Surveillance test policy optimization through genetic algorithms using non-periodic intervention frequencies and considering seasonal constraints

In order to maximize systems average availability during a given period of time, it has recently been developed a non-periodic surveillance test optimization methodology based on genetic algorithms (GA). The fact of allowing non-periodic tests turns the solution space much more flexible and schedules can be better adjusted, providing gains in the overall system average availability, when compared to those obtained by an optimized periodic test scheme. This approach, however, turns the optimization problem more complex. Hence, the use of a powerful optimization technique, such as GA, is required.Considering that some particular features of certain systems can turn it advisable to introduce other specific constraints in the optimization problem, this work investigates the application of seasonal constraints for the set of the Emergency Diesel Generation of a typical four-loop pressurized water reactor in order to planning and optimizing its surveillance test policy. In this analysis, the growth of the blackout accident probability during summer, due to electrical power demand increases, was considered. Here, the used model penalizes surveillance test interventions when the blackout probability is higher.Results demonstrate the ability of the method in adapting the surveillance test policy to seasonal constraints. The knowledge acquired by the GA during the searching process has lead to test schedules that drastically minimize test interventions at periods of high blackout probability. It is compensated by more frequent redistributed tests through the periods of low blackout probability in order to improve on the overall average availability at the system level.     

Concomitant activation of MEK-1 and Rac-1 increases the proliferative potential of thyroid epithelial cells, without affecting their differentiation

Activating point mutations in the Ras oncogene occur in a large number of human tumors, especially of epithelial origin. In thyroid follicular cells, ectopic expression of oncogenic H-Ras results in growth factor-independent proliferation, loss of differentiation and tumor formation in nude mice. In fibroblasts concomitant activation of the MAP kinase cascade and the small GTPase Rac-1 leads to full malignant transformation. We have tested the effects of these key downstream mediators of Ras in thyroid epithelial cells, by stably expressing either a constitutively active form of MEK-1 (MEK(deltaN3/S218E/S222D)), a constitutively active form of Rac-1 (Val12-Rac), or both. While the activation of one molecule or the other results in a weak phenotype, concomitant activation of both MEK-1 and Rac-1 in thyroid cells leads to growth factor-independent proliferation, morphological transformation and anchorage-independent growth. However, in contrast to Ras-transformed thyroid cells, the ones expressing the constitutively active forms of MEK-1 and Rac-1 maintain their differentiate phenotype and fail to form tumors when injected into nude mice. Thus, in thyroid epithelial cells, concomitant activation of MEK-1 and Rac-1 can reproduce only a subset of the Ras-induced effects and is not sufficient to cause full malignant transformation. Significantly, Ras-mediated increased proliferation and loss of differentiation can be dissociated in these cells.     

The effect of nitric oxide on cytokine-induced release of PGE2 by human cultured astroglial cells

Articles in this issue by A. C. Casiglia, A. LoCoco, and C. Zappulla; D. S. Crystal, H. Watanabe, K. Weinfurt, and C. Wu; M. Keller, N. Edelstein, C. Schmid, F. Fang, and G. Fang; and J. J. Han, M. D. Leichtman, and Q. Wang are discussed according to (a) the extent to which cultural variability can be reconciled with developmental theory and (b) the dimensions of cultural variability that matter most for development. It is argued that (a) cross-cultural research needs to be predicted on a model of how culture interacts with the forces that underlie and guide development and (b) the interpretation of cross-cultural research is severely limited without the direct measurement of the specific culture-related variables and processes that are hypothesized to account for diversity in development. Finally, within-culture variability needs to be studied in conjunction with between-culture variability so that a full model of diversity and development can be constructed.     

Ageing effect on microstructural and mechanical properties of mullite-ZrO2-TiO2 composites

The microstructural and mechanical properties of mullite-zirconia composites with TiO₂ (0.25 and 1.0 mol) additions have been studied, after ageing the samples over a wide temperature range (1000 to 1500° C) for long periods of time (100 to 200 h). In the sample with 0.25 mol TiO₂ addition, changes in mullite composition and in the solid state compatibility at temperatures below 1450° C were detected. In the sample containing 1 mol TiO₂, decomposition of Al₂TiO₅ occurs atT1200° C. Both compositions exhibit no increment in zirconia average grain size during ageing and, concomitantly, there is no strength degradation until higher temperatures (>1400° C) are reached, which become more drastic when Al₂Ti₅ is present.     

Multicomponent toughened ceramic materials obtained by reaction sintering

Very dense zirconia-toughened ceramics with a mullite matrix based on the quaternary system ZrO₂-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-MgO in the temperature range as low as 1450 to 1500° C have been obtained by reaction sintering of zircon/alumina/magnesia mixtures. The shrinkage, advance of reaction, microstructure, densification mechanism and mechanical properties are reported. The results are explained in terms of transitory and permanent liquids that appear at 1425° C and ~ 1450° C respectively.     

Nile blue adsorbed onto silica gel modified with niobium oxide for electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH

A study of modified carbon paste electrode employing Nile blue (NB) adsorbed on silica gel modified with niobium oxide (SN) for electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is described. The adsorbed organic dye on SN was used to prepare a modified carbon paste electrode to investigate its electrochemical properties. The formal potential (E°′) of the adsorbed NB (−230 mV vs. saturated calomel electrode, SCE) showed a shift of 70 mV towards a more positive potential value, compared to NB dissolved in aqueous solution. In solutions with pH between 6.0 and 8.0 did stability and E°′ remained almost constant. However, for a solution pH lower than 6.0 the E°′ was affected by the acidity of the contacting solution, shifting the E°′ towards more positive values. For the solution pHs between 6.0 and 8.0 the electrocatalytic activity remained almost constant. A linear response range for NADH between 1.0×10⁻⁵ and 5.2×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹, at pH 7.0, was observed for the electrode, with an applied potential of −200 mV versus SCE. The formation of an intermediate charge transfer (CT) complex was proposed to the CT reaction between NADH and adsorbed NB. The heterogeneous electron transfer rate, k_obs, was 1400 M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, was 0.21 mM at pH 7.0 evaluated from rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments with an electrode coverage of about 5.2×10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻². The increase in the reaction rate between NADH and the immobilized NB compared to those obtained with dissolved NB was assigned to the shift of the E°′ towards more positive values.