Effects of benfluorex metabolites on membrane fluidity and insulin-related processes

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for the maturation of hepatocytes in vitro which plays a role in liver regeneration in vivo. In addition, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is also a potent regulator of liver regeneration. In attempting to clarify the mechanisms related to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, we investigated the expression of HGF and TGF-beta 1 in rats with liver cirrhosis (LC). A rat model of LC was prepared using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The expression of HGF mRNA in both the LC and control groups showed a similar time-course with the highest expression seen at 18h after a 70% hepatectomy. The expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA peaked at 18h after partial hepatectomy in the LC group and at 48h in the control group. The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index for the LC group at 24, 48, and 72 h after partial hepatectomy was 9.2%, 5.9%, and 1.8%, while for the control group it was 7.0%, 11.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. The BrdU labeling index in the LC group was thus suppressed earlier than that in the control group. We therefore postulate that regeneration of the remnant liver in the presence of LC accelerates immediately after partial hepatectomy, but the extent of regeneration is insufficient because of an early cessation due to an early expression of TGF-beta 1.     

Incorporating Time-Varying Perturbations Into the Dynamic Inoperability Input–Output Model

This paper introduces a methodology to extend the capabilities of the dynamic inoperability input-output model (DIIM) to account for perturbations to sectors of the economy that are time varying and probabilistic. The DIIM accounts for the interdependent nature of the economy in determining the impact of a disruption on the ability of each economic sector to satisfy the prevailing demand. While the original formulation of the DIIM only allows for a single perturbation vector, this paper extends the DIIM to allow a perturbation matrix to be utilized as inputs to the model. The underlying motivation for this paper is understanding the impact of a pandemic on a regional economy. As such, idiosyncrasies associated with a pandemic are also accounted for in the model formulation. These include translating workforce absenteeism into a measure of sector inoperability and accounting for the impact of long-term absenteeism on a sector's ability to deliver its as-planned production output.     

Are electronic white canes better than traditional canes? A comparative study with blind and blindfolded participants

Visually impaired individuals often rely on assistive technologies such as white canes for independent navigation. Many electronic enhancements to the traditional white cane have been proposed. However, only a few of these proof-of-concept technologies have been tested with authentic users, as most studies rely on blindfolded non-visually impaired participants or no testing with participants at all. Experiments involving blind users are usually not contrasted with the traditional white cane. This study set out to compare an ultrasound-based electronic cane with a traditional white cane. Moreover, we also compared the performance of a group of visually impaired participants (N = 10) with a group of blindfolded participants without visual impairments (N = 31). The results show that walking speed with the electronic cane is significantly slower compared to the traditional white cane. Moreover, the results show that the performance of the participants without visual impairments is significantly slower than for the visually impaired participants. No significant differences in obstacle detection rates were observed across participant groups and device types for obstacles on the ground, while 79% of the hanging obstacles were detected by the electronic cane. The results of this study thus suggest that electronic canes present only one advantage over the traditional cane, namely in its ability to detect hanging obstacles, at least without prolonged practice. Next, blindfolded participants are insufficient substitutes for blind participants who are expert cane users. The implication of this study is that research into digital white cane enhancements should include blind participants. These participants should be followed over time in longitudinal experiments to document if practice will lead to improvements that surpass the performance achieved with traditional canes.

     

Morphology modulation of gas‐foamed,micrometric, hollow polystyrene particles

In this article, we reports the effects of the processing conditions on the morphological and hollow attributes of polystyrene micrometric hollow particles produced by the use of a recently developed technique based on the gas foaming of spherical, dense particles. By modulating the foaming temperature and saturation pressure, we produced hollow particles with different attributes in terms of hollow dimensions, eccentricity, and open–close features. The results from these small systems were compared, and we found agreement with what is typically observed in bulk polymeric foaming, for example, an increase in the foaming efficiency with saturation pressure and the nonmonotonic effect of temperature. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the hollow number when using nucleating agents with respect to the neat polymer and when using nitrogen with respect to carbon dioxide as the blowing agent. The effects of particle manipulation before foaming to achieve hollow elongated or distorted particles are also reported. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44236.     

Calibration Method of Current Meters

This paper presents a rapid method for propeller current meter calibration, enabling calibration of current meters in their actual working conditions using simpler equipment than what is currently used in traditional calibrations, and exploiting the uniform velocity profile present through submerged outflows (e.g., flow nozzles and orifices). Experiments were performed to confirm the fundamental hypothesis of uniform horizontal and vertical velocity distribution downstream of a submerged jet. Two experimental velocities were adopted to determine the calibration curve: one based on the discharge and the outflow area; the other derived from Torricelli’s formula, which relies on the head difference between two reservoir levels. Because a current meter measures local velocity, the influence on the measurements’ reliability as a function of current meter position in the submerged outflow jet was investigated. An uncertainty analysis was also performed, and a comparison of the results with the preexisting calibration lines obtained by towing tank is presented.     

Necessary conditions for stability and attractivity of continuous systems

Considered in this paper are control systems of the form ? =f(x, u). For such systems a number of related necessary conditions for various forms of stability and attractivity are presented. The paper starts by showing that Brockett’s necessary condition for stabilizability via smooth feedback still persists if/ is continuous and the class of allowable u increased to include continuous feedbacks. Using similar ideas to those used to prove the continuous Brockett result, again only assuming continuity of f and u, necessary conditions are then derived for global attractivity and for ultimate boundedness.     

Spectrum estimation of interleaved pulse trains

We consider signals consisting of a finite though unknown number of periodic time-interleaved pulse trains. For such signals, we present a novel approach for determining both the number of pulse trains present and the frequency of each pulse train. Our approach requires only the time of arrival data of each pulse. It is robust to noisy time of arrival data and missing pulses and, above all, is very computationally efficient. If N is the number of pulses being processed, the computation required is of the order of N log N     

A mathematical stochastic model for the particles diffusion in atmosphere

A mathematical model for the analysis of the random diffusion and dispersion of solid particles with arbitrary shape in a steady state flow defined is here proposed. In particular a mathematical model for the drag coefficient C_D is defined including a scalar random parameter suitable to describe the fluctuations of the physical conditions of the gas surface system. The equation of the dynamics of the particles, which is, in the proposed model, a random non-linear differential equation is qualitatively discussed and some quasi-analytical solutions are obtained with the perturbations techniques. Some numerical experiments visualize the gap between the results obtained by the proposed model and the ones obtained by the corresponding deterministic model.     

Mathematical modelling and nonlinear dynamics of a class of homokinetic systemsModele mathematique et la dynamique non-lineaire d'une classe de systemes homocinetiques

This paper deals with the analysis of the dynamics of a particular transmission system constituted by two sliding and rotating elements connected by a constant velocity joint. In particular, a mathematical model is here proposed for the simulation of the system and the dynamics of the system itself is studied, in detail, on the basis of the said model.     

Laparoscopic sonography during abdominal laparoscopic surgery: technique and imaging findings

Laparoscopy is becoming the preferred approach for managing several abdominal disorders. The main limitations of laparoscopic surgery and diagnostic laparoscopy are the loss of the surgeon's tactile feedback and the inability to undertake a complete internal evaluation of solid parenchyma. Probes for laparoscopic sonography have been introduced to compensate for the limitations of laparoscopic surgery and to increase the diagnostic efficacy of laparoscopy [1]. In this article we describe our experience with laparoscopic sonography and illustrate the normal anatomic findings and some applications in biliary surgery and other abdominal laparoscopic procedures.