Branch‐Based Model for the Diameters of the Pulmonary Airways: Accounting for Departures From Self‐Consistency and Registration Errors

We examine a previously published branch‐based approach for modeling airway diameters that is predicated on the assumption of self‐consistency across all levels of the tree. We mathematically formulate this assumption, propose a method to test it and develop a more general model to be used when the assumption is violated. We discuss the effect of measurement error on the estimated models and propose methods that take account of error. The methods are illustrated on data from MRI and CT images of silicone casts of two rats, two normal monkeys, and one ozone‐exposed monkey. Our results showed substantial departures from self‐consistency in all five subjects. When departures from self‐consistency exist, we do not recommend using the self‐consistency model, even as an approximation, as we have shown that it may likely lead to an incorrect representation of the diameter geometry. The new variance model can be used instead. Measurement error has an important impact on the estimated morphometry models and needs to be addressed in the analysis. Anat Rec,, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

基于CT图像的肺气管树3D分割方法的研究

目的:对肺部气管树的分割在临床上具有重要应用价值。针对目前肺气管树分割存在的问题,本文提出了一种结合区域生长和形态学方法的气管树3D分割的方法。方法:首先,采用基于3D联通区域与形态学的方法分割出CT序列图像中的肺实质;其次,利用3D区域生长法初步提取气管树;然后,利用形态学分割方法选取细小气管候选区域,并与上一步分割结果合成三维肺气管区域;最后,再次利用区域生长法去除伪气管区域,提取出最终的气管树。结果:实验结果表明,三维区域生长方法能够很好地获得气管/主支气管、段气管及主要的气管分支,而形态学方法能够有效地检测出细小气管区域。所以利用本文方法可以简单、有效地提取出肺气管树,并防止区域生长过程中的遗漏现象。结论:本文方法可为肺部气管的定量分析奠定基础,具有十分重要的临床诊断意义。     

Redox Polymer–Based Nano‐Objects via Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly

Poly(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxy‐4‐yl‐methacrylate) (PTMA) redox polymer–based nano‐objects are synthesized by polymerization‐induced self‐assembly with poly[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] and poly[(4‐methacryloyloxy)‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinium chloride] as hydrophilic macro‐chain transfer agents. These hydrophilic blocks are used in order to stabilize hydrophobic PTMA blocks in aqueous medium. The accordingly obtained spherical nano‐objects are observed via transmission electron microscopy analysis. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that the nature and the length of coronal blocks influence the redox process of the PTMA core blocks. Moreover, these electroactive nano‐objects display low viscosities with a shear‐thinning behavior, making them suitable as cathode‐active materials for aqueous flow‐assisted electrochemical systems.     

2D Self‐Assembly of an Amido‐Ended Hydrophilic Hyperbranched Polyester by Copper Ion Induction

The self‐assembly of an amido‐ended hydrophilic hyperbranched polyester (HTDA‐2) into ordered, compact, 2D, tree‐like structures with a diameter of over 500 μm and a trunk‐width of about 3–5 μm by the induction effect of cupric ions is presented. Influencing factors on the morphology of the self‐assemblies, including temperature, time, solvents, concentration, and humidity, investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are discussed. The self‐assembly mechanism is analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and Fourier transform IR (FTIR) spectroscopy. A dimension (D_f) of about 1.50 for the perfect fractal behavior and the crystal behavior of the self‐assemblies are determined.

     

Case Formulation and the Therapeutic Relationship: The Role of Therapist Self‐Reflection and Self‐Revelation

This article examines the role of the therapist's self‐reflection and self‐revelation in case formulation. We believe that a collaboratively constructed case formulation must always be considered in the context of an evolving therapeutic relationship. Further, self‐reflection and self‐revelation on the part of the therapist are critical for a more elaborate and nuanced case formulation and for understanding the patient. This highlights the importance of attunement to the here and now and the evolving therapeutic relationship. From this attunement, the therapist's self‐reflection and self‐revelation can emerge further, which can lead to the patient's personal growth and increased self–other awareness. To illustrate our point, we present an integrative, relational model in the case of a patient who has been in treatment.     

Self‐Assembling Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polyglycerol–Polystyrene Copolymers for Encapsulation

Phospholipids, dendrimers, and polymers are each able to assemble to form vesicles, but each has limitations such as leakiness and multistep syntheses. A new class of versatile amphiphilic block copolymers is reported containing hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG) and polystyrene (PS) units. These compounds self‐assemble into polymersomes (HPGsomes). Under solvent exchange methods, amphiphilic polystyrene‐HPG diblock (PS‐b‐HPG) structures are self‐assembled and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The assemblies are robust up to 95 °C in polar, protic solvents, and encapsulate dyes with minimal release. Polymersomes are typically assembled from linear amphiphilic polymers; however, it is shown that combining linear and hyperbranched polymers is a feasible strategy to encapsulation.

     

Study of the Variability in Upper and Lower Airway Morphology in Sprague–Dawley Rats Using Modern Micro‐CT Scan‐Based Segmentation Techniques

Animal models are being used extensively in pre‐clinical and safety assessment studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of new chemical entities and delivery systems. Although never entirely replacing the need for animal testing, the use of computer simulations could eventually reduce the amount of animals needed for research purposes and refine the data acquired from the animal studies. Computational fluid dynamics is a powerful tool that makes it possible to simulate flow and particle behavior in animal or patient‐specific respiratory models, for purposes of inhaled delivery. This tool requires an accurate representation of the respiratory system, respiration and dose delivery attributes. The aim of this study is to develop a representative airway model of the Sprague–Dawley rat using static and dynamic micro‐CT scans. The entire respiratory tract was modeled, from the snout and nares down to the central airways at the point where no distinction could be made between intraluminal air and the surrounding tissue. For the selection of the representative model, variables such as upper airway movement, segmentation length, airway volume and size are taken into account. Dynamic scans of the nostril region were used to illustrate the characteristic morphology of this region in anaesthetized animals. It could be concluded from this study that it was possible to construct a highly detailed representative model of a Sprague–Dawley rat based on imaging modalities such as micro‐CT scans. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Self‐Healable and Tough Thermoplastic Materials from Metal–Thioether Block Polymers

Thioether‐based acrylate block polymers are conveniently prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization, and further combined with the merit of reversible metal–thioether coordination to fabricate a new type of “smart” thermoplastic materials. This metal/polymer hybrid architecture imparts extraordinary mechanical performance to the product materials, exhibiting an excellent ductility (breaking strain ≈ 1000%) as well as a relatively high breaking stress (1–5 MPa). Notably, it is facile to thermally process these materials into desired shapes (e.g., dog‐bone specimens, films, disks, etc.). Most importantly, these thermoplastic materials are endowed with the smart characteristic of being self‐healable under ambient conditions. To the authors' knowledge, it is the first report on thermally processable, self‐healing, and mechanically tough thermoplastic materials based on thioether polymers. These discoveries not only provide a pioneering route to design and construct self‐healing thermoplastics, but also elucidate the pathway toward a large portfolio of new hybrid materials built on the platform of organosulfur chemistry.     

Isolation‐induced ultrasonic vocalizations in pups: A comparison between Long‐Evans,Sprague–Dawley,and Wistar rats

Rat pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) are usually studied in outbred rats belonging to either Long‐Evans, Sprague–Dawley, or Wistar stocks, but these were not compared so far. We therefore performed a stock comparison and analyzed USV of male pups (postnatal day 11) belonging to these three stocks. Pups of all three stocks showed substantial isolation‐induced USV, but differed in various call features, like call numbers, peak frequency, and frequency modulation. Also, three different call types were identified by means of a quantitative approach based on peak frequency and frequency modulation, and it was found that their proportions differed between stocks. These results are discussed with respect to functional aspects of pup USV.     

Room Temperature Self‐Healing Methyl Phenyl Silicone Rubbers Based on the Metal–Ligand Cross‐Link: Synthesis and Characterization

Novel self‐healing silicone rubbers are prepared by a two‐step procedure: aminopropyl methyl phenyl polysiloxanes is first reacted with salicylaldehyde and then with copper acetate. The reversible nature of the metal–ligand coordination interaction between polysiloxanes with pendent Schiff‐base groups and Cu²⁺ has endowed silicone rubbers with superior self‐healing properties. As compared with other self‐healing silicone rubbers based on hydrogen bonds or Diels–Alder reaction, this cross‐linked system shows high healing power. The materials are cut into two parts and put together in a mold for 1 h at 30 °C, observing a macroscopic healing and a strength recovery up to 87.0%.

     

Temperature and pH Controlled Self‐Assembly of a Protein–Polymer Biohybrid

A novel pH and temperature dual‐responsive bioconjugate is prepared by grafting thermoresponsive polymer chains from a pH‐responsive protein amelogenin via atom transfer radical polymerization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that amelogenin is exploited to prepare a hybrid biomaterial with new stimuli‐responsive property. In both basic and acidic solutions the protein–polymer bioconjugate is able to self‐assemble into uniform and stable nanoparticles when heated to above the lower critical solution temperature of the polymer. The amelogenin‐based stimuli‐responsive bioconjugate may be of great use in the fields of bioseparation and drug/gene delivery, and the synthetic approach reported here should provide a convenient means to preparing amelogenin‐based functional biohybrid materials.     

Self‐compassion,self‐forgiveness,suicidal ideation,and self‐harm: A systematic review

Self‐compassion has been implicated in the aetiology and course of mental health with evidence suggesting an association between greater self‐compassion and lower emotional distress. However, our understanding of the nature and extent of the relationship between self‐compassion and self‐harm (self‐injury regardless of suicidal intent) or suicidal ideation remains unclear. This review, therefore, aimed to critically evaluate the extant literature investigating this relationship. To do so, a systematic search, including terms synonymous with self‐compassion, was conducted on three main psychological and medical databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Medline). Only studies investigating self‐compassion or self‐forgiveness and self‐harm or suicidal ideation were found to be relevant to the review. Eighteen studies were included in the final narrative synthesis. Heterogeneity of studies was high, and the majority of studies were quantitative and cross‐sectional (n = 16) in design. All studies reported significant associations between higher levels of self‐forgiveness or self‐compassion and lower levels of self‐harm or suicidal ideation. Several studies suggested that self‐compassion or self‐forgiveness may weaken the relationship between negative life events and self‐harm. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential importance of self‐compassion in the aetiology of suicidal thoughts and self‐harm. We discuss the clinical and research implications.     

Chronic aerobic exercise enhances components of the classical and novel insulin signalling cascades in Sprague–Dawley rat skeletal muscle

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide a more extensive evaluation of the effects of chronic aerobic exercise on various components of the insulin signalling cascade in normal rodent skeletal muscle because of the limited body of literature that exists in this area of investigation. Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to either control (n = 7) or chronic aerobic exercise (n = 7) groups. Aerobic exercise animals were run 3 day week^?1 for 45 min on a motor‐driven treadmill (32 m min^?1, 15% grade) for a 12 week period. Following the training period, all animals were subjected to hind limb perfusion in the presence of 500 μU mL^?1 insulin to determine what effect chronic aerobic training had on various components of the insulin signalling cascade, c‐Cbl protein concentration and c‐Cbl phosphorylation. Results: Twelve weeks of aerobic training did not alter skeletal muscle Akt 1/2 protein concentration, Akt Ser 473 phosphorylation, Akt Thr 308 phosphorylation, Akt 1 activity, aPKC‐ζ protein concentration, aPKC‐λ protein concentration or c‐Cbl protein concentration. In contrast, chronic aerobic exercise increased insulin‐stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, Akt 2 kinase and aPKC‐ζ/λ kinase activities, as well as c‐Cbl tyrosine phosphorylation, in a fibre type specific response to aerobic training. In addition, chronic aerobic exercise enhanced insulin‐stimulated plasma membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein concentration. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings suggest that chronic aerobic exercise enhances components of both the classical and novel insulin signalling cascades in normal rodent skeletal muscle, which may contribute to an increased insulin‐stimulated plasma membrane GLUT4 protein concentration.     

最优阈值生长和形态学结合的肺气道树分割方法

在肺气道树分割的过程中,由于部分容积效应和噪声污染的影响,容易出现支气管断裂和分割泄漏现象,因此不能分割出精确肺部气道树。为此本文提出一种最优阈值生长和形态学结合的气道树分割方法。首先利用最优阈值生长算法分割初略的肺部气道树,利用灰度重建的形态学算子提取潜在的精细肺气管区域,然后将上述两种分割结果合成一个完整的肺部气道树,最后利用种子点区域生长法去除结果中的伪气管区域,得到包含第5级以及约60%第6级的支气管。本方法有效解决了高精度肺气道树分割中的支气管断裂和泄漏问题,有较好的鲁棒性。     

The Deeply Understanding of the Self‐Healing Mechanism for Self‐Healing Behavior of Supramolecular Materials Based on Cyclodextrin–Guest Interactions

Cyclodextrin (CD)‐based host–guest interactions are one of the important supramolecular interactions and have been playing significant role in the design of self‐healing materials due to high selectivity and dynamic equilibrium. However, a deeper understanding of the self‐healing mechanism is still rare, although self‐healing materials based on CD–guest interactions have many advantages. This study provides a first step for the fundamental understanding of the influence factors on self‐healing behavior of materials containing CD–guest complexes. It is found that the healing motifs are CD–guest interactions. Sufficient polymer chains mobility, a small amount of water, and high inclusion constant (K ) of host–guest interactions are also essential to the self‐healing process. The threshold of K value is around 10² M⁻¹.

     

Using Self‐ and Informant Reports in the Assessment of Personality Pathology in Clinical Settings—An Easy and Effective 1–2 Combination

Samuel's ( 2015 ) review convincingly demonstrates that the use of unstructured clinical interviews to arrive at diagnoses of personality disorders is problematic at best. For a variety of reasons, clinicians are unlikely to begin using semi‐structured interviews to arrive at more reliable and valid diagnoses. Given this, we suggest clinicians more routinely use self‐ and informant reports of personality pathology. We review evidence suggesting that extant concerns about the ability and willingness of the self and others to provide such reports are overstated. Further, we briefly review evidence supporting the validity and utility of such reports.