Shot-noise limited,supercontinuum-based optical coherence tomography

We present the first demonstration of shot-noise limited supercontinuum-based spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with an axial resolution of ...     

The Pro-Inflammatory Deletion Allele of the NF-κB1 Polymorphism Is Characterized by a Depletion of Subunit p50 in Sepsis

The functionally important NF-κB1 promoter polymorphism (−94ins/delATTG) significantly shapes inflammation and impacts the outcome of sepsis. However, exploratory studies elucidating the molecular link of this genotype-dependent pattern are lacking. Accordingly, we analyzed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both healthy volunteers (n = 20) and septic patients (n = 10). All individuals were genotyped for the −94ins/delATTG NF-κB1 promoter polymorphism. We found a diminished nuclear activity of the NF-κB subunit p50 in ID/DD genotypes after 48 h of lipopolysaccharide stimulation compared to II genotypes (p = 0.025). This was associated with higher TNF-α (p = 0.005) and interleukin 6 concentrations (p = 0.014) and an increased production of mitochondrial radical oxygen species in ID/DD genotypes (p = 0.001). Although ID/DD genotypes showed enhanced activation of mitochondrial biogenesis, they still had a significantly diminished cellular ATP content (p = 0.046) and lower mtDNA copy numbers (p = 0.010) compared to II genotypes. Strikingly, these findings were mirrored in peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from septic patients. Our results emphasize the crucial aspect of considering NF-κB subunits in sepsis. We showed here that the deletion allele of the NF-κB1 (−94ins/delATTG) polymorphism was associated with the lower nuclear activity of subunit p50, which, in turn, was associated with aggravated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction.     

Vertrauensvolle E-Mail-Kommunikation

Der ?elektronische Brief“ bzw. die elektronische Mail (E-Mail) ist seit über 30 Jahren im privaten wie beruflichen Umfeld im Einsatz. Behörden, Steuerbüros, Krankenhäuser, Finanzinstitute und viele weitere Gruppen versenden und empfangen E-Mails, um Informationen auszutauschen. Innerhalb kurzer Zeit findet eine E-Mail ihren Weg vom Sender in Deutschland zum Empfänger in beispielsweise den USA. Wie funktioniert das? Und was hat es mit E-Mail-Verschlüsselung auf sich? Dieser Artikel betrachtet die grundlegende technische Funktionsweise der E-Mail sowie Hintergründe und Funktionsweise der Verschlüsselung mit S/MIME und PGP.     

Holistic process planning chain for robot machining

Today, machining of large, integral constructed structural parts requires expensive machining centers. In contrast, modern industrial robots are suitable for a wide field of applications and are characterized large working spaces and low capital investment. Therefore, they provide high economical potential for machining applications in aerospace industry, especially for the machining of near to shape pre-products like extruded profiles. However, their constructive characteristics like low stiffness and high sensitivity to vibrations lead to disadvantages compared with conventional machining centers and have to be considered during process planning. Therefore, several methods for offline and online optimization of robot machining processes were developed and integrated in a new process chain for manufacturing of structural fuselage parts. Thereby, the conventional CAD–CAM process planning chain was extended with simulation based analysis and optimization methods and a load-depending trajectory planning. These methods for offline process optimization within this novel process chain are presented in this paper.     

Comparative study of the fluid viscosity in tarsal hairy attachment systems of flies and beetles

Wet adhesive systems of insects strongly rely for their function on the formation of capillary bridges with the substrate. Studies on the chemical composition and evaporation dynamics of tarsal secretions strongly suggest a difference in chemistry of secretion in beetles and flies, both possessing hairy attachment devices. This difference is assumed to influence the viscosity of the secretion. Here, we applied a microrheological technique, based on the immersion of nanometric beads in the collected tarsal footprints, to estimate secretion viscosity in a beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) and a fly (Calliphora vicina). Both species studied possess distinct differences in viscosity, the median of which was calculated as 21.8 and 10.9 mPa s, respectively. We further present an approximate theoretical model to calculate the contact formation time of spatula-like terminal contact elements using the viscosity data of the covering fluid. The estimated contact formation time is proportional to the tarsal secretion viscosity and to the square of the contact radius of the contact element.