Gait analysis with curvature maps: A simulation study

Gait analysis is an important aspect of clinical investigation for detecting neurological and musculoskeletal disorders and assessing the global health of a patient. In this paper we propose to focus our attention on extracting relevant curvature information from the body surface provided by a depth camera. We assumed that the 3D mesh was made available in a previous step and demonstrated how curvature maps could be useful to assess asymmetric anomalies with two simple simulated abnormal gaits compared with a normal one. This research set the grounds for the future development of a curvature-based gait analysis system for healthcare professionals.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Curvature Maps for Gait Analysis

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Friction characteristics of mechanically exfoliated and CVD-grown single-layer MoS2

Abstract In this work, the friction characteristics of single-layer MoS2 prepared with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at three different temperatures were quantitatively investigated and compared to those of single-layer MoS2 prepared using mechanical exfoliation. The surface and crystalline qualities of the MoS2 specimens were characterized using an optical microscope, atomic force microscope (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. The surfaces of the MoS2 specimens were generally flat and smooth. However, the Raman data showed that the crystalline qualities of CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 at 800 °C and 850 °C were relatively similar to those of mechanically exfoliated MoS2 whereas the crystalline quality of the CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 at 900 °C was lower. The CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 exhibited higher friction than mechanically exfoliated single-layer MoS2, which might be related to the crystalline imperfections in the CVD-grown MoS2. In addition, the friction of CVD-grown single-layer MoS2 increased as the CVD growth temperature increased. In terms of tribological properties, 800 °C was the optimal temperature for the CVD process used in this work. Furthermore, it was observed that the friction at the grain boundary was significantly larger than that at the grain, potentially due to defects at the grain boundary. This result indicates that the temperature used during CVD should be optimized considering the grain size to achieve low friction characteristics. The outcomes of this work will be useful for understanding the intrinsic friction characteristics of single-layer MoS2 and elucidating the feasibility of single-layer MoS2 as protective or lubricant layers for micro- and nano-devices

Novel conjugates of zerumbone with quinazolin-4(3H)-ones and quinolines as potent anticancer inhibitors: Synthesis, biological evaluation and docking studies

The alkylation reaction was used to couple zerumbone with the 3-substituted quinazolinone-4(3H)-ones and quinolines, resulting in the formation of 11 new conjugates. Their structures were fully characterized by 1D-, 2D-NMR, and HRMS spectral data. The evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activity was examined by inhibiting NO production in RAW 267.4 cells. Screening for their cytotoxic activity was performed using three human cancer cell lines HepG2, SK-LU-1, and MCF-7. The results indicated that all 11 novel conjugates exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 1.01–9.86 µg/mL, which were stronger than those of the parent compound zerumbone. In silico EGFR inhibitory activity was also performed by docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies to find out the most potent compounds based on the main interactions of zerumbone derivatives 16a-k with important amino acids of EGFR (PDB ID 4HJO) protein in its active site

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New (−)-Gossypol-Derived Schiff Bases and Hydrazones

A series of 14 new (-)-gossypol Schiff bases and hydrazones have been synthesized via an in situ procedure in high yields. Structural data showed that all target compounds exist as the enamine tautomer. Bioassays showed that several compounds exhibited cytotoxic effects against three human cancer cell lines. Compound 8a showed the greatest cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), lung carcinoma (LU-1), and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines with IC50 values of 20.93, 13.58, and 9.40 μM, respectively. However, in an antibacterial test, compounds 8a and 8b inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus and compound 8e inhibited only Staphylococcus aureus at the same MIC values of 1024 μg/ml

Growth and Simultaneous Valleys Manipulation of Two-Dimensional MoSe2-WSe2 Lateral Heterostructure

The covalently bonded in-plane heterostructure (HS) of monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) possesses huge potential for high-speed electronic devices in terms of valleytronics. In this study, high-quality monolayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral HSs are grown by pulsed-laser-deposition-assisted selenization method. The sharp interface of the lateral HS is verified by morphological and optical characterizations. Intriguingly, photoluminescence spectra acquired from the interface show rather clear signatures of pristine MoSe2 and WSe2 with no intermediate energy peak related to intralayer excitonic matter or formation of MoxW(1-x)Se2 alloys, thereby confirming the sharp interface. Furthermore, the discrete nature of laterally attached TMDC monolayers, each with doubly degenerated but nonequivalent energy valleys marked by (KM, K???M) for MoSe2 and (KW, K???W) for WSe2 in k space, allows simultaneous control of the four valleys within the excitation area without any crosstalk effect over the interface. As an example, KM and KW valleys or K???M and K???W valleys are simultaneously polarized by controlling the helicity of circularly polarized optical pumping, where the maximum degree of polarization is achieved at their respective band edges. The current work provides the growth mechanism of laterally sharp HSs and highlights their potential use in valleytronics

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity Evaluation of Novel AZT and Adenosine-Derived 1,2,3-Triazoles

CuSO4/hydrazine hydrate was used as a catalyst system for copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) of AZT and 5′-azido adenosine with terminal alkynes to give 30 novel 1,2,3-triazole derivatives. Screening for their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and 3C-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitory activities showed that several triazoles of AZT containing murayafoline A and indirubin-3′-oxime inhibited the growth of HepG2 and LU-1 with the IC50 values ranging from 11.01 to 19.87 μg/mL. Besides that, some triazole derivatives of adenosine exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against RAW264.7 cells with the IC50 values within an interval of 12.00–59.48.00 μg/mL. Especially, two triazoles of adenosine with indirubin-3′-oxime at O- and N1 positions expressed the ACE2 and 3CLpro inhibitory activities in which the triazole of adenosine with indirubin-3′-oxime at N1 inhibited both ACE2 and 3CLpro inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 135.62 and 142.95 μg/mL, respectively

Establishment of cancer cell line originating from a patient with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

Aim: Ovarian cancer is a serious malignancy with high prevalence and mortality. Methods: We isolated and characterized an ovarian high-grade serous cancer cell line (M4) from a tumor of a Vietnamese patient with ovarian carcinoma. Results: The M4 cancer cell line showed good proliferation and stability in culture. Morphologically, the M4 cells showed similar characteristics to tumor cells such as a polyhedral shape, large irregular nuclei, high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, high nuclear density and expressing cancer markers like CA125, p53 and Ki67 markers. Conclusion: We have successfully isolated and characterized the M4 cell line from a Vietnamese patient with ovarian carcinoma

Growth and Simultaneous Valleys Manipulation of Two-Dimensional MoSe₂‑WSe₂ Lateral Heterostructure

The covalently bonded in-plane heterostructure (HS) of monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) possesses huge potential for high-speed electronic devices in terms of valleytronics. In this study, high-quality monolayer MoSe₂-WSe₂ lateral HSs are grown by pulsed-laser-deposition-assisted selenization method. The sharp interface of the lateral HS is verified by morphological and optical characterizations. Intriguingly, photoluminescence spectra acquired from the interface show rather clear signatures of pristine MoSe₂ and WSe₂ with no intermediate energy peak related to intralayer excitonic matter or formation of Mo_<i>x</i>W_{(1–<i>x</i>)}Se₂ alloys, thereby confirming the sharp interface. Furthermore, the discrete nature of laterally attached TMDC monolayers, each with doubly degenerated but nonequivalent energy valleys marked by (<i>K</i>_M, <i>K</i>′_M) for MoSe₂ and (<i>K</i>_W, <i>K</i>′_W) for WSe₂ in <i>k</i> space, allows simultaneous control of the four valleys within the excitation area without any crosstalk effect over the interface. As an example, <i>K</i>_M and <i>K</i>_W valleys or <i>K</i>′_M and <i>K</i>′_W valleys are simultaneously polarized by controlling the helicity of circularly polarized optical pumping, where the maximum degree of polarization is achieved at their respective band edges. The current work provides the growth mechanism of laterally sharp HSs and highlights their potential use in valleytronics

Timing of initiation of antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--associated tuberculous meningitis

The optimal time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculous meningitis is unknown. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of immediate versus deferred ART in patients with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis to determine whether immediate ART reduced the risk of death. Antiretroviral drugs (zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz) were started either at study entry or 2 months after randomization. All patients were treated with standard antituberculosis treatment, adjunctive dexamethasone, and prophylactic co-trimoxazole and were followed up for 12 months. We conducted intention-to-treat, per-protocol, and prespecified subgroup analyses. A total of 253 patients were randomized, 127 in the immediate ART group and 126 in the deferred ART group; 76 and 70 patients died within 9 months in the immediate and deferred ART groups, respectively. Immediate ART was not significantly associated with 9-month mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], .81-1.55; P = .50) or the time to new AIDS events or death (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, .87-1.55; P = .31). The percentage of patients with severe (grade 3 or 4) adverse events was high in both arms (90% in the immediate ART group and 89% in the deferred ART group; P = .84), but there were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the immediate ART arm (102 in the immediate ART group vs 87 in the deferred ART group; P = .04). Immediate ART initiation does not improve outcome in patients presenting with HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis. There were significantly more grade 4 adverse events in the immediate ART arm, supporting delayed initiation of ART in HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis. Clinical Trials Registration. ISRCTN6365909