Small Capsule Research Articles

<p><strong><em>Entosthodon elimbatus </em>(Bryophyta, Funariaceae), a new species from the sub-alpine region in Yunnan and <em>E. physcomitrioides </em>new for mainland China</strong></p>

Entosthodon elimbatus W.Z. Ma, Shevock & S. He, a new species from a sub-alpine area in Yunnan, China, is described here based on morphological and molecular data. Morphologically, the new species resembles the widespread species E. buseanus, but differs most notably in having significantly shortened setae, smaller capsules and nearly unbordered laminae. Images from the scanning electron microscope also show compound-papillose ornamentation over the spore surface, which is characteristic of this new species. The generic validation of the new species in Entosthodon is supported by a phylogenetic analysis based on the plastid rps4 sequence. Entosthodon physcomitrioides, characterized by its well-developed apophysis and peristome, is confirmed as a new record for mainland China. Detailed descriptions and illustrations for both species are provided.

Mapping carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails to demonstrate a rural-urban nutrition transition in the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil.

The main objective of this study is to investigate diet patterns among rural and urban populations of the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil through the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails, recognizing that the extent of market integration is a key driver of food consumption. In the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil, fingernails were sampled in clusters encompassing a major city, town, and rural village. A total of 2,133 fingernails were analyzed. Fingernails were clipped by donors using fingernail clippers. In the laboratory, samples were cleaned then weighed in small tin capsules before being isotopically analyzed for carbon and nitrogen. The overall mean δ13 C and δ15 N were -19.7 ± 2.8‰ and 10.6 ± 1.1‰, respectively. In the more remote villages, where access to food markets is more challenging, lower δ13 C prevails, suggesting that Brazilian staple foods (rice, beans, and farinha) still dominate. In areas with easier access to food markets, δ13 C values were higher, suggesting a change to a diet based on C4 plants, typical of a Brazilian supermarket diet. The variability among inhabitants in the same location expressed by a significant inverse correlation between δ13 C and δ15 N fingernail values suggested that "market integration" does not affect everyone equally in each community. The nutrition transition has not yet reached some remote villages in these regions of Brazil or that the nutrition transition has not yet reached all residents of these remote villages. On the other hand, in several villages there is a considerable adherence to the supermarket diet or that some residents of these villages are already favoring processed food.

1113 ASSESSMENT OF CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY UTILIZING CAPSOCAM PLUS® IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED SMALL BOWEL DISEASE INCLUDING PILOT STUDY WITH REMOTE ACCESS PATIENTS

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been widely utilized for the assessment of patients with known/suspected small bowel disease. The CapsoCam Plus® capsule is unique in that it utilizes four cameras at sequential 90 degree intervals in its mid-section permitting a 360-degree panoramic perspective with a 15+ hour battery life. A panoramic view has been suggested to improve overall visualization of the small bowel (SB) therefore potentially improving diagnostic yield. Unlike other small bowel capsules, it must be retrieved upon excretion (utilizing a magnetic kit) since the images are stored on the device. To assess the use of CapsoCam Plus in patients referred for suspected small bowel disease, including pilot assessments for patients in remote locations. A retrospective chart review (01/16 – 10/19) assessing consecutive capsule procedures utilizing this device was performed. Information acquired included basic demographics, indication, extent of examination, gastric transit time, small bowel transit time, yield, adverse events, capsule retention, recovery rates and recommendations for follow up. A pilot study was also initiated for patients in rural centers to access capsule testing remotely through mail courier without attendance/travel to the primary dispensing site. Acquired data included 65 patients receiving CapsoCam Plus®. Indications: 86% obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, 5% abdominal pain and 1% for IBD. 92% of studies were completed to cecal visualization. Mean gastric and small bowel transit time were 0:48:03 and 3:53:00. 95% were retrieved using retrieval kits provided to patients. 1.5% retrieved endoscopically from the stomach (retained due to pyloric stenosis), 1.5% retained in terminal ileum (previously undiagnosed stricture) and 1.5% not retrieved due to failure of patient to use retrieval kit. 74% of studies were normal SB, 12% contained SB ulceration/erosive disease and 8% did not demonstrate the entire small bowel. Recommendations for follow up included supportive therapy (52%), more aggressive iron supplementation (1%), repeat capsules (17%), further endoscopic evaluation (11%) and 12% for routine office follow up and discussion. All four capsules mailed to patients in remote communities were completed successfully. CapsoCam Plus® had a high retrieval rate of 95% demonstrating that with appropriate patient selection, recovery rates are very high. Only 3% of patients had retained capsules. Most patients in this study had a normal small bowel, however; images and completion rates were adequate to assess small bowel in the vast majority of patients. Success was obtained with mailing this capsule to remote sites sparing the patient travel to the dispensing site.

Motion of an Elastic Capsule in a Trapezoidal Microchannel Under Stokes Flow Conditions.

Even though the research interest in the last decades has been mainly focused on the capsule dynamics in cylindrical or rectangular ducts, channels with asymmetric cross-sections may also be desirable especially for capsule migration and sorting. Therefore, in the present study we investigate computationally the motion of an elastic spherical capsule in an isosceles trapezoidal microchannel at low and moderate flow rates under the Stokes regime. The steady-state capsule location is quite close to the location where the single-phase velocity of the surrounding fluid is maximized. Owing to the asymmetry of the trapezoidal channel, the capsule’s steady-state shape is asymmetric while its membrane slowly tank-treads. In addition, our investigation reveals that tall trapezoidal channels with low base ratios produce significant off-center migration for large capsules compared to that for smaller capsules for a given channel length. Thus, we propose a microdevice for the sorting of artificial and physiological capsules based on their size, by utilizing tall trapezoidal microchannels with low base ratios. The proposed sorting microdevice can be readily produced via glass fabrication or as a microfluidic device via micromilling, while the required flow conditions do not cause membrane rupture.

Nomenclatural changes in Onagraceae.

A new subspecies and two new combinations are proposed in Onagraceae. Ludwigia glandulosa Walter subsp. brachycarpa C.-I Peng, subsp. nov. is morphologically distinct from the typical subspecies, with smaller capsules and leaves, different seed coat, and a restricted distribution. Epilobium sect. Pachydium (Fischer & C. A. Meyer) Hoch & K. Gandhi, comb. nov. refers to a distinctive group of species formerly known as Boisduvalia Spach and as Epilobium sect. Boisduvalia (Spach) Hoch & P. H. Raven. And Chamaenerion speciosum (Decaisne) Hoch & K. Gandhi, comb. nov. is proposed for a distinctive Himalayan species originally described in Epilobium.

Characterisation of Myxobolus stellatus n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) infecting the cranial nerves and ganglia of the spotfin hatchetfish Thoracocharax stellatus (Kner) (Characiformes: Gasteropelecidae) from Colombia

A previously undescribed Myxobolus sp. was isolated from the cranial nerves and ganglia of the spotfin hatchetfish Thoracocharax stellatus (Kner) that exhibited neurologic signs following importation from Colombia. Associated plasmodia formed space-occupying masses within nerves, compressing neuronal cell bodies and causing axonal degeneration. Myxospores from these fish were morphologically and molecularly distinct from other myxobolids infecting the central nervous system of characins. In valvular view, spores are pyriform with a rounded posterior and tapering anterior aspect. Myxospore bodies are 17.0-19.4 (mean 18.4) µm long and 8.2-9.3 (mean 8.8) µm wide. Polar capsules are asymmetrical and pyriform with a neck-like projection at the apical end. The small polar capsule measures 4.3-5.9 × 2.2-3.1 (mean 5.0 × 2.6) µm, while the large polar capsule measures 9.1-10.7 × 4.9-6.3 (mean 9.9 × 5.4) µm wide. The sequence generated for the small subunit rRNA (18S) gene did not directly match any sequences available on GenBank, but demonstrated 92% nucleotide similarity to Myxobolus axelrodi Camus, Dill, Rosser, Pote & Griffin, 2017 infecting Paracheirodon axelrodi (Schultz). This study provides the first morphological, histological and molecular characterisation of Myxobolus stellatus n. sp. from the spotfin hatchetfish.

The small volume subcutaneous polyalkylimide injection-induced collagen capsule in rats: A preliminary study

Background: Polyalkylimide is a permanent dermal filler that has been used for skin augmentation to ameliorate skin ageing. The massive volume injection has a higher risk of complication. This study aims to find collagen capsule formation by small volume polyalkylimide implantation.  Methods: We used an experimental post-test only control group design. The control group received subcutaneous NaCl injection, and the treatment group received subcutaneous polyalkylimide injection 0.018 mL (equal 1 mL in the humans). After five weeks, all rats (Rattus norvegicus) strain Wistar were sacrificed. The skin samples were collected and proceed for histologic staining. Capsule thickness was performed as mean ± SD.     Results: The treatment group showed polyalkylimide mass in subcutaneous tissue, collagen fibres surrounding the polyalkylimide, and no inflammatory cells. The collagen capsule thickness was 7.45 ± 0.78 µm.Conclusion: The small volume polyalkylimide subcutaneous injection-induced collagen capsule formation. The small volume implantation shows promising effects for skin augmentation.

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Simulations of Whole Blood in Three-Dimensional Shear Flow

Numerical modeling of whole blood still faces great challenges although significant progress has been achieved in recent decades, because of the large differences of physical and geometric properties among blood components, including red blood cells (RBCs), platelets (PLTs) and white blood cells (WBCs). In this work, we develop a three-dimensional (3D) smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model to study the whole blood in shear flow. The immersed boundary method (IBM) is used to deal with the interaction between the fluid and cells, which provides a possibility to model the RBCs, PLTs and WBCs simultaneously. The deformation of a small capsule, comparable to a PLT in size, is first examined to show the feasibility of SPH model for the PLTs’ behaviors. The motion of a single RBC in shear flow is then studied, and three typical modes, tank-treading, swinging and tumbling motions, are reproduced, which further confirm the reliability of the SPH model. After that, a simulation of the whole blood in shear flow is carried out, in which the margination trend is observed for both PLTs and WBC. This shows the capability of SPH model with IBM for the simulation of whole blood.

What are the rheumatology educational preferences of family medicine residents? A descriptive study.

In Canadian medicine faculties, an average of 2.3% of the medical curriculum is dedicated to musculoskeletal problems with a focus on orthopedic conditions. The goal of this descriptive study was to assess the educational preferences in rheumatology of family medicine residents and to identify their preferred methods of learning. From September 2017 to December 2017, two hundred and thirty-six first- and second-year family medicine residents from Université Laval were asked to complete an electronic anonymous survey assessing their confidence in doing different rheumatology tasks. They were also consulted on their favorite methods of learning and their preferred periods throughout their medical cursus to learn the different skills related to rheumatology. Eighty-five family medicine residents completed the survey. The residents were rather confident when evaluating mono-arthritis but less confident for oligo/polyarthritis and even less confident with connective tissue diseases. The family medicine residents mentioned preferring traditional lecture classes and clinical cases. They wanted to learn the majority of rheumatology education during medical school training. As residents, they wanted only small capsules, seminars, or memory aids. Interestingly, men preferred learning rheumatology skills during the residency, whereas women preferred learning it in medical school. The lack of confidence of family medicine residents when evaluating systemic inflammatory diseases compared to mechanical musculoskeletal problems highlights the importance of rheumatology teaching through general medical training and through family medicine residency. Key Points • Family medicine residents are less confident when evaluating systemic inflammatory diseases than musculoskeletal disorders. • Family medicine residents prefer traditional lecture classes and clinical cases. • Family medicine residents prefer learning rheumatology during medical school training.

Patients' Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Solid Forms of Oral Medications-Results of the Discrete Choice Experiment in Polish Outpatients.

Purpose: Personal preferences play an important role in the patients’ decision process whether to adhere to treatment, or not. The purpose of this study is to assess Polish outpatients’ preferences for solid forms of oral medications across various scenarios. Methods: The convenience sample of 200 outpatients took part in this study. According to the discrete choice experiment (DCE) design, participants were provided with selection of tablets and capsules, in different shapes, sizes, colors, and copayment levels and were asked to state their preferences. DCE results were analyzed using mixed logit (MXL) models. Results: MXL models revealed patients’ willingness to pay for various solid forms of medications. The most preferred combination of drug parameters were: small yellow capsule for chronic treatment, and small yellow long tablet for short-term treatment. Study participants were happy to pay extra 6.52 PLN (≈1.63 EUR) for this drug formulation per month of antihypertensive treatment, and 14.44 PLN (≈3.61 EUR) for this drug formulation per 7-days’ long course of antibiotic treatment, respectively. Conclusion: Results suggest that color, shape, and size of solid form of oral medications are important predictors of patients’ acceptance. It can not only be expressed in monetary value, but also may serve as an important hint for companies designing new drugs, or policymakers who are happy to improve patient adherence with better prescribing, or dispensing. However, our findings are probably country-specific, and further research is necessary to better understand the relationship between solid drug characteristics, and patient’s preferences across countries.

A151 ASSESSMENT OF CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY UTILIZING CAPSOCAM PLUS® IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED SMALL BOWEL DISEASE INCLUDING PILOT STUDY WITH REMOTE ACCESS PATIENTS

Abstract Background Capsule endoscopy (CE) has been widely utilized for the assessment of patients with known/suspected small bowel disease. The CapsoCam Plus® capsule is unique in that it utilizes four cameras at sequential 90 degree intervals in its mid-section permitting a 360-degree panoramic perspective with a 15+ hour battery life. A panoramic view has been suggested to improve overall visualization of the small bowel (SB) therefore potentially improving diagnostic yield. Unlike other small bowel capsules, it must be retrieved upon excretion (utilizing a magnetic kit) since the images are stored on the device. Aims To assess the use of CapsoCam Plus in patients referred for suspected small bowel disease, including pilot assessments for patients in remote locations. Methods A retrospective chart review (01/16 – 09/19) assessing consecutive capsule procedures utilizing this device was performed. Information acquired included basic demographics, indication, extent of examination, gastric transit time, small bowel transit time, yield, adverse events, capsule retention, recovery rates and recommendations for follow up. A pilot study was also initiated for patients in rural centers to access capsule testing remotely through mail courier without attendance/travel to the primary dispensing site. Results Acquired data included 63 patients receiving CapsoCam Plus®. Indications: 32% obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, 52% iron deficiency anemia, 2% abdominal pain and 6% for IBD. 92% of studies were completed to cecal visualization. Mean gastric and small bowel transit time were 0:48:17 and 3:54:29. 94% were retrieved using retrieval kits provided to patients. 2% retrieved endoscopically from the stomach (retained due to pyloric stenosis), 2% retained in terminal ileum (previously undiagnosed stricture) and 2% not retrieved due to failure of patient to use retrieval kit. 73% of studies were normal SB, 13% contained SB ulceration/erosive disease and 8% did not demonstrate the entire small bowel. Recommendations for follow up included supportive therapy (47%), more aggressive iron supplementation (1%), repeat capsules (19%) and 14% for routine office follow up and discussion. All three capsules mailed to patients in remote communities were completed successfully. Conclusions CapsoCam Plus® had a high retrieval rate of 97% demonstrating that with appropriate patient selection, recovery rates are very high. Only 3% of patients had retained capsules. Most patients in this study had a normal small bowel, however; images and completion rates were adequate to assess small bowel in the vast majority of patients. Success was obtained with mailing this capsule to remote sites sparing the patient travel to the dispensing site. Funding Agencies None

Heat transfer enhancement of plate heat exchangers with symmetrically distributed capsules to generate counter-rotating vortices

Capsule-type plate heat exchanger takes advantages of low flow resistance and high overall performance. To obtain greater energy efficiency, a new type named symmetrical capsule plate heat exchanger (SCPHE) is constructed based on the idea of counter-rotating vortices. For SCPHEs, the adjacent capsules distribute symmetrically at the same-side of the plate, and the capsules keep an angle of 45° with the main flow direction. The heat transfer enhancement and the influences of capsule geometries were studied numerically. Counter-rotating vortices generating in the channels promote the swirl flow and disturb the boundary layer. Both fluid impinging and the vortices dominate the heat transfer enhancement, which become much stronger under smaller capsule, resulting in higher heat transfer coefficient. The correlations of Nu and f considering the effects of the capsule geometries are developed. SCPHEs show higher energy efficiency than capsule-type plate heat exchangers and chevron-type plate heat exchangers in the view of PEC and EEI.

Thermal energy storage performance of a three-PCM cascade tank in a high-temperature packed bed system

Solar storage tanks are key to ensuring the high efficiency of concentrated solar power plants, and phase change materials are the most important storage energy media influencing system efficiency. Therefore, as energy storage or release mechanisms are a focus of related research. In this study, numerically analysed the thermal performance of a small capsule of three different phase change materials for a packed bed solar energy storage system. Air and molten salt are used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF) and the phase change material (PCM), respectively. A model based on a concentric-dispersion model and the enthalpy method was used to analyse the phase transition of the PCM. The equation was solved using the finite-difference method, and the results were verified using previous experimental data. The influence of particle diameter, porosity, and height-to-diameter ratio of the storage tank on the total storage energy, storage capacity ratio, axial temperature curve, and utilization ratio of the PCM were studied. It was found that he storage capacity and utilization rate of 3-PCM energy storage tanks are relatively high. And that increase from 86.07% to 86.65% and 86.07%–86.67%, respectively, when the porosity is reduced from 0.6 to 0.1. This results in an increase in the total storage energy of 5.2 × 1012 Wh to 1.3 × 1013 Wh. Similarly, when the particle diameter decreases from 0.6 to 0.1, the storage capacity ratio and utilization rate increase from 85.8% to 87.3% and 85.6%–87.4%, respectively. However, although these increases are larger, the increase in total energy storage is small. Finally, it was found that the shape of the tank has no effect on the storage capacity at a fixed tank volume. The proposed model provides a reference value for energy storage in a concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) system.

System Design and Integration of HTV Small Re-entry Capsule

System Design and Integration of HTV Small Re-entry Capsule

New records of spirurid nematodes (Nematoda, Spirurida, Guyanemidae, Philometridae & Cystidicolidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, with redescriptions of two species and erection ofIchthyofilaroidesn. gen.

Recent examinations of spirurid nematodes (Spirurida) from deep-sea or coral reef marine fishes off New Caledonia, collected in the years 2006–2009, revealed the presence of the following five species: Ichthyofilaroides novaecaledoniensis (Moravec et Justine, 2009) n. gen., n. comb. (transferred from Ichthyofilaria Yamaguti, 1935) (females) (Guyanemidae) from the deep-sea fish Hoplichthys citrinus (Hoplichthyidae, Scorpaeniformes), Philometra sp. (male fourth-stage larva and mature female) (Philometridae) from Epinephelus maculatus (Serranidae, Perciformes), Ascarophis (Dentiascarophis) adioryx Machida, 1981 (female) (Cystidicolidae) from Sargocentron spiniferum (Holocentridae, Beryciformes), Ascarophis (Ascarophis) nasonis Machida, 1981 (males and females) from Naso lituratus and N. unicornis (Acanthuridae, Perciformes), and Ascarophisnema tridentatum Moravec et Justine, 2010 (female) from Gymnocranius grandoculis (Lethrinidae, Perciformes). Two species, I. novaecaledoniensis and A. nasonis, are redescribed based on light microscopical (LM) and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) examinations, the latter used in these species for the first time. Morphological data on the specimen of A. tridentatum from the new host species are provided. Philometra sp. (from E. maculatus) most probably represents a new gonad-infecting species of this genus. The newly established genus Ichthyofilaroides n. gen. is characterized mainly by the presence of a small buccal capsule and by the number and distribution of cephalic papillae in the female; it is the sixth genus in the Guyanemidae.

Summary Results of HTV Small Re-entry Capsule Development and Demonstration Flight

Summary Results of HTV Small Re-entry Capsule Development and Demonstration Flight

Disentangling Scandinavian species hidden within Meesia uliginosa Hedw. s.l. (Bryophyta, Meesiaceae)

The molecular variation (atpB–rbcL spacer, rpl16 G2 intron, trnGUCC G2 intron) among 50 Scandinavian specimens of Meesia uliginosa s.l. was analysed in the context of three other Meesia species, with Paludella squarrosa as outgroup. The molecular variation within M. uliginosa correlates with morphology, and shows that three species exist: M. uliginosa Hedw., M. minor Brid. and M. minutissima Hedenas sp. nov. Whereas M. uliginosa s.str. is widespread, in Scandinavia the other two species are restricted to the mountains. The three species differ in quantitative features, such as, plant size, leaf size, costa width, leaf apex shape, seta length and spore capsule size. Because the species overlap in several of these features, a combination of seta length and the ornamentation of the exostome outside are the safest characters for identification. Leaf apex shape, small spore capsules in M. minutissima and large spores in M. minor serve as additional identification help. Meesia minutissima is presently only known from Scandinavia. The other two species are more widespread, although further investigations are required to find out their exact distributions.

Development and Flight Results of Propulsion Subsystem for HTV Small Reentry Capsule

Development and Flight Results of Propulsion Subsystem for HTV Small Reentry Capsule

Development and Evaluation of Aerodynamic Database for HTV Small Re-entry Capsule

Development and Evaluation of Aerodynamic Database for HTV Small Re-entry Capsule

Development of Payload Management System for HTV Small Re-entry Capsule

Development of Payload Management System for HTV Small Re-entry Capsule