Optimal pulse length of insonification for Piezo1 activation and intracellular calcium response

Ultrasound (US) neuromodulation, especially sonogenetics, has been demonstrated with potential applications in noninvasive and targeted treatment of various neurological disorders. Despite the growing interest, the mechanism for US neuromodulation remains elusive, and the optimal condition for eliciting a neural response with minimal adverse effect has not been identified. Here, we investigate the Piezo1 activation and intracellular calcium response elicited by acoustical streaming induced shear stress under various US exposure conditions. We find that Piezo1 activation and resultant intracellular calcium response depend critically on shear stress amplitude and pulse length of the stimulation. Under the same insonification acoustic energy, we further identify an optical pulse length that leads to maximum cell deformation, Piezo1 activation, and calcium response with minimal injury, confirmed by numerical modeling of Piezo1 channel gating dynamics. Our results provide insight into the mechanism of ultrasonic activation of Piezo1 and highlight the importance of optimizing US exposure conditions in sonogenetics applications.

Impact of Energy Technologies on Public Health

This paper discusses the issue of public health. Public health depends crucially on environmental conditions such as drinking water quality, air and food pollution level as well as on radiation environment, radiation doses received with air, water, food, and ionizing radiation. The paper shows that among various ways of energy harnessing, the use of natural gas and nuclear are the most effective and have minimal impact on public health, especially when compared with coal-fired energy. The paper hypothesises that coal energy is the main danger to public health as well as states that nuclear is the most environmentally effective type of energy and id associated with minimal adverse effect on public health. The paper argues that risk related fears are largely exaggerated and employs a risk-oriented approach to assessing advantages of nuclear and its safety for public health.

Enhancing Mechanical Response of Monolithic Magnesium Using Nano-NiTi (Nitinol) Particles

The present study focuses on investigating the effects of Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) nanoparticles on the microstructure and properties of pure Mg. Mg composites containing varying weight percentages (0.5, 1, 1.5, 3) of NiTi nanoparticles were fabricated using Disintegrated Melt Deposition (DMD), followed by hot extrusion. The synthesized materials were characterized in order to investigate their physical, microstructural and mechanical properties. Synthesized materials were characterized for their density and porosity levels, microstructural characteristics, and mechanical response. Superior grain refinement was realized by the presence of NiTi nanoparticles in the magnesium matrix. The addition of NiTi nanoparticles resulted in strength property enhancements of pure Mg with minimal adverse effect on the ductility. Structure-property evaluations are detailed in the current study.

Image Guided Automated Non-Prehensile Magnetic Micromanipulation of Cells

Biomedical applications like cell manipulation and targeted drug delivery require automated micro-manipulation of biological material. Magnetic micro-manipulation has high actuation speed and minimal adverse effect on cell viability. Ferromagnetic particles, actuated via magnetic field, are used to push a target cell. The process is however cumbersome therefore require automation. This paper reports design, fabrication, and control of an image guided automated non-prehensile magnetic micromanipulation system. The developed system consists of ferromagnetic microspheres (henceforth referred to as microbots) which are actuated via independently controlling currents in four solenoids placed in a quadrupole configuration. We use image based localization for determining the microbot and target cell locations. We developed feedback planner which invokes either of the two maneuvers, namely, push or align to move microbot in order to push the cell towards the goal location. Instead of customize microtools we use simple spherical shaped microbots for pushing target cells.

Acid Gas Simulation for Recovering Syngas and Sulfur

Numerical examination of acid gas pyrolysis is presented with a focus to determine optimum condition for producing both sulfur and syngas that can be used in industry at high conversion efficiency of acid gas. Detailed simulation of acid gas to produce sulfur and syngas is presented that provides the feasibility of establishing plausible reactor conditions for such a recovery. This is a much different approach of producing thermal energy and sulfur. The results revealed that only pyrolysis of specific acid gas composition leads to the production of syngas and that temperature plays an important role in the conversion process. The simulation results provided here reveal the role of acid gas composition on high sulfur and syngas recovery under different operational conditions of the reactor with minimal adverse effect on the environment. The produced syngas can be utilized to enhance energy generation or produce valuable chemicals. The operational conditions provide means to seek different composition of the syngas. The syngas can then be used to produce value added products or liquid fuels. Detailed results under various input and operational conditions of the reactor are presented in the paper.

Analgetic Sedation for Electrical Cardioversion in Emergency Room

General practitioner assigned in emergency room must have ability to do electrical cardioversion either in emergency, urgent or elective setting. Analgetic sedation is mandatory to avoid severe pain during electrical cardioversion. Limited number of anesthesiologist and emergency setting that need prompt electrical cardioversion warrant of selecting and using of analgetic sedation agents by doctor in emergency room. Characteristics of those agents must have strong analgesic effect and rapid onset and offset, minimize pain and anxiety and maximize amnesia with minimal adverse effect. This paper reviews some randomized control trial of those agents.