Simulating the Langevin force by simple noise in nuclear one-body dynamics

1. The profile of haemoconcentration induced by big endothelin-1(big ET-1), a precursor of endothelin-1 (ET-1), was compared with that induced by endothelin-1 in mice. 2. ET-1(1.5 nmol kg-1, i.v.) increased haematocrit in mice, which reached a maximum at 5 min and then returned to the control value within 30 min after the administration, this occurred at the same time as changes in the plasma immunoreactive endothelin-1 and rat atrial natriuretic peptide (rANP)-like activities (IR-ET-1 and IR-rANP, respectively). 3. Big ET-1(2.5-15 nmol kg-1, i.v.) also caused a significant and dose-dependent increase in haematocrit, that lasted over 3 h although elevated plasma IR-ET-1 and IR-rANP had almost been restored to the initial levels within 10 min after big ET-1 injection. 4. A metalloproteinase inhibitor, phosphoramidon (10 mg kg-1, i.v.), which inhibits the activity of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), delayed the onset of big ET-1-induced haemoconcentration, but failed to alter the maximal value and the duration of the haemoconcentration. 5. Pretreatment with phosphoramidon (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) did not affect the big ET-1-induced change in plasma IR-ET-1, while significant delay of the disappearance of plasma IR-rANP and significant suppression of a sustained increase in tissue IR-ET-1 were observed. 6. These results suggest that ET-1, not in plasma but in tissue, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of big ET-1-induced long-lasting haemoconcentration, in which unknown factors besides rANP are involved.     

Improved dispersion of clay platelets in poly(butylene terephthalate) nanocomposite by ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic oligomers: Effect of the processing conditions and comparison with nanocomposites obtained by melt intercalation

Poly(butylene terephthalate) nanocomposites with organically modified montmorillonites have been prepared by in‐situ ring opening polymerization of PBT cyclic oligomers. High molecular weight polymers can be obtained by choosing the proper polymerization conditions and catalyst in very short polymerization time (10 min) and low temperature (205°C). A better dispersion of the clay and a consistently higher M_w have been obtained by this method respect to the standard melt intercalation approach, leading to improved thermo‐mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

On-line monitoring and identification of bioaerosols

Fast analysis of bioaerosols in clean room environments is necessary in order to prevent contamination of pharmaceutical products, minimize machine downtimes, or both. The detection and identification of microbes will be carried out in several steps: After impaction of the aerosol on a surface, the particles are presorted with glancing light illumination and fluorescence imaging in order to distinguish between abiotic and biotic particles. Since only the biotic particles are of interest, the analysis time can be minimized due to reduction of the data set. The biotic particles are then analyzed further with Raman spectroscopy and identified with a support vector machine.     

Evaluation of HfAlO high-k materials for control dielectric applications in non-volatile memories

In this paper, we evaluate the potentiality of hafnium aluminium oxide (HfAlO) high-k materials for control dielectric application in non-volatile memories. We analyze the electrical properties (conduction and parasitic trapping) of HfAlO single layers and SiO₂/HfAlO/SiO₂ triple layer stacks as a function of the HfAlO thickness and Hf:Al ratio. A particular attention is given to the electrical behaviour of the samples at high temperature, up to 250 °C. Experimental results obtained on silicon nanocrystal memories demonstrate the high advantage of HfAlO based control dielectrics on the memory performances for Fowler-Nordheim operation. Then an analytical model is presented, to simulate the program erase characteristics in the transient regime and at saturation, depending on the high-k control dielectric properties. A very good agreement is obtained between the experimental data and the simulation results.     

Material‐Auswahlbox zur Herstellung fortgeschrittener Polymermembranen für die Wasseraufbereitung

Within the framework of the MABMEM research project, new high‐performance membranes are being developed for sustainable water management. The performance of the membranes will be evaluated in comparative and standardized fouling tests as well as in terms of the removal of trace impurities on a laboratory scale. Seven candidates are currently being tested in demonstrator trials with real‐water matrix in a waterworks for the direct treatment of dam water without prior coagulation over a period of 6 months. Subsequently, the new membrane materials will be operated with the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant.     

2-Aminobenzothiazoles Inhibit Virulence Gene Expression and Block Polymyxin Resistance in Salmonella enterica

One promising strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria is to develop compounds that block bacterial defenses against antibacterial conditions produced by the innate immune system. Salmonella enterica, which causes food-borne gastroenteritis and typhoid fever, requires histidine kinases (HKs) to resist innate immune defenses such as cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). Herein, we report that 2-aminobenzothiazoles block histidine kinase-dependent phenotypes in Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. We found that 2-aminobenzothiazoles inhibited growth under low Mg²⁺, a stressful condition that requires histidine kinase-mediated responses, and decreased expression of the virulence genes pagC and pagK. Furthermore, we discovered that 2-aminobenzothiazoles weaken Salmonella’s resistance to polymyxin B and polymyxin E, which are last-line antibiotics and models for host defense CAMPs. These findings raise the possibilities that 2-aminobenzothiazoles can block HK-mediated bacterial defenses and can be used in combination with polymyxins to treat infections caused by Salmonella.     

Tape casting of polysiloxane-derived ceramic with controlled porosity and surface properties

Tape casting has been applied to produce porous hybrid and SiOC ceramic tapes using ceramic precursors and commercially available polysiloxanes as polymeric binders. SiC particles of two different mean sizes (4.5 or 6.5?μm) were used as inert fillers to prevent shrinkage and increase mechanical stability. Macroporosity was adjusted by varying the azodicarbonamide (ADA) content from 0 to 30?wt.%. Decomposition of the polysiloxanes at 600?°C resulted in the generation of micropores with high specific surface area (187–267 m²?g^?1) and a predominant hydrophobic behavior. At 1000?°C mainly meso/macroporosity were observed (SSA: 32–162 m²?g^?1) accompanied by increased hydrophilicity. The influence of ADA content, SiC size, and pyrolysis temperature on open porosity (2.5–37%), average pore size (<0.01–1.76?μm), surface characteristics, and flexural strength (10.5–121?MPa) were investigated. The porous tapes with different surface characteristics and controlled structure are highly promising for applications involving membrane processes, particularly microfiltration systems (0.1–10?μm).     

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Novel Porcine Model of Diffuse Liver Damage Induced by Repeated Biliary Obstruction

In liver surgery, biliary obstruction can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis, a life-threatening disease with liver transplantation as the only curative treatment option. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to improve liver function in both acute and chronic liver disease models. This study evaluated the effect of allogenic MSC transplantation in a large animal model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy. MSC transplantation supported the growth of regenerated liver tissue after 14 days (MSC group, n = 10: from 1087 ± 108 (0 h) to 1243 ± 92 mL (14 days); control group, n = 11: from 1080 ± 95 (0 h) to 1100 ± 105 mL (14 days), p = 0.016), with a lower volume fraction of hepatocytes in regenerated liver tissue compared to resected liver tissue (59.5 ± 10.2% vs. 70.2 ± 5.6%, p < 0.05). Volume fraction of connective tissue, blood vessels and bile vessels in regenerated liver tissue, serum levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and GGT) and liver metabolites (albumin, bilirubin, urea and creatinine), as well as plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and TGF-β, were not affected by MSC transplantation. In our novel, large animal (pig) model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy, MSC transplantation promoted growth of liver tissue without any effect on liver function. This study underscores the importance of translating results between small and large animal models as well as the careful translation of results from animal model into human medicine.     

Design of tailored biodegradable implants: The effect of voltage on electrodeposited calcium phosphate coatings on pure magnesium

Magnesium, as a biodegradable metal, offers great potential for use as a temporary implant material, which dissolves in the course of bone tissue healing. It can sufficiently support the bone and promote the bone healing process. However, the corrosion resistance of magnesium implants must be enhanced before its application in clinical practice. A promising approach of enhancing the corrosion resistance is deposition of bioactive coating, which can reduce the corrosion rate of the implants and promote bone healing. Therefore, a well-designed substrate-coating system allowing a good control of the degradation behavior is highly desirable for tailored implants for specific groups of patients with particular needs. In this contribution, the influence of coating formation conditions on the characteristics of potentiostatically electrodeposited CaP coatings on magnesium substrate was evaluated. Results showed that potential variation led to formation of coatings with the same chemical composition, but very different morphologies. Parameters that mostly influence the coating performance, such as the thickness, uniformity, deposits size, and orientation, varied from produced coating to coating. These characteristics of CaP coatings on magnesium were controlled by coating formation potential, and it was demonstrated that the electrodeposition could be a promising coating technique for production of tailored magnesium-CaP implants.