Technology and ispection of air conditioning systems

Summary A technical approach, in terms of air quality, implies the review of all components within the air conditioning system and the check of their characteristics, as far as contamination sources are concerned. The contribution introduces the parameters to be examined and specifies the importance of validation.     

Estimation of the physiological mechanical conditioning in vascular tissue engineering by a predictive fluid-structure interaction approach

The in vitro replication of physiological mechanical conditioning through bioreactors plays a crucial role in the development of functional Small-Caliber Tissue-Engineered Blood Vessels. An in silico scaffold-specific model under pulsatile perfusion provided by a bioreactor was implemented using a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) approach for viscoelastic tubular scaffolds (e.g. decellularized swine arteries, DSA). Results of working pressures, circumferential deformations, and wall shear stress on DSA fell within the desired physiological range and indicated the ability of this model to correctly predict the mechanical conditioning acting on the cells-scaffold system. Consequently, the FSI model allowed us to a priori define the stimulation pattern, driving in vitro physiological maturation of scaffolds, especially with viscoelastic properties.     

Vague-to-crisp dynamics of percept formation modeled as operant (selectionist) process

We model the vague-to-crisp dynamics of forming percepts in the brain by combining two methodologies: dynamic logic (DL) and operant learning process. Forming percepts upon the presentation of visual inputs is likened to model selection based on sampled evidence. Our framework utilizes the DL in selecting the correct “percept” among competing ones, but uses an intrinsic reward mechanism to allow stochastic online update in lieu of performing the optimization step of the DL framework. We discuss the connection of our framework with cognitive processing and the intentional neurodynamic cycle.     

Modulation of Host Learning in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

1. Download high-res image (112KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Changes in latitude: overwintering survival of two Lilioceris cheni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) biotypes in Florida

Lilioceris cheni is a successful biological control agent on the invasive yam, Dioscorea bulbifera in many areas in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. Two biotypes are available for release and come from significantly different centres of origin. The Nepalese biotype was collected at higher altitude and latitude sites, whereas the Chinese biotype was collected at slightly lower latitude and lower altitude. We hypothesised that Nepalese beetles would survive winter better in north Florida and that Chinese beetles would overwinter better in subtropical south Florida. We established sites in Homestead, Fort Pierce, Gainesville and Tallahassee, Florida to gauge the overwintering survival of each biotype. Beetles that overwintered in each site for one to three seasons were collected and followed to assess their reproductive capacity. In the final year of the experiment, we extracted fat bodies to determine effects of biotype and site. Nepalese beetles overwintered significantly better overall. Beetles survived better in the first study year (2013–2014). Both biotypes reproduced very well after surviving winter and beetles in Fort Pierce survived better than beetles in other regions and maintained a higher fat body. Nepalese beetles may have a wider ecological envelope – a decided advantage for a large region such as peninsular Florida. We suggest that current release programmes incorporate Nepalese beetles into their protocol to increase overwinter survival and establishment.