White matter microstructure alterations in idiopathic restless legs syndrome: a study combining crossing fiber-based and tensor-based approaches

IntroductionRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder characterized by an irrepressible urge to move the legs and frequently accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the legs. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying RLS remain unclear, and RLS is hypothesized to be associated with alterations in white matter tracts.MethodsDiffusion MRI is a unique noninvasive method widely used to study white matter tracts in the human brain. Thus, diffusion-weighted images were acquired from 18 idiopathic RLS patients and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Whole brain tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and atlas-based analyzes combining crossing fiber-based metrics and tensor-based metrics were performed to investigate the white matter patterns in individuals with RLS.ResultsTBSS analysis revealed significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) and partial volume fraction of primary (F1) fiber populations in multiple tracts associated with the sensorimotor network in patients with RLS than in HCs. In the atlas based analysis, the bilateral anterior thalamus radiation, bilateral corticospinal tract, bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, left hippocampal cingulum, left inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and left uncinate fasciculus showed significantl increased F1, but only the left hippocampal cingulum showed significantly higher FA.DiscussionThe results demonstrated that F1 identified extensive alterations in white matter tracts compared with FA and confirmed the hypothesis that crossing fiber-based metrics are more sensitive than tensor-based metrics in detecting white matter abnormalities in RLS. The present findings provide evidence that the increased F1 metric observed in sensorimotor tracts may be a critical neural substrate of RLS, enhancing our understanding of the underlying pathological changes

Alkaline stress reduces root waving by regulating PIN7 vacuolar transport

Root development and plasticity are assessed via diverse endogenous and environmental cues, including phytohormones, nutrition, and stress. In this study, we observed that roots in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited waving and oscillating phenotypes under normal conditions but lost this pattern when subjected to alkaline stress. We later showed that alkaline treatment disturbed the auxin gradient in roots and increased auxin signal in columella cells. We further demonstrated that the auxin efflux transporter PIN-FORMED 7 (PIN7) but not PIN3 was translocated to vacuole lumen under alkaline stress. This process is essential for root response to alkaline stress because the pin7 knockout mutants retained the root waving phenotype. Moreover, we provided evidence that the PIN7 vacuolar transport might not depend on the ARF-GEFs but required the proper function of an ESCRT subunit known as FYVE domain protein required for endosomal sorting 1 (FREE1). Induced silencing of FREE1 disrupted the vacuolar transport of PIN7 and reduced sensitivity to alkaline stress, further highlighting the importance of this cellular process. In conclusion, our work reveals a new role of PIN7 in regulating root morphology under alkaline stress

Overcoming Coulomb Interaction Improves Free-Charge Generation and Thermoelectric Properties for n-Doped Conjugated Polymers

Molecular doping of organic semiconductors creates Coulombically bound charge and counterion pairs through a charge-transfer process. However, their Coulomb interactions and strategies to mitigate their effects have been rarely addressed. Here, we report that the number of free charges and thermoelectric properties are greatly enhanced by overcoming the Coulomb interaction in an n-doped conjugated polymer. Poly(2,2'-bithiazolothienyl-4,4',10,10'-tetracarboxydiimide) (PDTzTI) and the benchmark N2200 are n-doped by tetrakis (dimethylamino) ethylene (TDAE) for thermoelectrics. Doped PDTzTI exhibits similar to 10 times higher free-charge density and 500 times higher conductivity than doped N2200, leading to a power factor of 7.6 mu W m(-1) K-2 and ZT of 0.01 at room temperature. Compared to N2200, PDTzTI features a better molecular ordering and two-dimensional charge delocalization, which help overcome the Coulomb interaction in the doped state. Consequently, free charges are more easily generated from charge-counterion pairs. This work provides a strategy for improving n-type thermoelectrics by tackling electrostatic interactions

Clinical application of superselective transarterial embolization of renal tumors in zero ischaemia robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and safety of zero ischaemia robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) after preoperative superselective transarterial embolization (STE) of T1 renal cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 32 patients who underwent zero ischaemia RALPN after STE and 140 patients who received standard robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (S-RALPN). In addition, we selected 35 patients treated with off-clamp RALPN (O-RALPN) from September 2017 to March 2022 for comparison. STE was performed by the same interventional practitioner, and zero ischaemia laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) was carried out by experienced surgeon 1-12 hours after STE. The intraoperative data and postoperative complications were recorded. The postoperative renal function, routine urine test, urinary Computed Tomography (CT), and preoperative and postoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) data were analyzed.ResultsAll operations were completed successfully. There were no cases of conversion to opening and no deaths. The renal arterial trunk was not blocked. No blood transfusions were needed. The mean operation time was 91.5 ± 34.28 minutes. The mean blood loss was 58.59 ± 54.11 ml. No recurrence or metastasis occurred.ConclusionFor patients with renal tumors, STE of renal tumors in zero ischaemia RALPN can preserve more renal function, and it provides a safe and feasible surgical method

The Effect of Different Outer Cations on the Stability of Fluorotitanium Complex

Fluoride-rich fluid is believed to be able to activate and migrate Ti and other high field-strength elements to the greatest extent. The stability of F-rich titanium complexes can ensure their migration in the fluid, but is inseparable from the physical and chemical properties of the fluid, such as concentration, temperature and pH value—important factors affecting the stability of the complexes. In this study, the influence of the outer cationic complex fluid on the stability of the fluorine titanium complex was studied. Studies were based on different kinds of fluorine titanium complex (K2TiF6, Na2TiF6, (NH4)2TiF6 and H2TiF6) in 100 MPa pressure. Under the condition of 200~500 °C temperature, we found that as the temperature rises, the hydrolysis of F-rich titanium complexes is violent. We compared the stability of four F-titanium complexes with different outer cations according to the hydrolysis rate and the cumulative hydrolysis equilibrium constant. We compared the F-titanium complexes with alkali metal as the outer cations that are more stable, such as K2TiF6 and Na2TiF6. However, the F-rich titanium complex in an acidic fluid is relatively unstable, which is not conducive to the migration of Ti elements. Due to the water–rock reactions that occur in hydrothermal fluid migration, mixing and alteration, once in the hydrothermal system, the fluid composition, pH value and temperature change. Thus, the F-titanium complex becomes extremely unstable, leading to the precipitation of titanium from the hydrothermal fluid and the growth of Ti-rich minerals

Comparison of Two-Dimensional and Three- Dimensional Responses for Vortex-Induced Vibrations of a Rectangular Prism

The accurate prediction of the amplitudes of vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) is important in wind-resistant design. Wind tunnel tests of scaled section models have been commonly used. However, the amplitude prediction processes were usually inaccurate because of insufficient evaluations of three-dimensional (3D) effects. This study presents experimental measurements of VIV responses in a prototype rectangular prism and its 1:1 two-dimensional section model in smooth flow. The results show that the section model vibrates with the same Reynolds number, equivalent mass, frequency, and damping ratio as those of the prototype prism without scale effects. The VIV amplitudes can be qualitatively and quantitatively measured and analyzed. The measured VIV lock-ins of these two models agree with each other. However, the prototype prism produces a 20% higher maximum amplitude than the section model. Several classical VIV mathematical models are used to validate the wind tunnel test results. This confirms that the 3D coupling effects of the modal shape and the imperfect correlations of excitation forces positively contribute to the maximum amplitude. Based on the section model outcomes, the amplified factor of 1.2 is found to be appropriate for the amplitude prediction of VIV for the present prism, and it can also provide a reference for other structures

Monitoring Mining Surface Subsidence with Multi-Temporal Three-Dimensional Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Point Cloud

Long-term and high-intensity coal mining has led to the increasingly serious surface subsidence and environmental problems. Surface subsidence monitoring plays an important role in protecting the ecological environment of the mining area and the sustainable development of modern coal mines. The development of surveying technology has promoted the acquisition of high-resolution terrain data. The combination of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) point cloud and the structure from motion (SfM) method has shown the potential of collecting multi-temporal high-resolution terrain data in complex or inaccessible environments. The difference of the DEM (DoD) is the main method to obtain the surface subsidence in mining areas. However, the obtained digital elevation model (DEM) needs to interpolate the point cloud into the grid, and this process may introduce errors in complex natural topographic environments. Therefore, a complete three-dimensional change analysis is required to quantify the surface change in complex natural terrain. In this study, we propose a quantitative analysis method of ground subsidence based on three-dimensional point cloud. Firstly, the Monte Carlo simulation statistical analysis was adopted to indirectly evaluate the performance of direct georeferencing photogrammetric products. After that, the operation of co-registration was carried out to register the multi-temporal UAV dense matching point cloud. Finally, the model-to-model cloud comparison (M3C2) algorithm was used to quantify the surface change and reveal the spatio-temporal characteristics of surface subsidence. In order to evaluate the proposed method, four periods of multi-temporal UAV photogrammetric data and a period of airborne LiDAR point cloud data were collected in the Yangquan mining area, China, from 2020 to 2022. The 3D precision map of a sparse point cloud generated by Monte Carlo simulation shows that the average precision in X, Y and Z directions is 44.80 mm, 45.22 and 63.60 mm, respectively. The standard deviation range of the M3C2 distance calculated by multi-temporal data in the stable area is 0.13–0.19, indicating the consistency of multi-temporal photogrammetric data of UAV. Compared with DoD, the dynamic moving basin obtained by the M3C2 algorithm based on the 3D point cloud obtained more real surface deformation distribution. This method has high potential in monitoring terrain change in remote areas, and can provide a reference for monitoring similar objects such as landslides

Analysis of corticomuscular connectivity during walking using vine copula

Corticomuscular connectivity plays an important role in the neural control of human motion. This study recorded electroencephalography (EEG) and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from subjects performing specific tasks (walking on level ground and on stairs) based on metronome instructions. This study presents a novel method based on vine copula to jointly model EEG and sEMG signals. The advantage of vine copula is its applicability in the construction of dependency structures to describe the connectivity between the cortex and muscles during different movements. A corticomuscular function network was also constructed by analyzing the dependence of each channel sample. The successfully constructed network shows information transmission between different divisions of the cortex, between muscles, and between the cortex and muscles when the body performs lower limb movements. Additionally, it highlights the potential of the vine copula concept used in this study, indicating that significant changes in the corticomuscular network under lower limb movements can be quantified by effective connectivity values