In vitro short-term response of human erythrocytes to implant materials used in maxillo-facial rigid internal fixation

A number of retinal proteins are phosphorylated by a variety of kinases, resulting in well-known regulatory effects. The identity and role of corresponding phosphatases is less clear. We simultaneously measured the activity of serine/ threonine protein phosphatases type 1, 2A and 2C in bovine retinae. The enzymes were classified according to substrate specificity, divalent cation requirement and the effect of phosphatase subtype-specific inhibitors. The total- and specific activity of phosphatase type 2A was prevalent. Type 2C was 10-fold less abundant. 80% of type 1 and 50% of type 2A and type 2C, respectively, were soluble. An economic purification scheme was developed. We demonstrated the presence of phosphatase isozymes 2Calpha and 2Cbeta in bovine rod outer segments by enzymatic analysis as well as immunological techniques. The results suggest a yet unknown role of phosphatase type 2C in phototransduction. On the other hand, the immense amount of protein phosphatases found to be soluble - therefore not associated with rod outer segment membranes - points towards participation of these enzymes in the process of visual transduction not considered thus far.     

Ripple evaluation of high-performance synchronous reluctancemachines

In this article, synchronous reluctance motors with multiple-segment rotor structures are considered. The presence of stator slots is taken into account, with respect to torque ripple. An analytical model is presented, based on magnetic interaction between the d and q axes, due to stator toothing. The effect of skewing is also considered, showing its partial effect on torque ripple reduction, due to the rotor anisotropy. A closed expression for the torque is obtained, giving the torque ripple as a function of design parameters. Experimental verification of the proposed model is given, from measurements on prototype motors     

Deep submicron CMOS based on silicon germanium technology

The advantages to be gained by using SiGe in CMOS technology are examined, Conventional MOSFETs are compared with SiGe heterojunction MOSFETs suitable for CMOS technology and having channel lengths between 0.5 and 0.1 μm. Two-dimensional computer simulation demonstrates that the improved mobility in the SiGe devices, due to higher bulk mobility and the elimination of Si/SiO₂ interface scattering by the inclusion of a capping layer, results in significant velocity overshoot close to the source-end of the channel. The cut-off frequency, f_t , is found to increase by around 50% for n-channel devices while more than doubling for p-channel devices for typical estimates of mobility. The results offer the prospect of a more balanced CMOS and improved circuit speed especially when using dynamic logic     

The alpha-fetoprotein level analysis in open neural tube defects and chromosomal aberrations in the fetus

The effects of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) and two Chinese traditional (Kampo) medicines, Dai-saiko-to and Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to on spontaneous soft tissue (heart and tongue) mineralization in DBA/2NCrj mice were studied. These agents were given orally for 4 weeks to DBA/2NCrj mice. After 2 weeks of administration in the heart, 0.006 and 0.03% (w/v) HEBP decreased calcium content by 90 and 30%, respectively, while 0.27 and 2.7 mg/ml Dai-saiko-to reduced calcium content by 30 and 45%, respectively. Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (0.27 mg/ml) reduced both calcium and phosphorus content by 50 and 35%, respectively. However, their inhibitory effects on the heart were not observed after 4 weeks of administration. The compounds delayed the onset of increases of bulk calcium and phosphorus content. In the tongue, at 4 weeks, 0.006 and 0.03% (w/v) HEBP reduced calcium content by 30 and 45%, respectively, while two Kampo medicines (at both concentrations used) significantly reduced the content of calcium (by 27-79%) and phosphorus (by 24-32%). These results strongly suggest that two Kampo medicines as well as HEBP may be useful in preventing and curing soft tissue calcification.     

Digital-to-analog conversion by pulse-count modulation methods

Three low-cost digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are described and compared. These designs can easily be implemented in an integrated circuit: the conventional pulse-width modulation (PWM) DAC, the new pulse-count modulation (PCM) DAC and the first-order noise shaping (FONS) DAC. All three methods control the ratio of the sum of all pulse durations to the constant total period. As the pulse durations are integral multiples of a unit pulse, all three can be classified as pulse-count modulation methods. Block diagrams of all three DACs consisting of a simple digital circuit and a low-pass filter are presented. For a constant digital input value the worst case ripple of the filter output is used to calculate the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter. Approximations for the 3 dB cutoff frequency of first-order, second-order and fourth-order Butterworth low-pass filters are given. The dynamic properties are analyzed in the time domain (settling time) and in the frequency domain (unfiltered output spectrum of a full-scale sine wave input). The main influences on the static accuracy are analyzed. A case study demonstrates the abilities of PCM and FONS     

A preliminary investigation into the microscopic depassivation of passive titanium implant materials in vitro

A sensitive electrochemical technique has been used to examine the passive state of titanium-based materials in Ringer's physiological solution. At ambient temperature, the alloy Ti-6Al-4V shows transient microscopic breakdown of the passive state induced by the presence of chloride ions, and enhanced by increased acidity. These breakdown events involve highly localized depassivation of the passive surface followed by repassivation. Under similar experimental conditions no breakdown of passive titanium was detected.     

Sterilization of heparinized Cuprophan hemodialysis membranes

The effects of sterilization of dry heparinized Cuprophan hemodialysis membranes by means of ethylene oxide (EtO) exposure, gamma irradiation, or steam on the anticoagulant activity and chemical characteristics of immobilized heparin and the permeability of the membrane were investigated. Sterilization did not result in a release of heparin or heparin fragments from heparinized Cuprophan. Sterilization of heparinized Cuprophan by means of EtO exposure and gamma irradiation induced a slight, insignificant decrease of the anticoagulant activity. In contrast, steam-sterilized heparinized Cuprophan showed a higher anticoagulant activity than unsterilized heparinized Cuprophan, which was most likely caused by cleavage of some of the covalent bonds between heparin and Cupropha. The effects of sterilization on the permeability of unmodified Cuprophan and heparinized Cuprophan were compared. The permeability of unmodified Cuprophan for vitamin B₁₂ (Vit B₁₂) and sulfobromophthalein (SBP) was reduced by 20–35% after EtO exposure and gamma irradiation and was reduced by 90–95% after steam sterilization. The water permeability of unmodified Cuprophan remained the same after EtO exposure and gamma irradiation but also dramatically reduced after steam sterilization. These reductions were ascribed to the collapse of pores of the membrane. The permeability of heparinized Cuprophan was not affected by EtO exposure and gamma irradiation but dramatically reduced after steam sterilization, although to a lesser extent than in the case of unmodified Cuprophan. Apparently, the presence of immobilized heparin (partially) prevented the collapse of pores during sterilization. Gamma irradiation was recommended as the preferred method of sterilization for heparinized Cuprophan.     

INSTRUMENTATION FOR FLOW PROPERTIES OF GAS-SOLID SUSPENSIONS AND RECENT ADVANCES

Measurements of local velocity, density, and mass flow of phases of a gas-solid suspension are needed in determining transport properties, validating theoretical predictions, and formulating design procedures. Most of the available instruments are based on time averages or fluctuations with time. Primary standard for direct measurement of density of a phase such as solid particles is being developed. A laser phase Doppler device, within certain restrictions, may give local instantaneous density, while other optical methods and neutron beam remain secondary standards based on mass flow calibrations. An overall review including recent results has been made on both intrusive and non-intrusive instruments; their limitations and future possibilities are outlined and discussed. The limitations of the traditional approach utilizing the triangular relation between local averages of mass flow, velocity, and density of particles for the determination of flow properties, and higher order correlations are demonstrated.