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Demands for improved aerial vehicle performance have led to the increasing use of composite materials. However, the mechanical behavior and failure modes of composites are not characterized as well as metals, and damages may be more difficult to detect. To overcome this, there is a demand to develop a structural health monitoring (SHM) system for composite aerial vehicles. This paper presents the development of sensor integrated composite wing structure, which is an essential part of SHM system. The composite wing structure was manufactured using an autoclave process, and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) optical sensor and piezoelectric (PZT) sensor were installed. The optimal number and location of each sensor system are determined based on the experimental results and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Installation procedures for FBG and PZT sensor system are developed and validated using tension-tension fatigue tests over 106 cycles.

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Allergies are immediate hypersensitive responses to antigens and IL‐4 is involved in the initiation and development of allergic responses. Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin, is extracted from the root of wild yam and has been shown to have a variety of biological activities including anti‐inflammatory activity. The present study was undertaken to examine whether diosgenin has an inhibitory effect on allergic response in mouse splenocytes and mouse model. Our results showed that diosgenin suppressed both T and B cells proliferation induced by mitogens. RT‐PCR analysis also revealed that mRNA levels of both IL‐4 and NFAT1 were in vitro suppressed in the presence of diosgenin. In allergic mouse model, application of diosgenin on atopic dermatitis like skin lesions improved skin condition and inhibited starching behaviors. In addition, diosgenin application suppressed IL‐4 mRNA levels and its secretion. Levels of NFAT1 mRNA were also attenuated by diosgenin in mouse. Taken together, these results suggest that diosgenin has a potent inhibitory role in T cell activation and may be a candidate for therapeutic agent in allergy.

Allergies are immediate hypersensitive responses to antigens and IL‐4 is involved in the initiation and development of allergic responses. Lichen‐derived compounds have been known to have a variety of biological activities including anti‐inflammatory activity, but the effect of polar lichen extract (PLE) on allergic responses is not known yet. The present study was undertaken to examine whether PLE has an inhibitory effect on allergic response in mouse splenocytes and mouse model. Our results showed that PLE suppressed both T and B cells proliferation induced by mitogens. RT‐PCR analysis also revealed that mRNA levels of IL‐4 were in vitro suppressed in the presence of diosgenin. In allergic mouse model, application of PLE on atopic dermatitis like skin lesions improved skin condition and inhibited starching behaviors. In addition, PLE application suppressed IL‐4 mRNA levels and its secretion. Moreover, PLE suppressed foot swelling in rats. Taken together, these results suggest that PLE has a potent inhibitory role in T cell activation and may be a candidate for therapeutic agent in allergy.