Preface

The diffusion of platinum and gold in nickel at relatively low temperatures (250–725 °C) was measured by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). The diffusion profile of the noble metal in nickel was calculated from RBS spectra. This method takes fully into account the dependence of the energy losses of the backscattered particle along the inward and outward paths on the changing energy of the particle and the changing composition of the target. Diffusion coefficients are calculated from the measured diffusion profile. The dependence of the diffusion coefficient on temperature obeys the Arrhenius law. The activation enthalpies are 78.2 kJ mol^-1 and 119.6 kJ mol^-1 for the diffusion of platinum and gold respectively into nickel. The frequency factors are respectively 2.6 × 10^?9cm²s^?1 and 1.4 × 10^?7cm²s^?1. Experimental data suggest that diffusion along the grain boundaries is 2–3 times as fast as bulk diffusion.     

An alternative route for multistep tumorigenesis in a novel case of hereditary renal cell cancer and a t(2;3)(q35;q21) chromosome translocation

Through allele-segregation and loss-of-heterozygosity analyses, we demonstrated loss of the translocation-derivative chromosome 3 in five independent renal cell tumors of the clear-cell type, obtained from three members of a family in which a constitutional t(2;3)(q35;q21) was encountered. In addition, analysis of the von Hippel-Lindau gene, VHL, revealed distinct insertion, deletion, and substitution mutations in four of the five tumors tested. On the basis of these results, we conclude that, in this familial case, an alternative route for renal cell carcinoma development is implied. In contrast to the first hit in the generally accepted two-hit tumor-suppressor model proposed by Knudson, the familial translocation in this case may act as a primary oncogenic event leading to (nondisjunctional) loss of the der(3) chromosome harboring the VHL tumor-suppressor gene. The risk of developing renal cell cancer may be correlated directly with the extent of somatic (kidney) mosaicism resulting from this loss.     

Preoperative biliary drainage, colonisation of bile and postoperative complications in patients with tumours of the pancreatic head: a retrospective analysis of 241 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the outcome of preoperative biliary drainage in patients being operated on for a tumour in the pancreatic head. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: Consecutive series of 241 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Decline in bilirubin concentrations and bacterial contamination of bile as a result of preoperative drainage. Incidence of postoperative complications in patients who underwent preoperative drainage and those who did not. RESULTS: 184/241 patients underwent preoperative biliary drainage. Endoscopic drainage was the most effective, shown by a median reduction in bilirubin concentrations of 82%, 74%, and 50% after endoscopic drainage (n = 149), papillotomy (n = 25) and external drainage (n = 10), respectively. Bacterial contamination of bile was significantly more common when an endoprosthesis was used, but did not result in a higher rate of infective complications. 163 Whipple's resections, 33 total pancreatectomies, and 45 biliary-enteric bypasses were performed. 137/241 (57%) patients had postoperative complications. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between patients who had preoperative biliary drainage and those who did not (p = 0.4).     

Determination of the ash yield and the mineral matter content of brown coals by density measurements

A method of measuring the density of bed-moist brown coals based on their plastic properties is described and the feasibility of using the method for determination of the ash yield of the coal is evaluated.     

Immunological and functional characterization of Mycobacterium leprae protein antigens: an overview

A major focus of leprosy research in the last 10 years has been the identification and characterization of antigens of Mycobacterium leprae that interact with antibodies and T cells of the host's immune response. Through the combined efforts of many different laboratories, a substantial number of protein antigens have been identified and characterized. In this MicroReview we present an updated list of M. leprae protein antigens, and, with emphasis on recent developments, summarize what is known regarding their functional and immunological features.     

Ethanol preloads increase ethanol preference under concurrent random-ratio schedules in social drinkers.

Ethanol (ETOH) preference was measured following ETOH preload doses in normal social drinkers. 11 Ss participated in a 5-session, double-blind choice study. In Session 1, Ss sampled an ETOH beverage (0.8 g/kg). In Sessions 2–5, they consumed a preload beverage containing placebo or ETOH (0.25 or 0.5 g/kg). One hour later, they responded on 2 concurrent random-ratio (RR) schedules. One schedule was associated with ETOH as the reinforcer and the other with money. When the probability of earning money was low, Ss responded more on the ETOH schedule following both ETOH preloads compared with placebo. Consistent with the increased responding for ETOH, Ss reported increased desire for ETOH. These data demonstrate a priming effect of ETOH preloads in normal social drinkers. They also illustrate the use of concurrent RR schedules to quantify ETOH preference. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Expression of Connexin43 Stimulates Endothelial Angiogenesis Independently of Gap Junctional Communication In Vitro

Connexins (Cx) form gap junctions (GJ) and allow for intercellular communication. However, these proteins also modulate gene expression, growth, and cell migration. The downregulation of Cx43 impairs endothelial cell migration and angiogenetic potential. Conversely, endothelial Cx43 expression is upregulated in an in vivo angiogenesis model relying on hemodynamic forces. We studied the effects of Cx43 expression on tube formation and proliferation in HUVECs and examined its dependency on GJ communication. Expectedly, intercellular communication assessed by dye transfer was linked to Cx43 expression levels in HUVECs and was sensitive to a GJ blockade by the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27. The proliferation of HUVECs was not affected by Cx43 overexpression using Cx43 cDNA transfection, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx43, or the inhibition of GJ compared to the controls (transfection of an empty vector, scrambled siRNA, and the solvent). In contrast, endothelial tube and sprout formation in HUVECs was minimized after Cx43 knockdown and significantly enhanced after Cx43 overexpression. This was not affected by a GJ blockade (Gap27). We conclude that Cx43 expression positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells independent of GJ communication. Since proliferation remained unaffected, we suggest that Cx43 protein may modulate endothelial cell migration, thereby supporting angiogenesis. The modulation of Cx43 expression may represent an exploitable principle for angiogenesis induction in clinical therapy.     

An analytical model for hot carrier degradation in nanoscale CMOS suitable for the simulation of degradation in analog IC applications

Channel hot carrier (CHC) degradation is one of the major reliability concerns for nanoscale transistors. To simulate the impact of CHC on analog circuits, a unified analytical model able to cope with various design and process parameters is proposed. In addition, our model can handle initial degradation and varying stress conditions, allowing the designer to estimate the impact of CHC on transistor performance for arbitrary stressing patterns. The model is experimentally verified in a 65 nm CMOS technology. Expressions to simulate the impact of transistor degradation on relevant transistor parameters like output conductance and threshold voltage degradation are presented and verified.     

Estimates for material shrinkage in molded parts caused by time‐varying cavity pressures

The phenomenology of shrinkage is established through injection molding experiments in which shrinkage was measured at 25‐mm intervals along the length and width of rectangular plaques, molded in an instrumented mold. A simple solidification model, which assumes the solidified material to be elastic, is developed for the effect of time‐varying temperature and pressure histories on part shrinkage. This model predicts a linear dependence of shrinkage on an “effective pressure,” which combines the thermal diffusivity of the material, the wall thickness, and the time‐varying cavity pressure into a single parameter that is uniquely related to the shrinkage. The effective pressure is shown to effectively correlate in‐plane shrinkage data. The solidification model characterizes two material parameters, which can be estimated from the pressure‐volume‐temperature (PVT) diagram for the material, that describe the sensitivity of the shrinkage to the local cavity pressure history. The residual stresses predicted by this model are rather crude. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1648–1656 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers