System-guided view integration for object-oriented databases

Some of the shortcomings of current view integration methodologies, namely, a low emphasis on full-scale automated systems, a lack of algorithmic specifications of the integration activities, inattention to the design of databases with new properties such as databases for computer-aided design, and insufficient experience with data models with a rich set of type and abstraction mechanisms, are attacked simultaneously. The focus is on design databases for software engineering applications. The approach relies on a semantic model based on structural object-orientation with various features tailored to these applications. The expressiveness of the model is used to take the first steps toward algorithmic solutions, and it is demonstrated how corresponding tools could be embedded methodically within the view integration process and technically within a database design environment. The central ideal is to compute so-called assumption predicates that express suggested similarities between structures in two schemas to be integrated, and then have a human integrator confirm or reject them. The basic method is exemplified for the CERM data model that includes molecular aggregation, generalization, and versioning     

Local Hall Effect and Ballistic Transport in Multi-terminal InAs-Based Lateral Spin-Valve Tunnelling Devices

A multi-terminal InAs-based lateral spin-valve tunnelling device is presented, which enables individual electrical characterization of all spin-valve components in two-terminal configuration. Both the spin-valve and the non-local geometry are available for studying spin-dependent transport. Furthermore, we propose a measurement geometry in which the spin-dependent contact resistance of the sensor electrode can be measured in three-terminal configuration. Longitudinal magnetoresistance in spin-valve geometry reveal hysteresis loops of 1 mΩ deflection as known from Hall magnetometry. In non-local geometry a polarity-dependent current–voltage characteristic at 2 K is observed. This can be understood in terms of a superposition of a diffusive resistive component with a polarity-dependent ballistic component.     

Precipitation of titanium nitride in low-alloyed steel during solidification

The microsegregation of titanium and manganese and the precipitation of titanium nitride during dendritic solidification were investigated on an Fe-0.051%Ti-0.77%Mn alloy. Carbon and nitrogen were introduced into the liquid sample via the gas phase. The material solidifies as delta ferrite at a carbon mass content of about 0.08% but predominantly as austenite at ≥ 0.3%. At ferritic solidification, an about 3fold enrichment of the titanium in the residual melt between secondary dendrite arms is attained by segregration, whereas in the corners between some dendrites or grains in maximum a 10fold enrichment was detected. TiN particles of 0.5 to 1.0 μm size are formed only in the regions of maximum segregation where the supersaturation is higher than 15fold. An equal supersaturation has been calculated for homogeneous nucleation in the melt. The number of particles is moderate at 0.016% nitrogen but low at 0.008%. At austenitic solidification, the titanium content in the residual melt increases to more than the 30fold of the starting value. Particles formed in the melt grow to diameters in the 2 μm range.     

In‐Situ Carbon Doping of TiO2 Nanotubes Via Anodization in Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot Containing Electrolyte and Carburization to TiOxCy Nanotubes

Anodic production of self‐organized titania nanotubes (TNTs) in an electrolyte enriched with graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) is reported. The TNT‐GOQD composites grown under these conditions show in‐situ carbon doping, leading to the formation of anatase TiO₂ domains and to the reduction to substoichiometric oxide (TiO_x) and TiC. Surface science and electrochemical techniques are used in synergy to reveal that graphitic carbon is incorporated into TiO₂ upon anodic nanotube growth promoting the formation of oxygen vacancies and thus TiO₂ reduction. Upon annealing in ultrahigh vacuum, titanium oxycarbide (TiO_xC_y) is formed at temperatures ≥400 °C, where the material changes from a semiconductor to a semimetal. At the solid/liquid interface, the apparent electron donor density increases from as‐grown TNTs to as‐grown TNT‐GOQD composites due to the carbon doping, and the conductivity increases further with annealing temperature due to the increasing concentration of coordinatively unsaturated C atoms, crystallinity, and TiO₂ reduction. The materials synthesized and characterized in this study find application in different areas ranging from visible light photocatalysis and photo‐electrochemistry to use as Li‐ion battery anodes and electrocatalyst supports, because it is possible to gradually tune the density of states below the Fermi level, which can be referred to as band‐gap engineering.     

Diffuse mesangial sclerosis: association with unreported congenital anomalies and placental enlargement

A case of diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS) associated with a number of undescribed congenital anomalies is reported. The occurrence of additional anomalies, especially ocular anomalies, is a common finding in DMS. However, neither megalocornea, Dandy-Walker malformation, postaxial hexadactyly, rocker-bottom feet, nor atrial septal defect, as observed in our patient, has been reported previously in association with DMS. This case might be considered an atypical manifestation of the Galloway-Mowat syndrome. In contrast to most cases of DMS, the patient revealed intrauterine proteinuria as the placenta was enlarged to 31% of birth weight. This case demonstrates that the large placenta, >25% of birth weight, is not only pathognomonic of the congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type but can also occur in DMS.     

Assessing the quality of psychiatric hospital care: a German approach

OBJECTIVE: The German Ministry of Health commissioned a nonprofit organization to develop a tool for assessing the quality of psychiatric hospital care. METHODS: The authors were members of an expert group established to develop an assessment tool that could be used by professional caregivers, patients, patients' relatives, managers, purchasers, and mental health care planners. RESULTS: A three-dimensional model was developed in which 23 quality standards may be applied to 28 areas of practice. For each application, questions can be asked at four levels to stimulate ongoing quality management: the individual treatment process, the individual outcome, the treatment unit, and the hospital as a whole. The authors provide sample questions to illustrate the approach. CONCLUSIONS: The approach to quality assessment embodied in the model is comprehensive and addresses ethical issues, but it is also complicated and difficult to handle. Unlike models developed in the United States, it is not intended to be objective or standardized, and it does not yield a score. To some extent, the model's approach to assessment may reflect German cultural values and traditions.     

Zur Essentialität der Polyenfettsäuren

On the Essential Nature of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Several plant oils contain polyunsaturated fatty acids which cannot be synthesized by the human body. They have been recognized as essential nutrients, as characteristic symptoms are caused by deficient intake. The LCP-fatty acids are incorporated into structural lipids and cell membrans and influence directly their properties. LCP-fatty acids are precursors of prostaglandins, lencotrienes and eicosanoid mediators, which intern regulate numerous cell functions. The effects of LCP-fatty acids on pre- and postnatal growth and the nervous system are discussed in detail.     

Characterization and expression analysis of a gene cluster for nitrate assimilation from the yeast Arxula adeninivorans

In Arxula adeninivorans nitrate assimilation is mediated by the combined actions of a nitrate transporter, a nitrate reductase and a nitrite reductase. Single‐copy genes for these activities (AYNT1, AYNR1, AYNI1, respectively) form a 9103 bp gene cluster localized on chromosome 2. The 3210 bp AYNI1 ORF codes for a protein of 1070 amino acids, which exhibits a high degree of identity to nitrite reductases from the yeasts Pichia anomala (58%), Hansenula polymorpha (58%) and Dekkera bruxellensis (54%). The second ORF (AYNR1, 2535 bp) encodes a nitrate reductase of 845 residues that shows significant (51%) identity to nitrate reductases of P. anomala and H. polymorpha. The third ORF in the cluster (AYNT1, 1518 bp) specifies a nitrate transporter with 506 amino acids, which is 46% identical to that of H. polymorpha. The three genes are independently expressed upon induction with NaNO₃. We quantitatively analysed the promoter activities by qRT–PCR and after fusing individual promoter fragments to the phytase (phyK) gene from Klebsiella sp. ASR1. The AYNI1 promoter was found to exhibit the highest activity, followed by the AYNT1 and AYNR1 elements. Direct measurements of nitrate and nitrite reductase activities performed after induction with NaNO₃ are compatible with these results. Both enzymes show optimal activity at around 42°C and near‐neutral pH, and require FAD as a co‐factor and NADPH as electron donor. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atan1p—an extracellular tannase from the dimorphic yeast Arxula adeninivorans: molecular cloning of the ATAN1 gene and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

The tannase‐encoding Arxula adeninivorans gene ATAN1 was isolated from genomic DNA by PCR, using as primers oligonucleotide sequences derived from peptides obtained after tryptic digestion of the purified tannase protein. The gene harbours an ORF of 1764 bp, encoding a 587‐amino acid protein, preceded by an N‐terminal secretion sequence comprising 28 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence was similar to those of tannases from Aspergillus oryzae (50% identity), A. niger (48%) and putative tannases from A. fumigatus (52%) and A. nidulans (50%). The sequence contains the consensus pentapeptide motif (–Gly–X–Ser–X–Gly–) which forms part of the catalytic centre of serine hydrolases. Expression of ATAN1 is regulated by the carbon source. Supplementation with tannic acid or gallic acid leads to induction of ATAN1, and accumulation of the native tannase enzyme in the medium. The enzymes recovered from both wild‐type and recombinant strains were essentially indistinguishable. A molecular mass of ～320 kDa was determined, indicating that the native, glycosylated tannase consists of four identical subunits. The enzyme has a temperature optimum at 35–40 °C and a pH optimum at ～6.0. The enzyme is able to remove gallic acid from both condensed and hydrolysable tannins. The wild‐type strain LS3 secreted amounts of tannase equivalent to 100 U/l under inducing conditions, while the transformant strain, which overexpresses the ATAN1 gene from the strong, constitutively active A. adeninivorans TEF1 promoter, produced levels of up to 400 U/l when grown in glucose medium in shake flasks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.