Analysis of an electromagnetic induction detector for real-timelocation of buried objects

Spatial response characteristics of an electromagnetic induction sensor as it passes over a metallic object are investigated using a simple analytical technique. In this low-frequency technique, one replaces a metallic object with equivalent electric and magnetic dipoles and then applies the principles of reciprocity to obtain the induced EMF in a sensor coil. Analysis is carried out for a sensor employing rectangular coils, and the object set is confined to a sphere and a prolate spheroid. The simple approach, which is illustrated with both numerical and experimental data, is found to be adequate to understand the effect on the response characteristics of parameters such as object depth, orientation, aspect ratio, and material properties     

Robust maximum-likelihood estimation of multivariable dynamic systems

This paper examines the problem of estimating linear time-invariant state-space system models. In particular, it addresses the parametrization and numerical robustness concerns that arise in the multivariable case. These difficulties are well recognised in the literature, resulting (for example) in extensive study of subspace-based techniques, as well as recent interest in ‘data driven’ local co-ordinate approaches to gradient search solutions. The paper here proposes a different strategy that employs the expectation-maximisation (EM) technique. The consequence is an algorithm that is iterative, with associated likelihood values that are locally convergent to stationary points of the (Gaussian) likelihood function. Furthermore, theoretical and empirical evidence presented here establishes additional attractive properties such as numerical robustness, avoidance of difficult parametrization choices, the ability to naturally and easily estimate non-zero initial conditions, and moderate computational cost. Moreover, since the methods here are maximum-likelihood based, they have associated known and asymptotically optimal statistical properties.     

Exploring the Molecular Interactions of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone and Its Derivatives with TrkB and VEGFR2 Proteins

7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) is a TrkB receptor agonist, and treatment with this flavonoid derivative brings about an enhanced TrkB phosphorylation and promotes downstream cellular signalling. Flavonoids are also known to exert an inhibitory effect on the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) family of tyrosine kinase receptors. VEGFR2 is one of the important receptors involved in the regulation of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis and has also been implicated to exhibit various neuroprotective roles. Its upregulation and uncontrolled activity is associated with a range of pathological conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and various proliferative disorders. In this study, we investigated molecular interactions of 7,8-DHF and its derivatives with both the TrkB receptor as well as VEGFR2. Using a combination of molecular docking and computational mapping tools involving molecular dynamics approaches we have elucidated additional residues and binding energies involved in 7,8-DHF interactions with the TrkB Ig2 domain and VEGFR2. Our investigations have revealed for the first time that 7,8-DHF has dual biochemical action and its treatment may have divergent effects on the TrkB via its extracellular Ig2 domain and on the VEGFR2 receptor through the intracellular kinase domain. Contrary to its agonistic effects on the TrkB receptor, 7,8-DHF was found to downregulate VEGFR2 phosphorylation both in 661W photoreceptor cells and in retinal tissue.     

Flexible Nanosomes (SECosomes) Enable Efficient siRNA Delivery in Cultured Primary Skin Cells and in the Viable Epidermis of Ex Vivo Human Skin

The extent to which nanoscale‐engineered systems cross intact human skin and can exert pharmacological effects in viable epidermis is controversial. This research seeks to develop a new lipid‐based nanosome that enables the effective delivery of siRNA into human skin. The major finding is that an ultraflexible siRNA‐containing nanosome—prepared using DOTAP, cholesterol, sodium cholate, and 30% ethanol—penetrates into the epidermis of freshly excised intact human skin and is able to enter into the keratinocytes. The nanosomes, called surfactant‐ethanol‐cholesterol‐osomes (SECosomes), show excellent size, surface charge, morphology, deformability, transfection efficiency, stability, and skin penetration capacity after complexation with siRNA. Importantly, these nanosomes have ideal characteristics for siRNA encapsulation, in that the siRNA is stable for at least 4 weeks, they enable highly efficient transfection of in vitro cultured cells, and are shown to transport siRNA delivery through intact human skin where changes in the keratinocyte cell state are demonstrated. It is concluded that increasing flexibility in nanosomes greatly enhances their ability to cross the intact human epidermal membrane and to unload their payload into targeted epidermal cells.     

Incorporating a Polyethyleneglycol Linker to Enhance the Hydrophilicity of Mitochondria-Targeted Triphenylphosphonium Constructs

The targeting of bioactive molecules and probes to mitochondria can be achieved by coupling to the lipophilic triphenyl phosphonium (TPP) cation, which accumulates several hundred-fold within mitochondria in response to the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m). Typically, a simple alkane links the TPP to its “cargo”, increasing overall hydrophobicity. As it would be beneficial to enhance the water solubility of mitochondria-targeted compounds we explored the effects of replacing the alkyl linker with a polyethylene glycol (PEG). We found that the use of PEG led to compounds that were readily taken up by isolated mitochondria and by mitochondria inside cells. Within mitochondria the PEG linker greatly decreased adsorption of the TPP constructs to the matrix-facing face of the mitochondrial inner membrane. These findings will allow the distribution of mitochondria-targeted TPP compounds within mitochondria to be fine-tuned.     

Rethinking food aid to fight AIDS

While the realization that AIDS is far more than a health problem has dawned only recently, many development organizations have yet to undertake thorough analyses of what this means for what they do, and how they do it. Even fewer have actually changed their policies and procedures to adjust to these new realities. We know that food and nutrition are fundamentally intertwined with HIV transmission and the impacts of AIDS. Food and nutrition security is fundamentally relevant to all four of the conventional pillars of HIV/AIDS response-prevention, care, treatment, and mitigation-and food aid can be an important weapon in the arsenal. This paper, based on a detailed review of the relevant literature and the findings of a mission to eastern and southern Africa, highlights the implications of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for food aid strategy and programming. By viewing food aid programs through an "HIV/AIDS lens" and in the context of a livelihoods approach, the authors argue that organizations can effectively design interventions that reduce both susceptibility to HIV and vulnerability to AIDS impacts. Though there is little empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of food aid in responding to HIV/AIDS, the authors argue that this should not constrain action. Using past experience as a guide, organizations can learn by doing, documenting, and continually reassessing their programs using the evolving lens, so as to ensure maximal relevance and impact.     

Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health: Advantage Whey

Skeletal muscle is an integral body tissue playing key roles in strength, performance, physical function, and metabolic regulation. It is essential for athletes to ensure that they have optimal amounts of muscle mass to ensure peak performance in their given sport. However, the role of maintaining muscle mass during weight loss and as we age is an emerging concept, having implications in chronic disease prevention, functional capacity, and quality of life. Higher‐protein diets have been shown to: (1) promote gains in muscle mass, especially when paired with resistance training; (2) spare muscle mass loss during caloric restriction; and (3) attenuate the natural loss of muscle mass that accompanies aging. Protein quality is important to the gain and maintenance of muscle mass. Protein quality is a function of protein digestibility, amino acid content, and the resulting amino acid availability to support metabolic function. Whey protein is one of the highest‐quality proteins given its amino acid content (high essential, branched‐chain, and leucine amino acid content) and rapid digestibility. Consumption of whey protein has a robust ability to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. In fact, whey protein has been found to stimulate muscle protein synthesis to a greater degree than other proteins such as casein and soy. This review examines the existing data supporting the role for protein consumption, with an emphasis on whey protein, in the regulation of muscle mass and body composition in response to resistance training, caloric restriction, and aging.     

Pressureless sintering of β-SiAlON ceramic compositions using fluorine and oxide additive system

SiAlONs are silicon aluminium oxynitride ceramic materials with a range of technically important applications, from cutting tools to specialised refractories and the properties of SiAlONs can be tailored for specific purposes. In this study, different β-SiAlON compositions were prepared using fluoride (MgF₂ as fluorine source plus Y₂O₃) and oxide (MgO plus Y₂O₃). These compositions were pressureless sintered under nitrogen atmosphere in the range of 1450–1750 °C for 0.5–2.5 h for comparison of densification behaviour and mechanical properties. Densities of samples were measured and analyses of result products were carried out using SEM and XRD. The F-doped sintered β-SiAlON ceramics showed better densities and less pore micrographs especially at lower temperatures compared with the fluorine free samples. Full densifications were achieved for β-SiAlON ceramics with fluoride addition at 1700 °C for 60 min. Consequently, fluorine addition to additive system has a good effect on mechanical properties and densification behaviour.     

Turbulence and Secondary Flow over Sediment Stripes in Weakly Bimodal Bed Material

Longitudinal stripes are a common bed form in heterogeneous alluvial sediments and consist of periodic, spanwise variations in bed texture and elevation that are aligned parallel to the mean flow direction. This paper quantifies mean and turbulent flow structures over self-formed sediment stripes in a weakly bimodal sand and gravel mixture. Turbulence anisotropy generates two secondary circulation cells across the channel half-width, which produce a cross-stream perturbation in boundary shear stress. The interaction between this flow structure and the selective transport of bed material generates spanwise sediment sorting that is symmetrical about the centerline. Finer sediments are entrained from regions of high shear stress, transported laterally by the secondary flow, and deposited in regions of lower shear stress. Lateral changes in bed texture further enhance the near-bed secondary flow, which provides a positive feedback mechanism for stripe growth. In bimodal sediments, at shear stresses just above the entrainment threshold, stripes may replace lower-stage plane beds. At higher shear stresses the coarser sediment becomes more mobile and the stripes are replaced by flow transverse bed forms.     

Interpretation of Absolute Laser Reflectance During Optical Monitoring of Polycrystalline GaAs Deposition on Quartz Using Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) was deposited by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition in a horizontal quartz reactor tube using trimethylgallium and arsine at 400°C to 500°C. Nucleation time and deposition rate were monitored using in situ laser reflectometry. This allowed differentiation between film and parasitic growth, which was not possible with other optical techniques. An absolute reflectance model was developed using measurements prior to GaAs deposition, and then employed to calculate values for GaAs on quartz. Detected reflectance intensities during experimental GaAs deposition were low compared with the model due to three-dimensional island growth, causing scattering of the incident laser radiation.