Examination of Signals Involved in Dexamethasone Induced Apoptosis in Nb2 Lymphoma Cells

Consistent with previous studies, we demonstrated that dexamethasone (Dex) caused cytolysis/apoptosis in log phase Nb2 lymphoma cells, while prolactin (Prl) inhibited this effect. The Nb2 model was used to investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis control with the aid of immunocytochemistry (ICC). We established with absorption the specificity of staining due to Fas, Fas Ligand, Bcl-2, and Bax antibodies (the specificity of anti-p53 could not be verified). Dex-induced cytolysis/apoptosis was detected in synchronized (G⁰/G¹) cells after 6 and 8 hours of Dex exposure. A novel, computerized technique was used to quantitate the proportion of cells immunostained for the signals of interest in Nb2 cells in log phase a G⁰/G¹ after up to 8 hours of Dex exposure. We observed Fas, Fas Ligand, Bcl-2, Bax, and p53 in high proportions (72%-86%) of log phase Nb2 cells. Neither synchrony in G⁰/G¹ nor exposure of synchronized cells to Dex for up to 8 hours altered the proportion of immunostained cells. This study has raised provocative issues regarding the resistance of Nb2 cells to Fas mediated apoptosis, the phenotype of the p53 protein in Nb2 cells, and the possible interaction of various signals that modulate apoptosis

Statistical Processing of Subjective Test Data for Sound Quality Evaluation of Automotive Horn

Product sound quality has a significant role in buying decision and customer satisfaction. An often used method to assess the sound quality of any product or equipment is a subjective listening test where the sound is heard by a panel of subjects (jury) who then rate the sound quality. Subjects use a semantic differential rating wherein they evaluate the presented sounds based on a bipolar variable. The two extremes of the rating scale are labeled with an adjective and its antonym respectively. In the present study, a subjective listening test has been conducted to assess sound quality of automotive horns. The data obtained are then analyzed using statistics to gain insights. Twenty two horn sound samples were judged by thirty participants aged 20-40 years who had normal hearing. Binaural head set (BHS) instrument was used to record horn sound samples in open ground (neglecting wind noise effect). Sounds are recorded two meter from horn in front direction and used for subjective test. For the subjective test and subsequent statistical analysis, a four step procedure has been used. In the first step, the participants were asked to rate the sound quality for each horn based on seven bipolar variables. These bipolar variables are soft/loud, calm/frightening, slow/fast, relax/tense, safe/danger, vague/distinct and pleasant/unpleasant. For each bipolar variable, a seven verbal interval scale was used ranging from one extreme to another in degree, for example extremely pleasant to extremely unpleasant

Laser diagnostics for characterization of sprays formed by a collapsing non-equilibrium bubble

In this paper, we investigate the use of laser diagnostic tools for in-plane imaging of bubble induced spray using a laser sheet and Mie scattering technique. A perspex plate of thickness 10 mm with a hole of diameter 1 mm in the center is placed in the middle of a glass tank filled with water such that the top surface of the plate coincides with the water surface. A bubble is created just below the hole using a low-voltage spark circuit such that it expands against the hole. This leads to the formation of two jets which impact leading to a spray and break-up into droplets. The spray evolution is observed using a laser sheet directed in a plane through the center of the hole. The illuminated plane is imaged using a high-speed camera based on the Mie scattering from glass beads suspended in the liquid. Results show that Mie scattering technique has potential in studying bubble-induced sprays with applications such as in fuel sprays, drug-delivery etc, and also for validation of numerical codes. We present results from our ongoing experiments in this paper

Crop Residue Burning in Northern India: Increasing Threat to Greater India

Crop residue burning (CRB) is a recurring problem, during October–November, in the northwestern regions (Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh) of India. The emissions from the CRB source regions spread in all directions through long-range transport mechanisms, depending upon the meteorological conditions. In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out dealing with the impact of CRB on the air quality of Delhi and surrounding areas, especially in the Indo-Gangetic Basin (also referred to as Indo-Gangetic Plain). In this paper, we present detailed analysis using both satellite- and ground-based sources, which show an increasing impact of CRB over the eastern parts of the Indo-Gangetic Basin and also over parts of central and southern India. The increasing trends of finer black carbon particles and greenhouse gases have accelerated since the year 2010 onward, which is confirmed by the observation of different wavelength dependent aerosol properties. Our study shows an increased risk to ambient air quality and an increased spatiotemporal extent of pollutants in recent years, from CRB, which could be a severe health threat to the population of these regions

BUBBLE DYNAMICS IN FLUID PUMPING AND FORMATION OF SPRAYS AND JET

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

A machine learning approach as a surrogate for a finite element analysis: Status of research and application to one dimensional systems

Current maintenance intervals of mechanical systems are scheduled a priori based on the life of the system, resulting in expensive maintenance scheduling, and often undermining the safety of passengers. Going forward, the actual usage of a vehicle will be used to predict stresses in its structure, and therefore, to define a specific maintenance scheduling. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can be used to map a reduced set of data coming from real-time measurements of a structure into a detailed/high-fidelity finite element analysis (FEA) model of the same system. As a result, the FEA-based ML approach will directly estimate the stress distribution over the entire system during operations, thus improving the ability to define ad-hoc, safe, and efficient maintenance procedures. The paper initially presents a review of the current state-of-the-art of ML methods applied to finite elements. A surrogate finite element approach based on ML algorithms is also proposed to estimate the time-varying response of a one-dimensional beam. Several ML regression models, such as decision trees and artificial neural networks, have been developed, and their performance is compared for direct estimation of the stress distribution over a beam structure. The surrogate finite element models based on ML algorithms are able to estimate the response of the beam accurately, with artificial neural networks providing more accurate results

Simulation of aerosol optical properties over a tropical urban site in India using a global model and its comparison with ground measurements

Aerosols have great impacts on atmospheric environment, human health, and earth's climate. Therefore, information on their spatial and temporal distribution is of paramount importance. Despite numerous studies have examined the variation and trends of BC and AOD over India, only very few have focused on their spatial distribution or even correlating the observations with model simulations. In the present study, a three-dimensional aerosol transport-radiation model coupled with a general circulation model. SPRINTARS, simulated atmospheric aerosol distributions including BC and aerosol optical properties, i.e., aerosol optical thickness (AOT), Ångström Exponent (AE), and single scattering albedo (SSA). The simulated results are compared with both BC measurements by aethalometer and aerosol optical properties measured by ground-based skyradiometer and by satellite sensor, MODIS/Terra over Hyderabad, which is a tropical urban area of India, for the year 2008. The simulated AOT and AE in Hyderabad are found to be comparable to ground-based measured ones. The simulated SSA tends to be higher than the ground-based measurements. Both these comparisons of aerosol optical properties between the simulations with different emission inventories and the measurements indicate that, firstly the model uncertainties derived from aerosol emission inventory cannot explain the gaps between the simulations and the measurements and secondly the vertical transport of BC and the treatment of BC-containing particles can be the main issue in the global model to solve the gap

Exploration of disruptive technologies for low cost RFID manufacturing

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design & Management Program, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-83).Significant developments have taken place in defining technology standards and identifying avenues for technological innovations to reduce the cost of manufacturing RFID tags below the $0.05 price point. The Auto-ID center at MIT has been the central coordinating body with participation from 5 universities and over 100 industry partners. The primary focus of these efforts has been in developing a standard which minimizes the logic capability of on chip circuitry and using radical innovations to reduce the cost of assembly of the RFID tags. Various disruptive innovations are underway to explore lithographic techniques which can reduce the cost of fabrication in the sub 100 nm regime wherein photolithography faces significant challenges. This research analyzes the value chain in the RFID industry and reviews potential technology strategies using the double-helix model of business dynamics and Porter's five forces framework. It also explores the current state of the art in RFID tag manufacturing and proposes the application of disruptive technologies in conjunction with innovations in assembly and packaging to enable a low cost RFID system design. Five key emerging technologies which are examined in detail are Nanoimprint Lithography, Step and Flash Imprint Lithography, Inkjet Printing, Soft lithography and Spherical Integrated Circuit Processing. These are analyzed in terms of application to RFID tag manufacturing. Current innovations in high speed and low cost assembly and packaging techniques are also examined. Fluidic Self Assembly, Vibratory Assembly, Chip on Paper techniques are reviewed in terms of application to RFID manufacturing. A systems thinking approach is also pursued to explore the drivers for wider acceptance of RFID-based(cont.) applications in addition to just depending on cost reduction for crossing the chasm from early adopters to a wider market penetration.Badarinath Kommandur.S.M

Experimental Validation of Composite Solid Propellant Burning Rate Prediction Model (He-Qu-1D) using Ultrasonic Burning Rate (UBR)

A valid predictive tool of ballistic behaviour of composite solid propellant gives more advantage for a designer of solid propellant to freeze a composition for a particular application. Composite solid propellant in ISRO is composed of major fraction of ammonium perchlorate (AP) as oxidizer and hydroxyl terminated polybutadine (HTPB) as the fuel-cum-binder. In this work, attempt has been made to validate one of the latest burning rate prediction models: heterogeneous quasi one dimensional model (He-Qu-1D) developed at IIT, Madras utilizing ISRO compositions of solid propellant. Thus this model can be used for the new compositions development in ISRO, and invariably reducing the trails for the optimization of the composition. Composite solid propellant combustion is determined by the diffusion and premixing of decomposition products of AP and HTPB binder where the binder is surrounded around the AP particle. Hence, the particle size distribution of AP is very crucial information for solid propellant combustion modelling. In view of this, different techniques of particle size distribution viz., sieve analysis, laser scatter dry method, laser scatter wet method, image analysis has been explored and studied in detail to determine the best method for repeated measurement. Based on this standardized method of measurement, particle size distribution information of AP, is measured and is fed to the above said He-Qu-1D model and predictions were made for six compositions of propellants. The results thus obtained were compared with the ultrasonic burning rates (UBR) results measured experimentally. Details of these results are discussed in this report. It is observed that there is a good agreement between the prediction and experimental results of major compositions