An interactive multiple-response simulation optimization method

This study proposes a new interactive multicriteria method for determining the best levels of the decision variables needed to optimize a stochastic computer simulation with multiple response variables. The method, called the Pairwise Comparison Stochastic Cutting Plane (PCSCP) method, combines good features from interactive multiple objective mathematical programming and response surface methodology. The major characteristics of the PCSCP method are: (1) it interacts progressively with the decision-maker (DM) to obtain her preferences, (2) it uses experimental design to explore the decision space adequately while reducing the burden on the DM, and (3) it uses the preference information provided by the DM and the sampling error in the responses to reduce the decision space. The mechanics of the method are illustrated with a numerical example. Some computational studies evaluating the method are also reported.     

Simulation of polarization converter formed by poling-inducedpolymer waveguides

A polarization converter using electrooptic (EO) polymer waveguides is proposed and it is simulated by a full vectorial beam propagation method (VBPM) for anisotropic medium. First, an efficient structure of poling electrodes is proposed for the fabrication of TE-mode poling-induced waveguides in EO polymer. For given electrode structures of both TE-mode and TM-mode waveguides, poling-induced dielectric tensors are calculated by the finite-element method to provide refractive index distribution, data for VBPM simulation. It is shown numerically that the poled TE and TM mode waveguides work efficiently as the corresponding polarization filters. Then, new poling electrodes are suggested to fabricate a waveguide device formed by connecting the TE and TM mode waveguides adiabatically with a slowly varying structure. This waveguide device has the optic axis slowly rotating as one moves along the propagation direction, so that it will act as polarization converter. VBPM simulation shows that the polarization of the guided mode rotates following the optic axis distribution. Polarization conversion is demonstrated successfully with high conversion efficiency and low excess loss     

Parasitic Bipolar Junction Transistors in a Floating-Gate MOSFET for Fluorescence Detection

In this letter, we examined whether the parasitic bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) in the MOSFET fabricated by the standard CMOS process can play a role as a fluorescence detector. To suppress the action of two vertical parasitic BJTs, the gate and n-well were tied in the parasitic BJTs, and the body node was connected to the drain. The proposed device was compared with the inherent and the parasitic diodes in the MOSFET. It had 100 times higher photocurrents than the diodes in the MOSFET. In addition, it was applied for the detection of the fluorescent signal, and could detect near 10 nM of Alexa 546. Therefore, CMOS-process-compatible parasitic BJTs can be used as a photodetector in an integrated fluorescence detector.     

An empirical investigation of socio-cultural factors of information sharing in China

Understanding information sharing is an important challenge to modern organizations, and is likely to be increasingly considered when IT investment decisions are made world-wide. Our research study investigated the influence of cultural factors on information sharing in China. It was postulated that social network structures such as guanxi, Confucian dynamism, and collectivism could explain the degree to which information sharing took place between people in China. It was found that guanxi, Confucian dynamism, and collectivism all had a significant influence on information sharing.     

Isolation and characterization of a novel 5-oxoprolinase (without ATP-hydrolyzing) from Alcaligenes faecalis N-38A

A screening test was undertaken to isolate a microorganism that produced 5-oxoprolinase (without ATP-hydrolyzing). The 5-oxoprolinase (without ATP-hydrolyzing) activity (decyclization activity toward L-pyroglutamate) was found in a cell-free extract of Alcaligenes faecalis N-38A, newly isolated from a soil sample. The enzyme was purified as a homogeneous preparation. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 47,000. The decyclization activity was specific for L-pyroglutamate, and independent of ATP and metal ions. The reaction was a reversible one, i.e., cyclization reaction of L-glutamate to yield pyroglutamate was identified.     

Clonal composition of malignant fibrous histiocytoma: analysis by PCR-based assay of the human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA)

Poly(A)+ mRNA was isolated from leaves of potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree) according to standard protocols. This poly(A)+ mRNA was injected via glass microcapillaries into oocytes that were surgically removed from the African clawed toad Xenopus laevis. As a control, oocytes were either injected with H2O or remained untreated. Three days after injection the oocytes were analyzed by two electrode voltage clamping. Current voltage analysis revealed that a K+ channel from potato was functionally expressed in injected oocytes. The identity of this K+ channel was confirmed by its substrate specificity and a shift in the reversal potential. In particular, when the outside K+ concentration was increased the reversal potential of poly(A)+ injected oocytes shifted to more positive values. Furthermore, K+ outward currents declined when the outside K+ concentration was raised from 0.1 to 100 mM. Inward currents increased with an elevation of the K+ concentration. Several pharmaceuticals were tested for their potential to block this K+ channel. As a result, the channel was completely blocked by BaCl2. A three state reaction kinetic model was used to simulate the currents through the K+ transport protein as function of the extracellular K+ concentration. In particular, the simulation revealed current voltage relations that exactly matched the measured ones. Saturation of current voltage curves emerged from the simulation as a consequence of high extracellular potassium concentration.     

Modeling and control of a finger-like mechanism using bending shape memory alloys

Microsystem Technologies - In this research a biologically inspired finger-like mechanism similar to human musculoskeletal system is developed based on Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs). SMA actuators are...     

Some new volatile compounds from the non-enzymic browning reaction of glucose-glutamic acid system

Summary The volatile compounds from the Maillard reaction in the glucose - glutamic acid system were analysed by combined gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Of the 50 peaks detected, 42 components comprising 2 acids, 2 alcohols, 5 carbonyls, 2 esters, 4 lactones, 17 furans, 4 pyrazines and 3 pyrroles were identified, four of which tentatively. Decadien 2,4-al, 2-n-pentyl furoate, 2-(2-fury()-pyrazine. -nonalactone, 2-(2-fury()-5- or 6-methylpyrazine were previously not reported to occur in heated sugar - amino acid browning systems. The new compound, 5-formyloxymethyl-2-furfural has apparently not yet been recorded in the chemical literature.The compound 5-acetoxymethyl-2-furfural had an aroma close to that of bread whereas 5-formyloxymethyl-2-furfural exhibited a very faint sweet burnt aroma.

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Einige neue flüchtige Verbindungen aus der nicht-enzymatischen Bräunungsreaktion des Glucose-Glutaminsäure-Systems

Zusammenfassung Die flüchtigen Verbindungen aus der Maillardreaktion des Glucose-Glutaminsäure-Systems wurde mit Hilfe der Gaschromatographie/Massenspektrometrie analysiert. Von den 50 nachgewiesenen Peaks wurden 42 identifiziert: 2 Säuren, 2 Alkohole, 5 Carbonyle, 2 Ester, 4 Lactone, 17 Furane, 4 Pyrazine, 3 Pyrrole und 4 weitere provisorisch. Deca-2,4-dienal, 2-n-Pentylfluorat, 2-(2-Furyl)-pyrazin, -Nonalacton, 2-(2-Furyl)-5 oder -6-Methylpyrazin wurden bisher nicht in dem erhitzten Zucker-Aminosäuren-Bräunungssystem registriert. Die neue Verbindung 5-Formyloxymethyl-2-furfural ist anscheinend noch nicht in der chemischen Literatur festgestellt worden. Die Verbindung 5-Acetoxymethyl-2-furfural hat an ein Brot erinnerndes Aroma, während die 5-Formyloxymethyl-2-furfural-Verbindung ein sehr schwaches süßlich-verbranntes Aroma aufweist.

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Taken in part from the Ph. D. thesis of the Senior Author     

Annexin 1 Is a Component of eATP-Induced Cytosolic Calcium Elevation in Arabidopsis thaliana Roots

Extracellular ATP (eATP) has long been established in animals as an important signalling molecule but this is less understood in plants. The identification of Arabidopsis thaliana DORN1 (Does Not Respond to Nucleotides) as the first plant eATP receptor has shown that it is fundamental to the elevation of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) as a possible second messenger. eATP causes other downstream responses such as increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide, plus changes in gene expression. The plasma membrane Ca²⁺ influx channels involved in eATP-induced [Ca²⁺]_cyt increase remain unknown at the genetic level. Arabidopsis thaliana Annexin 1 has been found to mediate ROS-activated Ca²⁺ influx in root epidermis, consistent with its operating as a transport pathway. In this study, the loss of function Annexin 1 mutant was found to have impaired [Ca²⁺]_cyt elevation in roots in response to eATP or eADP. Additionally, this annexin was implicated in modulating eATP-induced intracellular ROS accumulation in roots as well as expression of eATP-responsive genes.     

Molecular Docking Studies and Biological Evaluation of Berberine–Benzothiazole Derivatives as an Anti-Influenza Agent via Blocking of Neuraminidase

In this study, we have introduced newly synthesized substituted benzothiazole based berberine derivatives that have been analyzed for their in vitro and in silico biological properties. The activity towards various kinds of influenza virus strains by employing the cytopathic effect (CPE) and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Several berberine–benzothiazole derivatives (BBDs), such as BBD1, BBD3, BBD4, BBD5, BBD7, and BBD11, demonstrated interesting anti-influenza virus activity on influenza A viruses (A/PR/8/34, A/Vic/3/75) and influenza B viral (B/Lee/40, and B/Maryland/1/59) strain, respectively. Furthermore, by testing neuraminidase activity (NA) with the neuraminidase assay kit, it was identified that BBD7 has potent neuraminidase activity. The molecular docking analysis further suggests that the BBD1–BBD14 compounds’ antiviral activity may be because of interaction with residues of NA, and the same as in oseltamivir.