Serum-Free Cultures: Could They Be a Future Direction to Improve Neuronal Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells?

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells with multilinear potential, known for their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. Although the scientific community is working to improve their application, concerns limit their use to repair tissues following neurological damage. One of these obstacles is represented by the use of culture media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS), which, due to its xenogenic nature and the risk of contamination, has increased scientific, ethical and safety problems. Therefore, the use of serum-free media could improve MSC culture methods, avoiding infectious and immunogenic transmission problems as well as MSC bioprocesses, without the use of animal components. The purpose of our review is to provide an overview of experimental studies that demonstrate that serum-free cultures, along with the supplementation of growth factors or chemicals, can lead to a more defined and controlled environment, enhancing the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of MSCs.     

Comparative study of vision tracking methods for tracking of construction site resources

Vision tracking has significant potential for tracking resources on large scale, congested construction sites, where a small number of cameras strategically placed around the site could replace hundreds of tracking tags. The correlation of vision tracking 2D positions from multiple views can provide the 3D position. However, there are many 2D vision trackers available in the literature, and little information is available on which one is most effective for construction applications. In this paper, a comparative study of various vision tracker categories is carried out, to identify which one is most effective in tracking construction resources. Testing parameters for evaluating categories of trackers are identified, and benefits and limitations of each category are presented. The most promising trackers are tested using a database of construction operations videos. The results indicate the effectiveness of each tracker in relation to each parameter of the test, and the most suitable tracker needed to research effective 3D vision trackers of construction resources.     

Engineering-Based Decisions in Construction

This paper uses four case studies to emphasize the fact that field engineering decisions cannot be made without a full understanding of all the technical problems involved. Two of the studies are taken from conventional design-bid-build projects and two are taken from design-build projects in which the ability to strongly influence design in the interest of construction efficiency places a new and increased emphasis on construction and field engineering skills. The cases also show that field engineering decisions frequently address new and unexpected realities, changed conditions, and transient loads, and thus they require high levels of understanding, technical analysis, and creative thought. We emphasize the need for universities and construction engineering programs to develop graduates who are capable of integrating design and construction considerations throughout the project delivery process. We also urge programs to continue to focus strongly on field engineering as the foundation for success in an increasingly complex and technically driven construction industry.     

Molecular recognition of DNA–protein complexes: A straightforward method combining scanning force and fluorescence microscopy

Combining scanning force and fluorescent microscopy allows simultaneous identification of labeled biomolecules and analysis of their nanometer level architectural arrangement. Fluorescent polystyrene nano-spheres were used as reliable objects for alignment of optical and topographic images. This allowed the precise localization of different fluorescence particles within complex molecular assemblies whose structure was mapped in nanometer detail topography. Our experiments reveal the versatility of this method for analysis of proteins and protein–DNA complexes.     

采用UV/H2O2体系进行烟气脱硫脱硝的实验研究

为寻求一种高效的烟气多污染物脱除技术,采用UV/H2O2体系进行烟气脱硫脱硝实验研究。在自制的鼓泡反应器上考察模拟烟气成分、H2O2溶液浓度和催化剂等影响因素对脱硫脱硝效率的影响,得出了最佳实验条件。当pH值保持在3.3左右,氧气体积浓度大于6%,溶液温度在45℃以下,加入金属催化离子时,SO2及NOx的脱除效率可达到95%以上。对实验结果进行了讨论和分析,认为该技术有望用于现有传统湿式脱硫技术的改造,使其具有同时脱硫脱硝功能。     

Low-pressure pyrolysis studies of a new phosphorus precursor: Tertiarybutylbis(dimethylamino)phosphine

The low pressure decomposition of tertiarybutylbis(dimethylamino) phosphine, (t-Bu)P(NMe₂)₂, (TBBDMAP), has been studied on quartz and deposited GaP and InP surfaces. This new phosphorus precursor has been found to pyrolyze on quartz surfaces at much lower temperatures than the related compounds tertiarybutylphosphine, (t-Bu)PH₂, (TBP) and tris(dimethylamino)phosphorus, P(NMe₂)₃, (TDMAP). In contrast to the results obtained for TDMAP, GaP and InP surfaces decrease the decomposition temperature of TBBDMAP only slightly. The TBBDMAP reaction products were dimethylamine, methylmethyleneimine, and isobutylene, consistent with previous pyrolysis studies of TBP and TDMAP.     

Daylighting design: Enhancing energy efficiency and visual quality

The relationship between light and design is inseparable. Light reveals form, space, texture and colour - all of which are fundamental architectural considerations. Furthermore, light is essential to carry out most activities in buildings. Whether for aesthetic effect - to create mood or stimulation - or to fulfil functional requirements - for visibility and safety - light can be provided artificially or as daylight.It is evident that the use of artificial light in buildings accounts for a significant proportion of primary energy consumption - it is often the single largest use in the energy balance. By the careful introduction of natural light and the appropriate control of electric light, important energy savings can be achieved, whilst reinstating the role of daylighting in modern architecture.This paper discusses the roles of daylight in architecture; introduces recent research, development and technologies; and presents a number of case study examples to demonstrate the application of technology.     

应变In0.20 Ga0.80As／GaAs单量子阱结构的光谱研究

报道了用光致发光光谱，吸收光谱和光电流谱研究具有相同组伊阱宽，不同覆盖层厚度的应变Ｉｎ０．２０Ｇａ０．８０Ａｓ／ＧａＡｓ单量子阱结构的实验结果，结果理论计算，观察到ＧａＡｓ覆盖层厚度对单量子阱结构的材料质量，应力驰豫和发光淬灭机制的影响，确定了各样品应变值和导带不连续因子Ｑｃ，并讨论了这种结构发光机制。     

The structure of tartaric acid adsorbed over nickel catalyst observed by FT-IRAS

The structure of the L-tartaric acid adsorbed on the surface of a nickel metal catalyst with or without NaBr was studied by FT-IRAS. The carboxylic acid and carboxylate type adsorbed species were observed on nickel surface which was treated with only tartaric acid, while only one type of carboxylate ion was observed on the nickel surface which was treated with tartaric acid and NaBr.