Biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating on glass coverslips for the assay of osteoclast activity in vitro

The osteoclast (OC) is the cell type responsible for the resorption of bone. The activity of this cell is important in the aetiology of a large number of skeletal pathologies, and also for the biocompatibility and osseointegration of orthopaedic implant materials. OC mediated acid hydrolysis of calcium phosphate from the bone matrix offers a prime means of studying the biology and activity of this cell type. We have developed a method of coating glass coverslips with a hydroxyapatite (HA)-like mineral, using a biomimetic approach. Hydroxylation followed by formation of a self assembled monolayer (SAM) using the surfactant triethoxysilylpropyl succinic anhydride (TESPSA), allowed biomimetic deposition of HA-like mineral from a simulated body fluid (SBF). The biocompatibility of the TESPSA SAM-HA coated glass coverslips was tested by culturing human mature OC present in samples of giant cell tumour of bone (GCT). Parameters of OC activity were assayed, including F-actin ring formation, release of calcium and formation of osteoclastic resorption pits, confirming that OC were able to attach to and resorb the coated surface. This approach for the preparation of HA coatings on glass coverslips could have wide applicability for the study of osteoclast behaviour in vitro. Gerald J. Atkins and Peter Majewski share senior author status.     

换了时空 一起怀旧

这座庭院,是律师Richard J.Urowsky在纽约曼哈顿西村的一座私人花园。在翻修过住宅后,在毗邻街道和住宅后面的两块空地上,Richard便萌生了修建两座花园的想法,使其成为一处舒适的室外场所。     

Transport processes for harmful species through concrete barriers made with mineral wastes

Composite concrete barriers represent a good alternative to current landfill containment systems because they can be made using waste minerals and thus have a lower environmental and economic cost. They are also more robust when in place. This paper presents results from laboratory testing and site trials and modelling of a concrete barrier system. Laboratory trials to determine the effect of cracking on the composite barrier are also reported. It is concluded that cracking will not cause failure. The modelling of the transport processes provided a good prediction of the movement of some species in the site trials.     

布雷根茨美术馆

美术馆坐落在康斯坦斯湖的湖光中，由玻璃、钢以及一个现浇混凝土体块构成，这体块给了房子内部肌理和空间布局。从外面看．房子就像一盏灯，吸收了天空变幻的光线和湖面的薄雾，反射了光和色，并暗示了其内部活动．随视角、日光和天气而变化。     

Parallel programming interface for distributed data

The Parallel Programming Interface for Distributed Data (PPIDD) library provides an interface, suitable for use in parallel scientific applications, that delivers communications and global data management. The library can be built either using the Global Arrays (GA) toolkit, or a standard MPI-2 library. This abstraction allows the programmer to write portable parallel codes that can utilise the best, or only, communications library that is available on a particular computing platform.Program summaryProgram title: PPIDDCatalogue identifier: AEEF_v1_0Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEEF_1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 17 698No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 166 173Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Fortran, CComputer: Many parallel systemsOperating system: VariousHas the code been vectorised or parallelized?: Yes. 2–256 processors usedRAM: 50 MbytesClassification: 6.5External routines: Global Arrays or MPI-2Nature of problem: Many scientific applications require management and communication of data that is global, and the standard MPI-2 protocol provides only low-level methods for the required one-sided remote memory access.Solution method: The Parallel Programming Interface for Distributed Data (PPIDD) library provides an interface, suitable for use in parallel scientific applications, that delivers communications and global data management. The library can be built either using the Global Arrays (GA) toolkit, or a standard MPI-2 library. This abstraction allows the programmer to write portable parallel codes that can utilise the best, or only, communications library that is available on a particular computing platform.Running time: Problem dependent. The test provided with the distribution takes only a few seconds to run.     

Instantiating global crisis networks: The case of SARS

In this paper we build a multi-theoretical and multi-level framework for analyzing Global Crisis Networks (GCN). These information-centric, heterarchically structured networks are instantiated in response to major disasters with global impact. The instantiation of GCN is conceived as a problem of collective action. Its success depends on multi-level preparedness, and network orchestration and participation. With this framework we analyze the SARS outbreak in 2002 and its successful containment in 2003. We analyze two individual country cases, Canada and China and discuss the role of the network orchestrator, the World Health Organizations. The paper concludes with implications for research and practice.     

Pyrochlore type semiconducting ceramic oxides in Ca-Ce-Ti-M-O system (M = Nb or Ta)—Structure, microstructure and electrical properties

A new series of pyrochlore type ceramic semiconducting oxides in Ca-Ce-Ti-M-O (M = Nb or Ta) system has been synthesized by the conventional ceramic route. The electrical conductivity measurements show that these oxides exhibit semiconducting behavior and the conductivity increases with the Ce content in the compound. Activation energy of the current carriers is in the range of 0.5-1.6 eV. The electrical conductivity in these oxides is due to the presence of Ce³⁺, which remains in the reduced state without being oxidized to Ce⁴⁺ by structural stabilization. The photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis corroborate the presence of Ce in the 3+ state. Impedance spectral analysis is carried out to evaluate the transport properties and indicates that the conduction in these compounds is mainly due to electronic contribution. The X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis establishes that these oxides belong to a cubic pyrochlore type structure.