Development of a directly-driven thread whirling unit with advanced tool materials for mass-production of implantable medical parts

Medical screws are a common mass-produced implantable medical component made of Titanium. To machine the threads of these types of components, thread whirling with carbide tools is typically used. However, tool wear and low cutting speed limit the productivity and increase the manufacturing cost of such medical parts. In this study, a direct motor driven thread whirling unit for an advanced Swiss-type CNC lathe was developed and it was used with advanced tool materials such as low binder content Cubic boron nitride (CBN) and Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) to find a cost-effective and more productive alternative to carbide tools.     

PCSK9 Affects Astrocyte Cholesterol Metabolism and Reduces Neuron Cholesterol Supplying In Vitro: Potential Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease

The Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is poorly investigated. We evaluated the in vitro PCSK9 modulation of astrocyte cholesterol metabolism and neuronal cholesterol supplying, which is fundamental for neuronal functions. Moreover, we investigated PCSK9 neurotoxic effects. In human astrocytoma cells, PCSK9 reduced cholesterol content (−20%; p < 0.05), with a greater effect in presence of beta amyloid peptide (Aβ) (−37%; p < 0.01). PCSK9 increased cholesterol synthesis and reduced the uptake of apoE-HDL-derived cholesterol (−36%; p < 0.0001), as well as the LDL receptor (LDLR) and the apoE receptor 2 (ApoER2) expression (−66% and −31%, respectively; p < 0.01). PCSK9 did not modulate ABCA1- and ABCG1-cholesterol efflux, ABCA1 levels, or membrane cholesterol. Conversely, ABCA1 expression and activity, as well as membrane cholesterol, were reduced by Aβ (p < 0.05). In human neuronal cells, PCSK9 reduced apoE-HDL-derived cholesterol uptake (−41%; p < 0.001) and LDLR/apoER2 expression (p < 0.05). Reduced cholesterol internalization occurred also in PCSK9-overexpressing neurons exposed to an astrocyte-conditioned medium (−39%; p < 0.001). PCSK9 reduced neuronal cholesterol content overall (−29%; p < 0.05) and increased the Aβ-induced neurotoxicity (p < 0.0001). Our data revealed an interfering effect of PCSK9, in cooperation with Aβ, on brain cholesterol metabolism leading to neuronal cholesterol reduction, a potentially deleterious effect. PCSK9 also exerted a neurotoxic effect, and thus represents a potential pharmacological target in AD.     

Predicting Oil Ring Self-Lubricated Sleeve Bearing Temperature Rise and its Effect on Shaft Criticals

Several steps are involved in predicting the temperature rise within the babbitt/oil film of sleeve bearings. Initially, the viscous friction loss developed in the oil film is determined. This loss depends on the speed, length, and diameter of the journal, oil viscosity, and diametral clearance. A heat balance study then compares heat loss generation and dissipation rates. The final consideration is the ability of the oil rings to deliver the necessary oil flow rate. An approach for predicting sleeve bearing temperature rise and the adequacy of oil ring lubrication is described. It is shown that some of the design variables affecting the bearing temperature rise also influence the bearing oil film stiffness. The value of this stiffness plays a vital role in determining the shaft critical speed.     

Fate of aromatic hydrocarbons in Italian municipal wastewater systems: An overview of wastewater treatment using conventional activated-sludge processes (CASP) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs)

We studied the occurrence, removal, and fate of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 23 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Italian municipal wastewater treatment systems in terms of their common contents and forms, and their apparent and actual removal in both conventional activated-sludge processes (CASP) and membrane bioreactors (MBRs). We studied five representative full-scale CASP treatment plants (design capacities of 12 000 to 700 000 population-equivalent), three of which included MBR systems (one full-scale and two pilot-scale) operating in parallel with the conventional systems. We studied the solid-liquid partitioning and fates of these substances using both conventional samples and a novel membrane-equipped automatic sampler. Among the VOCs, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and 4-chlorotoluene were ubiquitous, whereas naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene were the most common PAHs. Both PAHs and aromatic VOCs had removal efficiencies of 40-60% in the headworks, even in plants without primary sedimentation. Mainly due to volatilization, aromatic VOCs had comparable removal efficiencies in CASP and MBRs, even for different sludge ages. MBRs did not enhance the retention of PAHs sorbed to suspended particulates compared with CASPs. On the other hand, the specific daily accumulation of PAHs in the MBR’s activated sludge decreased logarithmically with increasing sludge age, indicating enhanced biodegradation of PAHs. The PAH and aromatic VOC contents in the final effluent are not a major driver for widespread municipal adoption of MBRs, but MBRs may enhance the biodegradation of PAHs and their removal from the environment.     

Sequential Circuit Test Generation Using a Symbolic/Genetic Hybrid Approach

Symbolic and genetic techniques are combined in a new approach to sequential circuit test generation that uses circuit decomposition, rather than the algorithmic decomposition used in previous hybrid test generators. Symbolic techniques are used to generate test sequences for the control logic, and genetic algorithms are used to generate sequences for the datapath. The combined sequences provide higher fault coverages than those generated by existing deterministic and GA-based test generators, and execution times are significantly lower in many cases.     

Ozonation by-products issued from the destruction of microorganisms present in wastewaters treated for reuse.

This work demonstrates the reaction of ozone on the amino acids comprising the covering layer of resistant micro-organisms. A secondary aim was to check the byproducts generated when ozone was applied to synthetic samples (such as Vibrio cholerae NO 01 WFCC-449, Salmonella typhi ATTC-6539, faecal coliforms and Ascaris suum). The ozone was applied at a concentration of 18.4 mgO3/min at pH 3, for different lengths of time. In the case of bacteria, results showed that, at 8 minutes, the number was reduced to the level of the Official Mexican Standards set for treated water destined for irrigation purposes (1,000 MPN/100 mL). Excellent correlation coefficients (0.95 to 0.99) were obtained for microbial concentrations versus ozone contact time. Destruction times required for 100% removal of the initial bacteria population varied between 2 and 14 minutes, while Ascaris suum required 1 hour. When Gram-negative bacteria die due to the effects of ozone, cellular lysis and the liberation of endotoxins (biodegradable) were observed. The ozonation of amino acids in the shell of Ascaris suum eggs, leads to the formation of aldehydes, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, in low concentrations (0.0003 and 0.0005 microg/mL respectively). These levels are not hazardous to human health.