The architecture of elastomeric proteins controls fine-tuned nanomechanical properties of this class of proteins. Most elastomeric proteins are tandem modular in structure, consisting of many individually folded domains of varying stability. Upon stretching, these elements unfold sequentially following a strict hierarchical pattern determined by their mechanical stability, where the weakest ele...

BACKGROUND Mechanically assisted cough devices are used in patients with impaired cough to avoid secretion accumulation. We compared 5 mechanically assisted cough devices by bench testing using a breathing simulator and assessed their user-friendliness. METHODS We measured inspiratory and expiratory airway pressures and peak expiratory flow, the strongest indicator of cough efficacy. We perfo...

Mechanosensitive channels serve as essential sensors for cells to interact with their environment. The identity of mechanosensitive channels that underlie somatosensory touch transduction is still a mystery. One promising mechanotransduction candidate is the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel. To determine the role of TRPA1 in the generation of mechanically-sensitive cur...

OBJECTIVES Many studies compare the efficacy of different forms of intravenous infusion sedation for critically ill patients, but little is known about the actual use of these medications. We sought to describe current use of intravenous infusion sedation in mechanically ventilated patients in U.S. intensive care units. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of intravenous infusion sedation among ...

Boron carbide is one of the hardest materials. The combustion method was used to synthesize B4C-TiB2 nanocomposite powder in a B2O3-Mg-TiO2-C system. An experimental study of the formation of B4C–TiB2 nanoparticles was conducted in the thermal explosion mode. A mixture of B2O3:TiO2:Mg:C at a molecular ratio of 3:1:12:1 was chosen to obtain the B4C–TiB2. This powder mixture was milled for differ...

Background Many neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) need mechanical ventilation for recovery. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term outcome of mechanically ventilated neonates admitted to NICU. <span style="fon...