Small Engine Component Technology (SECT) study. Program report

The study was conducted to identify high payoff technologies for year 2000 small gas turbine applications and to provide a technology plan for guiding future research and technology efforts. A regenerative cycle turboprop engine was selected for a 19 passenger commuter aircraft application. A series of engines incorporating eight levels of advanced technologies were studied and their impact on aircraft performance was evaluated. The study indicated a potential reduction in fuel burn of 38.3 percent. At $1.00 per gallon fuel price, a potential DOC benefit of 12.5 percent would be achieved. At$2.00 per gallon, the potential DOC benefit would increase to 17.0 percent. Four advanced technologies are recommended and appropriate research and technology programs were established to reach the year 2000 goals

Design of Triblock Polymers for Water Filtration as Nanoporous Membranes

Clean, usable water is quickly becoming a less abundant natural resource for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Developing advanced and efficient membranes as filtration components for water-treatment processes will help supply a growing society the clean water it needs. Triblock polymers have recently become of interest for their potential to create membranes that have higher selectivity while also having higher flux values than current commercially available ultrafiltration membranes. The synthesis of a triblock polymer consisting of polyisoprene (PI), polystyrene (PS), and either poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) or poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) is reported. Each block of the polymer is synthesized via a sequential reverse addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization mechanism to achieve controlled, high molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. The triblock polymer is synthesized such that the volume fractions of the PI, PS, and PDMA/PtBA blocks are about 25%, 45%, and 30%, respectively, to achieve optimal mechanical properties and pore functionality within the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is prepared following the non-solvent induced phase separation (SNIPS) method

Development of a Charge Adjustment Model for Cardiac Catheterization

A methodology that would allow for comparison of charges across institutions has not been developed for catheterization in congenital heart disease. A single institution catheterization database with prospectively collected case characteristics was linked to hospital charges related and limited to an episode of care in the catheterization laboratory for fiscal years 2008–2010. Catheterization charge categories (CCC) were developed to group types of catheterization procedures using a combination of empiric data and expert consensus. A multivariable model with outcome charges was created using CCC and additional patient and procedural characteristics. In 3 fiscal years, 3,839 cases were available for analysis. Forty catheterization procedure types were categorized into 7 CCC yielding a grouper variable with an R2 explanatory value of 72.6 %. In the final CCC, the largest proportion of cases was in CCC 2 (34 %), which included diagnostic cases without intervention. Biopsy cases were isolated in CCC 1 (12 %), and percutaneous pulmonary valve placement alone made up CCC 7 (2 %). The final model included CCC, number of interventions, and cardiac diagnosis (R2 = 74.2 %). Additionally, current financial metrics such as APR-DRG severity of illness and case mix index demonstrated a lack of correlation with CCC. We have developed a catheterization procedure type financial grouper that accounts for the diverse case population encountered in catheterization for congenital heart disease. CCC and our multivariable model could be used to understand financial characteristics of a population at a single point in time, longitudinally, and to compare populations

INGA 3D - creative transfer of competence in 3D footwear CAD to VET professionals

INGA 3D project - Creative Transfer of Competence in 3D Footwear CAD to VET Professionals aims to transfer and extend innovative software solutions and 3D technologies for Footwear Computer Aided Design. The project brings together universities, research and training centres, adult education providers and IT companies from Romania, Spain, Portugal, and UK. The project products introduce innovative solutions for e-learning in order to test and to validate new teaching methodologies and approaches suitable for vocational training. The INGA 3D training content, its supportive guide as well as the online learning platform was designed, developed, tested and evaluated in line with the best practices identified by partners in their institutions, countries and elsewhere in Europe. INGA 3D project contributes to developing skills and competencies of VET teachers, trainers, tutors, in order to face the future challenges raised by the necessity of adding to the current curricula in VET institutions ICT skill sets that will enable their graduates to work with highly specialized footwear CAD technologies

First signs and symptoms of spondyloarthritis—data from an inception cohort with a disease course of two years or less (REGISPONSER-Early)

Objective. To determine the first signs and symptoms, and the clinical, biological and radiological characteristics of patients with early SpA

Avaliação da técnica de detecção por fluorescência como alternativa para contagem de bactérias heterotróficas em água para hemodiálise

Introduction: The microbiological quality of hemodialysis treated water is directly related to the occurrence of infections and pyrogenic reactions in patients. Objective: Determine the minimum incubation time and evaluate the alternative microbiological method performance for heterotrophic bacteria count in hemodialysis water through the fluorescence microbial detection technique. Method: The analyses were conducted by concentration levels of 2,5 x 10-1 to 1,0 x 102 CFU/plate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The tests were performed simultaneously by the alternative and the traditional methods, using culture medium R2A and incubation temperature of 24.0°C ± 4.0°C. The incubation times were 40 h and 120 h, respectively. Fourteen hemodialysis water samples were analyzed to assess the equivalence between the methods evaluated. Results: The results demonstrated that the alternative method allows quantification of heterotrophic bacteria after 40 h of incubation, with accuracy, precision, specificity and linearity for the range of 5 to 100 CFU/plate. The detection limit of the alternative method is 1 CFU/plate. Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that the alternative method has equivalent results to the traditional method, since the confidence interval of the alternative method was entirely within the equivalence range. Therefore, the microbial detection technique by fluorescence showed a viable option for the implementation of a rapid microbiological method for the heterotrophic bacteria count in samples of treated water for hemodialysis.Introdução: A qualidade microbiológica da água tratada para hemodiálise está diretamente relacionada à ocorrência de infecções e de reações pirogênicas nos pacientes. Objetivo: Determinar o tempo de incubação mínimo e avaliar o desempenho do método microbiológico alternativo para a contagem de bactérias heterotróficas em água de hemodiálise por meio da técnica de detecção microbiana por fluorescência. Método: As análises foram conduzidas com níveis de concentração entre 2,5 x 10-1 e 1,0 x 102 UFC/placa para Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia, Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. Os testes foram realizados simultaneamente pelos métodos alternativo e tradicional, utilizando o meio de cultura R2A e temperatura de incubação de 24,0°C ± 4,0°C. Os tempos de incubação empregados foram os de 40 h e 120 h, respectivamente. Quatorze amostras de água para hemodiálise foram analisadas para avaliação da equivalência entre os métodos avaliados. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que o método alternativo permite a quantificação de bactérias heterotróficas após 40 h de incubação, com precisão, exatidão, especificidade e linearidade para a faixa de 5 a 100 UFC/placa. O limite de detecção do método alternativo é 1 UFC/placa. Conclusões: O método alternativo possui resultados equivalentes ao método tradicional, uma vez que o intervalo de confiança do método alternativo obtido esteve compreendido inteiramente dentro da faixa de equivalência. Portanto, a técnica de detecção microbiana por fluorescência mostrou ser uma opção viável para a implementação de um método microbiológico rápido para a contagem de bactérias heterotróficas em amostras de água tratada para hemodiálise

VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling regulates hippocampal axon branching during development.

Axon branching is crucial for proper formation of neuronal networks. Although originally identified as an angiogenic factor, VEGF also signals directly to neurons to regulate their development and function. Here we show that VEGF and its receptor VEGFR2 (also known as KDR or FLK1) are expressed in mouse hippocampal neurons during development, with VEGFR2 locally expressed in the CA3 region. Activation of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling in isolated hippocampal neurons results in increased axon branching. Remarkably, inactivation of VEGFR2 also results in increased axon branching in vitro and in vivo. The increased CA3 axon branching is not productive as these axons are less mature and form less functional synapses with CA1 neurons. Mechanistically, while VEGF promotes the growth of formed branches without affecting filopodia formation, loss of VEGFR2 increases the number of filopodia and enhances the growth rate of new branches. Thus, a controlled VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling is required for proper CA3 hippocampal axon branching during mouse hippocampus development

Impaired autonomic regulation of resistance arteries in mice with low vascular endothelial growth factor or upon vascular endothelial growth factor trap delivery

Background-Control of peripheral resistance arteries by autonomic nerves is essential for the regulation of blood flow. The signals responsible for the maintenance of vascular neuroeffector mechanisms in the adult, however, remain largely unknown. Methods and Results-Here, we report that VEGF(partial derivative/partial derivative) mice with low vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels suffer defects in the regulation of resistance arteries. These defects are due to dysfunction and structural remodeling of the neuroeffector junction, the equivalent of a synapse between autonomic nerve endings and vascular smooth muscle cells, and to an impaired contractile smooth muscle cell phenotype. Notably, short-term delivery of a VEGF inhibitor to healthy mice also resulted in functional and structural defects of neuroeffector junctions. Conclusions-These findings uncover a novel role for VEGF in the maintenance of arterial neuroeffector function and may help us better understand how VEGF inhibitors cause vascular regulation defects in cancer patients. (Circulation. 2010; 122: 273-281.

Combined low initial DNA damage and high radiation-induced apoptosis confers clinical resistance to long-term toxicity in breast cancer patients treated with high-dose radiotherapy

Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;BACKGROUND. Either higher levels of initial DNA damage or lower levels of radiation-induced apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes have been associated to increased risk for develop late radiation-induced toxicity. It has been recently published that these two predictive tests are inversely related. The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined role of both tests in relation to clinical radiation-induced toxicity in a set of breast cancer patients treated with high dose hyperfractionated radical radiotherapy. METHODS. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were taken from 26 consecutive patients with locally advanced breast carcinoma treated with high-dose hyperfractioned radical radiotherapy. Acute and late cutaneous and subcutaneous toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group morbidity scoring schema. The mean follow-up of survivors (n = 13) was 197.23 months. Radiosensitivity of lymphocytes was quantified as the initial number of DNA double-strand breaks induced per Gy and per DNA unit (200 Mbp). Radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) at 1, 2 and 8 Gy was measured by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide. RESULTS. Mean DSB/Gy/DNA unit obtained was 1.70 ± 0.83 (range 0.63-4.08; median, 1.46). Radiation-induced apoptosis increased with radiation dose (median 12.36, 17.79 and 24.83 for 1, 2, and 8 Gy respectively). We observed that those "expected resistant patients" (DSB values lower than 1.78 DSB/Gy per 200 Mbp and RIA values over 9.58, 14.40 or 24.83 for 1, 2 and 8 Gy respectively) were at low risk of suffer severe subcutaneous late toxicity (HR 0.223, 95%CI 0.073-0.678, P = 0.008; HR 0.206, 95%CI 0.063-0.677, P = 0.009; HR 0.239, 95%CI 0.062-0.929, P = 0.039, for RIA at 1, 2 and 8 Gy respectively) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS. A radiation-resistant profile is proposed, where those patients who presented lower levels of initial DNA damage and higher levels of radiation induced apoptosis were at low risk of suffer severe subcutaneous late toxicity after clinical treatment at high radiation doses in our series. However, due to the small sample size, other prospective studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate these results.This work was subsidized by a grant from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (CICYT: SAF 2004-00889) and Fundación del Instituto Canario de Investigación del Cáncer (FICIC).Yes2011-0