Technique for in-place welding of aluminum backed up by a combustible material

Welding external aluminum jacket, tightly wrapped around inner layer of wood composition fiberboard, in oxygen free environment prevents combustion and subsequent damage to underlying fiberboard. Technique also applies to metal cutting in similar assemblies without disassembly to remove combustible materials from welding heat proximity

Technique for anchoring fasteners to honeycomb panels

Two-piece fastener bushing provides mounting surface for components on a three-inch thick honeycomb structure. Specially constructed starter drill and sheet metal drill permit drilling without misalignment. Tapered knife-edge cutting tool removes honeycomb core material without tearing the adjacent material

Phenotypic and Gene Expression Profiles of Embryo Development of the Ascidian Ciona robusta Exposed to Dispersants

Within EU approval policies, most dispersant ecotoxicity testing considers lethal concentrations for marine adult species, overlooking the embryotoxicological effects. Here we studied the ecotoxicity of two commercial dispersant formulations (dispersant A and B) on the embryogenesis of the ascidian Ciona robusta. Embryotoxicity and phenotypic alterations stated that dispersant B resulted more toxic than A (EC50 value of 44.30 and 160 µg mL−1, respectively) and induced severe larvae malformations at lower concentrations. Furthermore, the analysis of genes involved in different cellular response pathways indicated that those belonging to biotransformation were upregulated by dispersant A treatment, likely related to the presence of hydrocarbons. Instead, dispersant B induced cas8 gene downregulation, probably as a result of the prolonged exposure to mixture components. Our preliminary findings support the use of the C. robusta embryotoxicity test as a valuable tool for dispersant approval procedures, by providing sub-lethal responses on marine invertebrates closely related to vertebrates

Fault Friction During Simulated Seismic Slip Pulses

Theoretical studies predict that during earthquake rupture faults slide at non-constant slip velocity, however it is not clear which source time functions are compatible with the high velocity rheology of earthquake faults. Here we present results from high velocity friction experiments with non-constant velocity history, employing a well-known seismic source solution compatible with earthquake source kinematics. The evolution of friction in experiments shows a strong dependence on the applied slip history, and parameters relevant to the energetics of faulting scale with the impulsiveness of the applied slip function. When comparing constitutive models of strength against our experimental results we demonstrate that the evolution of fault strength is directly controlled by the temperature evolution on and off the fault. Flash heating predicts weakening behavior at short timescales, but at larger timescales strength is better predicted by a viscous creep rheology. We use a steady-state slip pulse to test the compatibility of our strength measurements at imposed slip rate history with the stress predicted from elastodynamic equilibrium. Whilst some compatibility is observed, the strength evolution indicates that slip acceleration and deceleration might be more rapid than that imposed in our experiments

Age estimation based on pulp–tooth volume ratio of anterior teeth in cone-beam computed tomographic images in a selected population: A cross-sectional study

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between chronological age and pulp– tooth volume ratio in anterior teeth using cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images and provide equations for age estimation based on pulp–tooth volume ratio. In this cross-sectional study, CBCT images of 312 anterior teeth of the maxilla and mandible were examineαd. The chronological age and the sex of the patients were recorded. Tooth volume and pulp volume of the anterior teeth were measured using Mimics software, and then tooth–pulp volume ratio was calculated. Statistical analysis of data was performed using chi-square test, independent T-test, Pearson’s correlation, and linear regression (α = 0.05). Finally, equations were made based on the results of the regression analysis for age estimation in general and for males and females. The age of the subjects ranged between 16 and 69 years (mean 40.6 ± 12.74). The pulp–tooth volume ratio of the maxillary teeth was generally higher than the mandibular teeth. A significant inverse relationship between age and pulp–tooth volume ratio was observed for all anterior teeth. (p < 0.05). The strongest correlation between age and pulp–tooth volume ratio was reported for mandibular central incisor (r = −0.58, p < 0.001) and the weakest was for mandibular lateral incisor (r = −0.36, p = 0.012). Age estimation was most accurate among females using the maxillary central incisors (p < 0.001) and among males using the mandibular central incisors and maxillary canines (p = 0.003). Pulp–tooth volume ratio of mandibular central incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, and maxillary canines in males and maxillary and mandibular central incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, and maxillary and mandibular canines in females can be used for age estimation

MicroRNA profiling in sera of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus reveals an upregulation of miR-31 expression in subjects with microvascular complications

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia due to a combination of resistance to insulin action and an inadequate compensatory insulin secretory response. Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with long-term micro- and macrovascular complications leading to dysfunction of several organs including kidney, heart, eye and nervous system. Early identification of chronic diabetic complications is necessary in order to prevent dysfunction and failure of these different organs. MicroRNAs (or miRNAs) are small endogenous RNAs, which negatively regulate gene expression. Recently, it has been demonstrated that miRNAs can be secreted by cells, thus being detectable in serum and in other biological fluids. Circulating microRNAs have been proposed as possible biomarkers of several diseases. Here, we performed a miRNAs expression profiling in the sera of T2D patients with or without vascular complications in order to find specific biomarkers to characterize T2D complications. We analyzed the expression of 384 microRNAs in serum pools from 3 groups of T2D patients: 12 T2D patients without any chronic complications, 12 T2D patients with macrovascular complications and 12 with microvascular complications. We found 223 miRNAs expressed in T2D,224 inT2D with microvascular and221 inT2D with macrovascular complications. Among expressed microRNAs, 45 resulted upregulated and 23 downregulated in microvascular patients sera, while 13 upregulated and 41 downregulated in macrovascular T2D patients compared to those without complications. We focused and validated microRNA miR-31 expression in single sera from each group, which resulted significantly upregulated in patients with microvascular complications and may be indeed related to the presence of microangiopathy. In conclusion, our study has identified miR-31 as a promising biomarker for diabetic microvascular complications; further prospective studies in the clinical setting are however required to establish the real utility of measuring serum circulating levels of this microRNA

Polyphenols as potential agents in the management of temporomandibular disorders

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) consist of multifactorial musculoskeletal disorders associated with the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and annexed structures. This clinical condition is characterized by temporomandibular pain, restricted mandibular movement, and TMJ synovial inflammation, resulting in reduced quality of life of affected people. Commonly, TMD management aims to reduce pain and inflammation by using pharmacologic therapies that show efficacy in pain relief but their long-term use is frequently associated with adverse effects. For this reason, the use of natural compounds as an effective alternative to conventional drugs appears extremely interesting. Indeed, polyphenols could represent a potential therapeutic strategy, related to their ability to modulate the inflammatory responses involved in TMD. The present work reviews the mechanisms underlying inflammation-related TMD, highlighting the potential role of polyphenols as a promising approach to develop innovative management of temporomandibular diseases

Characterization of As-polluted soils by laboratory X-ray-based techniques coupled with sequential extractions and electron microscopy: the case of Crocette gold mine in the Monte Rosa mining district (Italy)

Arsenic concentration and distribution were studied by combining laboratory X-ray-based techniques (wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF), micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD)), field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with microanalysis (FE-SEM-EDX), and sequential extraction procedure (SEP) coupled to total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) analysis. This approach was applied to three contaminated soils and one mine tailing collected near the gold extraction plant at the Crocette gold mine (Macugnaga, VB) in the Monte Rosa mining district (Piedmont, Italy). Arsenic (As) concentration, measured with WDXRF, ranged from 145 to 40,200 mg/kg. XRPD analysis evidenced the presence of jarosite and the absence of any As-bearing mineral, suggesting a high weathering grade and strong oxidative conditions. However, small domains of Fe arsenate were identified by combining μXRF with FE-SEM-EDX. SEP results revealed that As was mainly associated to amorphous Fe oxides/hydroxides or hydroxysulfates (50–80%) and the combination of XRPD and FE-SEM-EDX suggested that this phase could be attributed to schwertmannite. On the basis of the reported results, As is scarcely mobile, even if a consistent As fraction (1–3 g As/kg of soil) is still potentially mobilizable. In general, the proposed combination of laboratory X-ray techniques could be successfully employed to unravel environmental issues related to metal(loid) pollution in soil and sediments

Nutritional quality of pasta sold on the italian market: The food labelling of italian products (FLIP) study

Pasta represents a staple food in many populations and, in recent years, an increasing number of pasta items has been placed on the market to satisfy needs and trends. The aims of this work were: (i) to investigate the nutritional composition of the different types of pasta currently sold in Italy by collecting the nutrition facts on their packaging; (ii) to compare energy, nutrient and salt content per 100 g and serving in fresh and dried pasta; (iii) to compare the nutrition declaration in pairs of products with and without different declarations (i.e., gluten free (GF), organic, and nutrition claims (NC)). A total of 756 items, made available by 13 retailers present on the Italian market, were included in the analysis. Data showed a wide difference between dried and fresh pasta, with high inter-type variability. A negligible amount of salt was observed in all types of pasta, except for stuffed products, which had a median high quantity of salt (>1 g/100 g and ~1.5 g/serving). Organic pasta had higher fibre and lower protein contents compared to conventional pasta. GF products were higher in carbohydrate and fat but lower in fibre and protein than not-GF products, while only a higher fibre content was found in pasta with NC compared to products not boasting claims. Overall, the results show high variability in terms of nutrition composition among the pasta items currently on the market, supporting the importance of reading and understanding food labels for making informed food choices