Mecha Research Articles

The Inventor’s Secret by Andrea Cremer (review)

Reviewed by: The Inventor’s Secret by Andrea Cremer Kate Quealy-Gainer Cremer, Andrea. The Inventor’s Secret. Philomel, 2014. [384p]. ISBN 978-0-399-15962-6 $18.99 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 7-10. Forty years after the Brits quashed the American Revolution, Boston is a city-sized prison while New York is a mechanized, floating wonder. Descendants of the rebels are enslaved and giant robots hunt down any escapees; a small core of free-thinking teenagers hides out in the underground Catacombs outside the cities, conspiring against the Empire. Sixteen-year-old Charlotte is out on a supply run in the wilderness when she stumbles across an amnesiac boy and brings him back to Resistance headquarters. There’s something strange about the boy, though, and Charlotte, her brother (the leader of the resistance), and his best friend Jack (and Charlotte’s sometime love interest) decide the best course of action is to disguise themselves as elite members of society using Jack’s upper-class connections and return the boy to the city while they’re meeting up with another resistance faction. The premise and the world are intriguing, and there’s a formality to the descriptions of shining floating cities, mechanized underwater submarines, and slightly creepy automatons that gives the steampunk setting a tarnished grandeur. Unfortunately, once the group gets to the city, the story shifts its focus abruptly from the mystery behind the boy to Charlotte’s affair with Jack, which at first seems like a sure thing but is then jeopardized by both Jack’s high-society fiancée and his handsome more attentive older brother. Readers who value romance over plot, however, may nonetheless be taken in by Charlotte and Jack’s witty repartee and steamy encounters, and their estrangement at the book’s close ensures a sequel. Copyright © 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

Ultrastructural changes in human gingival fibroblasts after exposure to 2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate.

Polymerized resin-based materials are successfully utilized in medical applications. One draw- back is the release of monomers from the matrix due to an incomplete polymerization or degradation processes. Released monomers can diffuse in the systemic circulation and induceadverse effects to biological tissues. Although there are many hypotheses about the induction of cell death by resin monomers, the underlying mechanisms are still under discussion. The aim of the study was to investigate the morphological modifications in human gingival fibroblasts exposed to 2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) to better elucidate the mechanism of cell death induced by resin monomers. Primary cultures of gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 3mM HEMA for 24 h, 72 h, 96 h. Morphological investigations were performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, while western blot for caspase-3 was carried out to ver- ify apoptosis. Electron microscopy images showed deep changes in the cell surface and cyto- plasm after 72 h and 96 h of HEMA treatment. Autophagic vesicles were easily observed just after 24 h. Cleaved caspase-3 was detected after 72 h of treatment. These findings suggest that resin based materials induced cell death by the cooperation of apoptosis and autophagy mecha- nisms. The understanding of these mechanisms will lead to the development of smart biomate- rials without or with low adverse effects.

＇ Response to injury＇ teaching based on the concept of global minimum essential requirements

Taking global minimum essential requirements （ GMER ） as standard, school of basic medical science in Wuhan University paid more attention to the cultivation of students＇ professional skills, innovation ability and communication ability, ＇Response to injury＇ integrated course was carried out. Based on the immunology, this course involves pathology and pathophysiology and explores the mecha- nism of the diseases＇ diagnosis and treatment. It took small classes, bilingual education, literature read- ing, experiments and discussions in various forms. This reform aimed to improve the immunology, pathology and pathophysiology teaching and make our medical education meet the process of globalization. Key words: Global minimum essential requirements; Immunology; Pathology; Patho- physiology; Teaching reform

Winning the cyberwar of 2010

We are in the middle of a cyberwar. You might not believe this statement because you are not experiencing the apocalyptic nightmare that you see in Hollywood blockbusters. The world is not falling in. Giant robots are not shooting at each other, and an angry-looking Bruce Willis isn't swinging through your window. But, according to authorities like former CIA and NSA director General Michael Hayden, cyberwarfare is the fifth and final domain of battle, and it is happening now across the internet and within your organisation.

Correlation of histomorphometry and inflammatory factor expression in hip osteoarthritis

Objective To investigate the expression of several cytokines,matrix metalloproteinas-es (MMPs) in osteoarthritis (OA) and control joint tissues,and explore the possible pathological mecha- nism of inflammation from subchondral bone to test the hypothesis that the severity of hip OA is related to local levels of inflammatory metabolites and their corresponding enzymes. Methods The cartilage,synovi-al and subobondral bone tissues were collected from patients undergoing operations for OA and femoral head trauma,and the latter worked as control subjects. HE stain was adopted for subchondral bone histo- morphometric analysis with 4 parameters including bone volume fraction, trabecular thinness, trabecular number, and trabecular separation. The inflammatory mediators in cartilage,synovial and subchondral bone tissues, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were measured by radioimmuno- assay,and MMP-9 by ELISA. Correlation of bone tissue histomorphometry and inflammatory factor expres-sion in hip OA was analyzed. Results Increased subchondral bone formation and subc.hondral bone scle-rosis were observed in OA group. For bone tissue histomorphometry, there was significant difference in bone volume fraction,trabecular number and trabecular separation except trabeeular thinness. OA cartilage and synovium tissue revealed significantly higher level of M M P-9 expression, while IL-1β expression was signif- icantly higher in OA cartilage, lnteresiingly,MMP-9,TNP-α and IL-1β were all up-regnlated in OA sub-chondral bone,and had good correlation with joint tissue histomorphometric changes. Conclusion Inflam-matory factors were up-regulated in OA joint tissues especially in the subchondral bone,and had good cor-relation with tissue histomorphometric changes. It also supports the hypothesis that vascularized subchon-dral region may increase the synthesis of cytokines and M MPs,leading to degradation of adjacent cartilage. Key words: Osteoarthritis; Cytokines ; Metalloproteinases; Hip joint; Histology

Quantifying the risks of unexploded ordnance at closed military bases.

Some 1,976 sites at closed military bases in the United States are contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from live-fire weapons training. These sites present risks to civilians who might come into contact with the UXO and cause it to explode. This paper presents the first systems analysis model for assessing the explosion risks of UXO at former military training ranges. We develop a stochastic model for estimating the probability of exposure to and explosion of UXO, before and after site cleanup. An application of the model to a 310-acre parcel at Fort Ord, California, shows that substantial risk can remain even after a site is declared clean. We estimate that risk to individual construction workers of encountering UXO that explodes would range from 4 x 10(-4) to 5 x 10(-2), depending on model assumptions, well above typical Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) target risk levels of 10(-4) to 10(-6). In contrast, a qualitative UXO risk assessment method, the Munitions and Explosives of Concern Hazard Assessment (MEC HA), developed by an interagency work group led by the EPA, indicates that the explosion risk at the case study site is low and "compatible with current and determined or reasonably anticipated future risk." We argue that a quantitative approach, like that illustrated in this paper, is necessary to provide a more complete picture of risks and the opportunities for risk reduction.

Elektro's return

Seventy six years ago he discovered a giant robot in his basement. Now one man's mission is almost complete

ROMANIAN AGRICULTURE ADJUSTING TO THE NEW STRATEGIC GUIDELINES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Romanias agriculture faces the difficulties of the process of implementing the CAP mechanisms, of structural and performance gaps compared to the EU and also of the risks and uncertaint y generated by market instability and the food crisis in the world. The CAP mechanisms in the period 2007-2013 in form of direct payments and market measures, as well as investment in various activities within the rural communities financed from the EU budget and the national budget, give the framework for adjusting agri culture to the Community requirements and to the market. T he paper focuses on the main strategic objectives, makes the analysis of the financial support and the mecha nisms of the agricultural policy and provides sugge stions for a national strategy for agriculture in the medium and long term.

Giant Robots and Superheroes: Manifestations of Divine Power, East and West: An Interview with Crispin Freeman

Giant Robots and Superheroes: Manifestations of Divine Power, East and West: An Interview with Crispin Freeman

Computing Prager's Kinematic Hardening Mixed-Control Equations in a Pseudo-Riemann Manifold

Materials' internal spacetime may bear cer- tain similarities with the external spacetime of special relativity theory. Previously, it is shown that material hardening and anisotropy may cause the internal space- time curved. In this paper we announce the third mech- anism of mixed-control to cause the curvedness of inter- nal spacetime. To tackle the mixed-control problem for a Prager kinematic hardening material, we demonstrate two new formulations. By using two-integrating factors idea we can derive two Lie type systems in the product space of M m+1 ⊗M n+1 . The Lie algebra is a direct sum of so(m, 1) ⊕so(n, 1), and correspondingly the symme- try group is a direct product of SOo(m, 1) ⊗SOo(n, 1), which left acts on a twin-cone. Then, by using the one- integrating factor idea we can convert the nonlinear con- stitutive equations into a Lie type system of u Z=CZ with C ∈sl(5, 1,R) a Lie algebra of the special orthochronous pseudo-linear group SL(5, 1,R). The underlying space is a distorted cone in the pseudo-Riemann manifold. Con- sistent numerical methods are then developed according to these Lie symmetries, and numerical examples are used to assess the performance of new algorithms. The measures in terms of the errors by satisfying the consis- tency condition, strain and stress relative errors and ori- entational errors confirm that the new numerical methods are better than radial return method.

A different vision of the osmolar regulation of renin secretion

in this issue, the proverbial question of osmotic regulation of renin secretion is revisited by Kurtz and Schweda ([9][1]) with rather surprising, yet apparently definitive, results. Since the development of osmotic diuretics, there has been much interest in whether renin secretion by the kidney is

NOVEL 3-PCRNS SPHERICAL 3-DOF PARALLEL MECHANISM

A novel 3-P_C R_N S spherical 3-DOF parallel mecha- nism is proposed.The limb kinematic chain consists of a circu- lar prismatic pair P_C,a revolute pair R_N,where the subscript N denotes the revolute axes in 3 limbs intersect at a common point,and a spherical joint S.Mobility,singularity and input selection of this mechanism is analyzed via screw theory.In the general non-singular configuration,the 3 P_C R_N S limb kinematic chain exerts 3 constraining forces on the moving platform, which intersect at a common point,the mechanism center.The 3 constraining forces constrains the 3 translational DOFs of the moving platform,thus the mechanism has 3 rotational DOFs.In the singular configuration,the 3 P_C R_N S limb kinematic chain exerts 6 constraining forces on the moving platform,which are linearly dependent.The maximum linear independent number of the 6 constraining forces is 5,thus 5 DOFs of the moving platform are restricted.The mechanism only has one instanta- neous rotation DOF about the z axis.The circular prismatic pair can be actuated,thus the rotational DOF of the moving platform about the z axis is decoupled from the other 2 rotational DOFs.

Anime explosion!: the what? why? & wow! of Japanese animation

Suddenly anime is . . . exploding. But where did Japanese animation come from, and what does it all mean? Written for fans, culture watchers, and perplexed outsiders, this is an engaging tour of the anime megaverse, from older arts and manga traditions to the works of modern directors like Miyazaki and Otomo. Read about anime standbys like giant robots, samurai, furry beasts, high school heroines, and gay/girl/fanboy love--even war and reincarnation, plus all of anime's major themes, styles, and conventions. At the end of the book are essays on 15 of fandom's favorite anime, including Evangelion, Esca-flowne, Sailor Moon, and Patlabor.A good resource and guide to the foundation, historical development and overall themes in Japanese animation and serves as an excellent reference source whether you are an established fan or a person who wants to learn about the cultural aspects of this specific and increasingly popular genre. It is an easy yet thorough read on the myriad of societal aspects and cultural references Japanese animation holds. -- Active Anime

Fetishising Flesh

Fetishising Flesh

創立100周年記念 : 「メカライフ」発刊に際して(<特集>創立100周年記念 巨大な技術)

創立100周年記念 : 「メカライフ」発刊に際して(<特集>創立100周年記念 巨大な技術)

Weighted Tardiness Single Machine Scheduling with Proportional Weights

This paper considers Arkin and Roundy's single machine weighted tardiness scheduling model with tardiness penalties proportional to the processing times. It presents a two-stage decomposition mecha...

PAIR-POTENTIAL STUDY OF ADSORPTION AND DIFFUSION FOR Li/Li(100)SYSTEM

The interaction between atoms, molecules and solid surface is an important research topic in the field of heterogeneous catalysis, gas erosion, separation and crystal growth. Theoretical study on a molecular level can not only help people understand the interaction mech-

Neonatal immunology and related protective mechanisms.

(1973). Neonatal Immunology and Related Protective Mecha. CRC Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 1-18.