Dynamics-Entropy Relationship in Metallic Glasses.

Establishing a robust quantitative correlation between thermodynamics and dynamics in amorphous matter remains a significant challenge in condensed matter physics. Although the classical Adam-Gibbs relationship represents a pivotal step in this direction and the correlation between relaxation time and configurational entropy has been partially verified in simple liquids, this quantitative link has yet to be tested in realistic glass-forming systems where complex many-body interactions are present. Here we conduct free energy samplings and lattice dynamics analysis to distinguish vibrational entropy from configurational entropy in a realistic Cu-Zr model of a metallic glass. Our calculations unveil a power-law relationship (with a substantial exponent of ∼3) between the logarithmic relaxation time and configurational entropy, surpassing the linear prediction of the original Adam-Gibbs relationship. This nonlinear entropy driven relaxation time variation likely originates from anisotropic nature of atomic many-body interactions, suggesting that factors beyond thermodynamics contribute to the glass transition phenomenon.

Potential Approach to Quantifying the Volume of the Ischemic Core in Truncated Computed Tomography Perfusion Scans: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an alternative approach for quantifying the volume of the ischemic core (IC) if truncation of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) occurs in clinical practice. METHODS: Baseline CTP and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data from 88 patients with stroke were retrospectively collected. CTP source images (CTPSI) from the unenhanced phase to the peak arterial phase (CTPSI-A) or the peak venous phase (CTPSI-V) were collected to simulate the truncation of CTP in the arterial or venous phases, respectively. The volume of IC on CTPSI-A (V CTPSI-A ) or CTPSI-V (V CTPSI-V ) was defined as the volume of the brain tissue with >65% reduction in attenuation compared with that of the normal tissue. The volume of IC on the baseline CTP (V CTP ) was defined as a relative cerebral blood flow of <30% of that in the normal tissue. The volume of the posttreatment infarct on the follow-up DWI (V DWI ) image was manually delineated and calculated. One-way analysis of variance, Bland-Altman plots, and Spearman correlation analyses were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: V CTPSI-A was significantly higher than V DWI ( P < 0.001); however, no significant difference was observed between V CTP and V DWI ( P = 0.073) or between V CTPSI-V and V DWI ( P > 0.999). The mean differences between V DWI and V CTPSI-V , V DWI and V CTP , and V DWI and V CTPSI-A were 1.70 mL (limits of agreement [LoA], -56.40 to 59.70), 8.30 mL (LoA, -40.70 to 57.30), and -68.10 mL (LoA, -180.90 to 44.70), respectively. Significant correlations were observed between V DWI and V CTP ( r = 0.68, P < 0.001) and between V DWI and V CTPSI-V ( r = 0.39, P < 0.001); however, no significant correlation was observed between V DWI and V CTPSI-A ( r = 0.20, P = 0.068). CONCLUSIONS: V CTPSI-V may be a promising method for quantifying the volume of the IC if truncation of CTP occurs.

Effects of zhongfeng cutong moxibustion on motor function and corticospinal tract in the patients with motor dysfunction during the recovery period of cerebral infarction. / ä¸­é£Žä¿ƒé€šç¸å¯¹è„‘æ¢—æ­»æ¢å¤æœŸè¿åŠ¨åŠŸèƒ½éšœç¢æ‚£è€ è¿åŠ¨åŠŸèƒ½åŠçš®è´¨è„Šé«“æŸçš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of zhongfeng cutong moxibustion (moxibustion therapy for unblocking and treating stroke) on the motor function and the structure of corticospinal tract (CST) in the patients with motor dysfunction during the recovery period of cerebral infarction, and to explore the central mechanism of this moxibustion therapy for improving the motor function. METHODS: Fifty patients with motor dysfunction during the recovery period of cerebral infarction were randomly divided into an observation group (25 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (25 cases, 1 case dropped out). The patients in both groups underwent the conventional basic treatment. In the control group, acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20) and Shuigou (GV 26), as well as Chize (LU 5), Neiguan (PC 6), Weizhong (BL 40) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. on the affected side. Besides the intervention of the control group, in the observation group, zhongfeng cutong moxibustion therapy was combined at Baihui (GV 20), Shenque (CV 8) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36). Both acupuncture and moxibustion therapies were delivered once daily, 5 times a week, for 2 weeks. The scores of Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The diffusion tensor imaging technique was used to observe the fractional anisotropy (FA) of CST at the bilateral whole segment, the cerebral cortex, the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the cerebral peduncle before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: The scores of the upper and the lower limbs of FMA, as well as the total FMA score swere increased after treatment when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), the upper limb FMA score and the total FMA score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and NIHSS scores of the two groups were dropped compared with those before treatment (P<0.01). FA of CST at the bilateral sides of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the whole segment on the focal side was improved in comparison with that before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05), and FA of CST at the healthy side of the whole segment was higher than that before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Zhongfeng cutong moxibustion improves motor function and reduces neurological deficits in the patients with motor dysfunction during the recovery period of cerebral infarction, which may be related to enhancing the remodeling of white matter fiber bundles in the corticospinal tract on the focal side of the whole segment and the bilateral posterior limb of the internal capsule.

Large and unusual presentation of gallbladder adenoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder adenoma is a relatively rare benign tumor with a potential for malignant transformation if found to be greater than 1 cm in size. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we report a case of a 51-year-old female with large 3 cm × 3 cm mass of gallbladder adenoma that was misdiagnosed as adenocarcinoma due to its clinical presentation. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans showed an irregularly shaped cauliflower-like lump in the gallbladder measuring 38 mm × 32 mm corresponding to a malignant tumor and several gallbladder stones with low diffusion-weighted imaging and equisignal of T1-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging; moreover, the CA 19-9 levels were very high (184.1 U/mL). Pathology reports after tumor resection showed adenoma with moderate epithelial atypia and moderate atypia in the focal area with fine pedicle and no clear infiltration. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans need to be carefully scrutinized in certain rare cases of adenomas with abnormal imaging features.