The effect of ionic cross-links on the deformation behavior of homoblends made of poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine)

Deformation behavior of stoichiometric blends made from poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonic acid) (SPS) and poly(styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine) (SVP) was investigated by TEM observation of strained thin films. An FTIR investigation revealed that ionic cross-links were formed between the component polymers upon blending due to intermolecular ion-ion interactions, which arose from proton transfer from sulfonic acid groups to pyridine groups. TEM observations indicate that the deformation mode of the blends changed from crazing only to crazing plus shear deformation, with the shear contribution becoming larger, as the ion content in the blends increased. Such changes in deformation mode can be understood as arising from an increase in the ‘effective’ strand density due to the formation of ionic cross-links upon blending. It was also found that the ionic cross-links via pyridinium cation/sulfonate anion ion pairs were more effective in inducing the transition of deformation mode than ionic cross-links via -SO₃⁻/Na⁺ or -SO₃⁻/Ca²⁺ ion pairs.     

Prolonged tamoxifen exposure selects a breast cancer cell clone that is stable in vitro and in vivo

The effects of long-term tamoxifen exposure on cell growth and cell cycle kinetics were compared between oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. In the MCF-7 cell line, prolonged tamoxifen exposure (0.5 mumol/l for > 100 days) blocked cells in G0-G1 of the cell cycle, and slowed the doubling time of cells from 30 to 59 h. These effects corresponded to an increase in the cellular accumulation of tamoxifen over time [mean area under concentration curve (AUC) = 77.92 mumoles/10(6)/cells/day]. In contrast, in the MDA-MB-231 cell line, long-term tamoxifen exposure had no obvious effect on the doubling time, and reduced cellular tamoxifen accumulation (mean AUC = 50.50 mumoles/10(6)/cells/day) compared to the MCF-7 cells. Flow cytometric analysis of MDA-MB-231 cells demonstrated that a new tetraploid clone emerged following 56 days of tamoxifen exposure. Inoculation of the MDA-MB-231 tetraploid clone and MDA-MB-231 wildtype cells into the opposite flanks of athymic nude mice resulted in the rapid growth of tetraploid tumours. The tetraploid tumours maintained their ploidy following tamoxifen treatment for nine consecutive serial transplantations. Histological examination of the fifth transplant generation xenografts revealed that the tetraploid tumour had a 25-30 times greater mass, area of haemorrhage and necrosis, a slightly higher mitotic index and was more anaplastic than the control neoplasm. The control wildtype MDA-MB-231 tumours maintained a stable ploidy following tamoxifen treatment until the eighth and ninth transplantation, when a tetraploid population appeared, suggesting that tamoxifen treatment may select for this clone in vivo. These studies suggest that prolonged tamoxifen exposure may select for new, stable, fast growing cell clones in vitro as well as in vivo.     

Photoluminescence and X-ray Diffraction of Distributed Bragg Reflector

Spectral and structural characteristics of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers were studied with photoluminescence and double- crystal X- ray diffraction measurement. The expected high quality epitaxial DBR structure was verified. In the X- ray double- crystal rocking curves of DBR the zeroth- order peak, the first and second order satellite peaks were measured. Splitting of diffraction peak appeared in the rocking curves was analyzed. The effects of introduced deep energy levels on the structural perfection and optical properties were discussed.     

引水发电系统无压隧洞中弃水堰位置的数值模拟研究

水电站引水发电系统无压隧洞中的水力过渡过程是近年来电站设计中出现的一个新课题,特别是流域梯级电站开发中经常遇到。结合工程实例应用扩散法,给出了无压隧洞水力过渡过程数值模拟的基本方程以及上下游及弃水堰等边界附加方程,模拟了弃水堰布置在不同位置下,无压隧洞内的水位变化过程。研究成果和讨论对实际工程应用具有参考意义。     

Accuracy of using computed tomography to identify pedicle screw placement in cadaveric human lumbar spine

STUDY DESIGN: Utility of using computed tomography to predict pedicle screw misplacement. OBJECTIVE: This study defines the sensitivity and specificity of predicting pedicle screw placement by experienced clinicians using a CT scan image. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In clinical and research settings, the method most commonly used to evaluate pedicle screws placement has been computed tomography. However, no current literature describes the accuracy of this method of evaluating screw placement. METHOD: Cobalt-chrome and titanium alloy pedicle screws of identical size were placed in six cadaveric human lumbar spine. Wide laminectomy was performed to allow complete visualization of the pedicles. Three consecutive lumbar levels were instrumented in each spine, giving 36 pedicle screw placements to identify. The instrumented spines were imaged, and four orthopaedic spine surgeons and a musculoskeletal radiologist were asked to read the images to identify the accuracy of screw placement within the pedicles. RESULTS: The sensitivity rate of identifying a misplaced screw was 67 +/- 6% for cobalt-chrome screws compared with 86 +/- 5% for titanium screws (P < 0.005). The specificity rates of radiographic diagnosis of misplaced pedicle screws were 66 +/- 10% for cobalt-chrome screws and 88 +/- 8% for titanium screws (P < 0.005). Similarly, a statistically significant difference was found in the sensitivity rates of identifying screws placed correctly in the pedicle: 70 +/- 10% for cobalt-chrome screws versus 89 +/- 8% for titanium screws (P < 0.005). Overall accuracy rates were 68 +/- 7% for cobalt chrome screws versus 87 +/- 3% for titanium screws (P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Reliance on the computed tomography scan data alone in determining accuracy of pedicle screws can lead to inaccuracies in both clinical and research conditions.     

时空效应规律在软土深基坑工程中的运用

阐述了时空效应规律在软土深基坑工程中的运用情况，实践证明，运用时空效应规律，能可靠而合理地利用土体自身在基坑开挖过程中控制土体位移的潜力而达到保护环境的目的。     

对国企人才资源管理的几点思考

人力资源管理中的人才资源管理是现代企业面临的一个重大挑战。国企中的人才资源管理需要不断进行观念创新，正确认识人才的流动，人才的识别选拔、人才的能上能下、人才的文化物质需求、人才的培育评价、人才的使用储备。     

高频微型脉冲管制冷机的实用化研究

脉冲管制冷机经过多年的发展，性能不断改善，目前已开始进入实用化阶段。高频微型脉冲管制冷机结构紧凑，应用方便，并且主要工作在需求量较大的液氮温区，因此将首先得到一定规模的应用。介绍了作者针对脉冲管制冷机在红外和超导方面的应用所作的实用化工作，讨论了尚待解决的问题。     

彩色半柔性混合料路用性能研究

彩色半柔性混合料是一种在开级配沥青混合料中填充水泥胶浆而形成的兼具沥青路面与水泥混凝土路面优点的彩色复合路面。利用车辙试验来评价彩色半柔性混合料的高温稳定性,用残留稳定度和冻融劈裂试验评价半柔性混合料的水稳定性。结果表明,半柔性混合料具有优良的高温稳定性和疲劳性能,水稳定性较好。     

柴油机针阀体的乙炔低压渗碳

乙炔低压渗碳可以有效地避免在真空渗碳过程中产生炭黑和焦油，同时由于乙炔具有较高的供碳能力，使这一技术尤其适用于针阀体这样的小直径深盲孔零件。