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Exoskeletons are being explored for assisting motion therapy for neurological impairment-related rehabilitation. Soft robotic exoskeletons are gaining more attention for upper-extremity applications due to their simplistic actuation mechanisms and compliant nature. To regain fine motor hand functions, it is desired to have both hand and wrist motions in a coordinated fashion, as most daily living tasks require a combination of both hand and wrist joint motions. However, a soft robotic exoskeleton with hand and wrist motion together is an underdeveloped area. This paper presents a pneumatically actuated soft robotic exoskeleton designed to provide coordinated assistive motion to the hand and wrist joints using PD-based feedback control. The results showed the potential of the exoskeleton to provide flexion/extension rehabilitation exercises and task-oriented rehabilitation practices. Additionally, the results have confirmed that the implemented PD control ensures that the exoskeleton reaches the targeted angular trajectories and velocities. Two modes, full and partial assistance, were successfully tested to verify the ability of the exoskeleton to accommodate varying levels of impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper limb functionality is essential to perform activities of daily living. It is critical to investigate neurorehabilitation therapies in order to improve upper limb functionality in post-stroke patients. This paper presents a soft-robotic bilateral system to provide rehabilitation therapy for hand and wrist joints. A sensorized glove that tracks finger and wrist joint movements is worn on the healthy limb, which guides the movement of the paretic limb. The input of sensors from the healthy limb is provided to the soft robotic exoskeleton attached to the paretic limb to mimic the motion. A proportional derivative flow-based control algorithm is used to perform bilateral therapy. To test the feasibility of the developed system, two different applications are performed experimentally: (1) Wrist exercise with a dumbbell, and (2) Object pick-and-place task. The initial tests of the developed system verified its capability to perform bilateral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cinnamaldehyde is an ideal feed additive with good immune enhancement and anti-inflammatory regulation effects. However, the anti-inflammatory regulation mechanism in fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii, H. otakii) remains unclear. The nine targets of cinnamaldehyde were gathered in identified by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and Uniprot database, and 1,320 intestinal inflammation disease (IIF)-related proteins were screened from DrugBank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Genecards, and Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PHARMGKB) Databases. According to the Gene Ontology enrichment results and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway results, cinnamaldehyde may regulated the responses to bacteria, lipopolysaccharide, an inflammatory cytokine, and external stimuli via the nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) signaling pathway within on inflammatory network. In addition, the protein–protein interaction analysis assisted in obtaining the closely related inflammatory regulatory proteins, including the C5a anaphylatoxin chemotactic receptor 1 (C5aR1), transcription factor p65 (RELA), prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which were confirmed as the bottleneck nodes of the network to be more deeply verified via the molecular docking. Moreover, a cinnamaldehyde feeding model was established for evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect of cinnamaldehyde in vivo. According to the current findings implied that cinnamaldehyde may play a protective role against IIF H. otakii by reducing inflammation through the C5 complement (C5)/C5aR1/interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TLR4/NFκB/PTGS2 pathway. The study focused on investigating the action mechanism of cinnamaldehyde on IIF through combining pharmacology and experimental verification in vivo, which provided a fresh perspective on the promoting effect of cinnamaldehyde on IIF in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chicken gut meal (CGM) is reasonably priced and rich in nutrients and can become a new source of protein in the diets of major aquatic products, such as fish and shrimp. Methods: An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to comprehensively investigate the beneficial effects of CGM on juvenile Fat Greenling Hexagrammos otakii. Juveniles (1.58 ± 0.06 g [mean ± SE]) were fed with different levels of CGM in replacement of fish meal (FM) in the basal diet: 0% (CGM0), 25% (CGM25), 50% (CGM50), 75% (CGM75), and 100% (CGM100) replacement, representing a dietary CGM level of up to 40 g/kg. Result: The results showed that the percent weight gain; specific growth rate; feeding rate; feed conversion ratio; hepatosomatic index; and apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, protein, and lipid were significantly improved among the experimental groups. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased in the CGM25 and CGM50 groups, respectively. The activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased in the CGM75 and CGM100 groups. Triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly increased in the CGM50 and CGM75 groups, respectively. Fish in the CGM100 and CGM75 groups had significantly higher activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase than the control. Moreover, the relative expression levels of the fatty acid synthase and acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase alpha genes were significantly increased in the CGM75 and CGM100 groups, while the gene expression levels of hormone‐sensitive lipase and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha were significantly decreased. Conclusion: In summary, the optimal replacement level of FM with CGM was shown by curve equation analysis to be 61.30%, and their dosages were 24.52 and 15.48 g/kg, respectively. Impact statementChicken gut meal, a major terrestrial animal protein source that is rich in high levels of proteins and lipids, can be used as a good substitute for fish meal in fish diets. The price of chicken gut meal is much lower than fish meal, reducing costs. Also, the reduction of fish meal use can restore the diversity and stability of marine fish stocks. Therefore, the use of chicken meal is important for people's health and well‐being as well as the sustainable development of marine fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter is among the four main causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. Most reported Campylobacter infections are caused by C. jejuni and C. coli. However, other emerging Campylobacter pathogens have been recognized as important pathogens in humans and animals. A novel bacterial strain, PS10T, was isolated from the gastric mucous of pigs in 2022 in Beijing, China. The cell was Gram-negative, microaerobic, motile, and negative for catalase, oxidase, and urease. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and core genome indicated that this isolate belongs to the genus Campylobacter. There were low dDDH relatedness and ANI values shared within this strain and its closest species C. mucosalis below the cut-off values generally recognized for isolates of the same species. The draft genome size of PS10T is 2,240,910 bp in length with a percentage of DNA G+C contents of 37.72%. Comparing the phenotypic and phylogenetic features among this isolate and its related organisms, strain PS10T represents a novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for which the name Campylobacter gastrosuis sp. nov. (Type strain PS10T = GDMCC 1.3686T = JCM 35849T) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the introductory formula zhuan yue 傳曰 ("a transmitted source says") in early China, together with its "quotations" and their parallel texts. Rarely found in pre-imperial texts, the zhuan yue formula gained prominence especially from the mid-Western Han onward. As a vague, unspecific gesture of reference, the formula was flexibly applied to varying functions but also used with limited patterns and regularity. Both the formula and the quoted material are almost never found in the core texts of the "Five Classics" (wujing 五經); instead, zhuan yue appears to indicate sources that existed as an open repository outside of the emerging canon. Thus, in marking the non-canonical body, zhuan yue also helped define the canonical one. Finally, another usage of zhuan yue —which emerged in early Han times if not earlier—as an introduction to specific zhuan -commentaries of the classics is clearly a separate function altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine novel bacterial strains were isolated from the feces of cats and sheep in 2019 and 2020 in Beijing, China. Cells were 1–3 μm long and ≤0.5 μm wide, Gram-stain negative, microaerobic, motile, oxidase positive, and urease negative. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these nine isolates belong to the genus Campylobacter but formed two robust clades that were clearly separate from the currently recognized species and, respectively, isolated from the cat and sheep. Both these strains shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, dDDH relatedness, and ANI values with their closest species C. upsaliensis CCUG 14913T and C. lanienae NCTC 13004T, and against each other, which are below the cut-off values generally recognized for isolates of the same species. The genomic DNA G + C contents of type strains XJK22-1T and SYS25-1T were 34.99 mol% and 32.43 mol%, respectively. Electron microscopy showed that these cells were spiral shaped, with bipolar single flagella. Based on results from genotypic, phenotypic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic analyses, these nine strains represent two novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for which the names Campylobacter felis sp. nov. (Type strain XJK22-1T = GDMCC 1.3684T = JCM 35847T) and Campylobacter ovis sp. nov. (Type strain SYS25-1T = GDMCC 1.3685T) are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) is a kind of economic fish that is widely consumed by human, and its intensive farming technology is making important progress. However, high-density farming may cause the occurrence of diseases in H. otakii. Cinnamaldehyde (CNE) is a new feed additive for aquatic animals and has a positive effect on disease resistance. In the study, dietary CNE was evaluated on the growth performance, digestion, immune response, and lipid metabolism of juvenile H. otakii (6.21 ± 0.19 g). Six experimental diets were formulated containing CNE at levels of 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The percent weight gain (PWG), specific growth rate (SGR), survival (SR), and feeding rate (FR) were significantly increased by including CNE in fish diets regardless of the inclusion level (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly decreased among the groups fed CNE supplemented diets (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in hepatosomatic index (HSI) was observed in fish fed 400 mg/kg-1000 mg/kg CNE compared to the control diet (P < 0.05). Fish-fed diets containing 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg CNE had a higher level of crude protein in muscles than the control diet (P < 0.05). Moreover, the activities of lipase (LPS) and pepsin (PEP) in the intestinal were markedly increased in juvenile H. otakii-fed dietary CNE (P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter, protein, and lipid was significantly increased with CNE supplement (P < 0.05). The activities of catalase (CAT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) in the liver were markedly enhanced by including CNE in juvenile H. otakii diets compared with the control (P < 0.05). The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the liver were markedly enhanced in juvenile H. otakii treated with CNE supplements 400 mg/kg-1000 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of total protein (TP) in the serum were markedly increased by including CNE in juvenile H. otakii diets compared with the control (P < 0.05). In the CNE200, CNE400, and CNE600 groups, albumin (ALB) levels in the serum were markedly higher compared with that in the control (P < 0.05). In the CNE200 and CNE400 groups, the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the serum were significantly increased compared with that the control group (P < 0.05). The juvenile H. otakii-fed dietary CNE had lower triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TCHO) levels in the serum than fish-fed CNE-free diets (P < 0.05). The gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) in the liver was significantly increased by including CNE in fish diets regardless of the inclusion level (P < 0.05). However, fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACCα) in the liver were markedly decreased with CNE supplements 400 mg/kg-1000 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The glucose-6-phosphate1-dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene expression levels in the liver were markedly decreased compared with the control (P < 0.05). The optimal supplementation level of CNE was shown by curve equation analysis to be 590.90 mg/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Path planning is a fundamental and critical task in many robotic applications. For energy‐constrained robot platforms, path planning solutions are desired with minimum time arrivals and minimal energy consumption. Uncertain environments, such as wind conditions, pose challenges to the design of effective minimum time‐energy path planning solutions. In this article, we develop a minimum time‐energy path planning solution in continuous state and control input spaces using integral reinforcement learning (IRL). To provide a baseline solution for the performance evaluation of the proposed solution, we first develop a theoretical analysis for the minimum time‐energy path planning problem in a known environment using the Pontryagin's minimum principle. We then provide an online adaptive solution in an unknown environment using IRL. This is done through transforming the minimum time‐energy problem to an approximate minimum time‐energy problem and then developing an IRL‐based optimal control strategy. Convergence of the IRL‐based optimal control strategy is proven. Simulation studies are developed to compare the theoretical analysis and the proposed IRL‐based algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable transmission lines have a high demand in the 5G wireless communication applications. In this brief, a novel transmission line is presented to control both electrical length and characteristic impedance individually, creating flexible functions. For the first function, the proposed transmission line can perform as a tunable phase shifter with 90° phase tuning range and a low insertion loss variation. For the second function, the proposed transmission line can tune the characteristic impedance from 23 Ω to 145 Ω with a fixed phase delay. The ABCD-matrix method is applied to derive the design equations. For the practical implementation, the varactor equivalent parasitic resistances are considered, and the even-odd mode is applied to re-optimize the proposed two tuning functions. To verify the design theory, an experimental prototype is simulated, fabricated, and measured. Both simulation and measurement results match well with the design theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support an increasing number of commercial multi‐unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, robust UAV‐to‐UAV communication is critical. A promising solution is aerial communication using directional antennas (ACDA), with features like long communication distance, low power consumption, broad bandwidth, and interference rejection. Nevertheless, ACDA requires the automatic alignment of directional antennas, which is not easy to achieve considering the imperfect communication environment unknown in advance and the limited sensing devices onboard due to the constrained payloads and power sources. In this study, the authors design and implement a new ACDA system, including the platform, communication, computing, control, middleware, and interface components. Practical implementation issues for the emergency response application are also considered. The ACDA system features a communication and control co‐design, where the communication quality indicator, received signal strength indicator, serves as the goal function for antenna alignment. The solution also features a reinforcement learning‐based directional antenna control algorithm that learns the unknown communication environment models. The performance of the ACDA system is verified using simulation studies, field tests, and disaster drills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a 2-D beamforming phased array using a novel 2-D Nolen matrix network is presented. The Nolen matrix is a novel antenna feeding network composed of only couplers with dedicated coupling ratios and phase shifters. It does not require crossover and load termination compared to other networks based on Butler and Blass matrix. To be specific, the closed-form equations are derived first for uniplanar single $3 \times 3$ Nolen matrix, which is composed of three couplers and three phase delay lines. Most importantly, it is found that the proposed Nolen matrix can employ couplers with arbitrary phase differences to achieve relatively flexible progressive phase delays across the radiating elements, presenting a high degree of freedom on circuit topology and beamforming performance. Then, a 2-D antenna feeding network is designed by stacking and cascading six $3 \times 3$ Nolen matrices, and a 2-D patch antenna array is integrated with the proposed feeding network to generate nine radiation beams with unique directions on azimuth and elevation planes, realizing the 2-D beamforming function. To verify the proposed design concept, a prototype of 2-D beamforming phased array operating at 5.8 GHz is designed, fabricated, and measured, and the experimental results agree well with simulation and theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore convenient and stable fatigue markers, we studied various high-molecular-weight peptide fragments under fatigue state and non-fatigue state in the saliva using time of flight mass spectrometry. The saliva samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers that were in the condition of fatigue and non-fatigue, respectively. Moreover, the time of flight mass spectrometry was conducted using two kinds of sample treatment methods, the magnetic beads enrichment (MB) and direct detection of stock solution. This was followed by modeling via the mass spectra of MB and supernatant (stock solution) directly collected after centrifugation. Both MB and direct sampling produced good spectrograms between 1,000 and 15,000 Da, while some peaks were lost in the enrichment. The spectrograms in the early and late period were different in each individual. Due to the limited sample size, 20 early and 20 late spectrograms were used for modeling analysis. Three different peptides were identified in the stock solution samples that can be detected in both fatigue and non-fatigue groups. The cross validity of MB model was 92.06%, while that of the stock solution model was 95.49%. The results showed that there were different peaks within the molecular weight of 2,000-15,000 Da, which provided a scientific basis for further realization of the convenient fatigue detection method based on the biosensor technique, with important theoretical and practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, a novel planar branch line balun with transparent port impedance is presented. The balun is designed based on a symmetric four-port network with an open-ended transmission line stub in the middle of the branch at its unbalanced port side. From the even-odd mode analysis, the equivalent network is derived to be a short circuit under even-mode excitation, and the input impedance looking into the unbalanced port satisfies impedance matching under odd-mode excitation. Unlike previous designs, the equivalent cascaded impedance transformer in the proposed structure is independent to the system reference impedance in odd-mode excitation so that the termination at the unbalanced port is transparent to balanced ports. To prove the design concept, the closed-form equations are derived, and multiple prototypes with termination impedances 35, 50, and $75 ~\Omega $ are simulated, fabricated, and characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we design and implement a long-range and broadband aerial communication system using directional antennas (ACDA). The system integrates Wi-Fi devices with aerial networks to quickly establish a Wi-Fi infrastructure in the air, which provides real-time communication capability for disasters where a fixed communication infrastructure does not exist. ACDA utilizes unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-carried directional antennas to extend communication range, increase throughput, and reduce interference. A GPS-based control algorithm is designed and implemented to automatically reject wind disturbance and align the directions of antennas in accordance with UAV movement. A received signal strength indicator-based decentralized initial scan algorithm is also designed and implemented to quickly establish initial connection between the UAVs. Simulation studies verify the effectiveness of the heading control and initial scan algorithm. Field tests are also conducted to evaluate the performance of overall system in terms of throughput and delay with respect to the increase of communication range. The ACDA prototype system achieves 48 Mb/s throughput at a distance of 300 m and 2 Mb/s at 5000 m, and proves the promising usage of directional antennas for long-distance Wi-Fi aerial communication. Practical use of this on-demand communication system to aid emergency response is also demonstrated through a case study in a real disaster drill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide capsule (CPS) of Campylobacter jejuni is a virulence factor linked to cell surface carbohydrate diversity which mainly determines the serotypes. Thirty-four CPS gene cluster structures have been published and some of them can be distinguished by multiple-PCR. Penner serotypes HS1/44c, HS2, HS4c, HS19, HS23/36c and HS41 are markers for Guillain—Barré syndrome (GBS). The capsules may contribute to GBS susceptibility. Analysis of 18 CPS loci revealed high gene content diversity and a mosaic nature of the capsule loci, which are possibly due to gene gain/loss events, and demonstrated a high degree of conservation of genes within serotypes/serotype complexes. A method of multiple-PCR was developed to distinguish five specific serotypes and three GBS-related serotypes. Primers specific for each capsule type were designed on the basis of paralogs or a unique DNA region of the CPS locus. The multiple-PCR can distinguish the eight serotypes in two PCRs with sensitivity and specificity of 100% using 227 strains of known Penner type. The multiple-PCR method will help to distinguish serotypes simply and rapidly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3-dB power divider is one of the most common three-port device in microwave systems, which equally splits the signal at its two output ports. In previous Wilkinson power divider design, the phase delay between the input and output ports is not considered into the design requirements. However, the zero-phase shifting power divider attracts great interest in modern microwave systems. In this letter, a 3-dB power divider with zero-phase delay is designed based on a zero-phase impedance transformer. Instead of metamaterial transmission line, a transmission line stub is added to connect the isolation resistor, and a capacitor is insert between the output ports and the end of main branch to cancel out the imaginary part of even–odd mode impedances. With this new design, it releases the layout restriction that the two branches route around to connect to lumped element resistor. Closed-form design equations are derived and a prototype device is then simulated and measured. The measurement results agree well with the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1001 Questions & Answers. Helena Spiteri and David Pickering. Dorling Kindersley, 1995. $16.95. (12-18) Basically this is a perfect book for kids at different levels. Although using the simplest way--question [...]

The Visual Dictionary of Physics. Jack Challoner. Dorling Kindersley, 1995. $16.95. (14-18) I can't believe this! A colorful photograph book is actually a dictionary with thousands of physics terms. As [...]

Prehistoric Journey. Kirk R. Johnson and Richard K. Stucky. Greg Michaels, illus., Rich Wicker, photography. Roberts Rinehart, 1995. paper $19.95 (12-18) This is a terrific book on the prehistory of [...]

This work focused on the development of starch-based (potato, corn, sweet potato, green bean and tapioca) edible packaging film incorporated with blueberry pomace powder (BPP). The optical, mechanical, thermal, and physicochemical properties were subsequently tested. The film color was not affected by the addition of BPP. BPP incorporated into corn and green bean starch films showed increased light barrier properties, indicating a beneficial effect to prevent UV radiation-induced food deterioration. Film thickness and transparency were not primarily affected by changing the starch type or the BPP concentration, although the corn starch films were the most transparent. Furthermore, all films maintained structural integrity and had a high tensile strength. The water vapor transmission rate of all the films was found to be greater than conventional polyethylene films. The average solubility of all the films made from different starch types was between 24 and 37%, which indicates the usability of these films for packaging, specifically for low to intermediate moisture foods. There were no statistical differences in Differential Scanning Calorimetry parameters with changes in the starch type and pomace levels. Migration assays showed a greater release of the active compounds from BPP into acetic acid medium (aqueous food simulant) than ethanol medium (fatty food simulant). The incorporation of BPP into starch-chitosan films resulted in the improvement of film performance, thereby suggesting the potential for applying BPP into starch-based films for active packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study investigates the functionality and feasibility of a novel smart seat cushion system designed for wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. The cushion, equipped with air cells that serve as both sensors and actuators, was tested on 24 participants for its real-time pressure mapping, automated pressure redistribution, and pressure offloading functions. A commercial pressure mat was concurrently used to validate the cushion’s pressure modulation functions. Additionally, the perceived comfort of the cushion was evaluated using General Discomfort Assessment (GDA) and Discomfort Intensity (DIS) scores, which provided insights into participants’ overall comfort and discomfort levels. Real-time pressure profiles generated by the cushion resembled commercial pressure mat readings. During tests with individuals with spinal cord injury, the cushion was able to dynamically generate and display the real-time pressure profile of a seated individual with strong precision (correlation to commercial pressure mat: r ranging from 0.76 to 0.88), providing effective input into pressure modulation functions. Pressure redistribution algorithms eliminated peak pressure and reduced the overall pressure at the interface. Pressure offloading algorithms automatically identified the regions with the highest interface pressure and subsequently relieved the pressure from those areas. User feedback showed that the cushion was comfortable after redistribution and offloading. This work demonstrated the feasibility of an advanced smart seat cushion system for wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. The cushion was capable of redistributing pressure evenly across the seating surface, ensuring user’s comfort. Additionally, it identifies and eliminates high-pressure points, further improving comfort and reducing the risk of pressure injuries.Majority of wheelchair users acquire pressure injuries in their lifetime, where the magnitude and duration of sitting interface pressure are major contributing factors to develop pressure injuries.Compliant cushions and frequent weight shifting can reduce the magnitude and duration of sitting interface pressure; however, the long-term effectiveness of these cushions and the user’s lack of compliance to the weight shifting protocols impact their efficacy drastically.An automated cushion system that can reduce the magnitude of the pressure based on the user’s current pressure profile and offload pressure from vulnerable areas would improve the effectiveness of the cushion and compensate for poor adherence to weight shifting protocols.Automated solutions will significantly improve the quality of care provided to wheelchair users and reduce the risk of developing pressure injuries.Majority of wheelchair users acquire pressure injuries in their lifetime, where the magnitude and duration of sitting interface pressure are major contributing factors to develop pressure injuries.Compliant cushions and frequent weight shifting can reduce the magnitude and duration of sitting interface pressure; however, the long-term effectiveness of these cushions and the user’s lack of compliance to the weight shifting protocols impact their efficacy drastically.An automated cushion system that can reduce the magnitude of the pressure based on the user’s current pressure profile and offload pressure from vulnerable areas would improve the effectiveness of the cushion and compensate for poor adherence to weight shifting protocols.Automated solutions will significantly improve the quality of care provided to wheelchair users and reduce the risk of developing pressure injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a crucial member of the Hedgehog (Hh) protein family, desert hedgehog (dhh) plays a vital role in multiple developmental processes, cell differentiation and tissue homeostasis. However, it is unclear how it regulates development in fish. In this study, we cloned and characterized the dhh gene from Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae. The full-length cDNA of Pydhh comprises 3194 bp, with a 1386 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a polypeptide of 461 amino acids with a typical HH-signal domain, Hint-N and Hint-C domains. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that the putative Py DHH protein sequence was highly conserved across species, especially in the typical domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Py DHH clustered within the Pleuronectiformes. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that Pydhh was detected in fourteen different tissues in adult-female and adult-male marbled flounder, and nine different tissues in juvenile fish. During early embryonic development stages, the expression of Pydhh was revealed high levels at hatching stage of embryo development. Moreover, the relative expression of Pydhh was significantly higher in the juvenile liver than adults', and higher in the female skin than the male skin. To further investigate its location, the in situ hybridization (ISH) assay was performed, the results showed that the hybridization signal was obviously expressed in the immune organs of Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae , with weak signal expression in the other tissues. Our results suggested that Pydhh is highly conserved among species and plays a vital role in embryonic development and formation of immune related organs. • The full-length dhh gene (Pydhh) was cloned from Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae. • Pydhh gene exhibited various distributions among tissues. • Pydhh gene exhibited gender differential expression. • The Py DHH protein was detected under different developmental stages. • The Pydhh gene was mainly located in the immune organs of Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]