With an increasing number of vertebrate genomes being sequenced in draft or finished form, unique opportunities for decoding the language of DNA sequence through comparative genome alignments have ...arisen. However, novel tools and strategies are required to accommodate this large volume of genomic information and to facilitate the transfer of predictions generated by comparative sequence alignment to researchers focused on experimental annotation of genome function. Here, we present the ECR Browser, a tool that provides easy and dynamic access to whole genome alignments of human, mouse, rat and fish sequences. This web-based tool (http://ecrbrowser.dcode.org) provides the starting point for discovery of novel genes, identification of distant gene regulatory elements and prediction of transcription factor binding sites. The genome alignment portal of the ECR Browser also permits fast and automated alignments of any user-submitted sequence to the genome of choice. The interconnection of the ECR Browser with other DNA sequence analysis tools creates a unique portal for studying and exploring vertebrate genomes.
Dietary factors influence male reproductive function in both experimental and epidemiological studies. However, there are currently no specific dietary guidelines for male preconception health. Here, ...we use the Nutritional Geometry framework to examine the effects of dietary macronutrient balance on reproductive traits in C57BL/6 J male mice. Dietary effects are observed in a range of morphological, testicular and spermatozoa traits, although the relative influence of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and their interactions differ depending on the trait being examined. Interestingly, dietary fat has a positive influence on sperm motility and antioxidant capacity, differing to typical high fat diet studies where calorie content is not controlled for. Moreover, body adiposity is not significantly correlated with any of the reproductive traits measured in this study. These results demonstrate the importance of macronutrient balance and calorie intake on reproductive function and support the need to develop specific, targeted, preconception dietary guidelines for males.
Display omitted
•Analytical solutions for the electro-osmotic annular flow of viscoelastic fluids.•Flow in the axial direction between two cylinders.•Slip velocity at the walls.
In this work we ...present semi-analytical solutions for the electro-osmotic annular flow of viscoelastic fluids modeled by the Linear and Exponential PTT models. The viscoelastic fluid flows in the axial direction between two concentric cylinders under the combined influences of electrokinetic and pressure forcings. The analysis invokes the Debye-Hückel approximation and includes the limit case of pure electro-osmotic flow. The solution is valid for both no slip and slip velocity at the walls and the chosen slip boundary condition is the linear Navier slip velocity model. The combined effects of fluid rheology, electro-osmotic and pressure gradient forcings on the fluid velocity distribution are also discussed.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
► The effect of tartaric acid in starch/PBAT blends were evaluated. ► A mixture design was used to evaluate the effects in mechanical and barrier properties. ► Intermediate proportions of tartaric ...acid produced films with better properties. ► Biodegradable films with good properties were obtained. ► This showed to be an interesting alternative to the non-biodegradable packaging.
Tartaric acid (TA), a dicarboxylic acid, can act as a compatibiliser in starch/polyester blends. A mixture design was proposed to evaluate the effect of TA on the properties of starch/poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blown films plasticised with glycerol. The interaction between the starch/PBAT and the TA has a positive effect on the tensile strength and puncture force. Additionally, greater proportions of TA increased Young's modulus. The starch+PBAT/TA and Gly/TA interactions contributed to a reduction in the water vapour permeability of the films. The inclusion of TA did not change the crystallinity of the samples. Formulations with intermediate proportions of TA (0.8g/100g) were shown to produce the best compatibilising effect. This was observed by DMA analysis as a consequence of the perfect equilibrium between the contributions of TA as a compatibiliser and in the acidolysis of starch, resulting in films with a tensile strength of 5.93MPa, a possible alternative to non-biodegradable packaging.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
This paper presents an algorithm for the localisation of partial discharge (PD) sources in power transformers based on the electromagnetic waves radiated by a PD pulse. The proposed algorithm is more ...accurate than existing methods, since it considers the effects of the reflection, refractions and diffractions undergone by the ultra-high frequency (UHF) signal within the equipment tank. The proposed method uses computational simulations of the electromagnetic waves generated by PD, and obtains the time delay of the signal between each point in the 3D space and the UHF sensors. The calculated signals can be compared with the signals measured in the field, so that the position of the PD source can be located based on the best correlation between the simulated propagation delay and the measured data. The equations used in the proposed method are defined as a 3D optimisation problem, so that the binary particle swarm optimisation algorithm can be used. To test and demonstrate the proposed algorithm, computational simulations were performed. The solutions were sufficient to identify not only the occurrence of defects, but also the winding and the region (top, centre or base) in which the defect occurred. In all cases, an accuracy of greater than 15 cm was obtained for the location, in a 180 MVA three-phase transformer.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The prospect of growth of a railway system impacts both the network size and its occupation. Due to the overloaded infrastructure, it is necessary to increase reliability by adopting fast maintenance ...services to reach economic and security conditions. In this context, one major problem is the excessive friction caused by the wheels. This contingency may cause ruptures with severe consequences. While eddy’s current approaches are adequate to detect superficial damages in metal structures, there are still open challenges concerning automatic identification of rail defects. Herein, we propose an embedded system for online detection and location of rails defects based on eddy current. Moreover, we propose a new method to interpret eddy current signals by analyzing their wavelet transforms through a convolutional neural network. With this approach, the embedded system locates and classifies different types of anomalies, enabling an optimization of the railway maintenance plan. Field tests were performed, in which the rail anomalies were grouped in three classes: squids, weld and joints. The results showed a classification efficiency of ~98%, surpassing the most commonly used methods found in the literature.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this paper, the design and development of a bio-inspired UHF sensor for partial discharge detection in power transformers is presented. The UHF sensor was developed for external use in dielectric ...windows of power transformers. For this purpose, a microstrip antenna was designed with a radiating element shape based on the leaf of the
plant. Then, an epoxy coating and an aluminium enclosure were developed to protect the antenna against corrosion and to provide mechanical support, external noise immunity, and a lifetime compatibility with power transformers. In order to verify the electrical parameters of the developed sensor, measurements of the gain and the reflection coefficient were performed in an anechoic chamber. Lastly, the antenna sensitivity for denominated partial discharge (PD) detection was compared with the IEC 60270 standard method. For this purpose, simultaneous tests were carried out in a partial discharge generator setup, composed of an oil cell with needle-plane electrodes. The experimental tests demonstrated the effectiveness of the sensor for detecting PD signals with apparent charge values higher than 35 pC.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim
To report the evidence on the effect of mechanical and/or chemical plaque control in the simultaneous management of gingivitis and caries.
Material and Methods
A protocol was designed to identify ...randomized (RCTs) and controlled (CCTs) clinical trials, cohort studies and prospective case series (PCS), with at least 6 months of follow‐up, reporting on plaque, gingivitis and caries. Relevant information was extracted from full papers, including quality and risk of bias. Meta‐analyses were performed whenever possible.
Results
After the screening of 1,373 titles, 15 RCTs, 10 CCTs and 2 PCS were included. Low to moderate evidence support that combined professional and self‐performed mechanical plaque control significantly reduces standardized plaque index n = 4; weighted mean difference (WMD) = 1.294; 95% CI (0.445; 2.144); p = 0.003 and gingivitis scores n = 4; WMD = 1.728; 95% CI (0.631; 2.825); p = 0.002. The addition of fluoride to mechanical plaque control is relevant for caries management n = 5; WMD = 1.159; 95% CI (0.145; 2.172); p = 0.025 while chlorhexidine rinses are relevant for gingivitis.
Conclusion
Mechanical plaque control procedures are effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis. The addition of fluoride to mechanical plaque control is significant for caries management. Chlorhexidine rinse has a positive effect on gingivitis and inconclusive role in caries.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
In this paper, the design and application of a circular microstrip antenna for partial discharge detection is presented. For this purpose, the truncated ground plane technique was applied for the ...bandwidth enhancement. In addition, aiming at an optimized structure, the computational simulations with several combinations of the antenna dimensional parameters were performed. In order to verify whether the developed antenna met the prerequisites (bandwidth and gain) for practical application in partial discharge detection, the optimized antenna was subjected to tests in an anechoic chamber. Finally, the antenna sensitivity was compared with the IEC 60270 standard method. For this purpose, the simultaneous tests were carried out in a partial discharge generator arrangement composed of an oil cell with point-to-plane and plane-to-plane electrode configurations. The developed antenna can detect apparent charge values higher than 30 pC and has an average gain greater than 2 dB along its bandwidth. The obtained results attested to the potential of the developed antenna for the development of UHF sensors for partial discharge detection in high-voltage equipment.
The cardiac conduction system is an anatomically discrete segment of specialized myocardium that initiates and propagates electrical impulses to coordinate myocardial contraction. To define the ...molecular composition of the mouse ventricular conduction system we used microdissection and transcriptional profiling by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Conduction-system-specific expression for
Id2, a member of the
Id gene family of transcriptional repressors, was identified. Analyses of
Id2-deficient mice demonstrated structural and functional conduction system abnormalities, including left bundle branch block. A 1.2 kb fragment of the
Id2 promoter proved sufficient for cooperative regulation by
Nkx2-5 and
Tbx5 in vitro and for conduction-system-specific gene expression in vivo. Furthermore, compound haploinsufficiency of
Tbx5 and
Nkx2-5 or
Tbx5 and
Id2 prevented embryonic specification of the ventricular conduction system. We conclude that a molecular pathway including
Tbx5, Nkx2-5, and
Id2 coordinates specification of ventricular myocytes into the ventricular conduction system lineage.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
PDF
