SAP Model Research Articles

Quantifying the spatial variation of the energy performance gap for the existing housing stock in England and Wales

This paper evaluates the energy performance gap between Energy Performance Certificate predictions and annual gas meter reading measurements for the existing housing stock in England and Wales. Energy Performance Certificates predict energy using the SAP model, the UK regulatory tool for existing dwellings widely used in national and local housing energy policies. The results show an energy performance gap of between + 16.6 % and + 17.9 % at the national level. Of concern is that the performance gap is shown to vary greatly across different regions of England and Wales ( − 23.7 % to + 56.4 % for local authorities) and to vary with factors such as built form, construction age and predicted gas consumption. This suggests that there may be structural errors in the EPC/SAP approach resulting in certain spatial areas or dwelling types having more errors in their EPC predictions, impacting on future planning for housing stock retrofits.

Soluble Fibrinogen–Like Protein 2 Downregulation and Th17/Treg Imbalance in a Taurocholate‐Induced Murine Experimental Model of Severe Acute Pancreatitis

ABSTRACTBackgroundSevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with tremendous systemic inflammation, T‐helper 17 (Th17) cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells play an essential role in the inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, soluble fibrinogen–like protein 2 (Sfgl2) is a critical immunosuppressive effector cytokine of Treg cells and modulates immune responses. However, the impact of SAP induction on Sfgl2 expression and the role of Sfgl2 in immunomodulation under SAP conditions are largely unknown.MethodsA taurocholate‐induced mouse SAP model was established. The ratios of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells or CD4+IL‐17+ Th17 cells in blood and pancreatic tissues as well as surface expression of CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC‐II) were determined by flow cytometry. Gene mRNA expression was determined by qPCR. Serum amylase and soluble factors were quantitated by commercial kits. Bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (DCs) were generated, and NF‐κB/p65 translocation was measured by immunofluorescence staining.ResultsSAP induction in mice decreased the Th17/Treg ratio in the pancreatic tissue and increased the Th17/Treg ratio in the peripheral blood. In addition, SAP was associated with a reduced level of Sfgl2 in the pancreatic tissue and blood: higher levels of serum IL‐17, IL‐2, IFN‐α, and TNF‐α, and lower levels of serum IL‐4 and IL‐10. Furthermore, the SAP‐induced reduction in Sfgl2 expression was accompanied by dysregulated maturation of bone marrow–derived DCs.ConclusionsSAP causes reduced Sfgl2 expression and Th17/Treg imbalance, thus providing critical insights for the development of Sfgl2‐ and Th17/Treg balance‐targeted immunotherapies for patients with SAP.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Roles of Fibroblasts During Intestinal Injury and Repair in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

To explore the molecular mechanisms of intestinal injury and treatment by analyzing changes in cellular heterogeneity and composition in rat ileal tissue during injury and treatment processes. We constructed a rat model of SAP and evaluated treatment with an injected of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor (JZL184) solution using three experimental groups: healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats injected with vehicle (CON), male SD SAP model rats injected with vehicle (SAP), and male SAP rats injected with JZL184. We obtained and prepared a single-cell suspension of ileal tissue of each rat for single-cell transcriptome sequencing. This project classified changes in cellular heterogeneity and composition in rat ileal tissue during SAP-induced intestinal injury and MAGL treatment. We found that the number of fibroblast clusters was decreased in the SAP group relative to the CON group, and increased after JZL184 treatment. Further analysis of differences in gene expression between cell clusters in each group reveals that fibroblasts had the greatest number of differentially expressed genes. Most notably, expression of genes involved in communication between cells was found to vary during SAP-induced intestinal injury and JZL184 treatment. Among these changes, the degree of difference in expression of genes involved in communication between fibroblasts and other cells was the highest, indicating that fibroblasts in rat ileal tissue affect intestinal injury and repair through cell-to-cell communication. In addition, our results reveal that differentially expressed RNA-binding proteins in fibroblasts may affect their functions in intestinal injury and treatment by affecting the expression of genes regulating communication between cells. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the interactions between fibroblasts and other cells in the context of intestinal injury, providing valuable insights for further exploring molecular mechanisms and insight for discovering new treatment targets and strategies.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Acute Severe Pancreatitis and Promote Lung Repair via Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome in Rat.

Acute severe pancreatitis (SAP) is a severe acute abdominal disease, which can lead to pancreatic infection and necrosis as well as distant organ damage. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can exert anti-inflammatory effect on SAP, while NLRP3 inflammasomes play an important role in the inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate whether BMSCs exert anti-inflammatory effect on SAP by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome. The rat SAP model was established. Serum amylase, lipase and inflammatory factor levels were measured by ELISA, and the level of tissue injury was assessed by HE staining. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was detected by PCR, Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. ML385 was used to block Nrf2 pathway, aiming to investigate whether Nrf2 pathway was involved in the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on SAP by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome expression. In SAP rats, NLRP3 inflammasome was activated, which became more evident over time. After transplantation of BMSCs, the NLRP3 inflammasome expression decreased at both mRNA and protein levels, the serum levels of amylase, lipase and inflammatory factors decreased, and the pathological scores of the pancreas and lung were both improved. After blocking the Nrf2 pathway, the NLRP3 inflammasome expression increased in the injured pancreas and lung, and the inflammation deteriorated, which inhibited the therapeutic effects of BMSCs on SAP. The therapeutic effect of BMSC on SAP is at least partially ascribed to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and Nrf2 pathway mediates the therapeutic effect of BMSC on SAP by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome.

The effect of the RED SAP model on developing the peripheral thinking of the fourth-grade literary female students in the subject of Sociology

The objective of the present research is to reveal the impact of the RED SAP model on the attainment of female students in the fourth grade of literary sociology and to develop their briefing thinking. s Education Directorate/Kirkuk Centre, The researcher selected the Dijla Girls Secondary for the experimental group and the preparations of the popular uprising for girls for the control group to apply his experience, as the experimental group consisted of (30) Student and control group of (32) student, the two researchers performed the process of parity between the two groups in some variables, and the two researchers promised a test for briefing thinking to be from (25) Position within five skills (generating new realizations, generating new concepts, generating new ideas, generating new alternatives and generating new creations) and after teaching the two groups, the researchers applied the research tool to them and found significant statistical differences between the two groups in briefing thinking and in favour of the experimental group, in the light of which a set of conclusions, recommendations and proposals was developed.

The effect of the RED SAP model on developing the peripheral thinking of the fourth-grade literary female students in the subject of Sociology

The objective of the present research is to reveal the impact of the RED SAP model on the attainment of female students in the fourth grade of literary sociology and to develop their briefing thinking. s Education Directorate/Kirkuk Centre, The researcher selected the Dijla Girls Secondary for the experimental group and the preparations of the popular uprising for girls for the control group to apply his experience, as the experimental group consisted of (30) Student and control group of (32) student, the two researchers performed the process of parity between the two groups in some variables, and the two researchers promised a test for briefing thinking to be from (25) Position within five skills (generating new realizations, generating new concepts, generating new ideas, generating new alternatives and generating new creations) and after teaching the two groups, the researchers applied the research tool to them and found significant statistical differences between the two groups in briefing thinking and in favour of the experimental group, in the light of which a set of conclusions, recommendations and proposals was developed.

Da-Cheng-Qi decoction improves severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury by interfering with intestinal lymphatic pathway and reducing HMGB1-induced inflammatory response in rats

Context Da-Cheng-Qi Decoction (DCQD) has a significant effect on Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury (SAP-ALI). Objective To explore the mechanism of DCQD in the treatment of SAP-ALI based on intestinal barrier function and intestinal lymphatic pathway. Materials and methods Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham operation, model, and DCQD. The SAP model was induced by a retrograde infusion of 5.0% sodium taurocholate solution (1 mg/kg) at a constant rate of 12 mL/h using an infusion pump into the bile-pancreatic duct. Sham operation and model group were given 0.9% normal saline, while DCQD group was given DCQD (5.99 g/kg/d) by gavage 1 h before operation and 1, 11 and 23 h after operation. The levels of HMGB1, RAGE, TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, d-LA, DAO in blood and MPO in lung were detected using ELISA. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE, NF-κB p65 in mesenteric lymph nodes and lung were determined. Results Compared with SAP group, DCQD significantly reduced the histopathological scoring of pancreatic tissue (SAP, 2.80 ± 0.42; DCQD, 2.58 ± 0.52), intestine (SAP, 3.30 ± 0.68; DCQD, 2.50 ± 0.80) and lung (SAP, 3.30 ± 0.68; DCQD, 2.42 ± 0.52). DCQD reduced serum HMGB1 level (SAP, 134.09 ± 19.79; DCQD, 88.05 ± 9.19), RAGE level (SAP, 5.05 ± 1.44; DCQD, 2.13 ± 0.54). WB and RT-PCR showed HMGB1-RAGE pathway was inhibited by DCQD (p < 0.01). Discussion and conclusions DCQD improves SAP-ALI in rats by interfering with intestinal lymphatic pathway and reducing HMGB1-induced inflammatory response.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with microRNA-216a-5p Enhance Proliferation of Acinar Cells in Severe Acute Pancreatitis

This study assesses the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) modified with miR-216a-5p on acinar cell proliferation in SAP. 40 rats were equally assigned into miR-NC set, miR-216a-5p set, BMSC set and anti-miR-216a-5p set randomly. The SAP model was prepared using AR42J cells which were disposed with CAE. Cells were transfected with lipidosome method to meaure miR-216-5p by RT-PCR, cell proliferation by CCK-8 along with analysis of cell clone formation and apoptosis. miR-216a-5p in modified BMSC was significantly upregulated compared with BMSC, indicating that BMSC was modified with miR-216a-5p successfully. BMSC modified with miR-216a-5p significantly promoted cell proliferation and clone formation and decreased apoptosis. The luciferase activity in wild type of miR-216a-5p was reduced, indicating that miR-216-5p could target Pak2 gene. In conclusion, proliferation of acinar cells in SAP is prompted and apoptosis ise reduced by BMSC modified with miR-216a-5p, which is possibly through targeting PAK2 gene.

A model for the sap yield of birches tapped by citizen scientists

The sap yield of birches ( Roth and Ehrh.) was modelled as a function of tree diameter (girth) at breast height, as well as site and stand characteristics measured and reported by citizen scientists representing mainly non-industrial private forest owners in the South Savo, North Karelia, and Northern Ostrobothnia regions in Finland. Birches (tree species not recorded) growing on both mineral and peatland sites were tapped during the springs of 2019 and 2020. Citizen scientists were mainly voluntary forest owners who received the instructions and equipment (spouts, drop lines and buckets) for collecting sap from three birches of different diameters in the same birch stand. Citizen scientists were instructed to measure and report the sap yield and girth of the trees, as well as stand characteristics from the forest resource data, if available. Based on the linear mixed model fitted to the data, the sap yield increased with the increasing tree diameter and mean stand height, and varied between years, stands, and trees; between-region variation was not significant. In a birch stand, the simulated total sap yield ha–1 was depended on the average tree size and the stem number ha–1 and was at its highest just before the first commercial thinning and again before the second thinning. The sap model can be used to predict the necessary sap yield in profitability analyses for sap tapping.Betula pendulaB. pubescens

A study on behaviour of long and short column under dynamic loading

Most of the multi-story buildings are built on sloping land, because of the variable ground profile. As a result, to keep the roof at the same height, the length of columns must be varied, either in the basement or on the ground floor. It is vital to examine the behaviour of such long variable-length columns under different loading conditions. One of the most significant criteria to consider in the design of structures is dynamic loads. The behaviour of short and long columns under dynamic loading was investigated in this study using a structure. In SAP2000, a 3-dimensional single storey RC structure with dimensions of 4 m × 8 m × 4.5 m is modelled with six columns, two of which are small columns of 2.5 m and four long columns of 4.5 m. The structure's intrinsic frequency and weight were determined based on the analytical analysis (SAP). The prototype model is then scaled down 10 times and analysed with steel sections in SAP; the properties of the steel are obtained through a trial-and-error method, and the dimensions of the steel sections that satisfy the frequency and weight of the prototype model, which is scaled down to 10 times, are obtained as a long column of 450 mm in length, a short column of 250 mm in length, and both columns are 75x6mm in size, while the size of the slab is 400x800mm with a 6 mm thick steel sheet. For experimental purposes, a similar steel section model is fabricated and tested on a shaking table to determine the maximum displacement for a particular frequency of around 7 Hz to 15 Hz with a base displacement of 1 mm. The maximum displacement occurred around 13.50 Hz, which is nearly identical to the frequency of the SAP model. The research also looks at the evaluation of forces on the columns and acceleration values at various frequencies from the shake table test of a single degree of freedom system.

Students as partners in university innovation and entrepreneurship

PurposeStudents are an essential part of university innovation. Through their training, research and energy, students acquire and transfer knowledge to industry, and they help establish new businesses and start-up companies. This paper investigates how universities might capture the entrepreneurial energies of students toward the goal of university improvement and transformation while also educating students to pursue their aspirations to create new businesses.Design/methodology/approachA framework is presented for integrating “Students as Partners” (SaP) with entrepreneurship training to achieve “inside innovation,” meaning innovation to advance the practices of the university. Students participating in Blackstone Launchpad at three American universities were surveyed as to how they perceive innovation culture and support at their universities.FindingsCommon services (help with business plans, market assessment and entrepreneurial training) had the biggest positive effect on satisfaction with university support. Nevertheless, many students had sought to apply their innovations inside their university and, in so doing, found navigating bureaucracy and knowing “whom to talk to” to be the biggest obstacles. Respondents were least likely to agree with the statement that their institution was willing to accept risks.Research limitations/implicationsSurvey included three universities. A larger sample would be useful for a broader assessment.Practical implicationsPartnered services, technology entrepreneurship, system add-ons and immersion are proposed as four strategies to overcome obstacles to make universities more innovative in their practices.Social implicationsThe paper proposes a culture change toward engaging student entrepreneurs in innovation within universities to improve higher education practices.Originality/valueA framework for how higher education leaders might use the SaP model to capture entrepreneurial energies of students for university improvement and transformation.

Analysis and Design of a Complex Underground Structure with Economic Comparison of Top-Down and Diaphragm Wall Construction Methods

Analysis and design of an underground structure often brings with it, challenging technical issues. This study deals with the design of a subway station located in Tabriz city of Iran. Large dimensions of structure and relatively high level of underground water table and proximity of the project to the residential zone require the careful and precise analysis and design of soil–structure interaction. This study aims at comparing two top-down construction methods. In one case, the structure is comprised of steel frame with concrete diaphragm wall which is built from top to bottom story by story (top-down method). For the other one, the structure is comprised of reinforced concrete members and diaphragm walls are completely cast at the first stage of construction (diaphragm wall method) and then the structure is built from top to the bottom. To this aim, the soil–structure interaction is modeled by 3-D Abaqus and 2-D Plaxis models. A 3-D SAP model is also used to analyze and design the structure. The results indicate that the diaphragm wall method is superior to the top-down method in terms of economy and practical aspects.

Clarifying the current role of a social licence in its legal and political context: An examination of mining in Western Australia

Despite growing prominence of the social licence to operate concept in natural resource developments, its role relative to legal and political approval processes remains unclear. This paper aims to identify social, political and legal license avenues and to understand their representation of public interest by examining mining in Western Australia. To achieve this we employed the social, actuarial/legal and political risk and licensing (SAP) model . The SAP model provided definitions of social, legal and political licences based on the assumption that all licences should represent public interest. Definitions from the model helped us to identify licence avenues from the relevant academic and grey literature and the assumption relating to public interest representation was examined by evaluating levels of direct public participation in the requirements and information gathering and decision-making processes of each licence avenue. Social licence avenues included social acceptance research, social impact assessments, social media, protesting and blockading. Legal licence avenues included the Mining Act 1978 (WA), Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA), the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), the Native Title Act 1992 (Cth), the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) and the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA). Political licence avenues included State-agreements, government policies and State elections. Evaluating each avenue revealed strengths and weaknesses. General strengths in social licence avenues included higher levels of public interest representation through greater direct public participation, but weakness in the clarity of the decision-making process. Conversely, clarity in the decision-making process was a strength in legal and some political licence avenues, while lower levels of direct public participation were generally weaknesses. On this basis, we conclude that despite limitations, social licence avenues could have an important role to play in representing public interest in the West Australian mining context. Further consideration is given to how information from social licence avenues could inform legal and political licence avenues thereby strengthening political and legal licences to facilitate better outcomes for all parties involved.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells repair severe acute pancreatitis by secreting miR-181a-5p to target PTEN/Akt/TGF-β1 signaling

BackgroundSevere acute pancreatitis (SAP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have shown obvious protective effect on SAP. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism. The objective of this study is to unravel the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-181a-5p in BMSCs-mediated pancreatic repair. MethodsBMSCs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and characterized by flow cytometry and Oil Red O staining. Sodium taurocholate- and caerulein-induced models were used as SAP models in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Pancreatic injury were evaluated by H&E and histopathological analysis, as well as by measuring levels of amylase, lipase and cytokines. qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to detect the level of miR-181a-5p and the protein levels of PTEN/Akt, respectively. ELISA was conducted to detect the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, angiopoietin, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1. The apoptotic rate of AR42J cells was quantitated by concurrent staining with Annexin-V-FITC and PI. ResultsBMSCs significantly attenuated pancreatic injury in SAP rats by reducing inflammatory infiltration and necrosis, and this effect was abolished by CXCR4 agonist AMD3100. ADM3100 exhibited more severe pancreatic injury and decreased miR-181a-5p levels in the pancreas and serum compared to SAP group. Overexpression of miR-181a-5p in BMSCs (BMSCs-miR-181a-5p) markedly potentiated the protective effect of BMSCs by reducing histological damage and levels of amylase and lipase. Moreover, BMSCs-miR-181a-5p dramatically reduced levels of angiopoietin, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, but induced the levels of IL-4 and IL-10. In caerulein-treated AR42J cells, co-culturing of BMSCs-miR-181a-5p alleviated caerulein-induced increase of amylase and lipase, and apoptosis via PTEN/Akt/TGF-β1 signaling. ConclusionBMSCs alleviate SAP and reduce inflammatory responses and apoptosis by secreting miR-181a-5p to target PTEN/Akt/TGF-β1 signaling. Hence, BMSCs-miR-181a-5p could serve as potential therapeutic target for SAP.

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant properties of Schinopsis brasiliensis bark

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSchinopsis brasiliensis is a native plant from Brazil, popularly used in folk medicine to relieve pain and treat inflammation. This study evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant properties of the hydroethanol extract (HEE) and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) obtained from S. brasiliensis bark. Materials and methodsThe HEE and EAF of S. brasiliensis bark (10, 30 and 100mg/kg, p.o.) were evaluated using models of analgaesia (formalin-induced licking and hot-plate models) or inflammation (licking response by formalin-induced and carrageenan-induced cell migration into the subcutaneous air pouch). The antioxidant activities of HEE and EAF (50, 100 and 200µg/ml) were evaluated using the lipoperoxidation method induced in egg yolk by 2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and FeSO4. ResultsHEE and EAF presented a central antinociceptive effect (at 100mg/kg dose), increasing the baseline and area under the curve in the hot plate model. EAF (100mg/kg) significantly reduced (p< 0.005) the pain response in the first (45%) and second (35%) phases of the formalin-induced licking model, while HEE (100mg/kg) reduced (38%) only the pain response in the second phase. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, EAF (100mg/kg) also inhibited the inflammatory process induced by subcutaneous carrageenan injection in the SAP model, reducing the amount of the cytokine TNF-α produced. ConclusionHEE and EAF from S. brasiliensis bark show pharmacological interest because they were able to inhibit the peripheral and central transmission of pain. Our data also suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity caused by EAF exposure occurs through the inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, also reducing the spreading of the inflammatory processes by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, which are by-products in the biosynthesis of pain mediators.

Learning from Lancashire: Exploring the contours of the shale gas conflict in England

This paper explores the conflict over shale gas exploration in Lancashire where the company Cuadrilla is preparing to horizontally drill and hydraulically fracture the first shale gas wells in England. At present, this is the only location in Europe where new commercial exploration for shale gas is underway, thus the outcome has wider significance. The initial planning applications were refused by Lancashire County Council in June 2015. The decisions were then appealed by Cuadrilla and there was a public enquiry in February and March of 2016. On 6 October 2016, the central Government over-turned the initial decisions at one site and gave Cuadrilla more time to address traffic concerns at the other. The paper uses the public enquiry to map the contours of the shale gas conflict. It is divided into three sections. The first explores public attitudes towards shale gas development in the UK and reveals growing public awareness and increasing opposition. The second presents the conceptual frame for the analysis, which includes both a critical assessment of the social licence to operate (SLO) and an introduction to a social, actuarial, and political risk and licensing model (SAP Model). The third deploys the SAP model to analyse the public enquiry. The model explains how Cuadrilla is able drill despite the absence of both a local political and social licence to operate. It is concluded that unless the industry and the government can address growing public concerns about shale gas development, continuing conflict could constrain commercial development.

Putting social license to operate on the map: A social, actuarial and political risk and licensing model (SAP Model)

The social license to operate, as promoted within the fields of corporate social responsibility and impact assessment studies, has entered the business mainstream, especially in the mining and extractives sector. While it is invoked increasingly as a means of claiming legitimacy, the concept remains conflicted, implying that the social license terrain may be more complex and broader than conventional conceptualizations suggest.In this paper the authors draw attention to a suite of licenses and related risks that shape the issues surrounding mining and extractives companies’ quest for a social license to operate. These are captured in a holistic license and risk model, the social, actuarial and political risk and licensing model (SAP Model). Drawing on research from corporate social responsibility and impact assessment studies fields, the paper introduces the SAP Model and suggests how it enables improved exploration of the meaning, intention and probable implications of the various licenses and associated risks facing the mining and extractives sector. In so doing, it contributes a more contextualized understanding of social license to operate, especially for the corporate social responsibility and impact assessment fields of research.

Sheath-accumulating Propagation of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection

Abstract Fast interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) are the drivers of strong space weather storms such as solar energetic particle events and geomagnetic storms. The connection between the space-weather-impacting solar wind disturbances associated with fast ICMEs at Earth and the characteristics of causative energetic CMEs observed near the Sun is a key question in the study of space weather storms, as well as in the development of practical space weather prediction. Such shock-driving fast ICMEs usually expand at supersonic speeds during the propagation, resulting in the continuous accumulation of shocked sheath plasma ahead. In this paper, we propose a “sheath-accumulating propagation” (SAP) model that describes the coevolution of the interplanetary sheath and decelerating ICME ejecta by taking into account the process of upstream solar wind plasma accumulation within the sheath region. Based on the SAP model, we discuss (1) ICME deceleration characteristics; (2) the fundamental condition for fast ICMEs at Earth; (3) the thickness of interplanetary sheaths; (4) arrival time prediction; and (5) the super-intense geomagnetic storms associated with huge solar flares. We quantitatively show that not only the speed but also the mass of the CME are crucial for discussing the above five points. The similarities and differences between the SAP model, the drag-based model, and the“snow-plow” model proposed by Tappin are also discussed.

Combining sap flow measurements and modelling to assess water needs in an oasis farmland shelterbelt of Populus simonii Carr in Northwest China

Farmland shelterbelts provide an ecological protection screen for an oasis but exhibit high mortality in the face of water shortage. It is necessary to understand farmland shelterbelt tree transpiration under different levels of water stress and stand ages for proper management. Sap flux measurement techniques and models are among the most useful method to detect water stress and to evaluate plant water consumption. The usefulness of both methods decreases, however, when applied to species, such as Populus simonii Carr, that have an outstanding tolerance to drought and a remarkable capacity to take up water from drying soils. Our hypothesis is that analysis using simultaneous measurements of sap flow and models in the same trees is useful for assessing the irrigation needs in farmland shelterbelts. To test our hypothesis, we analysed the relationships between canopy transpiration, canopy conductance, relative extractable water and atmospheric factors in a farmland shelterbelt and evaluated the effectiveness of the model. Measurements were made during one growing season. The time courses of sap flow measured and modelled on days of contrasting weather and soil water conditions were analysed to evaluate the usefulness of the method to assess the crop water needs. We calculated the daily tree water consumption from sap flow measurements and the parameterized modified Jarvis-Stewart model, and we evaluated the model’s usefulness to assess the final water needs under water stress and stand ages for farmland shelterbelt irrigation. The transpiration decreased as the soil drought increased, and it increased as the atmospheric drought increased. The time course of the water needs showed that the occurrence of water stress in the farmland shelterbelt trees had a large impact on their water consumption, which increased as the water stress decreased, following the equation y=1/[1+e−60.67×(REWx−0.402)]. The simultaneous use of modelling and tree structural data increased the reliability of assessing water needs from youth to maturity. A similar analysis with the water consumption values, from which stand age values were derived, showed that water needs increased with the tree age following the equation y=847−844/[1+(x/87.9)1.9]. We conclude that compared to the use of sap flow records alone, the simultaneous use of sap flow records and model values provides more detailed information to assess water needs in a farmland shelterbelt, which has an important significance for farmland shelterbelt protection.

Caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk protects against acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury via inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis

Background/objectivesPulmonary apoptosis is an important pathogenic mechanism of acute lung injury induced by many factors. This study aims to investigate whether the caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk has a protective effect against lung injury in the severe acute pancreatitis model (SAP) in rats. MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham, SAP, and SAP + zVAD-fmk groups. The SAP model was established by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Animals were sacrificed at 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after operation and then HE staining analysis was performed to assess the lung injury. ELISA was used to detect the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β). Western blotting was used to detect the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in the lung tissues. ResultsRats in SAP group showed obvious lung injury through pathologic examination. Pretreatment with zVAD-fmk significantly inhibited a post-SAP increase in the activation of MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and caspase-3, and decreased lung injury induced by SAP as determined by the pathologic score. ConclusionOur results suggest that apoptosis plays an important role in acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury (APALI), and inhibition of caspase activity may represent a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of APALI.