Non Destructive Detection of Decay in Living Trees

It is shown that four point resistivity measurements can be used to detect decay in living trees. A low frequency alternating current is injected into the trunk and the induced voltage is measured between two points along the trunk. With additional measurement of the cross section area, the effective resistivity of the trunk is estimated. A comparison within a group of trees shows that trees in decay have approximately a factor of two lower effective resistivity than sound trees. The method is tested on several different groups of spruce (Picea abies); in total more than 300 trees are examined. The tests show that the method can detect decay caused by Heterobasidion annosum with high accuracy. Finite element modeling and simulations are used to validate the method

Grundprobleme der Konfliktbeilegung und Friedenskonsolidierung mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Konfliktherde auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent. Fachgespräch mit dem Arbeitskreis I der F.D.P.-Bundestagsfraktion am 28.09.2006

The modulation function for fiber-optic sensors based on coupling between fiber ends is studied for different fiber configurations. Sensitivity aspects are evaluated experimentally and theoretically, being shown that multiple passes practically do not increase sensitivity.Intern rapport ITM/Elektroni

Exit of pediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral blood is not associated with cell maturation or alterations in gene expression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a bone marrow (BM) derived disease, which often disseminates out of the BM cavity, where malignant cells to a variable degree can be found circulating in the peripheral blood (PB). Normal pre-B cells are absolutely dependent on BM stroma for survival and differentiation. It is not known whether transformed pre-B ALL cells retain any of this dependence, which possibly could impact on drug sensitivity or MRD measurements.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Pre-B ALL cells, highly purified by a novel method using surface expression of CD19 and immunoglobulin light chains, from BM and PB show a very high degree of similarity in gene expression patterns, with differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a notable exception. In addition, the cell sorting procedure revealed that in 2 out of five investigated patients, a significant fraction of the malignant cells had matured beyond the pre-B cell stage.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The transition of ALL cells from the BM into the circulation does not demand, or result in, major changes of gene expression pattern. This might indicate an independence of BM stroma on the part of transformed pre-B cells, which contrasts with that of their normal counterparts.</p

Molecular cloning and characterization of a nuclear androgen receptor activated by 11-ketotestosterone

Although 11-ketotestosterone is a potent androgen and induces male secondary sex characteristics in many teleosts, androgen receptors with high binding affinity for 11-ketotestosterone or preferential activation by 11-ketotestosterone have not been identified. So, the mechanism by which 11-ketotestosterone exhibits such high potency remains unclear. Recently we cloned the cDNA of an 11-ketotestosterone regulated protein, spiggin, from three-spined stickleback renal tissue. As spiggin is the only identified gene product regulated by 11-ketotestosterone, the stickleback kidney is ideal for determination of the mechanism of 11-ketotestosterone gene regulation. A single androgen receptor gene with two splicing variants, belonging to the androgen receptor-β subfamily was cloned from stickleback kidney. A high affinity, saturable, single class of androgen specific binding sites, with the characteristics of an androgen receptor, was identified in renal cytosolic and nuclear fractions. Measurement of ligand binding moieties in the cytosolic and nuclear fractions as well as to the recombinant receptor revealed lower affinity for 11-ketotestosterone than for dihydrotestosterone. Treatment with different androgens did not up-regulate androgen receptor mRNA level or increase receptor abundance, suggesting that auto-regulation is not involved in differential ligand activation. However, comparison of the trans-activation potential of the stickleback androgen receptor with the human androgen receptor, in both human HepG2 cells and zebrafish ZFL cells, revealed preferential activation by 11-ketotestosterone of the stickleback receptor, but not of the human receptor. These findings demonstrate the presence of a receptor preferentially activated by 11-ketotestosterone in the three-spined stickleback, so far the only one known in any animal

Can pulsed ultrasound increase tissue damage during ischemia? A study of the effects of ultrasound on infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium in anesthetized pigs

BACKGROUND: The same mechanisms by which ultrasound enhances thrombolysis are described in connection with non-beneficial effects of ultrasound. The present safety study was therefore designed to explore effects of beneficial ultrasound characteristics on the infarcted and non-infarcted myocardium. METHODS: In an open chest porcine model (n = 17), myocardial infarction was induced by ligating a coronary diagonal branch. Pulsed ultrasound of frequency 1 MHz and intensity 0.1 W/cm(2 )(I(SATA)) was applied during one hour to both infarcted and non-infarcted myocardial tissue. These ultrasound characteristics are similar to those used in studies of ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis. Using blinded assessment technique, myocardial damage was rated according to histopathological criteria. RESULTS: Infarcted myocardium exhibited a significant increase in damage score compared to non-infarcted myocardium: 6.2 ± 2.0 vs. 4.3 ± 1.5 (mean ± standard deviation), (p = 0.004). In the infarcted myocardium, ultrasound exposure yielded a further significant increase of damage scores: 8.1 ± 1.7 vs. 6.2 ± 2.0 (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest an instantaneous additive effect on the ischemic damage in myocardial tissue when exposed to ultrasound of stated characteristics. The ultimate damage degree remains to be clarified

Time synchronized measurements in hydropower stations

Vattenfall and Svenska Kraftnät perform start-up tests, where hydropower generators are used to power up the electrical grid in case of a blackout. To monitor the electrical grid, Phasor Measurement Units (PMU) are used. Each PMU is individually equipped with a GPS-receiver to precisely timestamp the data relative to the official time UTC. During the test, it is also of interest to timestamp the measurement signals from individual hydropower generators to later compare with PMU-data, and thus study the power grids impact on the generator.   The aim is to work out an appropriate method to make these measurements and to build a data acquisition system, capable of timestamp data relative to UTC, from a generator in one of Vattenfalls hydroelectric power stations. The problem is that the generator is located in an underground station which hampers the reception of GPS-signals and wiring should be avoided if possible.   Time synchronization has been solved by using Vattenfalls network, which is synchronized by the network protocol NTP. The network includes the concerned hydropower stations and thus can wiring from the surface be avoided. The maximum error for the server in the specific hydroelectric power station is bounded within [-4.62, 3.18] ms relative to UTC. The conclusion is that Vattenfalls NTP-network meets the requirements to distribute time. A platform from National Instruments, programmed with the graphical language LabVIEW, has been used for data acquisition. The platform is programmed to synchronize its internal clock to a NTP-server, timestamp the input signals and save the data on the internal hard drive

Högt teknologiskt förtroende för en blockkedjebaserad tjänst inom informationshantering : UX designprinciper

Denna uppsats syftar till att skapa djupare förståelse över UX designprinciper för att designaför högt teknologiskt förtroende på en digital tjänst som baseras på blockkedjeteknologi inominformationshantering. Studien syftar också till att skapa förståelse över om det är möjligt attskapa en blockkedje baserad digital tjänst med högt teknologiskt förtroende för personer somska genomföra en begagnad bilaffär.Studien använder teorier kring Människa-Dator-Interaktion, användarupplevelse design,användbarhet och användargränssnittsdesignFör att svara på undersökningens syfte genomfördes en designstudie där en interaktivhigh-fidelity prototyp togs fram. Prototypen bestod av ett mobilt gränssnitt av en tjänst somtillgängliggör fordonsinformation för personer som ska köpa en begagnad bil. Designarbetetpåbörjades med att försöka förstå problemet genom sex intervjuer med personer som harerfarenhet av handel med begagnade bilar för att ta fram en behovsinventering. Vidare såanalyserades data från intervjuerna sedan i en tematisk analys vilket resulterade i olika citatsom placerades i sex övergripande teman information om ägare, tjänster och hjälpmedel,enheter, information om besiktning, kontrollera ifall bil är servad, övrig fordonsinformation.Tematiska analysen resulterade i en behovsinventering på behov för personer som skagenomföra en handel med ett begagnat fordon. Under designarbetet utfördes också enexpertutvärdering med fem UX-experter.Studiens slutsats presenterar följande fem olika UX-designprinciper: (1) skapa enlandningssida, (2) feedback är mycket viktig under autentiseringsprocessen, (3) olikaetiketter för varje informationstyp, (4) tydlig feedback vid filtrering av information, och (5)tydliggör vart informationen kommer ifrån.The purpose of this thesis is to create a deeper understanding about UX design principleswhen designing a trustworthy digital service based on blockchain technology within the fieldof information management. The purpose also includes to create an understanding about thepossibility of creating a blockchain based digital service that is trustworthy for people goingthrough with a secondhand car transaction.The study uses theories around Human-Computer-Interaction, User Experience design,Usability and User-Interface design.To answer the purpose of the study, a design study was conducted in which an interactivehigh-fidelity prototype was developed.The prototype consisted of a mobile user-interfacedemonstrating a service that makes information about cars available to people that are goingthrough with a secondhand car transaction. The design work began with trying to understandthe problem through six interviews with people who have previous experience tradingsecond-hand vehicles to produce a need`s inventory. The data from the interviews was usedin a thematic analysis that led to six general themes: information about owner, services andutilities, devices, information about inspection, control if a car has gone through a carservice, additional car information. The thematic analysis resulted in an inventory of needsfor people that is going to go through a transaction of a secondhand car. In the design process,an evaluation was performed with five UX-experts.The conclusion presents the following five different UX-design principles: (1) create alandingpage, (2) feedback is very important during the authentication process, (3) differentlabels for every type of information, (4) clear feedback when filtering information, and (5)clarify where the information is coming from