Energy decay estimates for the Bernoulli–Euler-type equation with a local degenerate dissipation

In this paper, we study the decay property of the solutions to the Bernoulli–Euler-type equation with a local degenerate dissipation.     

Toll-like receptor 9-mediated inhibition of apoptosis occurs through suppression of FoxO3a activity and induction of FLIP expression

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with a CpG-motif are recognized by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and pleiotropic immune responses are elicited. Stimulation of macrophages with TLR9 agonist prevented apoptosis induced by serum deprivation through increased expression of FLICE-like inhibitory protein (FLIP). CpG ODN-mediated anti-apoptosis depended on the TLR9-Akt-FoxO3a signaling pathway. Inhibition of TLR9 by small interfering (si) RNA or an inhibitor suppressed CpG ODN-mediated anti-apoptosis. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed that the anti-apoptotic effect of CpG ODN required phosphorylation of FoxO3a and its translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol. Overexpression of FoxO3a increased apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and CpG ODN blocked these effects through FLIP expression. In contrast, siRNA knock-down of FoxO3a decreased apoptosis by serum deprivation. In addition, Akt activation was involved in CpG ODN-induced phosphorylation of FoxO3a, expression of FLIP, and anti-apoptosis. Taken together, these results demonstrate the involvement of Akt-FoxO3a in TLR9-mediated anti-apoptosis and indicate that FoxO3a is a distinct regulator for FLIP expression.     

Minimum distance of Hermitian two-point codes

We prove a formula for the minimum distance of two-point codes on a Hermitian curve.     

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of Co using Co(MeCp)2 precursor

Cobalt (Co) thermal or plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) was investigated using a novel metal organic precursor, Co(MeCp)₂, and NH₃ or H₂ or their plasma as a reactant. The growth characteristics, electrical and microstructural properties were investigated. Especially, PE-ALD produced Co thin films at low growth temperature down to 100 °C. Interestingly, the low temperature growth of Co films showed the formation of columnar structure at substrate temperature below 300 °C. The growth characteristics and films properties of PE-ALD Co using bis(η-methylcyclopentadienyl) Co(II) (Co(MeCp)₂) was compared with those of PE-ALD Co using other Cp based metal organic precursors, bis-cyclopentadienyl cobalt (II) (CoCp₂) and cyclopentadienyl isopropyl acetamidinato-cobalt (Co(CpAMD)).     

An Oxidant- and Organic Solvent-Resistant Alkaline Metalloprotease from Streptomyces olivochromogenes

Organic solvent- and detergent-resistant proteases are important from an industrial viewpoint. However, they have been less frequently reported and only few of them are from actinomycetes. A metalloprotease from Streptomyces olivochromogenes (SOMP) was purified by ion exchange with Poros HQ and gel filtration with Sepharose CL-6B. Apparent molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 51 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gelatin zymography. The activity was optimum at pH 7.5 and 50 °C and stable between pH 7.0 and 10.0. SOMP was stable below 45 °C and Ca²⁺ increased its thermostability. Ca²⁺ enhanced while Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe²⁺ inhibited the activity. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, but not phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, aprotinin, and pefabloc SC, significantly suppressed the activity, suggesting that it might be a metalloprotease. Importantly, it is highly resistant against various detergents, organic solvents, and oxidizing agents, and the activity is enhanced by H₂O₂. The enzyme could be a novel protease based on its origin and peculiar biochemical properties. It may be useful in biotechnological applications especially for organic solvent-based enzymatic synthesis.     

Quantitative elemental analysis of Fe?Zn‐alloy coating by nondestructive method

A quantitative analytical method of iron content in Fe? Zn‐alloy coating by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum was proposed. This work aimed to replace the wet chemical analysis of Fe? Zn‐alloy coating with rapid and reproducible quantification by an XRD spectrum. Partial least‐squares (PLS) model was utilized to differentiate the spectral characteristic as well as to quantify each component in XRD spectrum. Fifteen standard samples were prepared by heat treatment and verified by the relationship between wet chemical analyses and the XRD spectrum for iron content. The suggested method showed satisfactory precision and accuracy in the analysis of Fe? Zn‐alloy coating. The accuracy for iron content in Fe? Zn‐alloy coating was 0.17 wt%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biological functionalization of the amine-terminated Si(100) surface by glycine

A peptide reaction of glycine on an amine-terminated Si(100) surface was investigated using C 1s, N 1s, O 1s, and Si 2p core-level spectroscopy, where the amine-terminated Si(100) surface was prepared using NH₃. In-situ thermal treatments at a mild temperature of 50 °C after the adsorption of glycine on a room-temperature amine-terminated Si(100) surface induced the peptide reaction between the carboxyl group of glycine and the amine group of the surface. This suggests that the amine-terminated Si(100) surface can be an excellent template for constructing a junction between a biomaterial and a Si surface using a dry process.