196 research outputs found
High-Resolution Chrono-Transcriptome of Lactococcus lactis Reveals That It Expresses Proteins with Adapted Size and pI upon Acidification and Nutrient Starvation
Whole-genome transcriptional analyses performed on microorganisms are traditionally based on a small number of samples. To map transient expression variations, and thoroughly characterize gene expression throughout the growth curve of the widely used model organism Lactococcus lactis MG1363, gene expression data were collected with unprecedented time resolution. The resulting gene expression patterns were globally analyzed in several different ways to demonstrate the richness of the data and the ease with which novel phenomena can be discovered. When the culture moves from one growth phase to another, gene expression patterns change to such an extent that we suggest that those patterns can be used to unequivocally distinguish growth phases from each other. Also, within the classically defined growth phases, subgrowth phases were distinguishable with a distinct expression signature. Apart from the global expression pattern shifts seen throughout the growth curve, several cases of short-lived transient gene expression patterns were clearly observed. These could help explain the gene expression variations frequently observed in biological replicates. A method was devised to estimate a measure of unnormalized/absolute gene expression levels and used to determine how global transcription patterns are influenced by nutrient starvation or acidification of the medium. Notably, we inferred that L. lactis MG1363 produces proteins with on average lower pIs and lower molecular weights as the medium acidifies and nutrients get scarcer. IMPORTANCE This data set is a rich resource for microbiologists interested in common mechanisms of gene expression, regulation and in particular the physiology of L. lactis. Thus, similar to the common use of genome sequence data by the scientific community, the data set constitutes an extensive data repository for mining and an opportunity for bioinformaticians to develop novel tools for in-depth analysis
Constraints on a Parity-Conserving/Time-Reversal-Non-Conserving Interaction
Time-Reversal-Invariance non-conservation has now been unequivocally
demonstrated in a direct measurement at CPLEAR. What about tests of
time-reversal-invariance in systems other than the kaon system? Tests of
time-reversal-invariance belong to two classes: searches for parity violating
(P-odd)/time-reversal-invariance-odd (T-odd) interactions, and for P-even/T-odd
interactions (assuming CPT conservation this implies C-conjugation
non-conservation). Limits on a P-odd/T-odd interaction follow from measurements
of the electric dipole moment of the neutron (with a present upper limit of 6 x
10^-26 e.cm [95% C.L.]). It provides a limit on a P-odd/T-odd pion-nucleon
coupling constant which is less than 10^-4 times the weak interaction strength.
Experimental limits on a P-even/T-odd interaction are much less stringent.
Following the standard approach of describing the nucleon-nucleon interaction
in terms of meson exchanges, it can be shown that only charged rho-meson
exchange and A_1 meson exchange can lead to a P-even/T-odd interaction. The
better constraints stem from measurements of the electric dipole moment of the
neutron and from measurements of charge-symmetry breaking in neutron-proton
elastic scattering. The latter experiments were executed at TRIUMF (497 and 347
MeV) and at IUCF (183 MeV). Weak decay experiments may provide limits which
will possibly be comparable. All other experiments, like gamma decay
experiments, detailed balance experiments, polarization - analyzing power
difference determinations, and five-fold correlation experiments with polarized
incident nucleons and aligned nuclear targets, have been shown to be at least
an order of magnitude less sensitive.Comment: 15 pages LaTeX, including 5 PostScript figures. Uses ijmpe1.sty. To
appear in International Journal of Modern Physics E (IJMPE). Slight change in
short abstrac
Mixed integer programming model for optimizing the layout of an ICU vehicle
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper presents a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model for designing the layout of the Intensive Care Units' (ICUs) patient care space. In particular, this MIP model was developed for optimizing the layout for materials to be used in interventions. This work was developed within the framework of a joint project between the Madrid Technical Unverstity and the Medical Emergency Services of the Madrid Regional Government (SUMMA 112).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The first task was to identify the relevant information to define the characteristics of the new vehicles and, in particular, to obtain a satisfactory interior layout to locate all the necessary materials. This information was gathered from health workers related to ICUs. With that information an optimization model was developed in order to obtain a solution. From the MIP model, a first solution was obtained, consisting of a grid to locate the different materials needed for the ICUs. The outcome from the MIP model was discussed with health workers to tune the solution, and after slightly altering that solution to meet some requirements that had not been included in the mathematical model, the eventual solution was approved by the persons responsible for specifying the characteristics of the new vehicles. According to the opinion stated by the SUMMA 112's medical group responsible for improving the ambulances (the so-called "coaching group"), the outcome was highly satisfactory. Indeed, the final design served as a basis to draw up the requirements of a public tender.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As a result from solving the Optimization model, a grid was obtained to locate the different necessary materials for the ICUs. This grid had to be slightly altered to meet some requirements that had not been included in the mathematical model. The results were discussed with the persons responsible for specifying the characteristics of the new vehicles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The outcome was highly satisfactory. Indeed, the final design served as a basis to draw up the requirements of a public tender. The authors advocate this approach to address similar problems within the field of Health Services to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of the processes involved. Problems such as those in operation rooms or emergency rooms, where the availability of a large amount of material is critical are eligible to be dealt with in a simmilar manner.</p
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Performance evaluation of a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system combined with a wastewater source heat pump (WWSHP) system
This paper deals with both energetic and exergetic performance assessments of two combined systems as a whole. The first one is a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system while the second one is a wastewater (WW) Source Heat Pump (WWSHP) system. Both systems were installed at Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey within the framework of EU/FP7 and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) funded projects, respectively. The BIPV system was commissioned on 8 February 2016 and has been successfully operated since then while the WWSHP system was put into operation in October 2014. The BIPV system has a total peak power of 7.44 kW and consists of a total of 48 Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) modules with a gap of 150 mm between the modules and the wall, and a peak power per PV unit of 155 Wp. The WWSHP system consists of three main sub- systems, namely (i) a WW system, (ii) a WWSHP, and (iii) an end user system.
Two systems considered have been separately operated while the measured values obtained from both systems have been recorded for performance assessment purposes. In this study, a combined system was conceptually formed and the performance of the whole system was evaluated using actual operational data and some assumptions made. Exergy efficiency values for the WWSHP system and the whole system were determined to be 72.23% and 64.98% on product/fuel basis, while their functional exergy efficiencies are obtained to be 20.93% and 11.82%, respectively.
It may be concluded that the methodology presented here will be very beneficial to those dealing with the design and performance analysis and evaluation of BIPV and WWHP systems
Developing Crisis Training Software for Local Governments – From User Needs to Generic Requirements
In this paper we analyze and present the generic requirements identified for a software aiming at supporting crisis management training in local governments. The generic requirements are divided into overall requirements, requirements connected to the trainer’s role and requirements connected to the trainee’s role. Moreover, the requirements are mapped to problems as well as opportunities. Finally, we present examples of elaborations of the addressed requirements based on software design considerations. In our work we applied a design science approach and the artifact presented in this paper is a list of generic requirement. The presented requirements and the systems development process used, provide guidelines for systems analysts and developers in future systems development projects aiming at constructing new software for crisis management training
Reinterpretation of LHC results for new physics: Status and recommendations after run 2
We report on the status of efforts to improve the reinterpretation of searches and measurements at the LHC in terms of models for new physics, in the context of the LHC Reinterpretation Forum. We detail current experimental offerings in direct searches for new particles, measurements, technical implementations and Open Data, and provide a set of recommendations for further improving the presentation of LHC results in order to better enable reinterpretation in the future. We also provide a brief description of existing software reinterpretation frameworks and recent global analyses of new physics that make use of the current data
Probable fatal drug interaction between intravenous fenretinide, ceftriaxone, and acetaminophen: a case report from a New Approaches to Neuroblastoma (NANT) Phase I study
Background: Patients with relapsed/refractory stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma were enrolled on a phase I study (NANT2004-03) of intravenous fenretinide emulsion. Pharmacokinetic samples were collected during and after the infusion, and the levels were measured using an HPLC system. A likely case of a fatal drug interaction between fenretinide, ceftriaxone, and acetaminophen is described, including the pharmacokinetics of fenretinide, laboratory data, and post-mortem autopsy in a pediatric neuroblastoma patient treated on this study. Case presentation: On Day 4 of a scheduled 5-day-infusion of intravenous fenretinide, the patient developed a fever, acetaminophen was started, ceftriaxone initiated for possible bacteremia, and fenretinide level doubled from 56 to 110 μM. Over the next three days, although blood cultures remained negative, the patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Acute liver failure was diagnosed on Day 7, and the patient expired on Day 20 of fulminant hepatic failure with associated renal, cardiac, and hemorrhagic/coagulation toxicities. Autopsy showed extensive hemorrhagic necrosis of the liver, marked bile duct proliferation, and abundant hemosiderin, consistent with cholestasis and drug toxicity. Conclusions: After extensive review of patient data, the clinical course, and the literature, we conclude that observed hepatic toxicity was likely due to a drug interaction between fenretinide and concomitant ceftriaxone and acetaminophen. None of the other 16 patients treated on this study experienced significant hepatic toxicity. Although the prevalence of cholestasis with ceftriaxone usage is relatively high, the potential drug interaction with these concomitant medications has not been previously reported. Concomitant use of fenretinide, ceftriaxone, and acetaminophen should be avoided
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