Toxicity, antitumor and chemosensitizing effects of 3-chloroprocainamide

3-Chloroprocainamide (3-CPA), an analog of metoclopramide (MCA), dose-dependently inhibited tumor growth in scid mice xenografted with a human brain astrocytoma (T24) when given intramuscularly to mice every third day for 14-20 days. 3-CPA was shown to have the same efficacy on tumor growth inhibition as neutral metoclopramide (neutral MCA) at the doses of 10-40 mg/kg when evaluated by tumor doubling time, tumor growth time for tumor volumes to reach 1000 mm3 and area under growth curve. 3-CPA at the dose of 3 x 40 mg/kg was also shown to enhance the cytotoxicity induced by a single dose of cisplatin at 7.5 mg/kg. A dose of < or = 160 mg/kg of 3-CPA did not show any notable extrapyramidal symptoms which was observed for neutral MCA treated mice at the dose of 20 mg/kg. The lethal response dose of 3-CPA for scid mice was 320 mg/kg which is 4 times higher than that determined for neutral MCA (80 mg/kg). These results support 3-CPA as a good candidate drug representing a new generation of benzamides for further clinical development as a cancer therapy drug.     

Optimization of Spectrum Usage and Coexistence Analysis of DVB-T and LTE-800 systems

This paper investigates the possible coexistence issues between the digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) system and the long term evolution (LTE) that operate in adjacent frequency bands. The proposed methodology for interference assessment evaluates the DVB-T performance degradation in presence of aggregate LTE-800 interference targeting the territory of Macedonia as evaluation area. The simulation analysis quantifies the percentage of interference degraded pixels and obtains the probability of pixel DVB-T service degradation. Furthermore, a measurement trial complements the simulation analysis through the evaluation of the influence of active antenna usage by the DVB-T receivers. The simulation and measurement results in this particular case confirm that the alignment of the active DVB-T receiving antenna towards the LTE-800 base station can substantially increase the degradation whereas aligning of the active DVB-T receiving antenna towards the DVB-T transmitter maintains the efficient TV reception. Finally, this paper proposes a simple algorithm for optimal LTE frequency arrangement, resulting in significant reduction of the LTE interference towards the DVB-T system.     

台中城市文化馆

本案是由de Architekten Cie,设计的台中城市文化馆竞赛方案。设计师将这座由博物馆、图书馆两栋分楼和共同的底层构成的文化馆建筑设计成柔性结构,以适应博物馆和图书馆两种功能频繁变化的使用需求。     

Experimental analysis of properties of materials for rapid prototyping

Rapid prototyping (RP) can substantially shorten the time and reduce the cost of developing a new product from the initial idea to production. Rapid prototyping can help in recognizing the basic defects whose subsequent correction may prove very expensive, especially if they have already been made when the product is ready for production. There are also many restrictions of RP procedures, primarily in the number of available materials and their properties, which may differ significantly from the properties of end product materials. In this work, based on the stipulated standards of the 3D printing machines (ZPrinter 310 Plus) and the hybrid Polyjet technique (Objet Eden 330), adequate test specimens were made. Furthermore, with adequate equipment, we carried out the analysis of the dimensions, roughness of surfaces, and mechanical properties of prototype test specimens. Then, based on the data obtained by testing of properties, we provided a critical commentary regarding the data stipulated by their producers.     

Technical and economic performance analysis of large‐scale ground‐mounted PV plants in Italian context

During the last decade, the market penetration of photovoltaic (PV) technology has been increased tremendously worldwide. In the EU context, following the quick development in German and Spanish PV sector, Italy is currently one of the most interesting market. In view of these facts, it is strategic to perform detailed technical and economic analyses to establish energy performances and profitability of the PV plants, depending on their configurations. In particular, in addition to the selection of main components, such as inverters and modules, which are now characterized, on average, by good performance levels, the debate on the support structures is still open. In detail, the choice may fall, for example, on traditional fixed structures or on one/two axis tracking systems, that could ensure best productivity per unit of power, but also are typically characterized by higher complexity and land‐occupation factors than the first ones. The purpose of this work is to carry out performance analyses on the most widespread plant configurations, taking into account different Italian climatic contexts, considering technical, energetic, and economic points of view. With this aim, different types of components (modules and inverters) and ground‐mounting structures (fixed, one‐axis, two‐axis) have been evaluated. Subsequently, their obtainable performances have been estimated in three different locations (Milano, Roma, Palermo) that have been considered representative of average irradiation levels available in Italy. Analyses have been carried out by computer simulations, through two consequent levels of detail, highlighting the main performance influence‐factors. In conclusion, the final profitability of each analyzed configuration has been evaluated, giving a reliable indication on their effective economic advantages. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural fire design parameters and procedures – analysis of the potential of Eurocode 3

This paper presents an experimental research carried out for testing the simple calculation models presented in EN 1993‐1‐2 for the determination of the fire resistance of steel structures, as well as the models for calculating the development of temperature in the structure. The analysis was carried out for the simple heat transfer models in protected and unprotected steel elements, for the basic parameters of reduction of mechanical properties of steel at high temperatures, and for simple calculation models for determining fire resistance of elements subjected to vertical force in combination with and without the action of the axial force.