3,536 research outputs found
Urban space and pervasive systems
In this paper we present an early approach for developing a
theoretical framework and understanding for designing
pervasive systems as an integral part of the urban landscape.
The research will be conducted in the city of Bath as part of the CityWare project, in a heritage environment with tourist attractions.
Here we propose to investigate the application of research
methods based on Space Syntax, which encompasses a set
of theories and techniques for the analysis of space and
spatial patterns, as a framework for understanding the
complex relationship between pervasive systems, urban
space and society in general; and the impact of the
deployment of pervasive systems on people’s relationships
to heritage, and to each other in particular
Activity-regulated RNA editing in select neuronal subfields in hippocampus
RNA editing by adensosine deaminases is a widespread mechanism to alter genetic information in metazoa. In addition to modifications in non-coding regions, editing contributes to diversification of protein function, in analogy to alternative splicing. However, although splicing programs respond to external signals, facilitating fine tuning and homeostasis of cellular functions, a similar regulation has not been described for RNA editing. Here, we show that the AMPA receptor R/G editing site is dynamically regulated in the hippocampus in response to activity. These changes are bi-directional, reversible and correlate with levels of the editase Adar2. This regulation is observed in the CA1 hippocampal subfield but not in CA3 and is thus subfield/celltype-specific. Moreover, alternative splicing of the flip/flop cassette downstream of the R/G site is closely linked to the editing state, which is regulated by Ca(2+). Our data show that A-to-I RNA editing has the capacity to tune protein function in response to external stimuli
Development of novel chiral capillary electrophoresis methods for the serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) antagonist MDL 100,907 (volinanserin) and for its key intermediate compound
Enantioselective capillary electrophoretic methods were elaborated for the determination of the enantiomeric purity of (R)-MDL 100,907 and its preparatively resolved key intermediate compound during the synthesis route. The pKa values of the intermediate compound and the end product determined by CE were 10.5±0.1 and 9.0±0.1, respectively. The enantiopurity of the intermediate compound can be monitored in fully protonated state by applying 15mM sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin at pH 5 when the peak belonging to the impurity migrates before the main component. The fact that the consecutive steps of the synthesis do not affect the enantiomeric purity was verified by the other, newly developed CE method. The enantiomers of rac-MDL 100,907 were resolved by 15mM carboxymethyl-γ-cyclodextrin at pH 3. The applicability (selectivity, LOD, LOQ, repeatability, precision and accuracy) of the methods was studied as well
Evaluating source-sink relationships of the western rock lobster fishery using oceanographic modelling: Final FRDC Report – Project 2008/087
Objectives 1. To determine the relative contribution of larval production from different areas to the abundance and spatial distribution of puerulus settlement over 15 years using a larval advection mode
Improved microarray gene expression profiling of virus-infected cells after removal of viral RNA
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sensitivity and accuracy are key points when using microarrays to detect alterations in gene expression under different conditions. Critical to the acquisition of reliable results is the preparation of the RNA. In the field of virology, when analyzing the host cell's reaction to infection, the often high representation of viral RNA (vRNA) within total RNA preparations from infected cells is likely to interfere with microarray analysis. Yet, this effect has not been investigated despite the many reports that describe gene expression profiling of virus-infected cells using microarrays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study we used coronaviruses as a model to show that vRNA indeed interferes with microarray analysis, decreasing both sensitivity and accuracy. We also demonstrate that the removal of vRNA from total RNA samples, by means of virus-specific oligonucleotide capturing, significantly reduced the number of false-positive hits and increased the sensitivity of the method as tested on different array platforms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We therefore recommend the specific removal of vRNA, or of any other abundant 'contaminating' RNAs, from total RNA samples to improve the quality and reliability of microarray analyses.</p
Theory of a magnetic microscope with nanometer resolution
We propose a theory for a type of apertureless scanning near field microscopy
that is intended to allow the measurement of magnetism on a nanometer length
scale. A scanning probe, for example a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip,
is used to scan a magnetic substrate while a laser is focused on it. The
electric field between the tip and substrate is enhanced in such a way that the
circular polarization due to the Kerr effect, which is normally of order 0.1%
is increased by up to two orders of magnitude for the case of a Ag or W tip and
an Fe sample. Apart from this there is a large background of circular
polarization which is non-magnetic in origin. This circular polarization is
produced by light scattered from the STM tip and substrate. A detailed retarded
calculation for this light-in-light-out experiment is presented.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the uterus in a renal allograft patient: A case report
The incidence of malignancy after renal transplant has been reported to range from 4% to 18%. Tumors of the skin and lip tend to be the most common with non-Hodgkin lymphoma comprising 20% of all neoplasms. Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are collectively described as being a part of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. PNET occur more commonly in the second decade of life, predominantly affecting Whites and Hispanics, and rarely occur in individuals of African or Asian descent. The most common primary site of involvement is along the central axis, particularly the chest (Askin tumor), but it can arise in any soft tissue. PNET also occur in the head and neck. PNET involving the cervix, urinary bladder, uterus, and vagina have been reported. We describe a case of a 15-year-old female who, 9 years after receiving a living related renal transplant, developed a post-transplant PNET of the uterus. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/35298/1/20237_ftp.pd
Very high quality factor measured in annealed fused silica
We present the results of quality factor measurements for rod samples made of
fused silica. To decrease the dissipation we annealed our samples. The highest
quality factor that we observed was for a mode at
384 Hz. This is the highest published value of in fused silica measured to
date.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
Tracking serendipitous interactions: How individual cultures shape the office
In many work environments, serendipitous interactions between members of
different groups may lead to enhanced productivity, collaboration and knowledge
dissemination. Two factors that may have an influence on such interactions are
cultural differences between individuals in highly multicultural workplaces,
and the layout and physical spaces of the workplace itself. In this work, we
investigate how these two factors may facilitate or hinder inter-group
interactions in the workplace. We analyze traces collected using wearable
electronic badges to capture face-to-face interactions and mobility patterns of
employees in a research laboratory in the UK. We observe that those who
interact with people of different roles tend to come from collectivist cultures
that value relationships and where people tend to be comfortable with social
hierarchies, and that some locations in particular are more likely to host
serendipitous interactions, knowledge that could be used by organizations to
enhance communication and productivity.This work was supported by the Google Europe Fellowship in Mobile Computing.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is published in the Proceedings of the ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing and can be found in the ACM digital library here: http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=2531602.2531641
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