Energy Harvesting Technologies for Structural Health Monitoring of Airplane Components-A Review.

With the aim of increasing the efficiency of maintenance and fuel usage in airplanes, structural health monitoring (SHM) of critical composite structures is increasingly expected and required. The optimized usage of this concept is subject of intensive work in the framework of the EU COST Action CA18203 "Optimising Design for Inspection" (ODIN). In this context, a thorough review of a broad range of energy harvesting (EH) technologies to be potentially used as power sources for the acoustic emission and guided wave propagation sensors of the considered SHM systems, as well as for the respective data elaboration and wireless communication modules, is provided in this work.

Planar conformity of movements in 3D reaching tasks for persons with Multiple Sclerosis.

Robotic rehabilitation of the upper limb has been proved beneficial for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In order to provide task-specific therapy for MS, given its complex impairing nature, it is desired to take advantage of the robots' ability to move and provide force feedback in generic three-dimensional motions. Previous investigations have shown that hand motion during reaching tasks is piecewise planar, therefore, it is possible to simplify the design of robotic rehabilitation trajectories by confining them on planes oriented in space.

Calculated reduction aortoplasty for dilatation of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve replacement.

Background: Previous studies have advocated reduction aortoplasty to normalize the diameter of a moderately dilated ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease. One of the reported techniques is the shawl lapel aortoplasty, which we have adopted and modified by setting a simple set of calculations. We present our midterm results.

Does activated neutrophil depletion on bypass by leukocyte filtration reduce myocardial damage? A preliminary report.

An important factor in the production of myocardial damage following cardiopulmonary bypass in the creation of oxygen derived free radicals. Few sources for these radicals have been identified but experimentally activated neutrophils are known to release free radical which contribute to myocyte necrosis. The aim of this pilot study was to identify whether, by depleting patients of leukocytes and particularly neutrophils on bypass, a better degree of myocardial protection could be observed using specific identifiers of myocardial damage.

5-Hydroxytryptamine release from platelets by different red wines: implications for migraine.

We have confirmed our earlier finding that most red wines are able to bring about 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) release from platelets in vitro. Platelets from individual subjects manifested varying degrees of releasing ability but responded to different wines with a similar rank ordering. There was a high correlation (r = 0.

Histamine, histamine H2-receptor antagonists, gastric acid secretion and ulcers: an overview.

Histamine, a biogenic amine, is involved in allergic reactions and asthma. The involvement of histamine in peptide ulcers is reviewed here. The discovery, distribution, synthesis, catabolism, and pharmacological effects of histamine are briefly described.