Modelling and optimisation of a bimorph piezoelectric cantilever beam in an energy harvesting application

Piezoelectric materials are excellent transducers in converting vibrational energy into electrical energy, and vibration-based piezoelectric generators are seen as an enabling technology for wireless sensor networks, especially in selfpowered devices. This paper proposes an alternative method for predicting the power output of a bimorph cantilever beam using a finite element method for both static and dynamic frequency analyses. Experiments are performed to validate the model and the simulation results. In addition, a novel approach is presented for optimising the structure of the bimorph cantilever beam, by which the power output is maximised and the structural volume is minimised simultaneously. Finally, the results of the optimised design are presented and compared with other designs

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis as a Complication of Growth Hormone Therapy

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a rare complication of growth hormone (GH) therapy. Here, we report three patients who developed SCFE during GH therapy. The first two patients had hypopituitarism and had started GH therapy at the age of 15 years 6 months and 13 years 9 months, respectively. SCFE developed 4 years and 1 year after GH therapy, respectively. The third patient had Prader-Willi syndrome with obesity and hypogonadism and began GH therapy at the age of 12 years and 11 months. SCFE developed 2 months after starting GH therapy. Pain over the hip joints or over the knees is an early sign of SCFE. Despite recommendation, none of the three patients continued GH therapy. A high index of suspicion during GH therapy in patients at high risk of SCFE is important for early diagnosis and appropriate management. [J Formos Med Assoc 2007;106(2 Suppl):S46-S50

Modulation of nucleosome-binding activity of FACT by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation

Chromatin-modifying factors play key roles in transcription, DNA replication and DNA repair. Post-translational modification of these proteins is largely responsible for regulating their activity. The FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex, a heterodimer of hSpt16 and SSRP1, is a chromatin structure modulator whose involvement in transcription and DNA replication has been reported. Here we show that nucleosome binding activity of FACT complex is regulated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. hSpt16, the large subunit of FACT, is poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) resulting from physical interaction between these two proteins. The level of hSpt16 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is elevated after genotoxic treatment and coincides with the activation of PARP-1. The enhanced hSpt16 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation level correlates with the dissociation of FACT from chromatin in response to DNA damage. Our findings suggest that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of hSpt16 by PARP-1 play regulatory roles for FACT-mediated chromatin remodeling

Mass and Decay Constant of I=1/2I=1/2 Scalar Meson In QCD Sum Rule

We calculate the mass and decay constant of $I=1/2$ scalar mesons composed of quark-antiquark pairs based on QCD sum rule. The quauk-antiquark pairs can be $s\bar{q}$ or $q\bar{s}$ ($q=u,d$) in quark model, the quantum numbers of spin and orbital angular momentum are S=1, L=1. We obtain the mass of the ground sate in this channel is $1.410\pm 0.049$GeV. This result favors that $K_{0}^{\ast}(1430)$ is the lowest scalar state of $s\bar{q}$ or $q\bar{s}$. We also predict the first excited scalar resonance of $s\bar{q}$ is larger than 2.0 GeV.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, Latex, some content adde

Association of early childhood constipation with the risk of autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan: Real-world evidence from a nationwide population-based cohort study

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental problem that presents with limited interests, repetitive behaviors, and deficits in reciprocal communication and social interactions. Mounting evidence indicates that an imbalanced gut microbiota contributes to autism via the gut-brain axis. Constipation may result in alteration of the gut microbiota. The clinical influence of constipation on ASD has not been fully researched. Thus, in this study we aimed to evaluate whether early childhood constipation influenced the risk of developing ASD using a nationwide population-based cohort study.MethodsWe identified 12,935 constipated children aged 3 years or younger from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan from 1997 to 2013. Non-constipated children were also selected from the database and propensity score matching of age, gender, and underlying comorbidities was conducted with a ratio of 1:1. Kaplan–Meier analysis was applied to determine different levels of constipation severity and cumulative incidence of autism. Subgroup analysis was also applied in this study.ResultsThe incidence rate of ASD was 12.36 per 100,000 person-months in the constipation group, which was higher than the rate of 7.84 per 100,000 person-months noted in the non-constipation controls. Constipated children had a significantly higher risk of autism when compared to the non-constipation group (crude relative risk = 1.458, 95% CI = 1.116–1.904; adjusted hazard ratio = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.095–1.907).Moreover, among constipated children, a higher number of laxative prescriptions, male gender, constipation during infancy, and atopic dermatitis were significantly associated with higher risks of ASD when compared to the non-constipation group.ConclusionConstipation in early childhood was correlated with a significantly increased risk of ASD. Clinicians should pay attention to the possibility of ASD in constipated children. Further research is necessary to study the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of this association

Neuron Regeneration and Proliferation Effects of Danshen and Tanshinone IIA

This study evaluates the proliferative effects of danshen and its monomer extract, tanshinone IIA, on Schwann cell proliferation. A piece of silicone rubber was guided across a 15-mm gap in the sciatic nerve of a rat. This nerve gap was then filled with different concentrations of danshen (0–100 mg/mL). The results showed that danshen increased the expressions of uPA, cyclin D1, E and ERK, JNK, and P38 MAP kinases via the FGF-2 signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. RSC96, Schwann cells were also administered with danshen (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg/mL) and tanshinone IIA (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 μg/mL). In lower concentrations, danshen and tanshinone IIA exhibited an apparent effect on Schwann cells. Similar effects were also demonstrated in the FGF-2-uPA regulating cascade and cell cycle proliferative protein results. Schwann cell migration was elevated as well. We used MAPK-signaling chemical inhibitors and identified the proliferative effects of danshen and tanshinone IIA as MAPK-signaling dependent. The results from the in vitro systems indicate that danshen and tanshinone IIA can be used to induce Schwann cell proliferation, and in vivo results potentially suggest that danshen and tanshinone IIA might enhance neuron regeneration

Downregulation of SIRT1 and GADD45G genes and left atrial fibrosis induced by right ventricular dependent pacing in a complete atrioventricular block pig model

The molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying left atrial (LA) enlargement and atrial fibrosis following right ventricular (RV) dependent pacing remain unclear. Our objective was to investigate genetic expressions in the LA of pigs subjected to RV pacing for atrioventricular block (AVB), as well as to identify the differential gene expressions affected by biventricular (BiV) pacing. We established an AVB pig model and divided the subjects into three groups: a sham control group, an RV pacing group, and a BiV pacing group. Differential expression genes (DEGs) analyses conducted through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and enrichment analyses were employed to identify genes with altered expression in the LA myocardium. The RV pacing group showed a significant increase in extracellular fibrosis in the LA myocardium compared to the control group. NGS analysis revealed suppressed expression of the sirtuin signaling pathway in the RV pacing group. Among the DEGs within this pathway, GADD45G was found to be downregulated in the RV pacing group and upregulated in the BiV pacing group. Remarkably, the BiV pacing group exhibited elevated levels of GADD45G protein. In our study, we observed significant downregulation of SIRT1 and GADD45G genes, which are associated with the sirtuin signaling pathway, in the LA myocardium of the RV pacing group when compared to the control group. Moreover, these genes, which were downregulated in the RV pacing group, displayed a noteworthy upregulation in the BiV pacing group when compared to the RV pacing group

High-resolution spatial and genomic characterization of coral-associated microbial aggregates in the coral Stylophora pistillata

Bacteria commonly form aggregates in a range of coral species [termed coral-associated microbial aggregates (CAMAs)], although these structures remain poorly characterized despite extensive efforts studying the coral microbiome. Here, we comprehensively characterize CAMAs associated with Stylophora pistillata and quantify their cell abundance. Our analysis reveals that multiple Endozoicomonas phylotypes coexist inside a single CAMA. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging revealed that the Endozoicomonas cells were enriched with phosphorus, with the elemental compositions of CAMAs different from coral tissues and endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae, highlighting a role in sequestering and cycling phosphate between coral holobiont partners. Consensus metagenome--assembled genomes of the two dominant Endozoicomonas phylotypes confirmed their metabolic potential for polyphosphate accumulation along with genomic signatures including type VI secretion systems allowing host association. Our findings provide unprecedented insights into Endozoicomonas-dominated CAMAs and the first direct physiological and genomic linked evidence of their biological role in the coral holobiont