Mechanisms of Reciprocal Regulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)-Producing and Immune Systems: The Role of GnRH,Cytokines and Their Receptors in Early Ontogenesis in Normal and Pathological Conditions

Different aspects of the reciprocal regulatory influence on the development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-producing- and immune systems in the perinatal ontogenesis and their functioning in adults in normal and pathological conditions are discussed. The influence of GnRH on the development of the immune system, on the one hand, and the influence of proinflammatory cytokines on the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system, on the other hand, and their functioning in adult offspring are analyzed. We have focused on the effects of GnRH on the formation and functional activity of the thymus, as the central organ of the immune system, in the perinatal period. The main mechanisms of reciprocal regulation of these systems are discussed. The reproductive health of an individual is programmed by the establishment and development of physiological systems during critical periods. Regulatory epigenetic mechanisms of development are not strictly genetically controlled. These processes are characterized by a high sensitivity to various regulatory factors, which provides possible corrections for disorders.     

Alterations in the Genomic Distribution of 5hmC in In Vivo Aged Human Skin Fibroblasts

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a functionally active epigenetic modification. We analyzed whether changes in DNA 5-hydroxymethylation are an element of age-related epigenetic drift. We tested primary fibroblast cultures originating from individuals aged 22–35 years and 74–94 years. Global quantities of methylation-related DNA modifications were estimated by the dot blot and colorimetric methods. Regions of the genome differentially hydroxymethylated with age (DHMRs) were identified by hMeDIP-seq and the MEDIPS and DiffBind algorithms. Global levels of DNA modifications were not associated with age. We identified numerous DHMRs that were enriched within introns and intergenic regions and most commonly associated with the H3K4me1 histone mark, promoter-flanking regions, and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding sites. However, only seven DHMRs were identified by both algorithms and all of their settings. Among them, hypo-hydroxymethylated DHMR in the intron of Rab Escort Protein 1 (CHM) coexisted with increased expression in old cells, while increased 5-hydroxymethylation in the bodies of Arginine and Serine Rich Protein 1 (RSRP1) and Mitochondrial Poly(A) Polymerase (MTPAP) did not change their expression. These age-related differences were not associated with changes in the expression of any of the ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes or their activity. In conclusion, the distribution of 5hmC in DNA of in vivo aged human fibroblasts underwent age-associated modifications. The identified DHMRs are, likely, marker changes.     

Genetic and genomic analysis of age at first insemination in Israeli dairy cattle

We performed a genetic analysis of age at first insemination, including estimation of the heritability and genetic correlations with other economic traits, and the consequences of including this trait in the Israeli selection index. The genetic factors affecting age at first insemination were determined via GWAS. Five data sets were analyzed. Data sets 1, 2, and 3 were used to compute variance components among age at first insemination, first calving age, days from first insemination to calving, and the 9 traits included in the Israel breeding index. Heritabilities for age at first insemination, calving age, and days from first insemination to calving in Israeli Holsteins as computed by REML individual animal model analyses of 273,239 Israeli Holstein cows were 0.072, 0.042, and 0.014. The estimated genetic correlation between the first 2 traits was 0.88. In addition to the fact that heritability of age at first insemination is 1.7 times the heritability for calving, the former trait has the advantage that the number of records is greater, and the records are generated earlier. Absolute values of the genetic and residual correlations between age at first insemination and the 9 traits included in the Israeli index were all less than 0.2. Data set 4 included first insemination dates of 1,181,600 calves born from 1985 through 2018. Genetic evaluations were computed by a single trait animal model. Annual phenotypic and genetic trends for age at first calving for calves born since 1985 were “positive,” that is, economically negative, at 0.320 ± 0.003 and 0.169 ± 0.005 d, respectively. Applying the GCTA-GREML software, 54% of variance in the transmitting ability of 1,585 sires could be explained by considering all 40,498 markers included in the GWAS analysis. The significant markers were mainly associated with milk production genes. The SNP UA-IFASA-8854 on chromosome 11 had the lowest probability value, 1.2 × 10^?24. This marker is located between the genes RETSAT and ELMOD3, both of which are overexpressed in human mammary glands. The gene RETSAT is reported to be essential for lipid accumulation and adipogenesis promotion. Gene enrichment analysis found that genes in the genomic region flanking significant markers are associated with vasopressin receptor activity, which was shown to mediate puberty in humans. If age at first insemination is included in the index with a weighting to account for 9% of the index, reductions of 2.8 and 2.6 d for age at first insemination and first calving age after 10 yr of selection are predicted, as compared with reductions of 1.4 and 1.1 d with the current index. Gains for the other index traits are only marginally affected. We suggest selection on age at first insemination as an alternative to selection for early calving.     

Influence of accelerated curing on the compressive strength of polymer-modified concrete

In recent building practice, rapid construction is one of the principal requisites. Furthermore, in designing concrete structures, compressive strength is the most significant of all parameters. While 3-d and 7-d compressive strength reflects the strengths at early phases, the ultimate strength is paramount. An effort has been made in this study to develop mathematical models for predicting compressive strength of concrete incorporating ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at the later phases. Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) goodness-of-fit test was used to examine distribution of the data. The compressive strength of EVA-modified concrete was studied by incorporating various concentrations of EVA as an admixture and by testing at ages of 28, 56, 90, 120, 210, and 365 d. An accelerated compressive strength at 3.5 hours was considered as a reference strength on the basis of which all the specified strengths were predicted by means of linear regression fit. Based on the results of KS goodness-of-fit test, it was concluded that KS test statistics value (D) in each case was lower than the critical value 0.521 for a significance level of 0.05, which demonstrated that the data was normally distributed. Based on the results of compressive strength test, it was concluded that the strength of EVA-modified specimens increased at all ages and the optimum dosage of EVA was achieved at 16% concentration. Furthermore, it was concluded that predicted compressive strength values lies within a 6% difference from the actual strength values for all the mixes, which indicates the practicability of the regression equations. This research work may help in understanding the role of EVA as a viable material in polymer-based cement composites.     

武汉市一般人群血清中全氟及多氟烷基化合物浓度及其影响因素研究

目的 了解武汉市一般人群血清中全氟及多氟烷基化合物(PFASs)浓度,探索血清中PFASs浓度水平的影响因素。方法 以在武汉市某医院进行一般体检的人群为研究对象(n=67),通过超高效液相色谱-三重四级杆质谱(UPLC-TQ/MS)联用仪测定外周血清中12种PFASs浓度,采用多元线性回归分析方法分析一般人口学特征和血清中PFASs浓度的关联性。结果 武汉市一般人群血清中12种PFASs的平均浓度水平为11.60 ng/mL。全氟辛烷磺酸及其盐类(PFOS)和全氟辛酸及其盐类(PFOA)的贡献率较大,分别为45.03%和31.86%。男性人群血清中PFOS、PFOA、全氟己基磺酸(PFHxS)、全氟壬酸(PFNA)等主要化合物的浓度高于女性,其β值(95%可信区间)分别为0.708(0.313,1.104)、0.518(0.069,0.967)、0.724(0.388,1.059)和0.684(0.399,0.968)。同时,发现血清中PFOS、PFHxS、PFNA浓度和年龄呈正相关,其β值(95%可信区间)分别为0.062(0.042,0.081)、0.035(0.019,0.052)和0.030(0.016,0.045)。结论 性别和年龄对血清中PFASs浓度有影响,在进行人体PFASs暴露评估中应考虑这些因素。     

硫化矿石自燃灾害预警的RBF神经网络方法

硫化矿石自燃灾害预警可以快速确定灾害预警等级，进而为灾害防控提供决策以减少矿山损失。通过深入分析硫化矿石自燃典型案例，按照预警指标选取原则，从矿山生产人员、硫化矿石自燃倾向性、环境条件、管理水平等4个方面构建硫化矿石自燃灾害预警系统指标体系。运用RBF预警模型对硫化矿石自燃灾害预警等级进行预测，采用所选的21组样本数据完成了RBF神经网络的学习与训练。应用学习好的预警模型对江西某高硫矿山的硫化矿石自燃灾害预警等级进行预测。结果表明：该矿山硫化矿石自燃灾害预警等级为III级，即自燃危险性一般，与该采场的实际状况相一致。该模型具有很强的实用性，能应用于硫化矿石自燃灾害预警等级的预测。     

养护龄期对EDTA滴定法测定尾砂胶结充填体水泥含量的影响研究

在应用EDTA滴定法测尾砂胶结充填体水泥含量中,因充填体的EDTA二钠标准溶液消耗量随养护龄期的增长而降低导致测定不同养护龄期充填体的水泥含量需分别制定标准曲线,为研究养护龄期对充填体EDTA二钠标准溶液消耗量的影响,本文通过开展试验研究,并利用扫描电镜(SEM)分析技术进一步验证试验结果,得出养护龄期主要是通过影响水泥水化进程,进而影响NH4Cl弱酸溶液溶解充填体中的Ca2 含量而影响充填体EDTA二钠标准溶液消耗量的结论。     

基于趋势分析的间歇过程异常工况超早期报警研究

为了实现化工间歇过程阶跃变化中异常工况的早期报警，重点监测过程参数的变化趋势，提出基于最小二乘法的拟合 微分 再微分的化工间歇过程趋势分析方法。采用最小二乘法对历史数据进行拟合，依据过程参数的变化趋势，将间歇过程分为3个阶段。对数据微分求导计算，根据得出的过程参数一阶变化率的取值区间进行间歇过程多时段工况识别，针对危险性较大的阶跃变化过程利用再微分计算过程参数的二阶变化率取值区间，结合滑动窗算法，实现连续的间歇过程异常工况早期报警监测。在聚丙烯装置异常工况早期预警案例分析中，以聚合釜升温过程中上温为目标参数，实时监测上温变化趋势，识别间歇过程工况，并且在上温升温速率过快但温度未超出分布式控制系统(Distributed control system, DCS)阈值时发出警报。结果表明，所提出方法能够在参数状态出现异常的早期发出警报，相比于3σ报警阈值的方法提前24 min 34 s报警。     

Moderate lameness leads to marked behavioral changes in dairy cows

Lameness is one of the most prevalent diseases affecting the welfare of cows in modern dairy production. Lameness leads to behavioral changes in severely lame cows, which have been investigated in much detail. For early detection of lameness, knowledge of the effects of moderate lameness on cow behavior is crucial. Therefore, the behavior of nonlame and moderately lame cows was compared on 17 Swiss dairy farms. On each farm, 5 to 11 nonlame (locomotion score 1 of 5) and 2 to 7 moderately lame (locomotion score 3 of 5) cows were selected for data collection in two 48-h periods (A, B) separated by an interval of 6 to 10 wk. Based on visual locomotion scoring, 142 nonlame and 66 moderately lame cows were examined in period A and 128 nonlame and 53 moderately lame cows in period B. Between these 2 periods, the cows underwent corrective hoof trimming. Lying behavior, locomotor activity, and neck activity were recorded by accelerometers (MSR145 data logger, MSR Electronics GmbH, Seuzach, Switzerland), and feeding and rumination behaviors by noseband sensors (RumiWatch halter, ITIN + HOCH GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland). Furthermore, visits to the brush and the concentrate feeder, and the milking order position were recorded. In comparison with nonlame cows, moderately lame cows had a longer lying duration, a longer average lying bout duration, and a greater lateral asymmetry in lying duration. Average locomotor activity, locomotor activity during 1 h after feed delivery or push-ups, and average neck activity were lower in moderately lame cows. Eating time and the number of eating chews (jaw movements) were reduced in moderately lame compared with nonlame cows, whereas no effect of moderate lameness was evident for ruminating time, number of ruminating chews and boluses, and average number of ruminating chews per bolus. Moderately lame cows visited the concentrate feeder and the brush less frequently, and they were further back in the milking order compared with nonlame cows. In conclusion, nonlame and moderately lame cows differed in a biologically relevant way in many of the behavioral variables investigated in this study. Therefore, the use of these behavioral changes seems to be promising to develop a tool for early lameness detection.     

A volume element model (VEM) for energy systems engineering

This work presents a simplified modeling and simulation approach for energy systems engineering that is capable of providing quick and accurate responses during system design. For that, the laws of conservation are combined with available empirical and theoretical correlations to quantify the diverse types of flows that cross the system and produce a simplified tridimensional mathematical model, namely a volume element model (VEM). The physical domain of interest is discretized in space, thus producing a system of algebraic and ODEs with respect to time, whose solution delivers the project variables spatial distribution and dynamic response. In order to illustrate the application of the VEM in energy systems engineering, three example problems are considered: (i) a regenerative heat exchanger; (ii) a power electronic building block (PEBB); and (iii) a notional all‐electric ship. The same mathematical model was used to analyze problems (ii) and (iii), that is, the thermal management of heat‐generating equipment packaging. In the examples, the converged mesh had a total of 20, 2000, and 7725 volume elements. The third problem led to the largest simulation, which for steady‐state cases took between 5 and 10 min of computational time to reach convergence and for the ship dynamic response 50 min (i.e., 80,000 s of real time). The regenerative heat exchanger model demonstrated how VEM allowed for the coexistence of different phases (subsystems) within the same volume element. The thermal management model was adjusted and experimentally validated for the PEBB system, and it was possible to perform a parametric and dynamic analysis of the PEBB and of the notional all‐electric ship. Therefore, because of the observed combination of accuracy and low computational time, it is expected that the model could be used as an efficient tool for design, control, and optimization in energy systems engineering. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.