WG1 technical report: Performance indicators for roadway bridges of COST Action 1406

[Excerpt] SCOPE: In the past few years, significant worldwide research has been done regarding condition assessment of roadway bridges, namely through the use of non-destructive tests, monitoring systems and visual inspection techniques. Obtained values, which provide information regarding the assessed bridge state condition, are then compared with previously established goals. As a result, there are currently several methodologies to evaluate bridge condition. A similar problem was addressed with roadway pavements in the past. Although this was a worldwide problematic, in Europe it was solved through COST Action 354 (performance indicators for pavements). More recently, the concept of performance indicator was introduced, simplifying communication between consultants, operators and owners. However, large deviations continue to exist on how these indicators are obtained and, therefore, specific actions should be undertaken in order to standardize this procedure. It is verified that Quality Control (QC) plans should always address the assessed performance indicators and pre-specified goals. However, these latter values are even more difficult to obtain as they are highly subjective. (...

Development of methods for predicting large crack growth in elastic-plastic work-hardening materials in fully plastic conditions

The objects of the first, exploratory, stage of the project were listed as: (1) to make a detailed and critical review of the Boundary Element method as already published and with regard to elastic-plastic fracture mechanics, to assess its potential for handling present concepts in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases. To this was subsequently added the Finite Volume method and certain aspects of the Finite Element method for comparative purposes; (2) to assess the further steps needed to apply the methods so far developed to the general field, covering a practical range of geometries, work hardening materials, and composites: to consider their application under higher temperature conditions; (3) to re-assess the present stage of development of the energy dissipation rate, crack tip opening angle and J-integral models in relation to the possibilities of producing a unified technology with the previous two items; and (4) to report on the feasibility and promise of this combined approach and, if appropriate, make recommendations for the second stage aimed at developing a generalized crack growth technology for its application to real-life problems

The antitumor activity of thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone in vitro and in vivo

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate antitumor activity of thymoquinone (TQ) and thymohydroquinone (THQ) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: In the in vitro experiments, L929 mouse ?broblasts and two tumor cell lines (squamous cell carcinoma (SCC VII) and fibrosarcoma (FsaR)) were used. The cells were cultured with 0.1 or 0.01 mg/ml TQ or THQ for 24 h, and cytotoxicity assay was performed with the use of crystal violet staining technique. For in vivo antitumor efficiency evaluation of new compounds two murine tumor models (fibrosarcoma (FsaR) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC VII)) were used. The used dose was equal for both substances. Antitumor effect of 4 intratumoral injections of TQ and THQ at the dose of 5 mg/kg was evaluated by comparison of tumor growth kinetics between treated and control animals. Results: In vitro study showed that TQ and THQ exhibit statistically significant cytotoxic activity (p < 0.01). The cytotoxic activity was dose dependent and more expressed against tumor cells than against L929 fibroblasts. The result of antitumor activities of TQ and THQ in vivo reached TGI = 52% and it was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that THQ antitumor activity may be improved with further dose increase of the investigated substance.Цель: исследовать противоопухолевую активность тимохинона (TХ) и тимогидрохинона (TГХ) in vitro и in vivo. Материалы и методы: в экспериментах in vitro использовали линию клеток фибробластов мыши L929 и две линии опухолевых клеток мыши (плоскоклеточной карциномы SCC VII и фибросаркомы FsaR). По достижении монослоя, клетки инкубировали с 0,1 или 0,01 мг/мл TХ или TГХ, после чего цитотоксический эффект определяли по включению кристаллического фиолетового. Противоопухолевый эффект 4-кратного внутриопухолевого введения TХ или TГХ в дозе 5 мг/кг in vivo в экспериментальных моделях FsaR и SCC VII определяли по кинетике опухолевого роста. Результаты: исследования in vitro показали, что TХ и TГХ обладают статистически значимой цитотоксической активностью (p < 0,01), причем таковая носит дозозависимый характер и в большей степени проявляется по отношению к линиям опухолевых клеток, чем фибробластов. Противоопухолевый эффект соединений статистически достоверный, ингибирование опухолевого роста достигало 52% (p < 0,05). Выводы: противоопухолевая активность ТГХ может быть повышена путем дальнейшего повышения дозы вещества

DISC1-dependent Regulation of Mitochondrial Dynamics Controls the Morphogenesis of Complex Neuronal Dendrites

The DISC1 protein is implicated in major mental illnesses including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and autism. Aberrant mitochondrial dynamics are also associated with major mental illness. DISC1 plays a role in mitochondrial transport in neuronal axons, but its effects in dendrites have yet to be studied. Further, the mechanisms of this regulation and its role in neuronal development and brain function are poorly understood. Here we have demonstrated that DISC1 couples to the mitochondrial transport and fusion machinery via interaction with the outer mitochondrial membrane GTPase proteins Miro1 and Miro2, the TRAK1 and TRAK2 mitochondrial trafficking adaptors, and the mitochondrial fusion proteins (mitofusins). Using live cell imaging, we show that disruption of the DISC1-Miro-TRAK complex inhibits mitochondrial transport in neurons. We also show that the fusion protein generated from the originally described DISC1 translocation (DISC1-Boymaw) localizes to the mitochondria, where it similarly disrupts mitochondrial dynamics. We also show by super resolution microscopy that DISC1 is localized to endoplasmic reticulum contact sites and that the DISC1-Boymaw fusion protein decreases the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact area. Moreover, disruption of mitochondrial dynamics by targeting the DISC1-Miro-TRAK complex or upon expression of the DISC1-Boymaw fusion protein impairs the correct development of neuronal dendrites. Thus, DISC1 acts as an important regulator of mitochondrial dynamics in both axons and dendrites to mediate the transport, fusion, and cross-talk of these organelles, and pathological DISC1 isoforms disrupt this critical function leading to abnormal neuronal development

Dynamic adsorption characteristics of thin layered activated charcoal materials used in chemical protective overgarments

The efficiency of a thin layered activated charcoal material used in chemical protective overgarments has been evaluated. The study has been conducted with the aim to obtain protective materials with best characteristics considering resistance to benzene effect under dynamic conditions and to create a new filtration protection device. In order to evaluate dynamic adsorption characteristics of thin layered sorption materials, sophisticated dynamic gas chromatography method is used. The curves of benzene penetration are determined for sandwich materials, and sorption layers used in filtrating protective clothing shows that thin layered carbon sorption materials (type M00) have good protective properties as compared to other similar materials. The findings will help to create conditions for developing a functional model for producing a new protective overgarment in the near future