The adjustment-stabilization method for constrained systems

For constrained system which has several independent first integrals, we give a new stabilization method which named adjustment-stabilization method. It can stabilize all known constants of motion for a given dynamical system very well instead of the stabilization and post-stabilization methods which only conserves one of all first integrals. Further more, new method can improve numerical accuracy too. We also point out the post-stabilization is just a simplest case of the new method.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Hemodynamic changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation during sequential follow-ups in patients with bicuspid aortic valve compared with tricuspid aortic valve

Background: To investigate the individual sequential hemodynamic changes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), especially for patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), in comparison with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Methods: The study population comprised 85 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI for BAV (n = 49) or TAV (n = 36) with at least two serial echocardiographic follow-ups. Doppler echocardiography was scheduled to be performed at discharge and 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after the procedure. D peak transvalvular velocities and D mean transvalvular gradients were calculated as the difference at follow-up time points and discharge. Paravalvular leak (PVL) was assessed as another indicator for prosthesis performance. Results: Comparisons between patients with BAV and TAV revealed similar gradient performances (1.00 [–2.00, 2.00] vs. 1.00 [–0.25, 5.00] mm Hg, p = 0.57 at 1 month; –0.71 ± 7.52 vs. 1.55 ± 3.97 mm Hg, p = 0.21 at 3 months; 0.96 ± 7.81 vs. 1.53 ± 5.85 mm Hg, p = 0.79 at 6 months; 1.00 [–0.50, 2.25] vs. 3.00 [–0.50, 7.50] mm Hg, p = 0.07 at 1 year). Moreover, the incidence of ≥ mild PVL was not significantly different in patients with BAV and TAV during follow-up (34.88% vs. 19.35%, p = 0.14 at 1 month; 45.83% vs. 27.27%, p = 0.19 at 3 months; 30.00% vs. 23.53%, p = 0.89 at 6 months; 30.00% vs. 17.65%, p = 0.56 at 1 year). Conclusions: TAVI is effective and applicable in BAV anatomy with sustained and acceptable mid- -term prosthesis hemodynamic performance. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 4: 350–357

Hemorrhage of brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer post gefitinib therapy: two case reports and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gefitinib is one of the small molecule inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR TKIs). Clinical trials have demonstrated it is effective for treatment of a subset of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib has been generally considered to be a relatively safe agent. Besides a small proportion of fatal interstitial pneumonia, the common adverse drug reactions of gefitinib include diarrhea and skin rash, which are generally mild and reversible. Herein, we report the first two cases of brain metastasis hemorrhage that might be involved with the use of gefitinib.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>Two patients with brain metastasis from NSCLC developed brain hemorrhage after gefitinib therapy. The hemorrhage in one case occurred one month after gefitinib combined with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), and in the another case hemorrhage developed slowly within brain metastases eight months post gefitinib monotherapy for diffuse pulmonary metastasis from a lung cancer undergone surgical removal previously.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We speculate brain hemorrhage could be one of the adverse drug reactions of gefitinib treatment for NSCLC and suggest clinicians be aware of this possible rare entity. More data are needed to confirm our findings, especially when gefitinib is used in the settings of brain metastases from NSCLC or other origins.</p

ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED CONVENTIONAL SINTERING OF SILICATE CERAMICS

An ultrasonic-assisted resistance sintering furnace was developed by using an integrated crucible to transfer ultrasonic energy to silicate ceramic samples for improving the conventional sintering process. The silicate ceramic samples were prepared and sintered by conventional and ultrasound-assisted sintering processes. The shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, crystalline phase, and morphology were investigated by using the Archimedes method, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the densification and microstructure of the samples can be improved by the ultrasound-assisted sintering at lower sintering temperatures and sintering times. The optimum sintering temperatures in this study were 1160 °C and 1145 °C for the conventional and ultrasound-assisted sintering processes, respectively. The loading of ultrasonic waves in the sintering can homogenise the grain size and grain shape, and make the grain and pore distribution more uniform. The microstructure is remarkably improved at the appropriate sintering temperature and sintering times by ultrasonic-assisted sintering

Parametric analysis of craniocerebral injury mechanism in pedestrian traffic accidents based on finite element methods

Purpose: The toughest challenge in pedestrian traffic accident identification lies in ascertaining injury manners. This study aimed to systematically simulate and parameterize 3 types of craniocerebral injury including impact injury, fall injury, and run-over injury, to compare the injury response outcomes of different injury manners. Methods: Based on the total human model for safety (THUMS) and its enhanced human model THUMS-hollow structures, a total of 84 simulations with 3 injury manners, different loading directions, and loading velocities were conducted. Von Mises stress, intracranial pressure, maximum principal strain, cumulative strain damage measure, shear stress, and cranial strain were employed to analyze the injury response of all areas of the brain. To examine the association between injury conditions and injury consequences, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, linear regression, and stepwise linear regression were utilized. Results: There is a significant correlation observed between each criterion of skull and brain injury (p  40 km/h), the Von Mises stress on the skull was with a high possibility exceed the threshold for skull fracture (100 MPa). When falling and making temporal and occipital contact with the ground, the opposite side of the impacted area experiences higher frequency stress concentration than contact at other conditions. Run-over injuries tend to have a more comprehensive craniocerebral injury, with greater overall deformation due to more adequate kinetic energy conduction. The mean value of maximum principal strain of brain and Von Mises stress of cranium at run-over condition are 1.39 and 403.8 MPa, while they were 1.31, 94.11 MPa and 0.64, 120.5 MPa for the impact and fall conditions, respectively. The impact velocity also plays a significant role in craniocerebral injury in impact and fall loading conditions (the p of all F-test < 0.05). A regression equation of the craniocerebral injury manners in pedestrian accidents was established. Conclusion: The study distinguished the craniocerebral injuries caused in different manners, elucidated the biomechanical mechanisms of craniocerebral injury, and provided a biomechanical foundation for the identification of craniocerebral injury in legal contexts

Additional file 1 of Karyotype and LTR-RTs analysis provide insights into oak genomic evolution

Supplementary Material

Static Magnetic Fields Reduce Oxidative Stress to Improve Wound Healing and Alleviate Diabetic Complications

Although some studies have shown that some static magnetic fields (SMFs) can promote wound healing in diabetic mice, it is not clear whether the other diabetes complications, such as liver disease and diabetic nephropathy, can also be alleviated. Here, we constructed two simple magnetic plates using neodymium permanent magnets to examine the comprehensive effects of moderate SMFs on genetically obese leptin receptor-deficient db/db diabetic mice. We found that although the blood glucose was not obviously reduced by these two SMF settings, both of the glycated serum protein (GSP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased (Cohen’s d = 2.57–3.04). Moreover, the wound healing, liver lipid accumulation, and renal defects were all significantly improved by SMF treatment (Cohen’s d = 0.91–2.05). Wound tissue examination showed obvious nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) level decrease (Cohen’s d = 2.49–5.40) and Ki-67 level increase (Cohen’s d = 2.30–3.40), indicating decreased oxidative stress and increased cell proliferation. In vitro cellular studies with fibroblast NIH3T3 cells showed that SMFs could reduce high glucose-induced NRF2 nucleus translocation (Cohen’s d = 0.87–1.15) and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation (Cohen’s d = 0.92), indicating decreased oxidative stress. Consequently, high glucose-induced impairments in cell vitality, proliferation, and migration were all improved by SMF treatment. Therefore, our results demonstrate that these simple SMF devices could effectively reduce oxidative stress in diabetic mice and may provide a cost-effective physical therapy strategy to alleviate multiple diabetic complications in the future

Nitric Oxide Is Involved in Ethylene-Induced Adventitious Rooting in Marigold

The plant hormone ethylene and the gaseous signalling molecule nitric oxide (NO) are involved in numerous plant growth and development. However, the mechanism by which they interact and affect adventitious root development in plants is still not explored. In this report, the role and relationship between ethylene and NO during adventitious rooting process in marigold (Tagetes erecta L. ‘Marvel’) were investigated. Treatments with different dosages of ethylene-releasing ethrel led to a significant effect on the formation of adventitious root. The best rooting ability was observed in10 μM ethrel-treated explants. It was further shown that the inducible effect of ethylene could be further blocked by the specific NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-,4,5,5 tetramethyimidazo-ine1-oxyl-3-oxide potassium salt (cPTIO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme inhibitor NG-nitro- L-Arg-methyl ester (L-NAME) and nitrate reductase inhibitor (NaN3). Moreover, ethylene treatments induced an increase in the endogenous NO levels and significantly improved activities of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitrate reductase (NR) during rooting. Thus, the induction of adventitious roots by ethylene may be through enhancing the levels of NO. Enzymatic pathway NOS and NR could be responsible for ethylene-induced NO production. Additionally, ethylene and NO treatments at the proper dosage may increase the activities of indoleacetic acid oxidase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Taken together, above results suggest at least in our experimental conditions, ethylene might act as a stimulator of adventitious rooting, which was mediated by NO pathwaysThe accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author