Exposure to inhomogeneous static magnetic field beneficially affects allergic inflammation in a murine model

Previous observations suggest that static magnetic field (SMF)-exposure acts on living organisms partly through reactive oxygen species (ROS) reactions. In this study, we aimed to define the impact of SMF-exposure on ragweed pollen extract (RWPE)-induced allergic inflammation closely associated with oxidative stress. Inhomogeneous SMF was generated with an apparatus validated previously providing a peak-to-peak magnetic induction of the dominant SMF component 389 mT by 39 T m⁻¹ lateral gradient in the in vivo and in vitro experiments, and 192 mT by 19 T m⁻¹ in the human study at the 3 mm target distance. Effects of SMF-exposure were studied in a murine model of allergic inflammation and also in human provoked skin allergy. We found that even a single 30-min exposure of mice to SMF immediately following intranasal RWPE challenge significantly lowered the increase in the total antioxidant capacity of the airways and decreased allergic inflammation. Repeated (on 3 consecutive days) or prolonged (60 min) exposure to SMF after RWPE challenge decreased the severity of allergic responses more efficiently than a single 30-min treatment. SMF-exposure did not alter ROS production by RWPE under cell-free conditions, while diminished RWPE-induced increase in the ROS levels in A549 epithelial cells. Results of the human skin prick tests indicated that SMF-exposure had no significant direct effect on provoked mast cell degranulation. The observed beneficial effects of SMF are likely owing to the mobilization of cellular ROS-eliminating mechanisms rather than direct modulation of ROS production by pollen NAD(P)H oxidases.     

Isolation,Identification, and Quantification of Potential Defensive Compounds in the Viceroy Butterfly and its Larval Host–Plant,Carolina Willow

The viceroy-monarch and viceroy-queen butterfly associations are classic examples of mimicry. These relationships were originally classified as Batesian, or parasitic, but were later reclassified as Müllerian, or mutalistic, based on predator bioassays. The Müllerian reclassification implies that viceroy is unpalatable because it too is chemically defended like the queen and the monarch. However, unlike the queen and the monarch, the viceroy defensive chemistry has remained uncharacterized. We demonstrate that the viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus, Nymphalidae) not only sequesters nonvolatile defensive compounds from its larval host-plant, the Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana, Salicaceae), but also secretes volatile defensive compounds when disturbed. We developed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry methods to identify a set of phenolic glycosides shared between the adult viceroy butterfly and the Carolina willow, and solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods to identify volatile phenolic compounds released from stressed viceroy butterflies. In both approaches, all structures were characterized based on their mass spectral fragmentation patterns and confirmed with authentic standards. The phenolics we found are known to deter predator attack in other prey systems, including other willow-feeding insect species. Because these compounds have a generalized defensive function at the concentrations we described, our results are consistent with the Müllerian reclassification put forth by other researchers based on bioassay results. It seems that the viceroy butterfly possesses chemical defenses different from its monarch and queen butterfly counterparts (phenolic glycosides vs. cardiac glycosides, respectively), an unusual phenomenon in mimicry warranting future study.     

Investigation of the bed soil of a failed building after its compaction by crushed-stone/cement piles

Results are presented for field investigations of the compaction of soils beneath the lower surface of substantial foundations in weak clayey, sandy, and fill soils of Moscow.     

Problem Difficulty and Code Growth in Genetic Programming

This paper investigates the relationship between code growth and problem difficulty in genetic programming. The symbolic regression problem domain is used to investigate this relationship using two different types of increased instance difficulty. Results are supported by a simplified model of genetic programming and show that increased difficulty induces higher selection pressure and less genetic diversity, which both contribute toward an increased rate of code growth.     

Reducing Aging Impacts in Digital Sensors via Run-Time Calibration

Hazards or intentional perturbations must be identified in safety- and security-critical applications. Digital sensors have been shown to be an appealing approach to detect such abnormalities. However, as any sensor technology, digital sensors are prone to mis-calibration. In particular, even if the digital sensor initial calibration is correct, the rate of false and missed alarms might increase when the sensor is aged. In this paper, we thoroughly study the impact of aging-induced false and missed alarms. Indeed aging relates to the usage time, and a priori model (historical data for environmental variation) for predicting the aging is unrealistic for digital sensors as tracking the usage time with related temperature and voltage variation imposes high overhead. Accordingly, we propose an alternative approach where not one but two sensors are deployed. In practice, one sensor is used to detect environmental deviations, while the second one is used as the reference. In this respect, the second sensor is only operated seldom, mostly to re-calibrate the active sensor when aged. From this dual input (unaged and aged sensor), corrective models are derived. We account for two methods, namely simple but effective offset correction, and adjustment based on machine-learning. We conduct extensive characterizations (both pre-silicon simulations and post-silicon measurements on FPGA) which quantitatively confirm the applicability and high sensitivity of digital sensors.

     

Selection Based on the Pareto Nondomination Criterion for Controlling Code Growth in Genetic Programming

The rapid growth of program code is an important problem in genetic programming systems. In the present paper we investigate a selection scheme based on multiobjective optimization. Since we want to obtain accurate and small solutions, we reformulate this problem as multiobjective optimization. We show that selection based on the Pareto nondomination criterion reduces code growth and processing time without significant loss of solution accuracy.     

Electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics of Mg–Pd–Ni ternary alloys

Mg_1?xPd_xNi (x = 0.03, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.10, 0.20) type alloys were synthesized by mechanical alloying and their electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics were investigated. The XRD studies showed that Mg₆Pd and Mg–Pd phases form in the high-Pd-containing alloys. The discharge capacities of the alloys increased sharply up to 15 h milling. Further increase up to 25 h did not cause change in the discharge capacities considerably. Among the Mg_1?xPd_xNi ternary alloys, Mg_0.93Pd_0.07Ni alloy was observed to exhibit the best charge/discharge cyclic performance. The hydrogen storage capacity of the high-Pd-containing alloys (Mg_1?xPd_xNi; x > 0.07) deteriorated as Pd content of the alloy increased. This observation was attributed to the Mg–Pd phase formations. According to the EIS experiments as Pd atomic ratio increased up to 0.07 the charge transfer resistances of the alloys decreased. Further increase in Pd atomic ratio, however, brought about the increase in the charge transfer resistances.     

Improvement of the electrochemical hydrogen storage performance of magnesium based alloys by various additive elements

Mg_1.5Ti_0.3Zr_0.1M_0.1Ni (M = Al, B, C, Fe, Pd) type alloys were synthesized by mechanical alloying and their electrochemical hydrogen storage characteristics were investigated. While Al deteriorated the alloy initial discharge capacity, it improved the alloy cyclic stability. The reversibility in the presence of B was very poor. Addition of B increased the alloy initial discharge capacity but reduced the alloy capacity retention rate. The cyclic stability of Fe-including alloy was much better than that of C-including alloy, although both of them have almost the same initial discharge capacities. Both the alloy initial discharge capacity and the alloy cyclic stability were improved significantly in the presence of Pd. The analysis by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that Fe increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy without degrading the capacity retention rate. The hydroxide barrier layer in the presence of Al was predicted to be more porous due to the possible high rate selective dissolution of the disseminated Al-oxides.