34 research outputs found
Numerical Analysis of a Linear-Implicit Average Scheme for Generalized Benjamin-Bona-Mahony-Burgers Equation
A linear-implicit finite difference scheme is given for the initial-boundary problem of GBBMBurgers equation, which is convergent and unconditionally stable. The unique solvability of numerical solutions is shown. A priori estimate and second-order convergence of the finite difference approximate solution are discussed using energy method. Numerical results demonstrate that the scheme is efficient and accurate
Local and Remote Postconditioning Decrease Intestinal Injury in a Rabbit Ischemia/Reperfusion Model
Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant problem that is associated with high morbidity and mortality in critical settings. This injury may be ameliorated using postconditioning protocol. In our study, we created a rabbit intestinal I/R injury model to analyze the effects of local ischemia postconditioning (LIPo) and remote ischemia postconditioning (RIPo) on intestinal I/R injury. We concluded that LIPo affords protection in intestinal I/R injury in a comparable fashion with RIPo by decreasing oxidative stress, neutrophil activation, and apoptosis
Common Features in Electronic Structure of the Fe-Based Layered Superconductors from Photoemission Spectroscopy
High resolution photoemission measurements have been carried out on
non-superconducting LaOFeAs parent compound and various superconducting
R(O1-xFx)FeAs (R=La, Ce and Pr) compounds. We found that the parent LaOFeAs
compound shows a metallic character. Through extensive measurements, we have
identified several common features in the electronic structure of these
Fe-based compounds: (1). 0.2 eV feature in the valence band; (2). A universal
13~16 meV feature; (3). A clear Fermi cutoff showing zero leading-edge shift in
the superconducting state;(4). Lack of superconducting coherence peak(s); (5).
Near EF spectral weight suppression with decreasing temperature. These
universal features can provide important information about band structure,
superconducting gap and pseudogap in these Fe-based materials.Comment: 5 pages,4 figure
Intervertebral disc degeneration induced by long-segment in-situ immobilization: a macro, micro, and nanoscale analysis
Abstract Background Cervical spine fixation or immobilization has become a routine treatment for spinal fracture, dislocation, subluxation injuries, or spondylosis. The effects of immobilization of intervertebral discs of the cervical spine is unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-segment in-situ immobilization of intervertebral discs of the caudal vertebra, thereby simulating human cervical spine immobilization. Methods Thirty-five fully grown, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: Group A, which served as controls, and Groups B, C, D, and E, in which the caudal vertebrae were in-situ immobilized using a custom-made external device that fixed four caudal vertebrae (Co7-Co10). After 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 8 weeks of in-situ immobilization, the caudal vertebrae were harvested, and the disc height, the T2 signal intensity of the discs, disc morphology, the gene expression of discs, and the structure and the elastic modulus of discs was measured. Results The intervertebral disc height progressively decreased, starting at the 6th week. At week 6 and week 8, disc degeneration was classified as grade III, according to the modified Pfirrmann grading system criteria. Long-segment immobilization altered the gene expression of discs. The nucleus pulposus showed a typical cell cluster phenomenon over time. The annulus fibrosus inner layer began to appear disordered with fissure formation. The elastic modulus of collagen fibrils within the nucleus pulposus was significantly decreased in rats in group E compared to rats in group A (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the elastic modulus within the annulus was significantly increased in rats in group E compared to rats in group A (p < 0.05). Conclusion Long-segment in-situ immobilization caused target disc degeneration, and positively correlated with fixation time. The degeneration was not only associated with changes at the macroscale and microscale, but also indicated changes in collagen fibrils at the nanoscale. Long-segment immobilization of the spine (cervical spine) does not seem to be an innocuous strategy for the treatment of spine-related diseases and may be a predisposing factor in the development of the symptomatic spine