Fetal calf serum-free suspension culture of Chinese hamster ovary cells employing fish serum

The effects of heat treatment and concentration of fish serum (FS) on cell growth in a suspension culture of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) 1-15₅₀₀ (ATCC CRL-9606) cells were investigated. An increase in FS concentration from 1% to 4% markedly increased cell density. On the other hand, heat treatment of FS showed nearly no effect on cell density.     

Interfacial fracture strength evaluation of Cu/SiN micro-components: applicability of the linear fracture mechanics criterion under a hydrogen environment

In this study, we have investigated microstructures of the delamination cracks observed from tensile and fracture toughness test specimens using an API X70 pipeline steel. It is found that the delaminations observed from both tensile and toughness specimens are intergranular fractures. At the occurrence, characteristics of brittle fracture were observed, but it was found not to be a brittle fracture as the delaminations were induced by plastic deformation. It is shown that severe plastic deformation produced strain concentration around particles located along grain boundaries and caused decohesion between adjacent grains, resulting in intergranular fracture.     

Sintering and crystallization behaviour of a glass powder and block with a composition of anorthite and the microstructure dependence of its thermal expansion

Two kinds of glass specimens were prepared in the form of powders and blocks with anorthite compositions, and an examination was made of the sintering and crystallization behaviour of the specimens and the microstructure dependence of their thermal expansion. It was found that the addition of a few wt% of Ti0₂ was necessary to obtain a good sintered body by heat treatment at 1050°C. Specimens with low expansion coefficients were obtained when no TiO₂ was added and when the grain size of the starting glass powder was large (ca. less than 180 m). It was estimated that this was mainly due to the presence of orthorhombic and hexagonal anorthite in the central part of each grain. In order to explain the abnormally low expansion coefficient of the sintered specimens, the crystallization behaviour of glass blocks with the same composition was examined. The crystallization proceeded by two mechanisms: the triclinic phase precipitated from the surface, and the orthorhombic and the hexagonal phase precipitated from the central part of the specimens. The orthorhombic phase showed a strong tendency for a preferred orientation, and the thermal-expansion measurements showed strong anisotropy. The addition of TiO₂ to the mother glass suppressed the precipitation of the orthorhombic and hexagonal phases, and the resultant pieces were composed mainly of the triclinic phase; the thermal-expansion coefficient became isotropic.     

Work schedule differences in sleep problems of nursing home caregivers

Nursing home caregivers (n=775; 604 women; mean age 33.6 years) were studied to examine how work schedules affect their sleep. The shift group (n=536) worked under a rotating two-shift system (n=365), a rotating three-shift system (n=66), or other types of shifts (n=78). The non-shift group included 222 caregivers. Participants completed a questionnaire about working conditions, sleep problems, health, lifestyle, and demographic factors. The two-shift caregivers reported the highest levels of difficulty initiating sleep (DIS, 37.6%), insomnia symptoms (43.0%), and poor quality of sleep (24.9%) among the groups. Adjusted odds ratios for these problems were significantly greater for the two-shift caregivers than for non-shift counterparts: DIS (odds ratio 2.86, 95% confidence interval 1.57-5.20), insomnia symptoms (2.33, 1.36-4.02), and poor sleep quality (2.15, 1.09-4.22). Our data suggest that working under a rotating two-shift system, which has a longer night shift, is associated with an elevated risk of sleep problems for nursing home caregivers.     

Prediction of seismic loadings on wind turbine support structures by response spectrum method considering equivalent modal damping of support structures and reliability level

In this study, a new damping correction factor is proposed to provide an accurate design response spectrum for megawatt (MW) class wind turbines. The predicted response spectra show good agreement with those by time history analysis (THA). An equivalent modal damping of wind turbine support structures is then proposed for response spectrum method (RSM) based on the modal decomposition method for non‐classically damped structures. Seismic loadings on wind turbine towers and footings by RSM with the proposed damping correction factor and equivalent modal damping are also investigated and compared with those by THA. Finally, a quantile value between 0.5 and 0.85 in the damping correction factor is calibrated to ensure the same reliability level as evaluated by THA currently used for estimation of seismic loadings on support structures.     

Micro-Osteoperforations Induce TNF-α Expression and Accelerate Orthodontic Tooth Movement via TNF-α-Responsive Stromal Cells

Micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) have been reported to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been reported to play a crucial role in OTM. In this report, the influence of MOPs during OTM was analyzed. We evaluated the expression of TNF-α with and without MOPs by RT-PCR analysis. A Ni-Ti closed coil spring was fixed between the maxillary left first molar and the incisors as an OTM mouse model to move the first molar in the mesial direction. MOPs were prepared on the lingual side and mesial side of the upper first molars. Furthermore, to investigate the target cell of TNF-α for osteoclast formation during OTM with MOPs in vivo, we created four types of chimeric mice in which bone marrow of wild-type (WT) or TNF receptor 1- and 2-deficient mice (KO) was transplanted into lethally irradiated WT or KO mice. The results showed that MOPs increased TNF-α expression, the distance of tooth movement and osteoclast formation significantly. Furthermore, mice with TNF-α-responsive stromal cells showed a significant increase in tooth movement and number of osteoclasts by MOPs. We conclude that MOPs increase TNF-α expression, and tooth movement is dependent on TNF-α-responsive stromal cells.     

A policy-based management architecture for active and programmable networks

Next generation networks must be capable of supporting a multitude of service providers that exploit an environment in which services are dynamically deployed and quickly adapted over a common heterogeneous physical infrastructure, according to varying and sometimes conflicting customer requirements. In this context, network management must become more flexible in order to cope with these emerging conditions. More specifically, new management architectures must offer service providers the freedom to manage their services according to their own policies and seamlessly extend management functionality as the only way to react to the introduction of new services. Based on a new business model that describes such an environment, we propose a policy-based management architecture that is extensible and operates in an active and programmable network. This management architecture is part of a new network architecture that was developed in the FAIN European Union research and development IST project.     

cDNA cloning and genomic organization of peroxisome proliferator-inducible long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase from rat liver cytosol

The cDNA for a peroxisome proliferator-inducible long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase from rat liver cytosol, referred to as rLACH2, was isolated and its genomic structure was determined. The cDNA encoded a 419-amino-acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular weight of 46,011. Sequence analysis identified an active-site serine motif (Gly-x-Ser-x-Gly) common to carboxylesterases and lipases. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the cDNA directed expression of a protein immunoreactive to an anti-rLACH2 antibody with a molecular mass of 47 kDa, identical to that of purified rLACH2. Northern blot analysis showed marked induction of rLACH2 mRNA in the liver after feeding rats with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, a peroxisome proliferator. The rLACH2 gene spanned about 19 kb and comprised 3 exons, the intron/exon boundaries of which were consistent with the donor/acceptor splice rule. A putative peroxisome proliferator response element (AGGTCATGGTTCA) was identified in the 5'-flanking region, suggesting the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the regulation of rLACH2 gene expression.