Network evolution towards optimal dynamical performance

Understanding the mutual interdependence between the behavior of dynamical processes on networks and the underlying topologies promises new insight for a large class of empirical networks. We present a generic approach to investigate this relationship which is applicable to a wide class of dynamics, namely to evolve networks using a performance measure based on the whole spectrum of the dynamics' time evolution operator. As an example, we consider the graph Laplacian describing diffusion processes, and we evolve the network structure such that a given sub-diffusive behavior emerges.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Population-Sequencing as a Biomarker of Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei Evolution through Microbial Forensic Analysis

Large-scale genomics projects are identifying biomarkers to detect human disease. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei are two closely related select agents that cause melioidosis and glanders. Accurate characterization of metagenomic samples is dependent on accurate measurements of genetic variation between isolates with resolution down to strain level. Often single biomarker sensitivity is augmented by use of multiple or panels of biomarkers. In parallel with single biomarker validation, advances in DNA sequencing enable analysis of entire genomes in a single run: population-sequencing. Potentially, direct sequencing could be used to analyze an entire genome to serve as the biomarker for genome identification. However, genome variation and population diversity complicate use of direct sequencing, as well as differences caused by sample preparation protocols including sequencing artifacts and mistakes. As part of a Department of Homeland Security program in bacterial forensics, we examined how to implement whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis as a judicially defensible forensic method for attributing microbial sample relatedness; and also to determine the strengths and limitations of whole genome sequence analysis in a forensics context. Herein, we demonstrate use of sequencing to provide genetic characterization of populations: direct sequencing of populations

Complete genome sequence of a New Zealand Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain responsible for ongoing transmission over the past 30 years.

We report here the complete genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain Colonial S-type 1 (CS1), which has been responsible for ongoing outbreaks of tuberculosis in New Zealand over the past 30 years. CS1 appears to be highly transmissible, with greater rates of progression to active disease, compared to other circulating M. tuberculosis strains; therefore, comparison of its genomic content is of interest

Entry of Yersinia pestis into the Viable but Nonculturable State in a Low-Temperature Tap Water Microcosm

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, has caused several pandemics throughout history and remains endemic in the rodent populations of the western United States. More recently, Y. pestis is one of several bacterial pathogens considered to be a potential agent of bioterrorism. Thus, elucidating potential mechanisms of survival and persistence in the environment would be important in the event of an intentional release of the organism. One such mechanism is entry into the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, as has been demonstrated for several other bacterial pathogens. In this study, we showed that Y. pestis became nonculturable by normal laboratory methods after 21 days in a low-temperature tap water microcosm. We further show evidence that, after the loss of culturability, the cells remained viable by using a variety of criteria, including cellular membrane integrity, uptake and incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids, and protection of genomic DNA from DNase I digestion. Additionally, we identified morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of Y. pestis VBNC cells, such as cell rounding and large periplasmic spaces, by electron microscopy, which are consistent with entry into the VBNC state in other bacteria. Finally, we demonstrated resuscitation of a small number of the non-culturable cells. This study provides compelling evidence that Y. pestis persists in a low-temperature tap water microcosm in a viable state yet is unable to be cultured under normal laboratory conditions, which may prove useful in risk assessment and remediation efforts, particularly in the event of an intentional release of this organism

The Moraxella adhesin UspA1 binds to its human CEACAM1 receptor by a deformable trimeric coiled-coil

Moraxella catarrhalis is a ubiquitous human-specific bacterium commonly associated with upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including otitis media, sinusitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The bacterium uses an autotransporter protein UspA1 to target an important human cellular receptor carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1). Using X-ray crystallography, we show that the CEACAM1 receptor-binding region of UspA1 unusually consists of an extended, rod-like left-handed trimeric coiled-coil. Mutagenesis and binding studies of UspA1 and the N-domain of CEACAM1 have been used to delineate the interacting surfaces between ligand and receptor and guide assembly of the complex. However, solution scattering, molecular modelling and electron microscopy analyses all indicate that significant bending of the UspA1 coiled-coil stalk also occurs. This explains how UspA1 can engage CEACAM1 at a site far distant from its head group, permitting closer proximity of the respective cell surfaces during infection

Withdrawal Behaviour of Self-tapping Screws in New Zealand Cross-Laminated Timber

Self-tapping Screws (STS) are commonly used in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. However, design provisions with STS and CLT are currently not covered by NZS 3603:1993 or AS 1720.1:2010. Manufactured by hardened steel, STS have high withdrawal strength and provide an efficient connection type. Previous research and analytical design equations for STS connections were focused on European softwood species which often have lower densities than New Zealand grown Radiata Pine and Douglas-fir. This paper presents an experimental study to evaluate withdrawal properties of STS in New Zealand made Radiata Pine and Douglas-fir CLT. A total of 202 withdrawal tests were performed with ∅8mm and ∅12mm STS in three-, five- and seven-layer CLT specimens. The experimental results were compared with the analytical design equations in literature. It was found that the design equations are generally applicable to the New Zealand CLT specimens. The penetration length of the threaded portion of STS should be limited to 12d (12 times the screw diameter) to avoid brittle fastener tensile failure. For partially threaded screws, increasing embedment length of the unthreaded portion of STS could prevent timber surface splitting and the average withdrawal strength slightly increased by 10-15%

Tribological properties of biodegradable polyurethanes of various structure and content of rigid elements

Poliuretany (PUR) o zróżnicowanej budowie chemicznej i różnej zawartości segmentów sztywnych zsyntetyzowano przy użyciu 4,4'-diizocyjanianu dicykloheksylenometanu (HMDI), polikaprolaktanodiolu (PCL) oraz glikolu etylenowego (GE) i glicerolu (G) jako przedłużaczy łańcucha. Otrzymano pięć różnych typów PUR. Ich właściwości fizykochemiczne oceniano metodami: spektroskopii w podczerwieni, różnicowej kalorymetrii skaningowej (DSC) i termograwimetrii (TG). Badano twardość Shore'a i wytrzymałość przy rozciąganiu wytworzonych PUR oraz określano ich charakterystyki tribologiczne. Wyniki badań potwierdziły wpływ budowy i zawartości segmentów sztywnych w makrocząsteczkach PUR na ich właściwości, zwłaszcza na charakterystyki tribologiczne.Five polyurethanes (PUR) of different chemical structure and variable content of rigid elements have been synthesized using 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI), polycaprolactone diol (PCL) as well as ethylene glycol (GE) and glycerol (G) as chain extenders. The physicochemical properties of the obtained PUR have been investigated with the aid of infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The mechanical properties (Shore hardness and tensile strength) and tribological characteristics (pin-on-disc tribometer) of PUR have been determined. The results of the study confirm the influence of structure and rigid segment content on the properties of PUR macromolecules, particularly their tribological characteristics