Significant Changes In Shape Research Articles

PENGARUH WAKTU PENYIMPANAN DARAH TERHADAP KADAR HEMOGLOBIN PADA KOMPONEN WHOLE BLOOD DARAH DONOR

Blood transfusion is the process of distributing blood from donors to patients with the aim of replacing blood lost due to bleeding, surgery, shock and malfunctioning of the blood-forming organs that require replacement blood in the form of whole blood or blood components. Blood is stored with the First in First Out (FIFO) system, which is a system that regulates the expulsion of blood in which the first blood that enters will be removed first. The storage period of blood will experience changes in blood components, especially erythrocytes will experience significant changes in shape over the length of time blood storage. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in hemoglobin levels of donor blood before and after storage for 7 days. This research was conducted at the Blood Transfusion Unit of PMI Kudus Regency. The number of samples used as many as 15 samples. The results showed that there were differences in hemoglobin levels before storage and after storage for 7 days (0.000). The average value before storage was 14.7 g/dl, after storage for 7 days 18.2 g/dl, the highest hemoglobin before storage was 15.4 g/dl, the highest after storage was 18.2 g/dl, while the lowest hemoglobin was before storage. storage 14.0 gr/dl and after storage 17.3 gr/dl. The conclusion is there is a significant difference between hemoglobin levels before storage and after storage for 7 days.

Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome Type 6 Accompanied with Bowel Vascular Malformation: Clinical Case

Background. Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome type 6 is rare hereditary disease caused by pathogenic variants in base sequence, deletions, and insertions in the HPS6 gene encoding the transmembrane protein of the same name. This disease occurs with hemorrhagic syndrome, oculocutaneous albinism, and inflammatory bowel diseases (in some cases). The clinical picture of the disease, including the gastrointestinal tract pathology, has not been studied completely due to the syndrome rarity.Clinical case description. We would like to present the description of clinical case of the patient with Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome type 6 accompanied with bowel vascular malformation. The patient diagnosed with “oculocutaneous albinism” at the age of 4.5 has shown recurrent intestinal bleedings, blood hemoglobin concentration decrease to 45 g/l; platelet count, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width remained within the reference values. Slight decrease of Quick’s value to 68% (normal range 70–120%) was revealed. The study of platelet morphology has revealed a decrease in the number of dense granules: < 3 in 25% platelets, < 6 — in 64%. Ultrasound investigation has revealed signs of vascular malformation in ascending colon: significant changes of diameter (widening) and shape of intestinal wall vessels. Molecular genetic analysis (NGS) has revealed the nucleotide variant c.1133T>G (p.Leu378Arg) in homozygous state in the HPS6 gene. The same variant in homozygous state was revealed in the younger proband sister who also had vascular changes in the ascending colon wall.Conclusion. Differential diagnosis of Germanic–Pudlak syndrome type 6 should be performed with other types of this syndrome as well as with syndrome and non-syndrome forms of oculocutaneous albinism. Molecular genetic confirmation of the diagnosis is suggested via massive parallel sequencing (NGS) methods (exome sequencing included) due to the rarity of Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome.

Calculating the simultaneous effect of ion dynamics and oscillating electric fields on Stark profiles

We calculate hydrogen line shapes resulting from the simultaneous Stark effect of the plasma microfield and an oscillating electric field. Like laboratory plasmas, many kinds of space plasmas are affected by oscillating electric fields with a magnitude similar to that of the microfield. Here we focus on conditions where we expect that the effect of ion dynamics and oscillating electric are both significant. The combined effect of their dynamics on the quantum emitter is retained by a computer simulation coupled to a numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation. Our calculations are applied for conditions and transitions where significant changes in the line shape allow for a diagnostic of the plasma and oscillating field.

Ontogeny of the human fetal, neonatal, and infantile basioccipital bone: Traditional and extended eigenshape geometric morphometric analysis.

The basioccipital bone is an essential developmental component to the occipital bone, occipital condyles, foramen magnum, clivus, and cranial base. The basioccipital bone joins each exoccipital bone with a basiexoccipital synchondrosis and the basisphenoid/sphenoid bone with a spheno-occipital synchondrosis. The basioccipital is found intermediate to the petrous temporal bones and forms the bilateral petrooccipital/petroclival fissures otherwise known as the petrooccipital complex. Thus, the basioccipital bone is a central component to the developing cranial base. Despite the importance of basioccipital development in cranial ontogeny, there has been limited study of basioccipital ontogeny. This study assessed 98 disarticulated human basioccipital bones from a perinatal population ranging in age-at-death from 5-months intrauterine to 5-months post-natal development. Size and shape of basioccipital bones were assessed with traditional and extended eigenshape geometric morphometric analysis. The results of this study demonstrate that the basioccipital bone grows in width at a faster rate than it grows in length. The maximum basioccipital width surpassed the midsagittal length at approximately 7-months intrauterine development. Canonical variate analysis revealed statistically significant shape change occurring from a relatively narrow/elongate (anterior-to-posterior) basiocciput shape with mild concavity at the foramen magnum in the fifth and sixth intrauterine months to a relatively broad/stout basiocciput shape with more pronounced concavity in the postnatal months. Likewise, growth rate in total length was greater than midsagittal length, demonstrating enlargement of concavity in the anterior foramen magnum over time. This report provides insight into cranial development and aids in estimating age-at-death among fetuses and infants.

Multi-shape-changing interpenetrating networks with shape memory effect and adaptive plastic deformations

Shape-changing materials with precisely programmable configurations, each having its own functional regime, provide a wide range of applications in engineering and biomedical fields. Polymers with dynamic reversible covalent/non-covalent bonding feature the potential of having remarkable plasticity, which endows them with the capability of undergoing significant and sophisticated shape changes. Here we report a facile method to build an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure with plastic deformation and shape memory properties. The IPN is consisting of Poly(vinyl Alcohol) (PVA) with slight chemical covalent crosslinking and poly(UPyMA-AAc) with two potential dynamic reversible non-covalent bonding (quadruple hydrogen-bonding and ferric coordination bonding). This IPN structure not only has the capability of thermal plasticity and metal-coordinated plasticity, but also possesses shape memory properties similar to typical shape memory polymers. Hence, the polymers with this structure can undergo programmable shape changes through sequential adaptive plastic deformations triggered by a variety of stimuli.

Investigating Sources of Spectral Olivine Enrichments in Martian Bedrock Plains Using Diurnal Emissivity Changes in THEMIS Multispectral Images

AbstractWe investigate spectral olivine detections in the Noachian cratered highlands that are spatially associated with flat bedrock exposures. Strong olivine detections were previously attributed to relatively high (∼10%–15%) modal abundances of olivine in the bedrock, and then later hypothesized to instead originate from a patchy cover of olivine‐rich sediment formed from erosional lag deposits and mineral‐specific comminution/transport. We test these hypotheses by developing a new technique to partially separate the spectral signals of bedrock and unconsolidated surficial sediment. It uses the differing thermophysical properties of sand and indurated materials, which change the relative contributions of these materials to the emitted spectrum over the diurnal cycle. We use multispectral Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) observations collected in the mid‐afternoon and early evening to apply this technique to eight Terra Sabaea bedrock plains and the Nili Fossae olivine‐carbonate plain. Significant changes in spectral shape arising from compositional differences between bedrock and sediment cover are observed in four bedrock plains. Where these differences are observed, the spectral changes are consistent decreased olivine abundance in the sediment fraction, rather than increased as previously hypothesized. Our results indicate that bedrock materials in the Terra Sabaea region are olivine‐rich in composition, likely indicating a pyroclastic origin for these materials.

A recessive variant in TFAM causes mtDNA depletion associated with primary ovarian insufficiency, seizures, intellectual disability and hearing loss

Mitochondrial disorders are collectively common, genetically heterogeneous disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. They are caused by molecular defects in oxidative phosphorylation, failure of essential bioenergetic supply to mitochondria, and apoptosis. Here, we present three affected individuals from a consanguineous family of Pakistani origin with variable seizures and intellectual disability. Both females display primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), while the male shows abnormal sex hormone levels. We performed whole exome sequencing and identified a recessive missense variant c.694C > T, p.Arg232Cys in TFAM that segregates with disease. TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A) is a component of the mitochondrial replisome machinery that maintains mtDNA transcription and replication. In primary dermal fibroblasts, we show depletion of mtDNA and significantly altered mitochondrial function and morphology. Moreover, we observed reduced nucleoid numbers with significant changes in nucleoid size or shape in fibroblasts from an affected individual compared to controls. We also investigated the effect of tfam impairment in zebrafish; homozygous tfam mutants carrying an in-frame c.141_149 deletion recapitulate the mtDNA depletion and ovarian dysgenesis phenotypes observed in affected humans. Together, our genetic and functional data confirm that TFAM plays a pivotal role in gonad development and expands the repertoire of mitochondrial disease phenotypes.

Mosaic, block-face microscopy for measuring cell dimensions, cell collapse, and spatial relationships in wood

Summary A conventional stereo light microscope was used to image polished wood surfaces at cellular resolution over size scales of the growth ring or larger. Bandpass filtering and local area contrast enhancement were used to aid automatic image thresholding and binarisation. An estimate for the location and proportion of cell collapse was introduced based on the distance between uncollapsed cell lumens. Additionally, spatial associations between vessels were determined using a Euclidean distance transform. The analysis of pith to bark cores provided sufficient detail to show significant intra and inter-annual trends in Pinus radiata tracheid dimensions (wall thickness, wall area, and radial widths). These trends were consistent with expectations and in agreement with the literature. Measured cell dimensions may be influenced by cell collapse and deformation as a result of drying. The analysis of air, kiln and oven-dried Eucalyptus nitens showed that cell collapse was highly variable but generally more prominent in the outer third of growth rings. There were significant changes in vessel shape across the growth rings and vessel area was significantly reduced by drying. The technique provides an intermediate step between detailed microscopy and macroscopic imaging that allows spatial analysis at the wood cell level.

Ultrasounds Energy as an Agent of Polyelectrolyte Modification Prior to Sewage Sludge Conditioning

The presented research concerned the phenomenon of polyelectrolyte changes resulting from modification by applying the ultrasonic field. The main aim of this research was to determine the activation degree of this macromolecular chemical compound and its effect on sewage sludge subjected to conditioning and followed by dewatering. The overall goal was to investigate the potential way of reducing the dosage of chemical compounds prior to sewage sludge conditioning. The polyelectrolyte samples were sonicated with the ultrasonic disintegrator UD-20 coupled with a sandwich concentrator. The power output of the generator was 180 W and the ultrasonic field frequency was 22 kHz. To describe the geometrical characteristics of the separated phases, the following parameters were determined: surface area (AA), perimeter (LA) and non-dimensional coefficient. With reference to the obtained results, the most significant quantitative changes in shape and size of the separated phases were observed for the ultrasonic field exposure time in the range of 0 to 10 s. This was in agreement with the results observed during dewatering of the investigated sewage sludge. In view of the quantitative analysis of the structure of the polyelectrolyte subjected to the ultrasonic modification, dewatering of sewage sludge was considerably improved by the application of the presented method.

Role of microstructural heterogeneities in damage formation and fracture of oligocrystalline Mg under tensile loading

This paper describes the main results from in-situ and ex-situ testing and characterization studies to reveal the effects of microstructural heterogeneities that develop during plastic deformation of coarse-grained Mg on damage formation and fracture of the material. Experiments are carried out using a micro-test tensile stage in and outside a scanning electron microscope in combination with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), micro X-ray computed tomography (μXCT), and optical microscopy. It is seen that the micro-specimens exhibit significant macroscopic shape changes upon interrupting the tests. Such shape changes result from microstructural changes and underlying relaxation of inter-granular back-stress accumulated during loading. Twins with low Schmid factor (SF) for basal slip in grains with low SF for basal slip are observed to de-twin. Upon de-twinning, dislocations are found to remain in the structure as is evident by increase in the kernel average misorientation (KAM). Interestingly, twins nucleate in these regions again with continuous forward straining. In contrast, twinned domains favorably oriented for basal slip do not de-twin but thicken with plastic straining. These twins soften the material leading to localization of deformation and damage nucleation. At the interface between twinned domains and parent grains voids are observed. Voids nucleate due to lack of slip transfer causing pile-ups, as is evident from high KAM. Additionally, twins are observed to induce a substantial surface roughness. Large twins accommodating significant shear strain form surface ridges. Such significant heterogeneities also result in nucleation of voids from the surface. In addition to twinning induced voids, damage accumulates and voids form and propagate along high-angle grain boundaries between grains with low SF or those with disparate SF for basal slip. μXCT reveals voids away from the fractured surface highlighting the extent of heterogeneous deformation and fracture behavior of Mg. Fracture surfaces exhibit characteristics of mixed ductile-brittle fracture with signs of trans-granular cleavage and fluted facets with minor content of inter-granular fracture.

Evidence for Multiple Pulse-shape Changes during the Third Chromatic Timing Event of PSR J1713 + 0747

Abstract Millisecond pulsar J1713 + 0747 recently underwent a drastic change in its pulse shape. The pulsar has undergone two previous “chromatic timing events,” frequency-dependent changes in pulse arrival times, with some evidence for low-amplitude achromatic changes in the pulse shape. Ongoing monitoring efforts of the pulsar show that the latest significant shape change has persisted for several months, longer than the recovery of the behavior in previous events. I examine profiles from the Nançay Radio Telescope presented in Astronomer’s Telegram #14642 and find evidence for multiple profile shapes after the start of the third event, hinting at the possibility of several new mode changes to consider.

Nephron progenitor cell organization and nephrogenesis is dependent on Shroom3

The functional unit of the kidney, termed the nephron, develops from specialized mesenchyme cells known as the nephron progenitors. Nephron progenitors must undergo significant cell shape changes to regulate cell migration, cell movements, and cell projection formation during nephrogenesis. These dynamic cellular changes are essential for orientating and organizing the cells for progression through various stages of nephrogenesis to form a proper functioning nephron. The actin cytoskeleton regulates these dynamic morphological changes by interacting with intracellular proteins and their extracellular environment. Shroom3 is an actin-binding protein that regulates cell shape changes by modulating the actin cytoskeleton. In mice and humans, mutations in Shroom3 are strongly associated with poor nephron function and chronic kidney disease. Our previous work demonstrated unique Shroom3 expression patterns in nephron progenitor cells, yet the function of Shroom3 during nephrogenesis is not known. Here, we investigated functional roles for Shroom3 in nephron progenitor organization during nephrogenesis. Analysis of E13.5 and E18.5 kidney sections from Wildtype and Shroom3-/- null mutants demonstrated clustering abnormalities of nephron progenitor cells characterized by large abnormal gaps between cells in Shroom3 mutants. Analysis of Wildtype and Shroom3-/- nephron progenitor cell orientation by GM130 and Integrin-α8 immunofluorescence, markers of cell polarization, displayed altered cell orientation in some but not all cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that nephron progenitors of Shroom3-/- were irregularly shaped, abnormally clustered, and found at large distances from the neighboring epithelium. TEM analysis also revealed several filopodia-like long and thin actin-based membrane protrusions from both Wildtype and Shroom3-/- nephron progenitors. However, the broad, thick lamellipodia-like protrusions, found at the leading edge of the cells, were virtually absent from Shroom3-/- nephron progenitors. As nephrogenesis proceeds, Wildtype nephron progenitors develop into renal vesicles that consist of a central lumen surrounded by polarized wedge-shaped epithelial cells, which was not observed in Shroom3-/- renal vesicles. These alterations in the early stages of nephrogenesis in Shroom3-/- kidneys were also associated with a disruption in the epithelial polarization of mature nephrons demonstrated by irregular Sglt2 and Slc12a3 expression, key ion channels localized to the apical aspect in Wildtype epithelia. Our results demonstrate that Shroom3 is an important regulator of nephron progenitor organization and cell morphology in the earliest stages of nephron formation. It also suggests these abnormalities translate to a poorly polarized nephron epithelium and likely poor nephron function. These studies could explain why mutations in Shroom3 are so highly associated with poor nephron function and chronic kidney disease.

Bicuspid aortic valve annulus: assessment of geometry and size changes during the cardiac cycle as measured with a standardized method to define the annular plane

PurposeBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a complex malformation affecting not merely the aortic valve. However, little is known regarding the dynamic physiology of the aortic annulus in these patients and whether it is similar to tricuspid aortic valves (TAV). Determining the BAV annular plane is more challenging than for TAV. Our aim was to present a standardized methodology to determine BAV annulus and investigate its changes in shape and dimensions during the cardiac cycle.MethodsBAV patients were prospectively included and underwent an ECG-gated cardiac CTA. The annulus plane was manually identified on reconstructions at 5% intervals of the cardiac cycle with a new standardized method for different BAV types. Based on semi-automatically defined contours, maximum and minimum diameter, area, area-derived diameter, perimeter, asymmetry ratio (AR), and relative area were calculated. Differences of dynamic annular parameters were assessed also per BAV type.ResultsOf the 55 patients included (38.4 ± 13.3 years; 58% males), 38 had BAV Sievers type 1, 10 type 0, and 7 type 2. The minimum diameter, perimeter, area, and area-derived diameter were significantly higher in systole than in diastole with a relative change of 13.7%, 4.8%, 13.7%, and 7.2% respectively (all p < 0.001). The AR was ≥ 1.1 in all phases, indicating an elliptic shape, with more pronounced flattening in diastole (p < 0.001). Different BAV types showed comparable dynamic changes.ConclusionsBAV annulus undergo significant changes in shape during the cardiac cycle with a wider area in systole and a more elliptic conformation in diastole regardless of valve type.Key Points• A refined method for the identification of the annulus plane on CT scans of patients with bicuspid aortic valves, tailored for the specific anatomy of each valve type, is proposed.• The annulus of patients with bicuspid aortic valves undergoes significant changes during the cardiac cycle with a wider area and more circular shape in systole regardless of valve type.• As compared to previously published data, the bicuspid aortic valve annulus has physiological dynamics similar to that encountered in tricuspid valves but with overall larger dimensions.

A 3D analysis of growth trajectory and integration during early human prenatal facial growth

Significant shape changes in the human facial skeleton occur in the early prenatal period, and understanding this process is critical for studying a myriad of congenital facial anomalies. However, quantifying and visualizing human fetal facial growth has been challenging. Here, we applied quantitative geometric morphometrics (GM) to high-resolution magnetic resonance images of human embryo and fetuses, to comprehensively analyze facial growth. We utilized non-linear growth estimation and GM methods to assess integrated epigenetic growth between masticatory muscles and associated bones. Our results show that the growth trajectory of the human face in the early prenatal period follows a curved line with three flexion points. Significant antero-posterior development occurs early, resulting in a shift from a mandibular prognathic to relatively orthognathic appearance, followed by expansion in the lateral direction. Furthermore, during this time, the development of the zygoma and the mandibular ramus is closely integrated with the masseter muscle.

Evaluating the responses of three closely related small mammal lineages to climate change across the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum

AbstractInterpreting the impact of climate change on vertebrates in the fossil record can be complicated by the effects of potential biotic drivers on morphological patterns observed in taxa. One promising area where this impact can be assessed is a high-resolution terrestrial record from the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, that corresponds to the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum (PETM), a geologically rapid (~170 kyr) interval of sustained temperature and aridity shifts about 56 Ma. The PETM has been extensively studied, but different lines of research have not yet been brought together to compare the timing of shifts in abiotic drivers that include temperature and aridity proxies and those of biotic drivers, measured through changes in floral and faunal assemblages, to the timing of morphological change within mammalian species lineages. We used a suite of morphometric tools to document morphological changes in molar crown morphology of three lineages of stem erinaceid eulipotyphlans. We then compared the timing of morphological change to that of both abiotic and other biotic records through the PETM. In all three species lineages, we failed to recover any significant changes in tooth crown shape or size within the PETM. These results contrast with those documented previously for lineages of medium-sized mammals, which show significant dwarfing within the PETM. Our results suggest that biotic drivers such as shifts in community composition may have also played an important role in shaping species-level patterns during this dynamic interval in Earth history.

Application of Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy on Plastics in Cultural Heritage Collections: A Comparative Assessment of Two Portable Mid-Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Devices.

Plastics have been increasingly used to create modern and contemporary art and design, and nowadays, museum collections hold numerous objects completely or partially made of plastics. However, the preservation of these materials is still a challenging task in heritage conservation, especially because some plastics show signs of degradation shortly after their production. In addition, different degradation mechanisms can often take place depending on the plastic composition and appropriate environmental and packaging conditions should be adopted. Therefore, methods for in situ and rapid characterization of plastic artifacts' composition are greatly needed to outline proper conservation strategies. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, such as attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), is a well-established method for polymeric material analysis. However, ATR FT-IR requires an intimate contact with the object, which makes its application less appropriate for the in situ investigation of fragile or brittle degraded plastic objects. Mid-FT-IR reflectance spectroscopy may represent a valid alternative as it allows in situ measurements with minimum or even no contact, and IR data can be acquired rapidly. On the other hand, spectral interpretation of reflectance spectra is usually difficult as IR bands may appear distorted with significant changes in band maximum, shape, and relative intensity, depending on the optical properties and surface texture of the material analyzed. Presently, mid-FT-IR reflection devices working in external reflection (ER FT-IR) and diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) modes have been used in cultural heritage research studies. As the collected vibrational information depends on the optical layout of the measuring system, differences between ER FT-IR and DRIFT spectra are thus expected when the same polymer is analyzed. So far, ER FT-IR and DRIFT spectroscopy have been individually explored for the identification of plastic objects, but comparative studies between the application of two reflectance FT-IR modes have not been presented yet. In this work, the use of two portable FT-IR spectrometers equipped with ER FT-IR and DRIFTS modes were compared for plastics identification purposes for the first time. Both references of polymeric materials and historical plastic objects (from a Portuguese private collection) were studied and the differences between ER FT-IR and DRIFT spectra were discussed. The spectra features were examined considering the two different optical geometries and analytes' properties. This new insight can support a better understanding of both vibrational information acquired and practical aspects in the application of the ER FT-IR and DRIFTS in plastic analysis.

4D Printing of Shape Memory Materials for Textiles: Mechanism, Mathematical Modeling, and Challenges

AbstractShape memory materials (SMMs) in 3D printing (3DP) technology garnered much attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli, which direct this technology toward an emerging area of research, “4D printing (4DP) technology.” In contrast to classical 3D printed objects, the fourth dimension, time, allows printed objects to undergo significant changes in shape, size, or color when subjected to external stimuli. Highly precise and calibrated 4D materials, which can perform together to achieve robust 4D objects, are in great demand in various fields such as military applications, space suits, robotic systems, apparel, healthcare, sports, etc. This review, for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, focuses on recent advances in SMMs (e.g., polymers, metals, etc.) based wearable smart textiles and fashion goods. This review integrates the basic overview of 3DP technology, fabrication methods, the transition of 3DP to 4DP, the chemistry behind the fundamental working principles of 4D printed objects, materials selection for smart textiles and fashion goods. The central part summarizes the effect of major external stimuli on 4D textile materials followed by the major applications. Lastly, prospects and challenges are discussed, so that future researchers can continue the progress of this technology.

Model of microwave radiation absorption by biological tissues

А model of absorption of electromagnetic energy of radiofrequency range by biological tissues is described in the article. The problems of modeling the interaction of microwave radiation and biological tissues represented as multilayer structures are considered. Patch-antenna models for six sub-bands overlapping the 500–3500 MHz range are developed. The model of biological tissue was developed on the basis of MRI imaging, which allows for modeling under near real-life conditions. Based on the developed models of transceivers and biotissue, models have been created that allow to analyze the absorption of electromagnetic energy in the near- and far fields of the transmitter. From the results of modelling in the near field we can see that there are certain absorption maxima at frequencies of 750, 938, 1250 and 1357 MHz. Based on the results of the far field modeling it can be noted that in the range of 750 to 1000 MHz there is no absorption peak at 938 MHz. Also, as a result of the simulation, a decrease in the magnitude of absorption starting from 750 MHz was registered. Absorption peak absence is also observed in the area of 1357 MHz frequency. In the range of 2.5–3 GHz both in the near and far fields practically linear decrease of absorption value is observed. When analyzing the influence of structures' sizes on electromagnetic energy absorption in biological tissues, it was found that the nature of change in absorption value is a nonlinear value. In the range of 0.5–2 GHz both increase and decrease of absorption at thickening or thinning of layers is observed. It should also be noted that when the size of each layer increases by 10 %, the peak of absorption in the area of 1156 MHz frequency is observed. For the 2–3.5 GHz range there are no significant changes in the chart shape when the layer thickness changes.

Soft tissue facial changes among adult females during alignment stage of orthodontic treatment: a 3D geometric morphometric study

BackgroundTo investigate changes in facial morphology during the first six months of orthodontic treatment among adult females receiving orthodontic treatment.Methods43 adult females receiving orthodontic treatment were randomly recruited. 3D facial images were taken at baseline (T0), three months (T1), and six months (T2) after treatment initiation. Spatially dense facial landmarks were digitized to allow for sufficient details in characterization of facial features. 3D geometric morphometrics and multivariate statistics were used to investigate changes in mean and variance of facial shape and facial form associated with treatment.ResultsWe observed statistically significant changes in facial shape across the three treatment stages (p = 0.0022). Pairwise comparisons suggested significant changes from T0 to T1 (p = 0.0045) and from T0 to T2 (p = 0.0072). Heatmap visualization indicated that the buccal and temporal region were invaginated while the labial region became protruded with treatment. The magnitude of shape change was 0.009, 0.004, and 0.010 from T0 to T1, T1 to T2, and T0 to T2, respectively, in unit of Procrustes distance. The average magnitude of change per-landmark was 1.32 mm, 0.21 mm, and 1.34 mm, respectively. Changes in mean facial form were not statistically significant (p = 0.1143). No changes in variance of facial shape were observed across treatment stages (p > 0.05).ConclusionRate of facial changes was twice as fast during the first three months as that during fourth to sixth month. Buccal and temporal region became invaginated while labial region became protruded with treatment.

Multiscale adaptive multifractal analysis and its applications.

To precisely analyze the fractal nature of a short-term time series under the multiscale framework, this study introduces multiscale adaptive multifractal analysis (MAMFA) combining the adaptive fractal analysis method with the multiscale multifractal analysis (MMA). MAMFA and MMA are both applied to the two kinds of simulation sequences, and the results show that the MAMFA method achieves better performances than MMA. MAMFA is also applied to the Chinese and American stock indexes and the R-R interval of heart rate data. It is found that the multifractal characteristics of stock sequences are related to the selection of the scale range s. There is a big difference in the Hurst surface's shape of Chinese and American stock indexes and Chinese stock indexes have more obvious multifractal characteristics. For the R-R interval sequence, we find that the subjects with abnormal heart rate have significant shape changes in three areas of Hurst surface compared with healthy subjects, thereby patients can be effectively distinguished from healthy subjects.