Extracellular Vesicles in CNS Developmental Disorders

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex structure in the body, consisting of multiple cell types with distinct morphology and function. Development of the neuronal circuit and its function rely on a continuous crosstalk between neurons and non-neural cells. It has been widely accepted that extracellular vesicles (EVs), mainly exosomes, are effective entities responsible for intercellular CNS communication. They contain membrane and cytoplasmic proteins, lipids, non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs. Their cargo modulates gene and protein expression in recipient cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that EVs play a role in modifying signal transduction with subsequent physiological changes in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis and network circuit formation and activity, as well as synaptic pruning and myelination. Several studies demonstrate that neural and non-neural EVs play an important role in physiological and pathological neurodevelopment. The present review discusses the role of EVs in various neurodevelopmental disorders and the prospects of using EVs as disease biomarkers and therapeutics.     

Influence of nickel and molybdenum on the phase stability and mechanical properties of maraging steels

The effect of nickel and molybdenum concentrations on the phase transformation and mechanical properties of conventional 18Ni(350) maraging steel has been investigated. Both of these elements act as strong austenite stabilizers. When the concentration of molybdenum or nickel is greater than 7.5 or 24 wt %, respectively, the austenite phase remains stable up to room temperature. In both molybdenum- and nickel-alloyed steels, the austenite phase could be transformed to martensite by either dipping the material in liquid nitrogen or subjecting it to cold working. When 7.5 wt% Mo and 24 wt% Ni were added in combination, however, the austenite phase obtained at room temperature did not transform to martensite when liquid-nitrogen quenched or even when cold rolled to greater than 95% reduction. The aging response of these materials has also been investigated using optical, scanning electron, and scanning transmission electron microscopy.     

Nonlinear Interval Parameter Programming Combined with Cooperative Games: a Tool for Addressing Uncertainty in Water Allocation Using Water Diplomacy Framework

Water Resources Management - This paper shows the utility of a new interval cooperative game theory as an effective water diplomacy tool to resolve competing and conflicting needs of water users...     

An analytical model for manufacturing service supply contracts

The practice of service-based manufacturing, utilized in various industries, particularly in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive, is on the rise as it improves enterprise effectiveness in dynamic markets. The mutual responsibilities between the supplier(s) and user(s) of such services are spelled out in defined-time-horizon contracts. While such contracts define mutual obligations of both parties on a tactical/operational level, the long-term strategic objectives of the parties may be in conflict. This paper is focused on studying the dynamics of manufacturing service contracts. It investigates the factors affecting the shape of the negotiation space for such contracts and also the way the space should be navigated in response to changing market conditions. The paper presents an analytical framework developed to facilitate behavior analysis of the actors involved in the contract.     

Toward the development of interactive virtual dissection with haptic feedback

Traditional, hands-on dissection of an animal is common practice in many classrooms to aid in the study of anatomy and biology. More specifically, virtual dissection environments have been developed making it possible to study the inner workings of animals without cutting them up. In this paper, we present a novel virtual reality dissection simulator, where a user can dissect an animal (i.e. frog) and its organs using a 3D force feedback haptic device. The simulator uses force feedback as part of a multimodal cue to provide guidance and performance feedback to the user. This paper highlights methodologies which are used for addressing some of the key challenges involved in designing and developing simulators, such as: modelling and mechanics of deformation, collision detection between multiple deformable bodies, and haptic feedback.     

Clarifying the interaction between ideas and architectural works in the Achaemenid era

The circle formed in the course of surveying the movement from idea to work—which makes the act of creation—and from work to idea—which is concerned with the sphere of thinking, cognition and perception—leads to the formation of culture and civilization. Formation of any civilization is a direct result of interaction between ideas and forms. If there is no idea, there will be no form, and if there is no form, promotion of idea will be meaningless. From the ancient time, the religious-mythical idea, as a whole idea, has been leading to other ideas including philosophical, mystical and political ideas. Architecture, as a historical form, has been the outcome of interactions between the triple ideas proposed under the religious idea. In this study, an attempt is made to explain the role of each idea in the creation of architectural works of Achaemenid civilization by defining them. It also aims to review the historical form of the Achaemenid era, which was based on a philosophical-political idea, in order to investigate the role of this period in relation to architectural form which is addressed with a kind of pluralism. In other words, the main objective was to clarify the interaction between the prevailing notion of time and architectural works.     

Temperature-sensitive mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe exhibiting enhanced radiation sensitivity

A conditional lethal and radiation-sensitive mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is described in which both characteristics result from a single gene mutation. Confirmation of the pleiotropic nature of this mutant was obtained by tetrad analysis and by testing the radiation sensitivity of a large number of revertants that grew normally at the restrictive temperature. The colony-forming ability of the mutant after ultraviolet radiation, gamma radiation, and ethyl methane sulfonate treatment is considerably altered by the post-treatment incubation temperature, showing higher survival at 25 than at 30degreesC. The radiosensitivity of the mutant is also influenced by the stage of growth. The difference in radiation sensitivity between the wild type and mutant is greater when log-phase cultures are compared. The characteristics of this mutant suggest that it is defective in a step common to both deoxyribonucleic acid replication and repair.     

Investigation of solidification cracking susceptibility during laser beam welding using an in-situ observation technique

In recent years, laser beam welding has found wide applications in many industrial fields. Solidification cracks are one of the most frequently encountered welding defects that hinder obtaining a safe weld joint. Decades of research have shown that one of the main causes of such cracks are the strain and the strain rate. Obtaining meaningful measurements of these strains has always been a major challenge for scientists, because of the specific environment of the measurement range and the many obstacles, as well as the high temperature and the plasma plume. In this study, a special experimental setup with a high-speed camera was employed to measure the strain during the welding process. The hot cracking susceptibility was investigated for 1.4301 stainless steel, and the critical strain required for solidification crack formation was locally and globally determined.