Influence of the combined system FPS isolator with viscous fluid damper on the dynamic response of the isolated bridges

To illustrate the effect of the combined system FPS isolator (Fiction Pendulum System) with viscous fluid damper on the seismic response of the isolated bridges, a comparative study was realised on a bridge in three different situations. In first situation, we consider the bridge without seismic isolation, while in the second and the third situation, the bridge is successively equipped with a system of FPS isolator then with a combined system FPS isolator and viscous fluid damper. The analysis was done using the digital program of dynamic analysis of the structures SAP2000 and this study consists in comparing the responses of the bridge in terms of baseshear, displacement, acceleration and absorbed energy. The results show that the incorporation of a damping device with viscous fluid damper to the isolator allows to dissipate the maximum of energy, to control the deformations which are located at the level of the isolator and to realize a satisfying compromise between the reduction of the seismic forces and the increase of the deformations in the seismic isolation

Integrated dataset on acute phase protein response in chicken challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin

Data herein describe the quantitative changes in the plasma proteome in chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin known to stimulate the host innate immune system obtained by shotgun quantitative proteomic tandem mass tags approach using high-resolution Orbitrap technology. Statistical and bioinformatic analyses were performed to specify the effect of bacterial endotoxin. Plasma from chicken (N=6) challenged with Escherichia coli (LPS) (2 mg/kg body weight) was collected pre (0 h) and at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post injection along with plasma from a control group (N=6) challenged with sterile saline. Protein identification and relative quantification were performed using Proteome Discoverer, and data were analysed using R. Gene Ontology terms were analysed by the Cytoscape application ClueGO based on Gallus gallus GO Biological Process database, and refined by REVIGO. Absolute quantification of several acute phase proteins, e.g. alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and ovotrensferrin (OVT) was performed by immunoassays to validate the LC-MS results. The data contained within this article are directly related to our research article”Quantitative proteomics using tandem mass tags in relation to the acute phase protein response in chicken challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin” [1]. The raw mass spectrometric data generated in this study were deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD009399 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/cgi/GetDataset?ID=PXD009399)

Acute phase proteins and stress markers in the immediate response to a combined vaccination against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis viruses in specific pathogen free (SPF) layer chicks

Vaccination is an important tool in poultry health, but is itself a stressor often resulting in a reduction in feed intake, body weight gain, and nutrient digestibility. In other species, vaccination is associated with an immediate acute-phase response. As an important immune parameter, the circulating heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio is a well-recognized parameter of stress in poultry. In this study, the effects of a routinely used commercial poultry vaccine on the acute phase response (APR) and H/L ratios in specific pathogen-free (SPF) layer chicks was examined to determine if post vaccination (PV) stress and an APR occur. A combined Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis vaccine (Nobalis Ma5+Clone 30) was administered to SPF chicks by the intraocular route at age 7 d. Acute phase proteins (APP), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays at d 0 (pre-vaccination) and d 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 21 PV. Stress was determined in the chicks by measurement of the H/L ratio. The immune response to the vaccine was estimated by measurement of the antibody (IgY) response to the vaccine at d 21. The antibody titer was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the vaccinated group at 21 d PV, confirming stimulation of the immune system. The H/L ratio was also significantly higher in the vaccinated group at 1 to 2 d (P < 0.01) and at 3 d (P < 0.05) PV. The concentration of SAA increased by 2.8-fold, from 63.7 μg/mL in controls to 181 μg/mL in the vaccinated group, (P < 0.05) at 1 d PV. AGP increased 1.6-fold at 2 d PV, (from 0.75 g/mL in the control group to 1.24 g/mL in the vaccinated group, P < 0.05). In conclusion an immediate but mild APR occurred in the chicks following intraocular vaccination, whereas the stress response as measured by H/L ratio seemed to be more specific and sensitive. Measurement of these biomarkers of the host response could be a tool in vaccine development

Development and Testing of a Hot Stamped Axial Crush Member with Tailored Properties

This thesis investigates the effect of tailoring the properties of a hot stamped axial crush rail consisting of a top hat cross-section on its crash response. The tailored hot stamping (THS) process is considered, in which the forming tool is partitioned into zones that are either cooled or heated. The local die temperature controls the quench rate within the part, such that the formed part will have zones of differing hardness (strength) and ductility levels. In the current work, four configurations of THS rails were formed: a non-tailored configuration using conventional room temperature tooling and three tailored configurations in which one-half of the rail was quenched while the other half was formed in tooling that was heated at different temperatures (in the range 400-700˚C). Micro-hardness measurements confirmed that THS can be used to form an axial crush member that contains tailored properties along its length. The asformed parts exhibited a Vickers hardness of ~475 HV in zones formed in cooled tooling, ~280 HV in zones formed in tooling that was heated to 400˚C and ~215 HV in zones that were formed when the die set was heated to 700˚C. The formed parts were then welded in pairs along their flanges and axially crushed under dynamic and quasi-static conditions. The non-tailored, fully hardened components did absorb the highest energy (25.8 kJ), but exhibited extensive tearing and fracture. The force-displacement and energy absorption curves from the crush experiments showed that the tailored configurations absorbed less energy (21.6-25.7 kJ), but were less susceptible to buckling and had excellent repeatability in its crash response. Tailored regions with higher temperature tooling and/or graded tooling temperature distributions exhibited the least damage and absorbed the highest energy amongst the tailored configurations. Numerical models of the THS process and subsequent crash response were developed using the Åkerström material model in LS-Dyna to model the forming and the constitutive models of Bardelcik et al. to simulate the crash behavior. The predicted micro-hardness distributions in the components with bainite or martensite as-formed phases were very accurate (usually within 10%), whereas predictions for ferrite-containing components were within 15% of the measured hardness. The crash models were able to accurately predict the energy absorption of rails that were formed in cooled and 400˚C tooling. They were less accurate for dynamic crush of rails that contained ferrite. Overall, tailoring was found to have a positive effect on the energy absorption of a hot stamped axial crush member. Future work should focus on improving the hot stamping and crash models so they can accurately account for the effect of ferrite. Furthermore, a non-axial, angled offset crush should also be performed to more thoroughly investigate the effects of tailoring

Growth, photosynthetic pigments, phenolic content and biological activities of Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Anethum graveolens L. and Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae) in response to zinc

The effect of zinc (Zn) on phenols, antioxidant activities (free radicals' scavenging activities, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, chelating activity and reducing power), and enzyme inhibition activities of acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase of anise, dill and two cultivars of fennel [Latina" (F-L) and "Doux de Florence" (F-DF)] aqueous extracts was evaluated for the first time. At the same time, growth and photosynthetic pigment contents were also estimated. A significant decrease in all growth parameters, such as plant height, fresh and dry weights of aerial parts and roots was statistically proved in the presence of 2 mM Zn. An enhancement of Zn accumulation was observed, particularly in aerial part. Exposure to 2 mM Zn induced quantitative changes in the phenols of all tested extracts. In fennel extracts, a decrease of phenol content was observed when treated with Zn, whereas an increase was found in dill and anise extracts submitted to Zn treatment. All samples, either in the presence or absence of Zn, showed antioxidant activity, independent on the tested assay, with the exception of the cultivar F-DF (treated and non-treated), which was unable to scavenge NO radicals. Zn-treated dill and anise presented usually higher antioxidant activity. Concerning inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase enzymes, both treated and non-treated F-DF did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity. Zinc-treated F-DF was also unable to inhibit lipoxygenase activity. The remaining species presented capacity for inhibiting those enzymes and tyrosinase as well, but their abilities varied in response to Zn excess.Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia - FCTPortugal) [UID/BIA/04325/2013-MEDTBIO, UID/Multi/04326/2013]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Region-wide glacier mass balances over the Pamir-Karakoram-Himalaya during 1999-2011 (vol 7, pg 1263, 2013)

ISI Document Delivery No.: 273OY Times Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 1 Cited References: Gardelle J, 2013, CRYOSPHERE, V7, P1263, DOI 10.5194/tc-7-1263-2013 Gardelle, J. Berthier, E. Arnaud, Y. Kaab, A. 0 COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH GOTTINGEN CRYOSPHEREThe recent evolution of Pamir-Karakoram- Himalaya (PKH) glaciers, widely acknowledged as valuable high-altitude as well as mid-latitude climatic indicators, remains poorly known. To estimate the regionwide glacier mass balance for 9 study sites spread from the Pamir to the Hengduan Shan (eastern Himalaya), we compared the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) to recent (2008- 2011) DEMs derived from SPOT5 stereo imagery. During the last decade, the region-wide glacier mass balances were contrasted with moderate mass losses in the eastern and central Himalaya (−0.22±0.12mw.e. yr−1 to −0.33±0.14mw.e. yr−1) and larger losses in the western Himalaya (−0.45±0.13mw.e. yr−1). Recently reported slight mass gain or balanced mass budget of glaciers in the central Karakoram is confirmed for a larger area (+0.10±0.16mw.e. yr−1) and also observed for glaciers in the western Pamir (+0.14±0.13mw.e. yr−1). Thus, the "Karakoram anomaly" should be renamed the "Pamir- Karakoram anomaly", at least for the last decade. The overall mass balance of PKH glaciers, −0.14±0.08mw.e. yr−1, is two to three times less negative than the global average for glaciers distinct from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Together with recent studies using ICESat and GRACE data, DEM differencing confirms a contrasted pattern of glacier mass change in the PKH during the first decade of the 21st century

Acute phase proteins as a biomarker of health and disease in chickens

Animals undergoing a challenge to their state of health mount a vigorous response which involves both the innate and acquired immune systems. The varied non-specific responses of an animal to infection, inflammation or trauma are collectively referred to as the acute phase response (APR). The APR is a very complex reaction involving both local and systemic effects. Acute-phase proteins (APP) are a group of blood proteins primarily synthesised in the liver in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines being released primarily from leukocyte activation during an APR. The use of APP for diagnostic purposes in both human and veterinary medicine has increased greatly within the last decade. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the APR in chickens in response to i) vaccination using a Newcastle disease and Infectious Bronchitis (N/B) Live, freeze-dried virus vaccine; ii) an experimental challenge with Poultry red Mite (PRM); (iii) an LPS challenge experiment with an E. coli LPS. Four APP namely serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha 1 acid glycoproteins (AGP), ovotransferrin (OVT) and ceruloplasmin (CP) were studied in detail along with other blood component including heterophile / lymphocyte (H/L) ratios and corticosterone. For SAA, AGP and CP, species specific ELISA kits are now commercially available, but these had not previously been validated. The results from chapter 2 demonstrated that all three ELISAs gave good accuracy, had a suitably low detection limit and allowed discrimination between different levels of APP in chicken samples. For OVT a lab based radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) was used. The results of the current study have shown that a mild response of APP (SAA and AGP) in SPF chick post vaccination at day one and two post vaccination. H/L ratios also increased, and this measure was deemed more sensitive and consistent in terms of measuring the mild stress response under the conditions employed than the APP though of these the SAA was the most promising. In the other experimental challenge with PRM in laying hens, the serum levels of SAA were also significantly increased, and this was subsequently found to be positively correlated with the level of PRM infestation which was monitored for several months, further serum protein profile alterations were described in this study. Whereas, LPS challenge induced significant with high magnitude of APP (SAA, AGP and OVT). In addition, local expression of APP has been investigated and significant changes of other blood components were described. Looking for the APR by non-invasive way in chickens challenged with LPS, there were interesting sensitive detection of the body surface temperature. Also, a significant correlation of the cloacal with the body surface temperature changes in development of pyrexia. In summary, the research presented in this thesis has demonstrated that SAA is the most sensitive APP and therefore potentially the most useful biomarker in chickens (layers and broilers): this APP increased more rapidly and by a greater magnitude than the other APP following a range of stimuli. AGP and OVT moderately increased and usually peaked later than SAA, while CP rarely changed. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between the local and systemic APR and to determine the significance of extrahepatic versus hepatic production of APP in the chicken and, the associated H/L ratio and thermal imaging in early disease recognition as both of these measurements proved to be useful in such studies

THE EFFECT OF RECYCLED RUBBER AGGREGATES AND DUNE SAND OF EL-OUED REGION ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENTITIOUS MORTAR: OPTIMIZATION USING TAGUCHI METHOD

This study optimizes the effect of recycled rubber aggregates and dune sand of El-Oued's region by maximizing the compressive strength of cementitious mortar using Taguchi's design experiments. The experiments were designed using an L9 orthogonal array to see the different relationships between the factors targeted in our research, namely: water/cement (W/C) ratio, rubber aggregates (RA) content, and dune sand (SD) content, with the levels of each factor in the mortar mixture. The samples were tested at 28 days in each of the nine trial conditions for two responses: compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results of the analysis of variation (ANOVA) show that RA content is the factor that has the largest effect on the two tests, and the second factor affecting the two tests is the W/C ratio. Then, the analysis shows that the SD content has no significant effect on the mechanical resistance of the mortar for the two tests. And from the mathematical models investigated in this study, we conclude that the factors RA content and W/C ratio have a negative influence on the responses of the compression test and the ultrasonic test togethe

Estimation of the Degree of Diversity for Some Iraqi Wheat Varieties through ISSR, SRAP and RAPD Markers

DNA-based molecular markers such as Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR), Sequence-Related Amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were used in this study to examine the genetic differences among sixteen Iraqi wheat varieties. Seventy three primers out of 177 were reproducible and showed clear amplified bands. The degree of genetic diversity, Polymorphism information content (PIC) and resolving power (RP) were estimated. All the studied molecular markers were informative and showed good ability to classify and distinguish 16 wheat varieties. Total number of polymorphic bands is 134, 221 and 55 for ISSR, SRAP and RAPD respectively. PIC and RP values were 0.259, 0.264 and 0.262 and 9.06, 7.87 and 2.7