The Phosphoinositide 3‐Kinase Signaling Pathway is Involved in the Control of Modified Low‐Density Lipoprotein Uptake by Human Macrophages

The transformation of macrophages into lipid‐loaded foam cells is a critical early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Both receptor‐mediated uptake of modified LDL, mediated primarily by scavenger receptors‐A (SR‐A) and CD36 along with other proteins such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and macropinocytosis contribute to macrophage foam cell formation. The signaling pathways that are involved in the control of foam cell formation are not fully understood. In this study, we have investigated the role of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) in relation to foam cell formation in human macrophages. The pan PI3K inhibitor LY294002 attenuated the uptake of modified LDL and macropinocytosis, as measured by Lucifer Yellow uptake, by human macrophages. In addition, the expression of SR‐A, CD36 and LPL was attenuated by LY294002. The use of isoform‐selective PI3K inhibitors showed that PI3K‐β, ‐γ and ‐δ were all required for the expression of SR‐A and CD36 whereas only PI3K‐γ was necessary in the case of LPL. These studies reveal a pivotal role of PI3K in the control of macrophage foam cell formation and provide further evidence for their potential as therapeutic target against atherosclerosis.     

High Brightness 2.2–12 μm Mid‐Infrared Supercontinuum Generation in a Nontoxic Chalcogenide Step‐Index Fiber

An environment friendly nonlinear chalcogenide glass fiber with a Ge‐Sb‐Se core and a Ge‐Se cladding is fabricated for bright broadband mid‐infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) generation. The fabricated Ge‐Sb‐Se/Ge‐Se fiber with a core diameter of 6 μm shows zero group velocity dispersion at ~4.2 μm and ~7.3 μm. By pumping the fiber with a length of 11 cm at 4.485 μm with 330 fs pulses, we achieve a SC covering the 2.2–12 μm spectral range and with an output average power of ~17 mW. This bright broadband SC source is promising for high‐resolution MIR spectroscopy.     

Comparison of two size-differentiating air samplers for detecting airborne swine viruses under experimental conditions

Detection and quantification of dilute viral aerosols, as encountered outside animal housing facilities, requires methods that are able to detect small numbers of viruses in large volumes of air. This study compared the performance of two size-differentiating cascade impactors; an Andersen 8-stage (ACI; 28.3 L/min) and a high volume Tisch (TCI; 1,133 L/min) to assess sampling efficiency for detecting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and influenza A virus (IAV). Samples of particles sorted by aerodynamic diameter were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and collection efficiency was assessed by particle size. Collection media (minimum essential medium [MEM] and beef extract [BE]), elution technique (active versus passive), and sampling times (10, 20, and 30 min) were variables assessed for the TCI sampler. Extraction efficiency was 35% higher with BE as compared to that of MEM (p = 0.0007); active extraction technique was 19% more efficient than the passive technique (p = 0.03); time of sampling did not significantly affect the amount of virus recovered. The ACI sampler was more efficient in detecting both viruses from small and medium sized airborne particles (≤3 μm) as compared to the TCI sampler (p < 0.001). The latter sampler, however, was more efficient at IAV detection from large airborne particles (>3 μm) (p = 0.0025) indicating the potential of this sampler in detecting the presence of small amounts of viruses in aerosols under field conditions.

© 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Mechanical properties of adhesive filled with metal powders

The results of tests to determine the mechanical properties of an adhesive filled with metallic powders are presented. The adhesive used was a toughened, single part epoxy which contained various amounts of admixed copper and aluminium powders, each having a range of grain size. Results were obtained for tensile strength, shear strength, peel force, impact strength and fatigue strength. All results were comparedwith those obtained in the adhesive without powder additions.     

Effect of Impact Angle on Ceramic Deposition Behavior in Composite Cold Spray: A Finite-Element Study

During the cold spraying of particle-reinforced metal matrix composite coatings (ceramic and metal particles mixture) on metal substrates, ceramic particles may either get embedded in the substrate/deposited coating or may rebound from the substrate surface. In this study, the dependence of the ceramic rebounding phenomenon on the spray angle and its effect on substrate erosion have been analyzed using finite-element analysis. From the numerical simulations, it was found that the ceramic particle density and substrate material strength played the major roles in determining the embedding and ceramic retention behavior. Substrate material erosion also influenced the ceramic retention, and the material loss increased as the impact angles decreased from normal. In general, the results concluded that decreasing the impact angle promoted the retention possibility of ceramics in the substrate. This study provides new theoretical insights into the effect of spray angles on the ceramic retention and suggests a new route toward optimizing the spraying process to increase the ceramic retention in composite coatings cold spray.     

Flexural Properties of E Glass and TR50S Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

A study on the flexural properties of E glass and TR50S carbon fiber reinforced hybrid composites is presented in this paper. Specimens were made by the hand lay-up process in an intra-ply configuration with varying degrees of glass fibers added to the surface of a carbon laminate. These specimens were then tested in the three-point bend configuration in accordance with ASTM D790-07 at three span-to-depth ratios: 16, 32, and 64. The failure modes were examined under an optical microscope. The flexural behavior was also simulated by finite element analysis, and the flexural modulus, flexural strength, and strain to failure were calculated. It is shown that although span-to-depth ratio shows an influence on the stress-strain relationship, it has no effect on the failure mode. The majority of specimens failed by either in-plane or out-of-plane local buckling followed by kinking and splitting at the compressive GFRP side and matrix cracking combined with fiber breakage at the CFRP tensile face. It is shown that positive hybrid effects exist for the flexural strengths of most of the hybrid configurations. The hybrid effect is noted to be more obvious when the hybrid ratio is small, which may be attributed to the relative position of the GFRP layer(s) with respect to the neutral plane. In contrast to this, flexural modulus seems to obey the rule of mixtures equation.     

Progress in Tin-Nickel Electroplating

An investigation of the effect of fluoride concentration on alloy deposition from tin-nickel electrolytes is described. Evidence for the existence and stability of the complexes SnF4—and SnF6—is adduced; deposition of the alloy NiSn is shown to be associated with the formation of the complex SnF4—. Deposition of bright tin-nickel alloy plate is not possible from solutions in which uncomplexed Sn²⁺ ions are present. The relation between [Na+] and [Sn^IV] in the chloride-fluoride electrolyte is discussed.

In the light of the information thus gained some modifications in the constitution of the electrolyte and in maintenance procedure for the practical deposition of the tin-nickel alloy are suggested. Such modifications have for their aim (a) maintenance of the fluoride concentration at the optimum value, (b) reduction of the loss of hydrofluoric acid, when the bath is working, to a minimum.     

Performance of Concrete Reinforcement Products

Reinforced concrete is an important composite material used widely in the construction industry. Alternative reinforcement is being used increasingly in the design of concrete structures in high risk environments. The performance of fusion-bonded epoxy-coated steel reinforcement and its potential durability have been assessed in a natural exposure trial carried out by the Building Research Establishment. The performance has been measured relative to other reinforcement products and over a wide range of chloride contamination levels. This paper describes the results and outlines potential benefits of using corrosion-protected and corrosion-resistant reinforcement in a wide range of service environments.     

The production and anatomy of a tungsten powder jet

A tungsten powder jet is a potential candidate technology for a particle production target in a future high power (i.e. Multi-MW) particle accelerator based facility, such as a so-called conventional neutrino Super Beam, a proposed Neutrino Factory, or a future neutron source. To test the viability of producing a suitable powder jet a few simple experiments were performed using standard pneumatic conveying equipment and the encouraging results are presented.