Low-Dose-Rate Radiation-Induced Secretion of TGF-β3 Together with an Activator in Small Extracellular Vesicles Modifies Low-Dose Hyper-Radiosensitivity through ALK1 Binding

Hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS) is the increased sensitivity to low doses of ionizing radiation observed in most cell lines. We previously demonstrated that HRS is permanently abolished in cells irradiated at a low dose rate (LDR), in a mechanism dependent on transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the activation and receptor binding of TGF-β3 in this mechanism. T-47D cells were pretreated with inhibitors of potential receptors and activators of TGF-β3, along with addition of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from LDR primed cells, before their radiosensitivity was assessed by the clonogenic assay. The protein content of sEVs from LDR primed cells was analyzed with mass spectrometry. Our results show that sEVs contain TGF-β3 regardless of priming status, but only sEVs from LDR primed cells remove HRS in reporter cells. Inhibition of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family prevents removal of HRS, suggesting an MMP-dependent activation of TGF-β3 in the LDR primed cells. We demonstrate a functional interaction between TGF-β3 and activin receptor like kinase 1 (ALK1) by showing that TGF-β3 removes HRS through ALK1 binding, independent of ALK5 and TGF-βRII. These results are an important contribution to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanism behind TGF-β3 mediated removal of HRS.     

Testing for cross-subsidisation in the combined heat and power generation sector: A comparison of three tests

In this paper we examine cross-subsidisation among combined heat and power producers in Denmark. Information on stand-alone costs for heat generation allows us to empirically compare the Faulhaber tests, tests with an upper bound on stand-alone costs (the Palmer tests) and the fully distributed cost test (FDC). All tests indicate a substantial amount of cross-subsidisation from heat generation to power generation. It is shown that the FDC test is closer to that of the Faulhaber tests in its results than the Palmer tests. Thus as the Faulhaber tests are considered in the literature to be the theoretically correct tests, the FDC test is shown to be the best approximation for tests of cross-subsidisation for this specific sector.     

Determination of Breakage Parameters in Turbulent Fluid‐Fluid Breakage

Numerous sets of single‐particle breakage experiments are required in order to provide a sufficient database for improving the modeling of fluid particle breakage mechanisms. This work focuses on the interpretation of the physical breakage events captured on video. In order to extract the necessary information required for modeling the mechanisms of the fluid particle breakage events in turbulent flows, a well‐defined image analysis procedure is necessary. Two breakage event definitions are considered, namely, initial breakup and cascade breakup. The reported breakage time, the number of daughter particles created, and the daughter size distribution are significantly affected by the definition used. For each breakage event definition, an image analysis procedure is presented.     

Elevated levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish from Lake Mjøsa, Norway

Surprisingly high levels of PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in fish from Lake Mj?sa watercourse initialized a more detailed study of PBDE contamination in the Lake Mj?sa region as well as fish from other lakes in southeast Norway. With exception of the fish from Lake Mj?sa, the sum concentration of PBDEs in trout was, on a wet weight (ww) basis, in the range of 0.3-40 ng/g (21-1215 ng/g lipid weight (lw)) in fish fillet and 39-446 ng/g (125-915 ng/g lw) in burbot liver. The PBDE levels in fish from Lake Mj?sa, was found in the range of 72-1120 ng/g ww (2348-16,753 ng/g lw) in trout and 156-2265 ng/g ww (4201-45,144 ng/g lw) in burbot. It was later confirmed that the elevated levels in Lake Mj?sa were mainly caused by the release of PBDEs to the water from a textile manufacturer in the town of Lillehammer. In addition to PBDE levels in fish we also present information on the spatial distribution of PBDEs in air around the Mj?sa watercourse, based on the complementary use of passive air samples and analysis of moss, including data on measured air concentrations. The results confirm the presence of an active source of atmospheric PBDEs in the region of Lillehammer. Although this source appears to have a limited impact on atmospheric levels towards the southern reaches of the lake, it could still be a significant source of PBDEs to the lake as a whole. However, more research is needed to better understand and quantify the relative importance of various sources and pathways for which PBDEs enter Lake Mj?sa in order to support the development of future control strategies.     

Chloride-substitution in sodium borohydride

The changes in structure and stability of NaBH₄ on Cl-substitution obtained in mechanochemical reactions between NaBH₄ and NaCl have been investigated by conventional and synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and temperature programmed desorption. Powder X-ray diffraction shows an apparent full homogeneity range between NaBH₄ and NaCl, giving Na(BH₄)_1−xCl_x phase where x corresponds to the ratios of the initial reagents. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates that the Cl-substitution stabilizes the product, by increasing temperature for melting and desorption.     

Efficient Nonlinear Absorbing Platinum(II) Acetylide Chromophores in Solid PMMA Matrices

Platinum(II) acetylides were incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) glasses to obtain solid‐state nonlinear optical devices. We report on device fabrication, structural, chemical, and mechanical properties, as well as the optical limiting capabilities of the final solids. Two different guest‐host systems are presented: 1) Dye molecules functionalized to be readily dispersed in methyl methacrylate (MMA) and subsequent in situ polymerization of the MMA yielding solid PMMA host matrices. 2) Dye molecules functionalized to copolymerize with MMA forming covalent bonds between the guest and the PMMA host matrix. A range of doped organic solids were prepared, reaching concentrations up to 13 wt% of the guest molecule. Raman spectra of the doped solid devices indicate that the chemical structure of the nonlinear dyes remains intact upon the polymerization of the solid matrix. Luminescence spectra confirm that the basic photophysical properties observed for the same solute molecules in THF are maintained also in the solid state. Optical power limiting (OPL) characterization reveal clamping levels for the dyes nonbonded to the solid host being less than 4 µJ at pulse energies up to 110 µJ at 532 nm (f/5 arrangement and 5 ns pulses), which is comparable to the performance of similar dyes in THF solutions. In contrast, the highly crosslinked solid possesses a higher clamping level (8 µJ) at the same nominal concentration.     

Effect of chemical structure of allyl ethers on polymerization and properties of multifunctional acrylate systems

Allyl ether resins with various chemical structures and degrees of functionality were used as promoters and cross-linkers for polymerization of acrylic oligomers at room temperature in air. Thin films were prepared to allow monitoring of polymerization via disappearance of acrylate and allylic unsaturation by FTIR. The effect of air upon curing of films was investigated; excluding air from the surface of the film had a much greater effect than did addition of allyl ether. In air, the curing rate and extent of cure were found to be dependent upon molecular weight M_n and degree of functionality of the allyl compounds. At high allyl monomer concentrations, homopolymerization of the allyl groups occurred. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break) of films were evaluated on an Instron, whereas viscoelastic properties, transition temperatures, and cross-link densities of polymer bars were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis and relaxation measurements. The study showed that addition of highly functional allyl ethers combines the advantages of an air-curable system with those of highly cross-linked materials, allowing ultimate properties to be tailored.     

一种新螺杆挤压法从6063铝合金和Mg混合颗粒制备Al/Mg复合材料

采用一种新的螺杆挤压法以AA6063合金和工业纯Mg混合颗粒为原料制备Al/Mg双金属复合材料。加入铝合金中的镁合量最高可达到12.5%（质量分数）。所制备复合材料由细小晶粒组织组成。其显微组织中除有原料中的物相外,还观察到由γ-Mg17Al12包围的岛状Al2Mg3金属间合物。复合材料的强度随Mg含量的增加逐渐增高。含Mg为10%复合材料的极限抗拉强度最高,超过350 MPa。断裂表面分析结果表明,增加Mg含量导致材料发生较严重的脆性断裂及断裂机制的较小变化。因此,应对挤压工艺条件进行进一步优化。     

Fire Experiment Inside a Very Large and Open-Plan Compartment: x-ONE

Fire Technology - The traditional design fires commonly considered in structural fire engineering, like the standard fire and Eurocode parametric fires, were developed several...