Blind localization of heating in neural tissues induced by a train of the infrared pulse laser

Introduction: Recently, infrared lasers (wavelengths larger than 1100 nm) have been applied to stimulate neural tissues. Infrared neural stimulation (INS) has some advantages over conventional electric stimulation, including contact-free delivery, spatial precision, and lack of stimulation artifacts. In this study and based on a photothermal mechanism, we applied the heat diffusion equation to study temperature variation of a biological phantom during INS. In addition, the impact of laser parameters on spatially localized heating induced by two different infrared wavelengths were studied.Method: We studied the localization of INS inside a phantom similar to cortical neural tissue. First, we analytically solved the heat diffusion equation to study the distribution of temperature inside this phantom. Then, the accuracy of analytical results was verified by heating the phantom using amplitude-modulated infrared lasers (lambda= 1450 and 1500 nm, the energy between 2 and 5 mJ and pulse duration up to 20 ms). The laser light was directed to sample by a multimode optical fiber (NA=0.22, Core size= 200 microns). Finally, the impacts of laser properties on the spatial resolution of infrared heating were discerned.Result: In order to verify analytical results, we measured the maximum temperatures of the phantom during illumination of lasers and compared them with analytical results. The analytical results were in agreement with the experimental results. The effects of laser beam properties such as pulse duration, energy and repetition rate frequency on the spatial resolution were investigated. The results indicated that the spatial resolution of INS can be smaller than one millimeter.Conclusion: Here, the influences of laser properties on the localization of INS inside a biological phantom were studied. These results can be applied to improve the spatial selectivity of the peripheral nerve interface. 

Dynamic Analysis of Two-lane Skewed Bridge and High-speed Train System

Bridges are vital in the operation of railway networks since any hindrances to their operation could suspend the flow of traffic. An important characteristic of bridges highly affecting their behavior is the skew angle. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the effects of skew angle on train-track interaction for single- and double-sided crossings of a high-speed train. Comprehensive three-dimensional finite element models of the bridge and vehicle are developed, which are then calibrated using dynamic field test results. Effects of skew angle on shape modes and modal frequencies, acceleration values, and bridge displacement in various crossing speeds are studied. The results showed that if the bridge skew angle is more than 15°, it will affect the modal shape and frequency of the bridge. When the skew angle is less than 15°, the results of the bridge displacement are similar to those of the bridge with skew angle of zero. However, with the increase of the skew angle, the deformation value of the bridge decreases and the speed corresponding to the maximum displacement value also varies. Finally, the results of acceleration due to the speed and skew angle of the bridge are not the same in one-way and two-way passing states

Investigations on Vehicle Interaction with CWR Tracks Considering Some Aspects of Rail Support Modulus

One of the important parameters for controlling the behavior of continuous welded rail (CWR) in railway tracks is rail support modulus. Reviewing the technical literature reveals some elapsed points in this regard such as continuous or discrete supports, V-shaped rail irregularity and geometrical stiffness which can considerably affect on the vehicle-track dynamic interaction. So, the present study was allocated to numerical investigating the effects of aforementioned parameters on the vehicle-track dynamic interaction. In this matter, the finite element model of ballasted railway track in conjunction with multi-body dynamics model of vehicle was developed and they simultaneously solved numerically. This preliminary model was verified through comparison of the results with published works in this area. Consequently the model was promoted considering continuous and discrete support condition, implementing the V-shaped irregularity and geometrical stiffness. In each step, the results of the extended models were completely presented in the form track structure response

A STUDY OF THE PIANO WORKS OF CHU WANGHUA, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SIX PRELUDES

ABSTRACT From the early twentieth century to the present day, Chinese piano music has begun to enjoy enormous prosperity, integrating a modern and distinctive Chinese style with Western musical language. Chu WangHua is one of the most distinguished Chinese composers and pianists and has had great influence on the recent development of Chinese piano music. During his most turbulent compositional periods, Chu struggled with deep depression and pressure to succeed; however, he persisted in composing, his great passion. In his sixty-year compositional career, Chu produced a large body of repertoire, including piano works, concertos, symphonies, ensemble, string quartets and more; the majority of these are piano works. Six Preludes is one of Chu’s most representative and remarkable works written in the Chinese style. The six pieces in this set, named Bamboo in the Wind, Sound of Valley, On the Banks of the River, Berceuse, Elegie, and Memorial, are based on Chinese traditional folk tunes and instrumental music and incorporate Western musical style, harmonic language, and compositional technique. This study will examine Six Preludes, emphasizing the following musical aspects: traditional Chinese scales and modes, parallel harmony, counterpoint, and formal structure, to explore the distinctions between Chinese and Western styles. Chu WangHua’s unique approach to composition not only enables him to stand out from other Chinese composers, but also promotes Chinese piano music worldwide

The study of interleukin-23 and interleukin-10 serum levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoporosis and healthy subjects

زمینه و هدف: سیتوکین ها در روندهایی که باعث التهاب، تخریب مفصلی و علائم خارج مفصلی که به همراه آرتریت روماتوئید دیده می شود، دارای نقش اساسی هستند. هدف از این مطالعه، بررسی نقش اینترلوکین-23 و اینترلوکین-10 در بیماری آرتریت روماتوئید قبل از درمان و سه ماه پس از درمان در مقایسه با گروه کنترل و افراد مبتلا به استئوپروز می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه مقطعی، 30 بیمار مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید، 30 فرد سالم بعنوان گروه کنترل و 15 بیمار مبتلا به استئوپروز که از نظر سن و جنس همسان بودند انتخاب و نمونه های خون آن ها به منظور اندازه گیری سطوح سرمی اینترلوکین-23 و اینترلوکین- 10 جمع آوری گردید. مقادیر سرمی اینترلوکین های مذکور به روش الیزا اندازه گیری شد. یافته ها: میزان اینترلوکین-23 در بیماران مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید به طور معنی داری بیشتر از گروه کنترل و افراد مبتلا به استئوپروز بود. مقادیر سرمی اینترلوکین-23 در بیماران مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید سه ماه بعد از درمان بطور معنی داری نسبت به مقادیر سرمی آن قبل از درمان کاهش یافته بود. مقادیر سرمی اینترلوکین-10 در گروه بیماران مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید قبل از درمان نسبت به گروه کنترل و گروه مبتلا به استئوپروز اختلاف معنی داری نداشت، اما سطوح سرمی اینترلوکین مذکور در بیماران مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید قبل از درمان و سه ماه بعد از درمان اختلاف معنی داری را نشان داد. نتیجه گیری: اینترلوکین-23 و اینترلوکین-10 در بیماران مبتلا به آرتریت روماتوئید بسیار فعال بوده و دچار تغییرات شدیدی می شوند؛ در نتیجه این سیتوکین ها ممکن است، به مقدار زیادی در مکانیسم پاتولوژیک بیماری دخالت داشته باشند

Investigación termodinámica de prometazina, loratadina, cetirizina y buclizina como medicamentos antihistamínicos; monte carlo y estudios semi-empíricos

In this article, we discussed about four antihistamine drug called promethazine, loratadine, cetirizine and buclizine. Promethazine in this list is the only one in first generation antihistamine classification with CNS sedation effect and the other three belongs to second generation antihistamine group which are non-sedation and used to treat in many different anti-allergenic fields. In the following we optimized potential, kinetic and total energy of these molecules at body temperature (310 k˚) and environment temperature (298 k ˚) using Mont Carlo method in Amber force field in 500 ns. The quantum mechanics calculations and molecular structure of these molecules investigated using B3LYP level of theory with 6-31 G (d) as a basis set. Theoretical computations were performed to study thermodynamic parameters and frequency analysis. Electronic, thermal, zero point and gibs free energy and enthalpy were estimated in frequency analysis. Semi empirical computations were summarized to pm3 method and different energy parameters (total energy, Binding Energy, Isolated Atomic Energy, Electronic Energy, Core–Core Interaction and Heat of Formation.En este artículo, discutimos sobre cuatro medicamentos antihistamínicos llamados prometazina, loratadina, cetirizina y buclizina. La prometazina en esta lista es la única en la clasificación de antihistamínicos de primera generación con efecto de sedación del SNC y los otros tres pertenecen al grupo de antihistamínicos de segunda generación que no son sedantes y se usan para tratar en muchos campos antialérgicos diferentes. A continuación, optimizamos la energía potencial, cinética y total de estas moléculas a temperatura corporal (310 k˚) y temperatura ambiente (298 k ˚) utilizando el método Mont Carlo en el campo de fuerza ámbar en 500 ns. Los cálculos de la mecánica cuántica y la estructura molecular de estas moléculas se investigaron utilizando el nivel de teoría B3LYP con 6-31 G (d) como conjunto de bases. Se realizaron cálculos teóricos para estudiar los parámetros termodinámicos y el análisis de frecuencia. Electrónica, térmica, punto cero y energía libre de gibs y entalpía se estimaron en análisis de frecuencia. Los cálculos semiempíricos se resumieron en el método pm3 y diferentes parámetros de energía (energía total, energía de enlace, energía atómica aislada, energía electrónica, interacción núcleo-núcleo y calor de formación)