Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 590

Abstract: Purposes to estimate parameters for gadolium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) diffusion and distribution after drug delivery in the rat brain extracellular space (ECS). Methods An isotropic diffusion pattern in the homogeneous media was presumed for Gd-DTPA diffusion in the rat brain ECS, and a mathematical model was established to describe the pharmacokinetics of Gd-DTPA. Results the analytical solution of the diffusion equation was obtained by Laplace transform, and the least square method was utilized to calculate the diffusion coefficient (D) and the clearance rate (k) of drugs in the sphere coordinates. Animal experimental data of Gd-DTPA-related intensity was acquired by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). D and k were computed as 0.0129 mm²/h and 0.0957 /h, respectively. Conclusions By the proposed method, drug diffusion, distribution, and clearance in the rat brain can be quantitatively analyzed, which will enhance our understanding of drug delivery in the central nervous system.

Abstract: The use of mammography as a method for the early detection of breast cancer reduces mortality from it. To aid in the diagnosis there are several free image processing software with the purpose of extracting characteristics such as microcalcification, nodules or edges of important structures. The objective of this study is to indicate which filters are best to aid in the processing of the images in three of these free software. The free software ImageJ, ImageTool and Mipav were used for the processing of 60 mammographic images from the Mini-MIAS database focusing the mean, median and Gaussian filters. The Haralick descriptors (second angular moment, contrast, entropy and correlation) and difference of values of gray levels (standard deviation, mean, minimum and maximum) were extracted from the resulting images. Then the results were compared taking into consideration the purpose of the processing. It was observed that it's best to use the mean and median filters from the Mipav software if the purpose of the processing is to leave the images with higher contrast levels. However, if the purpose is to obtain higher entropy levels, the ImageTool software should be used. It was also observed a similar processing time among the three software. The filter choice will depend on the type of noise to be removed from the image. For "Salt and Pepper" noise the mean filter should be used, while for the impulsive noise, the median one should be used. The results allowed the conclusion that the choice of the software to perform the processing of the mammographic images depends on the purpose of the processing application, if it's to increase the contrast in the image or if it's to extract other characteristics of diagnostic interest.

Abstract: This study is to prolong the life of bioprosthetic heart valve. Bioprosthetic heart valve numerical models are established via computer aided design. Stress distribution of bioprosthetic heart valve leaflets with different suture densities are analyzed based on finite element method. The results show that suture density has a significant effect on the dynamic behavior of the bioprosthetic heart valve, which lead to different stress peak values, different stress distributions and deformation. The stress distributions of the cylindrical valve leaflets with different suture density is quite different and the peak von-Mises with 50 suture points is lower than the other three kinds of suture density. This work can be very helpful when manufacturing the bioprosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Prevention is the best way to seek quality of life and it means actions-oriented interventions to prevent the emergence of specific diseases, reducing their incidence and prevalence in the population. When the patient is properly diagnosed, the treatment, in many cases, will need, in addition to the dental professional, another specialist for a multidisciplinary work. Working together will provide to the patience an improvement in the alterations that the disease causes, including in the mouth. There are several ways of information available to the patients, however, not actively, seeking the patient, but passively and unordered. The purpose of this study is the development and validation of an advisory software for dental patients, guiding them on chronic diseases and their impact on oral health. Results showed that there was improvement in knowledge among patients.

Abstract: In this paper, we investigated the working memory for object-location associations of 11 depressions when they induced by different emotional pictures (positive, neutral and negative), and compared with a control group of 14 normal subjects. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the correct rate of associative memory between depression and control group (P > 0.05), however, there was significant difference in the memory retrieval time (P < 0.05), which suggest that the memory retrieval needs more time resources. These results indicate that depression has a normal memory encoding network, but an abnormal memory retrieval network for object-location associations.

Abstract: In this paper, PCA combined with Mass Profiler Professional (MPP) bioinformatics software were used to build the dose-effect relationship of traditional Chinese medicine which based on the overall effect of metabonomics. The dataset from Da Cheng Qi Decoction (DCQD) water extract administrated rats plasma collected by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and used to demonstrate this method. The approach was confirmed to be an effective and time-saving tool for describing the dose-effect relationship of traditional Chinese medicine.

Abstract: To explore the injury mechanism and prevent injuries for the military parachuting of cadet pilots, this paper investigated the injury risk factors. A prospective study of 59,932 static line parachute descents by Chinese People’s Liberation Army cadet pilots (CPLACP), including 186 female cadet pilots with 391 jumps, was performed. Injury risk factors from administrative records included mental qualities, parachuting movements, surface wind speed, protective boots, and gender. Injury data were obtained from emergency room and hospital records. The study indicates that 153 CPLACP were injured, with a total of 168 injuries. The overall injury incidence on basic courses was 2.6/1000 jumps. About 79.7% of the injuries were located in the lower limbs. The most commonly injured sites were ankle and knee, which was 39.3% and 19.0%, respectively, of all injuries occurred. Although the parachuting injury incidence of cadet pilots is smaller than paratroopers’, the potential risk for career-threatening or life-threatening injury is great. This risk can be reduced by appropriate training and attention to detail.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the potential environmental burdens of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transportation fuel quantitatively, the life cycle impacts of the differences between a LNG cement mixer truck and its diesel counterpart were compared through the CML2001 assessment model, the results showed that although with a higher ADP elements, the LNG mixer’s overall normalized environment impact is obviously lower than the diesel mixer.

Abstract: In this paper, we focused on the measurement and demonstration of technology innovation spillovers effects between sections. The forward R&D flux coefficient matrix model and backward R&D flux coefficient matrix model are established based on the input-output model, and then the beneficiary’s effects and contributor’s effects of ten leading industries within the Tangshan City are calculated. In the end, we found that the oil and natural gas industry got the highest score. The result can be used to make better suggestions for management of Tangshan regional innovation system.

Abstract: In China, the popularization of motorized transportation has made the contradiction between citizens’ desire to access water and traffic demands in cross-river areas difficult to deal with. Studying on the transportation and space systems from three layers of city across the river, district across the river and bridge across the river, this paper provides several modes of motorized transportation to keep harmony with and give support to the cross-river public activities. The research on the layer of city proposes suggestions on city planning and policies, while research on the layer of district summarizes several strategies on urban design within the cross-river area. The last part of research on the layer of bridge presents modes for reference on the public space on bridge and the connection between bridge and transportation systems.