Combining linear filtering and radial basis function networks foraccurate profile recovery

The efficient method presented for the accurate approximation of signal profiles corrupted by noise is based on a principled combination of linear and nonlinear processing. The nonlinear processing is realised using a radial basis network which is designed, trained and validated within the strict time constraints set by instrumentation requirements. The quality of profile approximation and the decision to use either linear or nonlinear processing are set by confidence limits which, in turn, are set by the best estimate of current system noise. The approach is described in terms of a novel capillary electrophoresis instrument with all processing implemented on a dedicated DSP subsystem     

Synthesis and characterization of cleavable surfactants derived from poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether

A series of noncyclic acetal-linked cleavable surfactants were simply prepared by condensation of aldehydes with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ethers. All of the products were characterized by¹H nuclear magnetic resonance. Their hydrophile-lipophile balance, surface tension, cloud point, critical micelle concentration, and foam height were determined. Hydrolysis kinetic studies, followed by gas chromatography, showed that they had higher hydrolytic reactivity in acidic solution than cyclic acetal-linked cleavable surfactants.     

A Markov chain model for an optical shared-memory packet switch

This paper first presents a Markov chain that exactly models an optical shared-memory packet switch. Without loss in model accuracy, this Markov chain state size is greatly reduced to form a reduced Markov chain (RMC). A simplified construction method is given to make the RMC tractable. Throughput and probability of packet loss derived using the RMC are also presented     

Influence of transient flow and solder bump resistance on underfill process

The underfill flow process is one of the important steps in Microsystems technology. One of the best known examples of such a process is with the flip-chip packaging technology which has great impact on the reliability of electronic devices. For optimization of the design and process parameters or real-time feedback control, it is necessary to have a dynamic model of the process that is computationally efficient yet reasonably accurate. The development of such a model involves identifying any factors that can be neglected with negligible loss of accuracy. In this paper, we present a study of flow transient behavior and flow resistance due to the presence of an array of solder bumps in the gap. We conclude (1) that the assumption of steady flow in the modeling of the flow behavior of fluids in the flip-chip packaging technology is reasonable, and (2) the solder bump resistance to the flow can not be neglected when the clearance between any two solder bumps is less than 60-70 μm. We subsequently present a new model, which extends the one proposed by Han and Wang in 1997 by considering the solder bump resistance to the flow.     

Vitamin D3 and ceramide reduce the invasion of tumor cells through extracellular matrix components by elevating protein phosphatase-2A

Increasing phosphorylation reactions by protein kinase A (PKA) or reducing dephosphorylation reactions of protein phosphatase-2A (PP-2A) increases the invasiveness of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells, as measured by their capacity to traverse extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated filters. Metastatic LLC-LN7 variants have reduced PP-2A activity when compared to nonmetastatic LLC-C8 variants. Immunoblotting showed that this reduced level of PP-2A activity was not due to reduced levels of the PP-2A catalytic (C) subunit. The cellular PP-2A activity could be stimulated by addition of C2-ceramide to LLC-LN7 lysates, or by incubating cells with either C2-ceramide or with a noncalcemic analog of vitamin D3, which has previously been shown to stimulate the release of ceramide. These treatments to elevate PP-2A activity in metastatic LLC-LN7 cells resulted in a decline in their capacity to invade through select (ECM) components, particularly through vitronectin and laminin. Underscoring the importance of PP-2A in limiting the invasiveness of tumor cells was the demonstration that LLC-LN7 cell transfectants overexpressing the PP-2A C alpha subunit were less invasive through ECM components than the wild-type cells. Invasion by these cells was further reduced by additionally increasing PP-2A activity by incubation with C2-ceramide or the vitamin D3 analog. These results suggest a role of a vitamin D3/ceramide/PP-2A pathway in limiting the invasiveness of tumor cells through select ECM components.     

螺旋齿轮与正齿轮的表面致密化

过去几十年,用于汽车的粉末冶金零件不断增长,对零件性能的要求也越来越高.汽车用的变速器齿轮的形状复杂,按照齿轮质量要求(DIN,ISO,AGMA等)几何精度很高,按齿面与齿根的耐久性要求力学性能也很高.对于制造复杂形状零件,粉末冶金法对控制成本很有效.通过增加对齿的选择性致密化,在增加很少费用下就能满足精度与力学性能要求.由压制、烧结、碾压致密化及最后热处理组成的工艺路线,可评估用粉末冶金制造的变速器齿轮的可行性.在研究中所用的螺旋齿轮与正齿轮,对致密化及所得到的齿轮的质量与齿根疲劳都进行了试验.     

Label-free imaging of semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes in cells and mice using transient absorption microscopy

As interest in the potential biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes increases, there is a need for methods that can image nanotubes in live cells, tissues and animals. Although techniques such as Raman, photoacoustic and near-infrared photoluminescence imaging have been used to visualize nanotubes in biological environments, these techniques are limited because nanotubes provide only weak photoluminescence and low Raman scattering and it remains difficult to image both semiconducting and metallic nanotubes at the same time. Here, we show that transient absorption microscopy offers a label-free method to image both semiconducting and metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes in vitro and in vivo, in real time, with submicrometre resolution. By using appropriate near-infrared excitation wavelengths, we detect strong transient absorption signals with opposite phases from semiconducting and metallic nanotubes. Our method separates background signals generated by red blood cells and this allows us to follow the movement of both types of nanotubes inside cells and in the blood circulation and organs of mice without any significant damaging effects.     

Modeling of cell cultures in perfusion bioreactors

Cultivating cells and tissues in bioreactors is a critical step in forming artificial tissues or organs prior to transplantation. Among various bioreactors, the perfusion bioreactor is known for its enhanced convection through the cell-scaffold constructs. Knowledge of mass transfer is essential for controlling the cell culture process; however, obtaining this information remains a challenging task. In this research, a novel mathematical model is developed to represent the nutrient transport and cell growth in a 3-D scaffold cultivated in a perfusion bioreactor. Numerical methods are employed to solve the equations involved, with a focus on identifying the effect of factors such as porosity, culturing time, and flow rate, which are controllable in the scaffold fabrication and culturing process, on cell cultures. To validate the new model, the results from the model simulations were compared to the experimental results extracted from the literature. With the validated model, further simulations were carried out to investigate the glucose and oxygen distribution and the cell growth within the cell-scaffold construct in a perfusion bioreactor, thus providing insight into the cell culture process.