Estimation of remaining useful life (RUL) for pneumatic actuator without apriori RUL history: A hybrid prognostic approach.

Predicting the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of an industrial pneumatic actuator is crucial for enhancing maintenance strategies, reducing downtime and optimizing resource allocation. However, estimation becomes challenging when no historical RUL data is available for modeling. In this paper, a novel hybrid prognostic approach that combines Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), Exponential Degradation Model (EDM) and Random Forest Regressor (RFR) is proposed to estimate the RUL of pneumatic actuators under the absence of apriori RUL history.

Fluorescence Nano Particle Detection in a Liquid Sample Using the Smartphone for Biomedical Application.

In this paper, we present a Smartphone-based Fluorescence Nanoparticle Detector (SPF-NPD) that can be used for identifying biological agents in biomedical applications. The experimental setup consists of an LED light source and an Eppendorf tube holder placed inside a dark chamber with an optimally located slit for aligning the camera of a smartphone. The camera acquires the fluorescence intensity variations in the target liquid sample placed in the Eppendorf tube and passes it to a dedicated android application running in the smartphone.

Multi-gene testing in neurological disorders showed an improved diagnostic yield: data from over 1000 Indian patients.

Background: Neurological disorders are clinically heterogeneous group of disorders and are major causes of disability and death. Several of these disorders are caused due to genetic aberration. A precise and confirmatory diagnosis in the patients in a timely manner is essential for appropriate therapeutic and management strategies.

Exploring omega-3 fatty acids, enzymes and biodiesel producing thraustochytrids from Australian and Indian marine biodiversity.

The marine environment harbours a vast diversity of microorganisms, many of which are unique, and have potential to produce commercially useful materials. Therefore, marine biodiversity from Australian and Indian habitat has been explored to produce novel bioactives, and enzymes. Among these, thraustochytrids collected from Indian habitats were shown to be rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), together constituting 51-76% of total fatty acids (TFA).

Modeling and control of non-square MIMO system using relay feedback.

This paper proposes a systematic approach for the modeling and control of non-square MIMO systems in time domain using relay feedback. Conventionally, modeling, selection of the control configuration and controller design of non-square MIMO systems are performed using input/output information of direct loop, while the output of undesired responses that bears valuable information on interaction among the loops are not considered. However, in this paper, the undesired response obtained from relay feedback test is also taken into consideration to extract the information about the interaction between the loops.

Synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy enables the distinction of lipid accumulation in thraustochytrid strains through analysis of individual live cells.

The superior characteristics of high photon flux and diffraction-limited spatial resolution achieved by synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy allowed molecular characterization of individual live thraustochytrids. Principal component analysis revealed distinct separation of the single live cell spectra into their corresponding strains, comprised of new Australasian thraustochytrids (AMCQS5-5 and S7) and standard cultures (AH-2 and S31). Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis (UHCA) indicated close similarities between S7 and AH-7 strains, with AMCQS5-5 being distinctly different.

Evaluation of bread crumbs as a potential carbon source for the growth of thraustochytrid species for oil and omega-3 production.

The utilization of food waste by microorganisms to produce omega-3 fatty acids or biofuel is a potentially low cost method with positive environmental benefits. In the present study, the marine microorganisms Thraustochytrium sp. AH-2 and Schizochytrium sp.

Overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in teeth results in detachment of ameloblasts and enamel defects.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a key regulator of many cellular processes, including cell adhesion, the immune response and synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. In the present study, we report the characterization of enamel defects in a transgenic mouse model overexpressing TGF-beta1 in odontoblasts and ameloblasts, its expression being driven by the promoter sequences of the dentin sialophosphoprotein gene. As reported earlier, these mice develop distinct dentin defects similar to those seen in human dentin dysplasia and dentinogenesis imperfecta.

The receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand-mediated osteoclastogenic pathway is elevated in amelogenin-null mice.

Amelogenins, major components of developing enamel, are predominantly involved in the formation of tooth enamel. Although amelogenins are also implicated in cementogenesis, their precise spatial expression pattern and molecular role are not clearly understood. Here, we report for the first time the expression of two alternate splice forms of amelogenins, M180 and the leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP), in the periodontal region of mouse tooth roots.

Genetically altered mouse models: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Targeted gene disruption in mice is a powerful tool for generating murine models for human development and disease. While the human genome program has helped to generate numerous candidate genes, few genes have been characterized for their precise in vivo functions. Gene targeting has had an enormous impact on our ability to delineate the functional roles of these genes.

Dentin sialophosphoprotein knockout mouse teeth display widened predentin zone and develop defective dentin mineralization similar to human dentinogenesis imperfecta type III.

Dentin sialophosphoprotein (Dspp) is mainly expressed in teeth by the odontoblasts and preameloblasts. The Dspp mRNA is translated into a single protein, Dspp, and cleaved into two peptides, dentin sialoprotein and dentin phosphoprotein, that are localized within the dentin matrix. Recently, mutations in this gene were identified in human dentinogenesis imperfecta II (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) accession number 125490) and in dentin dysplasia II (OMIM accession number 125420) syndromes.

Odontoblast-specific expression of cre recombinase successfully deletes gene segments flanked by loxP sites in mouse teeth.

Embryonic or neonatal lethality of mice with targeted disruption of critical genes preclude them from further characterization of specific roles of these genes during postnatal development and aging. In order to study the molecular roles of such genes in teeth, we generated transgenic mouse lines expressing bacteriophage Cre recombinase under the control of the mouse dentin sialophosphoprotein (dspp) gene promoter. The expression of Cre recombinase protein was mainly detected in the nucleus of the odontoblasts.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 negatively regulates crystallin expression in teeth.

Previously, we have reported that targeted overexpression of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 in the teeth of the transgenic mice (dTGF-beta1) results in a novel tooth phenotype phenomimicking the most prevalent tooth disorders in human. This phenotype was associated with discoloration and attrition of teeth due to defective mineralization. Here, we report a novel expression of crystallin family members in developing mouse teeth and its regulation by TGF-beta1 in these transgenic mice.

Endocrine expression of the active form of TGF-beta1 in the TGF-beta1 null mice fails to ameliorate lethal phenotype.

TGF-beta1 null mice die by 3 to 4 weeks of age due to a severe autoimmune-mediated multifocal inflammation resulting in multi-organ failure. To assess the therapeutic potential of circulating levels of active TGF-beta1, we generated mice with endocrine expression of active TGF-beta1 on a TGF-beta1 null background (TGF-beta1 (-/-/TG)) by crossing TGF-beta1(+/-) mice with transgenic mice (TG) that express recombinant TGF-beta1 specifically in the liver and secrete it in the blood. The TGF-beta1 (-/-/TG) mice exhibit a survival profile similar to the TGF-beta1 (-/-) mice indicating a failure to rescue the lethal phenotype.

Function of cytokines within the TGF-beta superfamily as determined from transgenic and gene knockout studies in mice.

Several major conceptual problems regarding specific in vivo functions of the TGF-beta family members remain the key focus of many researchers studying the biology of these secreted signaling molecules. More than 45 members of this family of growth factors have been identified and partially characterized for their molecular roles in numerous processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, embryonic development, carcinogenesis, immune dysfunction, inflammation and wound healing. The high degree of similarity that exists at the structural level among the isoforms of these growth factors is accompanied by a significant overlap in function, as defined by many in vitro model systems and in vivo systems involving administration of exogenous ligand or of ligand-specific blocking antibodies.

Amelogenin-deficient mice display an amelogenesis imperfecta phenotype.

Dental enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and cannot be replaced or repaired, because the enamel secreting cells are lost at tooth eruption. X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (MIM 301200), a phenotypically diverse hereditary disorder affecting enamel development, is caused by deletions or point mutations in the human X-chromosomal amelogenin gene. Although the precise functions of the amelogenin proteins in enamel formation are not well defined, these proteins constitute 90% of the enamel organic matrix.

Reduced expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein is associated with dysplastic dentin in mice overexpressing transforming growth factor-beta 1 in teeth.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is expressed in developing tooth from the initiation stage through adulthood. Odontoblast-specific expression of TGF-beta1 in the tooth continues throughout life; however, the precise biological functions of this growth factor in the odontoblasts are not clearly understood. Herein, we describe the generation of transgenic mice that overexpress active TGF-beta1 predominantly in the odontoblasts.

Electron microscopy of Rhodotorula glutinis.

Thyagarajan, T. R. (Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.

Cytology of Rhodotorula glutinis.

Thyagarajan, T. R. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.