Boundary value problems of elasticity theory for plane domains with one-dimensional elastic reinforcements

This article is a translation of an article published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No 1, pp 103-114 Jan-Feb 1991.Many authors have examined problems related to the load transmission from an elastic rod to an elastic plane. It was assumed in the majority of investigationa that the stringer is a thin rectilinear rod transmitting only longitudinal forces while the rod contact with the plane is realized along a line. different modifications of sheet contact with a rectilinear tensile stringer considered as an inner stringer of finite length or as an infinite edge stringer were analyzed in [1, 2]. Problems about the reinforcement of holes in a plate by a thin rod of constant section that possesses bending and longitudinal stiffnesses were solved in [3]. The eccentricity of the connection between the shell middle surface and the rod was taken into account in [4] in a study of shells reinforced by thin curvilinear rods. Other models of the one-dimensional element connected to an elastic medium without taking account of its bending stiffness were analyzed in [5, 6]. Solutions of a number of problems with circular reinforcing elements are obtained in [7]. An isotropic finite or infinite, linearly elastic plate reinforced along part or all of the boundary and along certain internal lines by elastic curvilinear rods possessing variable longitudinal and bending stiffnesses, variable curvature and thickness, the eccentricity of the connection to the plate and with an arbitrary transverse section shape symmetric relative to the plate middle surface are studied in this paper. Boundary conditions on the line of plate contact with the inner or edge elastic rods are obtained for the reinforcement models generalizing [1, 2] by using the theory of elastic rods in the case of a plane state of stress. Existence and uniqueness theorems are proved for appropriate boundary value problems; the singularity of the stresses at angles and tips of the rods are proved. The relationships obtained carry over completely to the plane strain problem for an elastic cylinder reinforced by homogeneous cylindrical shells along the generator. Some of the results described here are represented in [8]

High energy scattering in 2+1 QCD

High energy scattering in 2+1 QCD is studied using the recent approach of Verlinde and Verlinde. We calculate the color singlet part of the quark-quark scattering exactly within this approach, and discuss some physical implication of this result. We also demonstrate, by two independent methods, that reggeization fails for the color singlet channel. We briefly comment on the problem in 3+1 QCD.Comment: 20 pages, references adde

VIP21, a 21-kD membrane protein is an integral component of trans-Golgi-network-derived transport vesicles

In simple epithelial cells, apical and basolateral proteins are sorted into separate vesicular carriers before delivery to the appropriate plasma membrane domains. To dissect the putative sorting machinery, we have solubilized Golgi-derived transport vesicles with the detergent CHAPS and shown that an apical marker, influenza haemagglutinin (HA), formed a large complex together with several integral membrane proteins. Remarkably, a similar set of CHAPS-insoluble proteins was found after solubilization of a total cellular membrane fraction. This allowed the cloning of a cDNA encoding one protein of this complex, VIP21 (Vesicular Integral-membrane Protein of 21 kD). The transiently expressed protein appeared on the Golgi-apparatus, the plasma membrane and vesicular structures. We propose that VIP21 is a component of the molecular machinery of vesicular transport

TACE/ADAM17 substrates associate with ACS (Ep-CAM, HB-EGF) and follow-up MACE (TNFR1 and TNFR2)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: TACE/ADAM17 is a membrane bound metalloprotease, which cleaves substrates involved in immune and inflammatory responses and plays a role in coronary artery disease (CAD). We measured TACE and its substrates in CAD patients to identify potential biomarkers within this molecular pathway with potential for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) prediction. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from consecutive patients (n = 229) with coronary angiographic evidence of CAD admitted with ACS or electively. MACE were recorded after a median 3-year follow-up. Controls (n = 115) had a <10% CAD risk as per the HeartSCORE. TACE and TIMP3 protein and mRNA levels were measured by ELISA and RT-qPCR respectively. TACE substrates were measured using a multiplex proximity extension assay. RESULTS: TACE mRNA and cell protein levels (p < 0.01) and TACE substrates LDLR (p = 0.006), TRANCE (p = 0.045), LAG-3 (p < 0.001) and ACE2 (p < 0.001) plasma levels were significantly higher in CAD patients versus controls. TACE inhibitor TIMP3 mRNA levels were significantly lower in CAD patients and tended to be lower in the ACS population (p < 0.05). TACE substrates TNFR1 (OR:3.237,CI:1.514–6.923,p = 0.002), HB-EGF (OR:0.484,CI:0.288–0.813,p = 0.006) and Ep-CAM (OR:0.555,CI:0.327–0.829,p = 0.004) accurately classified ACS patients with HB-EGF and Ep-CAM levels being lower compared to electively admitted patients. TNFR1 (OR:2.317,CI:1.377–3.898,p = 0.002) and TNFR2 (OR:1.902,CI:1.072–3.373,p = 0.028) were significantly higher on admission in those patients who developed MACE within 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a possible role of TACE substrates LAG-3, HB-EGF and Ep-CAM in atherosclerotic plaque development and stability. We also underline the importance of measuring TNFR1 and TNFR2 earlier than previously appreciated for MACE prediction. We report an important role of TIMP3 in regulating TACE levels

Prospective Relationship between Hemispheric Lateralisation and CD4+ T Cells in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

Objectives: Neuromodulation of the immune system has been proposed to be influenced by hemispheric lateralisation (HL). The present study tested whether HL predicted CD4+ levels, statistically controlling for confounders. Methods: Employing two assessments of HL, 68 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1+ patients were followed prospectively. Numerous exclusion criteria and confounder assessments were employed (e.g. age/medication). Results: Left HL significantly positively predicted CD4+ levels at follow-up, and this was qualified by medication (HAART) status: only in HAART-naïve patients did HL predict CD4 levels. Furthermore, HL significantly predicted whether patients had clinically significantly high/low CD4+ counts. Conclusions: Using a more rigorous methodology than a previous study, the present work partly corroborated the theory of HL influences on immunity, extended it to HIV immunity and identified a possible moderator: HAART medication. Implications for future research and treatments are provided

Safeguarding children in dentistry: 1. Child protection training, experience and practice of dental professionals with an interest in paediatric dentistry

* Few dental professionals with child protection training have experience of making referrals. * There is a wide gap in practice between recognising signs of child abuse and neglect and responding effectively. * This may indicate missed opportunities to save children from continuing abuse. * There is a need for improved child protection information, support and training for dental professionals. Abstract Following several highly publicised inquiries into the deaths of children from abuse and neglect, there has been much recent interest in the role and responsibility of all health professionals to protect children at risk of maltreatment. The findings of a postal questionnaire, sent in March 2005 to 789 dentists and dental care professionals with an interest in paediatric dentistry working in varied settings in the UK, are presented in a two-part report and discussed in the context of current multi-agency good practice in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This first part explores reported child protection training, experience and practice. There was a significant gap between recognising signs of abuse and responding effectively: 67% of respondents had suspected abuse or neglect of a child patient at some time in their career but only 29% had ever made a child protection referral. The dental profession is alerted to the need to ensure necessary appropriate action to safeguard children is always taken when child abuse or neglect are suspected

A systematic review with meta-analysis of the StartReact effect on motor responses in stroke survivors and healthy individuals

Control of limb movements may be impaired after stroke due to the loss of connectivity between the cerebral cortex and spinal cord. A notion to improve motor function in stroke survivors is to use alternate motor fibers, such as the reticulospinal tract (RST), which originate from the brainstem and terminate at different levels of spinal cord. One way of targeting the RST is to use a “StartReact” protocol to foster premature release of a preplanned movement in response to a startling stimulus. Our aim was to find support for the preservation of such StartReact effect in stroke survivors. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of literature published in English up to September 2020, to explore differences in motor responses to startling stimuli in StartReact effects. Protocol of the study was registered (PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42020191581). PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Science Direct were searched for relevant literature. The meta-analysis contained six studies involving a total of 151 stroke and healthy participants. Muscle onset latency data were extracted from the qualifying studies and compared using RevMan. StartReact effect was present in both stroke and healthy groups, represented by shortened muscle onset latency when startling stimulus was present. There was considerable heterogeneity of the outcome measures, which was attributed to the range of motor impairments among stroke survivors and methodologies used. Our findings support the notion of preservation of preprogramming ability and suitability of RST and StartReact effect for motor rehabilitation following stroke