Phospholipase D signaling: orchestration by PIP2 and small GTPases

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D (PLD) leads to the generation of the versatile lipid second messenger, phosphatidic acid (PA), which is involved in fundamental cellular processes, including membrane trafficking, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, cell proliferation and cell survival. PLD activity can be dramatically stimulated by a large number of cell surface receptors and is elaborately regulated by intracellular factors, including protein kinase C isoforms, small GTPases of the ARF, Rho and Ras families and, particularly, by the phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 is well known as substrate for the generation of second messengers by phospholipase C, but is now also understood to recruit and/or activate a variety of actin regulatory proteins, ion channels and other signaling proteins, including PLD, by direct interaction. The synthesis of PIP2 by phosphoinositide 5-kinase (PIP5K) isoforms is tightly regulated by small GTPases and, interestingly, by PA as well, and the concerted formation of PIP2 and PA has been shown to mediate receptor-regulated cellular events. This review highlights the regulation of PLD by membrane receptors, and describes how the close encounter of PLD and PIP5K isoforms with small GTPases permits the execution of specific cellular functions

SCADA and Artificial neural networks for maintenance management

Nowadays, the reliability of the wind turbines is essential to ensure the efficiency and the benefits of the wind energy. The SCADA system installed in a wind turbine generates lot of data that need to be processed. The information obtained from these data can be used for improving the operation and management, obtaining more reliable systems. The SCADA systems operate through different control rules that are predefined. However, a static control of the wind turbine can generate a miscorrelation between the control and the real conditions of the wind turbine. For example, two wind turbines can be separated several kilometers in the same wind farm, therefore, the operation conditions must be different and the control strategy should not be unique. This research work presents a method based on neural networks for a dynamic generation of the control strategy. The method suggests that the thresholds used for generating alarms can vary and, therefore, the control of the wind turbine will be adapted to each specific wind turbine

Machine Learning and Neural Network for Maintenance Management

A novel Non-Destructive Test (NDT) is presented in this paper. It employs a radiometric sensor that measures the infrared emissivity of the solar panel surface embedded in an unmanned aerial vehicle. The measurements provided by the sensor will determine if the panel is healthy, damaged or dirty. A thermographic camera has been used to check the temperature variations and validate the results by the sensor. The study shows that the amount of dirt influences the temperature on the surface and the energy generated. Similarly, faults in photovoltaic cells influence the temperature of the panel. The NDT system is less expensive than traditional thermographic sensors or cameras. Early detection of these problems, together with an optimal maintenance strategy, allows to reduce costs and increase the competitiveness of this renewable energy source

Estudo eletromiográfico da deglutição na musculatura supra-hióidea em sujeitos Classe Ie III de Angle Electromyographic study of swallowing in suprahyoid musculature in Angle's Class I and III subjects

OBJETIVO: comparar a atividade elétrica do músculo supra-hióideo durante a deglutição em sujeitos com distintos padrões morfológicos e dentários. MÉTODOS: foram realizados registros eletromiográficos de superfície em 32 voluntários saudáveis e sem Disfunção Temporomandibular, subdivididos em dois grupos, 16 sujeitos Classes I e 16 Classe III de Angle, gênero masculino e feminino, com faixa etária entre 18 e 25 anos de idade. RESULTADOS: foram obtidos os valores do Root Mens Square (p< 0,05): original Classe I (15,238) e Classe III (32,550); normalizado pelo pico máximo Classe I (29,765) e Classe III (42,094); normalizado pela média Classe I (29,332) e Classe III (42,327). Período ativo do ciclo (p<0,05) Classe I (29,7648) e Classe III (42,0937); instante de máxima atividade (p>0,05) Classe I (47,6485) e Classe III (47,9437). CONCLUSÃO: os sujeitos Classe I demonstraram uma amplitude média menor, com aumento e diminuição da atividade elétrica sincrônica e equilibrada. Os sujeitos Classe III apresentaram uma amplitude média e um período ativo maior, assincrônico e desequilibrado durante a deglutição.<br>PURPOSE: to compare Suprahyoid musculature's electric activity during swallowing in subjects with dissimilar morphological and dental patterns. METHODS: surface Electromyography's records were taken from 32 healthy volunteers who do not have Temporomandibular Dysfunction, subdivided into two groups, Angle's 16 Class I subjects and 16 Class III subjects, males and females, aging from 18 to 25-year old. RESULTS: the values to Root Mens Square (p< 0.05): original Class I (15.238) e Class III (32.550); normalized by maximum peak Class I (29.765) e Class III (42.094); normalized by medium Class I (29.332) e Class III (42.327). Cycle's active period (p<0.05) Class I (29.7648) e Class III (42.0937); maximum activity instance (p>0.05) Class I (47.6485) e Class III (47.9437). CONCLUSION: class I subjects showed a smaller average amplitude, with increase and decrease of synchronized and balanced electric activity. Class III subjects showed a larger average amplitude and a larger desynchronized and unbalanced period during deglutition

An evaluation of train control information systems for sustainable railway using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model

Abstract Purpose In the process of nowadays efficiency evaluation of any mode of transportation, sustainability results are the most important factor. In regard to railway sustainability, Train Control Information Systems (TCIS) are such advanced systems with important positive impacts. The main purpose of this study was therefore the evaluation of these impacts as well as the evaluation of Key Performance Themes (KPT) for sustainable railways. Methods Firstly a very detailed literature review of papers that have focused on TCIS and their improvements on railway sustainability, published in the scientific journal in the period from 2005 and 2016, was performed. The number of studies was then used as a main criteria in Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) evaluations or rankings of these systems and their impacts. Results The paper offers results from the first systematic review of papers which investigate the role of TCIS in terms of sustainability and, additionally, represents a refined approach to TCIS classification with a new classes descriptions. During review KPT for sustainable railways were also identified. Further, AHP evaluated the Train Management and Interlocking Systems and their subsystems as the most important TCIS, and safety and costs of equipment, installation, maintenance and operation as the most important themes. Conclusions The results are important for both, scholars for their future research and for other railway stakeholders and decision makers, who must select different systems and technologies for implementation in their railway systems with emphasis on increasing performance and sustainability. The study offers also the opportunities for further research in regard to railway sustainability