Filter matrix estimation in automated DNA sequencing

In four-color fluorescence-based automated DNA sequencing, a 4×4 filter matrix parameterizes the relationship between the dye-intensity signals of interest and the data collected by an optical imaging system. The filter matrix is important because the estimated DNA sequence is based on the dye intensities that can only be recovered via inversion of the matrix. Here, the authors present a calibration method for the estimation of the columns of this matrix, using data generated through a special experiment in which DNA samples are labeled with only one fluorescent dye at a time. Simulations and applications of the method to real data are provided, with promising results     

Identification of cysteine pairs within the amino-terminal 5% of apolipoprotein B essential for hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion

There is growing evidence that the amino-terminal globular domain of apolipoprotein B (apoB) is essential for lipoprotein particle formation in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. To identify the structural requirements for its function in lipoprotein assembly, cysteine (Cys) pairs required to form the seven disulfide bonds within the amino-terminal 21% of apoB were replaced in groups or individually by serine. Substitution of Cys pairs required for formation of disulfide bonds 1-3 or 4-7 (numbered from amino to carboxyl terminus) completely blocked the secretion of apoB28 in transfected HepG2 cells. To identify the specific disulfide bonds required for secretion, Cys pairs were mutated individually. Substitution of Cys pairs required for disulfide bonds 1, 3, 5, 6, or 7 had little or no impact on apoB28 secretion or buoyant density. In contrast, individual substitution of Cys pair 2 (amino acid residues 51 and 70) or 4 (218 and 234) severely inhibited apoB28 secretion and its capacity to undergo intracellular assembly with lipid. The same assembly and secretion defects were observed when these mutations were expressed as part of apoB50. These studies provide direct evidence that the ability of the internal lipophilic regions of apoB to engage in the recruitment and sequestration of lipid during translation is critically dependent upon a structural configuration contained within or affected by the amino-terminal 5% of the protein.     

Evaluating the impact of CASE: an empirical comparison of retrospective and cross-sectional survey approaches

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate two methods of assessing the productivity and quality impact of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) and Fourth Generation Language (4GL) technologies: (1) by the retrospective method; and (2) the cross-sectional method. Both methods involve the use of questionnaire surveys. Developers' perceptions depend on the context in which they are expressed and this includes expectations about the effectiveness of a given software product. Consequently, it is generally not reliable to base inferences about the relative merits of CASE and 4GLs on a cross-sectional comparison of two separate samples of users. The retrospective method that requires each respondent to directly compare different products is shown to be more reliable. However, there may be scope to employ cross-sectional comparisons of the findings from different samples where both sets of respondents use the same reference point for their judgements, and where numerical rather than verbal rating scales are used to measure perceptions.     

Presupposition failure — A comedy of errors

Presuppositions of utterances are the pieces of information you convey with an utterance no matter whether your utterance is true or not. We first study presupposition in a very simple framework of updating propositional information, with examples of how presuppositions of complex propositional updates can be calculated. Next we move on to presuppositions and quantification, in the context of a dynamic version of predicate logic, suitably modified to allow for presupposition failure. In both the propositional and the quantificational case, presupposition failure can be viewed as error abortion of procedures. Thus, a dynamic assertion logic which describes the preconditions for error abortion is the suitable tool for analysing presupposition.     

Magnetization and rotation of MTG HTSC ring in magnetic field

The magnetization of a melt-texture growth (MTG) HTSC ring has been studied. It is shown that the magnetic field inside the ring is larger than the external field under a certain range of external magnetic fields. We have also investigated the magnetic field dependence of the response of a detective coil near a rotating superconducting ring. The responses of the MTG sample are different for different cooling methods.     

An experience of tunnelling in mudstone area in southwestern Taiwan

Many tunnels will be constructed in southwestern Taiwan in the upcoming decade to meet the huge demands of transportation, energy and water infrastructure projects. Mudstone strata cover more than a 1000 km² area, consisting mainly of massive mudstone or alternation of mudstone and sandy layer, exhibiting unfavorable geological and hydrological characteristics, making it extremely difficult for tunnelling. This paper presents the lessons learned from three tunnelling projects in the 1990s in a mudstone area. In addition to discussing the rock behavior in the vicinity of tunnel and its failure patterns, the monitoring data during tunnelling are presented as well. Finally, the effective method of design and construction are recommended for tunnelling in mudstone area.     

展成式精密电火花加工机床

研制了一种展成式精密电火花加工机床，它含有3个回转机构和4个直线移动机构，工件苡轴，工具电极苡轴和转台均可按需要回转，坐标工作台可作纵向和横向移动，工件头架可作轴向和竖向移动。可设置成多种复合运动方式和相应的结构布局，具有很丰富的加工功能，加工精度能达到微米级并实现电火花镜面加工。