Chronic growth stimulation of human adult melanocytes by inflammatory mediators in vitro: implications for nevus formation and initial steps in melanocyte oncogenesis

In the human epidermis, melanocytes are distributed at a distance from each other. In contrast, melanocytes in nevi, which are considered benign neoplasms of melanocytes, are grouped in nests. Although still not well defined, environmental factors are thought to play an important role in the development of nevi. We found that chronic growth stimulation by leukotriene C4, a compound found in increased amounts in inflamed skin, induced pleiotropic modifications in the normal melanocyte phenotype. These changes include loss of contact inhibition and formation of structures resembling tumor spheroids. In parallel with these changes, there was a constitutive expression of Fos protein. Switching these cultures to medium supplemented with phorbol ester sustained growth with reversion of the altered phenotype. In contrast, a cAMP stimulator, cholera toxin, induced features of terminal differentiation. Our findings suggest a role for inflammatory mediators in human epidermal melanocytes. This observation provides insight into melanocyte growth alterations which may have relevance in early stages of melanocyte oncogenesis.     

Reduced combustion efficiency of chlorinated compounds,resulting in higher yields of carbon monoxide

A series of experiments involving the combustion of inherently fire-retarded compounds has been performed using the DIN 53 436 furnace. Six chlorinated compounds comprising four pesticides, an organic solvent, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been investigated with the focus on the combustion efficiency expressed as the CO₂/CO ratio in the fire effluent. It was found that increased chloride content in a compound resulted in decreased CO₂/CO ratio. The correlation was found to be $ \sqrt {{\rm CO}_{\rm 2} /{\rm CO}} = 0.61 \times ({\rm Cl/C)}^{- {\rm 1}} + 0.13 $. The results indicate higher concentrations of CO in the fire effluent from chlorinated compounds than from wood. Together with a release of HCI this could result in an increased toxic potency. The overall toxic hazard may or may not be increased, since (inherently) fire-retarded materials tend to have an improved fire performance.     

一种基于云服务的远程诊断系统设计

针对当前远程诊断系统存在的不足之处,结合云计算的思想,设计了一种基于云服务的远程诊断系统.分析了现有各种模式远程诊断系统的特征,根据企业发展的需求,构建了基于云服务的诊断系统架构,并对其中的云网关设计和实时交互等关键技术做了研究.最后使用一个样机系统验证了所提出的设计方案的可行性.     

Thermal degradation of polyethylene in a nitrogen atmosphere of low oxygen content. II. Structural changes occuring in low-density polyethylene at an oxygen content less than 0.0005%

Samples of low-density polyethylene, free from additives, were heated at temperatures between 284° and 355°C under high-purity nitrogen. Changes in molecular weight distribution (MWD), molecular weight averages, and degree of long-chain branching (LCB) were followed by gel chromatography (GPC) and viscosity measurements. Other structural changes were investigated by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). At 284° and 315°C, the MWD's were shifted toward higher molecular weights and the M?_w values increased. At 333° and 355°C, the MWD's shift toward lower molecular weight, but the high molecular weight, tail is largely retained. M?_w decreases slowly at 333°C. At 355°C, M?_w undergoes a rapid initial drop which levels off. M?_w/M?_n and the degree of LCB increase with heating time and temperature. Olefinic unsaturation increases. The vinyl groups show a larger relative increase than do the trans-vinylene and vinylidene groups. At 355°C, the peak of the unimodal DSC thermogram is shifted to ～3°C higher temperature. A lower melting peak then develops, and after 72 and 90 min the two peaks are about equal in size. The density increases from 0.922 g/cm³ to 0.930 g/cm³ for samples heated at 355°C, and the weight loss was 1.5% after 90 min. A reaction scheme for the thermal degradation of polyethylene is discussed. Initiation is suggested to be accomplished by scission of allylic C? C bonds. Propagation proceeds by both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen abstraction, followed by β-scission. Termination can occur by both combination and disproportionation. Combination reactions are suggested to account for the observed formation of LCB and high molecular weight material. Due to changes in the degree of LCB during the degradation, viscometry alone will not give a proper measure of the changes in molecular weight.     

Kairomones and their use for management of entomophagous insects: X. Laboratory studies on manipulation of host-finding behavior ofTrichogramma pretiosum riley1 with a kairomone extracted fromHeliothis zea (boddie) moth scales

The behavioral response ofTrichogramma pretiosum Riley females to the kairomone found inHeliothis zea (Boddie) moth scales is examined.Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae.In cooperation with the University of Georgia College of Agriculture Experiment Stations, Coastal Plain Station, Tifton, Georgia 31793.Mention of a proprietary product in this paper does not constitute an endorsement of this product by the USDA.The authors would like to acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Marcella Latham.     

A multi-crystal wavelength dispersive x-ray spectrometer

A multi-crystal wavelength dispersive hard x-ray spectrometer with high-energy resolution and large solid angle collection is described. The instrument is specifically designed for time-resolved applications of x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and x-ray Raman scattering (XRS) at X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL) and synchrotron radiation facilities. It also simplifies resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) studies of the whole 2d RIXS plane. The spectrometer is based on the Von Hamos geometry. This dispersive setup enables an XES or XRS spectrum to be measured in a single-shot mode, overcoming the scanning needs of the Rowland circle spectrometers. In conjunction with the XFEL temporal profile and high-flux, it is a powerful tool for studying the dynamics of time-dependent systems. Photo-induced processes and fast catalytic reaction kinetics, ranging from femtoseconds to milliseconds, will be resolvable in a wide array of systems circumventing radiation damage.     

基于软件无线电平台的低轨卫星扩频通信的信号快速捕获和跟踪

本文针对低轨卫星直接序列扩展频谱(DSSS)通信中的信号同步问题,提出了基于软件无线电平台的处理方法.采用了二维联合搜索的快速算法,同时捕获扩频信号的载频和码起点.在持续跟踪中,利用匹配滤波器的相关重构,并采用频率、相位细分和多帧叠加处理的抗噪算法,较好地解决了大动态范围多普勒频移的跟踪难题,同时也对码起点的持续漂移进行了良好的同步处理.最后,给出了试验数据和分析、改进,为低信噪比下的扩频通信提供了重要的技术参考.     

ON THE MASS BALANCE OF ASPHALTENE PRECIPITATION

In the evaluation of experimental data as well as in calculation of phase equilibria the necessity of the application of mass balances is obvious. In the case of asphaltenes the colloidal nature of these compounds may highly affect the mass balance. In the present paper several experiments are performed in order to check the consistency of mass balances within asphaltene precipitation. Asphaltenes are precipitated in two step processes either by changing temperature or by changes in precipitant with increasing precipitation power. This has been performed for three different oils. The data indicates that in temperature experiments as well as in solvent series experiments the precipitation of heavy asphaltenes affects the following precipitation of lighter asphaltenes. In both cases the mass balance using standard separation techniques cannot be closed, as less material is precipitated in a two step process than in the direct process either at low temperature or by direct precipitation with one precipitant. The different fractions were subject to HPLC size exclusion chromtagraphy showing that the material remaining in solution in the stepwise process was of low molecular weight, and that the material in the second precipitation step was often of higher apparent molecular weight and had an increased overall absorbance coefficient.     

Kinetics and mechanism of sulphite oxidation on a rotating platinum disc electrode in an alkaline solution

The reaction of sulphite at high pH and room temperature has been examined by cyclic voltammetric methods on a rotating platinum disc electrode. The mechanism of the oxidation reaction is studied by varying the sweep rate, the rotation rate and the concentration. The oxidation of sulphite on a platinum electrode under alkaline conditions appears to follow a catalytic reaction mechanism where weakly adsorbed sulphite is first oxidised to a strongly adsorbed sulphite radical in the rate-determining step. In the next step two sulphite radicals combine and form dithionate, which disproportionate into sulphite and sulphate.