Design and analysis of a reconfigurable discrete pin tooling system for molding of three-dimensional free-form objects

This paper presents the design and analysis of a new reconfigurable tooling for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) free-form objects. The proposed reconfigurable tooling system comprises a set of matrices of a closely stacked discrete elements (i.e., pins) arranged to form a cavity in which a free-form object can be molded. By reconfiguring the pins, a single tool can be used in the place of multiple tools to produce different parts with the involvement of much lesser time and cost. The structural behavior of a reconfigurable mold tool under process conditions of thermoplastic molding is studied using a finite element method (FEM) based methodology. Various factors that would affect the tool behavior are identified and their effects are analyzed to optimally design a reconfigurable mold tool for a given set of process conditions. A prototype, open reconfigurable mold tool is developed to present the feasibility of the proposed tooling system. Several case studies and sample parts are also presented in this paper

ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE: A DIVERSE PERSONALITY

Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are benefi cial symbionts for plant growth. They are associated with higher plants by a symbiotic association, and benefi t plants in uptake of phosphorus nutrients, production of growth hormones, increase of proteins, lipids and sugars levels, helps in heavy metal binding, salinity tolerance, disease resistance, and even in the uptake of radionuclides. Mycorrhizal genes also applicable in improvement of crop plants, due to their delivery in to plants, by a process called, particle bombardment. The comibined association of mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium, with legume plants, as a symbiotic association, increased the beneficial aspects comparatively more than their single associations with the host plants. This review focuses on all beneficial aspects of AM fungi, regarding plant growth

HIGHLIGHTS OF PATTRU (POULTICE) IN SIDDHA

Siddha system of medicine is one of the oldest medical system in the world. The treatment in Siddha is made by restoring the original balance of the three vital humours (Vatham, Pitham, Kapham) so that patient becomes healthy. It has a vast number of internal and external therapies. The non-oral therapy is known as External medicines -Pura marundhu.32 types of external applications are mentioned in Siddha. In many instances, only the external procedures without oral intake of drugs are much sufficient. They are quite safe and efficient too. Pattru – Poultice is one among them, used to treat cuts, abscess, furuncles, boils, puffy indurations, haemorrhoids, eczema, etc., as a emollient, fungicidal, germicide and so on... This paper is an attempt to bring out the of analysis of Pattru for various diseases as described in Siddha classical text books along with the mode of action scientifically, so that it would create awareness globally

ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE: A DIVERSE PERSONALITY

Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are benefi cial symbionts for plant growth. They are associated with higher plants by a symbiotic association, and benefi t plants in uptake of phosphorus nutrients, production of growth hormones, increase of proteins, lipids and sugars levels, helps in heavy metal binding, salinity tolerance, disease resistance, and even in the uptake of radionuclides. Mycorrhizal genes also applicable in improvement of crop plants, due to their delivery in to plants, by a process called, particle bombardment. The comibined association of mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium, with legume plants, as a symbiotic association, increased the beneficial aspects comparatively more than their single associations with the host plants. This review focuses on all beneficial aspects of AM fungi, regarding plant growth

Quantitative Profiling of the Lymph Node Clearance Capacity

Transport of tissue-derived lymphatic fluid and clearance by draining lymph nodes are pivotal for maintenance of fluid homeostasis in the body and for immune-surveillance of the self- and non-self-proteomes. Yet a quantitative analysis of nodal filtration of the tissue-derived proteome present in lymphatic fluid has not been reported. Here we quantified the efficiency of nodal clearance of the composite proteomic load using label-free and isotope-labeling proteomic analysis of pre-nodal and post-nodal samples collected by direct cannulation. These results were extended by quantitation of the filtration efficiency of fluorophore-labeled proteins, bacteria, and beads infused at physiological flow rates into pre-nodal lymphatic collectors and collected by post-nodal cannulation. We developed a linear model of nodal filtration efficiency dependent on pre-nodal protein concentrations and molecular weight, and uncovered criteria for disposing the proteome incoming from defined anatomical districts under physiological conditions. These findings are pivotal to understanding the maximal antigenic load sustainable by a draining node, and promote understanding of pathogen spreading and nodal filtration of tumor metastasis, potentially helping to improve design of vaccination protocols, immunization strategies and drug delivery

3-hydroxy-L-kynurenamine is an immunomodulatory biogenic amine

Tryptophan catabolism is a major metabolic pathway utilized by several professional and non-professional antigen presenting cells to maintain immunological tolerance. Here we report that 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenamine (3-HKA) is a biogenic amine produced via an alternative pathway of tryptophan metabolism. In vitro, 3-HKA has an anti-inflammatory profile by inhibiting the IFN-gamma mediated STAT1/NF-kappa Beta pathway in both mouse and human dendritic cells (DCs) with a consequent decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, most notably TNF, IL-6, and IL12p70. 3-HKA has protective effects in an experimental mouse model of psoriasis by decreasing skin thickness, erythema, scaling and fissuring, reducing TNF, IL-1 beta, IFN-gamma, and IL-17 production, and inhibiting generation of effector CD8(+) T cells. Similarly, in a mouse model of nephrotoxic nephritis, besides reducing inflammatory cytokines, 3-HKA improves proteinuria and serum urea nitrogen, overall ameliorating immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and renal dysfunction. Overall, we propose that this biogenic amine is a crucial component of tryptophan-mediated immune tolerance. 3-hydroxy-L-kynurenamine (3-HKA) is a metabolite deriving from a lateral pathway of tryptophan catabolism. Here the authors identify 3-HKA as a biogenic amine and show it has anti-inflammatory properties that can protect mice against psoriasis and nephrotoxic nephritis.Peer reviewe

Quercetin Completely Ameliorates Hypoxia–Reoxygenation-Induced Pathophysiology Severity in NY1DD Transgenic Sickle Mice: Intrinsic Mild Steady State Pathophysiology of the Disease in NY1DD Is Also Reversed

The vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is a major complication of sickle cell disease (SCD); thus, strategies to ameliorate vaso-occlusive episodes are greatly needed. We evaluated the therapeutic benefits of quercetin in a SCD transgenic sickle mouse model. This disease model exhibited very mild disease pathophysiology in the steady state. The severity of the disease in the NY1DD mouse was amplified by subjecting mice to 18 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation. Quercetin (200 mg/kg body weight) administered to hypoxia challenged NY1DD mice in a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose at the onset of reoxygenation completely ameliorated all hypoxia reoxygenation (H/R)-induced pathophysiology. Additionally, it ameliorated the mild intrinsic steady state pathophysiology. These results are comparable with those seen with semisynthetic supra plasma expanders. In control mice, C57BL/6J, hypoxia reoxygenation-induced vaso-occlusion was at significantly lower levels than in NY1DD mice, reflecting the role of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) in inducing vaso-occlusion; however, the therapeutic benefits from quercetin were significantly muted. We suggest that these findings represent a unique genotype of the NY1DD mice, i.e., the presence of high oxygen affinity red blood cells (RBCs) with chimeric HbS, composed of mouse α-chain and human βS-chain, as well as human α-chain and mouse β-chain (besides HbS). The anti-anemia therapeutic benefits from high oxygen affinity RBCs in these mice exert disease severity modifications that synergize with the therapeutic benefits of quercetin. Combining the therapeutic benefits of high oxygen affinity RBCs generated in situ by chemical or genetic manipulation with the therapeutic benefits of antiadhesive therapies is a novel approach to treat sickle cell patients with severe pathophysiology

VSTO 30 for Office 2007 Programming

Get to grips with Programming Office 2007 using Visual Studio Tools for Offic