Effects and Related Mechanisms of the Senolytic Agent ABT-263 on the Survival of Irradiated A549 and Ca9-22 Cancer Cells

Senolytic agents eliminate senescent cells and are expected to reduce senescent cell-mediated adverse effects in cancer therapy. However, the effects of senolytic agents on the survival of irradiated cancer cells remain unknown. Here, the effects of the senolytic agent ABT-263 on the survival of irradiated A549 and Ca9-22 cancer cells were investigated. ABT-263 was added to the culture medium after irradiation. SA-β-gal activity and cell size, which are hallmarks of cell senescence, were evaluated using a flow cytometer. The colony-forming assay and annexin V staining were performed to test cell survival. We first confirmed that radiation increased the proportion of cells with high SA-β-gal activity and that ABT-263 decreased it. Of note, ABT-263 decreased the survival of irradiated cancer cells and increased the proportion of radiation-induced annexin V⁺ cells. Furthermore, the caspase inhibitor suppressed the ABT-263-induced decrease in the survival of irradiated cells. Intriguingly, ABT-263 decreased the proportion of SA-β-gal low-activity/large cells in the irradiated A549 cells, which was recovered by the caspase inhibitor. Together, these findings suggest that populations maintaining the ability to proliferate existed among the irradiated cancer cells showing senescence-related features and that ABT-263 eliminated the population, which led to decreased survival of irradiated cancer cells.     

AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURING RADIAL BASIS FUNCTION NEURAL NETWORKS FOR NONLINEAR INTERNAL MODEL CONTROL

A nonlinear internal model control (NIMC) strategy based on automatically configuring radial basis function networks (RBFN) is proposed for single-input single-output (SISO) systems of relative degree greater than unity. The automatic configuration and training of the RBFN is carried out employing hierarchically-self-organizing-learning algorithm, which eliminates a predefined network structure, with closed-loop input-output data generated for a series of setpoint changes using PI controller. Simulation studies with automatically configuring RBFN for isothermal polymerization reactor control demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed control strategy with automatically configuring RBFN over PI control for setpoint tracking as well as disturbance rejection.     

Modeling studies of low‐temperature aerobic NOx reduction by a sequence of LNT‐SCR catalysts

The relationship between fuel penalty and precious metal loading in coupled LNT? SCR systems for NO_x reduction at low temperatures is determined. Simulations of adiabatic, aerobic NO_x reduction determine the impact of catalyst architecture, precious metal loading, cycle time, catalyst length and the support material. These revealed that (a) high NO_x conversion can be achieved for a given precious metal loading at low temperatures (510 K) with about 0.3% fuel penalty, (b) shortened cycle time and increased pulse duty reduce the overall NO_x slip from the coupled catalyst and lead to significant improvement in the NO_x conversion, (c) alternate arrangement of the LNT/SCR catalysts increases the NO_x conversion, (d) a monotonic decreasing PGM loading in LNT leads to higher NO_x conversion compared to uniform loading, (e) for a fixed catalyst volume, there is an optimal aspect ratio that maximizes the nonisothermal effect, and (f) metal based monolith supports improve NO_x conversion. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3421–3431, 2013     

An Investigation and Quantitative Assessment of Particle Shape in Milk Powders from a Laboratory-Scale Spray Dryer

Seven samples of spray-dried milk were prepared using a miniature-scale Buchi Mini Spray Dryer B-290 (diameter 0.5 m, height 1.1 m). For each run, all inlet conditions were held constant except for feed type, inlet solids concentration, and inlet temperature. Skim milk at a solids concentration of 8.8% and whole milk at a solids concentration of 11% were dried at two inlet temperatures, 120 and 200°C. Lactose-free skim milk (8.8% solids concentration) and skim milk at a solids concentration of 41.2% were also dried at an inlet temperature of 200°C to assess the effects of milk feed type and inlet concentration, respectively. Equilibrium between the outlet product moisture content and the outlet gas conditions in the miniature spray dryer was not reached, unlike previous results for pilot-scale and larger dryers, so it appears that, in small (miniature-scale) dryers, the outlet moisture content is limited by kinetics and not by equilibrium. Calculated yields ranged from 10.4 to 82.7%, with whole milk giving significantly lower yields than skim milk, due to the sticky nature of fat found in whole milk. Lactose-free skim milk produced lower yields than skim milk dried at the same conditions, indicating that the lower glass-transition temperatures of the converted lactose sugars make these powders stickier. This sugar effect was not as large as that of the fat content. Comparisons between the SEM images, fractal dimensions, particle size distributions, and bulk densities showed that lower inlet temperatures produced particles of a more collapsed nature with a higher bulk density and lower fractal dimension than milk particles dried at higher temperatures. Also, feed solids concentration heavily influenced the shape of the particles, with high concentrations producing more spherical, less broken or shriveled particles with higher fractal dimensions, as the shell walls are thicker under these conditions. The fractal dimensions appeared to give generally consistent results for quantifying the average particle shapes.     

10-kV diffractive imaging using newly developed electron diffraction microscope

A new electron diffraction microscope based on a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM), for obtaining atomic-level resolution images without causing serious damage to the specimen, has been developed. This microscope in the relatively low-voltage region makes it possible to observe specimens at suitable resolution and record diffraction patterns. Using the microscope we accomplished 10-kV diffractive imaging with the iterative phase retrieval and reconstructed the structure of a multi-wall carbon nanotube with its finest feature corresponding to 0.34-nm carbon wall spacing. These results demonstrate the possibility of seamless connection between observing specimens by SEM and obtaining their images at high resolution by diffractive imaging.     

Target sound extraction utilizing similarity between signals as index for learning of linear filter

In this paper, we propose a novel learning method of two‐channel linear filter for a target sound extraction in a non‐stationary noisy environment using a two‐channel microphone array. The method is based on a correlation coefficient between received sounds of two microphones. The cue signal, which has a correlation with a variation of S/N of the received sounds, is generated using the correlation coefficient and is applied to the learning. By several computer simulation results, a superior performance of the proposed method even at the consonant section of the speech signal is presented in comparison with the previously proposed method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(3): 45–52, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20141     

Tailoring unconventional actuators using compliant transmissions:design methods and applications

Matching a drive system to the force-displacement characteristics of the load is the cardinal principle in electromechanical systems design. Unconventional actuation schemes; such as piezoelectric, electrostatic, and shape-memory alloys (SMAs), seem to exhibit certain limitations in terms of power density, stroke length, bandwidth, etc., when one attempts to employ them directly to an application. Integrating them with mechanical transmission elements so that the integrated actuator-transmission system matches the load characteristics of the application can enhance the utility of such unconventional actuators. Conventional mechanical devices are sometimes difficult to integrate with unconventional actuating schemes. For instance, the two-dimensional nature of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and no-assembly constraints arising from their batch fabrication make it difficult to fabricate, assemble, and integrate a conventional micromechanism with an electrostatic actuator. However, a monolithic “solid-state” mechanical transmission device enables easy integration. The paper presents a systematic method of designing such unconventional mechanisms. The paper presents a generalized methodology for designing compliant mechanisms. Our systematic synthesis formulations provide a mathematical basis for designing compliant mechanisms for: (1) topology generation and (2) size and shape optimization. Design examples illustrate integration with electrostatic, piezoelectric, and SMA actuators for MEMS and smart-structures applications     

Service-oriented broadband wireless network architecture - [Guest editorial]

In the past few years, broadband wireless networks have been very attractive as a key technology for providing Internet access because of quick and cost-effective deployments. In addition to the features of high data rate and large coverage, broadband wireless networks also promise to rapidly provide access to locations in the world?s rural and developing areas where broadband is currently unavailable, as well as compete for urban market shares. Till now, most existing efforts have been focused on basic access capability. However, to successfully operate broadband wireless networks, a crucial issue must be addressed: how to support a variety of services and applications within the broadband wireless networks? As an example, there is an increasing need to efficiently support applications such as voice over IP (VoIP), video streaming, music downloading, IP TV, and many others.     

Isolation of thermophiles degrading poly( -lactic acid)

A thermophile, strain 93, which degrades poly( -lactic acid) (PLA) film was isolated from 144 soil samples obtained from different locations by cultivation using an enrichment culture medium at 60°C. Under this temperature condition, the strain grew on PLA and the dissolved total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in the medium changed according to the growth stage, i.e., after the TOC rapidly reached the minimum, it increased rapidly until it reached the peak and then decreased thereafter. For residual PLA, reduced viscosity decreased rapidly but weight decreased initially slowly with a gradually increasing rate. Gel permeation chromatograms showed a marked decrease in the main peak and the appearance of a new peak in the low molecular weight region. The strain was identified as Bacillus brevis, which has an optimum growth temperature of around 58°C.