Parallelization of the global extremum searching process

The parallel algorithm for searching the global extremum of the function of several variables is designed. The algorithm is based on the method of nonuniform coverings proposed by Yu.G. Evtushenko for functions that comply with the Lipschitz condition. The algorithm is realized in the language C and message passing interface (MPI) system. To speed up computations, auxiliary procedures for founding the local extremum are used. The operation of the algorithm is illustrated by the example of atomic cluster structure calculations.     

hTERT-Driven Immortalization of RDEB Fibroblast and Keratinocyte Cell Lines Followed by Cre-Mediated Transgene Elimination

The recessive form of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a crippling disease caused by impairments in the junctions of the dermis and the basement membrane of the epidermis. Using ectopic expression of hTERT/hTERT + BMI-1 in primary cells, we developed expansible cultures of RDEB fibroblasts and keratinocytes. We showed that they display the properties of their founders, including morphology, contraction ability and expression of the respective specific markers including reduced secretion of type VII collagen (C7). The immortalized keratinocytes retained normal stratification in 3D skin equivalents. The comparison of secreted protein patterns from immortalized RDEB and healthy keratinocytes revealed the differences in the contents of the extracellular matrix that were earlier observed specifically for RDEB. We demonstrated the possibility to reverse the genotype of immortalized cells to the state closer to the progenitors by the Cre-dependent hTERT switch off. Increased β-galactosidase activity and reduced proliferation of fibroblasts were shown after splitting out of transgenes. We anticipate our cell lines to be tractable models for studying RDEB from the level of single-cell changes to the evaluation of 3D skin equivalents. Our approach permits the creation of standardized and expandable models of RDEB that can be compared with the models based on primary cell cultures.     

An image-brightness amplifier based on copper bromide vapor for operation at increased superradiance pulse duration

We present data on the development and application of an image-brightness amplifier based on copper bromide vapor intended for the visualization of objects occurring at distances above 5 m from the detecting equipment. An increase in the superradiance (gain) pulse duration was achieved by decreasing the repetition frequency of pumping pulses (to 3 kHz) and increasing the capacitance of the capacitor bank (up to 3.4 nF) so as to increase the deposited pulse energy. The basic possibility of creating active optical systems with brightness amplifiers (laser monitors) for the visualization of objects and processes occurring at large distances from a registration system is demonstrated.     

Heat‐Source‐Initiated Thermoelastic State of a Semiinfinite Plate with an Edge Crack

A study is made of the influence of the internal heat source on the factors of intensity of the stresses at the tip of an arbitrarily oriented edge cut in a homogeneous halfplane.     

Temperature field in the process of braking of a massive body with composite coating

We obtain the analytic solution of a nonstationary problem of heat conduction for a piecewise homogeneous body formed by a half space and a composite layer applied to its surface. The surface of the layer is heated by a heat flow whose intensity is equal to the specific power of friction in the process of braking. The dependences of the distributions of temperature on the geometric parameters and thermal properties of the composite material and the substrate are investigated. __________ Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 61–67, January–February, 2007.     

Heating of a half space containing an inclusion and a crack

Two-dimensional stationary problems of heat conduction and thermoelasticity for an elastic half space containing an elastic cylindrical macroinclusion and a thermally insulated crack are investigated. The problems are reduced to systems of two singular integral equations on closed (the boundary of the inclusion) and nonclosed (crack) contours. The numerical solutions of these systems are obtained by the method of mechanical quadratures for an inclusion in the form of an elliptic cylinder and a rectilinear crack in a half space heated by a friction heat flow uniformly distributed over a part of the surface of the half pace. For the problem posed for two cases of matrix-inclusion compositions (steel-aluminium and aluminium-steel), the numerical solutions are presented in the form of the plots of the stress intensity factors as functions of the dimensions of the inclusion and the distance between the inclusion and the crack.Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 34–40, July–August, 2004.