Transgenerational Effects of Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Anogenital Distance,Sperm Functions and DNA Methylation in Rat Offspring

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer in the manufacture of polyvinylchloride plastics and has been associated with concerns regarding male reproductive toxicity. In this study, we hypothesized that maternal exposure to DEHP induces transgenerational inheritance of adult-onset adverse reproductive outcomes through the male germline in the F1, F2, and F3 generations of male offspring. Pregnant rats were treated with 5 or 500 mg of DEHP/kg/day through gavage from gestation day 0 to birth. The offspring body weight, anogenital distance (AGD), anogenital index (AGI), sperm count, motility, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were measured for all generations. Methyl-CpG binding domain sequencing was performed to analyze sperm DNA methylation status in the F3. DEHP exposure at 500 mg/kg affected AGD, AGI, sperm count, mean DFI, and %DFI in the F1; AGD, sperm count, and mean DFI in the F2; and AGD, AGI, mean DFI, and %DFI in the F3. DEHP exposure at 5 mg/kg affected AGD, AGI, sperm count, and %DFI in the F1; sperm count in the F2; and AGD and AGI in F3. Compared with the control group, 15 and 45 differentially hypermethylated genes were identified in the groups administered 5 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg DEHP, respectively. Moreover, 130 and 6 differentially hypomethylated genes were observed in the groups administered 5 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg DEHP. Overall, these results demonstrated that prenatal exposure to DEHP caused transgenerational epigenetic effects, which may explain the observed phenotypic changes in the male reproductive system.     

Green Measurements for Software Product Based on Sustainability Dimensions

Software is a central component in the modern world and vastly affects the environment’s sustainability. The demand for energy and resource requirements is rising when producing hardware and software units. Literature study reveals that many studies focused on green hardware; however, limited efforts were made in the greenness of software products. Green software products are necessary to solve the issues and problems related to the long-term use of software, especially from a sustainability perspective. Without a proper mechanism for measuring the greenness of a particular software product executed in a specific environment, the mentioned benefits will not be attained. Currently, there are not enough works to address this problem, and the green status of software products is uncertain and unsure. This paper aims to identify the green measurements based on sustainable dimensions in a software product. The second objective is to reveal the relationships between the elements and measurements through empirical study. The study is conducted in two phases. The first phase is the theoretical phase, where the main components, measurements and practices that influence the sustainability of a software product are identified. The second phase is the empirical study that involved 103 respondents in Malaysia investigating current practices of green software in the industrial environment and further identifying the main sustainability dimensions and measurements and their impact on achieving green software products. This study has revealed seven green measurements of software product: Productivity, Usability, Cost Reduction, Employee Support, Energy Efficiency, Resource Efficiency and Tool Support. The relationships are statistically significant, with a significance level of less than 0.01 (p = 0.000). Thus, the hypothesised relationships were all accepted. The contributions of this study revolve around the research perspectives of the measurements to attain a green software product.     

New exact solutions of the Tzitzéica-type equations in non-linear optics using the expa function method

One specific class of non-linear evolution equations, known as the Tzitzéica-type equations, has received great attention from a group of researchers involved in non-linear science. In this article, new exact solutions of the Tzitzéica-type equations arising in non-linear optics, including the Tzitzéica, Dodd–Bullough–Mikhailov and Tzitzéica–Dodd–Bullough equations, are obtained using the exp_a function method. The integration technique actually suggests a useful and reliable method to extract new exact solutions of a wide range of non-linear evolution equations.     

A model- and simulation-based approach for tolerancing and verifying the functional capability of micro/nano-structured workpieces

The evaluation of functional features of manufactured workpieces is based on GO- and NO-GO-test results, which are obtained by comparing measured geometric characteristics with nominal dimensions and tolerances specified by the designer. These geometrical specifications are based on a tolerancing system, which was originally defined for the function mating capability. Against the background of upcoming lots of other new functions (like reduction of flow resistance, light absorption, reduction of friction, diffraction of light, self-cleaning or mass transmission) are to be realized with our products – particularly by micro- and nano scaled features. If the verification process will deliver the prediction of the achievable degree of functionality, the usability of a part can be assessed more accurately and in consequence quality and economics can be improved. So, a new principle for tolerancing and verifying turns out to be necessary. In this paper the fundamental deficit of the actual tolerancing and specification systems GPS and ASME Y14.5 is derived and the path for enlarging the system by preposing a functional model is shown. To verify the functional capability of the workpieces an approach based on simulations done with the parameterized mathematical–physical model of the function is suggested. Advantages of this approach will be discussed and demonstrated by examples with microstructured inking rolls, crankshafts and injection valves.     

Simultaneous enhancement of the efficiency and stability of organic solar cells using PEDOT:PSS grafted with a PEGME buffer layer

We report a simple processing method to simultaneously improve the efficiency and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). Poly(4-styrene sulfonate)-doped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene (PEDOT:PSS), widely used as hole transport layer (HTL) in OSCs, tends to accelerate the degradation of devices because of its hygroscopic and acidic properties. In this regard, we have modified PEDOT:PSS to reduce its hygroscopic and acidic properties through a condensation reaction between PEDOT:PSS and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEGME) in order to improve the efficiency and stability of OSCs. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) increased by 21%, from 2.57% up to 3.11%. A better energy level alignment by the reduced work function of the modified PEDOT:PSS with a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) is considered the origin of the improved the efficiency. The half-life of OSCs with PEDOT:PSS modified with PEGME buffer layer also increased up to 3.5 times compared to that of devices with pristine PEDOT:PSS buffer layer.     

Prediction and sensitivity analysis of CNTs-modified asphalt’s adhesion force using a radial basis neural network model

Abstract

The expected longer service life of modified asphalt can be jeopardized by different environmental factors, such as moisture, oxidation, etc. which affect the desired properties by altering the adhesive property. An insight into knowledge of the adhesive property of the asphalt can help in providing more durable asphalt pavement. The study attempted to develop different models of adhesive properties of polymers and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified asphalt binders. The polymer-CNT modified asphalt is processed to prepare different types of samples, by simulating the damage due to moisture and oxidization, following the corresponding standard method. An Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was employed to assess the nanoscale adhesion force of the tested samples following the existing functional group in asphalt. Finally, the study has developed Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) as a function of different parameters including; asphalt chemistry (i.e. AFM tip type and constant), type and percentages of polymers and CNTs and different environmental exposures (oxidation, moisture, etc.) to predict the nano adhesion force of asphalt. It is observed that the adhesive property of the Styrene–Butadiene modified asphalt is more consistent compared to the Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene modified asphalt, while the presence of Single-Wall Nanotubes (SWNT) is observed to affect the adhesive properties of asphalt significantly as compared to Multi-Wall Nanotubes (MWNT). The higher accuracy level of RBFNN model also indicates that the functional group (tip-type) adding with the percentages and types of polymers and CNTs significantly affect the adhesive properties of asphalt.     

A Student's t-based density peaks clustering with superpixel segmentation (tDPCSS) method for image color clustering

Image color clustering is a basic technique in image processing and computer vision, which is often applied in image segmentation, color transfer, contrast enhancement, object detection, skin color capture, and so forth. Various clustering algorithms have been employed for image color clustering in recent years. However, most of the algorithms require a large amount of memory or a predetermined number of clusters. In addition, some of the existing algorithms are sensitive to the parameter configurations. In order to tackle the above problems, we propose an image color clustering method named Student's t-based density peaks clustering with superpixel segmentation (tDPCSS), which can automatically obtain clustering results, without requiring a large amount of memory, and is not dependent on the parameters of the algorithm or the number of clusters. In tDPCSS, superpixels are obtained based on automatic and constrained simple non-iterative clustering, to automatically decrease the image data volume. A Student's t kernel function and a cluster center selection method are adopted to eliminate the dependence of the density peak clustering on parameters and the number of clusters, respectively. The experiments undertaken in this study confirmed that the proposed approach outperforms k-means, fuzzy c-means, mean-shift clustering, and density peak clustering with superpixel segmentation in the accuracy of the cluster centers and the validity of the clustering results.     

基于分形插值的改进趋势面拟合法在地面沉降中的应用

针对区域地面沉降监测点数量有限、分布不均的情况,一般采用空间插值的手段建立表面拟合模型来解决。基于分形插值,采用随机选择迭代函数的思想对传统的趋势面拟合法作出改进,改进后拟合优度系数提高0.03,达到0.995,且改进前后的拟合结果符合显著性检验的要求。实验结果表明:改进前后趋势面拟合法拟合结果满足地面沉降监测的精度要求,改进后方法的拟合优度更高,对现实地面沉降量变化的描绘更加真实,可为沉降灾害评价工作提供更准确的依据。     

Correlation between motion of source bender element and feedback signal induced by self-monitoring

Since the introduction of bender element tests to soil testing, the reliability of the estimated travel time has been the most serious problem. The author has previously shown a potential solution whereby removing the response of the bender element subsystem from the whole response could dramatically improve the accuracy of the travel time estimation. In order to lay the foundation for estimating the response of the bender element subsystem, this paper examines the correlation between the displacements of the element and the induced feedback signals by employing a self-monitoring element. The response of the self-monitoring element is modeled as a transfer function involving two internal transfer functions that relate the input signals to the displacements and the displacements to the feedback signals, respectively. Using a laser displacement sensor, the displacements are directly measured through the entire surface and reveal the three-dimensional bending motion of the element oscillating in both longitudinal and width directions. The feedback signals are similar to, but inconsistent with, the tip displacements, and an attempt is made to correct the feedback signals. Finally, a conclusion is given on the potential for estimating the response of the bender element subsystem using the self-monitoring element.     

Stress distribution in thick-walled cylinder due to non-uniform radial pressure on the example of reinforcement corrosion in concrete

This paper presents an analytical solution to the non-uniform pressure on thick-walled cylinder. The formulation is based on the linear elasticity theory (plain strain) and stress function method. As an example, the proposed solution is used to model the stress distribution due to non-uniform steel reinforcement corrosion in concrete. The model is formulated considering different scenarios of corrosion pressure distribution. It is validated against the finite element model for different cases of non-uniform pressure distributions. The results show that the corrosion-induced cracks are likely to start just beyond the anodic zone. This is confirmed by the experimental tests on concrete cylinder exposed to non-uniform accelerated corrosion of steel reinforcement. The model can be effectively used to calculate the distribution of corrosion-induced stresses in concrete.