Characterization of a Mouse Model of Inducible Frailty: The Humanized IL-6 Mouse

The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has pleiotropic effects in aging and is elevated in frail older adults. We have developed a conditional mouse model to better characterize the role of IL-6 in promoting frailty and age-related mitochondrial dysregulation. The human IL-6 (hIL-6) knock-in mouse (TetO-hIL6) was developed utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology with transgene donor vector containing a tetracycline response element promoter driving expression of hIL-6 cDNA. Male TetO-hIL6 mice were treated with doxycycline-containing water for six weeks starting at 8 months old. RNAseq analysis of whole blood demonstrated significant upregulation of pro-inflammatory related markers at 6 weeks compared to baseline and upregulated cell proliferation and metabolism pathways. Physical testing of TetO-hIL6 mice before and after hIL-6 induction demonstrated decreased grip strength (p =0.003), decreased running capacity (p = 0.02), and 40% increase in falls off of the treadmill (p = 0.001). Induced mice also demonstrated decreased basal body temperature (p < 0.001). Given the significant dysregulation of metabolism-related genes in RNAseq analysis and changes in basal body temperature following hIL-6 induction, we next performed untargeted metabolomics on plasma from mice at baseline and 6 weeks post-induction to better evaluate metabolic changes associated with hIL-6 elevation. We found changes in key serum metabolites, including circulating adenosine triphosphate (56% reduction, p = 0.02), pyruvate (35% reduction, p = 0.0006), alpha-ketoglutarate (47% reduction, p = 0.04), and succinate (306% increase, p = 0.001). The TetO-hIL6 mouse model allows for induction of hIL-6 at various timepoints across the lifespan and demonstrates features of a frailty phenotype.

Developing FEM Procedures for Four-Sided Structural Sealant Glazing Curtain Wall Systems with Reentrant Corners

In the cyclic racking evaluation of curtain wall systems, physical testing with instrumentation is the standard method for collecting performance data by most design professionals. The resulting testing of full-scale mockups can provide many types of data, including load and displacement values at different stages of loading through failure. While this type of data is valuable for product/system development/fabrication and design, such data can also provide a means for simulation validation of the curtain wall cyclic performance under simulated earthquake loading. Once the simulation study is validated using the test results, then parametric studies by designers can be conducted with greater ease, ideally with commercial software packages, without the need for testing. For the results of this research study, a practical industry formulated finite element modeling (FEM) approach was used to predict the performance of the curtain wall mockups. Here, unitized four-sided structural sealant glazing (4SSG) curtain wall system mockups that incorporate a re-entrant corner were subjected to cyclic racking displacements per the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) 501.6 Structural Sealant protocol. System performances, including displacements, were obtained from the FEM study and used to calculate the effective shear strain of the structural silicone and the drift capacity of the system. This paper describes the details of the techniques developed for FEM, the analysis results, and shows an example application of the numerical modeling approach for mockups with racking test results available. The goal of this modeling approach was to create and test methods that practicing consulting engineers can quickly conduct in their offices on common commercially available software often available to them.

A Digital Twin Approach for the Improvement of an Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR’s) Operating Environment—A Case Study

The contemporary market creates a demand for continuous improvement of production, service, and management processes. Increasingly advanced IT technologies help designers to meet this demand, as they allow them to abandon classic design and design-testing methods in favor of techniques that do not require the use of real-life systems and thus significantly reduce the costs and time of implementing new solutions. This is particularly important when re-engineering production and logistics processes in existing production companies, where physical testing is often infeasible as it would require suspension of production for the testing period. In this article, we showed how the Digital Twin technology can be used to test the operating environment of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR). In particular, the concept of the Digital Twin was used to assess the correctness of the design assumptions adopted for the early phase of the implementation of an AMR vehicle in a company’s production hall. This was done by testing and improving the case of a selected intralogistics task in a potentially “problematic” part of the shop floor with narrow communication routes. Three test scenarios were analyzed. The results confirmed that the use of digital twins could accelerate the implementation of automated intralogistics systems and reduce its costs.

Study on Spinning Process Parameters of the Copper Bushing by Tribological Properties and Physical Testing

The bushing is a kind of ring sleeve which acts as a liner outside the mechanical parts, which needs good strength, hardness and fatigue resistance. In this paper, the copper bushing was prepared by spinning forming method, and the process parameters of spinning were explored. According to the results of material thermal simulation and test, the conclusion is that the spinning process of copper bushing needs to be carried out in two passes by reverse spinning method. The thinning rate is 30% and 25% respectively. The gap between the mandrel and the roller is 10mm, the feed ratio is 1mm/r, and the spinning temperature is 250°C.

Research on Anti-Corrosion and Coating Technology of Outer Pipes of Submarine Pipelines Shallow Sea by Physical Testing

In this paper, by discussing the characteristics of the beach and shallow sea marine environment, combining with engineering design and application, studying the anti-corrosion coating and coating technology of the outer pipe of the pipeline, and analyzing the design of the concrete counterweight layer of the submarine pipeline. According to the submarine pipeline of the environment, structural characteristics, construction methods, etc, the reasons for the damage of the external protective coating under certain conditions are explained, so as to select the external protective coating more reasonably, and provide data for the anti-corrosion and coating selection of the marine pipeline.

Comparative Study of Marshall Properties and Durability of Superpave and AC-WC Pavement by Using Starbit E-55 and Pen 60/70

The challenges in high traffic volumes, excessive loads and environmental problems need to be anticipated through modification of pavement materials, both for gradations as well as for binding materials. This paper presents a comparative study of Marshall characteristics and its durability between Superpave and AC-WC graded mixtures using Starbit E-55 and Pen 60/70. The experimental laboratory begins with physical testing of aggregate and bitumen material, then, determination of optimum bitumen content for each of the mixture was conducted, and Marshall Standard and Index of Retained Strength (IRS) at optimum bitumen content were then run. Results show that in general Superpave mixture with Starbit has a significantly better Marshall performance in terms of its stability and Marshall Quotient, however, its volumetric properties, such as void in total mix, void filled with asphalt and density were slightly lower quality than AC-WC. It also has proven that Starbit E-55 gives a significantly better mechanical performance on Superpave mixture rather than on AC-WC, with only a slightly lower volumetric quality. Superpave mixtures tend to have a more durable performance then the AC-WC mixture. It also has been found that Starbit E-55 generates a more significantly durable mixture of Superpave rather than on AC-WC.

A study on mechanical properties of ferritic alloy by physical testing for nuclear power fusion reactors

The ferrite plays an important role in key component materials for nuclear power plant. The study was performed on ferritic alloys with various Cr content ranging from 10 to 38wt%. The Vickers-hardness and mechanical test results indicate that the high Cr content will cause a hardening and strengthening effect on the ferrite steel. Meanwhile, it can be concluded that the ferritic alloy suffers a reduction of toughness and a failure mode transition from ductile to brittle fracture with the increasing Cr content from the SEM fractography analysis.

Reinforcement Design and Physical Testing of New and Old Cushion Cap of Existing Bridge

As an important part of bridge structure, pile cap plays an important role in its operation. There is a lack of sufficient research in the design and construction of the existing bridges, especially in the operation process of the river crossing bridge, there will be more security risks, so it is urgent to strengthen the bearing platform. Combined with the general design theory of bridge cap, considering the feasibility of construction and the difficulty of operation, the new and old caps are planted with steel bars to make them bear the common force. Aiming at the problem of insufficient bearing capacity, the cap reinforcement method is proposed, so as to improve the stability of the bridge. The research results can provide reference for similar bridge reinforcement projects in the future.

Characteristics of Cantilever Retaining Wall Composed of Upper Wall and Lower Wall by Physical Testing

Based on the finite element method, the earth pressure and deformation of the cantilever retaining wall composed of upper wall and lower wall are compared and analyzed. The results show that the maximum lateral displacement of the fill occurs near the top of the upper wall, the lower wall has the tendency of overturning to the free surface, while the upper wall has a certain deviation from the free surface. The vertical earth pressure acting on the heel plate of the upper wall and the lower wall presents non-linear characteristics. When the cantilever retaining wall composed of upper wall and lower wall is unstable, there are two slip surfaces in the filling. The first slip surface runs through the filling based on the heel plate root of the lower wall, and the second slip surface runs through the upper filling based on the heel plate root of the upper wall.

Research on automatic physical testing method of relay protection equipment through data fusion technology

Intelligent substations can accomplish deeper and more complex substation information exchange and processing by virtue of their equipment intelligence and data integration. In this paper, a relay protection equipment test system for intelligent substations is investigated for intelligent relay protection equipment. By applying data fusion technology in the testing process, functions such as automatically obtaining the action information of secondary devices and judging the response status of secondary devices can be accomplished. Applying the test system proposed in this paper to high-voltage line protection devices, the results show that the relay protection equipment test system can optimize the relay protection equipment test process, which further improves the accuracy and efficiency of relay protection equipment testing.