Integral equation method for 3D modeling of electromagnetic fields in complex structures with inhomogeneous background conductivity

Journal ArticleWe present a new formulation of the integral equation (IE) method for three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic (EM) modeling in complex structures with inhomogeneous background conductivity (IBC). This method overcomes the standard limitation of the conventional IE method related to the use of a horizontally layered background only. The new 3D IE EM modeling method still employs the Green's functions for a horizontally layered 1D model. However, the new method allows us to use an inhomogeneous background with the IE method. We also introduce an approach for accuracy control of the IBC IE method. This new approach provides us with the ability to improve the accuracy of computations by applying to be extremely useful in computing EM data for multiple geologic models with some common geoelectrical features, like terrain, bathymetry, or other known structures. It may find wide application in an inverse problem solution, where we have to keep some known geologic structures unchanged during the iterative inversion. The method was carefully tested for modeling the EM field for complex structures with a known variable background conductivity. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated by modeling marine controlled source electromagnetic (MCSEM) data in the area of Gemini Prospect, Gulf of Mexico

Effect of laser-dimpled titanium surfaces on attachment of epithelial-like cells and fibroblasts.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to conduct an in vitro comparative evaluation of polished and laserdimpled titanium (Ti) surfaces to determine whether either surface has an advantage in promoting the attachment of epithelial-like cells and fibroblast to Ti.Materials and methodsForty-eight coin-shaped samples of commercially pure, grade 4 Ti plates were used in this study. These discs were cleaned to a surface roughness (Ra: roughness centerline average) of 180 nm by polishing and were divided into three groups: SM (n=16) had no dimples and served as the control, SM15 (n=16) had 5-µm dimples at 10-µm intervals, and SM30 (n=16) had 5-µm dimples at 25-µm intervals in a 2 × 4 mm(2) area at the center of the disc. Human gingival squamous cell carcinoma cells (YD-38) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) were cultured and used in cell proliferation assays, adhesion assays, immunofluorescent staining of adhesion proteins, and morphological analysis by SEM. The data were analyzed statistically to determine the significance of differences.ResultsThe adhesion strength of epithelial cells was higher on Ti surfaces with 5-µm laser dimples than on polished Ti surfaces, while the adhesion of fibroblasts was not significantly changed by laser treatment of implant surfaces. However, epithelial cells and fibroblasts around the laser dimples appeared larger and showed increased expression of adhesion proteins.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that laser dimpling may contribute to improving the periimplant soft tissue barrier. This study provided helpful information for developing the transmucosal surface of the abutment

Simultaneous fabrication of line and dot dual nanopatterns using miktoarm block copolymer with photocleavable linker

Block copolymers with various nanodomains, such as spheres, cylinders, and lamellae, have received attention for their applicability to nanolithography. However, those microdomains are determined by the volume fraction of one block. Meanwhile, nanopatterns with multiple shapes are required for the next-generation nanolithography. Although various methods have been reported to achieve dual nanopatterns, all the methods need sophisticated processes using E-beam. Here, we synthesized a miktoarm block copolymer capable of cleavage of one block by ultraviolet. Original cylindrical nanodomains of synthesized block copolymer were successfully transformed to lamellar nanodomains due to the change of molecular architecture by ultraviolet. We fabricated dual nanopatterns consisting of dots and lines at desired regions on a single substrate. We also prepared dual nanopatterns utilizing another phase transformation from spheres to cylinders in a block copolymer with higher interaction parameter. Since our concept has versatility to any block copolymer, it could be employed as next-generation nanolithography.112Ysciescopu

Tissue-specific down-regulation of RIPK 2 in Mycobacterium leprae-infected nu/nu mice.

RIPK 2 is adapter molecule in the signal pathway involved in Toll-like receptors. However, there has been no reported association between receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK 2) expression and the infectious diseases involving mycobacterial infection. This study found that its expression was down-regulated in the footpads and skin but was up-regulated in the liver of Mycobacterium leprae-infected nu/nu mice compared with those of the M. leprae non-infected nu/nu mice. It was observed that the interlukin-12p40 and interferon-gamma genes involved in the susceptibility of M. leprae were down-regulated in the skin but were up-regulated in the liver. Overall, this suggests that regulation of RIPK 2 expression is tissue-specifically associated with M. leprae infection

Phenotyping of rice in salt stress environment using high-throughput infrared imaging

Phenotyping of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Donggin) in salt stress environment using infrared imaging was conducted. Results were correlated with the most frequently used physiological parameters such as stomatal conductance, relative water content and photosynthetic parameters. It was observed that stomatal conductance (R2 = –0.618) and relative water content (R2 = –0.852) were significantly negatively correlated with average plant temperature (thermal images), while dark-adapted quantum yield (Fv/Fm, R2 = –0.325) and performance index (R2 = –0.315) were not consistent with plant temperature. Advantages of infrared thermography and utilization of this technology for the selection of stress tolerance physiotypes are discussed in detail

Pulmonary Nodular Lymphoid Hyperplasia Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) is a term first suggested by Kradin and Mark to describe one or more pulmonary nodules or localized lung infiltrates consisting of reactive lymphoid proliferation. To date, there have been only a few cases of pulmonary NLH reported associated with autoimmune disorders. There is no case of NLH associated with Sjögren's syndrome from Korea in the medical literature. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with cough productive of sputum and chest tightness. The Computed tomography scans of the chest revealed multiple and well-defined peribronchiolar nodular opacities. A video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy was performed and the nodular opacity in the lung parenchyma was pathologically confirmed as NLH. Through meticulous review of patient's record, we found that she had been suffering from dry eye and dry mouth. The symptoms suggested Sjögren's syndrome, which was confirmed by specific laboratory tests including the Schirmer test, anti-nuclear antibody and anti-Ro/La antibody. The patient is followed regularly and has no further progression of symptoms

Vascular effects of estrogen in type II diabetic postmenopausal women

AbstractOBJECTIVESWe assessed the effects of estrogen on vascular dilatory and other homeostatic functions potentially affected by nitric oxide (NO)-potentiating properties in type II diabetic postmenopausal women.BACKGROUNDThere is a higher cardiovascular risk in diabetic women than in nondiabetic women. This would suggest that women with diabetes do not have the cardioprotection associated with estrogen.METHODSWe administered placebo or conjugated equine estrogen, 0.625 mg/day for 8 weeks, to 20 type II diabetic postmenopausal women in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design.RESULTSCompared with placebo, estrogen tended to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 15 ± 23% (p = 0.007) and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels by 8 ± 16% (p = 0.034). Thus, the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol levels significantly decreased with estrogen, by 20 ± 24%, as compared with placebo (p = 0.001). Compared with placebo, estrogen tended to increase triglyceride levels by 16 ± 48% and lower glycosylated hemoglobin levels by 3 ± 13% (p = 0.295 and p = 0.199, respectively). However, estrogen did not significantly improve the percent flow-mediated dilatory response to hyperemia (17 ± 75% vs. placebo; p = 0.501). The statistical power to accept our observation was 81.5%. Compared with placebo, estrogen did not significantly change E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 or matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels. Compared with placebo, estrogen tended to decrease tissue factor antigen and increase tissue factor activity levels by 7 ± 46% and 5 ± 34%, respectively (p = 0.321 and p = 0.117, respectively) and lower plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels by 16 ± 31% (p = 0.043).CONCLUSIONSThe effects of estrogen on endothelial, vascular dilatory and other homeostatic functions were less apparent in type II diabetic postmenopausal women, despite the beneficial effects of estrogen on lipoprotein levels