Nanocell logic gates for molecular computing

Molecular electronics seeks to build electrical devices to implement computation - logic and memory - using individual or small collections of molecules. These devices have the potential to reduce device size and fabrication costs, by several orders of magnitude, relative to conventional CMOS. However, the construction of a practical molecular computer will require the molecular switches and their related interconnect technologies to behave as large-scale diverse logic, with input/output wires scaled to molecular dimensions. It is unclear whether it is necessary or even. possible to control the precise regular placement and interconnection of these diminutive molecular systems. This paper describes genetic algorithm-based simulations of molecular device structures in a nanocell where placement and connectivity of the internal molecular switches are not specifically directed and the internal topology is generally disordered. With some simplifying assumptions, these results show that it is possible to use easily fabricated nanocells as logic devices by setting the internal molecular switch states after the topological molecular assembly is complete. Simulated logic devices include an inverter, a NAND gate, an XOR gate and a 1-bit adder. Issues of defect and fault tolerance are addressed.     

Logic and memory with nanocell circuits

Molecular electronics is an emerging field that seeks to build faster, cheaper, denser computers from nanoscale devices. The nanocell is a molecular electronics design wherein a random, self-assembled array of molecules and metallic nanoparticles is addressed by a relatively small number of input/output pins. The challenge then is to program the nanocell post-fabrication. We have previously demonstrated the ability to program individual simulated nanocells as logic gates. In this paper, we further explore the problem of programming nanocells and consider connecting nanocells into circuits using bistable latches at the interconnects. These latches are critical because they permit signal restoration. Simulated nanocell circuits for logic and memory are presented here.     

Spontaneous platelet activation and aggregation during obstructive sleep apnea and its response to therapy with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. A preliminary investigation

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether alterations of platelet reactivity occur during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and, if so, whether therapy with nasal-continuous positive airway pressure (N-CPAP) alters this reactivity. DESIGN: Patients with suspected moderate to severe OSA had blood drawn for spontaneous platelet aggregation (sAGG) and activation (sACT) measurements at hourly intervals during diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) and, in those with confirmed OSA, on a separate night during which N-CPAP was applied. SETTING: Tertiary care center sleep laboratory. PATIENTS: Six patients with OSA had matched blood samples drawn on both diagnostic and N-CPAP treatment nights. Five patients without confirmed OSA served as controls. INTERVENTIONS: N-CPAP was applied to those patients with OSA and pressures adjusted with goals of eliminating apneas; N-CPAP was then maintained through the night. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: sACT and sAGG were measured using flow cytometric determination of P-selectin expression using a monoclonal antibody. Platelet aggregation was assessed by measuring the proportion of platelets larger than resting platelets by light scatter techniques. Mean values for sACT and sAGG were higher on the diagnostic night compared with treatment night (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, analysis of variance, respectively). The mean baseline supine sACT compared with completion supine sACT for both diagnostic and N-CPAP nights also revealed significant differences (mean = 16.6 +/- 3.5% vs 36.9 +/- 7.5%, p = 0.04; and 11.9 +/- 3% vs 39.5 +/- 9.1%, p = 0.04). Platelet activation during sleep in five subjects without OSA resembles that found in patients with OSA during N-CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: Increased platelet sACT and sAGG occur during sleep in patients with OSA. This effect is greatly reduced by N-CPAP.     

Radical radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx: patterns of recurrence, treatment and survival

The present study investigates 1085 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck for factors that influence recurrence following treatment with definitive radiotherapy. In the second part of this study, those diagnosed with recurrence were studied with regard to treatment and were further analysed with regard to identification of prognostic factors which may affect outcome in the patient who actually develops a recurrence.     

Photochemical degradation of glassy polyesters of low softening point

The photodegradation of polyesters prepared by the reaction of o-phthalic, adipic, and “dimer” acids with ethylene glycol has been studied. The polyesters softened at temperatures in the range of 25–50°C. Polymer films were irradiated in air by means of a medium pressure mercury lamp and the extent of formation of COOH groups determined by infrared spectroscopy. The films were also irradiated in vacuo and in air by means of a high-pressure mercury lamp, and the volatile products, consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, were determined by gas chromatography. The results are interpreted in terms of simultaneous Norrish type I and type II decompositions of the polyesters. The type I process accounts for the formation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the absence of air. The enhanced yield of carbon dioxide in irradiations performed in air is ascribed to the formation of hydroperoxide which undergoes further photolysis. The type II process accounts for the formation of COOH groups. The photodegradation of these glassy polyesters parallels that of crystalline poly(ethylene terephthalate) and is relatively unaffected by changes in composition of the aromatic polyester.     

Low‐grade heat‐driven Rankine cycle,a feasibility study

Conversion of low‐grade heat to high‐quality energy such as electricity using the Rankine cycle poses serious challenges. When such conversion is possible, it is invariably expensive or unacceptable due to environmental concerns associated with the working medium. The low‐grade heat can either be from exhaust systems or from solar radiation. Thus, the topic addresses a very useful subject, combining energy efficiency and renewable energy. Although high‐grade heat recovery and energy conversion is a mature technology widely covered by the literature, low‐grade energy conversion, especially using thermodynamic cycles, has not been sufficiently addressed to date. This paper addresses the feasibility of a low‐grade heat‐driven Rankine cycle to produce power using a scroll expander, a low toxicity, low flammability, and ozone‐neutral working fluid. A cost benefit analysis of the recommended system shows that it is a viable option for solar power generation, at about one‐third the cost of a comparable photovoltaic system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of purified bovine whey factors on cellular immune functions in ruminants

Retinoid X receptors (RXRs) form heterodimers with thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). RXRs increase DNA binding affinity of TRs and T3-mediated transactivation on positive T3 response elements (TREs). However, the role of RXRs on negative TREs, and the relation of RXRs to the dominant negative effect of mutant TRs, are not defined. To clarify the function of RXRs on negative TREs, we performed transient cotransfection studies using the rat glycoprotein hormone alpha promoter fused to luciferase gene (alphaLuc), and human TRH promoter fused to luciferase gene (TRH-Luc) as reporters. We found that the JEG-3 cell-alphaLuc system was very sensitive to TR regulation. Using TRbeta1 wild-type (WT) expression vector, 6.2 ng/well (170 ng/10 cm dish), and 0.2 ng/well (11 ng/10 cm dish) caused maximal, and half maximal, inhibition of Luc activities in the presence of 1 nM T3. A T3 dose dependent inhibition study was also performed. From these studies, we determined that the appropriate conditions in which to study alphaLuc transactivation, in a linear portion of the dose response curve, was using 0.8 ng/well TRbeta1 expression vector and 0.1 nM T3. Under these conditions, TRbeta1 mutant R316H (GH), but not G345R (Mf), showed a weak dominant negative effect at a 1:1 ratio in the presence of 0.1 nM T3 although neither mutant had detectable T3 binding affinity. Moreover this dominant negative effect of R316H on the alphaLuc reporter was enhanced in the presence of RXRgamma. Mutant G345R showed a stronger dominant negative effect than did R316H when using a double palindromic TRE fused to herpes simplex thymidine kinase-Luc reporter as a positive TRE. These results conform to the clinical features of R316H which is associated with apparent pituitary resistance of thyroid hormone (PRTH). Mutant R316H also showed a weak dominant negative effect with TRH-Luc at a 1:1 ratio in the absence or presence of RXRgamma. However RXRgamma did not enhance the dominant negative effect as it did using alphaLuc reporter gene. Electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that RXR alpha augmented the DNA binding affinity of wild type and R316H TRs as heterodimers on the previously reported negative TREs of glycoprotein hormone alpha promoter, suggesting that RXR does not produce its response by removing TRs from these TREs. RXR alpha augmented DNA binding affinity of TRbeta1WT, and R316H showed a weaker heterodimer band than did the wild type in EMSA. Using the TRH-Luc reporter, basal activity was increased by wild type TRbeta1. However a TRbeta1 DNA binding domain mutant, (C127S) which can not bind to DNA, did not increase the basal activity. This indicates that DNA binding of the TR is required for increasing basal activity of TRH promoter. These results indicate that (1) RXR-TR heterodimers play a role in basal transactivation and T3 suppression of negatively regulated genes, and (2) RXRs increase the dominant negative effect of some mutant TRs on specific negative TREs. (3) This effect occurs without removing TRs from the TRE. (4) The differential dominant negative effect of mutant R316H (negative TRE > positive TRE) may explain, at least in part, the presentation of R316H as PRTH. (5) Augmentation of basal activity by wild type TRs on a negative TRE requires DNA binding.     

A new short practical quality of life questionnaire for use in head and neck oncology outpatient clinics

A new short questionnaire to assess the quality of life of head and neck patients has been designed at the University of Liverpool Head and Neck Oncology Department. The questionnaire is short, simple and can be easily completed by a patient whilst in the waiting room before consultation. It is filled in 6 months after completion of treatment and shows very good correlation with the standard long exhaustive questionnaires that are difficult to complete on every patient in a busy National Health Service clinic. The University of Liverpool questionnaire provides a simple score from 0%-100% which should prove valuable in the assessment of quality of care and help with decisions regarding treatment options in head and neck cancer patients.     

Mechanisms of metal adsorption from aqueous solutions by waste tyre rubber

The mechanisms of adsorption of cadmium(II), mercury(II) and lead(II) on to shredded rubber from old automobile types have been studied and it is shown that at least two distinct processes can be involved depending upon the metal being adsorbed. Mercury and cadmium uptake are accompanied by displacement of zinc and therefore probably involve an ion exchange type mechanism. Lead adsorption, in contrast, involves no zinc displacement and is not competitive with cadium or mercury uptake, suggesting that a completely separate mechanism and site of binding are used by lead(II).