Dissociation of monoclonal antibody-antigen complexes: Implications for ELISA procedures

A single step solid phase radioimmunoassay (SS-SPRIA) has been developed for human chorionic,gonadotropin (hCG) using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) from culture media adsorbed immunochemically on plastic tubes. The assays have been found to be very simple in terms of operation and do not demand purification of MAbs. Several MAbs which do not show any displacement in liquid phase RIA and ELISA provide a satisfactory SS-SPRIA. Our investigations revealed that the assumption regarding the stability of the primary Mab-Ag complex during incubation and washing steps in ELISAs is not strictly valid for dissociable MAbs. A comparison of different assay systems suggests that the single step SPRIA offers additional advantages over conventionally used multistep ELISA procedures and provides a quantitative probe for the analysis of epitope-paratope interactions.

Magnetization properties of some quantum spin ladders

The experimental realization of various spin ladder systems has prompted their detailed theoretical investigations. Hen we study the evolution of ground-state magnetization with an external magnetic field for two different antiferromagnetic systems: a three-legged spin-1/2 ladder, and a two-legged spin-1/2 ladder with an additional diagonal interaction. The finite system density-matrix renormalization-group method is employed for numerical studies of the three-chain system, and an effective low-energy Hamiltonian is used in the limit of strong interchain coupling to study the two- and three-chain systems. The three-chain system has a magnetization plateau at one-third of the saturation magnetization. The two-chain system has a plateau at zero magnetization due to a gap above the singlet ground state. It also has a plateau at half of the saturation magnetization for a certain range of values of the couplings. We study the regions of transitions between plateaus numerically and analytically, and find that they are described, at first order in a strong-coupling expansion, by an XXZ spin-1/2 chain in a magnetic field; the second-order terms give corrections to the XXZ model, We also study numerically some low-temperature properties of the three-chain system, such as the magnetization, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat. [S0163-1829(99)303001-5].

Adaptive Executions of Multi-Physics Coupled Applications on Batch Grids

Long running multi-physics coupled parallel applications have gained prominence in recent years. The high computational requirements and long durations of simulations of these applications necessitate the use of multiple systems of a Grid for execution. In this paper, we have built an adaptive middleware framework for execution of long running multi-physics coupled applications across multiple batch systems of a Grid. Our framework, apart from coordinating the executions of the component jobs of an application on different batch systems, also automatically resubmits the jobs multiple times to the batch queues to continue and sustain long running executions. As the set of active batch systems available for execution changes, our framework performs migration and rescheduling of components using a robust rescheduling decision algorithm. We have used our framework for improving the application throughput of a foremost long running multi-component application for climate modeling, the Community Climate System Model (CCSM). Our real multi-site experiments with CCSM indicate that Grid executions can lead to improved application throughput for climate models.

Some mechanisms of tribofilm formation in metal/metal and ceramic/metal sliding interactions

Tribological interaction often generates new structures and materials which form the interface between the sliding pair. The new material designated tribofilm here may be protective or tribologically deleterious. The tribofilm plays a major role in determining the friction and wear of the interaction. Here, we give three examples: mechanically mixed, chemically generated and thermally activated, of tribofilms formed in three different tribological systems and speculate on the mechanism of their formation.

Adam-Gibbs Relation for Glass-Forming Liquids in Two, Three, and Four Dimensions

The Adam-Gibbs relation between relaxation times and the configurational entropy has been tested extensively for glass formers using experimental data and computer simulation results. Although the form of the relation contains no dependence on the spatial dimensionality in the original formulation, subsequent derivations of the Adam-Gibbs relation allow for such a possibility. We test the Adam-Gibbs relation in two, three, and four spatial dimensions using computer simulations of model glass formers. We find that the relation is valid in three and four dimensions. But in two dimensions, the relation does not hold, and interestingly, no single alternate relation describes the results for the different model systems we study.

New single-source precursor for bismuth sulfide and its use as low-cost counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

One new homoleptic Bi(dtc)(3)] (1) (dtc = 4-hydroxypiperdine dithiocarbamate) has been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, IR, UV-Vis, H-1 and C-13 spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The photoluminescence spectrum for the compound in DMSO solution was recorded. The crystal structure of 1 displayed distorted octahedral geometry around the Bi(III) center bonded through sulfur atoms of the dithiocarbamate ligands. TGA indicates that the compound decomposes to a Bi and Bi-S phase system. The Bi and Bi-S obtained from decomposition of the compound have been characterized by pXRD, EDAX and SEM. Solvothermal decomposition of 1 in the absence and presence of two different capping agents yielded three morphologically different Bi2S3 systems which were deployed as counter-electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microstructure, deformation and failure of polymer bonded explosives

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) are highly particle filled composite materials comprised of explosive crystals and a polymeric binder (ca. 5-10% by weight). The microstructure and mechanical properties of two pressed PBXs with different binder systems were studied in this paper. The initial microstructure of the pressed PBXs and its evolution under different mechanical aggressions were studied, including quasi-static tension and compression, ultrasonic wave stressing and long-pulse low-velocity impact. Real-time microscopic observation of the PBXs under tension was conducted by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a loading stage. The mechanical properties under tensile creep, quasi-static tension and compression were studied. The Brazilian test, or diametrical compression, was used to study the tensile properties. The influences of pressing pressures and temperatures, and strain rates on the mechanical properties of PBXs were analyzed. The mesoscale damage modes in initial pressed samples and the samples insulted by different mechanical aggressions, and the corresponding failure mechanisms of the PBXs under different loading conditions were analyzed.

EUSMT: incorporating linguistic information to SMT for a morphologically rich language. Its use in SMT-RBMT-EBMT hybridation

148 p.: graf.

Prevalence Of Shear Banding In Compression Of Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 Pillars As Small As 150 Nm In Diameter

Recently, the size dependence of mechanical behaviors, particularly the yield strength and plastic deformation mode, of bulk metallic glasses (BMG) has created a great deal of interest. Contradicting conclusions have been drawn by different research groups, based on various experiments on different BMG systems. Based on in situ compression transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments on Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 (Vit 1) nanopillars, this paper provides strong evidence that shear banding still prevails at specimen length scales as small as 150 nm in diameter. This is supported by in situ and ex situ images of shear bands, and by the carefully recorded displacement bursts under load control its well as load drops under displacement control. Finite element modeling of the stress state within the pillar shows that the unavoidable geometry constraints accompanying such experiments impart a strong effect on the experimental results, including non-uniform stress distributions and high level hydrostatic pressures. The seemingly improved compressive ductility is believed to be due to such geometry constraints. Observations underscore the notion that the mechanical behavior of metallic glasses, including strength and plastic deformation mode, is size independent at least in Vit 1. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Learning and using taxonomies for visual and olfactory classification

Humans are able of distinguishing more than 5000 visual categories even in complex environments using a variety of different visual systems all working in tandem. We seem to be capable of distinguishing thousands of different odors as well. In the machine learning community, many commonly used multi-class classifiers do not scale well to such large numbers of categories. This thesis demonstrates a method of automatically creating application-specific taxonomies to aid in scaling classification algorithms to more than 100 cate- gories using both visual and olfactory data. The visual data consists of images collected online and pollen slides scanned under a microscope. The olfactory data was acquired by constructing a small portable sniffing apparatus which draws air over 10 carbon black polymer composite sensors. We investigate performance when classifying 256 visual categories, 8 or more species of pollen and 130 olfactory categories sampled from common household items and a standardized scratch-and-sniff test. Taxonomies are employed in a divide-and-conquer classification framework which improves classification time while allowing the end user to trade performance for specificity as needed. Before classification can even take place, the pollen counter and electronic nose must filter out a high volume of background “clutter” to detect the categories of interest. In the case of pollen this is done with an efficient cascade of classifiers that rule out most non-pollen before invoking slower multi-class classifiers. In the case of the electronic nose, much of the extraneous noise encountered in outdoor environments can be filtered using a sniffing strategy which preferentially samples the visensor response at frequencies that are relatively immune to background contributions from ambient water vapor. This combination of efficient background rejection with scalable classification algorithms is tested in detail for three separate projects: 1) the Caltech-256 Image Dataset, 2) the Caltech Automated Pollen Identification and Counting System (CAPICS) and 3) a portable electronic nose specially constructed for outdoor use.

A scaling law of photoionization in ultrashort pulses

By means of the numerical solution of time-dependant Schrodinger equation, we verify a scaling law of photoionization in ultrashort pulses. We find that for a given carrier-envelope phase and duration of the pulse, identical photoionizations are obtained provided that when the central frequency of the pulse is enlarged by k times, the atomic binding potential is enlarged by k times, and the laser intensity is enlarged by k(3) times. The scaling law allows us to reach a significant control over direction of photoemission and offers exciting prospects of reaching similar physical processes in different interacting systems which constitutes a novel kind of coherent control.

EAE eta Irlanda, Hezkuntza Bereziaren bi ikuspegi

Aniztasun funtzionala duten pertsonen hezkuntzaren inguruko GALa da hau. Hezkuntzak arlo honetan izan duen ibilbidea ezagutu ostean, EAE eta Irlandako hezkuntza sistemak aztertzen dituena. Ikerketa lana da hau eta gaiaren inguruko azterketa bibliografiko sakona izateaz gain bi herrialdeetan datu bilketa egin izan da, bi herrialdeetako irakasleak betetako galdetegien bitartez. Tresna hauen helburua batzuen zein besteen jarrerak ezagutzea eta konparatzea zen, hauen garrantziaz jabetuz. Ikerketa lanaren ostean bi herrialdeek heziketa berezia ulertzeko bi modu desberdin dituztela azaleratzen da: EAEn integraziotik inklusiora bidean gauden bitartean, Irlandan kontraesan ugari daude; izan ere, inklusioa bultzatu nahi da, baina eskola bereziak mantenduz. Irlandan badute zer aldatu, baina bertan ere badugu. Inklusioa da jarraitu beharreko bidea; ez da erraza izango, baina aniztasun funtzionala duten haurrekin elkar bizitzea aukera bat da eta guztiok izan gaitezke irabazle.

Development of a new modelling framework to estimate the C footprint from Basque dairy farms

19 p.

Estimation of catalyst activity profiles and deactivation parameters from reactor operating data with applications to naphtha reforming

Techniques are developed for estimating activity profiles in fixed bed reactors and catalyst deactivation parameters from operating reactor data. These techniques are applicable, in general, to most industrial catalytic processes. The catalytic reforming of naphthas is taken as a broad example to illustrate the estimation schemes and to signify the physical meaning of the kinetic parameters of the estimation equations. The work is described in two parts. Part I deals with the modeling of kinetic rate expressions and the derivation of the working equations for estimation. Part II concentrates on developing various estimation techniques.

Part I: The reactions used to describe naphtha reforming are dehydrogenation and dehydroisomerization of cycloparaffins; isomerization, dehydrocyclization and hydrocracking of paraffins; and the catalyst deactivation reactions, namely coking on alumina sites and sintering of platinum crystallites. The rate expressions for the above reactions are formulated, and the effects of transport limitations on the overall reaction rates are discussed in the appendices. Moreover, various types of interaction between the metallic and acidic active centers of reforming catalysts are discussed as characterizing the different types of reforming reactions.

Part II: In catalytic reactor operation, the activity distribution along the reactor determines the kinetics of the main reaction and is needed for predicting the effect of changes in the feed state and the operating conditions on the reactor output. In the case of a monofunctional catalyst and of bifunctional catalysts in limiting conditions, the cumulative activity is sufficient for predicting steady reactor output. The estimation of this cumulative activity can be carried out easily from measurements at the reactor exit. For a general bifunctional catalytic system, the detailed activity distribution is needed for describing the reactor operation, and some approximation must be made to obtain practicable estimation schemes. This is accomplished by parametrization techniques using measurements at a few points along the reactor. Such parametrization techniques are illustrated numerically with a simplified model of naphtha reforming.

To determine long term catalyst utilization and regeneration policies, it is necessary to estimate catalyst deactivation parameters from the the current operating data. For a first order deactivation model with a monofunctional catalyst or with a bifunctional catalyst in special limiting circumstances, analytical techniques are presented to transform the partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations which admit more feasible estimation schemes. Numerical examples include the catalytic oxidation of butene to butadiene and a simplified model of naphtha reforming. For a general bifunctional system or in the case of a monofunctional catalyst subject to general power law deactivation, the estimation can only be accomplished approximately. The basic feature of an appropriate estimation scheme involves approximating the activity profile by certain polynomials and then estimating the deactivation parameters from the integrated form of the deactivation equation by regression techniques. Different bifunctional systems must be treated by different estimation algorithms, which are illustrated by several cases of naphtha reforming with different feed or catalyst composition.

Redes de conhecimento e significações e a divulgação científica em educação: o caso do Jornal Eletrônico Educação & Imagem

Esta pesquisa procura trazer para o campo da educação a discussão da divulgação científica, já bastante avançada em outras áreas de conhecimento. A proposta é abordar a temática em questão a partir da análise dos usos‟ de artigos escritos por professores/pesquisadores e publicados no Jornal Eletrônico Educação & Imagem, publicação vinculada ao Laboratório Educação e Imagem (Programa de Pós-graduação em Educação/Faculdade de Educação/Universidade de Estado do Rio de Janeiro), com a finalidade de compartilhar o que vem sendo produzido em pesquisas e práticas curriculares desenvolvidas em torno da relação imagens e educação. Este trabalho está relacionado àqueles que se desenvolvem nos estudos nos/dos/com os cotidianos, o que nos tem permitido compreender as múltiplas redes educativas nas relações conhecimentos e significados tecidas por múltiplos praticantes destas redes. Nos artigos enviados pelos professores ao jornal, observamos que, mesmo seguindo as orientações dos materiais curriculares indicados pelas secretarias, professores e alunos estão em um contexto de experiência curricular cotidiana e os usos que fazem destes materiais de acordo com as suas próprias práticas, que vivenciam dentrofora das escolas, lhes possibilitam que teçam permanentemente os currículos. Em outras palavras, dentro destes espaçostempos há muitos currículos sendo criados. Assim, ao dialogar com os trabalhos de Certeau, Martin-Barbero, Boaventura de Souza Santos, Nestor Canclini, Pierre Lévy e Carlos Vogt esta pesquisa vem pensando as táticas dos usuários de um jornal eletrônico, de professores a pesquisadores, na criação de novos conhecimentos a partir do diálogo mediado por este artefato cultural. Desejo, com a pesquisa desenvolvida, mostrar como cotidiadianamente tem sido tecidas relações entre usuários/professores/pesquisadores por meio do Jornal Eletrônico Educação & Imagem, ultrapassando dessa forma a idéia subjacente à expressão divulgação científica‟, que sugere uma unitelaridade e/ou, no mínimo, uma segregação entre cientistas e todo o resto (CERTEAU, 1994). Ao fazerem usos‟ diversos e imprevisíveis dessa mídia, esses usuários/professores/pesquisadores põem os conhecimentos produzidos para circular, possibilitando apropriações, ressignificações e criação de outros conhecimentos em/nas redes. Por isto, consideramos que é mais aplicável à área o termo circulação científica. Com isso, queremos indicar que o desenvolvimento de pesquisas com os cotidianos exige contatos constantes e de diversas ordens entre universidades e escolas para a compreensão dos múltiplos currículos existentes nas práticas das tantas escolas dos diversos sistemas educativos.