The platelet shape change: biophysical basis and physiological consequences

The well-known platelet shape change is the universal hallmark of activation. This review uncovers the biophysics underlying this rapid and dramatic transformation. We aim to give a broad vision of the interplay between different cytoskeletal subsystems, which is based on physical considerations and recent advances in mathematics and computational biology. These novel findings lead to the understanding that the ring of microtubules counterbalances cortical tension in the resting platelet, making it a “mechanically charged” system. Platelet activation breaks the balance via several mechanisms, triggering rapid ring buckling and cell rounding. Based on the review of known data concerning the relations between platelet shape and function, we hypothesize that disk-to-sphere transformation facilitates platelet adhesion under flow. Conclusions of the paper may be useful for the development of novel, cytoskeletal-based strategies of antiplatelet therapy.     

Equilibrium at the edge and atomistic mechanisms of graphene growth

The morphology of graphene is crucial for its applications, yet an adequate theory of its growth is lacking: It is either simplified to a phenomenological-continuum level or is overly detailed in atomistic simulations, which are often intractable. Here we put forward a comprehensive picture dubbed nanoreactor, which draws from ideas of step-flow crystal growth augmented by detailed first-principles calculations. As the carbon atoms migrate from the feedstock to catalyst to final graphene lattice, they go through a sequence of states whose energy levels can be computed and arranged into a step-by-step map. Analysis begins with the structure and energies of arbitrary edges to yield equilibrium island shapes. Then, it elucidates how the atoms dock at the edges and how they avoid forming defects. The sequence of atomic row assembly determines the kinetic anisotropy of growth, and consequently, graphene island morphology, explaining a number of experimental facts and suggesting how the growth product can further be improved. Finally, this analysis adds a useful perspective on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and its essential distinction from graphene.     

Experimental Investigation on Bending Behavior of Existing RC Beam Retrofitted with SMA-ECC Composites Materials

In order to realize the self-centering, high energy consumption, and high ductility of the existing building structure through strengthening and retrofit of structure, a method of reinforced concrete (RC) beam strengthened by using Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) was proposed. Four kinds of specimens were designed, including one beam strengthened with enlarging section area of steel reinforced concrete, one beam strengthened with enlarging section area of SMA reinforced concrete, beam strengthened with enlarging section area of SMA reinforced ECC, and beam strengthened with enlarging section area of steel reinforced ECC; these specimens were manufactured for the monotonic cycle loading tests study on its bending behavior. The influence on the bearing capacity, energy dissipation performance, and self-recovery capacity for each test specimens with different strengthening materials were investigated, especially the bending behavior of the beams strengthened by SMA reinforced ECC. The results show that, compared with the ordinary reinforced concrete beams, strengthening existing RC beam with enlarging section area of SMA reinforced ECC can improve the self-recovery capacity, ductility, and deformability of the specimens. Finally, a revised design formula for the bending capacity of RC beams, strengthened with enlarging sections of ECC, was proposed by considering the tensile capacity provided by ECC, and the calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental value, indicating that the revised formula can be well applied to the beam strengthening with enlarging section of SMA-ECC Materials.     

Cranial shape variation in mink: Separating two highly similar species

European and American minks (Mustela lutreola and Neovison vison, respectively) are very similar in their ecology, behavior, and morphology. However, the American mink is a generalist predator and seems to adapt better to anthropized environments, allowing it to outcompete the European mink in areas where it has been introduced, threatening the survival of the native species. To assess whether morphological differences may be contributing to the success of the American mink relative to the European mink, we analyzed shape variation in the cranium of both species using 3D geometric morphometrics. A set of 38 landmarks and 107 semilandmarks was used to study shape variation between and within species, and to assess how differences in size factored into that variation. Sexual dimorphism in both size and shape was also studied. Significant differences between species were found in cranial shape, but not in size. Relative to American mink, European mink have a shorter facial region with a rounder forehead and wider orbits, a longer neurocranium with less developed crests and processes, and an antero‐medially placed tympanic bullae with an anteriorly expanded cranial border. Within species, size‐related sexual dimorphism is highly significant, but sexual dimorphism in shape is only significant in American mink, not in European mink. Additionally, two trends common to both species were discovered, one related to allometric changes and another to sexual size dimorphism. Shape changes related to increasing size can be subdivided into two, probably related, groups: increased muscle force and growth. The first group somewhat parallels the differences between both mink species, while the second group of traits includes an anterodorsal expansion of the face, and the neurocranium shifting from a globous shape in small individuals to a dorsoventrally flattened ellipse in the largest ones. Finally, the sexual dimorphism trend, while also accounting for differences in muscle force, seems to be related to the observed dietary differences between males and females. Overall, differences between species and sexes, and shape changes with increasing size, seem to mainly relate to differences in masticatory‐muscle volume and therefore muscle force and bite force, which, in turn, relate to a wider range of potential prey (bigger prey, tougher shells). Thus, muscle force (and dietary range) would be larger in American mink than in European mink, in males than in females, and in larger individuals than in smaller ones.     

应用GAMLSS技术构建基于性别、年龄和身高的新疆7～17岁儿童青少年血压参考标准

目的结合性别、年龄和不同身高百分位数,应用GAMLSS技术探索性构建新疆7～17岁儿童青少年血压百分位数参考标准。方法分析数据来自一项共包含5200名维吾尔族、汉族和哈萨克族中小学生的心血管危险因素的横断面调查,其中男性2531名,女性2669名。血压测量采用美国心脏病联合会（AHA）规范的国际标准血压测量法,精确至2mmHg。身高测量依照《国家学生体质健康标准》方法进行,精确至1cm。应用GAMLSS技术,结合性别、年龄及身高百分位数预测得到血压P50、P90、P95和P99值。以D（μ,σ,υ,τ）的特定分布形式,同时考虑资料的偏度和峰度,利用3次光滑样条函数（cs（.））进行方程拟合,身高百分位数采用LMS法（μ-σ-λ）计算。结果观察拟合的SBP和DBP各年龄别的百分位数曲线,可见：①SBP在儿童青少年期随年龄的增长其发展规律男性与女性不同,男性SBP曲线呈现逐渐升高趋势,女性SBP曲线至12岁时达高峰后停止增长;男、女性DBP随年龄的发展趋势与SBP相近。至17岁时,身高P50所对应的SBPP95和DBPP95男女间差值分别为9和4mmHg,男性血压高于女性。②身高百分位数越大,其对应的血压值越高,观察7～17岁身高P95和身高P5相对应血压P90的差值,每单位身高增加引起的血压变化随年龄增大逐渐减小。③与美国第4版《儿童青少年高血压诊断、评价和治疗指南》相比较,男、女性SBPP90切点值出现时间与美国标准接近,分别为12和13岁;DBP从7岁起即高于美国标准相应的切点值约10mmHg,之后呈增长缓慢,11～12岁后呈下降趋势,至17岁时与美国标准相应的切点值接近。身高P50所对应的DBPP90切点值至9岁时已达80mmHg,远早于美国的16岁。结论在中国范围内首次尝试性应用GAMLSS技术构建新疆儿童青少年分性别、年龄和身高百分位数的血压参考值。描述了血压拟合曲线在不同性别下的发展规律与相互间的特征差异,补充了不同身高百分位数下的血压参考值,可使中国不同地区的儿童青少年群体血压参考值范围更趋精准,尤其可为身高处于极端水平（身高过高或过矮）的儿童青少年人群血压水平的合理诊断提供依据。     

CAD/CAM二次扫描法的仿真性观察

目的利用游标卡尺测量两种不同制作方法制作全冠的外形,并评价哪种制作方法制作的全冠与标准牙冠最接近。方法选择左侧上颌第一磨标准全瓷冠预备体模型,分别模拟标准左侧上颌第一磨牙形态进行CAD/CAM二次扫描法和氧化锆烤瓷冠法两种方法制作左侧上颌第一磨牙全冠,利用游标卡尺测量并评价牙冠外形并进行比较。结果模拟标准左侧上颌第一磨牙形态进行CAD/CAM二次扫描法制作的全锆冠与标准左侧上颌第一磨牙相比其外形无统计学差异,氧化锆烤瓷冠法制作的全冠相比标准左侧上颌第一磨牙,其外形凸度存在统计学差异。结论采用模拟标准左侧上颌第一磨牙形态CAD/CAM二次扫描法制作的全锆冠比氧化锆烤瓷冠法制作的全冠外形与标准左侧上颌第一磨牙最接近。     

Subcortical shape alterations in major depressive disorder: Findings from the ENIGMA major depressive disorder working group

Alterations in regional subcortical brain volumes have been investigated as part of the efforts of an international consortium, ENIGMA, to identify reliable neural correlates of major depressive disorder (MDD). Given that subcortical structures are comprised of distinct subfields, we sought to build significantly from prior work by precisely mapping localized MDD-related differences in subcortical regions using shape analysis. In this meta-analysis of subcortical shape from the ENIGMA-MDD working group, we compared 1,781 patients with MDD and 2,953 healthy controls (CTL) on individual measures of shape metrics (thickness and surface area) on the surface of seven bilateral subcortical structures: nucleus accumbens, amygdala, caudate, hippocampus, pallidum, putamen, and thalamus. Harmonized data processing and statistical analyses were conducted locally at each site, and findings were aggregated by meta-analysis. Relative to CTL, patients with adolescent-onset MDD (≤ 21 years) had lower thickness and surface area of the subiculum, cornu ammonis (CA) 1 of the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala (Cohen's d = ?0.164 to ?0.180). Relative to first-episode MDD, recurrent MDD patients had lower thickness and surface area in the CA1 of the hippocampus and the basolateral amygdala (Cohen's d = ?0.173 to ?0.184). Our results suggest that previously reported MDD-associated volumetric differences may be localized to specific subfields of these structures that have been shown to be sensitive to the effects of stress, with important implications for mapping treatments to patients based on specific neural targets and key clinical features.     

川泽泻种子形态和发芽特性研究

目的:研究川泽泻种子形态和发芽特性的差异.方法:采集4个川泽泻地方种,测定其种子净度、千粒重、含水量、生活力和发芽率,研究不同温度对其发芽率的影响.并进一步研究其种子长度、宽度的相关性,以及千粒重、生活力与发芽率之间的相关性.结果:4个川泽泻地方种种子的外观形态和各种物理特性指标都存在显著差异,其中彭山县的种子最大,其长、宽分别为1.882,1.455 mm,千粒重、生活力、发芽率均最高,分别为0.430 8 g,86%,82%.雅安的种子净度最高,含水量最低,依次为92.3%,12.1%.不同温度对其种子的萌发也存在显著差异,不同产地的川泽泻种子发芽率在30℃下均最高.川泽泻种子长度与宽度呈极显著正相关,千粒重分别与其生活力、发芽率均呈显著正相关,用溴麝香草酚蓝法(BTB)法测定的种子生活力与发芽率呈极显著正相关.结论:彭山的种子质量最高,都江堰的次之,五通桥区的最低,这为泽泻的生长发育及栽培生产提供一定的依据.     

基于薄板样条和形状内容的医学图像非刚性配准方法研究

目的 针对医学图像非刚性点配准的现状,给出一种基于点特征的非刚性配准方法.方法 利用一种新的相似度测量方法--形状内容来解决两幅图像中点的对应关系,并利用点对应关系来估计非刚性映射函数.结果 利用薄板样条实现了医学图像的快速准确非刚性配准.结论 实验结果表明,上述方法获得了很好的配准效果.     

翼外肌在髁突矢状骨折愈合过程中对髁突形态改建的影响

目的：本实验的目的是检查翼外肌在髁突矢状骨折愈合过程中,对髁突形态改建的影响。方法：20只1岁龄成年绵羊,随机分为两组,每组10只动物,所有绵羊都用超声骨刀造成髁突矢状骨折,剪断关节盘前后附着并将其推向内侧,其中组1动物切断翼外肌,组2动物保留翼外肌功能。每组动物分别在术后4周（各2只）、12周（各4只）、24周（各4只）处死。处死后行CT检查,CT三维重建观察髁突形态,并解剖颞颌关节（TMJ）以观察髁突形态。结果：组2即保留翼外肌功能组,较组1髁突有更多新骨形成,髁突形态改变更严重。结论：翼外肌在髁突矢状骨折愈合过程中对髁突形态改建的影响起非常重要的作用。