Mechanical properties of in situ composites based on partially miscible blends of polyetherimide and liquid crystalline polymers

Results related to the mechanical properties of in situ composites based on partially miscible blends of polyetherimide (Ultem) and liquid crystalline polymers (HX1000 and HX4000) are discussed. It is observed that, at least in terms of the tensile and flexural modulus, there is a positive deviation from the law of mixtures. These results are analyzed and an attempt is made to explain the origin of this synergistic behavior based upon morphological data. The behavior of these partially miscible systems is compared to that of an immiscible system (Ultem/Vectra) and also that of glass-reinforced Ultem. Using blends subjected to two passes through a single screw extruder, and thereby increasing the mixing history of the Ultem/HX4000 blend, led to improved dispersion but did not lead to any measurable improvement, within experimental error, in the tensile modulus or ultimate strength (though the toughness was enhanced). The dynamic creep compliance was measured and the creep behavior with composition and temperature is discussed. The data seem to suggest that a number of factors (including partial miscibility, the properties of the specific LCP chosen as the reinforcement and the final blend morphology) all interact in a complex and as yet undetermined manner to produce the enhanced mechanical properties.     

Replay-based debugging of occam programs

Parallel programs are intrinsically non-deterministic, and therefore the techniques of cyclical debugging that are commonly used for sequential programs are not suitable for parallel ones. This paper proposes a method to reproduce Occam program behaviour. Saving information on the timer values input by the program and the guards selected at run-time on alternative commands allows program replay, i.e. it makes it possible to re-execute the program deterministically with the same inputs following the same instruction path. This enables the software developer to use tools such as debuggers and intrusive monitors to help identify program faults. After discussing possible implementations of the proposed technique, IRD (an interactive replay debugger for Occam programs) is described. Finally, the use of the IRD in a sample debug session is presented as an example.     

Novel Therapeutic Opportunities in Neoadjuvant Setting in Urothelial Cancers: A New Horizon Opened by Molecular Classification and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is a widespread malignancy with a worse prognosis often related to a late diagnosis. For early-stage MIBC pts, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to evaluate the timing of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and surgery. The current standard therapy is platinum-based NAC (MVAC-methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin or Platinum–Gemcitabine regimens) followed by radical cystectomy (RC) with lymphadenectomy. However, preliminary data from Vesper trial highlighted that dose-dense NAC MVAC is endowed with a good pathological response but shows low tolerability. In the last few years, translational-based research approaches have identified several candidate biomarkers of NAC esponsiveness, such as ERCC2, ERBB2, or DNA damage response (DDR) gene alterations. Moreover, the recent consensus MIBC molecular classification identified six molecular subtypes, characterized by different sensitivity to chemo- or targeted or immunotherapy, that could open a novel procedure for patient selection and also for neoadjuvant therapies. The Italian PURE-01 phase II Trial extended data on efficacy and resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) in this setting. In this review, we summarize the most relevant literature data supporting NAC use in MIBC, focusing on novel therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, considering the better patient stratification and selection emerging from novel molecular classification.     

Gut Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acids: Implications in Glucose Homeostasis

Gut microbiota encompasses a wide variety of commensal microorganisms consisting of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbial population coexists in symbiosis with the host, and related metabolites have profound effects on human health. In this respect, gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the regulation of metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions. Bacterial metabolites include the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4), which are the most abundant SCFAs in the human body and the most abundant anions in the colon. SCFAs are made from fermentation of dietary fiber and resistant starch in the gut. They modulate several metabolic pathways and are involved in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Thus, diet might influence gut microbiota composition and activity, SCFAs production, and metabolic effects. In this narrative review, we discuss the relevant research focusing on the relationship between gut microbiota, SCFAs, and glucose metabolism.     

脉冲吹灰器在催化裂化装置余热锅炉上的应用

本文针对中国石油哈尔滨石化公司三催化装置CO余热锅炉存在的各换热面积灰严重的问题,介绍了脉冲吹灰装置应用后的实际效果,并对吹灰器使用过程中存在的部分问题提出了建议。     

Effect of Glucocorticosteroids in Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia: Maybe Not as Elusive as It Seems

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a red blood cell aplasia that in the majority of cases is associated with ribosomal protein (RP) aberrations. However, the mechanism by which this disorder leads to such a specific phenotype remains unclear. Even more elusive is the reason why non-specific agents such as glucocorticosteroids (GCs), also known as glucocorticoids, are an effective therapy for DBA. In this review, we (1) explore why GCs are successful in DBA treatment, (2) discuss the effect of GCs on erythropoiesis, and (3) summarise the GC impact on crucial pathways deregulated in DBA. Furthermore, we show that GCs do not regulate DBA erythropoiesis via a single mechanism but more likely via several interdependent pathways.     

可在单片机上实现的语音混沌保密通信方法

针对目前数字混沌保密方法中计算量大的不足,提出了一种可在单片机上实现的改进混沌保密方法,并将该方法用于数字语音混沌保密通信。分析了该方法中运用整数运算代替浮点运算降低计算量的原理与过程,着重说明了改进的混沌算法在单片机上的实现。最后,在AT89C51单片机上成功进行了数字语音的混沌保密通信实验并取得了令人满意的结果。     

Internet蠕虫防范技术研究与进展

当前蠕虫的频频爆发使得蠕虫问题已成为网络安全领域的焦点问题。分析了蠕虫的特征行为,研究了国内外几种最新的Internet蠕虫防范系统,并在此基础上展望了蠕虫攻防的发展趋势。     

Marching Cubes算法改进研究及应用

对MC算法进行了改进和优化,运用渐近线判别法解决了原有算法的二义性问题,改善了生成图形的质量;利用线性八叉树结构提高了图形的绘制速度,使实时绘制和交互操作成为可能。运用改进后的MC算法,结合某铁矿实测数据进行矿体表面三维重构,得到了满意的效果。     

基于Max-tree的连通区域标记新算法

采用灰度图像创建Maxtree的基本思想,提出一种新的二值图像连通区域标记算法。该算法主要采用8邻域搜索及排序队列方式实现,通过一次扫描二值图像即可完成连通区域标记。提出一种新的8邻域搜索策略,可以将邻域搜索次数由八次减少到平均四次以下,从而提高了系统效率。此外,还给出一种排序队列的快速实现方法,并将其应用到标记算法中。而且,该算法的运行时间仅与待标记图像的大小有关,与连通区数目和图像内容无关。该算法已应用于海藻图像识别,实验结果表明该算法是快速、高效的。