A Knowledge Formalization and Aggregation‐Based Method for the Assessment of Dam Performance

Abstract: A computational methodology dedicated to embankment dam performance assessment has been designed and implemented. The model's inputs are the whole set of available information and data: visual observations, monitoring measurements, calculated data, and documents related to design and construction processes. First, a formal grid is proposed to structure the inputs. It is composed of six fields: name, definition, scale, references as anchorage points on the scale, and spatial and temporal characteristics. Structured inputs are called indicators. Second, an indicator aggregation method is proposed that allows obtaining not only the dam performance but also the assessment of its design and construction practices. The methodology is illustrated mainly with the internal erosion mechanism through the embankment, but results concerning other failure modes are also provided. An application of the method for monitoring dams through time is given.     

Positive and negative affectivity in children: Confirmatory factor analysis of a two-factor model and its relation to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) framework that is embodied in the tripartite model of anxiety and depression has proved useful with adult populations; however, there is as yet little investigation with children concerning either the measurement of PA and NA or the relation between PA and NA and levels of adjustment. A confirmatory factor analysis was used in this study to examine the structure of self-reported affect and its relation to depressive and anxious symptoms in school children (4th to 11th grade). Results supported a 2-factor orthogonal model that was invariant across age and sex. Support for the expected pattern of relations between NA and PA with symptoms of depression and anxiety was strong for the older sample (M?=?14.2 years) but weaker for the younger sample (M?=?10.3 years). Results also provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability of individual functional MRI brain mapping of language.

The use of individual brain mapping for a single case study implicitly assumes that the pattern of activation obtained in a single session represents the subject's functional neuroanatomy. It is therefore essential to estimate the potential variability of brain activation in individuals. To this purpose, the authors compared the pattern of activation determined by statistical parametric mapping (SPM 99) in 9 subjects who repeated 3 verbal tasks in 3 separate sessions. In each subject for each task, the authors examined the intersession variability of the volume of activation in a set of regions classically implicated in language processing. Their results show that reproducibility of functional MRI brain mapping for language within subject varies as a function of the activation task and the region of interest for language. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Carbon‐nanotube film on plastic as transparent electrode for resistive touch screens

Abstract— Carbon‐nanotube (CNT) films on plastic are incorporated as the touch electrode in a four‐wire resistive touch panel. Single‐point actuation tests show superior mechanical performance to ITO touch electrodes, with no loss of device functionality up to 3 million actuations. Sliding‐stylus‐pen tests reveal no loss of device linearity after 1 million stylus cycles. A CNT refractive index of ～1.55 leads to CNT touch panels with low reflection (<9% over the visible range) without costly anti‐reflective coatings. CNT films on PET currently have 86% total transmission (including the PET) over the visible and 600 Ω/□, with lab scale tests giving 88% at 500 Ω/□. CNT films are neutrally colored (a^* ～ 0, b^* ～ 1.5), low haze (<1%), uniform, and both chemically and environmentally stable. Unidym's solution‐based coatings can be printed directly onto both flexible and rigid polycarbonate using solution coating processes. Unidym films can be patterned using subtractive methods such as laser ablation with resolution down to 10 μm, or additive methods such as patterned gravure. CNTs are grown, purified, formulated into inks, and coated using scalable processes, allowing films to be attractive from a cost perspective as well.     

Transparent conductive carbon‐nanotube films directly coated onto flexible and rigid polycarbonate

Abstract— Carbon nanotubes have quickly emerged over the last several years as a potential candidate material to replace metal oxides in devices which require transparent and conductive electrodes. Typically, these materials are coated onto substrates such as PET and PEN for flexible electrodes and glass for rigid electrodes. Recently, there has been interest in more durable and lightweight substrates to replace glass, one such substrate being polycarbonate. Sputter coating of indium tin oxide onto polycarbonate leads to low conductivity and inconsistent results, due to out‐gassing and materials mismatch issues. In this work, it is shown that direct coating of carbon nanotubes onto polycarbonate leads to high‐performance films with facile manufacturing.     

Novel methods for the quantification of changes in actin organization in chondrocytes using fluorescent imaging and linear profiling

We present three novel reproducible methodologies for the quantification of changes in actin organization from microscope images. Striation and integrative analysis were devised for the investigation of trans-cellular filaments and F-actin localization, respectively, in response to physiological or mechanical actin-modulatory conditions. Additionally, the Parker-Qusous (PQ) formula was developed as a measure of total quantity of F-actin, independent of cell volume changes, whereby fluorescence intensity was divided by the cube root of cell volume, squared. Values obtained were quantified in Mauricean Units (Mu; pixel/μm(3)). Upon isolation, there was a 49% decrease in total F-actin fluorescence from 1.91 ± 0.16 pixel/μm(3) (Mu) to 0.95 ± 0.55 Mu, whereas upon culture, an apparent increase in total fluorescence was deemed insignificant due to an increase in average cell volume, with a rise, however, in striation units (StU) from 1 ± 1 to 5 ± 1 StU/cell, and a decrease in percentage cortical fluorescence to 30.45% ± 1.52% (P = 7.8 × 10(-5)). Freshly isolated chondrocytes exhibited a decrease in total F-actin fluorescence to 0.61 ± 0.05 Mu and 0.32 ± 0.02 Mu, 10 min posthypertonic and hypotonic challenges, respectively. Regulatory volume decrease was inhibited in the presence of REV5901 with maintenance of actin levels at 1.15 Mu. Following mechanical impact in situ, there was a reduction in total F-actin fluorescence to 0.95 ± 0.08 Mu and 0.74 ± 0.06 Mu under isotonic and hypotonic conditions, respectively, but not under hypertonic conditions. We report simple methodologies for quantification of changes in actin organization, which will further our understanding of the role of actin in various cellular stress responses. These techniques can be applied to better quantify changes in localization of various proteins using fluorescent labeling.     

Activity of Aminopeptidase and Lipolytic Enzymes in Five Skeletal Muscles with Various Oxidative Patterns

The activity of muscle aminopeptidase B, alanyl aminopeptidase, acid lipase and acid esterase were assayed in pork muscles of different metabolic type. The muscles were Masseter , Trapezius , Semimembranosus , Biceps Femoris and Longissimus dorsi and some significant differences (P>0·05) were found in enzyme activities. Alanyl aminopeptidase showed lower activity in Masseter and Biceps femoris while aminopeptidase B had lower activity in Biceps femoris . Acid lipase and acid esterase showed lower activity in Trapezius and higher in Masseter . However, no clear relationship could be established between the assayed enzyme activities and the metabolism of the muscles.     

A twin-screw extruder for oil extraction: II. Alcohol extraction of oleic sunflower seeds

Our work is about the extraction of sunflower seed oil in a twin-screw extruder with or without the injection of 2-ethylhexanol and acidified 2-ethylhexanol. 2-Ethylhexanol is mixed with phosphoric acid. The oil recovery is increased to 90% by the co-injection of acidified alcohol. Mixing phosphoric acid with the alcohol enhances the lability of the oily spherosomes. Its addition increases the destruction of the membranes enveloping the lipid-containing organelles to release the oil more easily. Phosphoric acid exhibits an extracting and a degumming role. The best oil quality was obtained at a low extraction temperature (80°C), when 88% of the oil was removed. After alcoholic distillation, the oil exhibited a total acid value (mineral acidity plus organic acidity) of 4 mg KOH/g of oil and an organic phosphorus content below 30 ppm. This work was presented as an oral communication at the 2nd American Oil Chemists’ Society Europe Symposium, October 1–4, 1998, at Cagliari, Italy.     

Lactobacillus fermentum ACA-DC 179 displays probiotic potential in vitro and protects against trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis and Salmonella infection in murine models

Lactobacillus fermentum ACA-DC 179, Lactobacillus plantarum ACA-DC 287 and Streptococcus macedonicus ACA-DC 198 were studied for their probiotic potential. Firstly, strains were screened for antimicrobial activity towards a broad range of target strains, including lactic acid bacteria, food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. L. fermentum ACA-DC 179 was active against five streptococci, including the two pathogenic strains Streptococcus oralis LMG 14532T and Streptococcus pneumoniae LMG 14545T. S. macedonicus ACA-DC 198 was active against the majority of the strains tested, including not only lactic acid bacteria but also many food spoilage or pathogenic species. The three potential probiotic strains were found to survive variably at pH 2.5 and were unaffected by bile salts. Only S. macedonicus ACA-DC 198 exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity, while none of the strains was haemolytic. Moreover, strains exhibited variable susceptibility towards commonly used antibiotics. L. plantarum ACA-DC 287 and S. macedonicus ACA-DC 198 induced the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Also elevated levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 were observed with L. fermentum ACA-DC 179. This strain consequently was found to significantly reduce colitis in a TNBS-induced colitis mouse model. Furthermore, L. fermentum ACA-DC 179 was successfully applied in an experimental Salmonella-infection mouse model. To conclude, strain L. fermentum ACA-DC 179 possesses desirable probiotic properties, such as antimicrobial activity and immunomodulation in vitro, which were confirmed in vivo by the use of animal models.