Assessing the Morphological and Behavioral Toxicity of Catechol Using Larval Zebrafish

Catechol is a ubiquitous chemical used in the manufacturing of fragrances, pharmaceuticals and flavorants. Environmental exposure occurs in a variety of ways through industrial processes, during pyrolysis and in effluent, yet despite its prevalence, there is limited information regarding its toxicity. While the genotoxicity and gastric carcinogenicity of catechol have been described in depth, toxicological studies have potentially overlooked a number of other effects relevant to humans. Here, we have made use of a general and behavioral larval zebrafish toxicity assay to describe previously unknown catechol-based toxicological phenomena. Behavioral testing revealed catechol-induced hypoactivity at concentrations an order of magnitude lower than observable endpoints. Catechol exposure also resulted in punctate melanocytes with concomitant decreases in the expression of pigment production and regulation markers mitfa, mc1r and tyr. Because catechol is converted into a number of toxic metabolites by tyrosinase, an enzyme found almost exclusively in melanocytes, an evaluation of the effects of catechol on these cells is critical to evaluating the safety of this chemical. This work provides insights into the toxic nature of catechol and highlights the benefits of the zebrafish larval testing platform in being able to dissect multiple aspects of toxicity with one model.     

A Systematic Study of Restorative Crown-Materials Combinations for Dental Implants: Characterization of Mechanical Properties under Dynamic Loads

This study aimed to find the optimum mechanical characteristics of the restorative materials for the manufacture of implant crowns subjected to impact loading when different combinations of materials are used for the inner and outer crown. Several combinations of external–internal crown restorative materials were analyzed. The dynamic stresses at eight different zones of a dental implant subjected to an impact load and the influence of several mechanical properties, such as the Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, density, and initial velocity, were analyzed and compared. A detailed 3D model was created, including the crown, the retention screw, the implant, and a mandible section. The model was then built by importing the 3D geometries from CAD software. The whole 3D model was carefully created in order to guarantee a finite element mesh that produced results adjusted to physical reality. Then, we conducted a numerical simulation using the finite element method (FEM). The results of the FEM analysis allowed for evaluating the effect that different combinations of restorative materials and mechanical properties had on the stress distribution in various regions of the implant. The choice of restorative material is a factor to be considered in order to preserve the integrity of osseointegration. Restorative materials transfer more or less stress to the dental implant and surrounding bone, depending on their stiffness. Therefore, an inadequate Young’s modulus of the rehabilitation material can affect the survival of the implant over time. Eight interactive graphics were provided on a web-based surface platform to help clinical dentists, researchers, and manufacturers to select the best restorative materials combination for the crown.     

机器人足球仿真教练模型研究

RoboCup仿真比赛已经在国际上开展几年了,近来在国内也得到了迅速的发展,它通过提供了一个标准问题来促进人工智能和智能机器人的研究。文中以RoboCup仿真比赛为背景,首先讨论了教练模型,包括教练的角色意义和相应的权限,而后针对教练设计中涵盖的几个问题,如对手建模、规划识别、离线训练,分别给出了较好的解决方案。最后从在线教练工作过程的角度总结了有关教练技术的具体应用,并对教练的设计前景提出了一些看法。对于建立和设计仿真教练,进行多智能体系统的合作协调研究具有重要意义。     

Numerical investigation of fracture behavior of tunnel by excavation loading

A rock failure process analysis model, RFPA2D code, a two-dimensional numerical code, were proposed. The code not only satisfied the global equilibrium, strain consistent and nonlinear constitutive relationship of rock and soil materials but also took into account the heterogeneous characteristics of rock materials at macroscopic and microscopically level. The failure behavior of tunnel could be simulated by this numerical model. The model could realistically simulate the fracture behavior of tunnel by excavation loading, strength limits, and post peak response for both tension and compression. As the proposed method was used to conduct the stability analysis of tunnel, the safety factor of tunnel was defined as the ratio of actual shear strength parameter to critical failure shear strength parameter. Not only the safety factor of tunnel with specific physics meaning can be obtained, but also the overall failure process and the location of failure surface may also be determined at the same time.     

基于模糊逻辑的人为差错概率量化方法

为满足人机系统概率风险评估的需要,提出一种人为差错概率量化方法。分析技能、规则和知识为基础 (skill, rule and knowledge-based,SRK)框架和行为模式的确定方法Hanaman 决策树法,指出在确定行为模式的过程 中考虑行为模式影响因素的不确定性是必要的;使用模糊逻辑方法处理行为模式各个影响因素的不确定性,根据 Hanaman 决策树构建模糊推理规则,利用系统人为行为可靠性程序(systematic human action reliability procedure, SHARP)方法所提供的人为差错概率区间确定人为差错概率的隶属度函数。结果表明：该方法考虑了任务场景的不确 定性,可以得到人为差错概率的精确值,满足人机系统概率风险评估的需要。     

动态特征选择算法对恶意行为检测的优化研究

针对互联网中存在的恶意行为,特别是社交网络应用中的在线恶意行为,通常使用基于用户多维特征的聚类分析算法进行检测。提出一种动态特征选择算法(DFSA),使用具有特征加权熵的模糊C均值目标函数,首先为参数构建一个学习模式,自动计算每个特征权重,并剔除权重小于阈值的特征,动态选择重要的特征,迭代地更新隶属函数、簇中心和特征权重直到最优化为止,最后识别出具有高精度的恶意用户行为簇。仿真结果表明,对比SDAFS算法、ELAFC算法和NADMB算法,DFSA算法在Rand指数、Jaccard指数和归一化互信息量3个主要性能指标上均有改善。     

内嵌碟簧型自复位防屈曲支撑性能试验及其恢复力模型研究

提出了一种内芯与约束构件均为型钢的全钢装配式防屈曲支撑,该支撑具有全装配、内芯可更换、工艺简单、造价低廉和可用于既有构件加固等优点。钢内芯由2个角钢与加劲板组成T型截面,外约束构件由角钢和盖板通过螺栓连接形成。对6个该支撑试件进行拟静力试验,讨论其滞回性能、抗震性能及破坏机理,并分析内芯上设置填板、内芯与约束构件的间隙、内芯双角钢之间的间距以及限位方式对滞回性能的影响。结果表明,该支撑的实际性能与设计性能基本一致,具有稳定的滞回性能;在支撑中间设置填板对支撑的滞回性能基本没有影响;内芯与约束构件的间隙及内芯双角钢之间的间距过大会降低支撑的滞回性能;采用中部限位方式的支撑滞回性能优于端部限位方式。对试件的抗震性能分析表明,该支撑具有较好的延性和累积塑性变形能力,可作为阻尼器应用于结构中。通过分析破坏模式发现,加劲板末端的焊缝应力集中会造成支撑的断裂位置由屈服段转移至止焊处;设置中部限位卡可以减小摩擦力的不利影响。     

FRP与混凝土组合结构研究综述

提出一种在塑性铰区域采用高延性纤维增强水泥基复合材料(ECC)替代混凝土来改善FRP筋-钢筋增强混凝土柱抗震性能的新方法。对FRP筋-钢筋增强ECC-混凝土构件进行了低周往复荷载试验,系统地考察了基体材料、筋材种类、轴压比对构件破坏模态、裂缝模式、承载力、残余变形、延性和耗能能力的影响。结果表明,将ECC替代塑性铰区域混凝土能够有效避免FRP筋的受压屈曲,进而显著提升组合柱的抗震性能。与钢筋增强ECC-混凝土组合柱相比,复合筋增强ECC-混凝土组合柱的残余变形明显更小,且屈服后的刚度更高。随着轴压比的增大,构件极限强度升高但变形能力降低。通过有限元参数分析可知,组合柱的承载力和变形能力均随着ECC抗压强度及总配筋率的增大而增大;在总配筋率不变的情况下,FRP筋占比越高,构件的延性越好。     

The interplay of conscious and automatic mechanisms in the context of routine use: An integrative and comparative study of contrasting mechanisms

Researchers have been closely studying how information technology services became a routine part of our lives. Studies have found that users who routinely use online services either consciously develop loyalty or automatically develop a habit. But many studies now mix the elements of conscious and automatic use despite the great differences in these phenomena. This study proposes a new theoretical framework of how the conscious and automatic mechanisms simultaneously, but differentially, regulate postadoption phenomena in the context of online information services. An empirical test confirms that these two mechanisms have highly discernible patterns that researchers and managers alike must heed.     

钢铁制造流程的能量流行为和能量流网络问题

为应对全球气候变化,钢铁工业在下一步技术转型中,应高度重视钢铁制造流程的能量流和能量流网络问题。本文从充分发挥钢厂三个功能的视角,阐述了钢铁制造流程中铁素物质流和碳素能量流的行为规律,提出了应注重与铁素物质流相关的碳素能量流的输入/输出特点和能量流网络构建以及相应的信息化集成调控的观点,剖析了钢铁工业节能减排的潜力,指出了提高钢厂综合竞争力和多方位服务于可持续发展的可能性,探讨了相关理论的建立、技术开发和工程化实施的策略等。