Antibacterial activity of copolymers of trialkyl(4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium chlorides with acrylonitrile

Homopolymers of cetyldimethyl(4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride (VB16), lauryl-dimethyl(4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride (VB12), and trimethyl (4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride (VB1), and copolymers of these compounds with acrylonitrile were examined for antibacterial activity using B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. All homopolymers and copolymers showed germicidal action to the bacterias, especially strong action to gram-positive B. subtilis and S. aureus. The strength of the germicidal action of the quaternary ammonium branches was in the order: VB16 > VB12 ? VB1.     

Modeling and designing aircraft taxiing patterns for a large airport

At large airports, aircraft takeoff and land simultaneously on multiple runways. As a result, taxiing is a complex and, at times, lengthy process. Planning for aircraft taxiing is an essential design element for the expansion of runways, taxiways, and terminals. Unnecessary taxiing should be reduced. In this study, we develop a taxiing model and calculate the taxiing time. We observed aircraft traffic patterns and listened to the communication of air traffic controllers (ATCs) in order to develop a taxiing model. The developed model was applied to Narita International Airport. We begin by estimating the time required for taxiing at Narita International for 2014. Next, we propose two strategies to reduce the taxiing time. The first strategy involves changes in departure times with controlled intervals between them. In this strategy, the average taxiing time is reduced by 16.5%. The other strategy requires adjustments in the time from the aircraft departure from the terminal to the start of taxiing. In this strategy, the maximum taxiing time is reduced by 11.5%, and the intervals between the terminal departures and taxiing were more uniform.     

Integration of Image Matching and Classification for Multimedia Navigation

With the recent explosive growth in the volume of images on the World-Wide Web, it has become increasingly difficult to search for images of interests. The classification of images helps users to access a large image collection efficiently. Classification reduces search space by filtering out unrelated images. Classification also allows for more user-friendly interfaces: users can better visualize easily result space by browsing the representative images of the candidates. In this paper, we present a technique for image classification based on color, shape and composition using the primary objects. We apply this classification technique in image matching for image retrieval on the Web. Our experimental results show that this approach can maintain 73% of recall by searching only 24% of the whole data set. We also show how we apply such technique to assist users in navigation.     

Lignin–silica hybrids as precursors for silicon carbide

Lignin, prepared by digesting cedar with acetic acid, and tetraethoxysilane have been allowed for a sol–gel reaction in tetrahydrofuran using H₂SO₄ as catalyst to yield lignin–SiO₂ hybrids in the bulk gel form. The solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the hybrids and products formed solely from the lignin under the acidic conditions revealed that the lignin underwent crosslinking during the sol–gel reaction. The degree of crosslinking increased with an increasing amount of H₂SO₄. The powdered hybrids have been heated at 1500°C in Ar for carbothermal reduction, resulting in the formation of SiC powders. The lignin-to-tetraethoxysilane mixing ratio of the starting solutions varied free carbon content in the SiC powders. In addition, the amount of carbonaceous residue formed from the lignin upon heating depended on the degree of crosslinking of the lignin. Thus, to adjust the amounts of both the lignin and H₂SO₄ was necessary for producing the hybrids suitable for precursors for SiC powders with high purity. Critical adjustment of the amounts led to the formation of SiC powders with a free carbon content of 0.57 wt %, implying that the lignin is a beneficial carbon source for the production of SiC powders by the hybrid route. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1321–1328, 1999     

Homophilic Interaction of CD147 Promotes IL-6-Mediated Cholangiocarcinoma Invasion via the NF-κB-Dependent Pathway

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive cancer of bile ducts, is a well-known chronic inflammation-related disease. The major impediment in CCA treatment is limited treatment options for advanced disease; hence, an alternative is urgently required. The role of CD147 on cytokine production has been observed in inflammation-related diseases, but not in CCA. Therefore, this study was focused on CD147-promoting proinflammatory cytokine production and functions. Proinflammatory cytokine profiles were compared between CD147 expressing CCA cells and CD147 knockout cells (CD147 KO). Three cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and granulocyte–monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), were dramatically diminished in CD147 KO clones. The involvement of the CD147-related cytokines in CCA invasion was established. CD147-promoted IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF secretions were regulated by NF-κB nuclear translocation, Akt activation, and p38 phosphorylation. CD147-fostering IL-6 production was dependent on soluble CD147, CD147 homophilic interaction, and NF-κB function. The overexpression of specific genes in CCA tissues compared to normal counterparts emphasized the clinical importance of these molecules. Altogether, CD147-potentiated proinflammatory cytokine production leading to CCA cell invasion is shown for the first time in the current study. This suggests that modulation of CD147-related inflammation might be a promising choice for advanced CCA treatment.     

Assessment of low-cycle fatigue life of Sn-3.5mass%Ag-X (X=Bi or Cu) alloy by strain range partitioning approach

The fatigue lives and damage mechanisms of Sn-Ag-X (X=Bi and Cu) solder alloys under creep-fatigue interaction mode have been investigated, and the adaptability of the strain partitioning approach to the creep-fatigue of these alloys was examined. Symmetrical and asymmetrical saw-tooth strain profiles components (i.e., fast-fast, fast-slow, slow-fast and slow-slow) were employed. Application of the slow slow,strain mode did not have an effect on fatigue lives of the alloys under investigation. Transgranular fracture observed on the fracture surfaces suggests that creep damage might be cancelled under slowslow mode. The fatigue lives of all alloys were dramatically reduced under slowfast mode, which is attributed to intergranular cavitation and fracture during tensile creep flow. On the other hand, the compression creep component generated by fast-slow mode also significantly reduced the life of Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-3.5Ag-1Cu, while the component did not affect the life of Sn-3.5Ag-xBi (x=2 and 5). The four partitioned strain ranges (i.e.,_{p, pp, cp}, and _cc) versus life relationships were established in all alloys tested. Thus, it is confirmed that the creep-fatigue life of these alloys can be quantitatively predicted by the strain partitioning approach for any type of inelastic strain cycling.     

Resistance to nitric oxide-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 variant cells is associated with increased activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase

Nitric oxide (NO) released from (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1- ium-1,2-diolate (DETA/NO or NOC-18) induces apoptosis in human leukemia HL-60 cells. In this study, we isolated a HL-60 variant cell line, HL-NR6, that is resistant to DETA/NO toxicity as assessed by DNA fragmentation, morphology, and colony forming ability. The variant cells also showed resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide as well as NO donors, but not to anti-tumor drugs. We found that HL-NR6 cells when compared with HL-60 cells possessed twice the activities of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and catalase, but no change in Mn-SOD nor in glutathione peroxidase. Immunoblotting confirmed the high levels of both enzymes in the variant cell. We also observed that ROS generation following DETA/NO exposure was substantially higher in HL-60 cells than in HL-NR6 cells, using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein fluorometric method. Moreover, the SOD mimetic Mn(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin and exogenous catalase effectively attenuated DETA/NO-elicited DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. Taken together, these data suggested that the NO resistance in HL-NR6 cells is associated with the increased Cu,Zn-SOD/catalase and that NO-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells is correlated with the generation of ROS and derived molecules like peroxynitrite.     

Heavy metal ion adsorbents having thioamide groups

Polyhydrazides are prepared by condensation of cyanuric chloride with dihydrazides of dibasic carboxylic acids and are sulfurized with phosphorus pentasulfide. Copolymers of acrylamide and dimethylacrylamide with divinylbenzene are also sulfurized with phosphorus pentasulfide. The sulfurized polymers adsorb mercuric ion. In order to incorporate thiocarbamide groups into a polymer matrix, methylolthioureas are condensed with polyethylenimine. The reactions are carried out in the solid state or in aqueous solution. In the former, water is distilled off from the solidified mixture of the reactants; in the latter, methylothiourea and polyethylenimine are allowed to react in the presence of sulfuric acid. The products are good mercuric ion adsorbents.     

A virtual pixel technique for doubling the PDP resolution of moving images

A virtual pixel technique increases the resolution of spatially discrete pixilated display devices when the eye moves relative to the screen. By using this technique, an effective PDP resolution can be doubled for moving images. For instance, 1280‐horizontal‐pixel data can be displayed on a VGA PDP having only 640 horizontal pixels. The positions and sizes of the virtual pixels are controlled by choosing light‐emission timings and durations of the actual pixels as their images move across the retina.     

A non-oscillatory and conservative semi-Lagrangian scheme with fourth-degree polynomial interpolation for solving the Vlasov equation

A conservative semi-Lagrangian scheme for the numerical solution of the Vlasov equation is developed based on the fourth-degree polynomial interpolation. Then, a numerical filter is implemented that preserves positivity and non-oscillatory. The numerical results of both one-dimensional linear advection and two-dimensional Vlasov–Poisson simulations show that the numerical diffusion with the fourth-degree polynomial interpolation is suppressed more than with the cubic polynomial interpolation. It is also found that inherent conservation properties of the Vlasov equation can be improved by combining numerical fluxes of the upwind-biased and central fourth-degree polynomial interpolations.