The Age-Sensitive Efficacy of Calorie Restriction on Mitochondrial Biogenesis and mtDNA Damage in Rat Liver

Calorie restriction (CR) is the most efficacious treatment to delay the onset of age-related changes such as mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the sensitivity of mitochondrial markers to CR and the age-related boundaries of CR efficacy are not fully elucidated. We used liver samples from ad libitum-fed (AL) rats divided in: 18-month-old (AL-18), 28-month-old (AL-28), and 32-month-old (AL-32) groups, and from CR-treated (CR) 28-month-old (CR-28) and 32-month-old (CR-32) counterparts to assay the effect of CR on several mitochondrial markers. The age-related decreases in citrate synthase activity, in TFAM, MFN2, and DRP1 protein amounts and in the mtDNA content in the AL-28 group were prevented in CR-28 counterparts. Accordingly, CR reduced oxidative mtDNA damage assessed through the incidence of oxidized purines at specific mtDNA regions in CR-28 animals. These findings support the anti-aging effect of CR up to 28 months. Conversely, the protein amounts of LonP1, Cyt c, OGG1, and APE1 and the 4.8 Kb mtDNA deletion content were not affected in CR-28 rats. The absence of significant differences between the AL-32 values and the CR-32 counterparts suggests an age-related boundary of CR efficacy at this age. However, this only partially curtails the CR benefits in counteracting the generalized aging decline and the related mitochondrial involvement.     

Spatial agglomeration and productivity in Italy: A panel smooth transition regression approach

The paper analyses the nonlinearities in the impact of localization, diversity, urbanization and competition on firm‐level total factor productivity (TFP), using a large sample of Italian firms from 1999 to 2007. We adopt a panel smooth transition regression model, so that the TFP elasticities are free to vary smoothly across two or more extreme values. Results show that localization economies and Jacobian externalities materialize only for values of, respectively, intra‐industry agglomeration and extra‐sectoral diversity above a certain threshold. Local competition exerts a positive effect on productivity, even though the marginal impact shrinks at high levels of competition. We find instead no evidence of diseconomies of agglomeration.     

In-plane cyclic behaviour of a new reinforced masonry system: Experimental results

This paper describes the behaviour under cyclic shear compression of an innovative reinforced masonry system, composed of horizontally perforated units, having common steel bars or prefabricated trusses as horizontal reinforcement. At the wall edges or crossings, confining columns for vertical reinforcement are built with vertically perforated units. Experimental tests to obtain information on the in-plane cyclic behaviour of the construction system were performed on masonry panels made of horizontally perforated units and on completed reinforced masonry walls. Tests on the entire system were repeated for two wall aspect ratios and two vertical stress levels, in order to force shear type and flexural behaviour. In particular, this paper presents: (a) results of shear compression tests in terms of strength, ductility parameters, energy dissipation, viscous damping and stiffness degradation, (b) strains and the effectiveness of reinforcement, (c) the influence of various parameters such as axial load, aspect ratio, and reinforcement type on the behaviour of the reinforced masonry walls, and (d) comparison of walls built with and without vertical reinforcement.     

Interface engineering of nanoceramic hematite photoelectrode for solar energy conversion

This work addresses the role of different modifiers on the overall photocurrent response, which allowed a dual material insertion, increasing the charge separation without compromise the surface catalysis. Sn-addition onto nanoceramic hematite photoelectrodes clearly increased flat band potential, promoting a good charge separation, and shifting the onset to a higher potential, attributed to the surface-trapping state created by this modification. Notoriously, Sn-hematite photoelectrodes loaded with NiFeO_x exhibited the highest photocurrent density, suggesting a partially recovered surface-trapping states created during the electrode designing. The well-known cocatalyst acted in the overall photoelectrocatalytic response with no significant effect on the turn-on voltage, in other words, with minor effect related to catalytic efficiency. The dual modification contributes to understand the role of different modifiers allowing to satisfactorily improve charge separation while maintaining the conductivity attributed to IV-group ions.     

Building a bridge between performance management,radical innovation,and innovation networks: A systematic literature review

Research on performance management (PM) of networks and radical innovation has largely developed along two isolated paths. On the one hand, a growing body of knowledge addresses the use of performance management systems in the context of networks (notably for production and incremental innovation). On the other hand, radical innovation scholars have shown how innovation initiatives that are more uncertain demand the use of new approaches (e.g., new project management routines or different evaluative tools for portfolios). Some scholars even suggest that traditional PM may suppress radical innovation. Our study takes a different approach. It aims to bridge radical innovation and network performance management through a systematic review of the literature. Here, we adopt a hybrid approach that combines bibliometrics with content analysis. Whereas the literature often separates the issues of network performance management and radical innovation, our contribution expands the theory of network management and radical innovation by developing a conceptual framework based on these concepts, thus combining them. We also offer suggestions for further research on this approach. Our framework suggests that overall, the performance management of radical innovation networks presents different features (e.g., recursive rather than linear) and constructs (e.g., openness and unintended performance) from those of innovation network management.     

A two-way coupled multiscale model for predicting damage-associated performance of asphaltic roadways

This paper presents a quasi-static multiscale computational model with its verification and rational applications to mechanical behavior predictions of asphaltic roadways that are subject to viscoelastic deformation and fracture damage. The multiscale model is based on continuum thermo-mechanics and is implemented using a finite element formulation. Two length scales (global and local) are two-way coupled in the model framework by linking a homogenized global scale to a heterogeneous local scale representative volume element. With the unique multiscaling and the use of the finite element technique, it is possible to take into account the effect of material heterogeneity, viscoelasticity, and anisotropic damage accumulation in the small scale on the overall performance of larger scale structures. Along with the theoretical model formulation, two example problems are shown: one to verify the model and its computational benefits through comparisons with analytical solutions and single-scale simulation results, and the other to demonstrate the applicability of the approach to model general roadway structures where material viscoelasticity and cohesive zone fracture are involved.     

On-line 3-D system for the inspection of deformable parts

In spite of the development of automated tolerance inspection systems for manufactured parts over the years, there are still processes that inevitably require manual intervention making full automation impossible in most cases; in particular when dealing with deformable parts. In most current industrial inspection systems, a deformable part under inspection must first be mechanically constrained on a rigid support or jig so as to be able to compare it with its nominal shape. This paper presents a new system to perform real-time surface inspection of deformable parts that does not require fixturing. Instead, the proposed system applies virtual forces to the part??s CAD model as if the part was installed in the fixturing device. Normally, a precise finite element method (FEM) simulation should be used to approximate the deformation that appends when the part is installed in the device. Even with a fast parallel computer, FEM is far from being real-time and cannot be used for on-line inspection. In the proposed system, a radial basis function approximation of the FEM simulation is trained off-line and used to speed-up the simulation by an order of magnitude. Experimental evaluation of the proposed system is presented for three plastic parts. Using the proposed scheme, an approximation of 0.25?mm compared with the real deformation was obtained. In this paper, statistical results are presented such as the average deviation, standard deviation, and processing time between the approximations obtained with the proposed method and with the finite element method applied to the full CAD model.