Indomethacin reduces contraction of isolated non-pregnant human uterine artery induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha

The purpose of this study was to explore whether cyclooxygenase products derived from endothelium or vascular smooth muscle participate in the response of human uterine artery to prostaglandin F2 alpha. Experiments were performed using human uterine arterial rings. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (0.4 nM-1 microM) induced contraction of human uterine arteries with both intact and denuded endothelium with similar potency and efficacy (pD2 values: 7.93 +/- 0.01 and 8.07 +/- 0.03 for vessels with and without endothelium respectively; maximal response values: 89.1 +/- 4.7% and 92.3 +/- 3.8% for vessels with and without endothelium respectively). Indomethacin (10 microM) significantly suppressed the maximum effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha and induced a shift towards the right of the prostaglandin F2 alpha concentration-response curves, regardless of the endothelial condition. On the other hand, in both types of preparations, OKY-046 (10 microM), an inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, did not affect prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contraction of human uterine arteries. It is concluded that in human uterine artery prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contraction is mediated, at least in part, through constrictor prostanoid(s) of vascular smooth muscle origin that is not thromboxane A2.     

基于非线性有限元的高拱坝坝肩稳定性分析-研究生论坛

处于复杂地质条件下的拱坝,坝肩岩体稳定性问题是其发生事故的重要原因之一。某水电站拱坝右坝肩发育有靠近坝体的蚀变集中带及沿该集中带的多条断层,左坝肩在坝肩槽不同高程有多条断层出露,地形地质复杂。为了正确合理地研究其坝肩岩体的稳定特性,根据水电站坝址区地形地质条件,充分考虑拱坝左右坝肩的主要断层及蚀变带等不利地质构造,建立三维有限元模型,模拟拱坝及坝区岩体在正常运行及温降工况下的应力场,采用点安全系数法分析坝肩岩体在加固和未加固的情况下的稳定性,并运用综合强度储备法评价坝肩的极限承载能力。研究结果表明,坝肩岩体点安全系数均处于合理范围内且相对较高,综合安全系数相对较大,说明坝基加固措施合理有效,坝肩具有较强的承载能力。     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 211

The evaluated spectroscopic data are presented for 11 known nuclides of mass 211 (Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac, Th). The ²¹¹Pa nuclide is included here but its identification remains uncertain. For ²¹¹Hg, ²¹¹Tl, ²¹¹Ac and ²¹¹Th nuclei, only the ground–state information is available. Their decay characteristics are mostly unknown. ²¹¹Fr is suggested to decay partially through ε decay mode, but its decay scheme remains poorly known. While high–spin excitations, including several isomers, are well studied in ²¹¹Pb, ²¹¹Bi, ²¹¹Po, ²¹¹At, ²¹¹Rn and ²¹¹Fr, the particle–transfer data are available for only ²¹¹Po and ²¹¹Bi.This evaluation was carried out as part of joint IAEA–ICTP workshop for Nuclear Structure and Decay Data, organized and hosted by the IAEA, Vienna and ICTP, Trieste, August 6–17, 2012. This work supersedes previous A=211 evaluation (2004Br45) published by E. Browne which covered literature before January 2003.     

Two Channel Thermally Tunable Band-Stop Filter for Wavelength Selective Switching Applications by Using 1D Ternary Superconductor Photonic Crystal

By studying temperature-dependent dispersion characteristics and group velocity of 1D ternary photonic crystal (TPC) composed of dielectric-superconductor-dielectric materials, a thermally tunable band-stop filter which is capable of stopping unique wavelength channels without causing any interference amongst equally spaced wavelength channels of full width at half maximum of 1 nm each as per the requirement of wavelength division multiplexing standards adopted by the International Telecommunication Union specifying channel spacing in terms of frequency (wavelength) is suggested. The proposed structure can efficiently work as a two-channel wavelength selective switch for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-based all-optical networks. This study also gives theoretical insight to design some new kind of optical memories and tunable buffers which holds data temporary and have potential applications in modern communication systems.     

Biocompatible composites of fibrous nanohydroxyapatite embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane

Silicone elastomers have the potential to be a valuable biomaterial due to their mechanical and chemical properties, easy processing, and high gas permeability. Some inherent properties of the pure silicone implant such as high hydrophobicity and low load bearing capacity can be problematic for biomedical applications. The issues were addressed by fabricating hydroxyapatite nanofiber/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites. The morphology of nanocomposite structures was visualized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Improved mechanical strength and compliance of the prepared nanocomposite structures were obtained by frequency sweep and creep measurements. Surface hydrophilicity of polydimethylsiloxane was enhanced by hydroxyapatite nanofiber incorporation into the polymer matrix. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of the structures were analyzed using breast epithelial cells (MDA MB 231 cell line). These studies showed that the nanocomposite scaffold did not leach any cytotoxic material and showed better cell adhesion and cell proliferation compared to the unfilled elastomer.     

Temperature rise tests on a forced-oil-air cooled (FOA) (OFAF)core-form transformer, including loading beyond nameplate

Results of temperature rise tests performed in accordance with PC57.119/Draft 12, Recommended Procedures for Performing Temperature Rise Tests on Oil-Immersed Power Transformers at Loads Beyond Nameplate Ratings, are presented. Tested data is compared with calculated values using IEEE and IEC loading guide equations and exponential power constants are determined and are compared with those given in the loading guide. Discussion is offered that may be useful in future drafts of and to the users of the proposed test procedure     

Nuclear data sheets for A = 142

Experimental nuclear structure information is presented for all nuclides with mass 142. The data are based on radioactivity as well as nuclear reaction studies. The appropriate comments indicating analysis techniques, assumptions used, and data inconsistencies have been given with each data set.     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 145

Experimental nuclear structure data are presented for all known nuclides with mass 145.