Advertising Via Mobile Terminals - Delivering Context Sensitive and Personalized Advertising While Guaranteeing Privacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulander, Rebecca; Decker, Michael; Schiefer, Gunther; Kölmel, Bernhard

Mobile terminals like cellular phones and PDAs are a promising target platform for mobile advertising: The devices are widely spread, are able to present interactive multimedia content and offer as almost permanently carried along personal communication devices a high degree of reachability. But particular because of the latter feature it is important to pay great attention to privacy aspects and avoidance of spam-messages when designing an application for mobile advertising. Furthermore the limited user interface of mobile devices is a special challenge. The following article describes the solution approach for mobile advertising developed within the project MoMa, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour of Germany (BMWA). MoMa enables highly personalized and context sensitive mobile advertising while guaranteeing data protection. To achieve this we have to distinguish public and private context information.

Differential effect of buffering agents on the crystallization of gemcitabine hydrochloride in frozen solutions.

PubMed

Patel, Mehulkumar; Munjal, Bhushan; Bansal, Arvind K

2014-08-25

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differential effect of buffering agents on the crystallization of gemcitabine hydrochloride (GHCl) in frozen solutions. Four buffering agents, viz. citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), succinic acid (SA) and tartaric acid (TA) were selected and their effect on GHCl crystallization was monitored using standard DSC and low temperature XRD. Onset of GHCl crystallization during heating run in DSC was measured to compare the differential effect of buffering agents. Glass transition temperature (Tg'), unfrozen water content in the freeze concentrate and crystallization propensity of the buffering agents was also determined for mechanistic understanding of the underlying effects. CA and MA inhibited while SA facilitated crystallization of GHCl even at 25 mM concentration. Increasing the concentration enhanced their effect. However, TA inhibited GHCl crystallization at concentrations <100mM and facilitated it at concentrations ≥100 mM. Lyophilization of GHCl with either SA or TA yielded elegant cakes, while CA and MA caused collapse. Tg' failed to explain the inhibitory effects of CA, MA and TA as all buffering agents lowered the Tg' of the system. Differential effect of buffering agents on GHCl crystallization could be explained by consideration of two opposing factors: (i) their own crystallization tendency and (ii) unfrozen water content in the freeze concentrate. In conclusion, it was established that API crystallization in frozen solution is affected by the type and concentration of the buffering agents. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

46 CFR 308.549 - Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 8 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319. 308.549 Section 308.549 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance General § 308.549 Application for...

Content modification attacks on consensus seeking multi-agent system with double-integrator dynamics.

PubMed

Dong, Yimeng; Gupta, Nirupam; Chopra, Nikhil

2016-11-01

In this paper, vulnerability of a distributed consensus seeking multi-agent system (MAS) with double-integrator dynamics against edge-bound content modification cyber attacks is studied. In particular, we define a specific edge-bound content modification cyber attack called malignant content modification attack (MCoMA), which results in unbounded growth of an appropriately defined group disagreement vector. Properties of MCoMA are utilized to design detection and mitigation algorithms so as to impart resilience in the considered MAS against MCoMA. Additionally, the proposed detection mechanism is extended to detect the general edge-bound content modification attacks (not just MCoMA). Finally, the efficacies of the proposed results are illustrated through numerical simulations.

Content modification attacks on consensus seeking multi-agent system with double-integrator dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Yimeng; Gupta, Nirupam; Chopra, Nikhil

2016-11-01

In this paper, vulnerability of a distributed consensus seeking multi-agent system (MAS) with double-integrator dynamics against edge-bound content modification cyber attacks is studied. In particular, we define a specific edge-bound content modification cyber attack called malignant content modification attack (MCoMA), which results in unbounded growth of an appropriately defined group disagreement vector. Properties of MCoMA are utilized to design detection and mitigation algorithms so as to impart resilience in the considered MAS against MCoMA. Additionally, the proposed detection mechanism is extended to detect the general edge-bound content modification attacks (not just MCoMA). Finally, the efficacies of the proposed results are illustrated through numerical simulations.

Safe motion planning for mobile agents: A model of reactive planning for multiple mobile agents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fujimura, Kikuo.

1990-01-01

The problem of motion planning for multiple mobile agents is studied. Each planning agent independently plans its own action based on its map which contains a limited information about the environment. In an environment where more than one mobile agent interacts, the motions of the robots are uncertain and dynamic. A model for reactive agents is described and simulation results are presented to show their behavior patterns. 18 refs., 2 figs.

Mobile code security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramalingam, Srikumar

2001-11-01

A highly secure mobile agent system is very important for a mobile computing environment. The security issues in mobile agent system comprise protecting mobile hosts from malicious agents, protecting agents from other malicious agents, protecting hosts from other malicious hosts and protecting agents from malicious hosts. Using traditional security mechanisms the first three security problems can be solved. Apart from using trusted hardware, very few approaches exist to protect mobile code from malicious hosts. Some of the approaches to solve this problem are the use of trusted computing, computing with encrypted function, steganography, cryptographic traces, Seal Calculas, etc. This paper focuses on the simulation of some of these existing techniques in the designed mobile language. Some new approaches to solve malicious network problem and agent tampering problem are developed using public key encryption system and steganographic concepts. The approaches are based on encrypting and hiding the partial solutions of the mobile agents. The partial results are stored and the address of the storage is destroyed as the agent moves from one host to another host. This allows only the originator to make use of the partial results. Through these approaches some of the existing problems are solved.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Using a Mobile Application Synchronizable With Wearable Devices for Insomnia Treatment: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Kang, Seung-Gul; Kang, Jae Myeong; Cho, Seong-Jin; Ko, Kwang-Pil; Lee, Yu Jin; Lee, Heon-Jeong; Kim, Leen; Winkelman, John W

2017-04-15

The use of telemedicine with a mobile application (MA) and a wearable device (WD) for the management of sleep disorders has recently received considerable attention. We designed an MA synchronizable with a WD for insomnia treatment. Our pilot study determined the efficacy of simplified group cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) delivered using our MA and assessed participant adherence to and satisfaction with the device. The efficacy of the CBT-I using MA (CBT-I-MA) was assessed by comparing sleep variables (sleep efficiency [SE], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI], and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory [PSQI] scores) before and after a 4-week treatment protocol in 19 patients with insomnia disorder patients. SE was assessed using a sleep diary, actigraphy, and the PSQI. The intervention significantly improved all three measures of SE ( P < .05), and the response rate to treatment was high (94.7%). Total ISI and PSQI scores and sleep latency, as measured by the sleep diary, improved significantly. Participants showed relatively good adherence to our MA, and sleep diary entries were made on 24.3 ± 3.8 of 28 days. Moreover, 94.7% of the participants reported that our MA was effective for treating insomnia. Our pilot study suggested the clinical usefulness of a CBT-I-MA. We expect that our findings will lead to further development and replication studies of CBT-I-MA. © 2017 American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Use of mobile video show for community behavior change on maternal and newborn health in rural Ethiopia.

PubMed

Desta, Binyam Fekadu; Mohammed, Hajira; Barry, Danika; Frew, Aynalem Hailemichael; Hepburn, Kenneth; Claypoole, Christine

2014-01-01

A number of factors affect Ethiopia's efforts to meet Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. The Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership (MaNHEP) project, as part of its overall strategy, implemented behavior change communication interventions to increase women's demand for and use of antenatal, birth, and postnatal services. Seeking to reach "media-dark" areas, MaNHEP implemented a mobile video show focused on maternal and newborn health. We report on the effect of the mobile video show on community knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding maternal and newborn health, especially regarding care-seeking behavior and use of a skilled attendant for birth and postnatal care. Two main data sources are used: qualitative data gathered through mobile video show participant discussions in 31 randomly selected kebeles (villages with about 1000 households) and focus groups in 4 kebeles (2 from each region), and quantitative data generated from 510 randomly selected adults participating in MaNHEP's endline survey. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed by the research team, and the accuracy of the transcriptions and categorization was also checked. The mobile video show reached a total of 28,389 mostly young or adult females in 51 kebeles. At endline, mobile video show attendees (vs nonattendees) reported significantly (P < .001) higher rates of recall of key MaNHEP messages about use of health extension workers for pregnancy registration, labor and birth notification, and postnatal care. Qualitative analysis yielded 3 overarching themes: mirrors to the community (the portrayal is accurate); call to action (we have to change this); and improvement ideas (suggested positive actions). The entertaining nature and local organization of the mobile video show event encouraged attendance. Building the video around recognizable characters (particularly the husbands) contributed to bringing about desired changes in people's knowledge and beliefs. Making the show readily available (through the mobile van) and bundling it with facilitated reflection sessions had a considerable impact on people's knowledge and confidence. © 2014 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Use of Mobile Phone Technology to Improve follow-up at a Community Mental Health Clinic: A Randomized Control Trial.

PubMed

Singh, Gaurav; Manjunatha, Narayana; Rao, Sabina; Shashidhara, H N; Moirangthem, Sydney; Madegowda, Rajendra K; Binukumar, B; Varghese, Mathew

2017-01-01

Mobile phone technology is being used worldwide to improve follow-ups in health care. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether the use of mobile technology will improve or not the follow-up of Indian patients from a community mental health center. Patients or caregivers having mobile phones and consenting for study were enrolled, and sociodemographic and clinical details of patients were taken. Participants were randomized into two groups (short message service [SMS] vs. non-SMS group). At first intervention level, a SMS was sent to SMS group (not in non-SMS group) 1 day before their appointment. At second-level intervention (voice call level), patients from both groups who missed their first appointment were given a voice call requesting them to come for follow-up, and the reasons for first missed appointments (MA) were also elicited. The effect of these two intervention levels (first SMS for SMS group and next voice calls for both groups) on follow-up was evaluated. A total of 214 patients were enrolled in the study. At first SMS intervention level of SMS group ( n = 106), 62.26% of participants reached appointment-on-time (RA), while in the non-SMS/as usual group ( n = 108), 45.37% of patients RA. The difference of these groups is statistically significant. At second-level intervention (voice call), 66 of 88 (another 15 were unable to contact) were came for follow-up consultation within 2 days of MA. Distance and diagnosis of alcohol dependence were significantly associated with MA. Social reasons were most common reasons for first MA. The use of mobile phone technology in an outpatient community psychiatric clinic improved follow-up significantly.

Research and Simulation on Application of the Mobile IP Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yibing, Deng; Wei, Hu; Minghui, Li; Feng, Gao; Junyi, Shen

The paper analysed the mobile node, home agent, and foreign agent of mobile IP network firstly, some key technique, such as mobile IP network basical principle, protocol work principle, agent discovery, registration, and IP packet transmission, were discussed. Then a network simulation model was designed, validating the characteristic of mobile IP network, and some advantages, which were brought by mobile network, were testified. Finally, the conclusion is gained: mobile IP network could realize the expectation of consumer that they can communicate with others anywhere.

42 CFR 422.2274 - Broker and agent requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... plan type means one of the following: (1) PDP replaced with an MA-PD or an MA-PD replaced with a PDP... plan or a cost plan replaced with an MA-PD. Plan year means the year beginning January 1 and ending... this section, the following definitions are applicable: Compensation (1) Includes monetary or non...

46 CFR 308.517 - Open Cargo Policy, Form MA-300.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Open Policy War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.517 Open Cargo Policy, Form MA-300. The standard form of War Risk Open Cargo, Form MA-300, may be obtained from MARAD's underwriting agent or MARAD. ...

A mobile agent-based moving objects indexing algorithm in location based service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Zhixiang; Li, Qingquan; Xu, Hong

2006-10-01

This paper will extends the advantages of location based service, specifically using their ability to management and indexing the positions of moving object, Moreover with this objective in mind, a mobile agent-based moving objects indexing algorithm is proposed in this paper to efficiently process indexing request and acclimatize itself to limitation of location based service environment. The prominent feature of this structure is viewing moving object's behavior as the mobile agent's span, the unique mapping between the geographical position of moving objects and span point of mobile agent is built to maintain the close relationship of them, and is significant clue for mobile agent-based moving objects indexing to tracking moving objects.

Residual Network Data Structures in Android Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, RIM’s Blackberry and Nokia’s Symbian. Each Smartphone presents unique characteristics for forensic examiners. In...another. • Home Agent: A router on mobile node’s home network that tunnels traffic to mobile node when not on home network. Also maintains mobile nodes...Address notification to the Home Agent. When traffic arrives at the Home Agent for the mobile node, the Home Agent tunnels the traffic to the Care-of

Method for tracking the location of mobile agents using stand-off detection technique

DOEpatents

Schmitt, Randal L [Tijeras, NM; Bender, Susan Fae Ann [Tijeras, NM; Rodacy, Philip J [Albuquerque, NM; Hargis, Jr., Philip J.; Johnson, Mark S [Albuquerque, NM

2006-12-26

A method for tracking the movement and position of mobile agents using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) as a stand-off optical detection technique. The positions of the agents are tracked by analyzing the time-history of a series of optical measurements made over the field of view of the optical system. This provides a (time+3-D) or (time+2-D) mapping of the location of the mobile agents. Repeated pulses of a laser beam impinge on a mobile agent, such as a bee, and are backscattered from the agent into a LIDAR detection system. Alternatively, the incident laser pulses excite fluorescence or phosphorescence from the agent, which is detected using a LIDAR system. Analysis of the spatial location of signals from the agents produced by repeated pulses generates a multidimensional map of agent location.

Photothermal enhancement of chemotherapy mediated by gold-silica nanoshell-loaded macrophages: in vitro squamous cell carcinoma study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madsen, Steen J.; Shih, En-Chung; Peng, Qian; Christie, Catherine; Krasieva, Tatiana; Hirschberg, Henry

2016-01-01

Moderate hyperthermia (MHT) has been shown to enhance the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in a wide variety of cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents with MHT induced by near-infrared (NIR) activation of gold nanoshell (AuNS)-loaded macrophages (Ma). AuNS-loaded murine Ma combined with human FaDu squamous cells, in hybrid monolayers, were subjected to three cytotoxic drugs (doxorubicin, bleomycin, cisplatin) with or without NIR laser irradiation. For all three drugs, efficacy was increased by NIR activation of AuNS-loaded Ma. The results of this in vitro study provide proof-of-concept for the use of AuNS-loaded Ma for photothermal enhancement of the effects of chemotherapy on squamous cell carcinoma.

Macrophages as drug delivery vehicles for photochemical internalization (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madsen, Steen J.; Gonzalez, Jonathan; Molina, Stephanie; Kumar Nair, Rohit; Hirschberg, Henry

2017-02-01

Targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumor sites is a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy. Cell-based vectorization of therapeutic agents has great potential for cancer therapy in that it can target and maintain an elevated concentration of therapeutic agents at the tumor site and prevent their spread into healthy tissue. The use of circulating cells such as monocytes/macrophages (Ma) offers several advantages compared to nanoparticles as targeted drug delivery vehicles. Ma can be easily obtained from the patient, loaded in vitro with drugs and reinjected into the blood stream. Ma can selectively cross the partially compromised blood-brain barrier surrounding brain tumors and are known to actively migrate to tumors, drawn by chemotactic factors, including hypoxic regions where conventional chemo and radiation therapy are least effective. The utility of Ma as targeted drug delivery vehicles for photochemical internalization (PCI) of tumors was investigated in this study. In vitro studies were conducted using a mixture of F98 rat glioma cells and rat macrophages loaded with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents including bleomycin and 5-fluorouracil. Preliminary data show that macrophages are resistant to both chemotherapeutics while significant toxicity is observed for F98 cells exposed to both drugs. Co-incubation of F98 cells with loaded Ma results in significant F98 toxicity suggesting that Ma are releasing the drugs and, hence providing the rationale for their use as delivery vectors for cancer therapies such as PCI.

Hybrid evolutionary computing model for mobile agents of wireless Internet multimedia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hortos, William S.

2001-03-01

The ecosystem is used as an evolutionary paradigm of natural laws for the distributed information retrieval via mobile agents to allow the computational load to be added to server nodes of wireless networks, while reducing the traffic on communication links. Based on the Food Web model, a set of computational rules of natural balance form the outer stage to control the evolution of mobile agents providing multimedia services with a wireless Internet protocol WIP. The evolutionary model shows how mobile agents should behave with the WIP, in particular, how mobile agents can cooperate, compete and learn from each other, based on an underlying competition for radio network resources to establish the wireless connections to support the quality of service QoS of user requests. Mobile agents are also allowed to clone themselves, propagate and communicate with other agents. A two-layer model is proposed for agent evolution: the outer layer is based on the law of natural balancing, the inner layer is based on a discrete version of a Kohonen self-organizing feature map SOFM to distribute network resources to meet QoS requirements. The former is embedded in the higher OSI layers of the WIP, while the latter is used in the resource management procedures of Layer 2 and 3 of the protocol. Algorithms for the distributed computation of mobile agent evolutionary behavior are developed by adding a learning state to the agent evolution state diagram. When an agent is in an indeterminate state, it can communicate to other agents. Computing models can be replicated from other agents. Then the agents transitions to the mutating state to wait for a new information-retrieval goal. When a wireless terminal or station lacks a network resource, an agent in the suspending state can change its policy to submit to the environment before it transitions to the searching state. The agents learn the facts of agent state information entered into an external database. In the cloning process, two agents on a host station sharing a common goal can be merged or married to compose a new agent. Application of the two-layer set of algorithms for mobile agent evolution, performed in a distributed processing environment, is made to the QoS management functions of the IP multimedia IM sub-network of the third generation 3G Wideband Code-division Multiple Access W-CDMA wireless network.

42 CFR 423.2274 - Broker and agent requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... plan type means one of the following: (1) PDP replaced with an MA-PD or an MA-PD replaced with a PDP... plan or a cost plan replaced with an MA-PD. Plan year means the year beginning January 1 and ending... of this section, the following definitions are applicable: Compensation—(1) Includes monetary or non...

Mobile Router Developed and Tested

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivancic, William D.

2002-01-01

The NASA Glenn Research Center, under a NASA Space Act Agreement with Cisco Systems, has been performing joint networking research to apply Internet-based technologies and protocols to space-based communications. As a result of this research, NASA performed stringent performance testing of the mobile router, including the interaction of routing and the transport-level protocol. In addition, Cisco Systems developed the mobile router for both commercial and Government markets. The code has become part of the Cisco Systems Internetworking Operating System (IOS) as of release 12.2 (4) T--which will make this capability available to the community at large. The mobile router is software code that resides in a network router and enables entire networks to roam while maintaining connectivity to the Internet. This router code is pertinent to a myriad of applications for both Government and commercial sectors, including the "wireless battlefield." NASA and the Department of Defense will utilize this technology for near-planetary observation and sensing spacecraft. It is also a key enabling technology for aviation-based information applications. Mobile routing will make it possible for information such as weather, air traffic control, voice, and video to be transmitted to aircraft using Internet-based protocols. This technology shows great promise in reducing congested airways and mitigating aviation disasters due to bad weather. The mobile router can also be incorporated into emergency vehicles (such as ambulances and life-flight aircraft) to provide real-time connectivity back to the hospital and health-care experts, enabling the timely application of emergency care. Commercial applications include entertainment services, Internet protocol (IP) telephone, and Internet connectivity for cruise ships, commercial shipping, tour buses, aircraft, and eventually cars. A mobile router, which is based on mobile IP, allows hosts (mobile nodes) to seamlessly "roam" among various IP subnetworks. This is essential in many wireless networks. A mobile router, unlike a mobile IP node, allows entire networks to roam. Hence, a device connected to the mobile router does not need to be a mobile node because the mobile router provides the roaming capabilities. There are three basic elements in the mobile IP: the home agent, the foreign agent, and the mobile node. The home agent is a router on a mobile node's home network that tunnels datagrams for delivery to the mobile node when it is away from home. The foreign agent is a router on a remote network that provides routing services to a registered mobile node. The mobile node is a host or router that changes its point of attachment from one network or subnetwork to another. In mobile routing, virtual communications are maintained by the home agent, which forwards all packets for the mobile networks to the foreign agent. The foreign agent passes the packets to the mobile router, which then forwards the packets to the devices on its networks. As the mobile router moves, it will register with its home agent on its whereabouts via the foreign agent to assure continuous connectivity.

Lead mobilization during tectonic reactivation of the western Baltic Shield

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Romer, R.L.; Wright, J.E.

Lead isotope data from sulfide deposits of the western part of the Baltic Shield define mixing lines in the [sup 206]Pb/[sup 204]Pb-[sup 207]Pb/[sup 204]Pb diagram. Lead from two types of sulfide deposits have been investigated: (1) Exhalative and volcanogenic deposits that are syngenetic with their host rocks; and (2) vein deposits. The syngenetic deposits locally show a very wide range of lead isotopic compositions that reflect a variable addition of highly radiogenic lead, while the vein deposits, although they have radiogenic lead isotopic compositions, exhibit only limited isotopic variations. In different provinces of the shield, both types of deposits fallmore » on the same lead mixing array. The slope of the lead mixing lines varies as a function of the age of basement rocks and the age of the tectonic event which produced the lead mobilization and therefore relates the source rock age with the age of lead mobilization. Calculated mixing ages fall into several short time periods that correspond either to orogenic events or to major phases of continental rifting. The orogenic events are the ca 360--430 Ma Caledonian, ca 900--1100 Ma Sveconorwegian, and the ca 1800--1900 Ma Svecofennian orogenic cycles. The rifting events correspond to the formation of the ca 280 Ma Oslo rift and the Ordovician (ca 450 Ma) graben system in the area of the present Gulf of Bothnia. Each mixing age indicates that lead was mobilized, probably as a consequence of mild thermal disturbances, and that the crust was permeable to lead migration. The data show that the geographic distribution of sulfide deposits with highly radiogenic lead isotopic compositions coincides with old graben systems, orogenic belts, and orogenic forelands on the Baltic Shield. The ages of vein deposits and their geographic distribution demonstrate multiple tectonic reactivation of the interior of the Baltic Shield in response to orogenic events at its margin. 68 refs., 6 refs., 4 tabs.« less

Security of Mobile Agents on the Internet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corradi, Antonio; Montanari, Rebecca; Stefanelli, Cesare

2001-01-01

Discussion of the Internet focuses on new programming paradigms based on mobile agents. Considers the security issues associated with mobile agents and proposes a security architecture composed of a wide set of services and components capable of adapting to a variety of applications, particularly electronic commerce. (Author/LRW)

A Virtual Laboratory for Digital Signal Processing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dow, Chyi-Ren; Li, Yi-Hsung; Bai, Jin-Yu

2006-01-01

This work designs and implements a virtual digital signal processing laboratory, VDSPL. VDSPL consists of four parts: mobile agent execution environments, mobile agents, DSP development software, and DSP experimental platforms. The network capability of VDSPL is created by using mobile agent and wrapper techniques without modifying the source code…

A Mechanism to Avoid Collusion Attacks Based on Code Passing in Mobile Agent Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaimez, Marc; Esparza, Oscar; Muñoz, Jose L.; Alins-Delgado, Juan J.; Mata-Díaz, Jorge

Mobile agents are software entities consisting of code, data, state and itinerary that can migrate autonomously from host to host executing their code. Despite its benefits, security issues strongly restrict the use of code mobility. The protection of mobile agents against the attacks of malicious hosts is considered the most difficult security problem to solve in mobile agent systems. In particular, collusion attacks have been barely studied in the literature. This paper presents a mechanism that avoids collusion attacks based on code passing. Our proposal is based on a Multi-Code agent, which contains a different variant of the code for each host. A Trusted Third Party is responsible for providing the information to extract its own variant to the hosts, and for taking trusted timestamps that will be used to verify time coherence.

Piezoelectric scattering limited mobility of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites CH3NH3PbI3

PubMed Central

Lu, Ying-Bo; Kong, Xianghua; Chen, Xiaobin; Cooke, David G.; Guo, Hong

2017-01-01

Carrier mobility is one of the most important parameters for semiconducting materials and their use in optoelectronic devices. Here we report a systematic first principles analysis of the acoustic phonon scattering mechanism that limits the mobility of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskites. Due to the unique hybrid organic-inorganic structure, the mechanical, electronic and transport properties are dominated by the same factor, i.e. the weak interatomic bond and the easy rotation of methylammonium (MA) molecules under strain. Both factors make MAPbI3 soft. Rotation of MA molecule induces a transverse shift between Pb and I atoms, resulting in a very low deformation potential and a strong piezoelectricity in MAPbI3. Hence the carrier mobility of pristine MAPbI3 is limited by the piezoelectric scattering, which is consistent to the form of its temperature dependence. Our calculations suggest that in the pristine limit, a high mobility of about several thousand cm2 V−1 S−1 is expected for MAPbI3. PMID:28150743

Pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of methamphetamine dependence.

PubMed

Morley, Kirsten C; Cornish, Jennifer L; Faingold, Alon; Wood, Katie; Haber, Paul S

2017-05-01

Methamphetamine use is a serious public health concern in many countries and is second to cannabis as the most widely abused illicit drug in the world. Effective management for methamphetamine dependence remains elusive and the large majority of methamphetamine users relapse following treatment. Areas covered: Progression in the understanding of the pharmacological basis of methamphetamine use has provided us with innovative opportunities to develop agents to treat dependence. The current review summarizes relevant literature on the neurobiological and clinical correlates associated with methamphetamine use. We then outline agents that have been explored for potential treatments in preclinical studies, human laboratory phase I and phase II trials over the last ten years. Expert opinion: No agent has demonstrated a broad and strong effect in achieving MA abstinence in Phase II trials. Agents with novel therapeutic targets appear promising. Advancement in MA treatment, including translation into practice, faces several clinical challenges.

Co-ordination of Mobile Information Agents in TuCSoN.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Omicini, Andrea; Zambonelli, Franco

1998-01-01

Examines mobile agent coordination and presents TuCSoN, a coordination model for Internet applications based on mobile information agents that uses a tuple centre, a tuple space enhanced with the capability of programming its behavior in response to communication events. Discusses the effectiveness of the TuCSoN model in the contexts of Internet…

Mobile Augmented Reality: Applications and Human Factors Evaluations

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

Reconstruction, Kluwer Academic Publishers. [8] M.A. Livingston, L.J. Rosenblum, S.J. Julier, D.G. Brown, Y. Baillot, J.E. Swan II, J.L. Gabbard , and D...Education Conference. [9] M.A. Livingston, J.E. Swan II, J.L. Gabbard , T. Höllerer, D. Hix, S.J. Julier, Y. Baillot, and D.G. Brown (2003...J.E. Swan II, M.A. Livingston, H.S. Smallman, D.G. Brown, Y. Baillot, J.L. Gabbard , and D. Hix (2006). “A Perceptual Matching Technique for Depth

alpha-Phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone attenuates methamphetamine-induced depletion of striatal dopamine without altering hyperthermia.

PubMed

Cappon, G D; Broening, H W; Pu, C; Morford, L; Vorhees, C V

1996-10-01

Methamphetamine (MA) administration to adult rats (4 x 10 mg/kg s.c.) induces neurotoxicity predominately characterized by a persistent reduction of neostriatal dopamine (DA) content. Hyperthermia following MA administration potentiates the resulting DA depletion. DA-derived free radicals are postulated to be a mechanism through which MA-induced neurotoxicity is produced. The spin trapping agent PBN reacts with free radicals to form nitroxyl adducts, thereby preventing damaging free radical reactions with cellular substrates. MA with saline pretreatment (Sal-MA) reduced neostriatal DA by 55% (P < 0.01 vs. Sal-Sal). MA with PBN pretreatment (PBN-MA) at 36 or 60 mg/kg reduced neostriatal DA by 36 and 22%, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 vs Sal-MA) indicating partial protection. PBN pretreatment did not alter MA-induced hyperthermia. Thus, PBN does not attenuate MA-induced neurotoxicity by reducing MA-induced hyperthermia. These results support a role for free radicals in the generation of MA-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity.

Mobile Agents Applications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martins, Rosane Maria; Chaves, Magali Ribeiro; Pirmez, Luci; Rust da Costa Carmo, Luiz Fernando

2001-01-01

Discussion of the need to filter and retrieval relevant information from the Internet focuses on the use of mobile agents, specific software components which are based on distributed artificial intelligence and integrated systems. Surveys agent technology and discusses the agent building package used to develop two applications using IBM's Aglet…

Protection of Mobile Agents Execution Using a Modified Self-Validating Branch-Based Software Watermarking with External Sentinel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomàs-Buliart, Joan; Fernández, Marcel; Soriano, Miguel

Critical infrastructures are usually controlled by software entities. To monitor the well-function of these entities, a solution based in the use of mobile agents is proposed. Some proposals to detect modifications of mobile agents, as digital signature of code, exist but they are oriented to protect software against modification or to verify that an agent have been executed correctly. The aim of our proposal is to guarantee that the software is being executed correctly by a non trusted host. The way proposed to achieve this objective is by the improvement of the Self-Validating Branch-Based Software Watermarking by Myles et al.. The proposed modification is the incorporation of an external element called sentinel which controls branch targets. This technique applied in mobile agents can guarantee the correct operation of an agent or, at least, can detect suspicious behaviours of a malicious host during the execution of the agent instead of detecting when the execution of the agent have finished.

Effect of carboxylic acids as compatibilizer agent on mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch and polypropylene blends.

PubMed

Martins, Andréa Bercini; Santana, Ruth Marlene Campomanes

2016-01-01

In this work, polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) blends were prepared as an alternative material to use in disposable packaging, reducing the negative polymeric environmental impact. Unfortunately, this material displays morphological characteristics typical of immiscible polymer blends and a compatibilizer agent is needed. Three different carboxyl acids: myristic (C14), palmitic (C16) and stearic acids (C18) were used as natural compatibilizer agent (NCA). The effects of NCA on the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of PP/TPS blends were investigated and compared against PP/TPS with and without PP-grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMA). When compared to PP/TPS, blends with C18, PPgMA and C14 presented an improvement of 25, 22 and 17% in tensile strength at break and of 180, 194 and 259% in elongation at break, respectively. The highest increase, 54%, in the impact strength was achieved with C14 incorporation. Improvements could be seen, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, in the compatibility between the immiscible components by acids incorporation. These results showed that carboxylic acids, specifically C14, could be used as compatibilizer agent and could substitute PPgMA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MaHog1, a Hog1-type mitogen-activated protein kinase gene, contributes to stress tolerance and virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum.

PubMed

Jin, Kai; Ming, Yue; Xia, Yu Xian

2012-12-01

Fungal biocontrol agents have great potential in integrated pest management. However, poor efficacy and sensitivity to various adverse factors have hampered their wide application. In eukaryotic cells, Hog1 kinase plays a critical role in stress responses. In this study, MaHog1 (GenBank accession no. EFY85878), encoding a member of the Hog1/Sty1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase family in Metarhizium (Me.) acridum, was identified. Targeted gene disruption was used to analyse the role of MaHog1 in virulence and tolerance of adverse factors. Mutants with MaHog1 depletion showed increased sensitivity to high osmotic stress, high temperature and oxidative stress, and exhibited remarkable resistance to cell wall-disturbing agents. These results suggest that Hog1 kinase has a conserved function in regulating multistress responses among fungi, and that MaHog1 might influence cell wall biogenesis in Me. acridum. Bioassays conducted with topical inoculation and intrahaemocoel injection revealed that MaHog1 is required for both penetration and postpenetration development of Me. acridum. MaHog1 disruption resulted in a significant reduction in virulence, likely due to the combination of a decrease in conidial germination, a reduction in appressorium formation and a decline in growth rate in insect haemolymph, which might be caused by impairing fungal tolerance of various stresses during infection.

Involvement of WRKY Transcription Factors in Abscisic-Acid-Induced Cold Tolerance of Banana Fruit.

PubMed

Luo, Dong-Lan; Ba, Liang-Jie; Shan, Wei; Kuang, Jian-Fei; Lu, Wang-Jin; Chen, Jian-Ye

2017-05-10

Phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) and plant-specific WRKY transcription factors (TFs) have been implicated to play important roles in various stress responses. The involvement of WRKY TFs in ABA-mediated cold tolerance of economical fruits, such as banana fruit, however remains largely unknown. Here, we reported that ABA application could induce expressions of ABA biosynthesis-related genes MaNCED1 and MaNCED2, increase endogenous ABA contents, and thereby enhance cold tolerance in banana fruit. Four banana fruit WRKY TFs, designated as MaWRKY31, MaWRKY33, MaWRKY60, and MaWRKY71, were identified and characterized. All four of these MaWRKYs were nuclear-localized and displayed transactivation activities. Their expressions were induced by ABA treatment during cold storage. More importantly, the gel mobility shift assay and transient expression analysis revealed that MaWRKY31, MaWRKY33, MaWRKY60, and MaWRKY71 directly bound to the W-box elements in MaNCED1 and MaNCED2 promoters and activated their expressions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that banana fruit WRKY TFs are involved in ABA-induced cold tolerance by, at least in part, increasing ABA levels via directly activating NECD expressions.

Using Mobile TLA as a Logic for Dynamic I/O Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kapus, Tatjana

Input/Output (I/O) automata and the Temporal Logic of Actions (TLA) are two well-known techniques for the specification and verification of concurrent systems. Over the past few years, they have been extended to the so-called dynamic I/O automata and, respectively, Mobile TLA (MTLA) in order to be more appropriate for mobile agent systems. Dynamic I/O automata is just a mathematical model, whereas MTLA is a logic with a formally defined language. In this paper, therefore, we investigate how MTLA could be used as a formal language for the specification of dynamic I/O automata. We do this by writing an MTLA specification of a travel agent system which has been specified semi-formally in the literature on that model. In this specification, we deal with always existing agents as well as with an initially unknown number of dynamically created agents, with mobile and non-mobile agents, with I/O-automata-style communication, and with the changing communication capabilities of mobile agents. We have previously written a TLA specification of this system. This paper shows that an MTLA specification of such a system can be more elegant and faithful to the dynamic I/O automata definition because the agent existence and location can be expressed directly by using agent and location names instead of special variables as in TLA. It also shows how the reuse of names for dynamically created and destroyed agents within the dynamic I/O automata framework can be specified in MTLA.

46 CFR 308.549 - Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., Form MA-319. 308.549 Section 308.549 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iv-General § 308.549 Application for... American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.549 - Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., Form MA-319. 308.549 Section 308.549 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iv-General § 308.549 Application for... American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.549 - Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

..., Form MA-319. 308.549 Section 308.549 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iv-General § 308.549 Application for... American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.549 - Application for appointment of Cargo Underwriting Agent, Form MA-319.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

..., Form MA-319. 308.549 Section 308.549 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iv-General § 308.549 Application for... American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

ICCE/ICCAI 2000 Full & Short Papers (Educational Agent).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

2000

This document contains the full text of the following papers on educational agent from ICCE/ICCAI 2000 (International Conference on Computers in Education/International Conference on Computer-Assisted Instruction): (1) "An Agent-Based Intelligent Tutoring System" (C.M. Bruff and M.A. Williams); (2) "Design of Systematic Concept…

Herbert: A Second Generation Mobile Robot.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

PROJECT. TASK S Artificial Inteligence Laboratory AREA A WORK UNIT NUMBERS ’ ~ 545 Technology Square Cambridge, MA 02139 11. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME...AD-AI93 632 WMRT: A SECOND GENERTION MOBILE ROWT(U) / MASSACHUSETTS IMST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LAB R BROOKS ET AL .JAN l8 Al-M...MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LABORATORY A. I. Memo 1016 January, 1988 HERBERT: A SECOND GENERATION MOBILE ROBOT Rodney A

Mobility and Transportation Analysis in Support of the Light Attack Battalion (LAB) Study. Volume 1. Mobility and Transportation Analyses

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-05-01

LAB) STUDY VOLUME I: MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION ANALYSES JAMES C EMANUEL L. ALAN DORNEY LAWRENCE E. MARTIN WAYNE E. FERGUSON JOHN P. O’MALLEY...Runs were maBe on dry, eIcha!londi?Ln0Ve^^rfaireS *? 0btain data 5n maximm attainable speeds under K?nn M? wISiI Addltional ana yses were

Brahms Mobile Agents: Architecture and Field Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancey, William J.; Sierhuis, Maarten; Kaskiris, Charis; vanHoof, Ron

2002-01-01

We have developed a model-based, distributed architecture that integrates diverse components in a system designed for lunar and planetary surface operations: an astronaut's space suit, cameras, rover/All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), robotic assistant, other personnel in a local habitat, and a remote mission support team (with time delay). Software processes, called agents, implemented in the Brahms language, run on multiple, mobile platforms. These mobile agents interpret and transform available data to help people and robotic systems coordinate their actions to make operations more safe and efficient. The Brahms-based mobile agent architecture (MAA) uses a novel combination of agent types so the software agents may understand and facilitate communications between people and between system components. A state-of-the-art spoken dialogue interface is integrated with Brahms models, supporting a speech-driven field observation record and rover command system (e.g., return here later and bring this back to the habitat ). This combination of agents, rover, and model-based spoken dialogue interface constitutes a personal assistant. An important aspect of the methodology involves first simulating the entire system in Brahms, then configuring the agents into a run-time system.

Maintaining Limited-Range Connectivity Among Second-Order Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-07

we consider ad-hoc networks of robotic agents with double integrator dynamics. For such networks, the connectivity maintenance problems are: (i) do...hoc networks of mobile autonomous agents. This loose ter- minology refers to groups of robotic agents with limited mobility and communica- tion...connectivity can be preserved. 3.1. Networks of robotic agents with second-order dynamics and the connectivity maintenance problem. We begin by

46 CFR 308.547 - Application for return premium, Form MA-317.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Section 308.547 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iii-Facultative War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.547 Application... with the Underwriting Agent on Form MA-317, which may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or...

46 CFR 308.547 - Application for return premium, Form MA-317.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Section 308.547 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iii-Facultative War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.547 Application... with the Underwriting Agent on Form MA-317, which may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or...

46 CFR 308.547 - Application for return premium, Form MA-317.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Section 308.547 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iii-Facultative War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.547 Application... with the Underwriting Agent on Form MA-317, which may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or...

46 CFR 308.547 - Application for return premium, Form MA-317.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Section 308.547 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Iii-Facultative War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.547 Application... with the Underwriting Agent on Form MA-317, which may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or...

77 FR 74872 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-18

... and museum staff of the Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, and their agents, in... Inventory Completion: Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, Amherst, MA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College...

Marine Natural Products Revisited.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Clifford W. J.

1978-01-01

Reports the chemistry of saxitoxin, a paralytic shellfish poison, and other toxins, including the structure of aplysiatoxins. Discusses the chemical signals and defense agents used in intra- and inter- species communication; anticancer agents; and organometallics in the marine environment. (MA)

Intelligent multiagent coordination based on reinforcement hierarchical neuro-fuzzy models.

PubMed

Mendoza, Leonardo Forero; Vellasco, Marley; Figueiredo, Karla

2014-12-01

This paper presents the research and development of two hybrid neuro-fuzzy models for the hierarchical coordination of multiple intelligent agents. The main objective of the models is to have multiple agents interact intelligently with each other in complex systems. We developed two new models of coordination for intelligent multiagent systems, which integrates the Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy model with two proposed coordination mechanisms: the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with a market-driven coordination mechanism (MA-RL-HNFP-MD) and the MultiAgent Reinforcement Learning Hierarchical Neuro-Fuzzy with graph coordination (MA-RL-HNFP-CG). In order to evaluate the proposed models and verify the contribution of the proposed coordination mechanisms, two multiagent benchmark applications were developed: the pursuit game and the robot soccer simulation. The results obtained demonstrated that the proposed coordination mechanisms greatly improve the performance of the multiagent system when compared with other strategies.

Mobile Agents: A Distributed Voice-Commanded Sensory and Robotic System for Surface EVA Assistance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancey, William J.; Sierhuis, Maarten; Alena, Rick; Crawford, Sekou; Dowding, John; Graham, Jeff; Kaskiris, Charis; Tyree, Kim S.; vanHoof, Ronnie

2003-01-01

A model-based, distributed architecture integrates diverse components in a system designed for lunar and planetary surface operations: spacesuit biosensors, cameras, GPS, and a robotic assistant. The system transmits data and assists communication between the extra-vehicular activity (EVA) astronauts, the crew in a local habitat, and a remote mission support team. Software processes ("agents"), implemented in a system called Brahms, run on multiple, mobile platforms, including the spacesuit backpacks, all-terrain vehicles, and robot. These "mobile agents" interpret and transform available data to help people and robotic systems coordinate their actions to make operations more safe and efficient. Different types of agents relate platforms to each other ("proxy agents"), devices to software ("comm agents"), and people to the system ("personal agents"). A state-of-the-art spoken dialogue interface enables people to communicate with their personal agents, supporting a speech-driven navigation and scheduling tool, field observation record, and rover command system. An important aspect of the engineering methodology involves first simulating the entire hardware and software system in Brahms, and then configuring the agents into a runtime system. Design of mobile agent functionality has been based on ethnographic observation of scientists working in Mars analog settings in the High Canadian Arctic on Devon Island and the southeast Utah desert. The Mobile Agents system is developed iteratively in the context of use, with people doing authentic work. This paper provides a brief introduction to the architecture and emphasizes the method of empirical requirements analysis, through which observation, modeling, design, and testing are integrated in simulated EVA operations.

A memetic optimization algorithm for multi-constrained multicast routing in ad hoc networks

PubMed Central

Hammad, Karim; El Bakly, Ahmed M.

2018-01-01

A mobile ad hoc network is a conventional self-configuring network where the routing optimization problem—subject to various Quality-of-Service (QoS) constraints—represents a major challenge. Unlike previously proposed solutions, in this paper, we propose a memetic algorithm (MA) employing an adaptive mutation parameter, to solve the multicast routing problem with higher search ability and computational efficiency. The proposed algorithm utilizes an updated scheme, based on statistical analysis, to estimate the best values for all MA parameters and enhance MA performance. The numerical results show that the proposed MA improved the delay and jitter of the network, while reducing computational complexity as compared to existing algorithms. PMID:29509760

A memetic optimization algorithm for multi-constrained multicast routing in ad hoc networks.

PubMed

Ramadan, Rahab M; Gasser, Safa M; El-Mahallawy, Mohamed S; Hammad, Karim; El Bakly, Ahmed M

2018-01-01

A mobile ad hoc network is a conventional self-configuring network where the routing optimization problem-subject to various Quality-of-Service (QoS) constraints-represents a major challenge. Unlike previously proposed solutions, in this paper, we propose a memetic algorithm (MA) employing an adaptive mutation parameter, to solve the multicast routing problem with higher search ability and computational efficiency. The proposed algorithm utilizes an updated scheme, based on statistical analysis, to estimate the best values for all MA parameters and enhance MA performance. The numerical results show that the proposed MA improved the delay and jitter of the network, while reducing computational complexity as compared to existing algorithms.

Monoaminergic control of cellular glucose utilization by glycogenolysis in neocortex and hippocampus

PubMed Central

DiNuzzo, Mauro; Giove, Federico; Maraviglia, Bruno; Mangia, Silvia

2016-01-01

Brainstem nuclei are the principal sites of monoamine (MA) innervation to major forebrain structures. In the cortical grey matter, increased secretion of MA neuromodulators occurs in response to a wealth of environmental and homeostatic challenges, whose onset is associated with rapid, preparatory changes in neural activity as well as with increases in energy metabolism. Blood-borne glucose is the main substrate for energy production in the brain. Once entered the tissue, interstitial glucose is equally accessible to neurons and astrocytes, the two cell types accounting for most of cellular volume and energy metabolism in neocortex and hippocampus. Astrocytes also store substantial amounts of glycogen, but non-stimulated glycogen turnover is very small. The rate of cellular glucose utilization in the brain is largely determined by hexokinase, which under basal conditions is more than 90% inhibited by its product glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P). During rapid increases in energy demand, glycogen is a primary candidate in modulating the intracellular level of Glc-6-P, which can occur only in astrocytes. Glycogenolysis can produce Glc-6-P at a rate higher than uptake and phosphorylation of glucose. MA neurotransmitter are released extrasinaptically by brainstem neurons projecting to neocortex and hippocampus, thus activating MA receptors located on both neuronal and astrocytic plasma membrane. Importantly, MAs are glycogenolytic agents and thus they are exquisitely suitable for regulation of astrocytic Glc-6-P concentration, upstream substrate flow through hexokinase and hence cellular glucose uptake. Conforming to such mechanism, Gerald A. Dienel and Nancy F. Cruz recently suggested that activation of noradrenergic locus coeruleus might reversibly block astrocytic glucose uptake by stimulating glycogenolysis in these cells, thereby anticipating the rise in glucose need by active neurons. In this paper, we further develop the idea that the whole monoaminergic system modulates both function and metabolism of forebrain regions in a manner mediated by glycogen mobilization in astrocytes. PMID:26168779

Monoaminergic Control of Cellular Glucose Utilization by Glycogenolysis in Neocortex and Hippocampus.

PubMed

DiNuzzo, Mauro; Giove, Federico; Maraviglia, Bruno; Mangia, Silvia

2015-12-01

Brainstem nuclei are the principal sites of monoamine (MA) innervation to major forebrain structures. In the cortical grey matter, increased secretion of MA neuromodulators occurs in response to a wealth of environmental and homeostatic challenges, whose onset is associated with rapid, preparatory changes in neural activity as well as with increases in energy metabolism. Blood-borne glucose is the main substrate for energy production in the brain. Once entered the tissue, interstitial glucose is equally accessible to neurons and astrocytes, the two cell types accounting for most of cellular volume and energy metabolism in neocortex and hippocampus. Astrocytes also store substantial amounts of glycogen, but non-stimulated glycogen turnover is very small. The rate of cellular glucose utilization in the brain is largely determined by hexokinase, which under basal conditions is more than 90 % inhibited by its product glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P). During rapid increases in energy demand, glycogen is a primary candidate in modulating the intracellular level of Glc-6-P, which can occur only in astrocytes. Glycogenolysis can produce Glc-6-P at a rate higher than uptake and phosphorylation of glucose. MA neurotransmitter are released extrasinaptically by brainstem neurons projecting to neocortex and hippocampus, thus activating MA receptors located on both neuronal and astrocytic plasma membrane. Importantly, MAs are glycogenolytic agents and thus they are exquisitely suitable for regulation of astrocytic Glc-6-P concentration, upstream substrate flow through hexokinase and hence cellular glucose uptake. Conforming to such mechanism, Gerald A. Dienel and Nancy F. Cruz recently suggested that activation of noradrenergic locus coeruleus might reversibly block astrocytic glucose uptake by stimulating glycogenolysis in these cells, thereby anticipating the rise in glucose need by active neurons. In this paper, we further develop the idea that the whole monoaminergic system modulates both function and metabolism of forebrain regions in a manner mediated by glycogen mobilization in astrocytes.

Cooperative mobile agents search using beehive partitioned structure and Tabu Random search algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramazani, Saba; Jackson, Delvin L.; Selmic, Rastko R.

2013-05-01

In search and surveillance operations, deploying a team of mobile agents provides a robust solution that has multiple advantages over using a single agent in efficiency and minimizing exploration time. This paper addresses the challenge of identifying a target in a given environment when using a team of mobile agents by proposing a novel method of mapping and movement of agent teams in a cooperative manner. The approach consists of two parts. First, the region is partitioned into a hexagonal beehive structure in order to provide equidistant movements in every direction and to allow for more natural and flexible environment mapping. Additionally, in search environments that are partitioned into hexagons, mobile agents have an efficient travel path while performing searches due to this partitioning approach. Second, we use a team of mobile agents that move in a cooperative manner and utilize the Tabu Random algorithm to search for the target. Due to the ever-increasing use of robotics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, the field of cooperative multi-agent search has developed many applications recently that would benefit from the use of the approach presented in this work, including: search and rescue operations, surveillance, data collection, and border patrol. In this paper, the increased efficiency of the Tabu Random Search algorithm method in combination with hexagonal partitioning is simulated, analyzed, and advantages of this approach are presented and discussed.

Metal coordination polymer derived mesoporous Co3O4 nanorods with uniform TiO2 coating as advanced anodes for lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Hongbo; Ang, Huixiang; Ding, Xianguang; Tan, Huiteng; Guo, Guile; Qu, Genlong; Yang, Yonggang; Zheng, Junwei; Yan, Qingyu; Gu, Hongwei

2016-01-01

In this work, a one-dimensional Co3O4@TiO2 core-shell electrode material with superior electrochemical performance is fabricated by a convenient and controllable route. The approach involves two main steps: the homogeneous deposition of polydopamine and TiO2 layers in sequence on the cobalt coordination polymer and the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix. The as-prepared electrode material can achieve excellent electrochemical properties and stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, such as a high specific capacity of 1279 mA h g-1, good cycling stability (around 803 mA h g-1 at a current density of 200 mA g-1 after 100 cycles), and stable rate performance (around 520 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g-1). This dramatic electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the excellent structural characteristics, which could improve the electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility, as well as electrolyte permeability and architectural stability during cycling.In this work, a one-dimensional Co3O4@TiO2 core-shell electrode material with superior electrochemical performance is fabricated by a convenient and controllable route. The approach involves two main steps: the homogeneous deposition of polydopamine and TiO2 layers in sequence on the cobalt coordination polymer and the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix. The as-prepared electrode material can achieve excellent electrochemical properties and stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, such as a high specific capacity of 1279 mA h g-1, good cycling stability (around 803 mA h g-1 at a current density of 200 mA g-1 after 100 cycles), and stable rate performance (around 520 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1000 mA g-1). This dramatic electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the excellent structural characteristics, which could improve the electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility, as well as electrolyte permeability and architectural stability during cycling. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08570e

Evaluation of a Mobile Application for Multiplier Method Growth and Epiphysiodesis Timing Predictions.

PubMed

Wagner, Pablo; Standard, Shawn C; Herzenberg, John E

The multiplier method (MM) is frequently used to predict limb-length discrepancy and timing of epiphysiodesis. The traditional MM uses complex formulae and requires a calculator. A mobile application was developed in an attempt to simplify and streamline these calculations. We compared the accuracy and speed of using the traditional pencil and paper technique with that using the Multiplier App (MA). After attending a training lecture and a hands-on workshop on the MM and MA, 30 resident surgeons were asked to apply the traditional MM and the MA at different weeks of their rotations. They were randomized as to the method they applied first. Subjects performed calculations for 5 clinical exercises that involved congenital and developmental limb-length discrepancies and timing of epiphysiodesis. The amount of time required to complete the exercises and the accuracy of the answers were evaluated for each subject. The test subjects answered 60% of the questions correctly using the traditional MM and 80% of the questions correctly using the MA (P=0.001). The average amount of time to complete the 5 exercises with the MM and MA was 22 and 8 minutes, respectively (P<0.0001). Several reports state that the traditional MM is quick and easy to use. Nevertheless, even in the most experienced hands, performing the calculations in clinical practice can be time-consuming. Errors may result from choosing the wrong formulae and from performing the calculations by hand. Our data show that the MA is simpler, more accurate, and faster than the traditional MM from a practical standpoint. Level II.

Epidemic spreading induced by diversity of agents' mobility.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Chung, Ning Ning; Chew, Lock Yue; Lai, Choy Heng

2012-08-01

In this paper, we study the impact of the preference of an individual for public transport on the spread of infectious disease, through a quantity known as the public mobility. Our theoretical and numerical results based on a constructed model reveal that if the average public mobility of the agents is fixed, an increase in the diversity of the agents' public mobility reduces the epidemic threshold, beyond which an enhancement in the rate of infection is observed. Our findings provide an approach to improve the resistance of a society against infectious disease, while preserving the utilization rate of the public transportation system.

Mobile Code: The Future of the Internet

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-01-01

code ( mobile agents) to multiple proxies or servers " Customization " (e.g., re-formatting, filtering, metasearch) Information overload Diversified... Mobile code is necessary, rather than client-side code, since many customization features (such as information monitoring) do not work if the...economic foundation for Web sites, many Web sites earn money solely from advertisements . If these sites allow mobile agents to easily access the content

Maleated polypropylene film and wood fiber handsheet laminates

Treesearch

Sangyeob Lee; Todd F. Shupe; Leslie H. Groom; Chung Y. Hse

2008-01-01

The grafting effect of maleic anhydride (MA) as an interfacial bonding agent and its influence on the tensile strength properties of thermomechanical pulp handsheet-isotactic polypropylene (iPP) film laminates was studied. For the MA treated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator, tensile strength properties increased 76% with PP film over untreated laminates. The...

46 CFR 308.530 - Letter requesting increase or decrease in amount of surety bond, Form MA-310.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... surety bond, Form MA-310. 308.530 Section 308.530 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo... underwriting agent and may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.530 - Letter requesting increase or decrease in amount of surety bond, Form MA-310.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... surety bond, Form MA-310. 308.530 Section 308.530 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo... underwriting agent and may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.536 - Declaration where failure to comply with Clause 21 was inadvertent, Form MA-314.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

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46 CFR 308.530 - Letter requesting increase or decrease in amount of surety bond, Form MA-310.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... surety bond, Form MA-310. 308.530 Section 308.530 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo... underwriting agent and may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

46 CFR 308.530 - Letter requesting increase or decrease in amount of surety bond, Form MA-310.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... surety bond, Form MA-310. 308.530 Section 308.530 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo... underwriting agent and may be obtained from the American War Risk Agency or MARAD. ...

Brain Computer Interfaces for Enhanced Interaction with Mobile Robot Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-27

synergistic and complementary way. This project focused on acquiring a mobile robotic agent platform that can be used to explore these interfaces...providing a test environment where the human control of a robot agent can be experimentally validated in 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 4. TITLE AND...Distribution Unlimited UU UU UU UU 27-07-2016 17-Sep-2013 16-Sep-2014 Final Report: Brain Computer Interfaces for Enhanced Interactions with Mobile Robot

Remediation of heavy metal(loid)s contaminated soils--to mobilize or to immobilize?

PubMed

Bolan, Nanthi; Kunhikrishnan, Anitha; Thangarajan, Ramya; Kumpiene, Jurate; Park, Jinhee; Makino, Tomoyuki; Kirkham, Mary Beth; Scheckel, Kirk

2014-02-15

Unlike organic contaminants, metal(loid)s do not undergo microbial or chemical degradation and persist for a long time after their introduction. Bioavailability of metal(loid)s plays a vital role in the remediation of contaminated soils. In this review, the remediation of heavy metal(loid) contaminated soils through manipulating their bioavailability using a range of soil amendments will be presented. Mobilizing amendments such as chelating and desorbing agents increase the bioavailability and mobility of metal(loid)s. Immobilizing amendments such of precipitating agents and sorbent materials decrease the bioavailabilty and mobility of metal(loid)s. Mobilizing agents can be used to enhance the removal of heavy metal(loid)s though plant uptake and soil washing. Immobilizing agents can be used to reduce the transfer to metal(loid)s to food chain via plant uptake and leaching to groundwater. One of the major limitations of mobilizing technique is susceptibility to leaching of the mobilized heavy metal(loid)s in the absence of active plant uptake. Similarly, in the case of the immobilization technique the long-term stability of the immobilized heavy metal(loid)s needs to be monitored. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A novel synthetic analog of militarin, MA-1 induces mitochondrial dependent apoptosis by ROS generation in human lung cancer cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoon, Deok Hyo; Lim, Mi-Hee; Lee, Yu Ran

A synthetic Militarin analog-1[(2R,3R,4R,5R)-1,6-bis(4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy) hexane-2,3,4,5-tetraol] is a novel derivative of constituents from Cordyceps militaris, which has been used to treat a variety of chronic diseases including inflammation, diabetes, hyperglycemia and cancers. Here, we report for the first time the synthesis of Militarin analog-1 (MA-1) and the apoptotic mechanism of MA-1 against human lung cancer cell lines. Treatment with MA-1 significantly inhibited the viability of 3 human lung cancer cell lines. The inhibition of viability and growth in MA-1-treated A549 cells with an IC{sub 50} of 5 μM were mediated through apoptosis induction, as demonstrated by an increase in DNA fragmentation,more » sub-G{sub 0}/G{sub 1}-DNA fraction, nuclear condensation, and phosphatidylserine exposure. The apoptotic cell death caused mitochondrial membrane permeabilization through regulation of expression of the Bcl-2 family proteins, leading to cytochrome c release in a time-dependent manner. Subsequently, the final stage of apoptosis, activation of caspase-9/-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP ribose) polymerase, was induced. Furthermore, A549 lung cancer cells were more responsive to MA-1 than a bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B), involving the rapid generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. The pharmacological inhibition of ROS generation and JNK/p38 MAPK exhibited attenuated DNA fragmentation in MA-1-induced apoptosis. Oral administration of MA-1 also retarded growth of A549 orthotopic xenografts. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the new synthetic derivative MA-1 triggers mitochondrial apoptosis through ROS generation and regulation of MAPKs and may be a potent therapeutic agent against human lung cancer. - Highlights: • We report a novel synthesized derivative, militarin analog-1 (MA-1). • MA-1-induced cancer cell death was triggered by the ROS generation through MAPKs. • The MA-1-induced cell death was also modulated by the mitochondria-mediated pathway. • The apoptotic cancer cell death by MA-1 was also exhibited in orthotopic xenografts. • Our findings suggest MA-1 as a clinically useful agent for human lung cancer.« less

A Cocatalytic Effect between Meldrum's Acid and Benzoxazine Compounds in Preparation of High Performance Thermosetting Resins.

PubMed

Chen, Yi; Lin, Liang-Kai; Chiang, Shu-Jen; Liu, Ying-Ling

2017-02-01

In this work, a cocatalytic effect between Meldrum's acid (MA) and benzoxazine (Bz) compounds has been explored to build up a self-promoting curing system. Consequently, the MA/Bz reactive blend exhibits a relatively low reaction temperature compared to the required temperatures for the cross-linking reactions of the pure MA and Bz components. This feature is attractive for energy-saving processing issues. Moreover, the thermosetting resins based on the MA/Bz reactive blends have been prepared. The MA component can generate additional free volume in the resulting resins, so as to trap air in the resin matrix and consequently to bring low dielectric constants to the resins. The MA-containing agent is an effective modifier for benzoxazine resins to reduce their dielectric constants. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dedicated mobile volumetric cone-beam computed tomography for human brain imaging: A phantom study.

PubMed

Ryu, Jong-Hyun; Kim, Tae-Hoon; Jeong, Chang-Won; Jun, Hong-Young; Heo, Dong-Woon; Lee, Jinseok; Kim, Kyong-Woo; Yoon, Kwon-Ha

2015-01-01

Mobile computed tomography (CT) with a cone-beam source is increasingly used in the clinical field. Mobile cone-beam CT (CBCT) has great merits; however, its clinical utility for brain imaging has been limited due to problems including scan time and image quality. The aim of this study was to develop a dedicated mobile volumetric CBCT for obtaining brain images, and to optimize the imaging protocol using a brain phantom. The mobile volumetric CBCT system was evaluated with regards to scan time and image quality, measured as signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR), spatial resolution (10% MTF), and effective dose. Brain images were obtained using a CT phantom. The CT scan took 5.14 s at 360 projection views. SNR and CNR were 5.67 and 14.5 at 120 kV/10 mA. SNR and CNR values showed slight improvement as the x-ray voltage and current increased (p < 0.001). Effective dose and 10% MTF were 0.92 mSv and 360 μ m at 120 kV/10 mA. Various intracranial structures were clearly visible in the brain phantom images. Using this CBCT under optimal imaging acquisition conditions, it is possible to obtain human brain images with low radiation dose, reproducible image quality, and fast scan time.

Programming secure mobile agents in healthcare environments using role-based permissions.

PubMed

Georgiadis, C K; Baltatzis, J; Pangalos, G I

2003-01-01

The healthcare environment consists of vast amounts of dynamic and unstructured information, distributed over a large number of information systems. Mobile agent technology is having an ever-growing impact on the delivery of medical information. It supports acquiring and manipulating information distributed in a large number of information systems. Moreover is suitable for the computer untrained medical stuff. But the introduction of mobile agents generates advanced threads to the sensitive healthcare information, unless the proper countermeasures are taken. By applying the role-based approach to the authorization problem, we ease the sharing of information between hospital information systems and we reduce the administering part. The different initiative of the agent's migration method, results in different methods of assigning roles to the agent.

Improving grafting efficiency of dicarboxylic anhydride monomer on polylactic acid by manipulating monomer structure and using comonomer and reducing agent

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Maleic anhydride (MA) grafted polylactic acid (PLA) acting as reactive compatibilizer for PLA blends and composites has been reported. However, melt free-radical grafting of MA on PLA is often subject to steric and electron effects of the substituents in the monomer and low initiation efficiency, yi...

Michael Bahl | NREL

Science.gov Websites

theoretical mathematics, Western New England University, Springfield, MA B.S. in computer science, University Prior Work Experience Founder, Mobile Makes Sense Senior IT Specialist, IBM Graduate Teaching Assistant

Isolation and characterization of bacterial isolates algicidal against a harmful bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.

PubMed

Li, Yang; Hongyi, Wei; Komatsu, Masaharu; Ishibashi, Kenichi; Jinsan, Lin; Ito, Tatsuo; Yoshikawa, Takeshi; Maeda, Hiroto

2012-01-01

Algicidal bacteria MaI11-2, MaI11-5 and MaI11-10, which inhibited the growth of a harmful bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, were isolated from a sewage treatment plant. The isolate MaI11-5 was phylogenetically affiliated into the genus Pedobacter, while MaI11-2 and MaI11-10 were closely related to Bacillus aerophilus, Bacillus altitudinis and Bacillus stratosphericus with 100% identity based on 16S ribosomal RNA sequences. Co-cultivation of M. aeruginosa with the algicidal isolates showed their high algicidal activity. MaI11-5 showed the highest inhibitory effect on the cyanobacterial growth: the inhibitory effect exceeded 50% after 2 days, and reached to 75-85% after 10 days, regardless of the bacterial cell density. The cyanobacterial cells aggregated and produced mucilaginous, glycocalyx-like compounds when attacked by the algicidal bacteria. These results suggest that the algicidal bacteria isolated in the present study are potentially useful as biocontrol agents against M. aeruginosa bloom.

Connection adaption for control of networked mobile chaotic agents.

PubMed

Zhou, Jie; Zou, Yong; Guan, Shuguang; Liu, Zonghua; Xiao, Gaoxi; Boccaletti, S

2017-11-22

In this paper, we propose a strategy for the control of mobile chaotic oscillators by adaptively rewiring connections between nearby agents with local information. In contrast to the dominant adaptive control schemes where coupling strength is adjusted continuously according to the states of the oscillators, our method does not request adaption of coupling strength. As the resulting interaction structure generated by this proposed strategy is strongly related to unidirectional chains, by investigating synchronization property of unidirectional chains, we reveal that there exists a certain coupling range in which the agents could be controlled regardless of the length of the chain. This feature enables the adaptive strategy to control the mobile oscillators regardless of their moving speed. Compared with existing adaptive control strategies for networked mobile agents, our proposed strategy is simpler for implementation where the resulting interaction networks are kept unweighted at all time.

Optimal forwarding ratio on dynamical networks with heterogeneous mobility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gan, Yu; Tang, Ming; Yang, Hanxin

2013-05-01

Since the discovery of non-Poisson statistics of human mobility trajectories, more attention has been paid to understand the role of these patterns in different dynamics. In this study, we first introduce the heterogeneous mobility of mobile agents into dynamical networks, and then investigate packet forwarding strategy on the heterogeneous dynamical networks. We find that the faster speed and the higher proportion of high-speed agents can enhance the network throughput and reduce the mean traveling time in random forwarding. A hierarchical structure in the dependence of high-speed is observed: the network throughput remains unchanged at small and large high-speed value. It is also interesting to find that a slightly preferential forwarding to high-speed agents can maximize the network capacity. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, we show that the optimal forwarding ratio stems from the local structural heterogeneity of low-speed agents.

Effects of chelating agent and acids on Biodentine.

PubMed

Ballal, V; Marques, J N; Campos, C N; Lima, C O; Simão, R A; Prado, M

2018-06-01

To evaluate the effect of distilled water, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), phosphoric acid and maleic acid on Biodentine regarding surface topography, microhardness and push-out bond strength (POBS). Fifty-two cylindrical shaped Biodentine specimens were divided into groups: control (distilled water); EDTA (17% EDTA); PA (37% phosphoric acid); and MA (7% maleic acid). Surfaces were evaluated by topographic analysis and Vickers microhardness test. Topographic changes were evaluated qualitatively and microhardness was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test. Forty mandibular molars were used to simulate clinical conditions. The crowns were removed and a perforation was created at the furcal floor. The Biodentine was packed into the root perforations and the roots were divided into four groups (DW, EDTA, PA, MA). Samples were stored and subjected to interfacial analysis. POBS data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, MA and PA changed the morphology of the Biodentine surface. PA showed microhardness similar to distilled water (P > 0.05), while MA and EDTA demonstrated reduced values when compared with PA (P < 0.05). PA improved the POBS of Biodentine in comparison with the control. Changes in the topography, microhardness and POBS of Biodentine are associated with irrigant agent used. © 2018 Australian Dental Association.

Control of Synchronization Regimes in Networks of Mobile Interacting Agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez-Diaz, Fernando; Zillmer, Ruediger; Groß, Roderich

2017-05-01

We investigate synchronization in a population of mobile pulse-coupled agents with a view towards implementations in swarm-robotics systems and mobile sensor networks. Previous theoretical approaches dealt with range and nearest-neighbor interactions. In the latter case, a synchronization-hindering regime for intermediate agent mobility is found. We investigate the robustness of this intermediate regime under practical scenarios. We show that synchronization in the intermediate regime can be predicted by means of a suitable metric of the phase response curve. Furthermore, we study more-realistic K -nearest-neighbor and cone-of-vision interactions, showing that it is possible to control the extent of the synchronization-hindering region by appropriately tuning the size of the neighborhood. To assess the effect of noise, we analyze the propagation of perturbations over the network and draw an analogy between the response in the hindering regime and stable chaos. Our findings reveal the conditions for the control of clock or activity synchronization of agents with intermediate mobility. In addition, the emergence of the intermediate regime is validated experimentally using a swarm of physical robots interacting with cone-of-vision interactions.

Model of load balancing using reliable algorithm with multi-agent system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afriansyah, M. F.; Somantri, M.; Riyadi, M. A.

2017-04-01

Massive technology development is linear with the growth of internet users which increase network traffic activity. It also increases load of the system. The usage of reliable algorithm and mobile agent in distributed load balancing is a viable solution to handle the load issue on a large-scale system. Mobile agent works to collect resource information and can migrate according to given task. We propose reliable load balancing algorithm using least time first byte (LFB) combined with information from the mobile agent. In system overview, the methodology consisted of defining identification system, specification requirements, network topology and design system infrastructure. The simulation method for simulated system was using 1800 request for 10 s from the user to the server and taking the data for analysis. Software simulation was based on Apache Jmeter by observing response time and reliability of each server and then compared it with existing method. Results of performed simulation show that the LFB method with mobile agent can perform load balancing with efficient systems to all backend server without bottleneck, low risk of server overload, and reliable.

An enhanced performance through agent-based secure approach for mobile ad hoc networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisen, Dhananjay; Sharma, Sanjeev

2018-01-01

This paper proposes an agent-based secure enhanced performance approach (AB-SEP) for mobile ad hoc network. In this approach, agent nodes are selected through optimal node reliability as a factor. This factor is calculated on the basis of node performance features such as degree difference, normalised distance value, energy level, mobility and optimal hello interval of node. After selection of agent nodes, a procedure of malicious behaviour detection is performed using fuzzy-based secure architecture (FBSA). To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, comparative analysis is done with conventional schemes using performance parameters such as packet delivery ratio, throughput, total packet forwarding, network overhead, end-to-end delay and percentage of malicious detection.

Measurement of drug facilitated sexual assault agents in simulated sweat by ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Demoranville, Leonard T; Verkouteren, Jennifer R

2013-03-15

Ion mobility spectrometry has found widespread use for the detection of explosives and illicit drugs. The technique offers rapid results with high sensitivity and little sample preparation. As such, it is well suited for field deployed screening settings. Here the response of ion mobility spectrometers for three drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) agents - flunitrazepam, ketamine, and MDMA - and related metabolites has been studied in the presence of a simulated sweat. While all three DFSA agents present certain challenges for qualitative identification, IMS can provide useful information to guide the early treatment and investigation of sexual assault cases. Used as a presumptive test, the identification of DFSA agents would later require confirmatory analysis by other techniques. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Ionic liquid as a mobile phase additive in high-performance liquid chromatography for the simultaneous determination of eleven fluorescent whitening agents in paper materials.

PubMed

Wang, Qing; Chen, Xianbo; Qiu, Bin; Zhou, Liang; Zhang, Hui; Xie, Juan; Luo, Yan; Wang, Bin

2016-04-01

In the present study, 11 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid based fluorescent whitening agents with different numbers of sulfonic acid groups were separated by using an ionic liquid as a mobile phase additive in high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The effects of ionic liquid concentration, pH of mobile phase B, and composition of mobile phase A on the separation of fluorescent whitening agents were systematically investigated. The ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate is superior to tetrabutylammomnium bromide for the separation of the fluorescent whitening agents. The optimal separation conditions were an ionic liquid concentration at 8 mM and the pH of mobile phase B at 8.5 with methanol as mobile phase A. The established method exhibited low limits of detection (0.04-0.07 ng/mL) and wide linearity ranges (0.30-20 ng/mL) with high linear correlation coefficients from 0.9994 to 0.9998. The optimized procedure was applied to analyze target analytes in paper samples with satisfactory results. Eleven target analytes were quantified, and the recoveries of spiked paper samples were in the range of 85-105% with the relative standard deviations from 2.1 to 5.1%. The obtained results indicated that the method was efficient for detection of 11 fluorescent whitening agents. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Advantages of Brahms for Specifying and Implementing a Multiagent Human-Robotic Exploration System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancey, William J.; Sierhuis, Maarten; Kaskiris, Charis; vanHoof, Ron

2003-01-01

We have developed a model-based, distributed architecture that integrates diverse components in a system designed for lunar and planetary surface operations: an astronaut's space suit, cameras, all-terrain vehicles, robotic assistant, crew in a local habitat, and mission support team. Software processes ('agents') implemented in the Brahms language, run on multiple, mobile platforms. These mobile agents interpret and transform available data to help people and robotic systems coordinate their actions to make operations more safe and efficient. The Brahms-based mobile agent architecture (MAA) uses a novel combination of agent types so the software agents may understand and facilitate communications between people and between system components. A state-of-the-art spoken dialogue interface is integrated with Brahms models, supporting a speech-driven field observation record and rover command system. An important aspect of the methodology involves first simulating the entire system in Brahms, then configuring the agents into a runtime system Thus, Brahms provides a language, engine, and system builder's toolkit for specifying and implementing multiagent systems.

Model of mobile agents for sexual interactions networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González, M. C.; Lind, P. G.; Herrmann, H. J.

2006-02-01

We present a novel model to simulate real social networks of complex interactions, based in a system of colliding particles (agents). The network is build by keeping track of the collisions and evolves in time with correlations which emerge due to the mobility of the agents. Therefore, statistical features are a consequence only of local collisions among its individual agents. Agent dynamics is realized by an event-driven algorithm of collisions where energy is gained as opposed to physical systems which have dissipation. The model reproduces empirical data from networks of sexual interactions, not previously obtained with other approaches.

42 CFR 422.2274 - Broker and agent requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Broker and agent requirements. Link to an amendment published at 76 FR 54634, Sept. 1, 2011. For purposes... and brokers must be compensated as follows: (1) An MA organization (or other entity on its behalf) may... amount (creating a 6-year compensation cycle). For purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(i), individuals enrolling...

Effect of mood stabilizing agents on agonist-induced calcium mobilization in human platelets.

PubMed Central

Kusumi, I; Koyama, T; Yamashita, I

1994-01-01

The effect of mood stabilizing agents such as lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid and clonazepam on serotonin(5-HT)- or thrombin-induced intracellular calcium (Ca) mobilization was studied in the platelets of healthy subjects using the fluorescent Ca indicator fura-2. After incubating platelet-rich plasma with these drugs for one or four hours, there was no significant difference in either basal Ca2+ concentration or 5-HT-stimulated Ca response between each agent treatment and control. 5-HT- or thrombin-induced Ca mobilization was not altered by four weeks of lithium carbonate administration in healthy volunteers. These results indicate that these mood stabilizers fail to affect the agonist-stimulated intracellular Ca mobilizing pathway either in vitro or ex vivo in the platelets of healthy subjects. Images Fig. 1 PMID:8031747

Consensus in evolving networks of mobile agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baronchelli, Andrea; Díaz-Guilera, Albert

2012-02-01

Populations of mobile and communicating agents describe a vast array of technological and natural systems, ranging from sensor networks to animal groups. Here, we investigate how a group-level agreement may emerge in the continuously evolving networks defined by the local interactions of the moving individuals. We adopt a general scheme of motion in two dimensions and we let the individuals interact through the minimal naming game, a prototypical scheme to investigate social consensus. We distinguish different regimes of convergence determined by the emission range of the agents and by their mobility, and we identify the corresponding scaling behaviors of the consensus time. In the same way, we rationalize also the behavior of the maximum memory used during the convergence process, which determines the minimum cognitive/storage capacity needed by the individuals. Overall, we believe that the simple and general model presented in this talk can represent a helpful reference for a better understanding of the behavior of populations of mobile agents.

Consensus in networks of mobile communicating agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baronchelli, Andrea; Díaz-Guilera, Albert

2012-01-01

Populations of mobile and communicating agents describe a vast array of technological and natural systems, ranging from sensor networks to animal groups. Here, we investigate how a group-level agreement may emerge in the continuously evolving network defined by the local interactions of the moving individuals. We adopt a general scheme of motion in two dimensions and we let the individuals interact through the minimal naming game, a prototypical scheme to investigate social consensus. We distinguish different regimes of convergence determined by the emission range of the agents and by their mobility, and we identify the corresponding scaling behaviors of the consensus time. In the same way, we rationalize also the behavior of the maximum memory used during the convergence process, which determines the minimum cognitive/storage capacity needed by the individuals. Overall, we believe that the simple and general model presented in this paper can represent a helpful reference for a better understanding of the behavior of populations of mobile agents.

Fermented Herbal Formulas KIOM-MA128 Ameliorate IL-6-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Colon Cancer Cell Line

PubMed Central

Park, Kwang Il; Kim, Dong Gun; Lee, Bo Hyoung

2016-01-01

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), depending on the extent and duration of intestinal inflammation. Increased IL-6 expression has been reported in IBD patients, which may be associated with intestinal barrier function through discontinuous tight junction (TJ). KIOM-MA is a specific agent for allergic diseases and cancer, and it is composed of several plants; these herbs have been used in traditional oriental medicine. We fermented KIOM-MA, the product of KIOM-MA128, using probiotics to improve the therapeutic efficacy via the absorption and bioavailability of the active ingredients. In this study, we demonstrated that KIOM-MA/MA128 exhibited anticolitis effects via the modulation of TJ protein. Interleukin-6 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the TER and an increase in the FITC-dextran permeability; however, pretreatment with 400 µg/ml KIOM-MA/MA128 resulted in a significant increase in the TER and a decrease in the FITC-dextran permeability via IL-6 induction. Furthermore, protein and mRNA TJ levels remained stable after pretreatment with 400 µg/ml KIOM-MA/MA128. Moreover, KIOM-MA/MA128 suppressed the expression of PLCγ1 and PKC. Taken together, these findings suggest novel information and clue of the anticolitis effects of KIOM-MA128 via regulation of tight junction. PMID:27980357

Fermented Herbal Formulas KIOM-MA128 Ameliorate IL-6-Induced Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Colon Cancer Cell Line.

PubMed

Park, Kwang Il; Kim, Dong Gun; Lee, Bo Hyoung; Ma, Jin Yeul

2016-01-01

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), depending on the extent and duration of intestinal inflammation. Increased IL-6 expression has been reported in IBD patients, which may be associated with intestinal barrier function through discontinuous tight junction (TJ). KIOM-MA is a specific agent for allergic diseases and cancer, and it is composed of several plants; these herbs have been used in traditional oriental medicine. We fermented KIOM-MA, the product of KIOM-MA128, using probiotics to improve the therapeutic efficacy via the absorption and bioavailability of the active ingredients. In this study, we demonstrated that KIOM-MA/MA128 exhibited anticolitis effects via the modulation of TJ protein. Interleukin-6 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the TER and an increase in the FITC-dextran permeability; however, pretreatment with 400  µ g/ml KIOM-MA/MA128 resulted in a significant increase in the TER and a decrease in the FITC-dextran permeability via IL-6 induction. Furthermore, protein and mRNA TJ levels remained stable after pretreatment with 400  µ g/ml KIOM-MA/MA128. Moreover, KIOM-MA/MA128 suppressed the expression of PLC γ 1 and PKC. Taken together, these findings suggest novel information and clue of the anticolitis effects of KIOM-MA128 via regulation of tight junction.

Robust binder-free anodes assembled with ultralong mischcrystal TiO2 nanowires and reduced graphene oxide for high-rate and long cycle life lithium-ion storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yongzheng; Yang, Dongzhi; Yu, Ruomeng; Liu, Yaxin; Hao, Shu-Meng; Zhang, Shiyi; Qu, Jin; Yu, Zhong-Zhen

2018-04-01

To satisfy increasing power demands of mobile devices and electric vehicles, rationally designed electrodes with short diffusion length are highly imperative to provide highly efficient ion and electron transport paths for high-rate and long-life lithium-ion batteries. Herein, binder-free electrodes with the robust three-dimensional conductive network are prepared by assembling ultralong TiO2 nanowires with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets for high-performance lithium-ion storage. Ultralong TiO2 nanowires are synthesized and used to construct an interconnecting network that avoids the use of inert auxiliary additives of polymer binders and conductive agents. By thermal annealing, a small amount of anatase is generated in situ in the TiO2(B) nanowires to form abundant TiO2(B)/anatase interfaces for accommodating additional lithium ions. Simultaneously, RGO sheets efficiently enhance the electronic conductivity and enlarge the specific surface area of the TiO2/RGO nanocomposite. The robust 3D network in the binder-free electrode not only effectively avoids the agglomeration of TiO2/RGO components during the long-term charging/discharging process, but also provides direct and fast ion/electron transport paths. The binder-free electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 259.9 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C and an excellent cycling performance with a high reversible capacity of 111.9 mA h g-1 at 25 C after 5000 cycles.

Access Scheme for Controlling Mobile Agents and its Application to Share Medical Information.

PubMed

Liao, Yu-Ting; Chen, Tzer-Shyong; Chen, Tzer-Long; Chung, Yu-Fang; Chen, Yu- Xin; Hwang, Jen-Hung; Wang, Huihui; Wei, Wei

2016-05-01

This study is showing the advantage of mobile agents to conquer heterogeneous system environments and contribute to a virtual integrated sharing system. Mobile agents will collect medical information from each medical institution as a method to achieve the medical purpose of data sharing. Besides, this research also provides an access control and key management mechanism by adopting Public key cryptography and Lagrange interpolation. The safety analysis of the system is based on a network attacker's perspective. The achievement of this study tries to improve the medical quality, prevent wasting medical resources and make medical resources access to appropriate configuration.

The first total synthesis and biological evaluation of marine natural products ma'edamines A and B.

PubMed

Saha, Sanjay; Venkata Ramana Reddy, Ch; Chiranjeevi, T; Addepally, Uma; Chinta Rao, T S; Patro, Balaram

2013-02-15

We have developed the first total syntheses of marine natural products ma'edamines A (18) and B (20). Structurally, they contain a pyrazine-2-(1H)-one core and were screened for antiproliferative activity on several cancer cell lines. Out of the six cell lines tested, ma'edamines A and B showed significant cytotoxicity against human colon cancer line COLO 205 (IC(50) 7.9 and 10.3 μM, respectively), breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (IC(50): 6.9 and 10.5 μM, respectively) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 (IC(50): 12.2 and 15.4 μM, respectively). The apoptotic effect of ma'edamines was confirmed by comet assay. Hence ma'edamines are likely to be useful as leads for development of a new class of anti-cancer agents. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamics and Steady States in Excitable Mobile Agent Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peruani, Fernando; Sibona, Gustavo J.

2008-04-01

We study the spreading of excitations in 2D systems of mobile agents where the excitation is transmitted when a quiescent agent keeps contact with an excited one during a nonvanishing time. We show that the steady states strongly depend on the spatial agent dynamics. Moreover, the coupling between exposition time (ω) and agent-agent contact rate (CR) becomes crucial to understand the excitation dynamics, which exhibits three regimes with CR: no excitation for low CR, an excited regime in which the number of quiescent agents (S) is inversely proportional to CR, and, for high CR, a novel third regime, model dependent, where S scales with an exponent ξ-1, with ξ being the scaling exponent of ω with CR.

Protecting Dynamic Mobile Agent against Denial of Service Attacks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Mayank; Nipur, Pallavi

2010-11-01

Mobile Agents are softwares migrating from one node to another to fulfill the task of its owner. The introduction of mobile agents has reduced network latency, network traffic a lot but at the same time it has increased the vulnerability for attacks by malicious hosts. One such attack is `Denial of Service', once the agent is launched it is free to roam without any control of its owner, this on one hand decreases the cost of agent—owner interaction and on the other hand increases the chances of `Denial Of Service'. In Denial Of Service attack the malicious host may deny resources required by the agent and kill the agent, thus the result computed so far is lost and this may happen every time the agent visits any malicious host. In this paper we continued the work done in [10] in which the authors proposed techniques by which owner can detect the malicious host for `Denial Of Service' but they did not covered technique for dynamic routes i.e. where the host or agent initiate migrations to hosts which were not contained in the route composed by the owner. We introduced an algorithm and a model which can be useful for the above purpose.

Design, synthesis, fabrication and in vitro evalution of mucoadhesive 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole chitosan as low water soluble drug carriers.

PubMed

Kongsong, Mullika; Songsurang, Kultida; Sangvanich, Polkit; Siralertmukul, Krisana; Muangsin, Nongnuj

2014-11-01

Mucoadhesive thiolated chitosan suitable as a carrier for low water soluble drugs was designed and synthesized by conjugating 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) using methylacrylate (MA) as the linking agent. A 14.4% degree of substitution of MA, as determined by (1)H NMR analysis, and 11.86±0.01μmol thiol groups/g of polymer, as determined by Ellman's method, was obtained. The MBI-MA-chitosan had an 11-fold stronger mucoadhesive property compared to unmodified chitosan at pH 1.2, as determined by the periodic acid: Schiff colorimetric method. Chitosan, MA-chitosan and MBI-MA-chitosan were fabricated as well-formed microspheres using electrospray ionization, including an entrapment efficiency of simvastatin (SV) of over 80% for the MBI-MA-chitosan. The mucoadhesiveness of the SV-loaded MBI-MA-CS microspheres was still higher than that for SV-loaded chitosan at pH 1.2 and 6.4. The SV-loaded MBI-MA-CS microspheres revealed a reduced burst effect and an increased release rate (more than fivefold higher than pure SV) of SV over 12h. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mobile agent location in distributed environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fountoukis, S. G.; Argyropoulos, I. P.

2012-12-01

An agent is a small program acting on behalf of a user or an application which plays the role of a user. Artificial intelligence can be encapsulated in agents so that they can be capable of both behaving autonomously and showing an elementary decision ability regarding movement and some specific actions. Therefore they are often called autonomous mobile agents. In a distributed system, they can move themselves from one processing node to another through the interconnecting network infrastructure. Their purpose is to collect useful information and to carry it back to their user. Also, agents are used to start, monitor and stop processes running on the individual interconnected processing nodes of computer cluster systems. An agent has a unique id to discriminate itself from other agents and a current position. The position can be expressed as the address of the processing node which currently hosts the agent. Very often, it is necessary for a user, a processing node or another agent to know the current position of an agent in a distributed system. Several procedures and algorithms have been proposed for the purpose of position location of mobile agents. The most basic of all employs a fixed computing node, which acts as agent position repository, receiving messages from all the moving agents and keeping records of their current positions. The fixed node, responds to position queries and informs users, other nodes and other agents about the position of an agent. Herein, a model is proposed that considers pairs and triples of agents instead of single ones. A location method, which is investigated in this paper, attempts to exploit this model.

Earth Regimes Network Evolution Study (ERNESt): Introducing the Space Mobile Network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menrad, Bob

2016-01-01

Speaker and Presenter at the Lincoln Laboratory Communications Workshop on April 5, 2016 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. A visual presentation titled Earth Regimes Network Evolution Study (ERNESt).

Nomadism as a Man-Environment System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rapoport, Amos

1978-01-01

Concepts derived from general man-environment system (MES) models are applied to the specific problem of nomadic sedentarization. The analysis focuses on the manner in which residential mobility may function as a central element in nomadic cultures. (Author/MA)

DyHAP: Dynamic Hybrid ANFIS-PSO Approach for Predicting Mobile Malware.

PubMed

Afifi, Firdaus; Anuar, Nor Badrul; Shamshirband, Shahaboddin; Choo, Kim-Kwang Raymond

2016-01-01

To deal with the large number of malicious mobile applications (e.g. mobile malware), a number of malware detection systems have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we propose a hybrid method to find the optimum parameters that can be used to facilitate mobile malware identification. We also present a multi agent system architecture comprising three system agents (i.e. sniffer, extraction and selection agent) to capture and manage the pcap file for data preparation phase. In our hybrid approach, we combine an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Evaluations using data captured on a real-world Android device and the MalGenome dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, in comparison to two hybrid optimization methods which are differential evolution (ANFIS-DE) and ant colony optimization (ANFIS-ACO).

DyHAP: Dynamic Hybrid ANFIS-PSO Approach for Predicting Mobile Malware

PubMed Central

Afifi, Firdaus; Anuar, Nor Badrul; Shamshirband, Shahaboddin

2016-01-01

To deal with the large number of malicious mobile applications (e.g. mobile malware), a number of malware detection systems have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we propose a hybrid method to find the optimum parameters that can be used to facilitate mobile malware identification. We also present a multi agent system architecture comprising three system agents (i.e. sniffer, extraction and selection agent) to capture and manage the pcap file for data preparation phase. In our hybrid approach, we combine an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Evaluations using data captured on a real-world Android device and the MalGenome dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, in comparison to two hybrid optimization methods which are differential evolution (ANFIS-DE) and ant colony optimization (ANFIS-ACO). PMID:27611312

Impact of mobility structure on optimization of small-world networks of mobile agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Eun; Holme, Petter

2016-06-01

In ad hoc wireless networking, units are connected to each other rather than to a central, fixed, infrastructure. Constructing and maintaining such networks create several trade-off problems between robustness, communication speed, power consumption, etc., that bridges engineering, computer science and the physics of complex systems. In this work, we address the role of mobility patterns of the agents on the optimal tuning of a small-world type network construction method. By this method, the network is updated periodically and held static between the updates. We investigate the optimal updating times for different scenarios of the movement of agents (modeling, for example, the fat-tailed trip distances, and periodicities, of human travel). We find that these mobility patterns affect the power consumption in non-trivial ways and discuss how these effects can best be handled.

42 CFR 422.2274 - Broker and agent requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... (that is, non-employee) or employed. (a) Agents and brokers must be compensated as follows: (1) An MA...) For renewals, must be an amount equal to 50 percent of the initial compensation in paragraph (a)(1)(i... for enrollment of a beneficiary into a plan, if any, must be made in accordance with paragraph (a)(1...

42 CFR 422.2274 - Broker and agent requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... (that is, non-employee) or employed. (a) Agents and brokers must be compensated as follows: (1) An MA...) For renewals, must be an amount equal to 50 percent of the initial compensation in paragraph (a)(1)(i... for enrollment of a beneficiary into a plan, if any, must be made in accordance with paragraph (a)(1...

Physicochemical and crystal structure analyses of the antidiabetic agent troglitazone.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Katsuhiro; Fukuhara, Hiroshi; Hata, Tadashi; Sekine, Akiko; Uekusa, Hidehiro; Ohashi, Yuji

2003-07-01

The antidiabetic agent troglitazone has two asymmetric carbons located at the chroman ring and the thiazolidine ring and is produced as a mixture of equal amounts of four optical isomers, 2R-5S, 2S-5R, 2R-5R, and 2S-5S. The crystalline powdered drug substance consists of two diastereomer pairs, 2R-5R/2S-5S and 2R-5S/2S-5R. There are many types of crystals obtained from various crystallization conditions. The X-ray structure analysis and the physicochemical analyses of troglitazone were performed. The solvated crystals of the 2R-5R/2S-5S pair were crystallized from several solutions: methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane. The ratio of solvent and troglitazone was 1 : 2 (L1/2-form). The monohydrate crystals were obtained from aqueous acetone solution (L1-form). On the other hand, only an anhydrate crystal of the 2R-5S/2S-5R pair was crystallized from various solutions (H0-form). The dihydrous mixed crystal (MA2-form) was obtained from a mixture of the two diastereomer pairs of 2R-5R/2S-5S and 2R-5S/2S-5R in equal amounts by the slow evaporation of aqueous acetone solution. The crystal structure of the MA2-form is similar to the H0-form. When the MA2 crystal was kept under low humidity, it was converted into the dehydrated form (MA0-form) with retention of the single crystal form. The structure of the MA0-form is isomorphous to the H0-form. The MA2-form was converted into the MA0-form and vice versa with retention of the single crystal under low and high humidity, respectively. The crystallization and storage conditions of the drug substances were successfully analyzed.

Development and validation of a low-cost mobile robotics testbed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Michael; Hayes, Martin J.

2012-03-01

This paper considers the design, construction and validation of a low-cost experimental robotic testbed, which allows for the localisation and tracking of multiple robotic agents in real time. The testbed system is suitable for research and education in a range of different mobile robotic applications, for validating theoretical as well as practical research work in the field of digital control, mobile robotics, graphical programming and video tracking systems. It provides a reconfigurable floor space for mobile robotic agents to operate within, while tracking the position of multiple agents in real-time using the overhead vision system. The overall system provides a highly cost-effective solution to the topical problem of providing students with practical robotics experience within severe budget constraints. Several problems encountered in the design and development of the mobile robotic testbed and associated tracking system, such as radial lens distortion and the selection of robot identifier templates are clearly addressed. The testbed performance is quantified and several experiments involving LEGO Mindstorm NXT and Merlin System MiaBot robots are discussed.

Ion mobility spectrometric analysis of vaporous chemical warfare agents by the instrument with corona discharge ionization ammonia dopant ambient temperature operation.

PubMed

Satoh, Takafumi; Kishi, Shintaro; Nagashima, Hisayuki; Tachikawa, Masumi; Kanamori-Kataoka, Mieko; Nakagawa, Takao; Kitagawa, Nobuyoshi; Tokita, Kenichi; Yamamoto, Soichiro; Seto, Yasuo

2015-03-20

The ion mobility behavior of nineteen chemical warfare agents (7 nerve gases, 5 blister agents, 2 lachrymators, 2 blood agents, 3 choking agents) and related compounds including simulants (8 agents) and organic solvents (39) was comparably investigated by the ion mobility spectrometry instrument utilizing weak electric field linear drift tube with corona discharge ionization, ammonia doping, purified inner air drift flow circulation operated at ambient temperature and pressure. Three alkyl methylphosphonofluoridates, tabun, and four organophosphorus simulants gave the intense characteristic positive monomer-derived ion peaks and small dimer-derived ion peaks, and the later ion peaks were increased with the vapor concentrations. VX, RVX and tabun gave both characteristic positive monomer-derived ions and degradation product ions. Nitrogen mustards gave the intense characteristic positive ion peaks, and in addition distinctive negative ion peak appeared from HN3. Mustard gas, lewisite 1, o-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile and 2-mercaptoethanol gave the characteristic negative ion peaks. Methylphosphonyl difluoride, 2-chloroacetophenone and 1,4-thioxane gave the characteristic ion peaks both in the positive and negative ion mode. 2-Chloroethylethylsulfide and allylisothiocyanate gave weak ion peaks. The marker ion peaks derived from two blood agents and three choking agents were very close to the reactant ion peak in negative ion mode and the respective reduced ion mobility was fluctuated. The reduced ion mobility of the CWA monomer-derived peaks were positively correlated with molecular masses among structurally similar agents such as G-type nerve gases and organophosphorus simulants; V-type nerve gases and nitrogen mustards. The slope values of the calibration plots of the peak heights of the characteristic marker ions versus the vapor concentrations are related to the detection sensitivity, and within chemical warfare agents examined the slope values for sarin, soman, tabun and nitrogen mustards were higher. Some CWA simulants and organic solvents gave the ion peaks eluting at the similar positions of the CWAs, resulting in false positive alarms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Survey on Distributed Mobile Database and Data Mining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goel, Ajay Mohan; Mangla, Neeraj; Patel, R. B.

2010-11-01

The anticipated increase in popular use of the Internet has created more opportunity in information dissemination, Ecommerce, and multimedia communication. It has also created more challenges in organizing information and facilitating its efficient retrieval. In response to this, new techniques have evolved which facilitate the creation of such applications. Certainly the most promising among the new paradigms is the use of mobile agents. In this paper, mobile agent and distributed database technologies are applied in the banking system. Many approaches have been proposed to schedule data items for broadcasting in a mobile environment. In this paper, an efficient strategy for accessing multiple data items in mobile environments and the bottleneck of current banking will be proposed.

Efficient priority queueing routing strategy on networks of mobile agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Gan-Hua; Yang, Hui-Jie; Pan, Jia-Hui

2018-03-01

As a consequence of their practical implications for communications networks, traffic dynamics on complex networks have recently captivated researchers. Previous routing strategies for improving transport efficiency have paid little attention to the orders in which the packets should be forwarded, just simply used first-in-first-out queue discipline. Here, we apply a priority queuing discipline and propose a shortest-distance-first routing strategy on networks of mobile agents. Numerical experiments reveal that the proposed scheme remarkably improves both the network throughput and the packet arrival rate and reduces both the average traveling time and the rate of waiting time to traveling time. Moreover, we find that the network capacity increases with an increase in both the communication radius and the number of agents. Our work may be helpful for the design of routing strategies on networks of mobile agents.

Mobile impurities in ferromagnetic liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kantian, Adrian; Schollwoeck, Ulrich; Giamarchi, Thierry

2011-03-01

Recent work has shown that mobile impurities in one dimensional interacting systems may exhibit behaviour that differs strongly from that predicted by standard Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid theory, with the appearance of power-law divergences in the spectral function signifying sublinear diffusion of the impurity. Using time-dependent matrix product states, we investigate a range of cases of mobile impurities in systems beyond the analytically accessible examples to assess the existence of a new universality class of low-energy physics in one-dimensional systems. Correspondence: Adrian.Kantian@unige.ch This work was supported in part by the Swiss SNF under MaNEP and division II.

The optimality of hospital financing system: the role of physician-manager interactions.

PubMed

Crainich, David; Leleu, Hervé; Mauleon, Ana

2008-12-01

The ability of a prospective payment system to ensure an optimal level of both quality and cost reducing activities in the hospital industry has been stressed by Ma (Ma, J Econ Manage Strategy 8(2):93-112, 1994) whose analysis assumes that decisions about quality and costs are made by a single agent. This paper examines whether this result holds when the main decisions made within the hospital are shared between physicians (quality of treatment) and hospital managers (cost reduction). Ma's conclusions appear to be relevant in the US context (where the hospital managers pay the whole cost of treatment). Nonetheless, when physicians partly reimburse hospitals for the treatment cost as it is the case in many European countries, we show that the ability of a prospective payment system to achieve both objectives is sensitive to the type of interaction (simultaneous, sequential or joint decision-making) between the agents. Our analysis suggests that regulation policies in the hospital sector should not be exclusively focused on the financing system but should also take the interaction between physicians and hospital managers into account.

75 FR 54914 - Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993-Robotics...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-09

...; Esys Integration Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI; JADI, Inc., Troy, MI; Mobile Robots Inc., Amherst, NH... Alto, CA; Robot Worx, Marion, OH; RPU Technology, Inc., Needham, MA; Scientific Systems Company, Inc...

Application of Mobile Agents in Web-Based Learning Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong Hong, Kinshuk; He, Xiaoqin; Patel, Ashok; Jesshope, Chris

Web-based learning environments are strongly driven by the information revolution and the Internet, but they have a number of common deficiencies, such as slow access, no adaptivity to the individual student, limitation by bandwidth, and more. This paper outlines the benefits of mobile agents technology, and describes its application in Web-based…

Remote Data Retrieval for Bioinformatics Applications: An Agent Migration Approach

PubMed Central

Gao, Lei; Dai, Hua; Zhang, Tong-Liang; Chou, Kuo-Chen

2011-01-01

Some of the approaches have been developed to retrieve data automatically from one or multiple remote biological data sources. However, most of them require researchers to remain online and wait for returned results. The latter not only requires highly available network connection, but also may cause the network overload. Moreover, so far none of the existing approaches has been designed to address the following problems when retrieving the remote data in a mobile network environment: (1) the resources of mobile devices are limited; (2) network connection is relatively of low quality; and (3) mobile users are not always online. To address the aforementioned problems, we integrate an agent migration approach with a multi-agent system to overcome the high latency or limited bandwidth problem by moving their computations to the required resources or services. More importantly, the approach is fit for the mobile computing environments. Presented in this paper are also the system architecture, the migration strategy, as well as the security authentication of agent migration. As a demonstration, the remote data retrieval from GenBank was used to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. PMID:21701677

The use of poplar during a two-year induced phytoextraction of metals from contaminated agricultural soils.

PubMed

Komárek, Michael; Tlustos, Pavel; Száková, Jirina; Chrastný, Vladislav

2008-01-01

The efficiency of poplar (Populus nigra L.xPopulus maximowiczii Henry.) was assessed during a two-year chemically enhanced phytoextraction of metals from contaminated soils. The tested metal mobilizing agents were EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and NH4Cl. EDTA was more efficient than chlorides in solubilizing metals (especially Pb) from the soil matrix. The application of chlorides only increased the solubility of Cd and Zn. However, the increased uptake of metals after the application of higher concentrations of mobilizing agents was associated with low biomass yields of the poplar plants and the extraction efficiencies after the two vegetation periods were thus comparable to the untreated plants. Additionally, the application of mobilizing agents led to phytotoxicity effects and increased mobility of metals. Higher phytoextraction efficiencies were observed for Cd and Zn compared to Pb and Cu. Poplars are therefore not suitable for chemically enhanced phytoextraction of metals from severely contaminated agricultural soils.

Creation of Technosols to decrease metal availability in pyritic tailings with addition of biochar and marble waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno-Barriga, Fabián; Acosta, José A.; Ángeles Muñoz, María; Faz, Ángel; Zornoza, Raúl

2017-04-01

Creation of Technosols with the use of different materials is a sustainable strategy to reclaim mine tailings and reduce metal mobility. For this purpose, a short-term incubation experiment was designed with biochars derived from pig manure (PM), crop residues (CR) and municipal solid waste (MSW) added to tailings alone or in combination with marble waste (MaW). We aimed to assess the efficiency of the different amendments to decrease Cd, Pb and Zn availability in the Technosols and the fractions where metals were retained. Results showed that all amendments reduced metal mobility, directly related to increases in pH. Those materials with higher content of carbonates were more effective to immobilize metals ( 99%). MSW was highly effective to decrease metal mobility owing to the higher carbonate content, but addition of MaW was needed to enhance metal immobilization with PM and CR. Decreases in Cd mobility were related to retention by the carbonate, Mn/Fe oxides and oxidizable (organic compounds) fractions. Decreases in Pb mobility were related to retention in the Mn/Fe oxides and residual fractions, while decreases in Zn mobility were related to retention in Mn/Fe oxides and oxidizable fractions. The increase in the retention of metals in all fractions was directly associated to increases in pH. Association of Zn and Pb with the oxidizable fraction was also related to the recalcitrance of the organic compounds, and so dependent on biochar type. SEM/EDX showed that biochar showed great affinity to interact with iron oxides, calcium sulfates and phyllosilicates. Acknowledgements This work was supported by Fundación Séneca (Agency of Science and Technology of the Region of Murcia, Spain) [grant number 18920/JLI/13].

Metal coordination polymer derived mesoporous Co3O4 nanorods with uniform TiO2 coating as advanced anodes for lithium ion batteries.

PubMed

Geng, Hongbo; Ang, Huixiang; Ding, Xianguang; Tan, Huiteng; Guo, Guile; Qu, Genlong; Yang, Yonggang; Zheng, Junwei; Yan, Qingyu; Gu, Hongwei

2016-02-07

In this work, a one-dimensional Co3O4@TiO2 core-shell electrode material with superior electrochemical performance is fabricated by a convenient and controllable route. The approach involves two main steps: the homogeneous deposition of polydopamine and TiO2 layers in sequence on the cobalt coordination polymer and the thermal decomposition of the polymer matrix. The as-prepared electrode material can achieve excellent electrochemical properties and stability as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, such as a high specific capacity of 1279 mA h g(-1), good cycling stability (around 803 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 200 mA g(-1) after 100 cycles), and stable rate performance (around 520 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 1000 mA g(-1)). This dramatic electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the excellent structural characteristics, which could improve the electrical conductivity and lithium ion mobility, as well as electrolyte permeability and architectural stability during cycling.

Improvement on high rate performance of LiFePO4 cathodes using graphene as a conductive agent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Xufang; Guan, Yibiao; Zheng, Xiaohui; Zhu, Qizhen; Shen, Jinran; Qiao, Ning; Zhou, Shuqin; Xu, Bin

2018-05-01

In this work, the electrochemical properties of the LiFePO4 cathode using graphene as a conductive agent were revealed. Compared to the conventional LiFePO4 electrodes with carbon black as a conductive agent, the graphene sheets can establish a more effective conductive framework due to their layered structure and excellent electronic conductivity, leading to better electrochemical rate performance. Furthermore, the obverse of increasing graphene content is continued gains in high-rate performance of the LiFePO4 electrodes. The electrodes with 30 wt% graphene show high capacities up to 103.1 mA h g-1 and 68 mA h g-1 during discharging with extremely high rates of 30 C and 50 C, respectively. Besides, good cycling performance at high rate is also achieved. The electrodes with 30 wt% graphene display a capacity retention higher than 80% after 1000 cycles at 30 C. These results not only indicate that the graphene could be a promising candidate as a conductive agent, but also provide a new insight for designing LiFePO4 electrodes with brilliant high-rate performance via a simple method.

A study on agent-based secure scheme for electronic medical record system.

PubMed

Chen, Tzer-Long; Chung, Yu-Fang; Lin, Frank Y S

2012-06-01

Patient records, including doctors' diagnoses of diseases, trace of treatments and patients' conditions, nursing actions, and examination results from allied health profession departments, are the most important medical records of patients in medical systems. With patient records, medical staff can instantly understand the entire medical information of a patient so that, according to the patient's conditions, more accurate diagnoses and more appropriate in-depth treatments can be provided. Nevertheless, in such a modern society with booming information technologies, traditional paper-based patient records have faced a lot of problems, such as lack of uniform formats, low data mobility, slow data transfer, illegible handwritings, enormous and insufficient storage space, difficulty of conservation, being easily damaged, and low transferability. To improve such drawbacks, reduce medical costs, and advance medical quality, paper-based patient records are modified into electronic medical records and reformed into electronic patient records. However, since electronic patient records used in various hospitals are diverse and different, in consideration of cost, it is rather difficult to establish a compatible and complete integrated electronic patient records system to unify patient records from heterogeneous systems in hospitals. Moreover, as the booming of the Internet, it is no longer necessary to build an integrated system. Instead, doctors can instantly look up patients' complete information through the Internet access to electronic patient records as well as avoid the above difficulties. Nonetheless, the major problem of accessing to electronic patient records cross-hospital systems exists in the security of transmitting and accessing to the records in case of unauthorized medical personnels intercepting or stealing the information. This study applies the Mobile Agent scheme to cope with the problem. Since a Mobile Agent is a program, which can move among hosts and automatically disperse arithmetic processes, and moves from one host to another in heterogeneous network systems with the characteristics of autonomy and mobility, decreasing network traffic, reducing transfer lag, encapsulating protocol, availability on heterogeneous platforms, fault-tolerance, high flexibility, and personalization. However, since a Mobile Agent contacts and exchanges information with other hosts or agents on the Internet for rapid exchange and access to medical information, the security is threatened. In order to solve the problem, this study proposes a key management scheme based on Lagrange interpolation formulas and hierarchical management structure to make Mobile Agents a more secure and efficient access control scheme for electronic patient record systems when applied to the access of patients' personal electronic patient records cross hospitals. Meanwhile, with the comparison of security and efficacy analyses being the feasibility of validation scheme and the basis of better efficiency, the security of Mobile Agents in the process of operation can be guaranteed, key management efficacy can be advanced, and the security of the Mobile Agent system can be protected.

Towards a Bio-inspired Security Framework for Mission-Critical Wireless Sensor Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Wei; Song, Jun; Ma, Zhao; Huang, Shiyong

Mission-critical wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been found in numerous promising applications in civil and military fields. However, the functionality of WSNs extensively relies on its security capability for detecting and defending sophisticated adversaries, such as Sybil, worm hole and mobile adversaries. In this paper, we propose a bio-inspired security framework to provide intelligence-enabled security mechanisms. This scheme is composed of a middleware, multiple agents and mobile agents. The agents monitor the network packets, host activities, make decisions and launch corresponding responses. Middleware performs an infrastructure for the communication between various agents and corresponding mobility. Certain cognitive models and intelligent algorithms such as Layered Reference Model of Brain and Self-Organizing Neural Network with Competitive Learning are explored in the context of sensor networks that have resource constraints. The security framework and implementation are also described in details.

Agent-based model of the effect of globalization on inequality and class mobility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evers, Joep H. M.; Iron, David; Kolokolnikov, Theodore; Rumsey, John

2017-12-01

We consider a variant of the Bouchaud-Mézard model for wealth distribution in a society which incorporates the interaction radius between the agents, to model the extent of globalization in a society. The wealth distribution depends critically on the extent of this interaction. When interaction is relatively local, a small cluster of individuals emerges which accumulate most of the society's wealth. In this regime, the society is highly stratified with little or no class mobility. As the interaction is increased, the number of wealthy agents decreases, but the overall inequality rises as the freed-up wealth is transferred to the remaining wealthy agents. However when the interaction exceeds a certain critical threshold, the society becomes highly mobile resulting in a much lower economic inequality (low Gini index). This is consistent with the Kuznets upside-down U shaped inequality curve hypothesis.

An Agent Based Collaborative Simplification of 3D Mesh Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li-Rong; Yu, Bo; Hagiwara, Ichiro

Large-volume mesh model faces the challenge in fast rendering and transmission by Internet. The current mesh models obtained by using three-dimensional (3D) scanning technology are usually very large in data volume. This paper develops a mobile agent based collaborative environment on the development platform of mobile-C. Communication among distributed agents includes grasping image of visualized mesh model, annotation to grasped image and instant message. Remote and collaborative simplification can be efficiently conducted by Internet.

Protecting software agents from malicious hosts using quantum computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reisner, John; Donkor, Eric

2000-07-01

We evaluate how quantum computing can be applied to security problems for software agents. Agent-based computing, which merges technological advances in artificial intelligence and mobile computing, is a rapidly growing domain, especially in applications such as electronic commerce, network management, information retrieval, and mission planning. System security is one of the more eminent research areas in agent-based computing, and the specific problem of protecting a mobile agent from a potentially hostile host is one of the most difficult of these challenges. In this work, we describe our agent model, and discuss the capabilities and limitations of classical solutions to the malicious host problem. Quantum computing may be extremely helpful in addressing the limitations of classical solutions to this problem. This paper highlights some of the areas where quantum computing could be applied to agent security.

A Context-Aware Self-Adaptive Fractal Based Generalized Pedagogical Agent Framework for Mobile Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boulehouache, Soufiane; Maamri, Ramdane; Sahnoun, Zaidi

2015-01-01

The Pedagogical Agents (PAs) for Mobile Learning (m-learning) must be able not only to adapt the teaching to the learner knowledge level and profile but also to ensure the pedagogical efficiency within unpredictable changing runtime contexts. Therefore, to deal with this issue, this paper proposes a Context-aware Self-Adaptive Fractal Component…

The Adoption of a Technological Innovation in Higher Education: A Case Study Involving a Mobile Device

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schnitman, Ivana Maria; Forgerini, Fabrício

2018-01-01

This article examines the adoption of technological innovations in education, such as the use of mobile devices, as teaching agent to pedagogical mediation. The research discusses factors that could contribute to motivation or serve as barriers to the use of tablets as teaching agents to mediate learning. Findings suggest satisfaction and…

An Autonomous Mobile Agent-Based Distributed Learning Architecture: A Proposal and Analytical Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ahmed, Iftikhar; Sadeq, Muhammad Jafar

2006-01-01

Current distance learning systems are increasingly packing highly data-intensive contents on servers, resulting in the congestion of network and server resources at peak service times. A distributed learning system based on faded information field (FIF) architecture that employs mobile agents (MAs) has been proposed and simulated in this work. The…

Theranostic self-assembly structure of gold nanoparticles for NIR photothermal therapy and X-Ray computed tomography imaging.

PubMed

Deng, Heng; Zhong, Yanqi; Du, Meihong; Liu, Qinjun; Fan, Zhanming; Dai, Fengying; Zhang, Xin

2014-01-01

The controllable self-assembly of amphiphilic mixed polymers grafted gold nanoparitcles (AuNPs) leads to strong interparticle plasmonic coupling, which can be tuned to the near-infrared (NIR) region for enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT). In this study, an improved thiolation method was adopted for ATRP and ROP polymer to obtain amphiphilic brushes of PMEO2MA-SH and PCL-SH. By anchoring PCL-SH and PMEO2MA-SH onto the 14 nm AuNPs, a smart hybrid building block for self-assembly was obtained. Increasing the PCL/PMEO2MA chain ratio from 0.8:1, 2:1 and 3:1 to 7:1, the structure of gold assemblies (GAs) was observed to transfer from vesicle to large compound micelle (LCM). Contributed to the special dense packed structure of gold nanoparticles in LCM, the absorption spectrometry of gold nanoparticles drastically red-shifted from 520 nm to 830 nm, which endowed the GAs remarkable NIR photothermal conversion ability. In addition, gold has high X-ray absorption coefficient which qualifies gold nanomaterial a potential CT contrast agent Herein, we obtain a novel gold assembly structure which can be utilized as potential photothermal therapeutic and CT contrast agents. In vitro and In vivo studies testified the excellent treatment efficacy of optimum GAs as a PTT and CT contrast agent. In vitro degradation test, MTT assay and histology study indicated that GAs was a safe, low toxic reagent with good biodegradability. Therefore, the optimum GAs with strong NIR absorption and high X-ray absorption coefficient could be used as a theranostic agent and the formation of novel gold large compound micelle might offers a new theory foundation for engineering design and synthesis of polymer grafted AuNPs for biomedical applications.

Integration of Model-Based Estimation Theory With an Adaptive Finite Volume Method for the Detection of a Moving Gaseous Source via a Mobile Sensor

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-29

couples the estimation scheme with the computational scheme, using one to enhance the other. Numerically, this switching changes several of the matrices...2011. 11. M.A. Demetriou, Enforcing and enhancing consensus of spatially distributed filters utilizing mobile sensor networks, Proceedings of the 49th...expected May, 2012. References [1] J. H. Seinfeld and S. N. Pandis, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change. New York

Enhancing Sensitivity of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of Peptides and Proteins Using Supercharging Agents.

PubMed

Nshanian, Michael; Lakshmanan, Rajeswari; Chen, Hao; Ogorzalek Loo, Rachel R; Loo, Joseph A

2018-04-01

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is often used as a mobile phase modifier to enhance reversed phase chromatographic performance. TFA adjusts solution pH and is an ion-pairing agent, but it is not typically suitable for electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and liquid chromatography/MS (LC/MS) because of its significant signal suppression. Supercharging agents elevate peptide and protein charge states in ESI, increasing tandem MS (MS/MS) efficiency. Here, LC/MS protein supercharging was effected by adding agents to LC mobile phase solvents. Significantly, the ionization suppression generally observed with TFA was, for the most part, rescued by supercharging agents, with improved separation efficiency (higher number of theoretical plates) and lowered detection limits.

Autonomous Decentralized Voltage Profile Control of Super Distributed Energy System using Multi-agent Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, Takao; Hara, Ryoichi; Oyama, Tsutomu; Yasuda, Keiichiro

A super distributed energy system is a future energy system in which the large part of its demand is fed by a huge number of distributed generators. At one time some nodes in the super distributed energy system behave as load, however, at other times they behave as generator - the characteristic of each node depends on the customers' decision. In such situation, it is very difficult to regulate voltage profile over the system due to the complexity of power flows. This paper proposes a novel control method of distributed generators that can achieve the autonomous decentralized voltage profile regulation by using multi-agent technology. The proposed multi-agent system employs two types of agent; a control agent and a mobile agent. Control agents generate or consume reactive power to regulate the voltage profile of neighboring nodes and mobile agents transmit the information necessary for VQ-control among the control agents. The proposed control method is tested through numerical simulations.

Network flow of mobile agents enhances the evolution of cooperation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichinose, G.; Satotani, Y.; Nagatani, T.

2018-01-01

We study the effect of contingent movement on the persistence of cooperation on complex networks with empty nodes. Each agent plays the Prisoner's Dilemma game with its neighbors and then it either updates the strategy depending on the payoff difference with neighbors or it moves to another empty node if not satisfied with its own payoff. If no neighboring node is empty, each agent stays at the same site. By extensive evolutionary simulations, we show that the medium density of agents enhances cooperation where the network flow of mobile agents is also medium. Moreover, if the movements of agents are more frequent than the strategy updating, cooperation is further promoted. In scale-free networks, the optimal density for cooperation is lower than other networks because agents get stuck at hubs. Our study suggests that keeping a smooth network flow is significant for the persistence of cooperation in ever-changing societies.

Emergence of metapopulations and echo chambers in mobile agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Starnini, Michele; Frasca, Mattia; Baronchelli, Andrea

2016-08-01

Multi-agent models often describe populations segregated either in the physical space, i.e. subdivided in metapopulations, or in the ecology of opinions, i.e. partitioned in echo chambers. Here we show how both kinds of segregation can emerge from the interplay between homophily and social influence in a simple model of mobile agents endowed with a continuous opinion variable. In the model, physical proximity determines a progressive convergence of opinions but differing opinions result in agents moving away from each others. This feedback between mobility and social dynamics determines the onset of a stable dynamical metapopulation scenario where physically separated groups of like-minded individuals interact with each other through the exchange of agents. The further introduction of confirmation bias in social interactions, defined as the tendency of an individual to favor opinions that match his own, leads to the emergence of echo chambers where different opinions coexist also within the same group. We believe that the model may be of interest to researchers investigating the origin of segregation in the offline and online world.

Towards the development of tamper-resistant, ground-based mobile sensor nodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mascarenas, David; Stull, Christopher; Farrar, Charles

2011-11-01

Mobile sensor nodes hold great potential for collecting field data using fewer resources than human operators would require and potentially requiring fewer sensors than a fixed-position sensor array. It would be very beneficial to allow these mobile sensor nodes to operate unattended with a minimum of human intervention. In order to allow mobile sensor nodes to operate unattended in a field environment, it is imperative that they be capable of identifying and responding to external agents that may attempt to tamper with, damage or steal the mobile sensor nodes, while still performing their data collection mission. Potentially hostile external agents could include animals, other mobile sensor nodes, or humans. This work will focus on developing control policies to help enable a mobile sensor node to identify and avoid capture by a hostile un-mounted human. The work is developed in a simulation environment, and demonstrated using a non-holonomic, ground-based mobile sensor node. This work will be a preliminary step toward ensuring the cyber-physical security of ground-based mobile sensor nodes that operate unattended in potentially unfriendly environments.

Method for mobilization of hazardous metal ions in soils

DOEpatents

Dugan, Patrick R.; Pfister, Robert M.

1995-01-01

A microbial process for removing heavy metals such as bismuth, cadmium, lead, thorium, uranium and other transuranics from soils and sediments, utilizing indigenous, or isolates of indigenous, microorganisms and reducing agents, such as cysteine or sodium thioglycollate, or complexing agents such as the amino acid glycine, to effect the mobilization or release of the metals from the soil particles.

Ecology Based Decentralized Agent Management System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peysakhov, Maxim D.; Cicirello, Vincent A.; Regli, William C.

2004-01-01

The problem of maintaining a desired number of mobile agents on a network is not trivial, especially if we want a completely decentralized solution. Decentralized control makes a system more r e bust and less susceptible to partial failures. The problem is exacerbated on wireless ad hoc networks where host mobility can result in significant changes in the network size and topology. In this paper we propose an ecology-inspired approach to the management of the number of agents. The approach associates agents with living organisms and tasks with food. Agents procreate or die based on the abundance of uncompleted tasks (food). We performed a series of experiments investigating properties of such systems and analyzed their stability under various conditions. We concluded that the ecology based metaphor can be successfully applied to the management of agent populations on wireless ad hoc networks.

Changeable HA to improve MIPv6 protocol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Qing-gui

2015-12-01

For mobile IPv6, home agent (HA) plays an important role. Each mobile node (MN) has a home IP address, it will be not changeable. Also, the home agent (HA) of MN is not changeable. This rule provides the convenient for the ongoing communication without interruption. But it has some obvious drawbacks. Here, the new variable HA scheme is proposed. Every MN has a dynamic cache table, recording the information such as its home address, care-of address, and history address etc. If the accumulated time in one region exceeds that in the hometown, the foreign agent (FA) could become home agent (HA), the home agent could become history agent. Later, the performance of the new protocol is simulated with OPNET software, whose result shows the performance of the new protocol works better than that of the traditional protocol.

A comparison of megestrol acetate, nandrolone decanoate and dietary counselling for HIV associated weight loss.

PubMed

Batterham, M J; Garsia, R

2001-08-01

This randomized, prospective study compared three treatments, nandrolone decanoate (ND), megestrol acetate (MA) or dietary counselling, for managing human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) associated weight loss. It was centred on a Tertiary referral hospital, Sydney, Australia. Fifteen patients were randomized to receive ND (100 mg/fortnight), or MA (400 mg/day) or dietary counselling for 12 weeks. Those patients randomized to dietary counselling were further randomized to receive nandrolone or megestrol after completing the dietary counselling arm. Weight, fat free mass (FFM), percentage body fat mass (FM), dietary intake and appetite were assessed before commencing and at the completion of each treatment arm. Weight increased significantly in all treatment arms (dietary counselling 1.13 kg +/- 0.36, nandrolone 4.01 kg +/- 1.68, megestrol 10.20 kg +/- 4.51, p < 0.05 paired t-test). FFM increased significantly in patients receiving ND (3.54 +/- 1.98 kg, p=0.001) and those receiving MA (2.76 +/- 0.55 kg, p=0.002), whereas the change in those receiving dietary counselling alone was not significant. Percentage body fat mass increased significantly only in those receiving MA (7.77 +/- 4.85%, p=0.049). The change in weight and percentage body fat mass was significantly greater in those receiving MA than the other two treatment arms. The increase in FFM was significantly greater in both the nandrolone and megestrol arms than the dietary counselling arm. It was concluded that ND and MA both resulted in an increase in FFM greater than dietary counselling alone. Megestrol produced a significantly greater increase in weight, percentage fat mass, intake and appetite than did the other two treatment arms, suggesting it may be the preferred agent, particularly in a palliative care setting in which weight, appetite and intake increase are desirable without regard to the composition of the body. The long-term use of these agents in people with HIV should be reviewed in the context of improved survival on highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens.

MA-NOTMP: A Triazacyclononane Trimethylphosphinate Based Bifunctional Chelator for Gallium Radiolabelling of Biomolecules.

PubMed

Poty, Sophie; Désogère, Pauline; Šimeček, Jakub; Bernhard, Claire; Goncalves, Victor; Goze, Christine; Boschetti, Frédéric; Notni, Johannes; Wester, Hans J; Denat, Franck

2015-09-01

In the past few years, gallium-68 has demonstrated significant potential as a radioisotope for positron emission tomography (PET), and the optimization of chelators for gallium coordination is a major goal in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Methylaminotriazacyclononane trimethylphosphinate (MA-NOTMP), a new C-functionalized triazacyclononane derivative with phosphinate pendant arms, presents excellent coordination properties for (68) Ga (low ligand concentration, labelling at low pH even at room temperature). A "ready-to-be-grafted" bifunctional chelating agent (p-NCS-Bz-MA-NOTMP) was prepared to allow (68) Ga labelling of sensitive biological vectors. Conjugation to a bombesin(7-14) derivative was performed, and preliminary in vitro experiments demonstrated the potential of MA-NOTMP in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. This new chelator is therefore of major interest for labelling sensitive biomolecules, and further in vivo experiments will soon be performed. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis, Biodistribution and In vitro Evaluation of Brain Permeable High Affinity Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3.

PubMed

Ahamed, Muneer; van Veghel, Daisy; Ullmer, Christoph; Van Laere, Koen; Verbruggen, Alfons; Bormans, Guy M

2016-01-01

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) is a member of the endocannabinoid system and is known for its important role in (neuro)inflammation. A PET-imaging agent that allows in vivo visualization of CB2 expression may thus allow quantification of neuroinflammation. In this paper, we report the synthesis, radiosynthesis, biodistribution and in vitro evaluation of a carbon-11 ([ 11 C]MA2) and a fluorine-18 ([ 18 F]MA3) labeled analog of a highly potent N -arylamide oxadiazole CB2 agonist (EC 50 = 0.015 nM). MA2 and MA3 behaved as potent CB2 agonist (EC 50 : 3 nM and 0.1 nM, respectively) and their in vitro binding affinity for h CB2 was found to be 87 nM and 0.8 nM, respectively. Also MA3 (substituted with a fluoro ethyl group) was found to have higher binding affinity and EC 50 values when compared to the originally reported trifluoromethyl analog 12 . [ 11 C]MA2 and [ 18 F]MA3 were successfully synthesized with good radiochemical yield, high radiochemical purity and high specific activity. In mice, both tracers were efficiently cleared from blood and all major organs by the hepatobiliary pathway and importantly these compounds showed high brain uptake. In conclusion, [ 11 C]MA2 and [ 18 F]MA3 are shown to be high potent CB2 agonists with good brain uptake, these favorable characteristics makes them potential PET probes for in vivo imaging of brain CB2 receptors. However, in view of its higher affinity and selectivity, further detailed evaluation of MA3 as a PET tracer for CB2 is warranted.

Synthesis, Biodistribution and In vitro Evaluation of Brain Permeable High Affinity Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3

PubMed Central

Ahamed, Muneer; van Veghel, Daisy; Ullmer, Christoph; Van Laere, Koen; Verbruggen, Alfons; Bormans, Guy M.

2016-01-01

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2) is a member of the endocannabinoid system and is known for its important role in (neuro)inflammation. A PET-imaging agent that allows in vivo visualization of CB2 expression may thus allow quantification of neuroinflammation. In this paper, we report the synthesis, radiosynthesis, biodistribution and in vitro evaluation of a carbon-11 ([11C]MA2) and a fluorine-18 ([18F]MA3) labeled analog of a highly potent N-arylamide oxadiazole CB2 agonist (EC50 = 0.015 nM). MA2 and MA3 behaved as potent CB2 agonist (EC50: 3 nM and 0.1 nM, respectively) and their in vitro binding affinity for hCB2 was found to be 87 nM and 0.8 nM, respectively. Also MA3 (substituted with a fluoro ethyl group) was found to have higher binding affinity and EC50 values when compared to the originally reported trifluoromethyl analog 12. [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3 were successfully synthesized with good radiochemical yield, high radiochemical purity and high specific activity. In mice, both tracers were efficiently cleared from blood and all major organs by the hepatobiliary pathway and importantly these compounds showed high brain uptake. In conclusion, [11C]MA2 and [18F]MA3 are shown to be high potent CB2 agonists with good brain uptake, these favorable characteristics makes them potential PET probes for in vivo imaging of brain CB2 receptors. However, in view of its higher affinity and selectivity, further detailed evaluation of MA3 as a PET tracer for CB2 is warranted. PMID:27713686

Novel agents and approaches for stem cell mobilization in normal donors and patients.

PubMed

Bakanay, Ş M; Demirer, T

2012-09-01

In spite of the safety and efficiency of the classical mobilization protocols, recombinant human G-CSF±chemotherapy, there is still a considerable amount of mobilization failures (10-30%), which warrant novel agents and approaches both in an autologous and an allogeneic transplant setting. Attempts to improve CD34+ yields by using several cytokines and growth factors as adjuncts to G-CSF could not change the standard approaches during the last decade, either because of inefficiency or the adverse events encountered with these agents. As a long-acting G-CSF analog, pegfilgrastim has the advantages of an earlier start of apheresis, reduction in the number of apheresis procedures as well as a reduced number of injections as compared with unconjugated G-CSF. However, dosing and cost-effectiveness especially in cytokine-only mobilizations require further investigation. As interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and the BM microenvironment are better understood, new molecules targeting these interactions are emerging. Plerixafor, which started its journey as an anti-HIV drug, recently ended up being a popular stem cell mobilizer with the ability of rapid mobilization and gained approval as an adjunct to G-CSF for poor mobilizers. At present, it is challenging to search for the best approach by using the available drugs with appropriate timing to provide sufficient CD34+ yield after an initial mobilization attempt, and in a cost-effective manner thereby avoiding further mobilization attempts and exposure to chemotherapy. Approaches not only for increasing stem cell yield, but also aiming to improve the quality of graft content and the associated transplantation outcomes are promising areas of research.

Hydrothermal modification of host rock geochemistry within Mo-Cu porphyry deposits in the Galway Granite, western Ireland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolometti, Gavin; McCarthy, Will

2016-04-01

Hydrothermal alteration of host rock is a process inherent to the formation of porphyry deposits and the required geochemical modification of these rocks is regularly used to indicate proximity to an economic target. The study involves examining the changes in major, minor and trace elements to understand how the quartz vein structures have influenced the chemistry within the Murvey Granite that forms part of the 380-425Ma Galway Granite Complex in western Ireland. Molybdenite mineralisation within the Galway Granite Complex occurred in close association with protracted magmatism at 423Ma, 410Ma, 407Ma, 397Ma and 383Ma and this continues to be of interest to active exploration. The aim of the project is to characterize hydrothermal alteration associated with Mo-Cu mineralisation and identify geochemical indicators that can guide future exploration work. The Murvey Granite intrudes metagabbros and gneiss that form part of the Connemara Metamorphic complex. The intrusion is composed of albite-rich pink granite, garnetiferous granite and phenocrytic orthoclase granite. Minor doleritic dykes post-date the Murvey Granite, found commonly along its margins. Field mapping shows that the granite is truncated to the east by a regional NW-SE fault and that several small subparallel structures host Mo-Cu bearing quartz veins. Petrographic observations show heavily sericitized feldspars and plagioclase and biotite which have undergone kaolinization and chloritisation. Chalcopyrite minerals are fine grained, heavily fractured found crystallized along the margins of the feldspars and 2mm pyrite crystals. Molybdenite are also seen along the margins of the feldspars, crystallized whilst the Murvey Granite cooled. Field and petrographic observations indicate that mineralisation is structurally controlled by NW-SE faults from the selected mineralization zones and conjugate NE-SW cross cutting the Murvey Granite. Both fault orientations exhibit quartz and disseminated molybdenite mineralization. Extensive hydrothermal alteration is observed within 75 meters of veins that exhibit prominent disseminated mineralisation. To investigate associated geochemical alteration 24 samples were selected along two traverses that cross cut two distinct vein structures. XRF analysis results show that calcium decreases from 1.8 - 0.2 wt% and sulphur increases from 0.2 - 0.9 wt% moving away from the mineralized zones which is to be expected due to their mobile nature. Unexpectedly, minor element data shows no fluctuation in Cu concentrations moving away from either vein structures, despite chalcopyrite found greatest near the vein structures. XRF data analysis is underway to compare the non-mobile and mobile elements to investigate the extent of the decreasing and increasing trends moving proximal to the mineralization zones. The relative decrease in calcium may be caused by the exchange of ion end members between feldspars and this will be tested using a WDS electron micro-probe.

The Mobile Agents Integrated Field Test: Mars Desert Research Station April 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clancey, William J.; Sierhuis, Maarten; Alena, Rick; Crawford, Sekou; Dowding, John; Graham, Jeff; Kaskiris, Charis; Tyree, Kim S.; vanHoof, Ron

2003-01-01

The Mobile Agents model-based, distributed architecture, which integrates diverse components in a system for lunar and planetary surface operations, was extensively tested in a two-week field "technology retreat" at the Mars Society s Desert Research Station (MDRS) during April 2003. More than twenty scientists and engineers from three NASA centers and two universities refined and tested the system through a series of incremental scenarios. Agent software, implemented in runtime Brahms, processed GPS, health data, and voice commands-monitoring, controlling and logging science data throughout simulated EVAs with two geologists. Predefined EVA plans, modified on the fly by voice command, enabled the Mobile Agents system to provide navigation and timing advice. Communications were maintained over five wireless nodes distributed over hills and into canyons for 5 km; data, including photographs and status was transmitted automatically to the desktop at mission control in Houston. This paper describes the system configurations, communication protocols, scenarios, and test results.

A Mobile Multi-Agent Information System for Ubiquitous Fetal Monitoring

PubMed Central

Su, Chuan-Jun; Chu, Ta-Wei

2014-01-01

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) systems integrate many previously separate clinical activities related to fetal monitoring. Promoting the use of ubiquitous fetal monitoring services with real time status assessments requires a robust information platform equipped with an automatic diagnosis engine. This paper presents the design and development of a mobile multi-agent platform-based open information systems (IMAIS) with an automated diagnosis engine to support intensive and distributed ubiquitous fetal monitoring. The automatic diagnosis engine that we developed is capable of analyzing data in both traditional paper-based and digital formats. Issues related to interoperability, scalability, and openness in heterogeneous e-health environments are addressed through the adoption of a FIPA2000 standard compliant agent development platform—the Java Agent Development Environment (JADE). Integrating the IMAIS with light-weight, portable fetal monitor devices allows for continuous long-term monitoring without interfering with a patient’s everyday activities and without restricting her mobility. The system architecture can be also applied to vast monitoring scenarios such as elder care and vital sign monitoring. PMID:24452256

Application of long-circulating liposomes to cancer photodynamic therapy.

PubMed

Oku, N; Saito, N; Namba, Y; Tsukada, H; Dolphin, D; Okada, S

1997-06-01

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a cancer treatment is notable for its quite low side effects in comparison with those of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the accumulation of porphyrin derivatives used in PDT into tumor tissues is rather low. Since long-circulating liposomes are known to accumulate passively into tumor tissues, we liposomalized a porphyrin derivative, benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA), and used these liposomes to investigate the usefulness of PDT for tumor-bearing mice. BPD-MA was liposomalized into glucuronate-modified liposomes, which are known to be long-circulating. These liposomes were injected i.v. into Balb/c mice bearing Meth A sarcoma, and tumor regression and survival time were monitored after irradiation with laser light. Tumor regression and complete curing of tumor (80% cure rate by the treatment with 6 mg/kg BPD-MA) were observed when long circulating liposomalized BPD-MA was injected and laser-irradiated. In contrast, only a 20% cure rate was obtained when the animals were treated with BPD-MA solution or BPD-MA entrapped in conventional liposomes. These results suggest that a long-circulating liposomal formulation of photo-sensitive agents is useful for PDT.

Method for mobilization of hazardous metal ions in soils

DOEpatents

Dugan, P.R.; Pfister, R.M.

1995-06-27

A microbial process is revealed for removing heavy metals such as bismuth, cadmium, lead, thorium, uranium and other transuranics from soils and sediments. The method utilizes indigenous, or isolates of indigenous, microorganisms and reducing agents, such as cysteine or sodium thioglycollate, or complexing agents such as the amino acid glycine, to effect the mobilization or release of the metals from the soil particles. 5 figs.

Marketing mobile imaging services.

PubMed

McCue, P

1987-09-01

Competition in the mobile imaging arena has put radiologists, radiology directors, and other health care professionals in the unfamiliar position of being marketing agents for their services. Mobile imaging is being promoted through consumer advertising as well as through the traditional route of physician referral. This article offers some of the marketing lessons being learned in the mobile arena.

MOBILIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF METALS FROM ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS DURING PERIODS OF SIMULATED RESUSPENSION

EPA Science Inventory

For decades, heavy metals have been deposited into marine sediments as a result of anthropogenic activities. Depending on their bioavailability, they may represent a risk to aquatic organisms contributing to the overall degraded conditions present in many estuaries. Over time, ma...

Design and Analysis of a Data Fusion Scheme in Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Multi-Protocol Mobile Agents

PubMed Central

Wu, Chunxue; Wu, Wenliang; Wan, Caihua

2017-01-01

Sensors are increasingly used in mobile environments with wireless network connections. Multiple sensor types measure distinct aspects of the same event. Their measurements are then combined to produce integrated, reliable results. As the number of sensors in networks increases, low energy requirements and changing network connections complicate event detection and measurement. We present a data fusion scheme for use in mobile wireless sensor networks with high energy efficiency and low network delays, that still produces reliable results. In the first phase, we used a network simulation where mobile agents dynamically select the next hop migration node based on the stability parameter of the link, and perform the data fusion at the migration node. Agents use the fusion results to decide if it should return the fusion results to the processing center or continue to collect more data. In the second phase. The feasibility of data fusion at the node level is confirmed by an experimental design where fused data from color sensors show near-identical results to actual physical temperatures. These results are potentially important for new large-scale sensor network applications. PMID:29099793

What is the role of biosimilar G-CSF agents in hematopoietic stem cell mobilization at present?

PubMed

Korkmaz, Serdal; Altuntas, Fevzi

2017-12-01

Mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells, which has largely replaced bone marrow harvesting as a source of hematopoietic stem cells, using recombinant agents such as filgrastim or lenograstim has become a standard procedure in both patients and healthy donors prior to peripheral blood stem cell collection for autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Published literature data suggest that mobilization with recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is safe and mobilization outcomes are satisfactory. In recent years, besides G-CSF originators, biosimilar G-CSF agents have been approved by the regulatory agencies for the same indications. Current data showed that by using the biosimilar G-CSF, similar results regarding safety and efficacy of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization may be achieved compared to the originator G-CSF. Although the issues such as the similarity to a licenced biological medicine, differences in manufacturing processes, the potential to cause immunogenicity, extrapolation and interchangeability of these biosimilar products are still being discussed by the scientific area, however, more experience with these agents now exists in approved endications and there seems to be no reason to expect significant differences between biosimilar G-CSF and originator G-CSF regarding their efficacy and safety in both patients and healthy donors. Also, the significant cost savings of biosimilars in real life setting may enhance the use of these agents in the future. Nonetheless, the collection of long-term follow-up data is mandatory for both patients and healthy donors, and multicentre randomized clinical trials that directly compare biosimilar G-CSF with the originator G-CSF are needed in order to allow the transplant community to make informed decisions regarding the choice of G-CSF. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mobile Genetic Elements: In Silico, In Vitro, In Vivo

PubMed Central

Arkhipova, Irina R.; Rice, Phoebe A.

2016-01-01

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), also called transposable elements (TEs), represent universal components of most genomes and are intimately involved in nearly all aspects of genome organization, function, and evolution. However, there is currently a gap between fast-paced TE discovery in silico, stimulated by exponential growth of comparative genomic studies, and a limited number of experimental models amenable to more traditional in vitro and in vivo studies of structural, mechanistic, and regulatory properties of diverse MGEs. Experimental and computational scientists came together to bridge this gap at a recent conference, “Mobile Genetic Elements: in silico, in vitro, in vivo,” held at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA, USA. PMID:26822117

The regulatory network of cluster-root function and development in phosphate-deficient white lupin (Lupinus albus) identified by transcriptome sequencing.

PubMed

Wang, Zhengrui; Straub, Daniel; Yang, Huaiyu; Kania, Angelika; Shen, Jianbo; Ludewig, Uwe; Neumann, Günter

2014-07-01

Lupinus albus serves as model plant for root-induced mobilization of sparingly soluble soil phosphates via the formation of cluster-roots (CRs) that mediate secretion of protons, citrate, phenolics and acid phosphatases (APases). This study employed next-generation sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind these complex adaptive responses at the transcriptome level. We compared different stages of CR development, including pre-emergent (PE), juvenile (JU) and the mature (MA) stages. The results confirmed that the primary metabolism underwent significant modifications during CR maturation, promoting the biosynthesis of organic acids, as had been deduced from physiological studies. Citrate catabolism was downregulated, associated with citrate accumulation in MA clusters. Upregulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway reflected the accumulation of phenolics. Specific transcript expression of ALMT and MATE transporter genes correlated with the exudation of citrate and flavonoids. The expression of transcripts related to nucleotide degradation and APases in MA clusters coincided with the re-mobilization and hydrolysis of organic phosphate resources. Most interestingly, hormone-related gene expression suggested a central role of ethylene during CR maturation. This was associated with the upregulation of the iron (Fe)-deficiency regulated network that mediates ethylene-induced expression of Fe-deficiency responses in other species. Finally, transcripts related to abscisic acid and jasmonic acid were upregulated in MA clusters, while auxin- and brassinosteroid-related genes and cytokinin receptors were most strongly expressed during CR initiation. Key regulations proposed by the RNA-seq data were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and some physiological analyses. A model for the gene network regulating CR development and function is presented. © 2014 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Determination of Matrine in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration of Novel Korean Herbal Medicine KIOM-MA128 and Application of PK

PubMed Central

Back, Hyun-moon; Song, Byungjeong; Chae, Jung-woo; Yun, Hwi-yeol; Ma, Jin Yeul; Kwon, Kwang-il

2015-01-01

KIOM-MA128 is a novel Korean herbal medicine with antiatopic, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic effects. Matrine is thought to be a potential chemical marker of KIOM-MA128, but pharmacokinetic studies on KIOM-MA128 had not been performed. This study describes a simple and rapid method using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to determine the concentration of matrine in rats plasma after administration of KIOM-MA128. The isocratic mobile phase consisted of methanol and distilled water, and the flow rate was 0.15 mL/min. The accuracy and precision of the assay, as well as stability tests, were performed in accordance with FDA regulations for the validation of bioanalytical methods. The half-life and T max of matrine after administration of KIOM-MA128 were 4.29 ± 2.20 h and 1.8 ± 1.23 h, respectively. C max and AUCinf of matrine after administration of KIOM-MA128 at 4 g/kg and 8 g/kg were 595.10 ± 182.91 ng/mL, 5336.77 ± 1503.84 ng/mL·h and 850.46 ± 120 ng/mL, 9583.10 ± 888.92 ng/mL·h, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats after oral administration of KIOM-MA128. PMID:25785230

Learning and memory effects of neonatal methamphetamine exposure in rats: Role of reactive oxygen species and age at assessment.

PubMed

Jablonski, Sarah A; Williams, Michael T; Vorhees, Charles V

2017-11-01

In utero methamphetamine (MA) exposure leads to a range of adverse effects, such as decreased attention, reduced working-memory capability, behavioral dysregulation, and spatial memory impairments in exposed children. In the current experiment, preweaning Sprague-Dawley rats-as a model of third trimester human exposure-were administered the spin trapping agent, N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN), daily prior to MA. Rats were given 0 (SAL) or 40 mg/kg PBN prior to each MA dose (10 mg/kg, 4× per day) from postnatal day (P) 6-15. Littermates underwent Cincinnati water maze, Morris water maze, and radial water maze assessment beginning on P30 (males) or P60 (females). Males were also tested for conditioned contextual and cued freezing, while females were trained in passive avoidance. Findings show that, regardless of age/sex, neonatal MA induced deficits in all tests, except passive avoidance. PBN did not ameliorate these effects, but had a few minor effects. Taken together, MA induced learning deficits emerge early and persist, but the mechanism remains unknown. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Resource Control in Large-Scale Mobile-Agents Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-01

wakeup node schedule , much energy can be conserved. We also designed several protocols for global clock synchronization. The most interesting one is...choice as to which remote hosts to visit and in which order. Scheduling mobile-agent migration in a way that minimizes bandwidth and other resource...use, therefore, is both feasible and attractive. Dartmouth considered several variations of the scheduling problem, and devel- oped an algorithm for

A mobile light source for carbon/nitrogen cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trower, W. P.; Karev, A. I.; Melekhin, V. N.; Shvedunov, V. I.; Sobenin, N. P.

1995-05-01

The pulsed light source for carbon/nitrogen cameras developed to image concealed narcotics/explosives is described. This race-track microtron will produce 40 mA pulses of 70 MeV electrons, have minimal size and weight, and maximal ruggedness and reliability, so that it can be transported on a truck.

European Initiatives in Postgraduate Education in Gerontology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Rijsselt, Rene J. T.; Parkatti, Terttu; Troisi, Joseph

2007-01-01

This paper describes three innovative European initiatives in postgraduate education in gerontology. The first is the European Masters Program in Gerontology (EuMaG), developed as an interdisciplinary joint program, supported and delivered by 22 European universities. Second, the Nordplus initiative to increase mobility of students and staff in…

Stochastic Modeling and Uncertainty Cascade of Soil Bearing and Shearing Characteristics for Light-Weight Vehicle Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-11-01

Interaction. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 2005. [12] C. Senatore, M. Wulfmeier, P. Jayakumar , J. Maclennan, and K. Iagnemma...D. Lamb, P. Jayakumar , M. Letherwood, et al., "Investigating the Mobility of Light Autonomous Tracked Vehicles using a High Performance Computing

Evaluation of trichloroethene recovery processes in heterogeneous aquifer cells flushed with biodegradable surfactants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suchomel, Eric J.; Ramsburg, C. Andrew; Pennell, Kurt D.

2007-12-01

The ability of two biodegradable surfactants, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween® 80) and sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (Aerosol® MA), to recover a representative dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL), trichloroethene (TCE), from heterogeneous porous media was evaluated through a combination of batch and aquifer cell experiments. An aqueous solution containing 3.3% Aerosol MA, 8% 2-propanol and 6 g/l CaCl 2 yielded a weight solubilization ratio (WSR) of 1.21 g TCE/g surfactant, with a corresponding liquid-liquid interfacial tension (IFT) of 0.19 dyn/cm. Flushing of aquifer cells containing a TCE-DNAPL source zone with approximately two pore volumes of the AMA formulation resulted in substantial (> 30%) mobilization of TCE-DNAPL. However, a TCE mass recovery of 81% was achieved when the aqueous-phase flow rate was sufficient to displace the mobile TCE-DNAPL toward the effluent well. Aqueous solutions of Tween 80 exhibited a greater capacity to solubilize TCE (WSR = 1.74 g TCE/g surfactant) and exerted markedly less reduction in IFT (10.4 dyn/cm). These data contradict an accepted empirical correlation used to estimate IFT values from solubilization capacity, and indicate a unique capacity of T80 to form concentrated TCE emulsions. Flushing of aquifer cells with less than 2.5 pore volumes of a 4% T80 solution achieved TCE mass recoveries ranging from 66 to 85%, with only slight TCE-DNAPL mobilization (< 5%) occurring when the total trapping number exceeded 2 × 10 - 5 . These findings demonstrate the ability of Tween 80 and Aerosol MA solutions to efficiently recover TCE from a heterogeneous DNAPL source zone, and the utility of the total trapping number as a design parameter for a priori prediction of DNAPL mobilization and bank angle formation when flushing with low-IFT solutions. Given their potential to stimulate microbial reductive dechlorination at low concentrations, these surfactants are well-suited for remedial action plans that couple aggressive mass removal followed by enhanced bioremediation to treat chlorinated solvent source zones.

SNAST 2018

Science.gov Websites

room) or while being on the mobile (agents in action). While desktop based applications can be used to monitor but also process and analyse surveillance data coming from a variety of sources, mobile-based techniques Digital forensics analysis Visualization techniques for surveillance Mobile-based surveillance

Development of a Multifaceted Ovarian Cancer Therapeutic and Imaging Agent

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

by 1-ethyl-3- [3-(dimethylamino) propyl ]carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysulfonosuccinimide (SNHS) at pH 5.5 for 30 min with a molar ratio of...particle-coated migratory substrate that can act as a permanent record of cellular movement. The gold chloride solution was prepared using 0.342 g... Synthesis and clinical Evaluation. Anticancer Agents Med. Chem. McLane, M.A., Joerger, T., Mahmoud, A., 2008. Disintegrins in health and disease. Front

Mobilizing stem cells from normal donors: is it possible to improve upon G-CSF?

PubMed

Cashen, A F; Lazarus, H M; Devine, S M

2007-05-01

Currently, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) remains the standard mobilizing agent for peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors, allowing the safe collection of adequate PBSCs from the vast majority of donors. However, G-CSF mobilization can be associated with some significant side effects and requires a multi-day dosing regimen. The other cytokine approved for stem cell mobilization, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), alters graft composition and may reduce the development of graft-versus-host disease, but a significant minority of donors fails to provide sufficient CD34+ cells with GM-CSF and some experience unacceptable toxicity. AMD3100 is a promising new mobilizing agent, which may have several advantages over G-CSF for donor mobilization. As it is a direct antagonist of the interaction between the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 and its receptor CXCR4, AMD3100 mobilizes PBSCs within hours rather than days. It is also well tolerated, with no significant side effects reported in any of the clinical trials to date. Studies of autologous and allogeneic transplantation of AMD3100 mobilized grafts have demonstrated prompt and stable engraftment. Here, we review the current state of stem cell mobilization in normal donors and discuss novel strategies for donor stem cell mobilization.

Age of zircons from the xenolith of metapelite in granitoids of the Verkhisetsk massif (Middle Urals): Evidence for granite-related stages of metamorphism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zinkova, E. A.; Pribavkin, S. V.

2016-02-01

Two age stages in the formation of high-aluminous gneisses related to the major stages of granite formation of the Uralian mobile belt were revealed in this study. The first stage (372 ± 2 Ma) corresponds to the age of metamorphism of the amphibolite facies and is controlled by intrusion of the tonalite-trondhjemite series under the environment of the continental margin. At the second stage (307 ± 3 Ma), gneiss underwent contact metamorphism under the influence of plutons of the adamellite-granite composition formed during the early episodes of collisional metamorphism.

The Ste12-like transcription factor MaSte12 is involved in pathogenicity by regulating the appressorium formation in the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium acridum.

PubMed

Wei, Qinglv; Du, Yanru; Jin, Kai; Xia, Yuxian

2017-12-01

Homeodomain transcription factor Ste12 is a key target activated by the pathogenic mitogen-activated-protein kinase pathway, and the activated Ste12p protein regulates downstream gene expression levels to modulate phenotypes. However, the functions of Ste12-like genes in entomopathogenic fungi remain poorly understood and little is known about the downstream genes regulated by Ste12. In this study, we characterized the functions of a Ste12 orthologue in Metarhizium acridum, MaSte12, and identified its downstream target genes. The deletion mutant (ΔMaSte12) is defective in conidial germination but not in hyphal growth, conidiation, or stress tolerance. Bioassays showed that ΔMaSte12 had a dramatically decreased virulence in topical inoculations, but no significant difference was found in intrahemolymph injections when the penetration process was bypassed. The mature appressorium formation rate of ΔMaSte12 was less than 10% on locust wings, with the majority hyphae forming appressorium-like, curved but no swollen structures. Digital gene expression profiling revealed that some genes involved in cell wall synthesis and remodeling, appressorium development, and insect cuticle penetration were downregulated in ΔMaSte12. Thus, MaSte12 has critical roles in the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus M. acridum, and our study provides some explanations for the impairment of fungal virulence in ΔMaSte12. In addition, virulence is very important for fungal biocontrol agents to control insect pests effectively. This study demonstrated that MaSte12 is involved in fungal virulence but not conidial yield or fungal stress tolerance in M. acridum. Thus, MaSte12 and its downstream genes may be candidates for enhancing fungal virulence to improve mycoinsecticides.

KODAMA and VPC based Framework for Ubiquitous Systems and its Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Kenichi; Amamiya, Satoshi; Iwao, Tadashige; Zhong, Guoqiang; Kainuma, Tatsuya; Amamiya, Makoto

Recently, agent technologies have attracted a lot of interest as an emerging programming paradigm. With such agent technologies, services are provided through collaboration among agents. At the same time, the spread of mobile technologies and communication infrastructures has made it possible to access the network anytime and from anywhere. Using agents and mobile technologies to realize ubiquitous computing systems, we propose a new framework based on KODAMA and VPC. KODAMA provides distributed management mechanisms by using the concept of community and communication infrastructure to deliver messages among agents without agents being aware of the physical network. VPC provides a method of defining peer-to-peer services based on agent communication with policy packages. By merging the characteristics of both KODAMA and VPC functions, we propose a new framework for ubiquitous computing environments. It provides distributed management functions according to the concept of agent communities, agent communications which are abstracted from the physical environment, and agent collaboration with policy packages. Using our new framework, we conducted a large-scale experiment in shopping malls in Nagoya, which sent advertisement e-mails to users' cellular phones according to user location and attributes. The empirical results showed that our new framework worked effectively for sales in shopping malls.

COLLOID MOBILIZATION AND TRANSPORT IN CONTAMINANT PLUMES: FILED EXPERIMENTS, LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS, AND MODELING

EPA Science Inventory

The major hypothesis driving this research, that the transport of colloids in a contaminant plume is limited by the advance of the chemical agent causing colloid mobilization, was tested by (1) examining the dependence of colloid transport and mobilization on chemical perturbatio...

Language competition in a population of migrating agents.

PubMed

Lipowska, Dorota; Lipowski, Adam

2017-05-01

Influencing various aspects of human activity, migration is associated also with language formation. To examine the mutual interaction of these processes, we study a Naming Game with migrating agents. The dynamics of the model leads to formation of low-mobility clusters, which turns out to break the symmetry of the model: although the Naming Game remains symmetric, low-mobility languages are favored. High-mobility languages are gradually eliminated from the system, and the dynamics of language formation considerably slows down. Our model is too simple to explain in detail language competition of migrating human communities, but it certainly shows that languages of settlers are favored over nomadic ones.

Language competition in a population of migrating agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lipowska, Dorota; Lipowski, Adam

2017-05-01

Influencing various aspects of human activity, migration is associated also with language formation. To examine the mutual interaction of these processes, we study a Naming Game with migrating agents. The dynamics of the model leads to formation of low-mobility clusters, which turns out to break the symmetry of the model: although the Naming Game remains symmetric, low-mobility languages are favored. High-mobility languages are gradually eliminated from the system, and the dynamics of language formation considerably slows down. Our model is too simple to explain in detail language competition of migrating human communities, but it certainly shows that languages of settlers are favored over nomadic ones.

Construction of multi-agent mobile robots control system in the problem of persecution with using a modified reinforcement learning method based on neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patkin, M. L.; Rogachev, G. N.

2018-02-01

A method for constructing a multi-agent control system for mobile robots based on training with reinforcement using deep neural networks is considered. Synthesis of the management system is proposed to be carried out with reinforcement training and the modified Actor-Critic method, in which the Actor module is divided into Action Actor and Communication Actor in order to simultaneously manage mobile robots and communicate with partners. Communication is carried out by sending partners at each step a vector of real numbers that are added to the observation vector and affect the behaviour. Functions of Actors and Critic are approximated by deep neural networks. The Critics value function is trained by using the TD-error method and the Actor’s function by using DDPG. The Communication Actor’s neural network is trained through gradients received from partner agents. An environment in which a cooperative multi-agent interaction is present was developed, computer simulation of the application of this method in the control problem of two robots pursuing two goals was carried out.

Migration statistics relevant for malaria transmission in Senegal derived from mobile phone data and used in an agent-based migration model.

PubMed

Tompkins, Adrian M; McCreesh, Nicky

2016-03-31

One year of mobile phone location data from Senegal is analysed to determine the characteristics of journeys that result in an overnight stay, and are thus relevant for malaria transmission. Defining the home location of each person as the place of most frequent calls, it is found that approximately 60% of people who spend nights away from home have regular destinations that are repeatedly visited, although only 10% have 3 or more regular destinations. The number of journeys involving overnight stays peaks at a distance of 50 km, although roughly half of such journeys exceed 100 km. Most visits only involve a stay of one or two nights away from home, with just 4% exceeding one week. A new agent-based migration model is introduced, based on a gravity model adapted to represent overnight journeys. Each agent makes journeys involving overnight stays to either regular or random locations, with journey and destination probabilities taken from the mobile phone dataset. Preliminary simulations show that the agent-based model can approximately reproduce the patterns of migration involving overnight stays.

A Self-Adaptive Multi-Agent System Approach for Collaborative Mobile Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de la Iglesia, Didac Gil; Calderon, Juan Felipe; Weyns, Danny; Milrad, Marcelo; Nussbaum, Miguel

2015-01-01

Mobile technologies have emerged as facilitators in the learning process, extending traditional classroom activities. However, engineering mobile learning applications for outdoor usage poses severe challenges. The requirements of these applications are challenging, as many different aspects need to be catered, such as resource access and sharing,…

Plan execution monitoring with distributed intelligent agents for battle command

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, James P.; Barry, Kevin P.; McCormick, John M.; Paul, Ross A.

2004-07-01

As military tactics evolve toward execution centric operations the ability to analyze vast amounts of mission relevant data is essential to command and control decision making. To maintain operational tempo and achieve information superiority we have developed Vigilant Advisor, a mobile agent-based distributed Plan Execution Monitoring system. It provides military commanders with continuous contingency monitoring tailored to their preferences while overcoming the network bandwidth problem often associated with traditional remote data querying. This paper presents an overview of Plan Execution Monitoring as well as a detailed view of the Vigilant Advisor system including key features and statistical analysis of resource savings provided by its mobile agent-based approach.

Agent Collaborative Target Localization and Classification in Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Wang, Xue; Bi, Dao-wei; Ding, Liang; Wang, Sheng

2007-01-01

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are autonomous networks that have been frequently deployed to collaboratively perform target localization and classification tasks. Their autonomous and collaborative features resemble the characteristics of agents. Such similarities inspire the development of heterogeneous agent architecture for WSN in this paper. The proposed agent architecture views WSN as multi-agent systems and mobile agents are employed to reduce in-network communication. According to the architecture, an energy based acoustic localization algorithm is proposed. In localization, estimate of target location is obtained by steepest descent search. The search algorithm adapts to measurement environments by dynamically adjusting its termination condition. With the agent architecture, target classification is accomplished by distributed support vector machine (SVM). Mobile agents are employed for feature extraction and distributed SVM learning to reduce communication load. Desirable learning performance is guaranteed by combining support vectors and convex hull vectors. Fusion algorithms are designed to merge SVM classification decisions made from various modalities. Real world experiments with MICAz sensor nodes are conducted for vehicle localization and classification. Experimental results show the proposed agent architecture remarkably facilitates WSN designs and algorithm implementation. The localization and classification algorithms also prove to be accurate and energy efficient.

Suitability of Agent Technology for Military Command and Control in the Future Combat System Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-01

and Multi-Agent Systems 1 no. 1 (1998): 7-38. [23] K. Sycara, A. Pannu , M. Williamson, and D. Zeng, “Distributed Intelligent Agents,” IEEE Expert 11...services that include support for mobility, security, management, persistence, and naming of agents. [i] K. Sycara, A. Pannu , M. Williamson, and D

Microbial contamination of mobile phones in a health care setting in Alexandria, Egypt.

PubMed

Selim, Heba Sayed; Abaza, Amani Farouk

2015-01-01

This study aimed at investigating the microbial contamination of mobile phones in a hospital setting. Swab samples were collected from 40 mobile phones of patients and health care workers at the Alexandria University Students' Hospital. They were tested for their bacterial contamination at the microbiology laboratory of the High Institute of Public Health. Quantification of bacteria was performed using both surface spread and pour plate methods. Isolated bacterial agents were identified using standard microbiological methods. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified by disk diffusion method described by Bauer and Kirby. Isolated Gram-negative bacilli were tested for being extended spectrum beta lactamase producers using the double disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. All of the tested mobile phones (100%) were contaminated with either single or mixed bacterial agents. The most prevalent bacterial contaminants were methicillin-resistant S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci representing 53% and 50%, respectively. The mean bacterial count was 357 CFU/ml, while the median was 13 CFU/ml using the pour plate method. The corresponding figures were 2,192 and 1,720 organisms/phone using the surface spread method. Mobile phones usage in hospital settings poses a risk of transmission of a variety of bacterial agents including multidrug-resistant pathogens as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The surface spread method is an easy and useful tool for detection and estimation of bacterial contamination of mobile phones.

Microbial contamination of mobile phones in a health care setting in Alexandria, Egypt

PubMed Central

Selim, Heba Sayed; Abaza, Amani Farouk

2015-01-01

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the microbial contamination of mobile phones in a hospital setting. Methods: Swab samples were collected from 40 mobile phones of patients and health care workers at the Alexandria University Students’ Hospital. They were tested for their bacterial contamination at the microbiology laboratory of the High Institute of Public Health. Quantification of bacteria was performed using both surface spread and pour plate methods. Isolated bacterial agents were identified using standard microbiological methods. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified by disk diffusion method described by Bauer and Kirby. Isolated Gram-negative bacilli were tested for being extended spectrum beta lactamase producers using the double disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. Results: All of the tested mobile phones (100%) were contaminated with either single or mixed bacterial agents. The most prevalent bacterial contaminants were methicillin-resistant S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci representing 53% and 50%, respectively. The mean bacterial count was 357 CFU/ml, while the median was 13 CFU/ml using the pour plate method. The corresponding figures were 2,192 and 1,720 organisms/phone using the surface spread method. Conclusions: Mobile phones usage in hospital settings poses a risk of transmission of a variety of bacterial agents including multidrug-resistant pathogens as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The surface spread method is an easy and useful tool for detection and estimation of bacterial contamination of mobile phones. PMID:25699226

In-Silico Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Nanostructured Hydrogel as a Dimethoate Removal Agent.

PubMed

Avila-Salas, Fabian; Marican, Adolfo; Villaseñor, Jorge; Arenas-Salinas, Mauricio; Argandoña, Yerko; Caballero, Julio; Durán-Lara, Esteban F

2018-01-04

This study describes the in-silico design, synthesis, and evaluation of a cross-linked PVA hydrogel (CLPH) for the absorption of organophosphorus pesticide dimethoate from aqueous solutions. The crosslinking effectiveness of 14 dicarboxilic acids was evaluated through in-silico studies using semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations. According to the theoretical studies, the nanopore of PVA cross-linked with malic acid (CLPH-MA) showed the best interaction energy with dimethoate. Later, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, three hydrogels with different proportions of PVA:MA (10:2, 10:4, and 10:6) were used to evaluate their interactions with dimethoate. These results showed that the suitable crosslinking degree for improving the affinity for the pesticide was with 20% ( W %) of the cross-linker. In the experimental absorption study, the synthesized CLPH-MA20 recovered 100% of dimethoate from aqueous solutions. Therefore, the theoretical data were correlated with the experimental studies. Surface morphology of CLPH-MA20 by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was analyzed. In conclusion, the ability of CLPH-MA20 to remove dimethoate could be used as a technological alternative for the treatment of contaminated water.

In-Silico Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of a Nanostructured Hydrogel as a Dimethoate Removal Agent

PubMed Central

Avila-Salas, Fabian; Marican, Adolfo; Villaseñor, Jorge; Argandoña, Yerko

2018-01-01

This study describes the in-silico design, synthesis, and evaluation of a cross-linked PVA hydrogel (CLPH) for the absorption of organophosphorus pesticide dimethoate from aqueous solutions. The crosslinking effectiveness of 14 dicarboxilic acids was evaluated through in-silico studies using semiempirical quantum mechanical calculations. According to the theoretical studies, the nanopore of PVA cross-linked with malic acid (CLPH-MA) showed the best interaction energy with dimethoate. Later, using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, three hydrogels with different proportions of PVA:MA (10:2, 10:4, and 10:6) were used to evaluate their interactions with dimethoate. These results showed that the suitable crosslinking degree for improving the affinity for the pesticide was with 20% (W%) of the cross-linker. In the experimental absorption study, the synthesized CLPH-MA20 recovered 100% of dimethoate from aqueous solutions. Therefore, the theoretical data were correlated with the experimental studies. Surface morphology of CLPH-MA20 by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was analyzed. In conclusion, the ability of CLPH-MA20 to remove dimethoate could be used as a technological alternative for the treatment of contaminated water. PMID:29300312

Power Efficient Hardware Architecture of SHA-1 Algorithm for Trusted Mobile Computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Mooseop; Ryou, Jaecheol

The Trusted Mobile Platform (TMP) is developed and promoted by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG), which is an industry standard body to enhance the security of the mobile computing environment. The built-in SHA-1 engine in TMP is one of the most important circuit blocks and contributes the performance of the whole platform because it is used as key primitives supporting platform integrity and command authentication. Mobile platforms have very stringent limitations with respect to available power, physical circuit area, and cost. Therefore special architecture and design methods for low power SHA-1 circuit are required. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient hardware architecture of low power SHA-1 design for TMP. Our low power SHA-1 hardware can compute 512-bit data block using less than 7,000 gates and has a power consumption about 1.1 mA on a 0.25μm CMOS process.

Mobility-induced persistent chimera states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrungaro, Gabriela; Uriu, Koichiro; Morelli, Luis G.

2017-12-01

We study the dynamics of mobile, locally coupled identical oscillators in the presence of coupling delays. We find different kinds of chimera states in which coherent in-phase and antiphase domains coexist with incoherent domains. These chimera states are dynamic and can persist for long times for intermediate mobility values. We discuss the mechanisms leading to the formation of these chimera states in different mobility regimes. This finding could be relevant for natural and technological systems composed of mobile communicating agents.

A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Different Mobile Messaging Interventions for Problem Drinking Compared to Weekly Drink Tracking

PubMed Central

van Stolk-Cooke, Katherine; Kuerbis, Alexis; Stadler, Gertraud; Baumel, Amit; Shao, Sijing; McKay, James R.; Morgenstern, Jon

2017-01-01

Introduction Recent evidence suggests that text messaging may help to reduce problem drinking as an extension to in-person services, but very little is known about the effectiveness of remote messaging on problem drinking as a stand-alone intervention, or how different types of messages may improve drinking outcomes in those seeking to moderate their alcohol consumption. Methods We conducted an exploratory, single-blind randomized controlled pilot study comparing four different types of alcohol reduction-themed text messages sent daily to weekly drink self-tracking texts in order to determine their impact on drinking outcomes over a 12-week period in 152 participants (≈ 30 per group) seeking to reduce their drinking on the internet. Messaging interventions included: weekly drink self-tracking mobile assessment texts (MA), loss-framed texts (LF), gain-framed texts (GF), static tailored texts (ST), and adaptive tailored texts (TA). Poisson and least squares regressions were used to compare differences between each active messaging group and the MA control. Results When adjusting for baseline drinking, participants in all messaging groups except GF significantly reduced the number of drinks consumed per week and the number of heavy drinking days compared to MA. Only the TA and GF groups were significantly different from MA in reducing the number of drinking days. While the TA group yielded the largest effect sizes on all outcome measures, there were no significant differences between active messaging groups on any outcome measure. 79.6% of individuals enrolled in the study wanted to continue receiving messages for an additional 12 weeks at the end of the study. Discussion Results of this pilot study indicate that remote automated text messages delivered daily can help adult problem drinkers reduce drinking frequency and quantity significantly more than once-a-week self-tracking messages only, and that tailored adaptive texts yield the largest effect sizes across outcomes compared to MA. Larger samples are needed to understand differences between messaging interventions and to target their mechanisms of efficacy. PMID:28146560

COLLOID MOBILIZATION AND TRANSPORT IN CONTAMINANT PLUMES: FIELD EXPERIMENTS, LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS, AND MODELING (EPA/600/S-99/001)

EPA Science Inventory

The major hypothesis driving this research, that the transport of colloids in a contaminant plume is limited by the advance of the chemical agent causing colloid mobilization, was tested by (1) examining the dependence of colloid transport and mobilization on chemical perturbatio...

Development of a Novel Six-Month Nutrition Intervention for a Randomized Trial in Older Men with Mobility Limitations.

PubMed

Apovian, C M; Singer, M R; Campbell, W W; Bhasin, S; McCarthy, A C; Shah, M; Basaria, S; Moore, L L

2017-01-01

Nutrition impacts the development of sarcopenia and protein intake is an important modulator of skeletal muscle mass loss in older people. The Optimizing Protein Intake in Older Men with Mobility Limitation (OPTIMEN) Trial was designed to assess the independent and combined effects of higher protein intake and a promyogenic agent, testosterone, on lean body mass, muscle strength and physical function in older men with mobility disability. The purpose of this paper is to describe the experimental design and nutrition intervention, including techniques used by research dietitians to develop and deliver energy and protein-specific meals to the homes of community-dwelling participants. Strategies to enhance long-term dietary compliance are detailed. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled six-month intervention trial. Participants were recruited from Boston MA USA and surrounding communities. Older men who were mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) 3-10) and consuming less protein (<0.83 g/kg/day) were recruited for this study. Here we report the successful implementation of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, randomized controlled trial with a 6-month intervention period among community-living men, age 65 years and older with a mobility limitation. A controlled feeding plan was used to deliver required energy intakes and prescribed protein quantities of 0.8 or 1.3 grams/kilogram/day (g/kg/d) in three meals plus snacks and supplements. A 2x2 factorial design was used to assess the effects of protein level alone and in combination with testosterone (vs. placebo) on changes in lean body mass (primary outcome), muscle strength, and physical function. A total of 154 men met the eligibility criteria; 112 completed a 2-week run-in period designed to evaluate compliance with the nutrition intervention. Of these, 92 subjects met compliance eligibility criteria and agreed to be randomized; 85% completed the full trial. The study successfully delivered three meals per day to subjects, with a high degree of compliance and subject satisfaction. Overall self-reported compliance rates were 80% and 93% for the meals and supplements, respectively. Details of compliance strategies are discussed. This community-based study design may serve as a model for longer-term nutritional interventions requiring monitoring of dietary compliance in a home-based feeding and supplementation trial.

Mother ship and physical agents collaboration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Stuart H.; Budulas, Peter P.; Emmerman, Philip J.

1999-07-01

This paper discusses ongoing research at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory that investigates the feasibility of developing a collaboration architecture between small physical agents and a mother ship. This incudes the distribution of planning, perception, mobility, processing and communications requirements between the mother ship and the agents. Small physical agents of the future will be virtually everywhere on the battlefield of the 21st century. A mother ship that is coupled to a team of small collaborating physical agents (conducting tasks such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA); logistics; sentry; and communications relay) will be used to build a completely effective and mission capable intelligent system. The mother ship must have long-range mobility to deploy the small, highly maneuverable agents that will operate in urban environments and more localized areas, and act as a logistics base for the smaller agents. The mother ship also establishes a robust communications network between the agents and is the primary information disseminating and receiving point to the external world. Because of its global knowledge and processing power, the mother ship does the high-level control and planning for the collaborative physical agents. This high level control and interaction between the mother ship and its agents (including inter agent collaboration) will be software agent architecture based. The mother ship incorporates multi-resolution battlefield visualization and analysis technology, which aids in mission planning and sensor fusion.

Economic Cost and Benefits of Subsidizing Western Credits to the East,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-07-01

Germany, a private insurance company acting as agent for the German government; the export credits guarantee depart- ment (ECGD) in Great Britain, which...arrive at better estimates of perceived default risks directly, by analyzing the various ways in which agents in the financial markets protect...Bloc countries had been very good, and he also ’until won, ma v would hm ame that the uan oall e ot Bloe count= u wee the mas a for the Sovet Union

Screening and Monitoring Response to Treatment Using Subsecond Molecular Imaging and Hyperpolarized Contrast Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

Magnetization transfer MRI in multiple sclerosis . J Neuroimaging. 2007;17 Suppl 1:S22–S26. 82. Filippi M, Rocca MA. Magnetization transfer magnetic resonance... multiple sclerosis . Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2009;19(1):27–36. 84. Lundbom N. Determination of magnetization transfer contrast in tissue: an MR... multiple RF coils intended for optimal direct and indirect detection of hyperpolarized contrast agents in vivo. 4.b. Y1Q3-Y1Q4. Low field MRI: pre

"Campus" - An Agent-Based Platform for Distance Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Westhoff, Dirk; Unger, Claus

This paper presents "Campus," an environment that allows University of Hagen (Germany) students to connect briefly to the Internet but remain represented by personalized, autonomous agents that can fulfill a variety of information, communication, planning, and cooperation tasks. A brief survey is presented of existing mobile agent system…

iMuseumA: an agent-based context-aware intelligent museum system.

PubMed

Ayala, Inmaculada; Amor, Mercedes; Pinto, Mónica; Fuentes, Lidia; Gámez, Nadia

2014-11-10

Currently, museums provide their visitors with interactive tour guide applications that can be installed in mobile devices and provide timely tailor-made multimedia information about exhibits on display. In this paper, we argue that mobile devices not only could provide help to visitors, but also to museum staff. Our goal is to integrate, within the same system, multimedia tour guides with the management facilities required by museums. In this paper, we present iMuseumA (intelligent museum with agents), a mobile-based solution to customize visits and perform context-aware management tasks. iMuseumA follows an agent-based approach, which makes it possible to interact easily with the museum environment and make decisions based on its current status. This system is currently deployed in the Museum of Informatics at the Informatics School of the University of Málaga, and its main contributions are: (i) a mobile application that provides management facilities to museum staff by means of sensing and processing environmental data; (ii) providing an integrated solution for visitors, tour guides and museum staff that allows coordination and communication enrichment among different groups of users; (iii) using and benefiting from group communication for heterogeneous groups of users that can be created on demand.

Growth sensitivity of Corynespora cassiicola to Thiophanate-methyl, Iprodione, and Fludioxonil

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) C.T. Wei, causal agent of Corynespora leaf spot, can cause devastating epidemics in African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl.) production facilities. Because of phytotoxicity and visible residue issues with some fungicides such as chlorothalonil, pro...

Miniaturized low-cost ion mobility spectrometer for fast detection of chemical warfare agents.

PubMed

Zimmermann, Stefan; Barth, Sebastian; Baether, Wolfgang K M; Ringer, Joachim

2008-09-01

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a well-known method for detecting hazardous compounds in air. Typical applications are the detection of chemical warfare agents, highly toxic industrial compounds, explosives, and drugs of abuse. Detection limits in the low part per billion range, fast response times, and simple instrumentation make this technique more and more popular. In particular, there is an increasing demand for miniaturized low-cost IMS for hand-held devices and air monitoring of public areas by sensor networks. In this paper, we present a miniaturized aspiration condenser type ion mobility spectrometer for fast detection of chemical warfare agents. The device is easy to manufacture and allows single substance identification down to low part per billion-level concentrations within seconds. The improved separation power results from ion focusing by means of geometric constraints and fluid dynamics. A simple pattern recognition algorithm is used for the identification of trained substances in air. The device was tested at the German Armed Forces Scientific Institute for Protection Technologies-NBC-Protection. Different chemical warfare agents, such as sarin, tabun, soman, US-VX, sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard, and lewisite were tested. The results are presented here.

A secure 3-way routing protocols for intermittently connected mobile ad hoc networks.

PubMed

Sekaran, Ramesh; Parasuraman, Ganesh Kumar

2014-01-01

The mobile ad hoc network may be partially connected or it may be disconnected in nature and these forms of networks are termed intermittently connected mobile ad hoc network (ICMANET). The routing in such disconnected network is commonly an arduous task. Many routing protocols have been proposed for routing in ICMANET since decades. The routing techniques in existence for ICMANET are, namely, flooding, epidemic, probabilistic, copy case, spray and wait, and so forth. These techniques achieve an effective routing with minimum latency, higher delivery ratio, lesser overhead, and so forth. Though these techniques generate effective results, in this paper, we propose novel routing algorithms grounded on agent and cryptographic techniques, namely, location dissemination service (LoDiS) routing with agent AES, A-LoDiS with agent AES routing, and B-LoDiS with agent AES routing, ensuring optimal results with respect to various network routing parameters. The algorithm along with efficient routing ensures higher degree of security. The security level is cited testing with respect to possibility of malicious nodes into the network. This paper also aids, with the comparative results of proposed algorithms, for secure routing in ICMANET.

A Secure 3-Way Routing Protocols for Intermittently Connected Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

PubMed Central

Parasuraman, Ganesh Kumar

2014-01-01

The mobile ad hoc network may be partially connected or it may be disconnected in nature and these forms of networks are termed intermittently connected mobile ad hoc network (ICMANET). The routing in such disconnected network is commonly an arduous task. Many routing protocols have been proposed for routing in ICMANET since decades. The routing techniques in existence for ICMANET are, namely, flooding, epidemic, probabilistic, copy case, spray and wait, and so forth. These techniques achieve an effective routing with minimum latency, higher delivery ratio, lesser overhead, and so forth. Though these techniques generate effective results, in this paper, we propose novel routing algorithms grounded on agent and cryptographic techniques, namely, location dissemination service (LoDiS) routing with agent AES, A-LoDiS with agent AES routing, and B-LoDiS with agent AES routing, ensuring optimal results with respect to various network routing parameters. The algorithm along with efficient routing ensures higher degree of security. The security level is cited testing with respect to possibility of malicious nodes into the network. This paper also aids, with the comparative results of proposed algorithms, for secure routing in ICMANET. PMID:25136697

Computational Research on Mobile Pastoralism Using Agent-Based Modeling and Satellite Imagery.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Takuto

2016-01-01

Dryland pastoralism has long attracted considerable attention from researchers in diverse fields. However, rigorous formal study is made difficult by the high level of mobility of pastoralists as well as by the sizable spatio-temporal variability of their environment. This article presents a new computational approach for studying mobile pastoralism that overcomes these issues. Combining multi-temporal satellite images and agent-based modeling allows a comprehensive examination of pastoral resource access over a realistic dryland landscape with unpredictable ecological dynamics. The article demonstrates the analytical potential of this approach through its application to mobile pastoralism in northeast Nigeria. Employing more than 100 satellite images of the area, extensive simulations are conducted under a wide array of circumstances, including different land-use constraints. The simulation results reveal complex dependencies of pastoral resource access on these circumstances along with persistent patterns of seasonal land use observed at the macro level.

Computational Research on Mobile Pastoralism Using Agent-Based Modeling and Satellite Imagery

PubMed Central

Sakamoto, Takuto

2016-01-01

Dryland pastoralism has long attracted considerable attention from researchers in diverse fields. However, rigorous formal study is made difficult by the high level of mobility of pastoralists as well as by the sizable spatio-temporal variability of their environment. This article presents a new computational approach for studying mobile pastoralism that overcomes these issues. Combining multi-temporal satellite images and agent-based modeling allows a comprehensive examination of pastoral resource access over a realistic dryland landscape with unpredictable ecological dynamics. The article demonstrates the analytical potential of this approach through its application to mobile pastoralism in northeast Nigeria. Employing more than 100 satellite images of the area, extensive simulations are conducted under a wide array of circumstances, including different land-use constraints. The simulation results reveal complex dependencies of pastoral resource access on these circumstances along with persistent patterns of seasonal land use observed at the macro level. PMID:26963526

Susceptibility of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Its Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) to Entomopathogenic Fungi under Laboratory Conditions.

PubMed

Ibarra-Cortés, K H; Guzmán-Franco, A W; González-Hernández, H; Ortega-Arenas, L D; Villanueva-Jiménez, J A; Robles-Bermúdez, A

2018-02-01

Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama) is a global pest of citrus that transmits the bacteria associated with the disease, Huanglongbing. Entomopathogenic fungi and the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) are important biological control agents of this pest and likely to interact in D. citri populations. As a basis for interaction studies, we determined the susceptibility of nymphs and adults of D. citri and adults of the parasitoid T. radiata to six fungal isolates from the species Beauveria bassiana s.l. (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (isolates B1 and B3), Metarhizium anisopliae s.s. (Metsch.) (Ma129 and Ma65) and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (I2 and Pae). We conducted experiments evaluating infection levels in all three insect groups following inoculation with a series of conidial concentrations (1 × 10 4 -1 × 10 8 conidia mL -1 ). Results showed that D. citri nymphs and T. radiata were more susceptible to fungal isolates than D. citri adults. Overall, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae isolates caused the greatest infection compared with I. fumosorosea isolates in all three groups of insects. Isolates B1 (B. bassiana) and Ma129 (M. anisopliae) infected a greater proportion of adults and nymphs of D. citri, respectively. Both isolates of B. bassiana caused greater infection in T. radiata compared with isolates of the other fungal species. We propose that isolates B1 and Ma129 are the strongest candidates for control of D. citri. Our results represent the first report of entomopathogenic fungi infecting T. radiata, and the basis for future studies to design a biological control programme that uses both agents more efficiently against D. citri populations.

Mobile Wastewater Treatment Technology for Contingency Bases

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-24

Def nse Cent rgy and Environment Contingency Base Wastewater Treatment Options Option Advantages Disadvantages Tanking and Trucking Offsite Low...National Defense Center for Energy and Environment Mobile Wastewater Treatment f or Contingency Bases, May 2012 1 National Def nse Cent rgy and...Environment DoD Executive Agent Mobile Wastewater Treatment Technology for Contingency Bases Shan Abeywickrama, NDCEE/CTC Elizabeth Keysar

Assessing oral medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with polytherapy in a developed Asian community: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Lee, Cia Sin; Tan, Jane Hwee Mian; Sankari, Usha; Koh, Yi Ling Eileen; Tan, Ngiap Chuan

2017-09-14

The disease burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising due to suboptimal glycaemic control leading to vascular complications. Medication adherence (MA) directly influences glycaemic control and clinical consequences. This study aimed to assess the MA of patients with T2DM and identify associated factors. Analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey and electronic medical records. Primary care outpatient clinic in Singapore. Adult patients with T2DM. MA to each prescribed oral hypoglycaemic agent (OHA) was measured using the five-question Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Low MA is defined as a MARS-R score of <25. Demographic data, clinical characteristics and investigation results were collected to identify factors that are associated with low MA. The study population comprised 382 patients with a slight female predominance (53.4%) and a mean±SD age of 62.0±10.4 years. 57.1% of the patients had low MA to at least one OHA. Univariate analysis showed that patients who were younger, of Chinese ethnicity, married or widowed, self-administering their medications or taking fewer (four or less) daily medications tended to have low MA to OHA. Logistic regression revealed that younger age (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95 to0.99), Chinese ethnicity (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.53 to5.15) and poorer glycaemic control (HbA1c level) (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.06 to1.51) were associated with low MA to OHA. Younger patients with T2DM and of Chinese ethnicity were susceptible to low MA to OHA, which was associated with poorer glycaemic control. Polytherapy was not associated with low MA. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Design, Implementation and Case Study of WISEMAN: WIreless Sensors Employing Mobile AgeNts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Valenzuela, Sergio; Chen, Min; Leung, Victor C. M.

We describe the practical implementation of Wiseman: our proposed scheme for running mobile agents in Wireless Sensor Networks. Wiseman’s architecture derives from a much earlier agent system originally conceived for distributed process coordination in wired networks. Given the memory constraints associated with small sensor devices, we revised the architecture of the original agent system to make it applicable to this type of networks. Agents are programmed as compact text scripts that are interpreted at the sensor nodes. Wiseman is currently implemented in TinyOS ver. 1, its binary image occupies 19Kbytes of ROM memory, and it occupies 3Kbytes of RAM to operate. We describe the rationale behind Wiseman’s interpreter architecture and unique programming features that can help reduce packet overhead in sensor networks. In addition, we gauge the proposed system’s efficiency in terms of task duration with different network topologies through a case study that involves an early-fire-detection application in a fictitious forest setting.

Decontamination of chemical and biological warfare agents with a single multi-functional material.

PubMed

Amitai, Gabi; Murata, Hironobu; Andersen, Jill D; Koepsel, Richard R; Russell, Alan J

2010-05-01

We report the synthesis of new polymers based on a dimethylacrylamide-methacrylate (DMAA-MA) co-polymer backbone that support both chemical and biological agent decontamination. Polyurethanes containing the redox enzymes glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase can convert halide ions into active halogens and exert striking bactericidal activity against gram positive and gram negative bacteria. New materials combining those biopolymers with a family of N-alkyl 4-pyridinium aldoxime (4-PAM) halide-acrylate co-polymers offer both nucleophilic activity for the detoxification of organophosphorus nerve agents and internal sources of halide ions for generation of biocidal activity. Generation of free bromine and iodine was observed in the combined material resulting in bactericidal activity of the enzymatically formed free halogens that caused complete kill of E. coli (>6 log units reduction) within 1 h at 37 degrees C. Detoxification of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) by the polyDMAA MA-4-PAM iodide component was dose-dependent reaching 85% within 30 min. A subset of 4-PAM-halide co-polymers was designed to serve as a controlled release reservoir for N-hydroxyethyl 4-PAM (HE 4-PAM) molecules that reactivate nerve agent-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Release rates for HE 4-PAM were consistent with hydrolysis of the HE 4-PAM from the polymer backbone. The HE 4-PAM that was released from the polymer reactivated DFP-inhibited AChE at a similar rate to the oxime antidote 4-PAM. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The main features of the Uralian Paleozoic magmatism and the epioceanic nature of the orogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fershtater, G. B.

2013-02-01

The 2000 km Uralian Paleozoic orogen is situated on the western flank of the Uralo-Mongolian folded belt. It is characterized by an abundant variety of magmatic rocks and related ore deposits. Uralian Paleozoic magmatism is entirely subduction-related. It is proposed that the Uralian orogen represents a cold mobile belt in which the mantle temperature was 200 to 500 °C cooler than in the adjacent areas; a situation which is similar to the modern West Pacific Triangle Zone including Indonesia, the Philippine Islands, and southern Asia. During the course of the geological evolution of the Uralian orogen, the nature of the magmatism has changed from basic rocks of indisputable mantle origin (460-390 Ma) to mantle-crust gabbro-granitic complexes (370-315 Ma) followed by pure crustal granite magmatism (290-250 Ma). This order in rock type and age reflects the evolution of Paleozoic magmatic complexes from the beginning of subduction to the final stages of the orogen development.

Functional genomics reveals the induction of inflammatory response and metalloproteinase gene expression during lethal Ebola virus infection.

PubMed

Cilloniz, Cristian; Ebihara, Hideki; Ni, Chester; Neumann, Gabriele; Korth, Marcus J; Kelly, Sara M; Kawaoka, Yoshihiro; Feldmann, Heinz; Katze, Michael G

2011-09-01

Ebola virus is the etiologic agent of a lethal hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates with mortality rates of up to 90%. Previous studies with Zaire Ebola virus (ZEBOV), mouse-adapted virus (MA-ZEBOV), and mutant viruses (ZEBOV-NP(ma), ZEBOV-VP24(ma), and ZEBOV-NP/VP24(ma)) allowed us to identify the mutations in viral protein 24 (VP24) and nucleoprotein (NP) responsible for acquisition of high virulence in mice. To elucidate specific molecular signatures associated with lethality, we compared global gene expression profiles in spleen samples from mice infected with these viruses and performed an extensive functional analysis. Our analysis showed that the lethal viruses (MA-ZEBOV and ZEBOV-NP/VP24(ma)) elicited a strong expression of genes 72 h after infection. In addition, we found that although the host transcriptional response to ZEBOV-VP24(ma) was nearly the same as that to ZEBOV-NP/VP24(ma), the contribution of a mutation in the NP gene was required for a lethal phenotype. Further analysis indicated that one of the most relevant biological functions differentially regulated by the lethal viruses was the inflammatory response, as was the induction of specific metalloproteinases, which were present in our newly identify functional network that was associated with Ebola virus lethality. Our results suggest that this dysregulated proinflammatory response increased the severity of disease. Consequently, the newly discovered molecular signature could be used as the starting point for the development of new drugs and therapeutics. To our knowledge, this is the first study that clearly defines unique molecular signatures associated with Ebola virus lethality.

Mechanical properties of biocompatible clay/P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA) nanocomposite hydrogels.

PubMed

Xiang, Hengxue; Xia, Mengge; Cunningham, Alexander; Chen, Wei; Sun, Bin; Zhu, Meifang

2017-08-01

The effects of crosslinking density, polymer concentration and monomer ratio on the mechanical properties (tensile and compressive properties) of biocompatible clay/P(MEO 2 MA-co-OEGMA) nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels were investigated. These novel NC hydrogels, composed of inorganic/organic networks, were prepared via in-situ free radical polymerization. The results showed that with increasing inorganic crosslinking agent, i.e. clay concentration, an increase in the tensile strength, elongation at break and compressive strength was observed. Similarly, with increasing polymer concentration, the tensile strength and compressive strength of the NC hydrogels increased while the elongation at break decreased. Increasing the molar concentration of OEGMA in the comonomer led to an increase in the tensile strength of the NC hydrogels but a reduction in the compressive strength. Moreover, clay/P(MEO 2 MA-co-OEGMA) NC hydrogels presented good biocompatibility bolstering their application as tissue engineering scaffolds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physicochemical Evaluations of Selected Solvents for Use in Decontaminating Agent: Multipurpose (DAM) Formulation

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

PARAMETER FOR K-125 POLYMER Molar p, volume, Polymer g/co cc 8d 5p 8• PMMA 1.17 86.5 16.5 5.7 9.0 19.7 PnPrMA 1.08 118.7 16.6 4.1 7.7 18.8 PnBuMA 1.05 135.2...with an usable fluid range. The limited toxicological data (Ref. 2) shows that the compounds have low acute toxicity and are only mildly irritating...expected from the similarity in structure and the similarity in physical properties that its toxicological properties will be quite like those of sulfolane

Removal and Disposal of An Environmental Carcinogen: Asbestos

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fodero, Severio D.

1977-01-01

This article details the removal and disposal of asbestos ceiling material in a Yale University building. The removal process utilized a water and wetting agent technique used by firefighters and the debris disposal was in a sanitary landfill, following federal regulations for the handling of hazardous materials. (MA)

A Genetic Linkage Map of Mycosphaerella Fijiensis, using SSR and DArT Markers

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Mycosphaerella fijiensis is the causal agent of black leaf streak or Black Sigatoka disease in bananas. This pathogen threatens global banana production as the main export Cavendish cultivars are highly susceptible. Previously a genetic linkage map was generated predominantly using anonymous AFLP ma...

46 CFR 308.527 - Application for return premium, Form MA-307.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Section 308.527 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.527 Application... the American War Risk Agency or MARAD, shall be filed in duplicate with the Underwriting Agent on Form...

46 CFR 308.527 - Application for return premium, Form MA-307.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Section 308.527 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.527 Application... the American War Risk Agency or MARAD, shall be filed in duplicate with the Underwriting Agent on Form...

46 CFR 308.527 - Application for return premium, Form MA-307.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Section 308.527 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.527 Application... the American War Risk Agency or MARAD, shall be filed in duplicate with the Underwriting Agent on Form...

46 CFR 308.527 - Application for return premium, Form MA-307.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Section 308.527 Shipping MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EMERGENCY OPERATIONS WAR RISK INSURANCE War Risk Cargo Insurance Ii-Open Policy War Risk Cargo Insurance § 308.527 Application... the American War Risk Agency or MARAD, shall be filed in duplicate with the Underwriting Agent on Form...

Design of a Mobile Application for Transfusion Medicine.

PubMed

Albornoz, M A; Márquez, S; Rubin, L; Luna, D

2017-01-01

One of the most frequent error in transfusion medicine is the failure in verifying the patient's identity prior to transfusion. This paper describes the design and development of a Mobile Application (MA) for transfusion medicine. The app uses barcode and QR reading technology for the verification of the patient's identity and the administration of blood components when making a blood transfusion. Physicians, developers, technicians of transfusion medicine and a User Centered Design team participated in the design. The inclusion of end users was fundamental to get full representativeness of their workflow. The project was based on agile methodologies of project management and software development.

Renal responses of trout to chronic respiratory and metabolic acidoses and metabolic alkalosis.

PubMed

Wood, C M; Milligan, C L; Walsh, P J

1999-08-01

Exposure to hyperoxia (500-600 torr) or low pH (4.5) for 72 h or NaHCO(3) infusion for 48 h were used to create chronic respiratory (RA) or metabolic acidosis (MA) or metabolic alkalosis in freshwater rainbow trout. During alkalosis, urine pH increased, and [titratable acidity (TA) - HCO(-)(3)] and net H(+) excretion became negative (net base excretion) with unchanged NH(+)(4) efflux. During RA, urine pH did not change, but net H(+) excretion increased as a result of a modest rise in NH(+)(4) and substantial elevation in [TA - HCO(-)(3)] efflux accompanied by a large increase in inorganic phosphate excretion. However, during MA, urine pH fell, and net H(+) excretion was 3.3-fold greater than during RA, reflecting a similar increase in [TA - HCO(-)(3)] and a smaller elevation in phosphate but a sevenfold greater increase in NH(+)(4) efflux. In urine samples of the same pH, [TA - HCO(-)(3)] was greater during RA (reflecting phosphate secretion), and [NH(+)(4)] was greater during MA (reflecting renal ammoniagenesis). Renal activities of potential ammoniagenic enzymes (phosphate-dependent glutaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) and plasma levels of cortisol, phosphate, ammonia, and most amino acids (including glutamine and alanine) increased during MA but not during RA, when only alanine aminotransferase increased. The differential responses to RA vs. MA parallel those in mammals; in fish they may be keyed to activation of phosphate secretion by RA and cortisol mobilization by MA.

Fulfilling the Potential of NYC-2. Linking the Neighborhood Youth Corps and MA-JOBS Program into a Sequential Training-Employment Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lorber, Fred; Feifer, Irwin

Although Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) training is conducted either in NYC centers, governmental and non-profit agencies or private industry, there is no commitment for employment after training. The Mobilization for Youth-Experimental Manpower Laboratory (MFY-EML) is exploring the feasibility of linking NYC to other government manpower training…

New Poly(amino acid methacrylate) Brush Supports the Formation of Well-Defined Lipid Membranes

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

A novel poly(amino acid methacrylate) brush comprising zwitterionic cysteine groups (PCysMA) was utilized as a support for lipid bilayers. The polymer brush provides a 12-nm-thick cushion between the underlying hard support and the aqueous phase. At neutral pH, the zeta potential of the PCysMA brush was ∼−10 mV. Cationic vesicles containing >25% DOTAP were found to form a homogeneous lipid bilayer, as determined by a combination of surface analytical techniques. The lipid mobility as measured by FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) gave diffusion coefficients of ∼1.5 μm2 s–1, which are comparable to those observed for lipid bilayers on glass substrates. PMID:25746444

Development of biocontrol agents from food microbial isolates for controlling post-harvest peach brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola.

PubMed

Zhou, Ting; Schneider, Karin E; Li, Xiu-Zhen

2008-08-15

An unconventional strategy of screening food microbes for biocontrol activity was used to develop biocontrol agents for controlling post-harvest peach brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola. Forty-four microbial isolates were first screened for their biocontrol activity on apple fruit. Compared with the pathogen-only check, seven of the 44 isolates reduced brown rot incidence by >50%, including four bacteria: Bacillus sp. C06, Lactobacillus sp. C03-b and Bacillus sp. T03-c, Lactobacillus sp. P02 and three yeasts: Saccharomyces delbrueckii A50, S. cerevisiae YE-5 and S. cerevisiae A41. Eight microbial isolates were selected for testing on peaches by wound co-inoculation with mixtures of individual microbial cultures and conidial suspension of M. fructicola. Only two of them showed significant biocontrol activity after five days of incubation at 22 degrees C. Bacillus sp. C06 suppressed brown rot incidence by 92% and reduced lesion diameter by 88% compared to the pathogen-only check. Bacillus sp.T03-c reduced incidence and lesion diameter by 40% and 62%, respectively. The two isolates were compared with Pseudomonas syringae MA-4, a biocontrol agent for post-harvest peach diseases, by immersing peaches in an aliquot containing individual microbial isolates and the pathogen conidia. Treatments with isolates MA-4, C06 and T03-c significantly controlled brown rot by 91, 100, and 100% respectively. However, only isolates MA-4 and C06 significantly reduced brown rot by 80% and 15%, respectively when bacterial cells alone were applied. On naturally infected peaches, both the bacterial culture and its cell-free filtrate of the isolate C06 significantly controlled peach decay resulting in 77 and 90% reduction, respectively, whereas the treatment using only the bacterial cells generally had no effect. Isolate C06 is a single colony isolate obtained from a mesophilic cheese starter, and has been identified belonging to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The results have clearly demonstrated that isolate C06 has a great potential for being developed into a biocontrol agent.

Extended spectrum β-lactamases, carbapenemases and mobile genetic elements responsible for antibiotics resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.

PubMed

El Salabi, Allaaeddin; Walsh, Timothey R; Chouchani, Chedly

2013-05-01

Infectious diseases due to Gram-negative bacteria are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Antimicrobial agents represent one major therapeutic tools implicated to treat these infections. The misuse of antimicrobial agents has resulted in the emergence of resistant strains of Gram-negatives in particular Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters; they have an effect not only on a human but on the public health when bacteria use the resistance mechanisms to spread in the hospital environment and to the community outside the hospitals by means of mobile genetic elements. Gram-negative bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents. They have developed several mechanisms by which they can withstand to antimicrobials, these mechanisms include the production of Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases, furthermore, Gram-negative bacteria are now capable of spreading such resistance between members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters using mobile genetic elements as vehicles for such resistance mechanisms rendering antibiotics useless. Therefore, addressing the issue of mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance is considered one of most urgent priorities. This review will help to illustrate different resistance mechanisms; ESBLs, carbapenemases encoded by genes carried by mobile genetic elements, which are used by Gram-negative bacteria to escape antimicrobial effect.

iMuseumA: An Agent-Based Context-Aware Intelligent Museum System

PubMed Central

Ayala, Inmaculada; Amor, Mercedes; Pinto, Mónica; Fuentes, Lidia; Gámez, Nadia

2014-01-01

Currently, museums provide their visitors with interactive tour guide applications that can be installed in mobile devices and provide timely tailor-made multimedia information about exhibits on display. In this paper, we argue that mobile devices not only could provide help to visitors, but also to museum staff. Our goal is to integrate, within the same system, multimedia tour guides with the management facilities required by museums. In this paper, we present iMuseumA (intelligent museum with agents), a mobile-based solution to customize visits and perform context-aware management tasks. iMuseumA follows an agent-based approach, which makes it possible to interact easily with the museum environment and make decisions based on its current status. This system is currently deployed in the Museum of Informatics at the Informatics School of the University of Málaga, and its main contributions are: (i) a mobile application that provides management facilities to museum staff by means of sensing and processing environmental data; (ii) providing an integrated solution for visitors, tour guides and museum staff that allows coordination and communication enrichment among different groups of users; (iii) using and benefiting from group communication for heterogeneous groups of users that can be created on demand. PMID:25390409

46 CFR 108.627 - Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. 108.627 Section 108.627 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT Equipment Markings and Instructions § 108.627 Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. Each carbon dioxide alarm must be...

46 CFR 108.627 - Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. 108.627 Section 108.627 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT Equipment Markings and Instructions § 108.627 Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. Each carbon dioxide alarm must be...

46 CFR 108.627 - Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. 108.627 Section 108.627 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT Equipment Markings and Instructions § 108.627 Carbon dioxide and clean agent alarms. Each carbon dioxide alarm must be...

Mobility timing for agent communities, a cue for advanced connectionist systems.

PubMed

Apolloni, Bruno; Bassis, Simone; Pagani, Elena; Rossi, Gian Paolo; Valerio, Lorenzo

2011-12-01

We introduce a wait-and-chase scheme that models the contact times between moving agents within a connectionist construct. The idea that elementary processors move within a network to get a proper position is borne out both by biological neurons in the brain morphogenesis and by agents within social networks. From the former, we take inspiration to devise a medium-term project for new artificial neural network training procedures where mobile neurons exchange data only when they are close to one another in a proper space (are in contact). From the latter, we accumulate mobility tracks experience. We focus on the preliminary step of characterizing the elapsed time between neuron contacts, which results from a spatial process fitting in the family of random processes with memory, where chasing neurons are stochastically driven by the goal of hitting target neurons. Thus, we add an unprecedented mobility model to the literature in the field, introducing a distribution law of the intercontact times that merges features of both negative exponential and Pareto distribution laws. We give a constructive description and implementation of our model, as well as a short analytical form whose parameters are suitably estimated in terms of confidence intervals from experimental data. Numerical experiments show the model and related inference tools to be sufficiently robust to cope with two main requisites for its exploitation in a neural network: the nonindependence of the observed intercontact times and the feasibility of the model inversion problem to infer suitable mobility parameters.

Hydroponics gel as a new electrolyte gelling agent for alkaline zinc-air cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, R.; Basirun, W. J.; Yahaya, A. H.; Arof, A. K.

The viability of hydroponics gel as a new alkaline electrolyte gelling agent is investigated. Zinc-air cells are fabricated employing 12 wt.% KOH electrolyte immobilised with hydroponics gel. The cells are discharged at constant currents of 5, 50 and 100 mA. XRD and SEM analysis of the anode plates after discharge show that the failure mode is due to the formation of zinc oxide insulating layers and not due to any side reactions between the gel and the plate or the electrolyte.

Serial elastic elements in the damselfly wing: mobile vein joints contain resilin

PubMed

Gorb

1999-11-01

Two main types of joints occur in the damselfly wing: mobile and immobile. Some longitudinal veins (RP2(-), RP3&4(-), and MP(-)) are elastically joined with cross veins, whereas other longitudinal veins (IR1(+), IR2(+), MA(+), CuA'(+)) are firmly joined with cross veins. In this study we mapped the distribution of serial elastic elements in the wing. The occurrence of resilin, a rubberlike protein, in mobile joints suggests that the automatic twisting mechanism of the leading edge by aerodynamic force works not by flexibility but by the elasticity of these joints. First, it should result in elastic energy storage in the distal areas of the wing. Second, serial elastic elements of wing presumably act as dampers of an aerodynamic force, which are responsible for gradual twisting of the leading edge.

Serial Elastic Elements in the Damselfly Wing: Mobile Vein Joints Contain Resilin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorb, Stanislav N.

Two main types of joints occur in the damselfly wing: mobile and immobile. Some longitudinal veins (RP2-, RP3&4-, and MP-) are elastically joined with cross veins, whereas other longitudinal veins (IR1+, IR2+, MA+, CuA'+) are firmly joined with cross veins. In this study we mapped the distribution of serial elastic elements in the wing. The occurrence of resilin, a rubberlike protein, in mobile joints suggests that the automatic twisting mechanism of the leading edge by aerodynamic force works not by flexibility but by the elasticity of these joints. First, it should result in elastic energy storage in the distal areas of the wing. Second, serial elastic elements of wing presumably act as dampers of an aerodynamic force, which are responsible for gradual twisting of the leading edge.

Mobil/Badger to market zeolite-based cumene technology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rotman, D.

1993-02-24

Badger (Cambridge, MA) and Mobil (Fairfax, VA) are ready to jointly license a new cumene technology that they say achieves higher yields and product purity than existing processes. The zeolite-based technology is scheduled to be introduced at next month's DeWitt Petrochemical Review in Houston. The Mobil/Badger technology aims to challenge the dominant position of UOP's (Des Plaines, IL) solid phosphoric acid (SPA) catalyst process - which accounts for 80%-90% of the world's cumene production. In addition, Monsanto/Kellogg's aluminum chloride-based technology has gained significant momentum since its introduction in the 1980s. And late last year, ABB Lummus Crest (Bloomfield, NJ) alsomore » began marketing a zeolite-based cumene technology. While all the technologies make cumene via the alkylation of benzene with propylene, the Mobil/Badger process uses a zeolite-containing catalyst designed by Mobil to selectively catalyze the benzene/propylene reaction, avoiding unwanted propylene oligomerization. Because the olefin reactions are so fast, says Frank A. Demers, Badger's v.p./technology development and marketing, other zeolite technologies are forced to use complex reactor arrangements to stop the propylene-propylene reactions. However, he says, Mobil has designed a catalyst that wants to react benzene with propylene to make cumene.'« less

Promoting Socio-Economic Development: How Mobile Telephony Is an Agent for Creating High-Paying Jobs in Ghana from the Service Providers' Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boateng, Ofori

2011-01-01

This exploration study examined solely, mobile telephony (which is an important aspect of ICTs) and how it promotes the creation of high-paying jobs that positively impact socio-economic development in Ghana from the service providers. perspective. This academic study focusing solely on Ghana mobile telephony service providers is the first of its…

Agent-Based Chemical Plume Tracing Using Fluid Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zarzhitsky, Dimitri; Spears, Diana; Thayer, David; Spears, William

2004-01-01

This paper presents a rigorous evaluation of a novel, distributed chemical plume tracing algorithm. The algorithm is a combination of the best aspects of the two most popular predecessors for this task. Furthermore, it is based on solid, formal principles from the field of fluid mechanics. The algorithm is applied by a network of mobile sensing agents (e.g., robots or micro-air vehicles) that sense the ambient fluid velocity and chemical concentration, and calculate derivatives. The algorithm drives the robotic network to the source of the toxic plume, where measures can be taken to disable the source emitter. This work is part of a much larger effort in research and development of a physics-based approach to developing networks of mobile sensing agents for monitoring, tracking, reporting and responding to hazardous conditions.

Modeling plug-in electric vehicle charging demand with BEAM: the framework for behavior energy autonomy mobility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sheppard, Colin; Waraich, Rashid; Campbell, Andrew

This report summarizes the BEAM modeling framework (Behavior, Energy, Mobility, and Autonomy) and its application to simulating plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) mobility, energy consumption, and spatiotemporal charging demand. BEAM is an agent-based model of PEV mobility and charging behavior designed as an extension to MATSim (the Multi-Agent Transportation Simulation model). We apply BEAM to the San Francisco Bay Area and conduct a preliminary calibration and validation of its prediction of charging load based on observed charging infrastructure utilization for the region in 2016. We then explore the impact of a variety of common modeling assumptions in the literature regarding chargingmore » infrastructure availability and driver behavior. We find that accurately reproducing observed charging patterns requires an explicit representation of spatially disaggregated charging infrastructure as well as a more nuanced model of the decision to charge that balances tradeoffs people make with regards to time, cost, convenience, and range anxiety.« less

The Rise of Creative Writing Programmes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morrison, Blake

2013-01-01

Creative writing courses are growing in universities and outside them. Publishers and agents even turn to them now as sources of promise and talent. This article describes a particularly successful MA in creative writing at Goldsmiths College in London and makes a case for the popularity and the usefulness to universities, to aspiring writers and…

46 CFR 308.516 - Failure to comply with Clause 21.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Underwriting Agent within seven (7) days from the time knowledge comes to the assured of the insufficiency of... permission of the Maritime Administrator. If the space provided in the declaration, Form MA-314, for an explanation of the circumstances whereby the assured first had knowledge that the collateral was not...

Evaluation of alternative rice planthopper control by the combined action of oil-formulated Metarhizium anisopliae and low-rate buprofezin.

PubMed

Jin, Shao-Feng; Feng, Ming-Guang; Ying, Sheng-Hua; Mu, Wen-Jing; Chen, Jue-Qi

2011-01-01

High resistance of brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål to common insecticides is a challenge for control of the pest. An alternative control strategy based on the combined application of fungal and chemical agents has been evaluated. Three gradient spore concentrations of oil-formulated Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Ma456) were sprayed onto third-instar nymphs in five bioassays comprising the low buprofezin rates of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 µg mL(-1) respectively. Fungal LC(50) after 1 week at 25 °C and 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod decreased from 386 conidia mm(-2) in the buprofezin-free bioassay to 40 at the highest chemical rate. Buprofezin (LC(50): 1647, 486 and 233 µg mL(-1) on days 2 to 4) had no significant effect on the fungal outgrowths of mycosis-killed cadavers at the low application rates. The fungal infection was found to cause 81% reduction in reproductive potential of BPH adults. In two 40 day field trials, significant planthopper (mainly BPH) control (54-60%) was achieved by biweekly sprays of two fungal candidates (Ma456 and Ma576) at 1.5 × 10(13) conidia ha(-1) and elevated to 80-83% by incorporating 30.8 g buprofezin ha(-1) into the fungal sprays. The combined application of the fungal and chemical agents is a promising alternative strategy for BPH control. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry.

High capacity of an Fe-air rechargeable battery using LaGaO3-based oxide ion conductor as an electrolyte.

PubMed

Inoishi, Atsushi; Ida, Shintaro; Uratani, Shouichi; Okano, Takayuki; Ishihara, Tatsumi

2012-10-05

Rapid growth and improved functions of mobile equipment present the need for an advanced rechargeable battery with extremely high capacity. In this study, we investigated the application of fuel cell technology to an Fe-air rechargeable battery. Because the redox potential of Fe is similar to that of H(2), the combination of H(2) formation by the oxidation of Fe with a fuel cell has led to a new type of metal-air rechargeable battery. By decreasing the operating temperature, a deep oxidation state of Fe can be achieved, resulting in enlarged capacity of the Fe-air battery. We found that the metal Fe is oxidized to Fe(3)O(4) by using H(2)/H(2)O as mediator. The observed discharge capacity is 817 mA h g(-1)-Fe, which is approximately 68% of the theoretical capacity of the formation of Fe(3)O(4), 1200 mA h g(-1)-Fe, at 10 mA cm(-2) and 873 K. Moreover, the cycle stability of this cell is examined. At 1073 K, the cell shows a discharge capacity of ca. 800 mA h g(-1)-Fe with reasonably high discharge capacity sustained over five cycles.

Comparative genomics using microarrays reveals divergence and loss of virulence-associated genes in host-specific strains of the insect pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae.

PubMed

Wang, Sibao; Leclerque, Andreas; Pava-Ripoll, Monica; Fang, Weiguo; St Leger, Raymond J

2009-06-01

Many strains of Metarhizium anisopliae have broad host ranges, but others are specialists and adapted to particular hosts. Patterns of gene duplication, divergence, and deletion in three generalist and three specialist strains were investigated by heterologous hybridization of genomic DNA to genes from the generalist strain Ma2575. As expected, major life processes are highly conserved, presumably due to purifying selection. However, up to 7% of Ma2575 genes were highly divergent or absent in specialist strains. Many of these sequences are conserved in other fungal species, suggesting that there has been rapid evolution and loss in specialist Metarhizium genomes. Some poorly hybridizing genes in specialists were functionally coordinated, indicative of reductive evolution. These included several involved in toxin biosynthesis and sugar metabolism in root exudates, suggesting that specialists are losing genes required to live in alternative hosts or as saprophytes. Several components of mobile genetic elements were also highly divergent or lost in specialists. Exceptionally, the genome of the specialist cricket pathogen Ma443 contained extra insertion elements that might play a role in generating evolutionary novelty. This study throws light on the abundance of orphans in genomes, as 15% of orphan sequences were found to be rapidly evolving in the Ma2575 lineage.

Refining a personalized mHealth intervention to promote medication adherence among HIV+ methamphetamine users.

PubMed

Montoya, Jessica L; Georges, Shereen; Poquette, Amelia; Depp, Colin A; Atkinson, J Hampton; Moore, David J

2014-01-01

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions to promote antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence have shown promise; however, among persons living with HIV who abuse methamphetamine (MA), effective tailoring of content to match the expressed needs of this patient population may be necessary. This study aimed (1) to understand patient perspectives of barriers and facilitators of ART adherence among people with HIV who use MA, and (2) to obtain feedback on the thematic content of an mHealth intervention in order to tailor the intervention to this subgroup. Two separate focus groups, each with 10 HIV+/MA+ individuals, were conducted. Transcribed audio recordings were qualitatively analyzed to identify emergent themes. Inter-rater reliability of themes was high (mean Kappa = .97). Adherence barriers included MA use, misguided beliefs about ART adherence, memory and planning difficulties, social barriers and perceived stigma, and mental heath issues. Facilitators of effective ART adherence were cognitive compensatory strategies, promotion of well-being, health-care supports, adherence education, and social support. Additionally, the focus groups generated content for reminder text messages to be used in the medication adherence intervention. This qualitative study demonstrates the feasibility of using focus groups to derive patient-centered intervention content to address the health challenge at hand in targeted populations.

Intelligent microchip networks: an agent-on-chip synthesis framework for the design of smart and robust sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosse, Stefan

2013-05-01

Sensorial materials consisting of high-density, miniaturized, and embedded sensor networks require new robust and reliable data processing and communication approaches. Structural health monitoring is one major field of application for sensorial materials. Each sensor node provides some kind of sensor, electronics, data processing, and communication with a strong focus on microchip-level implementation to meet the goals of miniaturization and low-power energy environments, a prerequisite for autonomous behaviour and operation. Reliability requires robustness of the entire system in the presence of node, link, data processing, and communication failures. Interaction between nodes is required to manage and distribute information. One common interaction model is the mobile agent. An agent approach provides stronger autonomy than a traditional object or remote-procedure-call based approach. Agents can decide for themselves, which actions are performed, and they are capable of flexible behaviour, reacting on the environment and other agents, providing some degree of robustness. Traditionally multi-agent systems are abstract programming models which are implemented in software and executed on program controlled computer architectures. This approach does not well scale to micro-chip level and requires full equipped computers and communication structures, and the hardware architecture does not consider and reflect the requirements for agent processing and interaction. We propose and demonstrate a novel design paradigm for reliable distributed data processing systems and a synthesis methodology and framework for multi-agent systems implementable entirely on microchip-level with resource and power constrained digital logic supporting Agent-On-Chip architectures (AoC). The agent behaviour and mobility is fully integrated on the micro-chip using pipelined communicating processes implemented with finite-state machines and register-transfer logic. The agent behaviour, interaction (communication), and mobility features are modelled and specified on a machine-independent abstract programming level using a state-based agent behaviour language (APL). With this APL a high-level agent compiler is able to synthesize a hardware model (RTL, VHDL), a software model (C, ML), or a simulation model (XML) suitable to simulate a multi-agent system using the SeSAm simulator framework. Agent communication is provided by a simple tuple-space database implemented on node level providing fault tolerant access of global data. A novel synthesis development kit (SynDK) based on a graph-structured database approach is introduced to support the rapid development of compilers and synthesis tools, used for example for the design and implementation of the APL compiler.

Safe, Multiphase Bounds Check Elimination in Java

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-28

production of mobile code from source code, JIT compilation in the virtual ma- chine, and application code execution. The code producer uses...invariants, and inequality constraint analysis) to identify and prove redundancy of bounds checks. During class-loading and JIT compilation, the virtual...unoptimized code if the speculated invariants do not hold. The combined effect of the multiple phases is to shift the effort as- sociated with bounds

Dronning Maud Lands (East Antarctica) significance for Late Mesoproterozoic/Early Neoproterozoic supercontinent reconstructions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacobs, Joachim; Elburg, Marlina; Laeufer, Andreas; Kleinhanns, Ilka C.; Henjes-Kunst, Friedhelm; Estrada, Solveig; Ruppel, Antonia; Damaske, Detlef; Montero, Pilar; Bea, Fernando

2015-04-01

The recent study of a so far white spot on the geological map of Dronning Maud Land (DML) during the international GEA expeditions sheds new light on the significance of major tectono-metamorphic provinces of Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. The western part of eastern DML allows the characterization and ground-truthing of a large and mostly ice-covered area, that is geophysically distinct and which was previously interpreted as a potentially older cratonic block south of a Late Neoproterozoic/EarlyPaleozoic mobile belt, which is exposed in the Sør Rondane Mts. (SRM). SHRIMP/SIMS zircon analyses of 20 samples together with new geochemistry indicate that the exposed basement consists of a ca. 1000-900 Ma juvenile terrane that is very similar to the juvenile rocks of the SW-Terrane of the SRM, a characteristic gabbro-trondhjemite-tonalite-granite suite. However, in contrast to the southern part of the SW-Terrane, our study area shows intense crustal reworking at medium to high-grade conditions between ca. 630-520 Ma, associated with significant felsic melt production, including A-type granitoid magmatism. Therefore, the study area, and thereby the aeromagnetically distinct SE DML province does neither represent the foreland of a Late Neoproterozoic/EarlyPaleozoic mobile belt, nor a craton, as has previously been speculated. It more likely represents the westward continuation of Rayner-age crust (1000-900 Ma) that has undergone additional protracted LN/EP overprinting. We interpret the southern part of the only weakly overprinted SW-Terrane as a mega-boudin within a broad, rheologically weaker, NW-SE trending LN/EP mobile belt. Rayner-type crust likely continues further west, where it abuts along the SW-trending Forster Magnetic Anomaly. The latter is interpreted as a suture, which separates typical Grenville-age crust of the Maud Belt to the W from Rayner-age crust to the E. The study area has therefore clearly Indian affinities. Its juvenile character with a lack of metamorphic overprint at the end of crust formation could point to an accretionary history along this part of the Indian segment of Rodinia, immediately following final Rodinia assembly.

Jamming in Mobile Networks: A Game-Theoretic Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

general treatment of multiplayer differential games was presented by Starr and Ho [16], Leitmann [36], Vaisbord and Zhukovskiy [65], Zhukovskiy and...REPORT Jamming in mobile networks: A game -theoretic approach. 14. ABSTRACT 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: In this paper, we address the problem of...model the intrusion as a pursuit-evasion game between a mobile jammer and a team of agents. First, we consider a differential game -theoretic approach

[Ion mobility spectrometer (IMS): a novel online monitor of trace volatile organic compounds].

PubMed

Li, Fang; Xie, Zhi-yong; Schmidt, H; Sielemann, S; Baumbach, J I

2002-12-01

The principle, character and developments of the instrument of ion mobility spectrometry are introduced, the applications of IMS to chemical warfare agents, explosives, drugs, environments monitoring and on-site industrial sensing are discussed, and some work on IMS in ISAS is represented.

High-Temperature Electrochemical Performance of FeF3/C Nanocomposite as a Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Mengyun; Zhang, Zhengfu; Wang, Zi; Liu, Jingfeng; Yan, Hongge; Peng, Jinhui

2018-02-01

Iron trifluoride has been studied as a cathode material due to its cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and high theoretical capacities of 712 mA h g-1. However, FeF3 has serious shortcomings of poor electronic conductivity and a slow diffusion rate of lithium ions, leading to a lower reversible specific capacity. In this work, FeF3/C nanocomposite has been synthesized successfully via a high-energy ball-milling method, and acetylene black is used as the conductive agent to improve the conductivity of FeF3. The FeF3/C nanocomposite shows a high initial discharge capacity of 346.25 and 161.58 mA h g-1 after 40th cycle at 50 mA g-1. It exhibits good cycle performance and rate performance. The high-temperature discharge capacities decreased with increase in the temperature. The initial high-temperature discharge capacities are found to be 254.17, 300.01, 281.25 and 125.16, and 216.875, 156, 141.67, 150, and 64.98 mA h g-1 at 20th cycles at the 40, 50, 60, and 70 °C, respectively.

The genetic basis for variation in resistance to infection in the Drosophila melanogaster genetic reference panel

PubMed Central

Wang, Jonathan B.

2017-01-01

Individuals vary extensively in the way they respond to disease but the genetic basis of this variation is not fully understood. We found substantial individual variation in resistance and tolerance to the fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae Ma549 using the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). In addition, we found that host defense to Ma549 was correlated with defense to the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pa14, and several previously published DGRP phenotypes including oxidative stress sensitivity, starvation stress resistance, hemolymph glucose levels, and sleep indices. We identified polymorphisms associated with differences between lines in both their mean survival times and microenvironmental plasticity, suggesting that lines differ in their ability to adapt to variable pathogen exposures. The majority of polymorphisms increasing resistance to Ma549 were sex biased, located in non-coding regions, had moderately large effect and were rare, suggesting that there is a general cost to defense. Nevertheless, host defense was not negatively correlated with overall longevity and fecundity. In contrast to Ma549, minor alleles were concentrated in the most Pa14-susceptible as well as the most Pa14-resistant lines. A pathway based analysis revealed a network of Pa14 and Ma549-resistance genes that are functionally connected through processes that encompass phagocytosis and engulfment, cell mobility, intermediary metabolism, protein phosphorylation, axon guidance, response to DNA damage, and drug metabolism. Functional testing with insertional mutagenesis lines indicates that 12/13 candidate genes tested influence susceptibility to Ma549. Many candidate genes have homologs identified in studies of human disease, suggesting that genes affecting variation in susceptibility are conserved across species. PMID:28257468

Knowledgeable Neighbors: a mobile clinic model for disease prevention and screening in underserved communities.

PubMed

Hill, Caterina; Zurakowski, David; Bennet, Jennifer; Walker-White, Rainelle; Osman, Jamie L; Quarles, Aaron; Oriol, Nancy

2012-03-01

The Family Van mobile health clinic uses a "Knowledgeable Neighbor" model to deliver cost-effective screening and prevention activities in underserved neighborhoods in Boston, MA. We have described the Knowledgeable Neighbor model and used operational data collected from 2006 to 2009 to evaluate the service. The Family Van successfully reached mainly minority low-income men and women. Of the clients screened, 60% had previously undetected elevated blood pressure, 14% had previously undetected elevated blood glucose, and 38% had previously undetected elevated total cholesterol. This represents an important model for reaching underserved communities to deliver proven cost-effective prevention activities, both to help control health care costs and to reduce health disparities.

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Assisted Fabrication of Hollow Carbon Spheres/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

PubMed

Zhang, Yunqiang; Ma, Qiang; Wang, Shulan; Liu, Xuan; Li, Li

2018-05-22

Three-dimensional hollow carbon spheres/reduced graphene oxide (DHCSs/RGO) nanocomposites with high-level heteroatom doping and hierarchical pores are fabricated via a versatile method. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) that serves as a dispersant and nucleating agent is used as the nonremoval template for synthesizing melamine resin (MR) spheres with abundant heteroatoms, which are subsequently composited with graphene oxide (GO). Use of PVA and implementation of freezing treatment prevent agglomeration of MR spheres within the GO network. Molten KOH is used to achieve the one-step carbonization/activation/reduction for the synthesis of DHCSs/RGO. DHCSs/RGO annealed at 700 °C shows superior discharge capacity of 1395 mA h/g at 0.1 A/g and 606 mA h/g at 5 A/g as well as excellent retentive capacity of 755 mA h/g after 600 cycles at a current density of 2 A/g. An extra CO 2 activation leads to further enhancement of electrochemical performance with outstanding discharge capacity of 1709 mA h/g at 0.1 A/g and 835 mA h/g at 2 A/g after 600 cycles. This work may improve our understanding of the synthesis of graphene-like nanocomposites with hollow and porous carbon architectures and fabrication of high-performance functional devices.

Percolation and cooperation with mobile agents: geometric and strategy clusters.

PubMed

Vainstein, Mendeli H; Brito, Carolina; Arenzon, Jeferson J

2014-08-01

We study the conditions for persistent cooperation in an off-lattice model of mobile agents playing the Prisoner's Dilemma game with pure, unconditional strategies. Each agent has an exclusion radius r(P), which accounts for the population viscosity, and an interaction radius r(int), which defines the instantaneous contact network for the game dynamics. We show that, differently from the r(P)=0 case, the model with finite-sized agents presents a coexistence phase with both cooperators and defectors, besides the two absorbing phases, in which either cooperators or defectors dominate. We provide, in addition, a geometric interpretation of the transitions between phases. In analogy with lattice models, the geometric percolation of the contact network (i.e., irrespective of the strategy) enhances cooperation. More importantly, we show that the percolation of defectors is an essential condition for their survival. Differently from compact clusters of cooperators, isolated groups of defectors will eventually become extinct if not percolating, independently of their size.

Occurrence of organic arsenic species in a 4-m deep free-floating mire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lobianco, Daniela; Zaccone, Claudio; Raber, Georg; D'Orazio, Valeria; Miano, Teodoro; Francesconi, Kevin

2017-04-01

Wetlands play a key role in the fate of major and trace elements, affecting their environmental mobility and ecotoxicity. Arsenic (As) is a chalcophile element that is recognized as a serious health risk worldwide. Inorganic forms of this metalloid are dominant in soils, whereas the organic forms generally occur only in trace amounts. Nevertheless, methylation processes are responsible for the mobilization of As in several ecosystems, especially in anoxic conditions. Peat cores from ombrotrophic bogs have been used to determine atmospheric depositional fluxes of total As over centuries, although the contribution of organic vs inorganic As species has been rarely considered. Here, 47 peat samples collected throughout a 400-cm deep, free-floating mire have been analysed for total As and for its organic species, including dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), methylarsonic acid (MA), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO) and arsenobetaine (AB) by HPLC-ICP-MS. Total As concentration throughout the profile ranged between 0.20 and 9.79 mg/kg (1.41±1.36 mg/kg; mean ± st. dev.), showing values that are quite low compared to other mire ecosystems. Organic As species (DMA+MA+TMAO+AB) account, on average, for 28±10% of total As (range 6-47%; median 28%), and for 41±14% of the extracted As (range 7-73%; median 42%). The relative abundance of organoarsenicals generally followed the order DMA>TMAO˜MA>>AB, and was not correlated with main physical and chemical properties of peat, including its degree of decomposition. There was, however, a highly significant (p <0.001) statistical correlation among all organic As compounds. This result provides new insights into the occurrence of organic As species in floating mires, suggesting a possible common biological pathway for their formation.

Rapid screening of methamphetamines in human serum by headspace solid-phase microextraction using a dodecylsulfate-doped polypyrrole film coupled to ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Alizadeh, Naader; Mohammadi, Abdorreza; Tabrizchi, Mahmoud

2008-03-07

A simple, rapid and highly sensitive method for simultaneous analysis of methamphetamine (MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) in human serum was developed using the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). A dodecylsulfate-doped polypyrrole (PPy-DS) was applied as a new fiber for SPME. Electrochemically polymerized PPy is formed on the surface of a platinum wire and will contain charge-compensating anion (dodecylsulfate) incorporated during synthesis using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The extraction properties of the fiber to MA and MDMA were examined, using a headspace-SPME (HS-SPME) device and thermal desorption in injection port of IMS. The results show that PPy-DS as a SPME fiber coating is suitable for the successful extraction of these compounds. This method is suitable for the identification and determination of MAs, is not time-consuming, requires small quantities of sample and does not require any derivatization. Parameters like pH, extraction time, ionic strength, and temperature of the sample were studied and optimized to obtain the best extraction results. The HS-SPME-IMS method provided good repeatability (RSDs<7.8 %) for spiked serum samples. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 20-4000 ng ml(-1) (R(2)>0.99) and detection limits for MDMA and MA were 5 and 8 ng ml(-1), respectively. HS-SPME-IMS of non-spiked serum sample provided a spectrum without any peak from the matrix, supporting an effective sample clean-up. Finally, the proposed method was applied for analysis one of the ecstasy tablet.

Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells with granulocyte colony stimulating factors for autologous transplant in hematologic malignancies: a single center experience

PubMed Central

Gabús, Raul; Borelli, Gabriel; Ferrando, Martín; Bódega, Enrique; Citrín, Estela; Jiménez, Constanza Olivera; Álvarez, Ramón

2011-01-01

Background In 2006 the Hematology Service of Hospital Maciel published its experience with peripheral blood progenitor cell harvesting for autologous stem cell transplantation using Filgen JP (Clausen Filgrastim). After mobilization with a mean filgrastim dose of 78 mcg/Kg, 4.7 x 106 CD34+ cells/Kg were obtained by apheresis. Age above 50, multiple myeloma as underlying disease and a malignancy that was not in remission were identified as frequent characteristics among patients showing complex mobilization. Objective The aim of this study was to compare stem cell mobilization using different brands of filgrastim. Methods One hundred and fifty-seven mobilizations performed between 1997 and 2006 were analyzed. This retrospective analysis comparative two groups of patients: those mobilized with different brands of filgrastim (Group A) and those who received Filgen JP (Clausen Filgrastim) as mobilizing agent (Group B). A cluster analysis technique was used to identify four clusters of individuals with different behaviors differentiated by age, total dose of filgrastim required, number of apheresis and harvested CD34+ cells. Results The mean total dose of filgrastim administered was 105 mcg/Kg, the median number of apheresis was 2 procedures and the mean number of harvested stem cells was 4.98 x 106 CD34+ cells/Kg. No significant differences were observed between Groups A and B regarding the number of apheresis, harvested CD34+ cells and number of mobilization failures, however the total dose of filgrastim was significantly lower in Group B. Conclusions Among other factors, the origin of the cytokine used as mobilizing agent is an element to be considered when evaluating CD34+ cell mobilization results. PMID:23049356

Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells with granulocyte colony stimulating factors for autologous transplant in hematologic malignancies: a single center experience.

PubMed

Gabús, Raul; Borelli, Gabriel; Ferrando, Martín; Bódega, Enrique; Citrín, Estela; Jiménez, Constanza Olivera; Alvarez, Ramón

2011-01-01

In 2006 the Hematology Service of Hospital Maciel published its experience with peripheral blood progenitor cell harvesting for autologous stem cell transplantation using Filgen JP (Clausen Filgrastim). After mobilization with a mean filgrastim dose of 78 mcg/Kg, 4.7 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/Kg were obtained by apheresis. Age above 50, multiple myeloma as underlying disease and a malignancy that was not in remission were identified as frequent characteristics among patients showing complex mobilization. The aim of this study was to compare stem cell mobilization using different brands of filgrastim. One hundred and fifty-seven mobilizations performed between 1997 and 2006 were analyzed. This retrospective analysis comparative two groups of patients: those mobilized with different brands of filgrastim (Group A) and those who received Filgen JP (Clausen Filgrastim) as mobilizing agent (Group B). A cluster analysis technique was used to identify four clusters of individuals with different behaviors differentiated by age, total dose of filgrastim required, number of apheresis and harvested CD34(+) cells. The mean total dose of filgrastim administered was 105 mcg/Kg, the median number of apheresis was 2 procedures and the mean number of harvested stem cells was 4.98 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/Kg. No significant differences were observed between Groups A and B regarding the number of apheresis, harvested CD34(+) cells and number of mobilization failures, however the total dose of filgrastim was significantly lower in Group B. Among other factors, the origin of the cytokine used as mobilizing agent is an element to be considered when evaluating CD34(+) cell mobilization results.

Grammar Schools: Brief Flowering of Social Mobility?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barker, Bernard

2012-01-01

Grammar schools are increasingly remembered, especially by right-wing ideologues, as the agents of a "brief flowering" of post-war social mobility. This article presents statistical, documentary and interview evidence of secondary education in the eleven plus era, and finds nothing to justify the claim that selective schools produced a general…

To Fairly Tell: Social Mobility, Life Histories, and the Anthropologist

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benei, Veronique

2010-01-01

This article focuses on social agents' own understandings of socio-economic mobility and social achievement, exploring the possibilities offered by the tool of "family" life history in the context of formerly Untouchable communities in western India, Maharashtra. While arguing in favour of family life histories as both resource and…

Te/C nanocomposites for Li-Te Secondary Batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, Jeong-Uk; Seong, Gun-Kyu; Park, Cheol-Min

2015-01-01

New battery systems having high energy density are actively being researched in order to satisfy the rapidly developing market for longer-lasting mobile electronics and hybrid electric vehicles. Here, we report a new Li-Te secondary battery system with a redox potential of ~1.7 V (vs. Li+/Li) adapted on a Li metal anode and an advanced Te/C nanocomposite cathode. Using a simple concept of transforming TeO2 into nanocrystalline Te by mechanical reduction, we designed an advanced, mechanically reduced Te/C nanocomposite electrode material with high energy density (initial discharge/charge: 1088/740 mA h cm-3), excellent cyclability (ca. 705 mA h cm-3 over 100 cycles), and fast rate capability (ca. 550 mA h cm-3 at 5C rate). The mechanically reduced Te/C nanocomposite electrodes were found to be suitable for use as either the cathode in Li-Te secondary batteries or a high-potential anode in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. We firmly believe that the mechanically reduced Te/C nanocomposite constitutes a breakthrough for the realization and mass production of excellent energy storage systems.

Differential mobility spectroscopy for chemical agent detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffin, M. Todd

2006-05-01

General Dynamics ATP (GDATP) and Sionex Corporation (Sionex) are carrying out a cooperative development for a handheld chemical agent detector, being called JUNO TM, which will have lower false positives, higher sensitivity, and improved interference rejection compared with presently available detectors. This enhanced performance is made possible by the use of a new principle of ion separation called Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS). The enhanced selectivity is provided by the field tunable nature of the Sionex differential mobility technology (microDMxTM) which forms the analytical heart of the JUNO system and enables fingerprinting of molecules by characterization of the ionized molecular behavior under multiple electric field conditions. This enhanced selectivity is valuable in addressing not only the traditional list of chemical warfare agents (CWA) but also the substantial list of Toxic Industrial Compounds (TICs) and Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMs) which may be released in warfare or terrorist situations. Experimental results showing the ability of the microDMx to reject interferences, detect and resolve live agents are presented. An additional breakthrough in the technology was realized by operating the device at a reduced pressure of around 0.5 atmospheres. This reduced pressure operation resulted in roughly doubling the spectrometers resolution over what has previously been reported [1]. Advances have also been made in power consumption and packaging leading to a device suitable for portable, handheld, applications. Experimental results illustrating the performance of the microDMx technology employed in JUNO are highlighted.

Combining agent-based modeling and life cycle assessment for the evaluation of mobility policies.

PubMed

Florent, Querini; Enrico, Benetto

2015-02-03

This article presents agent-based modeling (ABM) as a novel approach for consequential life cycle assessment (C-LCA) of large scale policies, more specifically mobility-related policies. The approach is validated at the Luxembourgish level (as a first case study). The agent-based model simulates the car market (sales, use, and dismantling) of the population of users in the period 2013-2020, following the implementation of different mobility policies and available electric vehicles. The resulting changes in the car fleet composition as well as the hourly uses of the vehicles are then used to derive consistent LCA results, representing the consequences of the policies. Policies will have significant environmental consequences: when using ReCiPe2008, we observe a decrease of global warming, fossil depletion, acidification, ozone depletion, and photochemical ozone formation and an increase of metal depletion, ionizing radiations, marine eutrophication, and particulate matter formation. The study clearly shows that the extrapolation of LCA results for the circulating fleet at national scale following the introduction of the policies from the LCAs of single vehicles by simple up-scaling (using hypothetical deployment scenarios) would be flawed. The inventory has to be directly conducted at full scale and to this aim, ABM is indeed a promising approach, as it allows identifying and quantifying emerging effects while modeling the Life Cycle Inventory of vehicles at microscale through the concept of agents.

Mechanical and interfacial properties of poly(vinyl chloride) based composites reinforced by cassava stillage residue with different surface treatments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yanjuan; Gan, Tao; Li, Qian; Su, Jianmei; Lin, Ye; Wei, Yongzuo; Huang, Zuqiang; Yang, Mei

2014-09-01

Cassava stillage residue (CSR), a kind of agro-industrial plant fiber, was modified by coupling agent (CA), mechanical activation (MA), and MA-assisted CA (MACA) surface treatments, respectively. The untreated and different surface treated CSRs were used to prepare plant fibers/polymer composites (PFPC) with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as polymer matrix, and the properties of these CSR/PVC composites were compared. Surface treated CSR/PVC composites possessed better mechanical properties, water resistance and dimensional stability compared with the untreated CSR/PVC composite, attributing to the improvement of interfacial properties between CSR and PVC matrix. MACA-treated CSR was the best reinforcement among four types of CSRs (untreated, MA-treated, CA-treated, and MACA-treated CSRs) because MACA treatment led to the significant improvement of dispersion, interfacial adhesion and compatibility between CSR and PVC. MACA treatment could be considered as an effective and green method for enhancing reinforcement efficiency of plant fibers and the properties of PFPC.

Volttron version 5.0

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

VOLTTRON is an agent execution platform providing services to its agents that allow them to easily communicate with physical devices and other resources. VOLTTRON delivers an innovative distributed control and sensing software platform that supports modern control strategies, including agent-based and transaction-based controls. It enables mobile and stationary software agents to perform information gathering, processing, and control actions. VOLTTRON can independently manage a wide range of applications, such as HVAC systems, electric vehicles, distributed energy or entire building loads, leading to improved operational efficiency.

Intelligent Adaptive Systems: Literature Research of Design Guidance for Intelligent Adaptive Automation and Interfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

behaviour based on past experience of interacting with the operator), and mobile (i.e., can move themselves from one machine to another). Edwards argues that...Sofge, D., Bugajska, M., Adams, W., Perzanowski, D., and Schultz, A. (2003). Agent-based Multimodal Interface for Dynamically Autonomous Mobile Robots...based architecture can provide a natural and scalable approach to implementing a multimodal interface to control mobile robots through dynamic

A novel low temperature soft reflow process for the fabrication of deep-submicron (<0.35 μm) T-gate pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ian, Ka Wa; Exarchos, Michael; Missous, Mohamed

2013-02-01

We report a new and simple low temperature soft reflow process using solvent vapour. The combination of this soft reflow and conventional i-line lithography enables low cost, highly efficient fabrication at the deep-submicron scale. Compared to the conventional thermal reflow process, the key benefits of the new soft reflow process are its low temperature operation (<50 °C), greater shrinkage of the structure size (up to 75%) and better controllability. Gate openings reflowed from 1 μm to 250 nm have been routinely and reproducibly achieved by utilizing the saturation characteristics of the process. The feasibility of this soft reflow process is demonstrated in the fabrication of a 350 nm T-gate pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor. By shrinking the gate length by a factor of three (from a 1 μm initial opening), the output current is improved by 60% (500 mA mm-1 from 300 mA mm-1) and fT and fMAX are increased to 70 GHz (from 20 GHz) and 120 GHz (from 40 GHz) respectively. The proposed soft reflow could potentially be applied on other compatible substrates such as polymer based material for organic or thin film devices, potentially leading to many new possible applications.

Radiometric ages for basement rocks from the Emperor Seamounts, ODP Leg 197

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duncan, Robert A.; Keller, Randall A.

2004-08-01

The Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain is the "type" example of an age-progressive, hot spot-generated intraplate volcanic lineament. However, our current knowledge of the age distribution within this province is based largely on radiometric ages determined several decades ago. Improvements in instrumentation, sample preparation methods, and new material obtained by recent drilling warrant a reexamination of the age relations among the older Hawaiian volcanoes. We report new age determinations (40Ar-39Ar incremental heating method) on whole rocks and feldspar separates from Detroit (Sites 1203 and 1204), Nintoku (Site 1205), and Koko (Site 1206) Seamounts (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 197) and Meiji Seamount (Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg 19, Site 192). Plateaus in incremental heating age spectra for Site 1203 lava flows give a mean age of 75.8 ± 0.6 (2σ) Ma, which is consistent with the normal magnetic polarity directions observed and biostratigraphic age assignments. Site 1204 lavas produced discordant spectra, indicating Ar loss by reheating and K mobilization. Six plateau ages from lava flows at Site 1205 give a mean age of 55.6 ± 0.2 Ma, corresponding to Chron 24r. Drilling at Site 1206 intersected a N-R-N magnetic polarity sequence of lava flows, from which six plateau ages give a mean age of 49.1 ± 0.2 Ma, corresponding to the Chron 21n-22r-22n sequence. Plateau ages from two feldspar separates and one lava from DSDP Site 192 range from 34 to 41 Ma, significantly younger than the Cretaceous age of overlying sediments, which we relate to postcrystallization K mobilization. Combined with new dating results from Suiko Seamount (DSDP Site 433) and volcanoes near the prominent bend in the lineament [, 2002], the overall trend is increasing volcano age from south to north along the Emperor Seamounts, consistent with the hot spot model. However, there appear to be important departures from the earlier modeled simple linear age progression, which we relate to changes in Pacific plate motion and the rate of southward motion of the Hawaiian hot spot.

Nonuniform Deployment of Autonomous Agents in Harbor-Like Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-12

ith agent than to all other agents. Interested readers are referred to [55] for the comprehensive study on Voronoi partitioning and its applications...robots: An rfid approach, PhD dissertation, School of Electrical Engi- neering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa (October 2012). [55] A. Okabe, B...Gueaieb, A stochastic approach of mobile robot navigation using customized rfid sys- tems, International Conference on Signals, Circuits and Systems

Developing framework for agent- based diabetes disease management system: user perspective.

PubMed

Mohammadzadeh, Niloofar; Safdari, Reza; Rahimi, Azin

2014-02-01

One of the characteristics of agents is mobility which makes them very suitable for remote electronic health and tele medicine. The aim of this study is developing a framework for agent based diabetes information management at national level through identifying required agents. The main tool is a questioner that is designed in three sections based on studying library resources, performance of major organizations in the field of diabetes in and out of the country and interviews with experts in the medical, health information management and software fields. Questionnaires based on Delphi methods were distributed among 20 experts. In order to design and identify agents required in health information management for the prevention and appropriate and rapid treatment of diabetes, the results were analyzed using SPSS 17 and Results were plotted with FREEPLANE mind map software. ACCESS TO DATA TECHNOLOGY IN PROPOSED FRAMEWORK IN ORDER OF PRIORITY IS: mobile (mean 1/80), SMS, EMAIL (mean 2/80), internet, web (mean 3/30), phone (mean 3/60), WIFI (mean 4/60). In delivering health care to diabetic patients, considering social and human aspects is essential. Having a systematic view for implementation of agent systems and paying attention to all aspects such as feedbacks, user acceptance, budget, motivation, hierarchy, useful standards, affordability of individuals, identifying barriers and opportunities and so on, are necessary.

SOMM: A New Service Oriented Middleware for Generic Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks Based on Code Mobility

PubMed Central

Faghih, Mohammad Mehdi; Moghaddam, Mohsen Ebrahimi

2011-01-01

Although much research in the area of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) has been done in recent years, the programming of sensor nodes is still time-consuming and tedious. It requires expertise in low-level programming, mainly because of the use of resource constrained hardware and also the low level API provided by current operating systems. The code of the resulting systems has typically no clear separation between application and system logic. This minimizes the possibility of reusing code and often leads to the necessity of major changes when the underlying platform is changed. In this paper, we present a service oriented middleware named SOMM to support application development for WMSNs. The main goal of SOMM is to enable the development of modifiable and scalable WMSN applications. A network which uses the SOMM is capable of providing multiple services to multiple clients at the same time with the specified Quality of Service (QoS). SOMM uses a virtual machine with the ability to support mobile agents. Services in SOMM are provided by mobile agents and SOMM also provides a t space on each node which agents can use to communicate with each other. PMID:22346646

SOMM: A new service oriented middleware for generic wireless multimedia sensor networks based on code mobility.

PubMed

Faghih, Mohammad Mehdi; Moghaddam, Mohsen Ebrahimi

2011-01-01

Although much research in the area of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) has been done in recent years, the programming of sensor nodes is still time-consuming and tedious. It requires expertise in low-level programming, mainly because of the use of resource constrained hardware and also the low level API provided by current operating systems. The code of the resulting systems has typically no clear separation between application and system logic. This minimizes the possibility of reusing code and often leads to the necessity of major changes when the underlying platform is changed. In this paper, we present a service oriented middleware named SOMM to support application development for WMSNs. The main goal of SOMM is to enable the development of modifiable and scalable WMSN applications. A network which uses the SOMM is capable of providing multiple services to multiple clients at the same time with the specified Quality of Service (QoS). SOMM uses a virtual machine with the ability to support mobile agents. Services in SOMM are provided by mobile agents and SOMM also provides a t space on each node which agents can use to communicate with each other.

Portable Solid Phase Micro-Extraction Coupled with Ion Mobility Spectrometry System for On-Site Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents and Simulants in Water Samples

PubMed Central

Yang, Liu; Han, Qiang; Cao, Shuya; Yang, Jie; Yang, Junchao; Ding, Mingyu

2014-01-01

On-site analysis is an efficient approach to facilitate analysis at the location of the system under investigation as it can result in more accurate, more precise and quickly available analytical data. In our work, a novel self-made thermal desorption based interface was fabricated to couple solid-phase microextraction with ion mobility spectrometry for on-site water analysis. The portable interface can be connected with the front-end of an ion mobility spectrometer directly without other modifications. The analytical performance was evaluated via the extraction of chemical warfare agents and simulants in water samples. Several parameters including ionic strength and extraction time have been investigated in detail. The application of the developed method afforded satisfactory recoveries ranging from 72.9% to 114.4% when applied to the analysis of real water samples. PMID:25384006

1,2,3,4-bis(p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol) accelerates crystallization and improves hole mobility of poly(3-hexylthiophene)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Nana; Huo, Hong

2016-02-01

The addition of 1,2,3,4-bis(p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol) (MDBS) does not change the nucleation mechanism or the crystal form of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), but its presence increases the crystallization temperature (T c) of P3HT, decreases the crystallization half-time (t 1/2) and accelerates P3HT crystallization, which indicates that MDBS is an effective nucleating agent for P3HT. An acceleration of P3HT crystallization by the addition of MDBS decreases the crystalline size and crystallinity of P3HT, and enhances the connectivity between ordered regions of P3HT, leading to the hole mobility rising from 1.99 × 10-6 to 7.57 × 10-5 cm2 V-1s-1 in P3HT:PCBM blend based hole-only devices with sandwich configurations. Our results suggest that accelerating P3HT crystallization by adding a nucleating agent might be an important factor to improve the hole mobility and balance the electron and hole mobility in a photovoltaic blend.

Fast rerouting schemes for protected mobile IP over MPLS networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Chih-Chao; Chang, Sheng-Yi; Chen, Huan; Chen, Kim-Joan

2005-10-01

Fast rerouting is a critical traffic engineering operation in the MPLS networks. To implement the Mobile IP service over the MPLS network, one can collaborate with the fast rerouting operation to enhance the availability and survivability. MPLS can protect critical LSP tunnel between Home Agent (HA) and Foreign Agent (FA) using the fast rerouting scheme. In this paper, we propose a simple but efficient algorithm to address the triangle routing problem for the Mobile IP over the MPLS networks. We consider this routing issue as a link weighting and capacity assignment (LW-CA) problem. The derived solution is used to plan the fast restoration mechanism to protect the link or node failure. In this paper, we first model the LW-CA problem as a mixed integer optimization problem. Our goal is to minimize the call blocking probability on the most congested working truck for the mobile IP connections. Many existing network topologies are used to evaluate the performance of our scheme. Results show that our proposed scheme can obtain the best performance in terms of the smallest blocking probability compared to other schemes.

Generating a Corpus of Mobile Forensic Images for Masquerading user Experimentation.

PubMed

Guido, Mark; Brooks, Marc; Grover, Justin; Katz, Eric; Ondricek, Jared; Rogers, Marcus; Sharpe, Lauren

2016-11-01

The Periodic Mobile Forensics (PMF) system investigates user behavior on mobile devices. It applies forensic techniques to an enterprise mobile infrastructure, utilizing an on-device agent named TractorBeam. The agent collects changed storage locations for later acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis. TractorBeam provides its data to an enterprise infrastructure that consists of a cloud-based queuing service, relational database, and analytical framework for running forensic processes. During a 3-month experiment with Purdue University, TractorBeam was utilized in a simulated operational setting across 34 users to evaluate techniques to identify masquerading users (i.e., users other than the intended device user). The research team surmises that all masqueraders are undesirable to an enterprise, even when a masquerader lacks malicious intent. The PMF system reconstructed 821 forensic images, extracted one million audit events, and accurately detected masqueraders. Evaluation revealed that developed methods reduced storage requirements 50-fold. This paper describes the PMF architecture, performance of TractorBeam throughout the protocol, and results of the masquerading user analysis. © 2016 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Device Data Protection in Mobile Healthcare Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weerasinghe, Dasun; Rajarajan, Muttukrishnan; Rakocevic, Veselin

The rapid growth in mobile technology makes the delivery of healthcare data and services on mobile phones a reality. However, the healthcare data is very sensitive and has to be protected against unauthorized access. While most of the development work on security of mobile healthcare today focuses on the data encryption and secure authentication in remote servers, protection of data on the mobile device itself has gained very little attention. This paper analyses the requirements and the architecture for a secure mobile capsule, specially designed to protect the data that is already on the device. The capsule is a downloadable software agent with additional functionalities to enable secure external communication with healthcare service providers, network operators and other relevant communication parties.

Setting up a mobile Lidar (DIAL) system for detecting chemical warfare agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavosh Tehrani, M.; Mohammad, M. Malek; Jaafari, E.; Mobashery, A.

2015-03-01

The mobile light detection and ranging DIAL system of Malek Ashtar University of Technology has been developed for the detection of chemical warfare agents whose absorption wavelengths are in the range of 9.2-10.8 μm tunable CO2 lasers of the system. In this paper, this system is first described and then ammonia detection is analyzed experimentally. Also, experimental results of detecting a sarin agent simulant, dimethyl-methyl phosphonate (DMMP), are presented. The power levels received from different ranges to detect specific concentrations of NH3 and DMMP have been measured and debated. The primary test results with a 150 ns clipped pulse width by passive pinhole plasma shutter indicate that the system is capable of monitoring several species of pollutants in the range of about 1 km, with a 20 m spatial and 2 min temporal resolution.

Mobility and Congestion in Dynamical Multilayer Networks with Finite Storage Capacity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, S.; Di Tucci, E.; Latora, V.

2018-02-01

Multilayer networks describe well many real interconnected communication and transportation systems, ranging from computer networks to multimodal mobility infrastructures. Here, we introduce a model in which the nodes have a limited capacity of storing and processing the agents moving over a multilayer network, and their congestions trigger temporary faults which, in turn, dynamically affect the routing of agents seeking for uncongested paths. The study of the network performance under different layer velocities and node maximum capacities reveals the existence of delicate trade-offs between the number of served agents and their time to travel to destination. We provide analytical estimates of the optimal buffer size at which the travel time is minimum and of its dependence on the velocity and number of links at the different layers. Phenomena reminiscent of the slower is faster effect and of the Braess' paradox are observed in our dynamical multilayer setup.

Mobility and Congestion in Dynamical Multilayer Networks with Finite Storage Capacity.

PubMed

Manfredi, S; Di Tucci, E; Latora, V

2018-02-09

Multilayer networks describe well many real interconnected communication and transportation systems, ranging from computer networks to multimodal mobility infrastructures. Here, we introduce a model in which the nodes have a limited capacity of storing and processing the agents moving over a multilayer network, and their congestions trigger temporary faults which, in turn, dynamically affect the routing of agents seeking for uncongested paths. The study of the network performance under different layer velocities and node maximum capacities reveals the existence of delicate trade-offs between the number of served agents and their time to travel to destination. We provide analytical estimates of the optimal buffer size at which the travel time is minimum and of its dependence on the velocity and number of links at the different layers. Phenomena reminiscent of the slower is faster effect and of the Braess' paradox are observed in our dynamical multilayer setup.

The carbonatite-marble dykes of Abyan Province, Yemen Republic: the mixing of mantle and crustal carbonate materials revealed by isotope and trace element analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Bas, M. J.; Ba-Bttat, M. A. O.; Taylor, R. N.; Milton, J. A.; Windley, B. F.; Evins, P. M.

2004-09-01

Dykes of carbonate rocks, that cut gneisses in the Lowder-Mudiah area of southern Yemen, consist of dolomite and/or calcite with or without apatite, barite and monazite. Petrographic observations, mineralogical, XRF and ICP-MS analyses reveal that some of the carbonate rocks are derived from sedimentary protoliths, whereas others are magmatic calcio- and magnesio-carbonatites some of which are mineralized with barite-monazite. The interbanded occurrence and apparent contemporary emplacement of these different rock types within individual dykes, backed by Sr Nd isotope evidence, are interpreted to show that intrusion of mantle-derived carbonatite magma was accompanied by mobilization of crustal marbles. That took place some 840 Ma ago but the REE-mineralization is dated at ca. 400 Ma.

Knowledgeable Neighbors:A Mobile Clinic Model for Disease Prevention and Screening in Underserved Communities

PubMed Central

Zurakowski, David; Bennet, Jennifer; Walker-White, Rainelle; Osman, Jamie L.; Quarles, Aaron; Oriol, Nancy

2012-01-01

The Family Van mobile health clinic uses a “Knowledgeable Neighbor” model to deliver cost-effective screening and prevention activities in underserved neighborhoods in Boston, MA. We have described the Knowledgeable Neighbor model and used operational data collected from 2006 to 2009 to evaluate the service. The Family Van successfully reached mainly minority low-income men and women. Of the clients screened, 60% had previously undetected elevated blood pressure, 14% had previously undetected elevated blood glucose, and 38% had previously undetected elevated total cholesterol. This represents an important model for reaching underserved communities to deliver proven cost-effective prevention activities, both to help control health care costs and to reduce health disparities. PMID:22390503

Acute myeloid leukemia developing in a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized stem cell donor: A case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Haddad, Housam; Wungjiranirun, Manida; Gergis, Usama

2016-09-01

We describe the first case of a FLT-3 mutated AML in a healthy donor, 3years after recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvest. The patient had a myeloablative (MA) matched unrelated donor (MUD) stem cell transplant (SCT) for refractory AML. However, he experienced a secondary graft failure. He had a second non myeloablative (NMA) on day +75 from a second MUD. He achieved a complete neutrophil and platelet engraftment. After 4years of follow up, he is alive in complete remission with full second donor chimerism. Copyright © 2015 King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Compactly packaged monolithic four-wavelength VCSEL array with 100-GHz wavelength spacing for future-proof mobile fronthaul transport.

PubMed

Lee, Eun-Gu; Mun, Sil-Gu; Lee, Sang Soo; Lee, Jyung Chan; Lee, Jong Hyun

2015-01-12

We report a cost-effective transmitter optical sub-assembly using a monolithic four-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array with 100-GHz wavelength spacing for future-proof mobile fronthaul transport using the data rate of common public radio interface option 6. The wavelength spacing is achieved using selectively etched cavity control layers and fine current adjustment. The differences in operating current and output power for maintaining the wavelength spacing of four VCSELs are <1.4 mA and <1 dB, respectively. Stable operation performance without mode hopping is observed, and error-free transmission under direct modulation is demonstrated over a 20-km single-mode fiber without any dispersion-compensation techniques.

A Hop-Sensitive Mechanism to Establish Route Optimization in Mobile Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnanaraj, J. Isac; Newton, P. Calduwel; Arockiam, L.; Kim, Tai-Hoon

The mobile network plays a vital role in mobile communications. It supports both host mobility and network mobility. The mobile network which supports network mobility can be called as NEMO. The NEMO refers to NEtwork MObility or mobile network that moves. Though NEMO provides many supports, it also suffers due to Quality of Service (QoS) issues. One such issue is Route Optimization (RO). When a Mobile Node (MN) is away from Home Network (HN), it will send a binding update to Home Agent (HA) in HN to inform its movement. If the Correspondent Node (CN) wants to send data to MN, it will send data through HA. In this scenario, three networks such as HN, Foreign Network (FN) and Correspondent Network are involved in data transfer. The involvement of these three networks affects the QoS. This paper concentrates on some of the QoS parameters to propose a QoS mechanism to establish RO among these three networks and significantly increases performance of the mobile network.

Radiation synthesis of biocompatible hydrogels of dextran methacrylate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szafulera, Kamila; Wach, Radosław A.; Olejnik, Alicja K.; Rosiak, Janusz M.; Ulański, Piotr

2018-01-01

The aim of this work was to synthesize biocompatible dextran-based hydrogels through crosslinking initiated by ionizing radiation. A series of derivatives of dextran has been synthesized by coupling of methacrylated glycidyl to the structure of this polysaccharide, yielding dextran methacrylate (Dex-MA) of the degree of methacrylate substitution (DS) up to 1.13 as characterised by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels were formed by electron-beam irradiation of Dex-MA in aqueous solution in the absence of low-molecular-weight additives such as catalysts, monomers or crosslinking agents. Crosslinking of Dex-MA in aqueous solutions of 20 g/l and above was an efficient process, the gels were formed at doses as low as 0.5 kGy (experiments conducted up to 100 kGy) and were characterised by high content of insoluble fraction (70-100%). Due to high crosslinking density the equilibrium degree of swelling of fabricated gels was controlled principally by the initial concentration of Dex-MA solution subjected to irradiation, and it was in the range of 20 to over 100 g of water absorbed by gram of gel. Cytocompatibility of hydrogels was examined using XTT assay through evaluation of the cell viability being in indirect contact with hydrogels. The results indicated that hydrogels of Dex-MA of the average DS below 1 were not cytotoxic. Altogether, our data demonstrate that irradiation of methacrylated dextran in aqueous solution is an efficient method of fabrication of biocompatible hydrogels, which applications in regeneration medicine are anticipated.

Enhancing the Professionalism of Purchasing Agents (GS 1105s) within the Department of the Army.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

automated small purchase process offers distinct advantages, as well as cost savings in both time and money , for activities with a large volume of small...resident) Massasoit Northeast $1,888 $6,400 Boston, MA Broward Southeast 1,327 2,765 Ft. Lauder - dale, FL Rock Valley Midwest 1,728 7,552 Rockford, IL De

Security Strategy of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

Williams, M.A. , Member John A. Dyson, MBA , Member Gregory Scott Hospodor, Ph.D Accepted this 10th day of June 2011 by...ACRONYMS AAR After Action Review ASOS Advance Security Overseas Seminar ATA Antiterrorism Assistance Program BRSO Regional Security Officer Course ...BSAC Basic Special Agent Course DS Bureau of Diplomatic Security FACT Foreign Affairs Counter Threat FAH Foreign Affairs Handbook FAM Foreign

Evolving Agents: Communication and Cognition

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

systems [11] and the first Chomsky ideas concerning mechanisms of language grammar related to deep structure [12] encountered CC of rules. Model-based...Perennial (2000) 3. Jackendoff, R.: Foundations of Language: Brain, Meaning, Grammar , Evolution. Oxford University Press, New York, NY (2002) 4. Pinker, S... University Press, Princeton, NJ (1961) 11. Minsky, M.L.: Semantic Information Processing. The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA (1968) 12. Chomsky , N

Partially etched Ti3AlC2 as a promising high capacity Lithium-ion battery anode.

PubMed

Chen, Xifan; Zhu, Yuanzhi; Zhu, Xiaoquan; Peng, Wenchao; Li, Yang; Zhang, Guoliang; Zhang, Fengbao; Fan, Xiaobin

2018-06-25

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition-metal carbide and nitride materials, are supposed to be the promising materials in energy storage because of the high electronic conductivity, hydrophilic surfaces and low diffusion barriers. MXenes are generally prepared by removing the "A" elements (A = Al, Si, Sn, etc.) from their corresponding MAX phases by using hydrofluoric acid (HF) and the other etching agents, despite the fact that these "A" elements usually have great volumetric and gravimetric capacities. Herein, we studied the etching progress of Ti3AlC2 and evaluated their anode performance in Lithium-ion batteries. We found that a partially etched sample (0.5h-peTi3C2Tx) showed much higher capacity (160 mA h g-1, 331.6 mA h cm-3 at 1C) when compared with the fully etched Ti3C2Tx (110 mA h g-1, 190.3 mA h cm-3 at 1C). Besides, a 99% capacity retention was observed even after 1000 cycles in the 0.5h-peTi3C2Tx anode. This interesting result can be explained, at least in part, by the alloying of the residue Al element during lithiation. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

China Report: Political, Sociological and Military Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-18

Production Brigade of Guangbao Commune in raising chickens and rabbits in a big way. We must mobilize the commune member house- holds to utilize...The state and the commune, production brigades, and production teams operate fish farms, some of which raise fry . Why not go ahead with raising fish...Wei Xinyi, Huang Yu, Yang Jike, Guo Tixiang, Meng Fulin, Hu Tan, Zhu Nong, Fang Shiliang, Wang Zenong, Pan Ezhang, Liu Zhengwen, Chen Tianren, Ma

Ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry for screening of doping agents. I: Investigation of mobile phase and MS conditions.

PubMed

Nováková, Lucie; Grand-Guillaume Perrenoud, Alexandre; Nicoli, Raul; Saugy, Martial; Veuthey, Jean-Luc; Guillarme, Davy

2015-01-01

The conditions for the analysis of selected doping substances by UHPSFC-MS/MS were optimized to ensure suitable peak shapes and maximized MS responses. A representative mixture of 31 acidic and basic doping agents was analyzed, in both ESI+ and ESI- modes. The best compromise for all compounds in terms of MS sensitivity and chromatographic performance was obtained when adding 2% water and 10mM ammonium formate in the CO2/MeOH mobile phase. Beside mobile phase, the nature of the make-up solvent added for interfacing UHPSFC with MS was also evaluated. Ethanol was found to be the best candidate as it was able to compensate for the negative effect of 2% water addition in ESI- mode and provided a suitable MS response for all doping agents. Sensitivity of the optimized UHPSFC-MS/MS method was finally assessed and compared to the results obtained in conventional UHPLC-MS/MS. Sensitivity was improved by 5-100-fold in UHPSFC-MS/MS vs. UHPLC-MS/MS for 56% of compounds, while only one compound (bumetanide) offered a significantly higher MS response (4-fold) under UHPLC-MS/MS conditions. In the second paper of this series, the optimal conditions for UHPSFC-MS/MS analysis will be employed to screen >100 doping agents in urine matrix and results will be compared to those obtained by conventional UHPLC-MS/MS. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Colonization Pattern of the Biocontrol Strain Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA 342 on Barley Seeds Visualized by Using Green Fluorescent Protein

PubMed Central

Tombolini, Riccardo; van der Gaag, Dirk Jan; Gerhardson, Berndt; Jansson, Janet K.

1999-01-01

Pseudomonas chlororaphis MA 342 is a potent biocontrol agent that can be used against several seed-borne diseases of cereal crops, including net blotch of barley caused by the fungus Drechslera teres. In this study, strain MA 342 was tagged with the gfp gene (encoding the green fluorescent protein) in order to study the fate of cells after seed inoculation. The gfp-tagged strain, MA 342G2, had the same biocontrol efficacy as the wild type when it was applied at high cell concentrations to seeds but was less effective at lower cell concentrations. By comparing cell counts determined by microscopy to the number of CFU, we found that the number of culturable cells was significantly lower than the total number of bacteria on seeds which were inoculated and dried for 20 h. Confocal microscopy and epifluorescence stereomicroscopy were used to determine the pattern of MA 342G2 colonization and cell aggregation on barley seeds. Immediately after inoculation of seeds, bacteria were found mainly under the seed glume, and there was no particular aggregation pattern. However, after the seeds were sown, irregularly distributed areas of bacterial aggregation were found, which reflected epiphytic colonization of glume cells. There was a trend towards bacterial aggregation near the embryo but never within the embryo. Bacterial aggregates were regularly found in the groove of each seed formed by the base of the coleoptile and the scutellum. Based on these results, we suggest that MA 342 colocalizes with the pathogen D. teres, which facilitates the action of the fungistatic compound(s) produced by this strain. PMID:10427065

Managing the Evolution of an Enterprise Architecture using a MAS-Product-Line Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pena, Joaquin; Hinchey, Michael G.; Resinas, manuel; Sterritt, Roy; Rash, James L.

2006-01-01

We view an evolutionary system ns being n software product line. The core architecture is the unchanging part of the system, and each version of the system may be viewed as a product from the product line. Each "product" may be described as the core architecture with sonre agent-based additions. The result is a multiagent system software product line. We describe an approach to such n Software Product Line-based approach using the MaCMAS Agent-Oriented nzethoclology. The approach scales to enterprise nrchitectures as a multiagent system is an approprinre means of representing a changing enterprise nrchitectclre nnd the inferaction between components in it.

Inhibition of autophagy promotes CYP2E1-dependent toxicity in HepG2 cells via elevated oxidative stress, mitochondria dysfunction and activation of p38 and JNK MAPK☆

PubMed Central

Wu, Defeng; Cederbaum, Arthur I.

2013-01-01

Autophagy has been shown to be protective against drug and alcohol-induced liver injury. CYP2E1 plays a role in the toxicity of ethanol, carcinogens and certain drugs. Inhibition of autophagy increased ethanol-toxicity and accumulation of fat in wild type and CYP2E1 knockin mice but not in CYP2E1 knockout mice as well as in HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) but not HepG2 cells lacking CYP2E1 (C34 cells). The goal of the current study was to evaluate whether modulation of autophagy can affect CYP2E1-dependent cytotoxicity in the E47 cells. The agents used to promote CYP2E1 –dependent toxicity were a polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid (AA), buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), which depletes GSH, and CCl4, which is metabolized to the CCl3 radical. These three agents produced a decrease in E47 cell viability which was enhanced upon inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or Atg 7 siRNA. Toxicity was lowered by rapamycin which increased autophagy and was much lower to the C34 cells which do not express CYP2E1. Toxicity was mainly necrotic and was associated with an increase in reactive oxygen production and oxidative stress; 3-MA increased while rapamycin blunted the oxidative stress. The enhanced toxicity and ROS formation produced when autophagy was inhibited was prevented by the antioxidant N-Acetyl cysteine. AA, BSO and CCl4 produced mitochondrial dysfunction, lowered cellular ATP levels and elevated mitochondrial production of ROS. This mitochondrial dysfunction was enhanced by inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA but decreased when autophagy was increased by rapamycin. The mitogen activated protein kinases p38 MAPK and JNK were activated by AA especially when autophagy was inhibited and chemical inhibitors of p38 MAPK and JNK lowered the elevated toxicity of AA produced by 3-MA. These results show that autophagy was protective against the toxicity produced by several agents known to be activated by CYP2E1. Since CYP2E1 plays an important role in the toxicity of ethanol, drugs and carcinogens and is activated under various pathophysiological conditions such as diabetes, NASH and obesity, attempts to stimulate autophagy may be beneficial in preventing/lowering CYP2E1/ethanol liver injury. PMID:24273738

Implementation of fast handover for proxy mobile IPv6: Resolving out-of-order packets

PubMed Central

Anh, Khuong Quoc; Choo, Hyunseung

2017-01-01

Mobile IP allows for location-independent routing of IP datagrams on the Internet. Mobile IP specifies how a mobile node (MN) registers with its home agent and how the home agent routes datagrams to the MN through the tunnel. Current Mobile IP protocols have difficulties meeting the stringent handover delay requirements of future wireless networks. Fast handover for Proxy Mobile IPv6 (FPMIPv6) is used to resolve handover latency and packet loss problems that occur in the Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) protocol. However, while implementing the FPMIPv6 scheme in a testbed, we encounter the out-of-order packet (OoOP) problem. The cause of this problem is the existence of two paths for data transmitted from a correspondent node (CN) to an MN. Since the problem affects the quality of service (QoS) of the network and the performance of the MN, we propose a new scheme using the last packet marker and packet buffering to solve this problem in FPMIPv6. The new Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) can control and deliver the data transmitted via the old path or the new path to an MN in order, using the last packet marker to notify the end of the data delivery in the old path and the packet buffering for holding the data delivered in the new path. We implement both the proposed scheme and FPMIPv6 in a testbed as a real network environment to demonstrate the correctness, cost effectiveness, and performance of the proposed scheme. A performance evaluation reveals that the proposed scheme can handle the OoOP problem efficiently. PMID:28968450

Implementation of fast handover for proxy mobile IPv6: Resolving out-of-order packets.

PubMed

Kang, Byungseok; Anh, Khuong Quoc; Choo, Hyunseung

2017-01-01

Mobile IP allows for location-independent routing of IP datagrams on the Internet. Mobile IP specifies how a mobile node (MN) registers with its home agent and how the home agent routes datagrams to the MN through the tunnel. Current Mobile IP protocols have difficulties meeting the stringent handover delay requirements of future wireless networks. Fast handover for Proxy Mobile IPv6 (FPMIPv6) is used to resolve handover latency and packet loss problems that occur in the Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) protocol. However, while implementing the FPMIPv6 scheme in a testbed, we encounter the out-of-order packet (OoOP) problem. The cause of this problem is the existence of two paths for data transmitted from a correspondent node (CN) to an MN. Since the problem affects the quality of service (QoS) of the network and the performance of the MN, we propose a new scheme using the last packet marker and packet buffering to solve this problem in FPMIPv6. The new Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) can control and deliver the data transmitted via the old path or the new path to an MN in order, using the last packet marker to notify the end of the data delivery in the old path and the packet buffering for holding the data delivered in the new path. We implement both the proposed scheme and FPMIPv6 in a testbed as a real network environment to demonstrate the correctness, cost effectiveness, and performance of the proposed scheme. A performance evaluation reveals that the proposed scheme can handle the OoOP problem efficiently.

Research and application of multi-agent genetic algorithm in tower defense game

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Shaohua

2018-04-01

In this paper, a new multi-agent genetic algorithm based on orthogonal experiment is proposed, which is based on multi-agent system, genetic algorithm and orthogonal experimental design. The design of neighborhood competition operator, orthogonal crossover operator, Son and self-learning operator. The new algorithm is applied to mobile tower defense game, according to the characteristics of the game, the establishment of mathematical models, and finally increases the value of the game's monster.

Military Role in Countering Terrorist Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-04-01

chemical and biological mobile point detection. “The M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm (RSCAAL) is an automatic scanning, passive infrared sensor...The M21 detects nerve and blister agent clouds based on changes in the background infrared spectra caused by the presence of the agent vapor.”15...required if greater than 3 years since last vaccine. VEE Yes Multiple vaccines required. VHF No Botulism Yes SEB No Ricin No Mycotoxin s No Source

Correlation between processing conditions, microstructure and charge transport in half-Heusler alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makongo, Julien P.A.; Zhou, Xiaoyuan; Misra, Dinesh K.

2013-05-01

Five bulk samples of n-type Zr₀.₂₅Hf₀.₇₅NiSn₀.₉₇₅Sb₀.₀₂₅ half-Heusler (HH) alloy were fabricated by reacting elemental powders via (1) high temperature solid state (SS) reaction and (2) mechanical alloying (MA), followed by densification using spark plasma sintering (SPS) and/or hot pressing (HP). A portion of the sample obtained by SS reaction was mechanically alloyed before consolidation by hot pressing (SS–MA–HP). X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that all SS specimen (SS–SPS, SS–HP, SS–MA–HP) are single phase HH alloys, whereas the MA sample (MA–SPS) contains metallic nanoprecipitates. Electronic and thermal transport measurements showed that the embedded nanoprecipitates induce a drasticmore » increase in the carrier concentration (n), a large decrease in the Seebeck coefficient (S) and a marginal decrease in the lattice thermal conductivity (κ l) of the MA–SPS sample leading to lower ZT values when compared to the SS–HP samples. Constant values of S are observed for the SS series regardless of the processing method. However, a strong dependence of the carrier mobility (μ), electrical conductivity (σ) and κ l on the processing and consolidation method is observed. For instance, mechanical alloying introduces additional structural defects which enhance electron and phonon scattering leading to moderately low values of μ and large reduction in κ l. This results in a net 20% enhancement in the figure of merit (ZT=0.6 at 775 K). HH specimen of the same nominal composition with higher ZT is anticipated from a combination of SS reaction, MA and SPS (SS–MA–SPS). - Graphical abstract: In half-Heusler alloys, thermopower values are insensitive to processing method, whereas carrier mobility (μ), electrical conductivity (σ), and κ l strongly dependent on the microstructure which in turn is altered by the synthesis, processing and consolidation method. Highlights: • Phase composition of HH alloy strongly depends on the synthesis technique. • Mechanical alloying of elements yields bulk HH alloy with metallic impurity phases. • Thermopower, carrier density, and effective mass of HHs are insensitive to processing conditions. • Mechanical alloying decreases the carrier mobility and lattice thermal conductivity of bulk HH.« less

Short-term exposure to mobile phone base station signals does not affect cognitive functioning or physiological measures in individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields and controls.

PubMed

Eltiti, Stacy; Wallace, Denise; Ridgewell, Anna; Zougkou, Konstantina; Russo, Riccardo; Sepulveda, Francisco; Fox, Elaine

2009-10-01

Individuals who report sensitivity to electromagnetic fields often report cognitive impairments that they believe are due to exposure to mobile phone technology. Previous research in this area has revealed mixed results, however, with the majority of research only testing control individuals. Two studies using control and self-reported sensitive participants found inconsistent effects of mobile phone base stations on cognitive functioning. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether short-term (50 min) exposure at 10 mW/m(2) to typical Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) base station signals affects attention, memory, and physiological endpoints in sensitive and control participants. Data from 44 sensitive and 44 matched-control participants who performed the digit symbol substitution task (DSST), digit span task (DS), and a mental arithmetic task (MA), while being exposed to GSM, UMTS, and sham signals under double-blind conditions were analyzed. Overall, cognitive functioning was not affected by short-term exposure to either GSM or UMTS signals in the current study. Nor did exposure affect the physiological measurements of blood volume pulse (BVP), heart rate (HR), and skin conductance (SC) that were taken while participants performed the cognitive tasks.

Using web technology and Java mobile software agents to manage outside referrals.

PubMed Central

Murphy, S. N.; Ng, T.; Sittig, D. F.; Barnett, G. O.

1998-01-01

A prototype, web-based referral application was created with the objective of providing outside primary care providers (PCP's) the means to refer patients to the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. The application was designed to achieve the two primary objectives of providing the consultant with enough data to make decisions even at the initial visit, and providing the PCP with a prompt response from the consultant. The system uses a web browser/server to initiate the referral and Java mobile software agents to support the workflow of the referral. This combination provides a light client implementation that can run on a wide variety of hardware and software platforms found in the office of the PCP. The implementation can guarantee a high degree of security for the computer of the PCP. Agents can be adapted to support the wide variety of data types that may be used in referral transactions, including reports with complex presentation needs and scanned (faxed) images Agents can be delivered to the PCP as running applications that can perform ongoing queries and alerts at the office of the PCP. Finally, the agent architecture is designed to scale in a natural and seamless manner for unforeseen future needs. PMID:9929190

Genotype Diversity and Distribution of Orientia tsutsugamushi Causing Scrub Typhus in Thailand

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

typhus assay and vaccine development. Orientia tsutsugamushi, formerly known as Rickettsia tsutsug- amushi, is the causative agent of scrub typhus, a...Sunderland, MA. 13. Horinoucbi, H., et al. 1996. Genotypic identification of Rickettsia tsutsuga- mushi by restriction fragment length polymorphism... Rickettsia tsutsu· gamushi. Sequence and comparative analyses of the genes encoding TSA homologues from four antigenic variants. J. Bioi. Chern. 267:12728

System-of-Systems Governance: New Patterns of Thought

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-10-01

Administrative Agent ESC/XPK 5 Eglin Street Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100 The ideas and findings in this report should not be construed as an...collaboration and authority, (2) motivation and accountability, (3) multiple models, (4) expectation of evolution, ( 5 ) highly fluid processes, and (6...executives • a mechanism to deliver value, manage performance, and mitigate risk • a method to assign accountability for decisions and performance

Just-in-time learning is effective in helping first responders manage weapons of mass destruction events.

PubMed

Motola, Ivette; Burns, William A; Brotons, Angel A; Withum, Kelly F; Rodriguez, Richard D; Hernandez, Salma; Rivera, Hector F; Issenberg, Saul Barry; Schulman, Carl I

2015-10-01

Chemical, biologic, radiologic, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incidents require specialized training. The low frequency of these events leads to significant skill decay among first responders. To address skill decay and lack of experience with these high-impact events, educational modules were developed for mobile devices to provide just-in-time training to first responders en route to a CBRNE event. This study assessed the efficacy and usability of the mobile training. Ninety first responders were randomized to a control or an intervention group. All participants completed a pretest to measure knowledge of CBRNE topics. The intervention group then viewed personal protective equipment and weapons of mass destruction field management videos as an overview. Both groups were briefed on a disaster scenario (chemical nerve agent, radiologic, or explosives) requiring them to triage, assess, and manage a patient. Intervention group participants watched a mobile training video corresponding to the scenario. The control group did not receive prescenario video training. Observers rated participant performance in each scenario. After completing the scenarios, all participants answered a cognitive posttest. Those in the intervention group also answered a questionnaire on their impressions of the training. The intervention group outperformed the control group in the explosives and chemical nerve agent scenarios; the differences were statistically significant (explosives, mean of 26.32 for intervention and 22.85 for control, p < 0.01; nerve agent, mean of 23.14 for intervention and 16.61 for control, p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the radiologic scenario (mean, 12.7 for intervention and 11.8 for control; p = 0.51). The change in pretest to posttest cognitive scores was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (t = 3.28, p < 0.05). Mobile just-in-time training improved first-responder knowledge of CBRNE events and is an effective tool in helping first responders manage simulated explosive and chemical agent scenarios. Therapeutic/care management study, level II.

Effect of chemotherapy with alkylating agents on the yield of CD34+ cells in patients with multiple myeloma. Results of the Spanish Myeloma Group (GEM) Study.

PubMed

de la Rubia, Javier; Bladé, Joan; Lahuerta, Juan-José; Ribera, Josep M; Martínez, Rafael; Alegre, Adrián; García-Laraña, José; Fernández, Pascual; Sureda, Anna; de Arriba, Felipe; Carrera, Dolores; Besalduch, Joan; García Boyero, Raimundo; Palomera Bernal, Luis; Hernández, Miguel T; García, Paz Ribas; Pérez-Calvo, Javier; Alcalá, Antonio; Casado, Luis Felipe; San Miguel, Jesús

2006-05-01

Although alkylating agents are clearly beneficial in multiple myeloma (MM), their deleterious effect on bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells usually precludes their use as front-line therapy in patients scheduled to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We analyzed the impact of first-line chemotherapy with alkylating agents on stem cell collection in MM patients. Seven hundred and eighty-nine patients included in the Spanish multicenter protocol GEM-2000 underwent mobilization therapy after four courses of alternating VBMCP/VBAD chemotherapy. The mobilization regimens consisted of standard or high-dose granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in 551 (70%) patients, and chemotherapy and G-CSF in 206 (26%) patients. The CD34+ cell yield was lower than 4x10(6)/kg in 388 patients (49%), and equal or greater than 4x10(6)/kg in 401 patients (51%). Multivariate analysis indicated that advanced age (p<0.0001) and longer interval between diagnosis and mobilization (p=0.012) were the two variables associated with a lower CD34+ cell yield. Significant differences in CD34+ cell yield were not observed between the mobilization regimens. Of the 789 patients included in the protocol, 726 (92%) underwent the planned ASCT, whereas 25 (3%) patients did not because of the low number of CD34+ cells collected. Following ASCT, 0.5x10(9) neutrophils/L could be recovered after 11 days (median time; range, 5-71 days) and 20x10(9) platelets/L could be recovered after 12 days (median time; range, 6-69 days). A short-course of therapy with alkylating agents according to the GEM-2000 protocol was associated with an appropriate CD34+ cell collection, and allowed the planned ASCT to be performed in the majority of MM patients.

Neuro Inspired Adaptive Perception and Control for Agile Mobility of Autonomous Vehicles in Uncertain and Hostile Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-08

Georgia Tech Research Corporation 505 Tenth Street NW Atlanta, GA 30332 -0420 ABSTRACT Final Report: MURI: Neuro-Inspired Adaptive Perception and...Conquer Strategy for Optimal Trajectory Planning via Mixed-Integer Programming, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, (12 2015): 0. doi: 10.1109/TRO...Learning Day, Microsoft Corporation , Cambridge, MA, May 18, 2015. (c) Presentations 09/06/2015 09/08/2015 125 131 Ali Borji, Dicky N. Sihite, Laurent Itti

A Platform for Real-time Acquisition and Analysis of Physiological Data in Hospital Emergency Departments

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

with the Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 USA (corresponding author; phone: 617 -726-2241; e-mail...programming interface ( API ). Algorithms are used to determine the reliability of waveform (e.g., electrocardiogram) and vital-sign data (e.g., heart rate...and comparing of real-time decision- support algorithms in mobile environments," Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, vol. 2009 , pp. 3417-20, 2009 . [3

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burrows, T.A.; Thoma, P.J.

Two types of ion-mobility detectors were evaluated in both laboratory and field tests. Laboratory test results show that these detectors are highly sensitive to dynamite and pistol powder and have good false-alarm agent rejection. Field tests of these two detectors revealed that they would detect dynamite and Ball-C-Propellent in free air. However, neither of the ion-mobility detectors would detect these explosives if the explosives were concealed.

Further geochronological and paleomagnetic constraints on Malani (and pre-Malani) magmatism in NW India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meert, Joseph G.; Pandit, Manoj K.; Kamenov, George D.

2013-11-01

At 750 Ma India was part of a larger fragment of eastern Gondwana blocks that included the Seychelles-Mauritia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and the Enderby Land-Prydz Bay region of East Antarctica. Subduction of the Mozambique Ocean beneath Seychelles-Mauritia, northern Madagascar and northwestern India formed a lengthy continental arc that remained active during the formation of Gondwana. Paleomagnetic data from the Malani rhyolites and associated dykes provide a robust paleomagnetic pole constraining India's position at this time. The rhyolitic and granitic rocks associated with the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) have robust age constraints; however, the ages of the mafic dykes were inferred solely on the basis of similarity in paleomagnetic directions to the rhyolitic units. Here we present new geochronological data from the Malani mafic dykes that yield a minimum age of 704 Ma. The 207Pb/206Pb ages obtained for the dykes are less-likely to be affected by Pb-loss and yield a more reliable estimate for the age of the mafic dykes of ~ 750 Ma. We argue that intrusion of these mafic (and minor felsic) dykes represents the final pulse of MIS magmatism. Many of the granitic rocks in the region are reported as ‘unclassified’ due to limited geochemical data and/or geochronological ages. Some of these ‘unclassified’ granites are intruded by the mafic dykes sampled in this study near the town of Bilara. The granites yielded zircon core ages of ~ 1100 Ma with younger rims averaging ~ 1020 Ma. We argue that this provides further evidence for a significant orogenic event ~ 1000 Ma that may relate to the collision of the Marwar block with the Banded Gneiss Complex/Bundelkhand craton in north-central India. Other ~ 1000 Ma orogenesis is also known along the Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) and the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt. Globally, this same time interval is thought to represent the amalgamation of the supercontinent Rodinia and may also have resulted in the closure of the major “Purana” basins in India.

Ant-Based Cyber Defense (also known as

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Glenn Fink, PNNL

2015-09-29

ABCD is a four-level hierarchy with human supervisors at the top, a top-level agent called a Sergeant controlling each enclave, Sentinel agents located at each monitored host, and mobile Sensor agents that swarm through the enclaves to detect cyber malice and misconfigurations. The code comprises four parts: (1) the core agent framework, (2) the user interface and visualization, (3) test-range software to create a network of virtual machines including a simulated Internet and user and host activity emulation scripts, and (4) a test harness to allow the safe running of adversarial code within the framework of monitored virtual machines.

Development of stable low-electroosmotic mobility coatings. [for use in electrophoresis systems in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanderhoff, J. W.; Micale, F. J.

1979-01-01

Long-time rinsings of the Z6040-methlycellulose coating used successfully on the ASTP MA=011 experiment indicate the permanency of this coating is inadequate for continuous flowing systems. Two approaches are described for developing coatings which are stable under continuous fluid movement and which exhibit finite and predictable electroosmotic mobility values while being effective on different types of surfaces, such as glass, plastics, and ceramic alumina, such as is currently used as the electrophoresis channel in the GE-SPAR-CPE apparatus. The surface charge modification of polystyrene latex, especially by protein absorption, to be used as model materials for ground-based electrophoresis experiments, and the preliminary work directed towards the seeded polymerization of large-particle-size monodisperse latexes in a microgravity environment are discussed.

A Distributed Ambient Intelligence Based Multi-Agent System for Alzheimer Health Care

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapia, Dante I.; RodríGuez, Sara; Corchado, Juan M.

This chapter presents ALZ-MAS (Alzheimer multi-agent system), an ambient intelligence (AmI)-based multi-agent system aimed at enhancing the assistance and health care for Alzheimer patients. The system makes use of several context-aware technologies that allow it to automatically obtain information from users and the environment in an evenly distributed way, focusing on the characteristics of ubiquity, awareness, intelligence, mobility, etc., all of which are concepts defined by AmI. ALZ-MAS makes use of a services oriented multi-agent architecture, called flexible user and services oriented multi-agent architecture, to distribute resources and enhance its performance. It is demonstrated that a SOA approach is adequate to build distributed and highly dynamic AmI-based multi-agent systems.

Bacteriophage PRD1 and silica colloid transport and recovery in an iron oxide-coated sand aquifer

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ryan, J.N.; Elimelech, M.; Ard, R.A.; Harvey, R.W.; Johnson, P.R.

1999-01-01

Bacteriophage PRD1 and silica colloids were co-injected into sewage- contaminated and uncontaminated zones of an iron oxide-coated sand aquifer on Cape Cod, MA, and their transport was monitored over distances up to 6 m in three arrays. After deposition, the attached PRD1 and silica colloids were mobilized by three different chemical perturbations (elevated pH, anionic surfactant, and reductant). PRD1 and silica colloids experienced less attenuation in the contaminated zone where adsorbed organic matter and phosphate may be hindering attachment of PRD1 and silica colloids to the iron oxide coatings. The PRD1 collision efficiencies agree well with collision efficiencies predicted by assuming favorable PRD1 deposition on iron oxide coatings for which the surface area coverage was measured by microprobe analysis of sediment thin sections. ?? potentials of the PRD1, silica colloids, and aquifer grains corroborated the transport results, indicating that electrostatic forces dominated the attachment of PRD1 and silica colloids. Elevated pH was the chemical perturbation most effective at mobilizing the attached PRD1 and silica colloids. Elevated surfactant concentration mobilized the attached PRD1 and silica colloids more effectively in the contaminated zone than in the uncontaminated zone.Bacteriophage PRD1 and silica colloids were co-injected into sewage-contaminated and uncontaminated zones of an iron oxide-coated sand aquifer on Cape Cod, MA, and their transport was monitored over distances up to 6 m in three arrays. After deposition, the attached PRD1 and silica colloids were mobilized by three different chemical perturbations (elevated pH, anionic surfactant, and reductant). PRD1 and silica colloids experienced less attenuation in the contaminated zone where adsorbed organic matter and phosphate may be hindering attachment of PRD1 and silica colloids to the iron oxide coatings. The PRD1 collision efficiencies agree well with collision efficiencies predicted by assuming favorable PRD1 deposition on iron oxide coatings for which the surface area coverage was measured by microprobe analysis of sediment thin sections. ?? potentials of the PRD1, silica colloids, and aquifer grains corroborated the transport results, indicating that electrostatic forces dominated the attachment of PRD1 and silica colloids. Elevated pH was the chemical perturbation most effective at mobilizing the attached PRD1 and silica colloids. Elevated surfactant concentration mobilized the attached PRD1 and silica colloids more effectively in the contaminated zone than in the uncontaminated zone.

Increased adenosine triphosphate production by peripheral blood CD4+ cells in patients with hematologic malignancies treated with stem cell mobilization agents.

PubMed

Manga, Kiran; Serban, Geo; Schwartz, Joseph; Slotky, Ronit; Patel, Nita; Fan, Jianshe; Bai, Xiaolin; Chari, Ajai; Savage, David; Suciu-Foca, Nicole; Colovai, Adriana I

2010-07-01

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is an important therapeutic option for patients with hematologic malignancies. To explore the immunomodulatory effects of HSC mobilization agents, we studied the function and phenotype of CD4(+) T cells from 16 adult patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing HSC mobilization treatment for autologous transplantation. Immune cell function was determined using the Immuknow (Cylex) assay by measuring the amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) produced by CD4(+) cells from whole blood. ATP activity measured in G-CSF-treated patients was significantly higher than that measured in healthy individuals or "nonmobilized" patients. In patients treated with G-CSF, CD4(+) T cells were predominantly CD25(low)FOXP3(low), consistent with an activated phenotype. However, T-cell depletion did not abrogate ATP production in blood samples from G-CSF-treated patients, indicating that CD4(+) myeloid cells contributed to the increased ATP levels observed in these patients. There was a significant correlation between ATP activity and patient survival, suggesting that efficient activation of CD4(+) cells during mobilization treatment predicts a low risk of disease relapse. Monitoring immune cell reactivity using the Immuknow assay may assist in the clinical management of patients with hematologic malignancies and optimization of HSC mobilization protocols. Copyright 2010 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relay tracking control for second-order multi-agent systems with damaged agents.

PubMed

Dong, Lijing; Li, Jing; Liu, Qin

2017-11-01

This paper investigates a situation where smart agents capable of sensory and mobility are deployed to monitor a designated area. A preset number of agents start tracking when a target intrudes this area. Some of the tracking agents are possible to be out of order over the tracking course. Thus, we propose a cooperative relay tracking strategy to ensure the successful tracking with existence of damaged agents. Relay means that, when a tracking agent quits tracking due to malfunction, one of the near deployed agents replaces it to continue the tracking task. This results in jump of tracking errors and dynamic switching of topology of the multi-agent system. Switched system technique is employed to solve this specific problem. Finally, the effectiveness of proposed tracking strategy and validity of the theoretical results are verified by conducting a numerical simulation. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phosphorus-Rich Copper Phosphide Nanowires for Field-Effect Transistors and Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Li, Guo-An; Wang, Chiu-Yen; Chang, Wei-Chung; Tuan, Hsing-Yu

2016-09-27

Phosphorus-rich transition metal phosphide CuP2 nanowires were synthesized with high quality and high yield (∼60%) via the supercritical fluid-liquid-solid (SFLS) growth at 410 °C and 10.2 MPa. The obtained CuP2 nanowires have a high aspect ratio and exhibit a single crystal structure of monoclinic CuP2 without any impurity phase. CuP2 nanowires have progressive improvement for semiconductors and energy storages compared with bulk CuP2. Being utilized for back-gate field effect transistor (FET) measurement, CuP2 nanowires possess a p-type behavior intrinsically with an on/off ratio larger than 10(4) and its single nanowire electrical transport property exhibits a hole mobility of 147 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), representing the example of a CuP2 transistor. In addition, CuP2 nanowires can serve as an appealing anode material for a lithium-ion battery electrode. The discharge capacity remained at 945 mA h g(-1) after 100 cycles, showing a good capacity retention of 88% based on the first discharge capacity. Even at a high rate of 6 C, the electrode still exhibited an outstanding result with a capacity of ∼600 mA h g(-1). Ex-situ transmission electron microscopy and CV tests demonstrate that the stability of capacity retention and remarkable rate capability of the CuP2 nanowires electrode are attributed to the role of the metal phosphide conversion-type lithium storage mechanism. Finally, CuP2 nanowire anodes and LiFePO4 cathodes were assembled into pouch-type lithium batteries offering a capacity over 60 mA h. The full cell shows high capacity and stable capacity retention and can be used as an energy supply to operate electronic devices such as mobile phones and mini 4WD cars.

High Z elements in human sarcomata: assessment by multienergy CT and neutron activation analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kan, W.C.; Wiley, A.L. Jr.; Wirtanen, G.W.

1980-07-01

Tumor equivalent phantoms containing inorganic salts (KH/sub 2/PO/sub 4/, CH/sub 3/COOK, NaCl and KI) were scanned on an EMI 5005 body scanner at 140 kVp, 28 mA; 120 kVp, 33 mA; and 81 kVp, 42 mA. Significant signal gain for the detection of higher atomic number elements by multiple energy scanning was noted. Certain sarcomas are known to accumulate high Z elements. Accordingly, excised specimens of various histologies of human sarcomata (chondrosarcoma, liposarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma) were scanned at 140 kVp and 81 kVp. Using selected areas of interest in the computed tomographic (CT) image to direct the inmore » vitro biopsy of various regions of excised tumors, intersting correlations between the CT number variation and the respective, high Z elemental composition variation, as determined by thermal neutron activation analysis were observed. Further investigation with phantoms and excised sarcomata at 62 kVp and 42 mA suggested that dual energy CT scanning (at 140 kVp and 62 kVp) may be a method of monitoring effective Z and heavy element compositional changes. The authors are also attempting to develop these same low kilovoltage techniques as a method for the noninvasive clinical monitoring of an antisarcoma chemotherapeutic agent, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (11).« less

Synthesis and extreme rate capability of Si-Al-C-N functionalized carbon nanotube spray-on coatings as Li-ion battery electrode.

PubMed

David, Lamuel; Asok, Deepu; Singh, Gurpreet

2014-09-24

Silicon-based precursor derived glass-ceramics or PDCs have proven to be an attractive alternative anode material for Li ion batteries. Main challenges associated with PDC anodes are their low electrical conductivity, first cycle loss, and meager C-rate performance. Here, we show that thermal conversion of single source aluminum-modified polysilazane on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) results in a robust Si-Al-C-N/CNT shell/core composite that offers extreme C-rate capability as battery electrode. Addition of Al to the molecular network of Si-C-N improved electrical conductivity of Si-C-N by 4 orders of magnitude, while interfacing with CNTs showed 7-fold enhancement. Further, we present a convenient spray-coating technique for PDC composite electrode preparation that eliminates polymeric binder and conductive agent there-by reducing processing steps and eradicating foreign material in the electrode. The Si-Al-C-N/CNT electrode showed stable charge capacity of 577 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1) and a remarkable 400 mAh g(-1) at 10,000 mA g(-1), which is the highest reported value for a silazane derived glass-ceramic or nanocomposite electrode. Under symmetric cycling conditions, a high charge capacity of ∼350 mA g(-1) at 1600 mA g(-1) was continuously observed for over 1000 cycles.

Sodium Caseinate (CasNa) Induces Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in a BALB/c Mouse Model

PubMed Central

Santiago-Osorio, Edelmiro; Ledesma-Martínez, Edgar; Aguiñiga-Sánchez, Itzen; Poblano-Pérez, Ignacio; Weiss-Steider, Benny; Montesinos-Montesinos, Juan José; de Lourdes Mora-García, María

2015-01-01

Background Hematopoietic stem cells transplantation has high clinical potential against a wide variety of hematologic, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases and solid tumors. Clinically, hematopoietic stem cells derived from peripheral blood are currently used more than those obtained from sources such as bone marrow. However, mobilizing agents used in the clinic tend to fail in high rates, making the number of mobilized cells insufficient for transplantation. We investigated whether sodium caseinate induces functional mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells into peripheral blood of Balb/c mice. Material/Methods Using a mouse model, we administrated sodium caseinate or Plerixafor, a commercial mobilizing agent, and analyzed counts of hematopoietic stem cells in peripheral blood, and then cells were transplanted into lethally irradiated mice to restore hematopoiesis. All assays were performed at least twice. Results We found that sodium caseinate increases the number of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood with the immunophenotype of hematopoietic stem cells (0.2 to 0.5% LSK cells), allowing them to form colonies of various cell lineages in semisolid medium (p<0.05). This effect is similar to that of Plerixafor, and cells transplanted into lethally irradiated mice can restore hematopoiesis at higher percentages than mononuclear cells mobilized by Plerixafor (40% vs. 20%, respectively). Further, a secondary transplant rescued a separate group of irradiated mice from death, proving definitive evidence of hematopoietic reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. To determine significant differences between the data, one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used. Conclusions Collectively these results show the utility of sodium caseinate as a mobilizer of hematopoietic stem cells and its potential clinical application in transplantation settings. PMID:26409928

Sodium Caseinate (CasNa) Induces Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in a BALB/c Mouse Model.

PubMed

Santiago-Osorio, Edelmiro; Ledesma-Martínez, Edgar; Aguiñiga-Sánchez, Itzen; Poblano-Pérez, Ignacio; Weiss-Steider, Benny; Montesinos-Montesinos, Juan José; Mora-García, María de Lourdes

2015-09-25

BACKGROUND Hematopoietic stem cells transplantation has high clinical potential against a wide variety of hematologic, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases and solid tumors. Clinically, hematopoietic stem cells derived from peripheral blood are currently used more than those obtained from sources such as bone marrow. However, mobilizing agents used in the clinic tend to fail in high rates, making the number of mobilized cells insufficient for transplantation. We investigated whether sodium caseinate induces functional mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells into peripheral blood of Balb/c mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using a mouse model, we administrated sodium caseinate or Plerixafor, a commercial mobilizing agent, and analyzed counts of hematopoietic stem cells in peripheral blood, and then cells were transplanted into lethally irradiated mice to restore hematopoiesis. All assays were performed at least twice. RESULTS We found that sodium caseinate increases the number of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood with the immunophenotype of hematopoietic stem cells (0.2 to 0.5% LSK cells), allowing them to form colonies of various cell lineages in semisolid medium (p<0.05). This effect is similar to that of Plerixafor, and cells transplanted into lethally irradiated mice can restore hematopoiesis at higher percentages than mononuclear cells mobilized by Plerixafor (40% vs. 20%, respectively). Further, a secondary transplant rescued a separate group of irradiated mice from death, proving definitive evidence of hematopoietic reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. To determine significant differences between the data, one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test were used. CONCLUSIONS Collectively these results show the utility of sodium caseinate as a mobilizer of hematopoietic stem cells and its potential clinical application in transplantation settings.

Analysis of chemical warfare agents in food products by atmospheric pressure ionization-high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kolakowski, Beata M; D'Agostino, Paul A; Chenier, Claude; Mester, Zoltán

2007-11-01

Flow injection high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS)-mass spectrometry (MS) methodology was developed for the detection and identification of chemical warfare (CW) agents in spiked food products. The CW agents, soman (GD), sarin (GB), tabun (GA), cyclohexyl sarin (GF), and four hydrolysis products, ethylphosphonic acid (EPA), methylphosphonic acid (MPA), pinacolyl methylphosphonic acid (Pin MPA), and isopropyl methylphosphonic acid (IMPA) were separated and detected by positive ion and negative ion atmospheric pressure ionization-FAIMS-MS. Under optimized conditions, the compensation voltages were 7.2 V for GD, 8.0 V for GA, 7.2 V for GF, 7.6 V for GB, 18.2 V for EPA, 25.9 V for MPA, -1.9 V for PinMPA, and +6.8 V for IMPA. Sample preparation was kept to a minimum, resulting in analysis times of 3 min or less per sample. The developed methodology was evaluated by spiking bottled water, canola oil, cornmeal, and honey samples at low microgram per gram (or microg/mL) levels with the CW agents or CW agent hydrolysis products. The detection limits observed for the CW agents in the spiked food samples ranged from 3 to 15 ng/mL in bottled water, 1-33 ng/mL in canola oil, 1-34 ng/g in cornmeal, and 13-18 ng/g in honey. Detection limits were much higher for the CW agent hydrolysis products, with only MPA being detected in spiked honey samples.

A Lego Mindstorms NXT based test bench for multiagent exploratory systems and distributed network partitioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, Riya Raghuvir

Networks of communicating agents require distributed algorithms for a variety of tasks in the field of network analysis and control. For applications such as swarms of autonomous vehicles, ad hoc and wireless sensor networks, and such military and civilian applications as exploring and patrolling a robust autonomous system that uses a distributed algorithm for selfpartitioning can be significantly helpful. A single team of autonomous vehicles in a field may need to self-dissemble into multiple teams, conducive to completing multiple control tasks. Moreover, because communicating agents are subject to changes, namely, addition or failure of an agent or link, a distributed or decentralized algorithm is favorable over having a central agent. A framework to help with the study of self-partitioning of such multi agent systems that have most basic mobility model not only saves our time in conception but also gives us a cost effective prototype without negotiating the physical realization of the proposed idea. In this thesis I present my work on the implementation of a flexible and distributed stochastic partitioning algorithm on the LegoRTM Mindstorms' NXT on a graphical programming platform using National Instruments' LabVIEW(TM) forming a team of communicating agents via NXT-Bee radio module. We single out mobility, communication and self-partition as the core elements of the work. The goal is to randomly explore a precinct for reference sites. Agents who have discovered the reference sites announce their target acquisition to form a network formed based upon the distance of each agent with the other wherein the self-partitioning begins to find an optimal partition. Further, to illustrate the work, an experimental test-bench of five Lego NXT robots is presented.

Supporting Collaborative Inquiry during a Biology Field Trip with Mobile Peer-to-Peer Tools for Learning: A Case Study with K-12 Learners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laru, Jari; Jarvela, Sanna; Clariana, Roy B.

2012-01-01

This study explores how collaborative inquiry learning can be supported with multiple scaffolding agents in a real-life field trip context. In practice, a mobile peer-to-peer messaging tool provided meta-cognitive and procedural support, while tutors and a nature guide provided more dynamic scaffolding in order to support argumentative discussions…

Efficacy of just-in-time plerixafor rescue for Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with poor peripheral blood stem cell mobilization.

PubMed

Yuan, Shan; Nademanee, Auayporn; Kaniewski, Mark; Palmer, Joycelynne; Shayani, Sepideh; Wang, Shirong

2014-08-01

Plerixafor is a Food and Drug Administration-approved agent for improving peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in filgrastim (granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF])-stimulated patients with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Limited information is available on its use in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients. We describe our experience with plerixafor as an immediate rescue agent in HL patients with poor PBSC mobilization. We retrospectively reviewed the collection data of 27 consecutive HL patients at our center in whom plerixafor was added to rescue a failing PBSC collection after G-CSF and chemotherapy (26) or G-CSF alone (1). Plerixafor was added in 11 patients due to peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ counts that persisted below the threshold (>10 × 10(6) /L) to initiate collection (median, 1.47 × 10(6) ; range 0 × 10(6) -6.28 × 10(6) /L) and in 16 patients due to low collection yields, who had a median yield of 0.33 × 10(6) (0.14 × 10(6) -0.65 × 10(6) ) CD34+ cells/kg on the last collection before plerixafor administration. After a median of 2 (range, 2-4) collections with plerixafor, the patients collected a median of 1.82 × 10(6) (0.52 × 10(6) -11.14 × 10(6) ) CD34+ cells/kg. The addition of plerixafor enabled 20 patients (74.1%) to reach the 2.0 × 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg minimum required for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) during the same collection cycle. Subsequent remobilization in three patients with plerixafor enabled all three to reach this goal. Plerixafor can be used in HL patients with poor mobilization as a rescue agent and boosts mobilization sufficiently in most patients in the same collection attempt, thus not only permitting ASCT, but also avoiding remobilization and the associated costs, treatment delays, and patient inconvenience. © 2014 AABB.

Enabling private and public sector organizations as agents of homeland security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glassco, David H. J.; Glassco, Jordan C.

2006-05-01

Homeland security and defense applications seek to reduce the risk of undesirable eventualities across physical space in real-time. With that functional requirement in mind, our work focused on the development of IP based agent telecommunication solutions for heterogeneous sensor / robotic intelligent "Things" that could be deployed across the internet. This paper explains how multi-organization information and device sharing alliances may be formed to enable organizations to act as agents of homeland security (in addition to other uses). Topics include: (i) using location-aware, agent based, real-time information sharing systems to integrate business systems, mobile devices, sensor and actuator based devices and embedded devices used in physical infrastructure assets, equipment and other man-made "Things"; (ii) organization-centric real-time information sharing spaces using on-demand XML schema formatted networks; (iii) object-oriented XML serialization as a methodology for heterogeneous device glue code; (iv) how complex requirements for inter / intra organization information and device ownership and sharing, security and access control, mobility and remote communication service, tailored solution life cycle management, service QoS, service and geographic scalability and the projection of remote physical presence (through sensing and robotics) and remote informational presence (knowledge of what is going elsewhere) can be more easily supported through feature inheritance with a rapid agent system development methodology; (v) how remote object identification and tracking can be supported across large areas; (vi) how agent synergy may be leveraged with analytics to complement heterogeneous device networks.

32. PORT PROFILE OF THE ALABAMA. Uncopyrighted 31/4'x5'photograph taken by ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

32. PORT PROFILE OF THE ALABAMA. Uncopyrighted 3-1/4'x5'photograph taken by Thigpen Photography, c. 1965. Written on back of photo: 'This is what the vessel looked like when I bought her in 1966 R.S. Douglas.' Also, stamped on back is: Thigpen Photography 1442 So. Beltline Highway Mobile, Alabama 46609 to reorder specify no. M7062-1 - Pilot Schooner "Alabama", Moored in harbor at Vineyard Haven, Vineyard Haven, Dukes County, MA

Intelligence in the Now: Robust Intelligence in Complex Domains

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-26

We have applied our model and the resulting search strategy for a mobile manipulator modeled on a Willow Garage PR2 robot. As shown in Figure 12...with them – the robot tries to move a handle to various target locations and observes the reached location. Figure 13 shows Willow Garage PR2 robot...Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA barragan@mit.edu, tlp@mit.edu, lpk@mit.edu Fig. 1. Willow Garage PR2 robot manipulating

The Effects of US Army Chemical Protective Clothing on Speech Intelligibility, Visual Field, Body Mobility and Psychomotor Coordination of Men

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

soldiers wearing NBC clothing in hot/humid and hot/dry climates (Report MRL-R-826).Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia : Materials Research Laboratories...Development and Engineering Center. 47. White, R.M. and Churchill, E. (1971). The body size of soldier-: U.S. Army anthropometry - 1966 (Tech. Rep. 72... Anthropometry of U.S. Army aviators - 1970 (Tech. Rep. 72-52-CE). Natick, MA: US Army Natick Laboratories. (AD 743 528) 112 ,7 r4 r

Analysis of the Mobilization of Debris Flows

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-10-01

31 17 . Debris-flow source area at Roofing Granule Quarry, San Bernardino County, California 39 18. Debris-flow source area at Roofing Granule...down a channel about 12 to 16 cm wide with a 35 degree slope. Water, oozing out of the landslide mass into 17 wmmaaaamam’j ■ma the debris channel...marble used as roofing granules (Fig. 17 ) 2 1/2 km north of the town of Wrightwood, about 65 km north- * east of Los Angeles, California (Fig. 1

Geologic history of the Blackbird Co-Cu district in the Lemhi subbasin of the Belt-Purcell Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bookstrom, Arthur A.; Box, Stephen E.; Cossette, Pamela M.; Frost, Thomas P.; Gillerman, Virginia; King, George; Zirakparvar, N. Alex

2016-01-01

The Blackbird cobalt-copper (Co-Cu) district in the Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho occupies the central part of the Idaho cobalt belt—a northwest-elongate, 55-km-long belt of Co-Cu occurrences, hosted in grayish siliciclastic metasedimentary strata of the Lemhi subbasin (of the Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell Basin). The Blackbird district contains at least eight stratabound ore zones and many discordant lodes, mostly in the upper part of the banded siltite unit of the Apple Creek Formation of Yellow Lake, which generally consists of interbedded siltite and argillite. In the Blackbird mine area, argillite beds in six stratigraphic intervals are altered to biotitite containing over 75 vol% of greenish hydrothermal biotite, which is preferentially mineralized.Past production and currently estimated resources of the Blackbird district total ~17 Mt of ore, averaging 0.74% Co, 1.4% Cu, and 1.0 ppm Au (not including downdip projections of ore zones that are open downward). A compilation of relative-age relationships and isotopic age determinations indicates that most cobalt mineralization occurred in Mesoproterozoic time, whereas most copper mineralization occurred in Cretaceous time.Mesoproterozoic cobaltite mineralization accompanied and followed dynamothermal metamorphism and bimodal plutonism during the Middle Mesoproterozoic East Kootenay orogeny (ca. 1379–1325 Ma), and also accompanied Grenvilleage (Late Mesoproterozoic) thermal metamorphism (ca. 1200–1000 Ma). Stratabound cobaltite-biotite ore zones typically contain cobaltite1 in a matrix of biotitite ± tourmaline ± minor xenotime (ca. 1370–1320 Ma) ± minor chalcopyrite ± sparse allanite ± sparse microscopic native gold in cobaltite. Such cobaltite-biotite lodes are locally folded into tight F2 folds with axial-planar S2 cleavage and schistosity. Discordant replacement-style lodes of cobaltite2-biotite ore ± xenotime2 (ca. 1320–1270 Ma) commonly follow S2fractures and fabrics. Discordant quartz-biotite and quartz-tourmaline breccias, and veins contain cobaltite3 ± xenotime3 (ca. 1058–990 Ma).Mesoproterozoic cobaltite deposition was followed by: (1) within-plate plutonism (530–485 Ma) and emplacement of mafic dikes (which cut cobaltite lodes but are cut by quartz-Fe-Cu-sulfide veins); (2) garnet-grade metamorphism (ca. 151–93 Ma); (3) Fe-Cu-sulfide mineralization (ca. 110–92 Ma); and (4) minor quartz ± Au-Ag ± Bi mineralization (ca. 92–83 Ma).Cretaceous Fe-Cu-sulfide vein, breccia, and replacement-style deposits contain various combinations of chalcopyrite ± pyrrhotite ± pyrite ± cobaltian arsenopyrite (not cobaltite) ± arsenopyrite ± quartz ± siderite ± monazite (ca. 144–88 Ma but mostly 110–92 Ma) ± xenotime (104–93 Ma). Highly radiogenic Pb (in these sulfides) and Sr (in siderite) indicate that these elements resided in Mesoproterozoic source rocks until they were mobilized after ca. 100 Ma. Fe-Cu-sulfide veins, breccias, and replacement deposits appear relatively undeformed and generally lack metamorphic fabrics.Composite Co-Cu-Au ore contains early cobaltite-biotite lodes, cut by Fe-Cu-sulfide veins and breccias, or overprinted by Fe-Cu-sulfide replacement-style deposits, and locally cut by quartz veinlets ± Au-Ag ± Bi minerals.

Blocking Effects of Human Tau on Squid Giant Synapse Transmission and Its Prevention by T-817 MA

PubMed Central

Moreno, Herman; Choi, Soonwook; Yu, Eunah; Brusco, Janaina; Avila, Jesus; Moreira, Jorge E.; Sugimori, Mutsuyuki; Llinás, Rodolfo R.

2011-01-01

Filamentous tau inclusions are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative tauopathies, but the molecular mechanisms involved in tau-mediated changes in neuronal function and their possible effects on synaptic transmission are unknown. We have evaluated the effects of human tau protein injected directly into the presynaptic terminal axon of the squid giant synapse, which affords functional, structural, and biochemical analysis of its action on the synaptic release process. Indeed, we have found that at physiological concentration recombinant human tau (h-tau42) becomes phosphorylated, produces a rapid synaptic transmission block, and induces the formation of clusters of aggregated synaptic vesicles in the vicinity of the active zone. Presynaptic voltage clamp recordings demonstrate that h-tau42 does not modify the presynaptic calcium current amplitude or kinetics. Analysis of synaptic noise at the post-synaptic axon following presynaptic h-tau42 microinjection revealed an initial phase of increase spontaneous transmitter release followed by a marked reduction in noise. Finally, systemic administration of T-817MA, a proposed neuro-protective agent, rescued tau-induced synaptic abnormalities. Our results show novel mechanisms of h-tau42 mediated synaptic transmission failure and identify a potential therapeutic agent to treat tau-related neurotoxicity. PMID:21629767

Exploring the read-write genome: mobile DNA and mammalian adaptation.

PubMed

Shapiro, James A

2017-02-01

The read-write genome idea predicts that mobile DNA elements will act in evolution to generate adaptive changes in organismal DNA. This prediction was examined in the context of mammalian adaptations involving regulatory non-coding RNAs, viviparous reproduction, early embryonic and stem cell development, the nervous system, and innate immunity. The evidence shows that mobile elements have played specific and sometimes major roles in mammalian adaptive evolution by generating regulatory sites in the DNA and providing interaction motifs in non-coding RNA. Endogenous retroviruses and retrotransposons have been the predominant mobile elements in mammalian adaptive evolution, with the notable exception of bats, where DNA transposons are the major agents of RW genome inscriptions. A few examples of independent but convergent exaptation of mobile DNA elements for similar regulatory rewiring functions are noted.

Design of Hybrid Mobile Communication Networks for Planetary Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alena, Richard L.; Ossenfort, John; Lee, Charles; Walker, Edward; Stone, Thom

2004-01-01

The Mobile Exploration System Project (MEX) at NASA Ames Research Center has been conducting studies into hybrid communication networks for future planetary missions. These networks consist of space-based communication assets connected to ground-based Internets and planetary surface-based mobile wireless networks. These hybrid mobile networks have been deployed in rugged field locations in the American desert and the Canadian arctic for support of science and simulation activities on at least six occasions. This work has been conducted over the past five years resulting in evolving architectural complexity, improved component characteristics and better analysis and test methods. A rich set of data and techniques have resulted from the development and field testing of the communication network during field expeditions such as the Haughton Mars Project and NASA Mobile Agents Project.

Design and Implementation of Context-Aware Musuem Guide Agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satoh, Ichiro

This paper presents an agent-based system for building and operating context-aware services in public spaces, including museums. The system provides users with agents and detects the locations of users and deploys location-aware user-assistant agents at computers near the their current locations by using active RFID-tags. When a visitor moves between exhibits in a museum, this dynamically deploys his/her agent at the computers close to the exhibits by using mobile agent technology. It annotates the exhibits in his/her personalized form and navigate him/her user to the next exhibits along his/her routes. It also introduces user movement as a natural approach to interacting between users and agents. To demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of the system, we constructed location/user-aware visitor-guide services and experimented them for two weeks in a public museum.

Preliminary needs assessment of mobile technology use for healthcare among homeless veterans.

PubMed

McInnes, D Keith; Fix, Gemmae M; Solomon, Jeffrey L; Petrakis, Beth Ann; Sawh, Leon; Smelson, David A

2015-01-01

Background. Homeless veterans have complex healthcare needs, but experience many barriers to treatment engagement. While information technologies (IT), especially mobile phones, are used to engage patients in care, little is known about homeless veterans' IT use. This study examines homeless veterans' access to and use of IT, attitudes toward health-related IT use, and barriers to IT in the context of homelessness. Methods. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 homeless veterans in different housing programs in Boston, MA, ranging from emergency shelters to supportive transitional housing that allow stays of up to 2 years. Interviews were conducted in person, audio recorded and then transcribed. Three researchers coded transcripts. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Results. Most participants (90%) had a mobile phone and were receptive to IT use for health-related communications. A common difficulty communicating with providers was the lack of a stable mailing address. Some participants were using mobile phones to stay in touch with providers. Participants felt mobile-phone calls or text messages could be used to remind patients of appointments, prescription refills, medication taking, and returning for laboratory results. Mobile phone text messaging was seen as convenient, and helped participants stay organized because necessary information was saved in text messages. Some reported concerns about the costs associated with mobile phone use (calls and texting), the potential to be annoyed by too many text messages, and not knowing how to use text messaging. Conclusion. Homeless veterans use IT and welcome its use for health-related purposes. Technology-assisted outreach among this population may lead to improved engagement in care.

Preliminary needs assessment of mobile technology use for healthcare among homeless veterans

PubMed Central

Fix, Gemmae M.; Solomon, Jeffrey L.; Petrakis, Beth Ann; Sawh, Leon; Smelson, David A.

2015-01-01

Background. Homeless veterans have complex healthcare needs, but experience many barriers to treatment engagement. While information technologies (IT), especially mobile phones, are used to engage patients in care, little is known about homeless veterans’ IT use. This study examines homeless veterans’ access to and use of IT, attitudes toward health-related IT use, and barriers to IT in the context of homelessness. Methods. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 homeless veterans in different housing programs in Boston, MA, ranging from emergency shelters to supportive transitional housing that allow stays of up to 2 years. Interviews were conducted in person, audio recorded and then transcribed. Three researchers coded transcripts. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Results. Most participants (90%) had a mobile phone and were receptive to IT use for health-related communications. A common difficulty communicating with providers was the lack of a stable mailing address. Some participants were using mobile phones to stay in touch with providers. Participants felt mobile-phone calls or text messages could be used to remind patients of appointments, prescription refills, medication taking, and returning for laboratory results. Mobile phone text messaging was seen as convenient, and helped participants stay organized because necessary information was saved in text messages. Some reported concerns about the costs associated with mobile phone use (calls and texting), the potential to be annoyed by too many text messages, and not knowing how to use text messaging. Conclusion. Homeless veterans use IT and welcome its use for health-related purposes. Technology-assisted outreach among this population may lead to improved engagement in care. PMID:26246964

Hot foam for weed control-Do alkyl polyglucoside surfactants used as foaming agents affect the mobility of organic contaminants in soil?

PubMed

Cederlund, H; Börjesson, E

2016-08-15

Use of alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) as a foaming agent during hot water weed control may influence the environmental fate of organic contaminants in soil. We studied the effects of the APG-based foaming agent NCC Spuma (C8-C10) on leaching of diuron, glyphosate, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sand columns. We also examined how APG concentration affected the apparent water solubility and adsorption of the herbicides and of the PAHs acenaphthene, acenaphthylene and fluorene. Application of APGs at the recommended concentration of 0.3% did not significantly affect leaching of any of the compounds studied. However, at a concentration of 1.5%, leaching of both diuron and glyphosate was significantly increased. The increased leaching corresponded to an increase in apparent water solubility of diuron and a decrease in glyphosate adsorption to the sand. However, APG addition did not significantly affect the mobility of PAHs even though their apparent water solubility was increased. These results suggest that application of APG-based foam during hot water weed control does not significantly affect the mobility of organic contaminants in soil if used according to recommendations. Moreover, they suggest that APGs could be useful for soil bioremediation purposes if higher concentrations are used. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distinct mobilization of leukocytes and hematopoietic stem cells by CXCR4 peptide antagonist LY2510924 and monoclonal antibody LY2624587

PubMed Central

Peng, Sheng-Bin; Van Horn, Robert D.; Yin, Tinggui; Brown, Robin M.; Roell, William C.; Obungu, Victor H.; Ruegg, Charles; Wroblewski, Victor J.; Raddad, Eyas; Stille, John R.

2017-01-01

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 play a critical role in mobilization and redistribution of immune cells and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We evaluated effects of two CXCR4-targeting agents, peptide antagonist LY2510924 and monoclonal antibody LY2624587, on mobilizing HSCs and white blood cells (WBCs) in humans, monkeys, and mice. Biochemical analysis showed LY2510924 peptide blocked SDF-1/CXCR4 binding in all three species; LY2624587 antibody blocked binding in human and monkey, with minimal activity in mouse. Cellular analysis showed LY2624587 antibody, but not LY2510924 peptide, down-regulated cell surface CXCR4 and induced hematological tumor cell death; both agents have been shown to inhibit SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction and downstream signaling. In animal models, LY2510924 peptide induced robust, prolonged, dose- and time-dependent WBC and HSC increases in mice and monkeys, whereas LY2624587 antibody induced only moderate, transient increases in monkeys. In clinical trials, similar pharmacodynamic effects were observed in patients with advanced cancer: LY2510924 peptide induced sustained WBC and HSC increases, while LY2624587 antibody induced only minimal, transient WBC changes. These distinct pharmacodynamic effects in two different classes of CXCR4 inhibitors are clinically important and should be carefully considered when designing combination studies with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other agents for cancer therapy. PMID:29212254

Origin of depleted basalts during subduction initiation and early development of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana island arc: Evidence from IODP expedition 351 site U1438, Amami-Sankaku basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hickey-Vargas, R.; Yogodzinski, G. M.; Ishizuka, O.; McCarthy, A.; Bizimis, M.; Kusano, Y.; Savov, I. P.; Arculus, R.

2018-05-01

The Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) island arc formed following initiation of subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Philippine Sea plate at about 52 Ma. Site U1438 of IODP Expedition 351 was drilled to sample the oceanic basement on which the IBM arc was constructed, to better understand magmatism prior to and during the subduction initiation event. Site U1438 igneous basement Unit 1 (150 m) was drilled beneath 1460 m of primarily volcaniclastic sediments and sedimentary rock. Basement basalts are microcrystalline to fine-grained flows and form several distinct subunits (1a-1f), all relatively mafic (MgO = 6.5-13.8%; Mg# = 52-83), with Cr = 71-506 ppm and Ni = 62-342 ppm. All subunits are depleted in non-fluid mobile incompatible trace elements. Ratios such as Sm/Nd (0.35-0.44), Lu/Hf (0.19-0.37), and Zr/Nb (55-106) reach the highest values found in MORB, while La/Yb (0.31-0.92), La/Sm (0.43-0.91) and Nb/La (0.39-0.59) reach the lowest values. Abundances of fluid-mobile incompatible elements, K, Rb, Cs and U, vary with rock physical properties, indicating control by post-eruptive seawater alteration, but lowest abundances are typical of fresh, highly depleted MORBs. Mantle sources for the different subunits define a trend of progressive incompatible element depletion. Inferred pressures of magma segregation are 0.6-2.1 GPa with temperatures of 1280-1470 °C. New 40Ar/39Ar dates for Site U1438 basalts averaging 48.7 Ma (Ishizuka et al., 2018) are younger that the inferred age of IBM subduction initiation based on the oldest ages (52 Ma) of IBM forearc basalts (FAB) from the eastern margin of the Philippine Sea plate. FAB are hypothesized to be the first magma type erupted as the Pacific plate subsided, followed by boninites, and ultimately typical arc magmas over a period of about 10 Ma. Site U1438 basalts and IBM FABs are similar, but Site U1438 basalts have lower V contents, higher Ti/V and little geochemical evidence for involvement of slab-derived fluids. We hypothesize that the asthenospheric upwelling and extension expected during subduction initiation occurred over a broad expanse of the upper plate, even as hydrous fluids were introduced near the plate edge to produce FABs and boninites. Site U1438 basalts formed by decompression melting during the first 3 Ma of subduction initiation, and were stranded behind the early IBM arc as mantle conditions shifted to flux melting beneath a well-defined volcanic front.

A Novel Resource Management Method of Providing Operating System as a Service for Mobile Transparent Computing

PubMed Central

Huang, Suzhen; Wu, Min; Zhang, Yaoxue; She, Jinhua

2014-01-01

This paper presents a framework for mobile transparent computing. It extends the PC transparent computing to mobile terminals. Since resources contain different kinds of operating systems and user data that are stored in a remote server, how to manage the network resources is essential. In this paper, we apply the technologies of quick emulator (QEMU) virtualization and mobile agent for mobile transparent computing (MTC) to devise a method of managing shared resources and services management (SRSM). It has three layers: a user layer, a manage layer, and a resource layer. A mobile virtual terminal in the user layer and virtual resource management in the manage layer cooperate to maintain the SRSM function accurately according to the user's requirements. An example of SRSM is used to validate this method. Experiment results show that the strategy is effective and stable. PMID:24883353

A novel resource management method of providing operating system as a service for mobile transparent computing.

PubMed

Xiong, Yonghua; Huang, Suzhen; Wu, Min; Zhang, Yaoxue; She, Jinhua

2014-01-01

This paper presents a framework for mobile transparent computing. It extends the PC transparent computing to mobile terminals. Since resources contain different kinds of operating systems and user data that are stored in a remote server, how to manage the network resources is essential. In this paper, we apply the technologies of quick emulator (QEMU) virtualization and mobile agent for mobile transparent computing (MTC) to devise a method of managing shared resources and services management (SRSM). It has three layers: a user layer, a manage layer, and a resource layer. A mobile virtual terminal in the user layer and virtual resource management in the manage layer cooperate to maintain the SRSM function accurately according to the user's requirements. An example of SRSM is used to validate this method. Experiment results show that the strategy is effective and stable.

IMS software developments for the detection of chemical warfare agent

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klepel, ST.; Graefenhain, U.; Lippe, R.; Stach, J.; Starrock, V.

1995-01-01

Interference compounds like gasoline, diesel, burning wood or fuel, etc. are presented in common battlefield situations. These compounds can cause detectors to respond as a false positive or interfere with the detector's ability to respond to target compounds such as chemical warfare agents. To ensure proper response of the ion mobility spectrometer to chemical warfare agents, two special software packages were developed and incorporated into the Bruker RAID-1. The programs suppress interferring signals caused by car exhaust or smoke gases resulting from burning materials and correct the influence of variable sample gas humidity which is important for detection and quantification of blister agents like mustard gas or lewisite.

Effect of chaotropes on the kinetics of iron release from ferritin by flavin nucleotides.

PubMed

Johnson, Lindsay E; Wilkinson, Tyler; Arosio, Paolo; Melman, Artem; Bou-Abdallah, Fadi

2017-12-01

Ferritins are ubiquitous multi-subunit iron storage and detoxification proteins that play a critical role in iron homeostasis. Ferrous ions that enter the protein's shell through hydrophilic channels are rapidly oxidized at dinuclear centers on the H-subunit before transfer to the protein's cavity for storage. The mechanisms of iron loading have been extensively studied, but little is known about iron mobilization. Fe(III) reduction can occur via rapid reduction by suitable reducing agents followed by chelation of Fe(II) ions or via direct and slow Fe(III) chelation. Here, the iron release kinetics from ferritin by FMNH 2 in the presence of various chaotropic agents are studied and their in-vivo physiological significance discussed. The iron release kinetics from horse and human ferritins by FMNH 2 were monitored at 522nm where the Fe(II)-bipyridine complex absorbs. The experiments were performed in the presence of different concentrations of three chaotropic agents, urea, guanidine HCl, and triton. Under our experimental conditions, iron reductive mobilization by the non-enzymatic FMN/NAD(P)H system is limited by the concentration of FMNH 2 and is independent on the type or amount of chaotropes present. Diffusion of FMNH 2 through the ferritin pores is an unlikely mechanism for ferritin iron reduction. An iron mobilization mechanism involving rapid electron transfer through the protein shell is discussed. Caution must be exercised when interpreting the kinetics of iron mobilization from ferritin using the FMN/NAD(P)H system. The kinetics are highly dependent on the amount of dissolved oxygen and the concentration of reagents used. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Processing Diabetes Mellitus Composite Events in MAGPIE.

PubMed

Brugués, Albert; Bromuri, Stefano; Barry, Michael; Del Toro, Óscar Jiménez; Mazurkiewicz, Maciej R; Kardas, Przemyslaw; Pegueroles, Josep; Schumacher, Michael

2016-02-01

The focus of this research is in the definition of programmable expert Personal Health Systems (PHS) to monitor patients affected by chronic diseases using agent oriented programming and mobile computing to represent the interactions happening amongst the components of the system. The paper also discusses issues of knowledge representation within the medical domain when dealing with temporal patterns concerning the physiological values of the patient. In the presented agent based PHS the doctors can personalize for each patient monitoring rules that can be defined in a graphical way. Furthermore, to achieve better scalability, the computations for monitoring the patients are distributed among their devices rather than being performed in a centralized server. The system is evaluated using data of 21 diabetic patients to detect temporal patterns according to a set of monitoring rules defined. The system's scalability is evaluated by comparing it with a centralized approach. The evaluation concerning the detection of temporal patterns highlights the system's ability to monitor chronic patients affected by diabetes. Regarding the scalability, the results show the fact that an approach exploiting the use of mobile computing is more scalable than a centralized approach. Therefore, more likely to satisfy the needs of next generation PHSs. PHSs are becoming an adopted technology to deal with the surge of patients affected by chronic illnesses. This paper discusses architectural choices to make an agent based PHS more scalable by using a distributed mobile computing approach. It also discusses how to model the medical knowledge in the PHS in such a way that it is modifiable at run time. The evaluation highlights the necessity of distributing the reasoning to the mobile part of the system and that modifiable rules are able to deal with the change in lifestyle of the patients affected by chronic illnesses.

Toward a Mobile Agent Relay Network

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

in the study of particle movement. In computer science, flocking movement has been adapted for use in the collective, cooperative movement of...MARN). For our approach, we utilize a mod- ified flocking behavior to generate cooperative movement that utilizes the agent’s re- lay capability. We...Summary Our testing focuses on measuring effective cooperative movement and robustness against malicious agents. The movement testing demonstrated that a

Low Energy Technology. A Unit of Instruction in Housing and Home Environment. Single Family Homes--Multi-Family Homes--Mobile Homes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beaulieu, Barbara; And Others

This unit of instruction on selection and living styles for energy conservation in single-family and multi-family housing and mobile homes was designed for use by home economics teachers in Florida high schools and by home economics extension agents as they work with their clientele. It is one of a series of 11 instructional units (see note)…

Die Digitalisierung der Energiewirtschaft: Potenziale und Herausforderungen der IKT-Branche für Utility 4.0

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aichele, Christian; Schönberger, Marius

Energieunternehmen haben auf dem Weg zur digitalen Transformation noch viele Herausforderungen zu bewältigen. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt liegt derzeit auf der Modernisierung der IT-Systeme. Ausgangspunkt hierzu ist, dass sich bei den Endkonsumenten Mobile Applikationen, Smartphones, Tablet-PCs oder Smart TVs einer immensen Beliebtheit erfreuen. Durch diese Technologien wird die physische und virtuelle Welt in immer weiter zunehmendem Maße miteinander verknüpft. Mobile Applikation können einen wahren Hype hervorrufen und Verhaltensweisen auch nachhaltig verändern (ein Beispiel hierfür ist Pokémon Go, eine App die ein virtuelles Spiel mit der realen Umgebung kombiniert und die erstmalig auch eingefleischte Zocker aus der Anonymität ihrer häuslichen Umgebung hervorlocken konnte und für analoge Bewegung im Freien sorgte).

Hydrogenated vacancies lock dislocations in aluminium

PubMed Central

Xie, Degang; Li, Suzhi; Li, Meng; Wang, Zhangjie; Gumbsch, Peter; Sun, Jun; Ma, Evan; Li, Ju; Shan, Zhiwei

2016-01-01

Due to its high diffusivity, hydrogen is often considered a weak inhibitor or even a promoter of dislocation movements in metals and alloys. By quantitative mechanical tests in an environmental transmission electron microscope, here we demonstrate that after exposing aluminium to hydrogen, mobile dislocations can lose mobility, with activating stress more than doubled. On degassing, the locked dislocations can be reactivated under cyclic loading to move in a stick-slip manner. However, relocking the dislocations thereafter requires a surprisingly long waiting time of ∼103 s, much longer than that expected from hydrogen interstitial diffusion. Both the observed slow relocking and strong locking strength can be attributed to superabundant hydrogenated vacancies, verified by our atomistic calculations. Vacancies therefore could be a key plastic flow localization agent as well as damage agent in hydrogen environment. PMID:27808099

Towards a multilevel cognitive probabilistic representation of space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapus, Adriana; Vasudevan, Shrihari; Siegwart, Roland

2005-03-01

This paper addresses the problem of perception and representation of space for a mobile agent. A probabilistic hierarchical framework is suggested as a solution to this problem. The method proposed is a combination of probabilistic belief with "Object Graph Models" (OGM). The world is viewed from a topological optic, in terms of objects and relationships between them. The hierarchical representation that we propose permits an efficient and reliable modeling of the information that the mobile agent would perceive from its environment. The integration of both navigational and interactional capabilities through efficient representation is also addressed. Experiments on a set of images taken from the real world that validate the approach are reported. This framework draws on the general understanding of human cognition and perception and contributes towards the overall efforts to build cognitive robot companions.

Inhibition of akt phosphorylation diminishes mitochondrial biogenesis regulators, tricarboxylic acid cycle activity and exacerbates recognition memory deficit in rat model of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Shaerzadeh, Fatemeh; Motamedi, Fereshteh; Khodagholi, Fariba

2014-11-01

3-Methyladenine (3-MA), as a PI3K inhibitor, is widely used for inhibition of autophagy. Inhibition of PI3K class I leads to inhibition of Akt phosphorylation, a central molecule involved in diverse arrays of intracellular cascades in nervous system. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to determine the alterations of specific mitochondrial biogenesis markers and mitochondrial function in 3-MA-injected rats following amyloid beta (Aβ) insult. Our data revealed that inhibition of Akt phosphorylation downregulates master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Our data also showed that decrease in PGC-1α level presumably is due to decrease in the phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding and AMP-activated kinase, two upstream activators of PGC-1α. As a consequence, the level of some mitochondrial biogenesis factors including nuclear respiratory factor-1, mitochondrial transcription factor A, and Cytochrome c decreased significantly. Also, activities of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes such as Aconitase, a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase reduced in the presence of 3-MA with or without Aβ insult. Decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis factors and TCA enzyme activity in the rats receiving 3-MA and Aβ were more compared to the rats that received either alone; indicating the additive destructive effects of these two agents. In agreement with our molecular results, data obtained from behavioral test (using novel objective recognition test) indicated that inhibition of Akt phosphorylation with or without Aβ injection impaired novel recognition (non-spatial) memory. Our results suggest that 3-MA amplified deleterious effects of Aβ by targeting central molecule Akt.

Activity of megestrol acetate in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer after nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor failure: a phase II trial.

PubMed

Bines, J; Dienstmann, R; Obadia, R M; Branco, L G P; Quintella, D C; Castro, T M; Camacho, P G; Soares, F A; Costa, M E F

2014-04-01

As novel treatments carry substantial price tags and are mostly cost-prohibitive in low- and middle-income countries, there is an urgent need to develop alternatives, such as off-patent drugs. Megestrol acetate (MA) has a longstanding history in the treatment of breast cancer, but recently it is being used less often due to the advent of newer agents. This two-stage phase II trial evaluated the antitumor activity and toxicity of MA in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive advanced breast cancer who had experienced disease progression on a third-generation nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI). Eligible patients had metastatic breast cancer treated with a NSAI with at least 6-month progression-free survival (PFS), or relapse after ≥1 year on adjuvant NSAI. Patients received MA at a single daily oral dose of 160 mg. Primary end point was clinical benefit rate (CBR). Forty-eight patients were enrolled. The CBR was 40% [95% confidence interval (CI) 25% to 55%], and the median duration of clinical benefit was 10.0 (95% CI 8.0-14.2) months. The median PFS was 3.9 (95% CI 3.0-4.8) months. The most common grade 3 adverse events were anemia (2%), dyspnea (2%), fatigue (2%), musculoskeletal pain (4%), deep vein thrombosis (10%), and weight gain (2%). This is the first study to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of MA in postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive disease progressing on a NSAI. MA has demonstrated activity and acceptable tolerability in this setting, and therefore remains a reasonable treatment option in a cost-sensitive environment. These results also provide the background for further evaluation of progestins in the treatment of breast cancer. local trial number, related to the approval by the IRB: CEP 108/06.

Controlling Mechanical Properties of Cell-Laden Hydrogels by Covalent Incorporation of Graphene Oxide

PubMed Central

Cha, Chaenyung; Shin, Su Ryon; Gao, Xiguang; Annabi, Nasim; Dokmeci, Mehmet R.; Tang, Xiaowu (Shirley); Khademhosseini, Ali

2013-01-01

Graphene-based materials are useful reinforcing agents to modify the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Here, we present an approach to covalently incorporate graphene oxide (GO) into hydrogels via radical copolymerization to enhance the dispersion and conjugation of GO sheets within the hydrogels. GO is chemically modified to present surface-grafted methacrylate groups (MeGO). In comparison to GO, higher concentrations of MeGO can be stably dispersed in a pre-gel solution containing methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) without aggregation or significant increase in viscosity. In addition, the resulting MeGO-GelMA hydrogels demonstrate a significant increase in fracture strength with increasing MeGO concentration. Interestingly, the rigidity of the hydrogels is not significantly affected by the covalently incorporated GO. Therefore, our approach can be used to enhance the structural integrity and resistance to fracture of the hydrogels without inadvertently affecting their rigidity, which is known to affect the behavior of encapsulated cells. The biocompatibility of MeGO-GelMA hydrogels is confirmed by measuring the viability and proliferation of the encapsulated fibroblasts. Overall, this study highlights the advantage of covalently incorporating GO into a hydrogel system, and improves the quality of cell-laden hydrogels. PMID:24127350

Relation of uptake and metabolism of (1,2,6,7-3H)testosterone to individual differences in sexual behavior in male guinea pigs.

PubMed

Harding, C F; Feder, H H

1976-03-19

Male guinea pigs were given 3 tests for sexual behavior. Animals that never ejaculated were classified as low activity (LA), animals that ejaculated on one test were classified as medium activity (MA), and animals that ejaculated on two or more tests were classified as high activity (HA). Subsequently, animals from each group were castrated and given an s.c. injection of 43 muCi of [1,2,6,7-3H]testosterone and were killed 0.5, 1, or 4 h after injection. There were no significant differences in uptake or metabolism of radioactive testosterone among LA, MA, and HA males in homogenates of anterior and posterior hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, midbrain, or seminal vesicle. Thus, differences in sexual behavior could not be attributed to differences in testosterone uptake in tissue homogenates. At the 1 h time interval (time of peak plasma radioactivity), radioactivity in the seminal vesicles of all males was primarily in the form of steroids with the chromatographic mobility of dihydrotestosterone. In all males, anterior and posterior hypothalamus contained a higher proportion of steroids with the mobility of testosterone than did midbrain, and midbrain contained more testosterone zone radioactivity than cerebral cortex at 1 h. The highest proportion of dihydrotestosterone zone radioactivity in neural tissues was found in anterior hypothalamus. These results are discussed in terms of androgenic mediation of sex behavior by the anterior hypothalamus in guinea pigs.

Stepping from Belgium to the United States and back: the conceptualization and impact of the Harvard Step Test, 1942-2012.

PubMed

Vangrunderbeek, Hans; Delheye, Pascal

2013-06-01

This article examines the contribution of the Belgian-American exercise physiologist Lucien Brouha in developing the Harvard Step Test (HST) at the'pioneering Harvard Fatigue Laboratory (HFL) during the Second World War and provides a better understanding of the importance of transnational relations concerning scientific progress. Analysis of sources in the University Archives of the State University in Liege (Belgium), the Archives and Documentation Centre of the Sportimonium at Hofstade (Belgium), the Harvard Business School Archives at Baker Library (Cambridge, MA), the Harvard Medical School Archives at Countway Library (Cambridge, MA), and the Brouha and Shaler private family archives (Sutton, VT). The outbreak of the Second World War shifted research at the interdisciplinary HFL toward the field of military physiology and resulted in the transfer of Brouha from Belgium to the HFL. Brouha's personal and academic experiences made him the right man in the right place to develop the HST in 1942. The HST--which has celebrated its 70th anniversary--was of immediate academic and practical significance during and after the war. Brouha' s case demonstrates the importance of personal experiences, transnational relations, and interdisciplinary research settings for the establishment of scientific (sub)disciplines. Studying internal scientific evolutions in relation to personal and work experiences of "mobile" and therefore often "forgotten" researchers like Brouha is necessary to better understand and interpret evolutions in science and corresponding processes of academic and social mobility.

Report Writer and Security Requirements Finder: User and Admin Manuals

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-15

Release; Distribution is Unlimited http://www.sei.cmu.edu Copyright 2016 Carnegie Mellon University This material is based upon work funded...and supported by the Department of Defense under Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0003 with Carnegie Mellon University for the operation of the Software...for the SEI Administrative Agent AFLCMC/PZM 20 Schilling Circle, Bldg. 1305, 3rd floor Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2125 NO WARRANTY. THIS CARNEGIE

Measures for Managing Operational Resilience

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

Measures 4 2.1 Organizational Objectives 4 2.2 High-Value Services and Assets 4 2.3 Controls 5 2.4 Risks 5 2.5 Disruptive Events 6 3...Administrative Agent ESC/XPK 5 Eglin Street Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-2100 NO WARRANTY THIS CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING...such as ITIL, COBIT , ISO2700x, BS25999, and PCI DSS, the measures may be useful for measuring security, business continuity, and IT operations

Controls on fluvial metamorphosis during global warming at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary (56 Ma) in Spain: extreme droughts, extreme floods or both?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castelltort, Sebastien; Chen, Chen; Guerit, Laure; Foreman, Brady; Paola, Chris; Adatte, Thierry

2017-04-01

How does global warming change the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events? The response to this question is partly preserved in the geological record. 56 Ma ago, global temperatures increased during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), leading to a major biotic turnover, but how this event affected the nature of extreme events remains unknown. On several continents, fluvial systems with sinuous channels within fine-grained floodplains suddenly transformed at the P-E boundary into apparently coarser-grained braid plains with frequent lateral migrations, washing their muddy floodplains to the seas. This landscape transformation has been related to aridification and intensification of precipitation allowing transport of coarser material as a result of P-E global warming, with important implications for predicting the consequences of current global change. Here we test this hypothesis by quantifying the magnitude of grain size change and flow depth at a representative P-E locality in Northern Spain. We find that the size of pebbles in transport and flow depth remained similar to, or even smaller than, pre-PETM conditions. This suggests that, if more seasonal and extreme precipitation occurred, they are not necessarily borne out in the predicted deeper flow depths and coarser grain sizes, but rather trigger a shift to multiple active channels. However, an alternative or complementary explanation may rest in pollen data found in coeval marine records and which document a dramatic vegetation shift from permanent conifer forests prior to the crisis into periodic vegetation in brief periods of rain during the hyperthermal episode. Such change induced by long periods of intense droughts, could have enhanced erodibility of channel banks by decreasing root-controlled cohesion of fine-grained floodplains and interfluves, promoting their lateral mobility and the observed fluvial metamorphosis. Thus, although water is regarded as the main agent sculpting fluvial landscapes, the absence of it during extreme droughts rather than its presence during extreme precipitation events, may be a dominant control on fluvial metamorphosis and landscape evolution.

The role of ion optics modeling in the design and development of ion mobility spectrometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffin, Matthew T.

2005-05-01

Detection of trace gases by ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) has become common in recent years. In fact, IMS devices are the most commonly deployed military devices for the detection of classical chemical warfare agents (CWA). IMS devices are protecting the homeland by aiding first responders in the identification of toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and providing explosive and narcotic screening systems. Spurred by the asymmetric threat posed by new threat agents and the ever expanding list of toxic chemicals, research in the development, improvement, and optimization of IMS systems has increased. Much of the research is focused on increasing the sensitivity and selectivity of IMS systems. Ion optics is a large area of study in the field of mass spectrometry, but has been mostly overlooked in the design and development of IMS systems. Ion optics provides insight into particle trajectories, duty cycle, and efficiency of these systems. This paper will outline the role that ion optics can have in the development of IMS systems and introduce the trade space for traditional IMS as well as differential mobility spectroscopy.

Agent-based modeling of the spread of the 1918-1919 flu in three Canadian fur trading communities.

PubMed

O'Neil, Caroline A; Sattenspiel, Lisa

2010-01-01

Previous attempts to study the 1918-1919 flu in three small communities in central Manitoba have used both three-community population-based and single-community agent-based models. These studies identified critical factors influencing epidemic spread, but they also left important questions unanswered. The objective of this project was to design a more realistic agent-based model that would overcome limitations of earlier models and provide new insights into these outstanding questions. The new model extends the previous agent-based model to three communities so that results can be compared to those from the population-based model. Sensitivity testing was conducted, and the new model was used to investigate the influence of seasonal settlement and mobility patterns, the geographic heterogeneity of the observed 1918-1919 epidemic in Manitoba, and other questions addressed previously. Results confirm outcomes from the population-based model that suggest that (a) social organization and mobility strongly influence the timing and severity of epidemics and (b) the impact of the epidemic would have been greater if it had arrived in the summer rather than the winter. New insights from the model suggest that the observed heterogeneity among communities in epidemic impact was not unusual and would have been the expected outcome given settlement structure and levels of interaction among communities. Application of an agent-based computer simulation has helped to better explain observed patterns of spread of the 1918-1919 flu epidemic in central Manitoba. Contrasts between agent-based and population-based models illustrate the advantages of agent-based models for the study of small populations. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Memoryless cooperative graph search based on the simulated annealing algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Jian; Yan, Gang-Feng; Fan, Zhen

2011-04-01

We have studied the problem of reaching a globally optimal segment for a graph-like environment with a single or a group of autonomous mobile agents. Firstly, two efficient simulated-annealing-like algorithms are given for a single agent to solve the problem in a partially known environment and an unknown environment, respectively. It shows that under both proposed control strategies, the agent will eventually converge to a globally optimal segment with probability 1. Secondly, we use multi-agent searching to simultaneously reduce the computation complexity and accelerate convergence based on the algorithms we have given for a single agent. By exploiting graph partition, a gossip-consensus method based scheme is presented to update the key parameter—radius of the graph, ensuring that the agents spend much less time finding a globally optimal segment.

Analysis of decentralized variable structure control for collective search by mobile robots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldsmith, Steven Y.; Feddema, John T.; Robinett, Rush D., III

1998-10-01

This paper presents an analysis of a decentralized coordination strategy for organizing and controlling a team of mobile robots performing collective search. The alpha- beta coordination strategy is a family of collective search algorithms that allow teams of communicating robots to implicitly coordinate their search activities through a division of labor based on self-selected roles. In an alpha- beta team, alpha agents are motivated to improve their status by exploring new regions of the search space. Beta agents are conservative, and rely on the alpha agents to provide advanced information on favorable regions of the search space. An agent selects its current role dynamically based on its current status value relative to the current status values of the other team members. Status is determined by some function of the agent's sensor readings, and is generally a measurement of source intensity at the agent's current location. Variations on the decision rules determining alpha and beta behavior produce different versions of the algorithm that lead to different global properties. The alpha-beta strategy is based on a simple finite-state machine that implements a form of Variable Structure Control (VSC). The VSC system changes the dynamics of the collective system by abruptly switching at defined states to alternative control laws. In VSC, Lyapunov's direct method is often used to design control surfaces which guide the system to a given goal. We introduce the alpha- beta algorithm and present an analysis of the equilibrium point and the global stability of the alpha-beta algorithm based on Lyapunov's method.

The flow dynamics of an extremely large volume pyroclastic flow, the 2.08-Ma Cerro Galán Ignimbrite, NW Argentina, and comparison with other flow types

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cas, Ray A.F.; Wright, Heather M.; Folkes, Christopher B.; Lesti, Chiara; Porreca, Massimiliano; Giordano, Guido; Viramonte, Jose G.

2011-01-01

The 2.08-Ma Cerro Galán Ignimbrite (CGI) represents a >630-km3 dense rock equivalent (VEI 8) eruption from the long-lived Cerro Galán magma system (∼6 Ma). It is a crystal-rich (35–60%), pumice (<10% generally) and lithic-poor (<5% generally) rhyodacitic ignimbrite, lacking a preceding plinian fallout deposit. The CGI is preserved up to 80 km from the structural margins of the caldera, but almost certainly was deposited up to 100 km from the caldera in some places. Only one emplacement unit is preserved in proximal to medial settings and in most distal settings, suggesting constant flow conditions, but where the pyroclastic flow moved into a palaeotopography of substantial valleys and ridges, it interacted with valley walls, resulting in flow instabilities that generated multiple depositional units, often separated by pyroclastic surge deposits. The CGI preserves a widespread sub-horizontal fabric, defined by aligned elongate pumice and lithic clasts, and minerals (e.g. biotite). A sub-horizontal anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility fabric is defined by minute magnetic minerals in all localities where it has been analysed. The CGI is poor in both vent-derived (‘accessory’) lithics and locally derived lithics from the ground surface (‘accidental’) lithics. Locally derived lithics are small (<20 cm) and were not transported far from source points. All data suggest that the pyroclastic flow system producing the CGI was characterised throughout by high sedimentation rates, resulting from high particle concentration and suppressed turbulence at the depositional boundary layer, despite being a low aspect ratio ignimbrite. Based on these features, we question whether high velocity and momentum are necessary to account for extensive flow mobility. It is proposed that the CGI was deposited by a pyroclastic flow system that developed a substantial, high particle concentration granular under-flow, which flowed with suppressed turbulence. High particle concentration and fine-ash content hindered gas loss and maintained flow mobility. In order to explain the contemporaneous maintenance of high particle concentration, high sedimentation rate at the depositional boundary layer and a high level of mobility, it is also proposed that the flow(s) was continuously supplied at a high mass feeding rate. It is also proposed that internal gas pressure within the flow, directed downwards onto the substrate over which the flow was passing, reduced the friction between the flow and the substrate and also enhanced its mobility. The pervasive sub-horizontal fabric of aligned pumice, lithic and even biotite crystals indicates a consistent horizontal shear force existed during transport and deposition in the basal granular flow, consistent with the existence of a laminar, shearing, granular flow regime during the final stages of transport and deposition.

Scalable synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles anchored on graphene as a high-performance anode for lithium ion batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dong, Yu Cheng; Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films; Ma, Ru Guang

2013-05-01

We report a scalable strategy to synthesize Fe₃O₄/graphene nanocomposites as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries. In this study, ferric citrate is used as precursor to prepare Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles without introducing additional reducing agent; furthermore and show that such Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles can be anchored on graphene sheets which attributed to multifunctional group effect of citrate. Electrochemical characterization of the Fe₃O₄/graphene nanocomposites exhibit large reversible capacity (~1347 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.2 C up to 100 cycles, and subsequent capacity of ~619 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 2 C up to 200more » cycles), as well as high coulombic efficiency (~97%), excellent rate capability, and good cyclic stability. High resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, with a size of ~4–16 nm are densely anchored on thin graphene sheets, resulting in large synergetic effects between Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and graphene sheets with high electrochemical performance. - Graphical abstract: The reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ and the deposition of Fe₃O₄ on graphene sheets occur simultaneously using citrate function as reductant and anchor agent in this reaction process. Highlights: • Fe₃O₄/graphene composites are synthesized directly from graphene and C₆H₅FeO₇. • The citrate function as reductant and anchor agent in this reaction process. • The resulting Fe₃O₄ particles (~4–16 nm) are densely anchored on graphene sheets. • The prepared Fe₃O₄/graphene composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance.« less

Control of Sediment Availability on the Path of Channel Recovery in Bedload-Dominated Rivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doyle, H.; Renshaw, C. E.; Magilligan, F. J.

2015-12-01

Following a disturbance, a channel can recover to an equilibrium form by adjusting its slope, width, depth, grain size, or some combination of these dimensions that define the recovery path. In this study we relate the channel recovery path to the quantity and caliber of sediment introduced due to dam construction/removal or erosion caused by flooding. We suggest that the recovery path of a channel depends on the availability of sediment of a size that is transported as bedload during bankfull flows (the "mobile fraction"). We define a ratio, S*, of the sediment volume added to the channel because of the disturbance to the average annual sediment flux. We compare S* values to the recovery path of New England gravel-bedded streams following two dam emplacements and removals and flooding related to Tropical Storm Irene. Pelham Dam in Pelham, MA (removed 2012) and Kendrick Dam in Pittsford, VT (removed 2014) were on similar streams: drainage areas ~25 km2, slopes 1-2%, and bankfull widths ~10 m. Sediment was excavated from both impoundments prior to removal, resulting in lower S* values. Irene-affected study sites are on ~10 gravel-bedded streams in VT, NH, and MA. Sediment input at these sites is due to bank failures and landslides, many of which continue to supply sediment to the channel four years after flooding. To track recovery we collected annual topographic and sediment size data and calculated Shields numbers to determine if channels had reached an equilibrium form. We define equilibrium for bedload rivers as Shields numbers at bankfull discharge equal to that required to initiate bedload transport. Following dam emplacements the channels failed to recover because mobile sediment was unavailable. Fining dominated the recovery at Irene-affected sites (~10% reduction in sediment size) and dam removal sites (up to 30-60% reduction) with little post-disturbance change in channel geometry, possibly due to the limited mobile fraction.

Mobile Lid Convection Beneath Enceladus' South Polar Terrain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barr, Amy C.

2008-01-01

Enceladus' south polar region has a large heat flux, 55-110 milliwatts per square meter (or higher), that is spatially associated with cryovolcanic and tectonic activity. Tidal dissipation and vigorous convection in the underlying ice shell are possible sources of heat; however, prior predictions of the heat flux carried by stagnant lid convection range from F(sub conv) 15 to 30 milliwatts per square meter, too low to explain the observed heat flux. The high heat flux and increased cryovolcanic and tectonic activity suggest that near-surface ice in the region has become rheologically and mechanically weakened enough to permit convective plumes to reach close to the surface. If the yield strength of Enceladus' lithosphere is less than 1-10 kPa, convection may instead occur in the mobile lid" regime, which is characterized by large heat fluxes and large horizontal velocities in the near-surface ice. I show that model ice shells with effective surface viscosities between 10(exp 16) and 10(exp 17) Pa s and basal viscosities between 10(exp 13) and 10(exp 15) Pa s have convective heat fluxes comparable to that observed by the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer. If this style of convection is occurring, the south polar terrain should be spreading horizontally with v1-10 millimeter per year and should be resurfaced in 0.1-10 Ma. On the basis of Cassini imaging data, the south polar terrain is 0.5 Ma old, consistent with the mobile lid hypothesis. Maxwell viscoelastic tidal dissipation in such ice shells is not capable of generating enough heat to balance convective heat transport. However, tidal heat may also be generated in the near-surface along faults as suggested by Nimmo et al. and/or viscous dissipation within the ice shell may occur by other processes not accounted for by the canonical Maxwell dissipation model.

Did Oligocene crustal thickening precede basin development in northern Thailand? A geochronological reassessment of Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardiner, Nicholas J.; Roberts, Nick M. W.; Morley, Christopher K.; Searle, Michael P.; Whitehouse, Martin J.

2016-01-01

The Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep metamorphic core complexes in northern Thailand are comprised of amphibolite-grade migmatitic gneisses mantled by lower-grade mylonites and metasedimentary sequences, thought to represent Cordilleran-style core complexes exhumed through the mobilization of a low-angle detachment fault. Previous studies have interpreted two metamorphic events (Late Triassic and Late Cretaceous), followed by ductile extension between the late Eocene and late Oligocene, a model which infers movement on the detachment at ca. 40 Ma, and which culminates in a rapid unroofing of the complexes in the early Miocene. The Chiang Mai Basin, the largest such Cenozoic Basin in the region, lies immediately to the east. Its development is related to the extension observed at Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep, however it is not definitively dated, and models for its development have difficulty reconciling Miocene cooling ages with Eocene detachment movement. Here we present new in-situ LA-ICP-MS and SIMS U-Pb age data of zircon and monazite grains from gneiss and leucogranite samples taken from Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep. Our new zircon data exhibit an older age range of 221-210 Ma, with younger ages of ca. 72 Ma, and 32-26 Ma. Our monazite data imply an older age cluster at 83-67 Ma, and a younger age cluster of 34-24 Ma. While our data support the view of Indosinian basement being reworked in the Cretaceous, they also indicate a late Eocene-Oligocene tectonothermal event, resulting in prograde metamorphism and anatexis. We suggest that this later event is related to localized transpressional thickening associated with sinistral movement on the Mae Ping Fault, coupled with thickening at the restraining bend of the Mae Yuan Fault to the immediate west of Doi Inthanon. Further, this upper Oligocene age limit from our zircon and monazite data would imply a younger Miocene constraint on movement of the detachment, which, when combined with the previously recorded Miocene cooling ages, has implications for a model for the onset of extension and subsequent development of the Chiang Mai Basin in the early mid-Miocene.

Timing and genesis of early marine caymanites in the hydrothermal palaeokarst system of Buda Hills, Hungary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korpás, L.; Lantos, M.; Nagymarosy, A.

1999-01-01

Sedimentological, biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic studies were carried out on five Late Eocene-Early Oligocene profiles in the Buda Hills, Hungary. The Szépvölgy Limestone Formation accumulated on the pre-Eocene basement. Basal strata of the limestone consist of a thin conglomerate followed by a coralgal limestone. The overlying limestone contains abundant Nummulites, Discocyclina. The contact between these two members is sharp. The Szépvölgy Limestone body, covering 60-65 km 2, is considered a carbonate bank. Above the limestone, the siliciclastic slope deposits of the pelagic and turbiditic Buda Marl, and the euxinic Tard Clay accumulated. A huge multiphase hydrothermal cave system developed in the Szépvölgy Limestone resulting in a long-term composite palaeokarstic evolution lasting from the Late Eocene to the Quaternary. The first palaeokarst phase during the Late Eocene is represented by two generations of early marine cavity filling sediments of caymanite-type, deposited at sea-level. The earlier, carbonate infilling is conformable while the younger, siliciclastic one is disconformable with the bedding of the host rock. Bio- and magnetostratigraphic studies indicate that deposition of the caymanites-bearing palaeokarst host sequence started in the Late Eocene, during Chron C15r (35.3 Ma) and terminated in the Early Oligocene during Chron C13n (33 Ma). Two marker horizons are present, the first is between the Szépvölgy Limestone and Buda Marl at ˜34.6 Ma, and the second horizon is between the Buda Marl and the Tard Clay at 33.5 Ma. The Szépvölgy Limestone, deposited on a mobile shelf, represents a deepening upward sequence, interrupted by two lowstand events. They can be correlated with the PHd event of Keller et al., 1987 (Global distribution of late Palaeogene hiatuses. Geology 15, 199-203) and resulted in marine palaeokarstification. The carbonate shelf with the infillings drowned at 34.6 Ma. The caymanites accumulated at about 35.2-35.0 Ma and represent short-term palaeokarstic events. Their deposition record was estimated in several thousand years.

ICPL: Intelligent Cooperative Planning and Learning for Multi-agent Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-29

objective was to develop a new planning approach for teams!of multiple UAVs that tightly integrates learning and cooperative!control algorithms at... algorithms at multiple levels of the planning architecture. The research results enabled a team of mobile agents to learn to adapt and react to uncertainty in...expressive representation that incorporates feature conjunctions. Our algorithm is simple to implement, fast to execute, and can be combined with any

Emergence of a snake-like structure in mobile distributed agents: an exploratory agent-based modeling approach.

PubMed

Niazi, Muaz A

2014-01-01

The body structure of snakes is composed of numerous natural components thereby making it resilient, flexible, adaptive, and dynamic. In contrast, current computer animations as well as physical implementations of snake-like autonomous structures are typically designed to use either a single or a relatively smaller number of components. As a result, not only these artificial structures are constrained by the dimensions of the constituent components but often also require relatively more computationally intensive algorithms to model and animate. Still, these animations often lack life-like resilience and adaptation. This paper presents a solution to the problem of modeling snake-like structures by proposing an agent-based, self-organizing algorithm resulting in an emergent and surprisingly resilient dynamic structure involving a minimal of interagent communication. Extensive simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness as well as resilience of the proposed approach. The ideas originating from the proposed algorithm can not only be used for developing self-organizing animations but can also have practical applications such as in the form of complex, autonomous, evolvable robots with self-organizing, mobile components with minimal individual computational capabilities. The work also demonstrates the utility of exploratory agent-based modeling (EABM) in the engineering of artificial life-like complex adaptive systems.

Emergence of a Snake-Like Structure in Mobile Distributed Agents: An Exploratory Agent-Based Modeling Approach

PubMed Central

Niazi, Muaz A.

2014-01-01

The body structure of snakes is composed of numerous natural components thereby making it resilient, flexible, adaptive, and dynamic. In contrast, current computer animations as well as physical implementations of snake-like autonomous structures are typically designed to use either a single or a relatively smaller number of components. As a result, not only these artificial structures are constrained by the dimensions of the constituent components but often also require relatively more computationally intensive algorithms to model and animate. Still, these animations often lack life-like resilience and adaptation. This paper presents a solution to the problem of modeling snake-like structures by proposing an agent-based, self-organizing algorithm resulting in an emergent and surprisingly resilient dynamic structure involving a minimal of interagent communication. Extensive simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness as well as resilience of the proposed approach. The ideas originating from the proposed algorithm can not only be used for developing self-organizing animations but can also have practical applications such as in the form of complex, autonomous, evolvable robots with self-organizing, mobile components with minimal individual computational capabilities. The work also demonstrates the utility of exploratory agent-based modeling (EABM) in the engineering of artificial life-like complex adaptive systems. PMID:24701135

Lipid Raft Size and Lipid Mobility in Non-raft Domains Increase during Aging and Are Exacerbated in APP/PS1 Mice Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Predictions from an Agent-Based Mathematical Model

PubMed Central

Santos, Guido; Díaz, Mario; Torres, Néstor V.

2016-01-01

A connection between lipid rafts and Alzheimer's disease has been studied during the last decades. Mathematical modeling approaches have recently been used to correlate the effects of lipid composition changes in the physicochemical properties of raft-like membranes. Here we propose an agent based model to assess the effect of lipid changes in lipid rafts on the evolution and progression of Alzheimer's disease using lipid profile data obtained in an established model of familial Alzheimer's disease. We have observed that lipid raft size and lipid mobility in non-raft domains are two main factors that increase during age and are accelerated in the transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse model. The consequences of these changes are discussed in the context of neurotoxic amyloid β production. Our agent based model predicts that increasing sterols (mainly cholesterol) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) (mainly DHA, docosahexaenoic acid) proportions in the membrane composition might delay the onset and progression of the disease. PMID:27014089

Development of spent fuel reprocessing process based on selective sulfurization: Study on the Pu, Np and Am sulfurization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirishima, Akira; Amano, Yuuki; Nihei, Toshifumi; Mitsugashira, Toshiaki; Sato, Nobuaki

2010-03-01

For the recovery of fissile materials from spent nuclear fuel, we have proposed a novel reprocessing process based on selective sulfurization of fission products (FPs). The key concept of this process is utilization of unique chemical property of carbon disulfide (CS2), i.e., it works as a reductant for U3O8 but works as a sulfurizing agent for minor actinides and lanthanides. Sulfurized FPs and minor actinides (MA) are highly soluble to dilute nitric acid while UO2 and PuO2 are hardly soluble, therefore, FPs and MA can be removed from Uranium and Plutonium matrix by selective dissolution. As a feasibility study of this new concept, the sulfurization behaviours of U, Pu, Np, Am and Eu are investigated in this paper by the thermodynamical calculation, phase analysis of chemical analogue elements and tracer experiments.

A combined geochronological approach to investigating long lived granite magmatism, the Shap granite, UK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miles, A. J.; Woodcock, N. H.

2018-04-01

With the advent of more precise dating methods, it has become apparent that zircon dates from granite plutons frequently indicate older emplacement ages than other dating methods. Here we attempt to reconcile a number of dating methods from the c. 5 km2 Caledonian Shap granite, Northern England. The results reveal a more complex and protracted evolution than indicated by application of any single dating method. Zircon U-Pb dates give a weighted mean age of 415.6 ± 1.4 (2σ) Ma. A mafic enclave, dated at 412 ± 2 (2σ) Ma (revised Rb-Sr feldspar age from Davidson et al., 2005), contains resorbed K-feldspar and zircon crystals scavenged from the host crystal mush. These ages are at odds with field relations in the thermal aureole that suggest final emplacement at approximately 404 Ma or later during Acadian deformation. Previously reported Re-Os ages on molybdenites associated with magmatic fluids, have given ages of 405.2 ± 1.8 (2σ) Ma (Selby et al., 2008) and confirm the overlap of at least some magmatic activity with Acadian deformation. A similar emplacement age is supported by Rb-Sr whole-rock-mineral and biotite K-Ar dates when adjusted for revised decay constants (402 ± 3 Ma and 401 ± 7 Ma, respectively, Wadge et al., 1978). The lower closure temperatures of these systems relative to the U-Pb system in zircon means that they are more likely to record the timing of final granite emplacement. These data suggest that most zircons grew before final granite emplacement, by about 10 Ma on average. We suggest that the majority of zircon crystals record pre-emplacement magmatic activity within a deeper part of the system. Mafic enclaves and their scavenged cargo of crystals record the assembly of a mid-crustal batholith where crystals remained at least locally mobile at 412 Ma. Gravity data support the existence of an extensive, 1500 km2 intrusive body, originally at about 15 km depth beneath Shap. This batholith is likely to have remained below the granite solidus for much of its existence due to conductive heat loss, but episodic influxes of silicic magma between c. 412 and 405 Ma are thought to have enabled periods of rejuvenation. These influxes are recorded by complex compositional zoning patterns within K-feldspar megacrysts. The Shap granite itself is likely to represent a rejuvenated crystal slurry, emplaced as a cylindrical cupola above the main magma body during Acadian transpression. This study highlights the importance of integrating different dating techniques and that final emplacement of granites can only be indicated by the youngest zircon ages.

Evaluation of dental adhesive systems incorporating an antibacterial monomer eugenyl methacrylate (EgMA) for endodontic restorations.

PubMed

Almaroof, A; Niazi, S A; Rojo, L; Mannocci, F; Deb, S

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study was to incorporate EgMA, an antibacterial monomer into two commercial dental adhesive systems for their application in endodontic restoration with the aim to disinfect the root canal space before curing and to inhibit bacterial growth on their surfaces after being cured. EgMA monomer was added at 20%wt. into the formulation of the single-component self-etch, Clearfil Universal Bond™ (CUB) and into the catalyst and the adhesive components of the total-etch Adper Scotchbond-multipurpose™ (SBMP) adhesive systems. The degree of conversion (DC) was calculated from FTIR spectra, glass transition temperature (Tg) determined by DSC, water sorption and solubility were measured gravimetrically, and surface free energy (SFE) via contact angle measurements. The bonding performance to coronal and middle root canal dentin was assessed through push-out bond strength after filling the canals with a composite core material and the surface integrity was observed using SEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The standard agar diffusion test (ADT) was used to identify the sensitivity of three endodontically pathogenic bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Propionibacterium acnes to uncured EgMA modified adhesives. Multispecies biofilm model from these strains was grown on the disc surface of cured adhesives and investigated using quantitative microbial culture and CLSM with live/dead staining. MTT assay was also used to determine the cytotoxicity of these adhesives. The incorporation of EgMA lowered polymerization exotherm and enhanced the hydrophobic character of these adhesives, without changing the DC and Tg in comparison to the controls (without EgMA). The total push-out bond strengths of the EgMA-containing adhesives were not significantly different from those of the controls (p>0.05). The modification of self-etch adhesive system enhanced the bond strength in the middle region of the roots canal. SEM of debonded specimens and CLSM examination showed the integrity of the resin-dentin interfaces. For all three bacteria tested, the sizes of the inhibition zones produced by uncured EgMA modified adhesives were significantly greater (p<0.05) than those of the controls. The results of biofilm inhibition tests showed less CFU for total bacteria on bonding agents with EgMA compared to the control materials (p<0.05). The modification at 20% monomer concentration had no adverse effects on cytocompatibility of both adhesives tested. The inclusion of EgMA endows dental adhesives with effective antibacterial effects without influencing their curing properties, bonding ability to root canal dentin, and cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts, indicating the usefulness of their application in endodontic restorations. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential intracellular calcium influx, nitric oxide production, ICAM-1 and IL8 expression in primary bovine endothelial cells exposed to nonesterified fatty acids.

PubMed

Loaiza, Anitsi; Carretta, María D; Taubert, Anja; Hermosilla, Carlos; Hidalgo, María A; Burgos, Rafael A

2016-02-25

Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are involved in proinflammatory processes in cattle, including in the increased expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of NEFAs on the intracellular calcium (Ca(2+) i) influx, nitric oxide production, and ICAM-1 and IL-8 expression in primary bovine umbilical vein endothelial cells (BUVECs). Myristic (MA), palmitic (PA), stearic (SA), oleic (OA) and linoleic acid (LA) rapidly increased Ca(2+) i. The calcium response to all tested NEFAs showed an extracellular calcium dependence and only the LA response was significantly inhibited until the intracellular calcium was chelated. The EC50 values for MA and LA were 125 μM and 37 μM, respectively, and the MA and LA effects were dependent on calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum stores and on the L-type calcium channels. Only the calcium response to MA was significantly reduced by GW1100, a selective G-protein-coupled free fatty acid receptor (GPR40) antagonist. We also detected a functional FFAR1/GPR40 protein in BUVECs by using western blotting and the FFAR1/GPR40 agonist TAK-875. Only LA increased the cellular nitric oxide levels in a calcium-dependent manner. LA stimulation but not MA stimulation increased ICAM-1 and IL-8-expression in BUVECs. This effect was inhibited by GW1100, an antagonist of FFAR1/GPR40, but not by U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor. These findings strongly suggest that each individual NEFA stimulates endothelial cells in a different way, with clearly different effects on intracellular calcium mobilization, NO production, and IL-8 and ICAM-1 expression in primary BUVECs. These findings not only extend our understanding of NEFA-mediated diseases in ruminants, but also provide new insight into the different molecular mechanisms involved during endothelial cell activation by NEFAs.

PHILIS (PORTABLE HIGH-THROUGHPUT INTEGRATED LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

These mobile laboratory assets, for the on-site analysis of chemical warfare agent (CWA) and toxic industrial compound (TIC) contaminated environmental samples, are part of the evolving Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN).

76 FR 67762 - Notice of Intent to Grant Exclusive License

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-02

... Environment For The Brahms Multiagent Language,'' ARC-16160-1B, entitled ``Mobile Agents Architecture,'' ARC... business at 865 Wisconsin Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. The copyright in the software and documentation...

Hydrogenated vacancies lock dislocations in aluminium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Degang; Li, Suzhi; Li, Meng

Due to its high diffusivity, hydrogen is often considered a weak inhibitor or even a promoter of dislocation movements in metals and alloys. By quantitative mechanical tests in an environmental transmission electron microscope, here we demonstrate that after exposing aluminium to hydrogen, mobile dislocations can lose mobility, with activating stress more than doubled. On degassing, the locked dislocations can be reactivated under cyclic loading to move in a stick-slip manner. However, relocking the dislocations thereafter requires a surprisingly long waiting time of ~10 3 s, much longer than that expected from hydrogen interstitial diffusion. Both the observed slow relocking andmore » strong locking strength can be attributed to superabundant hydrogenated vacancies, verified by our atomistic calculations. In conclusion, vacancies therefore could be a key plastic flow localization agent as well as damage agent in hydrogen environment.« less

Biodegradation of PuEDTA and Impacts on Pu Mobility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xun, Luying; Bolton, Jr., Harvey

Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA) are synthetic chelating agents, which can form strong water-soluble complexes with radionuclides and metals and has been used to decontaminate and process nuclear materials. Synthetic chelating agents were co-disposed with radionuclides (e.g., 60Co, Pu) and heavy metals enhancing their transport in the subsurface. An understanding of EDTA biodegradation is essential to help mitigate enhanced radionuclide transport by EDTA. The objective of this research is to develop fundamental data on factors that govern the biodegradation of radionuclide-EDTA. These factors include the dominant EDTA aqueous species, the biodegradation of various metal-EDTA complexes, the uptake of various metal-EDTAmore » complexes into the cell, the distribution and mobility of the radionuclide during and after EDTA biodegradation, and the enzymology and genetics of EDTA biodegradation.« less

Smart caching based on mobile agent of power WebGIS platform.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaohui; Wu, Kehe; Chen, Fei

2013-01-01

Power information construction is developing towards intensive, platform, distributed direction with the expansion of power grid and improvement of information technology. In order to meet the trend, power WebGIS was designed and developed. In this paper, we first discuss the architecture and functionality of power WebGIS, and then we study caching technology in detail, which contains dynamic display cache model, caching structure based on mobile agent, and cache data model. We have designed experiments of different data capacity to contrast performance between WebGIS with the proposed caching model and traditional WebGIS. The experimental results showed that, with the same hardware environment, the response time of WebGIS with and without caching model increased as data capacity growing, while the larger the data was, the higher the performance of WebGIS with proposed caching model improved.

Residential segregation and cultural dissemination: An Axelrod-Schelling model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gracia-Lázaro, C.; Lafuerza, L. F.; Floría, L. M.; Moreno, Y.

2009-10-01

In the Axelrod’s model of cultural dissemination, we consider the mobility of cultural agents through the introduction of a density of empty sites and the possibility that agents in a dissimilar neighborhood can move to them if their mean cultural similarity with the neighborhood is below some threshold. While for low values of the density of empty sites, the mobility enhances the convergence to a global culture, for high enough values of it, the dynamics can lead to the coexistence of disconnected domains of different cultures. In this regime, the increase in initial cultural diversity paradoxically increases the convergence to a dominant culture. Further increase in diversity leads to the fragmentation of the dominant culture into domains, forever changing in shape and number, as an effect of the never ending eroding activity of cultural minorities.

Hydrogenated vacancies lock dislocations in aluminium

DOE PAGES

Xie, Degang; Li, Suzhi; Li, Meng; ...

2016-11-03

Due to its high diffusivity, hydrogen is often considered a weak inhibitor or even a promoter of dislocation movements in metals and alloys. By quantitative mechanical tests in an environmental transmission electron microscope, here we demonstrate that after exposing aluminium to hydrogen, mobile dislocations can lose mobility, with activating stress more than doubled. On degassing, the locked dislocations can be reactivated under cyclic loading to move in a stick-slip manner. However, relocking the dislocations thereafter requires a surprisingly long waiting time of ~10 3 s, much longer than that expected from hydrogen interstitial diffusion. Both the observed slow relocking andmore » strong locking strength can be attributed to superabundant hydrogenated vacancies, verified by our atomistic calculations. In conclusion, vacancies therefore could be a key plastic flow localization agent as well as damage agent in hydrogen environment.« less

Design of a Mobile Agent-Based Adaptive Communication Middleware for Federations of Critical Infrastructure Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Görbil, Gökçe; Gelenbe, Erol

The simulation of critical infrastructures (CI) can involve the use of diverse domain specific simulators that run on geographically distant sites. These diverse simulators must then be coordinated to run concurrently in order to evaluate the performance of critical infrastructures which influence each other, especially in emergency or resource-critical situations. We therefore describe the design of an adaptive communication middleware that provides reliable and real-time one-to-one and group communications for federations of CI simulators over a wide-area network (WAN). The proposed middleware is composed of mobile agent-based peer-to-peer (P2P) overlays, called virtual networks (VNets), to enable resilient, adaptive and real-time communications over unreliable and dynamic physical networks (PNets). The autonomous software agents comprising the communication middleware monitor their performance and the underlying PNet, and dynamically adapt the P2P overlay and migrate over the PNet in order to optimize communications according to the requirements of the federation and the current conditions of the PNet. Reliable communications is provided via redundancy within the communication middleware and intelligent migration of agents over the PNet. The proposed middleware integrates security methods in order to protect the communication infrastructure against attacks and provide privacy and anonymity to the participants of the federation. Experiments with an initial version of the communication middleware over a real-life networking testbed show that promising improvements can be obtained for unicast and group communications via the agent migration capability of our middleware.

Forecasting The Future Of The Islamic State: An Agent Based Rational Choice Model And Social Network Analysis Approach

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

Mesquita, B., Smith, A., Siverson, M. R., & Morrow, D. J . (2005). The logic of political survival. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Bunzel, C . (2015). From...communications-legacy-is-here-to-stay/ Clarke, P. C ., Jackson, K., Johnston, B. P., Robinson, E., & Shatz, J . H. (2017). Financial futures of the...Cunningham, C . F., & Braithwaite, J . (2013). Bridges, brokers and boundary spanners in collaborative networks: A systematic review. BMC Health Services

A Workshop on Analysis and Evaluation of Enterprise Architectures

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 This report was prepared for the SEI Administrative Agent ESC/XPK 5 Eglin Street Hanscom AFB, MA...Enterprise Business 4 2.3 Bounding Enterprise Architecture in Practice 5 3 Enterprise Architecture Design and Documentation Practices 7 3.1 Typical...Methods 12 4.5 Federation and Acquisition 13 5 Summary 14 5.1 Workshop Findings 14 5.2 Future Work 15 Appendix A – Survey of Enterprise Architecture

Prototype Military Message Form (P772) and Mail List Agent (MLA) for National MMHS

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

Bakanliklar Ankara TURKEY murat.ucuncu@tr.net A. Betul SASIOGLU National Research Institute of Electronics and Cryptology ( TUBITAK – UEKAE) PK.74...Electronics and Cryptology ( TUBITAK – UEKAE) was used in the system. 3. THE PROTOTYPE NATIONAL MAMF ARCHITECTURE The new national military message...System” [2] ACP 123, "Common Messaging Strategy and Procedures” [3] MA3 ASYA, “PKI Software Developed by Turkish TUBITAK UEKAE” [4] ITU-T X.500

Health assessment of gasoline and fuel oxygenate vapors: neurotoxicity evaluation.

PubMed

O'Callaghan, James P; Daughtrey, Wayne C; Clark, Charles R; Schreiner, Ceinwen A; White, Russell

2014-11-01

Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed via inhalation to vapor condensates of either gasoline or gasoline combined with various fuel oxygenates to assess potential neurotoxicity of evaporative emissions. Test articles included vapor condensates prepared from "baseline gasoline" (BGVC), or gasoline combined with methyl tertiary butyl ether (G/MTBE), ethyl t-butyl ether (G/ETBE), t-amyl methyl ether (G/TAME), diisopropyl ether (G/DIPE), ethanol (G/EtOH), or t-butyl alcohol (G/TBA). Target concentrations were 0, 2000, 10,000 or 20,000mg/mg(3) and exposures were for 6h/day, 5days/week for 13weeks. The functional observation battery (FOB) with the addition of motor activity (MA) testing, hematoxylin and eosin staining of brain tissue sections, and brain regional analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to assess behavioral changes, traditional neuropathology and astrogliosis, respectively. FOB and MA data for all agents, except G/TBA, were negative. G/TBA behavioral effects resolved during recovery. Neuropathology was negative for all groups. Analyses of GFAP revealed increases in multiplebrain regions largely limited to males of the G/EtOH group, findings indicative of minor gliosis, most significantly in the cerebellum. Small changes (both increases and decreases) in GFAP were observed for other test agents but effects were not consistent across sex, brain region or exposure concentration. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interfacial properties of aluminum/glass-fiberreinforced polypropylene sandwich composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baştürk, S. B.; Guruşçu, A.; Tanoğlu, M.

2013-07-01

Aluminum/glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (Al/GFPP) laminates were manufactured by using various surface pretreatment techniques. Adhesion at the composite/metal interface was achieved by a surface pretreatment of Al sheets with amino-based silane coupling agents, incorporation of a polyolefin-based adhesive film and modification with a PP-based film containing 20 wt.% of maleic-anhydride-modified polypropylene (PP-g-MA). In order to increase the effect of bonding between components of the laminates, the combination of silane treatment and the addition of the PP-based film was also investigated. The mechanical properties (shear, peel, and bending strengths) of adhesively bonded Al/GFPP laminates were examined to evaluate the effects of the surface treatments mentioned. It was revealed that the adhesion in the laminated Al/GFPP systems could be improved by the treatment of aluminum surface with an amino-based silane coupling agent. Judging from the results of peel and bending strength, with incorporation of polyolefin-based films, adhesion in the Al/GFPP laminates increased significantly. The modification of Al/GFPP interfaces with a PP-g-MA/PP layer led to the highest improvement in their adhesion properties. The combination of surface modification with silane and addition of PP-based films did not yield the high bending strength desired. This may be due to the insufficient bonding between silane groups and PP-based films.

Health assessment of gasoline and fuel oxygenate vapors: Neurotoxicity evaluation

PubMed Central

O’Callaghan, James P.; Daughtrey, Wayne C.; Clark, Charles R.; Schreiner, Ceinwen A.; White, Russell

2016-01-01

Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed via inhalation to vapor condensates of either gasoline or gasoline combined with various fuel oxygenates to assess potential neurotoxicity of evaporative emissions. Test articles included vapor condensates prepared from “baseline gasoline” (BGVC), or gasoline combined with methyl tertiary butyl ether (G/MTBE), ethyl t-butyl ether (G/ETBE), t-amyl methyl ether (G/TAME), diisopropyl ether (G/DIPE), ethanol (G/EtOH), or t-butyl alcohol (G/TBA). Target concentrations were 0, 2000, 10,000 or 20,000 mg/mg3 and exposures were for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks. The functional observation battery (FOB) with the addition of motor activity (MA) testing, hematoxylin and eosin staining of brain tissue sections, and brain regional analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to assess behavioral changes, traditional neuropathology and astrogliosis, respectively. FOB and MA data for all agents, except G/TBA, were negative. G/TBA behavioral effects resolved during recovery. Neuropathology was negative for all groups. Analyses of GFAP revealed increases in multiple brain regions largely limited to males of the G/EtOH group, findings indicative of minor gliosis, most significantly in the cerebellum. Small changes (both increases and decreases) in GFAP were observed for other test agents but effects were not consistent across sex, brain region or exposure concentration. PMID:24879970

An autophagic mechanism is involved in the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity in vivo.

PubMed

He, Xin; Yuan, Wei; Li, Zijian; Feng, Juan

2017-10-05

6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is one of the most common agents for modeling dopaminergic neuron degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). So far, the role of autophagy in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity remains controversial and most evidence is collected from in vitro studies. In this study, we determined the role of autophagy activation in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in a rat model of PD. Following 6-OHDA treatment, we observed a concomitant activation of autophagy and apoptosis. To further explore the interaction between autophagy and apoptosis induced by 6-OHDA, autophagy inhibitor 3-methylademine (3-MA) or cysteine protease inhibitor Z-FA-fmk was applied. We found that both 3-MA and Z-FA-fmk could not only exert immediate protection against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal apoptosis, but also prevent dopaminergic neuron loss in the long-term, which was related to reduced autophagosome formation. Furthermore, by monitoring the sequential changes of mTOR-related signaling pathways, we found that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated AKT/AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway participated in but was not the initial cause of autophagy activation by 6-OHDA. Collectively, our data suggest that 6-OHDA-induced autophagy activation contributes to its neurotoxicity and targeting autophagy activation or cysteine proteases could be promising for developing neuroprotective agents for PD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using mobile technology to improve healthcare service quality.

PubMed

Chao, Chia Chen; Jen, Wen Yuan; Li, Yu-Chuan; Chi, Y P; Chen, Chang-I; Feng, Chen Chjeh

2005-01-01

Improving healthcare service quality for illness of treatment, illness prevention and patient service is difficult for most hospitals because the hospitals are lack adequate resources and labor. In order to provide better healthcare service quality for patients, mobile technology can be used to manage healthcare in a way that provides the optimal healthcare service for patients. Pursuing utilization of mobile technology for better patient service, Taipei Medical University Municipal W. F. Teaching Hospital has implemented a mobile healthcare service (m-HS) system to increase healthcare service quality. The m-HS system improves the quality of medical care as well as healthcare service. The m-HS is a multi-functional healthcare management agent, meets the mobile tendency of the present society. This study seeks to discuss the m-HS architecture and workflow processes. We believe the m-HS does have the potential to improve healthcare service quality. Finally, the conclusions and suggestions for the m-HS are given.

Understanding charge transport in lead iodide perovskite thin-film field-effect transistors

PubMed Central

Senanayak, Satyaprasad P.; Yang, Bingyan; Thomas, Tudor H.; Giesbrecht, Nadja; Huang, Wenchao; Gann, Eliot; Nair, Bhaskaran; Goedel, Karl; Guha, Suchi; Moya, Xavier; McNeill, Christopher R.; Docampo, Pablo; Sadhanala, Aditya; Friend, Richard H.; Sirringhaus, Henning

2017-01-01

Fundamental understanding of the charge transport physics of hybrid lead halide perovskite semiconductors is important for advancing their use in high-performance optoelectronics. We use field-effect transistors (FETs) to probe the charge transport mechanism in thin films of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3). We show that through optimization of thin-film microstructure and source-drain contact modifications, it is possible to significantly minimize instability and hysteresis in FET characteristics and demonstrate an electron field-effect mobility (μFET) of 0.5 cm2/Vs at room temperature. Temperature-dependent transport studies revealed a negative coefficient of mobility with three different temperature regimes. On the basis of electrical and spectroscopic studies, we attribute the three different regimes to transport limited by ion migration due to point defects associated with grain boundaries, polarization disorder of the MA+ cations, and thermal vibrations of the lead halide inorganic cages. PMID:28138550

Peptide-based, two-fluorophore, ratiometric probe for quantifying mobile zinc in biological solutions.

PubMed

Zhang, Daniel Y; Azrad, Maria; Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy; Frederickson, Christopher J; Lippard, Stephen J; Radford, Robert J

2015-02-20

Small-molecule fluorescent sensors are versatile agents for detecting mobile zinc in biology. Capitalizing on the abundance of validated mobile zinc probes, we devised a strategy for repurposing existing intensity-based sensors for quantitative applications. Using solid-phase peptide synthesis, we conjugated a zinc-sensitive Zinpyr-1 derivative and a zinc-insensitive 7-hydroxycoumarin derivative onto opposite ends of a rigid P9K peptide scaffold to create HcZ9, a ratiometric fluorescent probe for mobile zinc. A plate reader-based assay using HcZ9 was developed, the accuracy of which is comparable to that of atomic absorption spectroscopy. We investigated zinc accumulation in prostatic cells and zinc levels in human seminal fluid. When normal and tumorigenic cells are bathed in zinc-enriched media, cellular mobile zinc is buffered and changes slightly, but total zinc levels increase significantly. Quantification of mobile and total zinc levels in human seminal plasma revealed that the two are positively correlated with a Pearson's coefficient of 0.73.

Mobile Robot Enabled Detection of Explosives and Biological Agents

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

Detection of Explosives and Biological Agents 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR( S ) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e...TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) Wayne State University, SSIM Program, Detroit, Michigan 48202 8...PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM( S ) 11. SPONSOR

Intelligent Advanced Communications IP Telephony Feasibility for the U.S. Navy: Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-31

PDAs) and smart phones. In addition, it considers how solutions integrate on-premise enterprise functions with the functions of mobile operators...and Control System GIG Global Information Grid GigE Gigabit Ethernet GIPS Global IP Solutions Inc. GMSK Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying GPHY Gigabit...Feasibility for the U.S. Navy – Phase 2 UAC User Agent Client UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter UAS User Agent Server UCR

Multiple Diffusion Mechanisms Due to Nanostructuring in Crowded Environments

PubMed Central

Sanabria, Hugo; Kubota, Yoshihisa; Waxham, M. Neal

2007-01-01

One of the key questions regarding intracellular diffusion is how the environment affects molecular mobility. Mostly, intracellular diffusion has been described as hindered, and the physical reasons for this behavior are: immobile barriers, molecular crowding, and binding interactions with immobile or mobile molecules. Using results from multi-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we describe how immobile barriers and crowding agents affect translational mobility. To study the hindrance produced by immobile barriers, we used sol-gels (silica nanostructures) that consist of a continuous solid phase and aqueous phase in which fluorescently tagged molecules diffuse. In the case of molecular crowding, translational mobility was assessed in increasing concentrations of 500 kDa dextran solutions. Diffusion of fluorescent tracers in both sol-gels and dextran solutions shows clear evidence of anomalous subdiffusion. In addition, data from the autocorrelation function were analyzed using the maximum entropy method as adapted to fluorescence correlation spectroscopy data and compared with the standard model that incorporates anomalous diffusion. The maximum entropy method revealed evidence of different diffusion mechanisms that had not been revealed using the anomalous diffusion model. These mechanisms likely correspond to nanostructuring in crowded environments and to the relative dimensions of the crowding agent with respect to the tracer molecule. Analysis with the maximum entropy method also revealed information about the degree of heterogeneity in the environment as reported by the behavior of diffusive molecules. PMID:17040979

Application of Ni-63 photo and corona discharge ionization for the analysis of chemical warfare agents and toxic wastes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stach, J.; Adler, J.; Brodacki, M.; Doring, H.-R.

1995-01-01

Over the past decade, advances in instrumental design and refinements in the understanding of ion molecule reactions at atmospheric pressure enabled the application of Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) as a simple inexpensive and sensitive analytical method for the detection of organic trace compounds. Positive and negative gas-phase ions for ion mobility spectrometry have been produced by a variety of methods, including photo-ionization, laser multi photon ionization, surface ionization, corona discharge ionization. The most common ion source used in ion mobility spectrometry is a radioactive Ni-63 foil which is favored due to simplicity, stability, convenience, and high selectivity. If reactant ions like (H2O(n)H)(+) or (H2O(n)O2)(-) dominate in the reaction region, nearly all kinds of compounds with a given proton or electron affinity; are ionized. However, the radioactivity of the Ni-63 foil is one disadvantage of this ion source that stimulates the development and application of other ionization techniques. In this paper, we report analyses of old chemical warfare agents and toxic wastes using Bruker RAID ion mobility spectrometers. Due to the modular construction of the measuring cell, the spectrometers can be equipped with different ion sources. The combined use of Ni-63, photo- and corona discharge ionization allows the identification of different classes of chemical compounds and yields in most cases comparable results.

On the mobility of iron particles embedded in elastomeric silicone matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabindranath, R.; Böse, H.

2013-02-01

In this contribution the rheological and magnetorheological properties of different polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based magnetorheological elastomers (MRE) are presented and discussed. In order to investigate the mobility of the iron particles with respect to the rheological characteristics, the iron particles were silanized with vinyltrimethoxysilane to enable a reaction between the modified particle and the cross-linking agent of the silicone elastomer. In addition, the vinyl-functionalized particles were further modified by the coupling of the superficial vinyl groups with a long-chain hydride terminated PDMS, which enables a reaction pathway with the vinyl terminated PDMS. On the other hand, the iron particles were treated with surfactants such as fatty acids, calcium and aluminum soaps, respectively, prior to vulcanization in order to increase the mobility of the iron particles in the elastomeric matrix. It was found, that both, the modification with the long-chain hydride terminated PDMS as well as the treatment with surfactants lead to an increase of the storage modulus G', the loss modulus G" and the loss factor tan δ in the magnetic field. It is concluded that both modifications, the coupling with long-chain hydride terminated PDMS as well as the treatment with surfactants, provide a greater mobility of the iron particles and hence a greater friction represented by the increase of the loss factor tan δ. Consequently it is assumed that untreated iron particles are less mobile in the rubber matrix due to covalent bonding with the silicone components, most likely due to the reaction of the hydroxyl groups on the metal surface with the silane groups of the cross-linking agent.

A Proposed Intelligent Policy-Based Interface for a Mobile eHealth Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tavasoli, Amir; Archer, Norm

Users of mobile eHealth systems are often novices, and the learning process for them may be very time consuming. In order for systems to be attractive to potential adopters, it is important that the interface should be very convenient and easy to learn. However, the community of potential users of a mobile eHealth system may be quite varied in their requirements, so the system must be able to adapt easily to suit user preferences. One way to accomplish this is to have the interface driven by intelligent policies. These policies can be refined gradually, using inputs from potential users, through intelligent agents. This paper develops a framework for policy refinement for eHealth mobile interfaces, based on dynamic learning from user interactions.

Influence of different metal ions on the ultrastructure, biochemical properties, and protein localization of the K562 cell nuclear matrix.

PubMed

Neri, L M; Bortul, R; Zweyer, M; Tabellini, G; Borgatti, P; Marchisio, M; Bareggi, R; Capitani, S; Martelli, A M

1999-06-01

The higher order of chromatin organization is thought to be determined by the nuclear matrix, a mainly proteinaceous structure that would act as a nucleoskeleton. The matrix is obtained from isolated nuclei by a series of extraction steps involving the use of high salt and nonspecific nucleases, which remove chromatin and other loosely bound components. It is currently under debate whether these structures, isolated in vitro by unphysiological extraction buffers, correspond to a nucleoskeleton existing in vivo. In most cell types investigated, the nuclear matrix does not spontaneously resist these extractions steps; rather, it must be stabilized before the application of extracting agents. In this study nuclei, isolated from K562 human erythroleukemia cells, were stabilized by incubation with different metal ions (Ca2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+), and the matrix was obtained by extraction with 2 M NaCl. By means of ultrastructural analysis of the resulting structures, we determined that, except for Ca2+, all the other metals induced a stabilization of the matrix, which retained the inner fibrogranular network and residual nucleoli. The biochemical composition, analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis separation, exhibited a distinct matrix polypeptide pattern, characteristic of each type of stabilizing ion employed. We also investigated to what extent metal ions could maintain in the final structures the original distribution of three inner matrix components, i.e. NuMA, topoisomerase IIalpha, and RNP. Confocal microscopy analysis showed that only NuMa, and, to a lesser extent, topoisomerase IIalpha, were unaffected by stabilization with divalent ions. On the contrary, the fluorescent RNP patterns detected in the resulting matrices were always disarranged, irrespective of the stabilization procedure. These results indicate that several metal ions are powerful stabilizing agents of the nuclear matrix prepared from K562 erythroleukemia cells and also strengthen the concept that NuMA and topoisomerase IIalpha may act as structural components of the nuclear matrix.

Anti-AIDS agents 81. Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship study of betulinic acid and moronic acid derivatives as potent HIV maturation inhibitors.

PubMed

Qian, Keduo; Kuo, Reen-Yun; Chen, Chin-Ho; Huang, Li; Morris-Natschke, Susan L; Lee, Kuo-Hsiung

2010-04-22

In our continuing study of triterpene derivatives as potent anti-HIV agents, different C-3 conformationally restricted betulinic acid (BA, 1) derivatives were designed and synthesized in order to explore the conformational space of the C-3 pharmacophore. 3-O-Monomethylsuccinyl-betulinic acid (MSB) analogues were also designed to better understand the contribution of the C-3' dimethyl group of bevirimat (2), the first-in-class HIV maturation inhibitor, which is currently in phase IIb clinical trials. In addition, another triterpene skeleton, moronic acid (MA, 3), was also employed to study the influence of the backbone and the C-3 modification toward the anti-HIV activity of this compound class. This study enabled us to better understand the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of triterpene-derived anti-HIV agents and led to the design and synthesis of compound 12 (EC(50): 0.0006 microM), which displayed slightly better activity than 2 as a HIV-1 maturation inhibitor.

OxMaR: open source free software for online minimization and randomization for clinical trials.

PubMed

O'Callaghan, Christopher A

2014-01-01

Minimization is a valuable method for allocating participants between the control and experimental arms of clinical studies. The use of minimization reduces differences that might arise by chance between the study arms in the distribution of patient characteristics such as gender, ethnicity and age. However, unlike randomization, minimization requires real time assessment of each new participant with respect to the preceding distribution of relevant participant characteristics within the different arms of the study. For multi-site studies, this necessitates centralized computational analysis that is shared between all study locations. Unfortunately, there is no suitable freely available open source or free software that can be used for this purpose. OxMaR was developed to enable researchers in any location to use minimization for patient allocation and to access the minimization algorithm using any device that can connect to the internet such as a desktop computer, tablet or mobile phone. The software is complete in itself and requires no special packages or libraries to be installed. It is simple to set up and run over the internet using online facilities which are very low cost or even free to the user. Importantly, it provides real time information on allocation to the study lead or administrator and generates real time distributed backups with each allocation. OxMaR can readily be modified and customised and can also be used for standard randomization. It has been extensively tested and has been used successfully in a low budget multi-centre study. Hitherto, the logistical difficulties involved in minimization have precluded its use in many small studies and this software should allow more widespread use of minimization which should lead to studies with better matched control and experimental arms. OxMaR should be particularly valuable in low resource settings.

Long-lived tissue resident HIV-1 specific memory CD8+ T cells are generated by skin immunization with live virus vectored microneedle arrays.

PubMed

Zaric, Marija; Becker, Pablo Daniel; Hervouet, Catherine; Kalcheva, Petya; Ibarzo Yus, Barbara; Cocita, Clement; O'Neill, Lauren Alexandra; Kwon, Sung-Yun; Klavinskis, Linda Sylvia

2017-12-28

The generation of tissue resident memory (T RM ) cells at the body surfaces to provide a front line defence against invading pathogens represents an important goal in vaccine development for a wide variety of pathogens. It has been widely assumed that local vaccine delivery to the mucosae is necessary to achieve that aim. Here we characterise a novel micro-needle array (MA) delivery system fabricated to deliver a live recombinant human adenovirus type 5 vaccine vector (AdHu5) encoding HIV-1 gag. We demonstrate rapid dissolution kinetics of the microneedles in skin. Moreover, a consequence of MA vaccine cargo release was the generation of long-lived antigen-specific CD8 + T cells that accumulate in mucosal tissues, including the female genital and respiratory tract. The memory CD8 + T cell population maintained in the peripheral mucosal tissues was attributable to a MA delivered AdHu5 vaccine instructing CD8 + T cell expression of CXCR3 + , CD103 +, CD49a + , CD69 + , CD127 + homing, retention and survival markers. Furthermore, memory CD8 + T cells generated by MA immunization significantly expanded upon locally administered antigenic challenge and showed a predominant poly-functional profile producing high levels of IFNγ and Granzyme B. These data demonstrate that skin vaccine delivery using microneedle technology induces mobilization of long lived, poly-functional CD8 + T cells to peripheral tissues, phenotypically displaying hallmarks of residency and yields new insights into how to design and deliver effective vaccine candidates with properties to exert local immunosurveillance at the mucosal surfaces. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A cognitive robotic system based on the Soar cognitive architecture for mobile robot navigation, search, and mapping missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanford, Scott D.

Most unmanned vehicles used for civilian and military applications are remotely operated or are designed for specific applications. As these vehicles are used to perform more difficult missions or a larger number of missions in remote environments, there will be a great need for these vehicles to behave intelligently and autonomously. Cognitive architectures, computer programs that define mechanisms that are important for modeling and generating domain-independent intelligent behavior, have the potential for generating intelligent and autonomous behavior in unmanned vehicles. The research described in this presentation explored the use of the Soar cognitive architecture for cognitive robotics. The Cognitive Robotic System (CRS) has been developed to integrate software systems for motor control and sensor processing with Soar for unmanned vehicle control. The CRS has been tested using two mobile robot missions: outdoor navigation and search in an indoor environment. The use of the CRS for the outdoor navigation mission demonstrated that a Soar agent could autonomously navigate to a specified location while avoiding obstacles, including cul-de-sacs, with only a minimal amount of knowledge about the environment. While most systems use information from maps or long-range perceptual capabilities to avoid cul-de-sacs, a Soar agent in the CRS was able to recognize when a simple approach to avoiding obstacles was unsuccessful and switch to a different strategy for avoiding complex obstacles. During the indoor search mission, the CRS autonomously and intelligently searches a building for an object of interest and common intersection types. While searching the building, the Soar agent builds a topological map of the environment using information about the intersections the CRS detects. The agent uses this topological model (along with Soar's reasoning, planning, and learning mechanisms) to make intelligent decisions about how to effectively search the building. Once the object of interest has been detected, the Soar agent uses the topological map to make decisions about how to efficiently return to the location where the mission began. Additionally, the CRS can send an email containing step-by-step directions using the intersections in the environment as landmarks that describe a direct path from the mission's start location to the object of interest. The CRS has displayed several characteristics of intelligent behavior, including reasoning, planning, learning, and communication of learned knowledge, while autonomously performing two missions. The CRS has also demonstrated how Soar can be integrated with common robotic motor and perceptual systems that complement the strengths of Soar for unmanned vehicles and is one of the few systems that use perceptual systems such as occupancy grid, computer vision, and fuzzy logic algorithms with cognitive architectures for robotics. The use of these perceptual systems to generate symbolic information about the environment during the indoor search mission allowed the CRS to use Soar's planning and learning mechanisms, which have rarely been used by agents to control mobile robots in real environments. Additionally, the system developed for the indoor search mission represents the first known use of a topological map with a cognitive architecture on a mobile robot. The ability to learn both a topological map and production rules allowed the Soar agent used during the indoor search mission to make intelligent decisions and behave more efficiently as it learned about its environment. While the CRS has been applied to two different missions, it has been developed with the intention that it be extended in the future so it can be used as a general system for mobile robot control. The CRS can be expanded through the addition of new sensors and sensor processing algorithms, development of Soar agents with more production rules, and the use of new architectural mechanisms in Soar.

Lithospheric Subduction on Earth and Venus?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandwell, D. T.; Garcia, E.; Stegman, D. R.; Schubert, G.

2016-12-01

There are three mechanisms by which terrestrial planets can shed excess heat: conduction across a surface thermal boundary layer; advection of heat through volcanic pipes; and mobile plates/subduction. On the Earth about 30% is released by conduction and 70% by subduction. The dominant mode of heat transport on Venus is largely unknown. Plate flexure models rule out significant heat loss by conduction and the resurfacing from active volcanism is in discordance with a surface age of 600 Ma. There are 9000 km of trenches on Venus that may have been subduction sites but they do not appear active today and are only 25% of the length of the subduction zones on the Earth. Turcotte and others have proposed an episodic recycling model that has short bursts ( 150 Ma) of plate tectonic activity followed by long periods ( 450 Ma) of stagnant lid convection. This talk will review the arguments for and against subduction zones on Venus and discuss possible new satellite observations that could help resolve the subduction issue. Figure Caption. (a) Global mosaic of Magellan SAR imagery. (b) Zoom of area along the Artemis trench, which has similar topography and fracture patterns as the Aleutian subduction zone on Earth. Trench and outer rise lines were digitized from the matching topography image (not shown). The Magellan SAR imagery and topography, displayed on Google Earth, can be downloaded at http://topex.ucsd.edu/venus/index.html

Fast self-diffusion of ions in CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 : the interstiticaly mechanism versus vacancy-assisted mechanism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Ji-Hui; Yin, Wan-Jian; Park, Ji-Sang

2016-01-01

The stability of organic-inorganic halide perovskites is a major challenge for their applications and has been extensively studied. Among the possible underlying reasons, ion self-diffusion has been inferred to play important roles. While theoretical studies congruously support that iodine is more mobile, experimental studies only observe the direct diffusion of the MA ion and possible diffusion of iodine. The discrepancy may result from the incomplete understanding of ion diffusion mechanisms. With the help of first-principles calculations, we studied ion diffusion in CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) through not only the vacancy-assisted mechanisms presumed in previous theoretical studies, but also the neglected interstiticaly mechanisms.more » We found that compared to the diffusion through the vacancy-assisted mechanism, MA ion diffusion through the interstiticaly mechanism has a much smaller barrier which could explain experimental observations. For iodine diffusion, both mechanisms can yield relatively small barriers. Depending on the growth conditions, defect densities of vacancies and interstitials can vary and so do the diffusion species as well as diffusion mechanisms. Our work thus supports that both MA and iodine ion diffusion could contribute to the performance instability of MAPbI3. While being congruous with experimental results, our work fills the research gap by providing a full understanding of ion diffusion in halide perovskites.« less

Trypanosoma cruzi, the Causal Agent of Chagas Disease: Boundaries between Wild and Domestic Cycles in Venezuela.

PubMed

Herrera, Leidi

2014-01-01

Trypanosoma cruzi the etiological agent of American Trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease (ChD) is transmitted by triatomines vectors between mammals including man. T. cruzi has existed for circa 150 Ma in the Americas and nearly 10 million people are currently infected. The overlap between wild and domestic ecotopes where T. cruzi circulates is increasing. Host-parasite interactions have been determined by infection patterns in these cycles, all under natural or laboratorial conditions. This mini-review describes specific parasite niches, such as plant communities or biological corridors between domestic and wild landscapes, in order to help identify risk factors for ChD and define the boundaries between wild and domestic transmission cycles, with an emphasis on research undertaken in Venezuela.

Experimental modelling at the grain scale of bedload on steep slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fonstad, M. A.; Blanton, P.

2011-12-01

The explosion of methods for acquiring riverscape topography and bathymetry is producing a revolution in our abilities to measure the forms and processes of river environments. For example, the acquisition of continuous downstream maps of river topography and substrate particle sizes has allowed researchers to test the sediment links concept and to locate the positions and extents of such links in gravel bed streams using a 'hyperscale' framework. Related approaches have allowed researchers to map the distribution of salmon spawning habitat patches and the least-cost connectivity between these habitat patches. In our switch from the traditional use of separated cross-sections to a continuous 2D or 3D digital environment, several conceptual ideas need to be evaluated. One of these is the idea that 'habitat', as used by mobile organisms, is a characteristic directly tied to physical characteristics of a 'place', often represented as habitat preference on a per-pixel basis. One of the difficulties with this idea is that mobile organisms interact with their local environments at a variety of scales, and their sensory organs allow them to sense an environment that may extend beyond one pixel. Similarly, mobile organisms can interact with other mobile organisms in such a way as to make their preferred locations different from those that would occur if one organism is being observed individually. As we do not have the ability to remotely sense all of the mobile organisms and their positions in a riverscape, we need new methods of analyzing river data that can better estimate both physical and biological attributes for rivers. To develop new approaches for analyzing mapped riverscape processes, we use hyperscale and connectivity analyses for salmon spawning habitat in the River Tromie in Scotland. For Scott Creek, a gravel-bedded river in the Oregon Cascades, we use agent-based models of Chinook salmon and of macroinvertebrates to connect high-resolution physical environments to likely organism locations in Scott Creek, Oregon. The scale that macroinvertebrates and salmon sense their environment is in the centimeter to decimeter range, and we use structure from motion and 2D velocity modeling approaches to produce digital physical environments in which our model agents can interacts. By hypothesizing rules of agent movement and interactions, the histories of digital organism interactions can produce maps of habitat preference that include both the physical habitat characteristics and the likely patterns due to organism interactions. One of the challenges in the future will be to scale these approaches up to larger areas and a more diverse set of ecosystem interactions. Validation of agent-based models also poses a challenge in river environments with diverse physical characteristics and histories. By combining agent-based and high-resolution approaches, many stream ecology and fluvial theories might be much more easily tested, such as whether or not habitat heterogeneity drives biodiversity in river systems.

Dreams of a Digital Riverscape Ecosystem (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fonstad, M. A.; Blanton, P.

2013-12-01

The explosion of methods for acquiring riverscape topography and bathymetry is producing a revolution in our abilities to measure the forms and processes of river environments. For example, the acquisition of continuous downstream maps of river topography and substrate particle sizes has allowed researchers to test the sediment links concept and to locate the positions and extents of such links in gravel bed streams using a 'hyperscale' framework. Related approaches have allowed researchers to map the distribution of salmon spawning habitat patches and the least-cost connectivity between these habitat patches. In our switch from the traditional use of separated cross-sections to a continuous 2D or 3D digital environment, several conceptual ideas need to be evaluated. One of these is the idea that 'habitat', as used by mobile organisms, is a characteristic directly tied to physical characteristics of a 'place', often represented as habitat preference on a per-pixel basis. One of the difficulties with this idea is that mobile organisms interact with their local environments at a variety of scales, and their sensory organs allow them to sense an environment that may extend beyond one pixel. Similarly, mobile organisms can interact with other mobile organisms in such a way as to make their preferred locations different from those that would occur if one organism is being observed individually. As we do not have the ability to remotely sense all of the mobile organisms and their positions in a riverscape, we need new methods of analyzing river data that can better estimate both physical and biological attributes for rivers. To develop new approaches for analyzing mapped riverscape processes, we use hyperscale and connectivity analyses for salmon spawning habitat in the River Tromie in Scotland. For Scott Creek, a gravel-bedded river in the Oregon Cascades, we use agent-based models of Chinook salmon and of macroinvertebrates to connect high-resolution physical environments to likely organism locations in Scott Creek, Oregon. The scale that macroinvertebrates and salmon sense their environment is in the centimeter to decimeter range, and we use structure from motion and 2D velocity modeling approaches to produce digital physical environments in which our model agents can interacts. By hypothesizing rules of agent movement and interactions, the histories of digital organism interactions can produce maps of habitat preference that include both the physical habitat characteristics and the likely patterns due to organism interactions. One of the challenges in the future will be to scale these approaches up to larger areas and a more diverse set of ecosystem interactions. Validation of agent-based models also poses a challenge in river environments with diverse physical characteristics and histories. By combining agent-based and high-resolution approaches, many stream ecology and fluvial theories might be much more easily tested, such as whether or not habitat heterogeneity drives biodiversity in river systems.

Autonomic and Apoptotic, Aeronautical and Aerospace Systems, and Controlling Scientific Data Generated Therefrom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sterritt, Roy (Inventor); Hinchey, Michael G. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

A self-managing system that uses autonomy and autonomicity is provided with the self-* property of autopoiesis (self-creation). In the event of an agent in the system self-destructing, autopoiesis auto-generates a replacement. A self-esteem reward scheme is also provided and can be used for autonomic agents, based on their performance and trust. Art agent with greater self-esteem may clone at a greater rate compared to the rate of an agent with lower self-esteem. A self-managing system is provided for a high volume of distributed autonomic/self-managing mobile agents, and autonomic adhesion is used to attract similar agents together or to repel dissimilar agents from an event horizon. An apoptotic system is also provided that accords an "expiry date" to data and digital objects, for example, that are available on the internet, which finds usefulness not only in general but also for controlling the loaning and use of space scientific data.

"It's been a long journey": Exploring educationally mobile students' transition into STEM majors at a university

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arreygue, Aimee

Today, one third of all college students are considered educationally "mobile," which means they will change institutions during their undergraduate careers. The concept of educational mobility challenges the traditional idea of students moving through an educational pipeline in a linear fashion, and recognizes that many of today's students, including those in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), will have multiple transition points. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the transitional experiences of educationally mobile students moving into and through the STEM disciplines at a public university. Students who move from one educational environment to another undergo a significant transition process, and understanding this process for individual students and the institution's role in supporting transition has implications for educational policy. Grounded in the conceptual framework guided by Schlossberg's Transition Theory, and Swail, Redd, and Perna's Geometric Model for Student Persistence and Achievement, this study explores the following research question: How do students who are educationally mobile experience academic, social, and institutional support while transitioning into and through STEM disciplines at a four-year public university? Eighteen science and mathematics majors participated in this study, all of whom attended at least one institution of higher education prior to their current attendance at Mountain View University, a four-year comprehensive Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in Southern California. Participants were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured interview protocol and completed a demographic questionnaire as well. Trustworthiness measures included member checking and peer debriefing. The findings of this study show that educationally mobile students are savvy agents of their education, and make personal and professional sacrifices in their pursuit of a STEM degree. They want to connect to like-minded individuals on campus, and make efforts to seek help. Findings also show that institutional agents play an important role in helping educationally mobile students navigate institutional obstacles in the transition process. Recommendations include increased dialogue about articulation and the transfer processes among institutions, engaging in more consistent advising practices (both at the community college and the university), enabling purposeful social interactions during the transition process, and researching disaggregated populations of educationally mobile students.

The distribution and mobility of uranium in glassy and zeolitized tuff, Keg Mountain area, Utah, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zielinski, R.A.; Lindsey, D.A.; Rosholt, J.N.

1980-01-01

The distribution and mobility of uranium in a diagenetically altered, 8 Ma old tuff in the Keg Mountain area, Utah, are modelled in this study. The modelling represents an improvement over similar earlier studies in that it: (1) considers a large number of samples (76) collected with good geologic control and exhibiting a wide range of alteration; (2) includes radiometric data for Th, K and RaeU (radium equivalent uranium) as well as U; (3) considers mineralogic and trace-element data for the same samples; and (4) analyzes the mineral and chemical covariation by multivariate statistical methods. The variation of U in the tuff is controlled mainly by its primary abundance in glass and by the relative abundance of non-uraniferous detritus and uraniferous accessory minerals. Alteration of glass to zeolite, even though extensive, caused no large or systematic change in the bulk concentration of U in the tuff. Some redistribution of U during diagenesis is indicated by association of U with minor alteration products such as opal and hydrous Fe-Mn oxide minerals. Isotopic studies indicate that the zeolitized tuff has been open to migration of U decay products during the last 0.8 Ma. The tuff of Keg Mountain has not lost a statistically detectable fraction of its original U, even though it has a high (??? 9 ppm) trace U content and has been extensively altered to zeolite. Similar studies in a variety of geological environments are required in order to identify the particular combination of conditions most favorable for liberation and migration of U from tuffs. ?? 1980.

The nano-particle dispersion strengthening of V-4Cr-4Ti alloys for high temperature application in fusion reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Pengfei; Chen, Jiming; Xu, Zengyu; Duan, Xuru

2013-10-01

V-4Cr-4Ti was identified as an attractive structural material for Li blanket in fusion reactors. However, both high temperature and irradiation induced degradation are great challenges for this material. It was thought that the nano-particles with high thermal stability can efficiently strengthen the alloy at elevated temperatures, and accommodate the irradiation induced defects at the boundaries. This study is a starting work aiming at improving the creep resistance and reducing the irradiation induced degradation for V-4Cr-4Ti alloy. Currently, we focus on the preparation of some comparative nano-particle dispersion strengthened V-4Cr-4Ti alloys. A mechanical alloying (MA) route is used to fabricate yttrium and carbides added V-4Cr-4Ti alloys. Nano-scale yttria, carbides and other possible particles have a combined dispersion-strengthening effect on the matrices of these MA-fabricated V-4Cr-4Ti alloys. High-temperature annealing is carried out to stabilize the optimized nano-particles. Mechanical properties are tested. Microstructures of the MA-fabricated V-4Cr-4Ti alloys with yttrium and carbide additions are characterized. Based on these results, the thermal stability of different nano-particle agents are classified. ITER related China domestic project 2011GB108007.

Early hominins in Europe: The Galerian migration hypothesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muttoni, Giovanni; Scardia, Giancarlo; Kent, Dennis V.

2018-01-01

Our updated review of sites bearing hominin remains and/or tools from Europe, including new findings from the Balkans, still indicates that the only compelling evidence of main hominin presence in these regions was only since ∼0.9 million years ago (Ma), bracketed by the end of the Jaramillo geomagnetic polarity subchron (0.99 Ma) and the Brunhes-Matuyama polarity chron boundary (0.78 Ma). This time window straddled the late Early Pleistocene climate transition (EPT) at the onset of enhanced glacial/interglacial activity that reverberated worldwide. Europe may have become initially populated during the EPT when, possibly for the first time in the Pleistocene, vast and exploitable ecosystems were generated along the eustatically emergent Po-Danube terrestrial conduit. These newly formed settings, characterized by stable terrestrial lowlands with open grasslands and reduced woody cover especially during glacial/interglacial transitions, are regarded as optimal ecosystems for several large Galerian immigrant mammals such as African and Asian megaherbivores, possibly linked with hominins in a common food web, to expand into en route to Europe. The question of when hominins first arrived in Europe thus places the issue in the context of changes in climate, paleogeography and faunal associations as potential environmental drivers and controlling agents in a specific time frame, a key feature of the Galerian migration hypothesis.

Early hominins in Europe: The Galerian migration hypothesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muttoni, G.; Scardia, G.; Kent, D.

2017-12-01

Our updated review of sites bearing hominin remains and/or tools from Europe, including new findings from the Balkans, still indicates that the only compelling evidence of hominin presence in these regions was only since 0.9 Ma (million-years-ago), bracketed by the end of the Jaramillo geomagnetic polarity subchron (0.99 Ma) and the Brunhes-Matuyama polarity boundary (0.78 Ma). This time window straddled the late Early Pleistocene climate transition (EPR) at the onset of enhanced glacial/interglacial activity that reverberated worldwide. Europe may have become initially populated during the EPR when, possibly for the first time in the Pleistocene, vast and exploitable ecosystems were generated along the eustatically emergent Danube-Po migration gateway. These newly formed settings, characterized by lowlands with open grasslands and reduced woody cover during glacial/interglacial transitions, represented the closest analogues to the savanna environment to which several large Galerian immigrant mammals (e.g., African and Asian megaherbivores) linked with hominins in a common food web were adapted and could expand into en route to Europe. The question of when hominins first arrived in Europe thus places the issue in the context of changes in climate, paleogeography and faunal associations as potential environmental drivers and controlling agents in a specific time frame, a key feature of the Galerian migration hypothesis.

Controlling mechanical properties of cell-laden hydrogels by covalent incorporation of graphene oxide.

PubMed

Cha, Chaenyung; Shin, Su Ryon; Gao, Xiguang; Annabi, Nasim; Dokmeci, Mehmet R; Tang, Xiaowu Shirley; Khademhosseini, Ali

2014-02-12

Graphene-based materials are useful reinforcing agents to modify the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Here, an approach is presented to covalently incorporate graphene oxide (GO) into hydrogels via radical copolymerization to enhance the dispersion and conjugation of GO sheets within the hydrogels. GO is chemically modified to present surface-grafted methacrylate groups (MeGO). In comparison to GO, higher concentrations of MeGO can be stably dispersed in a pre-gel solution containing methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) without aggregation or significant increase in viscosity. In addition, the resulting MeGO-GelMA hydrogels demonstrate a significant increase in fracture strength with increasing MeGO concentration. Interestingly, the rigidity of the hydrogels is not significantly affected by the covalently incorporated GO. Therefore, this approach can be used to enhance the structural integrity and resistance to fracture of the hydrogels without inadvertently affecting their rigidity, which is known to affect the behavior of encapsulated cells. The biocompatibility of MeGO-GelMA hydrogels is confirmed by measuring the viability and proliferation of the encapsulated fibroblasts. Overall, this study highlights the advantage of covalently incorporating GO into a hydrogel system, and improves the quality of cell-laden hydrogels. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

ENGINEERING BULLETIN: CHEMICAL OXIDATION TREATMENT

EPA Science Inventory

Oxidation destroys hazardous contaminants by chemically converting them to nonhazardous or less toxic compounds that are ideally more stable, less mobile, and/or inert. However, under some conditions, other hazardous compounds may be formed. The oxidizing agents most commonly use...

DualTrust: A Distributed Trust Model for Swarm-Based Autonomic Computing Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maiden, Wendy M.; Dionysiou, Ioanna; Frincke, Deborah A.

2011-02-01

For autonomic computing systems that utilize mobile agents and ant colony algorithms for their sensor layer, trust management is important for the acceptance of the mobile agent sensors and to protect the system from malicious behavior by insiders and entities that have penetrated network defenses. This paper examines the trust relationships, evidence, and decisions in a representative system and finds that by monitoring the trustworthiness of the autonomic managers rather than the swarming sensors, the trust management problem becomes much more scalable and still serves to protect the swarm. We then propose the DualTrust conceptual trust model. By addressing themore » autonomic manager’s bi-directional primary relationships in the ACS architecture, DualTrust is able to monitor the trustworthiness of the autonomic managers, protect the sensor swarm in a scalable manner, and provide global trust awareness for the orchestrating autonomic manager.« less

Defense on the Move: Ant-Based Cyber Defense

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fink, Glenn A.; Haack, Jereme N.; McKinnon, Archibald D.

Many common cyber defenses (like firewalls and IDS) are as static as trench warfare allowing the attacker freedom to probe them at will. The concept of Moving Target Defense (MTD) adds dynamism to the defender side, but puts the systems to be defended themselves in motion, potentially at great cost to the defender. An alternative approach is a mobile resilient defense that removes attackers’ ability to rely on prior experience without requiring motion in the protected infrastructure itself. The defensive technology absorbs most of the cost of motion, is resilient to attack, and is unpredictable to attackers. The Ant-Based Cybermore » Defense (ABCD) is a mobile resilient defense providing a set of roaming, bio-inspired, digital-ant agents working with stationary agents in a hierarchy headed by a human supervisor. The ABCD approach provides a resilient, extensible, and flexible defense that can scale to large, multi-enterprise infrastructures like the smart electric grid.« less

Smart Caching Based on Mobile Agent of Power WebGIS Platform

PubMed Central

Wang, Xiaohui; Wu, Kehe; Chen, Fei

2013-01-01

Power information construction is developing towards intensive, platform, distributed direction with the expansion of power grid and improvement of information technology. In order to meet the trend, power WebGIS was designed and developed. In this paper, we first discuss the architecture and functionality of power WebGIS, and then we study caching technology in detail, which contains dynamic display cache model, caching structure based on mobile agent, and cache data model. We have designed experiments of different data capacity to contrast performance between WebGIS with the proposed caching model and traditional WebGIS. The experimental results showed that, with the same hardware environment, the response time of WebGIS with and without caching model increased as data capacity growing, while the larger the data was, the higher the performance of WebGIS with proposed caching model improved. PMID:24288504

Edge-Selectively Functionalized Graphene-Like Platelets as a Co-curing Agent and a Nanoscale Additive to Epoxy Resin

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-12

21 For mass production , the Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is...analyzer. The field emission scanning electron microscope ( FE -SEM) used in this work was a NanoSem 230 (FEI, USA). High-resolution transmission...WAXD) powder patterns were recorded with a Rigaku RU-200 diffractometer using Ni-filtered Cu K radiation (40 kV, 100 mA,  = 0.15418 nm). Dynamic

Quantitative PET Imaging with Novel HER3 Targeted Peptides Selected by Phage Display to Predict Androgen Independent Prostate Cancer Progression

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-08-01

9 4 1. Introduction The subject of this research is the design and testing of a PET imaging agent for the detection and...AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-16-1-0447 TITLE: Quantitative PET Imaging with Novel HER3-Targeted Peptides Selected by Phage Display to Predict Androgen...MA 02114 REPORT DATE: August 2017 TYPE OF REPORT: Annual PREPARED FOR: U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Fort Detrick, Maryland

Tandem Repeat Regions within the Burkholderia pseudomallei Genome and their Application for High-Resolution Genotyping

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-30

is marked by gene dele- tions and intra-chromosomal rearrangements [4-7]. B. mallei , the etiologic agent of glanders , is an obligate para- site of the...CM: Structural flexi- bility in the Burkholderia mallei genome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004, 101(39):14246-14251. 6. Godoy D, Randle G, Simpson AJ...and glanders , Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mal- lei. J Clin Microbiol 2003, 41(5):2068-2079. 7. Kim HS, Schell MA, Yu Y, Ulrich RL

ENcentive: A Framework for Intelligent Marketing in Mobile Peer-To-Peer Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

trade and commu- nication strategies, mobile electronic marketing, intelligent agents, collaborative eCommerce 1. INTRODUCTION With the explosion of...requests the promotion (since Jeff is a cof- fee drinker). MH2 signs the promotion with Susan’s eN- centive ID. At 6pm, Jeff decides to take advantage of the...to become valid, a user has a choice of remaining in his current loca- tion and being able to take advantage of the promotion. The eNcentive Ad

Storage Reliability of Missile Materiel Program. Storage Reliability Analysis Summary Report. Volume 1. Electrical and Electronic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-05-01

since the platinum silicide and titanium metals also offer very low mobility to the alkaline ions, the BLSJ . is inert to sodium . Inversion and...gettering agents for sodium ions, thus making the cont&-nination far less mobile. The stability of the structural and electrical properties of the oxide...to be an effective barrier to sodium migration. In Beam Lead Sealed ,unction (BLSJ) devices, the silicon nitride seals the devices from sodium and

Storage Reliability of Missile Materiel Program. Storage Reliability Analysis Summary Report. Volume 1. Electrical and Electronic Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-01-01

silicon nitride seals the devices from sodium and since the platinum silicide and titanium metals also offer very low mobility to the alkaline ions, the...of bipolar devices. These materials act as gettering agents for sodium ions, thus making the contamination far less mobile. The stability of the...parameter instability. Silicon nitride has been shown to be an effective barrier to sodium migration. In Beam Lead Sealed Junction (BLSJ) devices, the

Bargaining Agents in Wireless Contexts: An Alternating-Offers Protocol for Multi-issue Bilateral Negotiation in Mobile Marketplaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ragone, Azzurra; Ruta, Michele; di Sciascio, Eugenio; Donini, Francesco M.

We present an approach to multi-issue bilateral negotiation for mobile commerce scenarios. The negotiation mechanism has been integrated in a semantic-based application layer enhancing both RFID and Bluetooth wireless standards. OWL DL has been used to model advertisements and relationships among issues within a shared common ontology. Finally, non standard inference services integrated with utility theory help in finding suitable agreements. We illustrate and motivate the provided theoretical framework in a wireless commerce case study.

Economical recycling process for spent lithium-ion batteries and macro- and micro-scale mechanistic study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Li; Bian, Yifan; Zhang, Xiaoxiao; Xue, Qing; Fan, Ersha; Wu, Feng; Chen, Renjie

2018-02-01

An economical effective method is developed for recycling spent LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathodes, where more than 98% Li, Co, Ni and Mn can be leached out with different organic acids, and resynthesized to LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2. The leaching mechanism is investigated at macro- and micro-scales. The particles undergo a loosening-breaking-shrinking change for two acids, while the FTIR and UV-vis spectra indicate different coordination reactions. The performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 resynthesized from the leachate of the acetic acid leaching (NCM-Ac) and maleic acid leaching (NCM-Ma) are compared. The first discharge capacity of NCM-Ma and NCM-Ac at 0.2C are 151.6 and 115.0 mA h g-1, respectively. The much better performance of NCM-Ma than NCM-Ac results from the different coordination of the two acids in the sol-gel process, where the maleic acid can esterify to establish a stable network to chelate metal ions, while the weak chelation of acetic acid leads to the formation of impurities. The economics analysis including the cost of leaching acid and energy consumption shows that the price of organic acids and reducing agents, short leaching time, low temperature and high-valued products are the effective way to increase recycling and environmental benefits, which shows advantages in terms of resources cost and added value.

Thermo/pH dual-stimuli-responsive drug delivery for chemo-/photothermal therapy monitored by cell imaging.

PubMed

Shu, Yang; Song, Rusheng; Zheng, Anqi; Huang, Jingli; Chen, Mingli; Wang, Jianhua

2018-05-01

A thermo/pH dual-stimuli-responsive drug delivery system (DDS) based on polymer coated mesoporous silica nanostructures (MSNs) is developed for facilitating chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. Thermo/pH-responsive polymer, poly((N-isopropylacrylamide, NIPAM)-co-methacrylic acid, MA), is grafted onto MSNs by in situ polymerization, followed by loading a chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin hydrochloride, DOX) and a near-infrared-absorbing phototherapeutic agent (indocyanine green, ICG) to construct the intelligent drug delivery system, shortly as DOX-ICG-MSN@p(NIPAM-co-MA). At NIR irradiation, the photothermal conversion capability of ICG raises the temperature of the DDS and opens the gatekeeper by shrinkage of the copolymer p(NIPAM-co-MA), which triggers controlled release of DOX at an elevated temperature. On the other hand, drug release is also realized at pH 5.3, a characteristic pH value in cancer cell microenvironment, at which it not only causes the shrinkage of the pH-sensitive polymeric moiety of methacrylic acid in MSN@p(NIPAM-co-MA) but also deteriorates electrostatic interaction of DOX molecules in the mesoporous channel by protonation of silanols. In addition, ICG further ensures photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The cytotoxicity assay of HeLa cells shows obvious synergistic effect by demonstrating that the combined use of DOX and ICG is more effective in killing HeLa cells than free DOX and ICG. The endocytosis of the drug is monitored by cell imaging. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using narrative-based design scaffolds within a mobile learning environment to support learning outdoors with young children

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seely, Brian J.

This study aims to advance learning outdoors with mobile devices. As part of the ongoing Tree Investigators design-based research study, this research investigated a mobile application to support observation, identification, and explanation of the tree life cycle within an authentic, outdoor setting. Recognizing the scientific and conceptual complexity of this topic for young children, the design incorporated technological and design scaffolds within a narrative-based learning environment. In an effort to support learning, 14 participants (aged 5-9) were guided through the mobile app on tree life cycles by a comic-strip pedagogical agent, "Nutty the Squirrel", as they looked to explore and understand through guided observational practices and artifact creation tasks. In comparison to previous iterations of this DBR study, the overall patterns of talk found in this study were similar, with perceptual and conceptual talk being the first and second most frequently coded categories, respectively. However, this study coded considerably more instances of affective talk. This finding of the higher frequency of affective talk could possibly be explained by the relatively younger age of this iteration's participants, in conjunction with the introduced pedagogical agent, who elicited playfulness and delight from the children. The results also indicated a significant improvement when comparing the pretest results (mean score of .86) with the posttest results (mean score of 4.07, out of 5). Learners were not only able to recall the phases of a tree life cycle, but list them in the correct order. The comparison reports a significant increase, showing evidence of increased knowledge and appropriation of scientific vocabulary. The finding suggests the narrative was effective in structuring the complex material into a story for sense making. Future research with narratives should consider a design to promote learner agency through more interactions with the pedagogical agent and a conditional branching scenario framework to further evoke interest and engagement.

Production of xanthan gum from a chemically defined medium introduction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weisrock, W.P.; Klein, H.S.

1983-02-22

Heteropolysaccharides produced by the action of Xanthomonas bacteria on carbohydrate media have a potential application as film forming agents, as thickeners in oil field drilling fluids and fracturing liquids and as emulsifying, stabilizing, and sizing agents. Heteropolysaccharides, particularly, xanthan gum, have a significant potential as mobility control agents in micellar polymer flooding. Xanthan gum has excellent viscosifying properties at low concentration, is resistant to shear degradation and exhibits only minimal losses in viscosity as a function of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. For these reasons, xanthan gum is an attractive alternative to synthetic polyacrylamides for enhanced oil recovery operations. 15more » claims.« less

Analysis of Decentralized Variable Structure Control for Collective Search by Mobile Robots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feddema, J.; Goldsmith, S.; Robinett, R.

1998-11-04

This paper presents an analysis of a decentralized coordination strategy for organizing and controlling a team of mobile robots performing collective search. The alpha-beta coordination strategy is a family of collective search algorithms that allow teams of communicating robots to implicitly coordinate their search activities through a division of labor based on self-selected roIes. In an alpha-beta team. alpha agents are motivated to improve their status by exploring new regions of the search space. Beta a~ents are conservative, and reiy on the alpha agents to provide advanced information on favorable regions of the search space. An agent selects its currentmore » role dynamically based on its current status value relative to the current status values of the other team members. Status is determined by some function of the agent's sensor readings, and is generally a measurement of source intensity at the agent's current location. Variations on the decision rules determining alpha and beta behavior produce different versions of the algorithm that lead to different global properties. The alpha-beta strategy is based on a simple finite-state machine that implements a form of Variable Structure Control (VSC). The VSC system changes the dynamics of the collective system by abruptly switching at defined states to alternative control laws . In VSC, Lyapunov's direct method is often used to design control surfaces which guide the system to a given goal. We introduce the alpha-beta aIgorithm and present an analysis of the equilibrium point and the global stability of the alpha-beta algorithm based on Lyapunov's method.« less

Spreading of infection in a two species reaction-diffusion process in networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korosoglou, Paschalis; Kittas, Aristotelis; Argyrakis, Panos

2010-12-01

We study the dynamics of the infection of a two mobile species reaction from a single infected agent in a population of healthy agents. Historically, the main focus for infection propagation has been through spreading phenomena, where a random location of the system is initially infected and then propagates by successfully infecting its neighbor sites. Here both the infected and healthy agents are mobile, performing classical random walks. This may be a more realistic picture to such epidemiological models, such as the spread of a virus in communication networks of routers, where data travel in packets, the communication time of stations in ad hoc mobile networks, information spreading (such as rumor spreading) in social networks, etc. We monitor the density of healthy particles ρ(t) , which we find in all cases to be an exponential function in the long-time limit in two-dimensional and three-dimensional lattices and Erdős-Rényi (ER) and scale-free (SF) networks. We also investigate the scaling of the crossover time tc from short- to long-time exponential behavior, which we find to be a power law in lattices and ER networks. This crossover is shown to be absent in SF networks, where we reveal the role of the connectivity of the network in the infection process. We compare this behavior to ER networks and lattices and highlight the significance of various connectivity patterns, as well as the important differences of this process in the various underlying geometries, revealing a more complex behavior of ρ(t) .

Movement Patterns, Social Dynamics, and the Evolution of Cooperation

PubMed Central

Smaldino, Paul E.; Schank, Jeffrey C.

2012-01-01

The structure of social interactions influences many aspects of social life, including the spread of information and behavior, and the evolution of social phenotypes. After dispersal, organisms move around throughout their lives, and the patterns of their movement influence their social encounters over the course of their lifespan. Though both space and mobility are known to influence social evolution, there is little analysis of the influence of specific movement patterns on evolutionary dynamics. We explored the effects of random movement strategies on the evolution of cooperation using an agent-based prisoner’s dilemma model with mobile agents. This is the first systematic analysis of a model in which cooperators and defectors can use different random movement strategies, which we chose to fall on a spectrum between highly exploratory and highly restricted in their search tendencies. Because limited dispersal and restrictions to local neighborhood size are known to influence the ability of cooperators to effectively assort, we also assessed the robustness of our findings with respect to dispersal and local capacity constraints. We show that differences in patterns of movement can dramatically influence the likelihood of cooperator success, and that the effects of different movement patterns are sensitive to environmental assumptions about offspring dispersal and local space constraints. Since local interactions implicitly generate dynamic social interaction networks, we also measured the average number of unique and total interactions over a lifetime and considered how these emergent network dynamics helped explain the results. This work extends what is known about mobility and the evolution of cooperation, and also has general implications for social models with randomly moving agents. PMID:22838026

Celestial data routing network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordetsky, Alex

2000-11-01

Imagine that information processing human-machine network is threatened in a particular part of the world. Suppose that an anticipated threat of physical attacks could lead to disruption of telecommunications network management infrastructure and access capabilities for small geographically distributed groups engaged in collaborative operations. Suppose that small group of astronauts are exploring the solar planet and need to quickly configure orbital information network to support their collaborative work and local communications. The critical need in both scenarios would be a set of low-cost means of small team celestial networking. To the geographically distributed mobile collaborating groups such means would allow to maintain collaborative multipoint work, set up orbital local area network, and provide orbital intranet communications. This would be accomplished by dynamically assembling the network enabling infrastructure of the small satellite based router, satellite based Codec, and set of satellite based intelligent management agents. Cooperating single function pico satellites, acting as agents and personal switching devices together would represent self-organizing intelligent orbital network of cooperating mobile management nodes. Cooperative behavior of the pico satellite based agents would be achieved by comprising a small orbital artificial neural network capable of learning and restructing the networking resources in response to the anticipated threat.

A flowing atmospheric pressure afterglow as an ion source coupled to a differential mobility analyzer for volatile organic compound detection.

PubMed

Bouza, Marcos; Orejas, Jaime; López-Vidal, Silvia; Pisonero, Jorge; Bordel, Nerea; Pereiro, Rosario; Sanz-Medel, Alfredo

2016-05-23

Atmospheric pressure glow discharges have been widely used in the last decade as ion sources in ambient mass spectrometry analyses. Here, an in-house flowing atmospheric pressure afterglow (FAPA) has been developed as an alternative ion source for differential mobility analysis (DMA). The discharge source parameters (inter-electrode distance, current and helium flow rate) determining the atmospheric plasma characteristics have been optimized in terms of DMA spectral simplicity with the highest achievable sensitivity while keeping an adequate plasma stability and so the FAPA working conditions finally selected were: 35 mA, 1 L min(-1) of He and an inter-electrode distance of 8 mm. Room temperature in the DMA proved to be adequate for the coupling and chemical analysis with the FAPA source. Positive and negative ions for different volatile organic compounds were tested and analysed by FAPA-DMA using a Faraday cup as a detector and proper operation in both modes was possible (without changes in FAPA operational parameters). The FAPA ionization source showed simpler ion mobility spectra with narrower peaks and a better, or similar, sensitivity than conventional UV-photoionization for DMA analysis in positive mode. Particularly, the negative mode proved to be a promising field of further research for the FAPA ion source coupled to ion mobility, clearly competitive with other more conventional plasmas such as corona discharge.

Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture 2013: Embracing our role as change agents.

PubMed

Finlayson, Marcia L

2013-10-01

Given the nature of occupational therapy philosophy and practice, it is not surprising that "change agent" has been identified as one of the seven professional roles that occupational therapists fulfill. This Muriel Driver lecture examines the change agent role, what it means, and what knowledge, skills, and personal qualities are necessary to be effective. Overall, relatively little has been written about the change agent role in the occupational therapy literature. Much of what does exist is implicit and often embedded in related topics, such as advocacy. An examination of literature from outside of occupational therapy uncovered four major themes about this role: (a) Change agents are insightful, reflective, and disciplined; (b) Charnge agents are visionary leaders and mobilizers; (c) Change agents are knowledge integrators and translators; and (d) Change agents are diplomatic interventionists who produce meaningful outcomes. These themes point to several areas of silence in the occupational therapy literature. Overcoming these areas of silence and moving forward will require open, challenging, and scholarly debates; reconsideration of change agent role competencies; and clear messaging that we all have the capacity to be competent and effective change agents regardless of our title or setting.

Synchronization of multi-agent systems with metric-topological interactions.

PubMed

Wang, Lin; Chen, Guanrong

2016-09-01

A hybrid multi-agent systems model integrating the advantages of both metric interaction and topological interaction rules, called the metric-topological model, is developed. This model describes planar motions of mobile agents, where each agent can interact with all the agents within a circle of a constant radius, and can furthermore interact with some distant agents to reach a pre-assigned number of neighbors, if needed. Some sufficient conditions imposed only on system parameters and agent initial states are presented, which ensure achieving synchronization of the whole group of agents. It reveals the intrinsic relationships among the interaction range, the speed, the initial heading, and the density of the group. Moreover, robustness against variations of interaction range, density, and speed are investigated by comparing the motion patterns and performances of the hybrid metric-topological interaction model with the conventional metric-only and topological-only interaction models. Practically in all cases, the hybrid metric-topological interaction model has the best performance in the sense of achieving highest frequency of synchronization, fastest convergent rate, and smallest heading difference.

Age-related differences in skeletal muscle microvascular response to exercise as detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

PubMed Central

Hildebrandt, Wulf; Schwarzbach, Hans; Pardun, Anita; Hannemann, Lena; Bogs, Björn; König, Alexander M.; Mahnken, Andreas H.; Hildebrandt, Olaf; Koehler, Ulrich; Kinscherf, Ralf

2017-01-01

Background Aging involves reductions in exercise total limb blood flow and exercise capacity. We hypothesized that this may involve early age-related impairments of skeletal muscle microvascular responsiveness as previously reported for insulin but not for exercise stimuli in humans. Methods Using an isometric exercise model, we studied the effect of age on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters, i.e. microvascular blood volume (MBV), flow velocity (MFV) and blood flow (MBF) calculated from replenishment of Sonovue contrast-agent microbubbles after their destruction. CEUS was applied to the vastus lateralis (VLat) and intermedius (VInt) muscle in 15 middle-aged (MA, 43.6±1.5 years) and 11 young (YG, 24.1±0.6 years) healthy males before, during, and after 2 min of isometric knee extension at 15% of peak torque (PT). In addition, total leg blood flow as recorded by femoral artery Doppler-flow. Moreover, fiber-type-specific and overall capillarisation as well as fiber composition were additionally assessed in Vlat biopsies obtained from CEUS site. MA and YG had similar quadriceps muscle MRT-volume or PT and maximal oxygen uptake as well as a normal cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media-thickness. Results During isometric exercise MA compared to YG reached significantly lower levels in MFV (0.123±0.016 vs. 0.208±0.036 a.u.) and MBF (0.007±0.001 vs. 0.012±0.002 a.u.). In the VInt the (post-occlusive hyperemia) post-exercise peaks in MBV and MBF were significantly lower in MA vs. YG. Capillary density, capillary fiber contacts and femoral artery Doppler were similar between MA and YG. Conclusions In the absence of significant age-related reductions in capillarisation, total leg blood flow or muscle mass, healthy middle-aged males reveal impaired skeletal muscle microcirculatory responses to isometric exercise. Whether this limits isometric muscle performance remains to be assessed. PMID:28273102

Age-related differences in skeletal muscle microvascular response to exercise as detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

PubMed

Hildebrandt, Wulf; Schwarzbach, Hans; Pardun, Anita; Hannemann, Lena; Bogs, Björn; König, Alexander M; Mahnken, Andreas H; Hildebrandt, Olaf; Koehler, Ulrich; Kinscherf, Ralf

2017-01-01

Aging involves reductions in exercise total limb blood flow and exercise capacity. We hypothesized that this may involve early age-related impairments of skeletal muscle microvascular responsiveness as previously reported for insulin but not for exercise stimuli in humans. Using an isometric exercise model, we studied the effect of age on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) parameters, i.e. microvascular blood volume (MBV), flow velocity (MFV) and blood flow (MBF) calculated from replenishment of Sonovue contrast-agent microbubbles after their destruction. CEUS was applied to the vastus lateralis (VLat) and intermedius (VInt) muscle in 15 middle-aged (MA, 43.6±1.5 years) and 11 young (YG, 24.1±0.6 years) healthy males before, during, and after 2 min of isometric knee extension at 15% of peak torque (PT). In addition, total leg blood flow as recorded by femoral artery Doppler-flow. Moreover, fiber-type-specific and overall capillarisation as well as fiber composition were additionally assessed in Vlat biopsies obtained from CEUS site. MA and YG had similar quadriceps muscle MRT-volume or PT and maximal oxygen uptake as well as a normal cardiovascular risk factors and intima-media-thickness. During isometric exercise MA compared to YG reached significantly lower levels in MFV (0.123±0.016 vs. 0.208±0.036 a.u.) and MBF (0.007±0.001 vs. 0.012±0.002 a.u.). In the VInt the (post-occlusive hyperemia) post-exercise peaks in MBV and MBF were significantly lower in MA vs. YG. Capillary density, capillary fiber contacts and femoral artery Doppler were similar between MA and YG. In the absence of significant age-related reductions in capillarisation, total leg blood flow or muscle mass, healthy middle-aged males reveal impaired skeletal muscle microcirculatory responses to isometric exercise. Whether this limits isometric muscle performance remains to be assessed.

Compost and sulfur affect the mobilization and phyto-availability of Cd and Ni to sorghum and barnyard grass in a spiked fluvial soil.

PubMed

Shaheen, Sabry M; Balbaa, Ali A; Khatab, Alaa M; Rinklebe, Jörg

2017-12-01

Soil reclamation via additives can cause contradictory effects on the mobilization of toxic elements in soils under dry and wet conditions. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the impact of compost and sulfur in two rates (1.25 and 2.5%) on fractionation, mobilization, and phyto-availability of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) to sorghum (dry soil) and barnyard grass (wet soil) in a fluvial soil spiked with 25 mg Cd or 200 mg Ni/kg soil. Compost decreased the solubility and mobilization of Cd (especially in dry soil) and Ni (in both soils). Sulfur increased the solubility of Cd (31% in dry soil-49% in wet soil) and Ni (4.6% in wet soil-8.7% in dry soil). Sulfur altered the carbonate fraction of Cd to the soluble fraction and the residual fraction of Cd and Ni to the non-residual fraction. Compost decreased Cd and increased Ni in sorghum, but enhanced Cd and degraded Ni in grass. Sulfur increased Cd and Ni in both plants, and the increasing rate of Cd was higher in grass than in sorghum, while Ni was higher in sorghum than in grass. These results suggest that compost can be used as an immobilizing agent for Cd in the dry soil and Ni in the wet soil; however, it might be used as mobilizing agent for Cd in the wet soil and Ni in the dry soil. Sulfur (with rate 2.5%) can be used for enhancing the phyto-extraction of Cd and Ni (especially Cd) from contaminated alkaline soils.

GBS: Guidance by Semantics-Using High-Level Visual Inference to Improve Vision-Based Mobile Robot Localization

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-28

for the scene, and effectively isolates the points on buildings. We are now able to accurately filter in buildings, and filter out the ground, but...brushing hair and hugging. Time Action running kids Agent Motion rolling ball panning camera waves crashing Figure 3: Our work distinguishes inten- tional...action of an unknown agent (the kids in this example) from various other motions, such as the rolling ball, the crashing waves and the background mo

Mechanisms of resistance to quinolones: target alterations, decreased accumulation and DNA gyrase protection.

PubMed

Ruiz, Joaquim

2003-05-01

Quinolones are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, commonly used in both clinical and veterinary medicine. Their extensive use has resulted in bacteria rapidly developing resistance to these agents. Two mechanisms of quinolone resistance have been established to date: alterations in the targets of quinolones, and decreased accumulation due to impermeability of the membrane and/or an overexpression of efflux pump systems. Recently, mobile elements have also been described, carrying the qnr gene, which confers resistance to quinolones.

Regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent protein turnover in skeletal muscle by thyroxine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zeman, Richard J.; Bernstein, Paul L.; Ludemann, Robert; Etlinger, Joseph D.

1986-01-01

Dantrolene, an agent that inhibits Ca(2+) mobilization, improved protein balance in skeletal muscle, as thyroid status was increased, by altering rates of protein synthesis and degradation. Thyroxine (T4) caused increases in protein degradation that were blocked by leupeptin, a proteinase inhibitor previously shown to inhibit Ca(2+)-dependent nonlysosomal proteolysis in these muscles. In addition, T4 abolished sensitivity to the lysosomotropic agent methylamine and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, suggesting that T4 inhibits autophagic/lysosomal proteolysis.

Performance of Metarhizium anisopliae-treated foam in combination with Phytoseiulus longipes Evans on Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard (Acari: Tetranychidae).

PubMed

Azandémè Hounmalon, Ginette Y; Maniania, Nguya K; Niassy, Saliou; Fellous, Simon; Kreiter, Serge; Delétré, Emilie; Fiaboe, Komi K; Martin, Thibaud

2018-05-13

Tetranychus evansi (Te) is an exotic pest of solanaceous crops in Africa. The predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes (Pl) and the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma), are potential biocontrol agents of Te. The present study investigated efficacy of fungus-treated foam placed above or below the third Te-infested tomato leaf. The persistence of fungus-treated foam and the performance of Pl with or without fungus-treated foam were evaluated. The fungus-treated foam was effective when Te infestation was below the third tomato leaf as no damage was recorded on all upper tomato leaves up to 30 days post-treatment. However, in the control treatments, the infestation increased considerably from 9±0.3% to 100±0% at 15 days post-treatment. The reuse of the fungus-treated foam at 15, 30 and 45 days post-treatment resulted in 19±1.4%, 25±1.2% and 54±2.1% respective infestation by Te. The fungus-treated foam and Pl alone are efficient, but there is no benefit to combinting both against Te. The fungus-treated foam is an effective method to optimize the use of Ma in screenhouse conditions. These two control agents could be integrated in an IPM strategy for crops protection. However, these results need to be confirmed in large field trials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Selection of Beauveria bassiana sensu lato and Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato isolates as microbial control agents against the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) in Argentina.

PubMed

Nussenbaum, A L; Lecuona, R E

2012-05-01

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) is the main pest of cotton in the Americas. The aim of this work was to evaluate isolates of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana sensu lato and Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato virulent against A. grandis. Screening was performed to evaluate the pathogenicity of 28 isolates of M. anisopliae s.l. and 66 isolates of B. bassiana s.l. against boll weevil adults. To select the isolates, LC(50) values of the most virulent isolates were calculated, and compatibility between the fungi and insecticides was studied. In addition, the effects of these isolates on the feeding behavior of the adults were evaluated. Isolates Ma 50 and Ma 20 were the most virulent against A. grandis and their LC(50) values were 1.13×10(7) and 1.20×10(7) conidia/ml, respectively. In addition, these isolates were compatible with pyrethroid insecticides, but none with endosulfan. On the other hand, infected females reduced the damage caused by feeding on the cotton squares and their weight gain. This shows that entomopathogenic fungi cause mortality in the insects, but also these fungi could influence the feeding behavior of the females. In summary, these results indicate the possibility of the use of M. anisopliae s.l. as a microbiological control agent against boll weevils. Also, this species could be included in an Integrated Pest Management program. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Generation of Conflict Resolution Maneuvers for Air Traffic Management

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-01-01

We explore the use of distributed on-line motion planning algorithms for multiple mobile agents, in Air Traffic Management Systems (ATMS). The work is motivated by current trends in ATMS to move towards decentralized air traffic management, in which ...

Lesions of the amygdala central nucleus abolish lipoprivic-enhanced responding during oil-predicting conditioned stimuli.

PubMed

Benoit, S C; Morell, J R; Davidson, T L

1999-12-01

T. L. Davidson, A. M. Altizer, S. C. Benoit, E. K. Walls, and T. L. Powley (1997) reported that rats show facilitated responding to conditioned stimuli (CSs) that predict oil, after administration of the lipoprivic agent, Na-2-mercaptoacetate (MA). This facilitation was blocked by vagal deafferentation. The present article extends that investigation to another structure, the amygdala central nucleus (CN). The CN receives inputs from dorsal vagal nuclei, and neurotoxic lesions of this nucleus are reported to abolish feeding in response to lipoprivic challenges. In Experiment 1, rats with ibotenic acid (IBO) lesions of the CN failed to show enhanced appetitive responding during oil-predicting CSs after administration of MA. Experiment 2 used a conditioned taste-aversion procedure to establish that rats with IBO lesions of the CN were able to discriminate the tastes of sucrose and peanut oil and had intact CS-US representations. It is concluded that the amygdala CN is a necessary structure for the detection of lipoprivic challenges.

Columbia Hills, Mars: aeolian features seen from the ground and orbit

USGS Publications Warehouse

Greeley, Ronald; Whelley, Patrick L.; Neakrase, Lynn D.V.; Arvidson, Raymond E.; Bridges, Nathan T.; Cabrol, Nathalie A.; Christensen, Philip R.; Di, Kaichang; Foley, Daniel J.; Golombek, Matthew P.; Herkenhoff, Kenneth; Knudson, Amy; Kuzmin, Ruslan O.; Li, Ron; Michaels, Timothy; Squyres, Steven W.; Sullivan, Robert; Thompson, Shane D.

2008-01-01

Abundant wind-related features occur along Spirit's traverse into the Columbia Hills over the basaltic plains of Gusev Crater. Most of the windblown sands are probably derived from weathering of rocks within the crater, and possibly from deposits associated with Ma'adim Vallis. Windblown particles act as agents of abrasion, forming ventifacts, and are organized in places into various bed forms. Wind-related features seen from orbit, results from atmospheric models, and considerations of topography suggest that the general wind patterns and transport pathways involve: (1) winter nighttime winds that carry sediments from the mouth of Ma'adim Vallis into the landing site area of Spirit, where they are mixed with locally derived sediments, and (2) winter daytime winds that transport the sediments from the landing site southeast toward Husband Hill; similar patterns occur in the summer but with weaker winds. Reversals of daytime flow out of Gusev Crater and nighttime wind flow into the crater can account for the symmetry of the bed forms and bimodal orientations of some ventifacts.

Role of Distance-Based Routing in Traffic Dynamics on Mobile Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Han-Xin; Wang, Wen-Xu

2013-06-01

Despite of intensive investigations on transportation dynamics taking place on complex networks with fixed structures, a deep understanding of networks consisting of mobile nodes is challenging yet, especially the lacking of insight into the effects of routing strategies on transmission efficiency. We introduce a distance-based routing strategy for networks of mobile agents toward enhancing the network throughput and the transmission efficiency. We study the transportation capacity and delivering time of data packets associated with mobility and communication ability. Interestingly, we find that the transportation capacity is optimized at moderate moving speed, which is quite different from random routing strategy. In addition, both continuous and discontinuous transitions from free flow to congestions are observed. Degree distributions are explored in order to explain the enhancement of network throughput and other observations. Our work is valuable toward understanding complex transportation dynamics and designing effective routing protocols.

Insertion sequences enrichment in extreme Red sea brine pool vent.

PubMed

Elbehery, Ali H A; Aziz, Ramy K; Siam, Rania

2017-03-01

Mobile genetic elements are major agents of genome diversification and evolution. Limited studies addressed their characteristics, including abundance, and role in extreme habitats. One of the rare natural habitats exposed to multiple-extreme conditions, including high temperature, salinity and concentration of heavy metals, are the Red Sea brine pools. We assessed the abundance and distribution of different mobile genetic elements in four Red Sea brine pools including the world's largest known multiple-extreme deep-sea environment, the Red Sea Atlantis II Deep. We report a gradient in the abundance of mobile genetic elements, dramatically increasing in the harshest environment of the pool. Additionally, we identified a strong association between the abundance of insertion sequences and extreme conditions, being highest in the harshest and deepest layer of the Red Sea Atlantis II Deep. Our comparative analyses of mobile genetic elements in secluded, extreme and relatively non-extreme environments, suggest that insertion sequences predominantly contribute to polyextremophiles genome plasticity.

REE chemistry and Sm-Nd systematics of late Archean weathering profiles in the Fortescue Group, Western Australia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

MacFarlane, A. W.; Danielson, A.; Holland, H. D.; Jacobsen, S. B.

1994-01-01

Two weathering profiles, each consisting of an upper, sericite-rich zone and a lower, chlorite-rich zone, are preserved between flows of the Mt. Roe Basalt in the Fortescue Group, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia. REE concentrations in samples from these two profiles, which originally developed ca 2,760 Ma, show large variations depending on stratigraphic position. LREE abundances and (La/Yb)N are greatest at depths of 3-6 m below the paleosurface of the Mt. Roe #1 profile and are somewhat lower in samples above this level. The LREEs reach concentrations 6-9 times greater than in the underlying basalt, and thus appear to have been mobilized downward in the paleosol and concentrated in its middle part. LREE concentrations in the #2 profile show a similar distribution but with a sharp increase in all REE concentrations within 50 cm of the paleosurface. The distinction between the REE profiles in the two paleosols may be related to the difference in the overlying material. The #1 paleosol is overlain by a few meters of sediments and then by basalt, whereas the #2 paleosol is directly overlain by basalt. The LREEs appear to have been mobilized both during chemical weathering of the parental basalt and during later lower-greenschist-facies metamorphism and metasomatism of the paleosols. Remobilization of the REEs during the regional metamorphism of the Fortescue Group is confirmed by a whole-rock Sm-Nd reference isochron of Mt. Roe #1 samples with an age of 2,151 +/- 360 Ma. Variable initial 143Nd/144Nd values of unweathered basalt samples which may represent the paleosol protolith prevents a confident determination of the magnitude of LREE mobility. Both the initial mobilization of the REEs during weathering and the metasomatic remobilization appear to have taken place under redox conditions where Ce was present dominantly as Ce3+, because Ce anomalies are not developed within the sericite zone samples regardless of concentration. Europium anomalies in the paleoweathering profile are somewhat variable and were probably modified by mobilization of Eu2+ at metamorphic conditions. In all samples, the HREEs appear to have been relatively immobile and correlate with Al, Ti, Cr, V, Zr, and Nb. Sm-Nd systematics and REE patterns of four unweathered basalt samples indicate derivation of the Mt. Roe Basalts from a heterogeneous and enriched source having epsilon Nd between -4.0 and -7.4. Initial 143Nd/144Nd values of these basalts are even lower than those reported by NELSON et al. (1992) for Fortescue Group basalts and indicate a substantial crustal component in the generation of Mt. Roe Basalts.

A task-based support architecture for developing point-of-care clinical decision support systems for the emergency department.

PubMed

Wilk, S; Michalowski, W; O'Sullivan, D; Farion, K; Sayyad-Shirabad, J; Kuziemsky, C; Kukawka, B

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study was to create a task-based support architecture for developing clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) that assist physicians in making decisions at the point-of-care in the emergency department (ED). The backbone of the proposed architecture was established by a task-based emergency workflow model for a patient-physician encounter. The architecture was designed according to an agent-oriented paradigm. Specifically, we used the O-MaSE (Organization-based Multi-agent System Engineering) method that allows for iterative translation of functional requirements into architectural components (e.g., agents). The agent-oriented paradigm was extended with ontology-driven design to implement ontological models representing knowledge required by specific agents to operate. The task-based architecture allows for the creation of a CDSS that is aligned with the task-based emergency workflow model. It facilitates decoupling of executable components (agents) from embedded domain knowledge (ontological models), thus supporting their interoperability, sharing, and reuse. The generic architecture was implemented as a pilot system, MET3-AE--a CDSS to help with the management of pediatric asthma exacerbation in the ED. The system was evaluated in a hospital ED. The architecture allows for the creation of a CDSS that integrates support for all tasks from the task-based emergency workflow model, and interacts with hospital information systems. Proposed architecture also allows for reusing and sharing system components and knowledge across disease-specific CDSSs.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mann, R.C.; Fujimura, K.; Unseren, M.A.

One of the frontiers in intelligent machine research is the understanding of how constructive cooperation among multiple autonomous agents can be effected. The effort at the Center for Engineering Systems Advanced Research (CESAR)at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) focuses on two problem areas: (1) cooperation by multiple mobile robots in dynamic, incompletely known environments; and (2) cooperating robotic manipulators. Particular emphasis is placed on experimental evaluation of research and developments using the CESAR robot system testbeds, including three mobile robots, and a seven-axis, kinematically redundant mobile manipulator. This paper summarizes initial results of research addressing the decoupling of positionmore » and force control for two manipulators holding a common object, and the path planning for multiple robots in a common workspace. 15 refs., 3 figs.« less

Vehicle Maneuver Detection with Accelerometer-Based Classification.

PubMed

Cervantes-Villanueva, Javier; Carrillo-Zapata, Daniel; Terroso-Saenz, Fernando; Valdes-Vela, Mercedes; Skarmeta, Antonio F

2016-09-29

In the mobile computing era, smartphones have become instrumental tools to develop innovative mobile context-aware systems. In that sense, their usage in the vehicular domain eases the development of novel and personal transportation solutions. In this frame, the present work introduces an innovative mechanism to perceive the current kinematic state of a vehicle on the basis of the accelerometer data from a smartphone mounted in the vehicle. Unlike previous proposals, the introduced architecture targets the computational limitations of such devices to carry out the detection process following an incremental approach. For its realization, we have evaluated different classification algorithms to act as agents within the architecture. Finally, our approach has been tested with a real-world dataset collected by means of the ad hoc mobile application developed.

Plasmid-Mediated Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococci and Other Firmicutes.

PubMed

Schwarz, Stefan; Shen, Jianzhong; Wendlandt, Sarah; Fessler, Andrea T; Wang, Yang; Kadlec, Kristina; Wu, Cong-Ming

2014-12-01

In staphylococci and other Firmicutes, resistance to numerous classes of antimicrobial agents, which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, is mediated by genes that are associated with mobile genetic elements. The gene products of some of these antimicrobial resistance genes confer resistance to only specific members of a certain class of antimicrobial agents, whereas others confer resistance to the entire class or even to members of different classes of antimicrobial agents. The resistance mechanisms specified by the resistance genes fall into any of three major categories: active efflux, enzymatic inactivation, and modification/replacement/protection of the target sites of the antimicrobial agents. Among the mobile genetic elements that carry such resistance genes, plasmids play an important role as carriers of primarily plasmid-borne resistance genes, but also as vectors for nonconjugative and conjugative transposons that harbor resistance genes. Plasmids can be exchanged by horizontal gene transfer between members of the same species but also between bacteria belonging to different species and genera. Plasmids are highly flexible elements, and various mechanisms exist by which plasmids can recombine, form cointegrates, or become integrated in part or in toto into the chromosomal DNA or into other plasmids. As such, plasmids play a key role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes within the gene pool to which staphylococci and other Firmicutes have access. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the current knowledge of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci and other Firmicutes.

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of an Early Jurassic magmatic arc from South to East China Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, L.; Xu, C.

2017-12-01

Granite and diorite samples by drilling in northeastern South China Sea (SCS) and southwestern East China Sea (ECS) contribute key information to understanding tectonic regime of South China Block in Jurassic time. SIMS and LA-ICPMS U-Pb zircon analyses yield ages ranging from 195±2 Ma to 198±1 Ma for samples from well LF3511 in SCS, and an age of 187±1 Ma for the sample from well ESC635 in ECS. They are low temperature I-type granitoids with strongly enriched fluid-mobile elements and depleted Nb-Ta features, indicating subduction arc-related magmatism in their origin. Sr-Nd isotopic compositions for samples from SCS ((87Sr/86Sr)i=0.705494-0.706623, ɛNdt=-0.9 to +2.2) and sample from ECS ((87Sr/86Sr)i=0.705200, ɛNdt=1.1) suggest an affinity with evolved mantle-derived melts. The granitoids found from NE SCS, SE Taiwan to the SW ECS could spatially define an Early Jurassic NE-SW-trending Dongsha-Talun-Yandang low-temperature magmatic arc zone along the East Asian continental margin, paired with Jurassic accretionary complexes exposed in SW Japan, E Taiwan to the W Philippines. Its geodynamic context is associated with oblique subduction of the paleo-Pacific slab beneath Eurasia, as a mechanism responsible for early Jurassic lithospheric extension with magmatism in the South China Block.

Transferability of antibody pairs from ELISA to fiber optic surface plasmon resonance for infliximab detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Stappen, Thomas; Lu, Jiadi; Bloemen, Maarten; Geukens, Nick; Spasic, Dragana; Delport, Filip; Verbiest, Thierry; Lammertyn, Jeroen; Gils, Ann

2015-03-01

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a pleiotropic cytokine up-regulated in inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. The introduction of anti-TNF drugs such as infliximab has revolutionized the treatment of these diseases. Recently, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of infliximab has been introduced in clinical decision making to increase cost-efficiency. Nowadays, TDM is performed using radio-immunoassays, homogeneous mobility shift assays or ELISA. Unfortunately, these assays do not allow for in situ treatment optimization, because of the required sample transportation to centralized laboratories and the subsequent assay execution time. In this perspective, we evaluated the potential of fiber optic-surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR). To achieve this goal, a panel of 55 monoclonal anti-infliximab antibodies (MA-IFX) was developed and characterized in-house, leading to the identification of nine different clusters. Based on this high diversity, 22 antibody pairs were selected and tested for their reactivity towards IFX, using one MA-IFX as capture and one MA-IFX for detection, in a sandwich type ELISA and FO-SPR. This study showed that the reactivity towards IFX of each antibody pair in ELISA is highly similar to its reactivity on FO-SPR, indicating that antibody pairs are easily transferable between both platforms. Given the fact that FO-SPR shows the potential for miniaturization and fast assay time, it can be considered a highly promising platform for on-site infliximab monitoring.

Removal of arsenic and cadmium with sequential soil washing techniques using Na2EDTA, oxalic and phosphoric acid: Optimization conditions, removal effectiveness and ecological risks.

PubMed

Wei, Meng; Chen, Jiajun; Wang, Xingwei

2016-08-01

Testing of sequential soil washing in triplicate using typical chelating agent (Na2EDTA), organic acid (oxalic acid) and inorganic weak acid (phosphoric acid) was conducted to remediate soil contaminated by heavy metals close to a mining area. The aim of the testing was to improve removal efficiency and reduce mobility of heavy metals. The sequential extraction procedure and further speciation analysis of heavy metals demonstrated that the primary components of arsenic and cadmium in the soil were residual As (O-As) and exchangeable fraction, which accounted for 60% and 70% of total arsenic and cadmium, respectively. It was determined that soil washing agents and their washing order were critical to removal efficiencies of metal fractions, metal bioavailability and potential mobility due to different levels of dissolution of residual fractions and inter-transformation of metal fractions. The optimal soil washing option for arsenic and cadmium was identified as phosphoric-oxalic acid-Na2EDTA sequence (POE) based on the high removal efficiency (41.9% for arsenic and 89.6% for cadmium) and the minimal harmful effects of the mobility and bioavailability of the remaining heavy metals. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Women as agents of change: Female income and mobility in India

PubMed Central

Luke, Nancy; Munshi, Kaivan

2013-01-01

Economic globalization will give many women in developing countries access to steady and relatively remunerative employment for the first time, potentially shifting bargaining power within their households and changing the choices that are made for their children. This paper exploits a unique setting — a group of tea plantations in South India where women are employed in permanent wage labor and where incomes do not vary by caste — to anticipate the impact of globalization on mobility across social groups in the future. The main result of the paper is that a relative increase in female income weakens the family's ties to the ancestral community and the traditional economy, but these mobility enhancing effects are obtained for certain historically disadvantaged castes alone. Although the paper provides a context-specific explanation for why the women from these castes emerge as agents of change, the first general implication of the analysis is that the incentive and the ability of women to use their earnings to influence household decisions depends importantly on their social background. The second implication is that historically disadvantaged groups may, in fact, be especially responsive to new opportunities precisely because they have fewer ties to the traditional economy to hold them back. PMID:24319310

Reversing resistance to vascular-disrupting agents by blocking late mobilization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells.

PubMed

Taylor, Melissa; Billiot, Fanny; Marty, Virginie; Rouffiac, Valérie; Cohen, Patrick; Tournay, Elodie; Opolon, Paule; Louache, Fawzia; Vassal, Gilles; Laplace-Builhé, Corinne; Vielh, Philippe; Soria, Jean-Charles; Farace, Françoise

2012-05-01

The prevailing concept is that immediate mobilization of bone marrow-derived circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEP) is a key mechanism mediating tumor resistance to vascular-disrupting agents (VDA). Here, we show that administration of VDA to tumor-bearing mice induces 2 distinct peaks in CEPs: an early, unspecific CEP efflux followed by a late yet more dramatic tumor-specific CEP burst that infiltrates tumors and is recruited to vessels. Combination with antiangiogenic drugs could not disrupt the early peak but completely abrogated the late VDA-induced CEP burst, blunted bone marrow-derived cell recruitment to tumors, and resulted in striking antitumor efficacy, indicating that the late CEP burst might be crucial to tumor recovery after VDA therapy. CEP and circulating endothelial cell kinetics in VDA-treated patients with cancer were remarkably consistent with our preclinical data. These findings expand the current understanding of vasculogenic "rebounds" that may be targeted to improve VDA-based strategies. Our findings suggest that resistance to VDA therapy may be strongly mediated by late, rather than early, tumor-specific recruitment of CEPs, the suppression of which resulted in increased VDA-mediated antitumor efficacy. VDA-based therapy might thus be significantly enhanced by combination strategies targeting late CEP mobilization. © 2012 AACR

The use of dopants in high field asymmetric waveform spectrometry.

PubMed

Ross, Stuart K; McDonald, Gwenda; Marchant, Sarah

2008-05-01

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is proven core technology for the gas-phase detection of chemical warfare (CW) agents. One disadvantage of IMS technology is that ions of similar mobility cannot readily be resolved, resulting in false alarm responses and a loss of user confidence. High field asymmetric waveform spectrometry (HiFAWS) is an emerging technology for the gas-phase detection of CW agents. Of particular interest is the potential of a HiFAWS-based platform to reduce the number of false alarms by resolving ions that cannot be discriminated using IMS. It has been demonstrated that a water clustering/declustering mechanism can be a dominant process in HiFAWS. Ions that cannot be discriminated in IMS because they possess the same low field mobility value can be resolved using HiFAWS due to differences in the extent of low field ion solvation and high field ion desolvation. When operating in complex environments such as those potentially experienced in military and security arenas, IMS systems commonly employ internal dopants to reduce the number of background responses. It is possible that HiFAWS systems may also require the use of internal dopants for the same reason. It has been demonstrated that dopants employed for use in IMS may not be suitable for use in HiFAWS.

Production of microparticles of molinate degrading biocatalysts using the spray drying technique.

PubMed

Lopes, Ana R; Sousa, Vera M; Estevinho, Berta N; Leite, José P; Moreira, Nuno F F; Gales, Luís; Rocha, Fernando; Nunes, Olga C

2016-10-01

Previous studies demonstrated the capability of mixed culture DC1 to mineralize the thiocarbamate herbicide molinate through the activity of molinate hydrolase (MolA). Because liquid suspensions are not compatible with long-term storage and are not easy to handle when bioremediation strategies are envisaged, in this study spray drying was evaluated as a cost-effective method to store and transport these molinate biocatalysts. Microparticles of mixed culture DC1 (DC1) and of cell free crude extracts containing MolA (MA) were obtained without any carrier polymer, and with calcium alginate (CA) or modified chitosan (MCt) as immobilizing agents. All the DC1 microparticles showed high molinate degrading activity upon storage for 6 months, or after 9 additions of ∼0.4 mM molinate over 1 month. The DC1-MCt microparticles were those with the highest survival rate and lowest heterogeneity. For MA microparticles, only MA-MCt degraded molinate. However, its Vmax was only 1.4% of that of the fresh cell free extract (non spray dried). The feasibility of using the DC1-MCt and MA-MCt microparticles in bioaugmentation processes was assessed in river water microcosms, using mass (g):volume (L) ratios of 1:13 and 1:0.25, respectively. Both type of microparticles removed ∼65-75% of the initial 1.5 mg L(-1) molinate, after 7 days of incubation. However, only DC1-MCt microparticles were able to degrade this environmental concentration of molinate without disturbing the native bacterial community. These results suggest that spray drying can be successfully used to produce DC1-MCt microparticles to remediate molinate polluted sites through a bioaugmentation strategy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of a triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride dentifrice on volatile sulfur compounds in vitro.

PubMed

Pilch, S; Williams, M I; Cummins, D

2005-01-01

The objective of the investigation was to document the in vitro efficacy of a triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride (TCF) dentifrice against the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) as well as the growth of H2S-producing bacteria. Clinical studies using organoleptic judges, gas chromatography, or a portable sulfide monitor have generally been employed in the assessment of treatments for the control of oral malodor. However, these studies are not appropriate for screening purposes because of the expense and time required. An in vitro method was developed for the purpose of screening new compounds, agents or formulations for their ability to control VSC formation and for determining bio-equivalence of efficacy when implementing changes in existing formulations. The method combines basic microbiological methods, dynamic flow cell techniques and head space analysis. The in vitro VSC method was validated by comparing the efficacy of two dentifrices containing TCF with a control fluoride dentifrice as the TCF products have been clinically proven to control oral malodor. In the validation studies, the TCF-containing dentifrices were significantly better (P < 0.05) than the control dentifrice in inhibiting VSC formation and reducing H(2)S-producing bacteria. For example, when compared with baseline, the TCF dentifrices reduced VSC formation between 42 and 49% compared with the control dentifrice which reduced VSC formation 3%. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two TCF dentifrice formulations. Using an in vitro breath VSC model, it has been demonstrated that two variants of a dentifrice containing triclosan, PVM/MA copolymer and fluoride have efficacy that is significantly better than a control fluoridated dentifrice and that there is no significant difference between the triclosan/PVM/MA copolymer/fluoride dentifrice variants.

The effect of electroacupuncture at the MA-IC 3 endocrine ear acupoint on fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simadibrata, C.; Budihardjo, F. A.; Srilestari, A.

2017-08-01

The management of diabetes mellitus (DM) involves education, nutritional intervention, and physical exercise, in addition to pharmacological interventions, with the long-term goal of preventing complications through the control of blood glucose levels. Several studies have shown that acupuncture, both conventional acupuncture and electroacupuncture, is useful for lowering blood glucose levels in patients with DM. This study aimed to determine the additional effect of electroacupuncture at the MA-IC 3 Endocrine ear acupoint on fasting blood glucose levels in patients with Type 2 DM who were receiving oral hypoglycemic agents at Banjar General Hospital. In this randomized controlled study, fifty-four study participants who were being treated with oral antidiabetics were allocated into two groups, receiving either electroacupuncture (EA) at the MA-IC 3 ear acupoint with dense disperse wave for 30 minutes or acupuncture at the same point and for the same duration but without EA (No EA). Fasting blood glucose levels were measured before and after the intervention. In Group A (EA), the mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level decreased from 157.26±24.485 to 142.59±26.771 (p < 0.05), whereas in Group B (No EA), the mean FBG decreased from 149.67±21.485 to 148.74±21.326 (p < 0.05). The difference in the amount of FBG decrease between Group A (EA) and Group B (No EA) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). EA at the MA-IC 3 Endocrine lowers FBG levels to a greater degree than acupuncture with no EA in patients with type 2 DM.

Real-Time Observation of Organic Cation Reorientation in Methylammonium Lead Iodide Perovskites.

PubMed

Bakulin, Artem A; Selig, Oleg; Bakker, Huib J; Rezus, Yves L A; Müller, Christian; Glaser, Tobias; Lovrincic, Robert; Sun, Zhenhua; Chen, Zhuoying; Walsh, Aron; Frost, Jarvist M; Jansen, Thomas L C

2015-09-17

The introduction of a mobile and polarized organic moiety as a cation in 3D lead-iodide perovskites brings fascinating optoelectronic properties to these materials. The extent and the time scales of the orientational mobility of the organic cation and the molecular mechanism behind its motion remain unclear, with different experimental and computational approaches providing very different qualitative and quantitative description of the molecular dynamics. Here we use ultrafast 2D vibrational spectroscopy of methylammonium (MA) lead iodide to directly resolve the rotation of the organic cations within the MAPbI3 lattice. Our results reveal two characteristic time constants of motion. Using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we identify these as a fast (∼300 fs) "wobbling-in-a-cone" motion around the crystal axis and a relatively slow (∼3 ps) jump-like reorientation of the molecular dipole with respect to the iodide lattice. The observed dynamics are essential for understanding the electronic properties of perovskite materials.

Evaluation of imaging quality for flat-panel detector based low dose C-arm CT system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seo, Chang-Woo; Cha, Bo Kyung; Jeon, Sungchae

The image quality associated with the extent of the angle of gantry rotation, the number of projection views, and the dose of X-ray radiation was investigated in flat-panel detector (FPD) based C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system for medical applications. A prototype CBCT system for the projection acquisition used the X-ray tube (A-132, Varian inc.) having rhenium-tungsten molybdenum target and flat panel a-Si X-ray detector (PaxScan 4030CB, Varian inc.) having a 397 x 298 mm active area with 388 μm pixel pitch and 1024 x 768 pixels in 2 by 2 binning mode. The performance comparison of X-ray imaging qualitymore » was carried out using the Feldkamp, Davis, and Kress (FDK) reconstruction algorithm between different conditions of projection acquisition. In this work, head-and-dental (75 kVp/20 mA) and chest (90 kVp/25 mA) phantoms were used to evaluate the image quality. The 361 (30 fps x 12 s) projection data during 360 deg. gantry rotation with 1 deg. interval for the 3D reconstruction were acquired. Parke weighting function were applied to handle redundant data and improve the reconstructed image quality in a mobile C-arm system with limited rotation angles. The reconstructed 3D images were investigated for comparison of qualitative image quality in terms of scan protocols (projection views, rotation angles and exposure dose). Furthermore, the performance evaluation in image quality will be investigated regarding X-ray dose and limited projection data for a FPD based mobile C-arm CBCT system. (authors)« less

A mountain river sediment cascade and its controls: the Schöttlbach torrent, Styria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lutzmann, Silke; Stangl, Johannes; Sass, Oliver

2017-04-01

Steep alpine headwater torrents are characterized by episodic heavy floods and bedload pulses triggered by local high-intensity mountain rainstorms. They frequently pose serious risks and damage in the densely populated East Alpine Region. It is important to understand where critical sediments are mobilized, how much bedload is delivered to the outlet and what controls the variability. We present a concept to quantify the sediment cascade's components and influencing factors for the Schöttlbach torrent - a 71 km2 non-glaciated catchment in the Niedere Tauern mountain Range in Styria, Austria. Geomorphic mapping is used to identify primary bedload sources on slope as well as patterns of lithology, slope-channel coupling and vegetation conditioning erosion intensity. We apply modern near-range measuring techniques (TLS, Structure from Motion) to monitor erosion rates from representative erosion sites and sediment delivery rates at the outlet since 2014. These measurements are interpreted based on the geomorphic map to derive a catchment-wide seasonal sediment budget. To explain seasonal variations we evaluate precipitation and discharge data from a dense station network as storm precipitation and runoff events are the main triggers of torrent sediment mobilization. Torrent reaches in instable glaciofluvial sediments of the last glaciation show high average erosion rates of ca. 0.08 m/a from 2014 to 2016 surpassing rates in deeply weathered bedrock reaches by an order of magnitude (approx. 0.006 m/a). We model a torrent-wide erosion volume of 2000 m3/a opposing an output of 7000 m3/a in that period. We attribute parts of this discrepancy to a sediment wave reworking signal of an extreme flood event in 2011.

Enhancement of bradykinin and resensitization of its B2 receptor.

PubMed

Marcic, B; Deddish, P A; Jackman, H L; Erdös, E G

1999-03-01

We studied the enhancement of the effects of bradykinin B2 receptor agonists by agents that react with active centers of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) independent of enzymatic inactivation. The potentiation and the desensitization and resensitization of B2 receptor were assessed by measuring [3H]arachidonic acid release and [Ca2+]i mobilization in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected to express human ACE and B2 receptor, or in endothelial cells with constitutively expressed ACE and receptor. Administration of bradykinin or its ACE-resistant analogue desensitized the receptor, but it was resensitized (arachidonic acid release or [Ca2+]i mobilization) by agents such as enalaprilat (1 micromol/L). Enalaprilat was inactive in the absence of ACE expression. La3+ (100 micromol/L) inhibited the apparent resensitization, probably by blocking the entry of extracellular calcium. Enalaprilat resensitized the receptor via ACE to release arachidonic acid by bradykinin at a lower concentration (5 nmol/L) than required to mobilize [Ca2+]i (1 micromol/L). Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting the ACE N-domain active center and polyclonal antiserum potentiated bradykinin. The snake venom peptide BPP5a and metabolites of angiotensin and bradykinin (angiotensin-[1-9], angiotensin-[1-7], bradykinin-[1-8]; 1 micromol/L) enhanced arachidonic acid release by bradykinin. Angiotensin-(1-9) and -(1-7) also resensitized the receptor. Enalaprilat potentiated the bradykinin effect in cells expressing a mutant ACE with a single N-domain active site. Agents that reacted with a single active site, on the N-domain or on the C-domain, potentiated bradykinin not by blocking its inactivation but by inducing crosstalk between ACE and the receptor. Enalaprilat enhanced signaling via ACE by Galphai in lower concentration than by Galphaq-coupled receptor.

Low-latitude arc–continent collision as a driver for global cooling

PubMed Central

Jagoutz, Oliver; Macdonald, Francis A.; Royden, Leigh

2016-01-01

New constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean indicate that at ∼90–70 Ma and at ∼50–40 Ma, vast quantities of mafic and ultramafic rocks were emplaced at low latitude onto continental crust within the tropical humid belt. These emplacement events correspond temporally with, and are potential agents for, the global climatic cooling events that terminated the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum and the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. We model the temporal effects of CO2 drawdown from the atmosphere due to chemical weathering of these obducted ophiolites, and of CO2 addition to the atmosphere from arc volcanism in the Neo-Tethys, between 100 and 40 Ma. Modeled variations in net CO2-drawdown rates are in excellent agreement with contemporaneous variation of ocean bottom water temperatures over this time interval, indicating that ophiolite emplacement may have played a major role in changing global climate. We demonstrate that both the lithology of the obducted rocks (mafic/ultramafic) and a tropical humid climate with high precipitation rate are needed to produce significant consumption of CO2. Based on these results, we suggest that the low-latitude closure of ocean basins along east–west trending plate boundaries may also have initiated other long-term global cooling events, such as Middle to Late Ordovician cooling and glaciation associated with the closure of the Iapetus Ocean. PMID:27091966

Low-latitude arc-continent collision as a driver for global cooling.

PubMed

Jagoutz, Oliver; Macdonald, Francis A; Royden, Leigh

2016-05-03

New constraints on the tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys Ocean indicate that at ∼90-70 Ma and at ∼50-40 Ma, vast quantities of mafic and ultramafic rocks were emplaced at low latitude onto continental crust within the tropical humid belt. These emplacement events correspond temporally with, and are potential agents for, the global climatic cooling events that terminated the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum and the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum. We model the temporal effects of CO2 drawdown from the atmosphere due to chemical weathering of these obducted ophiolites, and of CO2 addition to the atmosphere from arc volcanism in the Neo-Tethys, between 100 and 40 Ma. Modeled variations in net CO2-drawdown rates are in excellent agreement with contemporaneous variation of ocean bottom water temperatures over this time interval, indicating that ophiolite emplacement may have played a major role in changing global climate. We demonstrate that both the lithology of the obducted rocks (mafic/ultramafic) and a tropical humid climate with high precipitation rate are needed to produce significant consumption of CO2 Based on these results, we suggest that the low-latitude closure of ocean basins along east-west trending plate boundaries may also have initiated other long-term global cooling events, such as Middle to Late Ordovician cooling and glaciation associated with the closure of the Iapetus Ocean.

Improved motor and cognitive performance with sodium nitrite supplementation is related to small metabolite signatures: a pilot trial in middle-aged and older adults

PubMed Central

DeVan, Allison E.; Cruickshank-Quinn, Charmion; Reisdorph, Nichole; Bassett, Candace J.; Evans, Trent D.; Brooks, Forrest A.; Bryan, Nathan S.; Chonchol, Michel B.; Giordano, Tony; McQueen, Matthew B.; Seals, Douglas R.

2015-01-01

Advancing age is associated with reductions in nitric oxide bioavailability and changes in metabolic activity, which are implicated in declines in motor and cognitive function. In preclinical models, sodium nitrite supplementation (SN) increases plasma nitrite and improves motor function, whereas other nitric oxide-boosting agents improve cognitive function. This pilot study was designed to translate these findings to middle-aged and older (MA/O) humans to provide proof-of-concept support for larger trials. SN (10 weeks, 80 or 160 mg/day capsules, TheraVasc, Inc.) acutely and chronically increased plasma nitrite and improved performance on measures of motor and cognitive outcomes (all p<0.05 or better) in healthy MA/O adults (62 ± 7 years). Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that SN significantly altered 33 (160 mg/day) to 45 (80 mg/day) different metabolites, 13 of which were related to changes in functional outcomes; baseline concentrations of 99 different metabolites predicted functional improvements with SN. This pilot study provides the first evidence that SN improves aspects of motor and cognitive function in healthy MA/O adults, and that these improvements are associated with, and predicted by, the plasma metabolome. Our findings provide the necessary support for larger clinical trials on this promising pharmacological strategy for preserving physiological function with aging. PMID:26626856

Investigation of the combined effect of MgO and PEG on the release profile of mefenamic acid prepared via hot-melt extrusion techniques.

PubMed

Alshehri, Sultan M; Tiwari, Roshan V; Alsulays, Bader B; Ashour, Eman A; Alshetaili, Abdullah S; Almutairy, Bjad; Park, Jun-Bom; Morott, Joseph; Sandhu, Bhupinder; Majumdar, Soumyajit; Repka, Michael A

2017-09-01

This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of magnesium oxide (MgO) as an alkalizer and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a plasticizer and wetting agent in the presence of Kollidon® 12 PF and 17 PF polymer carriers on the release profile of mefenamic acid (MA), which was prepared via hot-melt extrusion technique. Various drug loads of MA and various ratios of the polymers, PEG 3350 and MgO were blended using a V-shell blender and extruded using a twin-screw extruder (16-mm Prism EuroLab, ThermoFisher Scientific, Carlsbad, CA) at different screw speeds and temperatures to prepare a solid dispersion system. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction data of the extruded material confirmed that the drug existed in the amorphous form, as evidenced by the absence of corresponding peaks. MgO and PEG altered the micro-environmental pH to be more alkaline (pH 9) and increased the hydrophilicity and dispersibility of the extrudates to enhance MA solubility and release, respectively. The in vitro release study demonstrated an immediate release for 2 h with more than 80% drug release within 45 min in matrices containing MgO and PEG in combination with polyvinylpyrrolidone when compared to the binary mixture, physical mixture and pure drug.

A novel Multi-Agent Ada-Boost algorithm for predicting protein structural class with the information of protein secondary structure.

PubMed

Fan, Ming; Zheng, Bin; Li, Lihua

2015-10-01

Knowledge of the structural class of a given protein is important for understanding its folding patterns. Although a lot of efforts have been made, it still remains a challenging problem for prediction of protein structural class solely from protein sequences. The feature extraction and classification of proteins are the main problems in prediction. In this research, we extended our earlier work regarding these two aspects. In protein feature extraction, we proposed a scheme by calculating the word frequency and word position from sequences of amino acid, reduced amino acid, and secondary structure. For an accurate classification of the structural class of protein, we developed a novel Multi-Agent Ada-Boost (MA-Ada) method by integrating the features of Multi-Agent system into Ada-Boost algorithm. Extensive experiments were taken to test and compare the proposed method using four benchmark datasets in low homology. The results showed classification accuracies of 88.5%, 96.0%, 88.4%, and 85.5%, respectively, which are much better compared with the existing methods. The source code and dataset are available on request.

CoJACK: A High-Level Cognitive Architecture with Demonstrations of Moderators, Variability, and Implications for Situation Awareness

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

defined, to CoJACK (Ritter, Reifers, Klein, & Schoelles, 2007) based on task appraisal theory (e.g., Cannon, 1932; Lazarus & Folkman , 1984; Selye...Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Lazarus , R. S., & Folkman , S. (1984). Stress, appraisal and coping. New York: Springer Publishing. Lovett, M. C., Daily, L...promising. 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 Java JACK Default CoJack CoJack Caffeine CoJack Challenged CoJack Threatened Agent Type Ta n k s D es tr o y e d

Report of the NIH Panel to Define Principles of Therapy of HIV Infection and Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents. Vol. 47/No. RR-5.

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-04-25

MA David Cooper, M.D. National Center for HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research Sydney, NSW, Australia Stephen Follansbee, M.D. Davies...National Association of People with AIDS Washington, DC David Barr, J.D. Forum for Collaborative HIV Research Washington, DC Samuel Bozzette, M.D...Mellors, M.D. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA David Nash, M.D. Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Sallie Perryman New York

Computing with motile bio-agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolau, Dan V., Jr.; Burrage, Kevin; Nicolau, Dan V.

2007-12-01

We describe a model of computation of the parallel type, which we call 'computing with bio-agents', based on the concept that motions of biological objects such as bacteria or protein molecular motors in confined spaces can be regarded as computations. We begin with the observation that the geometric nature of the physical structures in which model biological objects move modulates the motions of the latter. Consequently, by changing the geometry, one can control the characteristic trajectories of the objects; on the basis of this, we argue that such systems are computing devices. We investigate the computing power of mobile bio-agent systems and show that they are computationally universal in the sense that they are capable of computing any Boolean function in parallel. We argue also that using appropriate conditions, bio-agent systems can solve NP-complete problems in probabilistic polynomial time.

Multi-agent integrated password management (MIPM) application secured with encryption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awang, Norkhushaini; Zukri, Nurul Hidayah Ahmad; Rashid, Nor Aimuni Md; Zulkifli, Zuhri Arafah; Nazri, Nor Afifah Mohd

2017-10-01

Users use weak passwords and reuse them on different websites and applications. Password managers are a solution to store login information for websites and help users log in automatically. This project developed a system that acts as an agent managing passwords. Multi-Agent Integrated Password Management (MIPM) is an application using encryption that provides users with secure storage of their login account information such as their username, emails and passwords. This project was developed on an Android platform with an encryption agent using Java Agent Development Environment (JADE). The purpose of the embedded agents is to act as a third-party software to ease the encryption process, and in the future, the developed encryption agents can form part of the security system. This application can be used by the computer and mobile users. Currently, users log into many applications causing them to use unique passwords to prevent password leaking. The crypto agent handles the encryption process using an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 128-bit encryption algorithm. As a whole, MIPM is developed on the Android application to provide a secure platform to store passwords and has high potential to be commercialised for public use.

Using OpenSSH to secure mobile LAN network traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luu, Brian B.; Gopaul, Richard D.

2002-08-01

Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) Local Area Network (LAN) is a technique, developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, which allows a LAN to be IP mobile when attaching to a foreign IP-based network and using this network as a means to retain connectivity to its home network. In this paper, we describe a technique that uses Open Secure Shell (OpenSSH) software to ensure secure, encrypted transmission of a mobile LAN's network traffic. Whenever a mobile LAN, implemented with Mobile IP LAN, moves to a foreign network, its gateway (router) obtains an IP address from the new network. IP tunnels, using IP encapsulation, are then established from the gateway through the foreign network to a home agent on its home network. These tunnels provide a virtual two-way connection to the home network for the mobile LAN as if the LAN were connected directly to its home network. Hence, when IP mobile, a mobile LAN's tunneled network traffic must traverse one or more foreign networks that may not be trusted. This traffic could be subject to eavesdropping, interception, modification, or redirection by malicious nodes in these foreign networks. To protect network traffic passing through the tunnels, OpenSSH is used as a means of encryption because it prevents surveillance, modification, and redirection of mobile LAN traffic passing across foreign networks. Since the software is found in the public domain, is available for most current operating systems, and is commonly used to provide secure network communications, OpenSSH is the software of choice.

Potentiometric assessment of iron release during ferritin reduction by exogenous agents.

PubMed

Vladimirova, Lilia S; Kochev, Valery K

2010-09-01

This work studied the possibilities for quantitative determination of iron mobilization in connection with ferritin reduction by ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and sodium dithionite in vitro. The iron storage protein was incubated with an excess of reductant in aerobic conditions in the absence of complexing agents in the medium. The release of Fe(2+) was let to go to completion, and the overall content of Fe(2+) in the solution was evaluated with the aid of potentiometric titration using Ce(4+) as an oxidizing titrant. Results suggest a moderate iron efflux under the influence of the chosen reducing agents. Although such a reduction of the protein mineral core by dihydroxyfumarate contributes greatly to the iron mobilization, ferritin behavior with vitamin C and dithionite seems to be different. Although redox properties of dihydroxyfumarate are determined by hydroxyl groups similar to those of ascorbic acid, the two compounds differ significantly in structure, and this could be the basis for an explanation of the specificities in their interaction with ferritin. As revealed by the study, potentiometric titration promises to be a reliable tool for evaluation of the amount of Fe(2+) present in the solution as a result of the reduction of the ferritin's mineral core. 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High strength-of-ties and low mobility enable the evolution of third-party punishment

PubMed Central

Roos, Patrick; Gelfand, Michele; Nau, Dana; Carr, Ryan

2014-01-01

As punishment can be essential to cooperation and norm maintenance but costly to the punisher, many evolutionary game-theoretic studies have explored how direct punishment can evolve in populations. Compared to direct punishment, in which an agent acts to punish another for an interaction in which both parties were involved, the evolution of third-party punishment (3PP) is even more puzzling, because the punishing agent itself was not involved in the original interaction. Despite significant empirical studies of 3PP, little is known about the conditions under which it can evolve. We find that punishment reputation is not, by itself, sufficient for the evolution of 3PP. Drawing on research streams in sociology and psychology, we implement a structured population model and show that high strength-of-ties and low mobility are critical for the evolution of responsible 3PP. Only in such settings of high social-structural constraint are punishers able to induce self-interested agents toward cooperation, making responsible 3PP ultimately beneficial to individuals as well as the collective. Our results illuminate the conditions under which 3PP is evolutionarily adaptive in populations. Responsible 3PP can evolve and induce cooperation in cases where other mechanisms alone fail to do so. PMID:24335985

Resource allocation and supervisory control architecture for intelligent behavior generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, Hitesh K.; Bahl, Vikas; Moore, Kevin L.; Flann, Nicholas S.; Martin, Jason

2003-09-01

In earlier research the Center for Self-Organizing and Intelligent Systems (CSOIS) at Utah State University (USU) was funded by the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command's (TACOM) Intelligent Mobility Program to develop and demonstrate enhanced mobility concepts for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). As part of our research, we presented the use of a grammar-based approach to enabling intelligent behaviors in autonomous robotic vehicles. With the growth of the number of available resources on the robot, the variety of the generated behaviors and the need for parallel execution of multiple behaviors to achieve reaction also grew. As continuation of our past efforts, in this paper, we discuss the parallel execution of behaviors and the management of utilized resources. In our approach, available resources are wrapped with a layer (termed services) that synchronizes and serializes access to the underlying resources. The controlling agents (called behavior generating agents) generate behaviors to be executed via these services. The agents are prioritized and then, based on their priority and the availability of requested services, the Control Supervisor decides on a winner for the grant of access to services. Though the architecture is applicable to a variety of autonomous vehicles, we discuss its application on T4, a mid-sized autonomous vehicle developed for security applications.

University Administrators as Forced Language Policy Agents. An Institutional Ethnography of Parallel Language Strategy and Practices at the University of Copenhagen

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siiner, Maarja

2016-01-01

Nation states increasingly assign the responsibility for meeting the global competitiveness agenda to the universities themselves [Cirius, 2009, "Mobilitetsstatistik for de videregaaende uddannelser 2007/08" [Mobility statistics for higher education 2007/08

Motion patterns and phase-transition of a defender-intruder problem and optimal interception strategy of the defender

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jiangliu; Li, Wei

2015-10-01

In this paper, we consider a defense-intrusion interaction, in which an intruder is attracted by a protected stationary target but repulsed by a defender; while the defender tries to move towards an appropriate interception position (IP) between the intruder and the target in order to intercept the intruder and expel the intruder away from the target as maximum as possible. Intuitionally, to keep the intruder further away, one may wonder that: is it a better strategy for the defender trying to approach the intruder as near as possible? Unexpectedly and interestingly enough, this is not always the case. We first introduce the flexibility for IP selection, then investigate the system dynamics and the stable motion patterns, and characterize the phase-transition surface for the motion patterns. We show that, the phase-transition surface just defines the optimal interception strategy of the defender for IP selection; and from the perspective of mobility of agents, the optimal strategy just depends on relative mobility of the two agents.

DualTrust: A Trust Management Model for Swarm-Based Autonomic Computing Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maiden, Wendy M.

Trust management techniques must be adapted to the unique needs of the application architectures and problem domains to which they are applied. For autonomic computing systems that utilize mobile agents and ant colony algorithms for their sensor layer, certain characteristics of the mobile agent ant swarm -- their lightweight, ephemeral nature and indirect communication -- make this adaptation especially challenging. This thesis looks at the trust issues and opportunities in swarm-based autonomic computing systems and finds that by monitoring the trustworthiness of the autonomic managers rather than the swarming sensors, the trust management problem becomes much more scalable and stillmore » serves to protect the swarm. After analyzing the applicability of trust management research as it has been applied to architectures with similar characteristics, this thesis specifies the required characteristics for trust management mechanisms used to monitor the trustworthiness of entities in a swarm-based autonomic computing system and describes a trust model that meets these requirements.« less

Peripheral blood stem cell mobilization: the CXCR2 ligand GRObeta rapidly mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells with enhanced engraftment properties.

PubMed

Pelus, Louis M; Fukuda, Seiji

2006-08-01

Chemokines direct the movement of leukocytes, including hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and can mobilize hematopoietic cells from marrow to peripheral blood where they can be used for transplantation. In this review, we will discuss the stem cell mobilizing activities and mechanisms of action of GRObeta, a CXC chemokine ligand for the CXCR2 receptor. GRObeta rapidly mobilizes short- and long-term repopulating cells in mice and/or monkeys and synergistically enhances mobilization responses when combined with the widely used clinical mobilizer, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The hematopoietic graft mobilized by GRObeta contains significantly more CD34(neg), Sca-1+, c-kit+, lineage(neg) (SKL) cells than the graft mobilized by G-CSF. In mice, stem cells mobilized by GRObeta demonstrate a competitive advantage upon long-term repopulation analysis and restore neutrophil and platelet counts significantly faster than cells mobilized by G-CSF. Even greater advantage in repopulation and restoration of hematopoiesis are observed with stem cells mobilized by the combination of GRObeta and G-CSF. GRObeta-mobilized SKL cells demonstrate enhanced adherence to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and VCAM(pos) endothelial cells and home more efficiently to bone marrow in vivo. The marrow homing ability of GRObeta-mobilized cells is less dependent on the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis than cells mobilized by G-CSF. The mechanism of mobilization by GRObeta requires active matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which results from release of pro-MMP-9 from peripheral blood, and marrow neutrophils, which alters the stoichiometry between pro-MMP-9 and its inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, resulting in MMP-9 activation. The efficacy and rapid action of GRObeta and lack of proinflammatory activity make it an attractive agent to supplement mobilization by G-CSF. In addition, GRObeta may also have clinical mobilizing efficacy on its own, reducing the overall time and costs associated with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Constraints on the timing of Co-Cu ± Au mineralization in the Blackbird district, Idaho, using SHRIMP U-Pb ages of monazite and xenotime plus zircon ages of related Mesoproterozoic orthogneisses and metasedimentary rocks

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aleinikoff, John N.; Slack, John F.; Lund, Karen; Evans, Karl V.; Fanning, C. Mark; Mazdab, Frank K.; Wooden, Joseph L.; Pillers, Renee M.

2012-01-01

The Blackbird district, east-central Idaho, contains the largest known Co reserves in the United States. The origin of strata-hosted Co-Cu ± Au mineralization at Blackbird has been a matter of controversy for decades. In order to differentiate among possible genetic models for the deposits, including various combinations of volcanic, sedimentary, magmatic, and metamorphic processes, we used U-Pb geochronology of xenotime, monazite, and zircon to establish time constraints for ore formation. New age data reported here were obtained using sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) microanalysis of (1) detrital zircons from a sample of Mesoproterozoic siliciclastic metasedimentary country rock in the Blackbird district, (2) igneous zircons from Mesoproterozoic intrusions, and (3) xenotime and monazite from the Merle and Sunshine prospects at Blackbird. Detrital zircon from metasandstone of the biotite phyllite-schist unit has ages mostly in the range of 1900 to 1600 Ma, plus a few Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic grains. Age data for the six youngest grains form a coherent group at 1409 ± 10 Ma, regarded as the maximum age of deposition of metasedimentary country rocks of the central structural domain. Igneous zircons from nine samples of megacrystic granite, granite augen gneiss, and granodiorite augen gneiss that crop out north and east of the Blackbird district yield ages between 1383 ± 4 and 1359 ± 7 Ma. Emplacement of the Big Deer Creek megacrystic granite (1377 ± 4 Ma), structurally juxtaposed with host rocks in the Late Cretaceous ca. 5 km north of Blackbird, may have been involved in initial deposition of rare earth elements (REE) minerals and, possibly, sulfides. In situ SHRIMP ages of xenotime and monazite in Co-rich samples from the Merle and Sunshine prospects, plus backscattered electron imagery and SHRIMP analyses of trace elements, indicate a complex sequence of Mesoproterozoic and Cretaceous events. On the basis of textural relationships observed in thin section, xeno-time and cobaltite formed during multiple episodes. The oldest age for xenotime (1370 ± 4 Ma), determined on oscillatory-zoned cores, may date the time of initial cobaltite formation, and provides a minimum age for the host metasedimentary rocks. Additional Proterozoic xenotime growth events occurred at 1315 to 1270 Ma and ca. 1050 Ma. Other xenotime grains and rims grew in conjunction with cobaltite during Cretaceous metamorphism. However, ages of these growth episodes cannot be precisely determined due to matrix effects on 206Pb/238U data for xenotime. Monazite, some of which encloses cobaltite, uniformly has Cretaceous ages that mainly are 110 ± 3 and 92 ± 5 Ma. These data indicate that xenotime, monazite, and cobaltite were extensively mobilized and precipitated during Middle to Late Cretaceous metamorphic events.