Differential response of human melanoma and Ehrlich ascites cells in vitro to the ribosome-inactivating protein luffin

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the short- and medium-term results of the Burch-like urethropexy with bone anchors in the treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: We performed the conventional Burch technique which was modified with the use of 4 bone anchors for bony fixation. Forty-four female patients with genuine stress urinary incontinence were operated on from November, 1995 to November, 1997. RESULTS: The patients had a bladder catheter indwelling for 4 to 9 days and only 3 of them required intermittent catheterization during two months. All patients recovered spontaneous micturition. The postoperative urinary continence was 93% at a mean follow-up of 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although our initial results seem encouraging, a continuous and objective follow-up is warranted to assess the long-term efficacy of this technique.     

Synthesis and analgesic properties of new 5-thioaryl pyrazole derivatives

A new series 5-thio aryl pyrazole derivatives were proposed aiming analgesic activity. In this work, 8 new compounds of this class were synthesized using usual synthetic methodology, having as key intermediate the 3-methyl-4-nitro-5-chloropyrazole-1-phenyl derivative and subsequent reaction with several nucleophiles sulfides. Pharmacological evaluation of this series showed analgesic activity in the some extent in especially for 5-(4-bromophenyl)-thio-3-methyl-4-nitro-1-phenylpyrazole which was the most potent in this series, presenting an analgesic action comparable to that show by dipyrone.     

Transmission line routing for reduced external field disturbance

When immersed in a disturbing electromagnetic field, electronic systems are subject to interference due to the energy injected by the external field into the system through the electronic units and, especially, through the transmission lines connecting units one another. The issue of reducing the unwanted energy injection through connecting transmission lines is addressed in this contribution from the point of view of the routing, i.e. of the disposition of the connecting lines that minimizes the injection. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem, dealt with by the simulated annealing minimization technique combined with an efficient way of computing the field coupling to the lines. Results are reported for various cases, and the relation between the characteristics of the interfering field and the efficiency of the reduction is discussed.     

Optimal configuration of Energy-Efficient Ethernet

The IEEE 802.3az standard provides a new low power mode that Ethernet network interfaces can use to save energy when there is no traffic to transmit. Simultaneously with the final standard approval, several algorithms were proposed to govern the physical interface state transition between the normal active mode and the new low power mode. In fact, the standard leaves this sleeping algorithm unspecified to spur competition among different vendors and achieve the greatest energy savings. In this paper, we try to bring some light to the most well known sleeping algorithms, providing mathematical models for the expected energy savings and the average packet delay inflicted on outgoing traffic. We will then use the models to derive optimum configuration parameters for them under given efficiency constraints.     

In Vitro Characterization of Human CD24hiCD38hi Regulatory B Cells Shows CD9 Is Not a Stable Breg Cell Marker

Regulatory B (Breg) cells are endowed with immune suppressive functions. Various human and murine Breg subtypes have been reported. While interleukin (IL)-10 intracellular staining remains the most reliable way to identify Breg cells, this technique hinders further essential functional studies. Recent findings suggest that CD9 is an effective surface marker of murine IL-10 competent Breg cells. However, the stability of CD9 and its relevance as a unique marker for human Breg cells, which have been widely characterized as CD24^hiCD38^hi, have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate that CD9 expression is sensitive to in vitro B cell stimulations. CD9 expression could either be re-expressed or downregulated in purified CD9-negative B cells and CD9-positive B cells, respectively. We found no significant differences in the Breg differentiation capacity of the CD9-negative and CD9-positive B cells. Furthermore, CD9-positive B cells co-express CD40 and CD86, suggesting their nature as B cell activation or co-stimulatory molecules, rather than regulatory ones. Therefore, we report the relatively unstable CD9 as a distinct surface molecule, indicating the need for further research for a more reliable marker to purify human Breg cells.     

Hydrogen-helium scattering cross-sections for transmission elastic recoil detection analysis

¹H(,p) ⁴He scattering cross-sections were determined for the 6.5–13 MeV (incident energy) range, thereby extending the energy range for such data beyond that available in the literature. These values are essential for the further development of hydrogen concentration profiling by the transmission elastic recoil detection technique, of particular interest in the design of surface-engineered hydrogen contamination barriers for steels.     

Styrene-butadiene branched star-shaped asphalt modifiers: Synthesis and mechanical characterization

Abstract

The synthesis and the corresponding characterization of styrene-butadiene (SB), branched, star-shaped copolymers was investigated as part of a research project on asphalt modification using polymers with precise molecular structures. The method of anionic polymerization was followed to prepare samples of block copolymers of SB, a synthesis method that controls chain-architecture, molecular weight distribution, monomer distribution, and the average molecular weight. The research studies are the synthesis of block copolymers including linear, three- and four-arms constructs, depending on the coupling agent used. The techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (1NMR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and rheology were carried out to characterize the copolymers. From the results of the 1NMR, DSC, and GPC analyses, all star-shaped copolymers investigated showed a similar block copolymer composition. Furthermore, the rheological behavior of one of the synthesized star-shaped copolymers was nearly the same as a four-branched commercial copolymer. Rheologically, the four-arm block copolymer sample had the largest storage modulus (G′) among the branched copolymers synthetized, indicating that such architecture produces a highly structured material. In regard to polymer-modified asphalt formulations, the three-branched copolymer architecture yielded better elastic behavior than the four-branch version. In summary, the findings of this investigation provide new insight about a polymer system that may offer advantages in industrial asphalt paving applications.     

Chattering-Free Sliding Mode Altitude Control for a Quad-Rotor Aircraft: Real-Time Application

Nowadays, the chattering problem in sliding mode control is one of the most important points to consider in real-time applications. To address this problem, a real-time robust altitude control scheme is proposed for the efficient performance of a Quad-rotor aircraft system using a continuous sliding mode control. The sensing of altitude measurement sensing is performed by a pressure sensor in order to obtain a robust altitude control of the vehicle in hovering mode both indoor and outdoor. The altitude measurement has the advantage of introducing this state information directly in the closed loop control which should be very useful for achieving robust stabilization of the altitude control. Accordingly, we propose a sliding mode control strategy without chattering. The sliding mode control proposed removes the chattering phenomenon by replacing a sign function with a high-slope saturation function. The control algorithm is derived from the Lyapunov stability theorem. Moreover, we have assumed that the actuators are able to respond quickly and accurately and we have not enforced limits on the control signals for a real-time application. Finally, to verify the satisfactory performance of proposed nonlinear control law, several simulations and experimental results of the Chattering-free sliding mode control for the Quad-rotor aircraft in the presence of bounded disturbances are presented.     

FAST LINEAR ESTIMATION METHODS FOR VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING-AVERAGE MODELS

Abstract. Three linear methods for estimating parameter values of vector auto-regressive moving-average (VARMA) models which are in general at least an order of magnitude faster than maximum likelihood estimation are developed in this paper. Simulation results for different model structures with varying numbers of component series and observations suggest that the accuracy of these procedures is in most cases comparable with maximum likelihood estimation. Procedures for estimating parameter standard error are also discussed and used for identification of nonzero elements in the VARMA polynomial structures. These methods can also be used to establish the order of the VARMA structure. We note, however, that the primary purpose of these estimates is to generate initial estimates for the nonzero parameters in order to reduce subsequent computational time of more efficient estimation procedures such as exact maximum likelihood.     

Mechanical and dynamical mechanical properties of chloroprene rubber and cellulose II composites

Vulcanized composites of chloroprene rubber (CR) with cellulose II (Cel II) as a filler were investigated. Cel II, obtained by the coagulation of cellulose xanthate, was incorporated in the rubber by the traditional method. The filler content varied from 0 to 30 phr. For comparison purposes, carbon black (CB)–CR composites were also studied. The CB amount varied from 0 to 45 phr. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties were determined, and the CR composite containing 20 phr of Cel II showed the best set of properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2425–2430, 2004