Dynamic Routing with Security Considerations

Security has become one of the major issues for data communication over wired and wireless networks. Different from the past work on the designs of cryptography algorithms and system infrastructures, we aim at the proposing of a dynamic routing algorithm that could randomize delivery paths for data transmission. The algorithm is easy to implement and compatible with popular routing protocols, such as Routing Information Protocol in wired networks and Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector protocol in wireless networks, without introducing extra control messages. An analytic study on the proposed algorithm is presented, and a series of simulation experiments are conducted to verify the analytic results and to show the capability of the proposed algorithm.     

A rugged display: Recent results of flexible cholesteric liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— A 3‐m‐long rugged flexible display having a novel single‐plastic‐substrate structure has been demonstrated with a coated cholesteric liquid‐crystal mixture. The display is designed to be fabricated by a roll‐to‐roll process to increase productivity at a competitive cost. It has the advantage of having almost no limitation in display length. The high‐resolution (300‐dpi) monochrome cholesteric liquid‐crystal display (ChLCD) can be achieved by using a photo‐addressing method. A single‐layered 10.4‐in. color ChLCD also has been developed with good color and contrast.     

Extraction of genomic DNA and detection of single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping utilizing an integrated magnetic bead-based microfluidic platform

This study presents a new magnetic bead-based microfluidic platform, which integrates three major modules for rapid leukocytes purification, genomic DNA (gDNA) extraction and fast analysis of genetic gene. By utilizing microfluidic technologies and magnetic beads conjugated with CD_15/45 antibodies, leukocytes in a human whole blood sample can be first purified and concentrated, followed by extraction of gDNA utilizing surface-charge switchable, DNA-specific, magnetic beads in the lysis solution. Then, specific genes associated with genetic diseases can be amplified by an on-chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process automatically. The whole pretreatment process including the leukocytes purification and gDNA extraction can be performed in an automatic fashion with the incorporation of the built bio-separators consisting of microcoils array within less than 20 min. The detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T region associated with an increased risk of genetic diseases was further performed to demonstrate the capability of the proposed system. The extracted gDNA can be transported into a micro PCR chamber for on-chip fast nucleic acid amplification of detection genes with minimum human intervention. Hence, the developed system may provide a powerful automated platform for pretreatment of human leukocytes, gDNA extraction and fast analysis of genetic gene.     

Beta 2-adrenergic receptor and angiotensin II receptor modulation of sympathetic neurotransmission in human atria

BACKGROUND: Cultures of epidermal cells are commonly used to study skin biology and differentiation. Recently a method to culture nail matrix cells has been established. OBJECTIVE: We report the biologic characteristics of nail matrix cells in vitro compared with those of epidermal keratinocytes. METHODS: Human nail matrix cells were isolated and cultured in defined medium. Electron-microscopic examination, growth rate, integrin expression and keratin synthesis pattern were evaluated. In addition, the cells were cultured in serum-containing medium. RESULTS: Nail matrix cells appear to be larger than human epidermal keratinocytes and, at the ultrastructural level, they contain a higher euchromatin/heterochromatin ratio and a lower nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and have a higher growth rate. The synthesis of "hard" keratins was detected at all calcium concentrations. Immunofluorescence analyses showed the expression of alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 6 integrin subunits. When cultured in serum-containing medium, nail matrix cells produced an outgrowth of epithelium and a spontaneous migration phenomenon associated with a tendency to stratify in a semilunar area that resembles the architecture of the nail matrix. The pluristratified epithelium showed characteristic markers of nail differentiation. CONCLUSION: Culture of nail matrix cells may represent a useful model to study the biologic properties of nail structure, alterations in some nail diseases and the effects of drugs.     

Demonstration of delayed hypersensitivity in Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis in monkeys: a pathogenic mechanism of tubal damage

The role of delayed hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis of Chlamydia t trachomatis salpingitis was studied in the monkey "pocket" model. Pigtailed monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) were sensitized by inoculation of live C. trachomatis organisms (E/UW-5/Cx) into subcutaneous pockets containing salpingeal autotransplants. At 21 days, affinity-purified recombinant C. trachomatis heat-shock protein (rhsp60) was injected into pockets either previously sensitized with C. trachomatis or not sensitized in the same monkey. Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction was observed, characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration with peak reaction at 48 h. Injection of rhsp60 into the pockets of a naive animal did not induce inflammation. This study showed that C. trachomatis infection in monkeys induced delayed hypersensitivity, which is mediated by hsp60. Histologic findings of the salpinx were consistent with delayed hypersensitivity reaction observed in ocular C. trachomatis infection, further suggesting a similar pathogenesis for both salpingitis and trachoma.     

Discovery of the ammonium substrate site on glutamine synthetase, a third cation binding site

Glutamine synthetase (GS) catalyzes the ATP-dependent condensation of ammonia and glutamate to yield glutamine, ADP, and inorganic phosphate in the presence of divalent cations. Bacterial GS is an enzyme of 12 identical subunits, arranged in two rings of 6, with the active site between each pair of subunits in a ring. In earlier work, we have reported the locations within the funnel-shaped active site of the substrates glutamate and ATP and of the two divalent cations, but the site for ammonia (or ammonium) has remained elusive. Here we report the discovery by X-ray crystallography of a binding site on GS for monovalent cations, Tl+ and Cs+, which is probably the binding site for the substrate ammonium ion. Fourier difference maps show the following. (1) Tl+ and Cs+ bind at essentially the same site, with ligands being Glu 212, Tyr 179, Asp 50', Ser 53' of the adjacent subunit, and the substrate glutamate. From its position adjacent to the substrate glutamate and the cofactor ADP, we propose that this monovalent cation site is the substrate ammonium ion binding site. This proposal is supported by enzyme kinetics. Our kinetic measurements show that Tl+, Cs+, and NH4+ are competitive inhibitors to NH2OH in the gamma-glutamyl transfer reaction. (2) GS is a trimetallic enzyme containing two divalent cation sites (n1, n2) and one monovalent cation site per subunit. These three closely spaced ions are all at the active site: the distance between n1 and n2 is 6 A, between n1 and Tl+ is 4 A, and between n2 and Tl+ is 7 A. Glu 212 and the substrate glutamate are bridging ligands for the n1 ion and Tl+. (3) The presence of a monovalent cation in this site may enhance the structural stability of GS, because of its effect of balancing the negative charges of the substrate glutamate and its ligands and because of strengthening the "side-to-side" intersubunit interaction through the cation-protein bonding. (4) The presence of the cofactor ADP increases the Tl+ binding to GS because ADP binding induces movement of Asp 50' toward this monovalent cation site, essentially forming the site. This observation supports a two-step mechanism with ordered substrate binding: ATP first binds to GS, then Glu binds and attacks ATP to form gamma-glutamyl phosphate and ADP, which complete the ammonium binding site. The third substrate, an ammonium ion, then binds to GS, and then loses a proton to form the more active species ammonia, which attacks the gamma-glutamyl phosphate to yield Gln. (5) Because the products (Glu or Gln) of the reactions catalyzed by GS are determined by the molecule (water or ammonium) attacking the intermediate gamma-glutamyl phosphate, this negatively charged ammonium binding pocket has been designed naturally for high affinity of ammonium to GS, permitting glutamine synthesis to proceed in aqueous solution.     

A systematic mapping of semi-formal and formal methods in requirements engineering of industrial Cyber-Physical systems

Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing - The requirements engineering of Industrial Cyber-Physical Systems is extremely challenging due to large system sizes, component heterogeneity, involvement of...     

Noninvasive glucose monitoring in vivo with an optical heterodyne polarimeter

An amplitude-sensitive optical heterodyne polarimeter was set up to monitor noninvasively the aqueous glucose concentration in a rabbit's eye. A Zeeman laser in conjunction with a Glan-Thompson analyzer was used to generate an optical heterodyne signal. The amplitude of the heterodyne signal linearly related to the optical rotation angle of the aqueous glucose. The concentration of the aqueous glucose in a rabbit's eyeball was measured in vivo. There was a 30-min time delay between observations of aqueous glucose and blood glucose. The detection capability and the reproducibility of the experiment are demonstrated and discussed.     

Random-iteration algorithm-based optical parallel architecture for fractal-image decoding by use of iterated-function system codes

An optical parallel architecture for the random-iteration algorithm to decode a fractal image by use of iterated-function system (IFS) codes is proposed. The code value is first converted into transmittance in film or a spatial light modulator in the optical part of the system. With an optical-to-electrical converter, electrical-to-optical converter, and some electronic circuits for addition and delay, we can perform the contractive affine transformation (CAT) denoted in IFS codes. In the proposed decoding architecture all CAT's generate points (image pixels) in parallel, and these points then are joined for display purposes. Therefore the decoding speed is improved greatly compared with existing serial-decoding architectures. In addition, an error and stability analysis that considers nonperfect elements is presented for the proposed optical system. Finally, simulation results are given to validate the proposed architecture.