Retrospective analysis of OCT on MB characteristics and 1-year follow-up of the ISR incidence after the DES implantation in patients with MB

We used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to analyze the "half-moon" like phenomenon and its characteristics and observe 1-year follow-up of the in-stent restenosis (ISR) incidence after the drug eluted stent (DES) implantation in patients with the myocardial bridge (MB). Patients were retrospectively analyzed from January 2013 to December 2019. We used OCT to check 45 patients with MB and found a visible muscle layer (VML) around the vessel adventitia with the same or high density compared to the vessel media layer. There was not any significant difference in maximal thickness, maximal arch, and total length between the half-moon layer and the visible muscle layer groups (p > 0.05). Maximal thickness, arch, and total length of the half-moon layer were significantly positively related to VML, respectively (r = 0.962, 0.985, 0.742, p < 0.01). Of these 626 patients with MB seen by OCT, only 300 could be checked out by coronary angiography (CAG). Besides, the larger the thickness and arch of the VML around the vessel adventitia, the more severe the MB in these patients (p < 0.05). After the OCT use, there was no coronary perforation in these patients with MB covered with DES. After 1-year follow-up, ISR in MB covered with DES showed a notable difference among no MB, mild MB, moderate MB, and severe MB groups (p < 0.05), and ISR in DES aggravated with the MB severity. However, ISR in MB with and without covered with DES had no significant difference among the 4 groups (p > 0.05). OCT could evaluate MB characteristics accurately compared to IVUS and had a higher rate of detecting MB than CAG. Moreover, it is safe and effective to guide DES covering the mild MB segment in patients with severe coronary lesions detected by the OCT.

Layer groups: Brillouin-zone and crystallographic databases on the Bilbao Crystallographic Server

The section of the Bilbao Crystallographic Server (https://www.cryst.ehu.es/) dedicated to subperiodic groups contains crystallographic and Brillouin-zone databases for the layer groups. The crystallographic databases include the generators/general positions (GENPOS), Wyckoff positions (WYCKPOS) and maximal subgroups (MAXSUB). The Brillouin-zone database (LKVEC) offers k-vector tables and Brillouin-zone figures of all 80 layer groups which form the background of the classification of their irreducible representations. The symmetry properties of the wavevectors are described applying the so-called reciprocal-space-group approach and this classification scheme is compared with that of Litvin & Wike [(1991), Character Tables and Compatibility Relations of the Eighty Layer Groups and Seventeen Plane Groups. New York: Plenum Press]. The specification of independent parameter ranges of k vectors in the representation domains of the Brillouin zones provides a solution to the problems of uniqueness and completeness of layer-group representations. The Brillouin-zone figures and k-vector tables are described in detail and illustrated by several examples.

Stratisfimal Layout: A modular optimization model for laying out layered node-link network visualizations

Node-link visualizations are a familiar and powerful tool for displaying the relationships in a network. The readability of these visualizations highly depends on the spatial layout used for the nodes. In this paper, we focus on computing layered layouts, in which nodes are aligned on a set of parallel axes to better expose hierarchical or sequential relationships. Heuristic-based layouts are widely used as they scale well to larger networks and usually create readable, albeit sub-optimal, visualizations. We instead use a layout optimization model that prioritizes optimality— as compared to scalability— because an optimal solution not only represents the best attainable result, but can also serve as a baseline to evaluate the effectiveness of layout heuristics. We take an important step towards powerful and flexible network visualization by proposing STRATISFIMAL LAYOUT, a modular integer-linear-programming formulation that can consider several important readability criteria simultaneously— crossing reduction, edge bendiness, and nested and multi-layer groups. The layout can be adapted to diverse use cases through its modularity. Individual features can be enabled and customized depending on the application. We provide open-source and documented implementations of the layout, both for web-based and desktop visualizations. As a proof-of-concept, we apply it to the problem of visualizing complicated SQL queries, which have features that we believe cannot be addressed by existing layout optimization models. We also include a benchmark network generator and the results of an empirical evaluation to assess the performance trade-offs of our design choices. A full version of this paper with all appendices, data, and source code is available at osf.io/3vqmswith live examples at https://visdunneright.github.io/stratisfimal/.

Nanoclay and Its Importance

Clays are the one of the most important minerals and have numerous applications in nanotechnology, helps in improvise the product quality, cost effective and protect the environment from pollution. This review explained about the key characters of nanoclay particles and classification of nanoclay based on the sheets arrangements in their structural unit called layer. Nano clay major groups are kaoline-serpentine, smectite, mica, vermiculite, pyrophyllite talc and chlorite. The physicho-chemical and morphological properties of halloystite and mantmorillonite clay represents the 1:1 and 2:1 layer groups respectively. Nano clays are the group which is naturally present in the soil fraction of clay and most important nano clay material present in the soil are montmorillonite and allophone. Montmorillonite is a characteristically crystalline, phyllosilicate and hydrous silicate layer. Organo clays are the organically modified forms of the montmorillonite and formed from quaternary ammonium ions intercalation process and which have been used in inks, rheomodifiers, cosmetics, greases, as a additives in paints and also used in controlled release of drugs in delivery systems. Largest usage of nanoclaysis being practiced in polymer-clay nanocomposites. Organo clays are most importantly using in water treatment and pollution control. Allophane is formed by weathering of volcanic ash; it is non crystalline alluminium silicate derivative. Agricultural lands in Chile mostly formed by the allophane clay fraction. It is most suitable for enzyme mobilization. It also very useful in abortion of phenolic compounds, mill effluent colours and phosphates from waste water.

Effects of knot area ratio on the bending properties of cross-laminated timber made from Korean pine

The effect of knot clusters on the bending properties of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) cross-laminated timber (CLT) was analyzed to increase the utilization of low-quality lumber. The laminae used to manufacture the CLT were classified into five groups, four major layer groups, and one minor layer group, by mechanical grade and knot area ratio (KAR) of the lamina. Out-of-plane bending tests were conducted on CLT made from each layer group. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the manufactured CLT was closely correlated with the MOE of each individual major axis lamina. In the case of the modulus of rupture (MOR) of the CLT, the KAR of the laminae used in the major axis layer was more significantly affected than the MOE. The main finding is that the lower fifth percentile MOR value of the CLT specimens with large knots (KAR > 0.5) was higher than the acceptable reference value of E3 grade CLT (ANSI/APA PRG 320) made from a similar lamina grade. Therefore, the use of low-quality lumber to manufacture CLT can be expanded under the condition of limitation of the greater KAR.

Age relationships with telomere length, body weight and body length in wild dugong (Dugong dugon)

The ability to estimate age and determine the growth status of free-ranging dugongs (Dugong dugon) is vital to providing insight into the basic biology of this endangered species. Currently, age estimation in dugong carcasses relies on counting dentin growth layer groups (GLGs) in tusks, but a disadvantage is they need to be intact. We explored whether measures of telomere length could be used as an alternative approach to age estimation in dugongs given that in other species, telomere length and age are inversely related. In this study, relative telomere length (rTL) was measured by qPCR in skin samples from 24 dugongs of varying ages determined by counts of GLGs. In addition, relationships between age by GLG counts and body weight and length and were examined. Our findings indicate that age estimated by GLGs was negatively correlated with telomere length using the logistic formula with a rate of telomere attrition of approximately 0.036 rTL/year between the ages of 5–20 years. By comparison, both body weight and length were positively correlated with GLG-based age, with growth rates of ~8.8 kg/year for weight and ~3.58 cm/year for length, respectively. After that, growth rates slowed substantially and then plateaued. The results suggest that physical maturity in dugongs occurs at 20 years of age and that measures of rTL might serve as a tool for age estimation in dugongs, living and deceased.

A note on the age at sexual maturity of humpback whales

The conclusion of researchers in the 1950s that humpback whales reached sexual maturity at about age five was largely influenced by their interpretation of baleen tracings, and to achieve consistency with these tracings the accumulation rate of ear plug laminations (growth layer groups: GLGs) was assumed to be two per year. However, ovulation and natural mortality rates calculated by these researchers under the same assumption produced estimates that are difficult to reconcile with other biological data or with more recent estimates using individual re-sighting data. Such disparities are reduced or disappear when an annual accumulation rate is used, in which case their ear plug data would have indicated a mean age at sexual maturity of 9–11 years. Recent estimates of the age of female humpback whales at first calving using longitudinal studies of photoidentified individuals have produced conflicting results, some (from southeastern Alaska) being compatible with the earlier age-determination studies, others (from the Gulf of Maine) suggesting a much younger age.

Convolutional Neural Networks Using Skip Connections with Layer Groups for Super-Resolution Image Reconstruction Based on Deep Learning

In this paper, we propose a deep learning method with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using skip connections with layer groups for super-resolution image reconstruction. In the proposed method, entire CNN layers for residual data processing are divided into several layer groups, and skip connections with different multiplication factors are applied from input data to these layer groups. With the proposed method, the processed data in hidden layer units tend to be distributed in a wider range. Consequently, the feature information from input data is transmitted to the output more robustly. Experimental results show that the proposed method yields a higher peak signal-to-noise ratio and better subjective quality than existing methods for super-resolution image reconstruction.