Slope Of Rise Research Articles

Nitric Oxide Synthase Blockade Impairs Spontaneous Calcium Activity in Mouse Primary Hippocampal Culture Cells.

Oscillation of intracellular calcium concentration is a stable phenomenon that affects cellular function throughout the lifetime of both electrically excitable and non-excitable cells. Nitric oxide, a gaseous secondary messenger and the product of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), affects intracellular calcium dynamics. Using mouse hippocampal primary cultures, we recorded the effect of NOS blockade on neuronal spontaneous calcium activity. There was a correlation between the amplitude of spontaneous calcium events and the number of action potentials (APs) (Spearman R = 0.94). There was a linear rise of DAF-FM fluorescent emission showing an increase in NO concentration with time in neurons (11.9 ± 1.0%). There is correlation between the integral of the signal from DAF-FM and the integral of the spontaneous calcium event signal from Oregon Green 488 (Spearman R = 0.58). Blockade of NOS affected the parameters of the spontaneous calcium events studied (amplitude, frequency, integral, rise slope and decay slope). NOS blockade by Nw-Nitro-L-arginine suppressed the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous calcium events. The NOS blocker 3-Bromo-7-Nitroindazole reduced the frequency but not the amplitude of spontaneous calcium activity. Blockade of the well-known regulator of NOS, calcineurin with cyclosporine A reduced the integral of calcium activity in neurons. The differences and similarities in the effects on the parameters of spontaneous calcium effects caused by different blockades of NO production help to improve understanding of how NO synthesis affects calcium dynamics in neurons.

Improvement of Spatial Resolution on Coronary CT Angiography by Using Super-Resolution Deep Learning Reconstruction

Our objective was to compare the image quality of coronary CT angiography reconstructed with super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) and with hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) images. This retrospective study included 100 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography using a 320-detector-row CT scanner. The CT images were reconstructed with hybrid IR and SR-DLR. The standard deviation of the CT number was recorded and the CT attenuation profile across the left main coronary artery was generated to calculate the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and measure the edge rise slope (ERS). Overall image quality was evaluated and plaque detectability was assessed on a 4-point scale (1=poor, 4=excellent). For reference, invasive coronary angiography of 14 patients was used. The mean image noise on SR-DLR was significantly lower than on hybrid IR images (15.6 vs 22.9 HU; p < 0.01). The mean CNR was significantly higher and the ERS was steeper on SR-DLR- compared to hybrid IR images (CNR: 32.4 vs 20.4, p < 0.01; ERS: 300.0 vs 198.2 HU/mm, p < 0.01). The image quality score was better on SR-DLR- than on hybrid IR images (3.6 vs 3.1; p < 0.01). SR-DLR increased the detectability of plaques with < 50% stenosis (p < 0.01). SR-DLR was superior to hybrid IR with respect to the image noise, the sharpness of coronary artery margins, and plaque detectability.

Find of a Bronze Macehead from the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland in Poland

The Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom houses an interesting find of a macehead discovered in the Michałowiec nature reserve (commonly known as the Michałowiec/Michałówka Forest). The reserve is located on the northern slope of a large rise of terrain of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (Polish: Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska) that shelves toward the River Biała Przemsza valley. Regrettably, the exact coordinates of the find location are not known, and only very imprecisely defined forest limits where the discovery was made were indicated. The artefact in question is a reasonably well-preserved macehead of the so-called star-shaped type. The macehead was cast in a pre-prepared mould using a non-ferrous metal alloy with a dominant share of Cu, Pb, and Sb. A comparative analysis of maceheads with finds from the territory of Hungary and south-eastern Europe, as well as a concentration of such finds along the southern and the eastern borders of Poland allow for a supposition that such artefacts could also come from this direction. On the other hand, it cannot be excluded that the find is of local manufacture. Concerning its chronology, on the basis of analogies a wide time frame between the 12th and the first half of the 14th century can be proposed. The territory of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland is a landscape that since the early 14th century has been marked by numerous works of military architecture. These were the background of the defensive system of the border of the Kingdom of Poland. Therefore, a high number of warriors could be at least temporarily stationed in this area. This can perhaps offer grounds to rather accept a later (that is, the 14th century) chronology of the artefact. Such a date can also be implied by its chemical composition.

Uptalk in L2 English: the phonetic identity and perception of final declarative rises in Serbian EFL.

Uptalk has been increasingly documented in different L1 English varieties and communicative contexts, but is rarely recognized in formal L2 educational contexts, where it is still attributed to learners' inadequate mastery of intonation. This study is a cross-sectional corpus-based exploration of the phonetic realization of uptalk in Serbian EFL students' semi-spontaneous expository speech, and its perception as a sentence-finality signal. The corpus comprised all rising intonation units (IU) produced by 14 female and 9 male participants, classified by structural clues as syntactic continuation, listing, polar questions, or uptalk, to explore the relatedness of the phonetic properties to structural position and gender. Next, 100 EFL students rated selected phrases, illustrating continuation rises, uptalk, and final falls, as possibly sentence final, on a 5-point scale. The findings showed that uptalk was consistently produced as a phonetically distinct signal, characterized by a larger pitch excursion, a steeper rise slope, a higher rise peak, and a longer post-IU pause. Females produced wider pitch excursions and steeper slopes. Uptalk examples were ranked high as possible sentence-finality signals. The study suggests that EFL speakers' uptalk should be recognized as a novel socio-pragmatic prosodic device, deliberately used even in more formal academic contexts.

Hippocampal mossy cells exhibit some of the earliest signs of increased excitability in the Tg2576 model of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative illness characterized by progressive accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles, with cognitive impairment and altered neural activity. Hyperexcitability in the early stages of AD contribute to Aβ accumulation and cognitive impairment, aggravating the progression of AD. However, the hyperexcitability origin is not clear. This study aimed to test whether mossy cells (MCs), an excitatory cell of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, show increased excitability at early stages of AD and contribute to the increased network excitability generation. Indeed, alterations of MCs contribute to hyperexcitability and cognitive impairment in epilepsy. However, the role of MCs in AD has not been substantially explored.MethodsIntrinsic and synaptic properties of MCs and granule cells (GCs) from WT and Tg2576 mice at early ages (1‐2 m.o.) were characterized by whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Synaptic properties included the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs and IPSCs). Deterioration in MCs morphology was evaluated using Nissl staining and GluR2/3 labeling by light‐ and confocal microscopy. Aβ deposition was evaluated using the McSA1 antibody.ResultsTg2576 GCs did not have any significant difference in their intrinsic properties, as we shown previously in mice ∼3 m.o. However, an enhanced excitatory and inhibitory input to GCs, depicted by augmented IPSC (7.16 vs 14.04 events/s) and NMDA‐mediated EPSC frequencies (0.81 vs 1.41 events/s) were found. Interestingly, Tg2576 MCs had an augmented EPSP frequency (5.75 vs 9.44 events/s), and their intrinsic properties showed a depolarized RMP (‐72.88 vs ‐58.36 mV), and reduced rheobase (145.56 vs 47.14 pA), AP amplitude (98.14 vs 76.66 mV), time‐to‐peak (552.75 vs 266.16 ms) and maximum rise (171.44 vs 88.68 mV/ms) and decay slopes (‐61.17 vs ‐42.38 mV/ms). The correlation between #APs and current injected showed Tg2576 MCs fired significantly more APs (SEZD = 0.34; z = 2.48). Tg2576 MCs showed robust intracellular Aβ aggregation without any significant morphological change.ConclusionsMCs changes in excitability and early accumulation of Aβ suggest that MCs could be the cause of increased excitability occurring later in GCs. In this manner, MCs could be an important contributor to AD.

Electrical and optical characterization of multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge in configuration with the air-exposed electrode

In this paper, multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge generated by a perforated ceramic substrate in a configuration with the air-exposed electrode was investigated. The electrical characteristics (discharge power, peak, and average amplitude of current pulses) and optical characteristics (emission intensity) of the discharge were evaluated under various conditions of applied voltage (peak voltage 3–6 kV, frequency 200–2000 Hz), air flow rate (0.5–2.4 L/min), and air relative humidity (0%–80%). Temperature of ceramic substrate was also monitored. Statistical analysis of current pulses was also performed, and histograms of amplitudes of current pulses were calculated. The results showed that discharge characteristics strictly depend on given working conditions. The analysis of current pulses showed opposite trends in average overall number of positive and negative pulses with an increase of discharge power: number of positive current pulses gradually increased, while number of negative current pulses slightly decreased. The highest peak currents were found at 4 kV (1.8 W). With further increase of peak voltage, peak current decreased and beginning of detection of current pulses upon a rising (declining) slope of applied voltage was slightly shifted toward earlier times. At the highest applied peak voltage, pulses appeared even before polarity of applied voltage reversed. Therefore, we suppose that a residual charge accumulated on dielectric surface plays a crucial role in characteristics of the current pulses. Significant influence on current pulses and discharge emission intensity was also found with a change of air relative humidity, while the effect of air flow rate was found weaker.

Space microgravity improves proliferation of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes.

SummaryIn microgravity, cells undergo profound changes in their properties. However, how human cardiac progenitors respond to space microgravity is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of space microgravity on differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiac progenitors compared with 1G cultures on the International Space Station (ISS). Cryopreserved 3D cardiac progenitors were cultured for 3 weeks on the ISS. Compared with 1G cultures, the microgravity cultures had 3-fold larger sphere sizes, 20-fold higher counts of nuclei, and increased expression of proliferation markers. Highly enriched cardiomyocytes generated in space microgravity showed improved Ca2+ handling and increased expression of contraction-associated genes. Short-term exposure (3 days) of cardiac progenitors to space microgravity upregulated genes involved in cell proliferation, survival, cardiac differentiation, and contraction, consistent with improved microgravity cultures at the late stage. These results indicate that space microgravity increased proliferation of hiPSC-cardiomyocytes, which had appropriate structure and function.

The oscillating pulse arrival time as a physiological explanation regarding the difference between ECG- and Photoplethysmogram-derived heart rate variability parameters

Background and ObjectiveECG-based heart rate variability (HRV), and more recently, optical pulse rate variability (PRV) analysis used in wearables are non-invasive tools of neurocardiac investigation. Pulse arrival time (PAT) is derived from their simultaneous recording. We examined the beat-to-beat PAT in greater detail, while analyzed the PRV to HRV relationship. MethodsWe acquired 300sec ECG, photoplethysmogram (PPG), and respiratory-signals from 35 young, healthy volunteers while in a supine position including different breathing patterns. PAT at eight reference points on the PPG-side was assessed by the mean, relative precision (RP%) and spectral analysis. PRV and HRV parameters were compared by relative accuracy error (RAE) and the Bland-Altman-Ratio (BAR). ResultsPAT showed the minimum RP% at the 1/2-amplitude point whereas RP% reached the maximum at the base point; its observed fine oscillation was associated to breathing as confirmed through spectral analysis. The instantaneous slope of PPG rise is inversely proportional to the corresponding PAT. RAE and BAR showed excellent agreement in 15 of 16 analysis at time-domain, mostly excellent or moderate on frequency-domain and nonlinear analysis. The inherent difference between HRV and PRV is formally due to the difference among two consecutive PATs. Conclusion and SignificanceThe present study supported the interchangeability of HRV- and PRV-analysis. Our formalistic explanation linking successive PAT-pairs and the inborn difference between HRV and PRV may bear further implications in selecting the appropriate fiducial points, approximating PRV to HRV measures, and in creating innovative neurocardiac parameters or complex PPG models/simulators.

Study on Heat Storage Performance of Phase Change Reservoir in Underground Protection Engineering

In view of the main problems of the condensing heat discharge modes of the existing underground air-conditioning system, the technical scheme of using phase change heat storage modules to improve the heat storage capacity of the reservoir is proposed. By establishing a 3D flow and transient heat transfer model of the phase change reservoir, the effects of thermal property parameters, package size and arrangement of the phase change heat storage modules on the heat storage performance of the phase change reservoir were quantitatively analyzed based on three indexes: heat storage capacity per volume Δq, guaranteed efficiency coefficient η and slope of temperature rise per unit load ε. The results show that when the phase change temperature is 29 °C (23 °C increased to 33 °C) and the latent heat value is 250 kJ/kg (100 kJ/kg increased to 250 kJ/kg), Δq (110.92 MJ/m3, 112.83 MJ/m3) and η (1.22, 1.24) under both conditions are at their most, respectively, indicating that the phase change temperature should be less than 4 °C at the outlet temperature of the reservoir, and phase change materials with a high latent heat should be selected in engineering design whenever possible. When the size of the phase change module is 150 mm × 20 mm and the phase change reservoir adopts four intakes, ε (0.259, 0.244) under both conditions is the smallest, indicating that increasing the area of the phase change heat storage module and the fluid and increasing the inlet disturbance of the reservoir can enhance its heat storage capacity.

Correlation between quantitative parameters of CEUS and Ki-67 labeling index in soft-tissue sarcoma.

Apart from the immunohistochemical Ki-67 labeling index (LI), clinicians need a non-invasive and convenient way to predict the prognosis of patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). To investigate the correlation between quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and Ki-67 LI in STS. A total of 25 patients diagnosed with STS who underwent CEUS examination using SonoVue®, between January 2019 to November 2020, were included in the study. They were then divided into a high-proliferation group and low-proliferation group according to 30% Ki-67 positive tumor cells. The quantitative parameters in the semi-automatic time intensity curve analysis software, including arrival time, time to peak, peak intensity, rise time (RT), rise slope, 50% wash-out time, and 50% wash-out intensity, were extracted from the time intensity curve of CEUS by two independent observers. Statistical evaluation of the correlation and difference between CEUS quantitative parameters and Ki-67 LI between the two groups was performed. According to the area under the curve (AUC) analysis, optimal cutoff points of parameters with significant difference were determined. CEUS RT of the high-proliferation group in STS was significantly higher than that of the low-proliferation group (ρ = 0.509, P = 0.01). The most reasonable cutoff to distinguish between low- and high-proliferation groups was 10.84 s. The sensitivity, specificity, and the AUC were 86.7%, 80%, and 0.80, respectively. CEUS RT was correlated with Ki-67 LI of STS, which can be used as a minimally invasive auxiliary tool to predict the prognosis of STS in clinical practice.

Prenatal exposure to morphine enhances excitability in locus coeruleus neurons.

Opioid abuse during pregnancy may have noteworthy effects on the child's behavioral, emotional and cognitive progression. In this study, we assessed the effect of prenatal exposure to morphine on electrophysiological features of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons which is involved in modulating cognitive performance. Pregnant dams were randomly divided into two groups, that is a prenatal saline treated and prenatal morphine-treated group. To this end, ongestational days 11-18, either morphine or saline (twice daily, s.c.) was administered to pregnant dams. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were conducted on LC neurons of male offspring. The evoked firing rate, instantaneous frequency and action potentials half-width, and also input resistance of LC neurons significantly increased in the prenatal morphine group compared to the saline group. Moreover, action potentials decay slope, after hyperpolarization amplitude, rheobase current, and first spike latency were diminished in LC neurons following prenatal exposure to morphine. In addition, resting membrane potential, rise slope, and amplitude of action potentials were not changed by prenatal morphine exposure. Together, the current findings show a significant enhancement in excitability of the LC neurons following prenatal morphine exposure, which may affect the release of norepinephrine to other brain regions and/or cognitive performances of the offspring.

Pulmonary Artery Pressures During Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Using Cardiomems

<h3>Purpose</h3> Continuous pulmonary artery (PA) pressure monitoring has proven its value in reducing heart failure and all-cause hospitalizations. Invasive hemodynamic testing has shown that exercise in HFrEF leads to a steep increase in PA pressures and this steep rise is independently associated with reduced peak Vo₂. PA pressure response during exercise is likely more closely related to outcomes than resting hemodynamics in HF. The significance and potentially prognostic value of measuring PA pressures during CPET testing in AHF patients is currently unknown. In this feasibility-study we describe PA pressure curves during CPET in a cohort of advanced HF patients. <h3>Methods</h3> 7 advanced HF patients (Etiology: 4 NICM, 3 ICM; age 61 ± 12y; EF 28 ± 15%; 86% on beta blocker) with CardioMEMS device underwent standard stationary bike - CPET. PA pressures were measured at rest, every 2 minutes during exercise and during recovery. <h3>Results</h3> Max VO2 was 13.3±5.2 ml/kg/min; average duration of exercise was 8:56 min. Mean resting PA pressure was 12.5±5.2 mmHg. Mean peak PA pressure was 26.7±10 mmHg. Mean PA pressures increased on average by 2.5-fold (± 1.14) (Figure 1). The slope of mPAP rise was 3.33±2.1. mPAP uniformly returned to baseline values within 3 minutes of recovery. Pt. 3 was admitted 1 week after CPET testing with subacute worsening HF symptoms and underwent OHT, all other patients continue to follow at the centralized HF program at our institution. <h3>Conclusion</h3> PAP assessment using CardioMEMS is feasible during CPET. mPAP rose sharply during exercise. In HF patients with invasive PA pressure monitor devices, exercise PAP assessment may be a valuable tool to assess for functional capacity with possibly prognostic significance.

Imbalanced Moment Release Within Subducting Plates During Initial Bending and Unbending

AbstractInternal deformation within the downgoing plate in subduction zones to accommodate the bending of the plate as it starts to subduct is reflected in widespread intraplate seismicity. This seismicity, extending from the outer rise and outer trench slope down to intermediate depths within the slab, exhibits a wide variety of focal mechanism types, often indicative of the accumulation and recovery of down‐dip curvature through the combination of normal‐faulting and thrust‐faulting earthquakes. In the idealized case, where the bulk internal deformation is recovered and slabs descend as a straight plate into the deeper mantle, we might expect the seismic moment released in both extension and compression to balance. However, a number of factors may complicate this: the thermal, compositional, and rheological evolution of the slab as it subducts, changes in the proportion of deformation accommodated seismically, and whether the slab undergoes any permanent deformation. These factors may result in intraslab deformation and seismicity unrelated to the slab curvature. Here, we assess earthquake moment release in intraslab settings around the world, focusing on those subduction systems with relatively simple slab geometries. Consideration of several regions around the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean indicates that substantially more deformation is accommodated seismically during bending than during unbending, and that in both settings, significantly more moment release reflects down‐dip extension than down‐dip compression. This suggests that, although the location of seismicity is clearly related to changes in slab curvature, there is a component of permanent, unrecovered down‐dip extension in many subducting slabs.

P673 Trends in inflammatory bowel disease infections and vaccinations in the past four decades - a high-level text mining analysis of PubMed publications

BackgroundMany therapeutic options for inflammatory bowel disease emerged during the last decades, along with the rise in disease prevalence and incidence. These new treatments exposed patients to various potential infections and promoted pre-treatment screening and vaccination. We aimed at assessing the published literature on different prophylactic screening and vaccination options in that period.Special attention was attributed to latest data assessing covid-19 vaccinations.MethodsWe have queried PubMed for all available IBD-related entries published during 2000–2020. The following data were extracted for each entry: PubMed unique article ID (PMID), title, publishing journal, abstract text, keywords (if any), and authors’ affiliations.Two gastrointestinal specialists decided in consensus on a list of terms to classify entries. The terms belonged to four groups: Opportunistic Infections, prophylactic screening, prophylactic vaccinations/treatment, regular vaccines. Annual trends of publications for the years 1980–2020 were plotted for different screening, vaccinations, and infections types. The slopes of publication trends were calculated by fitting regression lines to the annual number of publications.ResultsOverall, 98,339 IBD entries were published between 1980 and 2020. Of those, 10,128 entries belonged to one of the four investigated groups. Entries concerning opportunistic infections showed the sharpest rise, with 22 entries and 1980 to 623 entries in 2020 (slope 3.6, p<0.001). Entries concerning prophylactic screening rose from 10 entries in 1980 to 204 entries in 2020 (slope 1.4, p<0.001). Both entries concerning prophylactic vaccinations/treatments and regular vaccines did not show a significant rise (slope 0.08, and slope 0.22, respectively). Publications’ trend is shown in figure 1.Figure 1- publication trends of vaccines and opportunistic infections in IBD patients during the past four decades During COVID 19 pandemic a total of 44 publications were identified. Of them. 37 were relevant to vaccines and immune reaction. 19 publications (51%) were guidelines/recommendations, 14 (38%) assessed immune reaction to vaccination, most of them (11, 61%) to mRNA vaccines.Results are shown in figure 2.Figure2- publication trends of COVID 19 vaccines during the pandemic ConclusionAccording to publications trend analysis, during the past two decades, publications regarding opportunistic infections and prophylactic screening increased stteply compared to the two decades during pre- biologic area.During COVID -19 pandemic most publications included vaccinations’ recommendations and guidelines, and only 38% included real-world data assessing reaction to vaccinations. More research is needed.

Improvement in Image Quality and Visibility of Coronary Arteries, Stents, and Valve Structures on CT Angiography by Deep Learning Reconstruction.

This study aimed to investigate whether a deep learning reconstruction (DLR) method improves the image quality, stent evaluation, and visibility of the valve apparatus in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) when compared with filtered back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR) methods. CCTA images of 51 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 63.9 ± 9.8 years, 36 male) who underwent examination at a single institution were reconstructed using DLR, FBP, and hybrid IR methods and reviewed. CT attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and stent evaluation, including 10%-90% edge rise slope (ERS) and 10%-90% edge rise distance (ERD), were measured. Quantitative data are summarized as the mean ± SD. The subjective visual scores (1 for worst -5 for best) of the images were obtained for the following: overall image quality, image noise, and appearance of stent, vessel, and aortic and tricuspid valve apparatus (annulus, leaflets, papillary muscles, and chordae tendineae). These parameters were compared between the DLR, FBP, and hybrid IR methods. DLR provided higher Hounsfield unit (HU) values in the aorta and similar attenuation in the fat and muscle compared with FBP and hybrid IR. The image noise in HU was significantly lower in DLR (12.6 ± 2.2) than in hybrid IR (24.2 ± 3.0) and FBP (54.2 ± 9.5) (p < 0.001). The SNR and CNR were significantly higher in the DLR group than in the FBP and hybrid IR groups (p < 0.001). In the coronary stent, the mean value of ERS was significantly higher in DLR (1260.4 ± 242.5 HU/mm) than that of FBP (801.9 ± 170.7 HU/mm) and hybrid IR (641.9 ± 112.0 HU/mm). The mean value of ERD was measured as 0.8 ± 0.1 mm for DLR while it was 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for FBP and 1.1 ± 0.2 mm for hybrid IR. The subjective visual scores were higher in the DLR than in the images reconstructed with FBP and hybrid IR. DLR reconstruction provided better images than FBP and hybrid IR reconstruction.

Electrical Impedance Tomography to Set Positive End Expiratory Pressure During Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure... Is it Feasible?

Electrical Impedance Tomography to Set Positive End Expiratory Pressure During Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure... Is it Feasible?

Multi-Timescale Simulations of Temperature Elevation for Ultrasonic Welding of CFRP with Energy Director

Ultrasonic welding is an energy-efficient technology that enables quick bonding of thermoplastic composite materials under normal temperature and pressure conditions. Here, numerical multi-timescale simulation is proposed to understand the welding principle, using numerical simulations of ultrasonic welding. The simulation results are validated by comparing with temperature measurements in welding tests. In the multi-timescale simulations, microsecond-scale simulations are performed first. The ultrasonic wave is modeled as a vibration load, and the energy dissipation per vibration at 25, 75, 125, 175, 225, and 275∘C is analyzed. Then, the time derivative of the temperature rise is obtained. In the normal scale simulations, the ultrasonic wave and holding pressure are replaced by a constant load, and the entire process of ultrasonic welding is simulated. The slope of the temperature rise is fitted to the time derivative of the temperature rise obtained from the microsecond-scale simulations, using the material constant as a parameter. Explicit multi-timescale simulations were performed to investigate the relationship between stress concentration and temperature rise due to ED geometry. The result reveals similar temperature behavior to the experimental one, indicating the validity of the multi-timescale method. It suggests that viscoelastic energy dissipation and stress concentration are responsible for the temperature spike.

Analyzing spatial variability of drivers of coastal wetland loss in the northern Gulf of Mexico using Bayesian multi-level models

ABSTRACT A modeling framework that can quantify the impact of multiple potential drivers on coastal wetland loss while estimating its uncertainties is needed to better conserve and restore these valuable ecosystems. We developed a Bayesian multi-level modeling framework to predict the areal wetland loss in the northern Gulf of Mexico, driven by relative sea-level rise (RSLR), vegetation productivity, tidal range, wave height, and coastal slope. We further investigated how the impact of these site or local-scale biogeophysical factors on wetland loss differed by watershed unit. The results indicate the importance of accounting for watershed boundaries where the coastal wetlands are located when evaluating their loss. The effects of RSLR, wave height, and tidal range on wetland loss differed by watershed. Inclusion of streamflow and land use/land cover at the watershed scale did not improve model predictions while other relevant watershed-scale covariates, such as sediment availability, are not available. Based on the 95% credible intervals of the posteriors of the model coefficients, there were only five watersheds among the 14 studied where RSLR, wave height, or tidal range, showed positive or negative effects on coastal wetland loss. The results demonstrate the complexity of modeling wetland loss processes as no single dominant driver was identified for most of the watersheds. Furthermore, the need to account for multiple drivers simultaneously to ensure the effectiveness of costly wetland restoration projects clearly appears warranted when evaluating wetland loss processes over a broad spatial scale.

A novel strategy to develop deep learning for imagesuper-resolution using original ultra-high-resolution computed tomography images of lung as training dataset.

PurposeTo improve the image quality of inflated fixed cadaveric human lungs by utilizing ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) as a training dataset for super-resolution processing using deep learning (SR-DL).Materials and methodsImage data of nine cadaveric human lungs were acquired using U-HRCT. Three different matrix images of U-HRCT images were obtained with two acquisition modes: normal mode (512-matrix image) and super-high-resolution mode (1024- and 2048-matrix image). SR-DL used 512- and 1024-matrix images as training data for deep learning. The virtual 2048-matrix images were acquired by applying SR-DL to the 1024-matrix images. Three independent observers scored normal anatomical structures and abnormal computed tomography (CT) findings of both types of 2048-matrix images on a 3-point scale compared to 1024-matrix images. The image noise values were quantitatively calculated. Moreover, the edge rise distance (ERD) and edge rise slope (ERS) were also calculated using the CT attenuation profile to evaluate margin sharpness.ResultsThe virtual 2048-matrix images significantly improved visualization of normal anatomical structures and abnormal CT findings, except for consolidation and nodules, compared with the conventional 2048-matrix images (p < 0.01). Quantitative noise values were significantly lower in the virtual 2048-matrix images than in the conventional 2048-matrix images (p < 0.001). ERD was significantly shorter in the virtual 2048-matrix images than in the conventional 2048-matrix images (p < 0.01). ERS was significantly higher in the virtual 2048-matrix images than in the conventional 2048-matrix images (p < 0.01).ConclusionSR-DL using original U-HRCT images as a training dataset might be a promising tool for image enhancement in terms of margin sharpness and image noise reduction. By applying trained SR-DL to U-HRCT SHR mode images, virtual ultra-high-resolution images were obtained which surpassed the image quality of unmodified SHR mode images.

Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and the Diagnostic Value of B-Mode and Color Doppler for Common Benign Tumors in the Parotid Gland.

PurposeTo preliminarily identify three common benign parotid gland tumors: pleomorphic adenomas (PA), Warthin tumors (WT), and basal cell adenomas (BCA) by qualitative and quantitative analyses using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).MethodsPreoperative images of parotid gland masses were analyzed, including 129 cases of ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler sonography (CDS) and 110 cases of qualitative and quantitative CEUS. The diagnosis was confirmed by postsurgical pathology outcomes.ResultsPA presented low and heterogeneous enhancement and echo-free area, whereas most WT and BCA presented with high and relatively homogeneous enhancement. Compared with WT and BCA groups, a “slow in” pattern was more common in the PA group and a “slow out” pattern was more frequently noted in the WT group than in the PA and BCA groups. The unique features of qualitative CEUS in the PA group enable distinguishing PA from the 2 other groups. The further distinction among the groups was made based on quantitative parameters of time-intensity curves (TICs), which revealed that the mean peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT), the area under the curve (AUC), and time from peak to one half (HT) exhibited significant differences. ROC analysis was next applied to determine the optimal cutoff points to predict the diagnostic tendency among the groups. When the rising slope (RS) was >2.145, the possibility of BCA was greater than WT.ConclusionsCEUS ultrasound is of significant value in the differential diagnosis of the 3 common benign parotid gland masses.