Rlp7p is associated with 60S preribosomes, restricted to the granular component of the nucleolus, and required for pre-rRNA processing

Many analyses have examined subnucleolar structures in eukaryotic cells, but the relationship between morphological structures, pre-rRNA processing, and ribosomal particle assembly has remained unclear. Using a visual assay for export of the 60S ribosomal subunit, we isolated a ts-lethal mutation, rix9-1, which causes nucleolar accumulation of an Rpl25p-eGFP reporter construct. The mutation results in a single amino acid substitution (F(176)S) in Rlp7p, an essential nucleolar protein related to ribosomal protein Rpl7p. The rix9-1 (rlp7-1) mutation blocks the late pre-RNA cleavage at site C(2) in ITS2, which separates the precursors to the 5.8S and 25S rRNAs. Consistent with this, synthesis of the mature 5.8S and 25S rRNAs was blocked in the rlp7-1 strain at nonpermissive temperature, whereas 18S rRNA synthesis continued. Moreover, pre-rRNA containing ITS2 accumulates in the nucleolus of rix9-1 cells as revealed by in situ hybridization. Finally, tagged Rlp7p was shown to associate with a pre-60S particle, and fluorescence microscopy and immuno-EM localized Rlp7p to a subregion of the nucleolus, which could be the granular component (GC). All together, these data suggest that pre-rRNA cleavage at site C(2) specifically requires Rlp7p and occurs within pre-60S particles located in the GC region of the nucleolus

Collective and emergent problem solving based on multi-agent systems : principles and applications

A multi-agent system is composed of numerous entities, called agents, interacting in various ways between them and their common environment. This technology is applied in many domains like computer vision, robotics, system simulation or electronic commerce. We consider that problems occuring in signal processing could also be tackled by this technology. We present first the basic tools available for multi-agent systems designers : models, platforms and methodologies. Two projects illustrate our purpose : SCALA in the management of aerospace fighter patrol, and goods routing. We focus then on the adaptation ability of these systems considered as an emergent problem solving question. We detailed in this field the AMAS (Adaptive Multi-Agent System) theory allowing a MAS design where the global fonction is derived from the cooperative self-organisation of its components. An example on flood forecast gives implementation information of this theory.Un système multi-agent est constitué d’un grand nombre d’entités, appelées agents, en interaction entre elles au sein d’un même environnement. Cette technologie aborde de nombreux domaines d’applications comme la vision par ordinateur, la robotique, la simulation de systèmes, le commerce électronique. Nous considérons que les questions abordées en traitement du signal sont très pertinentes dans un cadre multi-agent. Nous présentons d’abord les principaux outils dont disposent les concepteurs de systèmes multi-agents à savoir : des modèles, des plates-formes et des méthodes de développement. Puis, le projet SCALA de simulation de résolution de problèmes par des patrouilles aériennes et un projet de simulation de système de transports illustrent la résolution de problèmes à l’aide de systèmes multi-agents. Ensuite, nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement aux capacités d’adaptation de tels systèmes que nous abordons comme une question de résolution émergente de problèmes. Dans ce cadre nous décrivons en détail la théorie AMAS (Adaptive Multi-Agent System) qui permet de concevoir des systèmes dont la fonction globale émerge à partir d’un processus d’auto-organisation coopérative de ses parties. Une application en prévision de crues donne une indication plus précise des capacités de telles approches

Magnetic Properties of Quantum Ferrimagnetic Spin Chains

Magnetic susceptibilities of spin-$(S,s)$ ferrimagnetic Heisenberg chains are numerically investigated. It is argued how the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic features of quantum ferrimagnets are exhibited as functions of $(S,s)$. Spin-$(S,s)$ ferrimagnetic chains behave like combinations of spin-$(S-s)$ ferromagnetic and spin-$(2s)$ antiferromagnetic chains provided $S=2s$.Comment: 4 pages, 7 PS figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B: Rapid Commu

The Value of Suction Drainage Fluid Culture during Aseptic and Septic Orthopedic Surgery: A Prospective Study of 901 Patients

There are no guidelines on the value of suction drainage fluid culture (SDC), and it is difficult to determine whether the organisms cultured from suction drainage fluid samples are pathogenic or simply contaminants. We performed 2989 cultures of suction drainage fluid samples obtained, during a 1-year period, from 901 patients who underwent aseptic or septic orthopedic surgery (946 operations). The culture results were analyzed to evaluate their ability to detect postoperative infection after aseptic operations or to detect either a persistent or new episode of sepsis in patients known to have infection. For aseptic operations, the sensitivity of SDC was 25%, the specificity was 99%, the positive predictive value was 25%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. For septic operations, the sensitivity of SDC was 81%, the specificity was 96%, the positive predictive value was 87%, and the negative predictive value was 94%. We conclude that, for aseptic orthopedic surgery, SDC is not useful in detecting postoperative infection. However, for septic orthopedic surgery, it is of clinical importanc

ROSAT observations of X-ray emission from planetary nebulae

We have searched the entire ROSAT archive for useful observations to study X-ray emission from Galactic planetary nebulae (PNs). The search yields a sample of 63 PNs, which we call the ROSAT PN sample. About 20-25% of this sample show X-ray emission; these include 13 definite detections and three possible detections (at a 2-sigma level). All X-ray sources in these PNs are concentrated near the central stars. Only A 30, BD+30 3639, and NGC 6543 are marginally resolved by the ROSAT instruments. Three types of X-ray spectra are seen in PNs. Type 1 consists of only soft X-ray emission (<0.5 keV), peaks at 0.1-0.2 keV, and can be fitted by blackbody models at temperatures 1-2 10^5 K. Type 2 consists of harder X-ray emission, peaks at >0.5 keV, and can be fitted by thin plasma emission models at temperatures of a few 10^6 K. Type 3 is a composite of a bright Type 1 component and a fainter Type 2 component. Unresolved soft sources with Type 1 spectra or the soft component of Type 3 spectra are most likely photospheric emission from the hot central stars. Absorption cross sections are large for these soft-energy photons; therefore, only large, tenuous, evolved PNs with hot central stars and small absorption column densities have been detected. The origin of hard X-ray emission from PNs is uncertain. PNs with Type 2 spectra are small, dense, young nebulae with relatively cool (<<10^5 K) central stars, while PNs with Type 3 X-ray spectra are large, tenuous, evolved nebulae with hot central stars. The hard X-ray luminosities are also different between these two types of PNs, indicating perhaps different origins of their hard X-ray emission. Future Chandra and XMM observations with high spatial and spectral resolution will help to understand the origin of hard X-ray emission from PNs.Comment: To be published in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 21 pages, 7 figures, 5 table

Nuclear Spin-Lattice Relaxation in One-Dimensional Heisenberg Ferrimagnets: Three-Magnon versus Raman Processes

Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in one-dimensional Heisenberg ferrimagnets is studied by means of a modified spin-wave theory. We consider the second-order process, where a nuclear spin flip induces virtual spin waves which are then scattered thermally via the four-magnon exchange interaction, as well as the first-order process, where a nuclear spin directly interacts with spin waves via the hyperfine interaction. We point out a possibility of the three-magnon relaxation process predominating over the Raman one and suggest model experiments.Comment: to be published in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 73, No. 6 (2004

The biocompatibility of titanium in a buffer solution: compared effects of a thin film of TiO2 deposited by MOCVD and of collagen deposited from a gel

This study aims at evaluating the biocompatibility of titanium surfaces modified according two different ways: (i) deposition of a bio-inert, thin film of rutile TiO2 by chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD), and (ii) biochemical treatment with collagen gel, in order to obtain a bio-interactive coating. Behind the comparison is the idea that either the bio-inert or the bio-active coating has specific advantages when applied to implant treatment, such as the low price of the collagen treatment for instance. The stability in buffer solution was evaluated by open circuit potential (OCP) for medium time and cyclic voltametry. The OCP stabilized after 5104 min for all the specimens except the collagen treated sample which presented a stable OCP from the first minutes. MOCVD treated samples stabilized to more electropositive values. Numeric results were statistically analysed to obtain the regression equations for long time predictable evolution. The corrosion parameters determined from cyclic curves revealed that the MOCVD treatment is an efficient way to improve corrosion resistance. Human dermal fibroblasts were selected for cell culture tests, taking into account that these cells are present in all bio-interfaces, being the main cellular type of connective tissue. The cells grew on either type of surface without phenotype modification. From the reduction of yellow, water-soluble 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT cytotoxicity test), MOCVD treated samples offer better viability than mechanically polished Ti and collagen treated samples as well. Cell spreading, as evaluated from microscope images processed by the program Sigma Scan, showed also enhancement upon surface modification. Depending on the experimental conditions, MOCVD deposited TiO2 exhibits different nanostructures that may influence biological behaviour. The results demonstrate the capacity of integration in simulated physiologic liquids for an implant pretreated by either method

Collisional kinetics of non-uniform electric field, low-pressure, direct-current discharges in H2_{2}

A model of the collisional kinetics of energetic hydrogen atoms, molecules, and ions in pure H$_2$ discharges is used to predict H$_\alpha$ emission profiles and spatial distributions of emission from the cathode regions of low-pressure, weakly-ionized discharges for comparison with a wide variety of experiments. Positive and negative ion energy distributions are also predicted. The model developed for spatially uniform electric fields and current densities less than $10^{-3}$ A/m$^2$ is extended to non-uniform electric fields, current densities of $10^{3}$ A/m$^2$, and electric field to gas density ratios $E/N = 1.3$ MTd at 0.002 to 5 Torr pressure. (1 Td = $10^{-21}$ V m$^2$ and 1 Torr = 133 Pa) The observed far-wing Doppler broadening and spatial distribution of the H$_\alpha$ emission is consistent with reactions among H$^+$, H$_2^+$, H$_3^+$, and H$^-H$ ions, fast H atoms, and fast H$_2$ molecules, and with reflection, excitation, and attachment to fast H atoms at surfaces. The H$_\alpha$ excitation and H$^-$ formation occur principally by collisions of fast H, fast H$_2$, and H$^+$ with H$_2$. Simplifications include using a one-dimensional geometry, a multi-beam transport model, and the average cathode-fall electric field. The H$_\alpha$ emission is linear with current density over eight orders of magnitude. The calculated ion energy distributions agree satisfactorily with experiment for H$_2^+$ and H$_3^+$, but are only in qualitative agreement for H$^+$ and H$^-$. The experiments successfully modeled range from short-gap, parallel-plane glow discharges to beam-like, electrostatic-confinement discharges.Comment: Submitted to Plasmas Sources Science and Technology 8/18/201

neXtProt: a knowledge platform for human proteins

neXtProt (http://www.nextprot.org/) is a new human protein-centric knowledge platform. Developed at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), it aims to help researchers answer questions relevant to human proteins. To achieve this goal, neXtProt is built on a corpus containing both curated knowledge originating from the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot knowledgebase and carefully selected and filtered high-throughput data pertinent to human proteins. This article presents an overview of the database and the data integration process. We also lay out the key future directions of neXtProt that we consider the necessary steps to make neXtProt the one-stop-shop for all research projects focusing on human proteins