Architectural Design based on Wang Shu’s Approach to Theory and Research

Under the process of rapid urbanization, the problem of cultural continuity began to appear in Chinese urban and rural areas. After studying architecture in China and researching Western philosophy, Chinese architect Wang Shu developed a unique theory based on the reality of urbanization in China. In order to realistically act upon this context, he began developing a methodology for his based on conducting detailed research and performing experiments with small-scale projects as a precursor to begin design projects.As a result, his works shows great respect to the quality of local life and culture.His research and practice has allowed him to overcome the distinction between professional and amateur, city and countryside. This essay introduces Wang Shu’s research-based architectural design approach through three levels: theory, research, and practice

Revisiting the frequency domain: the multiple and partial coherence of cerebral blood flow velocity in the assessment of dynamic cerebral autoregulation

Despite advances in modelling dynamic autoregulation, only part of the variability of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the low frequency range has been explained. We investigate whether a multivariate representation can be used for this purpose. Pseudorandom sequences were used to inflate thigh cuffs and to administer 5% CO2. Multiple and partial coherence were estimated, using arterial blood pressure (ABP), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and resistance area product as input and CBFV as output variables. The inclusion of second and third input variables increased the amount of CBFV variability that can be accounted for (p  <  10−4 in both cases). Partial coherence estimates in the low frequency range (<0.07 Hz) were not influenced by the use of thigh cuffs, but CO2 administration had a statistically significant effect (p  <  10−4 in all cases). We conclude that the inclusion of additional inputs of a priori known physiological significance can help account for a greater amount of CBFV variability and may represent a viable alternative to more conventional non-linear modelling. The results of partial coherence analysis suggest that dynamic autoregulation and CO2 reactivity are likely to be the result of different physiological mechanisms

Coherent averaging of pseudorandom binary stimuli: is the dynamic cerebral autoregulatory response symmetrical?

Objective: Previous studies on cerebral autoregulation have shown the existence of hemispheric symmetry, which may be altered in stroke and traumatic brain injury. There is a paucity of data however on whether the response is symmetrical between those disturbances that cause cerebral hyperperfusion, to those that cause hypoperfusion. Our aim was to investigate whether the responses of cerebral autoregulation to haemodynamic stimuli of different directions are symmetrical. &#13; Approach: Using a previously described assessment method, we employed coherent averaging of the cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) responses to thigh cuff inflation and deflation, as driven by pseudorandom binary sequences, whilst simultaneously altering the inspired CO2. The symmetry of the autoregulatory response was assessed with regards to two parameters, its speed and gain. Using the first harmonic method, critical closing pressure (CrCP) and resistance area product (RAP) were estimated, and the gain of the autoregulatory response was calculated by performing linear regression between the coherent averages of arterial blood pressure (ABP) and CBFV, ABP and CrCP and finally ABP and RAP. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess for the effect of the direction of change in ABP and the method of CO2 administration. &#13; Main results: Our results suggest that whilst the direction of ABP change does not have a significant effect, the effect of CO2 administration method is highly significant (p&lt;10-4). &#13; Significance: This is the first report to report to demonstrate the symmetry of the autoregulatory response to stimuli of different directions as well as the short term dynamics of RAP and CrCP under intermittent and constant hypercapnia. As haemodynamic stimulus direction does not appear to have an influence, our findings validate previous work done using different assessment methods

Development of a human-size magnetic particle imaging device for sentinel lymph node biopsy of breast cancer

In this study, a novel human-size handheld magnetic particle imaging (MPI) system was developed for the high-precision detection of sentinel lymph nodes for breast cancer. The system consisted of a highly sensitive home-made MPI detection probe, a set of concentric coils pair for spatialization, a solenoid coil for uniform excitation at 8 [email protected] mT, and a full mirrored coil set positioned far away from the scanning area. The mirrored coils formed an extremely effective differential pickup structure which suppressed the system noise as high as 100 dB. The different combination of the inner and outer gradient current made the field free point (FFP) move in the Z direction with a uniform intensity of 0.54T/m, while the scanning in the XY direction was implemented mechanically. The third-harmonic signal of the Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) at the FFP was detected and then reconstructed synchronously with the current changes. Experiment results showed that the tomographic detection limit was 30 mm in the Z direction, and the sensitivity was about 10 μg Fe SPIONs at 40 mm distance with a spatial resolution of about 5 mm. In the rat experiment, 54 μg intramuscular injected SPIONs were detected successfully in the sentinel lymph node, in which the tracer content was about 1.2% total injected Fe. Additionally, the effective detection time window was confirmed from 4 to 6 min after injection. Relevant clinical ethics are already in the application process. Large mammalian SLNB MPI experiments and 3D preoperative SLNB imaging will be performed in the future

Cognitive diagnosis and algorithmic cultural analysis of fourth-grade Yi students’ mathematical skills in China: A case study of several primary schools in Puge county, Liangshan prefecture

The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture is the largest area in China inhabited by the Yi people, and the original Yi characteristics and culture are well maintained. The Yi also have a high degree of ethnic and cultural intermingling with Tibetans, Han and other ethnic groups. The level of mathematical abilities directly determines the quality of mathematical learning of Yi students. Primary four is the stage of “concrete operations,” and is a critical point in the development of mathematical symbolic awareness. In this study, the geographical location of the school and the financial income of the township in which the school is located were used as the basis for sampling, and the DINA model was used to diagnose the mathematical ability of fourth grade students in three rural Yi primary schools in Puge County. The study found that there was individual variability in the mathematical abilities of fourth grade Yi students, with 21 different types of cognitive error patterns identified, the main ones being five. In addition, the state of knowledge of fourth grade Yi students in arithmetic revealed that their overall level of mathematical ability was low, showing a lag, with none of the knowledge attributes of arithmetic being fully mastered. Cultural differences between the Chinese and Yi languages contribute to the difficulties that Yi students have in learning mathematical operations, including differences in understanding the place value system, zero, decimal expressions, and differences in the perception of multiplication and division. The above research can inform the implementation of targeted remediation for teaching and learning

Dual-Wavelength Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (dwLSCI) Improves Chronic Measurement of Superficial Blood Flow in Hands

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) has been widely used to determine blood flow and perfusion in biological tissues. The physical model of traditional LSCI ignores the effects of scattering property distribution in relation to speckle correlation time τc and blood flow v, which further results in biased estimation. In this study, we developed a dual-wavelength laser speckle contrast imaging (dwLSCI) method and a portable device for imaging the blood flow and tissue perfusion in human hands. Experimental data showed that dwLSCI could retrieve the vein vasculatures under the surface skin, and it further provided accurate measurements of vein blood flow signals, tissue perfusion signals, and fingertip perfusion signals, which assist with assessments of rehabilitation therapy for stroke patients. Fingertip perfusion signals demonstrated better performance in early assessments, while vein blood flow signals assisted the Fugl–Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) behavior assessments. As a general noninvasive imaging method, dwLSCI can be applied in clinical studies related to hand functions combined with behavior assessments

Emotional learning retroactively promotes memory integration through rapid neural reactivation and reorganization

Neutral events preceding emotional experiences can be better remembered, likely by assigning them as significant to guide possible use in future. Yet, the neurobiological mechanisms of how emotional learning enhances memory for past mundane events remain unclear. By two behavioral studies and one functional magnetic resonance imaging study with an adapted sensory preconditioning paradigm, we show rapid neural reactivation and connectivity changes underlying emotion-charged retroactive memory enhancement. Behaviorally, emotional learning retroactively enhanced initial memory for neutral associations across the three studies. Neurally, emotional learning potentiated trial-specific reactivation of overlapping neural traces in the hippocampus and stimulus-relevant neocortex. It further induced rapid hippocampal-neocortical functional reorganization supporting such retroactive memory benefit, as characterized by enhanced hippocampal-neocortical coupling modulated by the amygdala during emotional learning, and a shift of hippocampal connectivity from stimulus-relevant neocortex to distributed transmodal prefrontal-parietal areas at post-learning rests. Together, emotional learning retroactively promotes memory integration for past neutral events through stimulating trial-specific reactivation of overlapping representations and reorganization of associated memories into an integrated network to foster its priority for future use

Alterations of the m6A Methylation Induced by TGF-β2 in ARPE-19 Cells

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) participates in diverse physiological processes and contributes to many pathological conditions. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigmental epithelial (RPE) cells plays an essential role in retinal-related diseases, and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) is known to induce EMT in vitro. However, the effect of TGF-β2 on m6A methylation in RPE cells is not yet known. Methods: RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq were performed to analyze changes at the mRNA and m6A levels after TGF-β2 treatment of human ARPE-19 cells. mRNA levels and total m6A levels were subsequently validated. Results: Sequencing revealed 929 differentially expressed genes and 7328 differentially methylated genes after TGF-β2 treatment. Conjoint analysis identified 290 genes related to microtubule cytoskeleton, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, cell division, cell cycle, AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt and cGMP-PKG pathways. Further analysis revealed that 12 EMT-related genes were altered at the mRNA and m6A levels after TGF-β2 treatment (CALD1, CDH2, FN1, MMP2, SPARC, KRT7, CLDN3, ELF3, FGF1, LOXL2, SHROOM3 and TGFBI). Moreover, the total m6A level was also reduced. Conclusions: This study revealed the transcriptional profiling of m6A modification induced by TGF-β2 in RPE cells. Novel connections were discovered between m6A modification and TGF-β2-induced EMT, suggesting that m6A may play crucial roles in the EMT process

Aerosol jet printing on radio frequency identification tag applications

Conference Name:14th Annual Conference and the 3rd International Conference of the Chinese Society of Micro-Nano Technology, CSMNT 2012. Conference Address: Hangzhou, China. Time:November 4, 2012 - November 7, 2012.Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is one of the Automatic Identification technology, its application has been involved in all aspects of daily life. A new micro manufacturing technology called Aerosol Jet&#174; printing is described to fabricate the RFID tag in this paper. The fabrication method of Aerosol Jet printing RFID tag is that print the line using sliver ink as the seed first, and then electroplate copper to increase the line width and thickness to reduce the resistance, thus it would get the higher quality factor Q. The width of seed lines printed is 60 μm with the tip of 250 μm in diameter. The inductance value of RFID tag printed is in the range of 2.87 μH to 2.97 μH, it meets the required value of 2 μH to 6 μH. ? 2013 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland

Visualization 1: Chronic wide-field imaging of brain hemodynamics in behaving animals

In the movie, rats wearing the micro-imager behaved in a truly free moving status, like rubbing face, eating, running, tracking and climbing. Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 January 2017 (boe-8-1-436