Analysis of Alphalactalbumin and Betalactoglobulin from the Rehydration of Bovine Colostrum Powder Using Cloud Point Extraction and Mass Spectrometry

Alphalactalbumin (α-La) and betalactoglobulin (β-Lg) in the rehydration of bovine colostrum powder were successfully separated by cloud point extraction using a nonionic surfactant Triton X-114. The effects of different factors, including the surfactant concentration, sample volume, electrolyte, and pH were discussed. The optimized conditions for cloud point extraction of alphalactalbumin (α-La) and betalactoglobulin (β-Lg) can be concluded that the best surfactant is 1% (w/v) Triton X-114, 200 μL of sample volume, 150 mmol/L NaCl, and 6% (w/v) sucrose. After cloud point extraction, the capillary electrophoresis is used to check the efficiency of the extraction procedure. The results had been effectively confirmed by the characterization with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)

Multi-Agent Robust Control Synthesis from Global Temporal Logic Tasks

This paper focuses on the heterogeneous multi-agent control problem under global temporal logic tasks. We define a specification language, called extended capacity temporal logic (ECaTL), to describe the required global tasks, including the number of times that a local or coupled signal temporal logic (STL) task needs to be satisfied and the synchronous requirements on task satisfaction. The robustness measure for ECaTL is formally designed. In particular, the robustness for synchronous tasks is evaluated from both the temporal and spatial perspectives. Mixed-integer linear constraints are designed to encode ECaTL specifications, and a two-step optimization framework is further proposed to realize task-satisfied motion planning with high spatial robustness and synchronicity. Simulations are conducted to demonstrate the expressivity of ECaTL and the efficiency of the proposed control synthesis approach.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Multi-level reproducibility of signature hubs in human interactome for breast cancer metastasis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been suggested that, in the human protein-protein interaction network, changes of co-expression between highly connected proteins ("hub") and their interaction neighbours might have important roles in cancer metastasis and be predictive disease signatures for patient outcome. However, for a cancer, such disease signatures identified from different studies have little overlap.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we propose a systemic approach to evaluate the reproducibility of disease signatures at multiple levels, on the basis of some statistically testable biological models. Using two datasets for breast cancer metastasis, we showed that different signature hubs identified from different studies were highly consistent in terms of significantly sharing interaction neighbours and displaying consistent co-expression changes with their overlapping neighbours, whereas the shared interaction neighbours were significantly over-represented with known cancer genes and enriched in pathways deregulated in breast cancer pathogenesis. Then, we showed that the signature hubs identified from the two datasets were highly reproducible at the protein interaction and pathway levels in three other independent datasets.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results provide a possible biological model that different signature hubs altered in different patient cohorts could disturb the same pathways associated with cancer metastasis through their interaction neighbours.</p

Numerical investigations on scour and flow around two crossing pipelines on a sandy seabed

When a pipeline is laid on the seabed, local scour often occurs below it due to sea currents. In practical engineering, there are some cases that two pipelines laid on the seabed need to cross with each other. The complex flow structures around two crossing pipelines make the scour characteristics different from that of an isolated single pipeline. In this study, scour below two crossing pipelines was simulated numerically using the CFD software Flow-3D. The study is focused on the effect of the intersecting angle on the equilibrium depth and time scale of scour below the crossing position. Five intersecting angles, i.e., α = 0◦ , 15◦ , 30◦ , 45◦ and 90◦ , are considered, where α = 0◦ and 90◦ represent two pipelines parallel and perpendicular to each other, respectively. The results show that the equilibrium depth and the time scale of scour below the two crossing pipelines are greater than those of an isolated single pipeline. The equilibrium depth and time scale of scour have the largest values at α = 0◦ and decrease with the increase of the intersecting angle. Finally, the flow structures around the crossing pipelines are presented to explain the scour process

Analysis of Rutin from Lespedeza virgata

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) technique was developed for the extraction of rutin from Lespedeza virgata (Thunb.) DC. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction of rutin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were 75% aqueous ethanol, solvent volume to sample weight ratio at 90 : 1, extracting temperature at 75°C, and extraction time for 15 min. A comparison was made among MAE, classical maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE). Yields were determined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The whole analysis process was completed in ten minutes. The needful volumes of sample and buffer are very little. Compared with maceration and ultrasonic extraction, MAE is a rapid method with higher yield and less solvent consumption

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome

Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) is a fibrous occlusive disease of hepatic sinusoids or hepatic venules. Small hepatic blood vessel damage, especially hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell damage, is its main feature. Based on etiology, SOS is mainly classified into pyrrolidine alkaloids-related SOS, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related SOS, and SOS of unknown etiology. In recent years, the incidence of SOS has been increasing. However, due to the complexity of the etiology, the lack of specificity in clinical manifestations, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the limited treatment options, it often leads to poor treatment effects and even death. This chapter aims to analyze and organize the pathogenesis, pathological characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of different types of SOS, to provide certain references for the prevention and treatment of the disease

Functionalization of silk with in-situ synthesized platinum nanoparticles

After platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were in-situ synthesized on silk fabrics through heat treatment, it was determined that the treatment of the silk fabrics with PtNPs imparted multiple functions, including coloring, catalysis, and antibacterial activity. The formation of PtNPs on fabrics was affected by the Pt ion concentration, pH value of solution, and reaction temperature. Acidic condition and high temperature were found to facilitate the formation of PtNPs on silk. The color strength of silk fabrics increased with the concentration of Pt ions. The PtNP treated silk fabrics exhibited reasonably good washing color fastness and excellent rubbing color fastness. The morphologies and chemical components of the treated silk fabrics were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PtNP treated silk fabric exhibited significant catalytic function and a notable antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli (E. coli)