Glioblastoma Stem Cells—Useful Tools in the Battle against Cancer

Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are cells with a self-renewal ability and capacity to initiate tumors upon serial transplantation that have been linked to tumor cell heterogeneity. Most standard treatments fail to completely eradicate GSCs, causing the recurrence of the disease. GSCs could represent one reason for the low efficacy of cancer therapy and for the short relapse time. Nonetheless, experimental data suggest that the presence of therapy-resistant GSCs could explain tumor recurrence. Therefore, to effectively target GSCs, a comprehensive understanding of their biology and the survival and developing mechanisms during treatment is mandatory. This review provides an overview of the molecular features, microenvironment, detection, and targeting strategies of GSCs, an essential information required for an efficient therapy. Despite the outstanding results in oncology, researchers are still developing novel strategies, of which one could be targeting the GSCs present in the hypoxic regions and invasive edge of the glioblastoma.     

近海大气环境下锈蚀平面钢框架抗震性能试验研究及有限元分析

焊接空心球节点(WHSJs)自1966年被提出以来,已经广泛地应用于空间网格结构中,至今已有55年的应用历史。由于环境的侵蚀、后期维护不到位等,焊接球节点锈蚀的现象屡见不鲜。该文针对随机锈蚀后焊接空心球节点的抗压承载力的变化规律进行了研究,基于随机有限元分析方法进行了大量的随机数值分析,研究了锈蚀深度概率分布模型对抗压承载力折减系数的影响;利用曲线拟合技术提出了折减系数下限和上限曲线的理论计算公式;通过随机有限元的大量分析结果揭示了抗压折减系数随锈蚀深度概率分布模型的变化规律;提出了用于预测抗压折减系数概率分布模型的拟合公式;通过对具有不同几何参数的焊接空心球节点的分析,得到了该文结论对不同几何尺寸下焊接球节点的适用性。研究结果表明,所提出的方法可以准确确定随机锈蚀焊接空心球节点抗压承载力折减系数的随机概率分布模型,可为随机锈蚀焊接球节点承载力的评估提供理论分析基础。     

不同围压下共面双裂隙脆性砂岩裂纹演化特性颗粒流模拟研究

岩体中含有大量节理、裂隙、断层等各类结构面,结构面在应力作用下的扩展与贯通是导致岩体破坏的重要原因。数值流形方法(NMM)可以有效模拟连续和非连续问题,然而,其在多裂纹动态扩展的模拟方面仍处于探索阶段。该文以线弹性断裂力学原理为基础,提出了一种基于高阶数值流形方法的多裂纹扩展模拟算法。通过在基函数中增加关键项来考虑裂纹尖端位移场的奇异性;裂纹尖端的应力强度因子则采用了J积分来计算;Ⅰ型-Ⅱ型混合裂纹的开裂和扩展方向依据最大周向拉应力准则来判断;采用假设-修正的多裂纹扩展算法解决了多裂纹的扩展问题。根据强化后的基函数,对于不符合单纯形积分形式的被积函数,采用了泰勒级数展开式计算近似解。通过多个静态裂纹扩展的经典问题的数值模拟对计算方法的合理性和计算精度及进行了验证。     

Determination of sieve grading curves using an optical device

The grading curve of an aggregate is a fundamental characteristic for mix design that can easily be modified to adjust several mix properties. While sieve analysis remains the reference method to determine this curve, optical devices are developing, allowing easier and faster assessment of aggregate grading. Unfortunately, optical grading results significantly differ from sieve grading curves. As a consequence, getting full acceptance of these new methods requires building bridges between the various particle size measurement systems. In order to build the sieve grading curve of an aggregate sample from video image analysis, a new model using images captured by a single camera device has been developed. This model has been tested on different samples stemming from four quarries with various petrography and flakiness index. For the 10/12.5, 12.5/16, 10/16 and 10/25 size fractions, the difference between actual sieve grading curve and optical grading curve is smaller than 7%. For the 6.3/10 fraction, the maximum difference between the two grading curves is equal to 15%. This difference could mainly be explained by parasitical rotation of small particles before image capture.     

Consideration of the BDNF gene in relation to two phenotypes: Hoarding and obesity.

The gene coding for the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as an interesting candidate for multiple brain and brain disorder-related phenomena. The primary aim of the present investigation was to consider the relationship between the BDNF Val66Met variant and two phenotypes: compulsive hoarding as a symptom dimension of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and body mass index (BMI). We examined the BDNF gene in a large (N = 301) clinical sample of probands with OCD. Participants were classified as hoarding or nonhoarding using a strict, multimeasure grouping approach. Results revealed that the Val/Val genotype was linked with hoarding classification and more severe hoarding behaviors, as well as greater BMI levels. Hoarding status was also associated with greater BMI scores, with individuals in the hoarding group being far more likely to be classified as obese compared with the nonhoarding group. Our findings may provide a distinct avenue through which hoarding and BMI could be linked. These findings are suggestive of a complex gene, body weight, and psychopathology relationship wherein a primitive, survival “thrifty gene” strategy may be conserved and represented in a subgroup of humans manifesting severe hoarding symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

基于轨迹模式空间解耦及模式能量序列的振荡分析(三)时变性分辨率从摆次细化到时间断面

系列文章的前两篇以振荡模式的空间解耦代替频域解耦,并通过互补群模式的摆次能量演化来反映复杂振荡行为的特征。由于其对时变性的分辨率较低,也不利于讨论多模式之间的交互作用,故文中提出在每个积分步末端所对应的时间断面处,按实际变量值重新冻结映象系统的非哈密顿因素,按虚构的哈密顿系统来估计该断面后的不平衡功率-转角的曲线。进而评估各互补群模式的振荡总能量(或其裕度)的时间序列,将轨迹振荡能量序列分析方法的时间分辨率从按模式摆次细化为按积分步长,更好地反映振荡的局部时变性。针对分别计及调速器或计及机械功率周期性扰动的两个算例,揭示了系统“反常”振荡行为的机理。     

海上钻修机结构裂纹安全性评估

基于BS 7910 2A级评估原理,对某海上钻修机钻井支持模块进行断裂评估。鉴于有限元方法能够大幅提高计算失效评估图评定参数的准确度,采用ANSYS软件子模型技术和奇异单元构造裂纹精细有限元模型,通过节点位移插值计算裂纹尖端应力强度因子,应用路径映射对应力进行线性化求得薄膜应力和弯曲应力,从而完成缺陷构件的失效评估图评定,结果表明：该钻修机钻井支持模块含裂纹构件的评估点位于失效评估曲线内侧,安全因数为1.51,结构能够继续安全服役。所用方法可为含裂纹缺陷的海洋结构物的安全评估提供参考。     

整体式履带行走机构驱动轮轮齿设计及CAE分析

驱动轮作为煤矿机械行走机构的关键零件,其结构的优劣直接影响设备性能及行走机构的使用寿命。介绍2种驱动轮轮齿的结构设计方法,并且进行CAE分析,验证安全系数。