PIRSF Family Classification System for Protein Functional and Evolutionary Analysis

The PIRSF protein classification system (http://pir.georgetown.edu/pirsf/) reflects evolutionary relationships of full-length proteins and domains. The primary PIRSF classification unit is the homeomorphic family, whose members are both homologous (evolved from a common ancestor) and homeomorphic (sharing full-length sequence similarity and a common domain architecture). PIRSF families are curated systematically based on literature review and integrative sequence and functional analysis, including sequence and structure similarity, domain architecture, functional association, genome context, and phyletic pattern. The results of classification and expert annotation are summarized in PIRSF family reports with graphical viewers for taxonomic distribution, domain architecture, family hierarchy, and multiple alignment and phylogenetic tree. The PIRSF system provides a comprehensive resource for bioinformatics analysis and comparative studies of protein function and evolution. Domain or fold-based searches allow identification of evolutionarily related protein families sharing domains or structural folds. Functional convergence and functional divergence are revealed by the relationships between protein classification and curated family functions. The taxonomic distribution allows the identification of lineage-specific or broadly conserved protein families and can reveal horizontal gene transfer. Here we demonstrate, with illustrative examples, how to use the web-based PIRSF system as a tool for functional and evolutionary studies of protein families

Innovative quality improvements in hotel services

The paper is devoted to the development of approaches for the improvement of quality of hotel services on innovative basis. It has been established that in the market of hotel services, innovations are being introduced successfully for the purpose of attracting as many customers as possible. All this ensures development of new technologies of constructing hotels, appearance of new market segments satisfying a diverse demand of visitors. It has been proved that to improve the quality of hotel services, it is necessary to develop a strategy and tactics of development of hotel business on innovative basis. It has been determined that introduction of innovations must be realised both at the level of the state and at the level of separate hotels. Further innovative growth will allow improving the quality of hotel services in the world market of hotel real estate. However, this is possible in case of normalization of the economic and political situation in the country and creation of conditions for investment attractiveness in hotel business.peer-reviewe

Experimental Investigation of the Nature of the Knee in the Primary Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum with the GAMMA experiment

We present preliminary results obtained by a novel difference method for the study of the nature of the knee in the energy spectrum of the primary cosmic radiation. We have applied this method to data from the GAMMA experiment in Armenia. The analysis provides evidence for the possible existence of a nearby source of primary cosmic rays in the Southern hemisphere.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure

Indexed left atrial volume, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as predictors of recurrence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion

Indexed left atrial volume, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as predictors of recurrence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversio

Indexed left atrial volume is superior to left atrial diameter in predicting nonvalvular atrial fibrillation recurrence after successful cardioversion: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Although indexed left atrial volume (iLAV) is the most accurate measure of left atrial size, it has not been evaluated prospectively as predictor of recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) after successful cardioversion (CV). METHODS: We prospectively selected 76 patients (mean age 66.1 ± 13.6 years, 65.8% men) with AFib who underwent successful CV. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were obtained before CV. LAV was measured using Simpson's method and indexed to body surface area. All patients were scheduled for follow-up visit at 1, 6, 12 months, and then annually. A 24-hour Holter ECG was performed within 6 months and each time the patients reported symptoms suggestive of arrhythmia. RESULTS: The 52 patients (68.4%) with AFib recurrence had larger iLAV (35.5 ± 8.9 mL/m(2) vs 27.0 ± 6.7 mL/m(2) , P < 0.001). Anteroposterior LA diameter was not associated with AFib relapse (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.21, P = 0.09). Each unit increase in iLAV was associated with a 1.15-fold increased risk of recurrence (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.25, P < 0.001). In a multivariable model, iLAV remained the only independent predictor of relapse (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28, P = 0.02). The area under ROC curves, generated to compare LA diameter, and iLAV as predictors of AFib recurrence were 0.56 (SE 0.07) versus 0.78 (SE 0.05), respectively (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study to show that larger iLAV, as a more accurate measure of LA remodeling than anteroposterior diameter, is strongly and independently associated with a higher risk of AFib recurrence after CV

Влияние магнитного поля на седиментацию клеток, содержащих магнитные частицы

Magnetic field influence on the macrophage with the absorbed magnetic particles is investigated. It is demonstrated that the application of magnetic field changes the speed of sedimentation of cells. Changes of the nonsymmetrical indicatrix of the scattered light indicates that shape of the cells have changed under the influence of the magnetic field.Исследовано влияние магнитного поля на макрофаги с поглощенными магнитными частицами. Показано, что наложение магнитного поля изменяет скорость оседания клеток, но в более значительной степени оказывает влияние на изменение параметра асимметричности индикатрисы светорассеяния, что свидетельствует об изменении формы оседающих клеток под воздействием магнитного поля

Rigidity-dependent cosmic ray energy spectra in the knee region obtained with the GAMMA experiment

On the basis of the extensive air shower (EAS) data obtained by the GAMMA experiment, the energy spectra and elemental composition of the primary cosmic rays are derived in the 1-100 PeV energy range. The reconstruction of the primary energy spectra is carried out using an EAS inverse approach in the framework of the SIBYLL2.1 and QGSJET01 interaction models and the hypothesis of power-law primary energy spectra with rigidity-dependent knees. The energy spectra of primary H, He, O-like and Fe-like nuclei obtained with the SIBYLL interaction model agree with corresponding extrapolations of the balloon and satellite data to ~1 PeV energies. The energy spectra obtained from the QGSJET model show a predominantly proton composition in the knee region. The rigidity-dependent knee feature of the primary energy spectra for each interaction model is displayed at the following rigidities: ~2.5+/-0.2 PV (SIBYLL) and ~3.1-4.2 PV (QGSJET). All the results presented are derived taking into account the detector response, the reconstruction uncertainties of the EAS parameters, and fluctuations in the EAS development.Comment: 28 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic