Proteomics in aortic aneurysm – What have we learnt so far?

Aortic aneurysm is a deceptively indolent disease that can cause severe complications such as aortic rupture and dissection. In the normal aorta, vascular smooth muscle cells within the medial layer produce and sustain the extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides structural support but also retains soluble growth factors and regulates their distribution. Although the ECM is an obvious target to identify molecular processes leading to structural failure within the vessel wall, an in-depth proteomics analysis of this important sub-proteome has not been performed. Most proteomics analyses of the vasculature to date used homogenized tissue devoid of spatial information. In such homogenates, quantitative proteomics comparisons are hampered by the heterogeneity of clinical samples (i.e. cellular composition) and the dynamic range limitations stemming from highly abundant cellular proteins. An unbiased proteomics discovery approach targeting the ECM instead of the cellular proteome may decipher the complex, multivalent signals that are presented to cells during aortic remodelling. A better understanding of the ECM in healthy and diseased vessels will provide important pathogenic insights and has potential to reveal novel biomarkers.     

Defining the e-learner’s security profile: Towards awareness improvement

The paper presents an improved e-learner model that supports monitoring of user behavior related to information security. The model is built upon standardized IMS specification, according to literature research and survey conducted among e-learners. It is positioned as key part of an extended LTSA architecture in which the learner data is used to improve learner security position by continuous delivery of important information and adapting security mechanisms. The implementation is considered in Moodle LMS.     

Identification and optimization of key process parameters in noncontact laser scanning for reverse engineering

This Extended Technical Note shows that the final accuracy level of reverse engineered surfaces depends on scanning distance and scanning angle of the laser beam, hence it also depends on the morphology of the scanned objects. On scanning strongly curved objects, such as the ones with free form surfaces, the distance and impact angle of the laser beam are changing continuously during the scanning process. On the basis of these, two critical parameters are specified for the design model, which make it possible to predict these two factors in advance, depending on the morphology of the scanned object. First, a mathematical-statistical design model of the scanning process is generated, which relies on ANOVA (analysis of variance) and DOE (design of experiments). In the next step, a fitness function is optimized by the genetic algorithm (GA) program. This optimization improves the accuracy of the final scanned surfaces, in terms of the minimum standard deviation values of reverse engineered 3D surface model. The proposed approach was confirmed in a case study, which is presented at the end of this Technical Note.     

An integrated approach for requirement selection and scheduling in software release planning

It is essential for product software companies to decide which requirements should be included in the next release and to make an appropriate time plan of the development project. Compared to the extensive research done on requirement selection, very little research has been performed on time scheduling. In this paper, we introduce two integer linear programming models that integrate time scheduling into software release planning. Given the resource and precedence constraints, our first model provides a schedule for developing the requirements such that the project duration is minimized. Our second model combines requirement selection and scheduling, so that it not only maximizes revenues but also simultaneously calculates an on-time-delivery project schedule. Since requirement dependencies are essential for scheduling the development process, we present a more detailed analysis of these dependencies. Furthermore, we present two mechanisms that facilitate dynamic adaptation for over-estimation or under-estimation of revenues or processing time, one of which includes the Scrum methodology. Finally, several simulations based on real-life data are performed. The results of these simulations indicate that requirement dependency can significantly influence the requirement selection and the corresponding project plan. Moreover, the model for combined requirement selection and scheduling outperforms the sequential selection and scheduling approach in terms of efficiency and on-time delivery.     

A modified design approach for compact ultra‐wideband microstrip filters

A modified design approach for compact ultra‐wideband microstrip filters with cascaded/folded stepped‐impedance resonators is described. The key feature of the proposed method is to facilitate stronger coupling between stepped‐impedance resonators and, at the same time, eliminate the requirement of extremely small gaps in coupled‐line sections, as found in traditional designs. Simulations and measurements demonstrate that the filters designed with this technique exhibit good reflection, insertion‐loss, and group‐delay performance within the 3.1–10.6 GHz band. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 2010.     

Exploring network-level performances of wireless nanonetworks utilizing gains of different types of nano-antennas with different materials

Wireless nanonetworks are not a simple extension of traditional communication networks at the nano-scale. Owing to being a completely new communication paradigm, existing research in this field is still at an embryonic stage. Furthermore, most of the existing studies focus on performance enhancement of nanonetworks via designing new channel models and routing protocols. However, the impacts of different types of nano-antennas on the network-level performances of the wireless nanonetworks remain still unexplored in the literature. Therefore, in this paper, we explore the impacts of different well-known types of antennas such as patch, dipole, and loop nano-antennas on the network-level performances of wireless nanonetworks. We also investigate the performances of nanonetworks for different types of traditional materials (e.g., copper) and for nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes and graphene). We perform rigorous simulation using our customized ns-2 simulation to evaluate the network-level performances of nanonetworks exploiting different types of nano-antennas using different materials. Our evaluation reveals a number of novel findings pertinent to finding an efficient nano-antenna from its several alternatives for enhancing network-level performances of nanonetworks. Our evaluation demonstrates that a dipole nano-antenna using copper material exhibits around 51% better throughput and about 33% better end-to-end delay compared to other alternatives for large-size nanonetworks. Furthermore, our results are expected to exhibit high impacts on the future design of wireless nanonetworks through facilitating the process of finding the suitable type of nano-antenna and suitable material for the nano-antennas.

     

Effect of Bacterial Infection on Ghrelin Receptor Regulation in Periodontal Cells and Tissues

The effect of bacterial infection on the expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) was investigated in periodontal cells and tissues, and the actions of ghrelin were evaluated. GHS-R was assessed in periodontal tissues of rats with and without periodontitis. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were exposed to Fusobacterium nucleatum in the presence and absence of ghrelin. GHS-R expression was determined by real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, wound healing, cell viability, proliferation, and migration were evaluated. GHS-R expression was significantly higher at periodontitis sites as compared to healthy sites in rat tissues. F. nucleatum significantly increased the GHS-R expression and protein level in HGFs. Moreover, ghrelin significantly abrogated the stimulatory effects of F. nucleatum on CCL2 and IL-6 expressions in HGFs and did not affect cell viability and proliferation significantly. Ghrelin stimulated while F. nucleatum decreased wound closure, probably due to reduced cell migration. Our results show original evidence that bacterial infection upregulates GHS-R in rat periodontal tissues and HGFs. Moreover, our study shows that ghrelin inhibited the proinflammatory actions of F. nucleatum on HGFs without interfering with cell viability and proliferation, suggesting that ghrelin and its receptor may act as a protective molecule during bacterial infection on periodontal cells.     

Action–reaction. Survival strategies of tenants and landlords in the private rental sector in Belgium

The private rental sector (PRS) is growing in many Western countries after a period of decline. In Belgium, a renewed policy interest in the PRS emerges and the sector is believed to play an important role in addressing housing needs of low-income households. Steering these households to the PRS is however not without problems. The supply side of the market is not necessarily willing to accommodate vulnerable renters. Landlords and real estate brokers install mechanisms to exclude financially vulnerable households throughout the entire rental procedure. These in turn develop (counter)strategies to get round the obstacles and to increase their chances. In this article, we apply an interactional perspective to study the interplay of strategies developed by both sides of the market. The article is based on 58 in-depth interviews with landlords and brokers, testimonies of low-income tenants from 15 focus groups plus 5 in-depth interviews about the influence of different discrimination grounds on their private rental experiences.     

Photo-Chemically-Deposited and Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalyst Material Surface Structures During CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol: EXAFS,XANES and XPS Analyses of Phases After Oxidation,Reduction, and Reaction

Catalysis Letters - Industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 or novel rate catalysts, prepared with a photochemical deposition method, were studied under functional CH3OH synthesis conditions at the set temperature...