Aims. The instability strip and characteristics of the nonlinear behavior of the radial pulsation are examined for the observed photometric variability of post-AGB stars. Methods. A linear stability ...analysis for radial pulsation modes is performed in the domain 3.70 ≤ log Teff ≤ 3.90, 0.0 ≤ log g ≤ 1.8 , assuming a total mass 0.6 $M_\odot$ and 0.8 $M_\odot$ for post-AGB stars. Radial modes up to the 5th overtone are considered, since we expect that there are some strange modes amongst high-order modes. Nonlinear simulations are tried for all the models, which have at least one pulsationally unstable mode. Results. Pulsationally unstable modes are found in a large region of the domain, and these modes may be responsible for the observed variability. Nonlinear simulations on models that have unstable modes with higher overtones reveal the variability through small peak-to-peak variations. These variations are characteristics of the observed variations for some post-AGB stars located in the bluer region of the classical instability strip.
Objective
To evaluate the breed‐characteristic features of cervical intervertebral disc disease (C‐IVDD) and associated vertebral instability in small‐breed dogs and to present the concept of ...intervertebral disc degeneration and associated instability stage, method of diagnosis, treatment and outcomes.
Animals
In total, 307 client‐owned dogs with C‐IVDD treated with spinal cord decompression with or without vertebral stabilization (2000–2021).
Methods
Information on age, sex, affected sites, stabilized sites, diagnostic methods for vertebral instability and outcomes were retrieved. The patient's age, affected sites (cranial vs caudal discs), and frequency of vertebral stabilization were compared in six CD and five NCD breed. Multivariable analyses of the chondrodystrophic (CD) vs non‐CD (NCD) groups, and vertebral stabilization (dogs stabilized vs dogs not stabilized) were performed.
Results
In total, 222 (72.3%) and 77 (25.1%) were CD and NCD breeds, respectively. Vertebral instabilities were diagnosed based on the survey radiographs with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2), dynamic myelography (n = 29), intraoperative spinal manipulation (n = 11) or second surgery in dogs with persistent postoperative paraspinal pain (n = 3). Of these dogs, 295 (96.1%) recovered (median follow‐up: 8.5 range, 1–119 months). Significant differences in age, affected sites and frequency of stabilization were noted among the breeds. Older age and frequent vertebral stabilization were the associated factors for the NCD breed dogs. Male dogs, caudal discs affected (C5–T1) and the NCD breed dogs were risk factors for the dogs with vertebral stabilization.
Conclusion
Vertebral stabilization is indicated for small‐breed dogs with cervical disc‐associated vertebral instability.
Cranial base synchondroses are the endochondral ossification centers for cranial base growth and thus indispensable for proper skull, brain, and midfacial development. The synchondroses are composed ...of mirror-image growth plates that are continuously maintained from the embryonic to postnatal stage through chondrocyte differentiation. Several factors, including Pth1r signaling, are known to control fetal synchondrosis development. However, there are currently no reports regarding any role for Pth1r signaling in postnatal cranial base and synchondrosis development. Also, the mesenchymal cells that source Pth1r signaling for synchondroses are not known. Here, we employed an inducible mouse model, a hedgehog-responsive Gli1-CreERT2 driver, focusing on the postnatal study. We performed 2 inducible protocols using Gli1-CreERT2;Tomatofl/+ mice that uncovered distinct patterning of Gli1-positive and Gli1-negative chondrocytes in the synchondrosis cartilage. Moreover, we generated Gli1-CreERT2;Pth1rfl/fl;Tomatofl/+ mice to assess their functions in postnatal synchondrosis and found that the mutants had survived postnatally. The mutant skulls morphologically presented unambiguous phenotypes where we noticed the shortened cranial base and premature synchondrosis closure. Histologically, gradual disorganization in mutant synchondroses caused an uncommon remaining central zone between hypertrophic zones on both sides while the successive differentiation of round, flat, and hypertrophic chondrocytes was observed in control sections. These mutant synchondroses disappeared and were finally replaced by bone. Of note, the mutant fusing synchondroses lost their characteristic patterning of Gli1-positive and Gli1-negative chondrocytes, suggesting that loss of Pth1r signaling alters the distribution of hedgehog-responsive chondrocytes. Moreover, we performed laser microdissection and RNA sequencing to characterize the flat proliferative and round resting chondrocytes where we found flat chondrocytes have a characteristic feature of both chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Pth1r signaling in Gli1-positive cells is essential for postnatal development and maintenance in cranial base synchondroses. Our findings will elucidate previously unknown aspects of Pth1r functions in cranial biology and development.
Objectives
To describe the diagnostic findings, surgical technique and outcomes in seven pugs with thoracolumbar vertebral instability due to articular process anomalies.
Materials and Methods
...Records (2010 to 2019) of pugs with thoracolumbar vertebral instability associated with articular process anomalies that underwent decompressive laminectomy and vertebral stabilisation were reviewed. Data on preoperative and postoperative neurologic status, diagnostic findings, surgical techniques and outcomes were retrieved.
Results
Seven dogs were presented with ambulatory or non‐ambulatory paraparesis. Caudal articular process anomalies (three dogs) and concomitant cranial and caudal articular process anomalies (four dogs) were noted. Myelography (six dogs) or magnetic resonance imaging (one dog) showed none to severe spinal cord compression. Dynamic myelography in six dogs demonstrated nine distinct sites of spinal cord dimension reduction positioned in extension and/or flexion (mean reduction: 16.0%, range: 8.5 to 24.0%). These dynamic compressions were located at sites with articular process anomalies (seven sites) and sites with no articular process anomalies (two sites). Vertebral instability was confirmed by intraoperative spinal manipulation in all dogs. All dogs remained ambulatory with improved (five dogs) or static (two dogs) neurological deficits at the last follow‐up (median: 16 months; range: 1.5 to 66 months).
Clinical Significance
Dynamic myelography and/or intraoperative spinal manipulation demonstrated vertebral instabilities at sites with or without articular process anomalies on imaging. Decompressive laminectomy with vertebral stabilisation resulted in long‐term neurological improvement in most dogs.
Context. Linear and also nonlinear pulsation models with the variable Eddington factor approximation of the radiative transfer are constructed. Aims. The aim of the study is to apply hydrodynamic ...models of radial pulsation to the observed variability in some post-AGB stars. It has been shown that the pulsation behavior could be strongly effected by the radiative field of the envelope of these stars because of high luminosity in these low mass supergiant stars. Thus, it is important to treat the radiative field with a higher approximation than the diffusion approximation which has been used successfully in classical Cepheids. Methods. The moment equations of radiative transfer are integrated into the hydrodynamic equations with a variable Eddington factor. The factor is calculated independently by solving the transfer equation of spherical geometry. The linear eigen value problem of the radial perturbation from hydrostatic equilibrium is solved, and nonlinear simulations of radial pulsation are performed with the same approximation of the radiative transfer. The method is applied to pulsation of low mass supergiant stars and, for comparison, classical Cepheids. Results. The properties of the strange modes that appear often in low mass supergiant star models e.g. post-AGB stars are seriously affected by different treatments of the radiative field in the linear analyses and nonlinear simulations.
10 MW fully superconducting generators, comprising REBCO superconducting tapes with various armature winding configurations, were designed. The influences of these configurations, such as a ...distributed-winding and a concentrated-winding configuration, on AC loss, output power density, and output voltage waveform were evaluated. As a result, the short-pitch distributed-winding model exhibited the best properties among all the models. In particular, the AC loss of the armature winding was approximately half that of the concentrated winding. Furthermore, the distortion factor was lower than 10%.
Severe damages to natural vegetation, agriculture, and forestry caused by overpopulation of sika deer (Cervus nippon) have markedly increased in Japan in recent years. To devise a population ...management plan of sika deer, information on the distribution and population size of the animal in each region is indispensable. An easy and effective method to obtain this information is to count the fecal pellets in the field. However, the habitat of sika deer in Japan overlaps that of Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus). Additionally, it is difficult to discriminate between the feces of both animals. Here, we present a rapid and precise diagnostic method for discriminating between the feces of sika deer and Japanese serow using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) targeting cytochrome b gene in the mitochondrial DNA. Our results showed that the LAMP can discriminate between the feces of sika deer and Japanese serow, and the method is simpler and more sensitive than the conventional molecular diagnostic method. Since LAMP method does not require special skills for molecular biology techniques, even the field researchers who have never done a molecular experiment can easily carry out the protocol. In addition, the entire protocol, from DNA extraction from fecal pellet to identification of species, takes only about 75 min and does not require expensive equipment. Hence, this diagnostic method is simple, fast, and accessible to anyone. As such, the method can be a useful tool to estimate distribution and population size of sika deer.
In order for patients to avail of the therapeutic benefits of antioxidant drugs efficiently and conveniently, a robust oral delivery system needs to be developed. However, a common problem in oral ...drug delivery is ensuring that the drug remains functionally intact even after it has passed through the acidic environment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To protect drugs within the GI environment, we formulated a design based on encapsulating liposomal drugs by using an alginate matrix as a carrier. The liposomal drug was composed of manganese porphyrin (Mn-por), which has been developed as a mimic of superoxide dismutase (SOD), as the therapeutic agent based on the antioxidative effect, namely superoxide (O2˙(-)) inhibitory activity. A cytochrome c assay revealed that the O2˙(-) inhibitory activity of Mn-por could be maintained even after treatment with simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. We demonstrated that oral administration of the formulated drug significantly inhibited the growth of transplanted tumors in mice. The drug formulation presented in this study would be a good candidate for orally available systems, which can effectively deliver SOD mimics.
Aluminum nitride (AlN) layers were grown on
c-sapphire by radio frequency (RF) sputtering in plasma containing a mixture of argon and nitrogen gas using an AlN target. The influence of nitrogen gas ...fraction, RF power, and sputtering pressure on crystalline quality and growth rate as well as surface morphology were investigated. Crystalline quality improves as nitrogen gas fraction and RF power increase. The growth rate increases as the RF power increases and decreases as the sputtering pressure increases.
The presence of cervical lymph node metastases is an important prognostic factor for oral tongue cancer. The accurate preoperative assessment is essential for treatment. Several studies have ...suggested that histologic tumor thickness is related to the metastases. The aim of this study was to determine whether MR images of oral tongue tumor have the potential to predict cervical lymph node metastases.
A total of 43 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue were investigated. Tumor thickness, sublingual distance between tumor and sublingual space, and paralingual distance between tumor and paralingual space, as determined from coronal MR imaging, were preoperatively estimated. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of lymph node metastases.
Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that T classification, N classification, and 3 measured MR imaging distances (millimeters) were significantly associated with lymph node metastases. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor thickness (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.11-1.63; P < .005) and paralingual distance (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35-0.82; P < .005) were significant predictors for lymph node metastases. The probability of metastases was estimated with these models. The preoperative decision (20% probability) as to whether to perform neck dissection could be based on tumor thickness of >9.7 mm and paralingual distance of <5.2 mm.
MR images provide satisfactory accuracy for the preoperative estimation of the tumor thickness and the paralingual distance, which are valuable for predicting cervical lymph node metastases.
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