Negative electrodes for nickel-cadmium accumulators: their properties as determined by impregnation procedure

Sintered negative electrodes for nickel-cadmium secondary cells were studied. Model electrodes prepared by means of three different impregnation methods were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the impregnation procedure may affect properties of active mass and the service life of electrodes in a significant way.     

Hydrophobicity of Thin Films of Compounds of Low‐Electronegativity Metals

Hydrophobic materials capable of withstanding harsh conditions are required for various applications. Here, we show that oxides and nitrides of various low‐electronegativity metals are hydrophobic hard ceramics. We attribute their hydrophobicity to low Lewis acidity of the low‐electronegativity cations implying a low ability of the cations on the surface to form coordinate bonds with water oxygen anions. Furthermore, we observe a systematically stronger hydrophobic behavior of nitrides compared with the corresponding oxides, which we attribute to nitrogen being a poorer Lewis base than oxygen due to a reduced number of lone pairs of electrons, implying a lower ability of nitrogen anions on the surface to form hydrogen bonds with water hydrogen cations. Most of the oxides and nitrides investigated exhibit high values of hardness. Therefore, oxides and nitrides of low‐electronegativity metals should find application as hydrophobic materials in harsh conditions.     

Upregulation of Cathepsin X in Glioblastoma: Interplay with γ-Enolase and the Effects of Selective Cathepsin X Inhibitors

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain tumor in adults. Understanding GBM pathobiology and discovering novel therapeutic targets are critical to finding efficient treatments. Upregulation of the lysosomal cysteine carboxypeptidase cathepsin X has been linked to immune dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases, but its role in cancer and particularly in GBM progression in patients is unknown. In this study, cathepsin X expression and activity were found to be upregulated in human GBM tissues compared to low-grade gliomas and nontumor brain tissues. Cathepsin X was localized in GBM cells as well as in tumor-associated macrophages and microglia. Subsequently, potent irreversible (AMS36) and reversible (Z7) selective cathepsin X inhibitors were tested in vitro. Selective cathepsin X inhibitors decreased the viability of patient-derived GBM cells as well as macrophages and microglia that were cultured in conditioned media of GBM cells. We next examined the expression pattern of neuron-specific enzyme γ-enolase, which is the target of cathepsin X. We found that there was a correlation between high proteolytic activity of cathepsin X and C-terminal cleavage of γ-enolase and that cathepsin X and γ-enolase were colocalized in GBM tissues, preferentially in GBM-associated macrophages and microglia. Taken together, our results on patient-derived material suggest that cathepsin X is involved in GBM progression and is a potential target for therapeutic approaches against GBM.     

Melanocyte pigmentation stiffens murine cardiac tricuspid valve leaflet

Pigmentation of murine cardiac tricuspid valve leaflet is associated with melanocyte concentration, which affects its stiffness. Owing to its biological and viscoelastic nature, estimation of the in situ stiffness measurement becomes a challenging task. Therefore, quasi-static and nanodynamic mechanical analysis of the leaflets of the mouse tricuspid valve is performed in the current work. The mechanical properties along the leaflet vary with the degree of pigmentation. Pigmented regions of the valve leaflet that contain melanocytes displayed higher storage modulus (7–10 GPa) than non-pigmented areas (2.5–4 GPa). These results suggest that the presence of melanocytes affects the viscoelastic properties of the mouse atrioventricular valves and are important for their proper functioning in the organism.     

Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system 1990-1993

We have analyzed all available data including birth certificates, maternity records, pediatric records, and pathology reports of spontaneous and induced abortions and newborn deaths to determine the frequency of congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. We found 76 infants (34 males, 39 females and 3 of undetermined sex) with CNS anomalies during the 1990-93 period. In the same period there were 23,425 births. The frequency of CNS anomalies in this period was 32,4/10,000 births. These results are at variance with conclusions of previously published and incomprehensive studies in Croatia. Therefore, a systematic follow-up of the autopsy findings of induced and spontaneous abortions and newborn deaths in the epidemiology of CNS anomalies is clearly needed.     

'Crystal bridge' for measuring the equivalent electrical parameters of piezoelectric crystals

The methods and instrumentation for carrying out precise measurements of the equivalent electrical parameters of piezoelectric crystals have been developed. An accuracy exceeding 0.05% has been achieved with low power dissipation in the crystal permitting the use of this system at low temperatures and particularly in applications concerning the detection of gravitational radiation.     

High accuracy quartz crystal thin film monitor

A quartz resonator thin film monitor of exceptionally high accuracy and resolution has been developed. It is capable of providing measurements with an effective resolution of 0.001 nm and a corresponding relative accuracy of about 1% for a 0.100-nm-thick film of gold. A novel dual oscillator and mixer using integrated circuits is also described.     

Induced phytoextraction/soil washing of lead using biodegradable chelate and permeable barriers

Chelate-induced remediation has been proposed as an effective tool for the extraction of lead (Pb) from contaminated soils by plants. However, side-effects, mainly mobilization and leaching of Pb, raise environmental concerns. Biodegradable, synthetic organic chelate ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), and commonly used ethylenedimanetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were used for induced phytoextraction with a test plant Brassica rapa and in situ washing of soil contaminated with 1350 mg/kg of Pb. Horizontal permeable barriers were placed 20 cm deep in soil columns and tested for their ability to prevent leaching of Pb. The reactive materials in the barriers were nutrient enriched vermiculite, peat or agricultural hydrogel, and apatite. EDTA and EDDS addition increased Pb concentrations in the test plant by 158 and 89 times compared to the control, to 817 and 464 mg/kg, respectively. In EDTA treatments, approximately 25% or more of total initial soil Pb was leached in single cycle of chelate addition. In EDDS treatments, 20% of the initial Pb was leached from columns with no barrier, while barriers with vermiculite or hydrogel and apatite decreased leaching by more than 60 times, to 0.35%. 11.6% of total initial Pb was washed from the soil above the barrier with vermiculite and apatite, where almost all leached Pb was accumulated. Results indicate that use of biodegradable chelate EDDS and permeable barriers may lead to environmentally safe induced Pb phytoextraction and in situ washing of Pb.     

Accessory cardiac bronchus: 3D CT demonstration in nine cases

OBJECTIVES: To monitor the documentation of blood pressure measurements and other cardiovascular risk factors in general practice patients with hypertension. METHOD: Twenty-five case notes of patients diagnosed as hypertensive were randomly selected from each of 58 participating general practitioners in suburban general practice in Adelaide, South Australia and were monitored by two registered nurses. Main outcome measures: to assess whether blood pressure readings, weight, smoking history, alcohol intake and family history were documented, and whether electrocardiogram, plasma lipids, urinalysis and biochemical screen (which includes blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, electrolytes and uric acid) had been undertaken. RESULTS: Data from 1446 hypertensive patients showed that for the last three blood pressure values recorded, 483 (33%) had an average level of 140/90 mm Hg or less and 1100 (76%) had an average of 160/95 mm Hg or less. The other cardiovascular risk factors selected were variably recorded, with biochemical screen being most commonly recorded [1198 (83%)] and family history [423 (29%)] the least. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequacies in the control of hypertension and in the documentation of other cardiovascular risk factors suggest that further educational initiatives are required in this common chronic illness.