Architecture, Voltage, and Components for a Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion Electric Grid (AVC-TeDP)

The purpose of this effort was to advance the selection, characterization, and modeling of a propulsion electric grid for a Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion (TeDP) system for transport aircraft. The TeDP aircraft would constitute a miniature electric grid with 50 MW or more of total power, two or more generators, redundant transmission lines, and multiple electric motors driving propulsion fans. The study proposed power system architectures, investigated electromechanical and solid state circuit breakers, estimated the impact of the system voltage on system mass, and recommended DC bus voltage range. The study assumed an all cryogenic power system. Detailed assumptions within the study include hybrid circuit breakers, a two cryogen system, and supercritical cyrogens. A dynamic model was developed to investigate control and parameter selection

Parkinson’s Disease-Related Genes and Lipid Alteration

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex and progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a prevalence of approximately 0.5–1% among those aged 65–70 years. Although most of its clinical manifestations are due to a loss of dopaminergic neurons, the PD etiology is largely unknown. PD is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and the exact interplay between genes and the environment is still debated. Several biological processes have been implicated in PD, including mitochondrial or lysosomal dysfunctions, alteration in protein clearance, and neuroinflammation, but a common molecular mechanism connecting the different cellular alterations remains incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence underlines a significant role of lipids in the pathological pathways leading to PD. Beside the well-described lipid alteration in idiopathic PD, this review summarizes the several lipid alterations observed in experimental models expressing PD-related genes and suggests a possible scenario in relationship to the molecular mechanisms of neuronal toxicity. PD could be considered a lipid-induced proteinopathy, where alteration in lipid composition or metabolism could induce protein alteration—for instance, alpha-synuclein accumulation—and finally neuronal death

Cavitated pulmonary nodules in a female patient with breast cancer: Keep in mind Serratia marcescens’ infections

Serratia species are gram-negative bacteria, which could be isolated from soil, water, plants, animals and air. They are responsible for a heterogeneous spectrum of diseases, affecting the central nervous system, the urinary tract, the respiratory tract and the bloodstream.Pulmonary involvement is rare and typically occurs in immunocompromised patients; radiological appearances include haemorrhagic bronchopneumonia, even with the development of pulmonary abscesses and cavitated parenchymal lesions, or diffuse alveolar damage. Concerning pulmonary cavities, the differential diagnosis should include metastatic lung nodules, rheumatoid arthritis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, mycotic infections and septic emboli. The knowledge of these radiological features, in association with clinical history and laboratory findings, is mandatory to make the correct diagnosis, suggesting the right treatment and the adequate follow-up. We described a challenging case of a Serratia marcescens’ pulmonary infection, which occurred in a patient with breast cancer: clinical features and main imaging findings have been discussed – in order to help clinicians and radiologists in the management of the disease