Tensile Strength of Unidirectional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Composites

The tensile strengths of unidirectionally aligned carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (UD-CFRP) were predicted by implementing a spring element model (SEM) that takes into account a stress concentration acting on an intact fiber surface originated from a fracture site in an neighboring fiber. The surface stress concentration was experimentally investigated by implementing multi-fiber fragmentation testing in combination with the SEM simulation. Four types of epoxy materials were selected to explore the effects of matrix polymer properties on the surface stress concentration. The size scaling results, coupled with the results of the SEM simulation, designed to take into account the surface stress concentration, were reasonably consistent with the experimentally obtained data on the tensile strengths of the UD-CFRP composites, irrespective of the differences in the matrix mechanical characteristics. The possible mechanisms by which additional stress concentration is generated on an intact fiber surface were analyzed numerically using the finite element method

FAM107B (family with sequence similarity 107, member B)

FAM107 members contain an N-terminal domain of unknown function (DUF1151) that is conserved across species. Mammals have two genes, FAM107A and FAM107B, which expressions are strong in neural cells, whereas their expressions are mostly down-regulated in cancer cells. Both proteins appear to alter cytoskeleton rearrangements and are involved in cell migration and invasion. The molecular mechanisms underlying the diverse biological functions of FAM107 remain unclear, while it shows functional similarity with heat-shock proteins (HSPs) as well as reactions to cellular stress

Development of the Water Resistojet Propulsion System for Deep Space Exploration by the CubeSat: EQUULEUS

In this study, Water micro-propulsion system AQUARIUS (AQUA ResIstojet propUlsion System) is proposed for 6U CubeSat: EQUULEUS to explore the deep space. AQUARIUS uses storable, safe and non-toxic propellant: water, which allows for downsizing of whole propulsion system to 2U and storing 1.2 kg water. Liquid propellant storage allows design of all propulsion systems below 100 kPa. The waste heat of communication components is reused to cover high latent heat of water. AQUARIUS has 4.0 mN and specific impulse of 70 s by less than 20 W power consumption. Breadboard model was designed and tested successfully. Engineering model is under developments and operations by using whole systems of EQUULEUS. AQUARIUS will be equipped with EQUULEUS scheduled to be launched in 2019 by SLS (Space Launch System)

Decreased expression of axon-guidance receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex in autism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Axon-guidance proteins play a crucial role in brain development. As the dysfunction of axon-guidance signaling is thought to underlie the microstructural abnormalities of the brain in people with autism, we examined the postmortem brains of people with autism to identify any changes in the expression of axon-guidance proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mRNA and protein expression of axon-guidance proteins, including ephrin (EFN)A4, eEFNB3, plexin (PLXN)A4, roundabout 2 (ROBO)2 and ROBO3, were examined in the anterior cingulate cortex and primary motor cortex of autistic brains (n = 8 and n = 7, respectively) and control brains (n = 13 and n = 8, respectively) using real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Real-time RT-PCR revealed that the relative expression levels of EFNB3, PLXNA4A and ROBO2 were significantly lower in the autistic group than in the control group. The protein levels of these three genes were further analyzed by western blotting, which showed that the immunoreactive values for PLXNA4 and ROBO2, but not for EFNB3, were significantly reduced in the ACC of the autistic brains compared with control brains.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, we found decreased expression of axon-guidance proteins such as PLXNA4 and ROBO2 in the brains of people with autism, and suggest that dysfunctional axon-guidance protein expression may play an important role in the pathophysiology of autism.</p

Cyclic ADP-ribose as a universal calcium signal molecule in the nervous system

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科脳細胞分子学β-NAD+ is as abundant as ATP in neuronal cells. β-NAD+ functions not only as a coenzyme but also as a substrate. β-NAD+-utilizing enzymes are involved in signal transduction. We focus on ADP-ribosyl cyclase/CD38 which synthesizes cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a universal Ca2+ mobilizer from intracellular stores, from β-NAD+. cADPR acts through activation/modulation of ryanodine receptor Ca2+ releasing Ca2+ channels. cADPR synthesis in neuronal cells is stimulated or modulated via different pathways and various factors. Subtype-specific coupling of various neurotransmitter receptors with ADP-ribosyl cyclase confirms the involvement of the enzyme in signal transduction in neurons and glial cells. Moreover, cADPR/CD38 is critical in oxytocin release from the hypothalamic cell dendrites and nerve terminals in the posterior pituitary. Therefore, it is possible that pharmacological manipulation of intracellular cADPR levels through ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity or synthetic cADPR analogues may provide new therapeutic opportunities for treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. © 2007

Intention to return to the town of Tomioka in residents 7 years after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station: a cross-sectional study

The aim of our study was to identify the factors associated with intention to return (ITR) in residents of Tomioka town, Fukushima Prefecture. We contacted approximated 8000 residents aged 20 years or older who lived in Tomioka. We invited them to take part in a written survey on ITR. In all, 1749 residents\u27 replies were included in the analysis. We asked about ITR in former residents of Tomioka town. We also asked about relevant factors and about risk perception in relation to the health effects of radiation exposure. Of those contacted, 469 (26.8%) had an ITR. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being male (OR = 1.6, 95% Cl: 1.24-1.96, P < 0.001),the anticipation of improving shopping in the town (OR = 1.5, 95% Cl: 1.26-1.67, P < 0.001) and requests for individual consultation with experts on the health effects of radiation (OR = 2.7, 95% Cl: 2.10-3.48, P <0.001) were associated with the ITR (+), and living with children under 18 years of age (OR = 0.7, 95% Cl: 0.51-0.95, P = 0.023), reluctance to drink tap water (OR = 0.5, 95% Cl: 0.36-0.69, P < 0.001) and anxiety regarding genetic effects of radiation in the next generation (OR = 0.6, 95% Cl: 0.45-079, P <0.001) were associated with the ITR (-) to Tomioka town, independent of other covariates. To allay the anxieties of residents who have an ITR to their hometown, careful risk communication, including information on the potential effects of radiation on health, is important