On distributed strains in a CFA pile via DFOSs measurements and numerical analysis

Fibre Optic Sensors (FOSs) offer unprecedented possibilities for the monitoring of engineering structures, such as foundation systems. Notably, the type of FOSs known as Distributed Fibre Optic Sensors (DFOSs) has the capability of monitoring variations in the observed physical field, such as strain and temperature, with spatial continuity along the fibre. This paper presents and discusses the distributed strain measurements collected along a continuous flight auger (CFA) pile, belonging to the foundation raft of a new bridge subjected to an acceptance static load test. The monitoring was performed using a DFOS system, which works according to the optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) method and provides a spatial resolution of 10 mm and a strain resolution of 1 \u3bc\u3b5. The in-situ monitoring results were used to calibrate a 3D Finite Element Model of the foundation system. The soil properties for the numerical model were also selected on the basis of a load test previously carried out on a similar pile at the same sit

Meninges harbor cells expressing neural precursor markers during development and adulthood

Brain and skull developments are tightly synchronized, allowing the cranial bones to dynamically adapt to the brain shape. At the brain-skull interface, meninges produce the trophic signals necessary for normal corticogenesis and bone development. Meninges harbor different cell populations, including cells forming the endosteum of the cranial vault. Recently, we and other groups have described the presence in meninges of a cell population endowed with neural differentiation potential in vitro and, after transplantation, in vivo. However, whether meninges may be a niche for neural progenitor cells during embryonic development and in adulthood remains to be determined. In this work we provide the first description of the distribution of neural precursor markers in rat meninges during development up to adulthood. We conclude that meninges share common properties with the classical neural stem cell niche, as they: (i) are a highly proliferating tissue; (ii) host cells expressing neural precursor markers such as nestin, vimentin, Sox2 and doublecortin; and (iii) are enriched in extracellular matrix components (e.g., fractones) known to bind and concentrate growth factors. This study underlines the importance of meninges as a potential niche for endogenous precursor cells during development and in adulthood

Novel stem/progenitor cells with neuronal differentiation potential reside in the leptomeningeal niche

Abstract Stem cells capable of generating neural differentiated cells are recognized by the expression of nestin and reside in specific regions of the brain, namely hippocampus, subventricular zone (SVZ), and olfactory bulb. For other brain structures, such as leptomeninges, which contribute to the correct cortex development and functions, there is no evidence so far that they may contain stem/precursor cells. In this work, we show for the first time that nestin-positive cells are present in rat leptomeninges during development up to adulthood. The newly identified nestin-positive cells can be extracted and expanded in vitro both as neurospheres, displaying high similarity with SVZ-derived neural stem cells, and as homogeneous cell population with stem cell features. In vitro expanded stem cell population can differentiate with high efficiency into excitable cells with neuronal phenotype and morphology. Once injected into adult brain, these cells survive and differentiate into neurons, thus showing that their neuronal differentiation potential is operational also in vivo. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that a specific population of immature cells endowed of neuronal differentiation potential is resident in the leptomeninges throughout the life. As leptomemniges cover the entire central nervous system, these findings could have relevant implications for studies on cortical development and for regenerative medicine applied to neurological disorders

Novel stem/progenitor cells with neuronal differentiation potential reside in the leptomeningeal niche

Stem cells capable of generating neural differentiated cells are recognized by the expression of nestin and reside in specific regions of the brain, namely, hippocampus, subventricular zone and olfactory bulb. For other brain structures, such as leptomeninges, which contribute to the correct cortex development and functions, there is no evidence so far that they may contain stem/precursor cells. In this work, we show for the first time that nestin-positive cells are present in rat leptomeninges during development up to adulthood. The newly identified nestin-positive cells can be extracted and expanded in vitro both as neurospheres, displaying high similarity with subventricular zone-derived neural stem cells, and as homogeneous cell population with stem cell features. In vitro expanded stem cell population can differentiate with high efficiency into excitable cells with neuronal phenotype and morphology. Once injected into the adult brain, these cells survive and differentiate into neurons, thus showing that their neuronal differentiation potential is operational also in vivo. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that a specific population of immature cells endowed of neuronal differentiation potential is resident in the leptomeninges throughout the life. As leptomeninges cover the entire central nervous system, these findings could have relevant implications for studies on cortical development and for regenerative medicine applied to neurological disorders. \ua9 2009 The Authors Journal compilatio

International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force Consensus Proposal: Outcome of therapeutic interventions in canine and feline epilepsy

Common criteria for the diagnosis of drug resistance and the assessment of outcome are needed urgently as a prerequisite for standardized evaluation and reporting of individual therapeutic responses in canine epilepsy. Thus, we provide a proposal for the definition of drug resistance and partial therapeutic success in canine patients with epilepsy. This consensus statement also suggests a list of factors and aspects of outcome, which should be considered in addition to the impact on seizures. Moreover, these expert recommendations discuss criteria which determine the validity and informative value of a therapeutic trial in an individual patient and also suggest the application of individual outcome criteria. Agreement on common guidelines does not only render a basis for future optimization of individual patient management, but is also a presupposition for the design and implementation of clinical studies with highly standardized inclusion and exclusion criteria. Respective standardization will improve the comparability of findings from different studies and renders an improved basis for multicenter studies. Therefore, this proposal provides an in-depth discussion of the implications of outcome criteria for clinical studies. In particular ethical aspects and the different options for study design and application of individual patient-centered outcome criteria are considered

Antiepileptic drugs’ tolerability and safety – a systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse effects in dogs

<p>Various anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are used for the management of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in dogs. Their safety profile is an important consideration for regulatory bodies, owners and prescribing clinicians. However, information on their adverse effects still remains limited with most of it derived from non-blinded non-randomized uncontrolled trials and case reports.</p><p><span>This poster won third place, which was presented at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1-3, 2016. </span></p><br /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access" /

Calcium imaging in living cells in cultures: a first-level-of-analysis approach for assessment of neuronal function

Besides traditional methodologies for investigations on neuronal function, such as electrophysiology and neurochemistry, in-vivo living imaging has been recently used as a reliable method for first-level-of-analysis of the functionality of neural systems. The aims of our research are focused on the expression of molecular markers of plasticity together with the evaluation of responses to different stimuli applications in neuronal primary culture. The experimental strategy is therefore based on set up in non-neuronal cells, and then in neuronal cell culture, calcium imaging and immunofluorescence assays, respectively applied in subsequent manner. First step was the development of assays in a non-neuronal cell line (mouse pheochromocytoma cells, PC12). Undifferentiated PC12 cells kept for 4-5 days in growing medium, were placed on glass slide and differentiated with 50 ng/ml NGF-enriched medium for 5-6 days. Calcium imaging experiments were performed by applying 10, 25 or 55mM KCl on cells previously incubated with 5uM Fura2/AM. PC12 differentiated into neuron-like cells responded to 10, 25 or 55mM KCl in a dose-dependent manner. Secondly, brain cortex was dissected from rat Sprague-Dawley at embryo stage E20, and then dissociated cells were cultured for 3 weeks in order to get primary neuronal cell cultures. Calcium imaging experiments were performed applying at different time-points 55 mM KCl or glutamatergic agonists, after incubation with 5\ub5M Fura2/AM. Primary cultured cortical neurons responded to 55 mM KCl and to glutamatergic agonists. On same cultures, immunofluorescence was then performed by using antibodies raised against microtubule associated protein (MAP2), glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), synaptophysine, postsynaptic marker (PSD-95) and glutamatergic receptors (GluR2, NR1). Immunofluorescence analysis by confocal microscopy highlighted glia cells positive for GFAP and neurons positive for the specific MAP2; moreover same neurons were also positive for synaptophysine, PSD95, and NR1, GluR2 glutamate receptors. Calcium imaging assay was successfully set-up on PC12 cell line and effectively applied to rat primary neuronal cortical cultured cells. A combined protocol of calcium imaging and immunofluorescence would allow to have a concomitant evaluation of cortical neurons culture function and morphology, in order to correlate calcium related responses to expression of molecular markers of plasticity

Fast 5G Beam Tracking at The User Equipment with Analog Beamformer

Fifth generation (5G) cellular networks can operate with millimeter waves (mmWave), which require appropriate beamforming at both the base station and the user equipment (UE). In this paper we consider an automotive scenario, where the UE is mounted on a car and is using a single radio-frequency (RF) chain and a configurable analog beamformer, so that the effective firing direction of the antenna (i.e., only one beamforming angle) can be set at any given time. As the UE moves, the beamforming angle should be tracked using the reference signals transmitted in downlink by the base station. While in a basic solution all possible beamforming angles are explored and a long time is needed, we propose here the adaptive-step tracking algorithm, a procedure that learns from past channel changes which angles to explore, yielding a short tracking time. Numerical results are provided for two scenarios, where the UE either rotates (thus making the angle tracking challenging) or moves along a straight line (with variations of the received power)