Coumarins from Seseli devenyense Simonk.: Isolation by Liquid–Liquid Chromatography and Potential Anxiolytic Activity Using an In Vivo Zebrafish Larvae Model

Different types of anxiety disorders have become the number one mental health issue in developed countries. The search for new, safer and effective drug-like molecules among naturally derived substances faces two difficulties: an efficient method of isolation compounds with a high-purity and high-throughput animal model for activity assay. Thus, the aim of the present study was to isolate by liquid–liquid chromatography high-purity rare coumarins from the fruits of Seseli devenyense Simonk. and evaluate their anxiolytic effect (defined as reversed thimotaxis) using a 5-days post-fertilization (dpf) Danio rerio larvae model. Liquid–liquid chromatography enabled the isolation of one simple hydroxycoumarin (devenyol) and four pyranocoumarins (cis-khellactone, d-laserpitin, isolaserpitin and octanoyllomatin). The anxiolytic effect was defined as a decrease in the time spent in the boundaries of the living space (also described as reversed thigmotaxis). Our results show that all isolated courmarins exerted a significant influence on the anxiety behavior (anxiolytic activity) in the zebrafish larvae model. According to our knowledge, this is the first report of anxiolytic activity of pyranocoumarins and devenyol.     

Static pentane extraction as a potential alternative to Soxhlet extraction for polypropylene olive oil overall migration limit measurements

Static pentane extraction of olive oil from polypropylene was evaluated as a safer, higher throughput alternative to pentane Soxhlet extraction for the recovery of olive oil from polypropylene for overall migration limit determinations. Static, ambient temperature, pentane extraction achieved quantitative recovery of olive oil from polypropylene plaques prepared by using the OM‐5 overall migration limit protocol. In addition to validation data for static extractions, a modified esterification procedure is presented as a means to accommodate the larger sample sets that are enabled with static extraction.     

基于滑模的运载器主动段俯仰通道姿控系统设计

与传统比例-积分-微分（PID）控制方法相比，滑模控制（SMC）方法可以比较容易地将不确定性纳入控制器设计中，从而增强系统的鲁棒性。探索了SMC技术在运载器主动段姿态控制中的工程应用，首先通过分析基于趋近律的SMC系统，提出了降低不连续切换项系数的需求，然后研究了基于干扰上界的SMC方法。三通道小偏差仿真结果验证了两种方法的控制效果，表明第2种控制器的鲁棒性更好，稳态误差小，同时发动机喷管摆角需求较小。     

铝合金三角形波纹夹芯板对平头弹抗冲击特性数值模拟研究

为研究铝合金三角形波纹夹芯板对平头弹体的抗冲击性能及损伤特性，利用有限元软件ABAQUS/Explicit建立弹体冲击靶板的数值模拟模型，并结合实验验证了模型及其参数的有效性。基于数值计算结果，分析了三角形波纹夹芯板几何结构对其防护性能、失效模式和能量吸收的影响规律及机理，并与等面密度单层板进行对比分析，研究结果表明，靶体几何结构对其抗冲击性能存在影响，三角形波纹夹芯板抗冲击性能低于单层板抗冲击性能。此外，增加芯体拓扑结构夹角能显著提高三角形波纹夹芯板的抗冲击性能，并且靶板几何形状会对其失效模式及耗能特性存在影响。     

A priori risk-informed approach to ensure the compliance with discharge limits for liquid radioactive effluent to be discharged from APR 1400

ABSTRACT

In order to develop a methodology to guarantee the conformance to operational discharge limits for liquid effluent from a NPP at an early stage of design, a risk-informed approach was proposed and its applicability was verified for APR 1400. Existing methodology to calculate risk-based detection limit for a single radionuclide was improved by incorporating a new model to derive more realistic pathway dose factors. A new simple expression was also proposed to adjust risk-based detection limits for multiple radionuclides mixture if necessary. In addition, a new procedure to warrant the compliance with discharge limits by controlling detection limits of only a few principal radionuclides was established in accordance with risk-informed concept. Through case studies for APR 1400 to be commissioned at a hypothetical site, it was shown that calculated pathway dose factors are more realistic for majority of radionuclides. It also turns out that neither present detection limits nor unadjusted risk-based detection limits can be justified when the radionuclide composition is unknown, however further adjustment of detection limits or increasing additional dilution factor resolves the problem. Finally, ten principal radionuclides were identified and shown to be enough for liquid effluent control at APR 1400 from a risk-informed point of view.     

Weighted preliminary-summation-based principal component analysis for non-Gaussian processes

For industrial chemical process, preliminary-summation-based principal component analysis (PS-PCA), an amended PCA method was recently provided for coping with both Gaussian and non-Gaussian characteristics. By summing the training and monitoring data respectively, PS-PCA is capable of resolving the issue of non-Gaussian processes and achieves higher fault detection rate than the traditional PCA. However, in the PS-PCA summation operation, all data samples are regarded as the same weight, which results in the fault information of newly-samples may be diluted, leading to significant detection delays. To address this challenge, in this paper, we propose a novel weighted PS-PCA (WPS-PCA) method that employs an exponential weighting scheme to put more emphasis on recent information. Subsequently, a mathematical argument demonstrates that when the number of variables is enough plentiful, the obtained summation combined with the generalized central limit theorem conforms to approximately a Gaussian distribution. The kurtosis relationships indicate this conversion will bring out well-pleasing feasibility for conventional PCA. Ultimately, the proposed technique verifies detection performance using the Tennessee Eastman process, which is compared with the existing PCA and PS-PCA schemes, in terms of the fault detection time and fault detection rate. The simulation studies reveal that the proposed method is efficient and superior.     

压水堆核电厂压力容器开盖时刻主冷却剂放射性浓度控制要求研究

压水堆核电厂停堆开盖时刻主冷却剂放射性浓度限值是核电厂的重要设计参数。本文基于停堆开盖后厂内辐射风险来源分析,建立了适用于压水堆核电厂停堆压力容器开盖时刻主冷却剂中的放射性浓度控制值评估方法,并采用欧洲第三代压水堆技术方案(EPR)堆型核电厂的设计参数对建立的方法进行了验证。验证结果表明:基于此方法得出的停堆开盖限值与EPR堆型核电厂原设计较接近。     

Visually deficient working conditions and reduced work performance in office workers: Is it mediated by visual discomfort?

IntroductionThe main purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether visual discomfort acts as a mediating factor between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance among office workers who carry out administrative tasks and computer-based work at the Swedish Tax Agency.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to 94 office workers addressing: 1) perceived visual quality of the visual display units; 2) prevalence of eye symptoms; and 3) self-rated visual performance. Eighty-six persons (54 women (63%), 31 men (36%), and 1 of unspecified sex) answered the questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis investigated the association between visual ergonomic working conditions and visual performance, both with and without visual discomfort as a mediator.ResultsThe group mean of the Indexed survey questions indicated a reasonably good quality of visual ergonomic working conditions, a relative absence of eye symptoms, and acceptable self-rated visual performance. Results from multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance (r² = 0.30, β = 0.327, p < 0.01). When visual discomfort was used as a mediator, the association between perceived visual ergonomic working conditions and self-rated visual performance remained the same (r² = 0.32, β = 0.315, p < 0.01).DiscussionIt was remarkable to discover that self-rated visual performance was independent of visual discomfort. Possible explanations include exposure factors not included in the current study, such as dry air and sensory irritation in the eyes, psychosocial stress, time spent performing near work activities, or time exposed to visually deficient working conditions.Relevance to industryThe strong connection between satisfaction with visual ergonomic working conditions and productivity in this study has implications for workplace profitability and staff satisfaction. If productivity is enhanced by better visual ergonomic working conditions, then managers of workplaces may be able to improve work outcomes by optimizing the physical work environment.     

What Can We Learn from FGF-2 Isoform-Specific Mouse Mutants? Differential Insights into FGF-2 Physiology In Vivo

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), ubiquitously expressed in humans and mice, is functionally involved in cell growth, migration and maturation in vitro and in vivo. Based on the same mRNA, an 18-kilo Dalton (kDa) FGF-2 isoform named FGF-2 low molecular weight (FGF-2LMW) isoform is translated in humans and rodents. Additionally, two larger isoforms weighing 21 and 22 kDa also exist, summarized as the FGF-2 high molecular weight (FGF-2HMW) isoform. Meanwhile, the human FGF-2HMW comprises a 22, 23, 24 and 34 kDa protein. Independent studies verified a specific intracellular localization, mode of action and tissue-specific spatiotemporal expression of the FGF-2 isoforms, increasing the complexity of their physiological and pathophysiological roles. In order to analyze their spectrum of effects, FGF-2LMW knock out (ko) and FGF-2HMWko mice have been generated, as well as mice specifically overexpressing either FGF-2LMW or FGF-2HMW. So far, the development and functionality of the cardiovascular system, bone formation and regeneration as well as their impact on the central nervous system including disease models of neurodegeneration, have been examined. This review provides a summary of the studies characterizing the in vivo effects modulated by the FGF-2 isoforms and, thus, offers a comprehensive overview of its actions in the aforementioned organ systems.