Full-field optical measurement of curvatures in ultra-thin-film–substrate systems in the range of geometrically nonlinear deformations

This article describes coherent gradient sensing (CGS) as an optical, full-field, real-time, nonintrusive, and noncontact technique for the measurement of curvatures and nonuniform curvature changes in film-substrate systems. The technique is applied to the study of curvature fields in thin Al films (6 mum) deposited on thin circular silicon wafers (105 mum) of "large" in-plane dimensions (50.8 mm in diameter) subjected to thermal loading histories. The loading and geometry is such that the system experiences deformations that are clearly within the nonlinear range. The discussion is focused on investigating the limits of the range of the linear relationship between the thermally induced mismatch strain and the substrate curvature, on the degree to which the substrate curvature becomes spatially nonuniform in the range of geometrically nonlinear deformation, and finally, on the bifurcation of deformation mode from axial symmetry to asymmetry with increasing mismatch strain. Results obtained on the basis of both simple models and more-detailed finite-element simulations are compared with the full-field CGS measurements with the purpose of validating the analytical and numerical models

Impact of technological facilitators in the design and artisanal production processes. The Guarda Ninhos Project - craft and design of Gonçalo’s basketry

This research project analyses the impact of the use of prototyping and digital manufacturing tools in the development of new products based on the theme of Gonçalo's basketwork, in Guarda, Portugal [1]. Guarda Ninhos is an inclusive entrepreneurship project, the aim of which was to develop, produce and promote new local handicraft products. Solutions based on the socio-cultural, ecological and economic heritage of this region, knowledge immaterial heritage and expertise of their communities. Reinventing the culture of this place as a way of creating social and economic value, with the people who live there, was the followed line of action. Based on the results obtained, an attempt was made to outline forms of cooperation between this type of artisanal activities, with the most recent concepts of "industry 4.0" and industrial development methodologies - namely, (A) verifying the beneficial impact that the use of prototyping and digital fabrication tools can play in the design process of these products, optimising the development and production processes without jeopardising the premises that define the artisanal product; (B) contributing to the registration of ancestral knowledge and consolidation of artisanal processes and (C) showing how a strategic plan that aims to bring together and sustain the interdisciplinary artisan-designer relationship can be implemented.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Super-roughening as a disorder-dominated flat phase

We study the phenomenon of super-roughening found on surfaces growing on disordered substrates. We consider a one-dimensional version of the problem for which the pure, ordered model exhibits a roughening phase transition. Extensive numerical simulations combined with analytical approximations indicate that super-roughening is a regime of asymptotically flat surfaces with non-trivial, rough short-scale features arising from the competition between surface tension and disorder. Based on this evidence and on previous simulations of the two-dimensional Random sine-Gordon model [Sanchez et al., Phys. Rev. E 62, 3219 (2000)], we argue that this scenario is general and explains equally well the hitherto poorly understood two-dimensional case.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter

Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Responses to Low-Intensity Blood-Flow Restricted Running

Low-intensity (LI) aerobic exercise with blood-flow restriction (BFR) increases heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), sometimes to similar levels as high-intensity (HI) exercise. Distance runners may benefit from LI-BFR running in periods of reduced volume or intensity, possibly due to injury. PURPOSE: To compare HR, VO2, blood lactate (BLa), and RPE during LI-BFR running and HI running without BFR. METHODS: Fifteen female distance runners (age 23+4yrs, height 1.67+0.50m, body mass 57.6+5.7kg, VO2max 51.0+4.5mL•kg-1•min-1) completed three randomized 12-minute running conditions: LI control (40% VO2max), HI (80% VO2max), and LI-BFR (40% VO2max). VO2, HR, and RPE were measured at rest, and every 3-minutes. BLa was measured at rest, immediately-post (ImmPost), and 3-minutes post-exercise (3minPost). RESULTS: VO2 remained steady among each condition (p=0.075,ηp2=0.155). The average VO2 differed between the conditions (p\u3c0.001), as HI (39.4+3.9mL•kg-1•min-1) \u3e LI-BFR (25.3+2.6mL•kg-1•min-1) \u3e LI (22.5+3.1mL•kg-1•min-1). HR increased at the onset of exercise and differed between the conditions (p\u3c0.001,ηp2=0.745). The average HR for HI, LI-BFR, and LI were 166+8bpm, 142+13bpm, and 124+11bpm, respectively. BLa was similar in HI and LI-BFR ImmPost and 3minPost (p\u3e0.05), and both were higher than LI (p\u3c0.017). Average RPE in the HI and LI-BFR conditions were similar (p=0.236). CONCLUSION: HI elicits greater VO2 and HR responses than LI-BFR running, suggesting that HI would result in more robust long-term training responses. However, if one cannot engage in HI running because of injury and rehabilitation, LI-BFR running could be a feasible temporary alternative

Effect of tillage and cover on runoff and soil losses in the central region of Buenos Aires province

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar a campo la efectividad de diferentes tipos de labranzas junto con distintos grados de cobertura vegetal (CV) del suelo sobre el escurrimiento (E) y la pérdida de suelo (Ps). Se seleccionaron 34 sitios experimentales bajo labranza tradicional (LT) y siembra directa (SD), con diferentes niveles de CV (C1- < 49, C2- 50-79% y C3- > 80%). Se utilizó un diseño experimental completamente aleatorizado con 4 tratamientos y desigual número de repeticiones: 1) SD-C3, 2) LT-C3, 3) LT-C2, y 4) LT-C1, resultante de combinar el tipo de labranza con CV. Se realizó un ANOVA (p ≤ 0,05) y un análisis de contrastes ortogonales: 1) SD-C3 vs LT-C3, 2) LT-C1 vs LT-C2, y 3) C3 vs LT-C2+C1. Al cabo de cada simulación de lluvia se obtuvo el E y Ps. Se determinó: contenido de materia orgánica (CMO), contenido hídrico (CH) y densidad aparente del suelo (DA) en los 10 cm superficiales, y la pendiente (P) del terreno. La LT presentó mayor E y Ps en todos tratamientos evaluados respecto de SD. El mayor E (26,8 mm) se registró en LT-C2, y el menor (0,5 mm) en SD-C3. La Ps mostró igual tendencia que el E con 11,6 y 0,1 g respectivamente. Los contrastes mostraron E estadísticamente diferentes para los tres contrastes, mientras la Ps fue estadísticamente diferente en los contrastes Nº 2 y 3. Escurrimiento y Ps se correlacionaron entre sí (R2 = 0,98) y con P (R2 = 0,83 y 0,72 respectivamente). Los resultados obtenidos demuestran la importancia del efecto protector de la CV del suelo. Sin embargo, el CMO y CH, y la P y DA deben ser considerados también en el proceso de E - erosión del suelo.The objective of this work was evaluate on field the effectiveness of tillage and different grades of soil cover (CV) on runoff (E) and soil losses (Ps). Thirty four experimental sites on conventional tillage (LT) and no-till (SD) with CV levels (C1- < 49, C2- 50-79% y C3- > 80%) were selected. A randomized completely experimental design was used, with 4 treatments and unequal repetition numbers: 1) SD-C3, 2) LT-C3, 3) LT-C2, y 4) LT-C1, which resulted of combination of tillage and CV. An ANVA (p ≤ 0.05) and orthogonal contrast analysis were carried out: 1) SD-C3 vs LT-C3, 2) LT-C1 vs LT-C2, y 3) C3 vs LT-C2+C1. Runoff and Ps were obtained when each simulate event finished. Soil organic matter (CMO), water content (CH) and soil bulk density (DA) on 10 cm top soil, and land slope were determined. Runoff and Ps always were higher on CT than SD. LT-C2 had the highest R (26.8 mm) and SD-C3 had the smallest R (0.5 mm). Soil loss showed the same tend than E with 11.6 y 0.1 g respectively. The three orthogonal contrast show E statistically different and Ps was in the contrasts Nº 2 and 3. Runoff and Ps were correlated between the two of them (R2 = 0.98), and with P (R2 = 0.83 y 0.72 respectively). Results show the important protective effect of soil CV. However, CMO, CH, P y DA should be considered in the E - soil erosion process.Fil: Crespo, Roberto J.. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Ares, Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Sfeir, Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Wingeyer, Ana B.. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.Fil: Usunoff, Eduardo

Potential Role of Nuclear Factor κB in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy entails the cardiac injury induced by diabetes independently of any vascular disease or hypertension. Some transcription factors have been proposed to control the gene program involved in the setting and development of related processes. Nuclear factor-kappa B is a pleiotropic transcription factor associated to the regulation of many heart diseases. However, the nuclear factor-kappa B role in diabetic cardiomyopathy is under investigation. In this paper, we review the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway and its role in several processes that have been linked to diabetic cardiomyopathy, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, hypertrophy and apoptosis

Anodic Behavior of Alloy 22 in Bicarbonate Media: Effect of Alloying

AbstractThe alloy 22 (UNS N06022) is one of the candidates for the manufacture of containers of radioactive waste high level. These containers provide services in natural environments characterized by multi-ionic solutions, it is estimated they could suffer three types of deterioration: general corrosion, localized corrosion (specifically crevice) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). It has been confirmed to produce cracking, requires the presence of bicarbonate and chloride ions. It has also determined that susceptibility to SCC could be related to the occurrence of an anodic peak in the polarization curves in these media to at potentials previous transpassive zone.The aim of this work is to study the anodic behavior of alloy 22 and its alloying effect in different media containing bicarbonate and chloride ions in different concentrations and temperatures.Polarization curves were made of alloy 22 (Ni-22% Cr-13% Mo), Ni-Mo (Ni-28, 5% Mo) and Ni-Cr (Ni-20% Cr) under the following conditions: 1mol/L NaCl at 90°C, and 1.148mol/L NaHCO3, 1.148mol/L NaHCO3 + 1 mol/L NaCl, 1.148mol/L NaHCO3 + 0.1mol/L NaCl at 90°C, 75°C, 60°C and 25°C.It was found that the alloy 22 has a current peak in the anodic at potential previous to transpassive zone, only when the medium has bicarbonate ions. Curves performed in 1mol/L NaCl did not show any anodic peak, in any of the alloys tested. The curves made to alloys Ni-Mo and Ni-Cr in the media with bicarbonate ions, allowed to determine that Cr, is responsible for the appearance of the anodic peak in the Alloy 22. The curves of alloy B-3 showed no current peak in the conditions studied. The potential, at which the peak appears in the Alloy 22 and Ni-Cr alloy, increases with decreasing temperature. It also presents a variation of the peak with the composition of the solution. When the chloride ion is added to bicarbonate solution, the peak is shifted potential and higher current densities, depending on the concentration of added chloride ions

The microbiome of xylem sap associated with almond leaf scorch disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa in South East Spain

Xylella fastidiosa (XF) is one of the most harmful emerging plant pathogenic bacteria and represents an important threat to agriculture, forestry and landscape worldwide. In June of 2017 XF was reported in almond trees in the province of Alicante, Spain. Metagenomics is a valuable methodology to study the impact of causal agents of plant diseases and their interaction with others naturally occurring microorganism, as part of innovative approaches to mitigate or control the disease. Moreover, endophytic bacteria seem to be a promising biocontrol solution. The objective of the study was to compare healthy and diseased almonds trees infected by XF subsp. multiplex to identify groups of microorganisms that could potentially modulate the almond leaf scorch disease. Almond plots were selected in five municipalities within the demarcated area of XF outbreak. A total of 93 trees were selected and characterized as positive (52) and negative (41) for the presence of XF using official EPPO standard qPCR protocols. The bacterial microbiota was determined from DNA extracted from xylem samples of wood chips based on the V5-V6 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene using Illumina’s MiSeq sequencing. There was a clear concordance between qPCR results and identification of XF reads in the samples. Within the diseased plants, the relative abundance of XF varied from 0.34% to 92% of total bacterial reads. In total, 152 OTUs were assigned to 11 phyla, 53 families and 86 genera. A core microbiome of 77 OTUs common to healthy (qPCR negative) and diseased (qPCR positive) almond trees was determined were 5 genera accounted for most of the diversity. Disruption in the frequencies of these OTUs occurred on the diseased tree since those predominant genera were less abundant due to the emergence of Xylella. Furthermore, 32 and 38 OTUs were unique to healthy or diseased trees, respectively. Our results allow to better understand the interaction between XF and the xylem sap microbiome identifying potential bacteria that could act through direct inhibition or through niche displacement of XF envisioning innovative strategies to control the almond leaf scorch disease.Study supported by Project 727987 XF ACTORS(EU-H2020) and COST Action CA16107 EuroXanth