Fast ignition (FI) is a promising approach for high-energy-gain inertial confinement fusion in the laboratory. To achieve ignition, the energy of a short-pulse laser is required to be delivered ...efficiently to the pre-compressed fuel core via a high-energy electron beam. Therefore, understanding the transport and energy deposition of this electron beam inside the pre-compressed core is the key for FI. Here we report on the direct observation of the electron beam transport and deposition in a compressed core through the stimulated Cu Kα emission in the super-penetration scheme. Simulations reproducing the experimental measurements indicate that, at the time of peak compression, about 1% of the short-pulse energy is coupled to a relatively low-density core with a radius of 70 μm. Analysis with the support of 2D particle-in-cell simulations uncovers the key factors improving this coupling efficiency. Our findings are of critical importance for optimizing FI experiments in a super-penetration scheme.
Increased arterial stiffness is a well-established cardiovascular risk factor. Mechanical stimuli to artery, such as compression, elicit vasodilation and acutely decrease arterial stiffness. As ...whole-body vibration (WBV)-induced oscillation is propagated at least to lumbar spine, WBV mechanically stimulates abdominal and leg arteries and may decrease arterial stiffness. WBV is feasible in vulnerable and immobilized humans. Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore the possibility of WBV as a valuable adjunct to exercise training. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of WBV on arterial stiffness. Ten healthy men performed WBV and control (CON) trials on separate days. The WBV session consisted of 10 sets of vibration (frequency, 26 Hz) for 60 s with an inter-set rest period of 60 s. Subjects maintained a static squat position with knees bent on a platform. In the CON trial, WBV stimulation was not imposed. Blood pressure, heart rate and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an index of arterial stiffness, were measured before and 20, 40 and 60 min after both trials. Heart rate and blood pressure did not change from baseline after both trials. Although baPWV did not change in the CON trial (baseline vs. after 20, 40 and 60 min; 1144 ± 35 vs. 1164 ± 41, 1142 ± 39, and 1148 ± 34 cm s⁻¹), baPWV decreased 20 and 40 min after the WBV trial and recovered to baseline 60 min after the trial (1137 ± 28 vs. 1107 ± 30, 1108 ± 28, and 1128 ± 25 cm s⁻¹). These results suggest that WBV acutely decreases arterial stiffness.
This article analyzes the relationship between trade facilitation and trade flows in the Asia-Pacific region. Country-specific data for port efficiency, customs environment, regulatory environment, ...and e-business usage are used to construct indicators for measuring trade facilitation. The relationship between these indicators and trade flows is estimated using a gravity model that includes tariffs and other standard variables. Enhanced port efficiency has a large and positive effect on trade flows. Regulatory barriers deter trade. Improvements in customs and greater e-business use significantly expand trade but to a lesser degree than improvements in ports or regulations. The benefits of specific trade facilitation efforts are estimated by quantifying differential improvements in these four areas among members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (apec). A scenario in which apec members with below-average indicators improve capacity halfway to the average for all members shows that intra-apec trade could increase by $254 billion, or 21 percent of intra-apec trade flows. About half the increase is derived from improved port efficiency.
Habitual aerobic exercise results in a significant increase in central arterial compliance. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide and could play a role in ...mediating the habitual aerobic exercise-induced increase in central arterial compliance. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ET-1 is involved in the mechanisms underlying the increase in central arterial compliance with aerobic exercise training. Seven apparently healthy middle-aged and older (60 ± 3 years) adults underwent systemic endothelin-A/B (ETA/B)-receptor blockade (500 mg of Tracleer®) before and after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training (70 ± 1% of maximal heart rate, 44 ± 2 min day⁻¹, 4.4 ± 0.1 days week⁻¹). Basal carotid arterial compliance (via simultaneous B-mode ultrasound and arterial applanation tonometry on the common carotid artery) increased significantly after exercise training. Resting plasma ET-1 concentration decreased significantly after exercise training. Before exercise intervention, carotid arterial compliance increased significantly with the administration of the ETA/B-receptor blockade. After training, however, increases in carotid arterial compliance previously observed with the ETA/B-receptor blockade before training were abolished. Regular aerobic exercise training enhances central arterial compliance in middle-aged and older humans. The increase in arterial compliance was associated with the corresponding reduction in plasma ET-1 concentration as well as the elimination of ET-1-mediated vascular tone. These results suggest that reductions in ET-1 may be an important mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of exercise training on central artery compliance.
Background: Little information is available on the effect of strength training on vascular function, particularly in older people. Objective: To determine the effect of resistance training on ...arterial stiffness and endothelial function in older adults. Method: Eleven healthy men (mean (SEM) age 64 (1) years) performed 12 weeks of resistance training involving knee flexion and extension (three sets a day, two days a week). Results: Resistance training increased maximal muscle power by 16% (p<0.0001). Arterial stiffness as assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity did not change with resistance training. Plasma concentration of nitric oxide (NO), measured as its stable end product (nitrite/nitrate), had increased (p<0.05) after resistance training (61.2 (10.4) v 39.6 (3.2) μmol/l). There was no change in plasma concentration of endothelin-1. Conclusion: The results suggest that short term resistance training may increase NO production without stiffening central arteries in healthy older men.
Abstract Aim The balance of excitation and inhibition of neurons and neuronal network is very important to perform complete neuronal function. Damage or loss of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid ...(GABA)-ergic interneuron is associated with impaired inhibitory control of cortical pyramidal neurons, leading to hyperexcitability and epileptogenesis. Ectopic neurons in the basal ganglia are to be one of the pathological features of epileptogenesis. In the present study, we investigated distribution of interneuron subtypes between neocortex and caudate nucleus. Methods We performed immunohistochemistry of GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), parvalbumin (PV) and neuropeptide. We used surgical materials of four focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) cases, having lesions of neocortex and caudate nucleus, and eight age-matched autopsy controls. Results The pathology showed three FCD IIa, containing dysmorphic neurons, and one FCD IIb, balloon cells. In the neocortex, the concentrations (each positive cell number/all cell numbers in the evaluated field) of GAD+, CR + and CB + cells were significantly lower in FCD than in controls. On the contrary, in the caudate nucleus those of CR + and CB + cells were significantly more in FCD than in controls. Conclusion The interneuron imbalance between the neocortex and basal ganglia may affect the epileptogenesis of FCD.
All fields of industry are applying nanotechnologies for the development of advanced materials, there¬fore at present the number of workers exposed to nanosized materials are significantly ...increasing. Unfortunately, protective equipment for nanoparticles (NPs) is of uncertain efficacy so the risk of noxious effects, in particular allergic sensitization, on workers gives many concerns. At the same time, studies of allergic physiopathology demonstrated that the lack of prevention and treatment could result in invalidating dis¬eases that, in case of professional etiology, might imply removal from the job and compensation. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the role of NPs in inducing allergic diseases is mandatory to implement the risk assessment and preventive measures for nanosafety in the workplace. The possibility that NPs favor, ex¬acerbate or directly induce allergy is being suggested by recent experimental investigations in cellular and animal models. Unfortunately, studies are heterogeneous and few data have received experimental confir¬mation, lacking reproducibility. What comes to attention is the uncertainty about the real plausibility of the observed experimental effects, as there are only a few reported cases of allergy onset or exacerbation for workers exposed to NPs. However, the potential for NPs to induce, favor or exacerbate allergies seems possible even though not completely demonstrated. This should be a greater incentive to carry out appro¬priate epidemiological studies that are lacking and really needed.
Aerobic exercise training is associated with lower central arterial stiffness, but little information exists on the effects of physical activity intensity or duration on central arterial stiffness. ...Using a cross-sectional and interventional approach, we tested the hypothesis that both moderate and vigorous physical activity reduce central arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women.
Carotid arterial stiffness (via ultrasound and applanation tonometry) and duration of physical activity at low, moderate, and vigorous intensities (via electronic accelerometer) were measured in 103 apparently healthy sedentary or recreationally active women 47 to 82 years of age. Moderate intensity physical activity was defined as 4.0 to 6.0 metabolic equivalents (MET) in subjects aged <65 years and as 3.0 to 5.0 MET in subjects ≥65 years. A subgroup of 17 sedentary subjects was randomly assigned to moderate (
n = 8) or vigorous (
n = 9) intensity cycling exercise training (900 kcal/week, three to five sessions per week, for 12 weeks). Carotid arterial stiffness was measured before and after training.
Carotid β-stiffness index was significantly correlated with the duration of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity (
r = −0.25 and
r = −0.22) even after adjustment for age, height, and mean BP. Carotid β-stiffness index significantly decreased after moderate and vigorous intensity cycling training. There were no significant group differences in the magnitude of β-stiffness index change even after adjustment for expected confounders (eg, baseline β-stiffness index, height, body mass index, heart rate, and post-training body mass, body mass index, and mean BP).
These results suggest that both moderate and vigorous physical activities have favorable effects on central arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women.
Multiple myeloma (MM), a progressive hematological neoplasm, is thought to result from multiple genetic events affecting the terminal plasma cell. However, genetic aberrations related to MM are ...seldom reported. Using our in-house array-based comparative genomic hybridization system to locate candidate target genes with following their expression analysis, we identified POU2AF1 at 11q23.1 as a probable amplification target in MM cell lines. POU2AF1 is a B-cell-specific transcriptional co-activator, which interacts with octamer-binding transcription factors Oct-1 and Oct-2, and augments their function. Downregulation of POU2AF1 expression by specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited MM cell growth, whereas ectopic expression of POU2AF1 promoted growth of MM cells. Among putative transcriptional targets for POU2AF1, B-cell maturation factor, TNFRSF17, enhanced its transcription by POU2AF1, and POU2AF1 directly bound to an octamer site within the 5' region of TNFRSF17. Expression level of TNFRSF17 was closely correlated with that of POU2AF1 in cell lines and primary samples of MM, and decreasing TNFRSF17 expression by means of TNFRSF17 siRNA inhibited MM cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that POU2AF1, when activated by amplification or other mechanisms, may contribute to progression of MM by accelerating growth of MM cells through direct transactivation of one of its target genes, TNFRSF17.
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