Aromatic interactions define the binding of the alphavirus spike to its nucleocapsid

BACKGROUND: Most enveloped viruses bud from infected cells by a process in which viral intracellular core components interact with cytoplasmic domains of transmembrane spike glycoproteins. We have demonstrated previously that a tyrosine motif in the cytoplasmic domain of the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) spike glycoprotein E2 is absolutely essential for budding. In contrast, hardly anything is known regarding which region of the capsid protein is involved in spike binding. Therefore, the mechanism by which spikes are selectively sorted into the viral bud or by which energy is provided for envelopment, remains unclear. RESULTS: Molecular models of the SFV capsid protein (SFCP) and the cytoplasmic domain of the spike protein were fitted as a basis for a reverse genetics approach to characterizing the interaction between these two proteins. Biochemical analysis of mutants defined a hydrophobic pocket of the capsid protein that is involved both in spike binding and nucleocapsid assembly. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that aromatic residues in the capsid protein serve to bind the side chain of the essential E2 tyrosine providing both specificity for spike incorporation and energy for budding. The same hydrophobic pocket also appears to play a role in capsid assembly. Furthermore, the results suggest that budding may occur in the absence of preformed nucleocapsids. This is the first demonstration of the molecular mechanisms of spike-nucleocapsid interactions during virus budding.     

Seeded erbium/ytterbium codoped fibre amplifier source with 87 W of single-frequency output power

A highly efficient cladding-pumped erbium/ytterbium-doped large-core fibre amplifier, generating up to 87 W of single-frequency continuous-wave output at 1563 nm, with a good beam quality (M/sup 2//spl les/1.7), in a master oscillator power amplifier configuration is reported. The overall optical power conversion efficiency was 26%.     

Switching technologies for future guided wave optical networks:potentials and limitations of photonics and electronics

The continued rapid progress in the deployment of fiber optics communications has led to widespread interest in employing photonics to implement switching functions, hitherto reserved for electronics. Significant research effort has been devoted to this, and different specialized concepts have been suggested and partly demonstrated, albeit not in the field. At the same time, mainstream research and development in the area of telecommunications switching is solidly based on electronics. In this article we first give a short introduction to photonic switching. We then discuss generic switching functions in telecommunications networks with a view of the possible role of photonics, and discuss the implementation of the switching functions from a photonics and electronics point of view. We then apply this reasoning to look at scaling and transparency of all-optical networks based on our current research     

Electrical stress enhancement of contaminants in XLPE insulation used for power cables

The use of XLPE as the insulation for power cables has grown steadily since it first introduction more than 30 years ago. Today XLPE is rapidly becoming the preferred insulation system for even the highest transmission voltages. This preference is due to the high reliability, low dielectric losses, and low environmental impact that can be achieved with XLPE. The positive effects of high quality insulation materials on improved cable performance have been well known since the start of cable making. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the technical background for the cleanliness levels and to quantify the level of performance required from clean materials. The advantages of clean insulation materials are seen at all voltages. However, this work focuses on the technical basis for the benefits for HV and EHV cables, which typically are designed with a water impervious layer to ensure that the cable remains dry throughout its entire lifetime. The presence of metallic contaminants in MV cable is known to enhance the growth of trees by raising the electric stress level locally. The singular impact of cleanliness on the performance of MV cables is somewhat more complicated as it is influenced both by the cleanliness of the insulation and the ability of the insulation material to resist the growth of water trees.     

MicroRNA Expression Profile of Neural Progenitor-Like Cells Derived from Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells under the Influence of IGF-1, bFGF and EGF

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) enhances cellular proliferation and reduces apoptosis during the early differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neural progenitor-like cells (NPCs) in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). BMSCs were differentiated in three groups of growth factors: (A) EGF + bFGF, (B) EGF + bFGF + IGF-1, and (C) without growth factor. To unravel the molecular mechanisms of the NPCs derivation, microarray analysis using GeneChip^® miRNA arrays was performed. The profiles were compared among the groups. Annotated microRNA fingerprints ({"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE60060","term_id":"60060"}}GSE60060) delineated 46 microRNAs temporally up-regulated or down-regulated compared to group C. The expressions of selected microRNAs were validated by real-time PCR. Among the 46 microRNAs, 30 were consistently expressed for minimum of two consecutive time intervals. In Group B, only miR-496 was up-regulated and 12 microRNAs, including the let-7 family, miR-1224, miR-125a-3p, miR-214, miR-22, miR-320, miR-708, and miR-93, were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that some of these microRNAs (miR-22, miR-214, miR-125a-3p, miR-320 and let-7 family) are associated with reduction of apoptosis. Here, we summarize the roles of key microRNAs associated with IGF-1 in the differentiation of BMSCs into NPCs. These findings may provide clues to further our understanding of the mechanisms and roles of microRNAs as key regulators of BMSC-derived NPC maintenance.     

外门窗水密性能设计等级确定探讨

外门窗水密性能设计等级确定(简称水密性定级)是目前建筑工程中极易忽视的内容,水密性定级过高则成本增加且窗型较难选择,水密性定级过低则在台风袭击时易渗漏。论文以浙江沿海地区为例,对行业标准与浙江省地方标准的水密性定级计算规定进行比较,以期选取最佳计算公式,合理确定外门窗水密性能设计等级,同时为今后的规范修订提供参考。     

Modelling total evacuation strategies for high-rise buildings

This paper focuses on the use of egress models to assess the optimal strategy in the case of total evacuation in high-rise buildings. The model case study consists of two identical twin towers linked with two sky-bridges at different heights. Each tower is a 50-floor office building. The use of either horizontal or vertical egress components or a combination of them is simulated. The egress components under consideration are stairs (either 2 or 3 stairs), occupant evacuation elevators, service elevators (available or not for the evacuation of the occupants), transfer floors and sky-bridges. Seven different evacuation strategies have been tested which consider the total evacuation of a single tower. The evacuation scenarios have been simulated with a continuous spatial representation evacuation model (Pathfinder). In order to perform a cross validation of the model results, two strategies involving the evacuation using stairs or occupant evacuation elevators have also been simulated using a fine network model (STEPS). Results refer to the analysis of total evacuation times. The simulation work highlights the assumptions required to represent the possible behaviours of the occupants in order to qualitatively rank the strategies. The lowest evacuation times are obtained simulating strategies involving the sole use of occupant evacuation elevators and the combined use of transfer floors and sky-bridges. This study suggests that the effectiveness of evacuation strategies involving the combination of stairs and elevators significantly decreases in high-rise buildings if they are not combined with appropriate messaging/signage to guide occupants in their behaviours.     

Managing Complex Spatial Planning Processes

This article surveys the way in which the idea of sustainable development is integrated into current spatial planning practice by Swedish local authorities. The Brundtland Report's definition of sustainable development calls for all dimensions of sustainability to be considered. Given that today's planning processes deal with large volumes of basic data where epistemological and technical knowledge must be co-ordinated with the actors' values and views of society, this makes spatial planning a very complex process for local planning authorities. The question is whether these ideals of sustainability are manageable in a complex planning situation. Case histories of the implementation process in Sweden indicate that local authorities seek to limit this complexity by dividing the main topics, i.e. ecological, social and economic, into separate planning processes and planning documents. Furthermore, each of the sustainability dimensions seems to be strengthened by social discourses, which can be recognised in the visions of the local plans. The various modes of planning correspond to and are strengthened by these discourses.     

SIMULATION MODELS OF MULTI-CYLINDER PAPER DRYING

ABSTRACT

The literature on simulation models for multi-cylinder paper dryers is surveyed, 20 such models being reviewed. Models for intraweb heat and mass transfer are treated extensively, a separate chapter being devoted to them. In some of the models the specific physical transfer phenomena are modelled in detail, whereas in other models a more macroscopic approach is adopted. Normally the latter approach requires the incorporation of a large number of empirical constants into the model to describe the complicated heat and mass transfer processes involved and to obtain a reasonable agreement between the model and the measured data. In order to develop the simulation models further without use of an inordinately large number of empirical constants, the different physical phenomena which occur in the dryer must be modelled in greater detail, bnsed both on fundnmental theory and on empirical correlations.     

A Morphological Study of Poly[Bis(Trifluoroethoxy)Phosphazene] Using Solid-State NMR: Introducing Domain Selective 1H and 19F Decoupled 13C MAS NMR

Using solid-state NMR methods the morphological behavior of poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] was studied, employing four nuclei of interest – ¹H, ¹⁹F, ³¹P and ¹³C. Measurements on all four nuclei support that at ambient temperature the crystalline and amorphous phases coexist. Variable temperature studies showed that above T(1) = 90° only a single highly mobile phase exists, which is presumed to be the 2D mesophase. All four nuclei showed that when heat cycling the polymer, repeatedly above T(1), an increase in crystallinity occurs with each cycle. For the first time ¹³C MAS NMR spectra, using high power ¹⁹F and ¹H decoupling, were obtained, which exhibited the same behaviour domain. Filtered ¹³C{¹H,¹⁹F} MAS spectra containing signal from the crystalline domain using the discrimination induced by variable amplitude minipulses (DIVAM) sequence were measured. Heat treated and solvent cast material showed differences in these ¹³C spectra, that were consistent with a decrease in backbone conformations upon heating, suggesting an increase in the extended chain form corresponding to the γ form. Analogous sensitivity to variations in crystal phase composition has not been seen previously using ¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P methods, emphasizing the importance of ¹³C MAS methods to morphological studies of phosphazenes. This paper is dedicated to Professor Harry R. Allcock