Advection code for calculating fraction of dendrite-bearing region of chemosensory hair array during flicking

<p>Code to accompany an upcoming publication: "Ontogenetic changes in the olfactory antennules of the shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, maintain sniffing function during growth" by Lindsay D. Waldrop, Miranda Hann, Amy Henry, Agnes Kim, Ayesha Punjabi, and M. A. R. Koehl.</p> <p>This code models fluid movement via a forward-Euler method with lagragian fluid parcel-tracking. All files (including the associate data files, found at <br>http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.928567 ) should be in the same directory.</p> <p>The file makenewdataCh3.m transforms data files Event###_flickdata.mat into the code-useable form Event###_newdata.mat by reinterpolating velocities onto a 1000 by 1000 grid and streamlining the information in flickdata structured to only what is needed to run the advection code. </p> <p>The file ch3sniff.m starts the simulation and calls in_ch3sniff.m to initialize parameters, creates the lagrangian array, and loads required data. It calls the file sniffadonly.m to advance the forward-Euler by one time step. It tests the final array of fluid parcels for inclusion within the array and returns a total fraction that represents the fluid parcels remaining in the array after a full stroke.</p> <p> </p

Hemigrapsus oregonensis antennule flicking PIV data

<p>Data set to accomplying upcoming publication: "Ontogenetic changes in the olfactory antennules of the shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, maintain sniffing function during growth" by Lindsay D. Waldrop, Miranda Hann, Amy Henry, Agnes Kim, Ayesha Punjabi, and M. A. R. Koehl. </p> <p>Data contained in these files are a structured array of velocity vector data from particle image velocimetry (PIV) through a dynamically scaled physical model of the first antenna (antennule) of Hemigrapsus oregonensis during antennule flicking for use with Matlab 2010a.</p> <p>Event###_flickdata.mat files contain a structured array of post-processed PIV data averaged over three replicate runs. The carapace width, replicate number, model type, and other relevant information is contained within the structured array for each file.</p> <p>Event###_newdata.mat files contain the PIV velocity vector data reinterpolated over a 1000 by 1000 point grid streamlined for use with an advection model also reported in the upcoming publication noted above. </p

A current assessment of the THOR 50M in rear impacts

This study presents a comparison of the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 50M and Hybrid III (HIII) 50M anthropomorphic test device (ATD) geometries and rear impact head and neck biofidelity to each other and to postmortem human surrogate (PMHS) data to evaluate the usefulness of the THOR in rear impact testing. Both ATDs were scanned in a seated position on a rigid bench seat. A series of rear impact sled tests with the rigid bench seat with no head restraint support were conducted with a HIII-50M at 16 and 24 kph. Tests at each speed were performed twice with the THOR-50M to allow an assessment of the repeatability of the THOR-50M. A comparison of the test results from THOR-50M testing were made to the results of a previous study that included PMHS. Rear impact sled tests with both ATDs in a modern seat were then conducted at 40 kph. The THOR-50M head was 48.4 mm rearward and 60.1 mm higher than the HIII-50M head when seated in the rigid bench seat. In the repeated rigid bench testing at 16 and 24 kph, the THOR-50M head longitudinal and vertical accelerations, upper neck moment, and overall kinematics showed good test-to-test repeatability. In the rigid bench tests, the THOR-50M neck experienced flexion prior to extension in the 16 kph tests, where the neck of the HIII only experienced extension. At 24 kph both ATDs only experienced extension. The THOR-50M head displaced more rearward at both test velocities. The rigid bench tests show that the THOR-50M neck allows for more extension motion or articulation than the HIII-50M neck. The rigid bench test also shows that the head longitudinal and vertical accelerations, angular head kinematics, and upper neck moments were reasonably comparable between the ATDs. The THOR-50M results were closer to the average of the PMHS results than the HIII-50-M results, with the exception of the upper neck. In the 40 kph tests, with a modern seat design, the THOR-50M resulted in more deformation of the seatback with greater head restraint loading than the HIII-50M. The THOR-50M head backset distance was less. This study provides insight into the differences and similarities between the THOR and the HIII-50M ATD geometries, instrumentation responses, and kinematics, as well as the repeatability of the THOR-50M in rear impacts testing. The overall geometries of the THOR-50M and the HIII-50M are similar. The seated head position of the THOR-50M is slightly further rearward and higher than the HIII-50M. The results indicate that the THOR-50M matches the PMHS results more closely than the HIII-50M and may have improved neck biofidelity in rear impact testing. The results indicate that the studied THOR-50M responses are repeatable within expected test-to-test variations in rear impacts. Early data suggest that the THOR-50M can be used in rear impact testing, though a more complete understanding of the THOR-50M differences to the HIII ATDs will allow for better correlation to the existing body of HIII rear impact testing.</p

Defects in the Peripheral Taste Structure and Function in the MRL/lpr Mouse Model of Autoimmune Disease

<div><p>While our understanding of the molecular and cellular aspects of taste reception and signaling continues to improve, the aberrations in these processes that lead to taste dysfunction remain largely unexplored. Abnormalities in taste can develop in a variety of diseases, including infections and autoimmune disorders. In this study, we used a mouse model of autoimmune disease to investigate the underlying mechanisms of taste disorders. MRL/MpJ-Fas^lpr/J (MRL/lpr) mice develop a systemic autoimmunity with phenotypic similarities to human systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Our results show that the taste tissues of MRL/lpr mice exhibit characteristics of inflammation, including infiltration of T lymphocytes and elevated levels of some inflammatory cytokines. Histological studies reveal that the taste buds of MRL/lpr mice are smaller than those of wild-type congenic control (MRL/+/+) mice. 5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-chase experiments show that fewer BrdU-labeled cells enter the taste buds of MRL/lpr mice, suggesting an inhibition of taste cell renewal. Real-time RT-PCR analyses show that mRNA levels of several type II taste cell markers are lower in MRL/lpr mice. Immunohistochemical analyses confirm a significant reduction in the number of gustducin-positive taste receptor cells in the taste buds of MRL/lpr mice. Furthermore, MRL/lpr mice exhibit reduced gustatory nerve responses to the bitter compound quinine and the sweet compound saccharin and reduced behavioral responses to bitter, sweet, and umami taste substances compared with controls. In contrast, their responses to salty and sour compounds are comparable to those of control mice in both nerve recording and behavioral experiments. Together, our results suggest that type II taste receptor cells, which are essential for bitter, sweet, and umami taste reception and signaling, are selectively affected in MRL/lpr mice, a model for autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation.</p> </div

Mitral Regurgitation Severity.

<p>P wave area in lead V1 (mean ± standard deviation) in relation to MR severity on cine-CMR (<b>3A</b>) and echo (<b>3B</b>). Note that P wave area increased stepwise in relation to MR severity as measured by both modalities, with greatest magnitude of increase at a threshold of moderate-severe MR (black bars).</p

Lead V1 P wave Measurements in Relation to the Presence or Absence of Left Atrial Dilation.

<p>Left atrial dilation defined using established CMR normative cutoff (>15 cm²/m²) <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0099178#pone.0099178-Maceira1" target="_blank">[19]</a>.</p

Pulmonary Arterial Pressure.

<p>Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (mean ± standard deviation) among population subgroups stratified based on lead V1 P wave area quartiles (≤1.92 | 1.93–2.70 | 2.71–3.65 | >3.65 mV·msec). Black bar = top P wave area quartile.</p

P wave and Left Atrial Area Quantification.

<p>Representative examples of LA quantification methods: For ECG (top), total P wave area was quantified based on geometric area (green shading) between the electrical waveform and the isoelectric line. Corresponding indices of amplitude (red line) and duration (blue line) were measured within the total P wave complex, as well as its positive and negative components. For CMR (bottom), LA area was measured by planimetry of chamber borders (green line) at ventricular end-systole. Note heterogeneity in P wave morphology among patients with LA enlargement: Whereas both patient examples demonstrate LA dilation by CMR, a bimodal P wave with large negative terminal component is present in <b>1A</b>, whereas a bifid but upright P wave is present in <b>1B</b>.</p

Multivariate Models for Prediction of Increased P wave Area in Lead V1* in Overall CMR Population.

<p>Multivariate Models for Prediction of Increased P wave Area in Lead V1* in Overall CMR Population.</p

Multivariate Models for Prediction of Increased P wave Area in Lead V1* in Echocardiography Sub-group.

<p>(*top P wave area quartile ≥3.5 mV·msec).</p