Spherical sample holders to improve the susceptibility measurement of superparamagnetic materials

The design of two custom sample holders with a spherical cavity for commercial vibrating sample magnetometer systems is described. For such cavities, the magnetization M[over ->] and the internal magnetic field H(i)[over ->] of a sample are both homogeneous. Consequently, the material parameter M(H(i)) of a sample can be determined even for liquids and powders with a high magnetic susceptibility.     

PIXHAWK: A micro aerial vehicle design for autonomous flight using onboard computer vision

We describe a novel quadrotor Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) system that is designed to use computer vision algorithms within the flight control loop. The main contribution is a MAV system that is able to run both the vision-based flight control and stereo-vision-based obstacle detection parallelly on an embedded computer onboard the MAV. The system design features the integration of a powerful onboard computer and the synchronization of IMU-Vision measurements by hardware timestamping which allows tight integration of IMU measurements into the computer vision pipeline. We evaluate the accuracy of marker-based visual pose estimation for flight control and demonstrate marker-based autonomous flight including obstacle detection using stereo vision. We also show the benefits of our IMU-Vision synchronization for egomotion estimation in additional experiments where we use the synchronized measurements for pose estimation using the 2pt+gravity formulation of the PnP problem.     

The Potential Role of SP-G as Surface Tension Regulator in Tear Film: From Molecular Simulations to Experimental Observations

The ocular surface is in constant interaction with the environment and with numerous pathogens. Therefore, complex mechanisms such as a stable tear film and local immune defense mechanisms are required to protect the eye. This study describes the detection, characterization, and putative role of surfactant protein G (SP-G/SFTA2) with respect to wound healing and surface activity. Bioinformatic, biochemical, and immunological methods were combined to elucidate the role of SP-G in tear film. The results show the presence of SP-G in ocular surface tissues and tear film (TF). Increased expression of SP-G was demonstrated in TF of patients with dry eye disease (DED). Addition of recombinant SP-G in combination with lipids led to an accelerated wound healing of human corneal cells as well as to a reduction of TF surface tension. Molecular modeling of TF suggest that SP-G may regulate tear film surface tension and improve its stability through specific interactions with lipids components of the tear film. In conclusion, SP-G is an ocular surface protein with putative wound healing properties that can also reduce the surface tension of the tear film.     

Long COVID: Association of Functional Autoantibodies against G-Protein-Coupled Receptors with an Impaired Retinal Microcirculation

Long COVID (LC) describes the clinical phenotype of symptoms after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diagnostic and therapeutic options are limited, as the pathomechanism of LC is elusive. As the number of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections was and is large, LC will be a challenge for the healthcare system. Previous studies revealed an impaired blood flow, the formation of microclots, and autoimmune mechanisms as potential factors in this complex interplay. Since functionally active autoantibodies against G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR-AAbs) were observed in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection, this study aimed to correlate the appearance of GPCR-AAbs with capillary microcirculation. The seropositivity of GPCR-AAbs was measured by an established cardiomyocyte bioassay in 42 patients with LC and 6 controls. Retinal microcirculation was measured by OCT–angiography and quantified as macula and peripapillary vessel density (VD) by the Erlangen-Angio Tool. A statistical analysis yielded impaired VD in patients with LC compared to the controls, which was accentuated in female persons. A significant decrease in macula and peripapillary VD for AAbs targeting adrenergic β2-receptor, MAS-receptor angiotensin-II-type-1 receptor, and adrenergic α1-receptor were observed. The present study might suggest that a seropositivity of GPCR-AAbs can be linked to an impaired retinal capillary microcirculation, potentially mirroring the systemic microcirculation with consecutive clinical symptoms.     

Structural Analysis of Mitochondrial Dynamics—From Cardiomyocytes to Osteoblasts: A Critical Review

Mitochondria play a crucial role in cell physiology and pathophysiology. In this context, mitochondrial dynamics and, subsequently, mitochondrial ultrastructure have increasingly become hot topics in modern research, with a focus on mitochondrial fission and fusion. Thus, the dynamics of mitochondria in several diseases have been intensively investigated, especially with a view to developing new promising treatment options. However, the majority of recent studies are performed in highly energy-dependent tissues, such as cardiac, hepatic, and neuronal tissues. In contrast, publications on mitochondrial dynamics from the orthopedic or trauma fields are quite rare, even if there are common cellular mechanisms in cardiovascular and bone tissue, especially regarding bone infection. The present report summarizes the spectrum of mitochondrial alterations in the cardiovascular system and compares it to the state of knowledge in the musculoskeletal system. The present paper summarizes recent knowledge regarding mitochondrial dynamics and gives a short, but not exhaustive, overview of its regulation via fission and fusion. Furthermore, the article highlights hypoxia and its accompanying increased mitochondrial fission as a possible link between cardiac ischemia and inflammatory diseases of the bone, such as osteomyelitis. This opens new innovative perspectives not only for the understanding of cellular pathomechanisms in osteomyelitis but also for potential new treatment options.     

采用单独碳化室压力调节系统减少焦炉排放

PROven(R)系统的开发为了减少焦炉的排放,过去已进行了多种技术的开发.但是从焦炉炉门、装料孔边缘等处逸散物的减少,已受到工艺技术的制约.一个基本的制约因素是,在集气总管内的压力和联接到总管的所有碳化室内的压力之间有着密不可分的关系.     

Integrated starter generator

Various types of electric machines can be considered for an application to integrated starter generator (ISG). Permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines present interesting performances; nevertheless, it remains difficult to reach a significant constant power zone under good efficiency conditions and power factor. The loss of control of electronics at high-speed operations may lead to high-terminal voltages, which can become dangerous for the whole vehicle. In this study, we examine the main advantages and drawbacks of the induction machine, reluctant, and PM machine. Then we present more precisely the wound rotor synchronous machine (WRSM) performances for ISG applications. All these machines must follow strict rules and specifications (low length, high torque, speed, and efficiency). Different kinds of machines have already been evaluated.     

Einflu? des Erhitzens auf L?slichkeit und Elektrophoreseverhalten der Sarkoplasmaproteine von Rind- und Schweinefleisch

Zusammenfassung Die Hitzestabilität der Sarkoplasmaproteine bei Rind- und Schweinefleisch wurde anhand der Löslichkeit und der Proteinmuster nach elektrophoretischer Auftrennung untersucht. Als Untersuchungsmethoden kamen die Proteinbestimmung nach Bradford und die isoelektrische Focussierung in rehydratierbaren Polyacrylamidgelen zur Anwendung. Die focussierten Proteine wurden mit Hilfe der Silberfärbung sichtbar gemacht. Die Gesamtproteinkonzentrationen der Extrakte verringerten sich bis zu einer Temperatur von 80°C mit zunehmender Höhe und Dauer der Hitzebelastung. Bei den auf 100°C erhitzten Proben nahmen die Proteinkonzentrationen wieder geringfügig zu. Die Intensität der Proteinbanden nahm allgemein mit steigender Temperatur und Erhitzungszeit ab. Die deutlichsten Änderungen der Bandenmuster zeigten sich im untersuchten Temperaturbereich bei dem auf 100°C erhitzten Fleisch. Durch eine Nacherhitzung der Fleischproben konnten erhitzungsbedingte Unterschiede in den Bandenmuster ausgeglichen werden. Auf diese Weise ist eine elektrophoretische Tierartenidentifizierung bei erhitztem Fleisch unabhängig von der Kenntnis der Erhitzungsbedingungen möglich.

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Influence of heat on solubility and electrophoretic behaviour of sarcoplasmic proteins of beef and pork

Summary The heat stability of sarcoplasmic proteins of beef and pork was investigated by means of their solubility and their protein patterns after electrophoretic separation. The method of determination of proteins described by Bradford and isoelectric focusing in rehydratable polyacrylamide gels were used for these investigations. The electrofocused proteins were visualized by silver staining. The concentration of total protein of the extracts decreased with increase in temperature and heating time (up to a temperature of 80° C). However the protein concentration increased in samples heated to 100° C. The intensity of the protein bands decreased with increasing temperature and heating time. In the investigated range of temperature, variations in protein patterns were most significant in meat heated to 100° C. Differences of protein pattern caused by different heating conditions could be equalized by a second heating of the samples. In this way it is possible to identify meat species without knowing the heating conditions.