Signal transduction underlying the control of urinary bladder smooth muscle tone by muscarinic receptors and β-adrenoceptors

The normal physiological contraction of the urinary bladder, which is required for voiding, is predominantly mediated by muscarinic receptors, primarily the M3 subtype, with the M2 subtype providing a secondary backup role. Bladder relaxation, which is required for urine storage, is mediated by β-adrenoceptors, in most species involving a strong β3-component. An excessive stimulation of contraction or a reduced relaxation of the detrusor smooth muscle during the storage phase of the micturition cycle may contribute to bladder dysfunction known as the overactive bladder. Therefore, interference with the signal transduction of these receptors may be a viable approach to develop drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder. The prototypical signaling pathway of M3 receptors is activation of phospholipase C (PLC), and this pathway is also activated in the bladder. Nevertheless, PLC apparently contributes only in a very minor way to bladder contraction. Rather, muscarinic-receptor-mediated bladder contraction involves voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and Rho kinase. The prototypical signaling pathway of β-adrenoceptors is an activation of adenylyl cyclase with the subsequent formation of cAMP. Nevertheless, cAMP apparently contributes in a minor way only to β-adrenoceptor-mediated bladder relaxation. BKCa channels may play a greater role in β-adrenoceptor-mediated bladder relaxation. We conclude that apart from muscarinic receptor antagonists and β-adrenoceptor agonists, inhibitors of Rho kinase and activators of BKCa channels may have potential to treat an overactive bladder

Humans are back in the loop! Would production process related ethics support the design, operating, and standardization of safe, secure, and efficient human-machine collaboration?

Technology convergence of extreme complexity such as the smart grid, autonomous cars, or catalytic processes give rise to high expectations regarding the secure and safe operation of such systems. Their design and operation is not only a technical matter. The human as a 'system component' with unique properties and abilities, as a designer and operator, is becoming a central part of the system as soon as responsible decision making is needed, not at least in cases of emergency. Tacit knowledge and other human properties are of crucial relevance for context-And situation-dependent decision making and the ascription of responsibility for these actions. The uniform description and modeling of technical systems and humans in this new role of acting as the 'ultimate resort' will need and benefit from the support of ethical reflection. The paper proposes a system life cycle approach which integrates the human in the loop. Ethical reflection and even ethically based technical decision making can support the effective controlling of convergent technology systems

Funktionsstruktur, Kommunikationsstruktur und Kommunikationsmittel in Automatisierungs- und Leitsystemen

Die Kopplung von Automatisierungsinseln zu integrierten, das Gesamtunternehmen umfassenden Informationsverarbeitungssystemen setzt offene und heterogene Rechnernetze voraus. Solche Netze, die eine Informations-Kommunikation zwischen Anwendungsprogrammsystemen leisten sollen, sind nur mit Hilfe standardisierter Kommunikationsprotokolle möglich. Im Produktionsbereich haben sich die Protokollfamilien MAP und TOP die Integration von Anwendungssystemen zum Ziel gesetzt. Zu diesen Protokollen sind Tests standardisiert, die die Konformität von Protokoll-Spezifikation und -Implementation nachweisen sollen. Diese Protokollfamilien werden als wichtiges Hilfsmittel für offene integrierte Informationssysteme in der Produktion dargestellt

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur ueberwachten Fadenfuehrung in einer Strickmaschine

DE 102005050126 B3 UPAB: 20070517 NOVELTY - In a monitored thread guiding device in a knitting machine, in which a thread is guided under tension along a free thread transport zone, having thread supply unit(s), a receiving unit and an optical sensor unit for contact-free detection of thread in the transport zone, sideways oscillation of the thread from its path is caused along the transport zone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A monitored thread guiding device in a knitting machine, in which at least one thread is guided under predetermined tension along a free thread transport zone, has unit(s) for supplying the thread along the zone and a unit for receiving and/or further guiding the tensioned thread. An optical sensor unit, for contact-free detection of thread in the transport zone, generates a control or regulation signal for the thread supply and/or receiving unit(s). The novel feature is that a device for causing sideways oscillation of the thread from its path is provided along the transport zone. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a corresponding monitored thread guiding process, in which controlled transverse oscillations are induced in the thread in the transport zone, optical detection of a consequent dynamic sensor signal is used to indicate an undamaged thread and lack of detection of such a signal is used to detect a broken thread, in which case operation of the knitting machine is halted. USE - For monitored guiding of thread in a knitting machine, especially a circular knitting machine. ADVANTAGE - Guiding of the threads is effectively monitored (especially as regards thread tension) while avoiding additional wear on the knitting machine side components (including the thread itself), so that the need for expensive and time-consuming maintenance operations is eliminated. Constant thread quality is ensured, especially so that threads of low (specifically non-optically resolvable) roughness are obtained. Yarn guiding within several thread guides can be individually monitored, so that a higher quality knitted product is obtained. The thread tension can be regulated in individual thread guides