The effects of defaunation on plants’ capacity to track climate change

Seed dispersal in decline Most plant species depend on animals to disperse their seeds, but this vital function is threatened by the declines in animal populations, limiting the potential for plants to adapt to climate change by shifting their ranges. Using data from more than 400 networks of seed dispersal interactions, Fricke et al . quantified the changes in seed disposal function brought about globally by defaunation. Their analyses indicate that past defaunation has severely reduced long-distance seed dispersal, cutting by more than half the number of seeds dispersed far enough to track climate change. In addition, their approach enables the prediction of seed dispersal interactions using species traits and an estimation of how these interactions translate into ecosystem functioning, thus informing ecological forecasting and the consequences of animal declines. —AMS

Biocompatibility and Application of Carbon Fibers in Heart Valve Tissue Engineering

The success of tissue-engineered heart valves rely on a balance between polymer degradation, appropriate cell repopulation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, in order for the valves to continue their vital function. However, the process of remodeling is highly dynamic and species dependent. The carbon fibers have been well used in the construction industry for their high tensile strength and flexibility and, therefore, might be relevant to support tissue-engineered hearts valve during this transition in the mechanically demanding environment of the circulation. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of the carbon fibers to be incorporated into tissue-engineered heart valves, with respect to optimizing their cellular interaction and mechanical flexibility during valve opening and closure. The morphology and surface oxidation of the carbon fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their ability to interact with human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) was assessed with respect to cell attachment and phenotypic changes. hADSCs attached and maintained their expression of stem cell markers with negligible differentiation to other lineages. Incorporation of the carbon fibers into a stand-alone tissue-engineered aortic root, comprised of jet-sprayed polycaprolactone aligned carbon fibers, had no negative effects on the opening and closure characteristics of the valve when simulated in a pulsatile bioreactor. In conclusion, the carbon fibers were found to be conducive to hADSC attachment and maintaining their phenotype. The carbon fibers were sufficiently flexible for full motion of valvular opening and closure. This study provides a proof-of-concept for the incorporation of the carbon fibers into tissue-engineered heart valves to continue their vital function during scaffold degradation.

AUTHENTICITY IN BUILDING ADJUSTMENT SIMULATION (Case Study: Emergency Room of St. Elizabeth Hospital Semarang, Indonesia)

This paper aims to simulate adjustments for new functions in hospitals that respect the authenticity of cultural heritage buildings. The development of heritage buildings should be integrated, especially in adjusting building functions, such as room arrangement. The emergency room is a vital function for hospital services, and consideration is needed to arrange procedures. The research method chosen in this research is descriptive qualitative with a case study in the Magdalena Daeman building St Elizabeth Hospital. Design simulation can be realized by adjusting the standard emergency room requirements into the layout of the building. Additionally, cultural heritage buildings should be maintained to be used in operational functions by carrying out development. This study's results can be a guideline in developing new functions of cultural heritage buildings that meet the conservation technique guidelines.

Comparison of a histology based multi layer artery model to its simplified axisymmetric model.

Arteries are vessel structures that serve vital function of transportation of blood to different parts of the body. Researchers have experimented with some approaches to model the arterial behaviour and to analyse its biomechanical properties. To analyse the in-vivo arterial properties, at Furtwangen University an inflatable sensoractuator system is being developed, which provides the basis for a decision support system for vascular surgeons. The capabilities of this sensor shall be evaluated in simulations which requires appropriate modelling of the arteries. The inverse problem, i.e. how to efficiently identify arterial wall properties from sensor readings is targeted. A histology motivated 3D artery model was implemented in FEM using COMSOL (v5.5). The geometry of one model was based on a cross section of a real artery. The second model was axisymmetric and of equal dimensions with respect to volume, layer thickness etc. A biomechanical pressure-stretch analysis was performed applying an inflating pressure inside the walls of the vessels. Stretch in different areas of the first model was evaluated and the circumferential strain was compared to the axisymmetric model. The results show variation of strains within the segments of the first model of upto 10 percent. In addition, its outer wall circumferential stretch was found to be 10 percent lower compared to the axisymmetric setup. This comparison sheds light upon whether a simplification of arterial models is possible, without loss of accuracy in the context of the novel sensor evaluation. It provides useful information whether e.g. standardizing vessel structures to axisymmetric models will still provide results within allowable tolerance limits. Simulations proved useful to evaluate different vessel model formulations in the context of arterial diagnostics.

Suffering and the portrait of YHWH in Jeremiah: energizing hope in contexts of suffering and pain

This paper interrogates the portrait of YHWH that emerges in the face of the pain and suffering of Jeremiah and the covenant people of YHWH. The paper attends to the question through a combination of synchronic and canonical methods in reading the book of Jeremiah. Through a theological analysis and exposition of some key texts, which includes Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 11:18- 12:13; and 32:1-15, this paper demonstrates that the portrait of YHWH that emerges is not a God who watches the suffering of his covenant people helplessly, hardheartedly or dispassionately from without, but is himself grief-stricken in the suffering of his people, so that he might eventually bring suffering to an end and hold all that are complicit accountable. The paper discusses the call of Jeremiah in the light of its connotation of forthcoming suffering and pain and the non-insulation of the prophet and YHWH’s covenant people from the coming suffering. This is followed by an expose on the nature of the suffering of YHWH as portrayed by Jeremiah in his poetry of lament in 8:18-9:3 as well as the vital function of Jeremiah 32 in the suffering of YHWH’s people.

Balinese and Old Javanese Literature as A Source in Creating the Calligraphy of Balinese Script

The existence of Balinese script, which nowadays has become part of the Balinese people’s culture heritage, is significantly influential on the value of daily basis. Balinese script is not merely a means for written language, but has a very vital function in maintaining, fostering, preserving, and developing the overall Balinese culture. Over time, the role of Balinese script in more recent developments has also penetrated the creative industry sector through Balinese calligraphy. In related to this study, this study mainly examined the creative process of creating Balinese script calligraphy using literary sources. The main data of the study was Balinese calligraphies which its scripts were from Old Javanese literature and Balinese literature. The Old Javanese literatures were from the Kakawin Ramayana, while the Balinese literatures were from Rajah Dasa Bayu and Geguritan Salampah Laku. By quoting from Kakawin Ramayana, the Balinese calligraphy artists wanted to interpret the guidances for people to reach the right path and avoid anger, through Rajah Dasa Bayu, the artists wanted to interpret the ten holy winds that existed in the human body, and through the Geguritan Salampah Laku, the artist wanted to interpret the important of always seeking for various knowledge to enhance one’s self-development.

Coupled Field Analysis of a Chimney Used in Cement Industry

Chimney, which shape the ultimate factor of a machine using a flue fuel consisting of boiler, play a vital function in maintaining performance, draft, and many others, of a gadget and additionally in minimizing the atmospheric pollution. Metal chimneys also are called steel stacks. The metallic chimneys are product of metal plates and supported on basis. The steel chimneys are used to get away and disperse the flue gases to this sort of height that the gases do not contaminate surrounding. In this thesis, chimney can be designed thinking about dead load and wind load. The bureau of Indian requirements (BIS) layout codes techniques can be used for the design of the chimney. The chimney turned into considered as a cantilever beam with annular cross segment. 3-D version of the chimney is finished in pro/engineer and matched area analysis is accomplished on the chimney in ANSYS. A simplified model of chimneys with various thicknesses like 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and 16mm were modeled environment. Keywords: Chimney, Flue Gases, Coupled Field Analysis

Immune Privilege of Heart Valves

Immune privilege is an evolutionary adaptation that protects vital tissues with limited regenerative capacity from collateral damage by the immune response. Classical examples include the anterior chamber of the eye and the brain. More recently, the placenta, testes and articular cartilage were found to have similar immune privilege. What all of these tissues have in common is their vital function for evolutionary fitness and a limited regenerative capacity. Immune privilege is clinically relevant, because corneal transplantation and meniscal transplantation do not require immunosuppression. The heart valves also serve a vital function and have limited regenerative capacity after damage. Moreover, experimental and clinical evidence from heart valve transplantation suggests that the heart valves are spared from alloimmune injury. Here we review this evidence and propose the concept of heart valves as immune privileged sites. This concept has important clinical implications for heart valve transplantation.