Quantitative Estimation of the Domestic Economic Ripple Effect of Foreign Disaster: The Case of China

In the past, damage from natural disasters was limited to the country directly affected, but as the world becomes one economic community, instances of damage spreading to other countries are increasing. Nonetheless, there has been insufficient research on the ripple effect of foreign disaster. This study thus analyzed the ripple effect on the domestic economy from foreign disaster, using a disaster scenario based on cases of China. The ripple effect was quantitatively calculated using an industry input coefficient. The results show that the direct damage was 0.08% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the total amount of damage (including indirect damage) was 0.39% of GDP, thus demonstrating that foreign disaster could cause great damage to the domestic economy.

In vivo Characterization of MRI-based T1w/T2w Ratios and Covariance Network in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of intractable epilepsy in adults. A novel method based on the ratio of T1-weighted (T1w) and T2-weighted (T2w) magnetic resonance images can investigate brain microstructural changes and how these regional changes interact with each other. This study estimated T1w/T2w ratios in 42 left TLE (LTLE) and 42 right TLE (RTLE) patients and 41 healthy controls (HC). A T1w/T2w structural covariance network (SCN) was built by calculating correlations between any two regions across subjects and analysed by graph theory. Voxel-wise comparisons of T1w/T2w laterality were performed among the three groups. Compared to HC, both patient groups showed decreased T1w/T2w in frontotemporal regions, amygdala and thalamus; however, the LTLE showed lower T1w/T2w in left medial temporal regions than RTLE. Moreover, the LTLE exhibited decreased global efficiency compared with HC and more increased connections than RTLE. The laterality in putamen was differently altered between the two patient groups: higher laterality at posterior putamen in LTLE and higher laterality at anterior putamen in RTLE. This study demonstrated T1w/T2w reductions in frontotemporal and subcortical regions and extensive disconnections of SCN, providing evidence that TLE is a system disorder with widespread disruptions at regional and network levels. The putamen may play a transfer station role in damage spreading induced by epileptic seizures from the hippocampus.

Experimental study on the seismic behavior of precast concrete column with grouted corrugated sleeves and debonded longitudinal reinforcements

The seismic performance and the influence of debonded longitudinal reinforcements at the footing on the precast concrete columns connected with the embedded grouted corrugated sleeve were investigated experimentally in this research. Low cyclic loading tests were carried out on eight bending columns and four shear columns, considering the designed parameters of the partial debonding of the longitudinal reinforcements above the column–foundation interface, the axial load index, and the strength of the stirrups. Experimental results indicate that the partial debonding of the longitudinal reinforcements heavily influenced the damage spreading of the bending columns, but does not affect the damages of the shear columns. Compared to the columns without debonded longitudinal reinforcements, the seismic behaviors in terms of the ductility and energy dissipation can be improved clearly by the partial debonding of the longitudinal reinforcements for bending columns, but there was no clear improvement for shear columns. In addition, with the decrease of the axial load index or the increase of the strength of the stirrups, the seismic behaviors of the precast columns with the partial debonding of the longitudinal reinforcements are improved largely.

Fault Diagnosis of Induction Motors Using Motor Current Signature Analysis

Induction motors are termed as horses of modern industry because they are playing a vital role in industries. They are simple, efficient, robust, rugged, and highly reliable. The feasibility of mishap in induction motors is less, but they are prone to faults, which are left unobserved most of the time. Hence, more attention has been paid to detection and diagnosis of incipient faults to prevent damage spreading and increase the lifetime of the motor. To detect and diagnose the faults, online condition monitoring of the machine has been utilized in a wide manner. At present, focus is made on optimization procedures for fault diagnosis in induction motors to obtain a quick assessment at industry level. This chapter discloses an overview of various types of possible faults in induction motors. In addition, the conventional (invasive) and innovative techniques (noninvasive), especially motor current signature analysis (MCSA), techniques for fault detection and diagnosis in induction machines are covered with a focus on future research.

Proteomic and bioinformatics analysis of human saliva for the dental-risk assessment

Background: Dental caries disease is a dynamic process with a multi-factorial etiology. It is manifested by demineralization of enamel followed by damage spreading into the tooth inner structure. Successful early diagnosis could identify caries-risk and improve dental screening, providing a baseline for evaluating personalized dental treatment and prevention strategies. Methodology: Salivary proteome of the whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) samples was assessed in caries-free and caries-susceptible individuals of older adolescent age with permanent dentition using a nano-HPLC and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Results: 554 proteins in the caries-free and 695 proteins in the caries-susceptible group were identified. Assessment using bioinformatics tools and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis revealed qualitative differences between these two proteomes. Members of the caries-susceptible group exhibited a branch of cytokine binding gene products responsible for the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses to infections. Inspection of molecular functions and biological processes of caries-susceptible saliva samples revealed significant categories predominantly related to the activity of proteolytic peptidases, and the regulation of metabolic and catabolic processes of carbohydrates. Conclusions: Proteomic analysis of the whole saliva revealed information about potential risk factors associated with the development of caries-susceptibility and provides a better understanding of tooth protection mechanisms.