Implementation of Cyber-Physical Production Systems for Quality Prediction and Operation Control in Metal Casting.

The prediction of internal defects of metal casting immediately after the casting process saves unnecessary time and money by reducing the amount of inputs into the next stage, such as the machining process, and enables flexible scheduling. Cyber-physical production systems (CPPS) perfectly fulfill the aforementioned requirements. This study deals with the implementation of CPPS in a real factory to predict the quality of metal casting and operation control.

Alteration in Claudin-4 Contributes to Airway Inflammation and Responsiveness in Asthma.

Purpose: Claudin-4 has been reported to function as a paracellular sodium barrier and is one of the 3 major claudins expressed in lung alveolar epithelial cells. However, the possible role of claudin-4 in bronchial asthma has not yet been fully studied. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of claudin-4 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.

Circulating angiopoietin-1 and -2 in patients with stable and exacerbated asthma.

Background: Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and -2 are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and have been identified as markers of asthma severity.

Objective: To determine the relation between circulating angiopoietins and clinical variables of patients with asthma.

Methods: Fifty patients with bronchial asthma and 25 healthy controls were enrolled.