Analysis of the cellular Aspergillus fumigatus proteome that reacts with sera from rabbits developing an acquired immunity after experimental aspergillosis

Invasive aspergillosis caused by the mould Aspergillus fumigatus is a life‐threatening lung or systemic infection in the immunocompromised host. In this study, a protective immune response against the disease was achieved in two infected rabbits, and the cellular fungal antigenic proteome that mediated such a response was investigated against the background of vaccine development efforts. Altogether, 59 different Aspergillus proteins were found becoming reactive in the course of the developing immunity, many of which are described in this context for the first time. These included proteins related to oxidative stress management, glycolysis and other metabolic pathways. As oxidative stress is suspected to be one of the major defense mechanisms, the results may indicate at least in part a continuous response of the pathogen to evade the host's immune system. In addition, proteins with suspected cell surface association or crucial function for fungal cell development were identified. As these antigens are newly recognized during the process of the developing immunoprotection, they may not only represent valuable infection markers but also importantly broaden the list of possible vaccine candidates.     

Ab-initio calculations of electronic structure and optical properties of TiAl alloy

The electronic structures and optical properties of TiAl intermetallic alloy system are studied by the first-principle orthogonalized linear combination of atomic orbitals method. Results on the band structure, total and partial density of states, localization index, effective atomic charges, and optical conductivity are presented and discussed in detail. Total density of states spectra reveal that (near the Fermi level) the majority of the contribution is from Ti-3d states. The effective charge calculations show an average charge transfer of 0.52 electrons from Ti to Al in primitive cell calculations of TiAl alloy. On the other hand, calculations using supercell approach reveal an average charge transfer of 0.48 electrons from Ti to Al. The localization index calculations, of primitive cell as well as of supercell, show the presence of relatively localized states even above the Fermi level for this alloy. The calculated optical conductivity spectra of TiAl alloy are rich in structures, showing the highest peak at 5.73 eV for supercell calculations. Calculations of the imaginary part of the linear dielectric function show a prominent peak at 5.71 eV and a plateau in the range 1.1-3.5 eV.     

Spectrophotometric Quantitation of Fluoxetine Hydrochloride Using Benzoyl Peroxide and Potassium Iodide

 Fluoxetine hydrochloride reacts with benzoyl peroxide and potassium iodide, after heating for 1 min at 30 °C, to give a blue colour having maximum absorbance at 570 nm. The reaction is selective for fluoxetine with 0.01 mg/mL as visual limit of quantitation and provides a basis for a new spectrophotometric determination. The colour reaction obeys Beer’s law from 0.1 mg/10 mL to 2.0 mg/10 mL of fluoxetine and the relative standard deviation is 0.68%. The qualitative assessment of tolerable amounts of other drugs is also studied. Received September 21, 1998. Revision September 10, 1999.     

Tracing Bose�CEinstein condensate effects in a recurrence tracking microscope

The recurrence tracking microscope for probing nanostructures on a surface is based on the quantum recurrence phenomenon. We report that condensed atoms bouncing off on the atomic mirror, connected to a cantilever, modify the quantum recurrences. The times at which the recurrences occur depend on the initial energy of the bouncing condensates above the atomic mirror, which change with the density of condensed atoms.     

Effect of heat transfer on a third grade fluid in a flat channel

The heat transfer analysis on the laminar flow of an incompressible third grade fluid through a porous flat channel is examined. The lower plate is assumed to be at a higher temperature than the upper plate. Analytical solution for temperature distribution is obtained for various values of the controlling parameters and discussed. The obtained analytical solution is also compared with the numerical solution. The comparison shows the fact that the accuracy is remarkable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variable viscosity effects on the peristaltic motion of a third‐order fluid

The effect of variable viscosity on the peristaltic motion of MHD third‐order fluid in a channel is studied using slip condition. The series solution for stream function, longitudinal velocity and pressure gradient are first derived and then discussed in detail. The pressure rise and frictional forces are monitored through numerical integration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of slip condition on the peristaltic transport in an asymmetric channel with heat transfer: An exact solution

The mechanism of peristaltic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow based on slip and heat transfer effects is studied in an asymmetric channel. An incompressible viscous fluid fills the porous space inside the channel. Long wavelength and zero Reynolds number approximation are used in the flow modeling. Expressions of stream function, longitudinal pressure gradient, and temperature are developed. Various interesting phenomena associated with peristalsis, such as pumping and trapping, are discussed in detail. Further the effects of various pertinent parameters on temperature field and heat transfer coefficient are explained with the help of graphs and tables. It is found that pressure rise over one wavelength decreases in pumping region for large values of slip parameter. Similar behavior is observed for temperature field by increasing the slip parameter. However, the volume of trapped bolus decreases by increasing the slip parameter. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MHD flow and heat transfer over permeable stretching sheet with slip conditions

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow and heat transfer characteristics for the boundary layer flow over a permeable stretching sheet are considered. Velocity and thermal slip conditions are taken into account. Problem formulation is developed in the presence of thermal radiation. Governing non‐linear problem is solved by a homotopy analysis method. Convergence of the derived solutions is studied. Numerical values of skin‐friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are tabulated. Effects of pertinent parameters on the velocity and temperature profiles are discussed. Comparison between the present and previous limiting results is shown. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.