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Correct and timely identification of an invasive species during quarantine or at an early stage of invasion before establishment or spread is critical for preventing biological invasions. However, taxonomic confusion of potential invasive earthworm species caused by incorrect taxonomic treatment or reckless taxonomic work has made it difficult to properly recognize potential invasion threats. Through analyzing publicly available DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, we confirmed the validity of the specific status of Amynthas masatakae (Beddard, 1892), a peregrine earthworm species in East Asia with the potential to spread to other regions of the world, and designated two new synonyms of A. masatakae: Amynthas tralfamadore Blakemore, 2012 syn. nov. and Amynthas scaberulus Sun and Jiang, 2021 syn. nov. Additionally, the name A. triastriatus usualis Dong, Jiang, Yuan, Zhao and Qiu, 2020 is nomenclaturally unavailable since it was published in an electronic journal without ZooBank registration and an explicit statement establishing a new nominal taxon. Specimens described under this unavailable name actually belong to A. masatakae. Inadequate literature review and erroneous species identities associated with sequences in GenBank have caused even more problems in the already confusing earthworm taxonomy.

From urban green space to pristine forest, Collembola is one of the most numerous and species-rich members of the soil fauna around the world. However, due to lack of taxonomic expertise and research, its diversity is poorly understood, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Collembola biodiversity studies in Taiwan have not seen much progress since 1981, when Hsin Chi reviewed 26 species belonging to 20 genera and eight families. Additionally, reports of new records in Taiwan in the last 40 years are scattered amongst several publications and not easily accessible to most end-users. Thus, a concise summary of related research is urgently needed. In this study, we updated the checklist of Collembola in Taiwan, based on published papers as well as images recorded in 2020–2022. We concluded that 58 species of Collembola belonging to 31 genera and 12 families have been reported in Taiwan, including 13 newly-recorded species. This species richness marks a 123% increase from the 1981 review. The results have been made publicly available in the Catalog of Life in Taiwan database and the images recorded have been used to update species information in collembola.org. We also characterised morphological and genetic variations in the globular springtail species Papirioides jacobsoni Folsom, 1924 using DNA barcodes and highlighted potential research directions.

Controlling the corrosion rate of implants to maintain mechanical properties during tissue healing is significant in developing magnesium alloy implants. In addition to surface treatment and material properties, the study of geometric alteration and mechanical strength are also vital for implant development. In this study, we developed a three-dimensional model for semi-autonomous computational pitting corrosion. It is based on the Monte Carlo method, modeling magnesium alloy implants toward clinical application. The corrosion probability is based on the number of exposed surfaces to saline and the oxidation characteristics of the elements. The computational results are well compared with the experimental measurement using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) in 500 h. Subsequently, the computational analysis is extended to 3,000 h of corrosion analysis. The 3D model appears promising to assist the development of biodegradable implants.

Here we introduce the Soil BON Foodweb Team, a cross-continental collaborative network that aims to monitor soil animal communities and food webs using consistent methodology at a global scale. Soil animals support vital soil processes via soil structure modification, consumption of dead organic matter, and interactions with microbial and plant communities. Soil animal effects on ecosystem functions have been demonstrated by correlative analyses as well as in laboratory and field experiments, but these studies typically focus on selected animal groups or species at one or few sites with limited variation in environmental conditions. The lack of comprehensive harmonised large-scale soil animal community data including microfauna, mesofauna, and macrofauna, in conjunction with related soil functions, microbial communities, and vegetation, limits our understanding of biological interactions in soil systems and how these interactions affect ecosystem functioning. To provide such data, the Soil BON Foodweb Team invites researchers worldwide to use a common methodology to address six long-term goals: (1) to collect globally representative harmonised data on soil micro-, meso-, and macrofauna communities, (2) to describe key environmental drivers of soil animal communities and food webs, (3) to assess the efficiency of conservation approaches for the protection of soil animal communities, (4) to describe soil food webs and their association with soil functioning globally, (5) to establish a global research network for soil biodiversity monitoring and collaborative projects in related topics, (6) to reinforce local collaboration networks and expertise and support capacity building for soil animal research around the world. In this paper, we describe the vision of the global research network and the common sampling protocol to assess soil animal communities and advocate for the use of standard methodologies across observational and experimental soil animal studies. We will use this protocol to conduct soil animal assessments and reconstruct soil food webs at sites associated with the global soil biodiversity monitoring network, Soil BON, allowing us to assess linkages among soil biodiversity, vegetation, soil physico-chemical properties, climate, and ecosystem functions. In the present paper, we call for researchers especially from countries and ecoregions that remain underrepresented in the majority of soil biodiversity assessments to join us. Together we will be able to provide science-based evidence to support soil biodiversity conservation and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems.

Abstract Background Two parallel cannulated screws along with an anterior wire to construct a tension band is a popular approach in transverse patellar fractures. However, the optimal screw proximity, either deep or superficial screw placements, remains controversial. Hence, a new concept of the addition of a third screw to form a triangular configuration along with the original two parallel screws was proposed in this study. Therefore, the biomechanical effect of the additional third screw on the stability of the fractured patella was investigated with finite element (FE) simulation. Methods An FE knee model including the distal femur, proximal tibia, and fractured patella (type AT/OTA 34-C) was developed in this study. Four different screw configurations, including two parallel cannulated screws with superficial (5-mm proximity) and deep (10-mm proximity) placements and two parallel superficial screws plus a third deep screw, and two parallel deep screws plus a third superficial screw, with or without the anterior wire, were considered for the simulation. Results Results indicated that the addition of a third screw increased stability by reducing the dorsal gap opening when two parallel screws were deeply placed, particularly on the fractured patella without an anterior wire. However, the third screw was of little value when two parallel screws were superficially placed. In the existence of two deep parallel screws and the anterior wire, the third screw reduced the gap opening by 23.5% (from 1.15 mm to 0.88 mm) and 53.6% (from 1.21 mm to 0.61 mm) in knee flexion 45° and full extension, respectively. Furthermore, in the absence of the anterior wire, the third screw reduced the gap opening by 73.5% (from 2 mm to 0.53 mm) and 72.2% (from 1.33 mm to 0.37 mm) in knee flexion 45° and full extension, respectively. Conclusion Based on the results, a third cannulated screw superficially placed (5-mm proximity) is recommended to increase stability and maintain contact of the fractured patella, fixed with two parallel cannulated screws deeply placed (10-mm proximity), particularly when an anterior wire was not used. Furthermore, the third screw deeply placed is not recommended in a fractured patella with two parallel superficial screws.

Abstract Background Lateral hinge fracture (LHF) is associated with nonunion and plate breakage in high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Mechanical studies investigating fixation strategies for LHFs to restore stability and avoid plate breakage are absent. This study used computer simulation to compare mechanical stabilities in HTO for different LHFs fixed with medial and bilateral locking plates. Methods A finite element knee model was created with HTO and three types of LHF, namely T1, T2, and T3 fractures, based on the Takeuchi classification. Either medial plating or bilateral plating was used to fix the HTO with LHFs. Furthermore, the significance of the locking screw at the combi hole (D-hole) of the medial TomoFix plate was evaluated. Results The osteotomy gap shortening distance increased from 0.53 to 0.76, 0.79, and 0.72 mm after T1, T2, and T3 LHFs, respectively, with medial plating only. Bilateral plating could efficiently restore stability and maintain the osteotomy gap. Furthermore, using the D-hole screw reduced the peak stress on the medial plate by 28.7% (from 495 to 353 MPa), 26.6% (from 470 to 345 MPa), and 32.6% (from 454 to 306 MPa) in T1, T2, and T3 LHFs, respectively. Conclusion Bilateral plating is a recommended strategy to restore HTO stability in LHFs. Furthermore, using a D-hole locking screw is strongly recommended to reduce the stress on the medial plate for lowering plate breakage risk.

Abstract Background Although use of a dynamic hip screw (DHS) for stable intertrochanteric hip fracture fixation has been successfully applied in fracture healing for more than 20 years, DHS fixation on unstable intertrochanteric fractures still has a high failure rate, especially in patients with osteoporosis. Although the wire fixation is usually incorporated with orthopedic device to treat fracture, the wiring techniques are developed through experiences. Thus, this study is objective to investigate the biomechanical property of different wire fixation methods incorporated with DHS system to provide the lesser trochanter fragment stable fixation on osteoporotic TypeA2.1 fracture for enhancing stability after bone reduction. Results Sawbone testing results demonstrated higher maximum load, stiffness, and energy in a DHS with wire fixation compared with DHS fixation only. In static biomechanical testing of a cadaver femur, we compared the stiffness of five fixation models and then tested a fatigue failure model in cycle loading with DHS fixation only. Wiring fixation can enhance stability and the cut-out failure model in the fatigue test was identical to the clinical failure model. Conclusions Lesser trochanteric fragment fixation is a crucial concern in the stability of an A2.1 unstable fracture, and the combination of a wiring technique with a DHS seems beneficial for achieving better stability. The addition of an antirotational greater trochanter is likely to enhance stability through wiring of the greater trochanter.

Abstract Background Cannulated screws with an anterior wire are currently used for managing transverse patellar fracture. However, the addition of anterior wiring with various types of screws via open surgery to increase the mechanical stability is yet to be determined. Hence, this study aimed to compare the mechanical behaviors of a fractured patella fixed with various screws types and at various screw locations with and without the anterior wire. The present study hypothesized that using the anterior wire reduces the fracture gap formation. Methods A finite element (FE) model containing a fractured patella fixed with various types of cannulated screws and anterior wiring was created in this study. Three types of screws, namely partial thread, full thread, and headless compression screws, and two screw depths, namely 5 and 10 mm away from the anterior surface of the patella, were included. The effect of the anterior wire was clarified by comparing the results of surgical fixation with and without the wire. Two magnitudes and two loading directions were used to simulate and examine the mechanical responses of the fractured patella with various fixation conditions during knee flexion/extension. Results Compared with partial thread and headless compression screws, the full thread screw increased the stability of the fractured patella by reducing fragment displacement, fracture gap formation, and contact pressure while increasing the contact area at the fracture site. Under 400-N in the direction 45°, the full thread screw with 5-mm placement reduced the gap formation by 86.7% (from 2.71 to 0.36 mm) and 55.6% (from 0. 81 to 0. 36 mm) compared with the partial thread screw with 10-mm placement, respectively without and with the anterior wire. Conclusion The anterior wire along with the full thread screw is preferentially recommended for maintaining the surgical fixation of the fractured patella. Without the use of anterior wiring, the full thread screw with 5-mm placement may be considered as a less invasive alternative; however, simple screw fixation at a deeper placement (10 mm) is least recommended for the fixation of transverse patellar fracture.

Abstract Background To maintain the corrected alignment after high tibial osteotomy (HTO), fixation with titanium locking plate and screws is widely used in current practice; however, screw breakage is a common complication. Thus, this study was to investigate the mechanical stability of HTO with locking plate and various screw fixations, including the length as well as the type. Methods A finite element (FE) model involving a distal femur, meniscus, and a proximal tibia with HTO fixed with a titanium locking plate and screws was created. The angle of the medial open wedge was 12°, and bone graft was not used. Two types of screws, namely conventional locking and far-cortical locking screws, with various lengths and configurations were used. At the proximal tibia, conventional locking screws with different lengths, 30 and 55 mm, were used; at the tibia shaft, different screw fixations including one-cortical, two-cortical, and far-cortical locking screws were used. Results The use of far-cortical locking screw generated the highest equivalent stress on the screws, which was four times (from 137.3 to 541 MPa) higher than that of the one-cortical screw. Also, it led to the maximum deformation of the tibia and a greater gap deformation at the osteotomy site, which was twice (from 0.222 to 0.442 mm) larger than that of the one-cortical screw. The effect of different locking screw length on tibia deformation and implant stress was minor. Conclusion Thus, far-cortical locking screws and plates increase interfragmentary movement but the screw stress is relatively high. Increasing the protection time (partial weight duration) is suggested to decrease the risk of screw breakage in HTO through fixation with titanium far-cortical locking screws and plates.

Acrylamide (ACR) is present in high-temperature-processed high-carbohydrate foods, cigarette smoke, and industrial pollution. Chronic exposure to ACR may induce neurotoxicity from reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, the mechanisms underlying ACR-induced neurotoxicity remain unclear. We studied 28-day subacute ACR toxicity by repeatedly feeding ACR (0, 15, or 30 mg/kg) to rats. We conducted RNA sequencing and Western blot analyses to identify differences in mRNA expression in the blood and in protein expression in the brain tissues, respectively, of the rats. AQP4 transient transfection was performed to identify potential associations with protein regulation. The rats treated with 30 mg/kg ACR exhibited hind-limb muscle weakness. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) expression was higher in the ACR-treated group than in the control group. ACR induced MMP-9 and AQP4 protein expression in the brain tissues of the rats, which subsequently presented with neurotoxicity. In the in vitro study, Neuro-2a cells were transiently transfected with AQP4, which inhibited MMP-9 and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) expression, and inhibited ACR induced expression of TRAF6, IκBα, and nuclear factor κB (NFκB). Using a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments, this study revealed that depressive symptoms associated with ACR-induced neurotoxicity are associated with downregulation of AQP4 and induction of the TRAF6 pathway.

Purpose: Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) is a surgical technique used in the management of severe fractures of the knee joint and revision total knee arthroplasty. Limited research discusses the performance of the osteotomy and fixation of the TTO with screws. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of fragment shape and screw configuration on the mechanical behavior in the fixation of the TTO using the finite element (FE) method. Methods: FE TTO models with three fragment shapes and three screw configurations were developed. The three fragment shapes were a step cut, bevel cut, and straight cut. The screw configurations were two parallel horizontal and downward screws and two trapezoidal screws. A 1654-N upward tension force was applied on the tibia tubercle, and the distal end of the tibia was completely fixed. Results: The results indicated that the step cut resulted in higher stability than the bevel and straight cut, but the stress was higher as well. Among the screw configurations, two parallel downward screws resulted in the highest stability, given the same fragment shape. In the horizontal configuration, the step cut tibia developed the largest contact force to achieve stability of the bone fragment under loading. Conclusion: The fragment shape with a step cut and fixation with two parallel horizontal or downward screws are suggested for TTO, while the trapezoidal screw configuration is not suggested. Furthermore, the downward screw configuration is a suitable strategy to reduce bone stress.

Acrylamide (ACR), which is formed during the Maillard reaction, is used in various industrial processes. ACR accumulation in humans and laboratory animals results in genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which ACR may induce vasorelaxation and neuromuscular toxicity. Vasorelaxation was studied using an isolated rat aortic ring model. The aortic rings were divided into the following groups: with or without endothelium, with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition, with acetylcholine receptor inhibition, and with extracellular calcium inhibition. Changes in tension were used to indicate vasorelaxation. Neuromuscular toxicity was assessed using a phrenic nerve–diaphragm model. Changes in muscle contraction stimulated by the phrenic nerve were used to indicate neuromuscular toxicity. ACR induced the vasorelaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aortic rings, which could be significantly attenuated by NOS inhibitors. The results of the phrenic nerve–diaphragm experiments revealed that ACR reduced muscle stimulation and contraction through nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). ACR-induced vasotoxicity was regulated by NOS through the aortic endothelium. Nicotinic AChR regulated ACR-induced neuromuscular blockage.

Purpose: Clinical and biomechanical studies have reported that using supportive screws and a wire instead of the common Kirschner wires for modified tension band wiring improves the stability of fractured patellae. However, the effect of screw proximity on the fixation of a fractured patella remains unclear. Therefore a numerical study was conducted to examine the effects of screw proximity on biomechanical responses in a simulated patellar fracture fixed using two parallel cannulated screws and anterior tension band wiring. Methods: A patellar model with a transverse fracture and loads simulating patellar tendon forces applied on the patella were used in the present simulation. The surgical fixation consisted of two 4.0-mm parallel partially threaded cannulated screws with a figure-of-eight tension band made using a 1.25-mm stainless steel wire. Biomechanical responses at two screw proximities, 5 and 10 mm from the leading edge of the patella, were investigated. Results: Superficial screw placement (5 mm) yielded higher stability, lower wire loads, and lower bone contact pressures than the deep placement (10 mm). The deep placement of screws exerted a higher load on the wire but a lower force on the screw than superficial placement did. Conclusion: This is the first numerical study to examine the effects of screw location on the fixation of a fractured patella using cannulated screws and tension band wiring. Considering the favorable biomechanical responses, superficial placement (5 mm below the leading edge of the patella) is recommended for screw insertion when treating a transverse fractured patella.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169151.].

The family Lumbricidae is arguably the most well-known and well-studied earthworm group due to its dominance in the European earthworm fauna and its invasion in temperate regions worldwide. However, its North American members, especially the genus Bimastos Moore, 1893, are poorly understood. We revised the systematics of the genus Bimastos and tested the hypothesis of the monophyly of North American lumbricids using morphological characters and eight molecular markers. Phylogenetic analyses based on our extensive sampling of Bimastos and inclusion of Dendrodrilus and Allolobophoridella indicated a well-supported clade containing Bimastos and Eisenoides Gates, 1969, and provided the first evidence supporting that North American lumbricids are monophyletic. Assuming the available divergence time estimations and dating of land bridges are correct, it would suggest that the ancestor of this clade arrived North America through Beringia or the De Geer route during Late Cretaceous, and since then the clade has diverged from its Eurasian sister group, Eisenia. The peregrine genera Dendrodrilus and Allolobophoridella are nested within the Bimastos clade; we propose to treat them as junior synonyms of the genus Bimastos, and, contradictory to the commonly held belief of being European, they are indeed part of the indigenous North American earthworm fauna. Morphological characters, such as red-violet pigmentation, proclinate U-shaped nephridial bladders and calciferous diverticula in segment 10 further support this placement. The East Mediterranean-Levantine Spermophorodrilus Bouché, 1975 and Healyella Omodeo & Rota, 1989 are nested within the Dendrobaena sensu lato clade; therefore their close relationship with the North American Bimastos is refuted. Species fit the revised diagnosis of Bimastos are reviewed and keyed, and a new species, Bimastos schwerti sp. nov., is described.

Rocker-soled shoes provide a way to reduce the possible concentration of stress, as well as change movement patterns, during gait. This study attempts to examine how plantar force and spatio-temporal variables are affected by two rocker designs, one with softer and one with denser sole materials, by comparing them with the barefoot condition and with flat-soled shoes. Eleven subjects' gait parameters during walking and jogging were recorded. Our results showed that compared with barefoot walking, plantar forces were higher for flat shoes while lower for both types of rocker shoes, the softer-material rocker being the lowest. The plantar force of flat shoes is greater than the vertical ground reaction force, while that of both rocker shoes is much less, 13.87-30.55% body weight. However, as locomotion speed increased to jogging, for all shoe types, except at the second peak plantar force of the denser sole material rocker shoes, plantar forces were greater than for bare feet. More interestingly, because the transmission of force was faster while jogging, greater plantar force was seen in the rocker-soled shoes with softer material than with denser material; results for higher-speed shock absorption in rocker-soled shoes with softer material were thus not as good. In general, the rolling phenomena along the bottom surface of the rocker shoes, as well as an increase in the duration of simultaneous curve rolling and ankle rotation, could contribute to the reduction of plantar force for both rocker designs. The possible mechanism is the conversion of vertical kinetic energy into rotational kinetic energy. To conclude, since plantar force is related to foot-ground interface and deceleration methods, rocker-design shoes could achieve desired plantar force reduction through certain rolling phenomena, shoe-sole stiffness levels, and locomotion speeds.

PURPOSE:Minimal axial diameter (MIAD) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recognized as the most useful parameter in diagnosing lateral retropharyngeal lymph (LRPL) nodes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aims to explore the additional nodal parameters in MRI and positron emission tomography-computed tomography for increasing the prediction accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 663 LRPL nodes were retrospectively collected from 335 patients with NPC. The LRPL nodes ascertained on follow-up MRI were considered positive for metastases. First, the optimal cutoff value of each parameter was derived for each parameter. In addition, neural network (NN) nodal evaluation was tested for all combinations of three parameters, namely MIAD, maximal axial diameter (MAAD), and maximal coronal diameter (MACD). The optimal approach was determined through brute force attack, and the results of two methods were compared using a bootstrap sampling method. Second, the mean standard uptake value (NSUVmean) was added as the fourth parameter and tested in the same manner for 410 nodes in 219 patients. RESULTS:In first and second analysis, the accuracy rate (percentage) for the MIAD was 89.0% (590/663) and 89.0% (365/410), with the optimal cutoff values being 6.1 mm and 6.0 mm, respectively. With the combination of all three and four parameters, the accuracy rate of the NN was 89% (288/332) and 88.8% (182/205), respectively. In prediction, the optimal combinations of the three and four parameters resulted in correct identification of three (accuracy: 593/663, 89.4%) and six additional nodes (371/410, 90.5%), representing 4% (3/73) and 13.3% (6/45) decreases in incorrect prediction, respectively. CONCLUSION:NPC LRPL nodes with an MIAD ≥ 6.1 mm are positive. Among nodes with an MIAD < 6.1 mm, if the NSUVmean ≥ 2.6 or MACD ≥ 25 mm and MAAD ≥ 8 mm, the nodes are positive; otherwise, they are negative.

A new germacrane-type sesquiterpenoid, menelloide E (1), and a new cembrane-type diterpenoid, lobocrassin F (2), were isolated from the octocorals Menella sp. and Lobophytum crassum, respectively. The structures of terpenoids 1 and 2 were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods and compound 2 was found to display a significant inhibitory effect on the release of elastase by human neutrophils.

The biodiversity of soil communities remains very poorly known and understood. Soil biological sciences are strongly affected by the taxonomic crisis, and most groups of animals in that biota suffer from a strong taxonomic impediment. The objective of this work was to investigate how DNA barcoding - a novel method using a microgenomic tag for species identification and discrimination - permits better evaluation of the taxonomy of soil biota. A total of 1,152 barcode sequences were analyzed for two major groups of animals, collembolans and earthworms, which presented broad taxonomic and geographic sampling. Besides strongly reflecting the taxonomic impediment for both groups, with a large number of species-level divergent lineages remaining unnamed so far, the results also highlight a high level (15%) of cryptic diversity within known species of both earthworms and collembolans. These results are supportive of recent local studies using a similar approach. Within an impeded taxonomic system for soil animals, DNA-assisted identification tools can facilitate and improve biodiversity exploration and description. DNA-barcoding campaigns are rapidly developing in soil animals and the community of soil biologists is urged to embrace these methods.A biodiversidade das comunidades do solo continua muito pouco conhecida e entendida. A biologia do solo é fortemente afetada pela crise taxonômica, e a maior parte dos grupos de animais dessa biota sofre forte impedimento taxonômico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar como o código de barras de DNA - um método novo que usa uma etiqueta microgenômica para identificação e discriminação de espécies - permite uma melhor avaliação da taxonomia da biota edáfica. Foram analisadas 1.152 sequências de códigos de barras de dois grupos principais de animais, colêmbolos e minhocas, que apresentaram ampla amostragem taxonômica e geográfica. Além de refletir fortemente o impedimento taxonômico de ambos os grupos, com um grande número de linhagens divergentes no nível da espécie que ainda não está descrita, os resultados também destacam um alto (15%) nível de diversidade críptica dentro de espécies conhecidas de minhocas e colêmbolos. Esses resultados apóiam estudos locais recentes que usaram métodos similares. Considerando as dificuldades taxonômicas enfrentadas para identificar os animais de solo, ferramentas de identificação usando DNA podem facilitar e melhorar a exploração da biodiversidade e a sua descrição. As campanhas de código de barras de DNA estão se desenvolvendo rapidamente com animais do solo, e a comunidade de biólogos é incitada a adotar esses métodos.

We previously showed that injection of peptide nanofibers (NF) combined with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNC) immediately after coronary artery ligation improves cardiac performance in pigs. To evaluate the clinical feasibility, this study was performed to determine the therapeutic time window for NF/MNC therapy in acute myocardial infarction (MI).A total of 45 adult minipigs were randomly grouped into 7 groups: sham or MI plus treatment with NS (normal saline), or NF or MNC alone at 1 day (1D) post-MI, or NF/MNC at 1, 4, or 7 days post-MI (N≥6). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and ventricular catheterization. Compared with the NS control, pigs treated with NF/MNC at 1 day post-MI (NF/MC-1D) had the greatest improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF; 55.1±1.6%; P

To investigate the effects of backward adjustable thoracic support on spinal curvature and back muscle activation during wheelchair sitting.Twenty elderly people were recruited for this study. The backward adjustable thoracic support sitting posture was compared with the slumped, normal, and lumbar support sitting postures. Spinal curvatures (pelvic, lumbar, and thoracic angles) and muscle activations of 4 back muscles on both sides (maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the lumbar multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, and thoracic erector spinae at T9) were measured and compared between the different sitting postures using one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures.The backward adjustable thoracic support sitting posture showed a relatively neutral pelvic tilt (-0.32±4.80°) when compared with the slumped (22.84±5.27°) and lumbar support (-8.97±3.31°) sitting postures (P

The primary focus of the warehouse relocation problem is to systematically and efficiently move items already stored in the warehouse to newly planned storage locations, which is a critical issue for the successful operation of Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS). There is limited research on the warehouse relocation problem for AS/RS with multiple loading and unloading stations. To address this issue, this research proposed an approach to rearrange the materials stored in a unit-load AS/RS with multiple loading stations to a target assignment. A mathematical model based on integer programming was built to determine the optimal sequence for relocating storage locations and arrange the sequence of movement. Since this is at least NP-hard to solve, a heuristic algorithm was designed to solve this problem in several segments, enabling its application in practical scenarios with larger data scales to enhance the operational efficiency of automated storage systems. Computational experiments were conducted using various problem sizes to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm. Additionally, this study applied the proposed method to plan storage relocation for a large-scale automated AS/RS, which is operational at a computer hardware manufacturer in Taiwan, as a means to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the method proposed in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]