Nondegradative microextrusion of resorbable polyesters for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications: The cases of poly‐lactic‐acid and poly‐caprolactone

In recent years biodegradable polymers, particularly polyesters such as the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), have gained high interests for their applicability in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields where they're used for manufacturing various different resorbable devices, from tissue engineering scaffolds to controlled drug release systems. Despite many positive characteristics, processability of these materials still remains a critical issue as they easily tend to degrade during manufacturing. In this article we aimed to assess microextrusion as a nondegradative process for manufacturing PLA and PCL. The results we experimentally obtained, that are hereby presented, set a new point in the on‐going debate on degradation during processing of resorbable polymers as they allow to affirm that microextrusion leaves unmodified molecular weight distributions without producing any evident reductions in mean molecular weight. Microextrusion thus represents a risk‐free high molecular weight polymer processing solution for obtaining nondegraded products within pharmaceutical and biomedical production lines, such as for scaffolds for tissue engineering applications or drug delivery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Ergodicity of filtering process by vanishing discount approach

A new approach to study ergodicity of filtering processes is presented. It is based on the vanishing discount approach to discounted functional of filtering process. We show that limit superior of the Cesaro averages of the functionals is the same for all initial conditions from which the uniqueness of invariant measures of filtering processes follows. The approach is based on certain assumption for which we provide a sufficient condition using concavity arguments. In addition we show the existence of solutions to the Poisson equation corresponding to filtering process with concave functional. The assumptions are then extended to the controlled case and using similar concave arguments we obtain the existence of solutions to the Bellman equation corresponding to partially observed average cost per unit time problem.     

Plasma lipoprotein(a) is not a predictor for restenosis after elective high-pressure coronary stenting

BACKGROUND: Preceding mucosal response to one allergen leads to the priming of the nasal mucosal response to another allergen. This study aimed to determine whether environmental allergens, especially ubiquitous animal dander, can induce nasal priming. METHODS: We investigated 26 grass-pollen-allergic subjects with additional sensitization to other aeroallergens. We performed continuous allergen challenge for 2 h with 1500 Dactylis glomerata pollen/m3 in the Vienna challenge chamber. The nasal flow at 150 Pa was examined, and subjective scores were obtained every 15 min. Statistical analysis was calculated from the area under curve of nasal flow reduction by Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Alpha was 0.05. RESULTS: In subjects with positive cat-dander RAST (class of > or = 3), besides grass-pollen allergy, the specific nasal allergic reaction to Dactylis challenge was significantly pronounced (P < 0.01), and an earlier onset of reaction was evident. The same results were obtained with additional sensitization to dog dander (P < 0.05). Concomitant sensitization to mugwort also led to escalating symptoms (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a specific nasal allergic reaction is augmented by environmental priming caused by ubiquitous animal dander and possibly is influenced by the daily use of spices.     

Pro-Inflammatory Effect of Gliadins and Glutenins Extracted from Different Wheat Cultivars on an In Vitro 3D Intestinal Epithelium Model

There is a need to assess the relationship between improved rheological properties and the immunogenic potential of wheat proteins. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of total protein extracts from three modern and two landrace Triticum aestivum commercial flour mixes, with significant differences in gluten strength (GS), on cell lines. Cytotoxicity and innate immune responses induced by wheat proteins were investigated using Caco-2 monocultures, two dimensional (2D) Caco-2/U937 co-cultures, and three dimensional (3D) co-cultures simulating the intestinal mucosa with Caco-2 epithelial cells situated above an extra-cellular matrix containing U937 monocytes and L929 fibroblasts. Modern wheat proteins, with increased GS, significantly reduced Caco-2 cell proliferation and vitality in monoculture and 2D co-cultures than landrace proteins. Modern wheat proteins also augmented Caco-2 monolayer disruption and tight junction protein, occludin, redistribution in 3D co-cultures. Release of interleukin-8 into the cell medium and increased U937 monocyte migration in both 2D and 3D co-cultures were similarly apparent. Immuno-activation of migrating U937 cells was evidenced from cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) staining and CD11b-related differentiation into macrophages. The modern wheat proteins, with gluten polymorphism relatedness and increased GS, were shown to be more cytotoxic and immunogenic than the landrace wheat proteins.     

A “Golden Age” for the discovery of new antileishmanial agents: Current status of leishmanicidal gold complexes and prospective targets beyond the trypanothione system

Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases worldwide and is considered a serious public health issue. The current therapeutic options have several disadvantages that make the search for new therapeutics urgent. Gold compounds are emerging as promising candidates based on encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo results for several Au^I and Au^III complexes. The antiparasitic mechanisms of these molecules remain only partially understood. However, a few studies have proposed the trypanothione redox system as a target, similar to the mammalian thioredoxin system, pointed out as the main target for several gold compounds with significant antitumor activity. In this review, we present the current status of the investigation and design of gold compounds directed at treating leishmaniasis. In addition, we explore potential targets in Leishmania parasites beyond the trypanothione system, taking into account previous studies and structure modulation performed for gold-based compounds.     

A microfluidic optical beam steerer

This paper reports the fabrication and characterization of a prototype microfluidic device that can act as a periodic beam steerer. The prototype is formed by a simple T-junction followed by a serpentine channel that allows generation of a periodical segmented flow of air and water bubbles. If light hits the channel wall with a suitable angle, it can be either transmitted or reflected by the segmented flow, giving rise to an alternating beam steerer. The duty cycle, switching frequency, and overall stability and reproducibility of this prototype system are presented and discussed.     

Constructed wetland as a low cost and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment adapted to rural settlements: the Chorfech wastewater treatment pilot plant

The paper presents the detailed design and some preliminary results obtained from a study regarding a wastewater treatment pilot plant (WWTPP), serving as a multistage constructed wetland (CW) located at the rural settlement of 'Chorfech 24' (Tunisia). The WWTPP implemented at Chorfech 24 is mainly designed as a demonstration of sustainable water management solutions (low-cost wastewater treatment), in order to prove the efficiency of these solutions working under real Tunisian conditions and ultimately allow the further spreading of the demonstrated techniques. The pilot activity also aims to help gain experience with the implemented techniques and to improve them when necessary to be recommended for wide application in rural settlements in Tunisia and similar situations worldwide. The selected WWTPP at Chorfech 24 (rural settlement of 50 houses counting 350 inhabitants) consists of one Imhoff tank for pre-treatment, and three stages in series: as first stage a horizontal subsurface flow CW system, as second stage a subsurface vertical flow CW system, and a third horizontal flow CW. The sludge of the Imhoff tank is treated in a sludge composting bed. The performances of the different components as well as the whole treatment system were presented based on 3 months monitoring. The results shown in this paper are related to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal as well as to reduction of micro-organisms. The mean overall removal rates of the Chorfech WWTPP during the monitored period have been, respectively, equal to 97% for total suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), 95% for chemical oxygen demand, 71% for total nitrogen and 82% for P-PO4. The removal of E. coli by the whole system is 2.5 log units.     

驾驭电力

控制工程师也许会天真地认为,设备管理者会像变魔术般为他们搭建好的自动化系统提供数量充足、质量上乘的电能。但事实是,这些自动化系统很可能会打乱电力分配体系的平衡状态,并降低供电质量。同时,控制工程师时常会过分追求供电质量,从而心生报怨。     

运动控制建模

机械、电气以及软件工程的集成正在改变运动控制设计及其发展的面貌。基于自己在传统机器制造业中的经验,Rockwell Automation的Kinetix Motion Control Business产品市场经理John Pritchard说,"单独的机械、控制和电气设计小组进行独立的工作,生产整台机