Geotechnical approaches for preservation of openly exhibited Geo-relics damaged by rainfall infiltration

Excavated geo-relics are vulnerable to damage by natural processes. The aim of this study is to contribute to the establishment of a technical framework for the preservation of openly exhibited geo-relics. This study also examines the preservation of an openly exhibited geo-relic in Japan, which has experienced surface deformation in the soft soil layer due to water infiltration. The surface deformation is numerically investigated by performing seepage-deformation analyses based on unsaturated soil mechanics in order to understand its mechanism and to obtain effective countermeasures. The results show that deformation develops in the surface layer of the slope as the bonding between soil particles, represented by skeleton stress, and decreases when water infiltrates the slope. Although the calculation considers the influence of groundwater, as well as precipitation, the results show that the deformation of the slope is primarily controlled by precipitation, not by groundwater. Furthermore, the elevation of the groundwater does not contribute to the development of surface deformation. Based on the mechanism of the surface deformation, replacing the surface layer with a well-compacted, highly permeable soil is proposed to improve slope stability. It is predicted that this proposed method will be effective because the replaced zone retains sufficient strength and stiffness when it is wet, despite a decrease in the skeleton stress due to rainfall infiltration. This countermeasure has been adopted for the actual restoration of a damaged slope

Dynamic centrifuge model tests on Tumulus Mounds on cut slopes

The contributions to the eponymous 3rd International ISSMGE TC301 Symposium (Naples, Italy, 22-24 June 2022)Japan's tumulus mounds comprising compacted earth mounds and masonry burial chambers are vulnerable to earthquakes. This study focuses on the seismic behavior of tumulus mounds with sloped foundations. Dynamic centrifuge model tests were conducted using 1/50 scale cross-sectional models of tumulus mounds. The results show that large cracks occurred in the earth mound on the slope side when the shear resistance of the stone joints of the burial chamber was small. The stress distributions in the earth mound during the shaking tests were numerically estimated to identify the stress that caused cracks in the earth mound. The results show that tensile cracks dominantly occur near the surface under low confining pressure. The shear resistance of the stone joints of the burial chamber significantly restrains the opening of the tensile cracks; thus, it is an important factor to be considered when evaluating the seismic resistance of tumulus mounds and developing countermeasures

Measuring desiccation-induced tensile stress during cracking process

The desiccation cracking of soil occurs when shrinkage is restricted during the drying process and the induced tensile stress equals the tensile strength. Thus far, experimental estimations of the tensile stress of soil have not been realized, although such estimates are important for predicting crack initiation. This study presents the development of a laboratory-based desiccation stress test to measure the tensile stress generated during the drying process until crack initiation. In this proposed desiccation stress test, the tensile stress is induced during the drying process in the longitudinal direction of bar-shaped specimens with fixed ends. Desiccation stress tests were performed on sandy soil with a rich fine fraction, and the results were verified through photographic observations of crack initiation and comparisons with the results of direct tension tests. The results show that the desiccation stress test yields reliable tensile stress until cracking. The application of the desiccation test results is illustrated via the verification of an existing model of crack initiation by desiccation. The results of the desiccation stress tests are useful for determining the model parameters that significantly influence the development of tensile stress and enable its accurate prediction until crack initiation

Fighting the Learning Crisis in Developing Countries: A Randomized Experiment of Self-Learning at the Right Level

This study investigates the effectiveness of a globally popular method of self-learning at the right level in improving learning outcomes—the cognitive and noncognitive abilities of disadvantaged students—in a developing country, Bangladesh. Using a randomized controlled trial design, we find substantial improvements in cognitive abilities measured by math test scores and catch-up effects in terms of noncognitive abilities or personality traits measured through a self-esteem scale. Moreover, our study is the first to use alternative cognitive ability measures, that is, time reduction as well as time-adjusted test score, which are critical dimensions of cognitive development. Subsequently, we investigate the long-term effects using students’ math results of the national-level exam. We find a reasonable longer-term impact on cognitive abilities 20 months after the intervention for younger students. Our estimates indicate that the program’s benefits exceed its costs

Haste Makes No Waste: Positive Peer Effects of Classroom Speed Competition on Learning

This study investigates the effects of speed competition in classrooms on young pupils' learning outcomes. To examine how faster peers' speed affects slower pupils' speed and learning, we employ students' daily progress data in a self-learning programme at BRAC primary schools in Bangladesh. The programme's unique setting allows us to address the reflection problem reasonably well. While speed competition could generate negative consequences, our results show overall positive peer effects on problem-solving time and scores. The effects are stronger among peers with similar abilities, without negatively affecting others. Our results show efficiency gains from non-market competition in education and learning

Comparison of Protein Profiles of Gingival Crevicular Fluids Collected from Incisors, Canines, and Molars

Many studies have shown that gingival crevicular fluid （GCF） reflects the inflammatory state of local periodontal tissues. GCF has been collected from several types of teeth in previous studies. However, there is no report that characterizes GCF by the type of tooth. In the present study, the protein profiles of GCF from different sites were comprehensively compared with each other. GCF was sampled from six healthy adult men （21-31 years old） with healthy periodontal tissues. Three separate GCF samples were collected at the maxillary central incisor, canine, and first molar of each individual. The protein profiles of GCF were analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatogram-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. The band patterns on the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from the set of three GCF samples from each individual were similar, regardless of the type of tooth. The proteins contained in each band were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis, and they were found to be the same among the three GCF samples. A comprehensive and quantitative analysis of proteins in the GCF samples was performed by LC-MS/MS using isobaric tag labeling. In total, 86 proteins were identified in GCF. A small number of proteins were increased or decreased in GCF from the first molars compared with the other types of teeth in one or two individuals. However, overall, no proteins were found to exhibit a reproducibly different composition in any of the individuals. These analyses show that the protein profiles of GCF in healthy periodontal tissues are similar, regardless of the type of tooth

Operational Review of the First Wireline In Situ Stress Test in Scientific Ocean Drilling

Scientific ocean drilling’s first in situ stress measurement was made at Site C0009A during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 319 as part of Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) Stage 2. The Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT, Schlumberger)wireline logging tool was deployed in riser Hole C0009A to measure in situ formation pore pressure, formation permeability (often reported as mobility=permeability/viscosity), and the least principal stress (S3) at several isolated depths (Saffer et al., 2009; Expedition 319 Scientists, 2010). The importance of in situ stress measurements is not only for scientific interests in active tectonic drilling, but also for geomechanical and well bore stability analyses. Certain in situ tools were not previously available for scientific ocean drilling due to the borehole diameter and open hole limits of riserless drilling. The riser-capable drillship, D/V Chikyu,now in service for IODP expeditions, allows all of the techniques available to estimate the magnitudes and orientations of 3-D stresses to be used. These techniques include downhole density logging for vertical stress, breakout and caliper log analyses for maximum horizontal stress, core-based anelastic strain recovery (ASR, used in the NanTroSEIZE expeditions in 2007–2008), and leak-off test (Lin et al., 2008) and minifrac/hydraulic fracturing (NanTroSEIZE Expedition319 in 2009). In this report, the whole operational planning process related to in situ measurements is reviewed, and lessons learned from Expedition 319 are summarized for efficient planning and testing in the future

Histone deacetylases as new therapy targets for platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer

Introduction: In developed countries, ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Due to the nonspecific symptomatology associated with the disease many patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed late, which leads to significantly poorer prognosis. Apart from surgery and radiotherapy, a substantial number of ovarian cancer patients will undergo chemotherapy and platinum based agents are the mainstream first-line therapy for this disease. Despite the initial efficacy of these therapies, many women relapse; therefore, strategies for second-line therapies are required. Regulation of DNA transcription is crucial for tumour progression, metastasis and chemoresistance which offers potential for novel drug targets. Methods: We have reviewed the existing literature on the role of histone deacetylases, nuclear enzymes regulating gene transcription. Results and conclusion: Analysis of available data suggests that a signifant proportion of drug resistance stems from abberant gene expression, therefore HDAC inhibitors are amongst the most promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. Together with genetic testing, they may have a potential to serve as base for patient-adapted therapies

The Loss of PGAM5 Suppresses the Mitochondrial Degeneration Caused by Inactivation of PINK1 in Drosophila

PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), which is required for mitochondrial homeostasis, is a gene product responsible for early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Another early onset PD gene product, Parkin, has been suggested to function downstream of the PINK1 signalling pathway based on genetic studies in Drosophila. PINK1 is a serine/threonine kinase with a predicted mitochondrial target sequence and a probable transmembrane domain at the N-terminus, while Parkin is a RING-finger protein with ubiquitin-ligase (E3) activity. However, how PINK1 and Parkin regulate mitochondrial activity is largely unknown. To explore the molecular mechanism underlying the interaction between PINK1 and Parkin, we biochemically purified PINK1-binding proteins from human cultured cells and screened the genes encoding these binding proteins using Drosophila PINK1 (dPINK1) models to isolate a molecule(s) involved in the PINK1 pathology. Here we report that a PINK1-binding mitochondrial protein, PGAM5, modulates the PINK1 pathway. Loss of Drosophila PGAM5 (dPGAM5) can suppress the muscle degeneration, motor defects, and shorter lifespan that result from dPINK1 inactivation and that can be attributed to mitochondrial degeneration. However, dPGAM5 inactivation fails to modulate the phenotypes of parkin mutant flies. Conversely, ectopic expression of dPGAM5 exacerbated the dPINK1 and Drosophila parkin (dParkin) phenotypes. These results suggest that PGAM5 negatively regulates the PINK1 pathway related to maintenance of the mitochondria and, furthermore, that PGAM5 acts between PINK1 and Parkin, or functions independently of Parkin downstream of PINK1