A new fractal viscoelastic element: Promise and applications to Maxwell-rheological model

This paper proposes a fractal viscoelastic element via He?s fractal derivative, its properties are analyzed in details by the two-scale transform for the first time. The element is used to establish a fractal Maxwell-rheological model, which unifies the fractal creep equation and relaxation equation, and includes the classic elastic model and the classical Maxwell-rheological model as two special cases. This paper sheds a bright light on viscoelasticity, and the model can find wide applications in rock mechanics, plastic mechanics, and non-continuum mechanics

Gap Junction Mediated miRNA Intercellular Transfer and Gene Regulation: A Novel Mechanism for Intercellular Genetic Communication

Intercellular genetic communication is an essential requirement for coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation and has an important role in many cellular processes. Gap junction channels possess large pore allowing passage of ions and small molecules between cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that can regulate gene expression broadly. Here, we report that miRNAs can pass through gap junction channels in a connexin-dependent manner. Connexin43 (Cx43) had higher permeability, whereas Cx30 showed little permeability to miRNAs. In the tested connexin cell lines, the permeability to miRNAs demonstrated: Cx43 \u3e Cx26/30 \u3e Cx26 \u3e Cx31 \u3e Cx30 = Cx-null. However, consistent with a uniform structure of miRNAs, there was no significant difference in permeability to different miRNAs. The passage is efficient; the miRNA level in the recipient cells could be up to 30% of the donor level. Moreover, the transferred miRNA is functional and could regulate gene expression in neighboring cells. Connexin mutation and gap junctional blockers could eliminate this miRNA intercellular transfer and gene regulation. These data reveal a novel mechanism for intercellular genetic communication. Given that connexin expression is cell-specific, this connexin-dependent, miRNA intercellular genetic communication may play an important role in synchronizing and coordinating proliferation and differentiation of specific cell types during multicellular organ development

Prediction and control on vibro-acoustic environment of vessel engine room floating cabins

With the engine room of certain training ship for navigation teaching being the prototype, the numerical model was developed for three cabins with floating cabin to predict the structure-borne noise (SBN) in ship cabins. The finite element model of multi-tanks structure was built when the vibro-acoustic coupling system was simplified. The predicted results for SBN were compared with the measurements done on a cabin mock-up. The effects of vibration isolator and constraint damping materialss were investigated. Comparisons of the predicted results and the experimental results showed that the developed model could be an effective tool for predicting SBN in ship cabins. The elastic mount installed positions on the auxiliary diesel engine are selected as the force excitation points. The finite element/boundary element method to predict sound pressure level (SPL) of the machinery control room and mechanical workshops of the ship, The sound pressure color nephogram of symmetrical field points on two sides is compared and analyzed, thus the degree of contribution of all bulkheads to the SPL in the right ear position of the duty engineer is acquired. And the floating cabins design based on floating floor is verified to effectively decrease the noise in cabin. The method and process of predicting vibration and sound of the vessel engine room are summarized, which could be a reference for reducing vibration and noise of ships

Alzheimer's Disease and Risk of Hip Fracture: A Meta-Analysis Study

Background. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population. Growing evidence supports that AD patients are at high risk for hip fracture, but the issue remains questionable. The purpose of the present study is to perform a meta-analysis to explore the association between AD and risk of hip fracture. Considering that bone mineral density (BMD) acts as a strong predictor of bone fracture, we also studied the hip BMD in AD patients. Methods. We searched all publications in Medline, SciVerse Scopus, and Cochrane Library published up to January 2012 about the association between AD and hip fracture or hip BMD. Results. There are 9 studies included in the meta-analysis. The results indicate that AD patients are at higher risk for hip fracture (OR and 95% CI fixed: ES = 2.58, 95% CI = [2.03, 3.14]; dichotomous data: summary OR = 1.80, 95% CI = [1.54, 2.11]) than healthy controls. Further meta-analysis showed that AD patients have a lower hip BMD (summary SMD = −1.12, 95% CI = [−1.34, −0.90]) than healthy controls. Conclusions. It was found that in comparison with healthy controls AD patients are at higher risk for hip fracture and have lower hip BMD

A Robust Quantum Random Access Memory

A "bucket brigade" architecture for a quantum random memory of $N=2^n$ memory cells needs $n(n+5)/2$ times of quantum manipulation on control circuit nodes per memory call. Here we propose a scheme, in which only average $n/2$ times manipulation is required to accomplish a memory call. This scheme may significantly decrease the time spent on a memory call and the average overall error rate per memory call. A physical implementation scheme for storing an arbitrary state in a selected memory cell followed by reading it out is discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure