Increase In Thickness Research Articles

Maximizing band gaps of single-phase phononic plates: Isogeometric optimal approach and 3D printing experimental validation

This work presents an effective isogeometric shape optimization approach for finding and widening the phononic band gaps of single-phase Mindlin plate structures. As the single-phase material phononic plate is easy to be manufactured by additive manufacturing, it has been investigated here by optimized its thickness profile to find and widen the band gaps. The proposed method utilizes a coarse B-spline surface to model the thickness profile of periodic plate and a fine B-spline surface to model the mid-surface of plate structure for simulation. The optimal design variables are the thickness variables, i.e., the z-components of the control points of the coarse B-spline surface. To avoid specifying the initial control point locations manually, the constrained dynamic maximization problem is solved by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm here. Various numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method in finding optimal phononic band gaps of periodic plates. And the numerical results show that there is no band gap for hmax = 3 hmin, and the band gaps can be found and widen for hmax ≥ 5 hmin. The obtained band range is 638.9–823.6 Hz with a decreased central frequency of 731.25 Hz for hmax = 5 hmin and the width and the number of band gaps are increased as the maximum allowable thickness increases. Finally, one optimized design is fabricated through additive manufacturing, and the experimental frequency response is consistent with the results based on isogeometric analysis.

On-slide clearing and imaging of 100-µm-thick histological sections using ethyl cinnamate and epifluorescence

Introduction: Thick histological samples are difficult to image without proper tissue clearing methods. Among these methods ethyl cinnamate (ECi)-based clearing preserves antigenicity and is compatible with immunofluorescent labeling. In contrast to many other clearing protocols, ECi-based clearing is fast and is done as a final step after standard immunofluorescent labeling protocols. Aim: We aimed to develop a simple method of ECi-based tissue clearing approach of thick (100 µm) sections attached to a slide glass. Materials and methods: Samples of human colorectal cancer underwent fixation and frozen section. We used indirect immunofluorescence to label Von-Willebrand factor, which is expressed in blood vessels. After completion of labeling and nuclear DAPI staining, the material was dehydrated using alcohols. Finally, the material was cleared and mounted with ECi and subsequently visualized via standard widefield epifluorescence microscopy. Image analysis of z-stacks were evaluated for the depth of visible signals and compared them to non-cleared samples. Results: Compared to the non-cleared sections, the ECi-cleared sections provided a 2.5-fold increase in the observable tissue thickness following immunofluorescent staining. Further, the proposed approach is time efficient (4 days from tissue preparation to final imaging) as compared to other tissue clearing methods and low cost as it minimizes the use of large amounts of reagents. Conclusion: ECi-based clearing is a very effective simple extension of standard immunofluorescent protocols and can be implemented in future experiments.

Bearing capacity of modified suction caissons in clay overlying sand under monotonic horizontal loading

The modified suction caisson (MSC) is an innovative foundation for fixing offshore wind turbines, consisting of an internal caisson (IC) and an external skirt (ES). In this study, the Plaxis3D is conducted on the bearing capacity of the MSC in clay overlying sand under monotonic horizontal loading. The parameters of the aspect ratio of the IC, the size of the ES, the clay thickness, and the soil strength are considered. Results show that the horizontal ultimate bearing capacity of the MSC decreases as the length ratio of the ES to IC decreases. Moreover, the width of the ES enhances the horizontal bearing capacity of the MSC higher than the length of the ES. With the increase of the clay thickness, the rotation center of the TSC and MSC exhibits two and three stage change patterns, respectively. When the clay and sand are the inhomogeneous soils, the horizontal ultimate bearing capacity of the MSC is enhanced by 8.96% compared to the homogeneous soils. Additionally, the passive and active earth pressures around the MSC are mainly generated at the front and rear side of the loading direction, respectively. This study will provide theoretical guidance for the design of the MSC.

Injectable cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogels with epigallocatechin gallate loading as vitreous substitutes

Hyaluronic acid (HA) serves as a vitreous substitute owing to its ability to mimic the physical functions of native vitreous humor. However, pure HA hydrogels alone do not provide sufficient protection against potential inflammatory risks following vitrectomy. In this study, HA was crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) to form HA hydrogels (HB). Subsequently, the anti-inflammatory agent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was added to the hydrogel (HBE) for ophthalmic applications as a vitreous substitute. The characterization results indicated the successful preparation of HB with transparency, refractive index, and osmolality similar to those of native vitreous humor, and with good injectability. The anti-inflammatory ability of HBE was also confirmed by the reduced expression of inflammatory genes in retinal pigment epithelial cells treated with HBE compared with those treated with HB. In a New Zealand white rabbit model undergoing vitreous substitution treatment, HBE 50 (EGCG 50 μM addition) exhibited positive results at 28 days post-surgery. These outcomes included restored intraocular pressure, improved electroretinogram responses, minimal increase in corneal thickness, and no inflammation during histological examination. This study demonstrated the potential of an injectable HA-BDDE cross-linked hydrogel containing EGCG as a vitreous substitute for vitrectomy applications, offering prolonged degradation time and anti-inflammatory effects postoperatively.

Effects of Functional Pinealectomy on Immunity, Hematopoietic, Gastrointestinal and Urinary Systems in Experimentally Malnutritioned Rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate morphological changes in immunity, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal and urinary systems in different melatonin (MEL) release situations in a rat model of protein energy malnutrition (PEM). Methods: A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were assigned into four equal groups: normal control; PEM light/dark; PEM light, called functional pinealectomy (Px); and PEM dark. PEM was produced with a 50% restricted diet, Px was produced by keeping rats in continuous light environment for 24 hours, and complete blood count and serum albumin level were analyzed at the end of the 6-week experimental period. Measurements of weights of body and some visceral organs were obtained, biochemical and morphological parameters were analyzed in addition to measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutatione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in tissue samples. Results: A reduction in the weights of body and visceral organs of animals in the PEM groups was accompanied by hypoalbuminemia, anemia, leukopenia and lymphopenia, and higher MDA, GSH, TNF-α and IL-10 levels in visceral tissues. There was a significant decrease in parenchymal cells of the liver and spleen, duodenal villi, lymphoid structures and kidney glomeruli, but there was an increase in the spleen capsule thickness and renal Bowman’s space, sinusoidal congestion and fat accumulation in the liver. Importantly, these findings were milder in the PEM dark group, while they were prominent in the PEM light group. Conclusions: This study suggests that MEL has a protective role in reducing the negative effects of PEM, making it a potential therapeutic agent for further investigation.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Apigenin Obtained by Portulaca oleracea L in ‎Male Mice

This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effects of ‎‎apigenin, obtained from Portulaca oleracea L., using a male mouse model‎. A total of 56 ‎healthy BLAB/c albino male mice (Mus musculus) were used in two experiments. In the first experiment‎, ‎the xylene-induced ear edema, 28 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=7). ‎The negative control group received distilled water, while the positive control, apigenin-‎treated, and indomethacin-treated groups were exposed to xylene (0.03 mL applied to ‎the anterior and posterior surface of the right ear lobe) to induce inflammation. ‎Subsequently, the apigenin-treated group received orally 50 mg/kg BW apigenin, and ‎the indomethacin-treated group received orally 0.36 mg/kg BW indomethacin.‎ Ear weight ‎difference was calculated as an indicator ‎of anti-inflammatory. For the second experiment, the carrageenan-induced paw edema‎, a ‎similar experimental design was followed, but carrageenan (50 ‎mg/kg BW of 1% solution) ‎was ‎administered intra-dermally‎ in the right hindpaws.‎ Paw skin thickness difference ‎and differential white blood ‎cells (WBCs) count, along with the ‎quantification of prostaglandin E-2 ‎‎(PGE-2) and ‎interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum samples, were used as indicators of anti-inflammatory.‎ Results showed that xylene exposure led ‎to a significant ear weight increase, ‎indicative of ‎inflammation. Conversely, the ‎apigenin-treated group demonstrated a ‎reduction in ear ‎weight compared to the positive control group. Similarly, carrageenan ‎administration resulted ‎in a substantial ‎increase in paw skin thickness and elevated levels of ‎WBCs count, PGE-2, ‎and IL-6. ‎Apigenin treatment significantly mitigated these ‎inflammatory markers, ‎‎outperforming indomethacin in PGE-2 ‎and IL-6‎. This study provides evidence supporting the potential ‎of P. oleracea-derived ‎apigenin as an effective anti-inflammatory agent, showing ‎comparable or better ‎efficacy ‎than indomethacin‎‎‎‎‎.

Lithium Plating Characteristics in High Areal Capacity Li-Ion Battery Electrodes.

Li-ion battery degradation and safety events are often attributed to undesirable metallic lithium plating. Since their release, Li-ion battery electrodes have been made progressively thicker to provide a higher energy density. However, the propensity for plating in these thicker pairings is not well understood. Herein, we combine an experimental plating-prone condition with robust mesoscale modeling to examine electrode pairings with capacities ranging from 2.5 to 6 mAh/cm2 and negative to positive (N/P) electrode areal capacity ratio from 0.9 to 1.8 without the need for extensive aging tests. Using both experimentation and a mesoscale model, we identify a shift from conventional high state-of-charge (SOC) type plating to high overpotential (OP) type plating as electrode thickness increases. These two plating modes have distinct morphologies, identified by optical microscopy and electrochemical signatures. We demonstrate that under operating conditions where these plating modes converge, a high propensity of plating exists, revealing the importance of predicting and avoiding this overlap for a given electrode pairing. Further, we identify that thicker electrodes, beyond a capacity of 3 mAh/cm2 or thickness >75 μm, are prone to high OP, limiting negative electrode (NE) utilization and preventing cross-sectional oversizing the NE from mitigating plating. Here, it simply contributes to added mass and volume. The experimental thermal gradient and mesoscale model either combined or independently provide techniques capable of probing performance and safety implications of mild changes to electrode design features.

Visual Cortical Thickness Increases with Prolonged Artificial Vision Restoration.

The Argus II retinal prosthesis restores visual perception to late blind patients. It has been shown that structural changes occur in the brain due to late-onset blindness, including cortical thinning in visual regions of the brain. Following vision restoration, it is not yet known whether these visual regions are reinvigorated and regain a normal cortical thickness or retain the diminished thickness from blindness. We evaluated the cortical thicknesses of ten Argus II Retinal Prostheses patients, ten blind patients, and thirteen sighted participants. The Argus II patients on average had a thicker left Cuneus Cortex and Lateral Occipital Cortex relative to the blind patients. The duration of the Argus II use (time since implant in active users) significantly partially correlated with thicker visual cortical regions in the left hemisphere. Furthermore, in the two case studies (scanned before and after implantation), the patient with longer device use (44.5 months) had an increase in the cortical thickness of visual regions, whereas the shorter-using patient did not (6.5 months). Finally, a third case, scanned at three time points post-implantation, showed an increase in cortical thickness in the Lateral Occipital Cortex between 43.5 and 57 months, which was maintained even after 3 years of disuse (106 months). Overall, the Argus II patients' cortical thickness was on average significantly rejuvenated in two higher visual regions and, patients using the implant for a longer duration had thicker visual regions. This research raises the possibility of structural plasticity reversing visual cortical atrophy in late-blind patients with prolonged vision restoration.

Wire and arc additive manufacturing for strengthening of metallic components

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), also known as wire arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED), offers valuable capabilities not only for manufacturing but also for strengthening and repairing aging components. This paper employs the finite element (FE) method to investigate the influence of deposition parameters on the strengthening efficiency of damaged steel plates strengthened by WAAM material. The study calibrates the inherent strain method (ISM) with thermo-mechanical analysis to accurately predict residual stresses (RS) in manufactured samples, demonstrating that the ISM enhances computational efficiency while effectively predicting RS. It thoroughly examines key parameters such as the deposition direction, maximum thickness, and the geometric configuration of the WAAM material, including shapes and in-plane dimensions. The results indicate that deposition perpendicular to the loading direction provides better performance compared to deposition along the loading direction as it induces less normal and through-thickness stresses. Furthermore, this research determines the optimal maximum thickness for the WAAM material, showing that an increase in thickness can lead to higher maximum tensile stresses at the interface between the newly WAAM material and the underlying base plate. The study also establishes the optimal in-plane dimensions for the WAAM material. The results suggest placing the maximum thickness of WAAM material near the damaged area and gradually decreasing it in two directions to ensure sufficient stiffness around the cracked area, while avoiding an abrupt change in stiffness. This approach generates appropriate compressive stresses around the crack tip and decreases maximum tensile stresses in the plate. The study further illustrates that employing a proper printing strategy without a subsequent machining process can effectively reduce the maximum tensile stress in the steel plate while minimizing material usage.

Safety evaluation method of bottom coal thickness in thick coal seam roadway

In recent years, the number of roadway floor rock burst accidents is increasing, which seriously restricts the safe production of the mine. Therefore, safety evaluation method of bottom coal thickness in thick coal seam roadway was studied. The research results shown that the stress concentration area of composite floor is distributed in coal seam or rock stratum with large elastic modulus. With the increase of floor rock strength, the stress of coal-rock composite floor increased gradually, but the displacement and energy decreased gradually. When floor rock strength was equal to bottom coal strength, the increase of floor stress and displacement with the change of bottom coal thickness was the smallest, which was 34.29% and 33.61% respectively. The elastic strain energy decreased from 14.58 to 9.85%. With the increase of bottom coal thickness, the stress and displacement of coal-rock composite floor increased first and then decreased, and the elastic strain energy decreased gradually. It puts forward the safety evaluation method of bottom coal thickness: floor failure depth → reasonable thickness of bottom coal → safety thickness of bottom coal. It can provide reference for design of roadway bottom coal retention and surrounding rock control in thick coal seam face.

Effects of Konjac Glucomannan and Its Oligosaccharides on Improvement of Lactose Intolerance as Gut Prebiotics.

Lactose intolerance (LI) is a widespread health issue affecting almost 70% of the world population. This study evaluates the potential prebiotic benefits of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and konjac oligogalactomannan (KOGM) in improving LI. Colonic fermentation results indicate that lactase groups of healthy subjects showed lower pH, higher lactic acid content, and lactase activity in fermentation broth compared with LI subjects. Total short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) content reached 1.71 mmol/L in healthy subjects, whereas it was 1.49 mmol/L in LI subjects. In vivo studies demonstrated that KGM and KOGM intake reduced total cholesterol (T-CHO) and triglyceride (TG) levels in the liver and significantly increased immunoglobulin G (lgG) and immunoglobulin A (lgA) values, while KOGM inclusion led to a significant 23.04% increase in serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels compared to the Blank group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ileal tissue analysis revealed a marked increase in villus height and intestinal wall thickness (p < 0.05) as well as a decrease in crypt depth (p < 0.05). The composition and proportion of gut microbiota have improved with KGM and KOGM use, notably increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared with the Blank group, Lactobacillus abundance increased by approximately 25.82% in the Drug group, 18.23% in the KGM group, and 8.67% in the KOGM group. These findings suggest that KGM and KOGM can be utilized as prebiotics to alleviate LI symptoms.

Shear mechanism of RCS joints with whole column-section diaphragm

The authors proposed a new precast RC column-steel beam (RCS) joint with whole column-section diaphragm, aiming to address the shortcomings including bearing failure and difficulty in prefabrication of the RCS joint details available in the existing literature. Due to its unique details, the proposed RCS joint may have a dissimilar force-transferring mechanism from the conventional beam-through type RCS joint. Moreover, the effect of various parameters on this novel joint was still unclear by limited test results. The objective of this study was to clarify the shear mechanism of the proposed joint and the impact of critical parameters. Specimens with different axial load ratios and thickness of parallel FBPs were tested under cyclic loading. The results showed that the increase in axial load ratio and thickness of parallel FBPs improved joint strength in this test. A detailed three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was developed and verified using the experimental results. The difference in the force transferring between the proposed joint and conventional beam-through RCS joints was explained in detail based on the numerical results. The dowel action of longitudinal column bars were evident in the proposed joint and the orthogonal FBPs were ineffective in activating the inner concrete strut. A parametric study was further conducted. The impacts of width of parallel FBPs, thickness of orthogonal FBPs, and axial load ratio were investigated. The joint strength linearly increased with the width of parallel FBPs. A parabolic distribution of shear stress in the parallel FBP section was obtained, while the yield zone was concentrated in the central area of the parallel FBP. The ductility could be improved with the thickness of orthogonal FBPs when the thickness was less than 10 mm. Further increasing the thickness of orthogonal FBP beyond 10 mm did not significantly affect the overall joint behavior. The joint may attain the optimal shear strength when the axial load ratio is between 0.3 and 0.4. The modeling approach in this study could be adopted as an effective tool to assess joint behavior. Moreover, the conclusions obtained by numerical study potentially promoted the application of the proposed joint.

Multimodal neuroimaging exploration of the mechanisms of sleep quality deterioration after SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection

BackgroundTo evaluate the neurological alterations induced by Omicron infection, to compare brain changes in chronic insomnia with those in exacerbated chronic insomnia in Omicron patients, and to examine individuals without insomnia alongside those with new-onset insomnia.MethodsIn this study, a total of 135 participants were recruited between January 11 and May 4, 2023, including 26 patients with chronic insomnia without exacerbation, 24 patients with chronic insomnia with exacerbation, 40 patients with no sleep disorder, and 30 patients with new-onset insomnia after infection with Omicron (a total of 120 participants with different sleep statuses after infection), as well as 15 healthy controls who were never infected with Omicron. Neuropsychiatric data, clinical symptoms, and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging data were collected. The gray matter thickness and T1, T2, proton density, and perivascular space values were analyzed. Associations between changes in multimodal magnetic resonance imaging findings and neuropsychiatric data were evaluated with correlation analyses.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, gray matter thickness changes were similar in the patients who have and do not have a history of chronic insomnia groups after infection, including an increase in cortical thickness near the parietal lobe and a reduction in cortical thickness in the frontal, occipital, and medial brain regions. Analyses showed a reduced gray matter thickness in patients with chronic insomnia compared with those with an aggravation of chronic insomnia post-Omicron infection, and a reduction was found in the right medial orbitofrontal region (mean [SD], 2.38 [0.17] vs. 2.67 [0.29] mm; P < 0.001). In the subgroups of Omicron patients experiencing sleep deterioration, patients with a history of chronic insomnia whose insomnia symptoms worsened after infection displayed heightened medial orbitofrontal cortical thickness and increased proton density values in various brain regions. Conversely, patients with good sleep quality who experienced a new onset of insomnia after infection exhibited reduced cortical thickness in pericalcarine regions and decreased proton density values. In new-onset insomnia patients post-Omicron infection, the thickness in the right pericalcarine was negatively correlated with the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (r = − 0.538, P = 0.002, PFDR = 0.004) and Self-rating Depression Scale (r = − 0.406, P = 0.026, PFDR = 0.026) scores.ConclusionsThese findings help us understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved when Omicron invades the nervous system and induces various forms of insomnia after infection. In the future, we will continue to pay attention to the dynamic changes in the brain related to insomnia caused by Omicron infection.

High temperature evolution of a confined silicon layer

The temperature-induced phase and morphology changes of a thin layer sandwiched between two substrates which it partially wets are investigated using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray scattering techniques. For this, SiC wafers were bonded with Si layers of various thicknesses and annealed at temperatures below and above the Si melting point. Below the melting point of Si, solid-state dewetting occurs. It starts with the heterogeneous nucleation of pits at the Si/SiC interfaces and progresses to their partial transformation into voids crossing the whole film. The further growth of voids is accompanied with an increase in the Si film thickness. Final equilibrium is shown to be impacted by Si crystallographic state evolution. Above the Si melting temperature, liquid Si drives SiC interfaces step bunching. When high steps and large terraces are formed over the two SiC surfaces, Si is shown to be trapped within quasi-closed pockets. Eventually, the interface locally closes around these Si inclusions with the creation of SiC/SiC direct contacts. The influence of both annealing temperatures and Si film thickness on all these processes is discussed.

A case of gallbladder hemangioma detected in a patient with jaundice and suspected Klatskin tumor: case report and review of the literature

Background and objectiveThe diagnosis and treatment of benign tumors of the gallbladder and bile ducts are difficult due to their anatomical relationships with neighboring vital organs. Hemangiomas are non-epithelial benign tumors of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an extremely rare localization for cavernous hemangiomas. To date, 7 cases of cavernous gallbladder hemangioma have been reported in the literature. Although it is seen very rarely, the main problem is that it mimics malignant lesions. Pre-operative diagnosis of gallbladder hemangiomas is difficult. Ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and angiography are helpful in differential diagnosis.Here, we aimed to present our case, which is the first case of cavernous gallbladder hemangioma and obstructive jaundice in the literature.Case presentationA 49-year-old female patient was admitted with the complaint of pain in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen. Bilirubin levels were high due to obstructive jaundice. Abdominal CT and MRI showed an appearance in favor of hemangioma in the gallbladder. There was an increase in bile duct wall thickness on MRCP, and it was evaluated as suspicious for malignant neoplasia. The patient was operated on, and extrahepatic bile duct resection + Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy procedure was performed. As a result of histopathology, hemangioma was detected in the gallbladder. There was no malignancy in the bile ducts.ConclusionIt should be kept in mind that the mass detected in the gallbladder in a patient with jaundice who is suspected of having a bile duct tumor may also be a hemangioma.

Numerical modeling and parametric optimization of a dual media tank thermal energy storage system for enhanced industrial heat processes

ABSTRACT In this study, a 1-D numerical model is developed to investigate the Dual Media Tank (DMT) thermal energy storage (TES) system. A physical model of 29 kWTH DMT is designed to evaluate the effect of parameters such as inlet velocity, pebble diameter and void fraction on discharging efficiency, friction factor and thermocline thickness. In addition, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is also used to optimize the design and operating parameters for maximum discharging efficiency and minimum pressure drop. The analysis result indicates a 41% increase in discharging efficiency and a 53% drop in friction factor for Reynolds number ranging from 16–23. However, a sharp increase in thermocline thickness (0.25–0.75 m) is found for Reynolds numbers ranging from 16–18; thereafter, the growth of thermocline thickness is slower. This shows that thermal degradation is higher for low Reynolds numbers. In this analysis, the effect of pebble diameter is also studied, and the result shows a 22% drop in discharging efficiency for pebble diameter varying from 0.03–0.09 m. In addition, the pebble diameter also affects the discharging time, and the result indicates a maximum discharging time of 40 minutes for smaller pebble diameters. Accordingly, parametric optimization has also been done to optimize the mass flow rate and pebbles diameter for maximum efficiency and minimum friction factor. The optimization result shows that a mass flow rate of 0.10 kg/s and pebbles diameter of 0.07 m is the optimum value for both minimal pressure drop and maximum discharging efficiency.

Efficacy assessment of liposome crosslinked hyaluronic acid and standard hyaluronic acid eye drops for dry eye disease management: a comparative study employing the ocular surface analyzer and subjective questionnaires

IntroductionDry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent condition causing ocular discomfort and visual disturbances, often managed with artificial tears. This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of eye drops containing Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid (CHA) with liposomes and crocin and standard Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for DED management.MethodsA single-blind, longitudinal study was conducted on 24 participants (48 eyes), randomized to receive one of the two treatments. Ocular health measures, including the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and the standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED) scores, were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post-treatment using the Ocular Surface Analyzer.ResultsCHA achieved a lipid layer thickness increase of 1.29 ± 1.08 Guillon pattern degree (p &amp;lt; 0.01), FNIBUT increase 0.64 ± 0.77 s (p &amp;lt; 0.01), MNIBUT increase1.28 ± 4.74 s (p = 0.19), OSDI decrease 11.72 ± 6.73 score points (p &amp;lt; 0.01) and SPEED decrease 1.16 ± 5.05 score points (p = 0.27). Significant reductions in the OSDI and SPEED scores post-treatment were observed with both treatments, indicating their effectiveness.ConclusionCHA with liposomes exhibits superior efficacy compared to standard HA eye drops in the management of DED. These findings highlight the potential for personalized treatment strategies incorporating CHA, indicating a more effective approach to DED management. However, further research is required to validate these results and investigate the long-term effects, which may pave the way for a data-driven and optimized approach to managing DED.

Estimating pulmonary arterial remodeling via an animal-specific computational model of pulmonary artery stenosis.

Pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) often presents in children with congenital heart disease, altering blood flow and pressure during critical periods of growth and development. Variability in stenosis onset, duration, and severity result in variable growth and remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models enable investigation into the hemodynamic impact and altered mechanics associated with PAS. In this study, a one-dimensional (1D) fluid dynamics model was used to simulate hemodynamics throughout the pulmonary arteries of individual animals. The geometry of the large pulmonary arteries was prescribed by animal-specific imaging, whereas the distal vasculature was simulated by a three-element Windkessel model at each terminal vessel outlet. Remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, which cannot be measured in vivo, was estimated via model-fitted parameters. The large artery stiffness was significantly higher on the left side of the vasculature in the left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis group, but neither side differed from the sham group. The sham group exhibited a balanced distribution of total distal vascular resistance, whereas the left side was generally larger in the LPA stenosis group, with no significant differences between groups. In contrast, the peripheral compliance on the right side of the LPA stenosis group was significantly greater than the corresponding side of the sham group. Further analysis indicated the underperfused distal vasculature likely moderately decreased in radius with little change in stiffness given the increase in thickness observed with histology. Ultimately, our model enables greater understanding of pulmonary arterial adaptation due to LPA stenosis and has potential for use as a tool to noninvasively estimate remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature.

Ferroelectric freestanding hafnia membranes with metastable rhombohedral structure down to 1-nm-thick

Two-dimensional freestanding membranes of materials, which can be transferred onto and make interfaces with any material, have attracted attention in the search for functional properties that can be utilized for next-generation nanoscale devices. We fabricated stable 1-nm-thick hafnia membranes exhibiting the metastable rhombohedral structure and out-of-plane ferroelectric polarizations as large as 13 μC/cm2. We also found that the rhombohedral phase transforms into another metastable orthorhombic phase without the ferroelectricity deteriorating as the thickness increases. Our results reveal the key role of the rhombohedral phase in the scale-free ferroelectricity in hafnia and also provide critical insights into the formation mechanism and phase stability of the metastable hafnia. Moreover, ultrathin hafnia membranes enable heterointerfaces and devices to be fabricated from structurally dissimilar materials beyond structural constrictions in conventional film-growth techniques.

Strength and muscle mass development after a resistance-training period at terrestrial and normobaric intermittent hypoxia

This study investigated the effect of a resistance training (RT) period at terrestrial (HH) and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on both muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength development with respect to the same training in normoxia (N). Thirty-three strength-trained males were assigned to N (FiO2 = 20.9%), HH (2,320 m asl) or NH (FiO2 = 15.9%). The participants completed an 8-week RT program (3 sessions/week) of a full body routine. Muscle thickness of the lower limb and 1RM in back squat were assessed before and after the training program. Blood markers of stress, inflammation (IL-6) and muscle growth (% active mTOR, myostatin and miRNA-206) were measured before and after the first and last session of the program. Findings revealed all groups improved 1RM, though this was most enhanced by RT in NH (p = 0.026). According to the moderate to large excess of the exercise-induced stress response (lactate and Ca2+) in HH and N, results only displayed increases in muscle thickness in these two conditions over NH (ES > 1.22). Compared with the rest of the environmental conditions, small to large increments in % active mTOR were only found in HH, and IL-6, myostatin and miR-206 in NH throughout the training period. In conclusion, the results do not support the expected additional benefit of RT under hypoxia compared to N on muscle growth, although it seems to favour gains in strength. The greater muscle growth achieved in HH over NH confirms the impact of the type of hypoxia on the outcomes.