XML-based concurrent and integrated ergonomic analysis in PLM

In this paper, finding the maximum dynamic load carrying capacity of flexible joint manipulators in point-to-point motion is formulated as an optimal control problem. The computational methods are classified as indirect and direct methods. This work is based on the indirect solution method of optimal control problem. The application of Pontryagin’s minimum principle to this problem results in a two-point boundary value problem (TPBVP) solved numerically. Two algorithms are developed on the basis of the solution of the TPBVP. The first one is used to plan the optimal path for a given payload, and the other one is exploited to find the maximum payload and corresponding optimal path. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the various optimal trajectories are obtained with different characteristics and different maximum payload. Therefore, the designer can select a suitable path among the numerous optimal paths. In order to illustrate the power and efficiency of the proposed method in the presence of flexibility in joints, a number of simulation tests are performed for a two-link manipulator. Then, the effect of flexibility on the maximum payload value is investigated and compared with rigid one. Finally, for the sake of comparison with previous results in the literature, simulation is performed for a rigid-joint three-link manipulator, and a reasonable agreement is observed between the results.     

Ammonium nitrogen removal from slurry-type swine wastewater by pretreatment using struvite crystallization for nitrogen control of anaerobic digestion.

Precipitation of ammonium together with phosphate and magnesium is a possible alternative for lowering the nitrogen content of wastewater. In this study we examine the removal of ammonium nitrogen and phosphorus from slurry-type swine wastewater containing high concentrations of nutrients by the addition of phosphoric acid along with either calcium oxide or magnesium oxide, which leads to the crystallization of insoluble salts such as hydroxyapatite and struvite. The struvite crystallization method showed a high capacity for the removal of nitrogen when magnesium oxide and phosphoric acid were used as the magnesium and phosphate sources, respectively. When it was applied to swine wastewater containing a high concentration of nitrogen, the injection molar ratio of Mg2+:NH4+:PO4(3-) that gave maximum ammonium nitrogen removal was 3.0:1.0:1.5.     

Electrical characterization of Al2O3n-channel MOSFETs with aluminum gates

High-effective mobilities are demonstrated in Al₂O₃ based n-channel MOSFETs with Al gates. The Al₂O₃ was grown in ultra-high vacuum using a reactive atomic beam deposition system. The mobility with maximum values at approximately 270 cm²/Vs, is found to approach that of SiO ₂ based MOSFETs at higher fields     

Induction of the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by flavonoids isolated from Korean Citrus aurantium L. in non-small-cell lung cancer cells

This study investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of flavonoids isolated from Korean Citrus aurantium L. using A549 lung cancer cells. Flavonoids potently inhibited of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas flavonoids had a weak inhibitory effect on proliferation of WI-38 cells. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis showed that flavonoids induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint by controlling the proteins expression level of cyclin B1, cdc2, cdc25c and p21^WAF1/CIP1. Also, flavonoids induced apoptosis through the regulation of the expression of caspases, cleaved PARP and Bax/Bcl-xL ratio. The activity of caspase-3 on A549 cells increased in a dose-dependent manner. These results clearly indicated that the anti-cancer effect of flavonoids on A549 cells follows multiple cellular pathways through G2/M arrest and the induction of apoptosis.     

Decreasing effect of fluoride content in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) by chemical treatments

Decreasing effects of fluoride contents in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) as affected by chemical treatments with and without heating were investigated. The used chemicals were NaOH, Na₂CO₃, Na₂SO₃, citric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, HCl, ethanol, lysine, aminoguanidine, arginine, carnitine, betaine, and creatine. Fluoride contents per dry weight were 788 ± 10 mg kg^?1 in the whole body of krill (WBK) and 294 ± 4 mg kg^?1 in the peeled krill meat (PKM) respectively. When WBK was treated with chemicals with and without heating or thawed, fluoride was not decreased. On the other hand, when the PKM was treated with chemicals without heating was remarkably decreased to less than 100 mg kg^?1, which is the criteria recommended by FDA. Particularly, the treatment of betaine without heating showed the best reduction effect of 30 ± 6 mg kg^?1, followed by carnitine (38 ± 17 mg kg^?1), acetic acid (52 ± 1 mg kg^?1), phosphoric acid (67 ± 2 mg kg^?1) and hydrochloric acid (68 ± 1 mg kg^?1).     

Molecular characterization of hobo-mediated inversions in Drosophila melanogaster

The structure of chromosomal inversions mediated by hobo transposable elements in the Uc-1 X chromosome was investigated using cytogenetic and molecular methods. Uc-1 contains a phenotypically silent hobo element inserted in an intron of the Notch locus. Cytological screening identified six independent Notch mutations resulting from chromosomal inversions with one breakpoint at cytological position 3C7, the location of Notch. In situ hybridization to salivary gland polytene chromosomes determined that both ends of each inversion contained hobo and Notch sequences. Southern blot analyses showed that both breakpoints in each inversion had hobo-Notch junction fragments indistinguishable in structure from those present in the Uc-1 X chromosome prior to the rearrangements. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 12 hobo-Notch junction fragments in the six inversions, followed by DNA sequence analysis, determined that each was identical to one of the two hobo-Notch junctions present in Uc-1. These results are consistent with a model in which hobo-mediated inversions result from homologous pairing and recombination between a pair of hobo elements in reverse orientation.