Reduction of antiproliferative capacities,cell-based antioxidant capacities and phytochemical contents of common beans and soybeans upon thermal processing

The effects of boiling and steaming processes on the antiproliferative and cellular antioxidant properties, as well as phytochemicals, of two types of common beans (pinto and black beans) and two types of soybeans (yellow and black) were investigated. All thermal-processing methods caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in total phenolic content (TPC), total saponin content (TSC) and phytic acid content (PAC) values in all bean types (except for TPC values in pressure-steamed yellow soybeans) as compared to those of the raw beans. All types of uncooked raw beans exhibited cellular antioxidant activities (CAA) in dose-dependent manners. Black soybeans exhibited the greatest CAA, followed by black beans, pinto beans and yellow soybeans. The CAA of cooked beans were generally diminished or eliminated by thermal processing. The hydrophilic extracts from raw pinto beans, black beans and black soybeans exhibited antiproliferation capacities against human gastric (AGS) and colorectal (SW480) cancer cells in dose-dependent manners. The raw yellow soybeans exhibited dose-dependent antiproliferation activities against the SW480 cells. Most of the cooked beans lost their antiproliferation capacities as observed in the raw beans. These results indicate that different processing methods may have various effects on phytochemical profiles and bioactivities. Overall, thermal processing caused a significant reduction of the health-promotion effects of beans.     

Purinergic Signalling in Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Graft-versus-Host Disease

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a curative therapy for blood cancers and other haematological disorders. However, allo-HSCT leads to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a severe and often lethal immunological response, in the majority of transplant recipients. Current therapies for GVHD are limited and often reduce the effectiveness of allo-HSCT. Therefore, pro- and anti-inflammatory factors contributing to disease need to be explored in order to identify new treatment targets. Purinergic signalling plays important roles in haematopoiesis, inflammation and immunity, and recent evidence suggests that it can also affect haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and GVHD development. This review provides a detailed assessment of the emerging roles of purinergic receptors, most notably P2X7, P2Y₂ and A_2A receptors, and ectoenzymes, CD39 and CD73, in GVHD.     

Hydrodynamic drag constrains head enlargement for mouthbrooding in cichlids

Presumably as an adaptation for mouthbrooding, many cichlid fish species have evolved a prominent sexual dimorphism in the adult head. Since the head of fishes serves as a bow during locomotion, an evolutionary increase in head volume to brood more eggs can trade-off with the hydrodynamic efficiency of swimming. Here, the differences between males and females in three-dimensional shape and size of the external head surfaces and the effect thereof on drag force during locomotion was analysed for the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a maternal mouthbrooder. To do so, three-dimensional body surface reconstructions from laser scans and computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed. After scaling the scanned specimens to post-cranial body volume, in order to theoretically equalize propulsive power, the external volume of the head of females was 27% larger than that of males (head length + 14%; head width + 9%). These differences resulted in an approximate 15% increase in drag force. Yet, hydrodynamics imposed important constraints on the adaptation for mouthbrooding as a much more drastic drop in swimming efficiency seems avoided by mainly enlarging the head along the swimming direction.     

Modeling and simulation of 2D lithium‐ion solid state battery

The goal of the work presented here was to develop a simulation approach for studying the effects of materials and geometry on the performance of Li‐ion Solid State Batteries (SSB). Simulation provides the opportunity to explore, with ease, different material properties and cell geometries to optimize a Li‐ion SSB's performance. Simulations shown in this paper are time‐dependent and consider electrochemical reaction, heat transfer, the diffusion of Li‐ions and electrons in the electrolyte, and solid Li diffusion in the positive electrode. A 2D model was simulated and the results shown. The simulations were able to show discharge curves, heat flux, the concentration of Li‐ions, electrons, and solid Li at any time in the discharge cycle. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A unified dynamic model and control synthesis for robotic manipulators with geometric end-effector constraints

A compact dynamic model and a hybrid position/force controller for a constrained robot manipulator, subject to a set of holonomic (integrable) constraints have been developed in this study. The joint-space dynamics (DAEs) has been transformed into the constraint-space model in which the system dynamics can be readily decomposed into two orthogonal subsystems; the motion-controlled subsystem is specified in the direction tangential to the known constraint surfaces, and the force-controlled subsystem is regulated in the orthogonal direction. Also utilizing the transformed dynamics, we have presented a hybrid adaptive control law to simultaneously manipulate the end-effector position and the contact force. Further, by a Lyapunov theory, it has been shown that the corresponding closed-loop system is globally stable under the parametric uncertainties.     

Bearing load distribution studies in a multi bearing rotor system and a remote computing method based on the internet

A model in the form of a Bearing Load Distribution (BLD) matrix in the Muiti Bearing Rotor System (MBRS) is established by a transfer matrix equation with the consideration of a bearing load, elevation and uniform load distribution. The concept of Bearing Load Sensitivity (BLS) is proposed and matrices for load and elevation sensitivity are obtained. In order to share MBRS design resources on the Internet with remote customers, the basic principle of Remote Computing (RC) based on the Internet is introduced ; the RC of the BLD and BLS is achieved by Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) technology.     

A study on the mechanical properties of ti-8ta-3nb alloy for biomaterials

Ti-8Ta-3Nb has been developed as a new biomaterial. The experimental specimens are as-cast and forged Ti-8Ta-3Nb alloys. Treatment in a solution, ranging from 760 to 960°C has carried out. The microstructural research has carried out after the solution treatment and the hardness was measured. The specific heat and the length variations of Ti-8Ta-3Nb were also measured. The optimum temperature for the solution heat treatment of Ti-8Ta-3Nb was found to be 880°C. This was based on the mechanical properties and the volume fraction of α phase and their phases shown from the results of the solution heat treatment. From the results, the β transition temperature of Ti-8Ta-3Nb was found to be between 860° and 880°C.     

Issues and opportunities in accelerator mass spectrometry for stable isotopes

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) has developed in the last 30 years many notable applications to the spectrometry of radioisotopes, particularly in radiocarbon dating. The instrumentation science of trace element AMS (TEAMS) that analyzes stable isotopes, also called Accelerator SIMS or MegaSIMS, while unique in many features, has also shared in many of these significant advances and has pushed TEAMS sensitivity to concentration levels surpassing many competing mass spectroscopic technologies. This review examines recent instrumentation developments, the capabilities of the new instrumentation and discernable trends for future development.