Dr. Lin Han of Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 27 million people in the United States. In seeking the early diagnosis and effective treatment, murine models are widely used in the studies of OA pathogenesis and progression, owing to its low cost, short life-span and availability of genetic modification. Limited by its small size, conventional tools are not able to identify maturation- and disease-associated changes in the mechanical properties of cartilage, the direct indicator of cartilage joint function. Employing atomic force microscopy (AFM), we demonstrated the potential of using nanomechanical characteristics in evaluating the structural and mechanical integrity of cartilage tissue during maturation and osteoarthritis. First, through evaluating transgenic murine models, we detected that one small proteoglycan, decorin, has an indispensable role in regulating the formation and maintenance of cartilage. In decorin knockout mice, cartilage exhibits a number of structural defects at the nanoscale, leading to largely impaired load bearing and energy dissipation properties. Second, in a surgery-induced OA murine model, we detected that the weakening of cartilage nanomechanics occurs at a much earlier time frame than conventional histological signs, highlighting the potential of nanomechanical characteristics in early OA detection and prevention.

Biography:

Dr. Lin Han obtained his B.E. degree at Tsinghua University in China, and his Ph.D. degree at MIT. His Ph.D. thesis focused on the molecular, cellular and tissue nanomechanics of cartilage. He later worked as a post-doctoral associate in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Center for Biomedical Engineering at MIT, where he continued the exploration of nanostructure and nanomechanics of soft and hard biological tissues.

In 2012, he joined the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University as an assistant professor. His current research seeks inspiration from the nanoscale structure-mechanics of synovial tissues to their development and maturation, aging and OA progression, with the emphasis on quantitatively minor matrix collagens and proteoglycans. The ultimate goal is to provide a fundamental knowledge basis for the application of disease diagnostics, tissue regeneration and bio-inspired material design.

Joseph Maida, P.E.

Beginning with an overview of PLC Systems, this course will discuss how the PLC systems are specified and designed by reviewing recent application case studies. It will also provide a cursory list of the Codes and Standards which provide requirements or guidelines for providing Redundant and/or Safety Rated PLC Systems in these applications.

 Case studies of the following applications will be included:

• Wind Tunnels and Whirl Towers which use Non- Redundant and Non-Safety Rated PLC Systems.


• Wind Tunnels which will use Safety Rated PLC Systems


• Power Generation Load Management Systems which use Redundant and Non-Safety Rated PLC Systems.


• Combustion Safety Control Systems which use Non-Redundant and Safety Rated PLC Systems.


• Elevators which use which uses Non-Redundant and either Non-Safety Rated PLC or Safety Rated PLC Systems.


• Amusement Attractions which uses Non-Redundant and either Non-Safety Rated or Safety Rated PLC Systems.

The attendees will gain an appreciation of the Project Engineer’s roles and how important it is for him or her to:

• Have a working knowledge of mechanical, chemical and civil engineering in addition to his or her knowledge of electrical, controls and instrumentation.


• Read and understand the Codes and Regulations


• Define how the Control System will operate.


• Provide clear direction to the team of engineers, designers, vendors, system integrators and contractors who build the PLC System.

Biography:

Joseph Maida provides engineering and design services for large and small projects in a number of disciplines. Since starting Maida Engineering, Inc. in 1978, Joseph has provided engineering and design and project management services for commercial, industrial, governmental design projects and many design/build projects for industrial power and control systems. Joseph has also performed numerous power system studies and arc flash analyses.

Large or small, simple or complex, Joseph approaches every project with the same attention to detail and strives to

develop or oversee the development of the most feasible designs that meet building codes, that provide a high degree of safety, and that will function reliably, while meeting the client’s budgets ad schedules.

Joseph has dedicated his career to learning and developing his engineering and management talents enabling him to fill various roles on different types of projects. Joseph prepared the functional specifications describing both existing systems, when applicable, and new systems, and the specifications and related drawings for the removal of existing systems, when applicable, and for the installation of new state of the art systems for the St. Louis Arch Tram Motor and Drive Replacement Project, for NFPA 86 Gas Furnaces and Forehearth Upgrade Projects, for various Theme Park Attractions and for Wind Tunnels.

He holds an MSEE and BSEE from Drexel University. Is an NSPE member, PSPE – Philadelphia Chapter member, Practicing Engineering Institute, IEEE Member.