563 research outputs found
sj-docx-1-ict-10.1177_15347354231210870 – Supplemental material for Topical Traditional Chinese Medicines for Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-ict-10.1177_15347354231210870 for Topical Traditional Chinese Medicines for Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials by Yihong Liu, Brian H. May, Anna J. Hyde, Yihan He, Xinfeng Guo, Anthony Lin Zhang, Chuanjian Lu, Charlie Changli Xue and Haibo Zhang in Integrative Cancer Therapies</p
sj-docx-1-aim-10.1177_09645284211056016 – Supplemental material for Acupuncture combined with opioids for cancer pain: a pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-aim-10.1177_09645284211056016 for Acupuncture combined with opioids for cancer pain: a pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial by Yihan He, Haibo Zhang, Yifang Li, Shunqin Long, Shujing Xiao, Brian H May, Anthony Lin Zhang, Xinfeng Guo, Charlie Changli Xue and Chuanjian Lu in Acupuncture in Medicine</p
Combinatorial gene regulation by modulation of relative pulse timing
No full textStudies of individual living cells have revealed that many transcription factors activate in dynamic, and often stochastic, pulses within the same cell. However, it has remained unclear whether cells might exploit the dynamic interaction of these pulses to control gene expression. Here, using quantitative single-cell time-lapse imaging of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that the pulsatile transcription factors Msn2 and Mig1 combinatorially regulate their target genes through modulation of their relative pulse timing. The activator Msn2 and repressor Mig1 showed pulsed activation in either a temporally overlapping or non-overlapping manner during their transient response to different inputs, with only the non-overlapping dynamics efficiently activating target gene expression. Similarly, under constant environmental conditions, where Msn2 and Mig1 exhibit sporadic pulsing, glucose concentration modulated the temporal overlap between pulses of the two factors. Together, these results reveal a time-based mode of combinatorial gene regulation. Regulation through relative signal timing is common in engineering and neurobiology, and these results suggest that it could also function broadly within the signalling and regulatory systems of the cell
Code of "A Vision Chip with Complementary Pathways for Open-world Sensing"
No full text<p>The code of "A Vision Chip with Complementary Pathways for Open-world Sensing".</p>
<p>Please find the data at doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10602822 </p>
Nonlinear mechanical property of tracheal cartilage: A theoretical and experimental study
No full textBackground: \ud
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Despite being the stiffest airway of the bronchial tree, the trachea undergoes significant deformation due to intrathoracic pressure during breathing. The mechanical properties of the trachea affect the flow in the airway and may contribute to the biological function of the lung. \ud
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Method: \ud
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A Fung-type strain energy density function was used to investigate the nonlinear mechanical behavior of tracheal cartilage. A bending test on pig tracheal cartilage was performed and a mathematical model for analyzing the deformation of tracheal cartilage was developed. The constants included in the strain energy density function were determined by fitting the experimental data. \ud
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Result: \ud
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The experimental data show that tracheal cartilage is a nonlinear material displaying higher strength in compression than in tension. When the compression forces varied from -0.02 to -0.03 N and from -0.03 to -0.04 N, the deformation ratios were 11.03±2.18% and 7.27±1.59%, respectively. Both were much smaller than the deformation ratios (20.01±4.49%) under tension forces of 0.02 to 0.01 N. The Fung-type strain energy density function can capture this nonlinear behavior very well, whilst the linear stress-strain relation cannot. It underestimates the stability of trachea by exaggerating the displacement in compression. This study may improve our understanding of the nonlinear behavior of tracheal cartilage and it may be useful for the future study on tracheal collapse behavior under physiological and pathological conditions
Tianmouc dataset
No full text<p>The 'Fig3_tianmouc_test_data.tar.gz" is the two data used in characterization of Tianmouc, including the lightning capture and robustness to flicker.</p>
<p>The "Fig4_tianmouc_evaluation_data.tar.gz" is the data used in autonomous driving demo.</p>
<p>The reader can use our published code to read and visualize the data.</p>
<p>Please find the code for reading the data at https://github.com/Tianmouc/N_pub_code or doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10775253</p>
<p> </p>
<p>-------------------------------------------</p>
<p>update on 2024.3.18</p>
<p>We apologize for our oversight, here are some changes to the "<a href="../api/records/10602822/draft/files/algorithm_sum.xlsx/content" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">algorithm_sum.xlsx</a>".</p>
<p>The index referring to Figure 4 in the first column "Sample" should be Fig 4a alignment->Fig 4b Flash->Fig 4c Tunnel->Fig 4d OOD->Fig 4e Night; </p>
<p>The results of "Fig 4b Flash" is modified to the following table:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Fig 4b Flash</td>
<td>13.86s, evaluation gap:0.33s, 42 COP and 1050 AOP</td>
<td>AOP</td>
<td>0.458</td>
<td>0.275</td>
<td>0.372</td>
<td>0.212</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>COP</td>
<td>0.784</td>
<td>0.143</td>
<td>0.416</td>
<td>0.305</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>CVP</td>
<td>0.711</td>
<td>0.214</td>
<td>0.418</td>
<td>0.241</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
Requirement for STAT3 and its target, TFCP2L1, in self-renewal of naïve pluripotent stem cells in vivo and in vitro.
No full textWe previously demonstrated gradual loss of epiblast during diapause in embryos lacking components of the LIF/IL6 receptor. Here, we explore the requirement for the downstream signalling transducer andactivator of transcription STAT3 and its target, TFCP2L1, in maintenance of naïve pluripotency. Unlike conventional markers, such as NANOG, which remains high in epiblast until implantation, both STAT3 and TFCP2L1 proteins decline during blastocyst expansion, but intensify in the embryonic region after induction of diapause, as observed visually and confirmed using our image-analysis pipeline, consistent with our previous transcriptional expression data. Embryos lacking STAT3 or TFCP2L1 underwent catastrophic loss of most of the inner cell mass during the first few days of diapause, indicating involvement of signals in addition to LIF/IL6 for sustaining naïve pluripotency in vivo. By blocking MEK/ERK signalling from the morula stage, we could derive embryonic stem cells with high efficiency from STAT3 null embryos, but not those lacking TFCP2L1, suggesting a hitherto unknown additional role for this essential STAT3 target in transition from embryo to embryonic stem cells in vitro. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper
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Development of Genetically Encoded Technologies for Imaging Neural Circuit Connections and Modulations Across Timescales
No full textNeural circuit function such as cognition and emotion in the brain is driven by interconnected neurons that communicate through electrochemical signaling. Dysregulation in neurochemical release can lead to cascade effects that lead to neurological diseases. Therefore, the understanding of chemical dynamic in specific circuit in healthy and diseased brain are critical for effective and targeted therapeutics. For a long time, functional imaging for calcium has been a main proxy for neuronal activity to understand its correlation with electrophysical and behavioral parameters. In more recent years, the tool development for a broad range of neurochemicals is on demand due to interest in studying neuromodulation that is highly relevant to behavior and therapeutic targeting. Fine tuning neural circuit through neuromodulation is critical for brain function such as learning, memory, emotion, and behavior. For example, dopamine in striatum is known to play key role to regulate reinforcement learning, while oxytocin is important for social bonds in parenting. However, unlike neurotransmitter that have specialized synaptic structure, a vast majority of neuromodulator and neuropeptides often release extrasynaptically and diffuse across a broad spatial distance to influence multiple neurons.
Based on the functional dynamic of the brain, tools are required to have properties in their specificity, sensitivity, and resolution to allow real time neurochemical detection in vivo. Genetically encoded indicators monitor neurochemical release with high spatial resolution that allow thousands of neurons observed simultaneously. Moreover, it captures cell types that resisted electrical recording due to unfavorable cell morphology and low excitability. High specificity is required to differentiate chemicals that similar in structure in the brain. If a specific receptor can bind to multiple ligands or do not have the innate property to interact with a ligand of interest, protein engineering at the binding pocket is required to enhance sensitivity and distinguish the complex chemical types in the brain with the maximal differential changes in their titration curve. An applicable sensor should also have high temporal resolution, that allow detection of various timescale of chemical release in real time. This could range from fast-acting neurotransmitters in msec to slow-acting neuromodulators in second to minute. Due to the compact cellular structure and complex extracellular matrixes that we learned from electron microscopy and circuit tracing, dynamic range and affinity need to be carefully assessed to prevent buffering of sensor signal. Finally, these tools should also allow short-term to chronic recording over time during behavior with the minimal disruption to brain functions and can be customized to the biological properties of different brain regions.
Recent protein engineering techniques and screening methods accelerated the development of genetically encoded indicators to further our understanding on neuronal input and output signaling. With many groups’ effort, from generations of GCaMP to probe neuronal activity, we now can expand the horizon to target specific neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in genetically defined population to address their roles in receptor heterogeneity, input integration and behavioral onset. Moreover, major effort on protein engineering on new color fluorescent proteins, small molecular dye allow increase in imaging depth and photostability. This allows multiplexing recording that has post challenges ex vivo and in vivo and expand its possibility to combine with other optical tools to delineate temporal dynamic in real-time. My graduate thesis focused on engineering and characterizing genetically encoded indicators for neurotransmitter to neuropeptides. These tools with cell type specific targeting allow us to unveil specific neurochemical properties in behavior.
In the opening chapter, I discuss current tools to study synaptic connectivity and how these engineering design allows us to visualize synaptic interaction across cell types and changes from behavior such as learning. Different from synaptic release, I then delve into neuropeptide properties and existing tools that are available to understand their role in neuromodulation. The chapter end with introduction of different types of genetically encoded indicators (GENI) that have been developed that allow monitor release with high specificity and temporal resolution. The last part of the chapter is modified from my contribution to published review in the Neuroscience Research in 2021.
In chapter two, I discuss the development and characterization of GENIs to detect neuropeptides (NP). Despite high relevance to behavior and neurological disorders, studying neuropeptide signaling has been challenging due their diversity and release properties. While different analytical approach can delineate peptide compositions, direct measurement is critical to provide insight on drug properties and neuromodulation during behavior. I engineered neuropeptide indicators for neurotensin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), allowing evaluation of binding properties with available antagonist or allosteric modulator. By setting stimulation paradigm for opioid sensor and NPY, we can now detect local release properties in specific brain regions. By incorporating optogenetic in different behavioral context, we observed light induce trigger of opioid peptides and neurotensin both ex vivo and in behaving animals. These tools are valuable resources to study drug mechanism and behavior/disease relevant phenotype that were previously not possible. The text of this chapter is modified from my contribution to the manuscript through collaboration published in Nature (Zhang et al., 2024), Nature Neuroscience in 2024 (Dong et al., 2024) and Nature (Shimoni et al., 2025).
In chapter three, I discuss the development of a novel synaptic glutamate indicator (syniGluSnFR) that allow mapping of interregional connectivity and detection of functional glutamate release. By utilizing a splittable protein strategy to target presynaptic and postsynaptic terminals, we can now detect glutamate dynamic and effect from manipulation in specific circuit of interest. The allow investigation of synaptic modulation in learning and environmental stimuli. Furthermore, to expand the application of syniGluSnFR, we changed targeting scaffold to allow detection of glutamate release between neuron to astrocyte junctions. We can now study the role synaptic or astrocytic proteins in neurotransmission and behavior. The manuscript of this chapter is finalizing for submission.
Chapter four of the thesis focuses on future direction and conclusion. I begin the chapter with preliminary data on the development of somatostatin (SST), an inhibitory peptide that is critical in learning. The initial version of the sensor was validated in HEK293T cell and primary islets to study cellular signaling that can be key for diabetes and metabolism research. Further optimization of the sensor is required to characterize the sensor ex vivo and in vivo to study SST’s role in regulating excitation and inhibition balance in learning. In the last section, I discuss the limitation of GENIs and direction for future optimization.
In summary, this thesis presents the development and application of GENIs to study neurochemical release with different timescale and spatial resolution. It highlights the diversity of neural circuits (synaptic wiring vs paracrine signaling) to allow precise information encoding for learning, yet flexible for modulation and adaptation. Optimizing indicators for multi-color imaging can unveil intricate circuit orchestration to deepen our understanding on complex behavior and more targeted treatment
Evaluation of a nonlinear cumulative creep damage model for design applications
No full textMaster's thesis in Mechanical engineeringPredicting creep damage and remaining life of an engineering design is a complex task. There are many types of creep material models and they provide significantly different predictions. Furthermore, the necessary material data required for the material models are rarely available. Creep tests are typically performed in uniaxial tension under constant load and temperature. However, such similar conditions are rarely encountered in practical engineering applications where multiaxial stresses and cyclic load and temperature often are present. Creep-fatigue interaction and correlation between uniaxial and multiaxial stress states also add on to the complexity of the damage assessment in creep conditions.
Pavlou have proposed a nonlinear cumulative creep damage model (NCCDM) that considers the sequence effect from the previous load history in the damage assessment. NCCDM has been evaluated for use in design applications and compared to a widely-used linear summation method known as the time fraction rule (TFR); TFR is used in several engineering design codes. Pavlou, Grell et. al, Lin and Teng have shown that NCCDM can predict creep damage more accurately than TFR under stepwise constant uniaxial stress and temperature conditions. However, NCCDM has not been used yet in practical engineering design applications.
In this thesis, NCCDM will be applied to a X8CrNiMoNb-16-16 pressure vessel designed in accordance with ASME VIII-2 to demonstrate its use in conjunction with practical engineering problems. The pressure vessel will be subjected to elevated temperatures with applied variable two-step loading. This is used as a representative engineering example for the comparison of the two models, i.e., NCCDM vs. TFR.
Firstly, by considering proposals made by Pavlou, Grell, Lin and Teng, an evaluation of the best use of the NCCDM was made. The model behaviour was also studied by considering fictive load cases. Based on the findings, conditions for further use of the model was established. Secondly, rupture and creep strength data obtained from a material database were used to create fitted curves with the Larson-Miller parameter from which time-to-rupture and time-to-1% strain could be obtained for different stresses. Thirdly, the finite element (FE) method was used to evaluate several types of stress criteria on a generic model of a pressure vessel. Variable-step internal pressure at a constant elevated temperature was applied to the model. A linear-elastic and an elastic-plastic material model was used in the analysis. By considering high-to-low (H-L) and a low-to-high (L-H) loading sequence the remaining life to rupture and to 1% strain was calculated for the pressure vessel with both NCCDM and TFR.
It was found that the NCCDM and the TFR gave very different predictions. For the L-H type of loading sequence the NCCDM predicted more conservative remaining life than TRF. The opposite was seen for the H-L type of loading. Larger variation in stress between the two load steps resulted in an increased difference between the predictions made with the two models. Due to the difficulty of performing a time-dependent creep analysis, the NCCDM model would benefit from being combined with an elastic-analysis procedure to approximate the time-dependent stress distribution, like the procedure in ASME-NH. Because of the simple use of NCCDM, there is potential for it to gain acceptance for engineering applications. However, further analysis and research should be made to fully understand the damage processes considered in the NCCDMs remaining life assessment
Violación y resistencia en ‘‘Fang Si-Chi’s first love paradise’’
No full textThis article studies the only book that Taiwanese author Lin Yihan (1991-2017) published in her lifetime: Fang Si-Chi's First Love Paradise (2017). This semi-autobiographical novel about the traumatic experience of a raped girl has sparked intense debate in China, where the awakening of female consciousness is increasingly evident. This article analyzes how the perpetrator uses status disparity to construct the lie of rape in order to control women to commit sexual violence, and how the protagonist is “killed” by society under the influence of social discourses created by gender power asymmetries. Furthermore, through its focus on the female subject, the research points to the harm suffered by women in rape and women's agency in coping with trauma. This article argues that the author makes literature as a weapon constitutes this book of resistance, which draws attention to the female subject, undermined and controlled by the power of male-dominated discourse. It provokes a reflection on the traditional patriarchal society.Este artículo estudia la única obra que la autora taiwanesa Lin Yihan (1991-2017) publicó en vida: Fang Si-Chi's First Love Paradise (2017). Esta novela semiautobiográfica sobre la traumática experiencia de una chica violada ha suscitado un intenso debate en China, donde el despertar de la conciencia femenina es cada vez más evidente. En el presente artículo se analiza el modo en que el agresor utiliza la disparidad de estatus para construir la mentira de violación a fin de controlar a las mujeres y así poder cometer violencia sexual contra ellas, y cómo la protagonista es “asesinada” por la sociedad bajo la influencia de los discursos sociales creados por las asimetrías de poder entre los géneros. Además, a través de su enfoque en el sujeto femenino, la investigación señala el daño sufrido por las mujeres en la violación y la agencia de las mujeres para hacer frente al trauma. Este artículo sostiene que el uso que la autora hace de la literatura transforma esta obra en un libro de resistencia, que llama la atención sobre el sujeto femenino, socavado y controlado por el poder del discurso dominado por los hombres. Su objetivo es provocar una reflexión sobre la sociedad patriarcal tradicional
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