Wetting and interfacial phenomena of Ni‐Ta alloys on CVD‐SiC

When designing high‐temperature brazing processes for ceramic materials, the interfacial phenomena between the liquid media and the adjoining surfaces must be known to design reliable joints. In order to assess the feasibility of using Ta‐containing alloys for high‐temperature brazing of SiC‐based composites, the wetting of molten Ni‐Ta alloys on ultra‐pure chemical vapor deposited (CVD) SiC substrates has been investigated using the sessile drop technique. For all of the compositions and experimental conditions, good wetting was observed with fast spreading. The interfacial behavior is determined by the competition between the typical interfacial phenomena of the pure elements; specifically, either the dissolution of the ceramic phase by Ni or the formation of a new interfacial layer, TaC, by reaction between Ta and CVD‐SiC, which prevails depends on the relative amount of the single element in the alloy.     

Software criticality analysis of COTS/SOUP

This paper describes the Software Criticality Analysis (SCA) approach that was developed to support the justification of using commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) in a safety-related system. The primary objective of SCA is to assess the importance to safety of the software components within the COTS and to show there is segregation between software components with different safety importance. The approach taken was a combination of Hazops based on design documents and on a detailed analysis of the actual code (100 kloc). Considerable effort was spent on validation and ensuring the conservative nature of the results. The results from reverse engineering from the code showed that results based only on architecture and design documents would have been misleading.     

Stereotypes: Static Abstractions or Dynamic Knowledge Structures?

Stereotypes have been assumed to be long-lasting knowledge structures that persist even in the face of contrary evidence. However, there is almost no within-participant research relevant to this assumption. The authors describe 4 studies (N=267), the first 3 of which assessed within-participant stereotype stability over a few weeks with measures of stereotypic trait verification, typicality ratings of exemplar sets, and exemplar retrieval. In the 4th study, the authors manipulated context stability. Overall, results showed only low-to-moderate stereotype stability. The stability obtained was a function of the perceived centrality of traits or exemplars and of context constancy. The authors discuss the implications of these results for abstractionist, exemplar, mixed, and connectionist models and identify possible mechanisms that underlie within-participant stereotype instability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Apple pomace as a potential ingredient for the development of new functional foods

Extruded snacks and baked scones were formulated with increasing levels (0–30%) of apple pomace (AP). The incorporation of up to 20% of AP in extruded snacks and in baked scones does not change significantly (P < 0.05) the proximate composition of the final products, except for the content of starch of baked scones. At this level of incorporation, the fibre content, phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and β‐carotene/linoleic acid system) increased when compared to the products to which no AP was added. Chlorogenic acid and quercetin were the major phenolic compounds found in the products. Loss of phenolic compounds during heat treatment occurred; however, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of final products was not affected.     

Developing Innovation Capabilities: A Longitudinal Study of a Project at Volvo Cars

Many large firms are struggling to alter and develop their organizational capabilities. There are several discussions in the literature on what these capabilities comprise, and that there is a need to develop them. However, less attention has been paid to how companies can develop these capabilities in practice. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to organizational capability theory by providing insights derived from an empirical study of how organizational capabilities for innovation are developed in large firms, and how these findings compare to the theory. The paper is based on a longitudinal study of Volvo Cars conducted as a long‐term collaborative research project. The authors were involved in a project called Vision 2020, which extended over a period of two and a half years, the findings from which highlight several activities that enabled the changes required for the development of organizational capabilities. The need to develop ‘management capability’ in terms of both cognition and the propensity to act is especially highlighted.     

Additive manufacturing: the role of welding in this window of opportunity

Additive manufacturing (AM) can be considered as an evolution from rapid prototyping as it allows us to manufacture a component from a computer file (CAD 3D), though its applications extrapolate the production of prototypes. This technique involves the layered design of a component and subsequent welding deposition of the multilayer structure to produce parts without the need of moulds or other tools. Although AM is frequently associated with the use of high density processes, the need for higher competitiveness expanded its range of technologies to include arc welding processes. This article aims to summarize up-to-date information on AM, particularly involving arc welding processes. Emphasis is given on the challenges associated with the building up of components during multilayered deposition and on post-deposition procedures.     

Mast Cell Proteases Tryptase and Chymase Induce Migratory and Morphological Alterations in Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Chronic respiratory diseases are often characterized by impaired epithelial function and remodeling. Mast cells (MCs) are known to home into the epithelium in respiratory diseases, but the MC-epithelial interactions remain less understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of MC proteases on bronchial epithelial morphology and function. Bronchial epithelial cells were stimulated with MC tryptase and/or chymase. Morphology and epithelial function were performed using cell tracking analysis and holographic live-cell imaging. Samples were also analyzed for motility-associated gene expression. Immunocytochemistry was performed to compare cytoskeletal arrangement. Stimulated cells showed strong alterations on gene, protein and functional levels in several parameters important for maintaining epithelial function. The most significant increases were found in cell motility, cellular speed and cell elongation compared to non-stimulated cells. Also, cell morphology was significantly altered in chymase treated compared to non-stimulated cells. In the current study, we show that MC proteases can induce cell migration and morphological and proliferative alterations in epithelial cells. Thus, our data imply that MC release of proteases may play a critical role in airway epithelial remodeling and disruption of epithelial function.