Die analyse eines mathematischen Modells und der Regressionsgleichung für die berechnung inerziäller Parameter von Körperteilen in jungen Chinesinnen

Objective: In this study a mathematical model was set up for calculating the inertial parameters of body segments in young Chinese female students. Methods: On the sample of 50 young Chinese women the inertial parameters, mass and mass center of body segments, were determined by using the Computed Tomography – Digital Image Processing (CT-DIP) method. Results: A 16-segment mathematical model of young Chinese women was set up and a binary regression equation for inertial parameters of body segments calculation was established, in which body weight and stature were treated as independent variables. Conclusion: The study provided a method for a simple calculation of mass, mass centre and moment of inertia both of the segments and of the total body in the population of young Chinese womenUvod Od samih početaka proučavanja čovječjeg kretanja, koncept fizikalnog modeliranja tijela bio je imanentan tim istraživanjima. Braune i Fischer, Hanavan, Hatze, Delp – autori su koji su obilježili razvoj modeliranja ljudskog tijela s primjenama u kineziologiji. Ovaj rad temelji se na pristupu Millerove i Nelsona, odnosno Zatsiorskyog i Seluyanova. Cilj je bio odrediti i analizirati inercijske podatke tijela mladih kineskih žena. Metode Uzorak je obuhvatio 50 žena, studentica, u dobi od 18 do 23 godine. Uporabljena je metoda Computed Tomography – Digital Image Processing (CT-DIP) za analizu 16 segmenata tijela. Na temelju razine sive boje i gustoće svake strukture i tkiva u slikama tih segmenata, inercijski parametri segmenata izracunati su metodom konačnih jedinica. Na kraju su procijenjeni masa, središte mase i moment inercije segmenta. Matematički model je opisan kao n-segmentni sustav s više stupnjeva slobode na spojevima segmenata. To je sustav sastavljen od niza pretpostavljeno homogenih krutih tijela jednostavnih geometrijskih oblika koji su spojeni u zglobovima, a na temelju Hanavanova koncepta 16-segmentnog sustava. Utvrđena je binarna regresijska jednadžba kojom se može izračunati masa, središte mase i moment inercije tjelesnih segmenata. Tjelesna masa i visina korištene su kao nezavisne varijable. Rezultati Prikazani su prosječni podaci za masu, središte mase i moment inercije segmenta i cijelog tijela izračunati metodom CT-DIP. Prikazani su kompletni rezultati dizajna 16- segmentnog modela tijela i inercijalni parametri izračunati binarnom regresijskom jednadžbom. Rasprava Uporabom balansne ploče i metode CT-DIP određeni su i uspoređeni inercijski podaci tijela. Pored standardnih nalaza, autori konstatiraju da ovakav pristup odražava različite karakteristike različitih ljudskih rasa. U okviru evaluacije binarne regresijske jednadžbe najveće diskrepancije u rezultatima pojavile su se u rezultatima za šake i stopala. Međutim, te diskrepancije nisu ozbiljnije utjecale na izračune jer su njihovi momenti bili izuzetno maleni u usporedbi s onima ostalih segmenata. U usporedbi izračunatih vrijednosti i onih dobivenih na balansnoj platformi najveća apsolutna varijanca mase cijeloga tijela iznosila je 3.01 kg, najveća relativna varijacija 3.88%, najveća apsolutna varijanca središta mase cijelog tijela 3.78 cm i najveća relativna varijacija 3.75%. Zaključak Provedena studija pokazala je da je pristup matematičkim modeliranjem dobro prilagođen populaciji mladih kineskih žena. Binarna regresijska jednadžba pokazala se jednostavnim, a vrijednim sredstvom u primjeni tog postupka. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja da bi se povećala pouzdanost zaključaka.Ziel: In dieser Studie wurde ein mathematisches Modell für die Berechunng inerziäller Parameter von Hörperteilen in jungen Chinesinnen gestaltet. Methoden: Inerziälle Parameter, die Masse und das Massenzentrum von Hörperteilen wurden bei 50 jungen Chinesinnen mittels der Digitalen Bildbearbeitungsmethode (Digital Image Processing – DIP) bestimmt. Ergebnisse: 16-teiliges mathematisches Modell von jungen Chinesinnen wurde gestaltet zusammen mit der binären Regressionsgleichung für die Berechnung von inerziällen Parametern des Hörpergewichts und der Hörperteile. Hörpergewicht und Statur wurden als unabhängige Variablen betrachtet. Schlussfolgerung: Das Resultat dieser Analyse war die Gestaltung einer Methode für die einfache Berechnung von Masse, Massenzentrum und Inerzmoment einzelner Hörperteile und des ganzen Hörpers bei jungen Chinesinnen

Coordinated changes in mRNA turnover, translation, and RNA processing bodies in bronchial epithelial cells following inflammatory stimulation.

Bronchial epithelial cells play a pivotal role in airway inflammation, but little is known about posttranscriptional regulation of mediator gene expression during the inflammatory response in these cells. Here, we show that activation of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells by proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) leads to an increase in the mRNA stability of the key chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and IL-8, an elevation of the global translation rate, an increase in the levels of several proteins critical for translation, and a reduction of microRNA-mediated translational repression. Moreover, using the BEAS-2B cell system and a mouse model, we found that RNA processing bodies (P bodies), cytoplasmic domains linked to storage and/or degradation of translationally silenced mRNAs, are significantly reduced in activated bronchial epithelial cells, suggesting a physiological role for P bodies in airway inflammation. Our study reveals an orchestrated change among posttranscriptional mechanisms, which help sustain high levels of inflammatory mediator production in bronchial epithelium during the pathogenesis of inflammatory airway diseases

Flexible Coherent Optical Access: Architectures, Algorithms, and Demonstrations

To cope with the explosive bandwidth demand, significant progress has been made in the ITU-T standardization sector to define a higher-speed passive optical network (PON) with a 50Gb/s line rate. Recently, 50G PON becomes mature gradually, which means it is time to discuss beyond 50G PON. For ensuring an acceptable optical power budget, beyond 50G PON will potentially use coherent technologies, which can simultaneously promote the applications of flexible multiple access such as time/frequency-domain multiple access (TFDMA). In this paper, we will introduce the architectures, algorithms, and demonstrations for TFDMA-based coherent PON. The system architectures based on an ultra-simple coherent transceiver and specific signal spectra are designed to greatly reduce the cost of ONUs. Meanwhile, fast and low-complexity digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms are proposed for dealing with upstream and downstream signals. Based on the architectures and algorithms, we experimentally demonstrate the first real-time TFDMA-based coherent PON, which can support at most 256 end users, and peak line rates of 100Gb/s and 200Gb/s in the upstream and downstream scenarios, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed technologies for the coherent PON make it more possible to be applied in the future beyond 50G PON.Comment: The paper has been submitted to the Journal of Lightwave Technolog

Observation of room-temperature ferroelectricity in elemental Te nanowires

Ferroelectrics are essential in low-dimensional memory devices for multi-bit storage and high-density integration. A polar structure is a necessary premise for ferroelectricity, mainly existing in compounds. However, it is usually rare in elemental materials, causing a lack of spontaneous electric polarization. Here, we report an unexpected room-temperature ferroelectricity in few-chain Te nanowires. Out-of-plane ferroelectric loops and domain reversal are observed by piezoresponse force microscopy. Through density functional theory, we attribute the ferroelectricity to the ion-displacement created by the interlayer interaction between lone pair electrons. Ferroelectric polarization can induce a strong field effect on the transport along the Te chain, supporting a self-gated field-effect transistor. It enables a nonvolatile memory with high in-plane mobility, zero supply voltage, multilevel resistive states, and a high on/off ratio. Our work provides new opportunities for elemental ferroelectrics with polar structures and paves a way towards applications such as low-power dissipation electronics and computing-in-memory devices

Case report: Effectiveness of sirolimus in a de novo FAS mutation leading to autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-FAS and elevated DNT/Treg ratio

BackgroundThe autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare disease characterized by defective function of the FAS death receptor, which results in chronic, non-malignant lymphoproliferation and autoimmunity accompanied by elevated numbers of double-negative (DN) T cells (T-cell receptor α/β + CD4–CD8–) and an increased risk of developing malignancies later in life.Case descriptionHere, we report a patient with a de novo FAS mutation with a severe phenotype of ALPS-FAS. The FAS gene identified as a novel spontaneous germline heterozygous missense mutation (c.857G > A, p.G286E) in exon 9, causing an amino acid exchange and difference in hydrogen bond formation. Consequently, the treatment with sirolimus was initiated. Subsequently, the patient’s clinical condition improved rapidly. Moreover, DNT ratio continuously decreased during sirolimus application.ConclusionWe described a novel germline FAS mutation (c.857G > A, p.G286E) associated with a severe clinical phenotype of ALPS-FAS. Sirolimus effectively improved the patient clinical manifestations with obvious reduction of the DNT ratio

Case report: Effectiveness of sirolimus in treating partial DiGeorge Syndrome with Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS)-like features

BackgroundDiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) is a rare disease associated with 22q11.2 chromosomal microdeletion, also known as a velocardiofacial syndrome, based on the frequent involvements of the palate, facial, and heart problems. Hematologic autoimmunity is rare in DGS but presents with a refractory course and poor prognosis. Herein, we report a case of partial DGS in a patient with refractory immune cytopenia and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)-like manifestations.Case descriptionA 10-year-old boy with growth retardation presented initially with a ventricular septal defect at 7 months old, which had been repaired soon after. The patient suffered from thrombocytopenia and progressed into chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) at 30 months old. One year later, the patient developed multilineage cytopenias including thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. First-line treatment of ITP, like high-dose dexamethasone and intravenous immunoglobulin, had little or short-term effect on controlling symptoms. Whole-exome sequencing revealed the presence of a de novo heterozygous 2.520 Mb deletion on chromosome 22q11.21. Moreover, decreased proportion of naive T cells and elevated double-negative T cells were found. The patient was given sirolimus therapy (1.5 mg/m2, actual blood concentration range: 4.0–5.2 ng/ml) without adding other immunosuppressive agents. The whole blood cell count was gradually restored after a month, and the disease severity was soothed with less frequency of infections and bleeding events. Decreased spleen size and restrained lymph node expansion were achieved after 3-month sirolimus monotherapy.ConclusionsThis case is the first description on the efficacy of sirolimus monotherapy to treat refractory multilineage cytopenias of DGS presented with ALPS-like features

Analysis of cognitive function and its related factors after treatment in Meniere’s disease

A growing body of research recently suggested the association between vestibular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Meniere’s disease (MD), a common clinical vestibular disorder, is usually accompanied by hearing loss and emotional stress, both of which may mediate the relationship between vestibule dysfunction and cognition. It is currently unknown whether the cognitive decline in MD patients could improve through treatment and how it relates to multiple clinical characteristics, particularly the severity of vertigo. Therefore, in the present study, the MD patients were followed up for 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, and the cognitive functions, vertigo symptoms, and related physical, functional, and emotional effects of the patients were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), aiming to explore the change in cognition before and after therapy and the correlation with various clinical features. It was found that cognitive decline in MD patients compared to healthy controls before therapy. Importantly, this cognitive impairment could improve after effective therapy, which was related to the severity of vertigo, especially in functional and physical impacts. Our results support the view that vestibular dysfunction is a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline