DEVS-based intelligent control of space adapted fluid mixing

The development is described of event-based intelligent control system for a space-adapted mixing process by employing the DEVS (Discrete Event System Specification) formalism. In this control paradigm, the controller expects to receive confirming sensor responses to its control commands within definite time windows determined by its DEVS model of the system under control. The DEVS-based intelligent control paradigm was applied in a space-adapted mixing system capable of supporting the laboratory automation aboard a Space Station

Trapped Resonant Fermions above Superfluid Transition Temperature

We investigate trapped resonant fermions with unequal populations within the local density approximation above the superfluid transition temperature. By tuning the attractive interaction between fermions via Feshbach resonance, the system evolves from weakly interacting fermi gas to strongly interacting fermi gas, and finally becomes bose-fermi mixture. The density profiles of fermions are examined and compared with experiments. We also point out the simple relationships between the local density, the axial density, and the gas pressure within the local density approximation.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Genome-Wide Decoding of mRNP and miRNA Maps

The limited number of primary transcripts in the genome has promoted interest in the possibility that much of the complexity in the regulation of gene expression may be determined by RNA regulation controlled by RNA-binding proteins (RNABPs) and/or microRNAs (miRNAs). However, applying biochemical methods to understand such interactions in living tissues is major challenge. Here we developed a genome-wide means of mapping messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) sites in vivo, by high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP). HITS-CLIP analysis of the neuron-specific splicing factor Nova provides genome-wide maps of Nova-RNA interactions in vivo and leads to a new finding that Nova may regulate the processesing of some miRNAs. Furthermore, HITS-CLIP analysis is extended to the problem of identifying miRNA targets, for which prediction is a major challenge since miRNA activity requires base pairing through only 6-8 “seed†nucleotides. By generating crosslinking of native Argonaute (Ago) protein-RNA complexes in mouse brain, Ago HITS-CLIP produced two simultaneous datasets—Ago-miRNA and Ago-mRNA binding sites—that were combined with bioinformatic analysis to identify miRNA-target mRNA interaction sites. We validated genome-wide interaction maps for miR-124, and generated additional maps for the 20 most abundant miRNAs present in P13 mouse brain. We also found that the relatively large number of Ago proteins bind in coding sequence, as well as introns, suggesting unexplored functions for miRNAs. Not all Ago mRNA clusters correspond to known seed sequence, leading to the discovery of putative new rules for miRNA-mRNA interactions. HITS-CLIP provides a general plaform to identify functional mRNP and miRNA binding sites in vivo and a solution to determining precise sequences for targeting clinically relevant sites of RNA regulation. In addition, overlaying mRNP maps with miRNA maps will be informative for the understanding of RNA regulations and complexity

Fabrication of porous extended-release tablets using dual nozzle fused deposition modeling 3D printing techniques

The aim of this study was to fabricate shell-core porous tablet formulations by fused deposition modeling dual nozzle three-dimensional printing coupled with hot-melt extrusion techniques. Acetaminophen was selected as the model drug for this study owing to its pH-independent property. The 3-point bend test and the stiffness test were performed to investigate the printability of filaments. The stiffness constant, k, was calculated to represent the printability by fitting the breaking distances and stress data into Hooke’s law. The formulation 1 (F1) and formulation 2 (F2) filaments were printed successfully by demonstrating the preferred hardness with 16.74±3.55 and 14.72±2.20 respectively in k value (g/ mm3). In vitro dissolution studies were performed in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) to evaluate the drug release rate of the printed tablets. Due to SEM images, drug load, and other factors, F1 core tablets demonstrated a faster dissolution profile than F2 core tablets. Three different porous shells were designed to extend dissolution profiles by sealing the core tablet in it. From the result, both formulations with shell-core porous tablets demonstrated an extended dissolution profile in all designs. Therefore, a novel extended-release porous shell-core tablet was successfully developed, by altering the hole’s quantity and location can acquire different dissolution profiles