189 research outputs found
Magic structures of helical multi-shell zirconium nanowires
The structures of free-standing zirconium nanowires with 0.62.8 nm in
diameter are systematically studied by using genetic algorithm simulations with
a tight-binding many body potential. Several multi-shell growth sequences with
cylindrical structures are obtained. These multi-shell structures are composed
of coaxial atomic shells with the three- and four-strands helical, centered
pentagonal and hexagonal, and parallel double-chain-core curved surface
epitaxy. Under the same growth sequence, the numbers of atomic strands in
inner- and outer-shell show even-odd coupling and usually differ by five. The
size and structure dependence of angular correlation functions and vibrational
properties of zirconium nanowire are also discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
Fluctuation of primary motor cortex excitability during cataplexy in narcolepsy
Objective Cataplexy is a complicated and dynamic process in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients. This study aimed to clarify the distinct stages during a cataplectic attack and identify the changes of the primary motor cortex (PMC) excitability during these stages. Methods Thirty-five patients with NT1 and 29 healthy controls were recruited to this study. Cataplectic stages were distinguished from a cataplectic attack by video-polysomnogram monitoring. Transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potential (TMS-MEP) was performed to measure the excitability of PMC during quiet wakefulness, laughter without cataplexy, and each cataplectic stage. Results Based on the video and electromyogram observations, a typical cataplectic attack (CA) process is divided into four stages: triggering (CA1), resisting (CA2), atonic (CA3), and recovering stages (CA4). Compared with healthy controls, NT1 patients showed significantly decreased intracortical facilitation during quiet wakefulness. During the laughter stage, both patients and controls showed increased MEP amplitude compared with quiet wakefulness. The MEP amplitude significantly increased even higher in CA1 and 2, and then dramatically decreased in CA3 accompanied with prolonged MEP latency compared with the laughter stage and quiet wakefulness. The MEP amplitude and latency gradually recovered during CA4. Interpretation This study identifies four stages during cataplectic attack and reveals the existence of a resisting stage that might change the process of cataplexy. The fluctuation of MEP amplitude and MEP latency shows a potential participation of PMC and motor control pathway during cataplexy, and the increased MEP amplitude during CA1 and 2 strongly implies a compensatory mechanism in motor control that may resist or avoid cataplectic attack
Pressure-induced metallization in solid boron
Different phases of solid boron under high pressure are studied by first
principles calculations. The -B structure is found to be stable
up to 270 GPa. Its semiconductor band gap (1.72 eV) decreases continuously to
zero around 160 GPa, where the material transforms to a weak metal. The
metallicity, as measured by the density of states at the Fermi level, enhances
as the pressure is further increased. The pressure-induced metallization can be
attributed to the enhanced boron-boron interactions that cause bands overlap.
These results are consist with the recently observed metallization and the
associated superconductivity of bulk boron under high pressure (M.I.Eremets et
al, Science{\bf 293}, 272(2001)).Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
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Inhibition of TNF-α Improves the Bladder Dysfunction That Is Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) is common and affects 80% of diabetic patients. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying DBD remain elusive because of a lack of appropriate animal models. We demonstrate DBD in a mouse model that harbors hepatic-specific insulin receptor substrate 1 and 2 deletions (double knockout [DKO]), which develops type 2 diabetes. Bladders of DKO animals exhibited detrusor overactivity at an early stage: increased frequency of nonvoiding contractions during bladder filling, decreased voided volume, and dispersed urine spot patterns. In contrast, older animals with diabetes exhibited detrusor hypoactivity, findings consistent with clinical features of diabetes in humans. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily genes were upregulated in DKO bladders. In particular, TNF-α was upregulated in serum and in bladder smooth muscle tissue. TNF-α augmented the contraction of primary cultured bladder smooth muscle cells through upregulating Rho kinase activity and phosphorylating myosin light chain. Systemic treatment of DKO animals with soluble TNF receptor 1 (TNFRI) prevented upregulation of Rho A signaling and reversed the bladder dysfunction, without affecting hyperglycemia. TNFRI combined with the antidiabetic agent, metformin, improved DBD beyond that achieved with metformin alone, suggesting that therapies targeting TNF-α may have utility in reversing the secondary urologic complications of type 2 diabetes
Melting behavior of ultrathin titanium nanowires
The thermal stability and melting behavior of ultrathin titanium nanowires
with multi-shell cylindrical structures are studied using molecular dynamic
simulation. The melting temperatures of titanium nanowires show remarkable
dependence on wire sizes and structures. For the nanowire thinner than 1.2 nm,
there is no clear characteristic of first-order phase transition during the
melting, implying a coexistence of solid and liquid phases due to finite size
effect. An interesting structural transformation from helical multi-shell
cylindrical to bulk-like rectangular is observed in the melting process of a
thicker hexagonal nanowire with 1.7 nm diameter.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Density functional study of Au (n=2-20) clusters: lowest-energy structures and electronic properties
We have investigated the lowest-energy structures and electronic properties
of the Au(n=2-20) clusters based on density functional theory (DFT) with
local density approximation. The small Au clusters adopt planar structures
up to n=6. Tabular cage structures are preferred in the range of n=10-14 and a
structural transition from tabular cage-like structure to compact
near-spherical structure is found around n=15. The most stable configurations
obtained for Au and Au clusters are amorphous instead of
icosahedral or fcc-like, while the electronic density of states sensitively
depend on the cluster geometry. Dramatic odd-even alternative behaviors are
obtained in the relative stability, HOMO-LUMO gaps and ionization potentials of
gold clusters. The size evolution of electronic properties is discussed and the
theoretical ionization potentials of Au clusters compare well with
experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure
Development and validation of a dissolution method using HPLC for diclofenac potassium in oral suspension
The present study describes the development and validation of an in vitro dissolution method for evaluation to release diclofenac potassium in oral suspension. The dissolution test was developed and validated according to international guidelines. Parameters like linearity, specificity, precision and accuracy were evaluated, as well as the influence of rotation speed and surfactant concentration on the medium. After selecting the best conditions, the method was validated using apparatus 2 (paddle), 50-rpm rotation speed, 900 mL of water with 0.3% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as dissolution medium at 37.0 ± 0.5°C. Samples were analyzed using the HPLC-UV (PDA) method. The results obtained were satisfactory for the parameters evaluated. The method developed may be useful in routine quality control for pharmaceutical industries that produce oral suspensions containing diclofenac potassium
An international study to explore the feasibility of collecting standardised outcome data for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Recommendations for an international clinical research registry
Introduction: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a persistent pain condition with low prevalence. Multi-centre collaborative research is needed to attain sufficient sample sizes for meaningful studies. This international observational study: (1) tested the feasibility and acceptability of collecting outcome data using an agreed core measurement set (2) tested and refined an electronic data management system to collect and manage the data. Methods: Adults with CRPS, meeting the Budapest diagnostic clinical criteria, were recruited to the study from 7 international research centres. After informed consent, a questionnaire comprising the core set outcome measures was completed: on paper at baseline (T1), and at 3 or 6 months (T2) using a paper or e-version. Participants and clinicians provided feedback on the data collection process. Clinicians completed the CRPS severity score at T1 and optionally, at T2. Ethical approval was obtained at each international centre. Results: Ninety-eight adults were recruited (female n=66; mean age 46.6 years, range 19-89), of whom 32% chose to receive the T2 questionnaire in an electronic format. Fifty-five participants completed both T1 and T2. Eighteen participants and nine clinicians provided feedback on their data collection experience. Conclusion: This study confirmed the questionnaire core outcome data are feasible and practicable to collect in clinical practice. The electronic data management system provided a robust means of collecting and managing the data across an international population. The findings have informed the final data collection tools and processes which will comprise the first international, clinical research registry and data bank for CRPS
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