor was 44.3 nJ, 14% higher in VDR than that of the FBR. In addition, the VDR can deliver power of 17.75 μW for 1 k load. It is shown that if the voltage generated by the FTEH using the flow velocity is stored using the VDR electric circuit, it will greatly contribute to the stable power supply of the underwater wireless sensor.

Renal, hepatic and muscle effects of creatine supplementation in an older adults experimental model

Creatine is a dietary supplement with potential capacity to stimulate the phosphocreatine pathway and protein synthesis, through the stimulation of the PI3-K/AKT and mTOR cascade, its use in populations with reduced muscle preservation capacity (such as the older adults) can be an interesting and low-cost alternative. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological, stereological and morphometric effects of the use of creatine monohydrate for 8 weeks on the renal, hepatic and muscular tissues of 26-month-old Wistar rats. Twelve Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each. Group 1 was not supplemented with creatine and received a standard diet consisting of water and chow. Group 2 received the same diet, but was supplemented with creatine monohydrate at a dose of 0.3mg/kg of body weight diluted in 200ml of drinking water for 8 weeks. Supplementation reduced muscle mass loss as indicated by the perimeter of the perimysium (group 1: 114.6μm; group 2: 65.2μm) and endomysium (group 1: 41,239.3μm; group 2: 12,437.6μm) compared to the non-supplemented group. In addition, a larger cross-sectional area was observed in group 2. No significant kidney or liver damage was observed in the supplemented group. The use of creatine is considered safe in the animal model used, as this amine does not cause glomerular reductions or hepatic degeneration.