Monocyte diapedesis through an in vitro vessel wall construct: inhibition with monoclonal antibodies to thrombospondin

Human peripheral blood monocytes were examined for migration across an endothelial cell monolayer in an in vitro vessel wall construct. Few monocytes invaded in the absence of a chemotactic gradient, despite significant adhesion to the endothelial monolayer. However, the addition of zymosan-activated human plasma to the lower compartment, to create a chemotactic gradient across the vessel wall, resulted in significantly enhanced monocyte migration. Pretreatment of the monocytes with monoclonal antibodies to thrombospondin (TSP) dramatically inhibited monocyte diapedesis into the vessel wall. The same treatment inhibited monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells in two-dimensional monolayer cultures as well as in vessel wall constructs (no chemotactic gradient). Of interest, however, the monoclonal antibodies had no inhibitory effect on monocyte migration into collagen gels devoid of endothelial cells in response to the same chemotactic gradient, suggesting the importance of TSP in monocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Monoclonal antibodies to fibronectin and normal mouse immunoglobulin G did not inhibit migration in this model of a vessel wall. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies to TSP showed no inhibition of human peripheral blood neutrophil migration. Previous studies have shown that monocytes synthesize TSP and express this moiety on their surface. The present data suggest that monocytes may utilize TSP to interact with endothelial cells lining the vessel wall during diapedesis.     

Verbessertes Widerstandsgesetz für Stufendiffusoren

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein allgemeines Widerstandsgesetz für Stufendiffusoren hergeleitet, bei dem die Widerstandszahl den Zusatzverlust gegenüber den Verlusten der bis zum Kontursprung reichenden fiktiven Kanal- bzw. Rohrstr?mungen in der Zu- und Abstr?mung beschreibt. Unter vereinfachenden Annahmen reduziert sich dieses Gesetz auf die bekannte Carnot-Formel. Insbesondere wird dabei der Anteil des Zusatzverlustes, der vom Unterdruck an der Stufe und von der Wandschubspannungs?nderung unmittelbar hinter der Stufe herrührt, vernachl?ssigt. Die Berücksichtigung dieses Anteils führt zu einem gegenüber der Carnot-Formel verbesserten Widerstandsgesetz. Herrn Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Fiebig zum 60. Geburtstag     

Automated model generation for performance engineering of building automation networks

Large technical systems need to be designed both reliable and efficient. Specialized design tools offer therefore a simplified, abstract design and extend details autonomously in the background. Analytic and simulation based models could improve the quality by testing and dimensioning the design before implementation, but setting up the necessary models is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore many developers ask for analysis tools which are able to create their models from the available information in the design tools. This paper presents such an automated modeling approach basing on an existing design database at the example of a network analysis for building automation fieldbuses. The process of automated modeling is unfolded, and the potentials and limitations are discussed.     

Planning considerations for domestic replacement satellites

Several domestic satellite systems have been more than 10 years in operation. During this time, the world has experienced a dramatic growth in communication. While the demand for more telephony and data circuits and television channels is still on the rise, new methods of signal transmission and circuit compression have been developed which may balance or reduce the need for more satellite trunk capacity. And while whole national networks are converting to digital transmission, new transmission media like optical fibre, are finding application, and may take over some of the heavy traffic routes previously carried by satellite. On the other side, business data communication between roof-top terminals, thin route traffic to remote users, television distribution by direct satellite broadcasting are becoming more popular and satellite land mobile communication may soon be a reality. Thus the domestic satellite's role appears to be slowly changing towards thin route and mobile traffic and DBS-type distribution and perhaps even radio position determination. System planners are adapting to the new trends in satellite communication and are trying to accommodate the various service payloads on a single satellite. This article discusses some aspects of the emerging multi-purpose domestic satellite, which carries fixed and mobile services, TV direct broadcasting and radio position determination, in view of network digitalization, network expansion, circuit compression, synchronization. The discussion centres on transponder supply and demand, satellite replenishment, K_u-band vs. C-band for TV direct satellite broadcasting, choice of modulation/multiple access for mobile communication, and expected accuracy in radio position determination.     

Implantable biomedical microsystems for neural prostheses.

In the following article, the technologies to fabricate polyimide-based thin and flexible substrates with monolithically integrated electrode arrays and printed circuit boards (PCB) for hybrid electronic assemblies as well as an assembling technique that connects bare electronic dice with flexible PCBs are presented. The concept of modular, flexible biomedical microsystems as neural prostheses is introduced in general and described in detail in three examples. A cuff electrode with integrated multiplexer circuitry and standard implantable cables represents the combination of microtechnology with precision mechanics; a sieve electrode used as an implant in peripheral nerve regeneration studies demonstrates the next level of integration density but still uses a cable connection; and last, joint effort to fabricate the demonstrator of a vision prosthesis that is completely implantable in the eye with a wireless link for energy supply and data transmission is presented. System design, hybrid assembling technology, and flexible multilayer encapsulation using parylene and silicone rubber are the key components for creating a new generation of neural prostheses for complex and challenging new applications.     

Numerische Simulation der Faserbewegung beim Strangpressen kurzfaserverstärkter Glasschmelzen

Numerical Simulation of the Fibre-Motion during the Extrusion of Short-Fibre-Reinforced Glass-Melts Fibre-reinforced materials are characterized by an anisotropic behaviour of the mechanical properties, which is caused by the alignment of the embedded fibres. In the case of short-fibre-compounds this behaviour is strongly influenced by the mechanism of flow during the manufacturing process. Numerical simulation Methods are preferentially used to get informations about the orientation of the reinforced fibres at the end of the molding-process and to improve the properties of the compound. For that, a model is developed, which calculates the motion of the short-fibres in the area of flow, basing on a three-dimensional finite-element-computation. Thereby the interaction between the Particular fibres during the orientation process is considered by using an interaction coefficient. Examplified at the extrusion of short fibre reinforced glass-melts, the fibre orientation is determined at models with different geometries of the pressing tool and variable boundary conditions. This procedure allows to determine the influence of the process-parameters On the expected quality of the composite. The represented simulation-model can also be used for other molding- and extrusion-processes of fibre reinforced materials.