Bacteria foraging optimization for protein sequence analysis on the grid

Scientific applications such as protein sequence analysis require a coordination of resources. This is due to hundreds and hundreds of protein sequences being deposited into data banks by the research community which results in an extensive database search when one wants to find a similar protein sequence. This search becomes easier and the time taken is reduced when it is conducted in a grid environment implemented using the Globus tool kit. This paper proposes the use of Bacteria Foraging Optimization (BFO) for finding similar protein sequences in the existing databases. Usage of BFO further reduces the time taken by a resource to execute the user’s requests. Also, the resources utilized in the proposed method are better balanced compared to the existing scheduling algorithms. Also, it is found that the number of tasks executed is more compared to the existing algorithms even though there is a fall in the execution of tasks as the number of resources increases which might be due to network failure etc. The proposed BFO has been compared with the existing First Come First Serve (FCFS) and Minimum Execution Time (MET) scheduling algorithms and it has been found that the proposed BFO performs well compared to the existing algorithms in terms of makespan, resource utilization and minimization in the case of non-execution of client requests.     

The "hidden observer" phenomenon in hypnosis: Some additional findings.

23 highly hypnotizable undergraduates (Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility) underwent 2 specially constructed 7-item hypnotic inductions. Over the 14 items, the main finding was of a relationship between E. R. Hilgard's (1973, 1977, 1979) "hidden observer" effect and 2 aspects of hypnotic age regression. Ss reporting a hidden observer experienced duality during regression to age 5, in which they were aware of being both adult and child. When asked to write a complex sentence, most did so, usually without spelling errors. The Ss not reporting this effect experienced quasi-lateral age regression in which they had the exclusive feeling of being 5 yrs old, with no sense of an adult identity. Most of these Ss were unable to write the same complex sentence when requested to during age regression. The study replicated Hilgard's finding of the hidden observer phenomenon in terms of its incidence and obtained similar verbal reports from Ss experiencing it. At the same time, the results suggest that a neodissociation account of hypnosis may need some modifications to accommodate these additional findings. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

蒸发结晶操作中传热温差的选择

蒸发结晶是化工生产中常见的单元操作，在其加热过程中，较高的传热温差对于强化传热效率、提高设备能力极为有利。但是，传热温差过高会引起蒸发结晶操作的不稳定，甚至造成生产装置停车，使所追求的高效率适得其反。因此，必须合理选择传热温差，以保证生产装置在高效、稳定的状况下运行。     

复合催化法合成对硫磷

研究了以三甲胺作亲核催化剂、季铵盐A作相转移催化剂、水和极性有机溶剂B作双溶剂、亲核—相转移复合催化法合成对硫磷的方法,收率可达99％。     

Micro- and nano-scale deformation behavior of nylon 66-based binary and ternary nanocomposites

The primary aim of this paper is to provide an insight on the effect of the location of organoclay on the micro- and nano-scale deformation processes in melt-compounded nylon 66/organoclay/SEBS-g-MA ternary nanocomposites prepared by different blending sequences. In addition, the deformation processes of the ternary nanocomposites were compared to the binary nanocomposites (nylon 66/organoclay and nylon 66/SEBS-g-MA) and neat nylon 66. The incorporation of SEBS-g-MA particles toughened nylon 66 markedly; but the flexural modulus and strength were both reduced. Conversely, the use of organoclay increased the modulus but decreased the fracture toughness of nylon 66. Nylon 66/SEBS-g-MA/organoclay ternary nanocomposites exhibited balanced elastic stiffness and toughness. Stress-whitening studies of the fracture surfaces in terms of gray level were also performed and an attempt was made to correlate the optical reflectivity characteristics with fracture toughness. It was concluded that the capability of SEBS-g-MA particles to cavitate was decreased by the presence of organoclay in the SEBS-g-MA phase, resulting in reduced toughening efficiency. The best micro-structure for toughness and other mechanical properties is thus to maximize the amount of exfoliated organoclay in the nylon 66 matrix rather than to have it embedded in the finely dispersed SEBS-g-MA particles.     

Micro-engineered first wall tungsten armor for high average power laser fusion energy systems

The high average power laser program is developing an inertial fusion energy demonstration power reactor with a solid first wall chamber. The first wall (FW) will be subject to high energy density radiation and high doses of high energy helium implantation. Tungsten has been identified as the candidate material for a FW armor. The fundamental concern is long term thermo-mechanical survivability of the armor against the effects of high temperature pulsed operation and exfoliation due to the retention of implanted helium. Even if a solid tungsten armor coating would survive the high temperature cyclic operation with minimal failure, the high helium implantation and retention would result in unacceptable material loss rates. Micro-engineered materials, such as castellated structures, plasma sprayed nano-porous coatings and refractory foams are suggested as a first wall armor material to address these fundamental concerns. A micro-engineered FW armor would have to be designed with specific geometric features that tolerate high cyclic heating loads and recycle most of the implanted helium without any significant failure. Micro-engineered materials are briefly reviewed. In particular, plasma-sprayed nano-porous tungsten and tungsten foams are assessed for their potential to accommodate inertial fusion specific loads. Tests show that nano-porous plasma spray coatings can be manufactured with high permeability to helium gas, while retaining relatively high thermal conductivities. Tungsten foams where shown to be able to overcome thermo-mechanical loads by cell rotation and deformation. Helium implantation tests have shown, that pulsed implantation and heating releases significant levels of implanted helium. Helium implantation and release from tungsten was modeled using an expanded kinetic rate theory, to include the effects of pulsed implantations and thermal cycles. Although, significant challenges remain micro-engineered materials are shown to constitute potential candidate FW armor materials.     

Retention and surface blistering of helium irradiated tungsten as a first wall material

The first wall of an inertial fusion energy reactor may suffer from surface blistering and exfoliation due to helium ion irradiation and extreme temperatures. Tungsten is a candidate for the first wall material. A study of helium retention and surface blistering with regard to helium dose, temperature, pulsed implantation, and tungsten microstructure was conducted to better understand what may occur at the first wall of the reactor. Single crystal and polycrystalline tungsten samples were implanted with 1.3 MeV ³He in doses ranging from 10¹⁹ m⁻² to 10²² m⁻². Implanted samples were analyzed by ³He(d,p)⁴He nuclear reaction analysis and ³He(n,p)T neutron depth profiling techniques. Surface blistering was observed for doses greater than 10²¹ He/m². For He fluences of 5 × 10²⁰ He/m², similar retention levels in both microstructures resulted without blistering. Implantation and flash heating in cycles indicated that helium retention was mitigated with decreasing He dose per cycle.     

Light emission from carbon-based materials under ITER relevant thermal shock loads

Light emission from carbon-based materials (fine grain graphite, CFC and silicon doped CFC) was observed during ITER relevant thermal shock loads by means of in situ optical diagnostics. The light emission which corresponds to particle release clearly indicated different particle release processes in the three materials. The differences were also found in the initiation temperatures of particle release and the surface morphology of the loaded areas. These results are related to the thermal stress in bulk materials. In addition to particle release, vapor cloud formation caused by thermal shock loads were observed as CII lines and lines from the C₂ Swan system. No Si lines but lines from SiC₂ molecules (Merrill-Sanford bands) were observed in Si doped CFC. This indicates that atomic silicon is not released under ITER relevant thermal shock loads.     

Characterization of zirconia-thoria-urania ceramics by X-ray and electron interactions

X-ray and electron interactions with matter were used as probes to characterize the structure and chemistry of zirconia-thoria-urania ceramics. The ceramics were prepared by coprecipitation of Zr, Th and U salts. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) complement X-ray diffraction, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), techniques to reveal the phase structure and chemistry. The results from XRD and EDX show that these ceramics separate into a Zr-based phase and an actinide-based phase with low mutual affinity of Th and Zr, as well as partial solubility of U in Zr. The comparison of EELS spectra collected for the ceramics with spectra collected for UO₂ and U₃O₈ reference materials also allow us to assess U oxidation state independently in the two separate phases.