OBJECTIVE Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is necessary for normal development of retinal blood vessels in mice and humans. Because retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is initiated by abnormal postnatal retinal development, we hypothesized that prolonged low IGF-I in premature infants might be a risk factor for ROP. DESIGN We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study measuring serum IGF-I ...

• Experimental and numerical tests on dry-joint refractory masonry walls carried out. Tests out at ambient high temperatures. Loadbearing capacity, cyclic loading thermal restrained behaviour tested. Identified effects of stress concentration caused by brick’s height imperfections. Concrete damaged plasticity model proved to be suitable in modelling. Vessels used industrial temperature processe...

This paper reports on the state-of-the-art of technologies for the design and fabrication of MEMS micro-mirrors. We discuss the major design issues, considerations, calculations and restrictions of micro mirrors. The materials employed for the reflective surfaces are described along with their properties. The materials used for the static and dynamic MEMS micro structures as well as the differe...

Visualization of the vasculature is becoming increasingly important for understanding many different disease states. While several techniques exist for imaging vasculature, few are able to visualize the vascular network as a whole while extending to a resolution that includes the smaller vessels. Additionally, many vascular casting techniques destroy the surrounding tissue, preventing further a...

Compared with thrombus dissolution using only thrombolytic agents, an advanced therapy of direct stirring the blood clot can yield shorter recanalization time and higher velocity. Our previous research presented design a novel micro-stirrer, which convert longitudinal vibration into transverse eventually generate opposite at end-effort, like scissor, for efficient acceleration. Transverse is mo...

we investigated contraction to noradrenaline (na) and kc1 and sensitivity of na at the level of larger vessels (thoracic aorta and vena cava; left renal artery and left renal vein; lateral saphenous artery and lateral saphenous vein and finally central ear artery and marginal ear vein) in a model devised to mimic heart failure. the model presented here is the rabbit coronary ligation model in w...

Synchrotron X-ray µ- and nano-probes are increasingly affirming their relevance in cultural heritage applications, especially material characterization of tiny complex micro-samples which typical from archaeological artistic artifacts. For such purposes, synchrotron radiation facilities tailoring optimizing beamlines set-ups for CH, taking also advantages the challenges offered by third-generat...