Variability in the proliferative responsiveness of cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells to alpha-thrombin

alpha-Thrombin, a key enzyme of the coagulation cascade, is also a potent mitogen for many cell types. In the present study, the responsiveness to alpha-thrombin of cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC) derived from either vein or normal and atherosclerotic arteries was investigated. All HVSMC populations examined responded mitogenically to alpha-thrombin. However, the extent of this response varied between different cell populations. No significant differences were observed between HVSMC derived from vein versus artery or atherosclerotic versus normal tissues. The responsiveness of a specific HVSMC culture to alpha-thrombin was not affected by cell density and remained constant over several passages. Unlike platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), alpha-thrombin did not exhibit any significant chemotactic effects on HVSMC or induce their anchorage independent growth in semi-solid medium. The hypothesis that the observed variability in HVSMC responsiveness to alpha-thrombin is due to the heterogeneity of cultured HVSMC is raised and discussed.     

乙醇电氧化的研究进展

简要地叙述了国内外乙醇电催化氧化的研究进展，着重介绍不同电极材料对乙醇电氧化的影响及目前所提山的机理，并对其可能的研究方向提出了建议。     

Background memory area estimation for multidimensional signalprocessing systems

Memory cost is responsible for a large amount of the chip and/or board area of customized video and image processing system realizations. In this paper, we present a novel technique-founded on data-flow analysis which allows one to address the problem of background memory size evaluation for a given nonprocedural algorithm specification, operating on multidimensional signals with affine indexes. Most of the target applications are characterized by a huge number of signals, so a new polyhedral data-flow model operating on groups of scalar signals is proposed. These groups are obtained by a novel analytical partitioning technique, allowing to select a desired granularity, depending on the application complexity. The method incorporates a way to tradeoff memory size with computational and controller complexity     

A study of ionic defects in modified lead titanate ceramics

Pb_1–x Ca _x [(Co_0.5W_0.5)_0·05Ti_0.95]O₃ ceramics with x = 0.24, 0.30 and 0.35, are prepared by a solid state reaction of oxides. Deviations from nominal chemical compositions and formation of segregated phases different from modified lead titanate perovskites, are studied. Pyro- and non-pyroelectric currents excited in the material by a thermal wave are investigated and related to mobility of electrical charges in the materials.     

Effect of steel fibres at two different stages: The material and the structure

The addition of steel fibres to plain concrete is intended both to improve the material's ductility and that of the structure in which it is used. These two effects of steel fibres are clearly distinguishable through an analysis of cracking both at a local and a global level. This analysis is essential if the use of steel fibres is to be optimized.     

A framework for a limitation policy of the population exposure to natural radiation in Belgium

The conclusions are put forward that are adopted by a discussion group preparing the framework for a limitation policy of the radon problem in Belgium. Existing and future situations are treated in a coherent policy that is adequate for practical implementation. An action level is defined, together with a hierachy of levels for new constructions. The decision logic for the acceptance of building materials is explained.     

The forward muon detector of the DELPHI experiment at LEP

The layout and construction of the muon drift chambers equipping the end caps of the DELPHI detector are described. The performance of this forward muon detection system, determined from cosmic ray tests and data collected during the first year of LEP operation, is presented.     

Cyclic variations in the permeability of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To study cell-cycle-related variations in wall permeability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two approaches were used. First, an asynchronous culture was fractionated by centrifugal elutriation into subpopulations containing cells of increasing size. The subpopulations represented different stages of the cell cycle as judged by light microscopy. Cell wall porosity increased when these subpopulations became enriched with budded cells. Secondly, synchronous cultures were obtained by releasing MATa cells from alpha-factor induced G1-arrest. These cultures grew synchronously for at least two generations. The cell wall porosity increased sharply in these cultures, shortly before buds became visible and was maximal during the initial stages of bud growth. It decreased in cells which had completed nuclear migration and before abscission of the bud had occurred. The porosity reached its lowest value during abscission and in unbudded cells. We examined the incorporation of mannoproteins into the wall during the cell cycle. SDS-extractable mannoproteins were incorporated continuously. However, the incorporation of glucanase-extractable mannoproteins, which are known to affect cell wall porosity, showed cyclic oscillations and reached its maximum after nuclear migration. This coincided with a rapid decrease in cell wall porosity, indicating that glucanase-extractable mannoproteins might contribute to this decrease.     

明渠湍流床面附近跃移层面颗粒浓度垂线分布

本文以动理学理论的Boltzmann方程为基础，考虑明渠湍流床面附近猝发喷射和清扫运动对跃移层内运动颗粒的不同作用，分析了明渠中泥沙颗粒浓度垂线分布问题，得到了适用于包括跃移层、悬移层在内的统一浓度垂线分布公式。文中着重研究了跃移层内运动颗粒的浓度垂线分布，并将本文结果与实测跃移层内浓度垂线分布及实测跃移层顶部浓度进行了对比，结果表明理论与实验两者符合较好。