Cylinder Test Research Articles

Protection against rotenone-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease: Electrophysiological, behavioral and histological study

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized clinically as a movement disorder. A hallmark feature of PD is the degeneration of the dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the consequent striatal dopamine deficiency. The lack of dopamine causes the primary symptoms of PD- tremor, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness and balance problems. Research is devoted to the study of systemic compensatory reactions of the rat's brain developing in response to rotenone-induced animal model of PD under the conditions of neuroprotective intervention of Curcumin. This has raising expectations for the development of new neuroprotective therapies for the prevention of PD. Male albino rats were treated with rotenone injections (2.5 mg/ml intraperitoneally) for 21 days.We examined the effects of neuroprotector curcumin (200 mg/kg) on behavior and the electrical activity of hippocampus neurons measured in response to high frequency stimulation (HFS) of entorhinal cortex (EC). In the hippocampus, the excitatory and inhibitory synapses between EC and CA3 pyramidal cells expresses robust forms of short-term plasticity, such as frequency facilitation (post-tetanic potentiation – PTP) and depression (post-tetanic depression – PTD). Motor activity was assessed by cylinder test. The results showed that Rotenone causes significant reduction of neuronal activity, whereas curcumin can improve the motor impairments and electrophysiological parameters and may be beneficial in the treatment of PD. Curcumin significantly prevented rotenone-induced impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, which is likely mediated via dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. It alleviated the deficits behavior in rats as the rearing frequencies of animals were enhanced.
 Keywords: Parkinson's disease, rotenone-induced animal model, electrophysiological parameters, deficits behavior.

Abstract 100: Meningeal Lymphatic System Modulates Intra-parenchymal Hematoma Clearance And Brain Recovery In Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) brain injury is induced by toxic blood components and subsequent neurologic deficits can be alleviated by promoting hematoma resolution. The meningeal lymphatic system has been shown to mediate substances clearance from the central nervous system, including macromolecules and pathogenic metabolites. However, it remains unclear whether this system plays a role in hematoma clearance and ICH outcomes. In this study, we investigated the correlation between meningeal lymphatic function and ICH pathologies. Pharmacological promotion of meningeal lymphatic function was also used to determine whether targeting meningeal lymphatic system can facilitate ICH recovery. Methods: Whole-mount meninges were used to evaluate the complexity and coverage rate of meningeal lymphatic vessels. Meningeal lymphatic drainage was evaluated by injecting fluorescent microbeads and PKH26-labeled erythrocytes into the cisterna magna and brain parenchyma, respectively. Hematoma volume was measured in fresh coronal brain sections. Neurobehavioral performance was evaluated by cylinder test. Pathological outcomes including iron deposition, residual erythrocytes, neuronal loss, and astrogliosis were detected by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Results: Meningeal lymphangiogenesis and increased lymphatic drainage occur during the late phase of ICH. Depriving the function of meningeal lymphatic vessels impeded hematoma clearance, whereas boosting meningeal lymphatic drainage and lymphangiogenesis improved hematoma clearance rate and behavioral function as well as reduced iron deposition, neuronal loss, and astrogliosis in the ICH brain. Conclusion: Early enhancement of meningeal lymphatic function is beneficial for ICH recovery, implicating the meningeal lymphatic system as a potential therapeutic target for treating ICH.

Effect of Cell Therapy and Exercise Training in a Stroke Model, Considering the Cell Track by Molecular Image and Behavioral Analysis.

The goal of this study is to see how combining physical activity with cell treatment impacts functional recovery in a stroke model. Molecular imaging and multimodal nanoparticles assisted in cell tracking and longitudinal monitoring (MNP). The viability of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) was determined using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and bioluminescent image (BLI) after lentiviral transduction and MNP labeling. At random, the animals were divided into 5 groups (control-G1, and experimental G2-G5). The photothrombotic stroke induction was confirmed by local blood perfusion reduction and Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), and MSC in the G3 and G5 groups were implanted after 24 h, with BLI and near-infrared fluorescence image (NIRF) tracking these cells at 28 h, 2, 7, 14, and 28 days. During a 28-day period, the G5 also conducted physical training, whereas the G4 simply did the training. At 0, 7, 14, and 28 days, the animals were functionally tested using a cylinder test and a spontaneous motor activity test. MNP internalization in MSC was confirmed using brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. In relation to G1 group, only 3% of cell viability reduced. The G2–G5 groups showed more than 69% of blood perfusion reduction. The G5 group performed better over time, with a progressive recovery of symmetry and an increase of fast vertical movements. Up to 7 days, BLI and NIRF followed MSC at the damaged site, demonstrating a signal rise that could be connected to cell proliferation at the injury site during the acute phase of stroke. Local MSC therapy mixed with physical activity resulted in better results in alleviating motor dysfunction, particularly during the acute period. When it comes to neurorehabilitation, this alternative therapy could be a suitable fit.

Strengthening of ice with basalt materials

Practical approaches to controlling the strength and deformation properties of ice reinforced with basalt materials (rovings, fibres and nets) and/or modified by dopants of various groups are discussed in this paper. To carry out the entire research on the strength and deformation properties, approximately a thousand of ICMs samples were produced and tested. The three-point bending tests of ice beams and the compression tests of ice cylinders were carried out by authors. It was shown that the introduction of basalt rovings significantly improves the strength and deformation properties of freshwater ice. Ice reinforcement modifies the mechanism of cracks propagation and the overall nature of the specimens' failure. The major morphological and topological factors involved in the manufacture process of high strength ice composite materials were revealed. A combination of basalt rovings reinforcement and chemical modification of the ice matrix with dopants increases the strength properties of the tested ICM specimens by 4-6 times compared to freshwater ice samples. Based on collected experimental data the corresponding recommendations on the choice of reinforcement parameters are given dependent on the functional purpose of the ice composites being implemented.

The beneficial effect of salubrinal on neuroinflammation and neuronal loss in intranigral LPS-induced hemi-Parkinson disease model in rats

Objective Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and neuroinflammation are triggers for neurodegenerative disorders. Salubrinal is a selective inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) complex involving dephosphorylation of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α), the key crucial pathway in the ERS. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of inhibition of the ERS with salubrinal in the intranigral hemi-Parkinson disease (PD) model. Materials and methods Animals were treated with salubrinal for one week after the PD model was created by intranigral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Apomorphine-induced rotation, rotarod, cylinder, and pole tests were performed to evaluate behavioral changes. Proinflammatory cytokines and the expression level of the dual specificity protein phosphatase 2 (DUSP2), PP1, and p-eIF2α were evaluated. Nigral expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappaB (Nf-κB), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was determined. Finally, tyrosine hydroxylase and caspase-3/ caspase-9 expressions were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results Salubrinal reduced the motor impairments and dopamine-related behavioral deficiencies caused by the LPS. Salubrinal attenuated the LPS-induced increased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and salubrinal rescued the loss of TH expression and dopamine levels and prevented the caspase-3/9 increase in the substantial nigra (SN). LPS potently increased iNOS, Nf-κB, and COX-2 expression, but this effect was reduced after salubrinal treatment. Additionally, salubrinal attenuated the LPS-induced PP1 and DUSP2 increase. Conclusion Our results reveal that salubrinal is attenuating several inflammatory mediators and thereby decreased the inflammatory effects of LPS in the neurons of the SN. Together this results in increased cellular survival and maintained integrity of SN. Taken together our data show the beneficial effects of inhibition of ERS to restrict neuroinflammatory progression and neuronal loss in a PD model.

Second order unconditional linear energy stable, rotational velocity correction method for unsteady incompressible magneto-hydrodynamic equations

In this paper, we present a second order decoupled time discretization method for solving the unsteady incompressible magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The method is mainly based on the rotational velocity correction projection scheme and extrapolation algorithm. The semi-implicit and extrapolation treatments are used to deal with the hydrodynamic equation and the magnetic equation nonlinear terms respectively. We prove the unconditional energy stability for the proposed scheme by means of a key technique Gauge–Uzawa format. To verify the effectiveness of the presented scheme, we test a series of numerical experiments: accuracy test, stability test, flow around a cylinder test and driven cavity flow problem.

Motor Function Test Protocol for Parkinsonian Triad in Rodent Model of Parkinson's Disease

Over the years, there has been an increase in research on parkinsonism in basic and translational neuroscience. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder vehemently associated with motor function deficits and other unique features collectively called the Parkinsonian triad, which slightly differs from other movement disorders such as Wilson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, chorea, and athetosis. Parkinsonian triad combines three major motor phenotypes of PD including bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremors. Hence, there is a need to review motor deficits protocols to create a set of behavioral protocols that critically address the parkinsonian triad's quantification in PD models. Literature search on Medline and PubMed was conducted to access the articles on the motor function test in a rodent model of Parkinsonism. Search terms include parkinsonism, parkinsonian triad, bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremors, stepping test, parallel bar test, pole test, and cylinder test. This review shows that bradykinesia characterized by difficulty in movement initiation could be assessed using a stepping test by measuring stepping length and time taken to initiate movement on a wooden ramp. It can also be assessed using a parallel bar test by measuring the time taken to make 90° turn. This turning hesitation is one of the critical features of akinesia. Rigidity is associated with an increase in muscle tone; it is assessed by using a pole test to measure the time taken for the rodent to slide down a smooth pole. Resting tremors is an involuntary, oscillatory movement of the distal part of the upper limb when not performing an action. It could be graded using a cylinder test when the rodent suspends its forelimb on the air in an attempt to climb the wall of the cylinder. In conclusion, the examinations and quantifications of the Parkinsonian triad are required to diagnose parkinsonism in rodent models.

Toll-Like Receptor 4 Gene Knockout Increases the Function of Exogenous Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Ischemic Brain

The present study was to investigate the effects of toll-like receptor 4 on transplanted bone marrow stem cells in the ischemic brain. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by permanent occlusion of middle cerebral artery in toll-like receptor 4 gene knockout mice and wild type control mice. Bone marrow stem cells were injected into lateral cerebral ventricle. The cylinder tests, in vivo image, polymerase chain reaction array, etc. were applied to evaluate the neurological function and the underlying mechanisms. On the 10th d after permanent occlusion of middle cerebral artery, the ratio of right limb movement in group 1 was significantly higher than that in wild type and toll-like receptor 4 gene knockout mice without injection of bone marrow stem cells (p<0.05). In vivo imaging showed that on the 3rd d after injection of bone marrow stem cells, the fluorescence intensities in group 3 and group 1 were significantly enhanced compared with that on the 1st d and 7th d. There were more green fluorescent protein positive cells in group 3 and group 1 compared with sham controls (p<0.05). Amount of green fluorescent protein positive cells in group 1 was significantly higher compared with group 3. In toll-like receptor 4 gene knockout mice, bone morphogenetic protein 2 messenger ribonucleic acid and fibroblast growth factor 9 messenger ribonucleic acid were up-regulated and interleukin-1-beta protein was decreased, compared with wild type mice. The present study firstly demonstrated that toll-like receptor 4 deficiency further increased the amount of intracerebroventricularly injected bone marrow stem cells in ischemic brain areas, thereby improved neurological function after focal cerebral infarction. The increased expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and fibroblast growth factor 9 in the environment of toll-like receptor 4 deficiency might be one of the molecular mechanisms.

A symmetrized and simplified Bernoulli trial collision scheme in direct simulation Monte Carlo

Here, a symmetrized and simplified Bernoulli trials (SSBT) scheme based on the probabilistic approach is introduced to provide less-restricted conditions in choosing selected pairs. Unlike the simplified Bernoulli trials (SBT) method, the SSBT scheme picks the second particle of a selected pair from a whole list of particles with equal probability; it prevents repetitive collisions by introducing a procedure to avoid duplicate colliding pairs. The efficiency of this newly introduced algorithm is investigated in benchmark problems such as a collision frequency test case, Fourier heat transfer, dissociation of simple gas, and hypersonic cylinder flow. Compared with SBT, no time counter (NTC), and nearest neighbor (NN) collision algorithms, the results show that the SSBT method predicts the solutions quite accurately. In the collision frequency test case and Fourier test case, we show that the SSBT scheme could work with few particles per cell (one or even less) if an appropriate space and time discretization is employed. The symmetrized algorithm of the SSBT scheme improves the quality of the selection process, which leads to a smaller sample size in the highly non-equilibrium problem of hypersonic cylinder flow to achieve the same convergence limit at that of the SBT and NN schemes. In addition, the SSBT scheme has inherently a lower separation of free paths in the stagnation point of the cylinder test case compared to the SBT scheme for the same grid test case. These features make SSBT a new, robust model that could be presented as an alternative to state-of-the-art models.

Effects on Compressive and Tensile Strength of Concrete by Replacement of Natural Aggregates with various Percentages of Recycled Aggregates

Recycled aggregate concrete is required owing to environmental conservation and actual consumption of resources. In the construction industry, for the manufacturing of concrete the demand for replacement of ordinary aggregates by recycled aggregates has increased worldwide due to the large quantity of structure and destruction waste. The objectives of this research is to evaluate the effects of strength of concrete by replacing the normal crush with different percentages such as 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recycled aggregates. To conduct this study, a total of 120 cylinders (60 for compression and 60 for splitting cylinder test) are casted with mixing ratio of 1:1.9:3.8 and water to cement ratio of 0.59 while curing is carried out for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Numerous laboratory tests are performed like workability test, compression tests and splitting tensile strength tests, to check and compare effects of the recycled aggregate concrete with reference mix M1 (0%RA). The results illustrate that the workability of concrete decreases when the quantity of recycled aggregates are increased due to more water absorbing capacity. Further, it is also perceived that the compressive strength of concrete is decreased by 3.8%, 5.7%, 12.9%, and 15.8% respectively at 28 days of curing by substituting coarse aggregates with various percentages such as 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of recycled aggregates as compared to reference concrete mix M1 (0% RA). Similarly, splitting tensile strength is also decreased when the quantity of recycled aggregates in ordinary concrete is increased. Moreover, this reduction in workability and strength of concrete is due to more water absorbing capacity of recycled aggregates. Hence it is concluded from the research that up to 25% replacement of natural aggregate with recycled aggregates, the recycled aggregate concrete is usually preferable to reduce the cost of construction as well as improve the environmental pollution issues. It is also observed that the splitting tensile strength of a concrete batch should vary between 9 – 11% of its respective compressive strength test results.

Divergent vibration of a test cylinder with a control cylinder at the rear

Divergent vibration of a test cylinder with a control cylinder at the rear

Prolongation of absence seizures and changes in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission by nigrostriatal pathway degeneration in genetic absence epilepsy rats

ObjectiveBasal ganglia structures play an important role in the pathophysiology of absence epilepsy, known as remote control of absence seizures. We examined the role of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway in absence epilepsy through behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) parameters, immunohistochemical, and biochemical characteristics of dopamine and serotonin in the genetic absence epilepsy rat model. MethodsThe nigrostriatal pathway was degenerated by the injection of chemical 6-hydroxydopamine hydrobromide (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in Wistar and genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS). On the 21st day after stereotaxic surgery, spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) on EEG were recorded in GAERS groups. Thereafter, Wistar-Control, GAERS-Control, Wistar-6OHDA, GAERS-6OHDA rats were subjected to the cylinder and apomorphine-induced rotation tests. Dopaminergic or serotonergic immunoreactivity was examined in the cortex, striatum, and substantia nigra pars compacta. High-performance liquid chromatography method was used for biochemical analysis of dopamine and serotonin in the cortex and thalamus. ResultsIn behavioral analysis, the number of rotations in the GAERS-6OHDA group was significantly higher than in Wistar-6OHDA rats. The degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway produced a significant increase in the cumulative duration of SWDs and the duration of each SWD in GAERS-6OHDA rats. GAERS-Control rats displayed significantly higher cortical and striatal serotonin immunoreactivity and cortical serotonin level compared to Wistar-Control animals. Moreover, cortical and striatal serotonin immunoreactivity and cortical serotonin levels increased in Wistar-6OHDA and GAERS-6OHDA groups compared to their control groups. SignificanceThe effect of 6-OHDA-induced MFB lesion on absence epilepsy was examined for the first time by comparing Wistar and GAERS rats. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway as a part of the remote-control system is likely to participate in the seizure network.

Durability properties of self compacting concrete partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste crushed glass

This research work presents the durability properties of self-compacting concrete partial substitution of sand with waste crushed glass. In SCC cement was replaced with Fly-ash (15%), Alccofine (20%) by weight of cementitious material. These binder proportions are fixed for all mixes. Waste crushed glass has sufficient amount of amorphous silica content which is easily substituted to fine aggregate in SCC. Proportions are taken to replace the fine aggregate with waste crushed glass was 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of sand in mix. Grade of the concrete prepared was M70 and W/C was taken as 0.3. In present research work acid attack test and half-cell potential were carried out. For Acid attack test cube specimens of size (100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm) were casted and cured for 90 days, for half-cell potential test cylinders (200 mm × 100 mm) were casted and cured for 90 days. In acid attack test 5% of hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid were taken for testing. The results of normal concrete and concrete with waste crushed glass are compared. Test results showing better performance with waste crushed glass in Sulfuric acid and Hydrochloric acid. With 40% waste crushed glass, specimens immersed in Sulfuric acid, weight loss and strength loss are 3.8% and 4.85% respectively by weight before immersed in Sulfuric acid. With 40% waste crushed glass, specimens immersed in Hydrochloric acid weight loss and strength loss are 2.56% and 6.08% respectively by weight before immersed in Hydrochloric acid. Half-cell potential test values are showing increasing the glass content corrosion of steel was decreasing.

Impacts of MgO waste:GGBS formulations on the performance of a stabilised natural high sulphate bearing soil

Industrial and urban wastes have been generated over time due to urban development with severe environmental and health implications. This paper reports the valorisation of waste and industrial by-product (magnesium oxide waste – MG1 and Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag – GGBS) to develop an alternative cementitious binder for suppressing swelling in high sulphate bearing soils due to the formation of a highly expansive crystalline hydrate (ettringite) upon treatment with Portland Cement – PC or lime. Cylinder test specimens were developed using three MG1:GGBS proportions by weight (10:90, 20:80 and 30:70) to stabilise a natural Gypsum marl soil (GM) containing high levels of sulphate at varying stabiliser dosages (6, 8 and 10 wt%), with PC as the control binder. UCS, Linear Expansion and SEM investigations were employed to assess the engineering suitability of the MG1:GGBS stabilised GM cylinder test specimen. Results suggest the viability of producing an alternative cementitious binder using up to 30 wt% MgO-waste to successfully activate GGBS at stabiliser dosages of 6–10 wt%. From a mechanical perspective, the MG1:GGBS stabilised GM soil was 1.5–3 times more than the control at 28 days moist curing age, while the resistance to linear expansion produced near-zero swellings (0.13%–0.2%) after 56 days, in comparison with the control of 3.2%. SEM micrographs showed a more compact structure with lesser voids and no morphology of ettringite. This new technology is expected to mitigate the environmental concerns of using PC and promote sustainable techniques of reusing industrial by-product materials for stabilising sulphate soils.

Investigation of sand production prediction shortcomings in terms of numerical uncertainties and experimental simplifications

Sand production is one of the main research topics in the petroleum industry. This problematic phenomenon is related to the mechanical and hydrodynamic behavior and reservoir specifications. Sand production often leads to equipment damage and significant losses. This is usually studied by experimental and numerical methods. This study first gives a brief overview of the methods used to predict sand production in terms of experimental tests, numerical simulation, and field data. The main objective of this research is to highlight the shortcomings of these methods. In addition, experimental hollow cylinder test data and widely used continues numerical simulation are used to investigate these shortcomings. This study is performed by scrutinizing the most important and basic parameters in numerical modeling including two constitutive models (Mohr-Coulomb elastic-perfectly plastic and Mohr-Coulomb cohesion softening/friction hardening failure criteria) and various element sizes and shapes. Since most studies use continuum approaches, it was decided to use a finite difference program. Further, to reduce the undesirable influencing factors the fracture energy regularization method was implemented to diminish mesh dependency related to energy dissipation. In addition, a mesh size sensitivity analysis was performed to show the effects of size, shape and pattern of mesh on the results and cumulative probability distribution versus absolute relative error diagrams were applied to compare the accuracy of the models. After all, the best model of prediction was selected to simulate a real sand production in an oil well with 50° inclination and 6 SPF in North Sea Reservoir. Review of experimental papers shows that these tests usually have several hypotheses for simplification. Rock strength, stress state, fluid flow properties, test duration, and sample dimensions are the most important parameters in sand production tests. Researchers usually focus on only one or two of these parameters, which may lead to many errors in contrast to reality. In addition, numerical methods have some deficiencies such as mesh size problems, lack of critical-state-based constitutive models, sanding criteria, and lack of sufficient research for the calibration procedure in the DEM model. A small change in both the numerical simulation input data and the experimental procedure leads to different results. Indeed, the experimental test of sand production with multiple hypotheses can qualitatively simulate the steps and shape of well or perforation failure not the exact sand production rate. Also, numerical simulation results are very sensitive due to uncertainties and errors of the model and input data. It has been shown that the results are highly dependent on every simple parameter such as the shape of the elements. The differences between experimental results and numerical modeling in only one perforation can be 2 to 10 times. Despite all errors and uncertainties in both the laboratory and modeling studies, the simulation of a real sand production in North Sea Reservoir with same sized element was relatively acceptable. This level of accuracy of the model can be very helpful in subsequent decision making and sand control management.

Tenability evaluation of road pavement with internal cracks

The article is a completed stage in the study of the multilayer road pavement with internal cracks tenability. The work tested the hypothesis adequacy about internal cracks’ effect on the pavement strength. The authors reviewed and analyzed the bench testing methods of road pavement. A program has been developed for testing two-layer asphalt concrete pavement samples in the presence and absence of an imitation crack in the lower pavement layer. Pavement test cylinders were made in the laboratory and tested for uniaxial compression and shear, and test beam for tension in bending, under various temperature conditions, simulating the operating pavement conditions on highways. In general, the test results confirm the proposed hypothesis adequacy and do not contradict the generally accepted asphalt concrete strength theory. Also, were executed mathematical modeling and stress-strain state evaluation of multilayer road pavement with internal cracks in the lower pavement layer. The mathematical model showed significant changes in the stress-strain state of samples with internal cracks, which correlates with the laboratory tests results. Based on the obtained results, a sample model reinforced with geosynthetic materials was developed and tested in the laboratory and mathematically. The fractured geogrid-reinforced sample showed higher tensile strength parameters in bending. In conclusion, recommendations are given to improve the crack resistance at the stage of repair work.

Transplantation of human embryonic stem cells alleviates motor dysfunction in AAV2-Htt171-82Q transfected rat model of Huntington\u2019s disease

BackgroundHuman embryonic stem cells (hESCs) transplantation had shown to provide a potential source of cells in neurodegenerative disease studies and lead to behavioral recovery in lentivirus transfected or, toxin-induced Huntington's disease (HD) rodent model. Here, we aimed to observe if transplantation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-labeled hESCs could migrate in the neural degenerated area and improve motor dysfunction in an AAV2-Htt171-82Q transfected Huntington rat model.MethodsAll animals were randomly allocated into three groups at first: HD group, sham group, and control group. After six weeks, the animals of the HD group and sham group were again divided into two subgroups depending on animals receiving either ipsilateral or contralateral hESCs transplantation. We performed cylinder test and stepping test every two weeks after AAV2-Htt171-82Q injection and hESCs transplantation. Stem cell tracking was performed once per two weeks using T2 and T2*-weighted images at 4.7 Tesla MRI. We also performed immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining to detect the presence of hESCs markers, huntingtin protein aggregations, and iron in the striatum.ResultsAfter hESCs transplantation, the Htt virus-injected rats exhibited significant behavioral improvement in behavioral tests. SPION labeled hESCs showed migration with hypointense signal in MRI. The cells were positive with βIII-tubulin, GABA, and DARPP32.ConclusionCollectively, our results suggested that hESCs transplantation can be a potential treatment for motor dysfunction of Huntington's disease.

Undrained anisotropic behaviour of K 0-consolidated marine clay under cyclic stresses

To investigate the effect of major principal stress direction angles on the cyclic response of soft marine clays, a series of directional shear tests with different major principal stress direction angles on undisturbed Wenzhou marine clay were conducted in the undrained condition by using a hollow cylinder testing apparatus. The dynamic responses of the marine clays were analysed, along with the shear stress-strain relationship, octahedral strain and excess pore water pressure. Results indicate that the specimens exhibit remarkable anisotropic deformation under various major principal stress direction angles, and a larger angle causes a smaller octahedral strain of specimen under the same cyclic stress level. With the increase in the major principal stress direction angle, the excess pore water pressure decreases. At β > 45°, the increment shear stress starts dominating, which causes the sign of generated pore water pressure to change from negative to positive.

Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Quarry Rock Dust Incorporated Steel Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete and Residual Properties after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures.

The purpose of this research is to study the effects of quarry rock dust (QRD) and steel fibers (SF) inclusion on the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (SG)-based geopolymer concrete (GPC) exposed to elevated temperatures. Such types of ternary mixes were prepared by blending waste materials from different industries, including QRD, SG, and FA, with alkaline activator solutions. The multiphysical models show that the inclusion of steel fibers and binders can enhance the mechanical properties of GPC. In this study, a total of 18 different mix proportions were designed with different proportions of QRD (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and steel fibers (0.75% and 1.5%). The slag was replaced by different proportions of QRD in fly ash, and SG-based GPC mixes to study the effect of QRD incorporation. The mechanical properties of specimens, i.e., compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength, were determined by testing cubes, cylinders, and prisms, respectively, at different ages (7, 28, and 56 days). The specimens were also heated up to 800 °C to evaluate the resistance of specimens to elevated temperature in terms of residual compressive strength and weight loss. The test results showed that the mechanical strength of GPC mixes (without steel fibers) increased by 6–11%, with an increase in QRD content up to 15% at the age of 28 days. In contrast, more than 15% of QRD contents resulted in decreasing the mechanical strength properties. Incorporating steel fibers in a fraction of 0.75% by volume increased the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength of GPC mixes by 15%, 23%, and 34%, respectively. However, further addition of steel fibers at 1.5% by volume lowered the mechanical strength properties. The optimal mixture of QRD incorporated FA-SG-based GPC (QFS-GPC) was observed with 15% QRD and 0.75% steel fibers contents considering the performance in workability and mechanical properties. The results also showed that under elevated temperatures up to 800 °C, the weight loss of QFS-GPC specimens persistently increased with a consistent decrease in the residual compressive strength for increasing QRD content and temperature. Furthermore, the microstructure characterization of QRD blended GPC mixes were also carried out by performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

The effect of neighbors on the effective inertial collision efficiency of cylindrical collectors

We investigate the effect that an upstream cylinder has on the effective inertial collision efficiency of a downstream cylinder. We consider an initially uniform distribution of particles moving past a cylindrical fiber in a potential crossflow and numerically calculate the resulting particle distribution far downstream of the fiber using finite differences. We then investigate the effect that the downstream distribution of particles has on the effective inertial collision efficiency of a downstream test cylinder oriented parallel to the first. We show that the effective collision efficiency of the test cylinder depends on its relative offset in the transverse direction (normal to the flow) with respect to the upstream cylinder. For relatively small offsets there is complete shielding, and no particles collide with the test cylinder. As the offset increases, a growing effective collision efficiency is observed leading to a significant enhancement relative to the collision efficiency of an isolated cylinder for intermediate offsets and Stokes numbers close to unity. Importantly, we observe relative gains in effective collision efficiency above 100% for a range of Stokes numbers and offset values. For larger offsets and Stokes numbers, the effect of the upstream cylinder on the effective collision efficiency of the test cylinder decreases and eventually becomes negligible. Detailed results are provided for Stokes drag acting on the particles and we also show that a non-linear drag has a negligible effect on the observed trends for the conditions relevant to air filtration systems. These results suggest that the arrangement of fibers has a substantial effect on inertial particle impaction even when neighboring fibers do not alter the flow field around each individual collector. Moreover, periodic arrangements with specific orientations with respect of the flow could lead to a significant enhancement of the inertial collision of particles on an array of collectors, thus contributing towards a better filtration performance.