The influence of environmental and manufacturing conditions on lifetime and reliability predictions for industrial timing belt drives

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Timing belts are widely used for transmitting forces and torques. Despite the relatively simple design of timing belts, a lack of understanding of the respective...     

Neuropeptides in the skin: interactions between the neuroendocrine and the skin immune systems

The interaction between components of the nervous system and multiple target cells in the cutaneous immune system has been receiving increasing attention. It has been observed that certain skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have a neurogenic component. Neuropeptides released by sensory nerves that innervate the skin and often contact epidermal and dermal cells can directly modulate functions of keratinocytes, Langerhans cells (LC), mast cells, dermal microvascular endothelial cells and infiltrating immune cells. Among these neuropeptides the tachykinins substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and somatostatin (SOM) have been reported to effectively modulate skin and immune cell functions such as cell proliferation, cytokine production or antigen presentation under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. Expression and regulation of their corresponding receptors that are expressed on a variety of skin cells as well as the presence of neuropeptide-specific peptidases such as neutral endopeptidase (NEP) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) determine the final biological response mediated by these peptides on the target cell or tissue. Likewise, skin cells like keratinocytes or fibroblasts are a source for neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor that are required not only for survival and regeneration of sensory neurons but also to control responsiveness of these neurons to external stimuli. Therefore, neuropeptides, neuropeptide receptors, neuropeptide-degrading enzymes and neurotrophins participate in a complex, interdependent network of mediators that modulate skin inflammation, wound healing and the skin immune system. This review will focus on recent studies demonstrating the role of tachykinins, CGRP, SOM and VIP and their receptors and neuropeptide-degrading enzymes in mediating neurogenic inflammation in the skin.     

Untersuchung des Einflusses von Radkörperstrukturen auf das Einsatzverhalten von Zahnrädern

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Die steigenden technischen und wirtschaftlichen Anforderungen an Leistungsgetriebe führen zu einem kontinuierlichen Optimierungsbedarf in der Getriebeauslegung....     

Leichte Dachschalen aus Carbonbeton

Light‐weight precast shell elements made of textile reinforced concrete: production, experimental investigations and application potential For single curved barrel‐vault shells made of textile reinforced concrete (TRC) a manufacturing process has been developed that comprises the production of the precast parts as well as tailored solutions for transport and mounting of the filigree shells at the construction site. Furthermore, the load‐bearing capacity of the shells could be verified experimentally using large‐scale tests of prototypes. Saw cuts document the high production quality of the precast parts.The developed methods were successfully applied within the research project by constructing a large‐scale roof structure consisting of five barrel‐vault shells. The cross‐sectional thickness of the 10 m2 large elements amounts to only 2 cm emphasizing the high strength and application potential of TRC.