Exovesicles from human activated dendritic cells fuse with resting dendritic cells, allowing them to present alloantigens.

Dendritic cells (DCs) can release microvesicles, but the latter's numbers, size, and fate are unclear. Fluorescently labeled DCs were visualized by laser-scanning microscopy. Using a Surpass algorithm, we were able to identify and quantify per cell several hundred microvesicles released from the surface of stimulated DCs. We show that most of these microvesicles are not of endocytic origin but result from budding of the plasma membrane, hence their name, exovesicle. Using a double vital staining, we show that exovesicles isolated from activated DCs can fuse with the membrane of resting DCs, thereby allowing them to present alloantigens to lymphocytes. We concluded that, within a few hours from their release, exovesicles may amplify local or distant adaptive immunological response.

NLRC4 inflammasomes in dendritic cells regulate noncognate effector function by memory CD8⁺ T cells.

Memory T cells exert antigen-independent effector functions, but how these responses are regulated is unclear. We discovered an in vivo link between flagellin-induced NLRC4 inflammasome activation in splenic dendritic cells (DCs) and host protective interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion by noncognate memory CD8(+) T cells, which could be activated by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that CD8α(+) DCs were particularly efficient at sensing bacterial flagellin through NLRC4 inflammasomes. Although this activation released interleukin 18 (IL-18) and IL-1β, only IL-18 was required for IFN-γ production by memory CD8(+) T cells. Conversely, only the release of IL-1β, but not IL-18, depended on priming signals mediated by Toll-like receptors. These findings provide a comprehensive mechanistic framework for the regulation of noncognate memory T cell responses during bacterial immunity.

Ripening and quality of 'Laetitia' plums following harvest and cold storage as affected by inhibition of ethylene action

The inhibition of ethylene action by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) extends shelf and storage life of many climacteric fruits. However, 1-MCP appears to have limited effects on stone fruit depending on specie and cultivar. The effects of 1-MCP on ripening and quality of 'Laetitia' plums were determined during ripening at 23ºC following harvest and cold storage. Japanese plums (Prunus salicina, cv. Laetitia) were harvested at mature pre-climacteric stage, cooled to 2ºC within 36 hours of harvest and then treated with 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 or 1.00 muL L-1 of 1-MCP at 1°C for 24 hours. Following treatment, fruits were either held at 23ºC for 16 days or stored at 1ºC for 50 days. Fruits were removed from cold storage at 10-day intervals and allowed to ripe at 23°C for five days. A delay of climacteric respiration and ethylene production by 1-MCP treatment during ripening following harvest and cold storage was associated to a slow rate of fruit softening. 1-MCP treatment also delayed the loss of titratable acidity and changes of flesh and skin color, whereas it had little or no effect on soluble solids content. 1-MCP effects were concentration- and storage duration-dependent and, generally, a saturation fruit response to 1-MCP occurred between 0.5 and 1.0 muL L-1. During ripening, 1-MCP treated fruits attained quality similar to that of controls. Results indicated that 1-MCP treatment may extend shelf life (23ºC) and storage life (1ºC) of 'Laetitia' plums by approximately six and 20 days, respectively.

Magmatic fluids in the Breccia-hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposit of Rosia Montana, Romania

The breccia-hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposit of Rosia Montana is located 7 kin northeast of Abrud, in the northern part of the South Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Estimated total reserves of 214.91 million metric toils (Mt) of ore at 1.46 g/t An and 6.9 g/t Ag (10.1 Moz of An and 47.6 Moz of Ag) make Rosia Montana one of the largest gold deposits in Europe. At this location, Miocene calc-alkaline magmatic and hydrothermal activity was associated with local extensional tectonics within a strike-slip regime related to the indentation of the Adriatic microplate into the European plate during the Carpathian orogenesis. The host rocks of the magmatic complex consist of pre-Mesozoic metamorphosed continental crust covered by Cretaceous turbiditic sediment (flysch). Magmatic activity at Rosia Montana and its surroundings occurred in several pulses and lasted about 7 m.y, Rosia Montana is a breccia-hosted epithermal system related to strong phreatomagmatic activity due to the shallow emplacement of the Montana dacite. The Montana dacite intruded Miocene volcaniclastic material (volcaniclastic breccias) and crops out at Cetate and Carnic Hills. Current mining is focused primarily on the Cetate open pit, which was mapped in detail, leading to the recognition of three distinct breccia bodies: the dacite breccia with a dominantly hydrothermal matrix, the gray polymict breccia with a greater proportion of sand-sized matrix support, and the black polymict breccia, which reached to the surface, contains carbonized tree trunks and has a dominantly barren elastic matrix. The hydrothermal alteration is pervasive. Adularia alteration with a phyllic overprint is ubiquitous; silicification and argillic alteration occur locally. Mineralization consists of quartz, adularia, carbonates (commonly Mn-rich), pyrite, Fe-poor sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, and native gold and occurs as disseminations, as well as in veins and filling vugs within the Montana dacite and the different breccias. The age of mineralization (12.85 +/- 0.07 Ma) was determined by Ar-40- Ar-39 dating on hydrothermal adularia crystals from vugs in the dacite breccia in the Cetate open pit. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from the Montana dacite revealed two fluid types that are absent from the hydrothermal breccia and must have been trapped at depth prior to dacite dome emplacement: brine inclusions (32-55 -wt % NaCl equiv, homogenizing at T-h > 460 degrees C) and intermediate density fluids (4.9-15.6 wt % NaCl equiv, T, between 345 degrees-430 degrees C). Secondary aqueous fluid inclusion assemblages in the phenocrysts have salinities of 0.2 to 2.2 wt percent NaCl equiv and T-h of 200 degrees to 280 degrees C. Fluid inclusion assemblages in hydrothermal quartz from breccias and veins have salinities of 0.2 to 3.4 wt percent NaCl equiv and T-h, from 200 degrees to 270 degrees C. The oxygen isotope composition of several zones of an ore-related epithermal quartz crystal indicate a very constant delta O-18 of 4.5 to 5.0 per mil for the mineralizing fluid, despite significant salinity and temperature variation over time. Following microthermometry, selected fluid inclusion assemblages were analyzed by laser ablation-inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICMS). Despite systematic differences in salinity between phenocryst-hosted fluids trapped at depth and fluids from quartz in the epithermal breccias, all fluids have overlapping major and trace cation ratios, including identical Na/K/Rb/Sr/Cs/Ba. Consistent with the constant near-magmatic oxygen isotope composition of the hydrothermal fluids, these data strongly indicate a common magmatic component of these chemically conservative solutes in all fluids. Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn show variations in concentration relative to the relatively non-reactive alkalis, reflecting the precipitation of sulfide minerals together with An in the epithermal breccia, and possibly of Cu in an inferred subjacent porphyry environment. The magmatic-hydrothermal processes responsible for epithermal Au-Ag mineralization at Rosia Montana are, however, not directly related to the formation of the spatially associated porphyry Cu-Au deposit of Rosia Poieni, which occurred lout 3 m.y. later.

TLR3 and Rig-like receptor on myeloid dendritic cells and Rig-like receptor on human NK cells are both mandatory for production of IFN-gamma in response to double-stranded RNA.

Cross-talk between NK cells and dendritic cells (DCs) is critical for the potent therapeutic response to dsRNA, but the receptors involved remained controversial. We show in this paper that two dsRNAs, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], similarly engaged human TLR3, whereas only poly(I:C) triggered human RIG-I and MDA5. Both dsRNA enhanced NK cell activation within PBMCs but only poly(I:C) induced IFN-gamma. Although myeloid DCs (mDCs) were required for NK cell activation, induction of cytolytic potential and IFN-gamma production did not require contact with mDCs but was dependent on type I IFN and IL-12, respectively. Poly(I:C) but not polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid synergized with mDC-derived IL-12 for IFN-gamma production by acting directly on NK cells. Finally, the requirement of both TLR3 and Rig-like receptor (RLR) on mDCs and RLRs but not TLR3 on NK cells for IFN-gamma production was demonstrated using TLR3- and Cardif-deficient mice and human RIG-I-specific activator. Thus, we report the requirement of cotriggering TLR3 and RLR on mDCs and RLRs on NK cells for a pathogen product to induce potent innate cell activation.

Production technology for entomopathogenic fungus using a biphasic culture system

The objective of this research was to evaluate combinations of liquid media obtained from agro-industrial residues and by-products, with solid media prepared with mixtures of grains and their derivatives, aiming to increase the production of JAB 02 and JAB 45 isolates of Lecanicillium lecanii. Sporulation, conidial viability and process yield were evaluated as well as the production costs using the JAB 45 isolate as a model system were analyzed. The production of JAB 02 was not increased using the biphasic culture. For JAB 45, some combinations provided an increase in yield, especially cheese whey with wheat bran and wheat grain, with lower production costs. Viability was not influenced by the production method, and the combinations showed no differences in the process yield. The biphasic method is suitable for the production of L. lecanii, and proves to be an appropriate technology to use in mass production by biofactories.

Design of adjustable packaging line

Diplomityön tavoite oli tutkia, mitä toimintoja ja tekniikoita uusi, joustava kartonkipakkauslinja sisältää ja mitkä suuntaukset pakkausteollisuudessa tulevat olemaan tärkeitä tulevaisuudessa. Pakkauslinjan päätoimintoja tarkasteltiin nykyisten jatulevaisuuden tekniikoiden pohjalta. Erityisesti tarkasteltiin laser-sovellusten käytön mahdollisuutta pakkauslinjan eri osatoiminnoissa. Katsaus pakkausteollisuuden tulevaisuuden näkymiin luotiin kirjallisuuden ja aikaisempien tutkimusten pohjalta, minkä perusteella työssä oletetaan, että yksilölliset ja monitoimipakkaukset tulevat lisääntymään tulevaisuudessa. Eri tuotantoerien välillä olevat asetusajat tulee saada minimoitua, mutta millä keinoin joustavuus on saavutettavissa? Yksi ratkaisu pakkausten valmistamisessa on käyttää robottisolua, mikä on mahdollista luultavasti ainakin kuppimuotoisten pakkausten kohdalla. Muutenkin robotiikka on lisääntymässä pakkausteollisuudessa. Digitaalisten painotekniikoiden kehitys on mahdollistanut yksilölliset painatukset. Tulevaisuudessa painatus on mahdollista tehdä pakkauslinjan loppupäässä, jopa vasta täytön ja suljennan jälkeen. Laserleikkaus on jo nyt käytössä, mutta tulevaisuudessa myös saumaus ja perinteinen nuuttaus on mahdollista tehdä lasersovelluksia käyttäen. Kehittynyt, väyläpohjainen ohjausjärjestelmä on tulevaisuudessa välttämätön joustavassa pakkauslinjassa. Internetin välityksellä toimiva etäohjattu virheenkorjausdiagnostiikka tulee myös olemaan itsestäänselvyys tulevaisuudessa. Kustannussäästöjä voidaan saavuttaa käyttämälläpakkauslinjassa modulaarista rakennetta. Standardiosien ja standardiosajärjestelmien käyttäminen pienentää myös käyttö- ja huoltokustannuksia. Tärkeää on kuitenkin muistaa, ettei joustavuutta voida saavuttaa pelkästään yhtä ominaisuutta tai tekniikkaa hyödyntäen vaan monia menetelmiä yhdistäen. Suunniteltavan pakkauslinjan toiminta on myös hyvä varmistaa käyttäen apuna mallinnusta ja simulointia.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and sensitive bioassay methods for quantification of posaconazole plasma concentrations after oral dosing.

Posaconazole (POS) is a new antifungal agent for prevention and therapy of mycoses in immunocompromised patients. Variable POS pharmacokinetics after oral dosing may influence efficacy: a trough threshold of 0.5 ?g/ml has been recently proposed. Measurement of POS plasma concentrations by complex chromatographic techniques may thus contribute to optimize prevention and management of life-threatening infections. No microbiological analytical method is available. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a new simplified ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method and a sensitive bioassay for quantification of POS over the clinical plasma concentration range. The UPLC-MS/MS equipment consisted of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, an electrospray ionization (ESI) source, and a C(18) analytical column. The Candida albicans POS-hypersusceptible mutant (MIC of 0.002 ?g/ml) ?cdr1 ?cdr2 ?flu ?mdr1 ?can constructed by targeted deletion of multidrug efflux transporters and calcineurin genes was used for the bioassay. POS was extracted from plasma by protein precipitation with acetonitrile-methanol (75%/25%, vol/vol). Reproducible standard curves were obtained over the range 0.014 to 12 (UPLC-MS/MS) and 0.028 to 12 ?g/ml (bioassay). Intra- and interrun accuracy levels were 106% ± 2% and 103% ± 4% for UPLC-MS/MS and 102% ± 8% and 104% ± 1% for bioassay, respectively. The intra- and interrun coefficients of variation were 7% ± 4% and 7% ± 3% for UPLC-MS/MS and 5% ± 3% and 4% ± 2% for bioassay, respectively. An excellent correlation between POS plasma concentrations measured by UPLC-MS/MS and bioassay was found (concordance, 0.96). In 26 hemato-oncological patients receiving oral POS, 27/69 (39%) trough plasma concentrations were lower than 0.5 ?g/ml. The UPLC-MS/MS method and sensitive bioassay offer alternative tools for accurate and precise quantification of the plasma concentrations in patients receiving oral posaconazole.

Micrornas involvement in cortical plasticity in adult mouse barrel cortex

In rodents, sensory experience alters the whisker representation in layer IV of the barrel cortex (Woolsey and Van der Loos, 1970). Excitatory and inhibitory interneurons, together with the astrocytic network, modify the functional representation in an integrated manner. Our group showed that continuous whisker stimulation induces structural and functional changes in the corresponding barrel. These modifications include the depression of neuronal responses and an insertion of new inhibitory synapses on dendritic spines (Knott et al., 2002; Genoud et al., 2006; Quairiaux et al., 2007). This form of cortical plasticity is controlled by several gene regulatory mechanisms including the activation of genetic programs controlling the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). The transitory and localized expression of miRNAs in dendrites and their capacity to respond in an activity-dependent manner make them ideal candidates for the fine tuning of gene expression associated with neural plasticity. In a previous study of our group (Johnston- Wenger, 2010) using microarray analysis on laser-dissected barrels in order to compare the gene expression levels in stimulated and non-stimulated barrels after whisker stimulation, 261 genes were found significantly regulated, among these genes there were two miRNAs (miR- 132 and miR-137). In this study I tested the initial observation on the up-regulation of miR-132 and miR-137 after whisker stimulation and the possible involvement of two other miRNAs (miR-138 and miR-125b) that are known play a role in other form of synaptic plasticity. I used in situ hybridization (ISH) after unilateral stimulation of three whiskers (Cl-3) in the adult mouse. We found that sensory stimulation increases the expression, of miR-132 after 3hours of stimulation (p<0.01) and miR-137 (pO.Ol; 24 hrs of stim.), whereas it reduces the level of miR-125b (pO.Ol; 9 hrs of stim.). No significant difference was detected for miR-138. We further determined a correlation between the level of expression of the four selected miRNAs in the cortical barrels (measured by ISH) and in blood plasma (measured by qPCR). In addition to this quantitative comparison, we combined miRNAs ISH and immunolabeling for various neuronal markers that were chosen for the localization in both excitatory and inhibitory circuits as well as in astrocytes. Analysis of three-dimensional confocal acquisitions showed that stimulation alters significantly the degree of co-localization in the stimulated barrel of miR-132 with GAD65/67 and VGLUT2; miR-125b with GAD65/67 and parvalbumin; miR-138 with parvalbumin, VGLUT1 and PSD95; and miR-137 with VGLUT1 and astrocytic markers (GS; GFAP and SlOOß). To conclude, using increased neuronal activity in the whisker-to-barrel pathway; our results suggest that miRNAs can be regulated in an activity-dependent manner and they may regulate local mRNA translation to shape neuronal responses. These findings motivate further investigation of the different modes in which miRNAs may regulate cortical plasticity. -- Chez les rongeurs, l'expérience sensorielle modifie la représentation des vibrisses au niveau du cortex somatosensoriel primaire (Woolsey and Van der Loos, 1970). Les interneurones excitateurs et inhibiteurs, en collaboration avec le réseau astrocytaire, modifient la représentation fonctionnelle d'une manière intégrée. Notre groupe a montré que la stimulation continue des vibrisses induit des changements structuraux et fonctionnels dans le tonneau correspondant. Ces modifications incluent la dépression des réponses neuronales et une insertion de nouvelles synapses inhibitrices sur les épines dendritiques (Knott et al., 2002 ; Genoud et al., 2006 ; Quairiaux et al., 2007). Cette forme de plasticité corticale est contrôlée par plusieurs mécanismes de régulation génique dont l'activation des programmes géniques contrôlant l'expression des microARNs (miARNs). Par leur expression transitoire et localisée dans les dendrites et leur capacité à réagir d'une manière dépendante de l'activité, les miARNs sont des candidats idéaux pour le réglage fin de l'expression des gènes associée à la plasticité neuronale. Afin de comparer le niveau d'expression des gènes dans les tonneaux stimulés et non-stimulés après stimulation des vibrisses, une étude antérieure dans notre groupe (Johnston-Wenger, 2010), utilisant l'analyse par microarray sur des tonneaux disséqués par laser, a montré l'altération significative de 261 gènes. Parmi ces gènes, il y avait deux miARNs (miR-132 et miR-137). Dans la présente étude, j'ai testé l'observation initiale sur la régulation de miR-132 et miR-137 après stimulation des vibrisses et la possible implication de deux autres miARNs (miR-138 et miR-125b) connus avoir jouer un rôle important dans d'autres formes de plasticité synaptique. J'ai utilisé l'hybridation in situ (ISH) après stimulation unilatérale de trois vibrisses (Cl-3) chez la souris adulte. J'ai trouvé que la stimulation sensorielle augmente l'expression, de miR-132 après 3 heures de stimulation (p < 0.01) et miR-137 (p < 0.01 ; 24 hrs de stim.), alors qu'elle réduit le niveau de miR-125b (p < 0.01; 9 hrs de stim.). Aucune différence significative n'a été détectée pour miR-138. J'ai aussi déterminé une corrélation entre le niveau d'expression des quatre miARNs sélectionnés dans les tonneaux (mesurés par ISH) et dans le plasma sanguin (mesuré par qPCR). En plus de cette comparaison quantitative, j'ai combiné le miR-ISH et l'immunomarquage pour divers marqueurs neuronaux qui ont été choisis pour étudier la localisation dans les circuits excitateurs et inhibiteurs, ainsi que dans les astrocytes. Les acquisitions tridimensionnelles montrent que la stimulation modifie considérablement le degré de co-localisation dans le tonneau stimulé de miR-132 avec GAD65/67 et VGLUT2; miR-125b avec GAD65/67 et parvalbumine; miR-138 avec parvalbumine, VGLUT1 et PSD95; et miR-137 avec VGLUT1 et les marqueurs astrocytaires (GS ; GFAP et SlOOß). En conclusion, à l'aide de l'activité neuronale accrue dans la voie de vibrisses-au-baril; les résultats suggèrent que les miARNs peuvent être régulé d'une manière dépendante de l'activité et peuvent résulter la stabilité des ARNm et la traduction pour façonner les réponses neuronales ultérieures. Ces résultats incitent d'investiguer davantage les voies importantes par lesquels les miARNs peuvent réguler la plasticité corticale.

Determinação simultânea de topiramato, carbamazepina, fenitoína e fenobarbital em plasma empregando cromatografia a gás com detector de nitrogênio e fósforo

Topiramate and the other frequently co-administered antiepileptic drugs carbamazepine, phenytoin and phenobarbital were determined in 100 µL plasma samples by gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-NPD), after a one-step liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, followed by flash methylation with trimethylphenylammonium hydroxide. Total chromatographic run time was 12.5 min. Intra-assay and inter-assay precision was 2.5-7.3% and 1.6-5.2%, respectively. Accuracy was 100.1-104.2%. The limit of quantitation was 1 µg mL-1 for all analytes, proving suitable for routine application in therapeutic drug monitoring of antiepileptic drugs.

Guava fruit loss caused by rust

The aim of this paper was to estimate the loss caused by rust (Puccinia psidii) to 'Paluma' guava production in orchards located in Rio de Janeiro State. The disease intensity on the reproductive organs of plants was observed during two chemical control experiments carried out in 2003 and 2004. The loss was estimated based on simple linear regression and the production reduction (fruit number and weight ha-1) on the incidence of diseased buds and fruits. In the first experiment, no relationship was established between incidence of diseased buds and loss since there was a delay in spraying and the incidence of buds showing rust was high (mean of 47%) at the beginning of flowering. In the second experiment (2003-2004), spraying occurred at the beginning of the epidemics and there was a linear relationship between incidence of diseased buds and loss, justifying fungicide intervention at this stage. For the fruiting stage, a significant relationship was found between incidence of diseased fruits and loss in both experiments. In the absence of chemical control, rust reduced fruit production by around 90%.

Comparison measures of maps generated by geostatistical methods

This study uses several measures derived from the error matrix for comparing two thematic maps generated with the same sample set. The reference map was generated with all the sample elements and the map set as the model was generated without the two points detected as influential by the analysis of local influence diagnostics. The data analyzed refer to the wheat productivity in an agricultural area of 13.55 ha considering a sampling grid of 50 x 50 m comprising 50 georeferenced sample elements. The comparison measures derived from the error matrix indicated that despite some similarity on the maps, they are different. The difference between the estimated production by the reference map and the actual production was of 350 kilograms. The same difference calculated with the mode map was of 50 kilograms, indicating that the study of influential points is of fundamental importance to obtain a more reliable estimative and use of measures obtained from the error matrix is a good option to make comparisons between thematic maps.

Potential of biogas production from swine manure supplemented with glycerine waste

In this study, was studied the biogas generation from swine manure, using residual glycerine supplementation. The biogas production by digestion occurred in the anaerobic batch system under mesophilic conditions (35°C), with a hydraulic retention time of 48 days. The experiment was performed with 48 samples divided into four groups, from these, one was kept as a control (without glycerin) and the other three groups were respectively supplemented with residual glycerine in the percentage of 3%, 6% and 9% of the total volume of the samples. The volume of biogas was controlled by an automated system for reading in laboratory scale and the quality of the biogas (CH4) measured from a specific sensor. The results showed that the residual glycerine has high potential for biogas production, with increases of 124.95%, 156.98% and 197.83% in the groups 3%, 6% and 9%, respectively, relative to the sample control. However, very high organic loads can compromise the process of digestion affecting the quality of the biogas generated in relation to methane.

Surface transformation hardening of carbon steel with high power fiber laser

This study investigated the surface hardening of steels via experimental tests using a multi-kilowatt fiber laser as the laser source. The influence of laser power and laser power density on the hardening effect was investigated. The microhardness analysis of various laser hardened steels was done. A thermodynamic model was developed to evaluate the thermal process of the surface treatment of a wide thin steel plate with a Gaussian laser beam. The effect of laser linear oscillation hardening (LLOS) of steel was examined. An as-rolled ferritic-pearlitic steel and a tempered martensitic steel with 0.37 wt% C content were hardened under various laser power levels and laser power densities. The optimum power density that produced the maximum hardness was found to be dependent on the laser power. The effect of laser power density on the produced hardness was revealed. The surface hardness, hardened depth and required laser power density were compared between the samples. Fiber laser was briefly compared with high power diode laser in hardening medium-carbon steel. Microhardness (HV0.01) test was done on seven different laser hardened steels, including rolled steel, quenched and tempered steel, soft annealed alloyed steel and conventionally through-hardened steel consisting of different carbon and alloy contents. The surface hardness and hardened depth were compared among the samples. The effect of grain size on surface hardness of ferritic-pearlitic steel and pearlitic-cementite steel was evaluated. In-grain indentation was done to measure the hardness of pearlitic and cementite structures. The macrohardness of the base material was found to be related to the microhardness of the softer phase structure. The measured microhardness values were compared with the conventional macrohardness (HV5) results. A thermodynamic model was developed to calculate the temperature cycle, Ac1 and Ac3 boundaries, homogenization time and cooling rate. The equations were numerically solved with an error of less than 10-8. The temperature distributions for various thicknesses were compared under different laser traverse speed. The lag of the was verified by experiments done on six different steels. The calculated thermal cycle and hardened depth were compared with measured data. Correction coefficients were applied to the model for AISI 4340 steel. AISI 4340 steel was hardened by laser linear oscillation hardening (LLOS). Equations were derived to calculate the overlapped width of adjacent tracks and the number of overlapped scans in the center of the scanned track. The effect of oscillation frequency on the hardened depth was investigated by microscopic evaluation and hardness measurement. The homogeneity of hardness and hardened depth with different processing parameters were investigated. The hardness profiles were compared with the results obtained with conventional single-track hardening. LLOS was proved to be well suitable for surface hardening in a relatively large rectangular area with considerable depth of hardening. Compared with conventional single-track scanning, LLOS produced notably smaller hardened depths while at 40 and 100 Hz LLOS resulted in higher hardness within a depth of about 0.6 mm.

Evaluation of tear production with modified Schirmer tear test-1 during the neonatal period in cats

The study aimed to evaluate tear production by means of modified Schirmer tear tes-1 (mSTT-1) in neonate cats. Likewise, correlation between mSTT-1 and STT-1 was assessed in vitro. Standard SST strips were cut in half and after eye lid opening, tear production of neonates (n=15) was daily measured in both eyes (mSTT-1), until the 7th day, and at day 14, 21, and 28. Animals were daily weighted until 28 days of age. Results were compared statistically (P<0.05). During the first 7 days, the overall mSTT-1 mean was 0.76 wetting/minute. Significant differences between right and left eyes were not observed at any time point (P=1.00). Tear secretion increased significantly, from the 14th to 28th day, in comparison with 7 first days (P<0.05). Positive correlation between maturity parameters and tear secretion was observed (P<0.0001). Distance between slopes of each strip changed significantly (P<0.0001). It was concluded that tear secretion in the neonatal period of cats is very below the reference values described for young and adults of the same species. It is not possible to extrapolate results obtained with mSTT-1 to standard STT-1.