This paper presents a viscoelastic temperature- and degree-of-cure-dependent constitutive model for an epoxy resin. Multi-temperature relaxation tests on fully and partially cured rectangular epoxy specimens were conducted in a dynamic mechanical analysis apparatus with a three-point bending clamp. Master curves were constructed from the relaxation test results based on the time–temperature superposition hypothesis. The influence of the degree of cure was included through the cure-dependent glass transition temperature which was used as reference temperature for the shift factors. The model parameters were optimized by minimization of the differences between the model predictions and the experimental data. The model predictions were successfully validated against an independent creep-like strain history over which the temperature varied.

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SUMMARYThe generation of functional structures during development requires tight spatial regulation of signaling pathways. Thus, in Drosophila legs, in which Notch pathway activity is required to specify joints, only cells distal to ligand-producing cells are capable of responding. Here, we show that the asymmetric distribution of planar cell polarity (PCP) proteins correlates with this spatial restriction of Notch activation. Frizzled and Dishevelled are enriched at distal sides of each cell and hence localize at the interface with ligand-expressing cells in the non-responding cells. Elimination of PCP gene function in cells proximal to ligand-expressing cells is sufficient to alleviate the repression, resulting in ectopic Notch activity and ectopic joint formation. Mutations that compromise a direct interaction between Dishevelled and Notch reduce the efficacy of repression. Likewise, increased Rab5 levels or dominantnegative Deltex can suppress the ectopic joints. Together, these results suggest that PCP coordinates the spatial activity of the Notch pathway by regulating endocytic trafficking of the receptor.

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