Mobile HTS SQUID System for Eddy Current Testing of Aircraft

In Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), eddy current techniques are commonly used for the detection of hidden material defects in metallic structures. Conventionally, one works with an excitation coil generating a field at a distinct frequency. The eddy currents are deviated by materials flaws and the resulting distorted field is sensed by a secondary coil. Because of the law of induction, this technique has its limitations in the low frequency range. This leads to a decrease of the Probability of flaw Detection (POD) in larger depths

ORAI1 calcium channel orchestrates skin homeostasis

To achieve and maintain skin architecture and homeostasis, keratinocytes must intricately balance growth, differentiation, and polarized motility known to be governed by calcium. Orai1 is a pore subunit of a store-operated Ca(2+) channel that is a major molecular counterpart for Ca(2+) influx in nonexcitable cells. To elucidate the physiological significance of Orai1 in skin, we studied its functions in epidermis of mice, with targeted disruption of the orai1 gene, human skin sections, and primary keratinocytes. We demonstrate that Orai1 protein is mainly confined to the basal layer of epidermis where it plays a critical role to control keratinocyte proliferation and polarized motility. Orai1 loss of function alters keratinocyte differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Exploring underlying mechanisms, we show that the activation of Orai1-mediated calcium entry leads to enhancing focal adhesion turnover via a PKCβ-Calpain-focal adhesion kinase pathway. Our findings provide insight into the functions of the Orai1 channel in the maintenance of skin homeostasis

Tuning the Mammalian Circadian Clock: Robust Synergy of Two Loops

The circadian clock is accountable for the regulation of internal rhythms in most living organisms. It allows the anticipation of environmental changes during the day and a better adaptation of physiological processes. In mammals the main clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and synchronizes secondary clocks throughout the body. Its molecular constituents form an intracellular network which dictates circadian time and regulates clock-controlled genes. These clock-controlled genes are involved in crucial biological processes including metabolism and cell cycle regulation. Its malfunction can lead to disruption of biological rhythms and cause severe damage to the organism. The detailed mechanisms that govern the circadian system are not yet completely understood. Mathematical models can be of great help to exploit the mechanism of the circadian circuitry. We built a mathematical model for the core clock system using available data on phases and amplitudes of clock components obtained from an extensive literature search. This model was used to answer complex questions for example: how does the degradation rate of Per affect the period of the system and what is the role of the ROR/Bmal/REV-ERB (RBR) loop? Our findings indicate that an increase in the RNA degradation rate of the clock gene Period (Per) can contribute to increase or decrease of the period - a consequence of a non-monotonic effect of Per transcript stability on the circadian period identified by our model. Furthermore, we provide theoretical evidence for a potential role of the RBR loop as an independent oscillator. We carried out overexpression experiments on members of the RBR loop which lead to loss of oscillations consistent with our predictions. These findings challenge the role of the RBR loop as a merely auxiliary loop and might change our view of the clock molecular circuitry and of the function of the nuclear receptors (REV-ERB and ROR) as a putative driving force of molecular oscillations

Methodology for the elaboration of environmental fragility models using artificial neural networks

Este trabalho aborda o desafio da modelagem da fragilidade ambiental, que implica em, além de compreender a intrínseca e dinâmica relação existente entre as componentes físicas, bióticas e sócio-econômicas dos sistemas ambientais, em traduzir esse conhecimento num modelo matemático. Para elucidar essa dificuldade foram apresentados e comparados os resultados gerados por dois modelos empíricos de fragilidade ambiental amplamente utilizados no planejamento físico-territorial brasileiro (CREPANI et al. 2001 e ROSS, 1994). Estes dois modelos foram aplicados em duas áreasteste, com resultados bastante divergentes. Neste contexto de incertezas, este trabalho testou a viabilidade e a confiabilidade de uma nova ferramenta a ser aplicada na elaboração de modelos de fragilidade ambiental, as redes neurais artificiais (RNAs). Empregando os conhecimentos e experiências de especialistas na área em questão, extraídos das respostas dadas por estes durante a comparação de variáveis e cenários aplicados através dos programas adaptados para esta finalidade: Pesquisa de Calibração, Pesquisa de Escalonamento de Variáveis e Pesquisa de Avaliação de Cenários. Estes programas geraram uma base de dados referente ao modo de avaliação de cada especialista quanto à fragilidade ambiental, sendo aplicada no treinamento das RNAs, para que a rede assimilasse o padrão de avaliação deste especialista. Os resultados comprovam de que é possível emular, com razoável confiabilidade, o padrão de avaliação de especialistas na definição da fragilidade dos sistemas ambientais, eliminando assim, a arbitrariedade e a subjetividade do processo de elaboração de modelos de fragilidade ambiental. Este trabalho não propõe um novo modelo, mas uma metodologia para a construção de modelos, utilizando redes neurais artificiais, dando um primeiro passo em busca de novas técnicas, temidas pelos geógrafos, mas necessárias para a evolução da ciência geográfica.This paper deals with the challenge in modeling environmental fragility, which implies not only the understanding of the intrinsic and dynamic relationship that exists between the physical, biotic and socio-economic components of environmental systems, but also in translating this knowledge in a mathematical model. In order to shed light on this difficulty, the results generated by two empirical models of environmental fragility were presented and compared, models that are widely used in Brazilian physical-territorial planning. (CREPANI et al. 2001 and ROSS, 1994). These two models were applied in two thesis-areas with very diverging results. Within this context of uncertainties, this paper tested the feasibility and reliability of a new tool to be applied in the elaboration of environmental fragility models, the artificial neural networks (ANN). Tapping on the knowledge and experience of specialists in this area, extracted from the answers given by them during the comparison of variables and scenarios applied in programs adapted for this objective: Gauging Research, Scheduling of Variables Research and Scenario Evaluation Research. These programs generated a databank related to the evaluation format of each specialist regarding environmental fragility applied in the training of ANNs, so that the network would assimilate the evaluation standard of that specialist. The results proved that it is possible to emulate, with reasonable reliability, the evaluation standard of specialists in the definition of environmental systems fragility, eliminating in this way, arbitrariness and subjectivity in the elaboration process of environmental fragility models. This work does not presuppose a new model, rather a methodology for the construction of models, using artificial neural networks, taking the first step in the search of new techniques, albeit feared by the geographers, however, necessary for the evolution of geographic science

Interlamellar cohesion after corneal crosslinking using riboflavin and ultraviolet A light.

Aims: Collagen crosslinking treatment of progressive keratoconus using the photosensitiser riboflavin and ultraviolet A light of 370 nm wavelength has been shown to increase significantly the tensile strength of corneal collagen by about 300%. In keratoconus, interlamellar and interfibrillar slippage have been proposed as pathogenetic mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of collagen crosslinking on the interlamellar cohesive force. Methods: 72 post mortem porcine eyes were divided into six different treatment groups: the untreated control group, the standard crosslinking group, the hypo-osmolar crosslinking group, the stromal swelling group, the formaldehyde group and the α-amylase group. An anterior 9X4 mm strip of 400 μm thickness was prepared using a lamellar rotating microkeratome. For interlamellar cohesive force measurements a splitting plane was created at 50% depth. Force-distance profiles were recorded using a microcomputer-controlled biomaterial testing machine. Results: The mean interlamellar cohesive force was 0.24 N/mm in the untreated control group, 0.26 N/mm in the standard crosslinking group, 0.25 N/mm in the hypoosmolar crosslinking group, 0.23 N/mm in hydrated corneas, 0.27 N/mm in the formaldehyde group without statistically significant difference. Only the values of the α-amylase group were statistically significantly lowered by 31.5% to 0.16 N/mm. Conclusions: Surprisingly, corneal crosslinking does not increase the interlamellar cohesive force. In the α-amylase group the cohesive force was mainly decreased because of the digestion of proteoglycans. Crosslinking seems to stabilise only inter- and intrafibrillar, but not interlamellar cohesion

Case-based design: A review and analysis of building design applications

This paper presents a review of CBD and its application to building design in particular. Case-based design is the application of case-based reasoning to the design process. Design maps well to case-based reasoning because designers use parts of previous design solutions in developing new design solutions. This paper identifies problems of case representation, retrieval, adaptation, presentation, and case-based maintenance along with creativity, legal, and ethical issues that need to be addressed by CBD systems. It provides a comprehensive review of CBD systems developed for building design and provides a detailed comparison of the CBD systems reviewed