Minimization of Reactive Probabilistic Automata

The problem of finite automata minimization is important for software and hardware designing. Different types of automata are used for modeling systems or machines with finite number of states. The limitation of number of states gives savings in resources and time. In this article we show specific type of probabilistic automata: the reactive probabilistic finite automata with accepting states (in brief the reactive probabilistic automata), and definitions of languages accepted by it. We present definition of bisimulation relation for automata's states and define relation of indistinguishableness of automata states, on base of which we could effectuate automata minimization. Next we present detailed algorithm reactive probabilistic automata’s minimization with determination of its complexity and analyse example solved with help of this algorithm.

The design of contact lens based ocular drug delivery systems for single-day use:part (I) structural factors, surrogate ophthalmic dyes and passive diffusion studies

The poor retention and efficacy of instilled drops as a means of delivering drugs to the ophthalmic environment is well-recognised. The potential value of contact lenses as a means of ophthalmic drug delivery, and consequent improvement of pre-corneal retention is one obvious route to the development of a more effective ocular delivery system. Furthermore, the increasing availability and clinical use of daily disposable contact lenses provides the platform for the development of viable single-day use drug delivery devices based on existing materials and lenses. In order to provide a basis for the effective design of such devices, a systematic understanding of the factors affecting the interaction of individual drugs with the lens matrix is required. Because a large number of potential structural variables are involved, it is necessary to achieve some rationalisation of the parameters and physicochemical properties (such as molecular weight, charge, partition coefficients) that influence drug interactions. Ophthalmic dyes and structurally related compounds based on the same core structure were used to investigate these various factors and the way in which they can be used in concert to design effective release systems for structurally different drugs. Initial studies of passive diffusional release form a necessary precursor to the investigation of the features of the ocular environment that over-ride this simple behaviour. Commercially available contact lenses of differing structural classifications were used to study factors affecting the uptake of the surrogate actives and their release under 'passive' conditions. The interaction between active and lens material shows considerable and complex structure dependence, which is not simply related to equilibrium water content. The structure of the polymer matrix itself was found to have the dominant controlling influence on active uptake; hydrophobic interaction with the ophthalmic dye playing a major role. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Dioxaborine dyes as fluorescent probes for amines and carbon nanotubes

The newly synthesized dioxaborine dyes were studied aiming to probe amines and carbon nanotubes, which are potential toxic industrial polluters. To detect the targeted analytes in efficient way, series of ca. 20 dioxaborine dyes were synthesized and tested for reactivity with amines and carbon nanotubes. The most promising result was showed for styryl dye with the fluorescent sensitivity to amines up to 1 ppm. A fluorescent response of the dioxaborine dyes on presence of carbon nanotubes was revealed.

A sensing mechanism for the detection of carbon nanotubes using selective photoluminescent probes based on ionic complexes with organic dyes

The multifunctional properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them a powerful platform for unprecedented innovations in a variety of practical applications. As a result of the surging growth of nanotechnology, nanotubes present a potential problem as an environmental pollutant, and as such, an efficient method for their rapid detection must be established. Here, we propose a novel type of ionic sensor complex for detecting CNTs – an organic dye that responds sensitively and selectively to CNTs with a photoluminescent signal. The complexes are formed through Coulomb attractions between dye molecules with uncompensated charges and CNTs covered with an ionic surfactant in water. We demonstrate that the photoluminescent excitation of the dye can be transferred to the nanotubes, resulting in selective and strong amplification (up to a factor of 6) of the light emission from the excitonic levels of CNTs in the near-infrared spectral range, as experimentally observed via excitation-emission photoluminescence (PL) mapping. The chirality of the nanotubes and the type of ionic surfactant used to disperse the nanotubes both strongly affect the amplification; thus, the complexation provides sensing selectivity towards specific CNTs. Additionally, neither similar uncharged dyes nor CNTs covered with neutral surfactant form such complexes. As model organic molecules, we use a family of polymethine dyes with an easily tailorable molecular structure and, consequently, tunable absorbance and PL characteristics. This provides us with a versatile tool for the controllable photonic and electronic engineering of an efficient probe for CNT detection.

Reactive Oxygen Species via Redox Signaling to PI3K/AKT Pathway Contribute to the Malignant Growth of 4-Hydroxy Estradiol-Transformed Mammary Epithelial Cells

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 17-β-estradiol (E2)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the induction of mammary tumorigenesis. We found that ROS-induced by repeated exposures to 4-hydroxy-estradiol (4-OH-E2), a predominant catechol metabolite of E2, caused transformation of normal human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells with malignant growth in nude mice. This was evident from inhibition of estrogen-induced breast tumor formation in the xenograft model by both overexpression of catalase as well as by co-treatment with Ebselen. To understand how 4-OH-E2 induces this malignant phenotype through ROS, we investigated the effects of 4-OH-E2 on redox-sensitive signal transduction pathways. During the malignant transformation process we observed that 4-OH-E2 treatment increased AKT phosphorylation through PI3K activation. The PI3K-mediated phosphorylation of AKT in 4-OH-E2-treated cells was inhibited by ROS modifiers as well as by silencing of AKT expression. RNA interference of AKT markedly inhibited 4-OH-E2-induced in vitro tumor formation. The expression of cell cycle genes, cdc2, PRC1 and PCNA and one of transcription factors that control the expression of these genes – nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) was significantly up-regulated during the 4-OH-E2-mediated malignant transformation process. The increased expression of these genes was inhibited by ROS modifiers as well as by silencing of AKT expression. These results indicate that 4-OH-E2-induced cell transformation may be mediated, in part, through redox-sensitive AKT signal transduction pathways by up-regulating the expression of cell cycle genes cdc2, PRC1 and PCNA, and the transcription factor – NRF-1. In summary, our study has demonstrated that: (i) 4-OH-E2 is one of the main estrogen metabolites that induce mammary tumorigenesis and (ii) ROS-mediated signaling leading to the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway plays an important role in the generation of 4-OH-E2-induced malignant phenotype of breast epithelial cells. In conclusion, ROS are important signaling molecules in the development of estrogen-induced malignant breast lesions.

Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis of C -reactive protein binding to human-derived cell lines and peripheral blood monocytes

C-reactive protein (CRP), a normally occurring human plasma protein may become elevated as much as 1,000 fold during disease states involving acute inflammation or tissue damage. Through its binding to phosphorylcholine in the presence of calcium, CRP has been shown to potentiate the activation of complement, stimulate phagocytosis and opsonize certain microorganisms. Utilizing a flow cytometric functional ligand binding assay I have demonstrated that a monocyte population in human peripheral blood and specific human-derived myelomonocytic cell lines reproducibly bind an evolutionarily conserved conformational pentraxin epitope on human CRP through a mechanism that does not involve its ligand, phosphorylcholine. ^ A variety of cell lines at different stages of differentiation were examined. The monocytic cell line, THP-1, bound the most CRP followed by U937 and KG-1a cells. The HL-60 cell line was induced towards either the granulocyte or monocyte pathway with DMSO or PMA, respectively. Untreated HL-60 cells or DMSO-treated cells did not bind CRP while cells treated with PMA showed increased binding of CRP, similar to U-937 cells. T cell and B-cell derived lines were negative. ^ Inhibition studies with Limulin and human SAP demonstrated that the binding site is a conserved pentraxin epitope. The calcium requirement necessary for binding to occur indicated that the cells recognize a conformational form of CRP. Phosphorylcholine did not inhibit the reaction therefore the possibility that CRP had bound to damaged membranes with exposed PC sites was discounted. ^ A study of 81 normal donors using flow cytometry demonstrated that a majority of peripheral blood monocytes (67.9 ± 1.3, mean ± sem) bound CRP. The percentage of binding was normally distributed and not affected by gender, age or ethnicity. Whole blood obtained from donors representing a variety of disease states showed a significant reduction in the level of CRP bound by monocytes in those donors classified with infection, inflammation or cancer. This reduction in monocyte populations binding CRP did not correlate with the concentration of plasma CRP. ^ The ability of monocytes to specifically bind CRP combined with the binding reactivity of the protein itself to a variety of phosphorylcholine containing substances may represent an important bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. ^

Relationship of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on C-Reactive Protein and Homocysteine in Haitian and African Americans with and without Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between n-3 with, C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (HCY) in Black minorities with and without type 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 406 participants: Haitian Americans (HA): n=238. African Americans (AA): n=172. Participants were recruited from a randomly generated mailing lists, local diabetes educators, community health practitioners and advertisements from 2008-2010. Sociodemographics and anthropometrics were collected and used to adjust analyses. All dietary variables were collected using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and used to quantify vitamin components. Blood was collected to measure CVD risk factors (blood lipids, HCY, and CRP). Results: African Americans had higher waist circumferences and C-reactive protein and consumed more calories as compared to Haitian Americans. Omega 3 fatty acid intake per calorie did not differ between these ethnicities, yet African Americans with low n-3 intake were three times more likely to have high C-reactive protein as compared to their counterparts [OR=3. 32 (1. 11, 9. 26) p=0.031]. Although homocysteine did not differ by ethnicity, African Americans with low omega 3 intake (<1 g/day) were four times as likely to have high homocysteine (>12 mg/L) as compared to their counterparts, adjusting for confounders [OR=4.63 (1.59, 12.0) p=0.004]. Consumption of n-3 by diabetes status was not associated with C-reactive protein or homocysteine levels. Conclusions: Consumption of n-3 may be protective of cardiovascular risk factors such as C-r

Obesity and Serum High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels Among Elderly Turkish Immigrants in the Netherlands with Type 2 Diabetes

The study examined the associations of anthropometric measures of obesity with high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in Turkish immigrants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in the Netherlands. A total of 110 participants, physician-diagnosed with T2D, aged 30 years and older were recruited from multiple sources from The Hague, Netherlands. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured with immunoturbidimetric assay. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Measures of obesity: body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were determined. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlations and multiple linear regressions (MLR) stratified by gender. Hs-CRP was log transformed to achieve normality. Subjects with hs-CRP levels >10 mg/L (n = 17) were excluded from the analysis. Females had a higher BMI (p = 0.007), HC (p < 0.001), and WHtR (p = 0.011) as compared to males. Conversely, males had a higher weight (p = 0.007), and WHR (p < 0.001) than females. MLR showed that after controlling for covariates, log hs-CRP was positively associated with BMI (B = 0.039, SE = 0.019, β = 0.287, p < 0.05), WC (B = 0.025, SE = 0.011, β = 0.332, p < 0.05) and WHtR (B = 4.015, SE = 1.464, β = 0.376, p < 0.01) in females only. Gender-specific associations between obesity measures and hs-CRP level need to be further investigated in the Turkish immigrant population. Hs-CRP assessment may be added as a standard of care for T2D treatment within this population.

Improving performance of a permeable reactive barrier in the degradation of trichloroethylene using ultrasound

The impact of ultrasound on improving the performance of a granular iron Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) in the degradation of Trichloroethylene (TCE) was evaluated. Two treatment columns made of clear Plexiglas with a height of 1ft and a diameter of 2 inches and filled with granular iron were used. One was fitted with 25Khz ultrasound probes. A solution of TCE was run through at constant flow rate. Samples obtained from the column at different residence times before and after sonication were analyzed for concentrations of TCE and used to generate concentration profiles to obtain rate constants, which were compared. An improvement of 23.4% in the reaction rate of TCE degradation was observed after sonication of the iron media suggesting that ultrasound may contribute to improving the performance of PRBs in the degradation of TCE in contaminated groundwater.

Remoção de corantes utilizando tensoativos: extração por ponto de nuvem e floculação iônica

The textile sector is one of the main contributors to the generation of industrial wastewaters due to the use of large volumes of water, which has a high organic load content. In these, it is observed to the presence of dyes, surfactants, starch, alcohols, acetic acid and other constituents, from the various processing steps of the textiles. Hence, the treatment of textile wastewater becomes fundamental before releasing it into water bodies, where they can cause disastrous physical-chemical changes for the environment. Surfactants are substances widely used in separation processes and their use for treating textile wastewaters was evaluated in this research by applying the cloud point extraction and the ionic flocculation. In the cloud point extraction was used as surfactant nonylphenol with 9.5 ethoxylation degree to remove reactive dye. The process evaluation was performed in terms of temperature, surfactant and dye concentrations. The dye removal reached 91%. The ionic flocculation occurs due to the presence of calcium, which reacts with anionic surfactant to form insoluble surfactants capable of attracting the organic matter by adsorption. In this work the ionic flocculation using base soap was applied to the treatment of synthetic wastewater containing dyes belonging to three classes: direct, reactive, and disperse. It was evaluated by the influence of the following parameters: surfactant and electrolyte concentrations, stirring speed, equilibrium time, temperature, and pH. The flocculation of the surfactant was carried out in two ways: forming the floc in the effluent itself and forming the floc before mixing it to the effluent. Removal of reactive and direct dye, when the floc is formed into textile effluent was 97% and 87%, respectively. In the case where the floc is formed prior to adding it to the effluent, the removal to direct and disperse dye reached 92% and 87%, respectively. These results show the efficience of the evaluated processes for dye removal from textile wastewaters.

Caracterização e avaliação da atividade fotocatalítica de catalisadores baseados no TiO2, sintetizados mediante hidrólise em uma mistura de solventes

This study involved the synthesis of photocatalysts based on titanium dioxide (TiO2). The photocatalysts were synthesized by the sol-gel method using three different proportions of acetone (25%, 50% and 75% v/v) in water/acetone mixtures, in order to control the hydrolysis of the precursor of titanium (titanium tetraisopropoxide). Aiming to investigate the structural, morphological and electronic changes provoked by the use of the solvent mixtures, different methodologies were used to characterize the oxides, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), RAMAN spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and measurements of specific surface area (BET). XRD combined to RAMAN analyses revealed that the products are two-phase highly crystalline oxides involving anatase as main phase and brookite. Besides, the refined XRD using the method of Rietveld demonstrated that the presence of acetone during the synthesis influenced in the composition of the crystalline phases, increasing the proportion of the brookite phase between 13 and 22%. The band gap energy of these oxides practically did not suffer changes as function of the synthesis conditions. As shown by the isotherm, these photocatalysts are mesoporous materials with mean diameter of pores of 7 nm and approximately 20% of porosity. The surface area of the oxides prepared by hydrolysis in presence of acetone was 12% higher compared to the bare oxide. After characterized, these oxides had their photocatalytic activities evaluated by photodegradation of the azo dyes Ponceau 4R (P4R), Tartrazine (TTZ) and Reactive Red 120 (RR120), and also by the ability to mediate the photocatalytic production of hydrogen. Using the most efficient photocatalyst, the mineralization achieved for the dyes P4R, RR120 and TTZ was of respectively 83%, 79% and 56% in 120 minutes of reaction, while the discoloration of P4R e RR120 reached 100% and 94% for TTZ. In addition, the same photocatalyst in the presence of 0.5% w/w of Platinum and suspended in a 5:1 v/v water/methanol mixture, produced 56 mmol of gaseous hydrogen in five hours of experiment, corresponding to a specific rate of hydrogen production of 139.5 mmol h-1 g-1.

System operational costs reduction with non-conventional reactive power sources

Wind energy installations are increasing in power systems worldwide and wind generation capacity tends to be located some distance from load centers. A conflict may arise at times of high wind generation when it becomes necessary to curtail wind energy in order to maintain conventional generators on-line for the provision of voltage control support at load centers. Using the island of Ireland as a case study and presenting commercially available reactive power support devices as possible solutions to the voltage control problems in urban areas, this paper explores the reduction in total generation costs resulting from the relaxation of the operational constraints requiring conventional generators to be kept on-line near load centers for reactive power support. The paper shows that by 2020 there will be possible savings of 87€m per annum and a reduction in wind curtailment of more than a percentage point if measures are taken to relax these constraints.

Extractions and analyses of reactive phosphorus in the Bering Sea from IODP Holes 323-U1341A and 323-U1341B

To reconstruct the cycling of reactive phosphorus (P) in the Bering Sea, a P speciation record covering the last ~ 4 Ma was generated from sediments recovered during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 323 at Site U1341 (Bowers Ridge). A chemical extraction procedure distinguishing between different operationally defined P fractions provides new insight into reactive P input, burial and diagenetic transformations. Reactive P mass accumulation rates (MARs) are ~ 20-110 µmol/cm2/ka, which is comparable to other open ocean locations but orders of magnitude lower than most upwelling settings. We find that authigenic carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) and opal-bound P are the dominant P fractions at Site U1341. An overall increasing contribution of CFA to total P with sediment depth is consistent with a gradual "sink switching" from more labile P fractions (fish remains, Fe oxides, organic matter) to stable authigenic CFA. However, the positive correlation of CFA with Al content implies that a significant portion of the supposedly reactive CFA is non-reactive "detrital contamination" by eolian and/or riverine CFA. In contrast to CFA, opal-bound P has rarely been studied in marine sediments. We find for the first time that opal-bound P directly correlates with excess silica contents. This P fraction was apparently available to biosiliceous phytoplankton at the time of sediment deposition and is a long-term sink for reactive P in the ocean, despite the likelihood for diagenetic re-mobilisation of this P at depth (indicated by increasing ratios of excess silica to opal-bound P). Average reactive P MARs at Site U1341 increase by ~ 25% if opal-bound P is accounted for, but decrease by ~ 25% if 50% of the extracted CFA fraction (based on the lowest CFA value at Site U1341) is assumed to be detrital. Combining our results with literature data, we present a qualitative perspective of terrestrial CFA and opal-bound P deposition in the modern ocean. Riverine CFA input has mostly been reported from continental shelves and margins draining P-rich lithologies, while eolian CFA input is found across wide ocean regions underlying the Northern Hemispheric "dust belt". Opal-bound P burial is important in the Southern Ocean, North Pacific, and likely in upwelling areas. Shifts in detrital CFA and opal-bound P deposition across ocean basins likely occurred over time, responding to changing weathering patterns, sea level, and biogenic opal deposition.

Coagent Modified Polypropylene Prepared by Reactive Extrusion: A New Look Into the Structure-Property Relations of Injection Molded Parts

Peroxide-mediated reactive extrusion of linear isotactic polypropylene (L-PP) was conducted in the presence of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA) and triallyl trimesate (TAM) coagents, using a twin screw extruder. The resulting coagent-modified polypropylenes (CM-PP) had higher viscosities and elasticities, as well as increased crystallization temperature compared to PP reacted only with peroxide (DCP-PP). Additionally, deviations from terminal flow, and strain hardening were observed in PP modified with TAM, signifying the presence of long chain branching (LCB). The CM-PP formulations retained the modulus and tensile strength of the parent L-PP, in spite of their lower molar mass and viscosities, whereas their elongation at break and the impact strength were better. This was attributed to the finer spherulitic structure of these materials, and to the disappearance of the skin-core layer in the injection molded specimens.

Characterization of High-Performance Organic Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell: A DFT/TDDFT Study

Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is currently a promising technology that makes solar energy efficient and cost-effective to harness. In DSSC, metal free dyes, such indoline-containing D149 and D205, are proved to be potential alternatives for traditional metal organic dyes. In this work, a DFT/TDDFT characterization for D149 and D205 were carried out using different functionals, including B3LYP, MPW1K, CAM-B3LYP and PBE0. Three different conformers for D149 and four different conformers for D205 were identified and calculated in vacuum. The performance of different functionals on calculating the maximum absorbance of the dyes in vacuum and five common solvents (acetonitrile, chloroform, ethanol, methanol, and THF) were examined and compared to determine the suitable computational setting for predicting properties of these two dyes. Furthermore, deprotonated D149 and D205 in solvents were also considered, and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were calculated, which elucidates the substitution effect on the rhodanine ring of D149 and D205 dyes on their efficiency. Finally, D149 and D205 molecules were confirmed to be firmly anchored on ZnO surface by periodic DFT calculations. These results would shed light on the design of new highly efficiency metal-free dyes.