MetaboLab - advanced NMR data processing and analysis for metabolomics

Background\ud Despite wide-spread use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) in metabolomics for the analysis of biological samples there is a lack of graphically driven, publicly available software to process large one and two-dimensional NMR data sets for statistical analysis.\ud \ud Results\ud Here we present MetaboLab, a MATLAB based software package that facilitates NMR data processing by providing automated algorithms for processing series of spectra in a reproducible fashion. A graphical user interface provides easy access to all steps of data processing via a script builder to generate MATLAB scripts, providing an option to alter code manually. The analysis of two-dimensional spectra (1H,13C-HSQC spectra) is facilitated by the use of a spectral library derived from publicly available databases which can be extended readily. The software allows to display specific metabolites in small regions of interest where signals can be picked. To facilitate the analysis of series of two-dimensional spectra, different spectra can be overlaid and assignments can be transferred between spectra. The software includes mechanisms to account for overlapping signals by highlighting neighboring and ambiguous assignments.\ud \ud Conclusions\ud The MetaboLab software is an integrated software package for NMR data processing and analysis, closely linked to the previously developed NMRLab software. It includes tools for batch processing and gives access to a wealth of algorithms available in the MATLAB framework. Algorithms within MetaboLab help to optimize the flow of metabolomics data preparation for statistical analysis. The combination of an intuitive graphical user interface along with advanced data processing algorithms facilitates the use of MetaboLab in a broader metabolomics context.\ud \u

Fourier thermal analysis applied to sodium eutectic modification of an ALSI7 alloy

The so-called "Fourier Thermal Analysis" (or FTA) is an evolution of the "integral thermal analysis", which is actually used as a process control in Aluminium and cast iron foundries. It has been developed since late 80´s in order to investigate nucleation and growing kinetics of the various phases in multi-component alloys. FTA is based on the evaluation of the thermal gradient in one-dimensional thermal field that arises in a cylindrical solidifying specimen. During the last twenty years, both the traditional thermal analysis and FTA have been applied to the experimental determination of the solid fraction during solidification, in order to assess results from numerical simulation. Nevertheless, FTA has not been applied to foundry process control or optimisation.Eutectic modification is extensively used in low-pressure permanent mould processes, in order to improve tensile properties and toughness of Al-Si alloys. The effectiveness of the treatment is subjected to the presence a minimum amount of modifying elements, such as Sr, Na or other elements. Traditional thermal analysis is useful in determining modification level of the alloy, then to control the modification treatment. Aim of this work is to verify the potentiality of gradient-based thermal analysis method, such as FTA, in eutectic modification investigation. An A356-type hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy has been modified with metallic sodium at four different modification levels. Two-thermocouple thermal analysis curves have been recorded, in order to perform FTA analysis. Fraction solid versus time (fs(t)) and temperature (fs(T)) have been determined at different modification levels. Microstructural characterization has been made using automatic image analysis. Average values of dimension and roundness of eutectic Si have been compared to thermal analysis results.A significant correlation between the so-called "eutectic depression" and silicon morphology has been observed. More relevant is the behaviour of the fraction solid curves, from which it is possible to note a significant delay in the start of eutectic reaction. This delay has been observed not only in time but also in temperature and fraction solid domain

L’analisi termica di Fourier applicata alla modifica eutettica di una lega AlSi7

La “Fourier Thermal Analysis” (FTA) è una tecnica avanzata di analisi termica, sviluppata negli anni’80-’90 per determinare il calore latente rilasciato in fase di solidificazione, allo scopo di indagare sullecinetiche di nucleazione ed accrescimento delle varie fasi coinvolte. I risultati delle indagini condotte conquesta metodologia hanno contributo allo sviluppo dei codici di calcolo per la modellazione dei fenomenidi solidificazione di leghe da fonderia come le ghise e le leghe Al-Si. Scopo di questo lavoro è la verificadelle potenzialità della FTA nello studio della modifica eutettica di una lega Al-Si, e più in generale nelladinamica della solidificazione delle leghe Al-Si. La modifica eutettica viene impiegata allo scopo diincrementare le caratteristiche di resilienza e resistenza a fatica delle leghe Al-Si, l’efficacia deltrattamento è vincolata alla presenza di una percentuale minima di elemento modificante. L’analisitermica può essere impiegata per verificare il livello di modifica della lega, e quindi l’efficacia deltrattamento. È stata presa in considerazione una lega della classe A356, modificata con Na metallico, esono state confrontate le curve fs(t) e fs(T) ottenute con diversi livelli di modifica, allo scopo di correlarele caratteristiche delle curve di frazione di fase solida rispetto al tempo ed alla temperatura con lecaratteristiche microstrutturali della lega

Real-time measurements in optical metrology

Methods as well as recording materials for real-time measurements were discussed. Electrooptical crystals can be used for nearly realtime contactless measuring techniques. The BSO was found appropriate for real-time holographic interferometry, contour line display and for deformation, displacement and vibration analysis. Furthermore, for real-time speckle photography the BSO was found to be very useful. For noise and vibration analysis of oscillating objects such as rotating car tyres, gearing boxes, turbines blades, a vibrometer based on Doppler shift measuring principles was found to be useful, leading to an amplitude and frequency analysis. For the analyse of rotating objects an image derotator is frequently used for compensation of the rotation. In optical metrology real-time methods will be useful for the engineer in future

Effects of different welding technologies on metallurgical anf mechanical properties of DP600 steel welded joints

Considering the safety standards required in the automotive industry, dual phase (DP) steels have gained theirpopularity thanks to their higher tensile strength in conjunction with superior formability if compared to thesteel grades of similar yield strength. Such properties are related to their microstructure which consists of softductile ferrite matrix, strengthened by hard martensitic phase.It is well known that welding processes play an important role in the automotive industry. While theconventional arc-welding processes are well-established, flexible and easy to automate, high power densityprocesses guarantee low distortions, narrow fusion and heat affected zones.The performance evaluation of welded automotive components made in DP steels, with respect to durability orcrashworthiness, involves the quantification of the properties change of the welded joint. This work is aimed atevaluating the effects of three different welding technologies (GTAW, PAW, EBW) on DP600 steel properties. Inparticular, the soundness, the fusion and heat-affected zone microstructure, and the mechanical properties ofthe welded joints are analyzed and compared in detail

Design and realization of an experimental cold crucible levitation melting system for light alloys

Thanks to their properties of ultra-lightness and high strength/weight ratio, Mg and Al alloys find increasingemploy in aerospace, automotive and biomedical applications. These alloys can be formed using all theconventional technologies used for other materials, like casting and forming. However, the mechanicalproperties of the final components are significantly influenced by the quality of the starting liquid metal.In fact, the quality of the starting liquid metal has been substantially increased in recent years, thanks to theimprovement of cleaning technologies. To this purpose, electromagnetic processing of materials has evolved asan important experimental technique in the fields of material processing, associated with applications such asshape controlling, flow driving, online detecting, controlled heat generation, inclusion removing, magneticlevitation. In particular, electromagnetic levitation, as a promising technique, can be helpful to create somenew phenomena and discoveries, especially in melting process. This work describes the design, optimizationand realization of a cold crucible levitation melting (CCLM) system for light alloys. Electromagnetic models areused and applied in FEM codes to numerical simulate the working range of the CCLM.The simulation results show good agreement with experimental data

Combined bezafibrate and medroxyprogesterone acetate: potential novel therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia

Background: The majority of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients are over sixty years of age. With current treatment regimens, survival rates amongst these, and also those younger patients who relapse, remain dismal and novel therapies are urgently required. In particular, therapies that have anti-leukaemic activity but that, unlike conventional chemotherapy, do not impair normal haemopoiesis. Principal Findings: Here we demonstrate the potent anti-leukaemic activity of the combination of the lipid-regulating drug bezafibrate (BEZ) and the sex hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) against AML cell lines and primary AML cells. The combined activity of BEZ and MPA (B/M) converged upon the increased synthesis and reduced metabolism of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) resulting in elevated levels of the downstream highly bioactive, anti-neoplastic prostaglandin 15-deoxy Δ12,14 PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2). BEZ increased PGD2 synthesis via the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the lipid peroxidation pathway. MPA directed prostaglandin synthesis towards 15d-PGJ2 by inhibiting the PGD2 11β -ketoreductase activity of the aldo-keto reductase AKR1C3, which metabolises PGD2 to 9α11β-PGF2α. B/M treatment resulted in growth arrest, apoptosis and cell differentiation in both AML cell lines and primary AML cells and these actions were recapitulated by treatment with 15d-PGJ2. Importantly, the actions of B/M had little effect on the survival of normal adult myeloid progenitors. Significance: Collectively our data demonstrate that B/M treatment of AML cells elevated ROS and delivered the anti-neoplastic actions of 15d-PGJ2. These observations provide the mechanistic rationale for the redeployment of B/M in elderly and relapsed AML

Mechanical testing of a device for subcutaneous internal anterior pelvic ring fixation versus external pelvic ring fixation

BACKGROUND: Although useful in the emergency treatment of pelvic ring injuries, external fixation is associated with pin tract infections, the patient’s limited mobility and a restricted surgical accessibility to the lower abdomen. In this study, the mechanical stability of a subcutaneous internal anterior fixation (SIAF) system is investigated. METHODS: A standard external fixation and a SIAF system were tested on pairs of Polyoxymethylene testing cylinders using a universal testing machine. Each specimen was subjected to a total of 2000 consecutive cyclic loadings at 1 Hz with sinusoidal lateral compression/distraction (+/−50 N) and torque (+/− 0.5 Nm) loading alternating every 200 cycles. Translational and rotational stiffness were determined at 100, 300, 500, 700 and 900 cycles. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in translational stiffness between the SIAF and the standard external fixation when compared at 500 (p = .089), 700 (p = .081), and 900 (p = .266) cycles. Rotational stiffness observed for the SIAF was about 50 percent higher than the standard external fixation at 300 (p = .005), 500 (p = .020), and 900 (p = .005) cycles. No loosening or failure of the rod-pin/rod-screw interfaces was seen. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with the standard external fixation system, the tested device for subcutaneous internal anterior fixation (SIAF) in vitro has similar translational and superior rotational stiffness

Biomechanical comparison of different external fixation configurations for posttraumatic pelvic ring instability

Background. External fixation is useful in the primary treatment of pelvic ring injuries. The present study compared the biomechanical stability of five different configurations of an external pelvic ring fixation system. Methods. Five configurations of an anterior external pelvic ring fixation system were tested using a universal testing machine. One single connecting rod was used in group “SINGLE,” two parallel connecting rods in group “DOUBLE,” two and four rods, respectively, in a tent-like configuration in groups “SINGLE TENT” and “DOUBLE TENT,” and a rhomboid-like configuration in group “RHOMBOID.” Each specimen was subjected to a total of 2000 consecutive cyclic loadings at 1 Hz lateral compression/distraction (±50 N) and torque (±0.5 Nm) loading alternating every 200 cycles. Translational and rotational stiffness were determined at 100, 300, 500, 700, and 900 cycles. Results. The “SINGLE TENT” and “RHOMBOID” configurations already failed with a preloading of 50 N compression force. The “DOUBLE” configuration had around twice the translational stability compared with the “SINGLE” and “DOUBLE TENT” configurations. Rotational stiffness observed for the “DOUBLE” and “DOUBLE TENT” configurations was about 50% higher compared to the SINGLE configuration. Conclusion. Using two parallel connecting rods provides the highest translational and rotational stability