Staphylococcus aureus Exfoliative Toxin E,Oligomeric State and Flip of P186: Implications for Its Action Mechanism

Staphylococcal exfoliative toxins (ETs) are glutamyl endopeptidases that specifically cleave the Glu381-Gly382 bond in the ectodomains of desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) via complex action mechanisms. To date, four ETs have been identified in different Staphylococcus aureus strains and ETE is the most recently characterized. The unusual properties of ETs have been attributed to a unique structural feature, i.e., the 180° flip of the carbonyl oxygen (O) of the nonconserved residue 192/186 (ETA/ETE numbering), not conducive to the oxyanion hole formation. We report the crystal structure of ETE determined at 1.61 Å resolution, in which P186(O) adopts two conformations displaying a 180° rotation. This finding, together with free energy calculations, supports the existence of a dynamic transition between the conformations under the tested conditions. Moreover, enzymatic assays showed no significant differences in the esterolytic efficiency of ETE and ETE/P186G, a mutant predicted to possess a functional oxyanion hole, thus downplaying the influence of the flip on the activity. Finally, we observed the formation of ETE homodimers in solution and the predicted homodimeric structure revealed the participation of a characteristic nonconserved loop in the interface and the partial occlusion of the protein active site, suggesting that monomerization is required for enzymatic activity.     

Progress in development of acceptance criteria for local thinned areas in pipe and piping components

Over the last 30 years there has been a considerable amount of research conducted on the effect of corrosion on the burst strength of buried gas and oil transmission pipelines. The results of numerous burst tests on artificial flaws and corroded pipe removed from service were used to validate an empirical analysis that was essentially the limit–load solution for an axial crack in a pipe under pressure loading. This basic concept led to acceptance standards in ANSI B31G, and a more recent modified B31G criterion using the RSTRENG computer program developed at Battelle. This program takes into account variable flaw depths rather than the parabolic flaw shape assumed in the original B31G criterion. Since that time, more fundamental research has been conducted to develop a more accurate and theoretically based failure criterion. The Battelle/Pipeline Research Committee International PCORR computer program is an example of a special purpose shell-element based, finite element, PC criterion for the evaluation of local thinned area (LTA) flaws. This program has evolved with time from linear-elastic to elastic-plastic stress with provisions for axial as well as hoop stresses. The development and new insights into blunt flaw behavior resulting from this program will be one aspect covered in this paper. In the nuclear industry erosion-corrosion, or flow-accelerated corrosion, in single-phase liquid lines has become a major problem. Computer programs, such as the EPRI Checworks program, have been developed to assist the plant operators with deciding where to focus their inspections. However, to date no generally validated acceptance criteria have been developed for the plant piping. Plant piping, whether in nuclear power plants, fossil power plants, or petrochemical plants, have several differences from buried pipelines which need to be considered. The buried pipelines typically have low longitudinal stresses that frequently are compressive, and have no pipe fittings such as tees, elbows, and reducers except at compressor stations. Plant piping needs to consider hoop stresses and axial tension loads from the pressure, as well as, bending stresses from dead-weight loads, thermal expansion stresses, and seismic loads. In an effort to develop flaw acceptance criteria for Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, the criteria in Code Case N-480 have been revised and implemented into a new code case (the number has not yet been assigned). These criteria essentially use either the ANSI B31G approach for axial flaws, or the ANSI B31.1 or ASME Section III stress analysis rules to show that the residual strength of the thinned region meets the initial design stress limits. This paper presents some of the validation efforts recently undertaken to determine the inherent margins in the design stress equation approach compared with the applied safety factors in the axial and circumferential flaw limit–load solutions in: (i) the gas and oil pipeline industries; (ii) the proposed criteria in Belgium for the nuclear industry and other criteria, and (iii) the preliminary criteria from a recently proposed ASME Code Case on erosion/corrosion acceptance criteria and the ASME Appendix H criteria for flawed ferritic nuclear pipe.     

The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in the Maintenance of Verbal Working Memory: An Event-Related fMRI Analysis.

Neuroimaging studies have been inconclusive in characterizing the role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) for maintaining increasingly larger amounts of information in working memory (WM). To address this question, the authors collected event-related functional MRI data while participants performed an item-recognition task in which the number of to-be-remembered letters was parametrically modulated. During maintenance of information in WM, the dorsolateral and the ventrolateral PFC exhibited linearly increasing activation in response to increasing WM load. Prefrontal regions could not be distinguished from one another on the basis of load sensitivity, but the dorsolateral PFC had stronger functional connectivity with the parietal and motor cortex than the ventrolateral PFC. These results suggest an increasingly important role for the PFC in actively maintaining information as the amount of that information increases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seamless vertical handoff using modified weed optimization algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks

In the global scenario, a variety of wireless access networks are available. Different types of applications such as real time, nonreal time, and high bandwidth availability are used for heterogeneous wireless networks. Therefore, it is necessary for a service provider to make an appropriate connection support. For better performance, connections are to be exchanged among the different networks using seamless vertical handoff (VHO). The proposed algorithm shows the effect of optimization technique, which involves handoff decision process using vertical handoff triggering and selection of the network. The handoff triggering is initiated by using the received signal strength (RSS). In traditional method, handoff triggering is initiated by using RSS only. This method, modified weed optimization (M-WO) algorithm, reduces the unnecessary handoff by considering both RSS and velocity of the mobile node in handoff triggering. The parameters such as battery lifetime, handoff call dropping rate, load, dynamic weights adaptation and so on are to be considered individually or combined to make an effective network selection process. This paper highlights a novel effect ofM-WOalgorithm for decision making during the VHO. Our effort is to essentially optimize the system load, so that it reduces the handoff call dropping rate and the battery power consumption of the mobile node (MN). Weight of each QoS metrics is adjusted along with the networks changing conditions to trace the M-WO. Therefore, the novel VHO decision-making algorithm is superior to the existing SSF and OPTG methods. The simulation results show that the performance ofM-WOalgorithm is far better than SSF andOPTGmethods in terms of load, handoff call dropping rate and battery lifetime of MN.     

Estimating computation times of data-intensive applications

We present a holistic approach to estimation that uses rough sets theory to determine a similarity template and then compute a runtime estimate using identified similar applications. We tested the technique in two real-life data-intensive applications: data mining and high-performance computing.     

Fault detection during process transitions: a model-based approach

Startup, shutdown and other transitions are integral to batch and continuous process operations. Operators usually execute transitions in manual mode. Processes are therefore prone to operator errors in addition to process faults during transitions. If undetected, such abnormalities can lead to process downtime and in the worst case, accidents. Although essential, fault detection during transitions has received little attention in literature. This paper presents a novel multiple filters and observers based fault detection scheme using (i) a nonlinear process model, and (ii) knowledge of the standard operating procedure for executing the transition. Extended Kalman filters, Kalman filters, and open-loop observers are used to estimate process states during the transition and generate residuals. These residuals indicate deviations from normal operation due to process faults and operator errors. The model-based scheme has been implemented in Matlab/Simulink and found to successfully detect faults during the startup of an experimental pH neutralization CSTR.     

Effect of rotation on the heat penetration characteristics of thermally processed tuna in oil in retort pouches

Tuna in oil was processed in retort pouches (20 × 17 cm) to a, F₀ value of 10. Heat penetration characteristics were determined using a rotary retort to an F₀ value of 10 and the results compared with a stationary retort. For studying the changes in heat penetration during rotation, tuna in oil was packed into retort pouches, subjected to different rotation speeds (2, 4 and 6 r.p.m.) and thermally processed to the same F₀ value. For the same F₀ value of 10, although there was a reduction in process time with increasing rotation speed up to 6 r.p.m., the magnitude of the reduction in processing time decreased with increase in speed of rotation. However up to 2 r.p.m. there was a considerable reduction in process time.     

Electrolytic recovery of zinc from zinc ash using a catalytic anode

The process of galvanisation of steel generates zinc ash as the waste product, thus creating pollution problems. The recovery of zinc metal from zinc ash, with a zinc content of about 76% by leaching and electrowinning has been studied. The presence of chloride has been identified as the major problem area. A catalytic anode based on iridium dioxide (IrO₂) was used as the anode material to overcome this problem. Catalyst loading was kept at an economically acceptable level. The catalyst's stability, energy consumption and efficiency of zinc recovery are discussed. The service life of the IrO₂ active coating has been established by an accelerated polarisation test. The zinc deposit recovered from the zinc ash has been examined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Flow transition for natural convective heat transfer in a porous medium saturated with water near 4°C

In this paper, the problem of buoyancy-induced convection flow in water-saturated porous media near 4°C is examined using a numerical model. Darcy's law is used to model flow behavior and a single equation convective heat transfer model is used for the energy equation. As the Boussinesq approximation is not valid for this case, a parabolic dependence of density on the temperature is used. Natural convection is generated and sustained by a uniform heat source. Flow behavior is governed by three natural parameters appearing in the model. They are: (i) dynamical parameter, (ii) geometric parameter, γ = b/a; and (iii) wall temperature, in relation to the reference temperature at the density extremum. For certain ranges of θ_w (<0) and Gr, interesting density inversion effects are possible. Transient solutions are obtained for various aspect ratios and modified Grashof number values. For a wide range of Grashof number, steady state solutions could not be obtained. Flow mutations into periodic and chaotic solutions are investigated for a range of Grashof number (100 to 40,000) and aspect ratio values (1 to 10).     

Regions remote from the site of cleavage determine macromolecular substrate recognition by the prothrombinase complex

The proteolytic formation of thrombin is catalyzed by the prothrombinase complex of blood coagulation. The kinetics of prethrombin 2 cleavage was studied to delineate macromolecular substrate structures necessary for recognition at the exosite(s) of prothrombinase. The product, alpha-thrombin, was a linear competitive inhibitor of prethrombin 2 activation without significantly inhibiting peptidyl substrate cleavage by prothrombinase. Prethrombin 2 and alpha-thrombin compete for binding to the exosite without restricting access to the active site of factor Xa within prothrombinase. Inhibition by alpha-thrombin was not altered by saturating concentrations of low molecular weight heparin. Furthermore, proteolytic removal of the fibrinogen recognition site in alpha-thrombin only had a modest effect on its inhibitory properties. Both alpha-thrombin and prethrombin 2 were cleaved with chymotrypsin at Trp148 and separated into component domains. The C-terminal-derived zeta2 fragment retained the ability to selectively inhibit macromolecular substrate cleavage by prothrombinase, while the zeta1 fragment was without effect. As the zeta2 fragment lacks the fibrinogen recognition site, the P1-P3 residues or the intact cleavage site, specific recognition of the macromolecular substrate by the exosite in prothrombinase is achieved through substrate regions, distinct from the fibrinogen recognition or heparin-binding sites, and spatially removed from structures surrounding the scissile bond.