Multi‐wavelength image space: another Grid‐enabled science

We describe how the Grid enables new research possibilities in astronomy through multi‐wavelength images. To see sky images in the same pixel space, they must be projected to that space, a computer‐intensive process. There is thus a virtual data space induced that is defined by an image and the applied projection. This virtual data can be created and replicated with Planners and Replica catalog technology developed under the GriPhyN project. We plan to deploy our system (MONTAGE) on the U.S. Teragrid. Grid computing is also needed for ingesting data—computing background correction on each image—which forms a separate virtual data space. Multi‐wavelength images can be used for pushing source detection and statistics by an order of magnitude from current techniques; for optimization of multi‐wavelength image registration for detection and characterization of extended sources; and for detection of new classes of essentially multi‐wavelength astronomical phenomena. The paper discusses both the Grid architecture and the scientific goals. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes of Relative Crystallinity of Potato Starch Under Gamma Irradiation

Indices of relative crystallinity of starch samples after gamma irradiation in dry form or in potatoes have been determined by differential and integral methods and compared with those calculated for corresponding reference samples. In the case of dry samples, the diminution of relative crystallinity was observed after gamma ray irradiation. In the case of starch samples extracted from irradiated potatoes, the influence of drying conditions was additionally observed. The diminution of relative crystallinity seems to be accompanied by destruction of long-range ordering as observed by SAXS experiment.     

A Novel Strategy as a Potential Rapid Therapy Modality in the Treatment of Corneal Ulcers: Fluconazole/Vancomycin Dual Drug-Loaded Nanofibrous Patches

Corneal ulcer, which is brought on by a breach in the epithelial barrier, is a dangerous infection of the avascular corneal stroma. New treatment strategies are needed, suppressing the aggressive nature of the disease and including a combination of different drugs. In this study, vancomycin (VAN) and fluconazole (FLU) dual-drug loaded dual-layered polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin (PVA/GEL) nanofibrous patches are produced by electrospinning. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show smooth surfaces are obtained for both pure and drug-loaded nanofibrous patches. The tensile test results report that loading the FLU and VAN separately into the PVA/GEL patches decrease both the tensile strength and elongation at break and it is further reduced when combining two drug-loaded layers in one patch. According to drug release results, the FLU and VAN-loaded nanofibrous patches show a controlled release profile extending up to 96 h. Moreover, PVA/GEL/FLU, PVA/GEL/VAN, and PVA/GEL/FLU/VAN nanofibrous patches display significant antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. SEM, 4'-6diamidynofenyloindol (DAPI) staining, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay show that PVA/FLU and PVA/GEL/FLU/VAN nanofibrous patches have a superior effect on NIH3T3 cell spreading and proliferation. The novelty of this study lays in the development of a potential dual drug rapid treatment for corneal ulcers of aggressive nature.     

The Modification of Starch by High Pressure. Part II: Compression of Starch with Additives

Dry and wet starch containing 2, 5, 10, 15, 18, 20 and 22% of humidity was compressed under 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 × 10⁹ Pa. Also starch containing chlorides of sodium, calcium barium, tin (II), zinc, copper (II), cobalt(II) and iron (III) as well as molecular iodine and all sodium fluoride, bromide, iodide, phosphate, sulfate and rhodanide was similarly compressed. It was found that humidity accelerates the destruction of starch matrix. Among mineral additives only cobaltous and ferric chlorides as well as iodine corraborate with high pressure in the deterioration of starch matrix.