Ultrasonic Guided Wave Sensor Network Optimization for Monitoring Rivet Line

Guided waves using piezo-electric wafer active sensors (PWAS) is one of the useful techniques of damage detection. Sensor network optimization with minimal network hardware footprint and maximal area of coverage remains a challenging problem. PWAS sensors are placed at discrete locations in order to inspect damages in plates and the idea has the potential to be extended to assembled structures. Various actuator-sensor configurations are possible within the network in order to identify and locate damages. In this paper we present a correlation based approach to monitor cracks emanating from rivet line using a simulated guided wave signal whose sensor is operating in pulse echo mode. Discussions regarding the identification of phase change due to reflections from the crack are also discussed in this paper.

Damage Detection Sensitivity, Specificity and Classification Data Analysis for SHM Systems Design, Verification and Validation

In this paper, we consider applying derived knowledge base regarding the sensitivity and specificity of damage(s) to be detected by an SHM system being designed and qualified. These efforts are necessary toward developing capabilities in SHM system to classify reliably various probable damages through sequence of monitoring, i.e., damage precursor identification, detection of damage and monitoring its progression. We consider the particular problem of visual and ultrasonic NDE based SHM system design requirements, where the damage detection sensitivity and specificity data definitions for a class of structural components are established. Methodologies for SHM system specification creation are discussed in details. Examples are shown to illustrate how the physics of damage detection scheme limits particular damage detection sensitivity and specificity and further how these information can be used in algorithms to combine various different NDE schemes in an SHM system to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Statistical and data driven models to determine the sensitivity and probability of damage detection (POD) has been demonstrated for plate with varying one-sided line crack using optical and ultrasonic based inspection techniques.

A CAPABILITY APPROACH BASED STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS FOR THE BASE OF THE PYRAMID: A CASE STUDY OF THE FIREWOOD BASED COOK-STOVES

People living under $2 income per day, referred as Base of the Pyramid (BoP), face undesired situations like lack of nutrition, health, education etc. Design as a process of changing current undesired situation to a desired situation has failed. A crucial reason behind these failures is lack of normative basis to identify and understand the absent or unsatisfied stakeholder. Currently stakeholder analysis in the design is heuristic. This paper uses a normative framework of Capability Approach (CA) for the stakeholder analysis. A brief discussion on stakeholder theory and analysis is used to identify gaps in the literature. The constructs of the CA are discussed for its suitability to the purpose. Along with methodological details, data generated from the stakeholder interviews, focus groups in a case study of dissemination of improved cook-stoves is used to interlink the theory with the practice. The scope of this work is in identifying and investigating the motives of the stakeholders in the involvement in the product. Though a lot of insights to discern and manage crucial stakeholders is inbuilt in the methodology, this work does not claim explicit coverage of these aspects.

Photocytotoxic ternary copper(II) complexes of histamine Schiff base and pyridyl ligands

Ternary copper(Il) complexes of salicylaldehyde-histamine Schiff base (HL) and pyridyl ligands, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)](ClO4) (1) and Cu(dppz)(L)](C104) (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine (in 1) and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (in 2), were synthesized, characterized and their DNA binding, photo-activated DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity studied. The 1:1 electrolytic one-electron paramagnetic complexes showed a d-d band near 670 nm in aqueous DMF (1:1 v/v). The crystal structure of complex 1 showed the metal in CuN4O distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Complex 2 intercalatively binds to calf-thymus (ct) DNA with a binding constant (K-b) of similar to 10(5) M-1. It exhibited moderate chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity in red light of 647 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radicals. It showed remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 of 1.6 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) with low dark toxicity. The photo-induced cell death is via generation of oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species.

Remarkable photo-induced anticancer activity of vitamin-S6 Schiff base copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases

Vitamin-B6 (VB6) Schiff base (H2L) copper(II) complexes of pyridyl bases, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)] (1), Cu(phen)(L)] (2) and Cu(dppz)(L)] (3), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'c]phenazine are synthesized, characterized and their phto-induced anticancer activity studied. The non-electrolytic one electron paramagnetic complexes exhibit a d-d band near 700 nm in DMF. The dppz complex intercalatively binds to calf-thymus DNA with binding constant (K-b) values of similar to 10(6) M-1. This complex exhibits low chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity when irradiated with red light of 705 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radical. It displays remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 value of 0.9 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) while being less toxic in darkness (IC50 : 23 mu M). The cellular uptake of the complexes seems to be via VB6 transporting membrane carrier mediated diffusion pathway. Photo-induced cell death follows apoptotic pathway involving photo-generated intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Theoretical insights on the electro-thermal transport properties of monolayer MoS2 with line defects

Two dimensional (2D) materials demonstrate several novel electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties which are quite distinctive to those of their bulk form. Among many others, one important potential application of the 2D material is its use in the field of energy harvesting. Owing to that, here we present a detailed study on electrical as well as thermal transport of monolayer MoS2, in quasi ballistic regime. Besides the perfect monolayer in its pristine form, we also consider various line defects which have been experimentally observed in mechanically exfoliated MoS2 samples. For calculating various parameters related to the electrical transmission, we employ the non-equilibrium Green's function-density functional theory combination. However, to obtain the phonon transmission, we take help of the parametrized Stillinger-Weber potential which can accurately delineate the inter-atomic interactions for the monolayer MoS2. Due to the presence of line defects, we observed significant reductions in both the charge carrier and the phonon transmissions through a monolayer MoS2 flake. Moreover, we also report a comparative analysis showing the temperature dependency of the thermoelectric figure of merit values, as obtained for the perfect as well as the other defective 2D samples. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Análisis espacial y multitemporal de la cobertura y uso del suelo con base en imágenes de satélites en la subcuenca Río Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua (1993, 2000, 2011)

La cuantificación del cambio de uso del suelo presenta aún altos niveles de incertidumbre, lo que repercute por ejemplo en la estimación de las emisiones de CO 2 . En este estudio se desarrollaron métodos, basados en imágenes de satélite y trabajo de campo, para estimar la tasa de cambio de la cobertura y uso del suelo, y las emisiones de CO 2 en la subcuenca río Dipilto, Nueva Segovia. La superficie de los tipos de vegetación se determinó con imágenes Landsat. Se utilizaron datos de carbono de nueve parcelas de muestreo en bosque de pino que fueron correlacionadas, para establecer un modelo de regresión lineal con el objetivo de estimar el Stock de Carbono. La sobreposición y algebra de mapas se utilizó para el escenario de emisiones de CO 2 . El análisis con imágenes de los años 1993, 2000 y 2011 reveló que durante es tos 18 años la velocidad a la que se perdieron los bosques latifoliados cerrado fue variable. Durante los primeros 7 años (1993 a 2000) se registró un aumento de 99.95 ha , que corresponde a una tasa de deforestación de - 1.45 % anual. Durante los últimos once años (2000 a 2011) esta cantidad cambió totalmente, ya que se eliminaron 331.76 h a , que corresponde a una tasa de deforestación anual de 3.41 %. Finalmente considerando el periodo de análisis, se transformaron más de 232.01 h a por año, correspondiente a u na tasa de deforestación anual de 1.55 %. La imagen de 2011 demostró que las reservas o Stock de C oscila entre 40 - 150 t/ha. Este intervalo de valores fue estimado por un modelo de regresión con razonable ajuste (R2 = 0.73 ), cuyas variables independientes fueron la reflectancia de las distintas bandas como índices de vegetación e infrarrojo cercano. Las pérdidas de C se estimaron en intervalos 1 - 191 t/h a en 20.76% del área. El 32.85% del área se mantuvo estable y 46.39% ganancias de 1 - 210 t/ha. La combinación de imágenes de resolución espacial media como son las de la serie Landsat para definir trayectorias de cambio de la cobertura del suelo, es una opción viable para la solución de interrogantes relacionadas con el cambio climático, tales como la estimación de las emisiones de CO 2 derivadas del cambio de uso del suelo.

The MHP36 line of murine neural stem cells expresses functional CXCR1 chemokine receptors that initiate chemotaxis in vitro.

Chemokines help to establish cerebral inflammation after ischemia, which comprises a major component of secondary brain injury. The CXCR4 chemokine receptor system induces neural stem cell migration, and hence has been implicated in brain repair. We show that CXCR1 and interleukin-8 also stimulate chemotaxis in murine neural stem cells from the MHP36 cell line. The presence of CXCR1 was confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemistry. Interleukin-8 evoked intracellular calcium currents, upregulated doublecortin (a protein expressed by migrating neuroblasts), and elicited positive chemotaxis in vitro. Therefore, effectors of the early innate immune response may also influence brain repair mechanisms.

Evaluación de tres densidades de siembra de Clitoria spp. en la producción de biomasa forrajera en base a materia seca

El presente trabajo preliminar tuvo como objetivo evaluar, el efecto de tres densidades de siembra, sobre la producción de biomasa forrajera en base a materia seca de Clitoria spp. bajo riego en época seca y su valor económico. El estudio se llevó a cabo en la Hacienda "Santa Rosa", ubicada al norte de la comunidad de Sabana Grande, Municipio de Managua. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar (BCA), en un arreglo sencillo de tres densidades de siembra, con 42, 63 y 84 kg/ha. Se realizaron dos cortes; el primero, a los 57 días después de su establecimiento y, el segundo, 57 días después de realizado el primer corte. Los resultados mostraron que, las densidades de siembra sobre la producción de biomasa en base a materia seca total por hectárea (PBMSTH}, para cada momento de corte realizado, reflejó su mayor valor en la densidad de 84 kg/ha, con 3.153 y 4.433 ton/MS/há para el 1 10 y 2do corte, sin embargo, estos no tuvieron diferencias significativas (P>0.05) sobre las demás densidades (42 y 63 kg/ha), respectivamente. Por otra parte, las variables altura (ALT) y cobertura (COB) mostraron su mayor valor para la densidad (84 kg/ha), con 59.87 cm y 93.33 o/o respectivamente, pero estos no presentaron diferencias significativas (P>0.05) sobre las demás densidades. La prueba de rangos múltiples de Tukey, para los efectos de densidad de siembra sobre la PBMSTH, ALT y COB, no presentaron diferencias significativas. (P> 0.05; P> 0.01). De todas las densidades evaluadas, los menores costos de producción de forraje fueron para la densidad 42 kg/ha con C$ 4127.00.