Rupture by damage accumulation in rocks

The deformation of rocks is associated with microcracks nucleation and propagation, i.e. damage. The accumulation of damage and its spatial localization lead to the creation of a macroscale discontinuity, so-called "fault" in geological terms, and to the failure of the material, i.e. a dramatic decrease of the mechanical properties as strength and modulus. The damage process can be studied both statically by direct observation of thin sections and dynamically by recording acoustic waves emitted by crack propagation (acoustic emission). Here we first review such observations concerning geological objects over scales ranging from the laboratory sample scale (dm) to seismically active faults (km), including cliffs and rock masses (Dm, hm). These observations reveal complex patterns in both space (fractal properties of damage structures as roughness and gouge), time (clustering, particular trends when the failure approaches) and energy domains (power-law distributions of energy release bursts). We use a numerical model based on progressive damage within an elastic interaction framework which allows us to simulate these observations. This study shows that the failure in rocks can be the result of damage accumulation

Bilateral Functional Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Presbyphonia in a Sheep Model

Objectives: The aim of the study was to increase muscle volume and improve phonation characteristics of the aged ovine larynx by functional electrical stimulation (FES) using a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Methods: Stimulation electrodes were placed bilaterally near the terminal adduction branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN). The electrodes were connected to battery powered pulse generators implanted subcutaneously at the neck region. Training patterns were programmed by an external programmer using a bidirectional radio frequency link. Training sessions were repeated automatically by the implant every other day for 1 week followed by every day for 8 weeks in the awake animal. Another group of animals were used as sham, with electrodes positioned but not connected to an implant. Outcome parameters included gene expression analysis, histological assessment of muscle fiber size, functional analysis, and volumetric measurements based on three-dimensional reconstructions of the entire thyroarytenoid muscle (TAM). Results: Increase in minimal muscle fiber diameter and an improvement in vocal efficiency were observed following FES, compared with sham animals. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate beneficial effects in the TAM of FES at molecular, histological, and functional levels. FES of the terminal branches of the RLN reversed the effects of age-related changes and improved vocal efficiency

Shipping as a Knowledge Industry: Research and Strategic Planning at Ocean Group

This chapter approaches the question of how transformations in the world of shipping relate to wider trends in business and general history through the lens of knowledge. It will investigate how technological and managerial knowledge was created, developed and exploited as a corporate resource from the 1950s onwards in Ocean Transport and Trading, one of the UK’s leading liner shipping firms. The chapter will, first, briefly discuss the resource-based view of the firm and the importance of knowledge as a corporate resource. It will then examine Ocean’s use of technological and operational knowledge in the post-war era. The following section examines the introduction of modern management concepts at Ocean from the late 1960s and their impact on corporate strategy. In conclusion, the chapter will argue that the introduction of managerial concepts of knowledge contributed to Ocean’s gradual withdrawal from shipping and transformation into a provider of global logistics services and that analyzing shipping as a knowledge industry helps make sense of the transformation of the industry

Longitudinal Assessment of Growth in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Results From the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial

Background: We sought to characterize growth between birth and age 3 years in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent the Norwood procedure. Methods and Results: We performed a secondary analysis using the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial database after excluding patients 2 SD below normal). Failure to find consistent risk factors supports the strategy of tailoring nutritional therapies to patient‐ and stage‐specific targets. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT00115934

Selective Targeting of Bromodomains of the Bromodomain-PHD Fingers Family Impairs Osteoclast Differentiation

Histone acetyltransferases of the MYST family are recruited to chromatin by BRPF scaffolding proteins. We explored functional consequences and the therapeutic potential of inhibitors targeting acetyl-lysine dependent protein interaction domains (bromodomains) present in BRPF1-3 in bone maintenance. We report three potent and selective inhibitors: one (PFI-4) with high selectivity for the BRPF1B isoform, and two pan-BRPF bromodomain inhibitors (OF-1, NI-57). The developed inhibitors displaced BRPF bromodomains from chromatin and did not inhibit cell growth and proliferation. Intriguingly, the inhibitors impaired RANKL-induced differentiation of primary murine bone marrow cells and human primary monocytes into bone resorbing osteoclasts by specifically repressing transcriptional programs required for osteoclastogenesis. The data suggest a key role of BRPF in regulating gene expression during osteoclastogenesis and the excellent druggability of these bromodomains may lead to new treatment strategies for patients suffering from bone loss or osteolytic malignant bone lesions

Thermal Perceptual Thresholds are typical in Autism Spectrum Disorder but Strongly Related to Intra-individual Response Variability

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often reported to exhibit an apparent indifference to pain or temperature. Leading models suggest that this behavior is the result of elevated perceptual thresholds for thermal stimuli, but data to support these assertions are inconclusive. An alternative proposal suggests that the sensory features of ASD arise from increased intra-individual perceptual variability. In this study, we measured method-of-limits warm and cool detection thresholds in 142 individuals (83 with ASD, 59 with typical development [TD], aged 7–54 years), testing relationships with diagnostic group, demographics, and clinical measures. We also investigated the relationship between detection thresholds and a novel measure of intra-individual (trial-to-trial) threshold variability, a putative index of “perceptual noise.” This investigation found no differences in thermal detection thresholds between individuals with ASD and typical controls, despite large differences between groups in sensory reactivity questionnaires and modest group differences in intra-individual variability. Lower performance IQ, male sex, and higher intra-individual variability in threshold estimates were the most significant predictors of elevated detection thresholds. Although no psychophysical measure was significantly correlated with questionnaire measures of sensory hyporeactivity, large intra-individual variability may partially explain the elevated psychophysical thresholds seen in a subset of the ASD population

Untersuchung der Auswirkungen von FES als potentielle Therapie der Altersstimme am ex-vivo Schafmodell

Hintergrund: Mit dem Alter vermindert sich häufig die Stimmqualität. Dies geschieht aufgrund der altersbedingten Degeneration von Nerven und Atrophie der Muskeln und wird Presbyphonie genannt. Wenn dies, aufgrund von Unwohlsein bei verbaler Kommunikation der betroffenen Personen, zu einer Vermeidung von sozialen Kontakten führt, folgt daraus ein Verlust an Lebensqualität. Eine Möglichkeit die Degeneration von Nerven und Muskeln zu verringern bzw. das Muskelvolumen wieder zu vergrößern, ist die Funktionelle Elektrostimulation (FES). Um den Einfluss von FES auf die Altersstimme näher zu untersuchen, wurden Schwingungsversuche an exzidierten Schafskehlköpfen durchgeführt. Dazu wurden Kehlköpfe von stimulierten und nicht-stimulierten alten Schafen (10 Jahre) untersucht.Material und Methoden: Um den Musculus thyroarytaenoideus zu stimulieren wurden Elektroden am Nervus laryngeus recurrens implantiert. Die Stimulation erfolgte über einen Zeitraum von neun Wochen, täglich für 20 Minuten und mit einer Stromstärke zwischen 3 mA und 8 mA.Für die Schwingungsversuche wurde das Gewebe oberhalb der Stimmlippen teilweise entfernt um die Stimmlippenschwingung mit einer Hochgeschwindigkeitskamera (4.000 FPS) aufzeichnen zu können. Durch laterale Kompression der Kehlköpfe auf Höhe der Aryknorpel wurden die Stimmlippen in präphonatorische Stellung gebracht. Um unterschiedliche Elongationen der Stimmlippen nachzubilden, wurden Gewichte am Schildknorpel angebracht. Ausgehend vom Phonationsbeginn wurde der Luftfluss in 15 Stufen erhöht. Für jede Luftflussstufe wurde neben der Hochgeschwindigkeits-Videoaufnahme der Stimmlippenschwingung auch der subglottale Druck und das akustische Signal mit einer Abtastrate von 96 kHz aufgezeichnet. Die drei Signale wurden synchron aufgenommen und mit unserer hauseigenen Software Glottis Analysis Tools (GAT), Matlab und SPSS ausgewertet.Ergebnisse: Besonderer Fokus der Auswertung liegt auf der Analyse der Änderung des Glottisschlusses, sowie der resultierenden akustischen Signalqualität. Basierend auf den Videoaufnahmen teilen wir die Daten in drei Gruppen ein: vollständiger Glottisschluss, teilweiser Glottisschluss und kein Glottisschluss. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen nur kleine Verbesserungen des Glottisschlusses und der Signalqualität (CPP) durch FES.Fazit: Anhand unserer Untersuchung diskutieren wir das Potential von FES als mögliche Therapie von Altersstimme