Simultaneous isolation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts from a human cutaneous biopsy for the production of autologous reconstructed skin

The key step In the reconstruction of skin by the self‐assembly approach is to use fibroblasts capable of secreting a mature extracellular matrix and keratinocytes that can associate with one another to form a stratified, differentiated epidermis. To determine the most efficient way to extract both cell types from a single cutaneous biopsy, five different enzymatic combinations were tested. The yield, viability and morphology of the recuperated cells were compared. The length and temperature of the enzymatic treatments influenced the number and the type of cells recuperated. The cells were then cultured in appropriate media in monolayers and reconstructed skin were produced using the self‐assembly approach. No difference was observed between the different strains of cells.     

Case Study of Precision of GPS Differential Correction Strategies: Influence on aDcp Velocity and Discharge Estimates

The precision of four differential global positioning systems (DGPS) was evaluated in the context of fluvial water velocity and discharge measurement. DGPS is used to resolve water velocities measured with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (aDcp) into earth coordinates if bottom tracking is unavailable. The DGPS systems assessed were: (1) the dual frequency real time kinematic (RTKL1L2); (2) the single frequency real time kinematic (RTKL1); (3) the code-phase Canadian Coast Guard (CG); and (4) the code-phase Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Repeat discharge surveys (n = 22) were conducted at a transect of the Gatineau River, Canada, simultaneously collecting bottom track boat velocity (vBT) and boat velocity from all four DGPS (vDGPS). The mean absolute single ping differences between vBT and vDGPS were 3.1 (RTKL1L2), 3.2 (RTKL1), 8.9 (CG), and 9.8?cm/s (WAAS). Errors were observed more often near channel margins, presumably due to obstruction and multipath associated with riverbank vegetation and buildings. DGPS velocity errors were random, and a large number of DGPS positions were utilized across the section to record discharge. Accordingly, errors in discharge were relatively small, with maximum percentage differences between single transect QBT and QDGPS of 0.9 (RTKL1L2), 1.0 (RTKL1), 2.4 (CG), and 3.1% (WAAS). Simulations suggest large discharge errors (up to 51%) are possible under low sampling intensity (20 pings) and small channel velocity relative to average vDGPS error (ratio of 1).     

Object-oriented process development in the M*-OBJECT methodology

This paper describes a methodological step for the construction of process specifications in the M*-OBJECT information system design methodology. The process construction integrates an object-oriented approach to the specification of system components with a set of composition rules for the integration of components' behavior. First of all, the Process and Data Net (PDN) model (which is the basic specification tool of the M*-OBJECT methodology) is briefly illustrated. The PDN model integrates the representation of static, dynamic, and behavioral aspects of a database application, and it is based on an object-oriented data model and a process model. The first is used to describe static and behavioral aspects of objects which represent system components, while the latter describes in which way organization activities are co-ordinated. Then the co-ordination method for behavior composition is specified. It starts from the nets which describe the communications and the control of the classes that represent the system components involved into the process, and constructs the executable specification of the same process.     

Design and analysis of microstrip‐line‐coupled NRD guide filter based on integral equation techniques

Integral equation techniques which include an order‐reduced volume integral equation approach for NRD guide circuits and a generalized surface‐volume integral equation approach for planar‐NRD guide hybrid circuits have been presented in this article. A gap‐coupled NRD guide filter is designed based on the order‐reduced volume integral equation method. The two identical high‐quality microstrip‐line‐to‐NRD guide transitions are designed by means of the generalized surface‐volume integral equation approach. Finally, the optimized length of the NRD guide feed‐line is determined and a compact microstrip‐line‐coupled NRD filter is obtained. Simulated results are in good agreement with measured results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2009.     

Fast NMR Methods for Measuring in the Direct and/or Competition Mode the Dissociation Constants of Chemical Fragments Interacting with a Receptor

Ligand-based NMR screening represents a powerful method in fragment-based drug discovery for the identification of chemical matter interacting with the receptor of interest. The large dynamic range of these methods allows the detection of weakly binding ligands. However, the methodology has not been extensively used for quantifying the strength of these interactions. This knowledge is important for ranking fragments according to their binding strength and for prioritizing structure-based and medicinal chemistry activities. Rapid NMR methods for measuring the dissociation constant in direct and competition modes are presented here. The theory underpinning these methods are presented, along with their application to the measurement of the binding affinities of several ligands of the heat shock protein 90.     

Development and performance of a parsimonious model to estimate temperature in sewer networks

This paper presents a model (inspired by another model) to calculate water temperature in free-surface flow with two main innovations: the convective heat transfer occurs only at the wetted perimeter of pipes, and the model was integrated to commercial software used for hydraulic calculations in drainage systems. Given these innovations, we could reduce the number of modeling input data to calculate the temperature of water and soil in the radial and tangential directions along the pipes, with the advantages of using industry-standard software. To test the performance of the model, it was firstly calibrated in two sets of experiments (to calibrate the hydraulic and the thermal parameters separately), and benchmarked with a third controlled discharge against the case model. The results indicate that in unsteady-state situations the parsimonious model can be twice as accurate as the underlying model because the parsimonious model considers the hydraulic influence of sewer infrastructure.     

机械浆长纤维阳离子化及其性能的研究

通过中心复合设计优化了2,3-环氧丙基三甲基氯化铵(EPTMAC)与机械浆纤维接枝反应的工艺条件,同时研究了阳离子机械浆对纤维羧基和磺酸基、纸张性能和细小纤维留着的影响.研究结果表明,当浆浓11%、反应温度36℃、反应时间30min、NaOH和EPTMAC的用量分别为9.1mmol/g和36.3mmol/g时,浆纤维的阳离子表面电荷密度为1597mmol/kg,在反应体系中EPT-MAC的用量和反应温度是重要的影响因素.但是阳离子化反应使得浆纤维的羧基和磺酸基含量下降,当浆纤维的阳离子表面电荷密度提高到1600mmol/kg时,羧基和磺酸基分别从98.3mmol/kg和49.8mmol/kg下降到23.6mmoL/kg和12.2mmol/kg,导致浆纤维问结合力下降,成纸强度降低.添加10%电荷密度小于330mmol/kg阳离子浆于未处理的原浆中,小仅能够有效地提高机械浆对细小组分的留着,而且能提高纸张的强度.     

Controlled electroplating and electromigration in nickel electrodes for nanogap formation

We report the fabrication of nickel nanospaced electrodes by electroplating and electromigration for nanoelectronic devices. Using a conventional electrochemical cell, nanogaps can be obtained by controlling the plating time alone and after a careful optimization of electrodeposition parameters such as electrolyte bath, applied potential, cleaning, etc. During the process, the gap width decreases exponentially with time until the electrode gaps are completely bridged. Once the bridge is formed, the ex situ electromigration technique can reopen the nanogap. When the gap is ～ 1 nm, tunneling current-voltage characterization shows asymmetry which can be corrected by an external magnetic field. This suggests that charge transfer in the nickel electrodes depends on the orientation of magnetic moments.