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The diagnosis of reinforced concrete is essential to detect the degradation and thus maintain the structural performance of civil engineering structures. This paper aims to establish a mathematical relationship between the ultrasonic pulse velocity UPV (considered as an observable variable) and two concrete properties indicators (compressive strength fc and water content W) within a probabilistic framework. Synthetic simulations are proposed to derive a conversion model between the statistical properties of the output and the input parameters for a reinforced concrete structure by taking into account spatial variability of concrete.

Cracking in Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures may impact their durability and their structural integrity. Cracking is mainly influenced by stress distribution along the interface between steel and concrete. Thus, quantitative evaluation of steel-concrete bond, which is responsible of transferring load from steel bar to the surrounding matrix, and its effect on fracture properties is of major important. An experimental investigation on RC ties is reported in this paper. Tensile tests have been conducted on cubic specimens with different high adhesion reinforcement diameters. Those tests have been monitored continuously using the Acoustic Emission (AE) technique for a better evaluation of the damage process. The results show a good correlation between the load and the AE activity. AE signals with different characteristics have been observed during the different fracture stages. Parameters such as duration and energy increased with the loading level and can be used as indicators to detect the macrocracking of concrete. A parametric analysis is performed between average frequency and RA value. Ib-value of AE hits has been also investigated and decreases to 0.12 prior to the first macro crack.

Abstract Background The hypothalamus plays a central role in regulating appetite and metabolism. However, the gene networks within the hypothalamus that regulate feed intake and metabolism, and the effects of fasting on those pathways are not completely understood in any species. The present experiment evaluated global hypothalamic gene expression in newly hatched chicks using microarray analysis to elucidate genes and pathways regulated by feeding, fasting, and delayed feeding. Ten groups of chicks were sampled over four days post-hatch, including fed, fasted, and 48 h fasted followed by access to feed for 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h. Hypothalamic samples were collected for microarray analysis (n = 4). Expression patterns of selected genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Pathway analysis of the microarray results predicted a network of genes involved in neuropeptide or neurotransmitter signaling. To confirm the functionality of this predicted gene network, hypothalamic neurons from fed and fasted chicks were isolated and cultured in the presence of neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, norepinephrine, and L-phospho-serine. Results confirmed functional relationships among members of the predicted gene network. Moreover, the effects observed were dependant upon the nutritional state of the animals (fed vs. fasted). Results Differences in gene expression (≥ 1.6 fold) were detected in 1,272 genes between treatments, and of those, 119 genes were significantly (P < 0.05) different. Pathway Miner analysis revealed that six genes (SSTR5, NPY5R, POMC, ADRB2, GRM8, and RLN3) were associated within a gene network. In vitro experiments with primary hypothalamic neurons confirmed that receptor agonists involved in this network regulated expression of other genes in the predicted network, and this regulation within the network was influenced by the nutritional status and age of the chick. Conclusions Microarray analysis of the hypothalamus during different nutritional states revealed that many genes are differentially regulated. We found that functional interactions exist among six differentially regulated genes associated within a putative gene network from this experiment. Considering that POMC, an important gene in controlling metabolism, was central to this network, this gene network may play an important role in regulation of feeding and metabolism in birds.

MP0250 is a multi-domain drug candidate currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. It comprises one anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), one anti-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and two anti-human serum albumin (HSA) DARPin® domains within a single polypeptide chain. While there is first clinical validation of a single-domain DARPin® drug candidate, little is known about DARPin® drug candidates comprising multiple domains. Here, we show that MP0250 can be expressed at 15 g/L in soluble form in E. coli high cell-density fermentation, it is stable in soluble/frozen formulation for 2 years as assessed by reverse phase HPLC, it has picomolar potency in inhibiting VEGF-A and HGF in ELISA and cellular assays, and its domains are simultaneously active as shown by surface plasmon resonance. The inclusion of HSA-binding DARPin® domains leads to a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in mouse and cynomolgus monkey, with terminal half-lives of ∼ 30 hours in mouse and ∼ 5 days in cynomolgus monkey. MP0250 is thus a highly potent drug candidate that could be particularly useful in oncology. Beyond MP0250, the properties of MP0250 indicate that multi-domain DARPin® proteins can be valuable next-generation drug candidates.

The microcystic serous cystadenoma of pancreas or glycogen "rich" cystadenoma is a rare entity. We studied five case of this cystadenoma in adult patients ages 47-68 (58 was the mean), four of which were women (80%). The clinical presentation was varied. There was a prevalence of expansive manifestations with epigastric pain in three patients, and extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in other two. A distal tumour was revealed by the diagnostic methodology used (ultrasound and TAC) in three patients, and cephalic tumour in two, with a mean size of 8.8 cm. in diameter. A distal pancreatectomy was performed in two patients, a cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy was performed in one in relation with the presence of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, and the other two were treated with a partial cephalic pancreatectomy (enucleation). The nosological diagnose was post-surgical in all case of study. A prognosis for every case was dependent of the associated pathology.