Uniqueness in a frequency-domain inverse problem of a stratified uniaxial bianisotropic medium

An inverse problem for a stratified uniaxial bianisotropic slab is considered in the frequency domain. The problem is treated as an analytic factorization problem in the frequency complex plane. Uniqueness in the parameter reconstruction is discussed and illustrated under a particular choice of a priori information.     

Thermal stresses in box-type laser packages

The effect of Au coating on thermally induced stresses in box-type semiconductor laser packages was investigated by a finite-element method (FEM). The simulated results showed that Invar–Invar joints with Au coating have maximum stresses two times higher than joints without Au coating. This is due to the different coefficients of the thermal expansion (CTE) between dissimilar materials of Invar and Au, resulting in higher stresses. Maximum stresses were also found to be increased as the Au thickness increased. This effect is attributed to the increase in the thermal gradient in the welded region provided by the increased thermal conduction of the thicker Au coating layer. These results suggest that both the difference in CTE between dissimilar materials and higher thermal conduction of Au coating layer have an important impact on thermally induced stresses for optoelectronic packages having laser-welded Au coated materials.     

Numerical analysis of secondary instabilities of the incompressible boundary layer flow with suction

Based on the Euler–Maclaurin formula, a compact finite difference scheme is employed to solve a two-point boundary value problem for studying the secondary instabilities of the boundary layer flow. The parametric resonance of unstable waves is explored using the Floquet method. For both subharmonic and fundamental modes, two additional Fourier terms are added in the analysis, and the spatial growth rates are determined. The effect of suction mechanism on the secondary instability waves is also investigated. From numerical experiments, it is shown that the proposed numerical scheme is very promising. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A quadrilateral Morley element for biharmonic equations

In this paper, we propose a Morley-type finite element for quadrilateral meshes to solve biharmonic problems. For each quadrilateral $Q$ , the finite element space is defined by the span of $P_2(Q)$ plus two functions in $P_3(Q)$ . Each of the cubic polynomials is the product of a pair of equations of opposite edges and the equation of the bimedian between them. The degrees of freedom consist of the values at vertices and integrals of normal derivatives over edges. Optimal orders of convergence are proved both in discrete $H^2$ and $H^1$ seminorms. Several numerical tests confirm the convergence analysis.     

Stable superhydrophobic polybenzoxazine surfaces over a wide pH range

In this study, we report on a simple two-step casting process designed to create a stable superhydrophobic surface. This method possesses the advantages of being both simple and inexpensive as well as utilizing non-fluorine-containing compounds. Most interestingly, we found that the as-prepared surface possesses superhydrophobic properties not only for pure water but also for corrosive water under both acidic and basic conditions. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic polybenzoxazine surfaces had excellent environmental stability with regard to both heating and organic solvent treatment in terms of the contact angle to water.     

Immunization with genetically attenuated P52-deficient Plasmodium berghei sporozoites induces a long-lasting effector memory CD8+ T cell response in the liver

Background

The induction of sterile immunity and long lasting protection against malaria has been effectively achieved by immunization with sporozoites attenuated by gamma-irradiation or through deletion of genes. For mice immunized with radiation attenuated sporozoites (RAS) it has been shown that intrahepatic effector memory CD8⁺ T cells are critical for protection. Recent studies have shown that immunization with genetically attenuated parasites (GAP) in mice is also conferred by liver effector memory CD8⁺ T cells.

Findings

In this study we analysed effector memory cell responses after immunization of GAP that lack the P52 protein. We demonstrate that immunization with p52 ^-GAP sporozoites also results in a strong increase of effector memory CD8⁺ T cells, even 6 months after immunization, whereas no specific CD4⁺ effector T cells response could be detected. In addition, we show that the increase of effector memory CD8⁺ T cells is specific for the liver and not for the spleen or lymph nodes.

Conclusions

These results indicate that immunization of mice with P. berghei p52 ^-GAP results in immune responses that are comparable to those induced by RAS or GAP lacking expression of UIS3 or UIS4, with an important role implicated for intrahepatic effector memory CD8⁺ T cells. The knowledge of the mediators of protective immunity after immunization with different GAP is important for the further development of vaccines consisting of genetically attenuated sporozoites.