The development of an OxyHb animal model in mice and the study on OxyHb-induced apoptosis of mouse brain cells in vivo

Objective On the basis of developing a new animal model for oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) injection into subarachnoid space in mice, this research was to explore the temporal dependence and spatial distribution of OxyHb- induced apoptosis in the mouse brain cells in vivo and the mechanism of neurocyte injury induced by OxyHb. Methods The animal model for OxyHb injection into subarachnoid space in mice was developed. Mice were divided randomly into the experimental group (n=40) and the control group (n= 35). The control group received saline injection (50 μL ) and the experimental group received OxyHb injection (50 μL ), both into the subarachnoid space. The mice of the two groups were subdivided according to different postoperative time (3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). The apoptosis or necrosis of cells was distinguished with microscopy (HE staining), transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL method. Results The distribution of apoptosis was mainly in the ipsilateral neocortex and bilateral hippocampal gyrus. The apoptotic mouse brain cells showed morphological changes in the experimental group by HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. The count of TUNEL-positive cells showed substantial increase in the experimental group, and there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups, and the number of OxyHb- induced apoptotic cells decreased with time. Conclusion OxyHb in subarachnoid space in mice can induce apoptasis, but not necrosis of mouse brain cells in viro. The apoptotic brain cells show the pattern of temporal dependence and spatial distribution. It is suggested that the early treatment should be the method of first choice for treating the hemorrhagic brain injury.     

Development of a hydraulic limited slip differential system using a pressure generator

The limited slip differential (LSD) is a device that enables the driving force to be transmitted from one slipping wheel to the other by temporarily restraining the differential function when unwanted slipping occurs on muddy or icy roads. Many types of LSD have been developed, such as mechanical lock, disk clutch, viscous coupling, torsen and multiple clutch. This study designed a new type of hydraulic LSD using a pressure generator base on a trochoid gear pump and evaluated the performance of the new design.     

Impedance-based and circuit-parameter-based battery models for HEV power systems

The relationship between voltage and current inside a battery, or the impedance, plays an important role in the simulation and design of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) power systems. This paper proposes a new approach employing the Bode plot for evaluation of equivalent circuit parameters for a lithium polymer battery (LiPB) for HEV application. The main concept of the proposed circuit-parameter-based model approach is the application of a transfer function used to process the frequency response of the battery for calculation of accurate circuit parameters. Additionally, the Bode plot is also applied to derive the impedance-based model directly from frequency response measurements for short time simulations and practical use in the HEV. Two methods for battery modeling are proposed and verified experimentally with the voltage-current profile of a conventional HEV using the battery measured in this paper. The results show that the proposed circuit-parameter-based technique provides a satisfactory battery equivalent circuit model.     

A combined-slip predictive control of vehicle stability with experimental verification

In this paper, a model predictive vehicle stability controller is designed based on a combined-slip LuGre tyre model. Variations in the lateral tyre forces due to changes in tyre slip ratios are considered in the prediction model of the controller. It is observed that the proposed combined-slip controller takes advantage of the more accurate tyre model and can adjust tyre slip ratios based on lateral forces of the front axle. This results in an interesting closed-loop response that challenges the notion of braking only the wheels on one side of the vehicle in differential braking. The performance of the proposed controller is evaluated in software simulations and is compared to a similar pure-slip controller. Furthermore, experimental tests are conducted on a rear-wheel drive electric Chevrolet Equinox equipped with differential brakes to evaluate the closed-loop response of the model predictive control controller.     

Accident severity analysis using ordered probit model

To reduce injuries in road crashes, better understanding is needed between the relationship of injury severity and risk factors. This study seeks to identify the contributing factors affecting crash severity with broad considerations of driver characteristics, roadway features, vehicle types, pedestrian characteristics and crash characteristics using an ordered probit model. It also explores how the interaction of these factors will affect accident severity risk. Three types of accidents were investigated: two-vehicle crashes, single vehicle crashes and pedestrian accidents. The reported crash data in Singapore from 1992 to 2001 were used to illustrate the process of parameter estimation. Several factors such as vehicle type, road type, collision type, location type, pedestrian age, time of day of accident occurrence were found to be significantly associated with injury severity. It was also found that injury severity decreases over time for the three types of accident investigated.     

Measurement of air–water CO2 transfer at four coastal sites using a chamber method

We measured the air–water CO₂ flux in four coastal regions (two coral reefs, one estuary, and one coastal brackish lake) using a chamber method, which has the highest spatial resolution of the methods available for measuring coastal air–water gas flux. Some of the measurements were considerably higher than expected from reported wind-dependent relationships. The average k₆₀₀ values for Shiraho Reef, Fukido Reef, Fukido River, and Lake Nakaumi were 1.5 ± 0.6, 3.2 ± 0.3, 0.69 ± 0.26, and 2.2 ± 0.9 (mean ± S.D.) times larger than the wind-dependent relationships. Results were compared with current-dependent relationships and vertical turbulence intensity (VTI). VTI is an index of water-surface stirring and is calculated from near-surface vertical velocity. Although some measurements from the reefs and river closely matched those expected from wind-dependent relationships, others were considerably higher. All data were correlated with VTI and were qualitatively explained by bottom macro-roughness enhancement. In Lake Nakaumi, results tended to differ from the wind-dependent relationships, and the difference between the measured and expected gas-transfer velocity was correlated with biological DO changes and/or the intensity of density stratification. We found these factors to have important effects on coastal gas flux. In addition, the chamber method was an effective tool for evaluating coastal gas flux.     

Two-Dimensional Motion of Four-Wheel Vehicles

This paper deals with two-dimensional motion of vehicles. Since the general four-wheel vehicle model is statically indeterminate, the motion of vehicles has been analyzed by replacing the vehicle with the equivalent two-wheel one proposed by E. Marquard. Because this approximation is based on the axisymmetry of vehicles, it causes significant errors in the general case. To improve the accuracy of the analysis of vehicle motion, a four-wheel model is suggested. In this model, it is assumed that the chassis remains in a flat plane during motion. By introducing this condition, the motion of the vehicle can be analyzed. Several results from the four-wheel model and the equivalent two-wheel model are shown for comparison, and the vehicle trajectories with time are discussed.     

How much disruption to activities could fuel shortages cause? – The British fuel crisis of September 2000

In September of 2000 the UK experienced a blockade of oil refineries in response to rising fuel prices. These protests resulted in severe fuel supply disruptions that intensified over the course of about one week. During the peak of the crisis, travel activity by car was curtailed. This paper analyzes survey data collected about two months after the crisis utilizing the recent memory of respondents as to how they would expect this sort of disruption to affect their participation in daily activities. Specifically, we focused on a variety of non-discretionary and discretionary activities and examined what factors are associated with respondents expecting disruption to those activities. Statistical models were developed to analyze how demographic factors, commute mode selection, vehicle characteristics, and various other factors can explain how individuals expect disruption to their activities. Results suggest that the majority of individuals do not expect major disruptions, although for more car-dependent individuals, disruption was expected to be substantial, especially for work-related trips. These results have implications for the potential success and benefits of an integrated transport policy.     

Wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with spring or hinged boundary conditions

We solve the problem of wave scattering by multiple floating elastic plates with arbitrary boundary conditions, such as spring connectors or hinges at the plate edges. We present two solution methods, the first method is based on a matched eigenfunction expansion and the second uses a Green function. The matched eigenfunction expansion method allows arbitrary parameters for a given plate and also allows regions of open water. The Green function method requires that all plate properties must be uniform except plate length and the plate must cover the entire free surface. The Green function method is much less computationally demanding than the matched eigenfunction method and provides a test of accuracy. A range of results are presented, which show that the behaviour of the plate depends strongly on the boundary conditions at the plate edges.     

西班牙国家铁路AVE S 103新型高速动车组

西班牙国家铁路(RENFE)于2001年7月向德国Siemens公司订购了16列8节车编组的最高速度为350 km/h的AVE S 103新型电动车组.文章概要介绍了该电动车组的主要特点.