scholarly journals Long-acting muscarinic antagonists and small airways: which link?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Cazzola ◽  
Luigino Calzetta ◽  
Maria Gabriella Matera
Keyword(s):  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Small Airways ◽  
Local Inflammation ◽  
Inflammatory Stimuli ◽  
Vagal Innervation ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Airway Tone ◽  
The Relationship

Involvement of small airways, those of less than 2 mm in internal diameter, is present in all stages of asthma and contributes substantially to the pathophysiologic expression of asthma. Therefore, small airways are increasingly viewed as a potential target in optimal asthma control. Airway tone, which is increased in asthma, is mainly controlled by the vagus nerve that releases acetylcholine (ACh) and activates muscarinic ACh receptors (mAChRs) post-synaptically on airway smooth muscle (ASM). In small airways, M3 mAChRs are expressed, but there is no vagal innervation. Non-neuronal ACh released from the epithelial cells that may express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in response to inflammatory stimuli, as well as from other structural cells in the airways, including fibroblasts and mast cells, can activate these receptors. By antagonizing M3 mAChR, the contraction of the ASM is prevented and, potentially, local inflammation can be reduced and the progression of remodeling may be affected. In fact, ACh also contributes to inflammation and remodeling of the airways and regulates the growth of ASM. Several experimental studies have demonstrated the potential benefit derived from the use of mAChR antagonists, mainly long-acting mAChR antagonists (LAMAs), on small airways in asthma. However, there are several confounding factors that may cause a wrong estimation of the relationship between LAMAs and small airways in asthma.

Potential Role of Inflammation in Associations between Particulate Matter and Heart Failure

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaotong Ji ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Guangke Li ◽  
Nan Sang
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Inflammatory Mechanism ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Relationship

Recently, numerous studies have found that particulate matter (PM) exposure is correlated with increased hospitalization and mortality from heart failure (HF). In addition to problems with circulation, HF patients often display high expression of cytokines in the failing heart. Thus, as a recurring heart problem, HF is thought to be a disorder characterized in part by the inflammatory response. In this review, we intend to discuss the relationship between PM exposure and HF that is based on inflammatory mechanism and to provide a comprehensive, updated evaluation of the related studies. Epidemiological studies on PM-induced heart diseases are focused on high concentrations of PM, high pollutant load exposure in winter, or susceptible groups with heart diseases, etc. Furthermore, it appears that the relationship between fine or ultrafine PM and HF is stronger than that between HF and coarse PM. However, fewer studies paid attention to PM components. As for experimental studies, it is worth noting that coarse PM may indirectly promote the inflammatory response in the heart through systematic circulation of cytokines produced primarily in the lungs, while ultrafine PM and its components can enter circulation and further induce inflammation directly in the heart. In terms of PM exposure and enhanced inflammation during the pathogenesis of HF, this article reviews the following mechanisms: hemodynamics, oxidative stress, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and epigenetic regulation. However, many problems are still unsolved, and future work will be needed to clarify the complex biologic mechanisms and to identify the specific components of PM responsible for adverse effects on heart health.

scholarly journals Experimental studies on the transformation from firn to ice in the wet-snow zone of temperate glaciers

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katsuhisa Kawashima ◽  
Tomomi Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Compression Tests ◽  
Densification Rate ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Proportionality Constant ◽  
Wet Snow ◽  
Water Saturated ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Good Agreement

The densification of water-saturated firn, which had formed just above the firn-ice transition in the wet-snow zone of temperate glaciers, was investigated by compression tests under pressures ranging from 0.036 to 0.173 MPa, with special reference to the relationship between densification rate, time and pressure. At each test, the logarithm of the densification rate was proportional to the logarithm of the time, and its proportionality constant increased exponentially with increasing pressure. The time necessary for ice formation in the firn aquifer was calculated using the empirical formula obtained from the tests. Consequently, the necessary time decreased exponentially as the pressure increased, which shows that the transformation from firn in ice can be completed within the period when the firn aquifer exists, if the overburden pressure acting on the water-saturated firn is above 0.12–0.14 MPa. This critical value of pressure was in good agreement with the overburden pressure obtained from depth–density curves of temperate glaciers. It was concluded that the depth of firn–ice transition was self-balanced by the overburden pressure to result in the concentration between 20 and 30 m.

scholarly journals Application of intelligent orienteering based on Internet of things

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghui Zhang ◽  
Ruijie Liu
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Emergency Services ◽  
Simulation Experiment ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Signal Stability ◽  
Anchor Nodes ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Internet Of Things

Abstract Orienteering has gradually changed from a professional sport to a civilian sport. Especially in recent years, orienteering has been widely popularized. Many colleges and universities in China have also set up this course. With the improvement of people’s living conditions, orienteering has really become a leisure sport in modern people’s life. The reduced difficulty of sports enables more people to participate, but it also exposes a series of problems. As the existing positioning technology is relatively backward, the progress in personnel tracking, emergency services, and other aspects is slow. To solve these problems, a new intelligent orienteering application system is developed based on the Internet of things. ZigBee network architecture is adopted in the system. ZigBee is the mainstream scheme in the current wireless sensor network technology, which has many advantages such as convenient carrying, low power consumption, and signal stability. Due to the complex communication environment in mobile signal, the collected information is processed by signal amplification and signal anti-interference technology. By adding anti-interference devices, video isolators and other devices, the signal is guaranteed to the maximum extent. In order to verify the actual effect of this system, through a number of experimental studies including the relationship between error and traffic radius and the relationship between coverage and the number of anchor nodes, the data shows that the scheme studied in this paper has a greater improvement in comprehensive performance than the traditional scheme, significantly improving the accuracy and coverage. Especially the coverage is close to 100% in the simulation experiment. This research has achieved good results and can be widely used in orienteering training and competition.

Relation between understanding and agreeing in response to one-sentence assertion*

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
YASUHIRO OZURU ◽  
DAVID BOWIE ◽  
GIULIA KAUFMAN
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cognitive Response ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Evaluative Response ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Relationship

abstractThree quasi-experimental studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between the evaluative (i.e., agree/true) and the meta-cognitive (i.e., understand) response, and to determine which type of response people are more likely to provide when responding to one-sentence assertive statements. In Studies 1 and 2, participants performed two separate tasks in which they were asked to indicate the levels of: (i) understanding and (ii) agreement / perceived truthfulness of 126 one-sentence statements. The results indicated that participants were likely to provide a negative evaluative response (i.e., disagree/false) to a statement that they did not understand. In Study 3, participants were asked to evaluate the same 126 statements and choose between four response options: agree, disagree, understand, do not understand. The results indicated that people are more likely provide an evaluative response regardless of the understandability of a statement. The results of these studies are discussed in relation to (i) pragmatic perspective of how people infer speakers’ meaning, and (ii) cognitive processes underlying evaluative and meta-cognitive response.

ANALYSIS OF THE ERROR IN DETERMINING THE EQUIVALENT SIZE OF A DEFECT BY THE STANDARDLESS METHOD DURING ULTRASONIC TESTING

2021 ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
A. N. Kireev ◽  
M. A. Kireeva
Keyword(s):  
Relative Error ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Ultrasonic Method ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Standard Samples ◽  
Defect Identification ◽  
Identification Method ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Software Product ◽  
The Relationship

The article provides a review and analysis of the defect identification method for determining the size of discontinuities when diagnosing various machine parts and units by the manual ultrasonic method. This method makes it possible to determine the equivalent size of discontinuities of various types without using standard samples of an enterprise: point planar and volumetric; extended planar and volumetric. The method is based on the use of the relationship between the amplitude and time characteristics of the echo signal from the discontinuity and the backside signal in the object being diagnosed and the equivalent size of the discontinuity. The article presents the mathematical apparatus for the implementation of this method. Also presented is a software product that allows you to automate calculations when using this defect identification method. The article contains experimental studies of the method for determining the equivalent dimensions of discontinuities of various types, which have shown its high reliability. The maximum value of the relative error in determining the equivalent size of a point planar discontinuity was 2.867 %. The maximum value of the relative error in determining the equivalent size of a point volumetric discontinuity was 1.986 %. The maximum value of the relative error in determining the transverse equivalent size of an extended planar discontinuity was 0.667 %. The maximum value of the relative error in determining the transverse equivalent size of an extended volumetric discontinuity was 1.95 %.

SOFTWARE FOR CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR «SMART» RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
Sergey Polyakov ◽  
V. Akimov ◽  
A. Polukazakov ◽  
Vladimir Zolnikov ◽  
P. Enin
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Assembly Language ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Liquid Level ◽  
Virtual Object ◽  
Level Control ◽  
The Relationship

The article deals with the issues of modeling and management of life support systems of a residential building. The resulting model of the liquid level in the tank allows you to establish the relationship between the level and the flow rate of the liquid. The results of the selection and justification of the fluid level control structure are presented. An algorithm that implements the operation of a virtual object is given. The structure of the automatic control system (ACS) of the liquid level is technically implemented in an open type. The results confirming the achievability of the proposed structural changes are obtained. The results of experimental studies are presented. The choice and justification of the method of controlling the heating system and the liquid level in the tank are considered. Programs for managing subsystems of a residential building in Assembly language, C++, and ladder diagrams are presented. A model for controlling the liquid level in a Multisim environment is proposed.

scholarly journals Investigations on Torsion of the Two-Chords Single Laced Members

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-160
Author(s):  
Paweł Lorkowski ◽  
Bronisław Gosowski
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
The Finite Element Method ◽  
Second Moment ◽  
Steel Columns ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Traction Network ◽  
Railway Traction ◽  
Parametric Analyses ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The paper presents experimental and numerical studies to determine the equivalent second moment of area of the uniform torsion of the two-chord steel single laced members. The members are used as poles of railway traction network gates, and steel columns of framed buildings as well. The stiffness of uniform torsion of this kind of columns allows to the determine the critical loads of the spatial stability. The experimental studies have been realized on a single - span members with rotation arrested at their ends, loaded by a torque applied at the mid-span. The relationship between angle of rotation of the considered cross-section and the torque has been determined. Appropriate numerical model was created in the ABAQUS program, based on the finite element method. A very good compatibility has been observed between experimental and numerical studies. The equivalent second moment of area of the uniform torsion for analysed members has been determined by comparing the experimental and analytical results to those obtained from differential equation of non-uniform torsion, based on Vlasov’s theory. Additionally, the parametric analyses of similar members subjected to the uniform torsion, for the richer range of cross-sections have been carried out by the means of SOFiSTiK program. The purpose of the latter was determining parametrical formulas for calculation of the second moment of area of uniform torsion.

scholarly journals Small airway dysfunction in patients with cough variant asthma: a retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Gao ◽  
Haigui Wu ◽  
Feng Wu
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Small Airway ◽  
Small Airways ◽  
Cough Variant Asthma ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Cell Test ◽  
Sputum Eosinophils ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Cough variant asthma (CVA) is one of the special populations of asthma. The aim of the study was to compare small airways, the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and airway inflammatory subtypes between CVA and classic asthma (CA), and investigate the relationship between these markers to determine the accuracy as indicators of CVA. Methods A total of 825 asthmatic patients participated in the study and 614 were included. 614 patients underwent spirometry and a bronchial challenge with methacholine and 459 patients performed induction sputum cell test. Results The number of CVA patients showed less small airway dysfunction than those of CA patients (p < 0.005). The degree of small airways dysfunction was higher in the CA group compared with the CVA group (p < 0.001). Small airways dysfunction was severer in the eosinophilic airway inflammatory subtype compared with other subtypes (p < 0.05).The area under curve of MMEF, FEF50 and FEF75 (% predicted) was 0.615, 0.621, 0.606, respectively. 0.17mcg of PD20 and 4.7% of sputum eosinophils was the best diagnostic value for CVA with an AUC of 0.582 and 0.575 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Conclusions The eosinophilic airway inflammatory subtype may be increased small airway dysfunction. The value of small airways, BHR and induction sputum cells in CVA prediction, which reflected significant, but not enough to be clinically useful.

scholarly journals Weaving the Common Threads of Simulation and Formation studies in Archaeology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Davies
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Human Activity ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Surface Erosion ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Material Record

Computer simulation is a tool increasingly used by archaeologists to build theories about past human activity; however, simulation has had a limited role theorising about the relationship between past behaviours and the formation of observed patterning in the material record. This paper visits the argument for using simulation as a means of addressing the gap that exists between archaeological interpretations of past behaviours and their physical residues. It is argued that simulation is used for much the same reason that archaeologists use ethnographic or experimental studies, and that computational models can help to address some of the practical limitations of these approaches to record formation. A case study from arid Australia, examining the effects of episodic surface erosion on the visibility of the record, shows how simple, generative simulations, grounded in formational logic, can be used to compare different explanatory mechanisms and suggest tests of the archaeological record itself.

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