168 research outputs found
Anisotropic spatially heterogeneous dynamics in a model glass-forming binary mixture
We calculated a four-point correlation function G_4(k,r;t) and the
corresponding structure factor S_4(k,q;t) for a model glass-forming binary
mixture. These functions measure the spatial correlations of the relaxation of
different particles. We found that these four-point functions are anisotropic
and depend on the angle between vectors k and r (or q). The anisotropy is the
strongest for times somewhat longer than the beta relaxation time but it is
quite pronounced even for times comparable to the alpha relaxation time,
tau_alpha. At the lowest temperatures S_4(k,q;tau_alpha) is strongly
anisotropic even for the smallest wavevector q accessible in our simulation
Data access and integration in the ISPIDER proteomics grid
Grid computing has great potential for supporting the integration of complex, fast changing biological data repositories to enable distributed data analysis. One scenario where Grid computing has such potential is provided by proteomics resources which are rapidly being developed with the emergence of affordable, reliable methods to study the proteome. The protein identifications arising from these methods derive from multiple repositories which need to be integrated to enable uniform access to them. A number of technologies exist which enable these resources to be accessed in a Grid environment, but the independent development of these resources means that significant data integration challenges, such as heterogeneity and schema evolution, have to be met. This paper presents an architecture which supports the combined use of Grid data access (OGSA-DAI), Grid distributed querying (OGSA-DQP) and data integration (AutoMed) software tools to support distributed data analysis. We discuss the application of this architecture for the integration of several autonomous proteomics data resources
Geometrical dependence of low frequency noise in superconducting flux qubits
A general method for directly measuring the low-frequency flux noise (below
10 Hz) in compound Josephson junction superconducting flux qubits has been used
to study a series of 85 devices of varying design. The variation in flux noise
across sets of qubits with identical designs was observed to be small. However,
the levels of flux noise systematically varied between qubit designs with
strong dependence upon qubit wiring length and wiring width. Furthermore,
qubits fabricated above a superconducting ground plane yielded lower noise than
qubits without such a layer. These results support the hypothesis that
localized magnetic impurities in the vicinity of the qubit wiring are a key
source of low frequency flux noise in superconducting devices.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Single-charge escape processes through a hybrid turnstile in a dissipative environment
We have investigated the static, charge-trapping properties of a hybrid
superconductor---normal metal electron turnstile embedded into a high-ohmic
environment. The device includes a local Cr resistor on one side of the
turnstile, and a superconducting trapping island on the other side. The
electron hold times, t ~ 2-20s, in our two-junction circuit are comparable with
those of typical multi-junction, N >= 4, normal-metal single-electron tunneling
devices. A semi-phenomenological model of the environmental activation of
tunneling is applied for the analysis of the switching statistics. The
experimental results are promising for electrical metrology.Comment: Submitted to New Journal of Physics 201
Multiparty specification
This paper examines a formal model of how specifications can be constructed from multiple viewpoints and presents some tools to support this approach. The development of specifications is presented as a dialogue in which the viewpoints negotiate. establish responsibilities and cooperatively construct a specification. The model is illustrated by means of some small examples
A type III complement factor D deficiency: Structural insights for inhibition of the alternative pathway.
Abstract
Background: Complement factor D (FD) is the rate-limiting enzyme of the alternative complement pathway. Previous reports of FD deficiency featured absent plasma FD (type I deficiency) and susceptibility to meningococcal infection. A new FD mutant, which is non-functional but fully expressed, was identified in a patient with invasive meningococcal disease.
Objectives: We sought to investigate the molecular features of this novel FD mutant.
Methods: We performed complement haemolytic assays, western blot analysis of serum FD and Sanger sequencing of the CFD gene. Recombinant mutant FD was assessed by in vitro catalytic assays, circular dichroism, thermal shift assays, esterolytic assays and surface plasmon resonance. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to visualise the structural changes in mutant FD.
Results: A homozygous single-nucleotide variation of the CFD gene in the patient and their sibling resulted in an arginine to proline (R176P) substitution in FD. While R176P FD was stable and fully expressed in blood, it had minimal catalytic activity. Mutation R176P caused key FD-C3bB binding exosite loop 156-162 to lose its binding-competent conformation and stabilised the inactive conformation of FD. Consequently, R176P FD was unable to bind its natural substrate, C3bB. Neither patient nor sibling demonstrated the glucose homeostasis impairment that occurs in FD-null mice.
Conclusions: Here, we report the first genetically confirmed functional, or type III, deficiency of an activating complement serine protease. This novel mechanism of FD inhibition can inform further development of alternative pathway inhibitors to treat common inflammatory diseases such as age-related macular degeneration
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