On the modelling of thermo-unelastic periodic composites: Microlocal parameter theory

Summary In this paper a new high efficiency C-O grid coupled with the potential flow solver based on the finite volume technique is given. It significantly reduces the CPU time and increases the computational efficiency. In order to improve the accuracy of traditional potential method a shock point operator is used to account for entropy correction. Some calculated results of 2D inviscid, viscous/inviscid interaction and 3D inviscid flow indicate that nonisentropic potential method produces results closer to Euler solution as well as experimental data, while its computational efforts are nearly the same as the usual isentropic potential method.With 9 Figures     

Biparametric Models for Elastic Wedge Foundation

In this paper, some biparametric models for an elastic foundation are proposed. It is assumed that the foundation has the shape of the wedge. The modeling procedure starts from the linear elasticity equations into which we introduce some simplifying assumptions based on the conceptions of decay functions. The simplified models are described by the ordinary differential equations. Stationary and nonstationary Green’s functions for the foundation considered are obtained by applying the Hankel and Laplace transform methods. An example of the interaction between the rigid plate and the elastic wedge foundation is studied.     

Flux Jumps and H-T Diagram of Instability for MgB2

We present a study of magneto-thermal instabilities in polycrystalline MgB₂ superconductor, by magnetic hysteresis loop measurements and by investigations of magnetic flux dynamics with a miniature Hall probe. Temperature and magnetic field ranges where the flux jumps may be observed have been determined. On the basis of measurements of the magnetic flux dynamics, an average magnetic diffusivity describing the process of the flux jump is estimated. This parameter is compared with the thermal and magnetic diffusivities calculated on the basis of available data for thermal conductivity, heat capacity and resistivity. It is shown that the estimated value of the field of the first flux jump is influenced significantly by the field dependence of specific heat. In order to explain the observed phenomenon, the temperature reached by the sample during the flux jump at different magnetic fields is calculated.     

Internal Damage to Wheat Grain as a Result of Wetting and Drying

Processes of heat and mass exchange which take place in the course of wetting and drying of cereal grain cause internal stress, the result of which are endosperm cracks. This damage, invisible to the naked eye and difficult to detect, causes specific effects, physical as well as biological. Spring wheat grain, cv. Henika, of an initial moisture content of 10% and varied endosperm structure (vitreous and mealy), was subjected to the process of wetting, and then dried under various thermal conditions. Internal damage to grain, caused by those processes, was detected by means of X-ray techniques. The extent of damage was described by means of suitable numerical indexes. Analysis of the results obtained revealed that, irrespective of the methods of grain treatment (wetting or drying), vitreous kernels suffered more extensive damage than mealy ones. The most extensive destruction of endosperm was observed following the drying of grain of high moisture content at high temperature.     

Clinical characteristics of patients with hypertension resistant to antihypertensive drug therapy

Two groups of hypertensive patients: 137 responsive (on one or two drugs) and 162 resistant on antihypertensive treatment in the similar age were compared. Resistant patients (on three or more drugs) characterize by significantly higher body weight and BMI, longer history of hypertension, more frequent hypertension prevalance in family members and lower education. Level of triglycerides in resistant on antihypertensive treatment patients was significantly higher than in responsive patients. Insulin level in blood in 31 patients with essential hypertension was significantly higher than in 36 healthy persons and 20 patients with renovascular hypertension and resistant on antihypertensive therapy. In 14 patients with essential hypertension resistant to treatment insulin level one hour after oral glucose load was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than in 16 patients with essential hypertension responsive to antihypertensive treatment.     

Antioxidant vs. Prooxidant Properties of the Flavonoid,Kaempferol, in the Presence of Cu(II) Ions: A ROS-Scavenging Activity,Fenton Reaction and DNA Damage Study

Kaempferol is a flavonoid that occurs in tea and in many vegetables and fruits, including broccoli, cabbage, beans, grapes, apples, and strawberries. The efficacy of Kaempferol has been demonstrated in the treatment of breast, esophageal, cervical, ovarian, and liver cancers and leukemia, which very likely arises from its prooxidant properties and the activation of pro-apoptotic pathways. Indeed, this matter has already been the focus of a number of published studies and reviews. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the antioxidant vs. prooxidant properties of flavonoids in the presence of the redox-active metal, copper (II) ion, by means of the Fenton reaction. The specific motivation of this work is that, since an increased level of Cu(II) ions is known to be associated with many disease states such as neurological conditions (Alzheimer’s disease) and cancer, any interaction between these ions and flavonoids might affect the outcome of therapeutic uses of the latter. The structure of the Cu-kaempferol complex in DMSO was investigated by means of low temperature EPR spectroscopy, which confirmed the existence of at least two distinct coordination environments around the copper (II) ion. UV vis-spectra of kaempferol and its Cu(II) complex in DMSO revealed an interaction between the 5-OH (A ring) group and the 4-CO (C ring) group of kaempferol with Cu(II) ions. An ABTS assay confirmed that kaempferol acted as an effective radical scavenger, and that this effect was further enhanced in the form of the Cu(II)-kaempferol complex. Quantitative EPR spin trapping experiments, using DMPO as the spin trap, confirmed suppression of the formation of a mixture of hydroxyl, superoxide, and methyl radicals, in a Fenton reaction system, upon coordination of kaempferol to the redox-active Cu(II) ions, by 80% with respect to the free Cu(II) ions. A viscometric study revealed a better DNA-intercalating ability of the Cu-kaempferol complex than for free kaempferol, essential for conferring anticancer activity of these substances. The results of the viscometric measurements were compared with those from a DNA damage study of Cu-kaempferol complexes in a Fenton reaction system, using gel electrophoresis. At low concentrations of kaempferol (Cu–kaempferol ratios of 1:1 and 1:2), a very weak protective effect on DNA was noted, whereas when kaempferol was present in excess, a significant DNA-protective effect was found. This can be explained if the weakly intercalated kaempferol molecules present at the surface of DNA provide protection against attack by ROS that originate from the Fenton reaction involving intercalated Cu(II)-kaempferol complexes. Following the application of ROS scavengers, L-histidine, DMSO, and SOD, gel electrophoresis confirmed the formation of singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide radical anions, respectively. We propose that the prooxidant properties of Cu-kaempferol complexes may provide anticancer activity of these substances. When present in excess, kaempferol displays antioxidant properties under Cu-Fenton conditions. This suggests that kaempferol might prove a suitable candidate for the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress related medical conditions that involve a disturbed metabolism of redox metals such as copper, for example, Menkes disease, and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. For the potential use of kaempferol in clinical practice, it will be necessary to optimize the dose size and critical age of the patient so that this flavonoid may be beneficial as a preventive drug against cancer and neurological disorders.     

Polymorphisms in EGFR Gene Predict Clinical Outcome in Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy and Platinum-Based Chemoradiotherapy

For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), radiotherapy (RT) and platinum-based chemotherapy (CHT) are among the main treatment options. On the other hand, radioresistance and cytotoxic drug resistance are common causes of failure. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in radioresponse and therapy resistance. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the EGFR gene might affect individual sensitivity to these treatments, and thus, therapy outcome and prognosis. The association between functional EGFR SNPs and overall (OS), locoregional recurrence-free (LFRS), and metastasis-free (MFS) survival was examined in 436 patients with unresectable NSCLC receiving RT and platinum-based CHTRT. In a multivariate analysis, the rs712830 CC homozygotes showed reduced OS in the whole group (p = 0.039) and in the curative treatment subset (p = 0.047). The rs712829 TT genotype was strongly associated with decreased LRFS (p = 0.006), and the T-C haplotype was a risk factor for locoregional recurrence in our patients (p = 0.003). The rs2227983 GG alone and in combination with rs712829 T was an indicator of unfavorable LRFS (p = 0.028 and 0.002, respectively). Moreover, significant independent effects of these SNPs on OS, LRFS, and MFS were observed. Our results demonstrate that inherited EGFR gene variants may predict clinical outcomes in NSCLC treated with DNA damage-inducing therapy.     

实践咨询为客户创造价值，探索行业可持续发展

众所周知,2008年以来,由美国的次贷危机引发的全球性金融风暴,也很快波及到远在万里之外的中国。我国的金融、制造、建筑及服务等各行各业都受到了很大的影响,工程咨询行业也不例外。所谓国难兴邦,困境兴企,越是在危机的时候越要用更长远的眼光来审视全行业的发展。中咨协会2009年年会的主题是“应对金融危机挑战,提供可持续解决方案”,可以看出整个行业已经在进行深层次的思考——我们不仅要在“危机”中求发展,而且还要“可持续”的发展,要为咨询行业开辟一个健康的未来。     

基于流形学习的人体动作识别

目的 提出了一个基于流形学习的动作识别框架,用来识别深度图像序列中的人体行为。方法 从Kinect设备获得的深度信息中评估出人体的关节点信息,并用相对关节点位置差作为人体特征表达。在训练阶段,利用LE（Lalpacian eigenmaps）流形学习对高维空间下的训练集进行降维,得到低维隐空间下的运动模型。在识别阶段,用最近邻差值方法将测试序列映射到低维流形空间中去,然后进行匹配计算。在匹配过程中,通过使用改进的Hausdorff距离对低维空间下测试序列和训练运动集的吻合度和相似度进行度量。结果 用Kinect设备捕获的数据进行了实验,取得了良好的效果;同时也在MSR Action3D数据库上进行了测试,结果表明在训练样本较多情况下,本文方法识别效果优于以往方法。结论 实验结果表明本文方法适用于基于深度图像序列的人体动作识别。