Filter-embedding semiring fusion for programming with MapReduce

We show that MapReduce, the de facto standard for large scale data-intensive parallel programming, can be equipped with a programming theory in calculational form. By integrating the generate-and-test programming paradigm and semirings for aggregation of results, we propose a novel parallel programming framework for MapReduce. The framework consists of two important calculation theorems: the shortcut fusion theorem of semiring homomorphisms bridges the gap between specifications and efficient implementations, and the filter-embedding theorem helps to develop parallel programs in a systematic and incremental way.     

Cardioprotective Effects of a Nonsteroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blocker,Esaxerenone, in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats

We investigated the effects of esaxerenone, a novel, nonsteroidal, and selective mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, on cardiac function in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats. We provided 6-week-old DSS rats a high-salt diet (HSD, 8% NaCl). Following six weeks of HSD feeding (establishment of cardiac hypertrophy), we divided the animals into the following two groups: HSD or HSD + esaxerenone (0.001%, w/w). In survival study, all HSD-fed animals died by 24 weeks of age, whereas the esaxerenone-treated HSD-fed animals showed significantly improved survival. We used the same protocol with a separate set of animals to evaluate the cardiac function by echocardiography after four weeks of treatment. The results showed that HSD-fed animals developed cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by reduced stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output. Importantly, esaxerenone treatment decreased the worsening of cardiac dysfunction concomitant with a significantly reduced level of systolic blood pressure. In addition, treatment with esaxerenone in HSD-fed DSS rats caused a reduced level of cardiac remodeling as well as fibrosis. Furthermore, inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly reduced. These data indicate that esaxerenone has the potential to mitigate cardiac dysfunction in salt-induced myocardial injury in rats.     

Radiation grafting of hydrophilic monomers onto poly(4-methylpentene-1), II. Grafting of long chain monomers and physical properties of the grafted films

Radiation grafting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methoxytetraethyleneglycol methacrylate (M4G) on low crystallinity poly(4-methylpentene-1) (TPX) has been investigated. Grafting yield increased with increasing pre-irradiation dose, grafting temperature, and monomer concentration. Grafting rate depends on length of molecular chain in the monomers and decreases with increasing chain length. The grafting yields of electron beam irradiated samples were higher than those of γ-irradiated ones because of higher radical concentration. Tensile strength of the grafted film in the dried state increased and the elongation at break decreased with increasing degree of grafting. On the other hand, in the wet state, the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increasing the degree of grafting due to the lack of hydrogen bonds between the grafted chains caused by increased water absorption.     

Melt synthesis of oxide phosphors with K2NiF4 structures: CaLa1? x Eu x GaO4

In order to synthesize compounds of various Perovskite-related structures, we have utilized a novel “melt synthesis technique” for phosphors rather than the conventional solid state reaction techniques. The solid state reactions require multi-step processes of heating/cooling with intermediate grindings to make homogeneous samples. However, for the melt synthesis, it is possible to make a homogeneous sample in a single step within a short period of time (1–60 s) due to the liquid phase reaction in the molten samples, which were melted by strong light radiation in an imaging furnace. In this study, we have prepared a red-phosphor CaLaGaO₄:Eu³⁺ which has a perovskite—related layered K₂NiF₄ structure. Well-crystallized CaLa_1−x Eu _x GaO₄ samples with the K₂NiF₄ structure have been obtained up to x = 0.25, but there was the formation of an olivine phase when x = 0.5–1.0. The red emission at 618 nm increased with the increasing value of x up to x = 0.25.

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Development of stealth nanoparticles coated with poly(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) as an alternative to poly(ethylene glycol)

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) modification, also known as PEGylation, has been extensively used to improve the stability of nanoparticles for nanomedical applications. However, PEG exhibits antigenicity in some formulations, motivating researchers to explore alternative polymers. Herein, poly(vinyl ether) (PVE) derivatives are highlighted as promising alternatives to PEG because they form intermediate water molecules that suppress non-specific protein adsorption and platelet adhesion to the material surface. We prepared a water-soluble PVE derivative, poly(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) (PMOVE), and utilized it as a surface modifier for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as model nanoparticles. PMOVE with a thiol terminus was synthesized and confirmed to form an intermediate water molecule using differential scanning calorimetry. Similar to the synthesis of PEGylated AuNPs (PEG-AuNPs), PMOVE-modified AuNPs (PMOVE-AuNPs) were successfully fabricated with an appreciably high density of PMOVE palisades via a thiol-gold coordination reaction. Similar to PEG-AuNPs, PMOVE-AuNPs showed reduced serum protein adsorption and prolonged blood circulation. Additionally, no significant cytotoxicity was observed after incubation of a murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7, with PMOVE-AuNPs. Our results indicate that the PMOVE modification increases the stealthiness of nanoparticles that is equivalent to that achieved by PEGylation.     

Forging property,processing map,and mesoscale microstructural evolution modeling of a Ti-17 alloy with a lamellar (α+β) starting microstructure

Abstract

This work identifies microstructural conversion mechanisms during hot deformation (at temperatures ranging from 750 °C to 1050 °C and strain rates ranging from 10^?3 s^?1 to 1 s^?1) of a Ti-5Al-2Sn-2Zr-4Mo-4Cr (Ti-17) alloy with a lamellar starting microstructure and establishes constitutive formulae for predicting the microstructural evolution using finite-element analysis. In the α phase, lamellae kinking is the dominant mode in the higher strain rate region and dynamic globularization frequently occurs at higher temperatures. In the β phase, continuous dynamic recrystallization is the dominant mode below the transition temperature, T_β (880~890 °C). Dynamic recovery tends to be more active at conditions of lower strain rates and higher temperatures. At temperatures above T_β, continuous dynamic recrystallization of the β phase frequently occurs, especially in the lower strain rate region. A set of constitutive equations modeling the microstructural evolution and processing map characteristic are established by optimizing the experimental data and were later implemented in the DEFORM-3D software package. There is a satisfactory agreement between the experimental and simulated results, indicating that the established series of constitutive models can be used to reliably predict the properties of a Ti-17 alloy after forging in the (α+β) region.     

Development of method for estimating drop diameter in the manufacturing process of functional O/W microcapsules

A new method for preparing functional O/W microcapsules using a process involving O/W/O emulsion as particle formation was developed. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) or reduced coenzyme Q10 (QH) was used as the core substance. QH oxidized fast when exposed to air. O/W microcapsules were manufactured by conventional liquid phase drying method (LPD). The purpose of this study is to develop a simple method of estimating drop diameter which is possible to evaluate immediately the mean drop diameter during the microencapsulation process without the usual photographic measurement. This developed estimation is possible to predict a Sauter mean diameter by measuring the amount of inner CoQ10 released from O/W emulsion droplet. The amount of inner oil phase released from O/W emulsion has correlation with increased total surface area of O/W emulsion droplet caused by breaking droplet. Released rate of CoQ10 from O/W emulsion droplet to outer continuous phase under different rotational speed and emulsion viscosity was measured with an absorption spectrometer. As a result of the changes of released inner CoQ10 amount, droplet breakage under low emulsion viscosity was promoted by agitation speed. It is concluded that droplet dispersion state during manufacturing of O/W microcapsules was evaluated well by applying the developed estimation method.     

Different In Vitro-Generated MUTZ-3-Derived Dendritic Cell Types Secrete Dexosomes with Distinct Phenotypes and Antigen Presentation Potencies

Human dendritic cell (DC) dexosomes were evaluated for their function and preclinical validation for vaccines. Dexosomes are small DC-secreted vesicles that contain absorbing immune signals. Vaccine manufacturing requires a significant number of monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) from donor blood; thus, Mo-DC dexosomes are expected to serve as novel materials for cancer vaccination. In this study, we characterized a potential dexosome model using immature and mature MUTZ3-derived DCs (M-imIL-4-DC, M-imIFN-DC, M-mIL-4-DC, and M-mIFN-DC) and their dexosomes (M-imIL-4-Dex, M-imIFN-Dex, M-mIL4-Dex, and M-mIFN-Dex). Despite the lack of significant differences in viability, M-mIFN-DC showed a significantly higher level of yield and higher levels of maturation surface markers, such as CD86 and HLA-ABC, than M-mIL-4-DC. In addition, M-mIFN-Dex expressed a higher level of markers, such as HLA-ABC, than M-mIL-4-Dex. Furthermore, M-mIFN-Dex exhibited a higher level of antigen presentation potency, as evaluated using a MART-1 system, than either M-imIFN-Dex or M-mIL-4-Dex. We found that M-mIFN-Dex is one of the four types of MUTZ3-derived DCs that harbor potential immunogenicity, suggesting that DC dexosomes could be useful resources in cancer immunotherapy.     

The preparation and characterization of SiC-AlN-Fe2Si composites with high porosity from allophane

The reaction products of an allophane heated with carbon at 850–1600 °C in the stream of nitrogen for a given time were characterized by X-ray diffractometry. As a result, it was found that cristobalite and mullite were stable phases at 850–1300 °C, β-Si₃N₄ and α-Al₂O₃ at 1300–1500 °C, and SiC-AlN-Fe₂Si at temperatures higher than 1500 °C. SiC-AlN-Fe₂Si composites with high porosity of about 50% were easily prepared by a heat treatment at a temperature higher than 1500 °C with carbon in a stream of nitrogen. The formation mechanism of the composites is kinetically discussed from a viewpoint of small-pore shrinkage and large-pore expansion by volume diffusion during heating. The resultant microstructure of the composites obtained is also discussed.