Oversized Materials, Box 1 1873, 1876, 1880

Oversized materials is the digitized contents of one box (OS1) that consists of correspondence and an address from Box 2, Folders 12, 13 and 17.

Oversized Materials, Box 1 1873, 1876, 1880

Oversized materials is the digitized contents of one box (OS1) that consists of correspondence and an address from Box 2, Folders 12, 13 and 17.

Oversized Materials, Box 1 1873, 1876, 1880

Oversized materials is the digitized contents of one box (OS1) that consists of correspondence and an address from Box 2, Folders 12, 13 and 17.

Oversized Materials, Box 1 1873, 1876, 1880

Oversized materials is the digitized contents of one box (OS1) that consists of correspondence and an address from Box 2, Folders 12, 13 and 17.

Serum bilirubin concentration is modified by UGT1A1 Haplotypes and influences risk of type-2 diabetes in the Norfolk Island Genetic Isolate

Background Located in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and New Zealand, the unique population isolate of Norfolk Island has been shown to exhibit increased prevalence of metabolic disorders (type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease) compared to mainland Australia. We investigated this well-established genetic isolate, utilising its unique genomic structure to increase the ability to detect related genetic markers. A pedigree-based genome-wide association study of 16 routinely collected blood-based clinical traits in 382 Norfolk Island individuals was performed. Results A striking association peak was located at chromosome 2q37.1 for both total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, with 29 SNPs reaching statistical significance (P < 1.84 × 10−7). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed across a 200 kb region spanning the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase family, including UGT1A1, an enzyme known to metabolise bilirubin. Given the epidemiological literature suggesting negative association between CVD-risk and serum bilirubin we further explored potential associations using stepwise multivariate regression, revealing significant association between direct bilirubin concentration and type-2 diabetes risk. In the Norfolk Island cohort increased direct bilirubin was associated with a 28 % reduction in type-2 diabetes risk (OR: 0.72, 95 % CI: 0.57-0.91, P = 0.005). When adjusted for genotypic effects the overall model was validated, with the adjusted model predicting a 30 % reduction in type-2 diabetes risk with increasing direct bilirubin concentrations (OR: 0.70, 95 % CI: 0.53-0.89, P = 0.0001). Conclusions In summary, a pedigree-based GWAS of blood-based clinical traits in the Norfolk Island population has identified variants within the UDPGT family directly associated with serum bilirubin levels, which is in turn implicated with reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes within this population.

MAC design for heterogeneous application support in OFDM based wireless systems

With the increasing adoption of wireless technology, it is reasonable to expect an increase in file demand for supporting both real-time multimedia and high rate reliable data services. Next generation wireless systems employ Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) physical layer owing, to the high data rate transmissions that are possible without increase in bandwidth. Towards improving file performance of these systems, we look at the design of resource allocation algorithms at medium-access layer, and their impact on higher layers. While TCP-based clastic traffic needs reliable transport, UDP-based real-time applications have stringent delay and rate requirements. The MAC algorithms while catering to the heterogeneous service needs of these higher layers, tradeoff between maximizing the system capacity and providing fairness among users. The novelly of this work is the proposal of various channel-aware resource allocation algorithms at the MAC layer. which call result in significant performance gains in an OFDM based wireless system.

Quantum Chemical Studies on Tropospheric Nucleation Mechanisms Involving Sulfuric Acid

Nucleation is the first step of the process by which gas molecules in the atmosphere condense to form liquid or solid particles. Despite the importance of atmospheric new-particle formation for both climate and health-related issues, little information exists on its precise molecular-level mechanisms. In this thesis, potential nucleation mechanisms involving sulfuric acid together with either water and ammonia or reactive biogenic molecules are studied using quantum chemical methods. Quantum chemistry calculations are based on the numerical solution of Schrödinger's equation for a system of atoms and electrons subject to various sets of approximations, the precise details of which give rise to a large number of model chemistries. A comparison of several different model chemistries indicates that the computational method must be chosen with care if accurate results for sulfuric acid - water - ammonia clusters are desired. Specifically, binding energies are incorrectly predicted by some popular density functionals, and vibrational anharmonicity must be accounted for if quantitatively reliable formation free energies are desired. The calculations reported in this thesis show that a combination of different high-level energy corrections and advanced thermochemical analysis can quantitatively replicate experimental results concerning the hydration of sulfuric acid. The role of ammonia in sulfuric acid - water nucleation was revealed by a series of calculations on molecular clusters of increasing size with respect to all three co-ordinates; sulfuric acid, water and ammonia. As indicated by experimental measurements, ammonia significantly assists the growth of clusters in the sulfuric acid - co-ordinate. The calculations presented in this thesis predict that in atmospheric conditions, this effect becomes important as the number of acid molecules increases from two to three. On the other hand, small molecular clusters are unlikely to contain more than one ammonia molecule per sulfuric acid. This implies that the average NH3:H2SO4 mole ratio of small molecular clusters in atmospheric conditions is likely to be between 1:3 and 1:1. Calculations on charged clusters confirm the experimental result that the HSO4- ion is much more strongly hydrated than neutral sulfuric acid. Preliminary calculations on HSO4- NH3 clusters indicate that ammonia is likely to play at most a minor role in ion-induced nucleation in the sulfuric acid - water system. Calculations of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the reaction of stabilized Criegee Intermediates with sulfuric acid demonstrate that quantum chemistry is a powerful tool for investigating chemically complicated nucleation mechanisms. The calculations indicate that if the biogenic Criegee Intermediates have sufficiently long lifetimes in atmospheric conditions, the studied reaction may be an important source of nucleation precursors.

Computer simulation of H and He effects in fusion reactor materials

Fusion power is an appealing source of clean and abundant energy. The radiation resistance of reactor materials is one of the greatest obstacles on the path towards commercial fusion power. These materials are subject to a harsh radiation environment, and cannot fail mechanically or contaminate the fusion plasma. Moreover, for a power plant to be economically viable, the reactor materials must withstand long operation times, with little maintenance. The fusion reactor materials will contain hydrogen and helium, due to deposition from the plasma and nuclear reactions because of energetic neutron irradiation. The first wall divertor materials, carbon and tungsten in existing and planned test reactors, will be subject to intense bombardment of low energy deuterium and helium, which erodes and modifies the surface. All reactor materials, including the structural steel, will suffer irradiation of high energy neutrons, causing displacement cascade damage. Molecular dynamics simulation is a valuable tool for studying irradiation phenomena, such as surface bombardment and the onset of primary damage due to displacement cascades. The governing mechanisms are on the atomic level, and hence not easily studied experimentally. In order to model materials, interatomic potentials are needed to describe the interaction between the atoms. In this thesis, new interatomic potentials were developed for the tungsten-carbon-hydrogen system and for iron-helium and chromium-helium. Thus, the study of previously inaccessible systems was made possible, in particular the effect of H and He on radiation damage. The potentials were based on experimental and ab initio data from the literature, as well as density-functional theory calculations performed in this work. As a model for ferritic steel, iron-chromium with 10% Cr was studied. The difference between Fe and FeCr was shown to be negligible for threshold displacement energies. The properties of small He and He-vacancy clusters in Fe and FeCr were also investigated. The clusters were found to be more mobile and dissociate more rapidly than previously assumed, and the effect of Cr was small. The primary damage formed by displacement cascades was found to be heavily influenced by the presence of He, both in FeCr and W. Many important issues with fusion reactor materials remain poorly understood, and will require a huge effort by the international community. The development of potential models for new materials and the simulations performed in this thesis reveal many interesting features, but also serve as a platform for further studies.

Blue mussel beds as biodiversity hotspots on the rocky shores of the northern Baltic Sea

ABSTRACT The Baltic Sea is a vulnerable ecosystem currently undergoing a number of changes, both natural and human induced. The changes are likely to affect the species found on these shores, e.g. their distribution and interactions with other species. Blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus x Mytilus edulis) provide one of the main biogenic hard structures on the shallow shores of the Baltic Sea where they aggregate into dense beds and provide a number of resources for over 40 associated macrofaunal species, thus functioning as ecosystem engineers. The blue mussel, being a marine species, is highly likely to be affected by any changes in sea water salinity, circulation and/or water balance. These changes could trickle down also to affect the associated macrofaunal communities. The aims of this thesis were three-fold: first, I examined and described the macrofaunal communities found within blue mussel patches since the fauna associated with mussel patches had never been described in the study area prior to this thesis. Second, I explored how changes in mussel density, size as well as patch size and shape would affect the mussel communities. Finally, I tested how general landscape theories derived from terrestrial studies function in blue mussel systems. Theories included the structural heterogeneity hypothesis, species-area relationships, edge effects and patch isolation effects. The work shows that blue mussels in the northern Baltic Sea have an indisputable function as diversity hotspots and that the faunal assemblages found in mussel patches are extremely rich and unique. Further on, it shows that changes in mussel biomass, size, patch size and amount of edge have the potential to alter the faunal assemblages and diversity within patches. Finally, it shows that although some landscape theories, such as the structural heterogeneity hypothesis, seem to apply also in blue mussel communities, others cannot be directly applied due to the different prevailing conditions in the study system. This is a pioneering work looking at diversity shaping processes on the rocky shores of the Gulf of Finland, making up over 40% of the total water basin. A focus on niche construction, positive facilitation effects and ecosystem engineering could provide new insights and methods for conservation biology, but before this can be done, we need to fully understand the circumstances under which a species becomes an ecosystem engineer and recognize the systems in which it functions.

Medetomidiinin glukuronidaation inhibitio

Lääkeainemetabolialla tarkoitetaan entsymaattisia reaktioita, jotka muuttavat lääkeaineita paremmin elimistöstä poistuvaan muotoon. Lääkeaineet voivat vaikuttaa toistensa metaboliaan inhiboimalla tai indusoimalla metaboloivia entsyymejä. Tällaisten interaktioiden seurauksena lääkeaineen pitoisuus elimistössä voi kasvaa jopa toksiseksi tai vähentyä merkittävästi. Tämä on erityisesti ongelmana silloin, kun käytössä on useita lääkkeitä samanaikaisesti. Lääketutkimuksessa onkin keskitytty tällaisten interaktioiden ennustamiseen ja niitä yritetään välttää tai ainakin vähentää. Työssä tutkittiin medetomidiinia, jonka on äskettäin havaittu metaboloituvan UDP-glukuronosyylitransferaasien (UGT) välityksellä. Työn tarkoituksena oli löytää medetomidiinin glukuronidaatiota inhiboivia yhdisteitä. Lisäksi haluttiin selvittää mahdollisen inhibition mekanismeja. On yleistä tutkia tietyn entsyymin substraatin interaktioita muiden saman perheen entsyymien kanssa. On kuitenkin harvinaisempaa tutkia tällaisia interaktioita kahden eri entsyymiperheen välillä. Tässä työssä tutkittiin inhiboivatko mahdolliset sytokromi P450 -entsyymiä (CYP) inhiboivat yhdisteet myös medetomidiinia glukuronoivia UDP-glukuronosyylitransferaaseja. Glukuronidaation inhibitiota tutkittiin HPLC-menetelmällä, joka on kehitetty aiemmin medetomidiinin glukuronidaation tutkimiseen. Aluksi glukuronidaatiota tutkittiin ilman inhibiittoreita. Tämän jälkeen tutkittiin kolmen mahdollisen inhibiittoriyhdisteen vaikutuksia medetomidiinin glukuronidaatioon ja tuloksia verrattiin ilman inhibiittoria saatuihin tuloksiin. Kolmen tutkitun yhdisteen havaittiin inhiboivan medetomidiinin glukuronidaatiota. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin myös mielenkiintoinen ilmiö, jossa inhibiittoriyhdisteen sitoutuminen aiheutti entsyymikineettisiä muutoksia UDP-glukuronosyylitransferaasin toiminnassa. On mielenkiintoista, että samat yhdisteet inhiboivat sekä CYP- että UGT-metaboliaa. Tulosten perusteella voidaan päätellä, että jos CYP ja UGT metaboloivat samaa yhdistettä, on mahdollista että yhdisteen rakenteelliset analogit aiheuttavat interaktioita molempien entsyymien kanssa. Uusia lääkeaineita kehitettäessä onkin otettava huomioon yleisesti tunnettujen CYP-entsyymien lisäksi myös UGT:t ja niiden mahdolliset yhteisvaikutukset.

Ebselen is a potent non-competitive inhibitor of extracellular nucleoside diphosphokinase

Nucleoside di- and triphosphates and adenosine regulate several components of the mucocilairy clearance process (MCC) that protects the lung against infections, via activation of epithelial purinergic receptors. However, assessing the contribution of individual nucleotides to MCC functions remains difficult due to the complexity of the mechanisms of nucleotide release and metabolism. Enzymatic activities involved in the metabolism of extracellular nucleotides include ecto-ATPases and secreted nucleoside diphosphokinase (NDPK) and adenyl kinase, but potent and selective inhibitors of these activities are sparse. In the present study, we discovered that ebselen markedly reduced NDPK activity while having negligible effect on ecto-ATPase and adenyl kinase activities. Addition of radiotracer gamma P-32]ATP to human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells resulted in rapid and robust accumulation of P-32]-inorganic phosphate ((32)Pi). Inclusion of UDP in the incubation medium resulted in conversion of gamma P-32]ATP to P-32]UTP, while inclusion of AMP resulted in conversion of gamma P-32]ATP to P-32]ADP. Ebselen markedly reduced P-32]UTP formation but displayed negligible effect on (32)Pi or P-32]ADP accumulations. Incubation of HBE cells with unlabeled UTP and ADP resulted in robust ebselen-sensitive formation of ATP (IC50=6.9 +/- 2 mu M). This NDPK activity was largely recovered in HBE cell secretions and supernatants from lung epithelial A549 cells. Kinetic analysis of NDPK activity indicated that ebselen reduced the V-max of the reaction (K-i=7.6 +/- 3 mu M), having negligible effect on KM values. Our study demonstrates that ebselen is a potent noncompetitive inhibitor of extracellular NDPK.

Experimental validation of analytical performance models for IEEE 802.11 networks

We consider the simplest IEEE 802.11 WLAN networks for which analytical models are available and seek to provide an experimental validation of these models. Our experiments include the following cases: (i) two nodes with saturated queues, sending fixed-length UDP packets to each other, and (ii) a TCP-controlled transfer between two nodes. Our experiments are based entirely on Aruba AP-70 access points operating under Linux. We report our observations on certain non-standard behavior of the devices. In cases where the devices adhere to the standards, we find that the results from the analytical models estimate the experimental data with a mean error of 3-5%.

Optimizing Multimedia Experience in a Thin Client Environment for a Resource Constrained Processor

In this paper, we study how TCP and UDP flows interact with each other when the end system is a CPU resource constrained thin client. The problem addressed is twofold, 1) the throughput of TCP flows degrades severely in the presence of heavily loaded UDP flows 2) fairness and minimum QoS requirements of UDP are not maintained. First, we identify the factors affecting the TCP throughput by providing an in-depth analysis of end to end delay and packet loss variations. The results obtained from the first part leads us to our second contribution. We propose and study the use of an algorithm that ensures fairness across flows. The algorithm improves the performance of TCP flows in the presence of multiple UDP flows admitted under an admission algorithm and maintains the minimum QoS requirements of the UDP flows. The advantage of the algorithm is that it requires no changes to TCP/IP stack and control is achieved through receiver window control.

La distruzione delle statue di Pausania nella Sparta tardoantica (Lib. Ep. 1518)

Abstract: The late antique destruction of two bronze statues of Pausanias - the Spartan general responsible for the Greek victory at the Battle of Plataea (479 BC) - housed in the temple of Athena Chalkioikos in Sparta (Lib. Ep. 1518), has been interpreted as one of the few cases of a violent conflict between pagan and Christian population in Greece. Nevertheless the sources suggest that late antique Sparta was a bastion of Hellenic paganism and give a picture of a small and quiet town ruled by a pagan educated élite, where pagans like Libanius wanted to live. Since there is no evidence of a violent conflict between pagans and Christians in Sparta, and Libanius confirms that in 365 AD all the temples and cult statues were still in place, this paper addresses the issue from a different point of view and offers a new contribution to the history of Sparta in Late Antiquity. By using literary, archaeological and epigraphic evidence the paper explores: 1) the relationship between Roman administration and Spartan élite in the IVth century AD; 2) the historical memory of Pausanias in Late Antiquity. It will be emphasized that the obscure burning of the two statues helped to remove from Sparta the memory of Pausanias - a controversial figure, misrepresented in Late Antiquity and connected to the ancient staseis in Laconia - in order to promote a positive image of Sparta as a city without conflicts and ruled by the political system of Lycurgus (eunomia). As documented by local inscriptions in praise of late Roman governors, the mythical lawgiver Lycurgus was the paradigm of the imperial governors who rebuilded the town in the IVth cent. AD. It can be assumed that while Rome, Constantinople, Antioch and Athens were troubled by political and religious violence or by seditions between different factions, Sparta aimed to revive its traditional model of civic order in the new historical context of Late Antiquity.

Caracterización morfológica de cien arboles promisorios de Theobroma cacao L. en Waslala, RAAN, Nicaragua, 2009

Se realizó la caracterización morfológica y productiva de 100 árboles élites de cacao en 29 fincas de productores socios de CACAONICA, a partir de una selección previa del 2007. El estudio se realizó de Enero a Mayo del 2009, en el municipio de Waslala, RAAN, Nicaragua. El propósito fue evaluar los árboles de cacao seleccionados por las familias productoras que presentaron las mejores características productivas y morfológicas. Se caracterizó el árbol aplicando 12 descriptores, los frutos empleando 15 descriptores y las semillas aplicando 5 descriptores cualitativos y cuantitativos. Se realizaron análisis de varianza, análisis descriptivo a todas las variables, análisis conglomerado y discriminante canónico solo a las variables cuantitativas. Los árboles tienen altura media de 3.6 m, la altura de horqueta fue de 1.4 m. El 79 % de los árboles mostraron apariencia vigorosa y el 55 % crecen en competencia completa en la parcela. El peso medio del fruto fue de 683.1 g con 39 semillas en promedio. El árbol ID-298 registró el máximos peso y diámetro del fruto, sin embargo mostro un espesor del caballete grueso (3 cm), el ID-287 registró la mayor cantidad de semilla por fruto (49) y el ID-356 presentó el mayor peso de 100 semillas al 6.7% de humedad. El color amarillo predominó (71 %) en los frutos evaluados. El análisis de conglomerado conformo dos grupos morfológicamente diferentes. Las características que más contribuyeron a explicar la variabilidad fueron: Peso, longitud y diámetro del fruto, espesor del caballete, profundidad del surco; Ancho, largo y espesor de semilla, pe so fresco y peso seco de 100 semillas; Sin embargo, no mostró diferencias significativas en el número de semillas por fruto, ni para las variables morfológicas del árbol. Aplicando los parámetros siguientes: más de 35 semillas por fruto, índice de semilla mayor a 1 g e índice de mazorca menor a 20, se preseleccionaron 28 árboles élite de cacao. El análisis de componentes principales demostró que 7 variables explican el 77 % de variabilidad observada y para explicar el 100 % se necesita 20 variables. Las variables de mazorca y semilla fueron las que más aportaron a explicar la variabilidad observada en la población de árboles caracterizados