Application of the R-matrix method to photoionization of molecules.

PubMed

Tashiro, Motomichi

2010-04-07

The R-matrix method has been used for theoretical calculation of electron collision with atoms and molecules for long years. The method was also formulated to treat photoionization process, however, its application has been mostly limited to photoionization of atoms. In this work, we implement the R-matrix method to treat molecular photoionization problem based on the UK R-matrix codes. This method can be used for diatomic as well as polyatomic molecules, with multiconfigurational description for electronic states of both target neutral molecule and product molecular ion. Test calculations were performed for valence electron photoionization of nitrogen (N(2)) as well as nitric oxide (NO) molecules. Calculated photoionization cross sections and asymmetry parameters agree reasonably well with the available experimental results, suggesting usefulness of the method for molecular photoionization.

Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Mineral to Matrix Ratios Correlate with Physical Chemical Properties of Model Compounds and Native Bone Tissue.

PubMed

Taylor, Erik A; Lloyd, Ashley A; Salazar-Lara, Carolina; Donnelly, Eve

2017-10-01

Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging techniques can be used to characterize bone composition. In this study, our objective was to validate the Raman mineral:matrix ratios (ν 1 PO 4 :amide III, ν 1 PO 4 :amide I, ν 1 PO 4 :Proline + hydroxyproline, ν 1 PO 4 :Phenylalanine, ν 1 PO 4 :δ CH 2 peak area ratios) by correlating them to ash fraction and the IR mineral:matrix ratio (ν 3 PO 4 :amide I peak area ratio) in chemical standards and native bone tissue. Chemical standards consisting of varying ratios of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen, as well as bone tissue from humans, sheep, and mice, were characterized with confocal Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Raman and IR mineral:matrix ratio values from chemical standards increased reciprocally with ash fraction (Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Amide III: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.966; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Amide I: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.919; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Proline + Hydroxyproline: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.976; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Phenylalanine: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.911; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /δ CH 2 : P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.894; IR P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.91). Fourier transform infrared mineral:matrix ratio values from native bone tissue were also similar to theoretical mineral:matrix ratio values for a given ash fraction. Raman and IR mineral:matrix ratio values were strongly correlated ( P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.82). These results were confirmed by calculating the mineral:matrix ratio for theoretical IR spectra, developed by applying the Beer-Lambert law to calculate the relative extinction coefficients of HA and collagen over the same range of wavenumbers (800-1800 cm -1 ). The results confirm that the Raman mineral:matrix bone composition parameter correlates strongly to ash fraction and to its IR counterpart. Finally, the mineral:matrix ratio values of the native bone tissue are similar to those of both chemical standards and theoretical values, confirming the biological relevance of the chemical standards and the characterization techniques.

EvolQG - An R package for evolutionary quantitative genetics

PubMed Central

Melo, Diogo; Garcia, Guilherme; Hubbe, Alex; Assis, Ana Paula; Marroig, Gabriel

2016-01-01

We present an open source package for performing evolutionary quantitative genetics analyses in the R environment for statistical computing. Evolutionary theory shows that evolution depends critically on the available variation in a given population. When dealing with many quantitative traits this variation is expressed in the form of a covariance matrix, particularly the additive genetic covariance matrix or sometimes the phenotypic matrix, when the genetic matrix is unavailable and there is evidence the phenotypic matrix is sufficiently similar to the genetic matrix. Given this mathematical representation of available variation, the \\textbf{EvolQG} package provides functions for calculation of relevant evolutionary statistics; estimation of sampling error; corrections for this error; matrix comparison via correlations, distances and matrix decomposition; analysis of modularity patterns; and functions for testing evolutionary hypotheses on taxa diversification. PMID:27785352

Double ionization in R -matrix theory using a two-electron outer region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wragg, Jack; Parker, J. S.; van der Hart, H. W.

2015-08-01

We have developed a two-electron outer region for use within R -matrix theory to describe double ionization processes. The capability of this method is demonstrated for single-photon double ionization of He in the photon energy region between 80 and 180 eV. The cross sections are in agreement with established data. The extended R -matrix with time dependence method also provides information on higher-order processes, as demonstrated by the identification of signatures for sequential double ionization processes involving an intermediate He+ state with n =2 .

Ab initio R-matrix calculations of e+-molecule scattering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Danby, Grahame; Tennyson, Jonathan

1990-01-01

The adaptation of the molecular R-matrix method, originally developed for electron-molecule collision studies, to positron scattering is discussed. Ab initio R-matrix calculations are presented for collisions of low energy positrons with a number of diatomic systems including H2, HF and N2. Differential elastic cross sections for positron-H2 show a minimum at about 45 deg for collision energies between 0.3 and 0.5 Ryd. The calculations predict a bound state of positronHF. Calculations on inelastic processes in N2 and O2 are also discussed.

A collagen-based scaffold delivering exogenous microrna-29B to modulate extracellular matrix remodeling.

PubMed

Monaghan, Michael; Browne, Shane; Schenke-Layland, Katja; Pandit, Abhay

2014-04-01

Directing appropriate extracellular matrix remodeling is a key aim of regenerative medicine strategies. Thus, antifibrotic interfering RNA (RNAi) therapy with exogenous microRNA (miR)-29B was proposed as a method to modulate extracellular matrix remodeling following cutaneous injury. It was hypothesized that delivery of miR-29B from a collagen scaffold will efficiently modulate the extracellular matrix remodeling response and reduce maladaptive remodeling such as aggressive deposition of collagen type I after injury. The release of RNA from the scaffold was assessed and its ability to silence collagen type I and collagen type III expression was evaluated in vitro. When primary fibroblasts were cultured with scaffolds doped with miR-29B, reduced levels of collagen type I and collagen type III mRNA expression were observed for up to 2 weeks of culture. When the scaffolds were applied to full thickness wounds in vivo, reduced wound contraction, improved collagen type III/I ratios and a significantly higher matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 ratio were detected when the scaffolds were functionalized with miR-29B. Furthermore, these effects were significantly influenced by the dose of miR-29B in the collagen scaffold (0.5 versus 5 μg). This study shows a potential of combining exogenous miRs with collagen scaffolds to improve extracellular matrix remodeling following injury.

Bayesian source term determination with unknown covariance of measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belal, Alkomiet; Tichý, Ondřej; Šmídl, Václav

2017-04-01

Determination of a source term of release of a hazardous material into the atmosphere is a very important task for emergency response. We are concerned with the problem of estimation of the source term in the conventional linear inverse problem, y = Mx, where the relationship between the vector of observations y is described using the source-receptor-sensitivity (SRS) matrix M and the unknown source term x. Since the system is typically ill-conditioned, the problem is recast as an optimization problem minR,B(y - Mx)TR-1(y - Mx) + xTB-1x. The first term minimizes the error of the measurements with covariance matrix R, and the second term is a regularization of the source term. There are different types of regularization arising for different choices of matrices R and B, for example, Tikhonov regularization assumes covariance matrix B as the identity matrix multiplied by scalar parameter. In this contribution, we adopt a Bayesian approach to make inference on the unknown source term x as well as unknown R and B. We assume prior on x to be a Gaussian with zero mean and unknown diagonal covariance matrix B. The covariance matrix of the likelihood R is also unknown. We consider two potential choices of the structure of the matrix R. First is the diagonal matrix and the second is a locally correlated structure using information on topology of the measuring network. Since the inference of the model is intractable, iterative variational Bayes algorithm is used for simultaneous estimation of all model parameters. The practical usefulness of our contribution is demonstrated on an application of the resulting algorithm to real data from the European Tracer Experiment (ETEX). This research is supported by EEA/Norwegian Financial Mechanism under project MSMT-28477/2014 Source-Term Determination of Radionuclide Releases by Inverse Atmospheric Dispersion Modelling (STRADI).

Vibrational excitation and dissociative attachment of a triatomic molecule: CO/sub 2/ in the collinear approximation

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

Wong, C.F.; Light, J.C.

1986-02-01

The effective R-matrix model and the R-matrix propagative method applied earlier to elec- tron--diatomic-molecule scattering are extended to treat dissociative attachment of collinear triatomic molecules. To describe the vibrational excitation and dissociative attachment of CO/sub 2/ in the 4-eV region, the nuclear dynamics is solved on a Wall-Porter potential-energy surface. A hybrid approach is developed in which the L/sup 2/ and R-matrix propagation methods are combined to evaluate the global R matrix. Our calculations show that it is easier to excite the symmetric mode vibrations than the asymmetric mode vibrations. Our results also show that the observed structures in themore » energy dependence of the dissociative attachment cross sections are due to the vibrational states of the negative ion (CO/sub 2/ /sup -/) and not to the vibrational states of the CO fragment.« less

Efficient diagonalization of the sparse matrices produced within the framework of the UK R-matrix molecular codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galiatsatos, P. G.; Tennyson, J.

2012-11-01

The most time consuming step within the framework of the UK R-matrix molecular codes is that of the diagonalization of the inner region Hamiltonian matrix (IRHM). Here we present the method that we follow to speed up this step. We use shared memory machines (SMM), distributed memory machines (DMM), the OpenMP directive based parallel language, the MPI function based parallel language, the sparse matrix diagonalizers ARPACK and PARPACK, a variation for real symmetric matrices of the official coordinate sparse matrix format and finally a parallel sparse matrix-vector product (PSMV). The efficient application of the previous techniques rely on two important facts: the sparsity of the matrix is large enough (more than 98%) and in order to get back converged results we need a small only part of the matrix spectrum.

Low-rank matrix fitting based on subspace perturbation analysis with applications to structure from motion.

PubMed

Jia, Hongjun; Martinez, Aleix M

2009-05-01

The task of finding a low-rank (r) matrix that best fits an original data matrix of higher rank is a recurring problem in science and engineering. The problem becomes especially difficult when the original data matrix has some missing entries and contains an unknown additive noise term in the remaining elements. The former problem can be solved by concatenating a set of r-column matrices that share a common single r-dimensional solution space. Unfortunately, the number of possible submatrices is generally very large and, hence, the results obtained with one set of r-column matrices will generally be different from that captured by a different set. Ideally, we would like to find that solution that is least affected by noise. This requires that we determine which of the r-column matrices (i.e., which of the original feature points) are less influenced by the unknown noise term. This paper presents a criterion to successfully carry out such a selection. Our key result is to formally prove that the more distinct the r vectors of the r-column matrices are, the less they are swayed by noise. This key result is then combined with the use of a noise model to derive an upper bound for the effect that noise and occlusions have on each of the r-column matrices. It is shown how this criterion can be effectively used to recover the noise-free matrix of rank r. Finally, we derive the affine and projective structure-from-motion (SFM) algorithms using the proposed criterion. Extensive validation on synthetic and real data sets shows the superiority of the proposed approach over the state of the art.

Proceedings of the Japan - U.S. Conference on Composite Materials (6th) Held in Orlando, Florida on June 22-24, 1992

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-03-01

correlation was determined between the matrix microplastic flow and the global composite tensile stress-strain curve. Based on the knowledge of the...framentation of the elastic matrix to form remnant elastic pockets at Silw tip surrounded y the matrix plastic flow. The matrix microplasticity is also...Deformation of SiC-Al Composites.’ Mater. Sci. Engng., A131:55-68. 11. Hamann, R., P. F. Gobin, and R. Fougeres, 1990. "A Study of the Microplasticity of Some

Theoretical Prediction of Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectra of R- Glyceraldehyde, R-Erythrose, and R-Threose. 2. Development of a Procedure to Scale the Force Constant Matrix Expressed in Terms of Internal Coordinates

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

IS PROGRAM NUMBER 1 OF THE COMPLETE VIBRATIONAL PACKAGE. C C BMAT ... WIL.riON B MATRIX ELDEMETS FOR INTERNAL COORDINATES C iVERSIONO JUL 28, 1977) C...MATRIX ISCAN=ISCAN+ 1 IER=O GO TO 30 210 WRITE(6,1120) STOP 1000 FORMAT(20A4/20A4/214) 1010 FORMAT(’l’,20A4,24X.’ BMAT (VERSIONO JUL 28. 1977)’/1X,20A4

The R-matrix investigation of 8Li(α, n)11B reaction below 6 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilic, Ali Ihsan; Muecher, Dennis; Garret, Paul; Svensson, Carl

2017-09-01

The investigation of cross sections for the 8Li(α, n)11B reaction has important impact for both primordial nucleosynthesis in the inhomogeneous models as well as constraining the physical conditions characterizing the r-process. However, there are large discrepancies existing between inclusive and exclusive measurements of the cross section below 3 MeV. The R-Matrix technique is a powerful tool for the analysis of the nuclear data for the purpose of extracting level information of compound nucleus 12B and extrapolation of the astrophysical S-Factor to Gamow energies. We have applied the R-matrix calculations for the 8Li(α, n)11B reaction and will present results for both the reaction rates and the partial S-factor. Combining the direct reaction contribution with the results from our R-matrix calculations, we can well describe the experimental data from the inclusive measurements. However, new experiments are needed in order to understand the role of neutron detection close to the threshold, for which we describe our experimental plans at ISAC, TRIUMF, using the newly developed DESCANT array.

Mir-29 repression in bladder outlet obstruction contributes to matrix remodeling and altered stiffness.

PubMed

Ekman, Mari; Bhattachariya, Anirban; Dahan, Diana; Uvelius, Bengt; Albinsson, Sebastian; Swärd, Karl

2013-01-01

Recent work has uncovered a role of the microRNA (miRNA) miR-29 in remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Partial bladder outlet obstruction is a prevalent condition in older men with prostate enlargement that leads to matrix synthesis in the lower urinary tract and increases bladder stiffness. Here we tested the hypothesis that miR-29 is repressed in the bladder in outlet obstruction and that this has an impact on protein synthesis and matrix remodeling leading to increased bladder stiffness. c-Myc, NF-κB and SMAD3, all of which repress miR-29, were activated in the rat detrusor following partial bladder outlet obstruction but at different times. c-Myc and NF-κB activation occurred early after obstruction, and SMAD3 phosphorylation increased later, with a significant elevation at 6 weeks. c-Myc, NF-κB and SMAD3 activation, respectively, correlated with repression of miR-29b and miR-29c at 10 days of obstruction and with repression of miR-29c at 6 weeks. An mRNA microarray analysis showed that the reduction of miR-29 following outlet obstruction was associated with increased levels of miR-29 target mRNAs, including mRNAs for tropoelastin, the matricellular protein Sparc and collagen IV. Outlet obstruction increased protein levels of eight out of eight examined miR-29 targets, including tropoelastin and Sparc. Transfection of human bladder smooth muscle cells with antimiR-29c and miR-29c mimic caused reciprocal changes in target protein levels in vitro. Tamoxifen inducible and smooth muscle-specific deletion of Dicer in mice reduced miR-29 expression and increased tropoelastin and the thickness of the basal lamina surrounding smooth muscle cells in the bladder. It also increased detrusor stiffness independent of outlet obstruction. Taken together, our study supports a model where the combined repressive influences of c-Myc, NF-κB and SMAD3 reduce miR-29 in bladder outlet obstruction, and where the resulting drop in miR-29 contributes to matrix remodeling and altered passive mechanical properties of the detrusor.

Properties and Residual Stresses in Angle-Ply Polymer Matrix Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

AMMRC TR 82-12 PROPERTIES AND RES l DUAL STRESSES IN ANGLE-PLY POLYMER MATR l X COMPOSITES March 1982 ABDEL A. FAHMY,, HARVEY A. WEST, and MARK...m D.e. Enl.r.d) PROPERTIES AND RESIDUAL STRESSES I N ANGLE-PLY F i n a l Report POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES REPORTDOCUMENTATlON PAGE I 7. AUTHOR...SUPPLEMENTARV NOTES L 19. KEY WORDS (Comclrm. m r.r.r. wd. 11 ner..sw and idenllfy by blocb nmb-r) Composites Thermal expansion Epoxy l a m i n a t e s

Coupled-cluster based R-matrix codes (CCRM): Recent developments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sur, Chiranjib; Pradhan, Anil K.

2008-05-01

We report the ongoing development of the new coupled-cluster R-matrix codes (CCRM) for treating electron-ion scattering and radiative processes within the framework of the relativistic coupled-cluster method (RCC), interfaced with the standard R-matrix methodology. The RCC method is size consistent and in principle equivalent to an all-order many-body perturbation theory. The RCC method is one of the most accurate many-body theories, and has been applied for several systems. This project should enable the study of electron-interactions with heavy atoms/ions, utilizing not only high speed computing platforms but also improved theoretical description of the relativistic and correlation effects for the target atoms/ions as treated extensively within the RCC method. Here we present a comprehensive outline of the newly developed theoretical method and a schematic representation of the new suite of CCRM codes. We begin with the flowchart and description of various stages involved in this development. We retain the notations and nomenclature of different stages as analogous to the standard R-matrix codes.

Algebro-geometric approach for a centrally extended Uq[sl(2|2)] R-matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins, M. J.

2017-04-01

In this paper we investigate the algebraic geometric nature of a solution of the Yang-Baxter equation based on the quantum deformation of the centrally extended sl (2 | 2) superalgebra proposed by Beisert and Koroteev [1]. We derive an alternative representation for the R-matrix in which the matrix elements are given in terms of rational functions depending on weights sited on a degree six surface. For generic gauge the weights geometry are governed by a genus one ruled surface while for a symmetric gauge choice the weights lie instead on a genus five curve. We have written down the polynomial identities satisfied by the R-matrix entries needed to uncover the corresponding geometric properties. For arbitrary gauge the R-matrix geometry is argued to be birational to the direct product CP1 ×CP1 × A where A is an Abelian surface. For the symmetric gauge we present evidences that the geometric content is that of a surface of general type lying on the so-called Severi line with irregularity two and geometric genus nine. We discuss potential geometric degenerations when the two free couplings are restricted to certain one-dimensional subspaces.

Classical r-matrices for the generalised Chern–Simons formulation of 3d gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osei, Prince K.; Schroers, Bernd J.

2018-04-01

We study the conditions for classical r-matrices to be compatible with the generalised Chern–Simons action for 3d gravity. Compatibility means solving the classical Yang–Baxter equations with a prescribed symmetric part for each of the real Lie algebras and bilinear pairings arising in the generalised Chern–Simons action. We give a new construction of r-matrices via a generalised complexification and derive a non-linear set of matrix equations determining the most general compatible r-matrix. We exhibit new families of solutions and show that they contain some known r-matrices for special parameter values.

Construction of general colored R matrices for the Yang-Baxter equation and q-boson realization of quantum algebra SL[sub q](2) when q is a root of unity

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

Ge, M.L.; Sun, C.P.; Xue, K.

1992-10-20

In this paper, through a general q-boson realization of quantum algebra sl[sub q](2) and its universal R matrix an operator R matrix with many parameters is obtained in terms of q-boson operators. Building finite-dimensional representations of q-boson algebra, the authors construct various colored R matrices associated with nongeneric representations of sl[sub q](2) with dimension-independent parameters. The nonstandard R matrices obtained by Lee-Couture and Murakami are their special examples.

Novel Calibration Algorithm for a Three-Axis Strapdown Magnetometer

PubMed Central

Liu, Yan Xia; Li, Xi Sheng; Zhang, Xiao Juan; Feng, Yi Bo

2014-01-01

A complete error calibration model with 12 independent parameters is established by analyzing the three-axis magnetometer error mechanism. The said model conforms to an ellipsoid restriction, the parameters of the ellipsoid equation are estimated, and the ellipsoid coefficient matrix is derived. However, the calibration matrix cannot be determined completely, as there are fewer ellipsoid parameters than calibration model parameters. Mathematically, the calibration matrix derived from the ellipsoid coefficient matrix by a different matrix decomposition method is not unique, and there exists an unknown rotation matrix R between them. This paper puts forward a constant intersection angle method (angles between the geomagnetic field and gravitational field are fixed) to estimate R. The Tikhonov method is adopted to solve the problem that rounding errors or other errors may seriously affect the calculation results of R when the condition number of the matrix is very large. The geomagnetic field vector and heading error are further corrected by R. The constant intersection angle method is convenient and practical, as it is free from any additional calibration procedure or coordinate transformation. In addition, the simulation experiment indicates that the heading error declines from ±1° calibrated by classical ellipsoid fitting to ±0.2° calibrated by a constant intersection angle method, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 50 dB. The actual experiment exhibits that the heading error is further corrected from ±0.8° calibrated by the classical ellipsoid fitting to ±0.3° calibrated by a constant intersection angle method. PMID:24831110

Concurrent MR-NIR Imaging for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

the extended Kalman filtering (EKF) framework. Note that both the fluorophore concentrations in different compartments, C(rj , k), and the system...r1 − r2)δ(k1 − k2)Z1. 10) Estimation of Pharmacokinetic-Rate Images by Extended Kalman Filtering: Our objective is to estimate the fluorophore...covariance update at time k. Hk is the recursive Kalman gain matrix at time k and I is the identity matrix. Jk−1 is the Jacobian matrix due to iterative

Application of mixture experimental design in the formulation and optimization of matrix tablets containing carbomer and hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose.

PubMed

Petrovic, Aleksandra; Cvetkovic, Nebojsa; Ibric, Svetlana; Trajkovic, Svetlana; Djuric, Zorica; Popadic, Dragica; Popovic, Radmila

2009-12-01

Using mixture experimental design, the effect of carbomer (Carbopol((R)) 971P NF) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Methocel((R)) K100M or Methocel((R)) K4M) combination on the release profile and on the mechanism of drug liberation from matrix tablet was investigated. The numerical optimization procedure was also applied to establish and obtain formulation with desired drug release. The amount of TP released, release rate and mechanism varied with carbomer ratio in total matrix and HPMC viscosity. Increasing carbomer fractions led to a decrease in drug release. Anomalous diffusion was found in all matrices containing carbomer, while Case - II transport was predominant for tablet based on HPMC only. The predicted and obtained profiles for optimized formulations showed similarity. Those results indicate that Simplex Lattice Mixture experimental design and numerical optimization procedure can be applied during development to obtain sustained release matrix formulation with desired release profile.

Triple collocation-based estimation of spatially correlated observation error covariance in remote sensing soil moisture data assimilation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Kai; Shu, Hong; Nie, Lei; Jiao, Zhenhang

2018-01-01

Spatially correlated errors are typically ignored in data assimilation, thus degenerating the observation error covariance R to a diagonal matrix. We argue that a nondiagonal R carries more observation information making assimilation results more accurate. A method, denoted TC_Cov, was proposed for soil moisture data assimilation to estimate spatially correlated observation error covariance based on triple collocation (TC). Assimilation experiments were carried out to test the performance of TC_Cov. AMSR-E soil moisture was assimilated with a diagonal R matrix computed using the TC and assimilated using a nondiagonal R matrix, as estimated by proposed TC_Cov. The ensemble Kalman filter was considered as the assimilation method. Our assimilation results were validated against climate change initiative data and ground-based soil moisture measurements using the Pearson correlation coefficient and unbiased root mean square difference metrics. These experiments confirmed that deterioration of diagonal R assimilation results occurred when model simulation is more accurate than observation data. Furthermore, nondiagonal R achieved higher correlation coefficient and lower ubRMSD values over diagonal R in experiments and demonstrated the effectiveness of TC_Cov to estimate richly structuralized R in data assimilation. In sum, compared with diagonal R, nondiagonal R may relieve the detrimental effects of assimilation when simulated model results outperform observation data.

The contribution of lot-to-lot variation to the measurement uncertainty of an LC-MS-based multi-mycotoxin assay.

PubMed

Stadler, David; Sulyok, Michael; Schuhmacher, Rainer; Berthiller, Franz; Krska, Rudolf

2018-05-01

Multi-mycotoxin determination by LC-MS is commonly based on external solvent-based or matrix-matched calibration and, if necessary, the correction for the method bias. In everyday practice, the method bias (expressed as apparent recovery RA), which may be caused by losses during the recovery process and/or signal/suppression enhancement, is evaluated by replicate analysis of a single spiked lot of a matrix. However, RA may vary for different lots of the same matrix, i.e., lot-to-lot variation, which can result in a higher relative expanded measurement uncertainty (U r ). We applied a straightforward procedure for the calculation of U r from the within-laboratory reproducibility, which is also called intermediate precision, and the uncertainty of RA (u r,RA ). To estimate the contribution of the lot-to-lot variation to U r , the measurement results of one replicate of seven different lots of figs and maize and seven replicates of a single lot of these matrices, respectively, were used to calculate U r . The lot-to-lot variation was contributing to u r,RA and thus to U r for the majority of the 66 evaluated analytes in both figs and maize. The major contributions of the lot-to-lot variation to u r,RA were differences in analyte recovery in figs and relative matrix effects in maize. U r was estimated from long-term participation in proficiency test schemes with 58%. Provided proper validation, a fit-for-purpose U r of 50% was proposed for measurement results obtained by an LC-MS-based multi-mycotoxin assay, independent of the concentration of the analytes.

miR-132 Regulates Dendritic Spine Structure by Direct Targeting of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 mRNA.

PubMed

Jasińska, Magdalena; Miłek, Jacek; Cymerman, Iwona A; Łęski, Szymon; Kaczmarek, Leszek; Dziembowska, Magdalena

2016-09-01

Mir-132 is a neuronal activity-regulated microRNA that controls the morphology of dendritic spines and neuronal transmission. Similar activities have recently been attributed to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an extrasynaptic protease. In the present study, we provide evidence that miR-132 directly regulates MMP-9 mRNA in neurons to modulate synaptic plasticity. With the use of luciferase reporter system, we show that miR-132 binds to the 3'UTR of MMP-9 mRNA to regulate its expression in neurons. The overexpression of miR-132 in neurons reduces the level of endogenous MMP-9 protein secretion. In synaptoneurosomes, metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-induced signaling stimulates the dissociation of miR-132 from polyribosomal fractions and shifts it towards the messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP)-containing fraction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the overexpression of miR-132 in the cultured hippocampal neurons from Fmr1 KO mice that have increased synaptic MMP-9 level provokes enlargement of the dendritic spine heads, a process previously implicated in enhanced synaptic plasticity. We propose that activity-dependent miR-132 regulates structural plasticity of dendritic spines through matrix metalloproteinase 9.

[Evaluation of the Peusner's coefficients matrix for polymeric membrane and ternary non-electrolyte solutions].

PubMed

Jasik-Slęzak, Jolanta; Slęzak-Prochazka, Izabella; Slęzak, Andrzej

2014-01-01

A system of network forms of Kedem-Katchalsky (K-K) equations for ternary non-electrolyte solutions is made of eight matrix equations containing Peusner's coefficients R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), K(ij), N(ij), S(ij) or P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}). The equations are the result of symmetric or hybrid transformation of the classic form of K-K equations by the use of methods of Peusner's network thermodynamics (PNT). Calculating concentration dependences of the determinant of Peusner's coefficients matrixes R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), S(ij), N(ij), K(ij) and P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}). The material used in the experiment was a hemodialysis Nephrophan membrane with specified transport properties (L(p), σ, Ω) in aqueous glucose and ethanol solution. The method involved equations for determinants of the matrixes coefficients R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), S(ij), N(ij), K(ij) or P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}). The objective of calculations were dependences of determinants of Peusner's coeffcients matrixes R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), S(ij), N(ij), K(ij) or P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}) within the conditions of solution homogeneity upon an average concentration of one component of solution in the membrane (C1) with a determined value of the second component (C2). The method of calculating the determinants of Peusner's coeffcients matrixes R(ij), L(ij), H(ij), W(ij), S(ij), N(ij), K(ij) or P(ij) (i, j ∈ {1, 2, 3}) is a new tool that may be applicable in studies on membrane transport. Calculations showed that the coefficients are sensitive to concentration and composition of solutions separated by a polymeric membrane.

Geochemical and oxygen isotope perspective of a new R chondrite Dhofar 1671: Affinity with ordinary chondrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Arshad; Nasir, Sobhi J.; Jabeen, Iffat; Al Rawas, Ahmed; Banerjee, Neil R.; Osinski, Gordon R.

2017-09-01

Dhofar 1671 is a relatively new meteorite that previous studies suggest belongs to the Rumuruti chondrite class. Major and REE compositions are generally in agreement with average values of the R chondrites (RCs). Moderately volatile elements such as Se and Zn abundances are lower than the R chondrite values that are similar to those in ordinary chondrites (OCs). Porphyritic olivine pyroxene (POP), radial pyroxene (RP), and barred olivine (BO) chondrules are embedded in a proportionately equal volume of matrix, one of the characteristic features of RCs. Microprobe analyses demonstrate compositional zoning in chondrule and matrix olivines showing Fa-poor interior and Fa-rich outer zones. Precise oxygen isotope data for chondrules and matrix obtained by laser-assisted fluorination show a genetic isotopic relationship between OCs and RCs. On the basis of our data, we propose a strong affinity between these groups and suggest that OC chondrule precursors could have interacted with a 17O-rich matrix to form RC chondrules (i.e., ∆17O shifts from 1‰ to 3‰). These interactions could have occurred at the same time as "exotic" clasts in brecciated samples formed such as NWA 10214 (LL3-6), Parnallee (LL3), PCA91241 (R3.8-6), and Dhofar 1671 (R3.6). We also infer that the source of the oxidation and 17O enrichment is the matrix, which may have been enriched in 17O-rich water. The abundance of matrix in RCs relative to OCs, ensured that these rocks would be apparently more oxidized and appreciably 17O-enriched. In situ analysis of Dhofar 1671 is recommended to further strengthen the link between OCs and RCs.

Smart Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastic (NFRP) Composites Based On Recycled Polypropylene in The Presence Kaolin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suharty, N. S.; Ismail, H.; Diharjo, K.; Handayani, D. S.; Lestari, W. A.

2017-07-01

Composites contain double filler material which act as reinforcement and flame retardants of recycled polypropylene (rPP)/kaolin(Kao)/palm oil empty bunch fiber (PEBF) have been succesfully prepared. The composites were synthesized through reactively solution method, using coupling agent PP-g-AA and compatibilizer DVB. The effect of double filler [Kao/PEBF] were investigated flexural strength (FS), inflammability, and morphology. Mechanical testing result in accordance to ASTM D790, the FS of rPP/DVB/PP-g-AA/Kao+ZB/PEBF composite was 48% higher than that of rPP matrix. Moreover, flexural modulus (FM) was significantly improved by 56% as compared to that of rPP matrix. The scanning electron images (SEM) shown good dispersion of [Ka/PEBF] and good filler-matrix interaction. The inflammability testing result which is tested using ASTM D635, showed that the flame resistance of rPP/DVB/PP-g-AA/Kao+ZB/PEBF composite was improve by increasing of time to ignition (TTI) about 857% and burning rate (BR) decreasing to 66% compared to the raw material rPP matrix. In the same time, the addition of 20% (w/w) PEBF as a second filler to form rPP/DVB/PP-g-AA/Kao+ZB/PEBF composites (F5) is able to increase: the FS by 17.5%, the FM by 19%, the TTI by 7.6% and the BR by 3.7% compared to the composite without PEBF (F2).

A B-spline Galerkin method for the Dirac equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Froese Fischer, Charlotte; Zatsarinny, Oleg

2009-06-01

The B-spline Galerkin method is first investigated for the simple eigenvalue problem, y=-λy, that can also be written as a pair of first-order equations y=λz, z=-λy. Expanding both y(r) and z(r) in the B basis results in many spurious solutions such as those observed for the Dirac equation. However, when y(r) is expanded in the B basis and z(r) in the dB/dr basis, solutions of the well-behaved second-order differential equation are obtained. From this analysis, we propose a stable method ( B,B) basis for the Dirac equation and evaluate its accuracy by comparing the computed and exact R-matrix for a wide range of nuclear charges Z and angular quantum numbers κ. When splines of the same order are used, many spurious solutions are found whereas none are found for splines of different order. Excellent agreement is obtained for the R-matrix and energies for bound states for low values of Z. For high Z, accuracy requires the use of a grid with many points near the nucleus. We demonstrate the accuracy of the bound-state wavefunctions by comparing integrals arising in hyperfine interaction matrix elements with exact analytic expressions. We also show that the Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn sum rule is not a good measure of the quality of the solutions obtained by the B-spline Galerkin method whereas the R-matrix is very sensitive to the appearance of pseudo-states.

Residual Strength after Fatigue of Unidirectional and Cross-Ply Metal Matrix Composites at Elevated Temperature

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-06-01

MPO)SIT[lS A’l’ 1’IIVA tI , P R T 1R , ’[II?,I Scil.’’/e Cliou . Major, 1R. C ). 0’. ARMY AFIT/ GAE / ENY I 9(’ , 96-01650 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE...UNIDIRECTIONAL AND CROSS-PLY METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE THESISp Sen-Tzcr Chiou, Major, R. 0. C ., ARMY AFIT GAE ENY 96 J-2 Approved for...for the Degree of’ Master of Sciene in Aeronautical Engince. ing Sen-Tzer ChioLu. Major, R. 0. C ., ARMY June, 1996 Approved for public release

Toric Networks, Geometric R-Matrices and Generalized Discrete Toda Lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Rei; Lam, Thomas; Pylyavskyy, Pavlo

2016-11-01

We use the combinatorics of toric networks and the double affine geometric R-matrix to define a three-parameter family of generalizations of the discrete Toda lattice. We construct the integrals of motion and a spectral map for this system. The family of commuting time evolutions arising from the action of the R-matrix is explicitly linearized on the Jacobian of the spectral curve. The solution to the initial value problem is constructed using Riemann theta functions.

Matrix-M™ adjuvant enhances immunogenicity of both protein- and modified vaccinia virus Ankara-based influenza vaccines in mice.

PubMed

Magnusson, Sofia E; Altenburg, Arwen F; Bengtsson, Karin Lövgren; Bosman, Fons; de Vries, Rory D; Rimmelzwaan, Guus F; Stertman, Linda

2018-04-01

Influenza viruses continuously circulate in the human population and escape recognition by virus neutralizing antibodies induced by prior infection or vaccination through accumulation of mutations in the surface proteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Various strategies to develop a vaccine that provides broad protection against different influenza A viruses are under investigation, including use of recombinant (r) viral vectors and adjuvants. The replication-deficient modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a promising vaccine vector that efficiently induces B and T cell responses specific for the antigen of interest. It is assumed that live vaccine vectors do not require an adjuvant to be immunogenic as the vector already mediates recruitment and activation of immune cells. To address this topic, BALB/c mice were vaccinated with either protein- or rMVA-based HA influenza vaccines, formulated with or without the saponin-based Matrix-M™ adjuvant. Co-formulation with Matrix-M significantly increased HA vaccine immunogenicity, resulting in antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses comparable to those induced by unadjuvanted rMVA-HA. Of special interest, rMVA-HA immunogenicity was also enhanced by addition of Matrix-M, demonstrated by enhanced HA inhibition antibody titres and cellular immune responses. Matrix-M added to either protein- or rMVA-based HA vaccines mediated recruitment and activation of antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes to the draining lymph node 24 and 48 h post-vaccination. Taken together, these results suggest that adjuvants can be used not only with protein-based vaccines but also in combination with rMVA to increase vaccine immunogenicity, which may be a step forward to generate new and more effective influenza vaccines.

Effect of reduced graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes hybrid nanofillers in mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sa, Kadambinee; Mahakul, Prakash C.; Subramanyam, B. V. R. S.; Raiguru, Jagatpati; Das, Sonali; Alam, Injamul; Mahanandia, Pitamber

2018-03-01

Graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have tremendous interest as reinforcing fillers due to their excellent physical properties. However, their reinforcing effect in polymer matrix is limited due to agglomeration of graphene and CNTs within the polymer matrix. Mechanical properties by the admixture of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and CNTs in Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) prepared by solution mixing method has been investigated. The prepared samples are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The hybrid composite shows improvement in the mechanical properties compared to rGO/PMMA and MWCNTs/PMMA composites due to better interaction between rGO-MWCNTs and polymer matrix.

Maximum Entropy/Optimal Projection Design Synthesis for Decentralized Control of Large Space Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-05-01

M 21 M2 I SI M1l[11 II1211 - - - M= II 2+111 I11-211 NONNEGATIVE CONE ORDERING Figure 25. The Matrix Majorant Is a Bound for the Hatrix Block Norm...the with respect to the cone of nonnegative -definite matrices. inequality (1.5) by the r x r nonnegative matrix equation Indeed, the majorant bound...t) eA-) e ea ’ A rT(" 3 ds, t> O , ju E [0 , 1] 0 J(G, )= tr (0,(6)R,) which is monotonically increasing in the nonnegative -definite G , cone with

A New Type of Carbon Nanostructure Formed Within a Metal-Matrix

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

A New Type of Carbon Nanostructure Formed Within a Metal-Matrix 1 Lourdes Salamanca-Riba, 1 Romaine Isaacs, 2 Azzam N. Mansour, 3 Adam Hall, 2...HAADF imaging. REFERENCES [1] D.A. Muller, Y. Tzou, R. Raj, and J . Silcox, Nature 366, 725 (1993). [2] R.R. Schlittler, J.W. Seo, J.K...Gimzewiski, C. Durkan, M.S.M. Saifullah, M.E. Welland, Science 292, 1136 (2001). [3] A.C. Ferrari, and J . Robertson, Phys. Rev. B 61, 14095 (2000). [4

Carrier Aviation and Hybrid Conflict: The Future of the Strike Fighter

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-05-01

MDTC NTA NTSIR OCA OEF OIF PGM. ROE SACT SAM SAR· SEAD SFARP SFTI SFWT .STW T& R TST UAS UCAS-D ULT Acronyms Anti Air Warfare...34tance ’ \\ ’ ’ of air-to-air training, or suggest a change to the training and readiness matrix (T& R ) or IDRC, but rather examine the mission...illustrate another example of the emphasis on air-to~air. In 2008, the new T & R matrix for the USMC F/ A-18 eliminated the Air Combat Tactics

Heat Transfer Characteristics of Regenerator Matrix (Case of Packed Wire Gauzes)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamaguchi, K.; Takahashi, S.; Miyabe, H.

1984-01-01

The average heat transfer coefficient in the matrix of laminated wire screens (10 to 250 mesh) for a Stirling engine heat exchanger was studied experimentally. The data are correlated by N sub ud = 0.42 R sub ed 0.56 (3 or = R sub ed or = 400), and R sub ed are the Nusselt and Reynolds nubmers based on the wire diameter. The pressure drop decreased and the heat transfer increased as the wire diameter was decreased.

Matrix superpotentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikitin, Anatoly G.; Karadzhov, Yuri

2011-07-01

We present a collection of matrix-valued shape invariant potentials which give rise to new exactly solvable problems of SUSY quantum mechanics. It includes all irreducible matrix superpotentials of the generic form W=kQ+\\frac{1}{k} R+P, where k is a variable parameter, Q is the unit matrix multiplied by a real-valued function of independent variable x, and P and R are the Hermitian matrices depending on x. In particular, we recover the Pron'ko-Stroganov 'matrix Coulomb potential' and all known scalar shape invariant potentials of SUSY quantum mechanics. In addition, five new shape invariant potentials are presented. Three of them admit a dual shape invariance, i.e. the related Hamiltonians can be factorized using two non-equivalent superpotentials. We find discrete spectrum and eigenvectors for the corresponding Schrödinger equations and prove that these eigenvectors are normalizable.

Fourier-Legendre expansion of the one-electron density matrix of ground-state two-electron atoms.

PubMed

Ragot, Sébastien; Ruiz, María Belén

2008-09-28

The density matrix rho(r,r(')) of a spherically symmetric system can be expanded as a Fourier-Legendre series of Legendre polynomials P(l)(cos theta=rr(')rr(')). Application is here made to harmonically trapped electron pairs (i.e., Moshinsky's and Hooke's atoms), for which exact wavefunctions are known, and to the helium atom, using a near-exact wavefunction. In the present approach, generic closed form expressions are derived for the series coefficients of rho(r,r(')). The series expansions are shown to converge rapidly in each case, with respect to both the electron number and the kinetic energy. In practice, a two-term expansion accounts for most of the correlation effects, so that the correlated density matrices of the atoms at issue are essentially a linear functions of P(l)(cos theta)=cos theta. For example, in the case of Hooke's atom, a two-term expansion takes in 99.9% of the electrons and 99.6% of the kinetic energy. The correlated density matrices obtained are finally compared to their determinantal counterparts, using a simplified representation of the density matrix rho(r,r(')), suggested by the Legendre expansion. Interestingly, two-particle correlation is shown to impact the angular delocalization of each electron, in the one-particle space spanned by the r and r(') variables.

Planck constant as spectral parameter in integrable systems and KZB equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, A.; Olshanetsky, M.; Zotov, A.

2014-10-01

We construct special rational gl N Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov-Bernard (KZB) equations with Ñ punctures by deformation of the corresponding quantum gl N rational R-matrix. They have two parameters. The limit of the first one brings the model to the ordinary rational KZ equation. Another one is τ. At the level of classical mechanics the deformation parameter τ allows to extend the previously obtained modified Gaudin models to the modified Schlesinger systems. Next, we notice that the identities underlying generic (elliptic) KZB equations follow from some additional relations for the properly normalized R-matrices. The relations are noncommutative analogues of identities for (scalar) elliptic functions. The simplest one is the unitarity condition. The quadratic (in R matrices) relations are generated by noncommutative Fay identities. In particular, one can derive the quantum Yang-Baxter equations from the Fay identities. The cubic relations provide identities for the KZB equations as well as quadratic relations for the classical r-matrices which can be treated as halves of the classical Yang-Baxter equation. At last we discuss the R-matrix valued linear problems which provide gl Ñ CM models and Painlevé equations via the above mentioned identities. The role of the spectral parameter plays the Planck constant of the quantum R-matrix. When the quantum gl N R-matrix is scalar ( N = 1) the linear problem reproduces the Krichever's ansatz for the Lax matrices with spectral parameter for the gl Ñ CM models. The linear problems for the quantum CM models generalize the KZ equations in the same way as the Lax pairs with spectral parameter generalize those without it.

On the origin of dual Lax pairs and their r-matrix structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avan, Jean; Caudrelier, Vincent

2017-10-01

We establish the algebraic origin of the following observations made previously by the authors and coworkers: (i) A given integrable PDE in 1 + 1 dimensions within the Zakharov-Shabat scheme related to a Lax pair can be cast in two distinct, dual Hamiltonian formulations; (ii) Associated to each formulation is a Poisson bracket and a phase space (which are not compatible in the sense of Magri); (iii) Each matrix in the Lax pair satisfies a linear Poisson algebra a la Sklyanin characterized by the same classical r matrix. We develop the general concept of dual Lax pairs and dual Hamiltonian formulation of an integrable field theory. We elucidate the origin of the common r-matrix structure by tracing it back to a single Lie-Poisson bracket on a suitable coadjoint orbit of the loop algebra sl(2 , C) ⊗ C(λ ,λ-1) . The results are illustrated with the examples of the nonlinear Schrödinger and Gerdjikov-Ivanov hierarchies.

Comment on "Electron impact excitation of N-like ions from the ICFT R-matrix calculation" by HB Wang, G Jiang, XF Li, and ZC He in At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 120 (2018) 373-429

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, Kanti M.

2018-03-01

The paper "Electron impact excitation of N-like ions from the ICFT R-matrix calculation" by Wang et al. [1] lacks details of calculations, presents only limited data, and has a few anomalies, as listed below.

Matrix precipitation: a general strategy to eliminate matrix interference for pharmaceutical toxic impurities analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaojing; Xiong, Xuewu; Cao, Ji; Luan, Baolei; Liu, Yongjun; Liu, Guozhu; Zhang, Lei

2015-01-30

Matrix interference, which can lead to false positive/negative results, contamination of injector or separation column, incompatibility between sample solution and the selected analytical instrument, and response inhibition or even quenching, is commonly suffered for the analysis of trace level toxic impurities in drug substance. In this study, a simple matrix precipitation strategy is proposed to eliminate or minimize the above stated matrix interference problems. Generally, a sample of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is dissolved in an appropriate solvent to achieve the desired high concentration and then an anti-solvent is added to precipitate the matrix substance. As a result, the target analyte is extracted into the mixed solution with very less residual of APIs. This strategy has the characteristics of simple manipulation, high recovery and excellent anti-interference capability. It was found that the precipitation ratio (R, representing the ability to remove matrix substance) and the proportion of solvent (the one used to dissolve APIs) in final solution (P, affecting R and also affecting the method sensitivity) are two important factors of the precipitation process. The correlation between R and P was investigated by performing precipitation with various APIs in different solvent/anti-solvent systems. After a detailed mathematical reasoning process, P=20% was proved to be an effective and robust condition to perform the precipitation strategy. The precipitation method with P=20% can be used as a general strategy for toxic impurity analysis in APIs. Finally, several typical examples are described in this article, where the challenging matrix interference issues have been resolved successfully. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Infrared spectroscopic studies of the effect of elevated temperature on the association of pyroglutamic acid with clay and other minerals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macklin, John W.; White, David H.

Fourier transform i.r. measurements of L-pyroglutamic acid dispersed in a matrix of a clay, silica or alumina have been obtained at various temperatures between 25 and 220°C. The i.r. spectrum of L-pyroglutamic acid varies in a manner slightly dependent upon the matrix material and shows considerable change as the temperature of the mixtures is increased. The differences in the spectrum at elevated temperatures are explained in terms of a chemical reaction between hydroxyl groups in the matrix and the carboxylic acid. The i.r. spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives of L-pyroglutamic acid and aluminum pyroglutamate were also measured to assist the understanding of spectra and interpretation of the spectral changes dependent upon increasing temperature.

Infrared spectroscopic studies of the effect of elevated temperature on the association of pyroglutamic acid with clay and other minerals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macklin, J. W.; White, D. H.

1985-01-01

Fourier transform i.r. measurements of L-pyroglutamic acid dispersed in a matrix of a clay, silica or alumina have been obtained at various temperatures between 25 and 220 degrees C. The i.r. spectrum of L-pyroglutamic acid varies in a manner dependent upon the matrix material and shows considerable change as the temperature of the mixtures is increased. The differences in the spectrum at elevated temperatures are explained in terms of a chemical reaction between hydroxyl groups in the matrix and the carboxylic acid. The i.r. spectra of trimethylsilyl derivatives of L-pyroglutamic acid and aluminum pyroglutamate were also measured to assist the understanding of spectra and interpretation of the spectral changes dependent upon increasing temperature.

Integrable Floquet dynamics, generalized exclusion processes and "fused" matrix ansatz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanicat, Matthieu

2018-04-01

We present a general method for constructing integrable stochastic processes, with two-step discrete time Floquet dynamics, from the transfer matrix formalism. The models can be interpreted as a discrete time parallel update. The method can be applied for both periodic and open boundary conditions. We also show how the stationary distribution can be built as a matrix product state. As an illustration we construct parallel discrete time dynamics associated with the R-matrix of the SSEP and of the ASEP, and provide the associated stationary distributions in a matrix product form. We use this general framework to introduce new integrable generalized exclusion processes, where a fixed number of particles is allowed on each lattice site in opposition to the (single particle) exclusion process models. They are constructed using the fusion procedure of R-matrices (and K-matrices for open boundary conditions) for the SSEP and ASEP. We develop a new method, that we named "fused" matrix ansatz, to build explicitly the stationary distribution in a matrix product form. We use this algebraic structure to compute physical observables such as the correlation functions and the mean particle current.

Factorization of differential expansion for non-rectangular representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozov, A.

2018-04-01

Factorization of the differential expansion (DE) coefficients for colored HOMFLY-PT polynomials of antiparallel double braids, originally discovered for rectangular representations R, in the case of rectangular representations R, is extended to the first non-rectangular representations R = [2, 1] and R = [3, 1]. This increases chances that such factorization will take place for generic R, thus fixing the shape of the DE. We illustrate the power of the method by conjecturing the DE-induced expression for double-braid polynomials for all R = [r, 1]. In variance with the rectangular case, the knowledge for double braids is not fully sufficient to deduce the exclusive Racah matrix S¯ — the entries in the sectors with nontrivial multiplicities sum up and remain unseparated. Still, a considerable piece of the matrix is extracted directly and its other elements can be found by solving the unitarity constraints.

Analytical development of disturbed matrix eigenvalue problem applied to mixed convection stability analysis in Darcy media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamed, Haikel Ben; Bennacer, Rachid

2008-08-01

This work consists in evaluating algebraically and numerically the influence of a disturbance on the spectral values of a diagonalizable matrix. Thus, two approaches will be possible; to use the theorem of disturbances of a matrix depending on a parameter, due to Lidskii and primarily based on the structure of Jordan of the no disturbed matrix. The second approach consists in factorizing the matrix system, and then carrying out a numerical calculation of the roots of the disturbances matrix characteristic polynomial. This problem can be a standard model in the equations of the continuous media mechanics. During this work, we chose to use the second approach and in order to illustrate the application, we choose the Rayleigh-Bénard problem in Darcy media, disturbed by a filtering through flow. The matrix form of the problem is calculated starting from a linear stability analysis by a finite elements method. We show that it is possible to break up the general phenomenon into other elementary ones described respectively by a disturbed matrix and a disturbance. A good agreement between the two methods was seen. To cite this article: H.B. Hamed, R. Bennacer, C. R. Mecanique 336 (2008).

On the Prediction of Mechanical Behavior of Particulate Composites Using an Improved Mori-Tanaka Method

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

perturbed strain, [L/ L] P501263.PDF [Page: 12 of 122] UNCLASSIFIED viii €~j constrained strain, [L/ L] €£j eigenstrain , [L/ L] €£J c corrected... eigenstrain of phase-r material, [L/ L] £iJ u uncorrected eigenstrain of phase~r material, [L/ L] fijkl correction matrix of phase-r material... eigenstrains , [2] wher·e St.jkl is known as the Eshelby tensor. The tensor is a function of the matrix Poisson ratio and the shape of the inclusion

General transfer matrix formalism to calculate DNA-protein-drug binding in gene regulation: application to OR operator of phage lambda.

PubMed

Teif, Vladimir B

2007-01-01

The transfer matrix methodology is proposed as a systematic tool for the statistical-mechanical description of DNA-protein-drug binding involved in gene regulation. We show that a genetic system of several cis-regulatory modules is calculable using this method, considering explicitly the site-overlapping, competitive, cooperative binding of regulatory proteins, their multilayer assembly and DNA looping. In the methodological section, the matrix models are solved for the basic types of short- and long-range interactions between DNA-bound proteins, drugs and nucleosomes. We apply the matrix method to gene regulation at the O(R) operator of phage lambda. The transfer matrix formalism allowed the description of the lambda-switch at a single-nucleotide resolution, taking into account the effects of a range of inter-protein distances. Our calculations confirm previously established roles of the contact CI-Cro-RNAP interactions. Concerning long-range interactions, we show that while the DNA loop between the O(R) and O(L) operators is important at the lysogenic CI concentrations, the interference between the adjacent promoters P(R) and P(RM) becomes more important at small CI concentrations. A large change in the expression pattern may arise in this regime due to anticooperative interactions between DNA-bound RNA polymerases. The applicability of the matrix method to more complex systems is discussed.

MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION IONIZATION OF SIZE AND COMPOSITION SELECTED AEROSOL PARTICLES. (R823980)

EPA Science Inventory

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) was performed on individual,
size-selected aerosol particles in the 2-8 mu m diameter range, Monodisperse aerosol droplets
containing matrix, analyte, and solvent were generated and entrained in a dry stream of air, The dr...

R-matrix description of particle energy spectra produced by low-energy 3H + 3H reactions

DOE PAGES

Brune, C. R.; Caggiano, J. A.; Sayre, D. B.; ...

2015-07-20

An R-matrix model for three-body final states is presented and applied to a recent measurement of the neutron energy spectrum from the 3H + 3H→ 2n + α reaction. The calculation includes the n alpha and n n interactions in the final state, angular momentum conservation, antisymmetrization, and the interference between different channels. A good fit to the measured spectrum is obtained, where clear evidence for the 5He ground state is observed. The model is also used to predict the alpha-particle spectrum from 3H + 3H as well as particle spectra from 3He + 3He. The R-matrix approach presented heremore » is very general, and can be adapted to a wide variety of problems with three-body final states.« less

Platinum-doped titanate nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide: photocatalytic activity and flame retardancy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Guangya; Sang, Bin; Zhou, Zhiqi; Li, Zhiwei

2018-01-01

The ‘white pollution’ produced by wasted flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with poor degradation ability and the potential fire hazard of PVC with high flammability not only restrict their application but also cause serious environmental problem. Thus platinum-doped titanate nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide (denoted as Pt-TNTs/rGO) nanocomposites were prepared by a facile method in order to improve the visible photodegradation and get rid of the ‘white pollution’ as well as flame retardancy of PVC. The photodegradation activity and flame retardancy effect of the as-prepared Pt-TNTs/rGO nanocomposites were investigated by ultraviolet and visible light irradiation as well as cone calorimetry. Results show that the Pt-TNTs/rGO-PVC nanocomposites exhibit enhanced visible light photodegradation performance (with mass loss being 6.5%) during 15 day exposure to solar irradiation, and good flame retardancy (providing a 44% reduction of total smoke release as compared with that of PVC matrix). Besides, Pt-TNTs/rGO-PVC nanocomposites show suppressed smoke and reduced CO production as compared with the PVC matrix. These results demonstrate that Pt-TNTs/rGO not only get rid of the ‘white pollution’ as the photocatalyst but also improve the fire safety of PVC as the flame retardant. This could be ascribed to the combination effect between Pt-TNTs and rGO. The present research, hopefully, is to pave a potential pathway to constructing polymer-matrix composites with desired photodegradation activity and flame retardancy, thereby shedding light on simultaneously dealing with the ‘white pollution’ and high flammability of polymer matrix like PVC.

Visual Working Memory and Perception Speed of 3- to 6-Year-Old Children Tested with a Matrix Film Battery Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pittorf, Martin L.; Lehmann, Wolfgang; Huckauf, Anke

2014-01-01

In this study the visual working memory (VWM) and perception speed of 60 children between the ages of three and six years were tested with an age-based, easy-to-handle Matrix Film Battery Test (reliability R?=?0.71). It was thereby affirmed that the VWM is age dependent (correlation coefficient r?=?0.66***) as expected. Furthermore, a significant…

2DRMP: A suite of two-dimensional R-matrix propagation codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, N. S.; Scott, M. P.; Burke, P. G.; Stitt, T.; Faro-Maza, V.; Denis, C.; Maniopoulou, A.

2009-12-01

The R-matrix method has proved to be a remarkably stable, robust and efficient technique for solving the close-coupling equations that arise in electron and photon collisions with atoms, ions and molecules. During the last thirty-four years a series of related R-matrix program packages have been published periodically in CPC. These packages are primarily concerned with low-energy scattering where the incident energy is insufficient to ionise the target. In this paper we describe 2DRMP, a suite of two-dimensional R-matrix propagation programs aimed at creating virtual experiments on high performance and grid architectures to enable the study of electron scattering from H-like atoms and ions at intermediate energies. Program summaryProgram title: 2DRMP Catalogue identifier: AEEA_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEEA_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 196 717 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 3 819 727 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Fortran 95, MPI Computer: Tested on CRAY XT4 [1]; IBM eServer 575 [2]; Itanium II cluster [3] Operating system: Tested on UNICOS/lc [1]; IBM AIX [2]; Red Hat Linux Enterprise AS [3] Has the code been vectorised or parallelised?: Yes. 16 cores were used for small test run Classification: 2.4 External routines: BLAS, LAPACK, PBLAS, ScaLAPACK Subprograms used: ADAZ_v1_1 Nature of problem: 2DRMP is a suite of programs aimed at creating virtual experiments on high performance architectures to enable the study of electron scattering from H-like atoms and ions at intermediate energies. Solution method: Two-dimensional R-matrix propagation theory. The (r,r) space of the internal region is subdivided into a number of subregions. Local R-matrices are constructed within each subregion and used to propagate a global R-matrix, ℜ, across the internal region. On the boundary of the internal region ℜ is transformed onto the IERM target state basis. Thus, the two-dimensional R-matrix propagation technique transforms an intractable problem into a series of tractable problems enabling the internal region to be extended far beyond that which is possible with the standard one-sector codes. A distinctive feature of the method is that both electrons are treated identically and the R-matrix basis states are constructed to allow for both electrons to be in the continuum. The subregion size is flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate the number of cores available. Restrictions: The implementation is currently restricted to electron scattering from H-like atoms and ions. Additional comments: The programs have been designed to operate on serial computers and to exploit the distributed memory parallelism found on tightly coupled high performance clusters and supercomputers. 2DRMP has been systematically and comprehensively documented using ROBODoc [4] which is an API documentation tool that works by extracting specially formatted headers from the program source code and writing them to documentation files. Running time: The wall clock running time for the small test run using 16 cores and performed on [3] is as follows: bp (7 s); rint2 (34 s); newrd (32 s); diag (21 s); amps (11 s); prop (24 s). References:HECToR, CRAY XT4 running UNICOS/lc, http://www.hector.ac.uk/, accessed 22 July, 2009. HPCx, IBM eServer 575 running IBM AIX, http://www.hpcx.ac.uk/, accessed 22 July, 2009. HP Cluster, Itanium II cluster running Red Hat Linux Enterprise AS, Queen s University Belfast, http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/InformationServices/Research/HighPerformanceComputing/Services/Hardware/HPResearch/, accessed 22 July, 2009. Automating Software Documentation with ROBODoc, http://www.xs4all.nl/~rfsber/Robo/, accessed 22 July, 2009.

Quantum groups, Yang-Baxter maps and quasi-determinants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuboi, Zengo

2018-01-01

For any quasi-triangular Hopf algebra, there exists the universal R-matrix, which satisfies the Yang-Baxter equation. It is known that the adjoint action of the universal R-matrix on the elements of the tensor square of the algebra constitutes a quantum Yang-Baxter map, which satisfies the set-theoretic Yang-Baxter equation. The map has a zero curvature representation among L-operators defined as images of the universal R-matrix. We find that the zero curvature representation can be solved by the Gauss decomposition of a product of L-operators. Thereby obtained a quasi-determinant expression of the quantum Yang-Baxter map associated with the quantum algebra Uq (gl (n)). Moreover, the map is identified with products of quasi-Plücker coordinates over a matrix composed of the L-operators. We also consider the quasi-classical limit, where the underlying quantum algebra reduces to a Poisson algebra. The quasi-determinant expression of the quantum Yang-Baxter map reduces to ratios of determinants, which give a new expression of a classical Yang-Baxter map.

Transmit/receive 3-20 GHz 1.2 mW packaged double-pole-16-throw switching matrix for radar-based target detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azhari, Afreen; Kuwano, Yuki; Xiao, Xia; Kikkawa, Takamaro

2018-01-01

A 3-20 GHz transmit/receive (T/R) double-pole-16-throw (DP16T) switching matrix has been developed on a printed circuit board (PCB) to control sixteen antennas in a radar-based portable breast-cancer detection system. The DP16T switch consists of four 65 nm CMOS 0.01-20 GHz double-pole-four-throw (DP4T) switches. The proposed switch increase the number of T/R combinations to 224 from the 196 of a conventional switching matrix in order to construct high-resolution images. Using this switch and a 4 × 4 slot antenna array, a 10 × 10 mm2 aluminum target was detected with an 8-GHz-center-frequency Gaussian monocycle pulse. The power consumption of the switch is only 1.2 mW. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first T/R radio frequency (RF) DP16T switching matrix, which was realized with four CMOS DP4T switches on a PCB and was measured with RF PCB connectors.

K-Shell Photoionization of Nickel Ions Using R-Matrix

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Witthoeft, M. C.; Bautista, M. A.; Garcia, J.; Kallman, T. R.; Mendoza, C.; Palmeri, P.; Quinet, P.

2011-01-01

We present R-matrix calculations of photoabsorption and photoionization cross sections across the K edge of the Li-like to Ca-like ions stages of Ni. Level-resolved, Breit-Pauli calculations were performed for the Li-like to Na-like stages. Term-resolved calculations, which include the mass-velocity and Darwin relativistic corrections, were performed for the Mg-like to Ca-like ion stages. This data set is extended up to Fe-like Ni using the distorted wave approximation as implemented by AUTOSTRUCTURE. The R-matrix calculations include the effects of radiative and Auger dampings by means of an optical potential. The damping processes affect the absorption resonances converging to the K thresholds causing them to display symmetric profiles of constant width that smear the otherwise sharp edge at the K-shell photoionization threshold. These data are important for the modeling of features found in photoionized plasmas.

Linking a completely three-dimensional nanostrain to a structural transformation eigenstrain.

PubMed

Tirry, Wim; Schryvers, Dominique

2009-09-01

Ni-Ti is one of the most popular shape-memory alloys, a phenomenon resulting from a martensitic transformation. Commercial Ni-Ti-based alloys are often thermally treated to contain Ni(4)Ti(3) precipitates. The presence of these precipitates can introduce an extra transformation step related to the so-called R-phase. It is believed that the strain field surrounding the precipitates, caused by the matrix-precipitate lattice mismatch, lies at the origin of this intermediate transformation step. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy in combination with geometrical phase analysis is used to measure the elastic strain field surrounding these precipitates. By combining measurements from two different crystallographic directions, the three-dimensional strain matrix is determined from two-dimensional measurements. Comparison of the measured strain matrix to the eigenstrain of the R-phase shows that both are very similar and that the introduction of the R-phase might indeed compensate the elastic strain introduced by the precipitate.

Linking a completely three-dimensional nanostrain to a structural transformation eigenstrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tirry, Wim; Schryvers, Dominique

2009-09-01

Ni-Ti is one of the most popular shape-memory alloys, a phenomenon resulting from a martensitic transformation. Commercial Ni-Ti-based alloys are often thermally treated to contain Ni4Ti3 precipitates. The presence of these precipitates can introduce an extra transformation step related to the so-called R-phase. It is believed that the strain field surrounding the precipitates, caused by the matrix-precipitate lattice mismatch, lies at the origin of this intermediate transformation step. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy in combination with geometrical phase analysis is used to measure the elastic strain field surrounding these precipitates. By combining measurements from two different crystallographic directions, the three-dimensional strain matrix is determined from two-dimensional measurements. Comparison of the measured strain matrix to the eigenstrain of the R-phase shows that both are very similar and that the introduction of the R-phase might indeed compensate the elastic strain introduced by the precipitate.

A net reproductive number for periodic matrix models.

PubMed

Cushing, J M; Ackleh, A S

2012-01-01

We give a definition of a net reproductive number R (0) for periodic matrix models of the type used to describe the dynamics of a structured population with periodic parameters. The definition is based on the familiar method of studying a periodic map by means of its (period-length) composite. This composite has an additive decomposition that permits a generalization of the Cushing-Zhou definition of R (0) in the autonomous case. The value of R (0) determines whether the population goes extinct (R (0)<1) or persists (R (0)>1). We discuss the biological interpretation of this definition and derive formulas for R (0) for two cases: scalar periodic maps of arbitrary period and periodic Leslie models of period 2. We illustrate the use of the definition by means of several examples and by applications to case studies found in the literature. We also make some comparisons of this definition of R (0) with another definition given recently by Bacaër.

R-Ras Regulates Migration through an Interaction with Filamin A in Melanoma Cells

PubMed Central

Gawecka, Joanna E.; Griffiths, Genevieve S.; Ek-Rylander, Barbro; Ramos, Joe W.; Matter, Michelle L.

2010-01-01

Background Changes in cell adhesion and migration in the tumor microenvironment are key in the initiation and progression of metastasis. R-Ras is one of several small GTPases that regulate cell adhesion and migration on the extracellular matrix, however the mechanism has not been completely elucidated. Using a yeast two-hybrid approach we sought to identify novel R-Ras binding proteins that might mediate its effects on integrins. Methods and Findings We identified Filamin A (FLNa) as a candidate interacting protein. FLNa is an actin-binding scaffold protein that also binds to integrin β1, β2 and β7 tails and is associated with diverse cell processes including cell migration. Indeed, M2 melanoma cells require FLNa for motility. We further show that R-Ras and FLNa interact in co-immunoprecipitations and pull-down assays. Deletion of FLNa repeat 3 (FLNaΔ3) abrogated this interaction. In M2 melanoma cells active R-Ras co-localized with FLNa but did not co-localize with FLNa lacking repeat 3. Thus, activated R-Ras binds repeat 3 of FLNa. The functional consequence of this interaction was that active R-Ras and FLNa coordinately increased cell migration. In contrast, co-expression of R-Ras and FLNaΔ3 had a significantly reduced effect on migration. While there was enhancement of integrin activation and fibronectin matrix assembly, cell adhesion was not altered. Finally, siRNA knockdown of endogenous R-Ras impaired FLNa-dependent fibronectin matrix assembly. Conclusions These data support a model in which R-Ras functionally associates with FLNa and thereby regulates integrin-dependent migration. Thus in melanoma cells R-Ras and FLNa may cooperatively promote metastasis by enhancing cell migration. PMID:20585650

R Raman Spectroscopy and Petrology of Antarctic CR Chondrites: Comparison with Other Carbonaceous Chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Komatsu, M.; Fagan, T. J.; Yamaguchi, A.; Mikouchi, T.; Zolensky, M. E.; Yasutake, M.

2015-01-01

In Renazzo-like carbonaceous (CR) chondrites, abundant original Fe,Ni-metal is preserved in chrondules, but the matrix is characterized by fine-grained magnetite with phyllosilicate. This combination of reduced Fe in chrodrules with oxidized Fe and phyllosilicate in the matrix has been attributed to aqueous alteration of matrix at relatively low temperatures.

Inverse eigenproblem for R-symmetric matrices and their approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Yongxin

2009-11-01

Let be a nontrivial involution, i.e., R=R-1[not equal to]±In. We say that is R-symmetric if RGR=G. The set of all -symmetric matrices is denoted by . In this paper, we first give the solvability condition for the following inverse eigenproblem (IEP): given a set of vectors in and a set of complex numbers , find a matrix such that and are, respectively, the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of A. We then consider the following approximation problem: Given an n×n matrix , find such that , where is the solution set of IEP and ||[dot operator]|| is the Frobenius norm. We provide an explicit formula for the best approximation solution by means of the canonical correlation decomposition.

Localization of Unitary Braid Group Representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowell, Eric C.; Wang, Zhenghan

2012-05-01

Governed by locality, we explore a connection between unitary braid group representations associated to a unitary R-matrix and to a simple object in a unitary braided fusion category. Unitary R-matrices, namely unitary solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation, afford explicitly local unitary representations of braid groups. Inspired by topological quantum computation, we study whether or not it is possible to reassemble the irreducible summands appearing in the unitary braid group representations from a unitary braided fusion category with possibly different positive multiplicities to get representations that are uniformly equivalent to the ones from a unitary R-matrix. Such an equivalence will be called a localization of the unitary braid group representations. We show that the q = e π i/6 specialization of the unitary Jones representation of the braid groups can be localized by a unitary 9 × 9 R-matrix. Actually this Jones representation is the first one in a family of theories ( SO( N), 2) for an odd prime N > 1, which are conjectured to be localizable. We formulate several general conjectures and discuss possible connections to physics and computer science.

SHIP, a novel factor to ameliorate extracellular matrix accumulation via suppressing PI3K/Akt/CTGF signaling in diabetic kidney disease.

PubMed

Li, Fan; Li, Lisha; Cheng, Meijuan; Wang, Xiumin; Hao, Jun; Liu, Shuxia; Duan, Huijun

2017-01-22

Tubular interstitial extracellular matrix accumulation, which plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), is believed to be mediated by activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway. However, it is still not clear whether SH2 domain-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP), known as a negative regulator of PI3K/Akt pathway is also involved in extracellular matrix metabolism of diabetic kidney. In the present study, decreased SHIP and increased phospho-Akt (Ser 473, Thr 308) were found in renal tubular cells of diabetic mice accompanied by overexpression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and extracellular matrix deposition versus normal mice. Again, high glucose attenuated SHIP expression in a time-dependent manner, concomitant with activation of PI3K/Akt signaling and extracellular matrix production in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK2) cultured in vitro, which was significantly prevented by transfection of M90-SHIP vector. Furthermore, in vivo delivery of rAd-INPP5D vector (SHIP expression vector) via intraperitoneal injection in diabetic mice increased SHIP expression by 3.36 times followed by 65.26%, 70.38% and 46.71% decreases of phospho-Akt (Ser 473), phospho-Akt (Thr 308) and CTGF expression versus diabetic mice receiving rAd-EGFP vector. Meanwhile, increased renal extracellular matrix accumulation of diabetic mice was also inhibited with intraperitoneal injection of rAd-INPP5D vector. These above data suggested that overexpression of SHIP might be a potent method to lessen renal extracellular matrix accumulation via inactivation of PI3K/Akt pathway and suppression of CTGF expression in DKD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Glueball spectra from a matrix model of pure Yang-Mills theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharyya, Nirmalendu; Balachandran, A. P.; Pandey, Mahul; Sanyal, Sambuddha; Vaidya, Sachindeo

2018-05-01

We present variational estimates for the low-lying energies of a simple matrix model that approximates SU(3) Yang-Mills theory on a three-sphere of radius R. By fixing the ground state energy, we obtain the (integrated) renormalization group (RG) equation for the Yang-Mills coupling g as a function of R. This RG equation allows to estimate the mass of other glueball states, which we find to be in excellent agreement with lattice simulations.

beachmat: A Bioconductor C++ API for accessing high-throughput biological data from a variety of R matrix types

PubMed Central

Pagès, Hervé

2018-01-01

Biological experiments involving genomics or other high-throughput assays typically yield a data matrix that can be explored and analyzed using the R programming language with packages from the Bioconductor project. Improvements in the throughput of these assays have resulted in an explosion of data even from routine experiments, which poses a challenge to the existing computational infrastructure for statistical data analysis. For example, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments frequently generate large matrices containing expression values for each gene in each cell, requiring sparse or file-backed representations for memory-efficient manipulation in R. These alternative representations are not easily compatible with high-performance C++ code used for computationally intensive tasks in existing R/Bioconductor packages. Here, we describe a C++ interface named beachmat, which enables agnostic data access from various matrix representations. This allows package developers to write efficient C++ code that is interoperable with dense, sparse and file-backed matrices, amongst others. We evaluated the performance of beachmat for accessing data from each matrix representation using both simulated and real scRNA-seq data, and defined a clear memory/speed trade-off to motivate the choice of an appropriate representation. We also demonstrate how beachmat can be incorporated into the code of other packages to drive analyses of a very large scRNA-seq data set. PMID:29723188

beachmat: A Bioconductor C++ API for accessing high-throughput biological data from a variety of R matrix types.

PubMed

Lun, Aaron T L; Pagès, Hervé; Smith, Mike L

2018-05-01

Biological experiments involving genomics or other high-throughput assays typically yield a data matrix that can be explored and analyzed using the R programming language with packages from the Bioconductor project. Improvements in the throughput of these assays have resulted in an explosion of data even from routine experiments, which poses a challenge to the existing computational infrastructure for statistical data analysis. For example, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments frequently generate large matrices containing expression values for each gene in each cell, requiring sparse or file-backed representations for memory-efficient manipulation in R. These alternative representations are not easily compatible with high-performance C++ code used for computationally intensive tasks in existing R/Bioconductor packages. Here, we describe a C++ interface named beachmat, which enables agnostic data access from various matrix representations. This allows package developers to write efficient C++ code that is interoperable with dense, sparse and file-backed matrices, amongst others. We evaluated the performance of beachmat for accessing data from each matrix representation using both simulated and real scRNA-seq data, and defined a clear memory/speed trade-off to motivate the choice of an appropriate representation. We also demonstrate how beachmat can be incorporated into the code of other packages to drive analyses of a very large scRNA-seq data set.

Construction and Characterization of a Thrombin Resistant Designer FGF-based-Collagen Binding Domain Angiogen

PubMed Central

LP, Brewster; C, Washington; EM, Brey; Gassman, Andrew; A, Subramanian; J, Calceterra; W, Wolf; CL, Hall; WH, Velander; WH, Burgess; HP, Greisler

2007-01-01

Humans demonstrate limited spontaneous endothelialisation of prosthetic bypass grafts. However the local application of growth factors to prosthetic grafts or to injured blood vessels can provide an immediate effect on endothelialisation. Novel chimeric proteins combining potent angiogens with extracellular matrix binding domains may localize to exposed matrices and provide sustained activity to promote endothelial regeneration after vascular interventions. We have ligated a thrombin-resistant mutant of FGF-1 (R136K) with a collagen binding domain (CBD) in order to direct this growth factor to sites of exposed vascular collagen or selected bioengineered scaffolds. While FGF-1 and R136K are readily attracted to a variety of matrix proteins, R136K-CBD demonstrated selective and avid binding to collagen ~4x that of FGF-1 or R136K alone (P<.05). The molecular stability of R136K-CBD was superior to FGF-1 and R136K. Its chemotactic activity was superior to R136K and FGF-1 (11%±1% vs. 6%±2% and 4%±1%; P<.01). Its angiogenic activity was similar to R136K and significantly greater than control by day 2 (P<.01). After day 3, FGF-1 treated ECs’ sprouts had regressed back to levels insignificant compared to the control group (P=.17), while both R136K and R136K-CBD continued to demonstrate greater sprout lengthening as compared to control (P<.0002). The mitogenic activity of all growth factors was greater than control groups (20% PBS); in all comparisons (P<.0001). This dual functioning angiogen provides proof of concept for the application of designer angiogens to matrix binding proteins to intelligently promote endothelial regeneration of selected matrices. PMID:17950455

Numerical radius and zero pattern of matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikiforov, Vladimir

2008-01-01

Let A be an n×n complex matrix and r be the maximum size of its principal submatrices with no off-diagonal zero entries. Suppose A has zero main diagonal and x is a unit n-vector. Then, letting ||A|| be the Frobenius norm of A, we show that2[less-than-or-equals, slant](1-1/2r-1/2n)||A||2. This inequality is tight within an additive term O(rn-2). If the matrix A is Hermitian, then2[less-than-or-equals, slant](1-1/r)||A||2. This inequality is sharp; moreover, it implies the Turán theorem for graphs.

The Existence of the Solution to One Kind of Algebraic Riccati Equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jianming

2018-03-01

The matrix equation ATX + XA + XRX + Q = O is called algebraic Riccati equation, which is very important in the fields of automatic control and other engineering applications. Many researchers have studied the solutions to various algebraic Riccati equations and most of them mainly applied the matrix methods, while few used the functional analysis theories. This paper mainly studies the existence of the solution to the following kind of algebraic Riccati equation from the functional view point: ATX + XA + XRX ‑λX + Q = O Here, X, A, R, Q ∈ n×n , Q is a symmetric matrix, and R is a positive or negative semi-definite matrix, λ is arbitrary constants. This paper uses functional approach such as fixed point theorem and contraction mapping thinking so as to provide two sufficient conditions for the solvability about this kind of Riccati equation and to arrive at some relevant conclusions.

BSR: B-spline atomic R-matrix codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zatsarinny, Oleg

2006-02-01

BSR is a general program to calculate atomic continuum processes using the B-spline R-matrix method, including electron-atom and electron-ion scattering, and radiative processes such as bound-bound transitions, photoionization and polarizabilities. The calculations can be performed in LS-coupling or in an intermediate-coupling scheme by including terms of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. New version program summaryTitle of program: BSR Catalogue identifier: ADWY Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWY Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Computers on which the program has been tested: Microway Beowulf cluster; Compaq Beowulf cluster; DEC Alpha workstation; DELL PC Operating systems under which the new version has been tested: UNIX, Windows XP Programming language used: FORTRAN 95 Memory required to execute with typical data: Typically 256-512 Mwords. Since all the principal dimensions are allocatable, the available memory defines the maximum complexity of the problem No. of bits in a word: 8 No. of processors used: 1 Has the code been vectorized or parallelized?: no No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 69 943 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 746 450 Peripherals used: scratch disk store; permanent disk store Distribution format: tar.gz Nature of physical problem: This program uses the R-matrix method to calculate electron-atom and electron-ion collision processes, with options to calculate radiative data, photoionization, etc. The calculations can be performed in LS-coupling or in an intermediate-coupling scheme, with options to include Breit-Pauli terms in the Hamiltonian. Method of solution: The R-matrix method is used [P.G. Burke, K.A. Berrington, Atomic and Molecular Processes: An R-Matrix Approach, IOP Publishing, Bristol, 1993; P.G. Burke, W.D. Robb, Adv. At. Mol. Phys. 11 (1975) 143; K.A. Berrington, W.B. Eissner, P.H. Norrington, Comput. Phys. Comm. 92 (1995) 290].

Application of the GNSS-R in tomographic sounding of the Earth atmosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaberi Shafei, Milad; Mashhadi-Hossainali, Masoud

2018-07-01

Reflected GNSS signals offer a great opportunity for detecting and monitoring of water level variation, land surface roughness and the atmosphere around the Earth. The application type intensely depends on satellites' geometry and the topography of study area. GNSS-R can be used in sounding the water vapor as one of the most important parameters in troposphere. In view of temporal and spatial changes, retrieval of this parameter is complicated. GNSS tomography is a common approach for this purpose. Considering the dependency of this inverse approach to the number of stations and satellites' coverage at study area, tomographic reconstruction of water vapor is an ill-posed problem. Additional constraints are usually used to find a solution. In this research reflected signals known as GNSS-R are offered for the first time to resolve the rank deficiency of this problem. This has been implemented to a tomographic model which has been already developed for modeling the water vapor in the North West of Iran. In view of low number of GPS stations in this area, the design matrix of the model is rank deficient. Simulated results demonstrate that the rank deficiency of this matrix can be reduced by implementing appropriate number of GNSS-R stations when the spatial resolution of model is optimized. Resolution matrix is used as a measure for analyzing the efficiency of the proposed method. Results from DOY 300 and 301 in year 2011 show that the applied method can even remedy the rank deficiency of the design matrix. The satellites' constellation and the time response of the model are the effective parameters in this respect. On average the rank deficiency of the design matrix is improved more than 90% when the reflected signals are used. This is easily seen in terms of the resolution matrix of the model. Here, the mean bias and RMSE of reconstructed image are 0.2593 and 1.847 ppm, respectively.

Near-optimal matrix recovery from random linear measurements.

PubMed

Romanov, Elad; Gavish, Matan

2018-06-25

In matrix recovery from random linear measurements, one is interested in recovering an unknown M-by-N matrix [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text] measurements [Formula: see text], where each [Formula: see text] is an M-by-N measurement matrix with i.i.d. random entries, [Formula: see text] We present a matrix recovery algorithm, based on approximate message passing, which iteratively applies an optimal singular-value shrinker-a nonconvex nonlinearity tailored specifically for matrix estimation. Our algorithm typically converges exponentially fast, offering a significant speedup over previously suggested matrix recovery algorithms, such as iterative solvers for nuclear norm minimization (NNM). It is well known that there is a recovery tradeoff between the information content of the object [Formula: see text] to be recovered (specifically, its matrix rank r) and the number of linear measurements n from which recovery is to be attempted. The precise tradeoff between r and n, beyond which recovery by a given algorithm becomes possible, traces the so-called phase transition curve of that algorithm in the [Formula: see text] plane. The phase transition curve of our algorithm is noticeably better than that of NNM. Interestingly, it is close to the information-theoretic lower bound for the minimal number of measurements needed for matrix recovery, making it not only state of the art in terms of convergence rate, but also near optimal in terms of the matrices it successfully recovers. Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

Regulation of extracellular matrix vesicles via rapid responses to steroid hormones during endochondral bone formation.

PubMed

Asmussen, Niels; Lin, Zhao; McClure, Michael J; Schwartz, Zvi; Boyan, Barbara D

2017-12-09

Endochondral bone formation is a precise and highly ordered process whose exact regulatory framework is still being elucidated. Multiple regulatory pathways are known to be involved. In some cases, regulation impacts gene expression, resulting in changes in chondrocyte phenotypic expression and extracellular matrix synthesis. Rapid regulatory mechanisms are also involved, resulting in release of enzymes, factors and micro RNAs stored in extracellular matrisomes called matrix vesicles. Vitamin D metabolites modulate endochondral development via both genomic and rapid membrane-associated signaling pathways. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] acts through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and a membrane associated receptor, protein disulfide isomerase A3 (PDIA3). 24R,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24R,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] affects primarily chondrocytes in the resting zone (RC) of the growth plate, whereas 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 affects cells in the prehypertrophic and upper hypertrophic cell zones (GC). This includes genomically directing the cells to produce matrix vesicles with zone specific characteristics. In addition, vitamin D metabolites produced by the cells interact directly with the matrix vesicle membrane via rapid signal transduction pathways, modulating their activity in the matrix. The matrix vesicle payload is able to rapidly impact the extracellular matrix via matrix processing enzymes as well as providing a feedback mechanism to the cells themselves via the contained micro RNAs. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

From amorphous to nanocrystalline: the effect of nanograins in amorphous matrix on the thermal conductivity of hot-wire chemical-vapor deposited silicon films

DOE PAGES

Kearney, B. T.; Jugdersuren, B.; Queen, D. R.; ...

2017-12-28

Here, we have measured the thermal conductivity of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon films with varying crystalline content from 85K to room temperature. The films were prepared by the hot-wire chemical-vapor deposition, where the crystalline volume fraction is determined by the hydrogen (H2) dilution ratio to the processing silane gas (SiH4), R=H2/SiH4. We varied R from 1 to 10, where the films transform from amorphous for R < 3 to mostly nanocrystalline for larger R. Structural analyses show that the nanograins, averaging from 2 to 9nm in sizes with increasing R, are dispersed in the amorphous matrix. The crystalline volume fractionmore » increases from 0 to 65% as R increases from 1 to 10. The thermal conductivities of the two amorphous silicon films are similar and consistent with the most previous reports with thicknesses no larger than a few um deposited by a variety of techniques. The thermal conductivities of the three nanocrystalline silicon films are also similar, but are about 50-70% higher than those of their amorphous counterparts. The heat conduction in nanocrystalline silicon films can be understood as the combined contribution in both amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, where increased conduction through improved nanocrystalline percolation path outweighs increased interface scattering between silicon nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix.« less

From amorphous to nanocrystalline: the effect of nanograins in amorphous matrix on the thermal conductivity of hot-wire chemical-vapor deposited silicon films

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

Kearney, B. T.; Jugdersuren, B.; Queen, D. R.

Here, we have measured the thermal conductivity of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon films with varying crystalline content from 85K to room temperature. The films were prepared by the hot-wire chemical-vapor deposition, where the crystalline volume fraction is determined by the hydrogen (H2) dilution ratio to the processing silane gas (SiH4), R=H2/SiH4. We varied R from 1 to 10, where the films transform from amorphous for R < 3 to mostly nanocrystalline for larger R. Structural analyses show that the nanograins, averaging from 2 to 9nm in sizes with increasing R, are dispersed in the amorphous matrix. The crystalline volume fractionmore » increases from 0 to 65% as R increases from 1 to 10. The thermal conductivities of the two amorphous silicon films are similar and consistent with the most previous reports with thicknesses no larger than a few um deposited by a variety of techniques. The thermal conductivities of the three nanocrystalline silicon films are also similar, but are about 50-70% higher than those of their amorphous counterparts. The heat conduction in nanocrystalline silicon films can be understood as the combined contribution in both amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, where increased conduction through improved nanocrystalline percolation path outweighs increased interface scattering between silicon nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix.« less

The spatial QRS-T angle in the Frank vectorcardiogram: accuracy of estimates derived from the 12-lead electrocardiogram.

PubMed

Schreurs, Charlotte A; Algra, Annemijn M; Man, Sum-Che; Cannegieter, Suzanne C; van der Wall, Ernst E; Schalij, Martin J; Kors, Jan A; Swenne, Cees A

2010-01-01

The spatial QRS-T angle (SA), a predictor of sudden cardiac death, is a vectorcardiographic variable. Gold standard vertorcardiograms (VCGs) are recorded by using the Frank electrode positions. However, with the commonly available 12-lead ECG, VCGs must be synthesized by matrix multiplication (inverse Dower matrix/Kors matrix). Alternatively, Rautaharju proposed a method to calculate SA directly from the 12-lead ECG. Neither spatial angles computed by using the inverse Dower matrix (SA-D) nor by using the Kors matrix (SA-K) or by using Rautaharju's method (SA-R) have been validated with regard to the spatial angles as directly measured in the Frank VCG (SA-F). Our present study aimed to perform this essential validation. We analyzed SAs in 1220 simultaneously recorded 12-lead ECGs and VCGs, in all data, in SA-F-based tertiles, and after stratification according to pathology or sex. Linear regression of SA-K, SA-D, and SA-R on SA-F yielded offsets of 0.01 degree, 20.3 degrees, and 28.3 degrees and slopes of 0.96, 0.86, and 0.79, respectively. The bias of SA-K with respect to SA-F (mean +/- SD, -3.2 degrees +/- 13.9 degrees) was significantly (P < .001) smaller than the bias of both SA-D and SA-R with respect to SA-F (8.0 degrees +/- 18.6 degrees and 9.8 degrees +/- 24.6 degrees, respectively); tertile analysis showed a much more homogeneous behavior of the bias in SA-K than of both the bias in SA-D and in SA-R. In pathologic ECGs, there was no significant bias in SA-K; bias in men and women did not differ. SA-K resembled SA-F best. In general, when there is no specific reason either to synthesize VCGs with the inverse Dower matrix or to calculate the spatial QRS-T angle with Rautaharju's method, it seems prudent to use the Kors matrix. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Information Strategy Plan

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

47 OROO I SAOoflC P- K -- 8-3 NSWC DD/TR-92/47 b~2b, Ima~I I MUCT 0 Ii I 21AW Lp MAin B-3, NSWCDD/TR-92/47 APPENDIX C CLUSTERED CRUD MATRIX The CRUD...Berkey (D2); R.D. Wiseman and R.M. Pollock (E); W. Innis (G); LC. Loeffler ( K ); H.O. Williams, B.S. Goldman and L.W. Dabbs (M); W.J. Ferreira (P...Model................. B -1 C Clustered CRUD Matrix ...................................... C-1 D Data Flow Diagrams

Cluster-enriched Yang-Baxter equation from SUSY gauge theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamazaki, Masahito

2018-04-01

We propose a new generalization of the Yang-Baxter equation, where the R-matrix depends on cluster y-variables in addition to the spectral parameters. We point out that we can construct solutions to this new equation from the recently found correspondence between Yang-Baxter equations and supersymmetric gauge theories. The S^2 partition function of a certain 2d N=(2,2) quiver gauge theory gives an R-matrix, whereas its FI parameters can be identified with the cluster y-variables.

Missile Flight Control Using micro-Actuated Flow Effectors - Review of Fiscal Year 2005/2006 Progress

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

be developed. A common analysis model covering the aerodynamic-flow effector interaction, the compliant mechanism-SMA dynamics and the control...additional CFD analysis for the finless DRDC-B1AC2R between 15 deg. to 20 deg. to determine where the peak side force is situated. Compare pressure...Carry out CFD study on DRDC-B1AC2R with fins. Decide on analysis matrix. Coordinate with wind tunnel test matrix. Action: DRDC-nh Y0405-7. Decide

Comment on “Large Enhancement in High-Energy Photoionization of Fe XVII and Missing Continuum Plasma Opacity”

DOE PAGES

Blancard, C.; Colgan, J.; Cosse, Ph.; ...

2016-12-09

Recent R-matrix calculations claim to provide a significant enhancement in the opacity of Fe XVII due to atomic core excitations and assert that this enhancement is consistent with recent measurements of higher-than-predicted iron opacities. Here this comment shows that the standard opacity models which have already been directly compared with experimental data produce photon absorption cross-sections for Fe XVII that are effectively equivalent to the R-matrix opacities reported in.

A novel color image encryption scheme using alternate chaotic mapping structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xingyuan; Zhao, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Huili; Guo, Kang

2016-07-01

This paper proposes an color image encryption algorithm using alternate chaotic mapping structure. Initially, we use the R, G and B components to form a matrix. Then one-dimension logistic and two-dimension logistic mapping is used to generate a chaotic matrix, then iterate two chaotic mappings alternately to permute the matrix. For every iteration, XOR operation is adopted to encrypt plain-image matrix, then make further transformation to diffuse the matrix. At last, the encrypted color image is obtained from the confused matrix. Theoretical analysis and experimental results has proved the cryptosystem is secure and practical, and it is suitable for encrypting color images.

POTHMF: A program for computing potential curves and matrix elements of the coupled adiabatic radial equations for a hydrogen-like atom in a homogeneous magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuluunbaatar, O.; Gusev, A. A.; Gerdt, V. P.; Rostovtsev, V. A.; Vinitsky, S. I.; Abrashkevich, A. G.; Kaschiev, M. S.; Serov, V. V.

2008-02-01

A FORTRAN 77 program is presented which calculates with the relative machine precision potential curves and matrix elements of the coupled adiabatic radial equations for a hydrogen-like atom in a homogeneous magnetic field. The potential curves are eigenvalues corresponding to the angular oblate spheroidal functions that compose adiabatic basis which depends on the radial variable as a parameter. The matrix elements of radial coupling are integrals in angular variables of the following two types: product of angular functions and the first derivative of angular functions in parameter, and product of the first derivatives of angular functions in parameter, respectively. The program calculates also the angular part of the dipole transition matrix elements (in the length form) expressed as integrals in angular variables involving product of a dipole operator and angular functions. Moreover, the program calculates asymptotic regular and irregular matrix solutions of the coupled adiabatic radial equations at the end of interval in radial variable needed for solving a multi-channel scattering problem by the generalized R-matrix method. Potential curves and radial matrix elements computed by the POTHMF program can be used for solving the bound state and multi-channel scattering problems. As a test desk, the program is applied to the calculation of the energy values, a short-range reaction matrix and corresponding wave functions with the help of the KANTBP program. Benchmark calculations for the known photoionization cross-sections are presented. Program summaryProgram title:POTHMF Catalogue identifier:AEAA_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEAA_v1_0.html Program obtainable from:CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions:Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.:8123 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.:131 396 Distribution format:tar.gz Programming language:FORTRAN 77 Computer:Intel Xeon EM64T, Alpha 21264A, AMD Athlon MP, Pentium IV Xeon, Opteron 248, Intel Pentium IV Operating system:OC Linux, Unix AIX 5.3, SunOS 5.8, Solaris, Windows XP RAM:Depends on the number of radial differential equations; the number and order of finite elements; the number of radial points. Test run requires 4 MB Classification:2.5 External routines:POTHMF uses some Lapack routines, copies of which are included in the distribution (see README file for details). Nature of problem:In the multi-channel adiabatic approach the Schrödinger equation for a hydrogen-like atom in a homogeneous magnetic field of strength γ ( γ=B/B, B≅2.35×10 T is a dimensionless parameter which determines the field strength B) is reduced by separating the radial coordinate, r, from the angular variables, (θ,φ), and using a basis of the angular oblate spheroidal functions [3] to a system of second-order ordinary differential equations which contain first-derivative coupling terms [4]. The purpose of this program is to calculate potential curves and matrix elements of radial coupling needed for calculating the low-lying bound and scattering states of hydrogen-like atoms in a homogeneous magnetic field of strength 0<γ⩽1000 within the adiabatic approach [5]. The program evaluates also asymptotic regular and irregular matrix radial solutions of the multi-channel scattering problem needed to extract from the R-matrix a required symmetric shortrange open-channel reaction matrix K [6] independent from matching point [7]. In addition, the program computes the dipole transition matrix elements in the length form between the basis functions that are needed for calculating the dipole transitions between the low-lying bound and scattering states and photoionization cross sections [8]. Solution method:The angular oblate spheroidal eigenvalue problem depending on the radial variable is solved using a series expansion in the Legendre polynomials [3]. The resulting tridiagonal symmetric algebraic eigenvalue problem for the evaluation of selected eigenvalues, i.e. the potential curves, is solved by the LDLT factorization using the DSTEVR program [2]. Derivatives of the eigenfunctions with respect to the radial variable which are contained in matrix elements of the coupled radial equations are obtained by solving the inhomogeneous algebraic equations. The corresponding algebraic problem is solved by using the LDLT factorization with the help of the DPTTRS program [2]. Asymptotics of the matrix elements at large values of radial variable are computed using a series expansion in the associated Laguerre polynomials [9]. The corresponding matching points between the numeric and asymptotic solutions are found automatically. These asymptotics are used for the evaluation of the asymptotic regular and irregular matrix radial solutions of the multi-channel scattering problem [7]. As a test desk, the program is applied to the calculation of the energy values of the ground and excited bound states and reaction matrix of multi-channel scattering problem for a hydrogen atom in a homogeneous magnetic field using the KANTBP program [10]. Restrictions:The computer memory requirements depend on: the number of radial differential equations; the number and order of finite elements; the total number of radial points. Restrictions due to dimension sizes can be changed by resetting a small number of PARAMETER statements before recompiling (see Introduction and listing for details). Running time:The running time depends critically upon: the number of radial differential equations; the number and order of finite elements; the total number of radial points on interval [r,r]. The test run which accompanies this paper took 7 s required for calculating of potential curves, radial matrix elements, and dipole transition matrix elements on a finite-element grid on interval [ r=0, r=100] used for solving discrete and continuous spectrum problems and obtaining asymptotic regular and irregular matrix radial solutions at r=100 for continuous spectrum problem on the Intel Pentium IV 2.4 GHz. The number of radial differential equations was equal to 6. The accompanying test run using the KANTBP program took 2 s for solving discrete and continuous spectrum problems using the above calculated potential curves, matrix elements and asymptotic regular and irregular matrix radial solutions. Note, that in the accompanied benchmark calculations of the photoionization cross-sections from the bound states of a hydrogen atom in a homogeneous magnetic field to continuum we have used interval [ r=0, r=1000] for continuous spectrum problem. The total number of radial differential equations was varied from 10 to 18. References:W.H. Press, S.A. Teukolsky, W.T. Vetterling, B.P. Flannery, Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1986. http://www.netlib.org/lapack/. M. Abramovits, I.A. Stegun, Handbook of Mathematical Functions, Dover, New York, 1965. U. Fano, Colloq. Int. C.N.R.S. 273 (1977) 127; A.F. Starace, G.L. Webster, Phys. Rev. A 19 (1979) 1629-1640; C.V. Clark, K.T. Lu, A.F. Starace, in: H.G. Beyer, H. Kleinpoppen (Eds.), Progress in Atomic Spectroscopy, Part C, Plenum, New York, 1984, pp. 247-320; U. Fano, A.R.P. Rau, Atomic Collisions and Spectra, Academic Press, Florida, 1986. M.G. Dimova, M.S. Kaschiev, S.I. Vinitsky, J. Phys. B 38 (2005) 2337-2352; O. Chuluunbaatar, A.A. Gusev, V.L. Derbov, M.S. Kaschiev, V.V. Serov, T.V. Tupikova, S.I. Vinitsky, Proc. SPIE 6537 (2007) 653706-1-18. M.J. Seaton, Rep. Prog. Phys. 46 (1983) 167-257. M. Gailitis, J. Phys. B 9 (1976) 843-854; J. Macek, Phys. Rev. A 30 (1984) 1277-1278; S.I. Vinitsky, V.P. Gerdt, A.A. Gusev, M.S. Kaschiev, V.A. Rostovtsev, V.N. Samoylov, T.V. Tupikova, O. Chuluunbaatar, Programming and Computer Software 33 (2007) 105-116. H. Friedrich, Theoretical Atomic Physics, Springer, New York, 1991. R.J. Damburg, R.Kh. Propin, J. Phys. B 1 (1968) 681-691; J.D. Power, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London A 274 (1973) 663-702. O. Chuluunbaatar, A.A. Gusev, A.G. Abrashkevich, A. Amaya-Tapia, M.S. Kaschiev, S.Y. Larsen, S.I. Vinitsky, Comput. Phys. Comm. 177 (2007) 649-675.

Experimental and Computational Study of Interphase Properties and Mechanics in Titanium Metal Matrix Composites at Elevated Temperatures

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-01

size of the interphase [22-24]. Yang and Jeng [45], in a study of the titanium aluminides Ti-24-11 and Ti-25-10, and a metastable beta titanium Ti-15-3... Titanium Aluminide Matrix Composites," Workshop proceedings on Titanium Matrix Components, P.R. Smith and W.C. Revelos, eds., Wright-Patterson AFB...Experimental and Computational Study of Interphase Properties and Mechanics in Titanium Metal Matrix Composites at Elevated Temperatures Final Report

Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy Reduces Saliva Adipokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase Levels in Periodontitis.

PubMed

Özcan, Erkan; Işıl Saygun, N; Serdar, Muhittin A; Umut Bengi, V; Kantarcı, Alpdoğan

2016-08-01

Adipokines enhance the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play a role in extracellular matrix degeneration. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of some adipokines, proinflammatory cytokines, and MMPs in the saliva of patients with periodontitis and healthy individuals and to evaluate the changes after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Of 32 individuals included in the study, 17 had periodontitis and 15 had healthy gingiva. Saliva samples were obtained from all individuals. In patients with periodontitis, samples were recollected 3 and 6 months after NSPT. Visfatin, chemerin, progranulin, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, MMP-8, and MMP-13 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In patients with periodontitis, all of the parameters measured in the saliva were higher than those of healthy individuals. At 3 months, visfatin, progranulin, IL-8, and MMP-8 levels were significantly decreased compared with baseline values. The levels of other biochemical parameters, chemerin and IL-1β, were significantly decreased compared with baseline values at 6 months, and the levels became similar to those in healthy individuals. In the periodontitis group, positive correlations were found among visfatin and IL-8 (r = 0.909, P <0.01), MMP-8 (r = 0.702, P = 0.02), and MMP-13 (r = 0.781, P = 0.01); chemerin and IL-8 (r = 0.913, P <0.01), MMP-8 (r = 0.770, P <0.01), and MMP-13 (r = 0.788, P <0.01); and progranulin and IL-8 (r = 0.762, P <0.01), MMP-8 (r = 0.845, P <0.01), and MMP-13 (r = 0.813, P <0.01). Adipokines may contribute to the breakdown of periodontal tissue in periodontitis by stimulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and MMPs.

CSF-1R as an inhibitor of apoptosis and promoter of proliferation, migration and invasion of canine mammary cancer cells

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have high impact on the cancer development because they can facilitate matrix invasion, angiogenesis, and tumor cell motility. It gives cancer cells the capacity to invade normal tissues and metastasize. The signaling of colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) which is an important regulator of proliferation and differentiation of monocytes and macrophages regulates most of the tissue macrophages. However, CSF-1R is expressed also in breast epithelial tissue during some physiological stages i.g.: pregnancy and lactation. Its expression has been also detected in various cancers. Our previous study has showed the expression of CSF-1R in all examined canine mammary tumors. Moreover, it strongly correlated with grade of malignancy and ability to metastasis. This study was therefore designed to characterize the role of CSF-1R in canine mammary cancer cells proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. As far as we know, the study presented hereby is a pioneering experiment in this field of veterinary medicine. Results We showed that csf-1r silencing significantly increased apoptosis (Annexin V test), decreased proliferation (measured as Ki67 expression) and decreased migration (“wound healing” assay) of canine mammary cancer cells. Treatment of these cells with CSF-1 caused opposite effect. Moreover, csf-1r knock-down changed growth characteristics of highly invasive cell lines on Matrigel matrix, and significantly decreased the ability of these cells to invade matrix. CSF-1 treatment increased invasion of cancer cells. Conclusion The evidence of the expression and functional role of the CSF-1R in canine mammary cancer cells indicate that CSF-1R targeting may be a good therapeutic approach. PMID:23561040

Classical r matrix of the su(2 vertical bar 2) super Yang-Mills spin chain

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

Torrielli, Alessandro

2007-05-15

In this note we straightforwardly derive and make use of the quantum R matrix for the su(2 vertical bar 2) super Yang-Mills spin chain in the manifest su(1 vertical bar 2)-invariant formulation, which solves the standard quantum Yang-Baxter equation, in order to obtain the correspondent (undressed) classical r matrix from the first order expansion in the 'deformation' parameter 2{pi}/{radical}({lambda}) and check that this last solves the standard classical Yang-Baxter equation. We analyze its bialgebra structure, its dependence on the spectral parameters, and its pole structure. We notice that it still preserves an su(1 vertical bar 2) subalgebra, thereby admitting anmore » expression in terms of a combination of projectors, which spans only a subspace of su(1 vertical bar 2)xsu(1 vertical bar 2). We study the residue at its simple pole at the origin and comment on the applicability of the classical Belavin-Drinfeld type of analysis.« less

Relativistic R-matrix calculations for photoionization cross-sections of C IV: implications for photorecombination of C V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sardar, Shahid; Xu, Xin; Xu, Long-Quan; Zhu, Lin-Fan

2018-02-01

In this paper we present photoionization cross-sections of the ground and excited states of Li-like carbon (C IV) in the framework of fully relativistic R-matrix formalism as implemented in Dirac atomic R-matrix code. For target wavefunctions expansion, Multiconfiguration Dirac Hartree Fock calculations are performed for the lowest 17 target states of He-like carbon (C V) arising from 1s2 and 1snl, with n = 2, 3 and l = s, p, d configurations. Our target energy levels and transition parameters belonging to these levels are ascertained to be in excellent agreement with the experimental and the well-established theoretical results. We use the principle of detailed balance to get the photorecombination (PR) cross-sections of the ground state of C V. Both photoionization and PR cross-sections manifest important KLL and KLM resonance structures which are in very good agreement with the accurate measurements at Advanced Light Source (ion photon end beam station) and CRYRING (synchrotron storage ring).

Diagrammatic technique for calculating matrix elements of collective operators in superradiance. [eigenstates for N two-level atom systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, C. T.

1975-01-01

Adopting the so-called genealogical construction, one can express the eigenstates of collective operators corresponding to a specified mode for an N-atom system in terms of those for an (N-1) atom system. Using these Dicke states as bases and using the Wigner-Eckart theorem, a matrix element of a collective operator of an arbitrary mode can be written as the product of an m-dependent factor and an m-independent reduced matrix element (RME). A set of recursion formulas for the RME is obtained. A graphical representation of the RME on the branching diagram for binary irreducible representations of permutation groups is then introduced. This gives a simple and systematic way of calculating the RME. This method is especially useful when the cooperation number r is close to N/2, where almost exact asymptotic expressions can be obtained easily. The result shows explicity the geometry dependence of superradiance and the relative importance of r-conserving and r-nonconserving processes.

Explicit formula for the Holevo bound for two-parameter qubit-state estimation problem

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

Suzuki, Jun, E-mail: junsuzuki@uec.ac.jp

The main contribution of this paper is to derive an explicit expression for the fundamental precision bound, the Holevo bound, for estimating any two-parameter family of qubit mixed-states in terms of quantum versions of Fisher information. The obtained formula depends solely on the symmetric logarithmic derivative (SLD), the right logarithmic derivative (RLD) Fisher information, and a given weight matrix. This result immediately provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the following two important classes of quantum statistical models; the Holevo bound coincides with the SLD Cramér-Rao bound and it does with the RLD Cramér-Rao bound. One of the important results ofmore » this paper is that a general model other than these two special cases exhibits an unexpected property: the structure of the Holevo bound changes smoothly when the weight matrix varies. In particular, it always coincides with the RLD Cramér-Rao bound for a certain choice of the weight matrix. Several examples illustrate these findings.« less

Computing wave functions in multichannel collisions with non-local potentials using the R-matrix method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonitati, Joey; Slimmer, Ben; Li, Weichuan; Potel, Gregory; Nunes, Filomena

2017-09-01

The calculable form of the R-matrix method has been previously shown to be a useful tool in approximately solving the Schrodinger equation in nuclear scattering problems. We use this technique combined with the Gauss quadrature for the Lagrange-mesh method to efficiently solve for the wave functions of projectile nuclei in low energy collisions (1-100 MeV) involving an arbitrary number of channels. We include the local Woods-Saxon potential, the non-local potential of Perey and Buck, a Coulomb potential, and a coupling potential to computationally solve for the wave function of two nuclei at short distances. Object oriented programming is used to increase modularity, and parallel programming techniques are introduced to reduce computation time. We conclude that the R-matrix method is an effective method to predict the wave functions of nuclei in scattering problems involving both multiple channels and non-local potentials. Michigan State University iCER ACRES REU.

Status of the R-matrix Code AMUR toward a consistent cross-section evaluation and covariance analysis for the light nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunieda, Satoshi

2017-09-01

We report the status of the R-matrix code AMUR toward consistent cross-section evaluation and covariance analysis for the light-mass nuclei. The applicable limit of the code is extended by including computational capability for the charged-particle elastic scattering cross-sections and the neutron capture cross-sections as example results are shown in the main texts. A simultaneous analysis is performed on the 17O compound system including the 16O(n,tot) and 13C(α,n)16O reactions together with the 16O(n,n) and 13C(α,α) scattering cross-sections. It is found that a large theoretical background is required for each reaction process to obtain a simultaneous fit with all the experimental cross-sections we analyzed. Also, the hard-sphere radii should be assumed to be different from the channel radii. Although these are technical approaches, we could learn roles and sources of the theoretical background in the standard R-matrix.

Mechanical and IL-1β Responsive miR-365 Contributes to Osteoarthritis Development by Targeting Histone Deacetylase 4.

PubMed

Yang, Xu; Guan, Yingjie; Tian, Shaoqi; Wang, Yuanhe; Sun, Kang; Chen, Qian

2016-03-23

Mechanical stress plays an important role in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis. Studies show that excessive mechanical stress can directly damage the cartilage extracellular matrix and shift the balance in chondrocytes to favor catabolic activity over anabolism. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. We have found that mechanical loading up-regulated microRNA miR-365 in growth plate chondrocytes, which promotes chondrocyte differentiation. Here, we explored the role of the mechanical responsive microRNA miR-365 in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). We found that miR-365 was up-regulated by cyclic loading and IL-1β stimulation in articular chondrocytes through a mechanism that involved the transcription factor NF-κB. miR-365 expressed significant higher level in rat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery induced OA cartilage as well as human OA cartilage from primary OA patients and traumatic OA Patients. Overexpression of miR-365 in chondrocytes increases gene expression of matrix degrading enzyme matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13) and collagen type X (Col X). The increase in miR-365 expression in OA cartilage and in response to IL-1 may contribute to the abnormal gene expression pattern characteristic of OA. Inhibition of miR-365 down-regulated IL-1β induced MMP13 and Col X gene expression. We further showed histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) is a direct target of miR-365, which mediates mechanical stress and inflammation in OA pathogenesis. Thus, miR-365 is a critical regulator of mechanical stress and pro-inflammatory responses, which contributes cartilage catabolism. Manipulation of the expression of miR-365 in articular chondrocytes by miR-365 inhibitor may be a potent therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.

Tensor Decompositions for Learning Latent Variable Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-08

and eigenvectors of tensors is generally significantly more complicated than their matrix counterpart (both algebraically [Qi05, CS11, Lim05] and...The reduction First, let W ∈ Rd×k be a linear transformation such that M2(W,W ) = W M2W = I where I is the k × k identity matrix (i.e., W whitens ...approximate the whitening matrix W ∈ Rd×k from second-moment matrix M2 ∈ Rd×d. To do this, one first multiplies M2 by a random matrix R ∈ Rd×k′ for some k′ ≥ k

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression between gingival fibroblast cells from old and young rats

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

Kim, Su-Jung; Chung, Yong-Koo; Chung, Tae-Wook

2009-01-09

Gingival fibroblast cells (rGF) from aged rats have an age-related decline in proliferative capacity compared with young rats. We investigated G1 phase cell cycle regulation and MMP-9 expression in both young and aged rGF. G1 cell cycle protein levels and activity were significantly reduced in response to interleukin-1{beta} (IL-1{beta}) stimulation with increasing in vitro age. Tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha})-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression was also decreased in aged rGF in comparison with young rGF. Mutational analysis and gel shift assays demonstrated that the lower MMP-9 expression in aged rGF is associated with lower activities of transcription factors NF-{kappa}B and AP-1.more » These results suggest that cell cycle dysregulation and down-regulation of MMP-9 expression in rGF may play a role in gingival remodeling during in vitro aging.« less

Excitation energies of dissociating H2: A problematic case for the adiabatic approximation of time-dependent density functional theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gritsenko, O. V.; van Gisbergen, S. J. A.; Görling, A.; Baerends, E. J.

2000-11-01

Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is applied for calculation of the excitation energies of the dissociating H2 molecule. The standard TDDFT method of adiabatic local density approximation (ALDA) totally fails to reproduce the potential curve for the lowest excited singlet 1Σu+ state of H2. Analysis of the eigenvalue problem for the excitation energies as well as direct derivation of the exchange-correlation (xc) kernel fxc(r,r',ω) shows that ALDA fails due to breakdown of its simple spatially local approximation for the kernel. The analysis indicates a complex structure of the function fxc(r,r',ω), which is revealed in a different behavior of the various matrix elements K1c,1cxc (between the highest occupied Kohn-Sham molecular orbital ψ1 and virtual MOs ψc) as a function of the bond distance R(H-H). The effect of nonlocality of fxc(r,r') is modeled by using different expressions for the corresponding matrix elements of different orbitals. Asymptotically corrected ALDA (ALDA-AC) expressions for the matrix elements K12,12xc(στ) are proposed, while for other matrix elements the standard ALDA expressions are retained. This approach provides substantial improvement over the standard ALDA. In particular, the ALDA-AC curve for the lowest singlet excitation qualitatively reproduces the shape of the exact curve. It displays a minimum and approaches a relatively large positive energy at large R(H-H). ALDA-AC also produces a substantial improvement for the calculated lowest triplet excitation, which is known to suffer from the triplet instability problem of the restricted KS ground state. Failure of the ALDA for the excitation energies is related to the failure of the local density as well as generalized gradient approximations to reproduce correctly the polarizability of dissociating H2. The expression for the response function χ is derived to show the origin of the field-counteracting term in the xc potential, which is lacking in the local density and generalized gradient approximations and which is required to obtain a correct polarizability.

A Model Sea Urchin Spicule Matrix Protein, rSpSM50, Is a Hydrogelator That Modifies and Organizes the Mineralization Process.

PubMed

Jain, Gaurav; Pendola, Martin; Huang, Yu-Chieh; Gebauer, Denis; Evans, John Spencer

2017-05-30

In the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the formation and mineralization of fracture-resistant skeletal elements such as the embryonic spicule require the combinatorial participation of numerous spicule matrix proteins such as SpSM50. However, because of its limited abundance and solubility issues, it has been difficult to pursue extensive in vitro biochemical studies of SpSM50 protein and deduce its role in spicule formation and mineralization. To circumvent these problems, we expressed a tag-free bacterial model recombinant spicule matrix protein, rSpSM50. Bioinformatics and biophysical experiments confirm that rSpSM50 is an intrinsically disordered, aggregation-prone C-type lectin-like domain-containing protein that forms dimensionally and internally heterogeneous protein hydrogels that control the in vitro mineralization process in three ways. The hydrogels (1) kinetically stabilize the aqueous calcium carbonate system against nucleation and thermodynamically destabilize the initially formed ACC in bulk solution, (2) promote and organize faceted single-crystal calcite and polycrystalline vaterite nanoparticles, and (3) promote surface texturing of calcite crystals and induce subsurface nanoporosities and channels within both calcite and vaterite crystals. Many of these features are also common to mollusk shell nacre proteins and the sea urchin spicule matrix glycoprotein, SpSM30B/C, and we conclude that rSpSM50 is a spiculogenesis hydrogelator protein that exhibits traits found in other calcium carbonate mineral-modification proteins.

Basic fibroblast growth factor accelerates matrix degradation via a neuro-endocrine pathway in human adult articular chondrocytes.

PubMed

Im, Hee-Jeong; Li, Xin; Muddasani, Prasuna; Kim, Gun-Hee; Davis, Francesca; Rangan, Jayanthi; Forsyth, Christopher B; Ellman, Michael; Thonar, Eugene J M A

2008-05-01

Pain-related neuropeptides released from synovial fibroblasts, such as substance P, have been implicated in joint destruction. Substance P-induced inflammatory processes are mediated via signaling through a G-protein-coupled receptor, that is, neurokinin-1 tachykinin receptor (NK(1)-R). We determined the pathophysiological link between substance P and its receptor in human adult articular cartilage homeostasis. We further examined if catabolic growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) or IL-1beta accelerate matrix degradation via a neural pathway upregulation of substance P and NK(1)-R. We show here that substance P stimulates the production of cartilage-degrading enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and suppresses proteoglycan deposition in human adult articular chondrocytes via NK(1)-R. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that substance P negates proteoglycan stimulation promoted by bone morphogenetic protein-7, suggesting the dual role of substance P as both a pro-catabolic and anti-anabolic mediator of cartilage homeostasis. We report that bFGF-mediated stimulation of substance P and its receptor NK(1)-R is, in part, through an IL-1beta-dependent pathway. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Accelerates Matrix Degradation Via a Neuro-Endocrine Pathway in Human Adult Articular Chondrocytes

PubMed Central

IM, HEE-JEONG; LI, XIN; MUDDASANI, PRASUNA; KIM, GUN-HEE; DAVIS, FRANCESCA; RANGAN, JAYANTHI; FORSYTH, CHRISTOPHER B.; ELLMAN, MICHAEL; THONAR, EUGENE JMA

2010-01-01

Pain-related neuropeptides released from synovial fibroblasts, such as substance P, have been implicated in joint destruction. Substance P-induced inflammatory processes are mediated via signaling through a G-protein-coupled receptor, that is, neurokinin-1 tachykinin receptor (NK1-R). We determined the pathophysiological link between substance P and its receptor in human adult articular cartilage homeostasis. We further examined if catabolic growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) or IL-1β accelerate matrix degradation via a neural pathway upregulation of substance P and NK1-R. We show here that substance P stimulates the production of cartilage-degrading enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and suppresses proteoglycan deposition in human adult articular chondrocytes via NK1-R. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that substance P negates proteoglycan stimulation promoted by bone morphogenetic protein-7, suggesting the dual role of substance P as both a pro-catabolic and anti-anabolic mediator of cartilage homeostasis. We report that bFGF-mediated stimulation of substance P and its receptor NK1-R is, in part, through an IL-1β-dependent pathway. PMID:17960584

Assessment of Myocardial Remodeling Using an Elastin/Tropoelastin Specific Agent with High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

PubMed

Protti, Andrea; Lavin, Begoña; Dong, Xuebin; Lorrio, Silvia; Robinson, Simon; Onthank, David; Shah, Ajay M; Botnar, Rene M

2015-08-13

Well-defined inflammation, proliferation, and maturation phases orchestrate the remodeling of the injured myocardium after myocardial infarction (MI) by controlling the formation of new extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix consists mainly of collagen but also fractions of elastin. It is thought that elastin is responsible for maintaining elastic properties of the myocardium, thus reducing the risk of premature rupture. An elastin/tropoelastin-specific contrast agent (Gd-ESMA) was used to image tropoelastin and mature elastin fibers for in vivo assessment of extracellular matrix remodeling post-MI. Gd-ESMA enhancement was studied in a mouse model of myocardial infarction using a 7 T MRI scanner and results were compared to those achieved after injection of a nonspecific control contrast agent, gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). In the infarcted tissue, Gd-ESMA uptake (measured as R1 relaxation rate) steadily increased from day 3 to day 21 as a result of the synthesis of elastin/tropoelastin. R1 values were in good agreement with histological findings. A similar R1 behavior was observed in the remote myocardium. No mature cross-linked elastin was found at any time point. In contrast, Gd-DTPA uptake was only observed in the infarct with no changes in R1 values between 3 and 21 days post-MI. We demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo imaging of extracellular matrix remodeling post-MI using a tropoelastin/elastin binding MR contrast agent, Gd-ESMA. We found that tropoelastin is the main contributor to the increased MRI signal at late stages of MI where its augmentation in areas of infarction was in good agreement with the R1 increase. © 2015 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley Blackwell.

Myocardial recovery from ischemia-reperfusion is compromised in the absence of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4.

PubMed

Takawale, Abhijit; Fan, Dong; Basu, Ratnadeep; Shen, Mengcheng; Parajuli, Nirmal; Wang, Wang; Wang, Xiuhua; Oudit, Gavin Y; Kassiri, Zamaneh

2014-07-01

Myocardial reperfusion after ischemia (I/R), although an effective approach in rescuing the ischemic myocardium, can itself trigger several adverse effects including aberrant remodeling of the myocardium and its extracellular matrix. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) protect the extracellular matrix against excess degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). TIMP4 levels are reduced in myocardial infarction; however, its causal role in progression of post-I/R injury has not been explored. In vivo I/R (20-minute ischemia, 1-week reperfusion) resulted in more severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction in TIMP4(-/-) mice with enhanced inflammation, oxidative stress (1 day post-I/R), hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis (1 week). After an initial increase in TIMP4 (1 day post-I/R), TIMP4 mRNA and protein decreased in the ischemic myocardium from wild-type mice by 1 week post-I/R and in tissue samples from patients with myocardial infarction, which correlated with enhanced activity of membrane-bound MMP, membrane-type 1 MMP. By 4 weeks post-I/R, wild-type mice showed no cardiac dysfunction, elevated TIMP4 levels (to baseline), and normalized membrane-type 1 MMP activity. TIMP4-deficient mice, however, showed exacerbated diastolic dysfunction, sustained elevation of membrane-type 1 MMP activity, and worsened myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Ex vivo I/R (20- or 30-minute ischemia, 45-minute reperfusion) resulted in comparable cardiac dysfunction in wild-type and TIMP4(-/-) mice. TIMP4 is essential for recovery from myocardial I/R in vivo, primarily because of its membrane-type 1 MMP inhibitory function. TIMP4 deficiency does not increase susceptibility to ex vivo I/R injury. Replenishment of myocardial TIMP4 could serve as an effective therapy in post-I/R recovery for patients with reduced TIMP4. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

MGMRES: A generalization of GMRES for solving large sparse nonsymmetric linear systems

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

Young, D.M.; Chen, J.Y.

1994-12-31

The authors are concerned with the solution of the linear system (1): Au = b, where A is a real square nonsingular matrix which is large, sparse and non-symmetric. They consider the use of Krylov subspace methods. They first choose an initial approximation u{sup (0)} to the solution {bar u} = A{sup {minus}1}B of (1). They also choose an auxiliary matrix Z which is nonsingular. For n = 1,2,{hor_ellipsis} they determine u{sup (n)} such that u{sup (n)} {minus} u{sup (0)}{epsilon}K{sub n}(r{sup (0)},A) where K{sub n}(r{sup (0)},A) is the (Krylov) subspace spanned by the Krylov vectors r{sup (0)}, Ar{sup (0)}, {hor_ellipsis},more » A{sup n{minus}1}r{sup 0} and where r{sup (0)} = b{minus}Au{sup (0)}. If ZA is SPD they also require that (u{sup (n)}{minus}{bar u}, ZA(u{sup (n)}{minus}{bar u})) be minimized. If, on the other hand, ZA is not SPD, then they require that the Galerkin condition, (Zr{sup n}, v) = 0, be satisfied for all v{epsilon}K{sub n}(r{sup (0)}, A) where r{sup n} = b{minus}Au{sup (n)}. In this paper the authors consider a generalization of GMRES. This generalized method, which they refer to as `MGMRES`, is very similar to GMRES except that they let Z = A{sup T}Y where Y is a nonsingular matrix which is symmetric by not necessarily SPD.« less

Thermal transistor behavior of a harmonic chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Sangrak

2017-09-01

Thermal transistor behavior of a harmonic chain with three heat reservoirs is explicitly analyzed. Temperature profile and heat currents of the rather general system are formulated and then heat currents for the simplest system are exactly calculated. The matrix connecting the three temperatures of the reservoirs and those of the particles comprises a stochastic matrix. The ratios R 1 and R 2 between heat currents, characterizing thermal signals can be expressed in terms of two external variables and two material parameters. It is shown that the ratios R 1 and R 2 can have wide range of real values. The thermal system shows a thermal transistor behavior such as the amplification of heat current by appropriately controlling the two variables and two parameters. We explicitly demonstrate the characteristics and mechanisms of thermal transistor with the simplest model.

Minimum number of measurements for evaluating soursop (Annona muricata L.) yield.

PubMed

Sánchez, C F B; Teodoro, P E; Londoño, S; Silva, L A; Peixoto, L A; Bhering, L L

2017-05-31

Repeatability studies on fruit species are of great importance to identify the minimum number of measurements necessary to accurately select superior genotypes. This study aimed to identify the most efficient method to estimate the repeatability coefficient (r) and predict the minimum number of measurements needed for a more accurate evaluation of soursop (Annona muricata L.) genotypes based on fruit yield. Sixteen measurements of fruit yield from 71 soursop genotypes were carried out between 2000 and 2016. In order to estimate r with the best accuracy, four procedures were used: analysis of variance, principal component analysis based on the correlation matrix, principal component analysis based on the phenotypic variance and covariance matrix, and structural analysis based on the correlation matrix. The minimum number of measurements needed to predict the actual value of individuals was estimated. Principal component analysis using the phenotypic variance and covariance matrix provided the most accurate estimates of both r and the number of measurements required for accurate evaluation of fruit yield in soursop. Our results indicate that selection of soursop genotypes with high fruit yield can be performed based on the third and fourth measurements in the early years and/or based on the eighth and ninth measurements at more advanced stages.

Dauer-independent insulin/IGF-1-signalling implicates collagen remodelling in longevity.

PubMed

Ewald, Collin Y; Landis, Jess N; Porter Abate, Jess; Murphy, Coleen T; Blackwell, T Keith

2015-03-05

Interventions that delay ageing mobilize mechanisms that protect and repair cellular components, but it is unknown how these interventions might slow the functional decline of extracellular matrices, which are also damaged during ageing. Reduced insulin/IGF-1 signalling (rIIS) extends lifespan across the evolutionary spectrum, and in juvenile Caenorhabditis elegans also allows the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO to induce development into dauer, a diapause that withstands harsh conditions. It has been suggested that rIIS delays C. elegans ageing through activation of dauer-related processes during adulthood, but some rIIS conditions confer robust lifespan extension unaccompanied by any dauer-like traits. Here we show that rIIS can promote C. elegans longevity through a program that is genetically distinct from the dauer pathway, and requires the Nrf (NF-E2-related factor) orthologue SKN-1 acting in parallel to DAF-16. SKN-1 is inhibited by IIS and has been broadly implicated in longevity, but is rendered dispensable for rIIS lifespan extension by even mild activity of dauer-related processes. When IIS is decreased under conditions that do not induce dauer traits, SKN-1 most prominently increases expression of collagens and other extracellular matrix genes. Diverse genetic, nutritional, and pharmacological pro-longevity interventions delay an age-related decline in collagen expression. These collagens mediate adulthood extracellular matrix remodelling, and are needed for ageing to be delayed by interventions that do not involve dauer traits. By genetically delineating a dauer-independent rIIS ageing pathway, our results show that IIS controls a broad set of protective mechanisms during C. elegans adulthood, and may facilitate elucidation of processes of general importance for longevity. The importance of collagen production in diverse anti-ageing interventions implies that extracellular matrix remodelling is a generally essential signature of longevity assurance, and that agents promoting extracellular matrix youthfulness may have systemic benefit.

Limited-memory fast gradient descent method for graph regularized nonnegative matrix factorization.

PubMed

Guan, Naiyang; Wei, Lei; Luo, Zhigang; Tao, Dacheng

2013-01-01

Graph regularized nonnegative matrix factorization (GNMF) decomposes a nonnegative data matrix X[Symbol:see text]R(m x n) to the product of two lower-rank nonnegative factor matrices, i.e.,W[Symbol:see text]R(m x r) and H[Symbol:see text]R(r x n) (r < min {m,n}) and aims to preserve the local geometric structure of the dataset by minimizing squared Euclidean distance or Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence between X and WH. The multiplicative update rule (MUR) is usually applied to optimize GNMF, but it suffers from the drawback of slow-convergence because it intrinsically advances one step along the rescaled negative gradient direction with a non-optimal step size. Recently, a multiple step-sizes fast gradient descent (MFGD) method has been proposed for optimizing NMF which accelerates MUR by searching the optimal step-size along the rescaled negative gradient direction with Newton's method. However, the computational cost of MFGD is high because 1) the high-dimensional Hessian matrix is dense and costs too much memory; and 2) the Hessian inverse operator and its multiplication with gradient cost too much time. To overcome these deficiencies of MFGD, we propose an efficient limited-memory FGD (L-FGD) method for optimizing GNMF. In particular, we apply the limited-memory BFGS (L-BFGS) method to directly approximate the multiplication of the inverse Hessian and the gradient for searching the optimal step size in MFGD. The preliminary results on real-world datasets show that L-FGD is more efficient than both MFGD and MUR. To evaluate the effectiveness of L-FGD, we validate its clustering performance for optimizing KL-divergence based GNMF on two popular face image datasets including ORL and PIE and two text corpora including Reuters and TDT2. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of L-FGD by comparing it with the representative GNMF solvers.

Low-energy electron scattering from CO. 2: Ab-initio study using the frame-transformation theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chandra, N.

1976-01-01

The Wigner-Eisenbud R matrix method has been combined with the frame transformation theory to study electron scattering from molecular systems. The R matrix, calculated at the boundary point of the molecular core radius, has been transformed to the space frame in order to continue the solution of the scattering equations in the outer region where rotational motion of the nuclei is taken into account. This procedure has been applied to a model calculation of thermal energy electron scattering from CO.

Probing the smearing effect by a pointlike graviton in the plane-wave matrix model

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

Lee, Bum-Hoon; Nam, Siyoung; Shin, Hyeonjoon

2010-08-15

We investigate the interaction between a flat membrane and pointlike graviton in the plane-wave matrix model. The one-loop effective potential in the large-distance limit is computed and is shown to be of r{sup -3} type where r is the distance between two objects. This type of interaction has been interpreted as the one incorporating the smearing effect due to the configuration of a flat membrane in a plane-wave background. Our results support this interpretation and provide more evidence about it.

Atomic photoionization in a strong magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greene, C. H.

1983-10-01

The photoionization of hydrogen atoms in a strong magnetic field is formulated as a multichannel problem by representing the asymptotic electron-wave function in cylindrical coordinates. Departures from cylindrical symmetry close to the nucleus are incorporated by an R-matrix treatment at short range, which then merges with standard quantum-defect procedures. The R-matrix calculation utilizes the eigenchannel approach, recast in noniterative form. At the field strength treated here, B = 4.7 x 10 to the 9th G, the photoionization cross section displays narrow 'autoionizing' resonances near the excited Landau thresholds.

Transactions of the Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computing (9th) Held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 18-21 June 1991

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-01

the ith row of I<. The preconditioned matrix K is thus a stochastic matrix, and by the Perron - Frobenius theorem (e.g., Horn and Johnson, 1989), K...now be determined. For equations (10) and (11) to be real, the radical must be nonnegative . This condition on d defines the index zero threshold...ddhsi: sfl] [r;I,r;I] . Since h/lh is positive-definite, (3.2) shows that a , and 13, are nonnegative . This fact can be used t~ test a candidates

Newest Developments in the German Explosive Safety Quantitative Risk Analysis Software (ESQRA-GE)

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

Joule is shown if the density exceeds one over 56 m ². For both densities the fragments are considered that pass through a specified volume element. An...maximum velocity for each angle interval: ( , )fragN f m and 0 max ( ).fragv f  (5) We use a barrel filled with water to determine the...matrix. We employ characteristic quantities as mass, momentum and energy of the fragment matrix defined as , ijfm r c M m  , (6) , ij ifm r

R-matrix calculations for electron-impact excitation of C(+), N(2+), and O(3+) including fine structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luo, D.; Pradhan, A. K.

1990-01-01

The new R-matrix package for comprehensive close-coupling calculations for electron scattering with the first three ions in the boron isoelectronic sequence, the astrophysically significant C(+), N(2+), and O(3+), is presented. The collision strengths are calculated in the LS coupling approximation, as well as in pair-coupling scheme, for the transitions among the fine-structure sublevels. Calculations are carried out at a large number of energies in order to study the detailed effects of autoionizing resonances.

ppcor: An R Package for a Fast Calculation to Semi-partial Correlation Coefficients.

PubMed

Kim, Seongho

2015-11-01

Lack of a general matrix formula hampers implementation of the semi-partial correlation, also known as part correlation, to the higher-order coefficient. This is because the higher-order semi-partial correlation calculation using a recursive formula requires an enormous number of recursive calculations to obtain the correlation coefficients. To resolve this difficulty, we derive a general matrix formula of the semi-partial correlation for fast computation. The semi-partial correlations are then implemented on an R package ppcor along with the partial correlation. Owing to the general matrix formulas, users can readily calculate the coefficients of both partial and semi-partial correlations without computational burden. The package ppcor further provides users with the level of the statistical significance with its test statistic.

Ultem((R))/ZIF-8 mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes for CO2/N-2 separations

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

Dai, Y; Johnson, JR; Karvan, O

2012-05-15

Organic-inorganic hybrid (mixed matrix) membranes can potentially extend the separation performance of traditional polymeric materials while maintaining processing convenience. Although many dense films studies have been reported, there have been few reported cases of these materials being successfully extended to asymmetric hollow fibers. In this work we report the first successful production of mixed matrix asymmetric hollow fiber membranes containing metal-organic-framework (MOF) ZIF-8 fillers. Specifically, we have incorporated ZIF-8 into a polyetherimide (Ultem((R)) 1000) matrix and produced dual-layer asymmetric hollow fiber membranes via the dry jet-wet quench method. The outer separating layer of these composite fibers contains 13 wt% (17more » vol%) of ZIF-8 filler. These membranes have been tested over a range of temperatures and pressures for a variety of gas pairs. An increase in separation performance for the CO2/N-2 gas pairs was observed for both pure gas and mixed gas feeds. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

The spectrum of a vertex model and related spin one chain sitting in a genus five curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martins, M. J.

2017-11-01

We derive the transfer matrix eigenvalues of a three-state vertex model whose weights are based on a R-matrix not of difference form with spectral parameters lying on a genus five curve. We have shown that the basic building blocks for both the transfer matrix eigenvalues and Bethe equations can be expressed in terms of meromorphic functions on an elliptic curve. We discuss the properties of an underlying spin one chain originated from a particular choice of the R-matrix second spectral parameter. We present numerical and analytical evidences that the respective low-energy excitations can be gapped or massless depending on the strength of the interaction coupling. In the massive phase we provide analytical and numerical evidences in favor of an exact expression for the lowest energy gap. We point out that the critical point separating these two distinct physical regimes coincides with the one in which the weights geometry degenerate into union of genus one curves.

Lung Matrix Metalloproteinase Activation following Partial Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

PubMed Central

Ferrigno, Andrea; Rizzo, Vittoria; Tarantola, Eleonora

2014-01-01

Purpose. Warm hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can lead to multiorgan dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether acute liver I/R does affect the function and/or structure of remote organs such as lung, kidney, and heart via modulation of extracellular matrix remodelling. Methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min partial hepatic ischemia by clamping the hepatic artery and the portal vein. After a 60 min reperfusion, liver, lung, kidney, and heart biopsies and blood samples were collected. Serum hepatic enzymes, creatinine, urea, Troponin I and TNF-alpha, and tissue matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and morphology were monitored. Results. Serum levels of hepatic enzymes and TNF-alpha were concomitantly increased during hepatic I/R. An increase in hepatic MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities was substantiated by tissue morphology alterations. Notably, acute hepatic I/R affect the lung inasmuch as MMP-9 activity and MPO levels were increased. No difference in MMPs and MPO was observed in kidney and heart. Conclusions. Although the underlying mechanism needs further investigation, this is the first study in which the MMP activation in a distant organ is reported; this event is probably TNF-alpha-mediated and the lung appears as the first remote organ to be involved in hepatic I/R injury. PMID:24592193

Dysregulated miR-127-5p contributes to type II collagen degradation by targeting matrix metalloproteinase-13 in human intervertebral disc degeneration.

PubMed

Hua, Wen-Bin; Wu, Xing-Huo; Zhang, Yu-Kun; Song, Yu; Tu, Ji; Kang, Liang; Zhao, Kang-Cheng; Li, Shuai; Wang, Kun; Liu, Wei; Shao, Zeng-Wu; Yang, Shu-Hua; Yang, Cao

2017-08-01

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a chronic disease associated with the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 is a major enzyme that mediates the degradation of ECM components. MMP-13 has been predicted to be a potential target of miR-127-5p. However, the exact function of miR-127-5p in IDD is still unclear. We designed this study to evaluate the correlation between miR-127-5p level and the degeneration of human intervertebral discs and explore the potential mechanisms. miR-127-5p levels and MMP-13 mRNA levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). To determine whether MMP-13 is a target of miR-127-5p, dual luciferase reporter assays were performed. miR-127-5p mimic and miR-127-5p inhibitor were used to overexpress or downregulate miR-127-5p expression in human NP cells, respectively. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knock down MMP-13 expression in human NP cells. Type II collagen expression in human NP cells was detected by qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. We confirmed that miR-127-5p was significantly downregulated in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue of degenerative discs and its expression was inversely correlated with MMP-13 mRNA levels. We reveal that MMP-13 may act as a target of miR-127-5p. Expression of miR-127-5p was inversely correlated with type II collagen expression in human NP cells. Moreover, suppression of MMP-13 expression by siRNA blocked downstream signaling and increased type II collagen expression. Dysregulated miR-127-5p contributed to the degradation of type II collagen by targeting MMP-13 in human IDD. Our findings highlight that miR-127-5p may serve as a new therapeutic target in IDD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.

High-dimensional statistical inference: From vector to matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Anru

Statistical inference for sparse signals or low-rank matrices in high-dimensional settings is of significant interest in a range of contemporary applications. It has attracted significant recent attention in many fields including statistics, applied mathematics and electrical engineering. In this thesis, we consider several problems in including sparse signal recovery (compressed sensing under restricted isometry) and low-rank matrix recovery (matrix recovery via rank-one projections and structured matrix completion). The first part of the thesis discusses compressed sensing and affine rank minimization in both noiseless and noisy cases and establishes sharp restricted isometry conditions for sparse signal and low-rank matrix recovery. The analysis relies on a key technical tool which represents points in a polytope by convex combinations of sparse vectors. The technique is elementary while leads to sharp results. It is shown that, in compressed sensing, delta kA < 1/3, deltak A+ thetak,kA < 1, or deltatkA < √( t - 1)/t for any given constant t ≥ 4/3 guarantee the exact recovery of all k sparse signals in the noiseless case through the constrained ℓ1 minimization, and similarly in affine rank minimization delta rM < 1/3, deltar M + thetar, rM < 1, or deltatrM< √( t - 1)/t ensure the exact reconstruction of all matrices with rank at most r in the noiseless case via the constrained nuclear norm minimization. Moreover, for any epsilon > 0, delta kA < 1/3 + epsilon, deltak A + thetak,kA < 1 + epsilon, or deltatkA< √(t - 1) / t + epsilon are not sufficient to guarantee the exact recovery of all k-sparse signals for large k. Similar result also holds for matrix recovery. In addition, the conditions delta kA<1/3, deltak A+ thetak,kA<1, delta tkA < √(t - 1)/t and deltarM<1/3, delta rM+ thetar,rM<1, delta trM< √(t - 1)/ t are also shown to be sufficient respectively for stable recovery of approximately sparse signals and low-rank matrices in the noisy case. For the second part of the thesis, we introduce a rank-one projection model for low-rank matrix recovery and propose a constrained nuclear norm minimization method for stable recovery of low-rank matrices in the noisy case. The procedure is adaptive to the rank and robust against small perturbations. Both upper and lower bounds for the estimation accuracy under the Frobenius norm loss are obtained. The proposed estimator is shown to be rate-optimal under certain conditions. The estimator is easy to implement via convex programming and performs well numerically. The techniques and main results developed in the chapter also have implications to other related statistical problems. An application to estimation of spiked covariance matrices from one-dimensional random projections is considered. The results demonstrate that it is still possible to accurately estimate the covariance matrix of a high-dimensional distribution based only on one-dimensional projections. For the third part of the thesis, we consider another setting of low-rank matrix completion. Current literature on matrix completion focuses primarily on independent sampling models under which the individual observed entries are sampled independently. Motivated by applications in genomic data integration, we propose a new framework of structured matrix completion (SMC) to treat structured missingness by design. Specifically, our proposed method aims at efficient matrix recovery when a subset of the rows and columns of an approximately low-rank matrix are observed. We provide theoretical justification for the proposed SMC method and derive lower bound for the estimation errors, which together establish the optimal rate of recovery over certain classes of approximately low-rank matrices. Simulation studies show that the method performs well in finite sample under a variety of configurations. The method is applied to integrate several ovarian cancer genomic studies with different extent of genomic measurements, which enables us to construct more accurate prediction rules for ovarian cancer survival.

Distance matrix-based approach to protein structure prediction.

PubMed

Kloczkowski, Andrzej; Jernigan, Robert L; Wu, Zhijun; Song, Guang; Yang, Lei; Kolinski, Andrzej; Pokarowski, Piotr

2009-03-01

Much structural information is encoded in the internal distances; a distance matrix-based approach can be used to predict protein structure and dynamics, and for structural refinement. Our approach is based on the square distance matrix D = [r(ij)(2)] containing all square distances between residues in proteins. This distance matrix contains more information than the contact matrix C, that has elements of either 0 or 1 depending on whether the distance r (ij) is greater or less than a cutoff value r (cutoff). We have performed spectral decomposition of the distance matrices D = sigma lambda(k)V(k)V(kT), in terms of eigenvalues lambda kappa and the corresponding eigenvectors v kappa and found that it contains at most five nonzero terms. A dominant eigenvector is proportional to r (2)--the square distance of points from the center of mass, with the next three being the principal components of the system of points. By predicting r (2) from the sequence we can approximate a distance matrix of a protein with an expected RMSD value of about 7.3 A, and by combining it with the prediction of the first principal component we can improve this approximation to 4.0 A. We can also explain the role of hydrophobic interactions for the protein structure, because r is highly correlated with the hydrophobic profile of the sequence. Moreover, r is highly correlated with several sequence profiles which are useful in protein structure prediction, such as contact number, the residue-wise contact order (RWCO) or mean square fluctuations (i.e. crystallographic temperature factors). We have also shown that the next three components are related to spatial directionality of the secondary structure elements, and they may be also predicted from the sequence, improving overall structure prediction. We have also shown that the large number of available HIV-1 protease structures provides a remarkable sampling of conformations, which can be viewed as direct structural information about the dynamics. After structure matching, we apply principal component analysis (PCA) to obtain the important apparent motions for both bound and unbound structures. There are significant similarities between the first few key motions and the first few low-frequency normal modes calculated from a static representative structure with an elastic network model (ENM) that is based on the contact matrix C (related to D), strongly suggesting that the variations among the observed structures and the corresponding conformational changes are facilitated by the low-frequency, global motions intrinsic to the structure. Similarities are also found when the approach is applied to an NMR ensemble, as well as to atomic molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories. Thus, a sufficiently large number of experimental structures can directly provide important information about protein dynamics, but ENM can also provide a similar sampling of conformations. Finally, we use distance constraints from databases of known protein structures for structure refinement. We use the distributions of distances of various types in known protein structures to obtain the most probable ranges or the mean-force potentials for the distances. We then impose these constraints on structures to be refined or include the mean-force potentials directly in the energy minimization so that more plausible structural models can be built. This approach has been successfully used by us in 2006 in the CASPR structure refinement (http://predictioncenter.org/caspR).

Design of a Personnel and Training Information System for Educational R&D Personnel. The Domain of R&D Training Resources.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hood, Paul D.

This document reports an attempt to examine the content and structure of the domain of research and development (R&D) training resources. The project began by locating instructional materials within a larger matrix that classified R&D resources by structure (primary/secondary, oral/written, documentary/non-document) and level of formalization…

Technical note: an R package for fitting sparse neural networks with application in animal breeding.

PubMed

Wang, Yangfan; Mi, Xue; Rosa, Guilherme J M; Chen, Zhihui; Lin, Ping; Wang, Shi; Bao, Zhenmin

2018-05-04

Neural networks (NNs) have emerged as a new tool for genomic selection (GS) in animal breeding. However, the properties of NN used in GS for the prediction of phenotypic outcomes are not well characterized due to the problem of over-parameterization of NN and difficulties in using whole-genome marker sets as high-dimensional NN input. In this note, we have developed an R package called snnR that finds an optimal sparse structure of a NN by minimizing the square error subject to a penalty on the L1-norm of the parameters (weights and biases), therefore solving the problem of over-parameterization in NN. We have also tested some models fitted in the snnR package to demonstrate their feasibility and effectiveness to be used in several cases as examples. In comparison of snnR to the R package brnn (the Bayesian regularized single layer NNs), with both using the entries of a genotype matrix or a genomic relationship matrix as inputs, snnR has greatly improved the computational efficiency and the prediction ability for the GS in animal breeding because snnR implements a sparse NN with many hidden layers.

Estimating the instabilities of N clocks by means of comparison measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Premoli, Amedeo; Tavella, Patrizia

1993-01-01

The estimation of individual instabilities of N clocks, compared by measuring the differences of their readings, is considered without assuming a priori any hypotheses on their uncorrelation. Instabilities of the N clocks are described by a complete (non-diagonal) N x N covariance matrix R. Only differences of clock readings are available in order to estimate R. Statistical processing of these data allows one to calculate the (N-1)x(N-l) covariance matrix S of the differences relative to the N-th(reference) clock. By analyzing the relationships tying R and S, several pieces of information can be inferred and, in particular, the conditions for the validity of the uncorrelation hypothesis are established. The estimation of R from S is not unique: in any case R must be positive definite. A theorem states that R is positive definite if and only if its determinant is positive. Nevertheless infinitely many acceptable choices of R still fulfill the condition of positive definiteness. This paper shows that, by increasing the number N of compared clocks, the amount of arbitrariness in estimating R is reduced. The analysis of some experimental data illustrates the capability of the method.

45 CFR Appendix A to Subpart C of... - Security Standards: Matrix

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... C of Part 164 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE DATA STANDARDS... Protected Health Information Pt. 164, Subpt. C, App. A Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 164—Security Standards: Matrix Standards Sections Implementation Specifications (R)=Required, (A)=Addressable...

45 CFR Appendix A to Subpart C of... - Security Standards: Matrix

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... C of Part 164 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE DATA STANDARDS... Protected Health Information Pt. 164, Subpt. C, App. A Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 164—Security Standards: Matrix Standards Sections Implementation Specifications (R)=Required, (A)=Addressable...

HPLC-MS/MS method optimisation for matrix metalloproteinase 3 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 determination in human blood serum using target analysis.

PubMed

Kotnik, Petra; Krajnc, Metka Koren; Pahor, Artur; Finšgar, Matjaž; Knez, Željko

2018-02-20

A quantitative analysis of zinc endopeptidases matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) from human blood serum are presented. Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are present in human blood serum and can be used as biomarkers for different diseases. The analysis was performed using LC-MS/MS with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, based on two specific peptides of each MMP in comparison with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). While the conditions for the LC-MS/MS analysis of MMP9 peptides were previously reported for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the analysis of MMP3 peptides was newly quantified for human blood serum herein for the first time. For MMP3, the linear behaviour was determined in the concentration range from 1.0-200.0ng/mL (R 2 =0.997) with an LLOD of 0.5ng/mL. For MMP9, linearity was determined in the concentration range from 6.5-65.0ng/mL (R 2 =0.995) with an LLOD of 2.0ng/mL. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relativistic R -matrix calculations for the electron-impact excitation of neutral molybdenum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smyth, R. T.; Johnson, C. A.; Ennis, D. A.; Loch, S. D.; Ramsbottom, C. A.; Ballance, C. P.

2017-10-01

A recent PISCES-B Mod experiment [Nishijima et al., J. Phys. B 43, 225701 (2010), 10.1088/0953-4075/43/22/225701] has revealed up to a factor of 5 discrepancy between measurement and the two existing theoretical models [Badnell et al., J. Phys. B 29, 3683 (1996), 10.1088/0953-4075/29/16/014; Bartschat et al., J. Phys. B 35, 2899 (2002), 10.1088/0953-4075/35/13/305], providing important diagnostics for Mo i. In the following paper we address this issue by employing a relativistic atomic structure and R -matrix scattering calculations to improve upon the available models for future applications and benchmark results against a recent Compact Toroidal Hybrid experiment [Hartwell et al., Fusion Sci. Technol. 72, 76 (2017), 10.1080/15361055.2017.1291046]. We determine the atomic structure of Mo i using grasp0, which implements the multiconfigurational Dirac-Fock method. Fine structure energies and radiative transition rates are presented and compared to existing experimental and theoretical values. The electron-impact excitation of Mo i is investigated using the relativistic R -matrix method and the parallel versions of the Dirac atomic R -matrix codes. Electron-impact excitation cross sections are presented and compared to the few available theoretical cross sections. Throughout, our emphasis is on improving the results for the z 1,2,3o5P →a S52,z 2,3,4o7P → a S73 and y 2,3,4o7P → a S73 electric dipole transitions of particular relevance for diagnostic work.

Inactivation of genes TEC1 and EFG1 in Candida albicans influences extracellular matrix composition and biofilm morphology.

PubMed

Panariello, Beatriz Helena Dias; Klein, Marlise I; Pavarina, Ana Claudia; Duarte, Simone

2017-01-01

Background : Infections caused by Candida spp. have been associated with formation of a biofilm, i.e. a complex microstructure of cells adhering to a surface and embedded within an extracellular matrix (ECM). Methods : The ECMs of a wild-type (WT, SN425) and two Candida albicans mutant strains, Δ/Δ tec1 (CJN2330) and Δ/Δ efg1 (CJN2302), were evaluated. Colony-forming units (cfu), total biomass (mg), water-soluble polysaccharides (WSPs), alkali-soluble polysaccharides (ASPs), proteins (insoluble part of biofilms and matrix proteins), and extracellular DNA (eDNA) were quantified. Variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy were performed. The biovolume (μm 3 /μm 2 ) and maximum thickness (μm) of the biofilms were quantified using COMSTAT2. Results : ASP content was highest in WT (mean ± SD: 74.5 ± 22.0 µg), followed by Δ/Δ tec1 (44.0 ± 24.1 µg) and Δ/Δ efg1 (14.7 ± 5.0 µg). The protein correlated with ASPs ( r  = 0.666) and with matrix proteins ( r  = 0.670) in the WT strain. The population in Δ/Δ efg1 correlated with the protein ( r  = 0.734) and its biofilms exhibited the lowest biomass and biovolume, and maximum thickness. In Δ/Δ tec1, ASP correlated with eDNA ( r  = 0.678). Conclusion : ASP production may be linked to C. albicans cell filamentous morphology.

Recycling and characterization of carbon fibers from carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites by a novel super-heated-steam method.

PubMed

Kim, Kwan-Woo; Lee, Hye-Min; An, Jeong-Hun; Chung, Dong-Chul; An, Kay-Hyeok; Kim, Byung-Joo

2017-12-01

In order to manufacture high quality recycled carbon fibers (R-CFs), carbon fiber-reinforced composite wastes were pyrolysed with super-heated steam at 550 °C in a fixed bed reactor for varying reaction times. The mechanical and surface properties of the R-CFs were characterized with a single fiber tensile test, interface shear strength (IFSS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface analysis showed that there was no matrix char residue on the fiber surfaces. The tensile strength and IFSS values of the R-CFs were 90% and 115% compared to those of virgin carbon fibers (V-CFs), respectively. The recycling efficiency of the R-CFs from the composites were strongly dependent on the pyrolysis temperature, reaction time, and super-heated steam feeding rate. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The tensor hypercontracted parametric reduced density matrix algorithm: coupled-cluster accuracy with O(r(4)) scaling.

PubMed

Shenvi, Neil; van Aggelen, Helen; Yang, Yang; Yang, Weitao; Schwerdtfeger, Christine; Mazziotti, David

2013-08-07

Tensor hypercontraction is a method that allows the representation of a high-rank tensor as a product of lower-rank tensors. In this paper, we show how tensor hypercontraction can be applied to both the electron repulsion integral tensor and the two-particle excitation amplitudes used in the parametric 2-electron reduced density matrix (p2RDM) algorithm. Because only O(r) auxiliary functions are needed in both of these approximations, our overall algorithm can be shown to scale as O(r(4)), where r is the number of single-particle basis functions. We apply our algorithm to several small molecules, hydrogen chains, and alkanes to demonstrate its low formal scaling and practical utility. Provided we use enough auxiliary functions, we obtain accuracy similar to that of the standard p2RDM algorithm, somewhere between that of CCSD and CCSD(T).

An R-matrix study of electron induced processes in BF3 plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Dhanoj; Chakrabarti, Kalyan; Yoon, Jung-Sik; Song, Mi-Young

2017-12-01

An R-matrix formalism is used to study electron collision with the BF3 molecule using Quantemol-N, a computational system for electron molecule collisions which uses the molecular R-matrix method. Several target models are tested for BF3 in its equilibrium geometry, and the results are presented for the best model. Scattering calculations are then performed to yield resonance parameters, elastic, differential, excitation, and momentum transfer cross sections. The results for all the cross sections are compared with the experimental and theoretical data, and a good agreement is obtained. The resonances have been detected at 3.79 and 13.58 eV, with the ionization threshold being 15.7 eV. We have also estimated the absolute dissociative electron attachment (DEA) cross section for the F- ion production from BF3, which is a maiden attempt. The peak of the DEA is at around 13.5 eV, which is well supported by the resonance detected at 13.58 eV. The cross sections reported here find a variety of applications in the plasma technology.

{ital R}-matrix theory, formal Casimirs and the periodic Toda lattice

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

Morosi, C.; Pizzocchero, L.

The nonunitary {ital r}-matrix theory and the associated bi- and triHamiltonian schemes are considered. The language of Poisson pencils and of their formal Casimirs is applied in this framework to characterize the biHamiltonian chains of integrals of motion, pointing out the role of the Schur polynomials in these constructions. This formalism is subsequently applied to the periodic Toda lattice. Some different algebraic settings and Lax formulations proposed in the literature for this system are analyzed in detail, and their full equivalence is exploited. In particular, the equivalence between the loop algebra approach and the method of differential-difference operators is illustrated;more » moreover, two alternative Lax formulations are considered, and appropriate reduction algorithms are found in both cases, allowing us to derive the multiHamiltonian formalism from {ital r}-matrix theory. The systems of integrals for the periodic Toda lattice known after Flaschka and H{acute e}non, and their functional relations, are recovered through systematic application of the previously outlined schemes. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Loss of miR-203 regulates cell shape and matrix adhesion through ROBO1/Rac/FAK in response to stiffness

PubMed Central

Le, Lily Thao-Nhi; Cazares, Oscar; Mouw, Janna K.; Chatterjee, Sharmila; Macias, Hector; Moran, Angel; Ramos, Jillian; Keely, Patricia J.; Weaver, Valerie M.

2016-01-01

Breast tumor progression is accompanied by changes in the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) that increase stiffness of the microenvironment. Mammary epithelial cells engage regulatory pathways that permit dynamic responses to mechanical cues from the ECM. Here, we identify a SLIT2/ROBO1 signaling circuit as a key regulatory mechanism by which cells sense and respond to ECM stiffness to preserve tensional homeostasis. We observed that Robo1 ablation in the developing mammary gland compromised actin stress fiber assembly and inhibited cell contractility to perturb tissue morphogenesis, whereas SLIT2 treatment stimulated Rac and increased focal adhesion kinase activity to enhance cell tension by maintaining cell shape and matrix adhesion. Further investigation revealed that a stiff ECM increased Robo1 levels by down-regulating miR-203. Consistently, patients whose tumor expressed a low miR-203/high Robo1 expression pattern exhibited a better overall survival prognosis. These studies show that cells subjected to stiffened environments up-regulate Robo1 as a protective mechanism that maintains cell shape and facilitates ECM adherence. PMID:26975850

Corrosion of Graphite Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-01

cathodic protection of G/AI MMCs resulted in overprotection 13. Overprotection resulted from a local increase in pH near cathodic sites during...34Cathodic Overprotection of SiC/6061-T6 and G/6061- T6 Aluminum Alloy Metal Matrix Composites," Scripta Metallurgica, 22 (1988) 413-418. 14. R

Transferring elements of a density matrix

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

Allahverdyan, Armen E.; Hovhannisyan, Karen V.; Yerevan State University, A. Manoogian Street 1, Yerevan

2010-01-15

We study restrictions imposed by quantum mechanics on the process of matrix-element transfer. This problem is at the core of quantum measurements and state transfer. Given two systems A and B with initial density matrices lambda and r, respectively, we consider interactions that lead to transferring certain matrix elements of unknown lambda into those of the final state r-tilde of B. We find that this process eliminates the memory on the transferred (or certain other) matrix elements from the final state of A. If one diagonal matrix element is transferred, r(tilde sign){sub aa}=lambda{sub aa}, the memory on each nondiagonal elementmore » lambda{sub an}ot ={sub b} is completely eliminated from the final density operator of A. Consider the following three quantities, Relambda{sub an}ot ={sub b}, Imlambda{sub an}ot ={sub b}, and lambda{sub aa}-lambda{sub bb} (the real and imaginary part of a nondiagonal element and the corresponding difference between diagonal elements). Transferring one of them, e.g., Rer(tilde sign){sub an}ot ={sub b}=Relambda{sub an}ot ={sub b}, erases the memory on two others from the final state of A. Generalization of these setups to a finite-accuracy transfer brings in a trade-off between the accuracy and the amount of preserved memory. This trade-off is expressed via system-independent uncertainty relations that account for local aspects of the accuracy-disturbance trade-off in quantum measurements. Thus, the general aspect of state disturbance in quantum measurements is elimination of memory on non-diagonal elements, rather than diagonalization.« less

Microstructure and physical properties of steel-ladle purging plug refractory materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Bin; Xu, Gui-ying; Andreas, Buhr

2017-02-01

Three different castables were prepared as steel-ladle purging-plug refractory materials: corundum-based low-cement castable (C-LCC), corundum-spinel-based low-cement castable (C-S-LCC), and no-cement corundum-spinel castable (C-S-NCC) (hydratable alumina ρ-Al2O3 bonded). The properties of these castables were characterized with regard to water demand/flow ability, cold crushing strength (CCS), cold modulus of rupture (CMoR), permanent linear change (PLC), apparent porosity, and hot modulus of rupture (HMoR). The results show the CCS/CMoR and HMoR of C-LCC and C-S-LCC are greater than those of the castable C-S-NCC. According to the microstructure analysis, the sintering effect and the bonding type of the matrix material differ among the three castables. The calcium hexaluminate (CA6) phase in the matrix of C-LCC enhances the cold and hot mechanical strengths. In the case of C-S-LCC, the CA6 and 2CaO·2MgO·14Al2O3 (C2M2A14) ternary phases generated from the matrix can greatly increase the cold and hot mechanical strengths. In the case of the no-cement castable, sintering becomes difficult, resulting in a lower mechanical strength.

Constructing the GW self-energy of a point defect from the perfect crystal and the near neighborhood of the defect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skachkov, Dmitry; van Schilfgaarde, Mark; Lambrecht, Walter

The full-potential linearized muffin-tin orbital method allows for a real space representation of the GW or quasi-particle self-consistent (QS)GW self-energy ΣR , L ; R' + T , L'. This can be used to construct the self-energy matrix for a point defect system in a large supercell from that of the perfect crystal in the primitive cell and the self-energy of the defect site and its near neighborhood, obtained self-consistently in a smaller supercell. At the interface between both regions we can average the two types of ΣR , L ; R' + T , L' matrix blocks. The result relies on the limited range of the self-energy matrix in real space. It means that we can calculate the quasiparticle energy levels of the defect system at essentially the cost of a DFT calculation and a few QSGW calculations for relatively small systems. The approach presently focuses on quasiparticle energy levels of band structures of the defect system rather than total energies. We will present test results for AsGa\\ in GaAs, ZnGe in ZnGeN2, NO, VO, VZn, and NO - VZn in ZnO. Supported by the US-DOE-BES under Grant No. DE-SC0008933.

Unusual Mesoporous Carbonaceous Matrix Loading with Sulfur as the Cathode of Lithium Sulfur Battery with Exceptionally Stable High Rate Performance.

PubMed

Qian, Weiwei; Gao, Qiuming; Li, Zeyu; Tian, Weiqian; Zhang, Hang; Zhang, Qiang

2017-08-30

Unusual three-dimensional mesoporous carbon/reduced graphene oxide (MP-C/rGO) matrix possessing graphene nanolayer pore walls built up by three to five graphene monosheets and some carbon particles with the sizes of about 5 nm located between the graphene nanolayers was prepared by facile freeze-drying and then carbonization of the poly(vinyl alcohol) and graphene oxide mixture. The mesoporous carbonaceous MP-C/rGO sample has a high specific surface area of 661.6 m 2 g -1 , large specific pore volume of 1.54 m 3 g -1 , and focused pore size distribution of 2-10 nm. About 64 wt % sulfur could be held in the pores of the MP-C/rGO matrix. As the cathode of a Li-S battery, the MP-C/rGO/S composite showed excellent electrochemical property including a high initial specific capacity of 919 mA h g -1 at 1 C with the capacity retention ratio of 63.3% and the Coulombic efficiency above 90% after 500 cycles. Meanwhile, the initial specific capacity of 602 mA h g -1 at 5 C and remaining capacity of 391 mA h g -1 after 500 cycles with an outstanding Coulombic efficiency of 97% indicate its exceptionally stable rate performance.

The extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer EMMPRIN is a target of nitric oxide in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion.

PubMed

Tarin, Carlos; Lavin, Begoña; Gomez, Monica; Saura, Marta; Diez-Juan, Antonio; Zaragoza, Carlos

2011-07-15

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important defense against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated necrosis of cardiac myocytes is well characterized, the role of inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-derived NO in this process is poorly understood. I/R injury was increased in iNOS-deficient mice and in mice treated with 1400 W (a pharmacological iNOS inhibitor) and was associated with significantly increased expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and EMMPRIN-associated MMPs. Transcriptional activity of an EMMPRIN luciferase promoter reporter expressed in cardiac myocytes was inhibited by NO in a cGMP-dependent manner, and this transcriptional inhibition was abolished by mutation of a putative E2F site. Consistent with these findings, EMMPRIN null mice, in which iNOS is normally induced, are partially protected against I/R injury. Pharmacological inhibition of iNOS in EMMPRIN null mice had no additional protective effect, suggesting that EMMPRIN is a downstream target of NO. Administration of anti-EMMPRIN neutralizing antibodies partly reduced the excess heart damage and MMP-9 expression induced by I/R in iNOS null mice, indicating that regulation of EMMPRIN is an important mechanism of NO-mediated cardioprotection. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spermidine promotes Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation by activating expression of the matrix regulator slrR.

PubMed

Hobley, Laura; Li, Bin; Wood, Jennifer L; Kim, Sok Ho; Naidoo, Jacinth; Ferreira, Ana Sofia; Khomutov, Maxim; Khomutov, Alexey; Stanley-Wall, Nicola R; Michael, Anthony J

2017-07-21

Ubiquitous polyamine spermidine is not required for normal planktonic growth of Bacillus subtilis but is essential for robust biofilm formation. However, the structural features of spermidine required for B. subtilis biofilm formation are unknown and so are the molecular mechanisms of spermidine-stimulated biofilm development. We report here that in a spermidine-deficient B. subtilis mutant, the structural analogue norspermidine, but not homospermidine, restored biofilm formation. Intracellular biosynthesis of another spermidine analogue, aminopropylcadaverine, from exogenously supplied homoagmatine also restored biofilm formation. The differential ability of C-methylated spermidine analogues to functionally replace spermidine in biofilm formation indicated that the aminopropyl moiety of spermidine is more sensitive to C -methylation, which it is essential for biofilm formation, but that the length and symmetry of the molecule is not critical. Transcriptomic analysis of a spermidine-depleted B. subtilis speD mutant uncovered a nitrogen-, methionine-, and S -adenosylmethionine-sufficiency response, resulting in repression of gene expression related to purine catabolism, methionine and S -adenosylmethionine biosynthesis and methionine salvage, and signs of altered membrane status. Consistent with the spermidine requirement in biofilm formation, single-cell analysis of this mutant indicated reduced expression of the operons for production of the exopolysaccharide and TasA protein biofilm matrix components and SinR antagonist slrR Deletion of sinR or ectopic expression of slrR in the spermidine-deficient Δ speD background restored biofilm formation, indicating that spermidine is required for expression of the biofilm regulator slrR Our results indicate that spermidine functions in biofilm development by activating transcription of the biofilm matrix exopolysaccharide and TasA operons through the regulator slrR . © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

MicroRNA-188-5p regulates contribution of bone marrow-derived cells to choroidal neovascularization development by targeting MMP-2/13.

PubMed

Hou, Huiyuan; Gao, Fan; Liang, Hongliang; Lv, Yang; Li, Manhong; Yao, Libo; Zhang, Jian; Dou, Guorui; Wang, Yusheng

2018-06-14

Our previous investigations have shown that bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs), including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), contribute to the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) as sources of cells and angiogenic factors. Two main steps for circulating BMCs to integrate into CNV lesions are extracellular matrix remodeling and consequential cell migration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were found to be involved in CNV development; however, little is known about whether miRNAs regulate the contribution of BMCs to CNV. In the present study, we found that the expression of miR-188-5p was decreased in cultured hypoxic MSCs and BMCs within laser-induced CNV in mice. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-13 were both discovered as targets of miR-188-5p by bioinformatics predictions and dual-luciferase reporter system. Accordingly, increased expression of MMP-2/13 was found in hypoxic MSCs and BMCs in CNV lesions. Furthermore, miR-188-5p mimic transfection caused downregulation of MMP-2/13 in hypoxic MSCs and decreased tube formation of co-cultured vascular endothelial cells. Intravitreal injections of a miR-188-5p agomir attenuated the severity of CNV and inhibited the migration of BMCs into CNV lesions in mice. Our study suggests that miR-188-5p regulates the contribution of BMCs to CNV development by targeting MMP-2/13-mediated extracellular matrix degeneration, and miR-188-5p serves as a therapeutic target to treat CNV-related diseases. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Comparative Study of Biological Activities of Venom from Colubrid Snakes Rhabdophis tigrinus (Yamakagashi) and Rhabdophis lateralis

PubMed Central

Komori, Yumiko; Hifumi, Toru; Yamamoto, Akihiko; Sakai, Atsushi; Sawabe, Kyoko; Nikai, Toshiaki

2017-01-01

Rhabdophis lateralis, a colubrid snake distributed throughout the continent of Asia, has recently undergone taxonomic revisions. Previously, Rhabdophis lateralis was classified as a subspecies of R. tigrinus (Yamakagashi) until 2012, when several genetic differences were discovered which classified this snake as its own species. To elucidate the toxicity of venom from this poorly studied colubrid, various biological activities were compared between the venom from the two snake species. The components of their venom were compared by the elution profiles of reversed-phase HPLC and SDS-PAGE, and gel filtrated fractions were tested for effects on blood coagulation. Proteolytic activities of these fractions were also assayed by using synthetic substrates, fibrinogen, and matrix proteins. Similar to the R. tigrinus venom, the higher molecular weight fraction of R. lateralis venom contained a prothrombin activator. Both prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of human plasma were shortened by the addition of R. lateralis and R. tigrinus venom. The thrombin formation was estimated by the uses of SDS-PAGE and chromogenic substrates. These venom fractions also possessed very specific proteinase activity on human fibrinogen, but the substrates for matrix metalloproteinase, such as collagen and laminin, were not hydrolyzed. However, there were some notable differences in reactivity to synthetic substrates for matrix metalloproteinase, and R. tigrinus venom possessed relatively higher activity. Our chemical investigation indicates that the components included in both venoms resemble each other closely. However, the ratio of components and proteolytic activity of some ingredients are slightly different, indicating differences between two closely-related snakes. PMID:29149042

Basigin-2 Is a Cell Surface Receptor for Soluble Basigin Ligand*S⃞

PubMed Central

Belton, Robert J.; Chen, Li; Mesquita, Fernando S.; Nowak, Romana A.

2008-01-01

The metastatic spread of a tumor is dependent upon the ability of the tumor to stimulate surrounding stromal cells to express enzymes required for tissue remodeling. The immunoglobulin superfamily protein basigin (EMMPRIN/CD147) is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed by tumor cells that stimulates matrix metalloproteinase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in stromal cells. The ability of basigin to stimulate expression of molecules involved in tissue remodeling and angiogenesis makes basigin a potential target for the development of strategies to block metastasis. However, the identity of the cell surface receptor for basigin remains controversial. The goal of this study was to determine the identity of the receptor for basigin. Using a novel recombinant basigin protein (rBSG) corresponding to the extracellular domain of basigin, it was demonstrated that the native, nonglycosylated rBSG protein forms dimers in solution. Furthermore, rBSG binds to the surface of uterine fibroblasts, activates the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and induces expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, and 3. Proteins that interact with rBSG were isolated using a biotin label transfer technique and sequenced by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem mass spectrophotometry. The results demonstrate that rBSG interacts with basigin expressed on the surface of fibroblasts and is subsequently internalized. During internalization, rBSG associates with a novel form of human basigin (basigin-3). It was concluded that cell surface basigin functions as a membrane receptor for soluble basigin and this homophilic interaction is not dependent upon glycosylation of the basigin ligand. PMID:18434307

miR-146a facilitates osteoarthritis by regulating cartilage homeostasis via targeting Camk2d and Ppp3r2.

PubMed

Zhang, Xudong; Wang, Chuandong; Zhao, Jingyu; Xu, Jiajia; Geng, Yiyun; Dai, Liming; Huang, Yan; Fu, Sai-Chuen; Dai, Kerong; Zhang, Xiaoling

2017-04-06

Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by insufficient extracellular matrix synthesis and cartilage degeneration, is known as an incurable disease because its pathogenesis is poorly elucidated. Thus far, limited information is available regarding the pathophysiological role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA. In this study, we investigated the specific function of miR-146a in OA pathophysiology using mouse OA models. We found that the articular cartilage degeneration of miR-146a knockout (KO) mice was alleviated compared with that of the wild-type (WT) mice in spontaneous and instability-induced OA models. We demonstrate that miR-146a aggravated pro-inflammatory cytokines induced suppressing the expression of cartilage matrix-associated genes. We further identified calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Camk2d) and protein phosphatase 3, regulatory subunit B, beta isoform (Ppp3r2, also known as calcineurin B, type II) were essential targets of miR-146a in regulating cartilage homeostasis. Moreover, we found that surgical-induced OA mice treated with a miR-146a inhibitor significantly alleviated the destruction of articular cartilage via targeting Camk2d and Ppp3r2. These results suggested that miR-146a has a crucial role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. MiR-146a inhibition in chondrocytes can be a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate OA.

Pros and cons of estimating the reproduction number from early epidemic growth rate of influenza A (H1N1) 2009.

PubMed

Nishiura, Hiroshi; Chowell, Gerardo; Safan, Muntaser; Castillo-Chavez, Carlos

2010-01-07

In many parts of the world, the exponential growth rate of infections during the initial epidemic phase has been used to make statistical inferences on the reproduction number, R, a summary measure of the transmission potential for the novel influenza A (H1N1) 2009. The growth rate at the initial stage of the epidemic in Japan led to estimates for R in the range 2.0 to 2.6, capturing the intensity of the initial outbreak among school-age children in May 2009. An updated estimate of R that takes into account the epidemic data from 29 May to 14 July is provided. An age-structured renewal process is employed to capture the age-dependent transmission dynamics, jointly estimating the reproduction number, the age-dependent susceptibility and the relative contribution of imported cases to secondary transmission. Pitfalls in estimating epidemic growth rates are identified and used for scrutinizing and re-assessing the results of our earlier estimate of R. Maximum likelihood estimates of R using the data from 29 May to 14 July ranged from 1.21 to 1.35. The next-generation matrix, based on our age-structured model, predicts that only 17.5% of the population will experience infection by the end of the first pandemic wave. Our earlier estimate of R did not fully capture the population-wide epidemic in quantifying the next-generation matrix from the estimated growth rate during the initial stage of the pandemic in Japan. In order to quantify R from the growth rate of cases, it is essential that the selected model captures the underlying transmission dynamics embedded in the data. Exploring additional epidemiological information will be useful for assessing the temporal dynamics. Although the simple concept of R is more easily grasped by the general public than that of the next-generation matrix, the matrix incorporating detailed information (e.g., age-specificity) is essential for reducing the levels of uncertainty in predictions and for assisting public health policymaking. Model-based prediction and policymaking are best described by sharing fundamental notions of heterogeneous risks of infection and death with non-experts to avoid potential confusion and/or possible misuse of modelling results.

New Precession Formulas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukushima, T.

2003-08-01

We adapted J.G. Williams' expression of the precession and nutation by the 3-1-3-1 rotation (Williams 1994) to an arbitrary inertial frame of reference. The new expression of the precession matrix is P = R1(-ɛ ) R3(-ψ ) R1(ϕ) R3(γ ) while that of precession-nutation matrix is NP = R1(-ɛ -Δ ɛ ) R3(-ψ -Δ ψ ) R1(ϕ) R3(γ ). Here γ and ϕ are the new planetary precession angles, ψ and ɛ are the new luni-solar precession angles, and Δ ψ and Δ ɛ are the usual nutations. The modified formulation avoids a singularity caused by finite pole offsets near the epoch. By adopting the latest planetary precession formula determined from DE405 (Harada 2003) and by using a recent theory of the forced nutation of the non-rigid Earth, SF2001 (Shirai and Fukushima 2001), we analysed the celestial pole offsets observed by VLBI for 1979-2000 and compiled by USNO and determined the best-fit polynomials of the new luni-solar precession angles. Then we translated the results into the classic precessional quantities as sin π A sin Π A, sin π A \\cos Π A, π A, Π A, pA, ψ A, ω A, χA, ζ A, zA, and θ A. Also we evaluated the effect of the difference in the ecliptic definition between the inertial and rotational senses. The combination of these formulas and the periodic part of SF2001 serves as a good approximation of the precession-nutation matrix in the ICRF. As a by-product, we determined the mean celestial pole offset at J2000.0 as X0 = -(17.12 +/- 0.01) mas and Y0 = -(5.06 +/- 0.02) mas. Also we estimated the speed of general precession in longitude at J2000.0 as p = (5028.7955 +/- 0.0003)''/Julian century, the mean obliquity at J2000.0 in the rotational sense as ɛ 0 = (84381.40955 +/- 0.00001)'', and the dynamical flattening of the Earth as Hd = (0.0032737804 +/- 0.0000000003). Further, we established a fast way to compute the precession-nutation matrix and provided a best-fit polynomial of s, an angle to specify the mean CEO.

Matrix Management: Is It Really Conflict Management.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-11-01

ru— A036 516 DEFENSE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT COLL FORT BELVOIR VA - FIG 5/1 MATRIX MANAGEMENT: IS IT REALLY CONFLICT MANAGEMENT . (U) NOV 76 R P... conflict management .” As a result , sensitivity training for managers and their subordinates was conducted in order to implement the matrix concept...Wilemon. “ Conflict Management in ProJect Life Cycles ,” Sloan ~anagement Review , Vol. 16,Spring , 1975, pp . 3 1—5 0. Thamhain , Hans J. and David L

Near-Infrared Collisional Radiative Model for Xe Plasma Electrostatic Thrusters: The Role of Metastable Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

the measurements of Jung et al [3], ’BSR’ to the Breit- Pauli B-Spline ft-matrix method, and ’RDW to the relativistic distorted wave method. low...excitation cross sections using both relativistic distorted wave and semi-relativistic Breit- Pauli B-Spline R-matrix methods is presented. The model...population and line intensity enhancement. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Metastable xenon Electrostatic thruster Relativistic Breit- Pauli b-spline matrix

Minimum number of measurements for evaluating Bertholletia excelsa.

PubMed

Baldoni, A B; Tonini, H; Tardin, F D; Botelho, S C C; Teodoro, P E

2017-09-27

Repeatability studies on fruit species are of great importance to identify the minimum number of measurements necessary to accurately select superior genotypes. This study aimed to identify the most efficient method to estimate the repeatability coefficient (r) and predict the minimum number of measurements needed for a more accurate evaluation of Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa) genotypes based on fruit yield. For this, we assessed the number of fruits and dry mass of seeds of 75 Brazil nut genotypes, from native forest, located in the municipality of Itaúba, MT, for 5 years. To better estimate r, four procedures were used: analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis based on the correlation matrix (CPCOR), principal component analysis based on the phenotypic variance and covariance matrix (CPCOV), and structural analysis based on the correlation matrix (mean r - AECOR). There was a significant effect of genotypes and measurements, which reveals the need to study the minimum number of measurements for selecting superior Brazil nut genotypes for a production increase. Estimates of r by ANOVA were lower than those observed with the principal component methodology and close to AECOR. The CPCOV methodology provided the highest estimate of r, which resulted in a lower number of measurements needed to identify superior Brazil nut genotypes for the number of fruits and dry mass of seeds. Based on this methodology, three measurements are necessary to predict the true value of the Brazil nut genotypes with a minimum accuracy of 85%.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Inelastic e+Mg collision data (Barklem+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barklem, P. S.; Osorio, Y.; Fursa, D. V.; Bray, I.; Zatsarinny, O.; Bartschat, K.; Jerkstrand, A.

2017-06-01

The file states.dat lists the considered states. The remaining files then provide the effective collision strength matrices for various temperatures from the convergent close coupling (CCC) and B-spline R-matrix (BSR) calculations. (27 data files).

Kirchhoff's Laws Revisited for Protein Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atilgan, Alirana; Baysal, Canan

2001-03-01

We monitor the collective motions of the proteins, and relate the topological characteristics to the flexibility and stability of the protein molecule.^1,2 For modeling purposes, we follow the backbone topology of a compact globular protein and pick the C^α atom at each residue. To define the non-bonded contacts, the first coordination sphere of each C^α with 7 Åradius is considered. Now, C^α's are the nodes and the contacts are the branches; thus, we create an equivalent connected digraph from a folded protein. We accordingly consider first the equilibrium of each residue: A Δ f = 0, then the compatibility equation between the fluctuation of a residue and fluctuations of its contacting bonds: A^T Δ R = Δ r; and finally the constitutive relation for each bonded and nonbonded contact: K Δ r + C dotΔ r = Δ f. In this formulation, A is the incidence matrix of the connected digraph of the protein molecule, K and C are diagonal matrices whose entries are, respectively, the rigidities and the viscous dissipations of the contacts. In addition, the forces at each bond f, positional movements of each residue R, and the bond displacements r are analogous to the branch current vector, node-to-datum voltage vector, and branch voltage vector, respectively, of the circuit theory; and, therefore, the equilibrium and the compatibility equations are the Kirchhoff's Law of Currents and Voltages, respectively. For homogeneous, elastic interactions, the global rigidity of a protein is represented by the Kirchhoff Matrix, that is the incidence matrix multiplied by its transpose. This procedure lends a great helping hand to elucidate the structural dynamic mechanisms for biological activities.^3,4 Illustrative examples are presented and validated by experimental results, and the qualitative differences between one- and three-dimensional formulations are discussed. 1. Bahar, I., Atilgan A.R., Demirel, M.C., and Erman, B., Phys. Rev. Lett., 80, 2733, 1998. 2. Yilmaz, L.S. and Atilgan, A.R., J. Chem. Phys., 113, 4454, 2000. 3. Bahar, I., Erman, B., Jernigan, R.L., Atilgan, A.R., and Covell, D., J. Mol. Biol., 285, 1023, 1999. 4. Baysal, C. and Atilgan, A.R., Proteins, to appear, 2001.

SEPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TETROL METABOLITES OF BENZO[A]PYRENE-DNA ADDUCTS USING HPLC AND SOLID-MATRIX ROOM TEMPERATURE LUMINESCENCE. (R824100)

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract

Four tetrols of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts were separated using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic fractions containing a given tetrol were readily characterized with solid-matrix room temperature luminescence techniques. So...

An Alternating Least Squares Method for the Weighted Approximation of a Symmetric Matrix.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ten Berge, Jos M. F.; Kiers, Henk A. L.

1993-01-01

R. A. Bailey and J. C. Gower explored approximating a symmetric matrix "B" by another, "C," in the least squares sense when the squared discrepancies for diagonal elements receive specific nonunit weights. A solution is proposed where "C" is constrained to be positive semidefinite and of a fixed rank. (SLD)

Carbon matrix based magnetic nanocomposites for potential biomedical applications.

PubMed

Izydorzak-Wozniak, M; Leonowicz, M

2014-03-01

It was found that by varying the pyrolysis temperature of the polymeric precursor, carbon matrix magnetic nanocomposites with different constitution and fractions of magnetic component were made. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of nanocrystallites (NCs) of Co, Fe3C and Ni embedded in porous, partially-graphitized carbon matrix. Vibrating sample magnetometer measurements enabled to determine the correlation between NCs size distribution and magnetic properties. The magnetic studies confirmed that the coercivity, saturation and remanent magnetizations, as well as fraction of the magnetic component depend on the pyrolysis temperature. The Co#C and Fe3C#C composites exhibited ferromagnetic behavior with a remanent to saturation magnetization (M(R)/M(S)) ratio ranging from 0.25 to 0.3, whereas in the Ni containing samples a relatively small M(R)/M(S) ratio point to significant contribution of superparamagnetic interactions. As the carbon matrix magnetic nanocomposites are proposed for biomedical application the basic cytotoxicity test were performed to evaluate a potential toxic effect of the materials on MG-63 cells line.

Polypropylene/Polyaniline Nanofiber/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite with Enhanced Electrical, Dielectric, and Ferroelectric Properties for a High Energy Density Capacitor.

PubMed

Cho, Sunghun; Kim, Minkyu; Lee, Jun Seop; Jang, Jyongsik

2015-10-14

This work demonstrates a ternary nanocomposite system, composed of polypropylene (PP), redoped PANI (r-PANI) nanofibers, and reduced graphene oxides (RGOs), for use in a high energy density capacitor. r-PANI nanofibers were fabricated by the combination methods of chemical oxidation polymerization and secondary doping processes, resulting in higher conductivity (σ≈156 S cm(-1)) than that of the primarily doped PANI nanofibers (σ≈16 S cm(-1)). RGO sheets with high electron mobility and thermal stability can enhance the conductivity of r-PANI/RGO (σ≈220 S cm(-1)) and thermal stability of PP matrix. These findings could be extended to combine the advantages of r-PANI nanofibers and RGO sheets for developing an efficient means of preparing PP/r-PANI/RGO nanocomposite. When the r-PANI/RGO cofillers (10 vol %) were added to PP matrix, the resulting PP/r-PANI/RGO nanocomposite exhibited high dielectric constant (ε'≈51.8) with small dielectric loss (ε″≈9.3×10(-3)). Furthermore, the PP/r-PANI/RGO nanocomposite was used for an energy-harvesting device, which demonstrated high energy density (Ue≈12.6 J cm(-3)) and breakdown strength (E≈5.86×10(3) kV cm(-1)).

Spectroscopy of lithium atoms sublimated from isolation matrix of solid Ne.

PubMed

Sacramento, R L; Scudeller, L A; Lambo, R; Crivelli, P; Cesar, C L

2011-10-07

We have studied, via laser absorption spectroscopy, the velocity distribution of (7)Li atoms released from a solid neon matrix at cryogenic temperatures. The Li atoms are implanted into the Ne matrix by laser ablation of a solid Li precursor. A heat pulse is then applied to the sapphire substrate sublimating the matrix together with the isolated atoms at around 12 K. We find interesting differences in the velocity distribution of the released Li atoms from the model developed for our previous experiment with Cr [R. Lambo, C. C. Rodegheri, D. M. Silveira, and C. L. Cesar, Phys. Rev. A 76, 061401(R) (2007)]. This may be due to the sublimation regime, which is at much lower flux for the Li experiment than for the Cr experiment, as well as to the different collisional cross sections between those species to the Ne gas. We find a drift velocity compatible with Li being thermally sublimated at 11-13 K, while the velocity dispersion around this drift velocity is low, around 5-7 K. With a slow sublimation of the matrix we can determine the penetration depth of the laser ablated Li atoms into the Ne matrix, an important information that is not usually available in most matrix isolation spectroscopy setups. The present results with Li, together with the previous results with Cr suggest this to be a general technique for obtaining cryogenic atoms, for spectroscopic studies, as well as for trap loading. The release of the isolated atoms is also a useful tool to study and confirm details of the matrix isolated atoms which are masked or poorly understood in the solid. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Super-resolution Doppler beam sharpening method using fast iterative adaptive approach-based spectral estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Deqing; Zhang, Yin; Zhang, Yongchao; Huang, Yulin; Yang, Jianyu

2018-01-01

Doppler beam sharpening (DBS) is a critical technology for airborne radar ground mapping in forward-squint region. In conventional DBS technology, the narrow-band Doppler filter groups formed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) method suffer from low spectral resolution and high side lobe levels. The iterative adaptive approach (IAA), based on the weighted least squares (WLS), is applied to the DBS imaging applications, forming narrower Doppler filter groups than the FFT with lower side lobe levels. Regrettably, the IAA is iterative, and requires matrix multiplication and inverse operation when forming the covariance matrix, its inverse and traversing the WLS estimate for each sampling point, resulting in a notably high computational complexity for cubic time. We propose a fast IAA (FIAA)-based super-resolution DBS imaging method, taking advantage of the rich matrix structures of the classical narrow-band filtering. First, we formulate the covariance matrix via the FFT instead of the conventional matrix multiplication operation, based on the typical Fourier structure of the steering matrix. Then, by exploiting the Gohberg-Semencul representation, the inverse of the Toeplitz covariance matrix is computed by the celebrated Levinson-Durbin (LD) and Toeplitz-vector algorithm. Finally, the FFT and fast Toeplitz-vector algorithm are further used to traverse the WLS estimates based on the data-dependent trigonometric polynomials. The method uses the Hermitian feature of the echo autocorrelation matrix R to achieve its fast solution and uses the Toeplitz structure of R to realize its fast inversion. The proposed method enjoys a lower computational complexity without performance loss compared with the conventional IAA-based super-resolution DBS imaging method. The results based on simulations and measured data verify the imaging performance and the operational efficiency.

Subthreshold resonances and resonances in the R -matrix method for binary reactions and in the Trojan horse method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukhamedzhanov, A. M.; Shubhchintak, Bertulani, C. A.

2017-08-01

In this paper we discuss the R -matrix approach to treat the subthreshold resonances for the single-level and one-channel and for the single-level and two-channel cases. In particular, the expression relating the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) with the observable reduced width, when the subthreshold bound state is the only channel or coupled with an open channel, which is a resonance, is formulated. Since the ANC plays a very important role in nuclear astrophysics, these relations significantly enhance the power of the derived equations. We present the relationship between the resonance width and the ANC for the general case and consider two limiting cases: wide and narrow resonances. Different equations for the astrophysical S factors in the R -matrix approach are presented. After that we discuss the Trojan horse method (THM) formalism. The developed equations are obtained using the surface-integral formalism and the generalized R -matrix approach for the three-body resonant reactions. It is shown how the Trojan horse (TH) double-differential cross section can be expressed in terms of the on-the-energy-shell astrophysical S factor for the binary subreaction. Finally, we demonstrate how the THM can be used to calculate the astrophysical S factor for the neutron generator 13C(α ,n )16O in low-mass AGB stars. At astrophysically relevant energies this astrophysical S factor is controlled by the threshold level 1 /2+,Ex=6356 keV. Here, we reanalyzed recent TH data taking into account more accurately the three-body effects and using both assumptions that the threshold level is a subthreshold bound state or it is a resonance state.

Practical auxiliary basis implementation of Rung 3.5 functionals

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

Janesko, Benjamin G., E-mail: b.janesko@tcu.edu; Scalmani, Giovanni; Frisch, Michael J.

2014-07-21

Approximate exchange-correlation functionals for Kohn-Sham density functional theory often benefit from incorporating exact exchange. Exact exchange is constructed from the noninteracting reference system's nonlocal one-particle density matrix γ(r{sup -vector},r{sup -vector}′). Rung 3.5 functionals attempt to balance the strengths and limitations of exact exchange using a new ingredient, a projection of γ(r{sup -vector},r{sup -vector} ′) onto a semilocal model density matrix γ{sub SL}(ρ(r{sup -vector}),∇ρ(r{sup -vector}),r{sup -vector}−r{sup -vector} ′). γ{sub SL} depends on the electron density ρ(r{sup -vector}) at reference point r{sup -vector}, and is closely related to semilocal model exchange holes. We present a practical implementation of Rung 3.5 functionals, expandingmore » the r{sup -vector}−r{sup -vector} ′ dependence of γ{sub SL} in an auxiliary basis set. Energies and energy derivatives are obtained from 3D numerical integration as in standard semilocal functionals. We also present numerical tests of a range of properties, including molecular thermochemistry and kinetics, geometries and vibrational frequencies, and bandgaps and excitation energies. Rung 3.5 functionals typically provide accuracy intermediate between semilocal and hybrid approximations. Nonlocal potential contributions from γ{sub SL} yield interesting successes and failures for band structures and excitation energies. The results enable and motivate continued exploration of Rung 3.5 functional forms.« less

A Study of the Critical Factors Controlling the Synthesis of Ceramic Matrix Composites from Preceramic Polymers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-15

THE SYNTHESIS OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES PE - 61102F FROM PRECERAMIC POLYMERS PR -9999 6. AUTHOR(S) TA - 99 J. R. Strife(l), J. P. Wesson(1 ), and H...stability at temperatures up to 15000 C. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 49 C- SiC composites vinylmethylsilane 16. PRICE CODE polymer precursor...vapor infiltration of fibrous preforms. More recently, the conversion of preceramic polymers as a matrix synthesis process is being considered. This

Calculating second derivatives of population growth rates for ecology and evolution

PubMed Central

Shyu, Esther; Caswell, Hal

2014-01-01

1. Second derivatives of the population growth rate measure the curvature of its response to demographic, physiological or environmental parameters. The second derivatives quantify the response of sensitivity results to perturbations, provide a classification of types of selection and provide one way to calculate sensitivities of the stochastic growth rate. 2. Using matrix calculus, we derive the second derivatives of three population growth rate measures: the discrete-time growth rate λ, the continuous-time growth rate r = log λ and the net reproductive rate R0, which measures per-generation growth. 3. We present a suite of formulae for the second derivatives of each growth rate and show how to compute these derivatives with respect to projection matrix entries and to lower-level parameters affecting those matrix entries. 4. We also illustrate several ecological and evolutionary applications for these second derivative calculations with a case study for the tropical herb Calathea ovandensis. PMID:25793101

Estimation of the rotamerization constants of different conformations of N-acetylalanine: a theoretical and matrix-isolation FT-IR study.

PubMed

Boeckx, Bram; Maes, Guido

2012-02-01

The conformational landscape of N-acetylalanine has been investigated by a theoretical and matrix-isolation FT-IR study. Optimizations of N-acetylalanine structures has been conducted at successive higher levels of theory HF/3-21G, DFT(B3LYP)/6-31++G** and MP2/6-31++G**. This resulted in three stable conformations. Among these, one conformation contains an intramolecular H-bond. The vibrational properties of these conformations were calculated and used to identify the conformations in a cryogenic argon matrix. The intensities of some bands assigned to a particular conformation were used to estimate the rotamerization constants K(r12) and K(r13) for the equilibria NAA1 NAA2 and NAA1 NAA3, respectively. The obtained experimental values were in agreement with the theoretical predictions. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adsorption behavior of plasmid DNA onto perfusion chromatographic matrix.

PubMed

Limonta, Miladys; Zumalacárregui, Lourdes; Soler, Dayana

2012-05-01

Anion exchange chromatography is the most popular chromatographic method for plasmid separation. POROS RI 50 is a perfusion chromatographic support which is a reversed phase matrix and is an alternative to conventional ones due to its mass transfer properties. The adsorption and elution of the pIDKE2 plasmid onto reversed phase POROS R1 50 was studied. Langmuir isotherm model was adjusted in order to get the maximum adsorption capacity and the dissociation constant for POROS R1 50-plasmid DNA (pDNA) system. Breakthrough curves were obtained for volumetric flows between 0.69-3.33 mL/min, given dynamic capacity up to 2.3 times higher than those reported for ionic exchange matrix used during the purification process of plasmids with similar size to that of pIDKE2. The efficiency was less than 45% for the flow conditions and initial concentration studied, which means that the support will not be operated under saturation circumstances.

SubVis: an interactive R package for exploring the effects of multiple substitution matrices on pairwise sequence alignment

PubMed Central

Coan, Heather B.; Youker, Robert T.

2017-01-01

Understanding how proteins mutate is critical to solving a host of biological problems. Mutations occur when an amino acid is substituted for another in a protein sequence. The set of likelihoods for amino acid substitutions is stored in a matrix and input to alignment algorithms. The quality of the resulting alignment is used to assess the similarity of two or more sequences and can vary according to assumptions modeled by the substitution matrix. Substitution strategies with minor parameter variations are often grouped together in families. For example, the BLOSUM and PAM matrix families are commonly used because they provide a standard, predefined way of modeling substitutions. However, researchers often do not know if a given matrix family or any individual matrix within a family is the most suitable. Furthermore, predefined matrix families may inaccurately reflect a particular hypothesis that a researcher wishes to model or otherwise result in unsatisfactory alignments. In these cases, the ability to compare the effects of one or more custom matrices may be needed. This laborious process is often performed manually because the ability to simultaneously load multiple matrices and then compare their effects on alignments is not readily available in current software tools. This paper presents SubVis, an interactive R package for loading and applying multiple substitution matrices to pairwise alignments. Users can simultaneously explore alignments resulting from multiple predefined and custom substitution matrices. SubVis utilizes several of the alignment functions found in R, a common language among protein scientists. Functions are tied together with the Shiny platform which allows the modification of input parameters. Information regarding alignment quality and individual amino acid substitutions is displayed with the JavaScript language which provides interactive visualizations for revealing both high-level and low-level alignment information. PMID:28674656

Properties of networks with partially structured and partially random connectivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadian, Yashar; Fumarola, Francesco; Miller, Kenneth D.

2015-01-01

Networks studied in many disciplines, including neuroscience and mathematical biology, have connectivity that may be stochastic about some underlying mean connectivity represented by a non-normal matrix. Furthermore, the stochasticity may not be independent and identically distributed (iid) across elements of the connectivity matrix. More generally, the problem of understanding the behavior of stochastic matrices with nontrivial mean structure and correlations arises in many settings. We address this by characterizing large random N ×N matrices of the form A =M +L J R , where M ,L , and R are arbitrary deterministic matrices and J is a random matrix of zero-mean iid elements. M can be non-normal, and L and R allow correlations that have separable dependence on row and column indices. We first provide a general formula for the eigenvalue density of A . For A non-normal, the eigenvalues do not suffice to specify the dynamics induced by A , so we also provide general formulas for the transient evolution of the magnitude of activity and frequency power spectrum in an N -dimensional linear dynamical system with a coupling matrix given by A . These quantities can also be thought of as characterizing the stability and the magnitude of the linear response of a nonlinear network to small perturbations about a fixed point. We derive these formulas and work them out analytically for some examples of M ,L , and R motivated by neurobiological models. We also argue that the persistence as N →∞ of a finite number of randomly distributed outlying eigenvalues outside the support of the eigenvalue density of A , as previously observed, arises in regions of the complex plane Ω where there are nonzero singular values of L-1(z 1 -M ) R-1 (for z ∈Ω ) that vanish as N →∞ . When such singular values do not exist and L and R are equal to the identity, there is a correspondence in the normalized Frobenius norm (but not in the operator norm) between the support of the spectrum of A for J of norm σ and the σ pseudospectrum of M .

Structural mechanism of the formation of mineral Na-tveitite-a new type of phase with a fluorite-derivative structure-in the NaF-CaF{sub 2}-(Y,Ln)F{sub 3} natural system

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

Golubev, A. M., E-mail: fluorides@ns.crys.ras.ru; Otroshchenko, L. P.; Sobolev, B. P.

2012-03-15

Relationships between the chemical compositions and structures of the mineral tveitite from the southern Norway pegmatites (with the idealized formula Ca{sub 14}Y{sub 5}F{sub 43}) and Na-tveitite from the Rov mountain (Keivy, Kola Peninsula) Na{sub 2.5}Ca{sub 10}Ln{sub 1.5}Y{sub 5}F{sub 42} are considered. According to the structural mechanism of its formation, Na-tveitite is a nanocomposite crystal based on the crystalline matrix Ca{sub 14}Y{sub 5}F{sub 43} with the ordered arrangement of {l_brace}Ca{sub 8}[CaY{sub 5}]F{sub 69}{r_brace} clusters which contain anionic {l_brace}F{sub 13}{r_brace} cuboctahedra with F{sup 1-} at the center. When Na-tveitite is formed, 29% of these clusters are statistically replaced by Na-'Y' clusters {l_brace}[Na{submore » 0.5}(Y,Ln){sub 0.5}]{sub 14}F{sub 64}{r_brace} with {l_brace}F{sub 8}{r_brace} cubes at the center (analogs of matrix fluorite groups {l_brace}Ca{sub 14}F{sub 64}{r_brace}). This replacement gives rise to composition-imperfect (Na, Ca, 'Y') cationic positions and occupancy-deficient F positions, which correspond to {l_brace}F{sub 13}{r_brace} cuboctahedra and the {l_brace}F{sub 8}{r_brace} cubes that replace them. The difference between Na-tveitite and fluorite phases M{sub 1-x}R{sub x}F{sub 2+x} is as follows: its matrix is the structure of the ordered phase (tveitite) into which Na-containing rare earth fragments of fluorite-type structure are incorporated instead of ordered-phase structural blocks (clusters).« less

Fate of LCFA in the co-digestion of cow manure, food waste and discontinuous addition of oil.

PubMed

Neves, L; Oliveira, R; Alves, M M

2009-12-01

Different concentrations of oily waste were added in a discontinuous mode and recurrently to anaerobic continuous stirred tank reactors fed with cow manure and food waste. Four continuous stirred tank reactors were run in parallel. A control reactor (R1) received no additional oil and R2, R3 and R4 received increasing concentrations of oil in two different experimental approaches. First, the lipids composition was forced to change suddenly, in three moments, without changing the total chemical oxygen demand (COD) fed to the reactors. The only long chain fatty acid (LCFA) detected onto the R1 solid matrix was palmitic acid (C16:0). Nevertheless in the solid matrix of R2, R3 and R4C16:0 and stearic acid were detected. For occasional increase in the oil concentration up to 7.7gCOD(oil)/L(reactor) (55% Oil(COD)/Total(COD)) no statistical differences were detected between the reactors, in terms of methane production, effluent soluble COD, effluent volatile fatty acids and total and volatile solids removal. Therefore this experiment allowed to conclude that cow manure-food waste co-digestion presents sufficient buffer capacity to endure solid-associated LCFA concentration up to 20-25gCOD-LCFA/kgTS. In a second experiment higher concentrations of oil were added, raising occasionally the concentration in the reactors to 9, 12, 15 and 18gCOD(oil)/L(reactor). All pulses had a positive effect in methane production, with the exception of the highest oil pulse concentration, that persistently impaired the reactor performance. This experiment demonstrates that threshold values for LCFA and C16:0 accumulation onto the solid matrix, of about 180-220gCOD-LCFA/kgTS and 120-150gCOD-C16:0/kgTS, should not be surpassed in order to prevent persistent reactor failure, as occurs in some full scale co-digestion plants.

Nitric Oxide Increases the Decay of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 mRNA by Inhibiting the Expression of mRNA-Stabilizing Factor HuR

PubMed Central

Akool, El-Sayed; Kleinert, Hartmut; Hamada, Farid M. A.; Abdelwahab, Mohamed H.; Förstermann, Ulrich; Pfeilschifter, Josef; Eberhardt, Wolfgang

2003-01-01

Dysregulation of extracellular matrix turnover is an important feature of many inflammatory processes. Rat renal mesangial cells express high levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in response to inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta. We demonstrate that NO does strongly destabilize MMP-9 mRNA, since different luciferase reporter gene constructs containing the MMP-9 3′ untranslated region (UTR) displayed significant reduced luciferase activity in response to the presence of NO. Moreover, by use of an in vitro degradation assay we found that the cytoplasmic fractions of NO-treated cells contained a higher capacity to degrade MMP-9 transcripts than those obtained from control cells. An RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that three of four putative AU-rich elements present in the 3′ UTR of MMP-9 were constitutively occupied by the mRNA-stabilizing factor HuR and that the RNA binding was strongly attenuated by the presence of NO. The addition of recombinant glutathione transferase-HuR prevented the rapid decay of MMP-9 mRNA, whereas the addition of a neutralizing anti-HuR antibody caused an acceleration of MMP-9 mRNA degradation. Furthermore, the expression of HuR mRNA and protein was significantly reduced by exogenously and endogenously produced NO. These inhibitory effects were mimicked by the cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP and reversed by LY-83583, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. These results demonstrate that NO acts in a cGMP-dependent mechanism to inhibit the expression level of HuR, thereby reducing the stability of MMP-9 mRNA. PMID:12832476

Combining NMR spectral and structural data to form models of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls binding to the AhR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beger, Richard D.; Buzatu, Dan A.; Wilkes, Jon G.

2002-10-01

A three-dimensional quantitative spectrometric data-activity relationship (3D-QSDAR) modeling technique which uses NMR spectral and structural information that is combined in a 3D-connectivity matrix has been developed. A 3D-connectivity matrix was built by displaying all possible assigned carbon NMR chemical shifts, carbon-to-carbon connections, and distances between the carbons. Two-dimensional 13C-13C COSY and 2D slices from the distance dimension of the 3D-connectivity matrix were used to produce a relationship among the 2D spectral patterns for polychlorinated dibenzofurans, dibenzodioxins, and biphenyls (PCDFs, PCDDs, and PCBs respectively) binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). We refer to this technique as comparative structural connectivity spectral analysis (CoSCoSA) modeling. All CoSCoSA models were developed using forward multiple linear regression analysis of the predicted 13C NMR structure-connectivity spectral bins. A CoSCoSA model for 26 PCDFs had an explained variance (r2) of 0.93 and an average leave-four-out cross-validated variance (q4 2) of 0.89. A CoSCoSA model for 14 PCDDs produced an r2 of 0.90 and an average leave-two-out cross-validated variance (q2 2) of 0.79. One CoSCoSA model for 12 PCBs gave an r2 of 0.91 and an average q2 2 of 0.80. Another CoSCoSA model for all 52 compounds had an r2 of 0.85 and an average q4 2 of 0.52. Major benefits of CoSCoSA modeling include ease of development since the technique does not use molecular docking routines.

Residue 41 of the Eurasian Avian-Like Swine Influenza A Virus Matrix Protein Modulates Virion Filament Length and Efficiency of Contact Transmission

PubMed Central

Campbell, Patricia J.; Kyriakis, Constantinos S.; Marshall, Nicolle; Suppiah, Suganthi; Seladi-Schulman, Jill; Danzy, Shamika; Lowen, Anice C.

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT Position 41 of the influenza A virus matrix protein encodes a highly conserved alanine in human and avian lineages. Nonetheless, strains of the Eurasian avian-like swine (Easw) lineage contain a change at this position: position 41 of A/swine/Spain/53207/04 (H1N1) (SPN04) encodes a proline. To assess the impact of this naturally occurring polymorphism on viral fitness, we utilized reverse genetics to produce recombinant viruses encoding wild-type M1 41P (rSPN04-P) and consensus 41A (rSPN04-A) residues. Relative to rSPN04-A, rSPN04-P virus displayed reduced growth in vitro. In the guinea pig model, rSPN04-P was transmitted to fewer contact animals than rSPN04-A and failed to infect guinea pigs that received a low-dose inoculum. Moreover, the P41A change altered virion morphology, reducing the number and length of filamentous virions, as well as reducing the neuraminidase activity of virions. The lab-adapted human isolate, A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) (PR8), is nontransmissible in the guinea pig model, making it a useful background in which to identify certain viral factors that enhance transmissibility. We assessed transmission in the context of single-, double-, and triple-reassortant viruses between PR8 and SPN04; PR8/SPN04 M, PR8/SPN04 M+NA, and PR8/SPN04 M+NA+HA, encoding either matrix 41 A or P, were generated. In each case, the virus possessing 41P transmitted less well than the corresponding 41A-encoding virus. In summary, we have identified a naturally occurring mutation in the influenza A virus matrix protein that impacts transmission efficiency and can alter virion morphology and neuraminidase activity. IMPORTANCE We have developed a practical model for examining the genetics underlying transmissibility of the Eurasian avian-like swine lineage viruses, which contributed M and NA segments to the 2009 pandemic strain. Here, we use our system to investigate the impact on viral fitness of a naturally occurring polymorphism at matrix (M1) position 41 in an Easw isolate. Position 41 has been implicated previously in adaptation to laboratory substrates and to mice. Here we show that the polymorphism at M1 41 has a limited effect on growth in vitro but changes the morphology of the virus and impacts growth and transmission in the guinea pig model. PMID:24760887

Steroid signaling in mature follicles is important for Drosophila ovulation

PubMed Central

Knapp, Elizabeth

2017-01-01

Although ecdysteroid signaling regulates multiple steps in oogenesis, it is not known whether it regulates Drosophila ovulation, a process involving a matrix metalloproteinase-dependent follicle rupture. In this study, we demonstrated that ecdysteroid signaling is operating in mature follicle cells to control ovulation. Moreover, knocking down shade (shd), encoding the monooxygenase that converts ecdysone (E) to the more active 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), specifically in mature follicle cells, blocked follicle rupture, which was rescued by ectopic expression of shd or exogenous 20E. In addition, disruption of the Ecdysone receptor (EcR) in mature follicle cells mimicked shd-knockdown defects, which were reversed by ectopic expression of EcR.B2 but not by EcR.A or EcR.B1 isoforms. Furthermore, we showed that ecdysteroid signaling is essential for the proper activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (Mmp2) for follicle rupture. Our data strongly suggest that 20E produced in follicle cells before ovulation activates EcR.B2 to prime mature follicles to be responsive to neuronal ovulatory stimuli, thus providing mechanistic insights into steroid signaling in Drosophila ovulation. PMID:28069934

Divvy Economies Based On (An Abstract) Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Dennis G.

2004-04-01

The Leontief Input-Output economic system can provide a model for a one-parameter family of economic systems based on an abstract temperature T. In particular, given a normalized input-output matrix R and taking R= R(1), a family of economic systems R(1/T)=R(α) is developed that represents heating (T>1) and cooling (T<1) of the economy relative to T=1. .The economy for a given value of T represents the solution of a constrained maximum entropy problem.

Bistability and Biofilm Formation in Bacillus subtilis

PubMed Central

Chai, Yunrong; Chu, Frances; Kolter, Roberto; Losick, Richard

2008-01-01

Summary Biofilms of Bacillus subtilis consist of long chains of cells that are held together in bundles by an extracellular matrix of exopolysaccharide and the protein TasA. The exopolysaccharide is produced by enzymes encoded by the epsA-O operon and the gene encoding TasA is located in the yqxM-sipW-tasA operon. Both operons are under the control of the repressor SinR. Derepression is mediated by the antirepressor SinI, which binds to SinR with a 1:1 stoichiometry. Paradoxically, in medium promoting derepression of the matrix operons, the overall concentration of SinR in the culture greatly exceeded that of SinI. We show that under biofilm-promoting conditions sinI, which is under the control of the response regulator Spo0A, was expressed only in a small subpopulation of cells, whereas sinR was expressed in almost all cells. Activation of Spo0A is known to be subject to a bistable switch, and we infer that SinI reaches levels sufficient to trigger matrix production only in the subpopulation of cells in which Spo0A is active. Additionally, evidence suggests that sinI is expressed at intermediate, but not low or high, levels of Spo0A activity, which may explain why certain nutritional conditions are more effective in promoting biofilm formation than others. PMID:18047568

SAR matrices: automated extraction of information-rich SAR tables from large compound data sets.

PubMed

Wassermann, Anne Mai; Haebel, Peter; Weskamp, Nils; Bajorath, Jürgen

2012-07-23

We introduce the SAR matrix data structure that is designed to elucidate SAR patterns produced by groups of structurally related active compounds, which are extracted from large data sets. SAR matrices are systematically generated and sorted on the basis of SAR information content. Matrix generation is computationally efficient and enables processing of large compound sets. The matrix format is reminiscent of SAR tables, and SAR patterns revealed by different categories of matrices are easily interpretable. The structural organization underlying matrix formation is more flexible than standard R-group decomposition schemes. Hence, the resulting matrices capture SAR information in a comprehensive manner.

Nonlinear behavior of matrix-inclusion composites under high confining pressure: application to concrete and mortar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le, Tuan Hung; Dormieux, Luc; Jeannin, Laurent; Burlion, Nicolas; Barthélémy, Jean-François

2008-08-01

This paper is devoted to a micromechanics-based simulation of the response of concrete to hydrostatic and oedometric compressions. Concrete is described as a composite made up of a cement matrix in which rigid inclusions are embedded. The focus is put on the role of the interface between matrix and inclusion which represent the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). A plastic behavior is considered for both the matrix and the interfaces. The effective response of the composite is derived from the modified secant method adapted to the situation of imperfect interfaces. To cite this article: T.H. Le et al., C. R. Mecanique 336 (2008).

A major protein component of the Bacillus subtilis biofilm matrix.

PubMed

Branda, Steven S; Chu, Frances; Kearns, Daniel B; Losick, Richard; Kolter, Roberto

2006-02-01

Microbes construct structurally complex multicellular communities (biofilms) through production of an extracellular matrix. Here we present evidence from scanning electron microscopy showing that a wild strain of the Gram positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis builds such a matrix. Genetic, biochemical and cytological evidence indicates that the matrix is composed predominantly of a protein component, TasA, and an exopolysaccharide component. The absence of TasA or the exopolysaccharide resulted in a residual matrix, while the absence of both components led to complete failure to form complex multicellular communities. Extracellular complementation experiments revealed that a functional matrix can be assembled even when TasA and the exopolysaccharide are produced by different cells, reinforcing the view that the components contribute to matrix formation in an extracellular manner. Having defined the major components of the biofilm matrix and the control of their synthesis by the global regulator SinR, we present a working model for how B. subtilis switches between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles.

The Disulfide Bonding System Suppresses CsgD-Independent Cellulose Production in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Hufnagel, David A.; DePas, William H.

2014-01-01

The bacterial extracellular matrix encases cells and protects them from host-related and environmental insults. The Escherichia coli master biofilm regulator CsgD is required for the production of the matrix components curli and cellulose. CsgD activates the diguanylate cyclase AdrA, which in turn stimulates cellulose production through cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Here, we identified and characterized a CsgD- and AdrA-independent cellulose production pathway that was maximally active when cultures were grown under reducing conditions or when the disulfide bonding system (DSB) was compromised. The CsgD-independent cellulose activation pathway was dependent on a second diguanylate cyclase, called YfiN. c-di-GMP production by YfiN was repressed by the periplasmic protein YfiR, and deletion of yfiR promoted CsgD-independent cellulose production. Conversely, when YfiR was overexpressed, cellulose production was decreased. Finally, we found that YfiR was oxidized by DsbA and that intraprotein YfiR disulfide bonds stabilized YfiR in the periplasm. Altogether, we showed that reducing conditions and mutations in the DSB system caused hyperactivation of YfiN and subsequent CsgD-independent cellulose production. PMID:25112475

The disulfide bonding system suppresses CsgD-independent cellulose production in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Hufnagel, David A; DePas, William H; Chapman, Matthew R

2014-11-01

The bacterial extracellular matrix encases cells and protects them from host-related and environmental insults. The Escherichia coli master biofilm regulator CsgD is required for the production of the matrix components curli and cellulose. CsgD activates the diguanylate cyclase AdrA, which in turn stimulates cellulose production through cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Here, we identified and characterized a CsgD- and AdrA-independent cellulose production pathway that was maximally active when cultures were grown under reducing conditions or when the disulfide bonding system (DSB) was compromised. The CsgD-independent cellulose activation pathway was dependent on a second diguanylate cyclase, called YfiN. c-di-GMP production by YfiN was repressed by the periplasmic protein YfiR, and deletion of yfiR promoted CsgD-independent cellulose production. Conversely, when YfiR was overexpressed, cellulose production was decreased. Finally, we found that YfiR was oxidized by DsbA and that intraprotein YfiR disulfide bonds stabilized YfiR in the periplasm. Altogether, we showed that reducing conditions and mutations in the DSB system caused hyperactivation of YfiN and subsequent CsgD-independent cellulose production. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Periodic matrix population models: growth rate, basic reproduction number, and entropy.

PubMed

Bacaër, Nicolas

2009-10-01

This article considers three different aspects of periodic matrix population models. First, a formula for the sensitivity analysis of the growth rate lambda is obtained that is simpler than the one obtained by Caswell and Trevisan. Secondly, the formula for the basic reproduction number R0 in a constant environment is generalized to the case of a periodic environment. Some inequalities between lambda and R0 proved by Cushing and Zhou are also generalized to the periodic case. Finally, we add some remarks on Demetrius' notion of evolutionary entropy H and its relationship to the growth rate lambda in the periodic case.

Fracture resistance of a TiB2 particle/SiC matrix composite at elevated temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Michael G.; Salem, Jonathan A.; Seshadri, Srinivasa G.

1988-01-01

The fracture resistance of a comercial TiB2 particle/SiC matrix composite was evaluated at temperatures ranging from 20 to 1400 C. A laser interferometric strain gauge (LISG) was used to continuously monitor the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) of the chevron-notched and straight-notched, three-point bend specimens used. Crack growth resistance curves (R-curves) were determined from the load versus displacement curves and displacement calibrations. Fracture toughness, work-of-fracture, and R-curve levels were found to decrease with increasing temperature. Microstructure, fracture surface, and oxidation coat were examined to explain the fracture behavior.

Fracture resistance of a TiB2 particle/SiC matrix composite at elevated temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Michael G.; Salem, Jonathan A.; Seshadri, Srinivasa G.

1989-01-01

The fracture resistance of a commercial TiB2 particle/SiC matrix composite was evaluated at temperatures ranging from 20 to 1400 C. A laser interferometric strain gauge (LiSG) was used to continuously monitor the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) of the chevron-notched and straight-notched, three-point bend specimens used. Crack growth resistance curves (R-curves) were determined from the load versus displacement curves and displacement calibrations. Fracture toughness, work-of-fracture, and R-curve levels were found to decrease with increasing temperature. Microstructure, fracture surface, and oxidation coat were examined to explain the fracture behavior.

Soliton cellular automaton associated with Dn(1)-crystal B2,s

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misra, Kailash C.; Wilson, Evan A.

2013-04-01

A solvable vertex model in ferromagnetic regime gives rise to a soliton cellular automaton which is a discrete dynamical system in which site variables take on values in a finite set. We study the scattering of a class of soliton cellular automata associated with the U_q(D_n^{(1)})-perfect crystal B2, s. We calculate the combinatorial R matrix for all elements of B2, s ⊗ B2, 1. In particular, we show that the scattering rule for our soliton cellular automaton can be identified with the combinatorial R matrix for U_q(A_1^{(1)}) oplus U_q(D_{n-2}^{(1)})-crystals.

The FEM-R-Matrix Approach: Use of Mixed Finite Element and Gaussian Basis Sets for Electron Molecule Collisions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thuemmel, Helmar T.; Huo, Winifred M.; Langhoff, Stephen R. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

For the calculation of electron molecule collision cross sections R-matrix methods automatically take advantage of the division of configuration space into an inner region (I) bounded by radius tau b, where the scattered electron is within the molecular charge cloud and the system is described by an correlated Configuration Interaction (CI) treatment in close analogy to bound state calculations, and an outer region (II) where the scattered electron moves in the long-range multipole potential of the target and efficient analytic methods can be used for solving the asymptotic Schroedinger equation plus boundary conditions.

Photoionization of the beryllium isoelectronic sequence: Relativistic and nonrelativistic R-matrix calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Wei-Chun

The photoionization of the beryllium-like isoelectronic series has been studied. The bound state wave functions of the target ions were built with CIV3 program. The relativistic Breit-Pauli R-matrix method was used to calculate the cross sections in the photon energy range between the ionization threshold and 1s24 f7/2 threshold for each ion. For the total cross sections of Be, B+, C+2, N+3, and O +4, our results match experiment well. The comparison between the present work and other theoretical works are also discussed. We show the comparison with our LS results as it indicates the importance of relativistic effects on different ions. In the analysis, the resonances converging to 1 s22lj and 1s 23lj were identified and characterized with quantum defects, energies and widths using the eigenphase sum methodology. We summarize the general appearance of resonances along the resonance series and along the isoelectronic sequence. Partial cross sections are also reported systematically along the sequence. All calculations were performed on the NERSC system. INDEX WORDS: Photoionization, R-matrix, Cross section, Beryllium-like ion, Resonance

Stress-intensity factors of r-cracks in fiber-reinforced composites under thermal and mechanical loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, W. H.; Schmauder, S.

1993-02-01

This paper is concerned with the problem of the calculation of stress-intensity factors at the tips of radial matrix cracks (r-cracks) in fiber-reinforced composites under thermal and/or transverse uniaxial or biaxial mechanical loading. The crack is either located in the immediate vicinity of a single fiber or it terminates at the interface between the fiber and the matrix. The problem is stated and solved numerically within the framework of linear elasticity using Erdogan's integral equation technique. It is shown that the solutions for purely thermal and purely mechanical loading can simply be superimposed in order to obtain the results of the combined loading case. Stress-intensity factors (SIFs) are calculated for various lengths and distances of the crack from the interface for each of these loading conditions. The behavior of the SIFs for cracks growing towards or away from the interface is examined. The role of the elastic mismatch between the fibers and the matrix is emphasized and studied extensively using the so-called Dundurs' parameters. It is shown that an r-crack, which is remotely located from the fiber, can either be stabilized or destabilized depending on both the elastic as well as the thermal mismatch of the fibrous composite. Furthermore, Dundurs' parameters are used to predict the exponent of the singularity of the crack tip elastic field and the behavior of the corresponding SIFs for cracks which terminate at the interface. An analytical solution for the SIFs is derived for all three loading conditions under the assumption that the elastic constants of the matrix and the fiber are equal. It is shown that the analytical solution is in good agreement with the corresponding numerical results. Moreover, another analytical solution from the literature, which is based upon Paris' equation for the calculation of stress-intensity factors, is compared with the numerical results and it is shown to be valid only for extremely short r-cracks touching the interface. The numerical results presented are valid for practical fiber composites with r-cracks close to or terminating at the interface provided the matrix material is brittle and the crack does not interact with other neighboring fibers. They may be applied to predict the transverse mechanical behavior of high strength fiber composites.

Blending Determinism with Evolutionary Computing: Applications to the Calculation of the Molecular Electronic Structure of Polythiophene.

PubMed

Sarkar, Kanchan; Sharma, Rahul; Bhattacharyya, S P

2010-03-09

A density matrix based soft-computing solution to the quantum mechanical problem of computing the molecular electronic structure of fairly long polythiophene (PT) chains is proposed. The soft-computing solution is based on a "random mutation hill climbing" scheme which is modified by blending it with a deterministic method based on a trial single-particle density matrix [P((0))(R)] for the guessed structural parameters (R), which is allowed to evolve under a unitary transformation generated by the Hamiltonian H(R). The Hamiltonian itself changes as the geometrical parameters (R) defining the polythiophene chain undergo mutation. The scale (λ) of the transformation is optimized by making the energy [E(λ)] stationary with respect to λ. The robustness and the performance levels of variants of the algorithm are analyzed and compared with those of other derivative free methods. The method is further tested successfully with optimization of the geometry of bipolaron-doped long PT chains.

Fatigue crack growth in unidirectional and cross-ply SCS-6/Timetal 21S titanium matrix composite

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

Herrmann, D.J.

1994-01-01

Fatigue crack growth in unidirectional and cross-ply SCS-6/ Timetal(R) 21S titanium matrix composite was investigated. Fatigue crack growth tests were performed on (0){sub 4}, (90){sub 4}, and (0/90){sub s} center notch specimens. The (0){sub 4} and (0/90){sub s} fatigue crack growth rates decreased initially. Specimens removed prior to failure were polished to the first row of fibers and intact fibers in the wake of the matrix crack were observed. These bridging fibers reduced the stress intensity range that the matrix material was subjected to, thus reducing the crack growth rate. The crack growth rate eventually increased as fibers failed inmore » the crack wake but the fatigue crack growth rate was still much slower than that of unreinforced Timetal(R) 21S. A model was developed to study the mechanics of a cracked unidirectional composite with any combination of intact and broken fibers in the wake of a matrix crack. The model was correlated to fatigue crack growth rate tests. The model was verified by comparing predicted displacements near the crack surface with Elber gage (1.5 mm gage length extensometer) measurements. The fatigue crack growth rate for the (90){sub 4} specimens was faster than that of unreinforced Timetal(registered trademark) 21S. Elber gage displacement measurements were in agreement with linear elastic fracture mechanics predictions, suggesting that linear elastic fracture mechanics may be applicable to transversely loaded titanium matrix composites.« less

On functional determinants of matrix differential operators with multiple zero modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falco, G. M.; Fedorenko, Andrei A.; Gruzberg, Ilya A.

2017-12-01

We generalize the method of computing functional determinants with a single excluded zero eigenvalue developed by McKane and Tarlie to differential operators with multiple zero eigenvalues. We derive general formulas for such functional determinants of r× r matrix second order differential operators O with 0 < n ≤slant 2r linearly independent zero modes. We separately discuss the cases of the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions, when the number of zero modes cannot exceed r, and the case of twisted boundary conditions, including the periodic and anti-periodic ones, when the number of zero modes is bounded above by 2r. In all cases the determinants with excluded zero eigenvalues can be expressed only in terms of the n zero modes and other r-n or 2r-n (depending on the boundary conditions) solutions of the homogeneous equation O h=0 , in the spirit of Gel’fand-Yaglom approach. In instanton calculations, the contribution of the zero modes is taken into account by introducing the so-called collective coordinates. We show that there is a remarkable cancellation of a factor (involving scalar products of zero modes) between the Jacobian of the transformation to the collective coordinates and the functional fluctuation determinant with excluded zero eigenvalues. This cancellation drastically simplifies instanton calculations when one uses our formulas.

Novel measures of linkage disequilibrium that correct the bias due to population structure and relatedness.

PubMed

Mangin, B; Siberchicot, A; Nicolas, S; Doligez, A; This, P; Cierco-Ayrolles, C

2012-03-01

Among the several linkage disequilibrium measures known to capture different features of the non-independence between alleles at different loci, the most commonly used for diallelic loci is the r(2) measure. In the present study, we tackled the problem of the bias of r(2) estimate, which results from the sample structure and/or the relatedness between genotyped individuals. We derived two novel linkage disequilibrium measures for diallelic loci that are both extensions of the usual r(2) measure. The first one, r(S)(2), uses the population structure matrix, which consists of information about the origins of each individual and the admixture proportions of each individual genome. The second one, r(V)(2), includes the kinship matrix into the calculation. These two corrections can be applied together in order to correct for both biases and are defined either on phased or unphased genotypes.We proved that these novel measures are linked to the power of association tests under the mixed linear model including structure and kinship corrections. We validated them on simulated data and applied them to real data sets collected on Vitis vinifera plants. Our results clearly showed the usefulness of the two corrected r(2) measures, which actually captured 'true' linkage disequilibrium unlike the usual r(2) measure.

A Model Sea Urchin Spicule Matrix Protein Self-Associates To Form Mineral-Modifying Protein Hydrogels.

PubMed

Jain, Gaurav; Pendola, Martin; Rao, Ashit; Cölfen, Helmut; Evans, John Spencer

2016-08-09

In the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, the formation and mineralization of fracture-resistant skeletal elements such as the embryonic spicule require the combinatorial participation of numerous spicule matrix proteins such as the SpSM30A-F isoforms. However, because of limited abundance, it has been difficult to pursue extensive biochemical studies of the SpSM30 proteins and deduce their role in spicule formation and mineralization. To circumvent these problems, we expressed a model recombinant spicule matrix protein, rSpSM30B/C, which possesses the key sequence attributes of isoforms "B" and "C". Our findings indicate that rSpSM30B/C is expressed in insect cells as a single polypeptide containing variations in glycosylation that create microheterogeneity in rSpSM30B/C molecular masses. These post-translational modifications incorporate O- and N-glycans and anionic mono- and bisialylated and mono- and bisulfated monosaccharides on the protein molecules and enhance its aggregation propensity. Bioinformatics and biophysical experiments confirm that rSpSM30B/C is an intrinsically disordered, aggregation-prone protein that forms porous protein hydrogels that control the in vitro mineralization process in three ways: (1) increase the time interval for prenucleation cluster formation and transiently stabilize an ACC polymorph, (2) promote and organize single-crystal calcite nanoparticles, and (3) promote faceted growth and create surface texturing of calcite crystals. These features are also common to mollusk shell nacre proteins, and we conclude that rSpSM30B/C is a spiculogenesis protein that exhibits traits found in other calcium carbonate mineral modification proteins.

Loop amplitudes in an extended gravity theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunbar, David C.; Godwin, John H.; Jehu, Guy R.; Perkins, Warren B.

2018-05-01

We extend the S-matrix of gravity by the addition of the minimal three-point amplitude or equivalently adding R3 terms to the Lagrangian. We demonstrate how Unitarity can be used to simply examine the renormalisability of this theory and determine the R4 counter-terms that arise at one-loop. We find that the combination of R4 terms that arise in the extended theory is complementary to the R4 counter-term associated with supersymmetric Lagrangians.

Control of Morphology of Crystallizable Polymer Mixtures via Manipulation of the Heterogeneous Melt

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-09

Distribution of Matrix Homopolymer C.V. Berney in Block Copolymers of Spherical P. Cheng Morphology R.E. Cohen 2. Distribution of Chain Ends Inside P. Cheng...the Polybutadiene Microspheres of SB C.V. Berney Diblock Copolymers R.E. Cohen 3. Spatial Organization of Homopolymer P. Cheng Chains Inside Spherical...Polybutadiene C.V. Berney Domains of SB Diblock Copolymers R.E. Cohen 4. Blends of Crystallizable Polybutadienes M. Marx R.E. Cohen 5. Synthesis and

Critical role of FcR gamma-chain, LAT, PLCgamma2 and thrombin in arteriolar thrombus formation upon mild, laser-induced endothelial injury in vivo.

PubMed

Kalia, Neena; Auger, Jocelyn M; Atkinson, Ben; Watson, Steve P

2008-05-01

The role of collagen receptor complex GPVI-FcR gamma-chain, PLCgamma2 and LAT in laser-induced thrombosis is unclear. Controversy surrounds whether collagen is exposed in this model or whether thrombosis is dependent on thrombin. This study hypothesized that collagen exposure plays a critical role in thrombus formation in this model, which was tested by investigating contributions of FcR gamma-chain, LAT, PLCgamma2 and thrombin. Thrombi were monitored using intravital microscopy in anesthetized wild-type and FcR gamma-chain, LAT and PLCgamma2 knockout mice. Hirudin (thrombin inhibitor) was administered to wild-type and FcR gamma-chain knockout mice. Significantly reduced thrombus formation was observed in FcR gamma-chain and PLCgamma2 knockouts with a greater decrease observed in LAT knockouts. Dramatic reduction was observed in wild-types treated with hirudin, with abolished thrombus formation only observed in FcR gamma-chain knockouts treated with hirudin. GPVI-FcR gamma-chain, LAT and PLCgamma2 are essential for thrombus generation and stability in this laser-induced model of injury. More importantly, a greater role for LAT was identified, which may reflect a role for it downstream of a second matrix protein receptor. However, inhibition of platelet activation by matrix proteins and thrombin generation are both required to maximally prevent thrombus formation.

MicroRNA-15b silencing inhibits IL-1β-induced extracellular matrix degradation by targeting SMAD3 in human nucleus pulposus cells.

PubMed

Kang, Liang; Yang, Cao; Yin, Huipeng; Zhao, Kangcheng; Liu, Wei; Hua, Wenbin; Wang, Kun; Song, Yu; Tu, Ji; Li, Shuai; Luo, Rongjin; Zhang, Yukun

2017-04-01

To determine the role of microRNA-15b (miR-15b) in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in the nucleus pulposus (NP). MiR-15b was up-regulated in degenerative NP tissues and in IL-1β-stimulated NP cells, as compared to the levels in normal controls (normal tissue specimens from patients with idiopathic scoliosis). Bioinformatics and luciferase activity analyses showed that mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3), a key mediator of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway, was directly targeted by miR-15b. Functional analysis demonstrated that miR-15b overexpression aggravated IL-1β-induced ECM degradation in NP cells, while miR-15b inhibition had the opposite effects. Prevention of IL-1β-induced NP ECM degeneration by the miR-15b inhibitor was attenuated by small-interfering-RNA-mediated knockdown of SMAD3. In addition, activation of MAP kinase and nuclear factor-κB up-regulated miR-15b expression and down-regulated SMAD3 expression in IL-1β-stimulated NP cells. MiR-15b contributes to ECM degradation in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) via targeting of SMAD3, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for IDD treatment.

Podocytes regulate the glomerular basement membrane protein nephronectin by means of miR-378a-3p in glomerular diseases.

PubMed

Müller-Deile, Janina; Dannenberg, Jan; Schroder, Patricia; Lin, Meei-Hua; Miner, Jeffrey H; Chen, Rongjun; Bräsen, Jan-Hinrich; Thum, Thomas; Nyström, Jenny; Staggs, Lynne Beverly; Haller, Hermann; Fiedler, Jan; Lorenzen, Johan M; Schiffer, Mario

2017-10-01

The pathophysiology of many proteinuric kidney diseases is poorly understood, and microRNAs (miRs) regulation of these diseases has been largely unexplored. Here, we tested whether miR-378a-3p is a novel regulator of glomerular diseases. MiR-378a-3p has two predicted targets relevant to glomerular function, the glomerular basement membrane matrix component, nephronectin (NPNT), and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A. In zebrafish (Danio rerio), miR-378a-3p mimic injection or npnt knockdown by a morpholino oligomer caused an identical phenotype consisting of edema, proteinuria, podocyte effacement, and widening of the glomerular basement membrane in the lamina rara interna. Zebrafish vegf-A protein could not rescue this phenotype. However, mouse Npnt constructs containing a mutated 3'UTR region prevented the phenotype caused by miR-378a-3p mimic injection. Overexpression of miR-378a-3p in mice confirmed glomerular dysfunction in a mammalian model. Biopsies from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and membranous nephropathy had increased miR-378a-3p expression and reduced glomerular levels of NPNT. Thus, miR-378a-3p-mediated suppression of the glomerular matrix protein NPNT is a novel mechanism for proteinuria development in active glomerular diseases. Copyright © 2017 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Placing Intelligence into an Evolutionary Framework or How "g" Fits into the "r-K" Matrix of Life-History Traits Including Longevity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rushton, J. Philippe

2004-01-01

First, I describe why intelligence (Spearman's "g") can only be fully understood through "r-K" theory, which places it into an evolutionary framework along with brain size, longevity, maturation speed, and several other life-history traits. The "r-K" formulation explains why IQ predicts longevity and also why the gap in mortality rates between…

An Algorithm for the Hierarchical Organization of Path Diagrams and Calculation of Components of Expected Covariance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boker, Steven M.; McArdle, J. J.; Neale, Michael

2002-01-01

Presents an algorithm for the production of a graphical diagram from a matrix formula in such a way that its components are logically and hierarchically arranged. The algorithm, which relies on the matrix equations of J. McArdle and R. McDonald (1984), calculates the individual path components of expected covariance between variables and…

Human aqueous humor levels of transforming growth factor-β2: Association with matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases

PubMed Central

Jia, Yan; Yue, Yu; Hu, Dan-Ning; Chen, Ji-Li; Zhou, Ji-Bo

2017-01-01

The present study aims to investigate the association of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-3, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 in the aqueous humor of patients with high myopia or cataracts. The levels of TGF-β2 and MMPs/TIMPs were measured with the Luminex xMAP Technology using commercially available Milliplex xMAP kits. The association between TGF-β2 and MMPs/TIMPs levels was analyzed using the Spearmans correlation test. The levels of TGF-β2 were identified to be positively correlated with the levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 (TIMP-1: r=0.334; P=0.007; TIMP-3: r=0.309; P=0.012). The levels of MMP-2, MMP-3 and TIMP-2 did not significantly correlate with TGF-β2 levels (P>0.05). A positive correlation was identified between TGF-β2 and TIMPs in the aqueous humor of human eyes with elongated axial length. It appears that TGF-β2 stimulates the expression of TIMPs as a compensatory reaction to the development of high myopia. PMID:29188062

Inactivation kinetics of various chemical disinfectants on Aeromonas hydrophila planktonic cells and biofilms.

PubMed

Jahid, Iqbal Kabir; Ha, Sang-Do

2014-05-01

The present article focuses on the inactivation kinetics of various disinfectants including ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and benzalkonium chloride against Aeromonas hydrophila biofilms and planktonic cells. Efficacy was determined by viable plate count and compared using a modified Weibull model. The removal of the biofilms matrix was determined by the crystal violet assay and was confirmed by field-emission scanning electron microscope. The results revealed that all the experimental data and calculated Weibull α (scale) and β (shape) parameters had a good fit, as the R(2) values were between 0.88 and 0.99. Biofilms are more resistant to disinfectants than planktonic cells. Ethanol (70%) was the most effective in killing cells in the biofilms and significantly reduced (p<0.05) the biofilms matrix. The Weibull parameter b-value correlated (R(2)=0.6835) with the biofilms matrix removal. The present findings deduce that the Weibull model is suitable to determine biofilms matrix reduction as well as the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants on biofilms. The study showed that the Weibull model could successfully be used on food and food contact surfaces to determine the exact contact time for killing biofilms-forming foodborne pathogens.

The compensatory G88R change is essential in restoring the normal functions of influenza A/WSN/33 virus matrix protein 1 with a disrupted nuclear localization signal.

PubMed

Xie, Hang; Lin, Zhengshi; Mosier, Philip D; Desai, Umesh R; Gao, Yamei

2013-01-01

G88R emerged as a compensatory mutation in matrix protein 1 (M1) of influenza virus A/WSN/33 when its nuclear localization signal (NLS) was disrupted by R101S and R105S substitutions. The resultant M1 triple mutant M(NLS-88R) regained replication efficiency in vitro while remaining attenuated in vivo with the potential of being a live vaccine candidate. To understand why G88R was favored by the virus as a compensatory change for the NLS loss and resultant replication deficiency, three more M1 triple mutants with an alternative G88K, G88V, or G88E change in addition to R101S and R105S substitutions in the NLS were generated. Unlike the other M1 triple mutants, M(NLS-88R) replicated more efficiently in vitro and in vivo. The G88R compensatory mutation not only restored normal functions of M1 in the presence of a disrupted NLS but also resulted in a strong association of M1 with viral ribonucleoprotein. Under a transmission electron microscope, only the M1 layer of the M(NLS-88R) virion exhibited discontinuous fingerprint-like patterns with average thicknesses close to that of wild-type A/WSN/33. Computational modeling suggested that the compensatory G88R change could reestablish the integrity of the M1 layer through new salt bridges between adjacent M1 subunits when the original interactions were interrupted by simultaneous R101S and R105S replacements in the NLS. Our results suggested that restoring the normal functions of M1 was crucial for efficient virus replication.

In Situ Generation of Pd-Pt Core-Shell Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide (Pd@Pt/rGO) Using Microwaves: Applications in Dehalogenation Reactions and Reduction of Olefins.

PubMed

Goswami, Anandarup; Rathi, Anuj K; Aparicio, Claudia; Tomanec, Ondrej; Petr, Martin; Pocklanova, Radka; Gawande, Manoj B; Varma, Rajender S; Zboril, Radek

2017-01-25

Core-shell nanocatalysts are a distinctive class of nanomaterials with varied potential applications in view of their unique structure, composition-dependent physicochemical properties, and promising synergism among the individual components. A one-pot microwave (MW)-assisted approach is described to prepare the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-supported Pd-Pt core-shell nanoparticles, (Pd@Pt/rGO); spherical core-shell nanomaterials (∼95 nm) with Pd core (∼80 nm) and 15 nm Pt shell were nicely distributed on the rGO matrix in view of the choice of reductant and reaction conditions. The well-characterized composite nanomaterials, endowed with synergism among its components and rGO support, served as catalysts in aromatic dehalogenation reactions and for the reduction of olefins with high yield (>98%), excellent selectivity (>98%) and recyclability (up to 5 times); both Pt/rGO and Pd/rGO and even their physical mixtures showed considerably lower conversions (20 and 57%) in dehalogenation of 3-bromoaniline. Similarly, in the reduction of styrene to ethylbenzene, Pd@Pt core-shell nanoparticles (without rGO support) possess considerably lower conversion (60%) compared to Pd@Pt/rGO. The mechanism of dehalogenation reactions with Pd@Pt/rGO catalyst is discussed with the explicit premise that rGO matrix facilitates the adsorption of the reducing agent, thus enhancing its local concentration and expediting the hydrazine decomposition rate. The versatility of the catalyst has been validated via diverse substrate scope for both reduction and dehalogenation reactions.

SIGMAR1 Regulates Membrane Electrical Activity in Response to Extracellular Matrix Stimulation to Drive Cancer Cell Invasiveness.

PubMed

Crottès, David; Rapetti-Mauss, Raphael; Alcaraz-Perez, Francisca; Tichet, Mélanie; Gariano, Giuseppina; Martial, Sonia; Guizouarn, Hélène; Pellissier, Bernard; Loubat, Agnès; Popa, Alexandra; Paquet, Agnès; Presta, Marco; Tartare-Deckert, Sophie; Cayuela, Maria Luisa; Martin, Patrick; Borgese, Franck; Soriani, Olivier

2016-02-01

The sigma 1 receptor (Sig1R) is a stress-activated chaperone that regulates ion channels and is associated with pathologic conditions, such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and addiction. Aberrant expression levels of ion channels and Sig1R have been detected in tumors and cancer cells, such as myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer, but the link between ion channel regulation and Sig1R overexpression during malignancy has not been established. In this study, we found that Sig1R dynamically controls the membrane expression of the human voltage-dependent K(+) channel human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) in myeloid leukemia and colorectal cancer cell lines. Sig1R promoted the formation of hERG/β1-integrin signaling complexes upon extracellular matrix stimulation, triggering the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Consequently, the presence of Sig1R in cancer cells increased motility and VEGF secretion. In vivo, Sig1R expression enhanced the aggressiveness of tumor cells by potentiating invasion and angiogenesis, leading to poor survival. Collectively, our findings highlight a novel function for Sig1R in mediating cross-talk between cancer cells and their microenvironment, thus driving oncogenesis by shaping cellular electrical activity in response to extracellular signals. Given the involvement of ion channels in promoting several hallmarks of cancer, our study also offers a potential strategy to therapeutically target ion channel function through Sig1R inhibition. ©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.

Effect of phase lag on cyclic durability of laminated composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersons, Janis; Limonov, V.; Tamuzs, Vitants

1992-07-01

Theoretical and experimental results on fatigue of laminated fiber reinforced composites under out-of-phase, biaxial cyclic loading are presented. Experiments were carried out on tubular filament wound samples of epoxy matrix/organic (Kevlar type) fiber composites. Fatigue strength under two different loading modes, namely cyclic torsion combined with axial tension or compression, was investigated for phase lags psi = 0, pi/2, and pi. Durability was shown to decrease with increasing phase shift both for axial tension (R = 0.1) and compression (R = 10). A matrix failure criterion was proposed for a unidirectionally reinforced ply, and the ply discount method was modified to account for phase lag. Calculated S-N curves agree reasonably well with experimental data.

High permittivity induced by interaction between PI matrix and graphite oxide filler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Maobai; Kou, Siwang; Yu, Shuhui; Sun, Rong; Wong, Ching-Ping

2014-09-01

Functionalized graphite oxide was introduced to polyimide and a colossal permittivity was obtained in the derived GO/PI composites. At 1 kHz, the permittivity of the composite with 3 wt% GO loading was up to 7179. In comparison, the permittivities of rGO/PI with 3 wt% rGO loading and GO/ER with 3 wt% GO loading were only 14.41 and 26.64, respectively. By analyzing the molecular structure and chemical bonding of GO/PI composites, we proposed that interaction occurred between the GO fillers carrying functional groups and the PI matrix with a conjugate system, which accounts for the high permittivity of GO/PI composites.

Internal and external radiative widths in the combined R -matrix and potential-model formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukhamedzhanov, A. M.; Shubhchintak, Bertulani, C. A.; Hao, T. V. Nhan

2017-02-01

By using the R -matrix approach we calculate the radiative width for a resonance decaying to a bound state through electric-dipole E 1 transitions. The total radiative width is determined by the interference of the nuclear internal and external radiative width amplitudes. For a given channel radius the external radiative width amplitude is model independent and is determined by the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) of the bound state to which the resonance decays. It also depends on the partial resonance width. To calculate the internal radiative width amplitude we show that a single-particle-potential model is appropriate. We compare our results with a few experimental data.

Upon Generating Discrete Expanding Integrable Models of the Toda Lattice Systems and Infinite Conservation Laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yufeng; Zhang, Xiangzhi; Wang, Yan; Liu, Jiangen

2017-01-01

With the help of R-matrix approach, we present the Toda lattice systems that have extensive applications in statistical physics and quantum physics. By constructing a new discrete integrable formula by R-matrix, the discrete expanding integrable models of the Toda lattice systems and their Lax pairs are generated, respectively. By following the constructing formula again, we obtain the corresponding (2+1)-dimensional Toda lattice systems and their Lax pairs, as well as their (2+1)-dimensional discrete expanding integrable models. Finally, some conservation laws of a (1+1)-dimensional generalised Toda lattice system and a new (2+1)-dimensional lattice system are generated, respectively.

Generalized Rayleigh scattering. I. Basic theory.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, V. V.

1995-11-01

The classsical problem of multiple molecular (in particular, Rayleigh) scattering in plane-parallel atmospheres is considered from a somewhat broader viewpoint than usual. The general approach and ideology are borrowed from non-LTE line formation theory. The main emphasis is on the depth dependence of the corresponding source matrix rather than on the emergent radiation. We study the azimuth-averaged radiation field of polarized radiation in a semi-infinite atmosphere with embedded primary sources. The corresponding 2x2 phase matrix of molecular scattering is P=(1-W) P_I_+W P_R_, where P_I_ and P_R_ are the phase matrices of the scalar isotropic scattering and of the Rayleigh scattering, respectively, and W is the depolarization parameter. Contrary to the usual assumption that W{in}[0,1], we assume W{in} [0,{infinity}) and call this generalized Rayleigh scattering (GRS). Using the factorization of P which is intimately related to its diadic expansion, we reduce the problem to an integral equation for the source matrix S(τ) with a matrix displacement kernel. In operator form this equation is S={LAMBDA}S+S^*^, where {LAMBDA} is the matrix {LAMBDA}-operator and S^*^ is the primary source term. This leads to a new concept, the matrix albedo of single scattering λ =diag(λ_I_,λ_Q_), where λ_I_ is the usual (scalar) single scattering albedo and λ_Q_=0.7Wλ_I_. Its use enables one to formulate matrix equivalents of many of the results of the scalar theory in exactly the same form as in the scalar case. Of crucial importance is the matrix equivalent of the sqrt(ɛ) law of the scalar theory. Another useful new concept is the λ-plane, i.e., the plane with the axes (λ_I_,λ_Q_). Systematic use of the matrix sqrt(ɛ) law and of the λ-plane proved to be a useful instrument in classifying various limiting and particular cases of GRS and in discussing numerical data on the matrix source functions (to be given in Paper II of the series).

Development of Source-Receptor matrix over South Korea in support of GAINS-Korea model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, K. C.; Woo, J. H.; Kim, H. K.; Lee, Y. M.; Kim, Y.; Heyes, C.; Lee, J. B.; Song, C. K.; Han, J.

2014-12-01

A comprehensive and combined analysis of air pollution and climate change could reveal important synergies of emission control measures, which could be of high policy relevance. IIASA's GAINS model (The Greenhouse gas - Air pollution Interactions and Synergies) has been developed as a tool to identify emission control strategies that achieve given targets on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions at least costs. The GAINS-Korea Model, which is being jointly developed by Konkuk University and IIASA, should play an important role in understanding the impact of air quality improvements across the regions in Korea. Source-Receptor relationships (S-R) is an useful methodology in air pollution studies to determine the areas of origin of chemical compounds at receptor point, and thus be able to target actions to reduce pollutions. The GAINS model can assess the impact of emission reductions of sources on air quality in receptor regions based on S-R matrix, derived from chemical transport model. In order to develop S-R matrix for GAINS-Korea, the CAMx model with PSAT/OSAT tools was applied in this study. The coarse domain covers East Asia, and a nesting domain as main research area was used for Korea peninsula. To evaluate of S-R relationships, a modeling domain is divided into sixteen regions over South Korea with three outside of S. Korea countries (China, N. Korea and Japan) for estimating transboundary contributions. The results of our analysis will be presented at the conference.

The Inverse of Banded Matrices

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

indexed entries all zeros. In this paper, generalizing a method of Mallik (1999) [5], we give the LU factorization and the inverse of the matrix Br,n (if it...r ≤ i ≤ r, 1 ≤ j ≤ r, with the remaining un-indexed entries all zeros. In this paper generalizing a method of Mallik (1999) [5...matrices and applications to piecewise cubic approximation, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 8 (4) (1982) 285–288. [5] R.K. Mallik , The inverse of a lower

Surface roughness analysis of fiber post conditioning processes.

PubMed

Mazzitelli, C; Ferrari, M; Toledano, M; Osorio, E; Monticelli, F; Osorio, R

2008-02-01

The chemo-mechanical surface treatment of fiber posts increases their bonding properties. The combined use of atomic force and confocal microscopy allows for the assessment and quantification of the changes on surface roughness that justify this behavior. Quartz fiber posts were conditioned with different chemicals, as well as by sandblasting, and by an industrial silicate/silane coating. We analyzed post surfaces by atomic force microscopy, recording average roughness (R(a)) measurements of fibers and resin matrix. A confocal image profiler allowed for the quantitative assessment of the average superficial roughness (R(a)). Hydrofluoric acid, potassium permanganate, sodium ethoxide, and sandblasting increased post surface roughness. Modifications of the epoxy resin matrix occurred after the surface pre-treatments. Hydrofluoric acid affected the superficial texture of quartz fibers. Surface-conditioning procedures that selectively react with the epoxy-resin matrix of the fiber post enhance roughness and improve the surface area available for adhesion by creating micro-retentive spaces without affecting the post's inner structure.

Mechanochemically-Active Polymer Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-13

Jackson, Jonathan A. Bartelt, Paul V. Braun. Transparent Self - Healing Polymers Based on Encapsulated Plasticizers in a Thermoplastic Matrix...08/28/2008 4.00 J.P. Youngblood, N.R. Sottos. bioinspired materials for self cleaning and self healing , MRS Bulletin, ( ): . doi: 08/28/2008 5.00...H.M.Anderson, M.W.Keller, J.S. Moore, N.R. Sottos, S.R. White. Self Healing Polymers and Composites , , ( ): . doi: TOTAL: 35 (b) Papers published in

The nanoscale phase distinguishing of PCL-PB-PCL blended in epoxy resin by tapping mode atomic force microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Huiqin; Sun, Limin; Shen, Guangxia; Liang, Qi

2012-02-01

In this work, we investigated the bulk phase distinguishing of the poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-polybutadiene-poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL-PB-PCL) triblock copolymer blended in epoxy resin by tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM). We found that at a set-point amplitude ratio ( r sp) less than or equal to 0.85, a clear phase contrast could be obtained using a probe with a force constant of 40 N/m. When r sp was decreased to 0.1 or less, the measured size of the PB-rich domain relatively shrank; however, the height images of the PB-rich domain would take reverse (translating from the original light to dark) at r sp = 0.85. Force-probe measurements were carried out on the phase-separated regions by TM-AFM. According to the phase shift angle vs. r sp curve, it could be concluded that the different force exerting on the epoxy matrix or on the PB-rich domain might result in the height and phase image reversion. Furthermore, the indentation depth vs. r sp plot showed that with large tapping force (lower r sp), the indentation depth for the PB-rich domain was nearly identical for the epoxy resin matrix.

Presynaptic establishment of the synaptic cleft extracellular matrix is required for post-synaptic differentiation

PubMed Central

Rohrbough, Jeffrey; Rushton, Emma; Woodruff, Elvin; Fergestad, Tim; Vigneswaran, Krishanthan; Broadie, Kendal

2007-01-01

Formation and regulation of excitatory glutamatergic synapses is essential for shaping neural circuits throughout development. In a Drosophila genetic screen for synaptogenesis mutants, we identified mind the gap (mtg), which encodes a secreted, extracellular N-glycosaminoglycan-binding protein. MTG is expressed neuronally and detected in the synaptic cleft, and is required to form the specialized transsynaptic matrix that links the presynaptic active zone with the post-synaptic glutamate receptor (GluR) domain. Null mtg embryonic mutant synapses exhibit greatly reduced GluR function, and a corresponding loss of localized GluR domains. All known post-synaptic signaling/scaffold proteins functioning upstream of GluR localization are also grossly reduced or mislocalized in mtg mutants, including the dPix–dPak–Dock cascade and the Dlg/PSD-95 scaffold. Ubiquitous or neuronally targeted mtg RNA interference (RNAi) similarly reduce post-synaptic assembly, whereas post-synaptically targeted RNAi has no effect, indicating that presynaptic MTG induces and maintains the post-synaptic pathways driving GluR domain formation. These findings suggest that MTG is secreted from the presynaptic terminal to shape the extracellular synaptic cleft domain, and that the cleft domain functions to mediate transsynaptic signals required for post-synaptic development. PMID:17901219

Fully relativistic B-spline R-matrix calculations for electron collisions with xenon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartschat, Klaus; Zatsarinny, Oleg

2009-05-01

We have applied our recently developed fully relativistic Dirac B-spline R-matrix (DBSR) code [1] to calculate electron scattering from xenon atoms. Results from a 31-state close-coupling model for the excitation function of the metastable (5p^5 6s) J=0,2 states show excellent agreement with experiment [2], thereby presenting a significant improvement over the most sophisticated previous Breit-Pauli calculations [3,4]. This allows for a detailed and reliable analysis of the resonance structure. The same model is currently being used to calculate electron-impact excitation from the metastable J=2 state. The results will be compared with recent experimental data [5] and predictions from other theoretical models [6,7]. [1] O. Zatsarinny and K. Bartschat, Phys. Rev. A 77 (2008) 062701. [2] S. J. Buckman et al., J. Phys. B 16 (1983) 4219. [3] A. N. Grum-Grzhimailo and K. Bartschat, J. Phys. B 35 (2002) 3479. [4] M. Allan et al., Phys. Rev. A 74 (2006) 030701(R). [5] R. O. Jung et al., Phys. Rev. A 72 (2005) 022723. [6] R. Srivastava et al., Phys. Rev. A 74 (2006) 012715. [7] J. Jiang et al., J. Phys. B 41 (2008) 245204.

A local complement response by RPE causes early-stage macular degeneration

PubMed Central

Fernandez-Godino, Rosario; Garland, Donita L.; Pierce, Eric A.

2015-01-01

Inherited and age-related macular degenerations (AMDs) are important causes of vision loss. An early hallmark of these disorders is the formation of sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) basal deposits. A role for the complement system in MDs was suggested by genetic association studies, but direct functional connections between alterations in the complement system and the pathogenesis of MD remain to be defined. We used primary RPE cells from a mouse model of inherited MD due to a p.R345W mutation in EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) to investigate the role of the RPE in early MD pathogenesis. Efemp1R345W RPE cells recapitulate the basal deposit formation observed in vivo by producing sub-RPE deposits in vitro. The deposits share features with basal deposits, and their formation was mediated by EFEMP1R345W or complement component 3a (C3a), but not by complement component 5a (C5a). Increased activation of complement appears to occur in response to an abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM), generated by the mutant EFEMP1R345W protein and reduced ECM turnover due to inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 2 by EFEMP1R345W and C3a. Increased production of C3a also stimulated the release of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1B, which appear to have a role in deposit formation, albeit downstream of C3a. These studies provide the first direct indication that complement components produced locally by the RPE are involved in the formation of basal deposits. Furthermore, these results suggest that C3a generated by RPE is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of EFEMP1-associated MD as well as AMD. PMID:26199322

R-Matrix Analysis of Structures in Economic Indices: from Nuclear Reactions to High-Frequency Trading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Firk, Frank W. K.

2014-03-01

It is shown that the R-matrix theory of nuclear reactions is a viable mathematical theory for the description of the fine, intermediate and gross structure observed in the time-dependence of economic indices in general, and the daily Dow Jones Industrial Average in particular. A Lorentzian approximation to R-matrix theory is used to analyze the complex structures observed in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on a typical trading day. Resonant structures in excited nuclei are characterized by the values of their fundamental strength function, (average total width of the states)/(average spacing between adjacent states). Here, values of the ratios (average lifetime of individual states of a given component of the daily Dow Jones Industrial Average)/(average interval between the adjacent states) are determined. The ratios for the observed fine and intermediate structure of the index are found to be essentially constant throughout the trading day. These quantitative findings are characteristic of the highly statistical nature of many-body, strongly interacting systems, typified by daily trading. It is therefore proposed that the values of these ratios, determined in the first hour-or-so of trading, be used to provide valuable information concerning the likely performance of the fine and intermediate components of the index for the remainder of the trading day.

Dirac R-matrix calculations of photoionization cross sections of Ni XII and atomic structure data of Ni XIII

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazir, R. T.; Bari, M. A.; Bilal, M.; Sardar, S.; Nasim, M. H.; Salahuddin, M.

2017-02-01

We performed R-matrix calculations for photoionization cross sections of the two ground state configuration 3s23p5 (^2P^o3/2,1/2) levels and 12 excited states of Ni XII using relativistic Dirac Atomic R-matrix Codes (DARC) across the photon energy range between the ionizations thresholds of the corresponding states and well above the thresholds of the last level of the Ni XIII target ion. Generally, a good agreement is obtained between our results and the earlier theoretical photoionization cross sections. Moreover, we have used two independent fully relativistic GRASP and FAC codes to calculate fine-structure energy levels, wavelengths, oscillator strengths, transitions rates among the lowest 48 levels belonging to the configuration (3s23p4, 3s3p5, 3p6, 3s23p33d) in Ni XIII. Additionally, radiative lifetimes of all the excited states of Ni XIII are presented. Our results of the atomic structure of Ni XIII show good agreement with other theoretical and experimental results available in the literature. A good agreement is found between our calculated lifetimes and the experimental ones. Our present results are useful for plasma diagnostic of fusion and astrophysical plasmas.

Triptolide prevents extracellular matrix accumulation in experimental diabetic kidney disease by targeting microRNA-137/Notch1 pathway.

PubMed

Han, Fei; Wang, Shanshan; Chang, Yunpeng; Li, Chunjun; Yang, Juhong; Han, Zhe; Chang, Baocheng; Sun, Bei; Chen, Liming

2018-03-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple biological functions via suppressing target genes. Triptolide is a monomeric compound isolated from a traditional Chinese herb, which exerts protective roles in many kinds of glomerular diseases. However, our understanding of the triptolide effect on miRNAome is still limited. In this study, we found that triptolide significantly decreased albuminuria and improved glomerulosclerosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). And triptolide also inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation and the notch1 pathway activation under diabetic conditions. MiR-137 was significantly decreased in the HG (high glucose)-treated HRMCs and in the kidney tissues of the diabetic rats, but was upregulated by triptolide. In addition, overexpression of miR-137 exerted similar effects to those of triptolide, while miR-137 inhibition aggravated ECM protein accumulation. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-137 directly targets Notch1. Furthermore, the miR-137-dependent effects were due to Notch1 suppression that in turn inhibited ECM protein expression, key mediators of glomerulosclerosis. Finally, downregulation of miR-137 reversed the ECM inhibition role of triptolide in HG cultured HRMCs. Taken together, these findings indicate that triptolide is a potential therapeutic option for DKD and that miR-137/Notch1 pathway play roles in the anti-glomerulosclerosis mechanism of triptolide. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Recombinant Brugia malayi pepsin inhibitor (rBm33) exploits host signaling events to regulate inflammatory responses associated with lymphatic filarial infections.

PubMed

Sreenivas, Kirthika; Kalyanaraman, Haripriya; Babu, Subash; Narayanan, Rangarajan Badri

2017-11-01

Prolonged existence of filarial parasites and their molecules within the host modulate the host immune system to instigate their survival and induce inflammatory responses that contribute to disease progression. Recombinant Brugia malayi pepsin inhibitor (rBm33) modulates the host immune responses by skewing towards Th1 responses characterized by secretion of inflammatory molecules such as TNF-α, IL-6, nitric oxide (NO). Here we also specified the molecular signaling events triggered by rBm33 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of filarial endemic normals (EN). rBm33 predominantly enhanced the levels of nitric oxide in cultured PBMCs but did not result in oxidative stress to the host cells. Further, rBm33 treatment of human PBMCs resulted in higher GSH/GSSG levels. MYD88 dependent activation was found to be associated with rBm33 specific inflammatory cytokine production. rBm33 triggered intracellular signaling events also involved JNK activation in host PBMCs. In addition, c-Fos and not NF-κB was identified as the transcription factor regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines in rBm33 stimulated PBMCs. rBm33 marked its role in filarial pathology by altered levels of growth factors but did not have a significant impact on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) activity of host PBMCs. Thus, the study outlines the signaling network of rBm33 induced inflammatory responses within the host immune cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Encapsulated and Monolithic Resonant Structures for Laser Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-18

large, and is better handled in matrices of the form ,y z y r x d j dz   K u u ε s where ,yK ,zu ,yu ,rε and xs are defined in (2.9) [41]. 18...unknowns: ,xu ,yu , xs and .ys The resulting equations can be written in block matrix form. 19 1 1 1 1 , x x x r y r x r x y y y r y r y r x d dz...ALD cycle. The Al2O3 deposition recipe yields a deposition rate of 0.122 nm per cycle. A 350 nm deposition is used to nearly fill the etched trenches

Analyzing Patients' Values by Applying Cluster Analysis and LRFM Model in a Pediatric Dental Clinic in Taiwan

PubMed Central

Lin, Shih-Yen; Liu, Chih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study combines cluster analysis and LRFM (length, recency, frequency, and monetary) model in a pediatric dental clinic in Taiwan to analyze patients' values. A two-stage approach by self-organizing maps and K-means method is applied to segment 1,462 patients into twelve clusters. The average values of L, R, and F excluding monetary covered by national health insurance program are computed for each cluster. In addition, customer value matrix is used to analyze customer values of twelve clusters in terms of frequency and monetary. Customer relationship matrix considering length and recency is also applied to classify different types of customers from these twelve clusters. The results show that three clusters can be classified into loyal patients with L, R, and F values greater than the respective average L, R, and F values, while three clusters can be viewed as lost patients without any variable above the average values of L, R, and F. When different types of patients are identified, marketing strategies can be designed to meet different patients' needs. PMID:25045741

Anomaly-specified virtual dimensionality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shih-Yu; Paylor, Drew; Chang, Chein-I.

2013-09-01

Virtual dimensionality (VD) has received considerable interest where VD is used to estimate the number of spectral distinct signatures, denoted by p. Unfortunately, no specific definition is provided by VD for what a spectrally distinct signature is. As a result, various types of spectral distinct signatures determine different values of VD. There is no one value-fit-all for VD. In order to address this issue this paper presents a new concept, referred to as anomaly-specified VD (AS-VD) which determines the number of anomalies of interest present in the data. Specifically, two types of anomaly detection algorithms are of particular interest, sample covariance matrix K-based anomaly detector developed by Reed and Yu, referred to as K-RXD and sample correlation matrix R-based RXD, referred to as R-RXD. Since K-RXD is only determined by 2nd order statistics compared to R-RXD which is specified by statistics of the first two orders including sample mean as the first order statistics, the values determined by K-RXD and R-RXD will be different. Experiments are conducted in comparison with widely used eigen-based approaches.

Effect of wood flour content on the optical color, surface chemistry, mechanical and morphological properties of wood flour/recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Chan Kok; Amin, Khairul Anuar Mat; Kee, Kwa Bee; Hassan, Mohd Faiz; Ali, E. Ghapur E.

2018-05-01

In this study, effect of wood flour content on the color, surface chemistry, mechanical properties and surface morphology of wood-plastic composite (WPC) on different mixture ratios of recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) and wood flour were investigated in detail. The presence of wood flour in the composite indicates a significant total color change and a decrease of lightness. Functional groups of wood flour in WPC can be seen clearer from the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra as the wood flour content increases. The mechanical tensile testing shows that the tensile strength of Young's modulus is improved, whereas the strain and elongation at break were reduced by the addition of wood flour. The gap between the wood flour microvoid fibre and rHDPE matrix becomes closer when the wood flour content is increased as observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. This finding implies a significant improvement on the interaction of interfacial adhesion between the rHDPE matrix and wood flour filler in the present WPC.

Characterizing the Joint Effect of Diverse Test-Statistic Correlation Structures and Effect Size on False Discovery Rates in a Multiple-Comparison Study of Many Outcome Measures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feiveson, Alan H.; Ploutz-Snyder, Robert; Fiedler, James

2011-01-01

In their 2009 Annals of Statistics paper, Gavrilov, Benjamini, and Sarkar report the results of a simulation assessing the robustness of their adaptive step-down procedure (GBS) for controlling the false discovery rate (FDR) when normally distributed test statistics are serially correlated. In this study we extend the investigation to the case of multiple comparisons involving correlated non-central t-statistics, in particular when several treatments or time periods are being compared to a control in a repeated-measures design with many dependent outcome measures. In addition, we consider several dependence structures other than serial correlation and illustrate how the FDR depends on the interaction between effect size and the type of correlation structure as indexed by Foerstner s distance metric from an identity. The relationship between the correlation matrix R of the original dependent variables and R, the correlation matrix of associated t-statistics is also studied. In general R depends not only on R, but also on sample size and the signed effect sizes for the multiple comparisons.

Analyzing patients' values by applying cluster analysis and LRFM model in a pediatric dental clinic in Taiwan.

PubMed

Wu, Hsin-Hung; Lin, Shih-Yen; Liu, Chih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study combines cluster analysis and LRFM (length, recency, frequency, and monetary) model in a pediatric dental clinic in Taiwan to analyze patients' values. A two-stage approach by self-organizing maps and K-means method is applied to segment 1,462 patients into twelve clusters. The average values of L, R, and F excluding monetary covered by national health insurance program are computed for each cluster. In addition, customer value matrix is used to analyze customer values of twelve clusters in terms of frequency and monetary. Customer relationship matrix considering length and recency is also applied to classify different types of customers from these twelve clusters. The results show that three clusters can be classified into loyal patients with L, R, and F values greater than the respective average L, R, and F values, while three clusters can be viewed as lost patients without any variable above the average values of L, R, and F. When different types of patients are identified, marketing strategies can be designed to meet different patients' needs.

Linear constraint relations in biochemical reaction systems: I. Classification of the calculability and the balanceability of conversion rates.

PubMed

van der Heijden, R T; Heijnen, J J; Hellinga, C; Romein, B; Luyben, K C

1994-01-05

Measurements provide the basis for process monitoring and control as well as for model development and validation. Systematic approaches to increase the accuracy and credibility of the empirical data set are therefore of great value. In (bio)chemical conversions, linear conservation relations such as the balance equations for charge, enthalpy, and/or chemical elements, can be employed to relate conversion rates. In a pactical situation, some of these rates will be measured (in effect, be calculated directly from primary measurements of, e.g., concentrations and flow rates), as others can or cannot be calculated from the measured ones. When certain measured rates can also be calculated from other measured rates, the set of equations, the accuracy and credibility of the measured rates can indeed be improved by, respectively, balancing and gross error diagnosis. The balanced conversion rates are more accurate, and form a consistent set of data, which is more suitable for further application (e.g., to calculate nonmeasured rates) than the raw measurements. Such an approach has drawn attention in previous studies. The current study deals mainly with the problem of mathematically classifying the conversion rates into balanceable and calculable rates, given the subset of measured rates. The significance of this problem is illustrated with some examples. It is shown that a simple matrix equation can be derived that contains the vector of measured conversion rates and the redundancy matrix R. Matrix R plays a predominant role in the classification problem. In supplementary articles, significance of the redundancy matrix R for an improved gross error diagnosis approach will be shown. In addition, efficient equations have been derived to calculate the balanceable and/or calculable rates. The method is completely based on matrix algebra (principally different from the graph-theoretical approach), and it is easily implemented into a computer program. (c) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Supersymmetric gauged matrix models from dimensional reduction on a sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Closset, Cyril; Ghim, Dongwook; Seong, Rak-Kyeong

2018-05-01

It was recently proposed that N = 1 supersymmetric gauged matrix models have a duality of order four — that is, a quadrality — reminiscent of infrared dualities of SQCD theories in higher dimensions. In this note, we show that the zero-dimensional quadrality proposal can be inferred from the two-dimensional Gadde-Gukov-Putrov triality. We consider two-dimensional N = (0, 2) SQCD compactified on a sphere with the half-topological twist. For a convenient choice of R-charge, the zero-mode sector on the sphere gives rise to a simple N = 1 gauged matrix model. Triality on the sphere then implies a triality relation for the supersymmetric matrix model, which can be completed to the full quadrality.

The Islamic State Battle Plan: Press Release Natural Language Processing

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

Processing, text mining , corpus, generalized linear model, cascade, R Shiny, leaflet, data visualization 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 83 16. PRICE CODE...Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism TDM Term Document Matrix TF Term Frequency TF-IDF Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency tm text mining (R...package=leaflet. Feinerer I, Hornik K (2015) Text Mining Package “tm,” Version 0.6-2. (Jul 3) https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/tm/tm.pdf

Inhibition of microRNA-214-5p promotes cell survival and extracellular matrix formation by targeting collagen type IV alpha 1 in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.

PubMed

Li, Q S; Meng, F Y; Zhao, Y H; Jin, C L; Tian, J; Yi, X J

2017-08-01

This study aimed to investigate the functional effects of microRNA (miR)-214-5p on osteoblastic cells, which might provide a potential role of miR-214-5p in bone fracture healing. Blood samples were obtained from patients with hand fracture or intra-articular calcaneal fracture and from healthy controls (HCs). Expression of miR-214-5p was monitored by qRT-PCR at day 7, 14 and 21 post-surgery. Mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were transfected with antisense oligonucleotides (ASO)-miR-214-5p, collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) vector or their controls; thereafter, cell viability, apoptotic rate, and the expression of collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), type II collagen (COL-II), and type X collagen (COL-X) were determined. Luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to ascertain whether COL4A1 was a target of miR-214-5p. Plasma miR-214-5p was highly expressed in patients with bone fracture compared with HCs after fracture (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Inhibition of miR-214-5p increased the viability of MC3T3-E1 cells and the expressions of COL1A1 and COL-X, but decreased the apoptotic rate and COL-II expression (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). COL4A1 was a target of miR-214-5p, and was negatively regulated by miR-214-5p (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Overexpression of COL4A1 showed a similar impact on cell viability, apoptotic rate, and COL1A1, COL-II, and COL-X expressions inhibiting miR-214-5p (p < 0.01). Inhibition of miR-214-5p promotes cell survival and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by targeting COL4A1. Cite this article: Q. S. Li, F. Y. Meng, Y. H. Zhao, C. L. Jin, J. Tian, X. J. Yi. Inhibition of microRNA-214-5p promotes cell survival and extracellular matrix formation by targeting collagen type IV alpha 1 in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:464-471. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.68.BJR-2016-0208.R2. © 2017 Yi et al.

MicroRNA-29a Alleviates Bile Duct Ligation Exacerbation of Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice through Epigenetic Control of Methyltransferases.

PubMed

Yang, Ya-Ling; Wang, Feng-Sheng; Li, Sung-Chou; Tiao, Mao-Meng; Huang, Ying-Hsien

2017-01-18

MicroRNA-29 (miR-29) is found to modulate hepatic stellate cells' (HSCs) activation and, thereby, reduces liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Histone methyltransferase regulation of epigenetic reactions reportedly participates in hepatic fibrosis. This study is undertaken to investigate the miR-29a regulation of the methyltransferase signaling and epigenetic program in hepatic fibrosis progression. miR-29a transgenic mice (miR-29aTg mice) and wild-type littermates were subjected to bile duct-ligation (BDL) to develop cholestatic liver fibrosis. Primary HSCs were transfected with a miR-29a mimic and antisense inhibitor. Profibrogenic gene expression, histone methyltransferases and global genetic methylation were probed with real-time quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemical stain, Western blot and ELISA. Hepatic tissue in miR-29aTg mice displayed weak fibrotic matrix as evidenced by Sirius Red staining concomitant with low fibrotic matrix collagen 1α1 expression within affected tissues compared to the wild-type mice. miR-29a overexpression reduced the BDL exaggeration of methyltransferases, DNMT1, DNMT3b and SET domain containing 1A (SET1A) expression. It also elevated phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) signaling within liver tissue. In vitro, miR-29a mimic transfection lowered collagen 1α1, DNMT1, DNMT3b and SET1A expression in HSCs. Gain of miR-29a signaling resulted in DNA hypomethylation and high PTEN expression. This study shines a new light on miR-29a inhibition of methyltransferase, a protective effect to maintain the DNA hypomethylation state that decreases fibrogenic activities in HSC. These robust analyses also highlight the miR-29a regulation of epigenetic actions to ameliorate excessive fibrosis during cholestatic liver fibrosis development.

SYNCSA--R tool for analysis of metacommunities based on functional traits and phylogeny of the community components.

PubMed

Debastiani, Vanderlei J; Pillar, Valério D

2012-08-01

SYNCSA is an R package for the analysis of metacommunities based on functional traits and phylogeny of the community components. It offers tools to calculate several matrix correlations that express trait-convergence assembly patterns, trait-divergence assembly patterns and phylogenetic signal in functional traits at the species pool level and at the metacommunity level. SYNCSA is a package for the R environment, under a GPL-2 open-source license and freely available on CRAN official web server for R (http://cran.r-project.org). vanderleidebastiani@yahoo.com.br.

Silencing of microRNA-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes by targeting FOXC1: miR-138 promotes cartilage degradation.

PubMed

Yuan, Y; Zhang, G Q; Chai, W; Ni, M; Xu, C; Chen, J Y

2016-10-01

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by articular cartilage degradation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in the development of OA. The purpose of our study was to explore the functional role and underlying mechanism of miR-138-5p in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of OA cartilage. Human articular cartilage was obtained from patients with and without OA, and chondrocytes were isolated and stimulated by IL-1β. The expression levels of miR-138-5p in cartilage and chondrocytes were both determined. After transfection with miR-138-5p mimics, allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO)-miR-138-5p, or their negative controls, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of aggrecan (ACAN), collagen type II and alpha 1 (COL2A1), the protein levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and both the mRNA and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 were evaluated. Luciferase reporter assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot were performed to explore whether Forkhead Box C1 (FOCX1) was a target of miR-138-5p. Further, we co-transfected OA chondrocytes with miR-138-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1 (+)-FOXC1 and then stimulated with IL-1β to determine whether miR-138-5p-mediated IL-1β-induced cartilage matrix degradation resulted from targeting FOXC1. MiR-138-5p was significantly increased in OA cartilage and in chondrocytes in response to IL-1β-stimulation. Overexpression of miR-138-5p significantly increased the IL-1β-induced downregulation of COL2A1, ACAN, and GAGs, and increased the IL-1β-induced over expression of MMP-13.We found that FOXC1 is directly regulated by miR-138-5p. Additionally, co-transfection with miR-138-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1 (+)-FOXC1 resulted in higher levels of COL2A1, ACAN, and GAGs, but lower levels of MMP-13. miR-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes, possibly by targeting FOXC1.Cite this article: Y. Yuan, G. Q. Zhang, W. Chai,M. Ni, C. Xu, J. Y. Chen. Silencing of microRNA-138-5p promotes IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes by targeting FOXC1: miR-138 promotes cartilage degradation. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:523-530. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0074.R2. © 2016 Chen et al.

Characterization of CDOM of river waters in China using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix and regional integration techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ying; Song, Kaishan; Shang, Yingxin; Shao, Tiantian; Wen, Zhidan; Lv, Lili

2017-08-01

The spatial characteristics of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) components in river waters in China were first examined by excitation-emission matrix spectra and fluorescence regional integration (FRI) with the data collected during September to November between 2013 and 2015. One tyrosine-like (R1), one tryptophan-like (R2), one fulvic-like (R3), one microbial protein-like (R4), and one humic-like (R5) components have been identified by FRI method. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to assess variations in the five FDOM components (FRί (ί = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)) and the humification index for all 194 river water samples. The average fluorescence intensities of the five fluorescent components and the total fluorescence intensities FSUM differed under spatial variation among the seven major river basins (Songhua, Liao, Hai, Yellow and Huai, Yangtze, Pearl, and Inflow Rivers) in China. When all the river water samples were pooled together, the fulvic-like FR3 and the humic-like FR5 showed a strong positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.90, n = 194), indicating that the two allochthonous FDOM components R3 and R5 may originate from similar sources. There is a moderate strong positive correlation between the tryptophan-like FR2 and the microbial protein-like FR4 (R2 = 0.71, n = 194), suggesting that parts of two autochthonous FDOM components R2 and R4 are likely from some common sources. However, the total allochthonous substance FR(3+5) and the total autochthonous substances FR(1+2+4) exhibited a weak correlation (R2 = 0.40, n = 194). Significant positive linear relationships between FR3 (R2 = 0.69, n = 194), FR5 (R2 = 0.79, n = 194), and chromophoric DOM (CDOM) absorption coefficient a(254) were observed, which demonstrated that the CDOM absorption was dominated by the allochthonous FDOM components R3 and R5.

Computer Simulation Results for the Two-Point Probability Function of Composite Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, P.; Torquato, S.

1988-05-01

Computer simulation results are reported for the two-point matrix probability function S2 of two-phase random media composed of disks distributed with an arbitrary degree of impenetrability λ. The novel technique employed to sample S2( r) (which gives the probability of finding the endpoints of a line segment of length r in the matrix) is very accurate and has a fast execution time. Results for the limiting cases λ = 0 (fully penetrable disks) and λ = 1 (hard disks), respectively, compare very favorably with theoretical predictions made by Torquato and Beasley and by Torquato and Lado. Results are also reported for several values of λ. that lie between these two extremes: cases which heretofore have not been examined.

Improved high-temperature resistant matrix resins

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, H. E.; Chang, G. E.; Wright, W. F.; Ueda, K.; Orell, M. K.

1989-01-01

A study was performed with the objective of developing matrix resins that exhibit improved thermo-oxidative stability over state-of-the-art high temperature resins for use at temperatures up to 644 K (700 F) and air pressures up to 0.7 MPa (100 psia). The work was based upon a TRW discovered family of polyimides currently licensed to and marketed by Ethyl Corporation as EYMYD(R) resins. The approach investigated to provide improved thermo-oxidative properties was to use halogenated derivatives of the diamine, 2, 2-bis (4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl) hexafluoropropane (4-BDAF). Polyimide neat resins and Celion(R) 12,000 composites prepared from fluorine substituted 4-BDAF demonstrated unexpectedly lower glass transition temperatures (Tg) and thermo-oxidative stabilities than the baseline 4-BDAF/PMDA polymer.

Production of LEU Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated Fuel for Irradiation Testing

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

Terrani, Kurt A; Kiggans Jr, James O; McMurray, Jake W

2016-01-01

Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM) fuel consists of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded inside a SiC matrix. This fuel inherently possesses multiple barriers to fission product release, namely the various coating layers in the TRISO fuel particle as well as the dense SiC matrix that hosts these particles. This coupled with the excellent oxidation resistance of the SiC matrix and the SiC coating layer in the TRISO particle designate this concept as an accident tolerant fuel (ATF). The FCM fuel takes advantage of uranium nitride kernels instead of oxide or oxide-carbide kernels used in high temperature gas reactors to enhancemore » heavy metal loading in the highly moderated LWRs. Production of these kernels with appropriate density, coating layer development to produce UN TRISO particles, and consolidation of these particles inside a SiC matrix have been codified thanks to significant R&D supported by US DOE Fuel Cycle R&D program. Also, surrogate FCM pellets (pellets with zirconia instead of uranium-bearing kernels) have been neutron irradiated and the stability of the matrix and coating layer under LWR irradiation conditions have been established. Currently the focus is on production of LEU (7.3% U-235 enrichment) FCM pellets to be utilized for irradiation testing. The irradiation is planned at INL s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). This is a critical step in development of this fuel concept to establish the ability of this fuel to retain fission products under prototypical irradiation conditions.« less

Effects of strontium ranelate treatment on osteoblasts cultivated onto scaffolds of trabeculae bovine bone.

PubMed

Silva, Gerluza Aparecida Borges; Bertassoli, Bruno Machado; Sousa, Cristiane Aparecida; Albergaria, Juliano Douglas; de Paula, Rayan Silva; Jorge, Erika Cristina

2018-01-01

Blocks of Bovine bone have shown promising results as implantable scaffolds to promote bone regeneration. Strontium ranelate (SrR) is both an antiresorptive and an anabolic drug that has been indicated for oral administration to treat osteoporosis. Few studies, however, have investigated the local effects of SrR and its use in association with biomaterials thus far. In this work, we investigated SrR effects in cultures of primary osteoblasts (PO, from Wistar rats calvaria) and immortalized osteoblasts (IO, from MC3T3-E1 cell line) cultivated as a monolayer or in association with scaffolds of bovine bone in mineralized (MBB) and demineralized (DBB) forms. The optimum dose to induce SrR effects on cell viability was established as 0.1 mM. Our results suggested that the local administration of SrR is biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. In addition, SrR appeared to accelerate primary osteoblast cell differentiation by enhancing alkaline phosphatase activity, the expression of osteogenic differentiation markers, the synthesis of the organic matrix, and a decrease of Ca 2+ ions in mineralized nodules. DBB was found to be a better scaffold material to promote PO and IO cell proliferation. Exposing the proteins of the demineralized bone matrix might improve scaffold osteoconductive properties. Our results indicated the importance of further investigation of the administration of SrR at sites of bone repair. The association of SrR and bone grafts suggests the possibility of using SrR as a co-adjuvant for bone tissue bioengineering and in bone regeneration therapies.

Thermo-Mechanical Fatigue of Polymer Matrix Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-10-01

MATRIX COMPOSITES by L. H. Strait . - , 4- . [ : ’ . .. N ..::ii Technical Report No. TR 94-12 October 1994 94 11 3 002 Supported by: L.R. Hettche...mnechanical loading is an increasingly common service condition for polymer mnmx composite materials. Unfortunately, little or no information is available...regarding the behavior of polymer composites subject to this loading condition. The present thesis research program was undertaken to evaluate the effects

Masterless Distributed Computing Over Mobile Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

Matrix Computations,” Handbooks in OR & MS, vol. 3, pp. 247–321, 1990. [18] R. Barrett et al ., Templates for the Solution of Linear Systems: Building...the truncated SVD of a matrix. The algorithm used in this thesis was developed by Halko , Martinsson, and Tropp in their journal article, Finding...experiments,” dodbuzz.com, 2011 . [Online]. Available: http://www.dodbuzz.com/ 2011 /06/06/army-begins-mobile- phone-experiments/. [Accessed: 15-Feb

Processing of Hybrid Structures Consisting of Al-Based Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) With Metallic Reinforcement of Steel or Titanium

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

637 2. S.V. Prasad and R. Asthana, "Aluminum Metal-Matrix Composites for Automotive Applications : Tribological Considerations," Tribology Leiters, 11...seeing widespread use in thermal management, precision equipment, and automotive applications where composition and microstructure are tailored to...Key applications include high specific stiffuess panels and beams, fluid flow structures, thermal management substrates, and blast wave mitigation

DYMAFLEX: DYnamic Manipulation FLight EXperiment

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-03

thrust per nozzle and minimize propellant mass and tank mass. This study compared carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and R134-A. These results were...equations of mo- tion of a space manipulator, showing their top- level, matrix- vector representation to be of iden- tical form to those of a fixed-base...the system inertia matrix, q is the po- sition state vector (consisting of the manipulator joint angles θ, spacecraft attitude quaternion, and

Matrix Effects and Interferences of Different Citrus Fruit Coextractives in Pesticide Residue Analysis Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Besil, Natalia; Cesio, Verónica; Heinzen, Horacio; Fernandez-Alba, Amadeo R

2017-06-14

The matrix effects of ethyl acetate extracts from seven different citrus fruits on the determination of 80 pesticide residues using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-(ESI)-HR-TOF) at 4 GHz resolution mode were studied. Only 20% of the evaluated pesticides showed noticeable matrix effects (ME) due to coelution with natural products between t R = 3 and 11 min. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the detected coextractives grouped the mandarins and the orange varieties, but separated lemon, oranges, and mandarins from each other. Matrix effects were different among species but similar between varieties, forcing the determination of pesticide residues through matrix-matched calibration curves with the same fruit. Twenty-three natural products (synephrine, naringin, poncirin, glycosides of hesperitin, limonin, nomilin, and a few fatty acids, among others) were identified in the analyzed extracts. Twelve of the identified compounds coeluted with 28 of the pesticides under study, causing different matrix effects.

Tenascin-C mimetic Peptide nanofibers direct stem cell differentiation to osteogenic lineage.

PubMed

Sever, Melike; Mammadov, Busra; Guler, Mustafa O; Tekinay, Ayse B

2014-12-08

Extracellular matrix contains various signals for cell surface receptors that regulate cell fate through modulation of cellular activities such as proliferation and differentiation. Cues from extracellular matrix components can be used for development of new materials to control the stem cell fate. In this study, we achieved control of stem cell fate toward osteogenic commitment by using a single extracellular matrix element despite the contradictory effect of mechanical stiffness. For this purpose, we mimicked bone extracellular matrix by incorporating functional sequence of fibronectin type III domain from native tenascin-C on self-assembled peptide nanofibers. When rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were cultured on these peptide nanofibers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red staining indicated osteogenic differentiation even in the absence of osteogenic supplements. Moreover, expression levels of osteogenic marker genes were significantly enhanced revealed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), which showed the remarkable bioactive role of this nanofiber system on osteogenic differentiation. Overall, these results showed that tenascin-C mimetic peptides significantly enhanced the attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs even in the absence of any external bioactive factors and regardless of the suitable stiff mechanical properties normally required for osteogenic differentiation. Thus, these peptide nanofibers provide a promising new platform for bone regeneration.

The effect of sodium alginate on physical and dissolution properties of Surelease-matrix pellets prepared by a novel pelletizer.

PubMed

Kim, Min-Soo; Kim, Jeong-Soo; Hwang, Sung-Joo

2007-11-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sodium alginate on the physical and dissolution properties of Surelease-matrix pellets prepared by a novel pelletizer-equipped piston extruder and double-arm counter-rotating rollers. The mean values of the shape factor (e(R)) and the aspect ratio of Surelease-matrix pellets were 0.615-0.625 and 1.06-1.070, respectively, indicating good sphericity of the pellets. The drug release rate increased as the amount of sodium alginate increased due to hydration, swelling, and erosion within the Surelease-matrix pellets. In addition, the porosity of pellets also increased with increasing sodium alginate content. The results of this study show that sodium alginate has a greater effect on the drug release rate than the drug release mechanism within the Surelease-matrix for sparingly water-soluble drug, such as tamsulosin hydrochloride.

Gingival Tissue Inflammation Promotes Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 Production by CD200Rlow Monocyte-Derived Cells in Periodontitis.

PubMed

Björnfot Holmström, Sofia; Clark, Reuben; Zwicker, Stephanie; Bureik, Daniela; Kvedaraite, Egle; Bernasconi, Eric; Nguyen Hoang, Anh Thu; Johannsen, Gunnar; Marsland, Benjamin J; Boström, Elisabeth A; Svensson, Mattias

2017-12-15

Irreversible tissue recession in chronic inflammatory diseases is associated with dysregulated immune activation and production of tissue degradative enzymes. In this study, we identified elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 in gingival tissue of patients with the chronic inflammatory disease periodontitis (PD). The source of MMP12 was cells of monocyte origin as determined by the expression of CD14, CD68, and CD64. These MMP12-producing cells showed reduced surface levels of the coinhibitory molecule CD200R. Similarly, establishing a multicellular three-dimensional model of human oral mucosa with induced inflammation promoted MMP12 production and reduced CD200R surface expression by monocyte-derived cells. MMP12 production by monocyte-derived cells was induced by CSF2 rather than the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, and treatment of monocyte-derived cells with a CD200R ligand reduced CSF2-induced MMP12 production. Further, MMP12-mediated degradation of the extracellular matrix proteins tropoelastin and fibronectin in the tissue model coincided with a loss of Ki-67, a protein strictly associated with cell proliferation. Reduced amounts of tropoelastin were confirmed in gingival tissue from PD patients. Thus, this novel association of the CD200/CD200R pathway with MMP12 production by monocyte-derived cells may play a key role in PD progression and will be important to take into consideration in the development of future strategies to diagnose, treat, and prevent PD. Copyright © 2017 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Intercorrelation of the WISC-R and the Renzulli-Hartman Scale for Determination of Gifted Placement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lowrance, Dan; Anderson, Howard N.

In order to compare the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised (WISC-R) and the Renzulli-Hartman Scale for Determination of Gifted Placement, 192 potentially gifted elementary students were rated on both tests. A correlation matrix indicated that one of the four subscales of the Renzulli-Hartman Scale, the Learning Characteristics…

Functional Assessment of Skeletal Muscle Regeneration Utilizing Homologous Extracellular Matrix as Scaffolding

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

as a biologic scaffold material. Biomaterials 28, 3587, 2007. 24. Conconi, M.T., De Coppi, P., Bellini, S., Zara , G., Sabatti, M., Marzaro, M., Zanon...full-thickness ab- dominal wall defects. Tissue Eng 12, 1929, 2006. 26. Gamba, P.G., Conconi, M.T., Lo Piccolo, R., Zara , G., Spi- nazzi, R., and

The Dielectric Permittivity of Crystals in the Reduced Hartree-Fock Approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cancès, Éric; Lewin, Mathieu

2010-07-01

In a recent article (Cancès et al. in Commun Math Phys 281:129-177, 2008), we have rigorously derived, by means of bulk limit arguments, a new variational model to describe the electronic ground state of insulating or semiconducting crystals in the presence of local defects. In this so-called reduced Hartree-Fock model, the ground state electronic density matrix is decomposed as {γ = γ^0_per + Q_{ν,\\varepsilon_F}}, where {γ^0_per} is the ground state density matrix of the host crystal and {Q_{ν,\\varepsilon_F}} the modification of the electronic density matrix generated by a modification ν of the nuclear charge of the host crystal, the Fermi level ɛ F being kept fixed. The purpose of the present article is twofold. First, we study in more detail the mathematical properties of the density matrix {Q_{ν,\\varepsilon_F}} (which is known to be a self-adjoint Hilbert-Schmidt operator on {L^2(mathbb{R}^3)}). We show in particular that if {int_{mathbb{R}^3} ν neq 0, Q_{ν,\\varepsilon_F}} is not trace-class. Moreover, the associated density of charge is not in {L^1(mathbb{R}^3)} if the crystal exhibits anisotropic dielectric properties. These results are obtained by analyzing, for a small defect ν, the linear and nonlinear terms of the resolvent expansion of {Q_{ν,\\varepsilon_F}}. Second, we show that, after an appropriate rescaling, the potential generated by the microscopic total charge (nuclear plus electronic contributions) of the crystal in the presence of the defect converges to a homogenized electrostatic potential solution to a Poisson equation involving the macroscopic dielectric permittivity of the crystal. This provides an alternative (and rigorous) derivation of the Adler-Wiser formula.

Extending R packages to support 64-bit compiled code: An illustration with spam64 and GIMMS NDVI3g data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerber, Florian; Mösinger, Kaspar; Furrer, Reinhard

2017-07-01

Software packages for spatial data often implement a hybrid approach of interpreted and compiled programming languages. The compiled parts are usually written in C, C++, or Fortran, and are efficient in terms of computational speed and memory usage. Conversely, the interpreted part serves as a convenient user-interface and calls the compiled code for computationally demanding operations. The price paid for the user friendliness of the interpreted component is-besides performance-the limited access to low level and optimized code. An example of such a restriction is the 64-bit vector support of the widely used statistical language R. On the R side, users do not need to change existing code and may not even notice the extension. On the other hand, interfacing 64-bit compiled code efficiently is challenging. Since many R packages for spatial data could benefit from 64-bit vectors, we investigate strategies to efficiently pass 64-bit vectors to compiled languages. More precisely, we show how to simply extend existing R packages using the foreign function interface to seamlessly support 64-bit vectors. This extension is shown with the sparse matrix algebra R package spam. The new capabilities are illustrated with an example of GIMMS NDVI3g data featuring a parametric modeling approach for a non-stationary covariance matrix.

miR-346 and miR-582-3p-regulated EG-VEGF expression and trophoblast invasion via matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9.

PubMed

Su, Mei-Tsz; Tsai, Pei-Yin; Tsai, Hui-Ling; Chen, Yi-Chi; Kuo, Pao-Lin

2017-03-01

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) is an important regulator for embryo implantation and placental development, and is clinically associated with several obstetric disorders related to insufficient or inappropriate trophoblast invasion, such as recurrent abortion, preeclampsia, and intrauterine fetal growth restriction. This study was performed to identify the microRNAs targeting EG-VEGF, and evaluate the regulatory effect on trophoblast biology. miR-346 and miR-582-3p were initially identified via bioinformatic tools, and their specific binding sites on the EG-VEGF 3'UTR were further confirmed using dual luciferase and a co-transfection assays. miR-346 and miR-582-3p were demonstrated not only to suppress EG-VEGF expression, but also inhibit trophoblast invasion and migration in the JAR and HTR-8/SVneo cell lines. We further evaluated the effect of microRNAs in HTR-8/SVneo cells coexpressing EG-VEGF and miR-346 or miR-582-3p on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP 2 and MMP 9) and the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP 1 and TIMP 2) using RT-PCR, western blotting and gelatin zymography. TIMP 1 and TIMP 2 were not affected by the two microRNAs, whereas the expressions and activities of MMP 2 and MMP 9 were significantly downregulated, which in turn inhibited the invasion ability of trophoblasts. In conclusion, miR-346 and miR-582-3p regulate EG-VEGF-induced trophoblast invasion through repressing MMP 2 and MMP 9, and may become novel diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for EG-VEGF-related obstetric disorders. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(2):210-219, 2017. © 2016 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Inner-shell photoionization of atomic chlorine near the 2p-1 edge: a Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Felfli, Z.; Deb, N. C.; Manson, S. T.; Hibbert, A.; Msezane, A. Z.

2009-05-01

An R-matrix calculation which takes into account relativistic effects via the Breit-Pauli (BP) operator is performed for photoionization cross sections of atomic Cl near the 2p threshold. The wavefunctions are constructed with orbitals generated from a careful large scale configuration interaction (CI) calculation with relativistic corrections using the CIV3 code of Hibbert [1] and Glass and Hibbert [2]. The results are contrasted with the calculation of Martins [3], which uses a CI with relativistic corrections, and compared with the most recent measurements [4]. [1] A. Hibbert, Comput. Phys. Commun. 9, 141 (1975) [2] R. Glass and A. Hibbert, Comput. Phys. Commun. 16, 19 (1978) [3] M. Martins, J. Phys. B 34, 1321 (2001) [4] D. Lindle et al (private communication) Research supported by U.S. DOE, Division of Chemical Sciences, NSF and CAU CFNM, NSF-CREST Program. Computing facilities at Queen's University of Belfast, UK and of DOE Office of Science, NERSC are appreciated.

MATline: a job-exposure matrix for carcinogenic chemicals.

PubMed

Gilardi, Luisella; Falcone, Umberto; Santoro, Silvano; Coffano, Elena

2008-01-01

MATline is a tool that can be used to predict which industrial processes can be expected to involve the use of a substance that is considered carcinogenic as documented in the literature. The database includes agents carrying risk phrases R45, R49 and R40 according to the method of classification adopted by the EU and/or agents in categories 1, 2A and 2B as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Each agent is associated with a list of industrial processes coded according to the tariff headings used by the National Institute of Insurance against Occupational Injuries and Diseases (Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, INAIL). The main sources of information are the IARC Monographs and databases available through the National Library of Medicine's TOXNET portal. The matrix currently includes 600 carcinogenic agents, 23 classes of agents and some 7000 links between agents and industrial processes. MATline can be viewed on the www.dors.it website.

Self-sensing of elastic strain, matrix yielding and plasticity in multiwall carbon nanotube/vinyl ester composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ku-Herrera, J. J.; Avilés, F.; Seidel, G. D.

2013-08-01

The piezoresistive response of multiwalled carbon nanotube/vinyl ester composites containing 0.3, 0.5 and 1% w/w carbon nanotubes (CNTs) loaded in tension and compression is investigated. The change in electrical resistance (ΔR) under tension loading was positive and showed a linear relationship with the applied strain up to failure, with slightly increased sensitivity for decreased CNT content. In compression, a nonlinear and non-monotonic piezoresistive behavior was observed, with ΔR initially decreasing in the elastic regime, leveling off at the onset of yielding and increasing after matrix yielding. The piezoresistive response of the composite is more sensitive to the CNT content for compression than for tension, and the calculated gage factors are higher in the compressive plastic regime. The results show that the piezoresistive signal is dependent on the CNT concentration, loading type and material elastoplastic behavior, and that recording ΔR during mechanical loading can allow self-identification of the elastic and plastic regimes of the composite.

Modeling of Mean-VaR portfolio optimization by risk tolerance when the utility function is quadratic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukono, Sidi, Pramono; Bon, Abdul Talib bin; Supian, Sudradjat

2017-03-01

The problems of investing in financial assets are to choose a combination of weighting a portfolio can be maximized return expectations and minimizing the risk. This paper discusses the modeling of Mean-VaR portfolio optimization by risk tolerance, when square-shaped utility functions. It is assumed that the asset return has a certain distribution, and the risk of the portfolio is measured using the Value-at-Risk (VaR). So, the process of optimization of the portfolio is done based on the model of Mean-VaR portfolio optimization model for the Mean-VaR done using matrix algebra approach, and the Lagrange multiplier method, as well as Khun-Tucker. The results of the modeling portfolio optimization is in the form of a weighting vector equations depends on the vector mean return vector assets, identities, and matrix covariance between return of assets, as well as a factor in risk tolerance. As an illustration of numeric, analyzed five shares traded on the stock market in Indonesia. Based on analysis of five stocks return data gained the vector of weight composition and graphics of efficient surface of portfolio. Vector composition weighting weights and efficient surface charts can be used as a guide for investors in decisions to invest.

Microstructural Characterization of a Mg Matrix U-Mo Dispersion Fuel Plate Irradiated in the Advanced Test Reactor to High Fission Density: SEM Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keiser, Dennis D.; Jue, Jan-Fong; Miller, Brandon D.; Gan, Jian; Robinson, Adam B.; Medvedev, Pavel G.; Madden, James W.; Moore, Glenn A.

2016-06-01

Low-enriched (U-235 <20 pct) U-Mo dispersion fuel is being developed for use in research and test reactors. In most cases, fuel plates with Al or Al-Si alloy matrices have been tested in the Advanced Test Reactor to support this development. In addition, fuel plates with Mg as the matrix have also been tested. The benefit of using Mg as the matrix is that it potentially will not chemically interact with the U-Mo fuel particles during fabrication or irradiation, whereas with Al and Al-Si alloys such interactions will occur. Fuel plate R9R010 is a Mg matrix fuel plate that was aggressively irradiated in ATR. This fuel plate was irradiated as part of the RERTR-8 experiment at high temperature, high fission rate, and high power, up to high fission density. This paper describes the results of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of an irradiated fuel plate using polished samples and those produced with a focused ion beam. A follow-up paper will discuss the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Using SEM, it was observed that even at very aggressive irradiation conditions, negligible chemical interaction occurred between the irradiated U-7Mo fuel particles and Mg matrix; no interconnection of fission gas bubbles from fuel particle to fuel particle was observed; the interconnected fission gas bubbles that were observed in the irradiated U-7Mo particles resulted in some transport of solid fission products to the U-7Mo/Mg interface; the presence of microstructural pathways in some U-9.1 Mo particles that could allow for transport of fission gases did not result in the apparent presence of large porosity at the U-7Mo/Mg interface; and, the Mg-Al interaction layers that were present at the Mg matrix/Al 6061 cladding interface exhibited good radiation stability, i.e. no large pores.

Implementation of thermal residual stresses in the analysis of fiber bridged matrix crack growth in titanium matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bakuckas, John G., Jr.; Johnson, W. Steven

1994-01-01

In this research, thermal residual stresses were incorporated in an analysis of fiber-bridged matrix cracks in unidirectional and cross-ply titanium matrix composites (TMC) containing center holes or center notches. Two TMC were investigated, namely, SCS-6/Timelal-21S laminates. Experimentally, matrix crack initiation and growth were monitored during tension-tension fatigue tests conducted at room temperature and at an elevated temperature of 200 C. Analytically, thermal residual stresses were included in a fiber bridging (FB) model. The local R-ratio and stress-intensity factor in the matrix due to thermal and mechanical loadings were calculated and used to evaluate the matrix crack growth behavior in the two materials studied. The frictional shear stress term, tau, assumed in this model was used as a curve-fitting parameter to matrix crack growth data. The scatter band in the values of tau used to fit the matrix crack growth data was significantly reduced when thermal residual stresses were included in the fiber bridging analysis. For a given material system, lay-up and temperature, a single value of tau was sufficient to analyze the crack growth data. It was revealed in this study that thermal residual stresses are an important factor overlooked in the original FB models.

Band gap engineering in finite elongated graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions: Tight-binding model

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

Tayo, Benjamin O.

2015-08-15

A simple model based on the divide and conquer rule and tight-binding (TB) approximation is employed for studying the role of finite size effect on the electronic properties of elongated graphene nanoribbon (GNR) heterojunctions. In our model, the GNR heterojunction is divided into three parts: a left (L) part, middle (M) part, and right (R) part. The left part is a GNR of width W{sub L}, the middle part is a GNR of width W{sub M}, and the right part is a GNR of width W{sub R}. We assume that the left and right parts of the GNR heterojunction interactmore » with the middle part only. Under this approximation, the Hamiltonian of the system can be expressed as a block tridiagonal matrix. The matrix elements of the tridiagonal matrix are computed using real space nearest neighbor orthogonal TB approximation. The electronic structure of the GNR heterojunction is analyzed by computing the density of states. We demonstrate that for heterojunctions for which W{sub L} = W{sub R}, the band gap of the system can be tuned continuously by varying the length of the middle part, thus providing a new approach to band gap engineering in GNRs. Our TB results were compared with calculations employing divide and conquer rule in combination with density functional theory (DFT) and were found to agree nicely.« less

Time-resolved diffusion tomographic 2D and 3D imaging in highly scattering turbid media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alfano, Robert R. (Inventor); Cai, Wei (Inventor); Liu, Feng (Inventor); Lax, Melvin (Inventor); Das, Bidyut B. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A method for imaging objects in highly scattering turbid media. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method involves using a plurality of intersecting source/detectors sets and time-resolving equipment to generate a plurality of time-resolved intensity curves for the diffusive component of light emergent from the medium. For each of the curves, the intensities at a plurality of times are then inputted into the following inverse reconstruction algorithm to form an image of the medium: ##EQU1## wherein W is a matrix relating output at source and detector positions r.sub.s and r.sub.d, at time t, to position r, .LAMBDA. is a regularization matrix, chosen for convenience to be diagonal, but selected in a way related to the ratio of the noise, to fluctuations in the absorption (or diffusion) X.sub.j that we are trying to determine: .LAMBDA..sub.ij =.lambda..sub.j .delta..sub.ij with .lambda..sub.j =/<.DELTA.Xj.DELTA.Xj> Y is the data collected at the detectors, and X.sup.k is the kth iterate toward the desired absoption information. An algorithm, which combines a two dimensional (2D) matrix inversion with a one-dimensional (1D) Fourier transform inversion is used to obtain images of three dimensional hidden objects in turbid scattering media.

Time-resolved diffusion tomographic 2D and 3D imaging in highly scattering turbid media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alfano, Robert R. (Inventor); Cai, Wei (Inventor); Gayen, Swapan K. (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A method for imaging objects in highly scattering turbid media. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method involves using a plurality of intersecting source/detectors sets and time-resolving equipment to generate a plurality of time-resolved intensity curves for the diffusive component of light emergent from the medium. For each of the curves, the intensities at a plurality of times are then inputted into the following inverse reconstruction algorithm to form an image of the medium: wherein W is a matrix relating output at source and detector positions r.sub.s and r.sub.d, at time t, to position r, .LAMBDA. is a regularization matrix, chosen for convenience to be diagonal, but selected in a way related to the ratio of the noise, to fluctuations in the absorption (or diffusion) X.sub.j that we are trying to determine: .LAMBDA..sub.ij =.lambda..sub.j .delta..sub.ij with .lambda..sub.j =/<.DELTA.Xj.DELTA.Xj> Y is the data collected at the detectors, and X.sup.k is the kth iterate toward the desired absorption information. An algorithm, which combines a two dimensional (2D) matrix inversion with a one-dimensional (1D) Fourier transform inversion is used to obtain images of three dimensional hidden objects in turbid scattering media.

A Regularized Linear Dynamical System Framework for Multivariate Time Series Analysis.

PubMed

Liu, Zitao; Hauskrecht, Milos

2015-01-01

Linear Dynamical System (LDS) is an elegant mathematical framework for modeling and learning Multivariate Time Series (MTS). However, in general, it is difficult to set the dimension of an LDS's hidden state space. A small number of hidden states may not be able to model the complexities of a MTS, while a large number of hidden states can lead to overfitting. In this paper, we study learning methods that impose various regularization penalties on the transition matrix of the LDS model and propose a regularized LDS learning framework (rLDS) which aims to (1) automatically shut down LDSs' spurious and unnecessary dimensions, and consequently, address the problem of choosing the optimal number of hidden states; (2) prevent the overfitting problem given a small amount of MTS data; and (3) support accurate MTS forecasting. To learn the regularized LDS from data we incorporate a second order cone program and a generalized gradient descent method into the Maximum a Posteriori framework and use Expectation Maximization to obtain a low-rank transition matrix of the LDS model. We propose two priors for modeling the matrix which lead to two instances of our rLDS. We show that our rLDS is able to recover well the intrinsic dimensionality of the time series dynamics and it improves the predictive performance when compared to baselines on both synthetic and real-world MTS datasets.

A Nonlinear Three-Dimensional Micromechanics Model for Fiber-Reinforced Laminated Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

Interfacial Properties Employed for the SCS6/Ti-15-3 Composite ......................... 150 11. Constants Employed for the LLFM Predictions of Quasi...Region m Matrix Property or Mean of the Interfacial Stress Distribution ml, m2, m3 Signifies Matrix Region n Normal to Interface r Signifies Equation...usage of the new class of titanium based com- posites in advanced aerospace structures and engines such as are targeted for the advanced tactical fighter

Fiber study involving a polyimide matrix

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

Cano, R.J.; Rommel, M.; Hinkley, J.A.

1996-12-31

Mechanical properties are presented for eight different intermediate modulus carbon fiber/ polyimide matrix composites. Two unsized carbon fibers (Thornel T650-42 and Hercules IM9) and two sized carbon fibers (high temperature sized Thornel T650-42 HTS and epoxy sized Toray T1000) were prepregged on the NASA LaRC Multipurpose Tape Machine using the NASA LaRC developed polyimide resin matrix, LaRC{trademark}-PETI-5, and the DuPont developed Avitnid{reg_sign} R1-16. Composite panels fabricated from these prepregs were evaluated to determine their mechanical properties. The data show the effects of using sized fibers on the processing and mechanical properties of polyimide composites.

Mifepristone inhibits extracellular matrix formation in uterine leiomyoma.

PubMed

Patel, Amrita; Malik, Minnie; Britten, Joy; Cox, Jeris; Catherino, William H

2016-04-01

To characterize the efficacy of mifepristone treatment on extracellular matrix (ECM) production in leiomyomas. Laboratory study. University research laboratory. None. Treatment of human immortalized two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) leiomyoma and myometrial cells with mifepristone and the progestin promegestone (R5020). Expression of COL1A1, fibronectin, versican variant V0, and dermatopontin in treated leiomyoma cells by Western blot analysis and confirmatory immunohistochemistry staining of treated 3D cultures. Treatment with progestin stimulated production of COL1A1, fibronectin, versican, and dermatopontin. Mifepristone treatment inhibited protein production of these genes, most notably with versican expression. Combination treatment with both the agonist and antagonist further inhibited protein expression of these genes. Immunohistochemistry performed on 3D cultures demonstrated generalized inhibition of ECM protein concentration. Our study demonstrated that the progesterone agonist R5020 directly stimulated extracellular matrix components COL1A1, fibronectin, versican, and dermatopontin production in human leiomyoma cells. Progesterone antagonist mifepristone decreased protein production of these genes to levels comparable with untreated leiomyoma cells. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Lead free Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based nanocomposite for energy storage applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhan, Lagen Kumar; Pandey, Rabichandra; Kumar, Sunil; Kar, Manoranjan

2018-05-01

Novel ceramic-polymer nanocomposites have great potential for electrical energy storage applications due to its high energy storage density. In the present work, BNT and PVDF based flexible polymer nanocomposites (BNT-PVDF) with different volume fraction (ϕ = 0, 5, 10, 15) were fabricated by solution casting method. Enhancement in beta phase of PVDF polymer matrix with the volume fraction (ϕ = 5, 10, 15) of BNT has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis. The enhancement of β phase increases as compared to (α) phases with volume fraction (ϕ) of nanofiller (BNT) in the matrix (PVDF) due to internal stress at the interface as well as structural modification of PVDF matrix. BNT-PVDF nanocomposites (with ϕ=10) showed a high dielectric constant (ɛr ≈ 78) relative to pure PVDF (ɛr ≈ 10) at 100 Hz. In addition to this, it exhibits relaxor type ferroelectric behavior with energy storage efficiency up to 77% for the volume fraction (ϕ) of 10.

UpSetR: an R package for the visualization of intersecting sets and their properties.

PubMed

Conway, Jake R; Lex, Alexander; Gehlenborg, Nils

2017-09-15

Venn and Euler diagrams are a popular yet inadequate solution for quantitative visualization of set intersections. A scalable alternative to Venn and Euler diagrams for visualizing intersecting sets and their properties is needed. We developed UpSetR, an open source R package that employs a scalable matrix-based visualization to show intersections of sets, their size, and other properties. UpSetR is available at https://github.com/hms-dbmi/UpSetR/ and released under the MIT License. A Shiny app is available at https://gehlenborglab.shinyapps.io/upsetr/ . nils@hms.harvard.edu. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Oscillation of two-dimensional linear second-order differential systems

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

Kwong, M.K.; Kaper, H.G.

This article is concerned with the oscillatory behavior at infinity of the solution y: (a, infinity) ..-->.. R/sup 2/ of a system of two second-order differential equations, y''(t) + Q(t) y(t) = 0, t epsilon(a, infinity); Q is a continuous matrix-valued function on (a, infinity) whose values are real symmetric matrices of order 2. It is shown that the solution is oscillatory at infinity if the largest eigenvalue of the matrix integral/sub a//sup t/ Q(s) ds tends to infinity as t ..-->.. infinity. This proves a conjecture of D. Hinton and R.T. Lewis for the two-dimensional case. Furthermore, it ismore » shown that considerably weaker forms of the condition still suffice for oscillatory behavior at infinity. 7 references.« less

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

Badnell, N. R.; Ballance, C. P.

Modeling the spectral emission of low-charge iron group ions enables the diagnostic determination of the local physical conditions of many cool plasma environments such as those found in H II regions, planetary nebulae, active galactic nuclei, etc. Electron-impact excitation drives the population of the emitting levels and, hence, their emissivities. By carrying-out Breit-Pauli and intermediate coupling frame transformation (ICFT) R-matrix calculations for the electron-impact excitation of Fe{sup 2+}, which both use the exact same atomic structure and the same close-coupling expansion, we demonstrate the validity of the application of the powerful ICFT method to low-charge iron group ions. This ismore » in contradiction to the finding of Bautista et al., who carried-out ICFT and Dirac R-matrix calculations for the same ion. We discuss possible reasons.« less

Entropy and the Homogeneity of Solid Mixtures

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-02-01

TRANSLOCATION OF POINTS FROM THE NINE SAMPLES INTO A 6x6 MATRIX 14 NSWC TR 86.440 E .- CF cN C! -rn N" FIUR 10 NRPNUFC O NIELDSRBTO NTENN APE C, -15...Walter) 10 800 N. Quincy Street, BCT 1 (A. Campolattaro) 10 Arlington, VA 22217-5000 R16 (R. Bazil) 1 (G. Wilmot ) 1 Commander (S. Deiter) 1 Naval Weapons

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

CERAMICS. ... .......................... 31 10. STANDARDIZED TEST PROCEDURE ........ .................... ... 35 11. ACCELERATED LIFE TEST...components, and piece-parts that will meet specified requirements in the operational environment during the entire useful life of the transducer. Standards...C.I. Bohmaun F-3 Reliability & Life Prediction TRI R.I. Smith Specification ,F-4 TR-122 FM4 & Improvements NRL-USRD R.W. Timm 1-5 Metal Matrix

Advanced Physical Models and Numerical Methods for High Enthalpy and Plasma Flows Applied to Hypersonics

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-28

4874–48??, 1970. [16] R. O. Jung , J. B. Boffard, L. W. Anderson, and C. C. Lin. Electron-impact excitation cross sections from the xenon j = 2...Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, 5(2):503– 510, 1965. [35] O. Zatsarinny and K. Bartschat. B -spline Breit- Pauli R-matrix

Binary Hierarchical Porous Graphene/Pyrolytic Carbon Nanocomposite Matrix Loaded with Sulfur as a High-Performance Li-S Battery Cathode.

PubMed

Zhang, Hang; Gao, Qiuming; Qian, Weiwei; Xiao, Hong; Li, Zeyu; Ma, Li; Tian, Xuehui

2018-06-06

A N,O-codoped hierarchical porous nanocomposite consisting of binary reduced graphene oxide and pyrolytic carbon (rGO/PC) from chitosan is fabricated. The optimized rGO/PC possesses micropores with size distribution concentrated around 1.1 nm and plenty of meso/macropores. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area is 480.8 m 2 g -1 , and it possesses impressively large pore volume of 2.14 cm 3 g -1 . On the basis of the synergistic effects of the following main factors: (i) the confined space effect in the hierarchical porous binary carbonaceous matrix; (ii) the anchor effects by strong chemical bonds with codoped N and O atoms; and (iii) the good flexibility and conductivity of rGO, the rGO/PC/S holding 75 wt % S exhibits high performance as Li-S battery cathode. Specific capacity of 1625 mA h g -1 can be delivered at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mA g -1 ), whereas 848 mA h g -1 can be maintained after 300 cycles at 1 C. Even at high rate of 5 C, 412 mA h g -1 can be restrained after 1000 cycles.

Effect of low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration on osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stromal cells

PubMed Central

Lau, Esther; Lee, Whitaik David; Li, Jason; Xiao, Andrew; Davies, John E.; Wu, Qianhong; Wang, Liyun; You, Lidan

2011-01-01

Whole body vibration (WBV), consisting of a low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) signal, has been found to be anabolic to bone in vivo, which may act through alteration of the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Here, we investigated the effect of LMHF vibration on rat bone marrow-derived MSCs (rMSCs) in an in vitro system. We subjected rMSCs to repeated (six) bouts of 1-hour vibration at 0.3g and 60 Hz in the presence of osteogenic induction medium. The osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs under the loaded and non-loaded conditions was assessed by examining cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA expression of various osteoblast-associated markers (ALP, Runx2, osterix, collagen type I alpha 1, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteocalcin), as well as matrix mineralization. We observed that LMHF vibration did not enhance the osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs. Surprisingly, we found that the mRNA level of osterix, a transcription factor necessary for osteoblast formation, was decreased, and matrix mineralization was inhibited. Our findings suggest that LMHF vibration may exert its anabolic effects in vivo via mechanosensing of a cell type different from MSCs. PMID:21344497

Effect of low-magnitude, high-frequency vibration on osteogenic differentiation of rat mesenchymal stromal cells.

PubMed

Lau, Esther; Lee, W David; Li, Jason; Xiao, Andrew; Davies, John E; Wu, Qianhong; Wang, Liyun; You, Lidan

2011-07-01

Whole body vibration (WBV), consisting of a low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) signal, is anabolic to bone in vivo and may act through alteration of the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). We investigated the effect of LMHF vibration on rat bone marrow-derived MSCs (rMSCs) in an in vitro system. We subjected rMSCs to repeated (six) bouts of 1-h vibration at 0.3g and 60 Hz in the presence of osteogenic (OS) induction medium. The OS differentiation of rMSCs under the loaded and non-loaded conditions was assessed by examining cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA expression of various osteoblast-associated markers [ALP, Runx2, osterix (Osx), collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN)], and matrix mineralization. LMHF vibration did not enhance the OS differentiation of rMSCs. Surprisingly, the mRNA level of Osx, a transcription factor necessary for osteoblast formation, was decreased, and matrix mineralization was inhibited. Our findings suggest that LMHF vibration may exert its anabolic effects in vivo via mechanosensing of a cell type different from MSCs. Copyright © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society.

Fabrication of digital rainbow holograms and 3-D imaging using SEM based e-beam lithography.

PubMed

Firsov, An; Firsov, A; Loechel, B; Erko, A; Svintsov, A; Zaitsev, S

2014-11-17

Here we present an approach for creating full-color digital rainbow holograms based on mixing three basic colors. Much like in a color TV with three luminescent points per single screen pixel, each color pixel of initial image is presented by three (R, G, B) distinct diffractive gratings in a hologram structure. Change of either duty cycle or area of the gratings are used to provide proper R, G, B intensities. Special algorithms allow one to design rather complicated 3D images (that might even be replacing each other with hologram rotation). The software developed ("RainBow") provides stability of colorization of rotated image by means of equalizing of angular blur from gratings responsible for R, G, B basic colors. The approach based on R, G, B color synthesis allows one to fabricate gray-tone rainbow hologram containing white color what is hardly possible in traditional dot-matrix technology. Budgetary electron beam lithography based on SEM column was used to fabricate practical examples of digital rainbow hologram. The results of fabrication of large rainbow holograms from design to imprinting are presented. Advantages of the EBL in comparison to traditional optical (dot-matrix) technology is considered.

Targeted ultrasound contrast imaging of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in ischemia-reperfusion rat model: ex vivo and in vivo studies.

PubMed

Su, Haili; Du, Yongfeng; Qian, Yunqiu; Zong, Yujin; Li, Jun; Zhuang, Ran; He, Jianguo; Wei, Zhangrui; Zhang, Jun; Zhou, Xiaodong

2011-04-01

We hypothesized that post-myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) remodeling associated matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP(2)) activation could be detected by using novel MMP(2) targeted ultrasound imaging. We study the combination of MMP(2)-targeted microbubbles (TMB(2)) and control microbubbles with myocardium in 1 week post-I/R rats. In in vitro studies, TMB(2) significantly bound within the risk area (RA) of 1-week post-I/R myocardial sections while rare binding was observed in the control area (CA). In in vivo studies, increased focal retention of TMB(2) was observed within the RA, with the higher myocardial video intensity (RA 42.85 ± 20.12 dB versus CA 25.85 ± 13.40 dB, p < 0.01). However, there was no difference of control microbubble retention in both CA and RA. A targeted ultrasound contrast imaging approach that employs novel TMB(2) has the potential to provide a less-invasive, higher-resolution technique for in vivo localization of MMP(2) activation and tracking of MMP-mediated post-I/R remodeling.

New Priorities for a Changing U.S. Economy

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-01-08

Stockholm, Sweden, 1991. [73] R . Malladi , J. Sethian, B. and Vermuri, "Shape modelling with front propagation: a level set approach," IEEE PAMI17...represented as n x n matrices of operators in £(£), and r (") is represented by a diagonal matrix, with diagonal entries equal to T. Denote by An...also has independent interest. Theorem 1 Assume that A’ is a *-algebra of finite dimension n. Then fa(A) = ^..(Art) for every A 6 £(£)~ r ~ Remark

Effective theory analysis for vector-like quark model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozumi, Takuya; Shimizu, Yusuke; Takahashi, Shunya; Umeeda, Hiroyuki

2018-04-01

We study a model with a down-type SU(2) singlet vector-like quark (VLQ) as a minimal extension of the standard model (SM). In this model, flavor-changing neutral currents (FCNCs) arise at tree level and the unitarity of the 3× 3 Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix does not hold. In this paper, we constrain the FCNC coupling from b\\rArr s transitions, especially B_s\\rArr μ^+μ^- and \\bar{B}\\rArr X_sγ processes. In order to analyze these processes we derive an effective Lagrangian that is valid below the electroweak symmetry breaking scale. For this purpose, we first integrate out the VLQ field and derive an effective theory by matching Wilson coefficients up to one-loop level. Using the effective theory, we construct the effective Lagrangian for b\\rArr sγ^{(*)}. It includes the effects of the SM quarks and the violation of CKM unitarity. We show the constraints on the magnitude of the FCNC coupling and its phase by taking account of the current experimental data on Δ M_{B_s}, Br[B_s\\rArrμ^+μ^-], Br[\\bar{B}\\rArr X_sγ], and CKM matrix elements, as well as theoretical uncertainties. We find that the constraint from Br[B_s\\rArrμ^+μ^-] is more stringent than that from Br[\\bar{B}\\rArr X_sγ]. We also obtain a bound for the mass of the VLQ and the strength of the Yukawa couplings related to the FCNC coupling of the b\\rArr s transition. Using the CKM elements that satisfy the above constraints, we show how the unitarity is violated on the complex plane.

Biomechanical Skin Property Evaluation for Wounds Treated With Synthetic and Biosynthetic Wound Dressings and a Newly Developed Collagen Matrix During Healing of Superficial Skin Defects in a Rat Models.

PubMed

Held, Manuel; Engelke, Anne-Sophie; Tolzmann, Dascha Sophie; Rahmanian-Schwarz, Afshin; Schaller, Hans-Eberhard; Rothenberger, Jens

2016-09-01

There is a high prevalence of superficial wounds such as partial-thickness burns. Treatment of these wounds frequently includes temporary application of wound dressings. The aim of this study was to compare a newly developed collagen matrix with commonly used temporary skin dressings for treatment of partial-thickness skin defects. Through a skin dermatome, 42 standardized superficial skin defects were generated on the back of 28 adult male Lewis rats. The wounds were treated with a synthetic wound dressing (Suprathel, Polymedics Innovations Inc, Woodstock, GA) (n = 14), a biosynthetic skin dressing (Biobrane, Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) (n = 14), or a newly developed bovine collagen matrix, Collagen Cell Carrier (Viscofan BioEngineering, Weinheim, Germany) (n = 14). Biomechanical properties of the skin were determined and compared every 10 days over a 3-month period of using the Cutometer MPA 580 (Courage + Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Cologne, Germany). As opposed to healthy skin, statistically significant differences were detected between days 10 and 30, and between days 60 and 80, for calculated elasticity (Ue), firmness of skin (R0), and overall elasticity (R8). After 3 months, no statistically significant differences in skin elasticity were detected between the different wound dressings. The presented results give an opportunity to compare the wound dressings used for treatment with respect to skin elasticity and reveal the potential of the bovine collagen matrix in the treatment of superficial skin defects; therefore the results facilitate further evaluation of collagen matrix in surgical applications and regenerative medicine.

Petrology and In Situ Trace Element Chemistry of a Suite of R Chondrites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mittlefehldt, D. W.; Peng, Z. X.; Torrano, Z. A.

2015-01-01

Rumuruti (R) chondrites are characterized by low chondrule/matrix modal ratios, high oxidation state, small mean chondrule size, abundant sulfides and low metal contents, and are of petrologic types 3 to 6 [1, 2]. LAP 04840 (R5, [3]) and MIL 11207 (R6), contain the high-T hydrous phases amphibole and mica [3, 4]; not all equilibrated R chondrites contain these [2]. R chondrites thus can provide evidence on whether there are compositional effects caused by high-T, high-fluid metamorphism of nebular materials. We are investigating a suite of R chondrites of diverse petrologic grades to further understand the nature of the metamorphic processes that engendered them [5]. We report on our petrological studies, plus preliminary in situ analyses of trace elements in amphibole-bearing R chondrites.

Growth factors in porcine full and partial thickness burn repair. Differing targets and effects of keratinocyte growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, epidermal growth factor, and neu differentiation factor.

PubMed Central

Danilenko, D. M.; Ring, B. D.; Tarpley, J. E.; Morris, B.; Van, G. Y.; Morawiecki, A.; Callahan, W.; Goldenberg, M.; Hershenson, S.; Pierce, G. F.

1995-01-01

The topical application of recombinant growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB homodimer (rPDGF-BB), keratinocyte growth factor (rKGF), and neu differentiation factor has resulted in significant acceleration of healing in several animal models of wound repair. In this study, we established highly reproducible and quantifiable full and deep partial thickness porcine burn models in which burns were escharectomized 4 or 5 days postburn and covered with an occlusive dressing to replicate the standard treatment in human burn patients. We then applied these growth factors to assess their efficacy on several parameters of wound repair: extracellular matrix and granulation tissue production, percent reepithelialization, and new epithelial area. In full thickness burns, only rPDGF-BB and the combination of rPDGF-BB and rKGF induced significant changes in burn repair. rPDGF-BB induced marked extracellular matrix and granulation tissue production (P = 0.013) such that the burn defect was filled within several days of escharectomy, but had no effect on new epithelial area or reepithelialization. The combination of rPDGF-BB and rKGF in full thickness burns resulted in a highly significant increase in extracellular matrix and granulation tissue area (P = 0.0009) and a significant increase in new epithelial area (P = 0.007), but had no effect on reepithelialization. In deep partial thickness burns, rKGF induced the most consistent changes. Daily application of rKGF induced a highly significant increase in new epithelial area (P < 0.0001) but induced only a modest increase in reepithelialization (83.7% rKGF-treated versus 70.2% control; P = 0.016) 12 days postburn. rKGF also doubled the number of fully reepithelialized burns (P = 0.02) at 13 days postburn, at least partially because of marked stimulation of both epidermal and follicular proliferation as assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. In situ hybridization for KGFR in porcine burns revealed strong expression of KGFR on hair follicles and basal epidermis, confirming direct rKGF action on follicular as well as epidermal keratinocytes. Although the epithelial proliferation induced by rKGF resulted in marked neoepidermal psoriasiform hyperplasia with exaggerated rete ridges and neoepidermal and follicular maturation as assessed by expression of cytokeratin 10, a marker of keratinocyte terminal differentiation was not delayed and appeared to be accelerated in some rKGF-treated burns. Recombinant epidermal growth factor induced a trend toward increased new epithelial area in deep partial thickness burns, but had no effect on reepithelialization. The recombinant neu differentiation factor-alpha 2 isoform had no significant biological effects in either full or deep partial thickness burns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 7 Figure 8 PMID:7485390

Decision Support Tools for Munitions Response Performance Prediction and Risk Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-01-01

with G, the forward modeling matrix, implicitly dependent on target location. The least squares model estimate is then given by m̂ = ( GTG )−1GTdobs = G...dobs (6) with (7) G† = ( GTG )−1GT denoting the pseudo-inverse. When inverting observed field data for a sensor with tri-axial transmit and receive coils...ities can be expressed as cov(L̂) =β G†(r) cov(d) (G†(r))T βT =β G†(r) Geq α cov(L) α T GTeq (G †(r))T βT (53) where the pseudo-inverse is G† = ( GTG )−1G

In situ characterization of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in collagen and model extracellular matrix by solid state NMR.

PubMed

Li, R; Rajan, R; Wong, W C V; Reid, D G; Duer, M J; Somovilla, V J; Martinez-Saez, N; Bernardes, G J L; Hayward, R; Shanahan, C M

2017-12-14

Non-enzymatic glycation of extracellular matrix with (U- 13 C 5 )-d-ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), enables in situ 2D ssNMR identification of many deleterious protein modifications and crosslinks, including previously unreported oxalamido and hemiaminal (CH 3 -CH(OH)NHR) substructures. Changes in charged residue proportions and distribution may be as important as crosslinking in provoking and understanding harmful tissue changes.

Activation of Parathyroid Hormone 2 Receptor Induces Decorin Expression and Promotes Wound Repair

PubMed Central

Sato, Emi; Zhang, Ling-juan; Dorschner, Robert A.; Adase, Christopher A.; Choudhury, Biswa P.; Gallo, Richard L.

2018-01-01

In this study, we report that TIP39, a parathyroid hormone ligand family member that was recently identified to be expressed in the skin, can induce decorin expression and enhance wound repair. Topical treatment of mice with TIP39 accelerated wound repair, whereas TIP39-deficient mice had delayed repair that was associated with formation of abnormal collagen bundles. To study the potential mechanism responsible for the action of TIP39 in the dermis, fibroblasts were cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels, a process that results in enhanced decorin expression unless activated to differentiate to adipocytes, whereupon these cells reduce expression of several proteoglycans, including decorin. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of parathyroid hormone 2 receptor (PTH2R), the receptor for TIP39, suppressed the expression of extracellular matrix-related genes, including decorin, collagens, fibronectin, and matrix metalloproteases. Skin wounds in TIP39−/− mice had decreased decorin expression, and addition of TIP39 to cultured fibroblasts induced decorin and increased phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of CREB. Fibroblasts differentiated to adipocytes and treated with TIP39 also showed increased decorin and production of chondroitin sulfate. Furthermore, the skin of PTH2R−/− mice showed abnormal extracellular matrix structure, decreased decorin expression, and skin hardness. Thus, the TIP39-PTH2R system appears to be a previously unrecognized mechanism for regulation of extracellular matrix formation and wound repair. PMID:28454729

Two Genetic Loci Produce Distinct Carbohydrate-Rich Structural Components of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Matrix

PubMed Central

Friedman, Lisa; Kolter, Roberto

2004-01-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms biofilms, which are cellular aggregates encased in an extracellular matrix. Molecular genetics studies of three common autoaggregative phenotypes, namely wrinkled colonies, pellicles, and solid-surface-associated biofilms, led to the identification of two loci, pel and psl, that are involved in the production of carbohydrate-rich components of the biofilm matrix. The pel gene cluster is involved in the production of a glucose-rich matrix material in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 (L. Friedman and R. Kolter, Mol. Microbiol. 51:675-690, 2004). Here we investigate the role of the pel gene cluster in P. aeruginosa strain ZK2870 and identify a second genetic locus, termed psl, involved in the production of a mannose-rich matrix material. The 11 predicted protein products of the psl genes are homologous to proteins involved in carbohydrate processing. P. aeruginosa is thus able to produce two distinct carbohydrate-rich matrix materials. Either carbohydrate-rich matrix component appears to be sufficient for mature biofilm formation, and at least one of them is required for mature biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains PA14 and ZK2870. PMID:15231777

Two genetic loci produce distinct carbohydrate-rich structural components of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm matrix.

PubMed

Friedman, Lisa; Kolter, Roberto

2004-07-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms biofilms, which are cellular aggregates encased in an extracellular matrix. Molecular genetics studies of three common autoaggregative phenotypes, namely wrinkled colonies, pellicles, and solid-surface-associated biofilms, led to the identification of two loci, pel and psl, that are involved in the production of carbohydrate-rich components of the biofilm matrix. The pel gene cluster is involved in the production of a glucose-rich matrix material in P. aeruginosa strain PA14 (L. Friedman and R. Kolter, Mol. Microbiol. 51:675-690, 2004). Here we investigate the role of the pel gene cluster in P. aeruginosa strain ZK2870 and identify a second genetic locus, termed psl, involved in the production of a mannose-rich matrix material. The 11 predicted protein products of the psl genes are homologous to proteins involved in carbohydrate processing. P. aeruginosa is thus able to produce two distinct carbohydrate-rich matrix materials. Either carbohydrate-rich matrix component appears to be sufficient for mature biofilm formation, and at least one of them is required for mature biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa strains PA14 and ZK2870. Copyright 2004 American Society for Microbiology

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Atomic Data from the Iron Project LXVI. Fe18+ (Butler+,

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, K.; Badnell, N. R.

2008-07-01

Accurate electron collisional data are required for the analysis of the Fe XIX astrophysical spectrum, in particular in the Sun. Such an analysis can provide information on the physical characteristics of the coronal plasma. An extensive target is used in an R-matrix scattering calculation to provide the necessary data for Fe18+. The use of the R-matrix method includes the resonance contribution lacking in the distorted wave approach and the large target improves the accuracy of the close-coupling approximation. The R-Matrix package described by Berrington et al. (1995) as provided by the UK RmaX project has been used to calculate electron collisional data among 342 levels of Fe18+. We have used the intermediate-coupling frame-transformation (ICFT) method (Griffin et al., 1998) to transform data obtained in a 166 term LS-coupling calculation. Contributions from the mass and Darwin interactions have also been included in the Hamiltonian. Collision strengths for all transitions between the 342 levels of Fe18+ are presented. They are tabulated over a wide range of electron temperatures of astrophysical interest. The results are compared with the earlier Iron Project work of Butler & Zeippen (2001, Cat. ) and also with that of McLaughlin et al. (2001MNRAS.328..442M) and Landi & Gu (2006ApJ...640.1171L). The agreement is reasonable for the low-lying transitions. Larger differences are found for the more highly excited states. The file structure is described in detail in http://www.adas.ac.uk/man/appxa-04.pdf A sample program to extract a single upsilon is provided. (3 data files).

Biodistance analysis of the Moche sacrificial victims from Huaca de la Luna plaza 3C: Matrix method test of their origins.

PubMed

Sutter, Richard C; Verano, John W

2007-02-01

The purpose of this study is to test two competing models regarding the origins of Early Intermediate Period (AD 200-750) sacrificial victims from the Huacas de Moche site using the matrix correlation method. The first model posits the sacrificial victims represent local elites who lost competitions in ritual battles with one another, while the other model suggests the victims were nonlocal warriors captured during warfare with nearby polities. We estimate biodistances for sacrificial victims from Huaca de la Luna Plaza 3C (AD 300-550) with eight previously reported samples from the north coast of Peru using both the mean measure of divergence (MMD) and Mahalanobis' distance (d2). Hypothetical matrices are developed based upon the assumptions of each of the two competing models regarding the origins of Moche sacrificial victims. When the MMD matrix is compared to the two hypothetical matrices using a partial-Mantel test (Smouse et al.: Syst Zool 35 (1986) 627-632), the ritual combat model (i.e. local origins) has a low and nonsignificant correlation (r = 0.134, P = 0.163), while the nonlocal origins model is highly correlated and significant (r = 0.688, P = 0.001). Comparisons of the d2 results and the two hypothetical matrices also produced low and nonsignificant correlation for the ritual combat model (r = 0.210, P = 0.212), while producing a higher and statistically significant result with the nonlocal origins model (r = 0.676, P = 0.002). We suggest that the Moche sacrificial victims represent nonlocal warriors captured in territorial combat with nearby competing polities. Copyright 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Nogo-66 Receptor Antagonist Peptide (NEP1-40) Administration Promotes Functional Recovery and Axonal Growth After Lateral Funiculus Injury in the Adult Rat

PubMed Central

Cao, Y.; Shumsky, J. S.; Sabol, M. A.; Kushner, R. A.; Strittmatter, S.; Hamers, F. P. T.; Lee, D. H. S.; Rabacchi, S. A.; Murray, M.

2010-01-01

Objective The myelin protein Nogo inhibits axon regeneration by binding to its receptor (NgR) on axons. Intrathecal delivery of an NgR antagonist (NEP1-40) promotes growth of injured corticospinal axons and recovery of motor function following a dorsal hemisection. The authors used a similar design to examine recovery and repair after a lesion that interrupts the rubrospinal tract (RST). Methods Rats received a lateral funiculotomy at C4 and NEP1-40 or vehicle was delivered to the cervical spinal cord for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included motor and sensory tests and immunohistochemistry. Results Gait analysis showed recovery in the NEP1-40-treated group compared to operated controls, and a test of forelimb usage also showed a beneficial effect. The density of labeled RST axons increased ipsilaterally in the NEP1-40 group in the lateral funiculus rostral to the lesion and contralaterally in both gray and white matter. Thus, rubrospinal axons exhibited diminished dieback and/or growth up to the lesion site. This was accompanied by greater density of 5 HT and calcitonin gene-related peptide axons adjacent to and into the lesion/matrix site in the NEP1-40 group. Conclusions NgR blockade after RST injury is associated with axonal growth and/or diminished dieback of severed RST axons up to but not into or beyond the lesion/matrix site, and growth of serotonergic and dorsal root axons adjacent to and into the lesion/matrix site. NgR blockade also supported partial recovery of function. The authors’ results indicate that severed rubrospinal axons respond to NEP1-40 treatment but less robustly than corticospinal, raphe-spinal, or dorsal root axons. PMID:18056009

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -2 levels in gestational hypertension.

PubMed

Tayebjee, Muzahir H; Karalis, Ioannis; Nadar, Sunil K; Beevers, D Gareth; MacFadyen, Robert J; Lip, Gregory Y H

2005-03-01

Gestational hypertension (GH) is dangerous to both mother and child. Arterial invasiveness and growth are dependent on successful extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown, which may be abnormal in GH. We hypothesized abnormalities in circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, respectively) in patients with GH, when compared with normotensive women with normal pregnancies and healthy nonpregnant control subjects. Plasma MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA in 23 women with GH, 30 normotensive pregnant women, and 28 nonpregnant women who were matched for age, gestational age, and parity. Levels of circulating MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-2 ratios were significantly different among the three groups (P = .026, P = .006, P = .007, P = .001 and P = .008 respectively). Within the GH group, MMP-9 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio correlated negatively with age (r = -0.581, P = .004 and r = -0.563, P = .005, respectively) and levels of diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.432, P = .040 and r = -0.461, P = .027, respectively). With multiple regression analysis, only age independently correlated with circulating levels of MMP-9 (P = .010); neither age nor levels of diastolic blood pressure had any effect on the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. We have demonstrated altered MMP/TIMP ratios in maternal blood during GH. These observations suggest pregnancy-related changes in ECM breakdown and turnover. Given the importance of changes in ECM composition to vascular and cardiac structure in hypertension, we suggest that these observations may be related to the pathophysiology of human GH.

Cobimaximal lepton mixing from soft symmetry breaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grimus, W.; Lavoura, L.

2017-11-01

Cobimaximal lepton mixing, i.e.θ23 = 45 ° and δ = ± 90 ° in the lepton mixing matrix V, arises as a consequence of SV =V* P, where S is the permutation matrix that interchanges the second and third rows of V and P is a diagonal matrix of phase factors. We prove that any such V may be written in the form V = URP, where U is any predefined unitary matrix satisfying SU =U*, R is an orthogonal, i.e. real, matrix, and P is a diagonal matrix satisfying P2 = P. Using this theorem, we demonstrate the equivalence of two ways of constructing models for cobimaximal mixing-one way that uses a standard CP symmetry and a different way that uses a CP symmetry including μ-τ interchange. We also present two simple seesaw models to illustrate this equivalence; those models have, in addition to the CP symmetry, flavour symmetries broken softly by the Majorana mass terms of the right-handed neutrino singlets. Since each of the two models needs four scalar doublets, we investigate how to accommodate the Standard Model Higgs particle in them.

Silencing by nuclear matrix attachment distinguishes cell-type specificity: association with increased proliferation capacity.

PubMed

Linnemann, Amelia K; Krawetz, Stephen A

2009-05-01

DNA loop organization by nuclear scaffold/matrix attachment is a key regulator of gene expression that may provide a means to modulate phenotype. We have previously shown that attachment of genes to the NaCl-isolated nuclear matrix correlates with their silencing in HeLa cells. In contrast, expressed genes were associated with the lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate (LIS)-isolated nuclear scaffold. To define their role in determining phenotype matrix attached regions (MARs) on human chromosomes 14-18 were identified as a function of expression in a primary cell line. The locations of MARs in aortic adventitial fibroblast (AoAF) cells were very stable (r = 0.909) and 96% of genes attached at MARs are silent (P < 0.001). Approximately one-third of the genes uniquely expressed in AoAF cells were associated with the HeLa cell nuclear matrix and silenced. Comparatively, 81% were associated with the AoAF cell nuclear scaffold (P < 0.001) and expressed. This suggests that nuclear scaffold/matrix association mediates a portion of cell type-specific gene expression thereby modulating phenotype. Interestingly, nuclear matrix attachment and thus silencing of specific genes that regulate proliferation and maintain the integrity of the HeLa cell genome suggests that transformation may at least in part be achieved through aberrant nuclear matrix attachment.

Seasonal characterization of CDOM for lakes in semiarid regions of Northeast China using excitation-emission matrix fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ying; Song, Kaishan; Wen, Zhidan; Li, Lin; Zang, Shuying; Shao, Tiantian; Li, Sijia; Du, Jia

2016-03-01

The seasonal characteristics of fluorescent components in chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) for lakes in the semiarid region of Northeast China were examined by excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). Two humic-like (C1 and C2) and protein-like (C3 and C4) components were identified using PARAFAC. The average fluorescence intensity of the four components differed under seasonal variation from June and August 2013 to February and April 2014. Components 1 and 2 exhibited a strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.628). Significantly positive linear relationships between CDOM absorption coefficients a(254) (R2 = 0.72, 0.46, p < 0.01), a(280) (R2 = 0.77, 0.47, p < 0.01), a(350) (R2 = 0.76, 0.78, p < 0.01) and Fmax for two humic-like components (C1 and C2) were exhibited, respectively. A significant relationship (R2 = 0.930) was found between salinity and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). However, almost no obvious correlation was found between salinity and EEM-PARAFAC-extracted components except for C3 (R2 = 0.469). Results from this investigation demonstrate that the EEM-PARAFAC technique can be used to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of CDOM fluorescent components for inland waters in the semiarid regions of Northeast China, and to quantify CDOM components for other waters with similar environmental conditions.

Correlations Between MMPs and TIMPs Levels in Aqueous Humor from High Myopia and Cataract Patients.

PubMed

Jia, Yan; Hu, Dan-Ning; Sun, Jing; Zhou, Jibo

2017-04-01

To study the relationships between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-3, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 aqueous humor levels in patients with high myopia or cataract. MMPs and TIMPs protein levels in 65 aqueous humor samples collected from patients with high myopia or cataract during cataract or clear lens extraction surgery were measured with the Luminex xMAP Technology. The relationship between MMPs and TIMPs levels was analyzed with Spearman's correlation test. MMP-2 levels, but not MMP-3 levels, were increased in the aqueous humor from high-myopia patients. Levels of TIMP-1, -2, and -3 were positively and very significantly correlated with the MMP-2 levels (TIMP-1: r=0.626, p < 0.001; TIMP-2: r = 0.545, p < 0.001; TIMP-3: r = 0.439, p < 0.001). TIMP-2 and-3 levels did not significantly correlate with MMP-3 levels (TIMP-2: r = 0.175, p > 0.05; TIMP-3: r = 0.127, p > 0.05) and TIMP-1 levels only marginally correlated with MMP-3 levels (r = 0.278, 0.01< P < 0.05). Compared to the present findings with the relationship of MMPs and TIMPs in other fields of medicine, our results are consistent with the homeostasis hypothesis that the increase of TIMPs serves as a compensation reaction to inhibit the excessive degradation caused by the increase of MMPs and limits the development of myopia.

Bone Mineral 31P and Matrix-Bound Water Densities Measured by Solid-State 1H and 31P MRI

PubMed Central

Seifert, Alan C.; Li, Cheng; Rajapakse, Chamith S.; Bashoor- Zadeh, Mahdieh; Bhagat, Yusuf A.; Wright, Alexander C.; Zemel, Babette S.; Zavaliangos, Antonios; Wehrli, Felix W.

2014-01-01

Bone is a composite material consisting of mineral and hydrated collagen fractions. MRI of bone is challenging due to extremely short transverse relaxation times, but solid-state imaging sequences exist that can acquire the short-lived signal from bone tissue. Previous work to quantify bone density via MRI used powerful experimental scanners. This work seeks to establish the feasibility of MRI-based measurement on clinical scanners of bone mineral and collagen-bound water densities, the latter as a surrogate of matrix density, and to examine the associations of these parameters with porosity and donors’ age. Mineral and matrix-bound water images of reference phantoms and cortical bone from 16 human donors, ages 27-97 years, were acquired by zero-echo-time 31P and 1H MRI on whole body 7T and 3T scanners, respectively. Images were corrected for relaxation and RF inhomogeneity to obtain density maps. Cortical porosity was measured by micro-CT, and apparent mineral density by pQCT. MRI-derived densities were compared to x-ray-based measurements by least-squares regression. Mean bone mineral 31P density was 6.74±1.22 mol/L (corresponding to 1129±204 mg/cc mineral), and mean bound water 1H density was 31.3±4.2 mol/L (corresponding to 28.3±3.7 %v/v). Both 31P and bound water (BW) densities were correlated negatively with porosity (31P: R2 = 0.32, p < 0.005; BW: R2 = 0.63, p < 0.0005) and age (31P: R2 = 0.39, p < 0.05; BW: R2 = 0.70, p < 0.0001), and positively with pQCT density (31P: R2 = 0.46, p < 0.05; BW: R2 = 0.50, p < 0.005). In contrast, the bone mineralization ratio (expressed here as the ratio of 31P density to bound water density), which is proportional to true bone mineralization, was found to be uncorrelated with porosity, age, or pQCT density. This work establishes the feasibility of image-based quantification of bone mineral and bound water densities using clinical hardware. PMID:24846186

UpSetR: an R package for the visualization of intersecting sets and their properties

PubMed Central

Conway, Jake R.; Lex, Alexander; Gehlenborg, Nils

2017-01-01

Abstract Motivation: Venn and Euler diagrams are a popular yet inadequate solution for quantitative visualization of set intersections. A scalable alternative to Venn and Euler diagrams for visualizing intersecting sets and their properties is needed. Results: We developed UpSetR, an open source R package that employs a scalable matrix-based visualization to show intersections of sets, their size, and other properties. Availability and implementation: UpSetR is available at https://github.com/hms-dbmi/UpSetR/ and released under the MIT License. A Shiny app is available at https://gehlenborglab.shinyapps.io/upsetr/. Contact: nils@hms.harvard.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:28645171

Generation of a non-transmissive Borna disease virus vector lacking both matrix and glycoprotein genes.

PubMed

Fujino, Kan; Yamamoto, Yusuke; Daito, Takuji; Makino, Akiko; Honda, Tomoyuki; Tomonaga, Keizo

2017-09-01

Borna disease virus (BoDV), a prototype of mammalian bornavirus, is a non-segmented, negative strand RNA virus that often causes severe neurological disorders in infected animals, including horses and sheep. Unique among animal RNA viruses, BoDV transcribes and replicates non-cytopathically in the cell nucleus, leading to establishment of long-lasting persistent infection. This striking feature of BoDV indicates its potential as an RNA virus vector system. It has previously been demonstrated by our team that recombinant BoDV (rBoDV) lacking an envelope glycoprotein (G) gene develops persistent infections in transduced cells without loss of the viral genome. In this study, a novel non-transmissive rBoDV, rBoDV ΔMG, which lacks both matrix (M) and G genes in the genome, is reported. rBoDV-ΔMG expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP), rBoDV ΔMG-GFP, was efficiently generated in Vero/MG cells stably expressing both BoDV M and G proteins. Infection with rBoDV ΔMG-GFP was persistently maintained in the parent Vero cells without propagation within cell culture. The optimal ratio of M and G for efficient viral particle production by transient transfection of M and G expression plasmids into cells persistently infected with rBoDV ΔMG-GFP was also demonstrated. These findings indicate that the rBoDV ΔMG-based BoDV vector may provide an extremely safe virus vector system and could be a novel strategy for investigating the function of M and G proteins and the host range of bornaviruses. © 2017 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Anti-M(3) muscarinic cholinergic autoantibodies from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome trigger production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) from the submandibular glands.

PubMed

Reina, Silvia; Sterin-Borda, Leonor; Passafaro, Daniela; Borda, Enri

2011-05-01

We demonstrated that serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), interacting with the second extracellular loop of human glandular M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M(3) mAChR), trigger the production of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed in the presence of M(3) mAChR synthetic peptide as antigen to detect in serum the autoantibodies. Further, MMP-3 and PGE(2) production were determined in the presence of anti-M(3) mAChR autoantibodies. An association was observed between serum and anti-M(3) mAChR autoantibodies and serum levels of MMP-3 and PGE(2) in pSS patients. Thus, we established that serum anti-M(3) mAChR autoantibodies, MMP-3 and PGE(2) may be considered to be early markers of pSS associated with inflammation. Affinity-purified anti-M(3) mAChR peptide IgG from pSS patients, whilst stimulating salivary-gland M(3) mAChR, causes an increase in the level of MMP-3 and PGE(2) as a result of the activation of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (but not COX-1). These results provide a novel insight into the role that cholinoceptor antibodies play in the development of glandular inflammation. This is the first report showing that an antibody interacting with glandular mAChR can induce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (MMP-3/PGE(2)). Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

RNA Aptamer Blockade of Osteopontin Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of MDA-MB231 Breast Cancer Cells

PubMed Central

Mi, Zhiyong; Guo, Hongtao; Russell, M Benjamin; Liu, Yingmiao; Sullenger, Bruce A; Kuo, Paul C

2008-01-01

Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted phosphoprotein which mediates tumorigenesis, local growth, and metastasis in a variety of cancers. It is a potential therapeutic target for the regulation of cancer metastasis. RNA aptamer technology targeting OPN may represent a clinically viable therapy. In this study, we characterize the critical sequence of an RNA aptamer, termed OPN-R3, directed against human OPN. It has a Kd of 18 nmol/l and binds specifically to human OPN as determined by RNA electrophoretic mobility assays. In MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells examined under fluorescence microscopy, OPN-R3 ablates cell surface binding of OPN to its cell surface CD44 and αvβ3 integrin receptors. Critical enzymatic components of the OPN signal transduction pathways, PI3K, JNK1/2, Src and Akt, and mediators of extracellular matrix degradation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and uroplasminogen activator (uPA), are significantly decreased following exposure to OPN-R3. OPN-R3 inhibits MDA-MB231 in vitro adhesion, migration, and invasion characteristics by 60, 50, and 65%, respectively. In an in vivo xenograft model of breast cancer, OPN-R3 significantly decreases local progression and distant metastases. On the basis of this “proof-of-concept” study, we conclude that RNA aptamer targeting of OPN has biologically relevance for modifying tumor growth and metastasis. PMID:18985031

Resveratrol, 4' Acetoxy Resveratrol, R-equol, Racemic Equol or S-equol as Cosmeceuticals to Improve Dermal Health.

PubMed

Lephart, Edwin D

2017-06-03

Phytochemicals are botanical compounds used in dermatology applications as cosmeceuticals to improve skin health. Resveratrol and equol are two of the best-known polyphenolic or phytoestrogens having similar chemical structures and some overlapping biological functions to 17β-estradiol. Human skin gene expression was reviewed for 28 different biomarkers when resveratrol, 4' acetoxy resveratrol (4AR), R -equol, racemic equol or S -equol were tested. Sirtuin 1 activator (SIRT 1) was stimulated by resveratrol and 4AR only. Resveratrol, R -equol and racemic equol were effective on the aging biomarkers proliferating cell nuclear factor (PCNA), nerve growth factor (NGF), 5α-reductase and the calcium binding proteins S100 A8 and A9. Racemic equol and 4AR displayed among the highest levels for the collagens, elastin and tissue inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP 1). S -equol displayed the lowest level of effectiveness compared to the other compounds. The 4AR analog was more effective compared to resveratrol by 1.6-fold. R -equol and racemic equol were almost equal in potency displaying greater inhibition vs. resveratrol or its 4' analog for the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), but among the inflammatory biomarkers, resveratrol, 4AR, R -equol and racemic equol displayed high inhibition. Thus, these cosmeceuticals display promise to improve dermal health; however, further study is warranted to understand how phytochemicals protect/enhance the skin.

Matrix Optical Absorption in UV-MALDI MS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, Kenneth N.; Steven, Rory T.; Bunch, Josephine

2018-03-01

In ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI MS) matrix compound optical absorption governs the uptake of laser energy, which in turn has a strong influence on experimental results. Despite this, quantitative absorption measurements are lacking for most matrix compounds. Furthermore, despite the use of UV-MALDI MS to detect a vast range of compounds, investigations into the effects of laser energy have been primarily restricted to single classes of analytes. We report the absolute solid state absorption spectra of the matrix compounds α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), para-nitroaniline (PNA), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB), and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP). The desorption/ionization characteristics of these matrix compounds with respect to laser fluence was investigated using mixed systems of matrix with either angiotensin II, PC(34:1) lipid standard, or haloperidol, acting as representatives for typical classes of analyte encountered in UV-MALDI MS. The first absolute solid phase spectra for PNA, MBT, and THAP are reported; additionally, inconsistencies between previously published spectra for CHCA are resolved. In light of these findings, suggestions are made for experimental optimization with regards to matrix and laser wavelength selection. The relationship between matrix optical cross-section and wavelength-dependant threshold fluence, fluence of maximum ion yield, and R, a new descriptor for the change in ion intensity with fluence, are described. A matrix cross-section of 1.3 × 10-17 cm-2 was identified as a potential minimum for desorption/ionization of analytes.

Matrix Optical Absorption in UV-MALDI MS.

PubMed

Robinson, Kenneth N; Steven, Rory T; Bunch, Josephine

2018-03-01

In ultraviolet matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI MS) matrix compound optical absorption governs the uptake of laser energy, which in turn has a strong influence on experimental results. Despite this, quantitative absorption measurements are lacking for most matrix compounds. Furthermore, despite the use of UV-MALDI MS to detect a vast range of compounds, investigations into the effects of laser energy have been primarily restricted to single classes of analytes. We report the absolute solid state absorption spectra of the matrix compounds α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), para-nitroaniline (PNA), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB), and 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP). The desorption/ionization characteristics of these matrix compounds with respect to laser fluence was investigated using mixed systems of matrix with either angiotensin II, PC(34:1) lipid standard, or haloperidol, acting as representatives for typical classes of analyte encountered in UV-MALDI MS. The first absolute solid phase spectra for PNA, MBT, and THAP are reported; additionally, inconsistencies between previously published spectra for CHCA are resolved. In light of these findings, suggestions are made for experimental optimization with regards to matrix and laser wavelength selection. The relationship between matrix optical cross-section and wavelength-dependant threshold fluence, fluence of maximum ion yield, and R, a new descriptor for the change in ion intensity with fluence, are described. A matrix cross-section of 1.3 × 10 -17 cm -2 was identified as a potential minimum for desorption/ionization of analytes. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

The D 2 k R 4 invariants of mathcal{N} = 8 supergravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freedman, Daniel Z.; Tonni, Erik

2011-04-01

The existence of a linearized SUSY invariant for mathcal{N} = 8 supergravity whose gravitational components are usually called R 4 was established long ago by on-shell super-space arguments. Superspace and string theory methods have also established analogous higher dimensional D 2 k R 4 invariants. However, very little is known about the SUSY completions of these operators which involve other fields of the theory. In this paper we find the detailed component expansion of the linearized R 4 invariant starting from the corresponding superamplitude which generates all component matrix elements of the operator. It is then quite straightforward to extend results to the entire set of D 2 k R 4 operators.

Matrix Organizations: Overcoming the Disadvantages

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

often creates stress and frustration in the individual ( Ivancevich , Szilagyi, and Wallace, 1977) . This situation defies the classical management...Mathis, R. L. Management, Concepts and Effective Practice. St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1983. Ivancevich , J. M

Résistance d'un composite à renforts rigides : le cas d'une matrice de Drucker Prager avec règle d'écoulement plastique non associée

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dormieux, Luc; Barthélémy, Jean-François; Maghous, Samir

2006-02-01

A rigid plastic behavior characterized by a failure criterion of the Drucker-Prager type and a non associated flow rule is considered. The latter can be viewed formally as the limit of a sequence of viscous behaviors with isotropic prestress. The limit states of a composite made up of such a material reinforced by rigid inclusions are then determined. The latter lie on a Drucker-Prager cone which friction coefficient is greater than that of the matrix and depends on the characteristics of the strength and of the flow rule of the matrix, as well as on the volume fraction of the inclusions. To cite this article: L. Dormieux et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).

Out-of-plane (e ,2 e ) measurements and calculations on He autoionizing levels as a function of incident-electron energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, N. L. S.; Weaver, C. M.; Kim, B. N.; deHarak, B. A.; Zatsarinny, O.; Bartschat, K.

2018-05-01

Out-of-scattering-plane (e ,2 e ) measurements and calculations are reported for the three singlet helium 2 ℓ 2 ℓ' autoionizing levels, with 80, 100, 120, 150, and 488 eV incident-electron energies, and scattering angles 60∘, 50 .8∘ , 45∘, 39 .2∘ , and 20 .5∘ , respectively. The kinematics are the same in all cases: the momentum transfer is K =2.1 a.u., and ejected electrons are detected in a plane that contains the momentum-transfer direction and is perpendicular to the scattering plane. The results are presented as (e ,2 e ) angular distributions energy integrated over each level. They are compared with fully nonperturbative B -spline R -matrix and hybrid second-order distorted-wave + R -matrix calculations.

The fastclime Package for Linear Programming and Large-Scale Precision Matrix Estimation in R.

PubMed

Pang, Haotian; Liu, Han; Vanderbei, Robert

2014-02-01

We develop an R package fastclime for solving a family of regularized linear programming (LP) problems. Our package efficiently implements the parametric simplex algorithm, which provides a scalable and sophisticated tool for solving large-scale linear programs. As an illustrative example, one use of our LP solver is to implement an important sparse precision matrix estimation method called CLIME (Constrained L 1 Minimization Estimator). Compared with existing packages for this problem such as clime and flare, our package has three advantages: (1) it efficiently calculates the full piecewise-linear regularization path; (2) it provides an accurate dual certificate as stopping criterion; (3) it is completely coded in C and is highly portable. This package is designed to be useful to statisticians and machine learning researchers for solving a wide range of problems.

Library reuse in a rapid development environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uhde, JO; Weed, Daniel; Gottlieb, Robert; Neal, Douglas

1995-01-01

The Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (AFMD) established a Rapid Development Laboratory (RDL) to investigate and improve new 'rapid development' software production processes and refine the use of commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) tools. These tools and processes take an avionics design project from initial inception through high fidelity, real-time, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. One central theme of a rapid development process is the use and integration of a variety of COTS tools: This paper discusses the RDL MATRIX(sub x)(R) libraries, as well as the techniques for managing and documenting these libraries. This paper also shows the methods used for building simulations with the Advanced Simulation Development System (ASDS) libraries, and provides metrics to illustrate the amount of reuse for five complete simulations. Combining ASDS libraries with MATRIX(sub x)(R) libraries is discussed.

UV/O3 treatment as a surface modification of rice husk towards preparation of novel biocomposites

PubMed Central

Rajendran Royan, Nishata Royan; Sulong, Abu Bakar; Yuhana, Nor Yuliana; Ab Ghani, Mohd Hafizuddin; Ahmad, Sahrim

2018-01-01

The use of rice husks (RH) to reinforce polymers in biocomposites are increasing tremendously. However, the incompatibility between the hydrophilic RH fibers and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices leads to unsatisfactory biocomposites. Surface modification of the fiber surface was carried out to improve the adhesion between fiber and matrix. In this study, the effect of surface modification of RH via alkali, acid and ultraviolet-ozonolysis (UV/O3) treatments on the properties of composites recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) composites was investigated. The untreated and treated RH were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The composites containing 30 wt% of RH (treated and untreated) were then prepared via extrusion and followed by compression molding. As compared to untreated RH, all surface treated RH exhibited rougher surface and showed improved adhesion with rHDPE matrix. Tensile strength of UV/O3-treated RH composites showed an optimum result at 18.37 MPa which improved about 5% in comparison to the composites filled with untreated RH. UV/O3 treatment promotes shorter processing time and lesser raw material waste during treatment process where this is beneficial for commercialization in the future developments of wood plastic composites (WPCs). Therefore, UV/O3 treatment can be served as an alternative new method to modify RH surface in order to improve the adhesion between hydrophilic RH fibre and hydrophobic rHDPE polymer matrix. PMID:29847568

A highly stable acetylcholinesterase biosensor based on chitosan-TiO2-graphene nanocomposites for detection of organophosphate pesticides.

PubMed

Cui, Hui-Fang; Wu, Wen-Wen; Li, Meng-Meng; Song, Xiaojie; Lv, Yuanxu; Zhang, Ting-Ting

2018-01-15

A highly stable electrochemical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) biosensor for detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) was developed simply by adsorption of AChE on chitosan (CS), TiO 2 sol-gel, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) based multi-layered immobilization matrix (denoted as CS @ TiO 2 -CS/rGO). The biosensor fabrication conditions were optimized, and the fabrication process was probed and confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical techniques. The matrix has a mesoporous nanostructure. Incorporation of CS and electrodeposition of a CS layer into/on the TiO 2 sol-gel makes the gel become mechanically strong. The catalytic activity of the AChE immobilized CS @ TiO 2 -CS/rGO/glassy carbon electrode to acetylthiocholine is significantly higher than those missing any one of the component in the matrix. The detection linear range of the biosensor to dichlorvos, a model OP compound, is from 0.036μM (7.9 ppb) to 22.6μM, with a limit of detection of 29nM (6.4 ppb) and a total detection time of about 25min. The biosensor is very reproducibly and stable both in detection and in storage, and can accurately detect the dichlorvos levels in cabbage juice samples, providing an efficient platform for immobilization of AChE, and a promisingly applicable OPs biosensor with high reliability, simplicity, and rapidness. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification of Non-diphtheriae Corynebacterium by Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Alatoom, Adnan A.; Cazanave, Charles J.; Cunningham, Scott A.; Ihde, Sherry M.

2012-01-01

We evaluated the Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry for identification of 92 clinical isolates of Corynebacterium species in comparison to identification using rpoB or 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Eighty isolates (87%) yielded a score of ≥1.700, and all of these were correctly identified to the species level with the exception of Corynebacterium aurimucosum being misidentified as the closely related Corynebacterium minutissimum. PMID:22075579

Micro-mechanics of fiber reinforced bounded and unbounded solids: effective local and non-local thermo-elastic properties, stress concentration factors, and edge effect

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-01

second order tensors of local eigenstresses and eigenstrains (transformation fields) which may arise by thermal expansion, plastic deformation, phase...with properties different from those of the homogeneous matrix) can be related to specified eigenstrain *( )e x by replacing the inhomogeneities...homogeneous matrix material only. rλ and mλ could be isotropic or anisotropic if the eigenstrain field *( )e x is uniform in Iv . So the strain at

Matrix Models and A Proof of the Open Analog of Witten's Conjecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buryak, Alexandr; Tessler, Ran J.

2017-08-01

In a recent work, R. Pandharipande, J. P. Solomon and the second author have initiated a study of the intersection theory on the moduli space of Riemann surfaces with boundary. They conjectured that the generating series of the intersection numbers satisfies the open KdV equations. In this paper we prove this conjecture. Our proof goes through a matrix model and is based on a Kontsevich type combinatorial formula for the intersection numbers that was found by the second author.

Turbine Engine Control Synthesis. Volume 1. Optimal Controller Synthesis and Demonstration

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-03-01

Nomenclature (Continued) Symbol Deseription M Matrix (of Table 12) M Mach number N Rotational speed, rpm N ’ Nonlinear rotational speed, rpm P Power lever... P Pressure, N /m 2; bfh/ft 2 PLA Power lever angle PR = PT3/PT2 Pressure ratio ( P Power, ft-lbf/sec Q Matrix (of Table 30) R Universal gas constant, 53...function, i = 1, 2, 3, ... in Inlet n Stage number designation out Outlet p Variable associated with particle s Static condition _se Static condition

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor properties are modulated by surrounding lipids: an in vivo study.

PubMed

Morales, Andrés; de Juan, Emilio; Fernández-Carvajal, Asia M; Martinez-Pinna, José; Poveda, Juan Antonio; Encinar, José A; Ivorra, Isabel; González-Ros, José Manuel

2006-01-01

In vitro studies carried out on liposomes of defined composition showed that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are fully functional when they are reconstituted in a heterogeneous lipid matrix, such as that provided by crude soybean (asolectin [R-Aso]) lipids. However, when they are reconstituted in plain phosphatidylcholine (R-PC) lipids, their functional activity is completely lost (Fong and McNamee, 1986). This kind of study also pointed out that phosphatidic acid (PA) and cholesterol (Chol) play an important role in preserving the ability of this protein to exhibit an optimal channel activity (Fong and McNamee, 1986). Furthermore, it has been shown recently that nAChR, itself, induces the formation of specific PA-rich lipid domains (Poveda et al., 2002). Because Xenopus oocytes incorporate functionally into their plasma membrane nAChRs after intracellular injection of liposomes bearing this protein (Morales et al., 1995), the aim of this work was to determine the effect of the reconstitution lipid matrix on the functional properties of the transplanted nAChRs.

Real-time Probabilistic Covariance Tracking with Efficient Model Update

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-01

NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT unclassified b. ABSTRACT unclassified c . THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed...feature points inside a given rectangular region R of F . The region R is represented by the d×d covariance matrix of the feature points C = 1 N − 1 N...i=1 (fi − µ)(fi − µ)T , where N is the number of pixels in the region R and µ is the mean of the feature points. The element (i, j) of C represents

An Algebraic Construction of Duality Functions for the Stochastic {U_q( A_n^{(1)})} Vertex Model and Its Degenerations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuan, Jeffrey

2018-03-01

A recent paper (Kuniba in Nucl Phys B 913:248-277, 2016) introduced the stochastic U}_q(A_n^{(1)})} vertex model. The stochastic S-matrix is related to the R-matrix of the quantum group {U_q(A_n^{(1)})} by a gauge transformation. We will show that a certain function {D^+_{m intertwines with the transfer matrix and its space reversal. When interpreting the transfer matrix as the transition matrix of a discrete-time totally asymmetric particle system on the one-dimensional lattice Z , the function {D^+m} becomes a Markov duality function {Dm} which only depends on q and the vertical spin parameters μ_x. By considering degenerations in the spectral parameter, the duality results also hold on a finite lattice with closed boundary conditions, and for a continuous-time degeneration. This duality function had previously appeared in a multi-species ASEP(q, j) process (Kuan in A multi-species ASEP(q, j) and q-TAZRP with stochastic duality, 2017). The proof here uses that the R-matrix intertwines with the co-product, but does not explicitly use the Yang-Baxter equation. It will also be shown that the stochastic U}_q(A_n^{(1)})} is a multi-species version of a stochastic vertex model studied in Borodin and Petrov (Higher spin six vertex model and symmetric rational functions, 2016) and Corwin and Petrov (Commun Math Phys 343:651-700, 2016). This will be done by generalizing the fusion process of Corwin and Petrov (2016) and showing that it matches the fusion of Kulish and yu (Lett Math Phys 5:393-403, 1981) up to the gauge transformation. We also show, by direct computation, that the multi-species q-Hahn Boson process (which arises at a special value of the spectral parameter) also satisfies duality with respect to D_∞, generalizing the single-species result of Corwin (Int Math Res Not 2015:5577-5603, 2015).

Ultrastructure of the developing fibrocartilage of the os penis of rat.

PubMed

Izumi, K; Yamaoka, I; Murakami, R

2000-02-01

Development of the fibrocartilage of the os penis of rat was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Prepubertal (0-4 weeks of development) and pubertal (4-8 weeks of development) males were examined. Effects of castration on the development of the fibrocartilage were also examined. During the first 0-4 weeks of development, cells in the primordium of the fibrocartilage became large and the cytoplasm had well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and many intermediate filaments. Collagen fibers increased markedly in amount in the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the period. For 4-6 weeks, when gonadal secretion of androgens increases, the cells developed into mature chondrocytes with lacunae. Collagenous bundles were pushed away from the lacunae, resulting in a characteristic appearance of this fibrocartilage. The cytoplasm of the mature chondrocytes of the fibrocartilage was characterized by many intermediate filaments, oil droplets, glycogen granules, and well-developed rER. At 6 weeks, calcification started on the cell membrane of the mature chondrocytes. At 8 weeks, a large part of the cartilage matrix was calcified. Matrix vesicles that originate from degenerated chondrocytes were found in the ECM of decalcified samples. In castrated males, cells of the primordium of the fibrocartilage ceased further development after castration. Intermediate filaments were still abundant in the cytoplasm and collagen fibers increased even after castration, but mature chondrocytes never differentiated. There were no signs of matrix vesicle formation, calcification, or cell degeneration in the fibrocartilage primordium. The developmental process of the fibrocartilage can be subdivided into two phases: collagenous matrix formation during the prepubertal period (0-4 weeks), and maturation of chondrocytes and calcification after puberty (4-8 weeks). Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Computational Study of Electron-Molecule Collisions Related to Low-Temperature Plasmas.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huo, Winifred M.

1997-10-01

Computational study of electron-molecule collisions not only complements experimental measurements, but can also be used to investigate processes not readily accessible experimentally. A number of ab initio computational methods are available for this type of calculations. Here we describe a recently developed technique, the finite element Z-matrix method. Analogous to the R-matrix method, it partitions the space into regions and employs real matrix elements. However, unlike the implementation of the R-matrix method commonly used in atomic and molecular physics,(C. J. Gillan, J. Tennyson, and P. G. Burke, Chapter 10 in Computational Methods for Electron-Molecule Collisions), W. M. Huo and F. A. Gianturco, Editors, Plenum, New York (1995), p. 239. the Z-matrix method is fully variational.(D. Brown and J. C. Light, J. Chem. Phys. 101), 3723 (1994). In the present implementation, a mixed basis of finite elements and Gaussians is used to represent the continuum electron, thus offering full flexibility without imposing fixed boundary conditions. Numerical examples include the electron-impact dissociation of N2 via the metastable A^3Σ_u^+ state, a process which may be important in the lower thermosphere, and the dissociation of the CF radical, a process of interest to plasma etching. To understand the dissociation pathways, large scale quantum chemical calculations have been carried out for all target states which dissociate to the lowest five limits in the case of N_2, and to the lowest two limits in the case of CF. For N_2, the structural calculations clearly show the preference for predissociation if the initial state is the ground X^1Σ_g^+ state, but direct dissociation appears to be preferable if the initial state is the A^3Σ_u^+ state. Multi-configuration SCF target functions are used in the collisional calculation,

Decellularized Cartilage May Be a Chondroinductive Material for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering

PubMed Central

Sutherland, Amanda J.; Beck, Emily C.; Dennis, S. Connor; Converse, Gabriel L.; Hopkins, Richard A.; Berkland, Cory J.; Detamore, Michael S.

2015-01-01

Extracellular matrix (ECM)-based materials are attractive for regenerative medicine in their ability to potentially aid in stem cell recruitment, infiltration, and differentiation without added biological factors. In musculoskeletal tissue engineering, demineralized bone matrix is widely used, but recently cartilage matrix has been attracting attention as a potentially chondroinductive material. The aim of this study was thus to establish a chemical decellularization method for use with articular cartilage to quantify removal of cells and analyze the cartilage biochemical content at various stages during the decellularization process, which included a physically devitalization step. To study the cellular response to the cartilage matrix, rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) were cultured in cell pellets containing cells only (control), chondrogenic differentiation medium (TGF-β), chemically decellularized cartilage particles (DCC), or physically devitalized cartilage particles (DVC). The chemical decellularization process removed the vast majority of DNA and about half of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) within the matrix, but had no significant effect on the amount of hydroxyproline. Most notably, the DCC group significantly outperformed TGF-β in chondroinduction of rBMSCs, with collagen II gene expression an order of magnitude or more higher. While DVC did not exhibit a chondrogenic response to the extent that DCC did, DVC had a greater down regulation of collagen I, collagen X and Runx2. A new protocol has been introduced for cartilage devitalization and decellularization in the current study, with evidence of chondroinductivity. Such bioactivity along with providing the ‘raw material’ building blocks of regenerating cartilage may suggest a promising role for DCC in biomaterials that rely on recruiting endogenous cell recruitment and differentiation for cartilage regeneration. PMID:25965981

Is Hidden Crossings Theory a New MOCC Method?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krstić, Predrag; Schultz, David

1998-05-01

We find un unitary transformation of the scaled adiabatic Hamiltonian of a two-center, one-electron collision system which yields a new representation for the matrix elements of nonadiabatic radial coupling, valid for low-to-intermediate collision velocities. These are given in analytic form once the topology of the branch points of the adiabatic Hamiltonian in the plane of complex internuclear distance R is known. The matrix elements do not depend on origin of electronic coordinates and properly vanish at large internuclear distances. The role of the rotational couplings in the new representation is also discussed. The aproach is appropriately extended and compared with the PSS treatment in the fully quantal description of the collision. We apply new radial and rotational matrix elements in the standard Molecular Orbital Close Coupling (MOCC) approach to describe excitation and ionization in collisions of antiprotons with He^+ and of alpha-particles with hydrogen(P.S. Krstić et al, J. Phys. B. 31, in press (1998).). The results are compared with those obtained from the standard MOCC method and from the direct solutions of the Schrödinger equation on lattice (LTDSE)(D.R. Schultz et al, Phys. Rev. A 56, 3710 (1997)).

Resilience of bacterial quorum sensing against fluid flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emge, Philippe; Moeller, Jens; Jang, Hongchul; Rusconi, Roberto; Yawata, Yutaka; Stocker, Roman; Vogel, Viola

2016-09-01

Quorum sensing (QS) is a population-density dependent chemical process that enables bacteria to communicate based on the production, secretion and sensing of small inducer molecules. While recombinant constructs have been widely used to decipher the molecular details of QS, how those findings translate to natural QS systems has remained an open question. Here, we compare the activation of natural and synthetic Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasI/R QS systems in bacteria exposed to quiescent conditions and controlled flows. Quantification of QS-dependent GFP expression in suspended cultures and in surface-attached microcolonies revealed that QS onset in both systems was similar under quiescent conditions but markedly differed under flow. Moderate flow (Pe > 25) was sufficient to suppress LasI/R QS recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli, whereas only high flow (Pe > 102) suppressed QS in wild-type P. aeruginosa. We suggest that this difference stems from the differential production of extracellular matrix and that the matrix confers resilience against moderate flow to QS in wild-type organisms. These results suggest that the expression of a biofilm matrix extends the environmental conditions under which QS-based cell-cell communication is effective and that findings from synthetic QS circuits cannot be directly translated to natural systems.

Enhanced Androgen Signaling with Androgen Receptor Overexpression in the Osteoblast Lineage Controls Skeletal Turnover, Matrix Quality and Bone Architecture

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

Hounsfield units (HU) to mineral values (mg/cc of HA) through the use of...Ph.D. Russell Turner 5e. TASK NUMBER E-Mail: wirenk@ohsu.edu 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8...gn al in g IL -6 S ig n al in g H ep at ic Fi b ro si s/ H ep at ic … IL -1 0 S ig n al in g V D R /R X R A ct iv at io n P PA R S ig n al

Wavetronix(R) Smart Sensor Matrix(TM).

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), negotiating intersections is one of the most : complex and demanding tasks that a driver faces. Data shows that in 2007, approximately 2.4 million : intersection-related crashes occurred, repres...

MiR-34a/miR-93 target c-Ski to modulate the proliferaton of rat cardiac fibroblasts and extracellular matrix deposition in vivo and in vitro.

PubMed

Zhang, Chengliang; Zhang, Yanfeng; Zhu, Hong; Hu, Jiajia; Xie, Zhongshang

2018-06-01

Cardiac fibrosis is associated with diverse heart diseases. In response to different pathological irritants, cardiac fibroblasts may be induced to proliferate and differentiate into cardiac myofibroblasts, thus contributing to cardiac fibrosis. TGF-β signaling is implicated in the development of heart failure through the induction of cardiac fibrosis. C-Ski, an inhibitory regulator of TGF-β signaling, has been reported to suppress TGF-β1-induced human cardiac fibroblasts' proliferation and ECM protein increase; however, the underlying molecular mechanism needs further investigation. In the present study, we demonstrated that c-Ski could ameliorate isoproterenol (ISO)-induced rat myocardial fibrosis model and TGF-β1-induced primary rat cardiac fibroblasts' proliferation, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The protein level of c-Ski was dramatically decreased in cardiac fibrosis and TGF-β1-stimulated primary rat cardiac fibroblasts. In recent decades, a family of small non-coding RNA, namely miRNAs, has been reported to regulate gene expression by interacting with diverse mRNAs and inducing either translational suppression or mRNA degradation. Herein, we selected miR-34a and miR-93 as candidate miRNAs that might target to regulate c-Ski expression. After confirming that miR-34a/miR-93 targeted c-Ski to inhibit its expression, we also revealed that miR-34a/miR-93 affected TGF-β1-induced fibroblasts' proliferation and ECM deposition through c-Ski. Taken together, we demonstrated a miR-34a/miR-93-c-Ski axis which modulates TGF-β1- and ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis in vitro and in vivo; targeting the inhibitory factors of c-Ski to rescue its expression may be a promising strategy for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel bioscaffold with naturally-occurring extracellular matrix promotes hepatocyte survival and vessel patency in mouse models of heterologous transplantation.

PubMed

Yang, Wei; Chen, Quanyu; Xia, Renpei; Zhang, Yujun; Shuai, Ling; Lai, Jiejuan; You, Xiaolin; Jiang, Yan; Bie, Ping; Zhang, Leida; Zhang, Hongyu; Bai, Lianhua

2018-05-28

Naïve decellularized liver scaffold (nDLS)-based tissue engineering has been impaired by the lack of a suitable extracellular matrix (ECM) to provide "active micro-environmental" support. The present study aimed to examine whether a novel, regenerative DLS (rDLS) with an active ECM improves primary hepatocyte survival and prevents thrombosis. rDLS was obtained from a 30-55% partial hepatectomy that was maintained in vivo for 3-5 days and then perfused with detergent in vitro. Compared to nDLS generated from normal livers, rDLS possesses bioactive molecules due to the regenerative period in vivo. Primary mouse hepatocyte survival was evaluated by staining for Ki-67 and Trypan blue exclusion. Thrombosis was assessed by immunohistochemistry and ex vivo diluted whole-blood perfusion. Hemocompatibility was determined by near-infrared laser-Doppler flowmetry and heterotopic transplantation. After recellularization, rDLS contained more Ki-67-positive primary hepatocytes than nDLS. rDLS had a higher oxygen saturation and blood flow velocity and a lower expression of integrin αIIb and α4 than nDLS. Tumor necrosis factor-α, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin-10, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β were highly expressed throughout the rDLS, whereas expression of collagen-I, collagen-IV and thrombopoietin were lower in rDLS than in nDLS. Improved blood vessel patency was observed in rDLS both in vitro and in vivo. The results in mice were confirmed in large animals (pigs). rDLS is an effective DLS with an "active microenvironment" that supports primary hepatocyte survival and promotes blood vessel patency. This is the first study to demonstrate a rDLS with a blood microvessel network that promotes hepatocyte survival and resists thrombosis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recombinant mouse sperm ZP3-binding protein (ZP3R/sp56) forms a high order oligomer that binds eggs and inhibits mouse fertilization in vitro.

PubMed

Buffone, Mariano G; Zhuang, Tiangang; Ord, Teri S; Hui, Ling; Moss, Stuart B; Gerton, George L

2008-05-02

Many candidates have been proposed as zona pellucida-binding proteins. Without precluding a role for any of those candidates, we focused on mouse sperm protein ZP3R/sp56, which is localized in the acrosomal matrix. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of ZP3R/sp56 in mouse fertilization. We expressed recombinant ZP3R/sp56 as a secreted protein in HEK293 cells and purified it from serum-free, conditioned medium. In the presence of reducing agents, the recombinant ZP3R/sp56 exhibited a molecular weight similar to that observed for the native ZP3R/sp56. Reminiscent of the native protein, recombinant ZP3R/sp56 formed a high molecular weight, disulfide cross-linked oligomer consisting of six or more monomers under non-reducing conditions. Recombinant ZP3R/sp56 bound to the zona pellucida of unfertilized eggs but not to 2-cell embryos, indicating that the changes that take place in the zona pellucida at fertilization affected the interaction of this protein with the zona pellucida. The extent of in vitro fertilization was reduced in a dose-dependent manner when unfertilized eggs were preincubated with recombinant ZP3R/sp56 (74% drop at the maximum concentrations assayed). Eggs incubated with the recombinant protein showed an absence of or very few sperm in the perivitelline space, suggesting that the reduction in the fertilization rate is caused by the inhibition of sperm binding and/or penetration through the zona pellucida. These results indicate that sperm ZP3R/sp56 is important for sperm-zona interactions during fertilization and support the concept that the acrosomal matrix plays an essential role in mediating the binding of sperm to the zona pellucida.

Dynamical Epidemic Suppression Using Stochastic Prediction and Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-10-28

initial probability density function (PDF), p: D C R2 -- R, is defined by the stochastic Frobenius - Perron For deterministic systems, normal methods of...induced chaos. To analyze the qualitative change, we apply the technique of the stochastic Frobenius - Perron operator [L. Billings et al., Phys. Rev. Lett...transition matrix describing the probability of transport from one region of phase space to another, which approximates the stochastic Frobenius - Perron

EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT ON R-7,T-8-DIHYDROXY-T-9,10-EPOXY-7,8,9,10-TETRAHYDROBENZO[A]PYRENE (BPDE)-DNA ADDUCTS ADSORBED ON FILTER PAPER AND THE DETECTION OF TETROLS BY SYNCHRONOUS SOLID-MATRIX PHOSPHORESCENCE. (R824100)

EPA Science Inventory

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Concl...

Information-Based Approach to Unsupervised Machine Learning

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-19

Leibler , R. A. (1951). On information and sufficiency. Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 22, 79–86. Minka, T. P. (2000). Old and new matrix algebra use ...and Arabie, P. Comparing partitions. Journal of Classification, 2(1):193–218, 1985. Kullback , S. and Leibler , R. A. On information and suf- ficiency...the test input density to a lin- ear combination of class-wise input distributions under the Kullback - Leibler (KL) divergence ( Kullback

Nuclear Matrix Proteins in Disparity of Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

Arlington, VA 22202- 4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty... VA Medical Center7, New Orleans, LA, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine8, Nashville, TN. (** see attached abstract) 3. Manuscript...grant # PC081594). Citation Format: Yang Y, Jia D, Davis R, Moparty K, Thomas R, Moroz K, Agrawal K, Abdel- Mageed A. Heterogeneous nuclear

Implantation of In Vitro Tissue Engineered Muscle Repair Constructs and Bladder Acellular Matrices Partially Restore In Vivo Skeletal Muscle Function in a Rat Model of Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

thickness abdominal wall defects. Tissue Eng 12, 1929, 2006. 7. Gamba, P.G., Conconi, M.T., Lo Piccolo, R., Zara , G., Spi nazzi, R., and Parnigotto... Zara , G., Sabatti, M., Marzaro, M., et al. Homologous muscle acellular matrix seeded with autologous myoblasts as a tissue engineering approach to

International Workshop on Light Emission and Electronic Properties of Nanoscale Silicon

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-04-01

matrix elements, quantum confinement, surface effects ? CHARLOTFE STANDARD R. Tsu Comparison of Luminescence Efficiency ROLE OF NANOSCALE Si-DEVICES...confinement effects in microcrystalline silicon [2,3] may lead to revolutionary advances in speed and dramatically reduced energy consumption of silicon...Formation: A Quantum Wire Effect ," Avpl. Phys. Lett., 58, 856 (1991). 5. R. Tsu, H. Shen, and M. Dutta, "Correlation of Raman and Photoluminescence

A 3D graphene interface (Si-doped) of Ag matrix with excellent electronic transmission and thermal conductivity via nano-assembly modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Xianzhu; Li, Ming; Zhang, Yafei

2018-04-01

The wide development of electronic materials requires higher load capacity and high temperature resistance. In this study, a novel architecture was fabricated consisting of a 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-Si interface using a simple nano-assembly sintering to achieve high current capacity and excellent thermal features. Via the analysis of catalytic oxidation for methanol, the loading catalytic activity of nano-Ag still remained to a certain extent for the composite with 0.8 vol.% rGO. The final Ag-rGO composite apparently possesses a higher initial oxidation temperature and lower rate of oxidation for internal passing and shielding, and the thermal conductivity is significantly enhanced from 344 to 407 W m‑1 K‑1. Importantly, with a 3D synergistic transportation network, the resistivity of the Ag-rGO composite is much lower than pure Ag, and with a longer conductive time under a stress condition of current density of 6.0  ×  104 A cm‑2. Thermal-electronic features demonstrate that the dispersed graphene interface can efficiently suppress the primary failure pathways (high temperature) in Ag matrix and make it uniquely efficient for the advancement of microscale and thermal-management electronics.

Minocycline Attenuates Neonatal Germinal-Matrix-Hemorrhage-Induced Neuroinflammation and Brain Edema by Activating Cannabinoid Receptor 2.

PubMed

Tang, Jun; Chen, Qianwei; Guo, Jing; Yang, Liming; Tao, Yihao; Li, Lin; Miao, Hongping; Feng, Hua; Chen, Zhi; Zhu, Gang

2016-04-01

Germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) is the most common neurological disease of premature newborns leading to detrimental neurological sequelae. Minocycline has been reported to play a key role in neurological inflammatory diseases by controlling some mechanisms that involve cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R). The current study investigated whether minocycline reduces neuroinflammation and protects the brain from injury in a rat model of collagenase-induced GMH by regulating CB2R activity. To test this hypothesis, the effects of minocycline and a CB2R antagonist (AM630) were evaluated in male rat pups that were post-natal day 7 (P7) after GMH. We found that minocycline can lead to increased CB2R mRNA expression and protein expression in microglia. Minocycline significantly reduced GMH-induced brain edema, microglial activation, and lateral ventricular volume. Additionally, minocycline enhanced cortical thickness after injury. All of these neuroprotective effects of minocycline were prevented by AM630. A cannabinoid CB2 agonist (JWH133) was used to strengthen the hypothesis, which showed the identical neuroprotective effects of minocycline. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that minocycline attenuates neuroinflammation and brain injury in a rat model of GMH, and activation of CBR2 was partially involved in these processes.

Precision PEP-II optics measurement with an SVD-enhanced Least-Square fitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Y. T.; Cai, Y.

2006-03-01

A singular value decomposition (SVD)-enhanced Least-Square fitting technique is discussed. By automatic identifying, ordering, and selecting dominant SVD modes of the derivative matrix that responds to the variations of the variables, the converging process of the Least-Square fitting is significantly enhanced. Thus the fitting speed can be fast enough for a fairly large system. This technique has been successfully applied to precision PEP-II optics measurement in which we determine all quadrupole strengths (both normal and skew components) and sextupole feed-downs as well as all BPM gains and BPM cross-plane couplings through Least-Square fitting of the phase advances and the Local Green's functions as well as the coupling ellipses among BPMs. The local Green's functions are specified by 4 local transfer matrix components R12, R34, R32, R14. These measurable quantities (the Green's functions, the phase advances and the coupling ellipse tilt angles and axis ratios) are obtained by analyzing turn-by-turn Beam Position Monitor (BPM) data with a high-resolution model-independent analysis (MIA). Once all of the quadrupoles and sextupole feed-downs are determined, we obtain a computer virtual accelerator which matches the real accelerator in linear optics. Thus, beta functions, linear coupling parameters, and interaction point (IP) optics characteristics can be measured and displayed.

New Evidence for the Origin of White Matrix in Tieschitz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hutchison, R.

1992-07-01

In Tieschitz, an unequilibrated ordinary chondrite, chondrules, and inclusions have rims of fine-grained, opaque matrix. Between the larger objects, channels <~20 micrometers wide may be filled with Na- and Al-rich, nepheline-normative white matrix. Christophe Michel-Levy (1976) suggested that white matrix was formed by the partial solution and redeposition of chondrule mesostases, but this was disputed by Hutchison et al. (1979), because silica undersaturated white matrix commonly abuts low-Ca pyroxene, with no sign of reaction. Such materials should be incompatible at low pressure and elevated temperature. Alexander et al. (1989) found material resembling white matrix in two Sharps chondrules, but did not find it elsewhere. Furthermore, the major minerals of white matrix are still unidentified. In a thick polished section, the analytical scanning electron microscope revealed several porphyritic chondrules with mesostases composed of two types of material with different electron back-scattering properties. One type lacks internal boundaries and appears brighter than the other, which is blocky on a 5-micrometer scale; the latter resembles white matrix. Bright mesostasis has higher SiO2, TiO2, FeO, MgO, and CaO compared with the dark, blocky material, which is richer in Al2O3 and the alkalis (Table 1, cf nos. 3 and 5). A porphyritic olivine (PO) chondrule 1 mm in diameter has zoned phenocrysts of Fo(sub)90-75 (Table 1 ) and mesostasis containing Ca-pyroxene dendrites of uniform composition close to Wo(sub)38En(sub)42 and with a high MnO/FeO ratio of ~0.07. Both types of mesostasis are present and in contact. Pyroxene dendrites extend across contacts without structural or compositional change. Furthermore, at its contact with a 0.6-mm barred pyroxene chondrule, the PO chondrule is slightly indented and needles of Ca-pyroxene radiate from the point of contact into bright mesostasis. The evidence indicates that in the PO chondrule a single generation of dendritic Ca pyroxene crystallized from bright mesostasis. The pyroxene resisted later alteration (H2O, Cl?) that transformed some of the bright mesostasis into white matrix material. It is concluded that white matrix formed from chondrule mesostases by secondary metasomatism that caused depletion in Si, Ti, Fe, Mg, and Ca and enrichment in Al, Na, K (and Cl?), possibly from opaque matrix, which in Tieschitz is not enriched in these elements over bulk meteorite (Alexander et al., 1989). Christophe Michel-Levy (1976) was largely correct. The metasomatism probably occurred on the parent body, which is compatible with the textural observations that many chondrules aggregated when hot and plastic. TABLE 1: EDS analyses, 15 kV, 1 x 10^-9Amp 1 2 3 4 5 6 SiO2 41.1 38.3 63.3 53.7 53.3 50.8 TiO2 -- -- 0.44 0.41 -- 0 51 Al2O3 -- -- 10.1 1.80 21.1 2.06 Cr2O3 0.10 -- 0.09 0-94 0.15 1.31 FeO 9.6 22.2 8.8 10.5 1.90 10.5 MnO 0.33 0.65 0.20 0.68 -- 0.87 MgO 49.7 38.7 4.8 13.5 1.08 13.1 CaO 0.09 0.12 2.80 16.4 0.80 16.4 Na2O -- -- 7.8 0.95 10 0 1 62 SUM 100.9 100.0 98.2 98.9 *89.3 97.2 Comp. Fo90 Fo75 Wo37En43 Wo38En42 *Includes 0.63%K(sub)2O and 0.28%Cl. 1,2 Olivine core and rim. 3 Bright mesostasis. 4 Px in 3. 5 Blocky mesostasis. 6 Px in 5. REFERENCES: Alexander, C. M. O'D., Hutchison, R. and Barber, D.J. (1989) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 95 1, 87-207. Christophe Michel-Levy, M. (1976) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 30, 143-150. Hutchison, R., Bevan, A.W.R., Agrell, S.O. and Ashworth, J.R. (1979) Nature 280, 116-119.

Import of desired nucleic acid sequences using addressing motif of mitochondrial ribosomal 5S-rRNA for fluorescent in vivo hybridization of mitochondrial DNA and RNA.

PubMed

Zelenka, Jaroslav; Alán, Lukáš; Jabůrek, Martin; Ježek, Petr

2014-04-01

Based on the matrix-addressing sequence of mitochondrial ribosomal 5S-rRNA (termed MAM), which is naturally imported into mitochondria, we have constructed an import system for in vivo targeting of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or mt-mRNA, in order to provide fluorescence hybridization of the desired sequences. Thus DNA oligonucleotides were constructed, containing the 5'-flanked T7 RNA polymerase promoter. After in vitro transcription and fluorescent labeling with Alexa Fluor(®) 488 or 647 dye, we obtained the fluorescent "L-ND5 probe" containing MAM and exemplar cargo, i.e., annealing sequence to a short portion of ND5 mRNA and to the light-strand mtDNA complementary to the heavy strand nd5 mt gene (5'-end 21 base pair sequence). For mitochondrial in vivo fluorescent hybridization, HepG2 cells were treated with dequalinium micelles, containing the fluorescent probes, bringing the probes proximally to the mitochondrial outer membrane and to the natural import system. A verification of import into the mitochondrial matrix of cultured HepG2 cells was provided by confocal microscopy colocalizations. Transfections using lipofectamine or probes without 5S-rRNA addressing MAM sequence or with MAM only were ineffective. Alternatively, the same DNA oligonucleotides with 5'-CACC overhang (substituting T7 promoter) were transcribed from the tetracycline-inducible pENTRH1/TO vector in human embryonic kidney T-REx®-293 cells, while mitochondrial matrix localization after import of the resulting unlabeled RNA was detected by PCR. The MAM-containing probe was then enriched by three-order of magnitude over the natural ND5 mRNA in the mitochondrial matrix. In conclusion, we present a proof-of-principle for mitochondrial in vivo hybridization and mitochondrial nucleic acid import.

Phenotypic Characterization of Prostate Cancer LNCaP Cells Cultured within a Bioengineered Microenvironment

PubMed Central

Sieh, Shirly; Taubenberger, Anna V.; Rizzi, Simone C.; Sadowski, Martin; Lehman, Melanie L.; Rockstroh, Anja; An, Jiyuan; Clements, Judith A.; Nelson, Colleen C.; Hutmacher, Dietmar W.

2012-01-01

Biophysical and biochemical properties of the microenvironment regulate cellular responses such as growth, differentiation, morphogenesis and migration in normal and cancer cells. Since two-dimensional (2D) cultures lack the essential characteristics of the native cellular microenvironment, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have been developed to better mimic the natural extracellular matrix. To date, 3D culture systems have relied mostly on collagen and Matrigel™ hydrogels, allowing only limited control over matrix stiffness, proteolytic degradability, and ligand density. In contrast, bioengineered hydrogels allow us to independently tune and systematically investigate the influence of these parameters on cell growth and differentiation. In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels, functionalized with the Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs, common cell-binding motifs in extracellular matrix proteins, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavage sites, were characterized regarding their stiffness, diffusive properties, and ability to support growth of androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells. We found that the mechanical properties modulated the growth kinetics of LNCaP cells in the PEG hydrogel. At culture periods of 28 days, LNCaP cells underwent morphogenic changes, forming tumor-like structures in 3D culture, with hypoxic and apoptotic cores. We further compared protein and gene expression levels between 3D and 2D cultures upon stimulation with the synthetic androgen R1881. Interestingly, the kinetics of R1881 stimulated androgen receptor (AR) nuclear translocation differed between 2D and 3D cultures when observed by immunofluorescent staining. Furthermore, microarray studies revealed that changes in expression levels of androgen responsive genes upon R1881 treatment differed greatly between 2D and 3D cultures. Taken together, culturing LNCaP cells in the tunable PEG hydrogels reveals differences in the cellular responses to androgen stimulation between the 2D and 3D environments. Therefore, we suggest that the presented 3D culture system represents a powerful tool for high throughput prostate cancer drug testing that recapitulates tumor microenvironment. PMID:22957009

Remodelling of human osteoarthritic cartilage by FGF-2, alone or combined with Sox9 via rAAV gene transfer.

PubMed

Cucchiarini, Magali; Terwilliger, Ernest F; Kohn, Dieter; Madry, Henning

2009-08-01

Compensating for the loss of extracellular cartilage matrix, as well as counteracting the alterations of the chondrocyte phenotype in osteoarthritis are of key importance to develop effective therapeutic strategies against this disorder. In the present study, we analysed the benefits of applying a potent gene combination to remodel human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. We employed the promising recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector to deliver the mitogenic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) factor, alone or simultaneously with the transcription factor Sox9 as a key activator of matrix synthesis, to human normal and OA articular chondrocytes. We evaluated the effects of single (FGF-2) or combined (FGF-2/SOX9) transgene expression upon the regenerative activities of chondrocytes in three dimensional cultures in vitro and in cartilage explants in situ. Single overexpression of FGF-2 enhanced the survival and proliferation of both normal and OA chondrocytes, without stimulating the matrix synthetic processes in the increased pools of cells. The mitogenic properties of FGF-2 were maintained when SOX9 was co-overexpressed and concomitant with an increase in the production of proteoglycans and type-II collagen, suggesting that the transcription factor was capable of counterbalancing the effects of FGF-2 on matrix accumulation. Also important, expression of type-X collagen, a marker of hypertrophy strongly decreased following treatment by the candidate vectors. Most remarkably, the levels of activities achieved in co-treated human OA cartilage were similar to or higher than those observed in normal cartilage. The present findings show that combined expression of candidate factors in OA cartilage can re-establish key features of normal cartilage and prevent the pathological shift of metabolic homeostasis. These data provide further motivation to develop coupled gene transfer approaches via rAAV for the treatment of human OA.

Two-polarity magnetization in the Manson impact breccia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steiner, M. B.; Shoemaker, E. M.

1993-01-01

A preliminary paleomagnetic study of the impact breccia matrix and clasts has produced surprising results--nearly antipodal normal and reversed polarity magnetic vectors are observed in different portions of the core. Near-antipodal magnetizations within a segment of matrix and within individual samples rule out core inversion as the explanation of the dual polarity. In both the dense and the sandy matrix breccias, the magnetizations of clasts and matrix within the same core segment are identical; this negative 'conglomerate test' indicates that magnetization originated after impact. Paleomagnetic study of the Manson Impact Structure is an attempt to refine the Ar-40/Ar-39 age (65.7 +/- 1 m.y.) that suggests Manson to be a Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary impact. Refinement is possible because the boundary occurs within a reversed polarity interval (29R) of only 0.5 m.y. duration. The two breccia types in the Manson structure were both examined: one of a very dense matrix and apparently partially melted, and the breccia stratigraphically below it of granular or 'sandy' chloritic matrix. Samples were taken from the matrixes and a wide variety of clast compositions, including granite, diabase, gneiss, amphibolite, and melted granite. Currently, measurements have been made on 22 samples, using 30-35 steps of either alternating field (AF) or thermal demagnetization.

MATRIX DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS WITH APPLICATION TO COLORIMETRIC SENSOR ARRAY DATA

PubMed Central

Suslick, Kenneth S.

2014-01-01

With the rapid development of nano-technology, a “colorimetric sensor array” (CSA) which is referred to as an optical electronic nose has been developed for the identification of toxicants. Unlike traditional sensors which rely on a single chemical interaction, CSA can measure multiple chemical interactions by using chemo-responsive dyes. The color changes of the chemo-responsive dyes are recorded before and after exposure to toxicants and serve as a template for classification. The color changes are digitalized in the form of a matrix with rows representing dye effects and columns representing the spectrum of colors. Thus, matrix-classification methods are highly desirable. In this article, we develop a novel classification method, matrix discriminant analysis (MDA), which is a generalization of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for the data in matrix form. By incorporating the intrinsic matrix-structure of the data in discriminant analysis, the proposed method can improve CSA’s sensitivity and more importantly, specificity. A penalized MDA method, PMDA, is also introduced to further incorporate sparsity structure in discriminant function. Numerical studies suggest that the proposed MDA and PMDA methods outperform LDA and other competing discriminant methods for matrix predictors. The asymptotic consistency of MDA is also established. R code and data are available online as supplementary material. PMID:26783371

Silencing by nuclear matrix attachment distinguishes cell-type specificity: association with increased proliferation capacity

PubMed Central

Linnemann, Amelia K.; Krawetz, Stephen A.

2009-01-01

DNA loop organization by nuclear scaffold/matrix attachment is a key regulator of gene expression that may provide a means to modulate phenotype. We have previously shown that attachment of genes to the NaCl-isolated nuclear matrix correlates with their silencing in HeLa cells. In contrast, expressed genes were associated with the lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate (LIS)-isolated nuclear scaffold. To define their role in determining phenotype matrix attached regions (MARs) on human chromosomes 14–18 were identified as a function of expression in a primary cell line. The locations of MARs in aortic adventitial fibroblast (AoAF) cells were very stable (r = 0.909) and 96% of genes attached at MARs are silent (P < 0.001). Approximately one-third of the genes uniquely expressed in AoAF cells were associated with the HeLa cell nuclear matrix and silenced. Comparatively, 81% were associated with the AoAF cell nuclear scaffold (P < 0.001) and expressed. This suggests that nuclear scaffold/matrix association mediates a portion of cell type-specific gene expression thereby modulating phenotype. Interestingly, nuclear matrix attachment and thus silencing of specific genes that regulate proliferation and maintain the integrity of the HeLa cell genome suggests that transformation may at least in part be achieved through aberrant nuclear matrix attachment. PMID:19276204

Speeding Up Non-Parametric Bootstrap Computations for Statistics Based on Sample Moments in Small/Moderate Sample Size Applications

PubMed Central

Chaibub Neto, Elias

2015-01-01

In this paper we propose a vectorized implementation of the non-parametric bootstrap for statistics based on sample moments. Basically, we adopt the multinomial sampling formulation of the non-parametric bootstrap, and compute bootstrap replications of sample moment statistics by simply weighting the observed data according to multinomial counts instead of evaluating the statistic on a resampled version of the observed data. Using this formulation we can generate a matrix of bootstrap weights and compute the entire vector of bootstrap replications with a few matrix multiplications. Vectorization is particularly important for matrix-oriented programming languages such as R, where matrix/vector calculations tend to be faster than scalar operations implemented in a loop. We illustrate the application of the vectorized implementation in real and simulated data sets, when bootstrapping Pearson’s sample correlation coefficient, and compared its performance against two state-of-the-art R implementations of the non-parametric bootstrap, as well as a straightforward one based on a for loop. Our investigations spanned varying sample sizes and number of bootstrap replications. The vectorized bootstrap compared favorably against the state-of-the-art implementations in all cases tested, and was remarkably/considerably faster for small/moderate sample sizes. The same results were observed in the comparison with the straightforward implementation, except for large sample sizes, where the vectorized bootstrap was slightly slower than the straightforward implementation due to increased time expenditures in the generation of weight matrices via multinomial sampling. PMID:26125965

Quantitation of quinapril in human plasma by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with quinolone matrix additives.

PubMed

Lu, Chi-Yu; Liu, Fei-Tsui; Feng, Chia-Hsien

2011-09-15

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an essential body fluid maintenance system that controls pressure in the human body. The conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a key process in the RAAS because angiotensin II causes the vasoconstriction association with hypertension. Because of its effectiveness as an ACE blocker, quinipril is widely used for clinical treatment of hypertension and chronic congestive heart failure(.) Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled with time-of-flight analyzer (MALDI-TOF) is a high throughput instrument for biological sample analysis. This study developed a micro-scale approach for using MALDI-TOF to detect quinapril in biological samples. A micro-liquid-liquid-extraction strategy combined with ion-pair interaction successfully extracted quinapril from aqueous layer to organic layer. Quinolones were then used as matrix additives to suppress undesired substances in plasma produce signals. Several factors affecting extraction efficiency were investigated in a biosample with a volume of only 10 μL. This method is successful to monitor quinapril in the clinical therapeutic range. The proposed method proved effective for monitoring the trace amounts of quinapril typically used for clinical therapy. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) and relative error (R.E.) used for evaluating within- and between-day assays of quinapril in plasma consistently remained below 15%. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Knockdown of Decoy Receptor 3 Impairs Growth and Invasiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line of HepG2.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiao-Na; Li, Guang-Ming; Xu, Ying-Chen; Zhao, Tuan-Jie; Wu, Ji-Xiang

2016-11-05

Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) binds to Fas ligand (FasL) and inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis. The receptor is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with the growth and metastatic spread of tumors. DcR3 holds promises as a new target for the treatment of HCC, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic properties of DcR3. The present work, therefore, examined the role of DcR3 in regulating the growth and invasive property of liver cancer cell HepG2. HepG2 cells were stably transfected with lentivirus-based short hairpin RNA vector targeting DcR3. After the knockdown of DcR3 was confirmed, cell proliferation, clone formation, ability of migrating across transwell membrane, and wound healing were assessed in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP 9) and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D expressions of the DcR3 knockdown were also studied. Comparisons between multiple groups were done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while pairwise comparisons were performed using Student's t test. P< 0.05 was regarded statistically significant. DcR3 was overexpressed in HepG2 compared to other HCC cell lines and normal hepatocyte Lo-2. Stable knockdown of DcR3 slowed down the growth of HepG2 (P < 0.05) and reduced the number of clones formed by 50% compared to those without DcR3 knockdown (P < 0.05). The knockdown also reduced the migration of HepG2 across transwell matrix membrane by five folds compared to the control (P < 0.05) and suppressed the closure of scratch wound (P < 0.05). In addition, the messenger RNA levels of MMP 9, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D were significantly suppressed by DcR3 knockdown by 90% when compared with the mock control (P < 0.05). Loss of DcR3 impaired the growth and invasive property of HCC cell line of HepG2. Targeting DcR3 may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC.

Knockdown of Decoy Receptor 3 Impairs Growth and Invasiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line of HepG2

PubMed Central

Zhou, Xiao-Na; Li, Guang-Ming; Xu, Ying-Chen; Zhao, Tuan-Jie; Wu, Ji-Xiang

2016-01-01

Background: Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) binds to Fas ligand (FasL) and inhibits FasL-induced apoptosis. The receptor is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with the growth and metastatic spread of tumors. DcR3 holds promises as a new target for the treatment of HCC, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic properties of DcR3. The present work, therefore, examined the role of DcR3 in regulating the growth and invasive property of liver cancer cell HepG2. Methods: HepG2 cells were stably transfected with lentivirus-based short hairpin RNA vector targeting DcR3. After the knockdown of DcR3 was confirmed, cell proliferation, clone formation, ability of migrating across transwell membrane, and wound healing were assessed in vitro. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP 9) and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D expressions of the DcR3 knockdown were also studied. Comparisons between multiple groups were done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while pairwise comparisons were performed using Student's t test. P < 0.05 was regarded statistically significant. Results: DcR3 was overexpressed in HepG2 compared to other HCC cell lines and normal hepatocyte Lo-2. Stable knockdown of DcR3 slowed down the growth of HepG2 (P < 0.05) and reduced the number of clones formed by 50% compared to those without DcR3 knockdown (P < 0.05). The knockdown also reduced the migration of HepG2 across transwell matrix membrane by five folds compared to the control (P < 0.05) and suppressed the closure of scratch wound (P < 0.05). In addition, the messenger RNA levels of MMP 9, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D were significantly suppressed by DcR3 knockdown by 90% when compared with the mock control (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Loss of DcR3 impaired the growth and invasive property of HCC cell line of HepG2. Targeting DcR3 may be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of HCC. PMID:27779171

Electron density diagnostics for gaseous nebulae involving the O 4 intercombination lines near 1400 A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keenan, F. P.; Conlon, E. S.; Bowden, D. A.; Feibelman, W. A.; Pradhan, Anil K.

1992-01-01

Theoretical O IV electron density sensitive emission line ratios, determined using electron impact excitation rates calculated with the R-matrix code, are presented for R(sub 1) = I(1407.4 A)/I(1401.2 A), R(sub 2) = I(1404.8 A)/I(1401.2A), R(sub 3) = I(1399.8 A)/(1401.2 A), and R(sub 4) = I(1397.2 A)/I(1401.2 A). The observed values of R(sub 1)-R(sub 4), measured from high resolution spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite, lead to electron densities that are compatible, and which are also in good agreement with those deduced from line ratios in other species. This provides observational support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the present calculations.

A New CV3 Chondrite Find

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treiman, A. H.; Dehart, J. M.

1992-07-01

A new meteorite find from West Texas, U.S.A., is a CV3 carbonaceous chondrite. The provisional name of Red Bluff has been proposed to the Nomenclature Committee by R. Farrell. Red Bluff consists of chondrules (56.4%), CAIs (8.3%), amoboid olivine aggregates (0.6%), mineral fragments (0.8%), and Ca-Al chondrules (0.4%) in a fine-grained, clay-rich matrix (33.1%). Chondrules in Red Bluff are spherical to irregular in shape, and from 0.25-3.5 mm diameter in thin section; the average diameter is 0.95 mm, with standard deviation of 0.6 mm (69 chondrules). Three of the chondrules are distinctly larger than the rest; without these three, the average diameter is 0.86 mm (s.d. 0.4 mm). The chondrules are almost all of type I (Fe-poor), as shown by cathodoluminescence and chemical analyses; most are also rich in opaques. Compositions of chondrule olivines average Fa1.9+-1.2 (s.d.); compositions of chondrule pyroxenes average Fs3.4+-3.3 (s.d.). Chondrule varieties include porphyritic olivine, microporphyritic olivine, granular olivine, macroporphyritic olivine, barred olivine, and rare extracentroradial pyroxene (0.25 mm diam.) [1,2]. Two calcium-aluminum chondrules were observed. The largest, 1.5 mm diam., contains spinel, plagioclase, and fassaite, and includes a circular spinel palisade [3]. The other Ca-Al chondrule is within a coarse-grained CAI, and could also be a well-developed spinel palisade [3]. Fine- and coarse-grained CAIs are present but have been studied little; most appear to be type B (melilite+pyroxene+plagioclase). Red Bluff's matrix is composed of fine-grained clay, with minor olivine, "limonite," troilite, and Fe metal. Alignment of grains and oxide-rich streaks in the matrix mark a planar fabric that wraps around chondrules and inclusions. Chondrules are commonly surrounded by shells of dark red alteration, darker than the bulk of matrix material. Red Bluff is weathered. It is stained red by oxidized iron minerals, which are most common as veinlets (after Fe metal or troilite?) and as rinds around Fe metal and troilite. The matrix clays may have formed during weathering of an olivine matrix similar to that of Allende. However, Fe metal and troilite remain common, both occluded within silicates and as discrete grains in the matrix. Cracks in Red Bluff are partially filled by minute, euhedral carbonate crystals. Red Bluff's exterior is coated with desert varnish (light-brown anisotropic film composed of many fine laminae); the varnish fills void space in one carbonate-rich veinlet. Classification Red Bluff's petrography, mineralogy, and mineral chemistry fall within the range of known CV3s [4]. Most characteristic are the proportion of matrix (33%) and the size of chondrules (avg ~1 mm), which are consistent with CV and inconsistent with known CI, CO, CM, CR, and CK chondrites. The proportions of CAIs, Ca-Al chondrules, and mineral fragments are also consistent with known CVs. The presence of type 1 and type 2 chondrules, and the variations in olivine compositions among type 1 chondrules implies that Red Bluff is of metamorphic grade 3. Compared to other CV3s, Red Bluff has rather little matrix and rather magnesian silicate minerals [4]. Red Bluff does not appear to be paired with known CV3s, and in fact none are known from West Texas [5]; the closest CV3 fall or find is Leoville (KS) [5]. This work was conducted under an NRC Fellowships to Treiman (senior) and DeHart (regular). We are grateful to R. Farrell for the meteorite sample, data on its source, and its proposed name. [1] Scott E. R. D. and Taylor G. J. (1983) Proc. 14 LPSC, B275. [2] Jones R. (1992) GCA 56, 467. [3] Wark D. A. and Lovering J. F. (1982) GCA 46, 2595. [4] McSween H. Y. Jr. (1977) GCA 71, 1777. [5] Graham et al. (1985) Catalog of Meteorites.

Pure dipolar-interacted CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles and their magnetic properties

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

Xu, Shi-tao; School of Physics and Electronic Information, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000; Ma, Yong-qing, E-mail: yqma@ahu.edu.cn

2015-02-15

Graphical abstract: The mono-dispersed CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with the uniform size of 10.5 ± 2 nm were first synthesized and then they were embedded in amorphous SiO{sub 2} matrix with different CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ concentrations. The large coercivity (3056 Oe) and the remanence ratio (0.63) were obtained by suitably diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles into the SiO{sub 2} matrix. The reciprocal of the absolute maximum of δm and the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio behave in the same trend (as shown in (e)), indicating that the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction. The presentmore » work is meaningful for revealing the underlying mechanism in nano-scaled magnetic system and improving the magnetic performance. - Highlights: • The mono-dispersed CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with the uniform size of 10.5 ± 2 nm were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of metals acetylacetonates in solvents with high boiling point. • The large coercivity (3056 Oe) and the remanence ratio (0.63) were obtained by diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles into the SiO{sub 2} matrix with a suitable concentration. • The surface anisotropy and interparticle dipolar interaction affect the magnetic performance and magnetic ordering state. • It was observed that the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction. - Abstract: The mono-dispersed and uniform CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of Fe(acac){sub 3} and Co(acac){sub 2}. Then the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were diluted in amorphous SiO{sub 2} matrix with different CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ concentrations. All samples show the positive or negative exchange bias behavior, indicating the presence of canted spin layer at the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ surface. The large effective anisotropy constant (3.38 × 10{sup 6} erg/cm{sup 3}) was observed, which can be attributed to the induced surface anisotropy by the canted surface spins. The reduced magnetization (M{sub r}/M{sub s}) was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction while the coercivity (H{sub c}) was determined by the synergistic effects of the surface anisotropy, interparticle dipolar interaction and interface effect. By suitably diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} in the SiO{sub 2} matrix, the high H{sub c} (3056 Oe) and the M{sub r}/M{sub s} (0.63) can be obtained, which is larger than most of those reported before. The present work is meaningful for revealing the underlying mechanism in nano-scaled magnetic system and improving the magnetic performance.« less

Synthesis and crystalline properties of CdS incorporated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Arunendra Kumar; Sunder, Aishwarya; Mishra, Shweta; Bajpai, Rakesh

2018-05-01

This paper gives an insight on the synthesis and crystalline properties of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) (host matrix) composites impregnated with Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) using Dimethyl formamide (DMF) as the base, prepared by the well known solvent casting technique. The effect of doping concentration of CdS in to the PVDF matrix was studied using X-ray diffraction technique. The structural properties like crystallinity Cr, interplanar distance d, average size of the crystalline region (D), and average inter crystalline separation (R) have been estimated for the developed composite. The crystallinity index, crystallite size and inter crystalline separation is increasing with increase in the concentration of CdS in to the PVDF matrix while the interplanar distance d is decreasing.

Microalgae removal with Moringa oleifera.

PubMed

Barrado-Moreno, M M; Beltran-Heredia, J; Martín-Gallardo, J

2016-02-01

Moringa oleifera seed extract was tested for algae (Chlorella, Microcystis, Oocystis and Scenedesmus) removal by Jar-test technique. This coagulant can be used in drinking water treatment. Jar-test has been carried out in order to evaluate the efficiency of this natural coagulant agent inside real surface water matrix. The influence of variables has been studied in this process, including operating parameters such as coagulant dosage, initial algae concentration, pH, agitation time and water matrix. Removal capacity is verified for water with high contamination of algae while the process is not affected by the pH and water matrix. Coagulation process may be modelling through Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption hypothesis, so acceptable r2 coefficients are obtained. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Astrophysical S factor for the {sup 15}N(p,{gamma}){sup 16}O reaction

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

Mukhamedzhanov, A. M.; La Cognata, M.; Kroha, V.

2011-04-15

The R-matrix approach has proved to be very useful in extrapolating the astrophysical factor down to astrophysically relevant energies, since the majority of measurements are not available in this region. However, such an approach has to be critically considered when no complete knowledge of the reaction model is available. To get reliable results in such cases one has to use all the available information from independent sources and, accordingly, fix or constrain variations of the parameters. In this paper we present a thorough R-matrix analysis of the {sup 15}N(p,{gamma}){sup 16}O reaction, which provides a path from the CN cycle tomore » the CNO bi-cycle and CNO tri-cycle. The measured astrophysical factor for this reaction is dominated by resonant capture through two strong J{sup {pi}}=1{sup -} resonances at E{sub R}=312 and 962 keV and direct capture to the ground state. Recently, a new measurement of the astrophysical factor for the {sup 15}N(p,{gamma}){sup 16}O reaction has been published [P. J. LeBlanc et al., Phys. Rev. C 82, 055804 (2010)]. The analysis has been done using the R-matrix approach with unconstrained variation of all parameters including the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC). The best fit has been obtained for the square of the ANC C{sup 2}=539.2 fm{sup -1}, which exceeds the previously measured value by a factor of {approx_equal}3. Here we present a new R-matrix analysis of the Notre Dame-LUNA data with the fixed within the experimental uncertainties square of the ANC C{sup 2}=200.34 fm{sup -1}. Rather than varying the ANC we add the contribution from a background resonance that effectively takes into account contributions from higher levels. Altogether we present ten fits, seven unconstrained and three constrained. For the unconstrained fit with the boundary condition B{sub c}=S{sub c}(E{sub 2}), where E{sub 2} is the energy of the second level, we get S(0)=39.0{+-}1.1 keVb and normalized {chi}-tilde{sup 2}=1.84, i.e., the result which is similar to LeBlanc et al. From all our fits we get the range 33.1{<=}S(0){<=}40.1 keVb which overlaps with the result of LeBlanc et al. We address also the physical interpretation of the fitting parameters.« less

Age- and gender-related alteration in plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentrations in physiological ageing.

PubMed

Komosinska-Vassev, Katarzyna; Olczyk, Pawel; Winsz-Szczotka, Katarzyna; Kuznik-Trocha, Kornelia; Klimek, Katarzyna; Olczyk, Krystyna

2012-02-13

The authors studied the role of increased oxidative stress in the development of oxidative protein damage and extracellular matrix (ECM) components in ageing. The age- and gender-associated disturbances in connective tissue metabolism were evaluated by the plasma chondroitin sulphated glycosaminoglycans (CS-GAG) and non-sulphated GAG-hyaluronan (HA) measurements. Plasma concentration of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) was analysed in order to assess oxidative protein damage and evaluate the possible deleterious role of oxidative phenomenon on tissue proteoglycans' metabolism during the physiological ageing process. Sulphated and non-sulphated GAGs as well as AOPP were quantified in plasma samples from 177 healthy volunteers. A linear age-related decline of plasma CS-GAG level was found in this study (r=-0.46; p<0.05). In contrast, HA concentrations rise gradually with age (r=0.44; p<0.05) in plasma samples. For both ECM components, the observed differences were not gender-specific. A strong age-dependent relationship has been shown in regard to AOPP. AOPP levels significantly increased with age (r=0.63; p<0.05), equally strongly in both men (r=0.69; p<0.05) and women (r=0.57; p<0.05) during physiological ageing. A significant correlation was found between the concentrations of AOPP and both CS-GAG (r=-0.31; p<0.05) and HA (r=0.33; p<0.05). Proceeding with age changes in the ECM are reflected by CS-GAG and HA plasma levels. Strong correlations between AOPP and ECM components indicate that oxidative stress targets protein and non-protein components of the connective tissue matrix during human ageing.

The mannose 6-phosphate-binding sites of M6P/IGF2R determine its capacity to suppress matrix invasion by squamous cell carcinoma cells

PubMed Central

Probst, Olivia C.; Karayel, Evren; Schida, Nicole; Nimmerfall, Elisabeth; Hehenberger, Elisabeth; Puxbaum, Verena; Mach, Lukas

2013-01-01

The M6P (mannose 6-phosphate)/IGF2R (insulin-like growth factor II receptor) interacts with a variety of factors that impinge on tumour invasion and metastasis. It has been shown that expression of wild-type M6P/IGF2R reduces the tumorigenic and invasive properties of receptor-deficient SCC-VII squamous cell carcinoma cells. We have now used mutant forms of M6P/IGF2R to assess the relevance of the different ligand-binding sites of the receptor for its biological activities in this cellular system. The results of the present study demonstrate that M6P/IGF2R does not require a functional binding site for insulin-like growth factor II for inhibition of anchorage-independent growth and matrix invasion by SCC-VII cells. In contrast, the simultaneous mutation of both M6P-binding sites is sufficient to impair all cellular functions of the receptor tested. These findings highlight that the interaction between M6P/IGF2R and M6P-modified ligands is not only important for intracellular accumulation of lysosomal enzymes and formation of dense lysosomes, but is also crucial for the ability of the receptor to suppress SCC-VII growth and invasion. The present study also shows that some of the biological activities of M6P/IGF2R in SCC-VII cells strongly depend on a functional M6P-binding site within domain 3, thus providing further evidence for the non-redundant cellular functions of the individual carbohydrate-binding domains of the receptor. PMID:23347038

Banana fluxes in the plateau regime for a nonaxisymmetrically confined plasma

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

Balescu, R.; Fantechi, S.

1990-09-01

The banana (or banana-plateau) fluxes, related to the generalized stresses {l angle}{bold B}{center dot}{del}{center dot}{pi}{sup {alpha}({ital n})}{r angle}, {l angle}{bold B}{sub {ital T}}{center dot}{del}{center dot}{pi}{sup {alpha}({ital n})}{r angle} have been determined in the plateau regime, for a plasma confined by a toroidal magnetic field of arbitrary geometry. The complete set of transport coefficients for both the parallel'' (ambipolar) and toroidal'' (nonambipolar) banana fluxes was obtained in the 13-moment (13M) approximation, going beyond the previously known expressions in the nonaxisymmetric case. The main emphasis is laid on the structure of the transport matrix and of its coefficients. It is shown thatmore » the Onsager symmetry of this matrix partly breaks down (for the mixed electron--ion coefficients) in a nonaxisymmetrically confined plasma.« less

Effective collision strengths for the electron impact excitation of Mg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudson, C. E.; Ramsbottom, C. A.; Norrington, P. H.; Scott, M. P.

2008-05-01

Electron impact excitation collision strengths for fine structure transitions of Mg,have been determined by a Breit-Pauli R-matrix calculation. The target states are represented by configuration interaction wavefunctions and consist of the 19 lowest LS states, having configurations 2s^22p^4, 2s2p^5, 2p^6, 2s^22p^33s and 2s^22p^33p. These target states give rise to 37 fine structure levels and 666 possible transitions. The effective collision strengths are calculated by averaging the electron collision strengths over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities. Effective collision strengths for transitions between the fine structure levels are given for electron temperatures in the range 10Te(K) = 3.0 - 7.0. Results are compared with the previous R-matrix calculation of Butler & Zeippen (AASS, 1994) and the recent Distorted Wave evaluations of Bhatia, Landi & Eissner (ADNDT, 2006).

Effects of religion, economics, and geography on genetic structure of Fogo Island, Newfoundland.

PubMed

Crawford, M H; Koertevlyessy, T; Huntsman, R G; Collins, M; Duggirala, R; Martin, L; Keeping, D

1995-01-01

The population structure of Fogo Island, Newfoundland is described using geography, religious affiliation, economic factors (such as the presence of a fish-packing plant), and genetic markers. Five different analytic methods, R-matrix analysis, r ii VS. mean per locus heterozygosity, predicted kinship (ϕ), mean first passage time, and Mantel matrix comparisons, were applied to the Fogo Island genetic and demographic data. The results suggest that geography plays a role on Fogo Island in the distribution of genes, while religion, ethnicity, and economic factors play less significant roles. The communities with fish-packing plants and tourism serve as migratory "sinks" for Fogo islanders seeking employment. Reproductively, the most isolated village on Fogo Island is Tilting, and this is reflected in its genetic uniqueness, initially caused by Irish settlement and subsequently the action of stochastic processes. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Copyright © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company.

Cross sections for n+{sup 14}N from an R-matrix analysis of the {sup 15}N system

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

Hale, G.M.; Young, P.G.; Chadwick, M.B.

1994-06-01

As part of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Dose Reevaluation Program, a new evaluation of the neutron cross sections for {sup 14}N was made for ENDF/B-VI, based at energies below 2.5 MeV on a multichannel R-matrix analysis of reactions in the {sup 15}N system. The types of data used in the analysis, and the resulting cross sections and resonance structure for {sup 15}N are briefly described. The resonant features of the neutron cross sections were especially well determined by including precise, high-resolution neutron total cross section measurements from ORNL. While the new evaluated cross section appear to be significant improvements over the earliermore » ones, they still need to be tested more extensively against recent measurements of the differential elastic cross section from Oak Ridge.« less

SynergyFinder: a web application for analyzing drug combination dose-response matrix data.

PubMed

Ianevski, Aleksandr; He, Liye; Aittokallio, Tero; Tang, Jing

2017-08-01

Rational design of drug combinations has become a promising strategy to tackle the drug sensitivity and resistance problem in cancer treatment. To systematically evaluate the pre-clinical significance of pairwise drug combinations, functional screening assays that probe combination effects in a dose-response matrix assay are commonly used. To facilitate the analysis of such drug combination experiments, we implemented a web application that uses key functions of R-package SynergyFinder, and provides not only the flexibility of using multiple synergy scoring models, but also a user-friendly interface for visualizing the drug combination landscapes in an interactive manner. The SynergyFinder web application is freely accessible at https://synergyfinder.fimm.fi ; The R-package and its source-code are freely available at http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/synergyfinder.html . jing.tang@helsinki.fi. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press.

Identification of anaerobic bacteria by Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry with on-plate formic acid preparation.

PubMed

Schmitt, Bryan H; Cunningham, Scott A; Dailey, Aaron L; Gustafson, Daniel R; Patel, Robin

2013-03-01

Identification of anaerobic bacteria using phenotypic methods is often time-consuming; methods such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing are costly and may not be readily available. We evaluated 253 clinical isolates of anaerobic bacteria using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, MA) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system with a user-supplemented database and an on-plate formic acid-based preparation method and compared results to those of conventional identification using biochemical testing or 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A total of 179 (70.8%) and 232 (91.7%) isolates were correctly identified to the species and genus levels, respectively, using manufacturer-recommended score cutoffs. MALDI-TOF MS offers a rapid, inexpensive method for identification of anaerobic bacteria.

Source apportionment of stack emissions from research and development facilities using positive matrix factorization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ballinger, Marcel Y.; Larson, Timothy V.

2014-12-01

Research and development (R&D) facility emissions are difficult to characterize due to their variable processes, changing nature of research, and large number of chemicals. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations measured in the main exhaust stacks of four different R&D buildings to identify the number and composition of major contributing sources. PMF identified between 9 and 11 source-related factors contributing to stack emissions, depending on the building. Similar factors between buildings were major contributors to trichloroethylene (TCE), acetone, and ethanol emissions; other factors had similar profiles for two or more buildings but not all four. At least one factor for each building was identified that contained a broad mix of many species and constraints were used in PMF to modify the factors to resemble more closely the off-shift concentration profiles. PMF accepted the constraints with little decrease in model fit.

Dirac R -matrix calculations for the electron-impact excitation of neutral tungsten providing noninvasive diagnostics for magnetic confinement fusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smyth, R. T.; Ballance, C. P.; Ramsbottom, C. A.; Johnson, C. A.; Ennis, D. A.; Loch, S. D.

2018-05-01

Neutral tungsten is the primary candidate as a wall material in the divertor region of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The efficient operation of ITER depends heavily on precise atomic physics calculations for the determination of reliable erosion diagnostics, helping to characterize the influx of tungsten impurities into the core plasma. The following paper presents detailed calculations of the atomic structure of neutral tungsten using the multiconfigurational Dirac-Fock method, drawing comparisons with experimental measurements where available, and includes a critical assessment of existing atomic structure data. We investigate the electron-impact excitation of neutral tungsten using the Dirac R -matrix method, and by employing collisional-radiative models, we benchmark our results with recent Compact Toroidal Hybrid measurements. The resulting comparisons highlight alternative diagnostic lines to the widely used 400.88-nm line.

Superradiant effects on pulse propagation in resonant media. [atomic excitations/coherent radiation - operators (mathematics)/matrices (mathematics)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, C.

1975-01-01

Adopting the so-called genealogical construction, the eigenstates of collective operators can be expressed corresponding to a specified mode for an N-atom system in terms of those for an (N-1)-atom system. Matrix element of a collective operator of an arbitrary mode is presented which can be written as the product of an m-dependent factor and an m-independent reduced matrix element (RME). A set of recursion formulas for the RME was obtained. A graphical representation of the RME on the branching diagram for binary irreducible representations of permutation groups was then introduced. This gave a simple and systematic way of calculating the RME. Results show explicitly the geometry dependence of superradiance and the relative importance of r-conserving and r-nonconserving processes and clears up the chief difficulty encounted in the problem of N two-level atoms, spread over large regions, interacting with a multimode radiation field.

The Iron Project & Opacity Project: Photoionization, radiative transitions of iron ions for Opacities and Astrophysical Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Lianshui; Nahar, Sultana; Pradhan, Anil; Eissner, Werner

2017-04-01

We have carried out converged close coupling R-Matrix (CCC-RM) calculations for photoionization of Ne-like Fe XVII and demonstrate orders-of-magnitude enhancements in cross section due to successive core excitations. Convergence criteria are: (i) inclusion of sufficient number of residual ion Fe XVIII core states, (ii) high-resolution of myriad autoionizing resonances, and (iii) high-energy cross sections. We discuss verification of the conventional oscillator strength sum-rule in limited energy regions for bound-free plasma opacity. High energy cross sections are also under investigation. In order to obtain solar iron opacity at the boundary of the radiative and convection zones, we have studied the residual ion states that should provide convergence of resonances of other L-shell iron ions, Fe XIV - Fe XX, in the plasma region. Preliminary results from R-matrix calculations of photoionization cross sections will be reported. NSF, DOE, OSC.

Recruitment of CREB1 and Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) to the Mouse Ltbp-1 Promoter Regulates its Constitutive Expression in a Dioxin Receptor-dependent Manner

PubMed Central

Gomez-Duran, Aurea; Ballestar, Esteban; Carvajal-Gonzalez, Jose M.; Marlowe, Jennifer L.; Puga, Alvaro; Esteller, Manel; Fernandez-Salguero, Pedro M.

2010-01-01

Latent TGFβ-binding protein 1 (LTBP-1) is a key regulator of TGFβ targeting and activation in the extracellular matrix. LTBP-1 is recognized as a major docking molecule to localize, and possibly to activate, TGFβ in the extracellular matrix. Despite this relevant function, the molecular mechanisms regulating Ltbp-1 transcription remain largely unknown. Previous results from our laboratory revealed that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) lacking dioxin receptor (AhR) had increased Ltbp-1 mRNA expression and elevated TGFβ activity, suggesting that AhR repressed Ltbp-1 transcription. Here, we have cloned the mouse Ltbp-1 gene promoter and analysed its mechanism of transcriptional repression by AhR. Reporter gene assays, AhR over-expression and site-directed mutagenesis showed that basal Ltbp-1 transcription is AhR-dependent. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and RNA interference (RNAi) revealed that AhR regulates Ltbp-1 transcription by a mechanism involving recruitment of co-activators such as CREB1 and co-repressors such as HDAC2 to the Ltbp-1 promoter. In AhR-expressing (AhR+/+) MEF cells, the recruitment of HDAC1, 2 and 4 correlated with decreased K8H4 acetylation and impaired binding of pCREBSer133 to the Ltbp-1 promoter, likely maintaining a constitutive repressed state. AhR−/− MEF cells had the opposite pattern of HDACs and pCREB1Ser133 binding to Ltbp-1 promoter, and therefore, over-expressed Ltbp-1 mRNA. In agreement, siRNA for HDAC2 increased Ltbp-1 expression and K8H4 acetylation in AhR+/+ but not in AhR−/− MEF cells. We suggest that HDAC2 binding keeps Ltbp-1 promoter repressed in AhR+/+ MEF cells, whereas in AhR-null MEF cells the absence of HDAC2 and the binding of pCREBSer133 allow Ltbp-1 transcription. Thus, epigenetics can contribute to constitutive Ltbp-1 repression by a mechanism requiring AhR activity. PMID:18508077

Mechanical properties of several neat polymer matrix materials and unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coguill, Scott L.; Adams, Donald F.

1989-01-01

The mechanical and physical properties of three neat matrix materials, i.e., PEEK (polyetheretherketone) thermoplastic, Hexcel F155 rubber-toughened epoxy and Hercules 8551-7 rubber-toughened epoxy, were experimentally determined. Twelve unidirectional carbon fiber composites, incorporating matrix materials characterized in this or earlier studies (with one exception; the PISO(sub 2)-TPI matrix itself was not characterized), were also tested. These composite systems included AS4/2220-1, AS4/2220-3, T500/R914, IM6/HX1504, T300/4901A (MDA), T700/4901A (MDA), T300/4901B (MPDA), T700/4901B (MPDA), APC2 (AS4/PEEK, ICI), APC2 (AS4/PEEK, Langley Research Center), AS4/8551-7, and AS4/PISO(sub 2)-TPI. For the neat matrix materials, the tensile, shear, fracture toughness, coefficient of thermal expansion, and coefficient of moisture expansion properties were measured as a function of both temperature and moisture content. For the unidirectional composites, axial and transverse tensile, longitudinal shear, coefficient of thermal expansion, and coefficient of moisture expansion properties were determined, at room temperature and 100 C.

Sensitivity of Breast Tumors to Oncolytic Viruses

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

therapies for breast cancer based on the oncolytic virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Studies have shown that matrix (M) protein mutants of VSV, such...more resistant to VSV-induced cytopathic effect than breast cancer cells. However, in syngeneic breast cancer system in vivo, rM51R-M virus is only...interleukin 12, breast cancer , interferon 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE

A Note on Asymptotic Joint Distribution of the Eigenvalues of a Noncentral Multivariate F Matrix.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-11-01

Krishnaiah (1982). Now, let us consider the samples drawn from the k multivariate normal popuiejons. Let (Xlt....Xpt) denote the mean vector of the t...to maltivariate problems. Sankh-ya, 4, 381-39(s. (71 KRISHNAIAH , P. R. (1982). Selection of variables in discrimlnant analysis. In Handbook of...Statistics, Volume 2 (P. R. Krishnaiah , editor), 805-820. North-Holland Publishing Company. 6. Unclassifie INSTRUCTIONS REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

Processing, Properties and Morphology of Optical Limiting Silk Membranes

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-28

Christopher Brewer, Donald Ott, Polymer, 45 8451 (2004). 2. Electrospun Bombyx mori Gland Silk, S. Putthanarat, R.K. Eby, W. Kataphinan, S. Jones, R...Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH. 3. American Physical Society (APS) meeting, March 2005, "Electrospun liquid silk from the gland of Bombyx Mori ...provide a good compatible matrix. They have previously demonstrated that GFP molecules can be incorporated into cast membranes of silk from B. mori

Resveratrol, 4′ Acetoxy Resveratrol, R-equol, Racemic Equol or S-equol as Cosmeceuticals to Improve Dermal Health

PubMed Central

Lephart, Edwin D.

2017-01-01

Phytochemicals are botanical compounds used in dermatology applications as cosmeceuticals to improve skin health. Resveratrol and equol are two of the best-known polyphenolic or phytoestrogens having similar chemical structures and some overlapping biological functions to 17β-estradiol. Human skin gene expression was reviewed for 28 different biomarkers when resveratrol, 4′ acetoxy resveratrol (4AR), R-equol, racemic equol or S-equol were tested. Sirtuin 1 activator (SIRT 1) was stimulated by resveratrol and 4AR only. Resveratrol, R-equol and racemic equol were effective on the aging biomarkers proliferating cell nuclear factor (PCNA), nerve growth factor (NGF), 5α-reductase and the calcium binding proteins S100 A8 and A9. Racemic equol and 4AR displayed among the highest levels for the collagens, elastin and tissue inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP 1). S-equol displayed the lowest level of effectiveness compared to the other compounds. The 4AR analog was more effective compared to resveratrol by 1.6-fold. R-equol and racemic equol were almost equal in potency displaying greater inhibition vs. resveratrol or its 4′ analog for the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), but among the inflammatory biomarkers, resveratrol, 4AR, R-equol and racemic equol displayed high inhibition. Thus, these cosmeceuticals display promise to improve dermal health; however, further study is warranted to understand how phytochemicals protect/enhance the skin. PMID:28587197

Lowered expression of microRNA-125a-5p in human hepatocellular carcinoma and up-regulation of its oncogenic targets sirtuin-7, matrix metalloproteinase-11, and c-Raf

PubMed Central

Coppola, Nicola; de Stefano, Giorgio; Panella, Marta; Onorato, Lorenzo; Iodice, Valentina; Minichini, Carmine; Mosca, Nicola; Desiato, Luisa; Farella, Nunzia; Starace, Mario; Liorre, Giulia; Potenza, Nicoletta; Sagnelli, Evangelista; Russo, Aniello

2017-01-01

Human microRNA-125a-5p (miR-125a) is expressed in most tissues where it downregulates the expression of membrane receptors or intracellular transductors of mitogenic signals, thus limiting cell proliferation. Expression of this miRNA generally increases with cell differentiation whereas it is downregulated in several types of tumors, such as breast, lung, ovarian, gastric, colon, and cervical cancers, neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, and retinoblastoma. In this study, we focused on hepatocellular carcinoma and used real-time quantitative PCR to measure miR-125a expression in 55 tumor biopsies and in matched adjacent non-tumor liver tissues. This analysis showed a downregulation of miR-125a in 80 % of patients, with a mean decrease of 4.7-fold. Comparison of miRNA downregulation with clinicopathological parameters of patients didn't yield significant correlations except for serum bilirubin. We then evaluated the expression of known targets of miR-125a and found that sirtuin-7, matrix metalloproteinase-11, and c-Raf were up-regulated in tumor tissue by 2.2-, 3-, and 1.7-fold, respectively. Overall, these data support a tumor suppressor role for miR-125a and encourage further studies aimed at the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms governing its expression, eventually leading to treatments to restore its expression in tumor cells. PMID:28445974

Increased levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 in haemodialysis patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis.

PubMed

Naganuma, Toshihide; Sugimura, Kazunobu; Uchida, Junji; Tashiro, Koichiro; Yoshimura, Rikio; Takemoto, Yoshiaki; Nakatani, Tatsuya

2008-04-01

It is recognized that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is abundantly expressed in active rheumatoid synovium, and that serum level of MMP-3 is a useful marker for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and for evaluation of prognosis in joint destruction. Little is known about serum MMP-3 levels in haemodialysis (HD) patients, and thus, the association between serum MMP-3 and dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) has yet to be elucidated. Serum levels of MMP-3 were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 150 HD patients, 90 without DRA and 60 with DRA, before HD. Simple regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between serum level of MMP-3 and clinical parameters, including age, HD duration, C-reactive protein and beta2 microglobulin (BMG). Serum levels of MMP-3 were significantly higher in HD patients with DRA than in HD patients without DRA (258.2 +/- 118.1 vs 201.5 +/- 98.4 pg/mL, P = 0.0017), and both levels were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (45.6 +/- 13.4 pg/mL, P < 0.0001). Serum MMP-3 levels significantly correlated with serum levels of BMG (r = 0.197, P = 0.0164) and HD duration (r = 0.168, P = 0.0427). Moreover, serum MMP-3 levels significantly correlated with serum BMG levels in HD patients without DRA (r = 0.341, P = 0.0012), but not in HD patients with DRA. Our results suggest that matrix metalloproteinase activity increases in HD patients, which may be associated with BMG and DRA.

Measurement of differential cross sections and spin density matrix elements along with a partial wave analysis for gammap → po using CLAS at Jefferson Lab

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Mike

This work presents measurements of differential cross sections, dsigma/dcos qwCM , and spin density matrix elements, r0MM' , for the reaction gammap → po in the energy range 1.72 GeV< s <2.84 GeV. The data were collected at Jefferson Lab, using the CLAS detector, as part of the g11a run period in 2004. Our r0MM' measurements vastly increase the precision of the world's data and extend the large angle measurements by over 400 MeV in s . Our data confirms that for s < 2.1 GeV, the forward angle (small |t|) production amplitude is dominated by t-channel pi0 exchange. At higher energies, existing non-resonant models do a poor job of describing our data. In particular, u-channel models fail to reproduce our highest energy backwards r0MM' measurements. A mass-independent partial wave analysis has also been performed. Near threshold, the dominant resonance contributions extracted are the **** F15 (1680) and *** D 13(1700). Together with the t-channel pi0 exchange, these three waves provide a remarkably good description of our differential cross section and spin density matrix element measurements for s < 2 GeV. Strong, but not conclusive, evidence for the **** G17(2190) has also been extracted. Improved non-resonant models may be necessary to irrefutably show whether this state contributes to o photoproduction. Evidence for missing resonances is suggestive, but inconclusive without theoretical input.

Fine-structure excitation of Fe II and Fe III due to collisions with electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Yier; Qi, Yueying; Favreau, Connor; Loch, Stuart; Stancil, P.; Ballance, Connor; McLaughlin, Brendan

2018-06-01

Atomic data of iron peak elements are of great importance in astronomical observations. Among all the ionization stages of iron, Fe II and Fe III are of particular importance because of the high cosmic abundance, relatively low ionization potential and complex open d-shell atomic structure. Fe II and Fe III emission are observed from nearly all classes of astronomical objects over a wide spectral range from the infrared to the ultraviolet. To meaningfully interpret these spectra, astronomers have to employ highly complex modeling codes with reliable collision data to simulate the astrophysical observations. The major aim of this work is to provide reliable atomic data for diagnostics. We present new collision strengths and effective collisions for electron impact excitation of Fe II and Fe III for the forbidden transitions among the fine-structure levels of the ground terms. A very fine energy mesh is used for the collision strengths and the effective collision strengths are calculated over a wide range of electron temperatures of astrophysical importance (10-2000 K). The configuration interaction state wave functions are generated with a scaled Thomas-Fermi-Dirac-Amaldi (TFDA) potential, while the R-matrix plus intermediate coupling frame transformation (ICFT), Breit-Pauli R-matrix and Dirac R-matrix packages are used to obtain collision strengths. Influences of the different methods and configuration expansions on the collisional data are discussed. Comparison is made with earlier theoretical work and differences are found to occur at the low temperatures considered here.This work was funded by NASA grant NNX15AE47G.

SIS and SIR epidemic models under virtual dispersal

PubMed Central

Bichara, Derdei; Kang, Yun; Castillo-Chavez, Carlos; Horan, Richard; Perrings, Charles

2015-01-01

We develop a multi-group epidemic framework via virtual dispersal where the risk of infection is a function of the residence time and local environmental risk. This novel approach eliminates the need to define and measure contact rates that are used in the traditional multi-group epidemic models with heterogeneous mixing. We apply this approach to a general n-patch SIS model whose basic reproduction number R0 is computed as a function of a patch residence-times matrix ℙ. Our analysis implies that the resulting n-patch SIS model has robust dynamics when patches are strongly connected: there is a unique globally stable endemic equilibrium when R0 > 1 while the disease free equilibrium is globally stable when R0 ≤ 1. Our further analysis indicates that the dispersal behavior described by the residence-times matrix ℙ has profound effects on the disease dynamics at the single patch level with consequences that proper dispersal behavior along with the local environmental risk can either promote or eliminate the endemic in particular patches. Our work highlights the impact of residence times matrix if the patches are not strongly connected. Our framework can be generalized in other endemic and disease outbreak models. As an illustration, we apply our framework to a two-patch SIR single outbreak epidemic model where the process of disease invasion is connected to the final epidemic size relationship. We also explore the impact of disease prevalence driven decision using a phenomenological modeling approach in order to contrast the role of constant versus state dependent ℙ on disease dynamics. PMID:26489419

Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) Signaling Requires αvβ3-IGF1-IGF Type 1 Receptor (IGF1R) Ternary Complex Formation in Anchorage Independence, and the Complex Formation Does Not Require IGF1R and Src Activation

PubMed Central

Fujita, Masaaki; Takada, Yoko K.; Takada, Yoshikazu

2013-01-01

Integrin αvβ3 plays a role in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling (integrin-IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) cross-talk) in non-transformed cells in anchorage-dependent conditions. We reported previously that IGF1 directly binds to αvβ3 and induces αvβ3-IGF1-IGF1R ternary complex formation in these conditions. The integrin-binding defective IGF1 mutant (R36E/R37E) is defective in inducing ternary complex formation and IGF signaling, whereas it still binds to IGF1R. We studied if IGF1 can induce signaling in anchorage-independent conditions in transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells that express αvβ3 (β3-CHO) cells. Here we describe that IGF1 signals were more clearly detectable in anchorage-independent conditions (polyHEMA-coated plates) than in anchorage-dependent conditions. This suggests that IGF signaling is masked by signals from cell-matrix interaction in anchorage-dependent conditions. IGF signaling required αvβ3 expression, and R36E/R37E was defective in inducing signals in polyHEMA-coated plates. These results suggest that αvβ3-IGF1 interaction, not αvβ3-extracellular matrix interaction, is essential for IGF signaling. Inhibitors of IGF1R, Src, AKT, and ERK1/2 did not suppress αvβ3-IGF-IGF1R ternary complex formation, suggesting that activation of these kinases are not required for ternary complex formation. Also, mutations of the β3 cytoplasmic tail (Y747F and Y759F) that block β3 tyrosine phosphorylation did not affect IGF1R phosphorylation or AKT activation. We propose a model in which IGF1 binding to IGF1R induces recruitment of integrin αvβ3 to the IGF-IGF1R complex and then β3 and IGF1R are phosphorylated. It is likely that αvβ3 should be together with the IGF1-IGF1R complex for triggering IGF signaling. PMID:23243309

A Block-LU Update for Large-Scale Linear Programming

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-01-01

linear programming problems. Results are given from runs on the Cray Y -MP. 1. Introduction We wish to use the simplex method [Dan63] to solve the...standard linear program, minimize cTx subject to Ax = b 1< x <U, where A is an m by n matrix and c, x, 1, u, and b are of appropriate dimension. The simplex...the identity matrix. The basis is used to solve for the search direction y and the dual variables 7r in the following linear systems: Bky = aq (1.2) and

Bibliography on Ceramic Matrix Composites and Reinforcing Whiskers, Platelets, and Fibers, 1970-1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

Ballistic A Study of the Critical Factors Controlling the Impact on Three Composite Ceramics Synthesis of Ceramic Matrix Composites from Snedeker, R. S...1.2.1.55 1.22.2 Mechanical and Structural Characterize’ion of Oxidation Kinetics of Silicon Carbide Whiskers the Nicalon Silicon Carbide Fibre Studied by X...Powders and Whiskers: An XPS Study 9 (10), 1218-20, Oct 1990 Taylor, T. N. (AD D250 694) J. Mater. Res. 4 (1), 189-203, Jan-Feb 1989 1.2.2.11 (AD D250 571

Integrable generalizations of non-linear multiple three-wave interaction models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jurčo, Branislav

1989-07-01

Integrable generalizations of multiple three-wave interaction models in terms of r-matrix formulation are investigated. The Lax representations, complete sets of first integrals in involution are constructed, the quantization leading to Gaudin's models is discussed.

Efficient Visible Photoluminescence from Self-Assembled Ge QDs Embedded in Silica Matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samavati, Alireza; Samavati, Zahra; Ismail, A. F.; Othman, M. H. D.; Rahman, M. A.; Zulhairun, A. K.

2017-06-01

Not Available Supported by the Advanced Membrane Technology Research Center of the Universities Teknologi Malaysia under Grant No R.J130000.7609.4C112, the Postdoctoral Grant, and the Frontier Materials Research Alliance.

Local Complex Potential Based Time Dependent Wave Packet Approach to Calculation of Vibrational Excitation Cross-sections in e-N2, e-H2 and e-CO Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, Manabendra; Singh, Raman K.; Mishra, Manoj K.

2007-12-01

Vibrational excitation cross-sections σn←m(E) in resonant e-N2, e-CO and e-H2 scattering are calculated from transition matrix elements Tn←m(E) obtained using Fourier transform of the cross correlation function <φn(R)|ψm(R,t)> where ψm(R,t); e-iHA-(R)t/ℏφm(R). Time evolution under the influence of the resonance anionic Hamiltonian HA-(A- = N2-/CO/H2-) is effected using Lanczos and fast Fourier transforms and the target (A) vibrational eigenfunctions φm(R) and φn(R) are calculated using Fourier grid Hamiltonian method applied to PE curve of the neutral target. The resulting vibrational excitation cross-section profiles provide reasonable agreement with experimental results and the cross correlation functions offer an unequivocal differentiation between the boomerang and impulse models.

[Theory, method and application of method R on estimation of (co)variance components].

PubMed

Liu, Wen-Zhong

2004-07-01

Theory, method and application of Method R on estimation of (co)variance components were reviewed in order to make the method be reasonably used. Estimation requires R values,which are regressions of predicted random effects that are calculated using complete dataset on predicted random effects that are calculated using random subsets of the same data. By using multivariate iteration algorithm based on a transformation matrix,and combining with the preconditioned conjugate gradient to solve the mixed model equations, the computation efficiency of Method R is much improved. Method R is computationally inexpensive,and the sampling errors and approximate credible intervals of estimates can be obtained. Disadvantages of Method R include a larger sampling variance than other methods for the same data,and biased estimates in small datasets. As an alternative method, Method R can be used in larger datasets. It is necessary to study its theoretical properties and broaden its application range further.

Noncommutative products of Euclidean spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubois-Violette, Michel; Landi, Giovanni

2018-05-01

We present natural families of coordinate algebras on noncommutative products of Euclidean spaces R^{N_1} × _R R^{N_2} . These coordinate algebras are quadratic ones associated with an R -matrix which is involutive and satisfies the Yang-Baxter equations. As a consequence, they enjoy a list of nice properties, being regular of finite global dimension. Notably, we have eight-dimensional noncommutative euclidean spaces R4 × _R R4 . Among these, particularly well behaved ones have deformation parameter u \\in S^2 . Quotients include seven spheres S7_u as well as noncommutative quaternionic tori TH_u = S^3 × _u S^3 . There is invariance for an action of {{SU}}(2) × {{SU}}(2) on the torus TH_u in parallel with the action of U(1) × U(1) on a `complex' noncommutative torus T^2_θ which allows one to construct quaternionic toric noncommutative manifolds. Additional classes of solutions are disjoint from the classical case.

Merging Multi-model CMIP5/PMIP3 Past-1000 Ensemble Simulations with Tree Ring Proxy Data by Optimal Interpolation Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xin; Luo, Yong; Xing, Pei; Nie, Suping; Tian, Qinhua

2015-04-01

Two sets of gridded annual mean surface air temperature in past millennia over the Northern Hemisphere was constructed employing optimal interpolation (OI) method so as to merge the tree ring proxy records with the simulations from CMIP5 (the fifth phase of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project). Both the uncertainties in proxy reconstruction and model simulations can be taken into account applying OI algorithm. For better preservation of physical coordinated features and spatial-temporal completeness of climate variability in 7 copies of model results, we perform the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) analysis to truncate the ensemble mean field as the first guess (background field) for OI. 681 temperature sensitive tree-ring chronologies are collected and screened from International Tree Ring Data Bank (ITRDB) and Past Global Changes (PAGES-2k) project. Firstly, two methods (variance matching and linear regression) are employed to calibrate the tree ring chronologies with instrumental data (CRUTEM4v) individually. In addition, we also remove the bias of both the background field and proxy records relative to instrumental dataset. Secondly, time-varying background error covariance matrix (B) and static "observation" error covariance matrix (R) are calculated for OI frame. In our scheme, matrix B was calculated locally, and "observation" error covariance are partially considered in R matrix (the covariance value between the pairs of tree ring sites that are very close to each other would be counted), which is different from the traditional assumption that R matrix should be diagonal. Comparing our results, it turns out that regional averaged series are not sensitive to the selection for calibration methods. The Quantile-Quantile plots indicate regional climatologies based on both methods are tend to be more agreeable with regional reconstruction of PAGES-2k in 20th century warming period than in little ice age (LIA). Lager volcanic cooling response over Asia and Europe in context of recent millennium are detected in our datasets than that revealed in regional reconstruction from PAGES-2k network. Verification experiments have showed that the merging approach really reconcile the proxy data and model ensemble simulations in an optimal way (with smaller errors than both of them). Further research is needed to improve the error estimation on them.

Carbon Dots and 9AA as a Binary Matrix for the Detection of Small Molecules by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yongli; Gao, Dan; Bai, Hangrui; Liu, Hongxia; Lin, Shuo; Jiang, Yuyang

2016-07-01

Application of matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) to analyze small molecules have some limitations, due to the inhomogeneous analyte/matrix co-crystallization and interference of matrix-related peaks in low m/z region. In this work, carbon dots (CDs) were for the first time applied as a binary matrix with 9-Aminoacridine (9AA) in MALDI MS for small molecules analysis. By 9AA/CDs assisted desorption/ionization (D/I) process, a wide range of small molecules, including nucleosides, amino acids, oligosaccharides, peptides, and anticancer drugs with a higher sensitivity were demonstrated in the positive ion mode. A detection limit down to 5 fmol was achieved for cytidine. 9AA/CDs matrix also exhibited excellent reproducibility compared with 9AA matrix. Moreover, by exploring the ionization mechanism of the matrix, the influence factors might be attributed to the four parts: (1) the strong UV absorption of 9AA/CDs due to their π-conjugated network; (2) the carboxyl groups modified on the CDs surface act as protonation sites for proton transfer in positive ion mode; (3) the thin layer crystal of 9AA/CDs could reach a high surface temperature more easily and lower transfer energy for LDI MS; (4) CDs could serve as a matrix additive to suppress 9AA ionization. Furthermore, this matrix was allowed for the analysis of glucose as well as nucleosides in human urine, and the level of cytidine was quantified with a linear range of 0.05-5 mM (R2 > 0.99). Therefore, the 9AA/CDs matrix was proven to be an effective MALDI matrix for the analysis of small molecules with improved sensitivity and reproducibility. This work provides an alternative solution for small molecules detection that can be further used in complex samples analysis.

Epigenetic modification of miR-10a regulates renal damage by targeting CREB1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Shan, Qun; Zheng, Guihong; Zhu, Aihua; Cao, Li; Lu, Jun; Wu, Dongmei; Zhang, ZiFeng; Fan, Shaohua; Sun, Chunhui; Hu, Bin; Zheng, Yuanlin

2016-09-01

Emerging evidence has shown that microRNA-mediated gene expression modulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the novel miRNAs involved in type 2 diabetes and its functional regulatory mechanisms still need to be determined. In this study, we assessed the role of miR-10a in extracellular matrix accumulation in the kidney of diabetic mellitus induced by combining administration of chronic high fat diet (HFD) and low dosage of streptozotocin (STZ, 35mg/kg). Here, we found that HFD/STZ administration decreased the level of microRNA (miR-10a) expression in ICR strain mice. Overexpression of miR-10a alleviated the increased ratio of urine albumin-to-creatinine (ACR) ratio of HFD/STZ mice. In contrast, knockdown of miR-10a increased the ratio of kidney ACR in naïve mice. Furthermore, cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) was validated as a target of miR-10a in vitro and in vivo. CREB1 and its downstream fibronectin (FN, extracellular matrix) were increased in HFD/STZ-treated mice, which was reversed by kidney miR-10a overexpression. The content of CREB1 and FN was increased by miR-10a knockdown in kidney of naïve mice. Furthermore, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) was revealed to be increased in kidney of HFD/STZ mice, accompanied with the augmentation of ACR ratio and FN level. Knockdown of HDAC3 with siRNA significantly caused the increase of miR-10a, resulting in the decrease in CREB1 and FN expression in kidney of HFD/STZ mice. Contrarily, HDAC3 overexpression mediated by lentivirus decreased miR-10a content, and enhanced ACR value, CREB1 and FN formation in naïve mice. Collectively, these results elucidate that HDAC3/miR-10a/CREB1 serves as a new mechanism underlying kidney injury, providing potential therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Solidification processing of monotectic alloy matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frier, Nancy L.; Shiohara, Yuh; Russell, Kenneth C.

1989-01-01

Directionally solidified aluminum-indium alloys of the monotectic composition were found to form an in situ rod composite which obeys a lambda exp 2 R = constant relation. The experimental data shows good agreement with previously reported results. A theoretical boundary between cellular and dendritic growth conditions was derived and compared with experiments. The unique wetting characteristics of the monotectic alloys can be utilized to tailor the interface structure in metal matrix composites. Metal matrix composites with monotectic and hypermonotectic Al-In matrices were made by pressure infiltration, remelted and directionally solidified to observe the wetting characteristics of the alloys as well as the effect on structure of solidification in the constrained field of the fiber interstices. Models for monotectic growth are modified to take into account solidification in these constrained fields.

A parallel algorithm for Hamiltonian matrix construction in electron-molecule collision calculations: MPI-SCATCI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Refaie, Ahmed F.; Tennyson, Jonathan

2017-12-01

Construction and diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix is the rate-limiting step in most low-energy electron - molecule collision calculations. Tennyson (1996) implemented a novel algorithm for Hamiltonian construction which took advantage of the structure of the wavefunction in such calculations. This algorithm is re-engineered to make use of modern computer architectures and the use of appropriate diagonalizers is considered. Test calculations demonstrate that significant speed-ups can be gained using multiple CPUs. This opens the way to calculations which consider higher collision energies, larger molecules and / or more target states. The methodology, which is implemented as part of the UK molecular R-matrix codes (UKRMol and UKRMol+) can also be used for studies of bound molecular Rydberg states, photoionization and positron-molecule collisions.

Mordell integrals and Giveon-Kutasov duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giasemidis, Georgios; Tierz, Miguel

2016-01-01

We solve, for finite N, the matrix model of supersymmetric U( N) Chern-Simons theory coupled to N f massive hypermultiplets of R-charge 1/2 , together with a Fayet-Iliopoulos term. We compute the partition function by identifying it with a determinant of a Hankel matrix, whose entries are parametric derivatives (of order N f - 1) of Mordell integrals. We obtain finite Gauss sums expressions for the partition functions. We also apply these results to obtain an exhaustive test of Giveon-Kutasov (GK) duality in the N=3 setting, by systematic computation of the matrix models involved. The phase factor that arises in the duality is then obtained explicitly. We give an expression characterized by modular arithmetic (mod 4) behavior that holds for all tested values of the parameters (checked up to N f = 12 flavours).

Kinetic-energy matrix elements for atomic Hylleraas-CI wave functions

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

Harris, Frank E., E-mail: harris@qtp.ufl.edu

Hylleraas-CI is a superposition-of-configurations method in which each configuration is constructed from a Slater-type orbital (STO) product to which is appended (linearly) at most one interelectron distance r{sub ij}. Computations of the kinetic energy for atoms by this method have been difficult due to the lack of formulas expressing these matrix elements for general angular momentum in terms of overlap and potential-energy integrals. It is shown here that a strategic application of angular-momentum theory, including the use of vector spherical harmonics, enables the reduction of all atomic kinetic-energy integrals to overlap and potential-energy matrix elements. The new formulas are validatedmore » by showing that they yield correct results for a large number of integrals published by other investigators.« less

Generating Nonnormal Multivariate Data Using Copulas: Applications to SEM.

PubMed

Mair, Patrick; Satorra, Albert; Bentler, Peter M

2012-07-01

This article develops a procedure based on copulas to simulate multivariate nonnormal data that satisfy a prespecified variance-covariance matrix. The covariance matrix used can comply with a specific moment structure form (e.g., a factor analysis or a general structural equation model). Thus, the method is particularly useful for Monte Carlo evaluation of structural equation models within the context of nonnormal data. The new procedure for nonnormal data simulation is theoretically described and also implemented in the widely used R environment. The quality of the method is assessed by Monte Carlo simulations. A 1-sample test on the observed covariance matrix based on the copula methodology is proposed. This new test for evaluating the quality of a simulation is defined through a particular structural model specification and is robust against normality violations.

Prediction on the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase based on gene expression programming.

PubMed

Li, Yuqin; You, Guirong; Jia, Baoxiu; Si, Hongzong; Yao, Xiaojun

2014-01-01

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) were developed to predict the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase via heuristic method (HM) and gene expression programming (GEP). The descriptors of 33 pyrrolidine derivatives were calculated by the software CODESSA, which can calculate quantum chemical, topological, geometrical, constitutional, and electrostatic descriptors. HM was also used for the preselection of 5 appropriate molecular descriptors. Linear and nonlinear QSAR models were developed based on the HM and GEP separately and two prediction models lead to a good correlation coefficient (R (2)) of 0.93 and 0.94. The two QSAR models are useful in predicting the inhibition ratio of pyrrolidine derivatives on matrix metalloproteinase during the discovery of new anticancer drugs and providing theory information for studying the new drugs.

Improved self-healing of polyethylene/carbon black nanocomposites by their shape memory effect.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoyan; Zhao, Jun; Chen, Min; Ma, Lan; Zhao, Xiaodong; Dang, Zhi-Min; Wang, Zhenwen

2013-02-07

In this work, the improved self-healing of cross-linked polyethylene (PE) (cPE)/carbon black (CB) nanocomposites by their shape memory effect (SME) is investigated. CB nanoparticles are found to be homogeneously dispersed in the PE matrix and significantly increase the strength of the materials. Compared with the breaking of linear PE (lPE) at the melting temperature (T(m)), the cPE and cPE/CB nanocomposites still have high strength above T(m) due to the formation of networks. The cPE and cPE/CB nanocomposites show both high strain fixity ratio (R(f)) and high strain recovery ratio (R(r)). Crystallization-induced elongation is observed for all the prepared shape memory polymer (SMP) materials and the effect becomes less remarkable with increasing volume fraction of CB nanoparticles (v(CB)). The scratch self-healing tests show that the cross-linking of PE matrix, the addition of CB nanoparticles, and the previous stretching in the direction perpendicular to the scratch favor the closure of the scratch and its complete healing. This SME-aided self-healing could have potential applications in diverse fields such as coating and structure materials.

Representation of the five- and six-dimensional harmonic oscillators in a u(5) ⊃ so(5) ⊃ so(3) basis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowe, D. J.

1994-06-01

The duality that exists between the two subgroups SU(1,1) and O(5) of Sp(5,R) to construct basis states for the five-dimensional harmonic oscillator which simultaneously reduce the Sp(5,R)⊇U(5)⊇O(5)⊇SO(3) and Sp(5,R)⊇ SU(1,1)⊇U(1) subgroup chains is used. It is shown that the vector-coherent-state wave functions of the fundamental five-dimensional SO(5) irrep [1,0] realize the traceless bosons introduced by Lohe and Hurst to classify the irreps of the orthogonal groups and employed in Chacon, Moshinsky, and Sharp's construction of a basis for the five-dimensional harmonic oscillator. Moreover, it is shown that VCS theory provides a simple mechanism for constructing matrix elements of the traceless boson operators. These matrix elements are used to extend the VCS representations of SO(5) in an SO(3) basis, given in a previous paper, to irreps of U(5) in an SO(5)⊇ SO(3) basis. The extension to U(6)⊇U(5)⊇SO(5)⊇SO(3) is also given.

B decays in an asymmetric left-right model

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

Frank, Mariana; Hayreter, Alper; Turan, Ismail

2010-08-01

Motivated by recently observed disagreements with the standard model predictions in B decays, we study b{yields}d, s transitions in an asymmetric class of SU(2){sub L}xSU(2){sub R}xU(1){sub B-L} models, with a simple one-parameter structure of the right-handed mixing matrix for the quarks, which obeys the constraints from kaon physics. We use experimental constraints on the branching ratios of b{yields}s{gamma}, b{yields}ce{nu}{sub e}, and B{sub d,s}{sup 0}-B{sub d,s}{sup 0} mixing to restrict the parameters of the model: g{sub R}/g{sub L}, M{sub W{sub 2}}, M{sub H}{sup {+-}}, tan{beta} as well as the elements of the right-handed quark mixing matrix V{sub CKM}{sup R}. We presentmore » a comparison with the more commonly used (manifest) left-right symmetric model. Our analysis exposes the parameters most sensitive to b transitions and reveals a large parameter space where left- and right-handed quarks mix differently, opening the possibility of observing marked differences in behavior between the standard model and the left-right model.« less

Newborn screening by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry based on parylene-matrix chip.

PubMed

Kim, Jo-Il; Noh, Joo-Yoon; Kim, Mira; Park, Jong-Min; Song, Hyun-Woo; Kang, Min-Jung; Pyun, Jae-Chul

2017-08-01

Newborn screening for diagnosis of phenylketonuria, homocystinuria, and maple syrup urine disease have been conducted by analyzing the concentration of target amino acids using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS) based on parylene-matrix chip. Parylene-matrix chip was applied to MALDI-ToF MS analysis reducing the matrix peaks significantly at low mass-to-charge ratio range (m/z < 500). Reproducibility of inter-spot and intra-spot analyses of amino acids was less than 10%. Methanol extraction was adopted for simple and rapid sample preparation of serum before mass spectrometric analysis showing 13.3 to 45% of extraction efficiency. Calibration curves for diagnosis of neonatal metabolic disorders were obtained by analyzing methanol-extracted serum spiked with target amino acids using MALDI-ToF MS. They showed good linearity (R 2  > 0.98) and the LODs were ranging from 9.0 to 22.9 μg/mL. Effect of proteins in serum was estimated by comparing MALDI-ToF mass spectra of amino acids-spiked serum before and after the methanol extraction. Interference of other amino acids on analysis of target analyte was determined to be insignificant. From these results, MALDI-ToF MS based on parylene-matrix chip could be applicable to medical diagnosis of neonatal metabolic disorders. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Behavior of high-performance concrete in structural applications.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-10-01

High Performance Concrete (HPC) with improved properties has been developed by obtaining the maximum density of the matrix. Mathematical models developed by J.E. Funk and D.R. Dinger, are used to determine the particle size distribution to achieve th...

Analysis of Hypersonic Vehicle Wakes

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-17

factor used with viscous Jacobian matrix of left eigenvectors for A R specific gas constant Re Reynolds number Recell cell Reynolds number......focus was shifted to characterizing other wake phenomena. The aerothermal phenomena of interest in the wake include: gas properties, chemical species

Fatigue Behavior of a Cross-Ply Metal Matrix Composite at Elevated Temperature Under Strain Controlled Mode.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-12-01

1991. 114 22. Nimmer, R. P. et al. "Fiber Array Geometry Effects Upon Composite Transverse Tensile Behavior," Titanium Aluminide Composites. February... Titanium , Silicon Carbide, Strain Control Mode 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION I18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFIKATION 20. LIMITATION OF...ends. Boyum was the first to examine fully reversed (R=-l) fatigue of a titanium composite under the load control mode, at both room and elevated

Life Prediction of High Temperature Polymer Matrix Composites for Aircraft Engine and Airframe Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

R.d6 *RVE V 0 , aVfd(t) or< d22(t)= ir =S(t) (18) RLR Similarly, it can be shown that the component of the damage in the X3-direction...at time t is. d33(t) = 2]aSm 20.d(t).R.dd V YRVE V 0 oVfdlt) (19) RLR It is evident from equations (18) and (19) that d22 =dyi =S(t) and

Scintillation Control for Adaptive Optical Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-21

defining where one influence function goes to zero fall directly under the peaks of the adjoining influcence functions. These actuators were fit to ^>gp(i...not orthogonal the influence function interaction matrix R must be computed with elements given by [3] rH = J dxPW(xp)e/b(xp)e,(xp). (22) In our...control signals can be found from the wave front phase by the least squares phase reconstruction technique [3]. An influence function and the

Diagnostics for Intelligent Control of MPD Engines

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-15

Comparison of finite and infinite dimensional systems. -29- V r eAtvo which satisfies - ( eAtv ,,) =AeAtvo -Av where eAt is the transition matrix defined by, eA...Bu (6-1) and v(o) =v o where vER’, ueRm, Ae2(Rn,R’), and Bei(Rm,Ra). The solution of this equation at time t is t v(t) = eAtv + f eA(t-S)Bu(s) ds (6-2

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry- and MALDI Biotyper-Based Identification of Cultured Biphenyl-Metabolizing Bacteria from Contaminated Horseradish Rhizosphere Soil▿

PubMed Central

Uhlik, Ondrej; Strejcek, Michal; Junkova, Petra; Sanda, Miloslav; Hroudova, Miluse; Vlcek, Cestmir; Mackova, Martina; Macek, Tomas

2011-01-01

Bacteria that are able to utilize biphenyl as a sole source of carbon were extracted and isolated from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil vegetated by horseradish. Isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The usage of MALDI Biotyper for the classification of isolates was evaluated and compared to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. A wide spectrum of bacteria was isolated, with Arthrobacter, Serratia, Rhodococcus, and Rhizobium being predominant. Arthrobacter isolates also represented the most diverse group. The use of MALDI Biotyper in many cases permitted the identification at the level of species, which was not achieved by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. However, some isolates had to be identified by 16S rRNA gene analyses if MALDI Biotyper-based identification was at the level of probable or not reliable identification, usually due to a lack of reference spectra included in the database. Overall, this study shows the possibility of using MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI Biotyper for the fast and relatively nonlaborious identification/classification of soil isolates. At the same time, it demonstrates the dominant role of employing 16S rRNA gene analyses for the identification of recently isolated strains that can later fill the gaps in the protein-based identification databases. PMID:21821747

LncRNA MALAT1 sponges miR-204 to promote osteoblast differentiation of human aortic valve interstitial cells through up-regulating Smad4.

PubMed

Xiao, Xiaoxiong; Zhou, Tingwen; Guo, Shichao; Guo, Chao; Zhang, Qiao; Dong, Nianguo; Wang, Yongjun

2017-09-15

Emerging evidences have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathology. The lncRNA MALAT1, a highly abundant and conserved imprinted gene, has been implicated in many cardiovascular diseases. However, the function of MALAT1 in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) remains unknown. This study sought to document the function and underlying mechanism of MALAT1 in regulating CAVD. Protein level was determined by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence staining. MALAT1, miR-204 and mRNA expressions were detected by qRT-PCR. Mineralized bone matrix formation was assessed by Alizarin Red staining. The interaction between MALAT1 and miR-204 was studied using luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. Ectopic expression of MALAT1 was observed in calcific valves and after osteogenic induction in human aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs). In vitro experiments revealed that MALAT1 acted as a positive regulator of osteogenic differentiation by repressing miR-204 expression and activity and thereby promoting expression of osteoblast-specific markers, including alkaline phosphatase, mineralized bone matrix formation and osteocalcin. Mechanistically, we identified Smad4 as a direct target of miR-204. Importantly, MALAT1 could directly interact with miR-204 and overexpression of miR-204 efficiently reversed the upregulation of Smad4 induced by MALAT1. Thus, MALAT1 positively regulated the expression of Smad4 through sponging miR-204, and promoted osteogenic differentiation of VICs. Our study provides novel mechanistic insights into a critical role for lncRNA MALAT1 as a miRNA sponge in CAVD and sheds new light on lncRNA-directed diagnostics and therapeutics in CAVD. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

MicroRNA expression profiling in endometriosis-associated infertility and its relationship with endometrial receptivity evaluated by ultrasound.

PubMed

Xu, Xianfeng; Li, Zhenzhou; Liu, Jin; Yu, Sha; Wei, Zhaolian

2017-01-01

To investigate the microRNA expression profiling in endometriosis-associate infertility, and relationship between the microRNA expression and endometrial receptivity evaluated by ultrasound. First, miRNA expression profiling difference of ectopic endometrium between 8 endometriosis patients and 6 endometriosis-free patients were compared. Bioinformatics analyses detected 61 differentially expressed (DE) known miRNAs and 57 DE novel miRNAs. Next, other 24 patients were selected for checking the microRNAs in differential expression by RT-PCR. Among them, case and control groups include 14 endometriosis and 10 endometriosis-free infertility patients, respectively. Last, endometrial receptivity of other 20 endometriosis patients was evaluated by ultrasound. In this group of patients, 12 had high endometrial receptivity, in which infertility is caused by fallopian tube occlusion, and 8 had low endometrial receptivity. The study compared endometrial miRNAs expression between two groups, and also evaluated the relationship between the endometrial miRNAs expression and the endometrial receptivity. First, study indicated that "proteinaceous extracellular matrix," "laminin binding" and "extracellular matrix binding" were enriched in 6 up-regulated miRNA targets, while "cell proliferation" was enriched in the 4 down-regulated miRNA targets. Second, 10 miRNAs in different expression (miR-1304- 3p, miR-544b, miR-3684, miR-494-5p, miR-4683, miR-6747-3p; miR-3935, miR-4427, miR-652-5p, miR-205-5p) were detected by RT-PCR, and the results showed statistically significant differences between 2 groups in all 10 miRNAs. Third, the expression levels of miR-1304-3p, miR-494-5p, and miR-4427 were different between the two groups with different endometrial receptivity. But for the miR-544b, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups. The study provided a comprehensive understanding to the current knowledge in the field of miRNAs in endometriosis and the relationship between them and the endometrial receptivity. miRNAs could be used as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents for this disease. The combination of ultrasound and miRNAs detection could be a better choice for the diagnosis of infertility in the future.

New leptogenesis scenario parametrized by Dirac neutrino mass matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Pei-Hong

2017-10-01

In an S U (3 )c×S U (2 )L×S U (2 )R×U (1 )B -L left-right symmetric framework, we present a new leptogenesis scenario parametrized by the Dirac neutrino mass matrix. Benefiting from the parity symmetry motivated to solve the strong C P problem, the dimensionless couplings of the mirror fields are identified with those of the ordinary fields. In particular, the mirror Dirac neutrinos have a heavy mass matrix proportional to the light mass matrix of the ordinary Dirac neutrinos. Through the S U (2 )R gauge interactions, the mirror neutrinos can decay to generate a lepton asymmetry in the mirror muons and an opposite lepton asymmetry in the mirror electrons. Before the S U (2 )L sphaleron processes stop working, the mirror muons can efficiently decay into the ordinary right-handed leptons with a dark matter scalar, and hence the mirror muon asymmetry can be partially converted to a desired baryon asymmetry.

Monitoring mercury in the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta.

PubMed

Day, Rusty D; Christopher, Steven J; Becker, Paul R; Whitaker, David W

2005-01-15

The validity of using blood samples and keratinized scutes for nonlethal routine monitoring of mercury (Hg) in loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, is evaluated in the context of how effectively these matrixes predict internal tissue Hg burdens and the different temporal scales of exposure they represent. Total Hg (THg) was measured in blood and scutes collected from live captures (n = 34) and liver, kidney, muscle, spinal cord, blood, and scutes collected from freshly stranded loggerhead turtles (n = 6) along the coast of the southeastern United States. Linear regressions between monitoring compartments and internal tissues from stranded animals were all statistically significant (r2 > 0.805, p < 0.015) but varied in their utility as a predictive tool depending on which tissues were paired. Blood was an effective predictor of THg in muscle (r2 = 0.988, p < 0.0001) and spinal cord (r2 = 0.988, p < 0.0001), while scute was the most accurate predictor of THg in liver (r2 = 0.948, p = 0.0010). The strength of the relationship between tissues types is believed to reflect the similarity in the temporal scales they represent and the variability in the fraction of methylmercury present. The stability of Hg in the scute matrix makes this tissue preferable for approximating long-term exposure, while blood Hg levels can be affected by recent changes in Hg intake. THg levels in blood and scutes from live captures were highly correlated (linear regression r2 = 0.926, p < 0.0001) and increased significantly with body mass (r2 = 0.173, p = 0.016 and r2 = 0.187, p = 0.012 respectively), further supporting thatthere is a component reflecting long-term accumulation of Hg in these matrixes. We also present a novel technique using the residuals from the blood-scute regression as an index of recent exposure (IRE). The interpretation of this value is derived from the comparison between the most recent Hg intake (which contributes to the Hg measured in the blood) relative to the average past intake (which is recorded in the scute). A stepwise multiple regression revealed a significant positive relationship between the IRE and the proximity of the capture site to the nearest major industrial river mouth (p = 0.0102). This suggests that there is an elevation of bioavailable Hg in nearshore habitats where terrestrial influences and anthropogenic impacts are high. Seasonal foraging site fidelity and the variability in environmental Hg may explain the high intraspecific variability and occasional highly contaminated turtle seen in this and previous studies.

Developing Learning Tool of Control System Engineering Using Matrix Laboratory Software Oriented on Industrial Needs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isnur Haryudo, Subuh; Imam Agung, Achmad; Firmansyah, Rifqi

2018-04-01

The purpose of this research is to develop learning media of control technique using Matrix Laboratory software with industry requirement approach. Learning media serves as a tool for creating a better and effective teaching and learning situation because it can accelerate the learning process in order to enhance the quality of learning. Control Techniques using Matrix Laboratory software can enlarge the interest and attention of students, with real experience and can grow independent attitude. This research design refers to the use of research and development (R & D) methods that have been modified by multi-disciplinary team-based researchers. This research used Computer based learning method consisting of computer and Matrix Laboratory software which was integrated with props. Matrix Laboratory has the ability to visualize the theory and analysis of the Control System which is an integration of computing, visualization and programming which is easy to use. The result of this instructional media development is to use mathematical equations using Matrix Laboratory software on control system application with DC motor plant and PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative). Considering that manufacturing in the field of Distributed Control systems (DCSs), Programmable Controllers (PLCs), and Microcontrollers (MCUs) use PID systems in production processes are widely used in industry.

Global miRNA expression and correlation with mRNA levels in primary human bone cells

PubMed Central

Laxman, Navya; Rubin, Carl-Johan; Mallmin, Hans; Nilsson, Olle; Pastinen, Tomi; Grundberg, Elin; Kindmark, Andreas

2015-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators that have recently introduced an additional level of intricacy to our understanding of gene regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate miRNA–mRNA interactions that may be relevant for bone metabolism by assessing correlations and interindividual variability in miRNA levels as well as global correlations between miRNA and mRNA levels in a large cohort of primary human osteoblasts (HOBs) obtained during orthopedic surgery in otherwise healthy individuals. We identified differential expression (DE) of 24 miRNAs, and found 9 miRNAs exhibiting DE between males and females. We identified hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-30c2, and hsa-miR-125b and their target genes as important modulators of bone metabolism. Further, we used an integrated analysis of global miRNA–mRNA correlations, mRNA-expression profiling, DE, bioinformatics analysis, and functional studies to identify novel target genes for miRNAs with the potential to regulate osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production. Functional studies by overexpression and knockdown of miRNAs showed that, the differentially expressed miRNAs hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-30c2, and hsa-miR-125b target genes highly relevant to bone metabolism, e.g., collagen, type I, α1 (COL1A1), osteonectin (SPARC), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (BGLAP), and frizzled-related protein (FRZB). These miRNAs orchestrate the activities of key regulators of osteoblast differentiation and extracellular matrix proteins by their convergent action on target genes and pathways to control the skeletal gene expression. PMID:26078267

Fluid-driven cracks in an elastic matrix in the toughness-dominated limit

PubMed Central

Lai, Ching-Yao; Zheng, Zhong; Dressaire, Emilie

2016-01-01

The dynamics of fluid-driven cracks in an elastic matrix is studied experimentally. We report the crack radius R(t) as a function of time, as well as the crack shapes w(r,t) as a function of space and time. A dimensionless parameter, the pressure ratio Δpf/Δpv, is identified to gauge the relative importance between the toughness (Δpf) and viscous (Δpv) effects. In our previous paper (Lai et al. 2015 Proc. R. Soc. A 471, 20150255. (doi:10.1098/rspa.2015.0255)), we investigated the viscous limit experimentally when the toughness-related stresses are negligible for the crack propagation. In this paper, the experimental parameters, i.e. Young’s modulus E of the gelatin, viscosity μ of the fracturing liquid and the injection flow rate Q, were chosen so that the viscous effects in the flow are negligible compared with the toughness effects, i.e. Δpf/Δpv≫1. In this limit, the crack dynamics can be described by the toughness-dominated scaling laws, which give the crack radius R(t)∝t2/5 and the half maximum crack thickness W(t)∝t1/5. The experimental results are in good agreement with the predictions of the toughness scaling laws: the experimental data for crack radius R(t) for a wide range of parameters (E,μ,Q) collapse after being rescaled by the toughness scaling laws, and the rescaled crack shapes w(r,t) also collapse to a dimensionless shape, which demonstrates the self-similarity of the crack shape. The appropriate choice of the viscous or toughness scaling laws is important to accurately describe the crack dynamics. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Energy and the subsurface’. PMID:27597782

Elevated Neutrophil Elastase in Tears of Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease Patients.

PubMed

Arafat, Samer N; Robert, Marie-Claude; Abud, Tulio; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Amparo, Francisco; Dohlman, Claes H; Dana, Reza; Gipson, Ilene K

2017-04-01

To investigate the levels of neutrophil elastase (NE), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in tear washes of patients with ocular graft-vs-host disease (oGVHD). Case-control study. Based on established criteria, oGVHD patients (n = 14; 28 eyes) and age-/sex-matched healthy controls (n = 14; 28 eyes) were enrolled. Tear washes were collected and analyzed for NE using a single-analyte enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MMPs (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 12), MPO, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were analyzed using multianalyte bead-based ELISA assays. Total MMP activity was measured using a fluorimetric assay. Correlation studies were performed between NE, MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO within study groups. NE, MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO levels were elevated in oGVHD tears when compared with controls (P < .0001). NE was the most elevated analyte. MMP activity was higher and TIMP-1 levels were lower in oGVHD than in control (P < .0001). In oGVHD, NE significantly correlated with MMP-8 (r = 0.92), MMP-9 (r = 0.90), and MPO (r = 0.79) (P < .0001). MMP-8 correlated with MMP-9 (r = 0.96, P < .0001), and MPO (r = 0.60, P = .001). MMP-9 correlated with MPO (r = 0.55, P = .002). In controls, NE, MMP-9, and MPO significantly correlated with each other (P < .0001). The marked increase in NE in oGVHD tears that correlated strongly with elevated MMP-8, MMP-9, and MPO suggests a common neutrophilic source and provides evidence of neutrophil activity on the ocular surface of oGVHD patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mitochondrial matrix metalloproteinase activation decreases myocyte contractility in hyperhomocysteinemia.

PubMed

Moshal, Karni S; Tipparaju, Srinivas M; Vacek, Thomas P; Kumar, Munish; Singh, Mahavir; Frank, Iluiana E; Patibandla, Phani K; Tyagi, Neetu; Rai, Jayesh; Metreveli, Naira; Rodriguez, Walter E; Tseng, Michael T; Tyagi, Suresh C

2008-08-01

Cardiomyocyte N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-1 (NMDA-R1) activation induces mitochondrial dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinase protease (MMP) induction is a negative regulator of mitochondrial function. Elevated levels of homocysteine [hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY)] activate latent MMPs and causes myocardial contractile abnormalities. HHCY is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. We tested the hypothesis that HHCY activates myocyte mitochondrial MMP (mtMMP), induces mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), and causes contractile dysfunction by agonizing NMDA-R1. The C57BL/6J mice were administered homocystinemia (1.8 g/l) in drinking water to induce HHCY. NMDA-R1 expression was detected by Western blot and confocal microscopy. Localization of MMP-9 in the mitochondria was determined using confocal microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis of the isolated myocyte was determined by electron microscopy. Mitochondrial permeability was measured by a decrease in light absorbance at 540 nm using the spectrophotometer. The effect of MK-801 (NMDA-R1 inhibitor), GM-6001 (MMP inhibitor), and cyclosporine A (MPT inhibitor) on myocyte contractility and calcium transients was evaluated using the IonOptix video edge track detection system and fura 2-AM. Our results demonstrate that HHCY activated the mtMMP-9 and caused MPT by agonizing NMDA-R1. A significant decrease in percent cell shortening, maximal rate of contraction (-dL/dt), and maximal rate of relaxation (+dL/dt) was observed in HHCY. The decay of calcium transient amplitude was faster in the wild type compared with HHCY. Furthermore, the HHCY-induced decrease in percent cell shortening, -dL/dt, and +dL/dt was attenuated in the mice treated with MK-801, GM-6001, and cyclosporin A. We conclude that HHCY activates mtMMP-9 and induces MPT, leading to myocyte mechanical dysfunction by agonizing NMDA-R1.

Artificial neural network modelling of pharmaceutical residue retention times in wastewater extracts using gradient liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry data.

PubMed

Munro, Kelly; Miller, Thomas H; Martins, Claudia P B; Edge, Anthony M; Cowan, David A; Barron, Leon P

2015-05-29

The modelling and prediction of reversed-phase chromatographic retention time (tR) under gradient elution conditions for 166 pharmaceuticals in wastewater extracts is presented using artificial neural networks for the first time. Radial basis function, multilayer perceptron and generalised regression neural networks were investigated and a comparison of their predictive ability for model solutions discussed. For real world application, the effect of matrix complexity on tR measurements is presented. Measured tR for some compounds in influent wastewater varied by >1min in comparison to tR in model solutions. Similarly, matrix impact on artificial neural network predictive ability was addressed towards developing a more robust approach for routine screening applications. Overall, the best neural network had a predictive accuracy of <1.3min at the 75th percentile of all measured tR data in wastewater samples (<10% of the total runtime). Coefficients of determination for 30 blind test compounds in wastewater matrices lay at or above R(2)=0.92. Finally, the model was evaluated for application to the semi-targeted identification of pharmaceutical residues during a weeklong wastewater sampling campaign. The model successfully identified native compounds at a rate of 83±4% and 73±5% in influent and effluent extracts, respectively. The use of an HRMS database and the optimised ANN model was also applied to shortlisting of 37 additional compounds in wastewater. Ultimately, this research will potentially enable faster identification of emerging contaminants in the environment through more efficient post-acquisition data mining. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Systematic R -matrix analysis of the 13C(p ,γ )14N capture reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborty, Suprita; deBoer, Richard; Mukherjee, Avijit; Roy, Subinit

2015-04-01

Background: The proton capture reaction 13C(p ,γ )14N is an important reaction in the CNO cycle during hydrogen burning in stars with mass greater than the mass of the Sun. It also occurs in astrophysical sites such as red giant stars: the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. The low energy astrophysical S factor of this reaction is dominated by a resonance state at an excitation energy of around 8.06 MeV (Jπ=1-,T =1 ) in 14N. The other significant contributions come from the low energy tail of the broad resonance with Jπ=0-,T =1 at an excitation of 8.78 MeV and the direct capture process. Purpose: Measurements of the low energy astrophysical S factor of the radiative capture reaction 13C(p ,γ )14N reported extrapolated values of S (0 ) that differ by about 30 % . Subsequent R -matrix analysis and potential model calculations also yielded significantly different values for S (0 ) . The present work intends to look into the discrepancy through a detailed R -matrix analysis with emphasis on the associated uncertainties. Method: A systematic reanalysis of the available decay data following the capture to the Jπ=1-,T =1 resonance state of 14N around 8.06 MeV excitation had been performed within the framework of the R -matrix method. A simultaneous analysis of the 13C(p ,p0 ) data, measured over a similar energy range, was carried out with the capture data. The data for the ground state decay of the broad resonance state (Jπ=0-,T =1 ) around 8.78 MeV excitations was included as well. The external capture model along with the background poles to simulate the internal capture contribution were used to estimate the direct capture contribution. The asymptotic normalization constants (ANCs) for all states were extracted from the capture data. The multichannel, multilevel R -matrix code azure2 was used for the calculation. Results: The values of the astrophysical S factor at zero relative energy, resulting from the present analysis, are found to be consistent within the error bars for the two sets of capture data used. However, it is found from the fits to the elastic scattering data that the position of the Jπ=1-,T =1 resonance state is uncertain by about 0.6 keV, preferring an excitation energy value of 8.062 MeV. Also the extracted ANC values for the states of 14N corroborate the values from the transfer reaction studies. The reaction rates from the present calculation are about 10 -15 % lower than the values of the NACRE II compilation but compare well with those from NACRE I. Conclusion: The precise energy of the Jπ=1-,T =1 resonance level around 8.06 MeV in 14N must be determined. Further measurements around and below 100 keV with precision are necessary to reduce the uncertainty in the S -factor value at zero relative energy.

Effects of electron beam radiation dose on the compatibilization behaviour in recycled polypropylene/microcrystalline cellulose composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samat, N.; Motsidi, S. N. R.; Lazim, N. H. M.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the influence of dose level of electron beam on the compatibilization behavior of recycled polypropylene (rPP) in rPP/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) composites. Initially, the rPP was irradiated with various dose of electron beam (5 kGy up to 250 kGy) which then mixed with unirradiated rPP (u-rPP) at a ratio of 30:70 respectively. The composites were prepared by incorporating a series wt% of MCC fibers into rPP (u-rPP : i-rPP) using extruder and finally moulded with an injection moulding machine. The compatibility behavior of irradiated rPP (i-rPP) were analysed with mechanical tensile and thermal methods. The results of mechanical analysis showed great improvement in tensile modulus but an increase in radiation dosage gradually decreased this property. Nevertheless, the tensile strength exhibited a minor effect. The thermal stability of composites is lowered with increase in the absorbed dose, more significantly at higher content of MCC. Fracture surface observations reveal adhesion between the cellulose and rPP matrix.

UKRmol: a low-energy electron- and positron-molecule scattering suite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carr, J. M.; Galiatsatos, P. G.; Gorfinkiel, J. D.; Harvey, A. G.; Lysaght, M. A.; Madden, D.; Mašín, Z.; Plummer, M.; Tennyson, J.; Varambhia, H. N.

2012-03-01

We describe the UK computational implementation of the R-matrix method for the treatment of electron and positron scattering from molecules. Recent developments in the UKRmol suite are detailed together with the collision processes it is enabling us to treat.

DIRECT ELECTROCHEMICAL IMMUNOSENSOR FOR POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS. (R825323)

EPA Science Inventory

A direct electrochemical immunosensor has been developed for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water. The assay is based on the measurement of the current due to the specific binding between PCB and anti-PCB antibody-immobilized conducting polymer matrix. T...

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on choroidal melanocytes and melanoma cell lines: cell survival and matrix metalloproteinase production.

PubMed

Lai, Kenneth; Di Girolamo, Nick; Conway, Robert M; Jager, Martine J; Madigan, Michele C

2007-05-01

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can induce DNA damage and regulate the expression of factors important for tumour growth and metastasis, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Epidemiological studies suggest that chronic UVR exposure, especially during early adulthood, may be a risk factor in patients with choroidal melanoma. However, the effects of UV(R)-B on human choroidal melanocyte survival and growth are unknown. In this study, we investigated if UV(R)-B affected the in vitro survival, growth and MMP production of choroidal melanocytes and melanoma cells. Cultures of primary choroidal melanocytes and melanoma cell lines (OCM-1 and OCM-8) were exposed to UV(R)-B (0-30 mJ/cm(2)). The cell morphology and growth were examined, and cell viability was assessed using an MTT assay. Gelatin zymography was used to assess the enzymatic activity for MMP-2 and -9 in conditioned media following UV(R)-B treatment. UV(R)-B > or =20 mJ/cm(2) was cytotoxic for choroidal melanocytes. Cytotoxic doses of 5 to 10 mJ/cm(2) were found for OCM-8 and OCM-1 melanoma cell lines. Low levels of UV(R)-B (2.5 and 3.5 mJ/cm(2)) significantly reduced melanoma cell viability after 48 h, although melanocyte viability was not affected by doses of UV(R)-B <10 mJ/cm(2). Conditioned media from melanoma cells and melanocytes displayed pro-MMP-2 activity independent of UV(R)-B. Control and UV(R)-B-treated OCM-1 cells secreted active MMP-2 up to 72 h. Pro-MMP-9 activity was seen from 36 h for control and UV(R)-B-treated OCM-1 and OCM-8 cells. Melanocytes appeared more resistant to physiological doses of UV(R)-B than melanoma cells; the potential of melanocytes to initially survive DNA damage following UV(R)-B exposure may be relevant to the subsequent transformation of melanocytes to melanomas. Although UV(R)-B did not induce the production and/or activation of MMP-2 and -9 in melanocytes or melanoma cells, we are currently investigating whether DNA damage-response genes such as p53 and p21 can be regulated following UVR exposure, and whether they are important for choroidal melanoma development.

Role of Neurokinin 3 Receptor Signaling in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PubMed

Obata, Kyoichi; Shimo, Tsuyoshi; Okui, Tatsuo; Matsumoto, Kenichi; Takada, Hiroyuki; Takabatake, Kiyofumi; Kunisada, Yuki; Ibaragi, Soichiro; Yoshioka, Norie; Kishimoto, Koji; Nagatsuka, Hitoshi; Sasaki, Akira

2017-11-01

The neurokinin 3 receptor (NK-3R) is differentially expressed in the central nervous system including cases of human oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the role of NK-3R signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma is not well known. NK-3R expression in surgically resected oral squamous cell carcinoma was examined immunohistochemically and the strength of the expression was quantified. We evaluated the function of NK-3R signaling using NK-3R antagonist in human oral squamous cell carcinoma bone invasion mouse model. NK-3R was significantly expressed in tumor cells that had invaded the bone matrix compared to the oral side tumor cells. SB222200, a selective antagonist of NK-3R, significantly suppressed the radiographic osteolytic lesion and tumorigenesis. NK-3R signaling is a potential target for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in cases of bone destruction. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Immunochemical analytical methods for the determination of peanut proteins in foods.

PubMed

Whitaker, Thomas B; Williams, Kristina M; Trucksess, Mary W; Slate, Andrew B

2005-01-01

Peanut proteins can cause allergenic reactions that can result in respiratory and circulatory effects in the body sometimes leading to shock and death. The determination of peanut proteins in foods by analytical methods can reduce the risk of serious reactions in the highly sensitized individual by allowing for the detection of these proteins in a food at various stages of the manufacturing process. The method performance of 4 commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits was evaluated for the detection of peanut proteins in milk chocolate, ice cream, cookies, and breakfast cereals: ELISA-TEK Peanut Protein Assay, now known as "Bio-Kit" for peanut proteins, from ELISA Technologies Inc.; Veratox for Peanut Allergens from Neogen Corp.; RIDASCREEN Peanut Kit from R-Biopharm GmbH; and ProLisa from Canadian Food Technology Ltd. The 4 test kits were evaluated for accuracy (recovery) and precision using known concentrations of peanut or peanut proteins in the 4 food matrixes. Two different techniques, incurred and spiked, were used to prepare samples with 4 known concentrations of peanut protein. Defatted peanut flour was added in the incurred samples, and water-soluble peanut proteins were added in the spiked samples. The incurred levels were 0.0, 10, 20, and 100 microg whole peanut per g food; the spiked levels were 0.0, 5, 10, and 20 microg peanut protein per g food. Performance varied by test kit, protein concentration, and food matrix. The Veratox kit had the best accuracy or lowest percent difference between measured and incurred levels of 15.7% when averaged across all incurred levels and food matrixes. Recoveries associated with the Veratox kit varied from 93 to 115% for all food matrixes except cookies. Recoveries for all kits were about 50% for cookies. The analytical precision, as measured by the variance, increased with an increase in protein concentration. However, the coefficient of variation (CV) was stable across the 4 incurred protein levels and was 7.0% when averaged across the 4 food matrixes and analytical kits. The R-Biopharm test kit had the best precision or a CV of 4.2% when averaged across all incurred levels and food matrixes. Because measured protein values varied by test kit and food matrix, a method was developed to normalize or transform measured protein concentrations to an adjusted protein value that was equal to the known protein concentration. The normalization method adjusts measured protein values to equal the true protein value regardless of the type test kit or type food matrix.

Electrochemical sensing of modified ABO3 perovskite: LaFe0.8 R0.2O3(R= Cr, Co, Al)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidya Rajan, N.; Alexander, L. K.

2017-06-01

Perovskite LaFeO3 with orthorhombic structure has been synthesized by citric acid mediated solution method. The effectiveness of ionic radii and Oxidation state of the doping material on ionic conductivity of the host matrix was evaluated by B-site (Fe) doping on LaFeO3 with Cr, Co and Al, resulting LaFe0.8 R0.2O3 (R = Cr, Co, Al). XRD with Rietveld refinement and Raman spectroscopic analysis demonstrate successful synthesis. The effect of the 20% B site doping on electrochemical activity is reported. The doped materials exhibit a decrease in sensing activity towards the non enzymatic detection of H2O2.

Towards trans-diagnostic mechanisms in psychiatry: neurobehavioral profile of rats with a loss-of-function point mutation in the dopamine transporter gene

PubMed Central

Vengeliene, Valentina; Bespalov, Anton; Roßmanith, Martin; Horschitz, Sandra; Berger, Stefan; Relo, Ana L.; Noori, Hamid R.; Schneider, Peggy; Enkel, Thomas; Bartsch, Dusan; Schneider, Miriam; Behl, Berthold; Hansson, Anita C.; Schloss, Patrick

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The research domain criteria (RDoC) matrix has been developed to reorient psychiatric research towards measurable behavioral dimensions and underlying mechanisms. Here, we used a new genetic rat model with a loss-of-function point mutation in the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene (Slc6a3_N157K) to systematically study the RDoC matrix. First, we examined the impact of the Slc6a3_N157K mutation on monoaminergic signaling. We then performed behavioral tests representing each of the five RDoC domains: negative and positive valence systems, cognitive, social and arousal/regulatory systems. The use of RDoC may be particularly helpful for drug development. We studied the effects of a novel pharmacological approach metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR2/3 antagonism, in DAT mutants in a comparative way with standard medications. Loss of DAT functionality in mutant rats not only elevated subcortical extracellular dopamine concentration but also altered the balance of monoaminergic transmission. DAT mutant rats showed deficits in all five RDoC domains. Thus, mutant rats failed to show conditioned fear responses, were anhedonic, were unable to learn stimulus-reward associations, showed impaired cognition and social behavior, and were hyperactive. Hyperactivity in mutant rats was reduced by amphetamine and atomoxetine, which are well-established medications to reduce hyperactivity in humans. The mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 also normalized hyperactivity in DAT mutant rats without affecting extracellular dopamine levels. We systematically characterized an altered dopamine system within the context of the RDoC matrix and studied mGluR2/3 antagonism as a new pharmacological strategy to treat mental disorders with underlying subcortical dopaminergic hyperactivity. PMID:28167616

Towards trans-diagnostic mechanisms in psychiatry: neurobehavioral profile of rats with a loss-of-function point mutation in the dopamine transporter gene.

PubMed

Vengeliene, Valentina; Bespalov, Anton; Roßmanith, Martin; Horschitz, Sandra; Berger, Stefan; Relo, Ana L; Noori, Hamid R; Schneider, Peggy; Enkel, Thomas; Bartsch, Dusan; Schneider, Miriam; Behl, Berthold; Hansson, Anita C; Schloss, Patrick; Spanagel, Rainer

2017-04-01

The research domain criteria (RDoC) matrix has been developed to reorient psychiatric research towards measurable behavioral dimensions and underlying mechanisms. Here, we used a new genetic rat model with a loss-of-function point mutation in the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene ( Slc6a3 _N157K) to systematically study the RDoC matrix. First, we examined the impact of the Slc6a3 _N157K mutation on monoaminergic signaling. We then performed behavioral tests representing each of the five RDoC domains: negative and positive valence systems, cognitive, social and arousal/regulatory systems. The use of RDoC may be particularly helpful for drug development. We studied the effects of a novel pharmacological approach metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR2/3 antagonism, in DAT mutants in a comparative way with standard medications. Loss of DAT functionality in mutant rats not only elevated subcortical extracellular dopamine concentration but also altered the balance of monoaminergic transmission. DAT mutant rats showed deficits in all five RDoC domains. Thus, mutant rats failed to show conditioned fear responses, were anhedonic, were unable to learn stimulus-reward associations, showed impaired cognition and social behavior, and were hyperactive. Hyperactivity in mutant rats was reduced by amphetamine and atomoxetine, which are well-established medications to reduce hyperactivity in humans. The mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 also normalized hyperactivity in DAT mutant rats without affecting extracellular dopamine levels. We systematically characterized an altered dopamine system within the context of the RDoC matrix and studied mGluR2/3 antagonism as a new pharmacological strategy to treat mental disorders with underlying subcortical dopaminergic hyperactivity. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Antibiotic-Driven Dysbiosis Mediates Intraluminal Agglutination and Alternative Segregation of Enterococcus faecium from the Intestinal Epithelium

PubMed Central

Top, Janetta; Bayjanov, Jumamurat R.; Kemperman, Hans; Rogers, Malbert R. C.; Paganelli, Fernanda L.; Bonten, Marc J. M.; Willems, Rob J. L.

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT The microbiota of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem of bacterial communities that continuously interact with the mucosal immune system. In a healthy host, the mucosal immune system maintains homeostasis in the intestine and prevents invasion of pathogenic bacteria, a phenomenon termed colonization resistance. Antibiotics create dysbiosis of microbiota, thereby decreasing colonization resistance and facilitating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here we describe how cephalosporin antibiotics create dysbiosis in the mouse large intestine, allowing intestinal outgrowth of antimicrobial-resistant Enterococcus faecium. This is accompanied by a reduction of the mucus-associated gut microbiota layer, colon wall, and Muc-2 mucus layer. E. faecium agglutinates intraluminally in an extracellular matrix consisting of secretory IgA (sIgA), polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), and epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) proteins, thereby maintaining spatial segregation of E. faecium from the intestinal wall. Addition of recombinant E-cadherin and pIgR proteins or purified IgA to enterococci in vitro mimics agglutination of E. faecium in vivo. Also, the Ca2+ levels temporarily increased by 75% in feces of antibiotic-treated mice, which led to deformation of E-cadherin adherens junctions between colonic intestinal epithelial cells and release of E-cadherin as an extracellular matrix entrapping E. faecium. These findings indicate that during antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, the intestinal epithelium stays separated from an invading pathogen through an extracellular matrix in which sIgA, pIgR, and E-cadherin are colocalized. Future mucosal vaccination strategies to control E. faecium or other opportunistic pathogens may prevent multidrug-resistant infections, hospital transmission, and outbreaks. PMID:26556272

First and second order stereology of hyaline cartilage: Application on mice femoral cartilage.

PubMed

Noorafshan, Ali; Niazi, Behnam; Mohamadpour, Masoomeh; Hoseini, Leila; Hoseini, Najmeh; Owji, Ali Akbar; Rafati, Ali; Sadeghi, Yasaman; Karbalay-Doust, Saied

2016-11-01

Stereological techniques could be considered in research on cartilage to obtain quantitative data. The present study aimed to explain application of the first- and second-order stereological methods on articular cartilage of mice and the methods applied on the mice exposed to cadmium (Cd). The distal femoral articular cartilage of BALB/c mice (control and Cd-treated) was removed. Then, volume and surface area of the cartilage and number of chondrocytes were estimated using Cavalieri and optical dissector techniques on isotropic uniform random sections. Pair-correlation function [g(r)] and cross-correlation function were calculated to express the spatial arrangement of chondrocytes-chondrocytes and chondrocytes-matrix (chondrocyte clustering/dispersing), respectively. The mean±standard deviation of the cartilage volume, surface area, and thickness were 1.4±0.1mm 3 , 26.2±5.4mm 2 , and 52.8±6.7μm, respectively. Besides, the mean number of chondrocytes was 680±200 (×10 3 ). The cartilage volume, cartilage surface area, and number of chondrocytes were respectively reduced by 25%, 27%, and 27% in the Cd-treated mice in comparison to the control animals (p<0.03). Estimates of g(r) for the cells and matrix against the dipole distances, r, have been plotted. This plot showed that the chondrocytes and the matrix were neither dispersed nor clustered in the two study groups. Application of design-based stereological methods and also evaluation of spatial arrangement of the cartilage components carried potential advantages for investigating the cartilage in different joint conditions. Chondrocyte clustering/dispersing and cellularity can be evaluated in cartilage assessment in normal or abnormal situations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Inhibition of leptin-induced vascular extracellular matrix remodelling by adiponectin.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhi; Wang, Fang; Wang, Bing-Jian; Chu, Guang; Cao, Qunan; Sun, Bao-Gui; Dai, Qiu-Yan

2014-10-01

Vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, which is the result of disruption in the balance of ECM synthesis and degradation, induces vessel fibrosis and thereby leads to hypertension. Leptin is known to promote tissue fibrosis, while adiponectin has recently been demonstrated to be anti-fibrogenic in tissue fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the leptin-antagonist function of adiponectin and to further elucidate the mechanisms through which adiponectin dampens leptin signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells, thus preventing excess ECM production, in our already established 3D co-culture vessel models. Our 3D co-culture vessel model, which mimics true blood vessels, is composed of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and collagen type I. We validated the profibrogenic effects of leptin and analysed matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) and collagen types II/IV secretion in 3D vessel models. The protective/inhibitory effects of adiponectin were re-analysed by inhibiting adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR) and AdipoR2 expression in endothelial cells using RNAi technology. In the 3D vessel models, adiponectin blocked the leptin-stimulated secretion of collagen types II/IV and TIMP1 while significantly increasing MMP2/9 activity. In endothelial cells, adiponectin induced phosphorylation of AMPK, thereby suppressing leptin-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation through induction of SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells. Our findings indicate that adiponectin disrupted the leptin-induced vascular ECM remodelling via AdipoR1 and enhanced AMPK signalling in endothelial cells, which, in turn, promoted SOCS3 up-regulation in smooth muscle cells to repress leptin-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3. © 2014 The authors.

Inhibition of leptin-induced vascular extracellular matrix remodelling by adiponectin

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhi; Wang, Fang; Wang, Bing-jian; Chu, Guang; Cao, Qunan; Sun, Bao-Gui; Dai, Qiu-Yan

2014-01-01

Vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, which is the result of disruption in the balance of ECM synthesis and degradation, induces vessel fibrosis and thereby leads to hypertension. Leptin is known to promote tissue fibrosis, while adiponectin has recently been demonstrated to be anti-fibrogenic in tissue fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the leptin-antagonist function of adiponectin and to further elucidate the mechanisms through which adiponectin dampens leptin signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells, thus preventing excess ECM production, in our already established 3D co-culture vessel models. Our 3D co-culture vessel model, which mimics true blood vessels, is composed of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and collagen type I. We validated the profibrogenic effects of leptin and analysed matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) and collagen types II/IV secretion in 3D vessel models. The protective/inhibitory effects of adiponectin were re-analysed by inhibiting adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR) and AdipoR2 expression in endothelial cells using RNAi technology. In the 3D vessel models, adiponectin blocked the leptin-stimulated secretion of collagen types II/IV and TIMP1 while significantly increasing MMP2/9 activity. In endothelial cells, adiponectin induced phosphorylation of AMPK, thereby suppressing leptin-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation through induction of SOCS3 in smooth muscle cells. Our findings indicate that adiponectin disrupted the leptin-induced vascular ECM remodelling via AdipoR1 and enhanced AMPK signalling in endothelial cells, which, in turn, promoted SOCS3 up-regulation in smooth muscle cells to repress leptin-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3. PMID:24982243

A Novel Mgp-Cre Knock-In Mouse Reveals an Anticalcification/Antistiffness Candidate Gene in the Trabecular Meshwork and Peripapillary Scleral Region.

PubMed

Borrás, Teresa; Smith, Matthew H; Buie, LaKisha K

2015-04-01

Soft tissue calcification is a pathological condition. Matrix Gla (MGP) is a potent mineralization inhibitor secreted by cartilage chondrocytes and arteries' vascular smooth muscle cells. Mgp knock-out mice die at 6 weeks due to massive arterial calcification. Arterial calcification results in arterial stiffness and higher systolic blood pressure. Intriguingly, MGP was highly abundant in trabecular meshwork (TM). Because tissue stiffness is relevant to glaucoma, we investigated which additional eye tissues use Mgp's function using knock-in mice. An Mgp-Cre-recombinase coding sequence (Cre) knock-in mouse, containing Mgp DNA plus an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-Cre-cassette was generated by homologous recombination. Founders were crossed with Cre-mediated reporter mouse R26R-lacZ. Their offspring expresses lacZ where Mgp is transcribed. Eyes from MgpCre/+;R26RlacZ/+ (Mgp-lacZ knock-in) and controls, 1 to 8 months were assayed for β-gal enzyme histochemistry. As expected, Mgp-lacZ knock-in's TM was intensely blue. In addition, this mouse revealed high specific expression in the sclera, particularly in the peripapillary scleral region (ppSC). Ciliary muscle and sclera above the TM were also positive. Scleral staining was located immediately underneath the choroid (chondrocyte layer), began midsclera and was remarkably high in the ppSC. Cornea, iris, lens, ciliary body, and retina were negative. All mice exhibited similar staining patterns. All controls were negative. Matrix Gla's restricted expression to glaucoma-associated tissues from anterior and posterior segments suggests its involvement in the development of the disease. Matrix Gla's anticalcification/antistiffness properties in the vascular tissue, together with its high TM and ppCS expression, place this gene as a strong candidate for TM's softness and sclera's stiffness regulation in glaucoma.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a potential biomarker of angiogenesis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PubMed

Abu El-Asrar, Ahmed M; Ahmad, Ajmal; Alam, Kaiser; Siddiquei, Mohammad Mairaj; Mohammad, Ghulam; Hertogh, Gert De; Mousa, Ahmed; Opdenakker, Ghislain

2017-11-01

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) promotes angiogenesis through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. We investigated the expression levels of EMMPRIN and correlated these levels with VEGF, MMP-1 and MMP-9 in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we examined the expression of EMMPRIN in the retinas of diabetic rats and the effect of EMMPRIN on the induction of angiogenesis regulatory factors in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). Vitreous samples from 40 PDR and 19 non-diabetic patients, epiretinal membranes from 12 patients with PDR, retinas of rats and HRMECs were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, zymography analysis and RT-PCR. We showed a significant increase in the expression of EMMPRIN, VEGF, MMP-1 and MMP-9 in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared with non-diabetic controls (p < 0.0001; p = 0.001; p = 0.009; p < 0.0001, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of EMMPRIN and the levels of VEGF (r = 0.38; p = 0.003), MMP-1 (r = 0.36; p = 0.005) and MMP-9 (r = 0.46; p = 0.003). In epiretinal membranes, EMMPRIN was expressed in vascular endothelial cells and stromal cells. Significant increase of EMMPRIN mRNA was detected in rat retinas after induction of diabetes. EMMPRIN induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, VEGF and MMP-1 expression in HRMEC. These results suggest that EMMPRIN/MMPs/VEGF pathway is involved in PDR angiogenesis. © 2016 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Tuning the light emission of novel donor-acceptor phenoxazine dye-based materials towards the red spectral range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damaceanu, Mariana-Dana; Constantin, Catalin-Paul

2018-04-01

A novel red fluorescent push-pull system able to generate an intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) complex was synthesized. The novel dye (R-POX) combines some structural features which are rarely encountered in the design of other push-pull systems: hexyl-substituted phenoxazine as donor moiety, divinylketone as π-linker, and p-fluorobenzene as electron acceptor group. The relationship between the structural motif, photo-physical and electrochemical properties by UV-Vis absorption, photoluminescence and cyclic voltammetry was thoroughly investigated both as red dopant in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) or polyimide (PI) matrix, and non-doped host emitter. The molecular rigid cores of the synthesized dye formed supramolecular rod-like structures in condensed phase with a strong impact on the emissive centers. The aggregation was totally suppressed when the dye was used as dopant in an amorphous polymeric matrix, such as PMMA or PI. Electrochemical measurements revealed the dye ability for both hole and electron injection and transport. The fluorescence emission was found to be highly sensitive to solvent polarity, rendering blue-green, yellow, orange and red light emission in different organic solvents. The absolute fluorescence quantum yield reached 39.57% in solution, and dropped to 1.2% in solid state and to 14.01% when the dye was used as dopant in PMMA matrix. According to the available CIE 1931 standard, R-POX emitted pure and saturated red light of single wavelength with chromaticity coordinates very close to those of National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard red colour. The R-POX photo-optical features were compared to those of the commercial red emitter 6, 13-diphenylpentacene.

Factorization and fitting of molecular scattering information

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

Goldflam, R.; Kouri, D.J.; Green, S.

1977-12-15

The factorization of cross sections of various kinds resulting from the infinite order sudden approximation is considered in detail. Unlike the earlier study of Goldflam, Green, and Kouri, we base the present analysis on the factored IOS T-matrix rather than on the S-matrix. This enables us to obtain somewhat simpler expressions. For example, we show that the factored IOS approximation to the Arthurs--Dalgarno T-matrix involves products of dynamical coefficients T/sup L//sub l/ and Percival--Seaton coefficients f/sub L/(jlvertical-barj/sub 0/l/sub 0/vertical-barJ). It is shown that an optical theorem exists for the T/sub l//sup L/ dynamical coefficients of the T-matrix. The differential scatteringmore » amplitudes are shown to factor into dynamical coefficients q/sub L/(chi) times spectroscopic factors that are independent of the dynamics (potential). Then a generalized form of the Parker--Pack result for ..sigma../sub j/(dsigma/dR)(j/sub 0/..-->..j) is derived. It is also shown that the IOS approximation for (dsigma/dR)(j/sub 0/..-->..j) factors into sums of spectroscopic coefficients times the differential cross sections out of j/sub 0/=0. The IOS integral cross sections factor into spectroscopic coefficients times the integral cross sections out of j/sub 0/=0. The factored IOS general phenomenological cross sections are rederived using the T-matrix approach and are shown to equal sums of Percival--Seaton coefficients timesthe inelastic integral cross section out of initial rotor state j/sub 0/ = 0. This suggests that experimental measurements of line shapes and/or NMR spin--lattice relaxation can be used to directly give inelastic state-to-state degeneracy averaged integral cross sections whenever the IOS is a good approximation. Factored IOS expressions for viscosity and diffusion are derived and shown to potentially yield additional information beyond that contained in line shapes.« less

Comparison of visual field test results obtained through Humphrey matrix frequency doubling technology perimetry versus standard automated perimetry in healthy children.

PubMed

Kocabeyoglu, Sibel; Uzun, Salih; Mocan, Mehmet Cem; Bozkurt, Banu; Irkec, Murat; Orhan, Mehmet

2013-10-01

The aim of this study was to compare the visual field test results in healthy children obtained via the Humphrey matrix 24-2 threshold program and standard automated perimetry (SAP) using the Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA)-Standard 24-2 test. This prospective study included 55 healthy children without ocular or systemic disorders who underwent both SAP and frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry visual field testing. Visual field test reliability indices, test duration, global indices (mean deviation [MD], and pattern standard deviation [PSD]) were compared between the 2 tests using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t-test. The performance of the Humphrey field analyzer (HFA) 24-2 SITA-standard and frequency-doubling technology Matrix 24-2 tests between genders were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. Fifty-five healthy children with a mean age of 12.2 ± 1.9 years (range from 8 years to 16 years) were included in this prospective study. The test durations of SAP and FDT were similar (5.2 ± 0.5 and 5.1 ± 0.2 min, respectively, P = 0.651). MD and the PSD values obtained via FDT Matrix were significantly higher than those obtained via SAP (P < 0.001), and fixation losses and false negative errors were significantly less with SAP (P < 0.05). A weak positive correlation between the two tests in terms of MD (r = 0.352, P = 0.008) and PSD (r = 0.329, P = 0.014) was observed. Children were able to complete both the visual test algorithms successfully within 6 min. However, SAP testing appears to be associated with less depression of the visual field indices of healthy children. FDT Matrix and SAP should not be used interchangeably in the follow-up of children.

Effects of Different Camera Motions on the Error in Estimates of Epipolar Geometry between Two Dimensional Images in Order to Provide a Framework for Solutions to Vision Based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-09-01

the projective camera matrix (P) which is a 3x4 matrix that is represents both the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of a camera. It is used to...K contains the intrinsic parameters of the camera and |R t⎡ ⎤⎣ ⎦ represents the extrinsic parameters of the camera. By definition, the extrinsic ... extrinsic parameters are known then the camera is said to be calibrated. If only the intrinsic parameters are known, then the projective camera can

A novel phosphoserine motif in the LCMV matrix protein Z regulates the release of infectious virus and defective interfering particles.

PubMed

Ziegler, Christopher M; Eisenhauer, Philip; Bruce, Emily A; Beganovic, Vedran; King, Benjamin R; Weir, Marion E; Ballif, Bryan A; Botten, Jason

2016-09-01

We report that the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) matrix protein, which drives viral budding, is phosphorylated at serine 41 (S41). A recombinant (r)LCMV bearing a phosphomimetic mutation (S41D) was impaired in infectious and defective interfering (DI) particle release, while a non-phosphorylatable mutant (S41A) was not. The S41D mutant was disproportionately impaired in its ability to release DI particles relative to infectious particles. Thus, DI particle production by LCMV may be dynamically regulated via phosphorylation of S41.

International Conference on Computing Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (9th) Held in Paris, France on 29 January-2 February 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-02-02

National Aero-Space Plane NTC no time counter TSS-2 Tethered Satellite System - 2 VHS variable hard sphere VSL viscous shock-layer Introduction With...required at each time step to evaluate the mass fractions Yi+’ it is shown in [21] that the matrix of this linear system is an M-matrix (see e.g. [42]), and...first rewrite system (4.7)- (4.8) under the following form, separating the time -dependent, convective, diffusive and reactive terms: VW’ + F(W)r + G(,W

Species Identification of Clinical Prevotella Isolates by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Soetens, Oriane; De Bel, Annelies; Echahidi, Fedoua; Vancutsem, Ellen; Vandoorslaer, Kristof; Piérard, Denis

2012-01-01

The performance of matrix-assisted laser desorption–ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for species identification of Prevotella was evaluated and compared with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Using a Bruker database, 62.7% of the 102 clinical isolates were identified to the species level and 73.5% to the genus level. Extension of the commercial database improved these figures to, respectively, 83.3% and 89.2%. MALDI-TOF MS identification of Prevotella is reliable but needs a more extensive database. PMID:22301022

High content reduced graphene oxide reinforced copper with a bioinspired nano-laminated structure and large recoverable deformation ability

PubMed Central

Xiong, Ding-Bang; Cao, Mu; Guo, Qiang; Tan, Zhanqiu; Fan, Genlian; Li, Zhiqiang; Zhang, Di

2016-01-01

By using CuO/graphene-oxide/CuO sandwich-like nanosheets as the building blocks, bulk nacre-inspired copper matrix nano-laminated composite reinforced by molecular-level dispersed and ordered reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with content as high as ∼45 vol% was fabricated via a combined process of assembly, reduction and consolidation. Thanks to nanoconfinement effect, reinforcing effect, as well as architecture effect, the nanocomposite shows increased specific strength and at least one order of magnitude greater recoverable deformation ability as compared with monolithic Cu matrix. PMID:27647264

Understanding the Mechanisms Through Which Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Contribute to Breast Cancer-Associated Osteolytic Lesions

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

Acuff, H. B., Martin, M. D., Kawai, N., Singh , R. K., Vargo-Gogola, T. C., Begtrup, J. L., Peterson, T. E., Fingleton, B., et al. (2005). MMP-7...factor alpha convertase. Journal Biological Chemistry 276, 14665-14674. Wilson, T. J., Nannuru, K. C., Futakuchi, M., Sadanandam, A., and Singh , R. K...tumor cell line (16) was kindly provided by Dr. Swati Biswas of the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology. All reagents were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich

Photoelastic Studies of Internal Stress Distributions of Unidirectional Composites.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

MMR9 rR-80 56 ___ _ - 𔃽 4. TiTLEand Subtitle) 5. TYPE OF RPOBT & PERIOD COVERED /f Fina1,eprt - _OTOELASIIC UDIES OF LNTERNAL TRESS i11 Sep 79 1-ll...34 verre a, If t nece, e.ry and Identify by block number) ..... ’Io-dimensional phutoelastli, models were used to determine internal taading-. and...The same matrix was used in preparing unidirectional proto- type composite 3pecimens with glass fibers (G filament size.) Six layers of glass roving

Novel and Selective Inactivators for Matrix Metalloproteases Involved in Breast Cancer Metastasis

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-07-01

stromelysin-3 activation by 4-ami- nophenylmercuric acetate and furin-type convertases. Biochem.J. 315,953-958 14. Wilhelm, S. M., Collier , I. E...Goldberg, G. I., Strongin, A., Collier , I. E., Genrich, L. T., and Marmer, B. L. (1992) Interaction of 92-kDa type IV collagenase with tissue inhibitor...Shownkeen, R., Sims, M., Smaldon, N., Smith, A., Smith, M., Sonnhammer, E„ Staden, R., Sulston, J., Thierry - Mieg, J., Thomas, K., Vaudin, M., Vaughan, K

Annotated Bibliography of Publications from the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

1984 Dolphin biosonar detection in clutter: Variation in the payoff matrix. Jour. Acoust. Soc. Am. 76(3):955-957. A bottlenose dolphin was trained to...Tursiops biosonar detection in noise. In: Animal Sonar Systems, pp. 957-959 (ed. R.-G. Busnel and J. F. Fish), Plenum Press. In a detection problem in a...82 and 87 dB, the click trains became shorter and latencies were longer. Penner. R. H., and J. Kadane 1980 Biosonar interpulse interval as an

Vector/Matrix Quantization for Narrow-Bandwidth Digital Speech Compression.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

8217o 0 -X -u -vc "oi ’" o 0 00i MN nM I -r -: I I Ir , I C 64 ut c 4c -C ;6 19I *~I C’ I I I 1 Kall 9 I I V4 S.0 M r4) ** al Iw* 0 0 10* 0 f 65 signal...Prediction of the Speech Wave, JASA Vol. 50, pp. 637-655, April 1971 . - 2. I. Itakura and S. Saito, Analysis Synthesis Telephony Based Upon the Maximum

Ehf Multiple Beam Antennas.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-21

acknowledge and thank A. R. Hislop and D. L. Saul, Code 9262, for their work on tbh mixer design and D. L. Chappelle and K. S. Maynard, Code 8124, for...MTT-28, p 555-563, June 1980 . 33 (a) Mixer matrix, 7 boards, 6-5 mixers, 1-7 mixers. (b) LO power split to boards, 7-way. rN’ o, Ro (c) N-way power...1966. 9. Saleh, A.A.M., Planar Electrically Symmetric N-Way Hybrid Power Dividers/ Combiners, IEEE T-MTT-28, p 555-563, June 1980 . 55

Analysis of Ultrasonic Wave Scattering for Characterization of Defects in Solids

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-05-01

embedded in a solid matrix.’ The results of this work have been partially reported in a paper sub- mitted to the "Journal of the Acoustical Society of...America." The abstract of this paper is presented here: a. "Scattering of Longitudinal Waves Incident on a Spherical Cavity in a Solid," B. R. Tittmann...F I 7 ... .OCT..9 UM... ... .. . ... U SCS7g. 31R 2. Scattering by a Spherical Inclusion During this past year the experimental portion of the

Drug Susceptibility of Matrix-Encapsulated Candida albicans Nano-Biofilms

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

San Antonio, Texas 4Department of South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases , The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas...hydrogels may better mimic the in vivo response during invasive forms of the disease . In summary, we have demonstrated the Candida albicans biofilms...1R01DE023510-01) and by DOD (W911NF-11-1-0136), and infectious diseases -related work in the A.K.R. laboratory is funded by NIH (SC1HL112629). Confocal

Resolving phase ambiguities in the calibration of redundant interferometric arrays: implications for array design

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-30

matrix determinant. This definition is given in many linear algebra texts (see e.g. Bretscher (2001)). Definition 3.1 : Suppose we have an n-by-n...Processing, 2, 767 Blanchard P., Greenaway A., Anderton R., Appleby R., 1996, J. Opt. Soc. Am. A, 13, 1593 Bretscher O., 2001, Linear Algebra with...frequencies are not co- linear ) and one piston phase. This particular solution will then differ from the true solution by a phase ramp in the Fourier

Carbon nanodots as a matrix for the analysis of low-molecular-weight molecules in both positive- and negative-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and quantification of glucose and uric acid in real samples.

PubMed

Chen, Suming; Zheng, Huzhi; Wang, Jianing; Hou, Jian; He, Qing; Liu, Huihui; Xiong, Caiqiao; Kong, Xianglei; Nie, Zongxiu

2013-07-16

Carbon nanodots were applied for the first time as a new matrix for the analysis of low-molecular-weight compounds by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in both positive- and negative-ion modes. A wide range of small molecules including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids, as well as β-agonists and neutral oligosaccharides were analyzed by MALDI MS with carbon nanodots as the matrix, and the lowest 0.2 fmol limits-of-detection were obtained for octadecanoic acid. Clear sodium and potassium adducts and deprotonated signals were produced in positive- and negative-ion modes. Furthermore, the glucose and uric acid in real samples were quantitatively determined by the internal standard method with the linear range of 0.5-9 mM and 0.1-1.8 mM (R(2) > 0.999), respectively. This work gives new insight into the application of carbon nanodots and provides a general approach for rapid analysis of low-molecular-weight compounds.

Influence of water-soluble channeling agents on the release of diclofenac sodium from Irvingia malayana wax matrix tablets.

PubMed

Yotsawimonwat, Songwut; Charumanee, Suporn; Kaewvichit, Sayam; Sirithunyalug, Jakkapan; Sirisa-Ard, Panee; Piyamongkol, Sirivipa; Siangwong, Kulthawat

2017-05-01

Irvingia malayana wax (IW) is majorly composed of esters of medium chain fatty acids. Its melting point is low and closed to the body temperature. This study aimed at investigating the potential of IW as a matrix-forming agent and evaluate the effect of soluble channeling agents on the release of diclofenac sodium (DS) from IW matrix tablets. The preformulation study by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry showed no incompatibility between IW and DS or soluble channeling agents, namely PEG 4000, PEG 6000 and lactose. IW retarded the release of DS from the matrix tablets more efficiently than carnauba wax due to its greater hydrophobicity and its ability to become partial molten wax at 37° C. Factors affecting the release of DS from IW matrix were drug concentrations, and types and concentrations of channeling agents. The release of DS significantly improved when DS concentration reached approximately 33%. The fast dissolving channeling agent, lactose, could enhance the drug release rate more effectively than PEG 4000 and PEG 6000, respectively. The linear relationship between the DS release rate and the concentration of the chosen channeling agent, PEG 6000, was found (r 2 =0.9866).

Combination of nano-material enrichment and dead-end filtration for uniform and rapid sample preparation in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Wu, Zengnan; Khan, Mashooq; Mao, Sifeng; Lin, Ling; Lin, Jin-Ming

2018-05-01

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a fast analysis tool for the detection of a wide range of analytes. However, heterogeneous distribution of matrix/analyte cocrystal, variation in signal intensity and poor experimental reproducibility at different locations of the same spot means difficulty in quantitative analysis. In this work, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were employed as adsorbent for analyte cum matrix on a conductive porous membrane as a novel mass target plate. The sample pretreatment step was achieved by enrichment and dead-end filtration and dried by a solid-liquid separation. This approach enables the homogeneous distribution of analyte in the matrix, good shot-to-shot reproducibility in signals and quantitative detection of peptide and protein at different concentrations with correlation coefficient (R 2 ) of 0.9920 and 0.9909, respectively. The simple preparation of sample in a short time, uniform distribution of analyte, easy quantitative detection, and high reproducibility makes this technique useful and may diversify the application of MALDI-MS for quantitative detection of a variety of proteins. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficient parallel linear scaling construction of the density matrix for Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics.

PubMed

Mniszewski, S M; Cawkwell, M J; Wall, M E; Mohd-Yusof, J; Bock, N; Germann, T C; Niklasson, A M N

2015-10-13

We present an algorithm for the calculation of the density matrix that for insulators scales linearly with system size and parallelizes efficiently on multicore, shared memory platforms with small and controllable numerical errors. The algorithm is based on an implementation of the second-order spectral projection (SP2) algorithm [ Niklasson, A. M. N. Phys. Rev. B 2002 , 66 , 155115 ] in sparse matrix algebra with the ELLPACK-R data format. We illustrate the performance of the algorithm within self-consistent tight binding theory by total energy calculations of gas phase poly(ethylene) molecules and periodic liquid water systems containing up to 15,000 atoms on up to 16 CPU cores. We consider algorithm-specific performance aspects, such as local vs nonlocal memory access and the degree of matrix sparsity. Comparisons to sparse matrix algebra implementations using off-the-shelf libraries on multicore CPUs, graphics processing units (GPUs), and the Intel many integrated core (MIC) architecture are also presented. The accuracy and stability of the algorithm are illustrated with long duration Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations of 1000 water molecules and a 303 atom Trp cage protein solvated by 2682 water molecules.

A Short Guide to Experimental Design and Analysis for Engineers

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

ee ee r FF F atmentswithin tre 2 2 2 1 21 21 (40) and ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )∑∑∑∑ ∑∑ = j ij i j i YY ee ... ee r RR R sample total 2 2 2 1 21 21 . (41) The inclusion of cross product terms for MANOVA results in the following error matrix for the full model...UNCLASSIFIED DSTO-TN-1291 UNCLASSIFIED 30 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )           = ∑∑∑∑ ∑∑∑∑ j ij i j ij i eee eee FF FF 2 221 21 2 1 E

Linear Models for Field Trials, Smoothing, and Cross-Validation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

TSR-2?79 UNCLASSIFIED DRAG29-80-C-9841 F /G 12/ 1 NL EhhiuEammhhihhhihhiu iI. U.. III1 11111- 1.2 11111 L.1g 1111IL25 11111J.4 I 6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION...0 (2.2) where (de Hoog , Speed and Williams, 1985) 60 - 1 V-IR( RT- -1R)-RTV- 1 + (2.3) = I - HI - P R)V(I - P R (23 Here I is the n x n identity matrix...Here the model would be yi = (t ) + ni and one possible penalty function is f (&"(t)) 2dt + E2 1 Natural points of departure for generalizing the least

From r-spin intersection numbers to Hodge integrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Xiang-Mao; Li, Yuping; Meng, Lingxian

2016-01-01

Generalized Kontsevich Matrix Model (GKMM) with a certain given potential is the partition function of r-spin intersection numbers. We represent this GKMM in terms of fermions and expand it in terms of the Schur polynomials by boson-fermion correspondence, and link it with a Hurwitz partition function and a Hodge partition by operators in a widehat{GL}(∞) group. Then, from a W 1+∞ constraint of the partition function of r-spin intersection numbers, we get a W 1+∞ constraint for the Hodge partition function. The W 1+∞ constraint completely determines the Schur polynomials expansion of the Hodge partition function.

Transport properties of nanocomposite and its simulation with L-R-C circuit

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

Gangopadhyay, Arnab, E-mail: agangulyphysics@gmail.com; Sarkar, Aditi, E-mail: agangulyphysics@gmail.com; Sarkar, A., E-mail: agangulyphysics@gmail.com

2014-04-24

The nano particles are represented in this communication by L-R-C equivalent circuit. The dc current voltage characteristics (CVC) of the proposed circuit have simulated using Circuit-Maker ® 2000. Experimental investigation on ZnO nano-composite with capping material gum acacia shows similar CVC. NPs are represented by C-R combinations to manifest the Coulomb blockade effect of a quantum dot. The capping material is represented by an inductor along with a resistance in series. Nine NPs with capping matrix are simulated. The dc current voltage characteristics (CVC) and gross feature of polarization nature obtained by experiment and simulation study are consistent.

Synthesis and X-ray structural investigation of (5R*,6S*)-1-benzoyl-5-methylthio-6-methoxy-1-azapenam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krajewski, J. W.; Gluziński, P.; Grochowski, E.; Pupek, K.; Mishnyov, A.; Kemme, A.

1992-08-01

The compound (5R*,6S*)-1-benzoyl-5-methylthio-6-methoxy-1-azapenam ( 3) has been synthesized and its structure investigated by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in a monoclinic system, space group Cc, Z = 4, a = 12.01(1), b = 16.51(1), c = 8.048(6) Å, β = 115.87(6)°. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by a full-matrix, least-squares procedure to give R = 0.070, Rw = 0.046, w = 1.34/(σ 2F). The expected cis configuration around the β-lactam ring was fully confirmed.

On differential transformations between Cartesian and curvilinear (geodetic) coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soler, T.

1976-01-01

Differential transformations are developed between Cartesian and curvilinear orthogonal coordinates. Only matrix algebra is used for the presentation of the basic concepts. After defining the reference systems used the rotation (R), metric (H), and Jacobian (J) matrices of the transformations between cartesian and curvilinear coordinate systems are introduced. A value of R as a function of H and J is presented. Likewise an analytical expression for J(-1) as a function of H(-2) and R is obtained. Emphasis is placed on showing that differential equations are equivalent to conventional similarity transformations. Scaling methods are discussed along with ellipsoidal coordinates. Differential transformations between elipsoidal and geodetic coordinates are established.

Top quark produced through the electroweak force: Discovery using the matrix element analysis and search for heavy gauge bosons using boosted decision trees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pangilinan, Monica

The top quark produced through the electroweak channel provides a direct measurement of the Vtb element in the CKM matrix which can be viewed as a transition rate of a top quark to a bottom quark. This production channel of top quark is also sensitive to different theories beyond the Standard Model such as heavy charged gauged bosons termed W'. This thesis measures the cross section of the electroweak produced top quark using a technique based on using the matrix elements of the processes under consideration. The technique is applied to 2.3 fb--1 of data from the DO detector. From a comparison of the matrix element discriminants between data and the signal and background model using Bayesian statistics, we measure the cross section of the top quark produced through the electroweak mechanism spp¯→ tb+X,tqb+X=4.30+0.98-1.2 0pb The measured result corresponds to a 4.9sigma Gaussian-equivalent significance. By combining this analysis with other analyses based on the Bayesian Neural Network (BNN) and Boosted Decision Tree (BDT) method, the measured cross section is 3.94 +/- 0.88 pb with a significance of 5.0sigma, resulting in the discovery of electroweak produced top quarks. Using this measured cross section and constraining |Vtb| < 1, the 95% confidence level (C.L.) lower limit is |Vtb| > 0.78. Additionally, a search is made for the production of W' using the same samples from the electroweak produced top quark. An analysis based on the BDT method is used to separate the signal from expected backgrounds. No significant excess is found and 95% C.L. upper limits on the production cross section are set for W' with masses within 600--950 GeV. For four general models of W' boson production using decay channel W' → tb¯, the lower mass limits are the following: M( W'L with SM couplings) > 840 GeV; M( W'R ) > 880 GeV or 890 GeV if the right-handed neutrino is lighter or heavier than W'R ; and M( W'L+R ) > 915 GeV.

The miR-449b polymorphism, rs10061133 A>G, is associated with premature ovarian insufficiency.

PubMed

Pan, Hong; Chen, Beili; Wang, Jing; Wang, Xi; Hu, Ping; Wu, Shinan; Liu, Yunyun; Xu, Zuying; Zhang, Wei; Wang, Binbin; Cao, Yunxia

2016-09-01

To determine if the miR-449b polymorphism, rs10061133 A>G, is associated with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) pathogenesis. From January 2011 to December 2014, a total of 148 individuals with POI and 225 age-matched controls were collected from the Center for Reproductive Medicine, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China). Genotyping of miR-449b rs1006113 was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight-based mass spectrometry. Rs10061133 A>G is a highly conserved SNP locus in the mature area of miR-449b. Association analysis shows that the rs10061133 AA genotype is a risk factor for POI. Our study provides the first evidence that the miR-449b rs10061133 AA genotype is associated with POI risk.

Obstructions for twist star products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bieliavsky, Pierre; Esposito, Chiara; Waldmann, Stefan; Weber, Thomas

2018-05-01

In this short note, we point out that not every star product is induced by a Drinfel'd twist by showing that not every Poisson structure is induced by a classical r-matrix. Examples include the higher genus symplectic Pretzel surfaces and the symplectic sphere S^2.

Photoionization of Atoms and Molecules using a Configuration-Average Distorted-Wave Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pindzola, M. S.; Balance, C. P.; Loch, S. D.; Ludlow, J. A.

2011-05-01

A configuration-average distorted-wave method is applied to calculate the photoionization cross section for the outer subshells of the C atom and the C2 diatomic molecule. Comparisions are made with previous R-matrix and Hartree- Fock distorted-wave calculations.

COMPUTATION OF GLOBAL PHOTOCHEMISTRY WITH SMVGEAR II (R823186)

EPA Science Inventory

A computer model was developed to simulate global gas-phase photochemistry. The model solves chemical equations with SMVGEAR II, a sparse-matrix, vectorized Gear-type code. To obtain SMVGEAR II, the original SMVGEAR code was modified to allow computation of different sets of chem...

A New Measurement of the E1 Component of the ^12C(,)^16O Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, X. D.; Notani, M.; Rehm, K. E.; Ahmad, I.; Greene, J.; Hecht, A. A.; Henderson, D.; Janssens, R. V. F.; Jiang, C. L.; Moore, E. F.; Patel, N.; Pardo, R. C.; Savard, G.; Schiffer, J. P.; Sinha, S.; Paul, M.; Jisonna, L.; Segel, R. E.; Brune, C.; Champagne, A.; Wuosmaa, A.

2006-10-01

Durin the past few years we have been involved in a measurement of the E1 component of the ^12C(,)^16O reaction. Using a new approach with a set of high acceptance ionization chambers, we have measured the beta-delayed alpha decay in ^16N. The subthreshold 1^- state, which dominates the S-factor S(E1) at astrophysical energies, produces a small interference peak in the alpha spectrum, whose strength is sensitive to S(E1). The data have been analyzed using extrapolations obtained from R-matrix theory. The results from two independent runs will be presented and compared to previous experiments. The contributions from systematic uncertainties as well as the sensitivity of S(E1) to various R-matrix parameters will be discussed. This work was supported by the US Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics Division, under contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 and by the NSF Grant No. PHY-02-16783 (Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics).

Accurate Exchange-Correlation Energies for the Warm Dense Electron Gas.

PubMed

Malone, Fionn D; Blunt, N S; Brown, Ethan W; Lee, D K K; Spencer, J S; Foulkes, W M C; Shepherd, James J

2016-09-09

The density matrix quantum Monte Carlo (DMQMC) method is used to sample exact-on-average N-body density matrices for uniform electron gas systems of up to 10^{124} matrix elements via a stochastic solution of the Bloch equation. The results of these calculations resolve a current debate over the accuracy of the data used to parametrize finite-temperature density functionals. Exchange-correlation energies calculated using the real-space restricted path-integral formalism and the k-space configuration path-integral formalism disagree by up to ∼10% at certain reduced temperatures T/T_{F}≤0.5 and densities r_{s}≤1. Our calculations confirm the accuracy of the configuration path-integral Monte Carlo results available at high density and bridge the gap to lower densities, providing trustworthy data in the regime typical of planetary interiors and solids subject to laser irradiation. We demonstrate that the DMQMC method can calculate free energies directly and present exact free energies for T/T_{F}≥1 and r_{s}≤2.

Droplet Evolution and Refinement During Liquid-Liquid Decomposition of Zn-6 Wt Pct Bi Immiscible Alloy Under High Static Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Tianxiang; Zhong, Yunbo; Wang, Jiang; Ren, Zhongming; Ren, Weili; Lei, Zuosheng; Debray, Francois; Beaugnon, Eric; Wei, Xicheng

2018-05-01

In situ solidification experiments on Zn-6 wt pct Bi immiscible alloys were conducted to investigate the droplet evolution under high static magnetic fields (HSMFs). The results showed that a microstructure with extremely fine Bi-rich particles distributed in the matrix can be obtained under an HSMF of 29 T. The average diameter of the Bi-rich phase decreased with the increasing magnetic flux density. Stokes sedimentation disappeared when the HSMF was larger than 18 T. Starting at an HSMF of 18 T, Bi-rich droplets grew via pure diffusion in the liquid matrix. The HSMF decreased the spacing of the droplet arrays when the cooling rate (R) was approximately 1600 °C/min. The formation of a Zn-rich phase surrounded by a Bi-rich shell at HSMFs below 18 T, when R was approximately 60 °C/min, was attributed to the thermoelectric magnetic force.

Detecting synchronization clusters in multivariate time series via coarse-graining of Markov chains.

PubMed

Allefeld, Carsten; Bialonski, Stephan

2007-12-01

Synchronization cluster analysis is an approach to the detection of underlying structures in data sets of multivariate time series, starting from a matrix R of bivariate synchronization indices. A previous method utilized the eigenvectors of R for cluster identification, analogous to several recent attempts at group identification using eigenvectors of the correlation matrix. All of these approaches assumed a one-to-one correspondence of dominant eigenvectors and clusters, which has however been shown to be wrong in important cases. We clarify the usefulness of eigenvalue decomposition for synchronization cluster analysis by translating the problem into the language of stochastic processes, and derive an enhanced clustering method harnessing recent insights from the coarse-graining of finite-state Markov processes. We illustrate the operation of our method using a simulated system of coupled Lorenz oscillators, and we demonstrate its superior performance over the previous approach. Finally we investigate the question of robustness of the algorithm against small sample size, which is important with regard to field applications.

A new system model for radar polarimeters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, Anthony

1991-01-01

The validity of the 2 x 2 receive R and transmit T model for radar polarimeter systems, first proposed by Zebker et al. (1987), is questioned. The model is found to be invalid for many practical realizations of radar polarimeters, which can lead to significant errors in the calibration of polarimetric radar images. A more general model is put forward, which addresses the system defects which cause the 2 x 2 model to break down. By measuring one simple parameter from a polarimetric active radar calibration (PARC), it is possible to transform the scattering matrix measurements made by a radar polarimeter to a format compatible with a 2 x 2 R and T matrix model. Alternatively, the PARC can be used to verify the validity of the 2 x 2 model for any polarimetric radar system. Recommendations for the use of PARCs in polarimetric calibration and to measure the orientation angle of the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) coordinate system are also presented.

A new system model for radar polarimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freeman, Anthony

1991-09-01

The validity of the 2 x 2 receive R and transmit T model for radar polarimeter systems, first proposed by Zebker et al. (1987), is questioned. The model is found to be invalid for many practical realizations of radar polarimeters, which can lead to significant errors in the calibration of polarimetric radar images. A more general model is put forward, which addresses the system defects which cause the 2 x 2 model to break down. By measuring one simple parameter from a polarimetric active radar calibration (PARC), it is possible to transform the scattering matrix measurements made by a radar polarimeter to a format compatible with a 2 x 2 R and T matrix model. Alternatively, the PARC can be used to verify the validity of the 2 x 2 model for any polarimetric radar system. Recommendations for the use of PARCs in polarimetric calibration and to measure the orientation angle of the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) coordinate system are also presented.

Spontaneous mirror left-right symmetry breaking for leptogenesis parametrized by Majorana neutrino mass matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Pei-Hong

2017-10-01

We introduce a mirror copy of the ordinary fermions and Higgs scalars for embedding the SU(2) L × U(1) Y electroweak gauge symmetry into an SU(2) L × SU(2) R × U(1) B-L left-right gauge symmetry. We then show the spontaneous left-right symmetry breaking can automatically break the parity symmetry motivated by solving the strong CP problem. Through the SU(2) R gauge interactions, a mirror Majorana neutrino can decay into a mirror charged lepton and two mirror quarks. Consequently we can obtain a lepton asymmetry stored in the mirror charged leptons. The Yukawa couplings of the mirror and ordinary charged fermions to a dark matter scalar then can transfer the mirror lepton asymmetry to an ordinary lepton asymmetry which provides a solution to the cosmic baryon asymmetry in association with the SU(2) L sphaleron processes. In this scenario, the baryon asymmetry can be well described by the neutrino mass matrix up to an overall factor.

Fabrication of an r-Al2Ti intermetallic matrix composite reinforced with α-Al2O3 ceramic by discontinuous mechanical milling for thermite reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosleh, A.; Ehteshamzadeh, M.; Taherzadeh Mousavian, R.

2014-10-01

In this study, a powder mixture with an Al/TiO2 molar ratio of 10/3 was used to form an r-Al2Ti intermetallic matrix composite (IMC) reinforced with α-Al2O3 ceramic by a novel milling technique, called discontinuous mechanical milling (DMM) instead of milling and ignition of the produced thermite. The results of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) of samples with varying milling time indicate that this fabrication process requires considerable mechanical energy. It is shown that Al2Ti-Al2O3 IMC with small grain size was produced by DMM after 15 h of ball milling. Peaks for γ-TiAl as well as Al2Ti and Al2O3 are observed in XRD patterns after DMM followed by heat treatment. The microhardness of the DMM-treated composite produced after heat treatment was higher than Hv 700.

The Relaxation Matrix for Symmetric Tops with Inversion Symmetry. II; Line Mixing Effects in the V1 Band of NH3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boulet, C.; Ma, Q.

2016-01-01

Line mixing effects have been calculated in the ?1 parallel band of self-broadened NH3. The theoretical approach is an extension of a semi-classical model to symmetric-top molecules with inversion symmetry developed in the companion paper [Q. Ma and C. Boulet, J. Chem. Phys. 144, 224303 (2016)]. This model takes into account line coupling effects and hence enables the calculation of the entire relaxation matrix. A detailed analysis of the various coupling mechanisms is carried out for Q and R inversion doublets. The model has been applied to the calculation of the shape of the Q branch and of some R manifolds for which an obvious signature of line mixing effects has been experimentally demonstrated. Comparisons with measurements show that the present formalism leads to an accurate prediction of the available experimental line shapes. Discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical sets of first order mixing parameters are discussed as well as some extensions of both theory and experiment.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 induction by diethyldithiocarbamate is regulated via Akt and ERK/miR222/ETS-1 pathways in hepatic stellate cells.

PubMed

Liu, Tianhui; Wang, Ping; Cong, Min; Zhang, Dong; Liu, Lin; Li, Hongyi; Zhai, Qingling; Li, Zhuo; Jia, Jidong; You, Hong

2016-08-01

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays an important role in fibrolysis by degrading excessively deposited collagen I and III. We previously demonstrated that diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) up-regulates MMP-1 in hepatic stellate cells via the ERK1/2 and Akt signalling pathways. In the current study, we attempted to further explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of MMP-1. We treated a co-cultured system that included hepatocytes (C3A) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) with DDC. The data revealed that the transcriptional factor ETS-1, which is an important regulator of MMP-1, was up-regulated in LX-2 cells following DDC treatment. Furthermore, the up-regulation of MMP-1 by DDC has been abrogated through employing si-ETS-1 to block expression of ETS-1. We found that DDC significantly inhibited the expression of miR-222 in LX-2 cells. We transfected miR-222 mimic into LX-2 cells and then co-cultured the cells with C3A. The up-regulation of ETS-1 and MMP-1 in LX-2 cells treated with DDC were inhibited after miR-222 mimic transfection. These data indicate that DDC up-regulated MMP-1 in LX-2 cells through the miR-222/ETS-1 pathway. Finally, we treated the co-cultured system with an Akt inhibitor (T3830) and an ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126). Both T3830 and U0126 blocked the suppression of miR-222 by DDC in LX-2. Collectively, these data indicate that DDC up-regulated MMP-1 in LX-2 cells through the Akt and ERK/miR-222/ETS-1 pathways. Our study provides experimental data that will aid the control of the process of fibrolysis in liver fibrosis prevention and treatment. © 2016 The Author(s).

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 induction by diethyldithiocarbamate is regulated via Akt and ERK/miR222/ETS-1 pathways in hepatic stellate cells

PubMed Central

Liu, Tianhui; Wang, Ping; Cong, Min; Zhang, Dong; Liu, Lin; Li, Hongyi; Zhai, Qingling; Li, Zhuo; Jia, Jidong; You, Hong

2016-01-01

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays an important role in fibrolysis by degrading excessively deposited collagen I and III. We previously demonstrated that diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) up-regulates MMP-1 in hepatic stellate cells via the ERK1/2 and Akt signalling pathways. In the current study, we attempted to further explore the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of MMP-1. We treated a co-cultured system that included hepatocytes (C3A) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) with DDC. The data revealed that the transcriptional factor ETS-1, which is an important regulator of MMP-1, was up-regulated in LX-2 cells following DDC treatment. Furthermore, the up-regulation of MMP-1 by DDC has been abrogated through employing si-ETS-1 to block expression of ETS-1. We found that DDC significantly inhibited the expression of miR-222 in LX-2 cells. We transfected miR-222 mimic into LX-2 cells and then co-cultured the cells with C3A. The up-regulation of ETS-1 and MMP-1 in LX-2 cells treated with DDC were inhibited after miR-222 mimic transfection. These data indicate that DDC up-regulated MMP-1 in LX-2 cells through the miR-222/ETS-1 pathway. Finally, we treated the co-cultured system with an Akt inhibitor (T3830) and an ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126). Both T3830 and U0126 blocked the suppression of miR-222 by DDC in LX-2. Collectively, these data indicate that DDC up-regulated MMP-1 in LX-2 cells through the Akt and ERK/miR-222/ETS-1 pathways. Our study provides experimental data that will aid the control of the process of fibrolysis in liver fibrosis prevention and treatment. PMID:27412967

Purification of pre-miR-29 by a new O-phospho-l-tyrosine affinity chromatographic strategy optimized using design of experiments.

PubMed

Afonso, Adriana; Pereira, Patrícia; Queiroz, João A; Sousa, Ângela; Sousa, Fani

2014-05-23

MicroRNAs are the most studied small non-coding RNA molecules that are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of target genes. Their role in Alzheimer's disease is being studied and explored in order to develop a new therapeutic strategy based on specific gene silencing. This disease is characterized by protein deposits, mainly deposits of extracellular Aβ plaques, produced upon endoproteolytic cleavage of APP by ß-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). Recent studies have shown that particularly miR-29 cluster can be involved in the decrease of Aβ plaques production, by acting on BACE1 expression silencing. In order to use this microRNA as potential therapeutic it is essential to guarantee its purity, stability and integrity. Hence, the main purpose of this study was the development of a new affinity chromatographic strategy by using an O-phospho-l-tyrosine matrix and applying Box-Behnken design (BBD) to obtain pre-miR-29 with high purity degree and yield, envisioning its application in gene therapy. Thus, after process optimization the best results were achieved with a decreasing ammonium sulfate gradient in 10mM Tris buffer, pH 8 (1.6M (NH4)2SO4, 1.11M (NH4)2SO4 and 0M (NH4)2SO4), at 16°C. These experimental conditions allowed the recovery of pre-miR-29 with 52% of purity and 71% of recovery yield. The O-phospho-l-tyrosine matrix was initially chosen to mimic the natural interactions that occur inside the cell, and in fact it was proved a satisfactory selectivity for pre-miR-29. Also the innovative application of BBD for this strategy was efficient (R(2)=0.98 for % relative recovery and R(2)=0.93 for % relative purity) and essential to achieve best purification results in short time, saving lab resources. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Epigenetic modification of miR-10a regulates renal damage by targeting CREB1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

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

Shan, Qun, E-mail: shanp@jsnu.edu.cn; Zheng, Guiho

Emerging evidence has shown that microRNA-mediated gene expression modulation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the novel miRNAs involved in type 2 diabetes and its functional regulatory mechanisms still need to be determined. In this study, we assessed the role of miR-10a in extracellular matrix accumulation in the kidney of diabetic mellitus induced by combining administration of chronic high fat diet (HFD) and low dosage of streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg). Here, we found that HFD/STZ administration decreased the level of microRNA (miR-10a) expression in ICR strain mice. Overexpression of miR-10a alleviated the increasedmore » ratio of urine albumin-to-creatinine (ACR) ratio of HFD/STZ mice. In contrast, knockdown of miR-10a increased the ratio of kidney ACR in naïve mice. Furthermore, cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) was validated as a target of miR-10a in vitro and in vivo. CREB1 and its downstream fibronectin (FN, extracellular matrix) were increased in HFD/STZ-treated mice, which was reversed by kidney miR-10a overexpression. The content of CREB1 and FN was increased by miR-10a knockdown in kidney of naïve mice. Furthermore, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) was revealed to be increased in kidney of HFD/STZ mice, accompanied with the augmentation of ACR ratio and FN level. Knockdown of HDAC3 with siRNA significantly caused the increase of miR-10a, resulting in the decrease in CREB1 and FN expression in kidney of HFD/STZ mice. Contrarily, HDAC3 overexpression mediated by lentivirus decreased miR-10a content, and enhanced ACR value, CREB1 and FN formation in naïve mice. Collectively, these results elucidate that HDAC3/miR-10a/CREB1 serves as a new mechanism underlying kidney injury, providing potential therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes. - Highlights: • Diabetes induces the decrease of miR-10a level in the kidney. • MiR-10a overexpression improves kidney damage of diabetes. • MiR-10a targeting CREB1/FN implicates in kidney impairment. • HDAC3 regulates kidney damage by epigenetically modulating miR-10a.« less

Extracellular Collagen Promotes Interleukin-1β-Induced Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Production by Human Corneal Fibroblasts.

PubMed

Sugioka, Koji; Kodama-Takahashi, Aya; Yoshida, Koji; Aomatsu, Keiichi; Okada, Kiyotaka; Nishida, Teruo; Shimomura, Yoshikazu

2017-03-01

Keratocytes maintain homeostasis of the corneal stroma through synthesis, secretion, and degradation of collagen fibrils of the extracellular matrix. Given that these cells are essentially embedded in a collagen matrix, keratocyte-collagen interactions may play a key role in regulation of the expression or activation of enzymes responsible for matrix degradation including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), plasmin, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We examined the effect of extracellular collagen on the production of uPA by corneal fibroblasts (activated keratocytes) stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Human corneal fibroblasts were cultured either on plastic or in a three-dimensional gel of type I collagen. Plasminogen activators were detected by fibrin zymography, whereas the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and MMPs were detected by immunoblot analysis. Collagen degradation by corneal fibroblasts was assessed by measurement of hydroxyproline in acid hydrolysates of culture supernatants. Collagen and IL-1β synergistically increased the synthesis and secretion of uPA in corneal fibroblasts. Collagen also upregulated IL-1R expression in the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The conversion of extracellular plasminogen to plasmin, as well as the plasminogen-dependent activation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 and degradation of collagen apparent in three-dimensional cultures of corneal fibroblasts exposed to IL-1β, were all abolished by a selective uPA inhibitor. Collagen and IL-1β cooperate to upregulate uPA production by corneal fibroblasts. Furthermore, IL-1β-induced collagen degradation by these cells appears to be strictly dependent on uPA expression and mediated by a uPA-plasmin-MMP pathway.

3D pancreatic carcinoma spheroids induce a matrix-rich, chemoresistant phenotype offering a better model for drug testing.

PubMed

Longati, Paola; Jia, Xiaohui; Eimer, Johannes; Wagman, Annika; Witt, Michael-Robin; Rehnmark, Stefan; Verbeke, Caroline; Toftgård, Rune; Löhr, Matthias; Heuchel, Rainer L

2013-02-27

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer related death. It is lethal in nearly all patients, due to an almost complete chemoresistance. Most if not all drugs that pass preclinical tests successfully, fail miserably in the patient. This raises the question whether traditional 2D cell culture is the correct tool for drug screening. The objective of this study is to develop a simple, high-throughput 3D model of human PDAC cell lines, and to explore mechanisms underlying the transition from 2D to 3D that might be responsible for chemoresistance. Several established human PDAC and a KPC mouse cell lines were tested, whereby Panc-1 was studied in more detail. 3D spheroid formation was facilitated with methylcellulose. Spheroids were studied morphologically, electron microscopically and by qRT-PCR for selected matrix genes, related factors and miRNA. Metabolic studies were performed, and a panel of novel drugs was tested against gemcitabine. Comparing 3D to 2D cell culture, matrix proteins were significantly increased as were lumican, SNED1, DARP32, and miR-146a. Cell metabolism in 3D was shifted towards glycolysis. All drugs tested were less effective in 3D, except for allicin, MT100 and AX, which demonstrated effect. We developed a high-throughput 3D cell culture drug screening system for pancreatic cancer, which displays a strongly increased chemoresistance. Features associated to the 3D cell model are increased expression of matrix proteins and miRNA as well as stromal markers such as PPP1R1B and SNED1. This is supporting the concept of cell adhesion mediated drug resistance.

3D pancreatic carcinoma spheroids induce a matrix-rich, chemoresistant phenotype offering a better model for drug testing

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer related death. It is lethal in nearly all patients, due to an almost complete chemoresistance. Most if not all drugs that pass preclinical tests successfully, fail miserably in the patient. This raises the question whether traditional 2D cell culture is the correct tool for drug screening. The objective of this study is to develop a simple, high-throughput 3D model of human PDAC cell lines, and to explore mechanisms underlying the transition from 2D to 3D that might be responsible for chemoresistance. Methods Several established human PDAC and a KPC mouse cell lines were tested, whereby Panc-1 was studied in more detail. 3D spheroid formation was facilitated with methylcellulose. Spheroids were studied morphologically, electron microscopically and by qRT-PCR for selected matrix genes, related factors and miRNA. Metabolic studies were performed, and a panel of novel drugs was tested against gemcitabine. Results Comparing 3D to 2D cell culture, matrix proteins were significantly increased as were lumican, SNED1, DARP32, and miR-146a. Cell metabolism in 3D was shifted towards glycolysis. All drugs tested were less effective in 3D, except for allicin, MT100 and AX, which demonstrated effect. Conclusions We developed a high-throughput 3D cell culture drug screening system for pancreatic cancer, which displays a strongly increased chemoresistance. Features associated to the 3D cell model are increased expression of matrix proteins and miRNA as well as stromal markers such as PPP1R1B and SNED1. This is supporting the concept of cell adhesion mediated drug resistance. PMID:23446043

Coherent scattering from semi-infinite non-Hermitian potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Zafar; Ghosh, Dona; Kumar, Sachin

2018-02-01

When two identical (coherent) beams are injected at a semi-infinite non-Hermitian medium from left and right, we show that both reflection (rL,rR) and transmission (tL,tR) amplitudes are nonreciprocal. In a parametric domain, there exists spectral singularity (SS) at a real energy E =E*=k*2 and the determinant of the time-reversed two port scattering matrix, i.e., |det(S (-k ) ) |=| tL(-k ) tR(-k ) -rL(-k ) rR(-k ) | , vanishes sharply at k =k* , displaying the phenomenon of coherent perfect absorption (CPA). In the complementary parametric domain, the potential becomes either left or right reflectionless at E =Ez . We rule out the existence of invisibility despite rR(Ei) =0 and tR(Ei) =1 but T (Ei)≠1 , in this avenue. We present two simple exactly solvable models where expressions for E*, Ez, Ei, and parametric conditions on the potential have been obtained in explicit and simple forms. Earlier, the phenomena of SS and CPA have been found to occur only in the scattering complex potentials which are spatially localized (vanish asymptotically) and have tL=tR .

AN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION (ETV) TESTING OF SEVEN TECHNOLOGIES DETECTING TOXICITY IN DRINKING WATER (R2)

EPA Science Inventory

Rapid toxicity technologies can detect certain toxins and with testing it can be determined their susceptibility to interfering chemical in controlled experimental matrix. Rapid toxicity technologies do not identify or determine the concentrations of specific contaminants, but s...