Immunological properties of human decidual macrophages--a possible role in intrauterine immunity

Our aim was to investigate the contribution of decidual macrophages, which constitute an important immune component of the decidua in late gestation, to intrauterine defence mechanisms. Using flow cytometry we examined the ability of decidual macrophages, isolated from term decidua, to bind and phagocytose fluorescence-labelled bacterial and yeast bioparticles. We also assessed their ability to generate superoxide radicals and tumour necrosis factor-alpha following lipopolysaccharide challenge. Decidual macrophages bound bacterial and yeast particles in a dose-dependent manner, which subsequently led to phagocytosis. These macrophages also produced superoxide radicals and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha when challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharides. These results suggest a role for decidual macrophages in pathogen recognition and clearance during pregnancy, and, therefore, they are likely to protect the fetus against intrauterine infections which might otherwise lead to preterm labour.     

Numerical modeling of an explosion plasma generator,taking into account radiative energy transport and evaporation of the walls

Using a generalized theoretical model, we study the effect of geometrical dimensions and a variety of physical processes on the operation of the explosion plasma generator.Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 1012–1020, December, 1982.     

Energy balance and lactation response in Holstein cows supplemented with cottonseed with or without calcium soap.

Holstein cows (n = 58, 21 primiparous), fed corn and wilted grass silages (63:37, DM basis) for free choice consumption, were assigned to control concentrate or supplemented concentrate during wk 1 to 16 postpartum with linted whole cottonseed (15% of projected DMI) alone or with Megalac (.54 kg/d). Our objective was to examine the effects of fatty acids on energy and N balances, total tract digestibility, and milk fatty acids in wk 7 and 16 and to assess total lactation responses. During balance measurements, fatty acids constituted 4.1, 6.8, and 8.6% of DM in control, oilseed, and oilseed plus protected fatty acid diets. Fat additions reduced fiber digestion (attributed to oilseed) and, to some degree, DMI and milk yield, but enhanced fat test without affecting protein percentage. Supplementary fat increased the proportion of C18:0 in milk at the expense of short-chain fatty acids. Supplemental oilseed with or without protected fatty acids reduced total heat production by 6% and reduced heat in excess of maintenance by 8%. Best estimates of NEL in linted whole cottonseed and of fat in Megalac were 1.81 and 5.69 Mcal/kg of DM. In total lactation, primiparous cows yielded more milk and FCM when fed oilseed plus Megalac and less of each when fed oilseed alone than controls. In pluriparous cows, milk yield was reduced by 2.7 kg/d relative to other treatments when oilseed plus Megalac was fed; FCM yield increased about 2 kg/d only when oilseed was supplemented alone. Overall, data suggest that basal ration fat and oilseed supplementation were too high or that supplementation should have been delayed until feed intake was higher.     

Electrical conductivity and porosity relationship in metal foams

This paper presents a literature review of the experimental data and different authors’ proposed equations related to the measurement and modelling of the electrical conductivity of metal foams. The analysis is based on the classification scheme that considers two different foam categories: open-cell and closed-cell foams. A new empirical equation is presented to describe the relationship between porosity and electrical conductivity in foamed materials. The aim of this equation is to encompass the different behaviours previously described for different types of foams in a single equation.     

Study on Urban Infrastructure Development Financing in China(Ⅱ)

4.Typical modes of infrastructure financing in China After summarizing the general situations of infrastructure financing in China,further analyses will be made on several typical modes of infrastructure financing on the basis of the interviews,surveys,and data collections in certain Chinese cities.     

Reflections on China's Institutional Reform on Urban Planning Decision-making:A Case Study on Shenzhen Urban Planning Committee

With the establishment of a market economy, the deepening of market-oriented reforms, and an increased awareness of rights protection, the role of government as sole investor and manager of urban construction projects     

Urban Planning and Farmland Protection:A Planning Study of Village Construction Land in China

1. Problematique At present, the shortage of farmland re-sources constitutes a severe threat to sus-tainable social and economic development in China. The Central Government of     

广州市城市总体发展战略规划实施总结研讨会综述

广州市在国内第一个开展战略规划工作,再开先河进行战略规划实施总结评价,这是对快速城市化时期和市场经济体制下城市规划编制、实施和管理工作的方法和体制的探索。文章在广州市战略规划编制工作回顾及其实施总结的基础上,对全国专家学者在“广州市城市总体发展战略规划实施总结研讨会”上的研讨发言进行了归纳、综述。     

Potentials with small‐angle neutron scattering technique for understanding structure–property relation of 3D‐printed materials

Carbon fiber (CF)‐embedded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer composites printed on the large‐scale printer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory were investigated by small‐angle neutron scattering to correlate the microstructure of the composites with their mechanical strength. The microstructure of the polymer domains and the alignment of CF were characterized across the interfaces between layers of the hot‐melt extruded material and were compared with CF‐free ABS. The small‐angle neutron scattering data show that the CF‐containing material displays strong anisotropic scatterings suggesting molecular alignment along the printing direction that is not present in the CF‐free ABS. Scattering data analysis across the interfacial layer revealed enhanced molecular alignment along the printing direction near the boundaries and inhomogeneous size distribution of polymer domains upon the addition of CF. We attribute the compromised strength across interfacial layers from CF‐containing material to this inhomogeneous size distribution which prevents effective lateral interaction between layers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E65–E70, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers