469 research outputs found
sj-docx-1-pie-10.1177_09544089221150703 - Supplemental material for Investigations on erosion performance of carbon fiber–epoxy-based composite adhesion on 16Cr5Ni steel
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-pie-10.1177_09544089221150703 for Investigations on erosion performance
of carbon fiber–epoxy-based composite adhesion on 16Cr5Ni steel by Mithlesh Sharma, Deepak Kumar Goyal, Anuj Bansal, Anil Kumar Singla, Neel Kanth Grover, Munish Kumar Gupta and Navneet Khanna in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering</p
Seminal factor VII and factor VIIa: Supporting evidence for the presence of an active tissue factor dependent coagulation pathway in human
No full textHuman semen spontaneously coagulates into a semisolid mass and then wholly liquefies in a process that may have some similarity to that of normal blood. This well described phenomenon is referred to as coagulation and liquefaction of semen. Besides other active components of the haemostatic system, semen contains a significant amount of functional tissue factor (TF). However, TF needs factor (F)VII in order to exert it actions. In this study, we assessed human semen for the presence of FVII and FVIIa, and related their levels to conventional fertility parameters. Using a functional, one stage, clotting assay based upon the prolongation of the prothrombin clotting time, using the ACL 300R analyser and an Imubind® FVIIa ELISA assay, FVII and FVIIa levels were measured in 97 semen specimens obtained from sub-fertile (sperm counts <20 × 106/mL), normally fertile (sperm counts ?20 × 106 but <60 × 106/mL), fertile sperm donors (sperm counts ?60 × 106/mL), vasectomized subjects and in a pooled normal semen parameters group (categorization into groups was based on the World Health Organization guidelines on fertility criteria). In addition, conventional semen parameters were analysed on all semen samples. Both FVII and FVIIa were quantifiable in human semen. The mean levels of FVII and FVIIa were 4.4 IU/dL and 12 ng/mL respectively. Despite the observed variations of FVIIa levels in the studied groups they did not meet statistical significance when the groups were tested against each other. However, seminal FVIIa levels showed a significant positive association with semen liquefaction time, sperm motility and semen volume. The anti-sperm antibodies and sperm-agglutination groups were also associated with raised seminal FVIIa levels. We observed no significant relationship between FVIIa levels and total sperm concentration, sperm count per mL (sperm density), sperm progression and days of sexual abstinence. This study demonstrates that human semen contains appreciable amounts of FVII and FVIIa. It is possible to quantify these using commercially available assays. There also appears to be a direct correlation between the levels of these factors and certain seminal parameters. This finding reinforces the concept of an active clotting system in human semen, by establishing the missing link in the activation of a TF-dependent pathway
Seminal hemostatic factors: then and now
No full textHuman semen spontaneously coagulates and subsequently liquefies following ejaculation. The exact reasons for this phenomenon are not entirely understood. Research has resulted in the discovery of several seminal proteins that are already known from another major domain of human physiology (i.e., blood coagulation and fibrinolysis). Some believe that regulation of seminal coagulation and fibrinolytic liquefaction may bear analogies to the well-described pathways operational in blood. We here attempt to summarize the subject, revisiting earlier findings and covering the more recent and extensive data on hemostatically functional seminal proteins, including the findings of our own group. Evidence for the existence of each key hemostatic factor in semen is presented along with any correlation with indices of male fertility. Several probably possess alternative functions including anti-inflammatory action, aiding sperm capacitation and classic hemostasis following intercourse-induced bleeding. Established mechanisms such as the high molecular weight seminal vesicle system are also considered as potentially interacting with conventional hemostatic pathways to regulate seminal coagulation and liquefaction. Although our grasp of this subject continues to evolve, there still remain many unanswered questions. A more complete understanding may one day prove useful in designing technologies for improved diagnostics in male infertility and potentially aiding assisted human reproductive therapie
Seminal thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor: a regulator of liquefaction
No full textSeveral active components of the haemostatic system have been identified in human semen. Here we investigated the presence of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in seminal plasma. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, TAFI levels were measured in 36 semen specimens obtained from subfertile, normally fertile, fertile sperm donor and vasectomized individuals. TAFI was detectable in human semen. Its levels were highest in vasectomized individuals compared with the other groups, including a pooled normal semen parameter stratification group (by World Health Organization criteria). This elevation in the vasectomy group was found to be statistically significant in comparison with the normally fertile (P < 0.01) and the pooled normal semen parameter groups (P < 0.05). Seminal TAFI levels showed a significant positive correlation with total sperm count and sperm density. In contrast, a negative association was observed with semen volume, days of sexual abstinence and liquefaction time. The highly motile sperm group showed low TAFI levels. Our results establish the presence of TAFI in seminal plasma with a probable role in the protection of the seminal clot against lysis. It also suggests a downstream (post-testicular) source for its production. This reinforces the involvement of the conventional haemostatic system in the coagulation and liquefaction properties of human seme
Prostate cells exposed to lycopene in vitro liberate lycopene-enriched exosomes
No full textOBJECTIVES: To investigate whether cellular exosomes liberated by prostatic cell lines in culture might be acting as the transport vehicles for the dietary antioxidant lycopene, known to be sequestered in the prostate gland and to reduce the risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer; its subsequent secretion into seminal plasma also confers protection to spermatozoa against oxidative free-radical damage.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using benign and malignant human prostatic cell culture models, we assessed the role that their exosomes (the putative in vitro analogues of prostasomes) might have in the transport of lycopene.RESULTS: Cells exposed to lycopene in vitro accumulated the molecule and secrete lycopene-enriched exosomes. This continued after the lycopene exposure was stopped. Extraction of lycopene from the exosomes, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography, confirmed nanogram quantities of lycopene per milligram of exosomal protein. Packaging into exosomes for export resulted in reduced degradation of this labile antioxidant, and therefore maximized the effectiveness of delivery to the sites of action.CONCLUSION: These results support the likelihood that these organelles act as the transport vehicles for this important lipophilic agent known to have a role in the chemoprevention of various urological pathologies such as BPH, prostate cancer and male infertility.<br/
The University of Glasgow at ImageClefPhoto 2009
No full textIn this paper we describe the approaches adopted to generate the five runs submitted to ImageClefPhoto 2009 by the University of Glasgow. The aim of our methods is to exploit document diversity in the rankings. All our runs used text statistics extracted from the captions associated to each image in the collection, except one run which combines the textual statistics with visual features extracted from the provided images.
The results suggest that our methods based on text captions significantly improve the performance of the respective baselines, while the approach that combines visual features with text statistics shows lower levels of improvements
Dynamics of Network Formation Processes in the Co-Author Model
No full textThis article studies the dynamics in the formation processes of a mutual consent network in game theory setting: the Co-Author Model. In this article, a limited observation is applied and analytical results are derived. Then, 2 parameters are varied: the number of individuals in the network and the initial probability of the links in the network in its initial state. A simulation result shows a finding that is consistent with an analytical result for a state of equilibrium while it also shows different possible equilibria.Dynamics, Network, Game Theory, Model,Simulation, Equilibrium, Complexity
Isolated propeller aeroacoustics at positive and negative thrust Author links open overlay panel
No full textUsing propellers in negative thrust conditions can potentially result in many benefits, such as a steeper descent, a reduced landing run, reduced community noise, energy regeneration, etc. However, the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of propellers in this regime are not well understood. This paper presents an aeroacoustic analysis of an isolated propeller operating in both positive and negative thrust conditions, using scale-resolved lattice-Boltzmann very large eddy simulations and the Ffowcs Williams & Hawkings analogy. The propeller was operated at a constant tip Mach number so that any differences in tonal noise between positive and negative thrust conditions were due to changes in blade loading. Results showed that the flow separation around the blades in the negative thrust case led to a 2 to 6 times higher standard deviation in integrated thrust compared to the positive thrust case. The blade loading in the negative thrust case shows the amplitude of fluctuations up to 18% for inboard sections and up to 30% near the blade tip compared to the time-averaged loads. The noise in the propeller plane is 10 dB higher in the positive thrust regime than in the negative thrust regime at a given absolute thrust level of
. The lower noise at negative thrust is caused by two factors: the lower magnitude of the negative torque compared to the positive torque at a given thrust level and the shift of the blade loading inboard in the negative thrust condition due to the stall of the blade tip. Along the propeller axis, the negative thrust regime has 13-15 dB higher noise because of the increased broadband noise generated by the flow separation. In the negative thrust case, the noise along the propeller axis (89 dB) and propeller plane (92 dB) are comparable. However, this is not the case for the propulsive case. The comparison of noise in the vicinity of the propeller plane showed that using the propellers in negative thrust conditions allows for a steeper and quieter descent compared to a conventional descent; as long as the magnitude of the negative torque produced is equal to or less than the torque required to operate the propeller in a conventional landing
Inferring object states and articulation modes from egocentric videos
No full textWe develop algorithms for understanding objects from the point of view of interacting with them. There are two key aspects to obtaining such an understanding. First, objects can occur in different states and we need features that are sensitive to such states. Second, different objects can be articulated in different ways and we need to understand how to correctly infer their modes of articulation. We propose self and weakly supervised techniques to obtain such an understanding of objects purely through observation of how humans interact with the world around them through their hands. Our experiments on the challenging EPIC- KITCHENS dataset show the merits of using human hands as a probe for understanding objects.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2023-05-01The student, Rishabh Goyal, accepted the attached license on 2021-04-27 at 12:26.The student, Rishabh Goyal, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2021-04-27 at 13:39.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2021-04-28 at 09:43.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #16585 on 2021-09-16 at 17:06:08Made available in DSpace on 2021-09-17T02:34:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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Previous issue date: 2021-04-28Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 118591
Lift date: 2023-09-17T02:34:57Z
Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemAuthor requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemU of I Onl
The effects of dietary lycopene supplementation on human seminal plasma
No full textObjective: to investigate whether lycopene levels in blood and seminal plasma increase after dietary supplementation with a natural source of the compound, and whether any potential increase of lycopene levels in semen translates into increased free-radical trapping capacity in the seminal plasma.Methods: reactive oxygen species are detrimental to the health and function of spermatozoa. Semen contains enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence mechanisms to combat such species, and lycopene, a dietary antioxidant, forms part of the non-enzymatic arm. Immuno-infertile men have significantly lower levels of lycopene in their semen, and oral lycopene therapy can improve various seminal variables in idiopathic infertility. Whether this improvement is a direct consequence of increased lycopene levels in semen, resulting in an increased radical scavenging ability, remains unknown. Blood and seminal lycopene levels were measured in healthy volunteers, using high-performance liquid chromatography, before and after a period of dietary supplementation. The antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma was also assayed to determine if supplementation results in a measurable increase in seminal radical scavenging ability.Results: there were statistically significant increases in blood and seminal plasma lycopene levels after dietary supplementation. The increase in seminal and blood lycopene levels showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.84, P < 0.05). There was no measurable increase in the total radical scavenging capacity of semen.Conclusion: this study confirms the presence of lycopene in human semen, the levels of which can be significantly increased after dietary supplementation with a natural source of lycopene. Further studies to establish whether this would also be the case in infertile men, with possible associated improvements in their seminal quality, are warranted
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