Science Letters： A synthetic Toll-like receptor 2 ligand decreases allergic immune responses in a mouse rhinitis model sensitized to mite allergen

It has been proposed that activation of Toll-like receptors （TLRs） plays crucial roles in the polarization of adaptive immune responses. A synthetic Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2） ligand, Pam3CSK4, has been reported to modulate the balance of Th1/Th2 responses. We evaluated the modulation effect of Pam3CSK4 on allergic immune response in a mouse rhinitis model sensitized to house dust mite allergen （HDM）. Mice were sensitized and challenged with Dermatophagoidesfarinae allergen （Der f）, and then the allergic mice were treated by Pam3CSK4. Nasal allergic symptoms and eosinophils were scored. Der f-specific cytokine responses were examined in the splenocytes and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Serum level of total IgE was also detected. After establishing a mouse allergic rhinitis model with HDM, we have showed that Pam3CSK4 treatment not only ameliorated the nasal allergic symptoms remarkably but also decreased the eosinophils and total inflammation cells in BALF significantly. Analysis of cytokine profile found that IFN-7 released from either BALF or stimulated splenocytes increased markedly in Pam3CSK4-treated mice, while IL-13 decreased significantly. Moreover, serum level of total IgE was significantly lower in Pam3CSK4-treated mice than in the untreated. Thus, in an allergic rhinitis mouse model developed with HDM, Pam3CSK4 was shown to exhibit an antiallergic effect, indicating its potential application in allergic diseases.     

关于人体经络的一个试探性观点

在考察针刺穴位治疗作用的基础上，根据现有的实验事实，将人体经络的观念和经改进后的神经-内分泌-免疫系统的观念统一起来，提出人体经络是具有敏感节点和功能连接的神经-内分泌-免疫网络的假说。人体经络的复杂网络不仅是遍及全身的系统，而且可以通过敏感节点及其功能连接对身体起调控作用。     

美国室内设计师资质考试及其对我国的启示

介绍了美国国家室内设计师资格委员会（NCIDQ）关于专业室内设计师的概念，以及NCIDQ室内设计师资质考试的方式及类型，并从室内设计观、室内设计教育等方面分析了这一考试对我国的启示作用，指出室内设计师资质考试制度是公众利益的重要保障，是规范室内设计行业的必要措施．     

Naphthyl azomesogens with lateral chloro groups

A homologous series of azomesogens, 2″-[4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-chlorophenylazo] naphthalenes, with lateral chloro groups was synthesised. All the homologues synthesized exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of lateral chloro group and its position on mesomorphism This paper was presented at the 10th National Conference on Liquid Crystals held at Bangalore, India during 9–11 October 2003.     

A classical no-interaction theorem for bosonic strings and its quantum significance

We show that, in dimensions equal or greater than three, classical strings do not join or split. This is part of a no-interaction theorem that is also proved. The quantum theory is considered.     

On the onset of separation in turbulent boundary layer flow over two-dimensional humps of various size

Summary The available laboratory data of turbulent boundary layer flow over two-dimensional obstacles have been examined in order to identify the parameters (such as the aspect ratio or the surface roughness) driving the onset of separation. A comparison with some linearized models suitable for atmospheric applications is also made. It results that i) the model response can be highly sensitive to the detailed shape of the obstacle; ii) the ratio between obstacle length and boundary layer thickness is relevant in determining the pressure perturbation near the surface; iii) the surface shear stress is poorly described in most cases and in particular in the obstacle wake.

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Riassunto I dati di laboratorio disponibili, relativi a strati limite turbolenti su ostacoli bidimensionali, sono stati esaminati al fine di identificare i parametri guida della separazione (quali la pendenza o la rugosità della superficie). Inoltre è stato fatto un confronto con i risultati di alcuni modelli linearizzati adatti per applicazioni atmosferiche. Ne risulta che i) la risposta del modello è molto sensibile alla forma dettagliata dell’ostacolo; ii) il rapporto fra la lunghezza dell’ostacolo e lo spessore dello strato limite turbolento incidente è importante nel determinare la perturbazione della pressione vicino alla superficie; iii) lo ?shear stress? superficiale non è riprodotto con accuratezza nella maggioranza dei casi, in particolare nella scia dell’ostacolo.

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Резюме Анализируются имеющиеся лабораторные данные по турбулентному течению в пограничном слое над двумерными препятствиями, чтобы идентифицировать параметры (такие как аспектное отношение или шероховатость поверхности), определяющие возникновение отрыва. Проводится сравнение с некоторыми линеаризованными моделями, удобными для атмосферных приложений. Получены следующие результаты: 1) модельный отклик может быть очень чувствительным к детальной форме препятствия; 2) отношение между длиной препятствия и толщиной поверхностного слоя является существенным при определении возмущения давления вблизи поверхности; 3) напряжение поверхностного сдвига плохо описывается в большинстве случаев и, в частности, в спутной струе.

     

Development of a quantitative FI-MS technique for the characterization of high- and nonboiling saturated hydrocarbon mixtures

Summary Using a saturated non-boiling hydrocarbon mixture, the influence of two parameters on the results of field ionization mass spectrometry (FI-MS) measurements was studied: (a) the potential difference between the FI emitter and the counterelectrode; (b) the emitter temperature.Variation of the potential difference had only a minor effect on the average molecular mass measured and had no evident effect on the relative ring number distribution in the sample. In contrast, when the emitter temperature was increased, higher average molecular masses were recorded. Moreover, the average molecular masses shifted to higher ring numbers. In order to control the relationship between the described influences during mixture analysis, measuring instructions have been developed that enable the quantitative analysis of unknown saturated samples. However, average molecular mass of the mixture must be known.

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Entwicklung einer quantitativen FI-MS-Methode zur Charakterisierung von gesättigten hoch- und nichtsiedenden Kohlenwasserstoffgemischen

     

New FIR laser lines and frequency measurements for optically pumped CD3OH

Twenty new cw FIR laser lines in CD₃OH, optically pumped by a CO₂ laser, are reported. The frequencies of 39 of the stronger laser lines were measured relative to stabilized CO₂ lasers with a fractional uncertainty, as determined by the reproducibility of the FIR frequency itself, of 2 parts in 10⁷.Contribution of the U.S. Government, not subject to copyright.