Assessing functional novelty of PSI structures via structure-function analysis of large and diverse superfamilies

The structural genomics initiatives have had as one of their aims to improve our understanding of protein function by providing representative structures for many structurally uncharacterised protein families. As suggested by the recent assessment of the Protein Structure Initiative (Structural Genomics Initiative, funded by the NIH), doubts have arisen as to whether Structural Genomics as initially planned were really beneficial to our understanding of biological issues, and in particular of protein function.
A few protein domain superfamilies have been shown to account for unexpectedly large numbers of proteins encoded in fully sequenced genomes. These large superfamilies are generally very diverse, spanning a wide range of functions, both in terms of molecular activities and biological processes. Some of these superfamilies, such as the Rossmann-fold P-loop nucleotide hydrolases or the TIM-barrel glycosidases, have been the subject of extensive structural studies which in turn have shed light on how evolution of the sequence and structure properties produce functional diversity amongst homologues. Recently, the Structure-Function Linkage Database (SFLD) has been setup with the aim of helping the study of structure-function correlations in such superfamilies. Since the evolutionary success of these large superfamilies suggests biological importance, several Structural Genomics Centers have focused on providing full structural coverage for representatives of all sequence families in these superfamilies.
In this work we evaluate structure/function diversity in a set of these large superfamilies and attempt to assess the quality and quantity of biological information gained from Structural Genomics.
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The Impact of Interface Quality on Trust in Web Retailers

Web retailing is expected to grow at aggressive rates in future years. One of the most important factors that is slowing down this growth is the lack of trust of potential customers. So, as transactions through the internet develop and mature, success will largely be dependent on gaining and0501ntaining this trust. It has been suggested that the quality of the user interface of the Web site is a determinant of the initial establishment of trust. In this article, we describe a study where 66 subjects were asked to perform some predefined book purchasing task in a series of sites with varying interface quality. We found a strong relationship between interface quality and trust. We also found some components of user interface quality to be more important than others and discuss the implications for Web site design. Le manque de confiance constitue une des barrières les plus importantes à l'adoption et au développement du commerce électronique. Centré sur le commerce électronique de détail, ce travail présente un modèle permettant d'analyser le développement de la confiance du consommateur en fonction des caractéristiques de ce dernier - sa propension - et de la perception qu'il a de certaines caractéristiques du commerçant, soit l'intégrité, l'habilité et la bienveillance de ce dernier. L'utilisabilité de l'interface graphique a été retenue comme étant le facteur-clé en ce qui concerne la perception de ces caractéristiques. Le rôle de chacune des dimensions composant l'utilisabilité a donc été étudié et mis en évidence relativement à la confiance développée par le consommateur.User interface, laboratory experiment, trust, usability, electronic retailing, web design, Interface utilisateur, expérimentation en laboratoire, confiance, b2c, commerce électronique (détail), design de site web

Le transfert des connaissances pour prévenir les chutes chez des personnes âgées en centre hospitalier cardiovasculaire aigu

Rapport de stage présenté à la Faculté des sciences infirmières en vue de l'obtention du grade de Maître ès sciences (M.Sc.) option expertise-conseil en soins infirmiersLe stage consistait à déployer une approche de transfert des connaissances pour prévenir les chutes chez des personnes âgées en centre hospitalier cardiovasculaire aigu. Une combinaison de stratégies s’articulant autour d’ateliers interactifs a favorisé le transfert auprès des intervenants d’une unité ciblée. Le projet a été encadré par le cadre conceptuel Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) et fut planifiée selon la Marche à suivre pour implanter des lignes directrices pour la pratique clinique proposée par l’Association des infirmières et infirmiers autorisés de l’Ontario. Pour sélectionner les connaissances à implanter, un outil d’évaluation du risque de chute a été actualisé et un aide-mémoire sur la prévention des chutes a été développé. Les parties prenantes ont été impliquées précocement et tout au long du projet. Les stratégies de mise en place ont comporté de brefs ateliers de remue-méninges, une campagne de promotion et un suivi de pérennité. Finalement, l’évaluation du projet s’est tenue 12 semaines après les ateliers. Vingt-quatre ateliers de 45 minutes furent animés sur les trois quarts de travail et 93 % des divers intervenants actifs de l’unité ciblée y ont participé. Un niveau de sensibilisation accru fut démontré par l’évaluation du projet. Regrouper différents intervenants pour une même activité nous a semblé propice à leur cohésion et leur communication. Les commentaires reçus soulignent leur appréciation d’avoir été consultés précocement et impliqués dans le processus d’implantation. Proposer un horaire souple et privilégier un partage bilatéral des connaissances par de courtes discussions interactives ont aussi été appréciés.The purpose of this master's degree project was to develop and implement a knowledge transfer approach in the prevention of falls among an elderly population in an acute cardiovascular setting. Thus, a combination of strategies based on interactive workshops facilitated the knowledge transfer with the healthcare professionals of a targeted unit. To select the knowledge to be implanted, an evaluation tool was updated and an intervention tool was developed. The participants were involved early and throughout the project. Analysis of the participants' environment was outlined by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) conceptual framework. The strategies of implementation consisted mainly of a promotional campaign, brief awareness and brainstorming workshops, as well as a series of follow-ups. Finally, an evaluation of the project was held 12 weeks after completion of the workshops. The gathering resources stage was facilitated by the managers' collaboration. Twenty-four workshops were held during day, evening and night shifts. Consequently, 93 % of the various active participants in the targeted unit took part in the workshops. A greater level of awareness was noted among participants following the evaluation of the project. To group together various participants for the same activity seemed convenient to us for many reasons, including group cohesion and communication. Our observations and the various comments received underline the participants' appreciation in having been consulted and involved early on in the implementation process. Other positives noted were the flexible schedule of activities and the bilateral knowledge sharing within interactive discussions.Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en interventions en sciences infirmières du Québec (GRIISIQ); Fondation de l’Institut de cardiologie de Montréal (ICM); direction des soins infirmiers de l’Institut de cardiologie de Montréal (ICM

Academic hiring and Inequality

Inequalities in the recruitment of academic

Effect of surface preparation on the corrosion of austenitic stainless steel 304L in high temperature steam and simulated PWR primary water

The corrosion behavior of 304L grade stainless steel (SS) in high-temperature steam and in a simulated Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) is studied. The goal was to characterize the nature of the oxide coating generated during 500 h exposure of samples in a 400 °C steam (200 bar) or a 340 °C simulated PWR. Accelerating the effect of the steam environment as well as the influence of surface preparation have been studied. Two initial sample surfaces were used: mechanical polishing and finishing grinding. Oxide coatings were investigated using TEM imaging coupled with EELS spectroscopy and R – SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy)

Ovarian cancer metastasis to the pectoral muscle

peer reviewedWe report the case of a patient with a sero-papillary ovarian cancer and a pectoral muscle metastasis. Muscular metastases are more common than previously suspected; any physician could encounter this type of case in his daily practice. This paper summarizes the literature on the subject

Apuntes para un nuevo modelo de negociación colectiva

La negociación colectiva se produce en un escenario dominado por el cambio y la inestabilidad. Las relaciones laborales en el ámbito de las empresas multinacionales exigen de mecanismos institucionales inéditos para el diálogo social. Prioridades de orden social como el desarrollo y bienestar de las comunidades, involucradas por la mundialización, deben ser incorporadas en los acuerdos de integración y libre comercio

Contrasting geophysical and geochemical signatures of a volcano at the axis of the Wharton Fossil Ridge (N-E Indian Ocean)

International audienceThe Styx volcano is a prominent seamount (20-30 km diameter, 2500 m high) located at the axis of the Wharton fossil spreading center (N-E Indian Ocean), where seafloor spreading stopped 40 Ma ago. Gravity modeling shows that it was emplaced on a weak lithosphere, in agreement with an on axis origin when seafloor spreading was active. The rocks dredged at the summit of the volcano are extreme typical alkaline basalts, indicating a deep enriched mantle source. We show here that most of this seamount was emplaced during the final stage of the seafloor spreading in the Wharton Basin. We then discuss how alkaline magmatism can be emplaced at the summit of the Styx

Impact of soil map specifications for European climate simulations

Soil physical characteristics can influence terrestrial hydrology and the energy balance and may thus affect land-atmosphere exchanges. However, only few studies have investigated the importance of soil textures for climate. In this study, we examine the impact of soil texture specification in a regional climate model. We perform climate simulations over Europe using soil maps derived from two different sources: the soil map of the world from the Food and Agricultural Organization and the European Soil Database from the European Commission Joint Research Center. These simulations highlight the importance of the specified soil texture in summer, with differences of up to 2°C in mean 2-m temperature and 20% in precipitation resulting from changes in the partitioning of energy at the land surface into sensible and latent heat flux. Furthermore, we perform additional simulations where individual soil parameters are perturbed in order to understand their role for summer climate. These simulations highlight the importance of the vertical profile of soil moisture for evapotranspiration. Parameters affecting the latter are hydraulic diffusivity parameters, field capacity and plant wilting point. Our study highlights the importance of soil properties for climate simulations. Given the uncertainty associated with the geographical distribution of soil texture and the resulting differences between maps from different sources, efforts to improve existing databases are needed. In addition, climate models would benefit from tackling unresolved issues in land-surface modeling related to the high spatial variability in soil parameters, both horizontally and vertically, and to limitations of the concept of soil textural clas

OpenMosix, OpenSSI and Kerrighed: A Comparative Study

This paper presents a comparative study of Kerrighed, openMosix and OpenSSI, three Single System Image (SSI) operating systems for clusters. This experimental study gives an overview of SSI features offered by these SSI and evaluates performance of such features