Bothrops insularis venomics: A proteomic analysis supported by transcriptomic-generated sequence data

A joint transcriptomic and proteomic approach employing two-dimensional electrophoresis, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was carried out to identify peptides and proteins expressed by the venom gland of the snake Bothrops insularis, an endemic species of Queimada Grande Island, Brazil. Four protein families were mainly represented in processed spots, namely metalloproteinase, serine proteinase, phospholipase A(2) and lectin. Other represented families were growth factors, the developmental protein G10, a disintegrin and putative novel bradykinin-potentiating peptides. The enzymes were present in several isoforms. Most of the experimental data agreed with predicted values for isoelectric point and M(r) of proteins found in the transcriptome of the venom gland. The results also support the existence of posttranslational modifications and of proteolytic processing of precursor molecules which could lead to diverse multifunctional proteins. This study provides a preliminary reference map for proteins and peptides present in Bothrops insularis whole venom establishing the basis for comparative studies of other venom proteomes which could help the search for new drugs and the improvement of venom therapeutics. Altogether, our data point to the influence of transcriptional and post-translational events on the final venom composition and stress the need for a multivariate approach to snake venomics studies. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An MPI implementation supported by process migration and load balancing

This report describes an implementation of MPI-1 on the GENESIS cluster operating system and compares this implementation to a UNIX based MPI implementation. The changes that were made to the implementation are compared between the two, and the advantages of porting to GENESIS are detailed. This report demonstrates how GENESIS load balancing supported by process migration improves the execution performance of an MPI application. The significance of this report is in demonstrating how these services can enhance parallel programming tools to improve performance and how future parallel programming tool design could take advantage of these services.

A technology of study applied in marketing education and supported by self-determination theory

The aim of this study is to assess whether universities are meeting the needs of marketing students in their specific university function of providing knowledge and knowledge processes. This viewpoint is not meant to overlook the university role as a civilizing agent in a constant search for truth (McKenna 2001), but the focus for this study (based as it is in a Faculty of Business and Law) is toward graduates entering the corporate world. Therefore, graduates with suitable discipline knowledge and reasoning skills, in this context, must be able to meet the needs of the corporate marketing sector. Extending this backward to the role of the university, this study is by default seeking to establish if universities are meeting the needs of the corporate sector. A comparison is made between marketing classes using a specific technology of study called an autarchic system, and those classes not using this method. As part of this analysis the study investigates the application of self-determination theory and psychological needs satisfaction. The basic needs scale, comprising of two constructs; Control and Caring was adapted and used to evaluate students' perception of subjects using autarchic study system and those not utilising this methodology.

A problem-based learning project supported by the internet

This case study looks at how bank sites with interactive calculators can be used to enhance directed investigations of students in a Mathematics Studies course. In the course of these investigations, students access simulated contexts which enabled them to have a feel of how they would spend money in the real world. This case study reveals the confidence of students in carrying out searches and transferring data, learning about bank calculators and their role in real life, how hidden costs are incorporated into loans and being able to validate what is presented in these calculators with their own calculations. This case study also highlights the perceptions of the teacher regarding this strategy in teaching this topic and the areas that need improvement. This paper analyses what has happened in the teaching and learning process and endeavours to shed some light into how the Internet can be used to promote a quality mathematics education.

Synthesis and characterisation of rare earth complexes supported by para-substituted Cinnamate Ligands

The preparations and characterisations of a range of lanthanoid 4-(R)-substituted (4-Rcinn, R = OH, OMe, NO2, Cl), known to have good anticorrosion properties, are reported. The crystal structure of [Ce(4-OHcinn)3(MeOH)2(H2O)]·MeOH is a polymer, in which the cerium atoms are nonacoordinate, and adjacent cerium atoms are bridged by either two bridging bidentate or two bridging tridentate carboxylate ligands. Each cerium atom also has one monodentate 4-hydroxycinnamate ligand, one aqua ligand, and two methanol ligands.

Energy drinks and alcohol: research supported by industry may be downplaying harms

Mixing alcohol with so called energy drinks has become popular, but with what risk? Peter Miller worries that research does not consider real world levels of consumption and that researchers’ conflicts of interest need to be declared in full.

On the dynamic behaviour of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically connected damper

This paper presents a consistent and concise analysis of the free and forced vibration of a mass supported by a parallel combination of a spring and an elastically supported damper (a Zener model). The results are presented in a compact form and the physical behaviour of the system is emphasised. This system is very similar to the conventional single-degree-of freedom system (sdof)-(Voigt model), but the dynamics can be quite different depending on the system parameters. The usefulness of the additional spring in series with the damper is investigated, and optimum damping values for the system subject to different types of excitation are determined and compared.There are three roots to the characteristic equation for the Zener model; two are complex conjugates and the third is purely real. It is shown that it is not possible to achieve critical damping of the complex roots unless the additional stiffness is at least eight times that of the main spring. For a harmonically excited system, there are some possible advantages in using the additional spring when the transmitted force to the base is of interest, but when the displacement response of the system is of interest then the benefits are marginal. It is shown that the additional spring affords no advantages when the system is excited by white noise. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bright solitons in coupled defocusing NLS equation supported by coupling: Application to Bose-Einstein condensation

We demonstrate the formation of bright solitons in coupled self-defocusing nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation supported by attractive coupling. As an application we use a time-dependent dynamical mean-field model to study the formation of stable bright solitons in two-component repulsive Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) supported by interspecies attraction in a quasi one-dimensional geometry. When all interactions are repulsive, there cannot be bright solitons. However, bright solitons can be formed in two-component repulsive BECs for a sufficiently attractive interspecies interaction, which induces an attractive effective interaction among bosons of same type. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Short comments on self-synchronization of two non-ideal sources supported by a flexible portal frame structure

A practical problem of synchronization of a non-ideal (i.e. when the excitation is influenced by the response of the system) and non-linear vibrating system was posed and investigated by means of numerical simulations. Two rotating unbalanced motors compose the mathematical model considered here with limited power supply mounted on the horizontal beam of a simple portal frame. As a starting point, the problem is reduced to a four-degrees-of-freedom model and its equations of motion, derived elsewhere via a Lagrangian approach, are presented. The numerical results show the expected phenomena associated with the passage through resonance with limited power. Further, for a two-to-one relationship between the frequencies associated with the first symmetric mode and the sway mode, by using the variation of torque constants, the control of the self-synchronization and synchronization (in the system) are observed at certain levels of excitations.

A new device in immediately loaded implant treatment in the edentulous mandible

Purpose: This article reports preliminary clinical results of the Speed Master system, a method for immediate loading of implants for the treatment of mandibular edentulism. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with edentulous mandibles were consecutively included in the study. Each received 4 implants between the mental foramina placed using the system's surgical guides. Permanent fixed prostheses fabricated over premanufactured titanium bars were attached to the implants on the day of implant placement. The patients were followed for 15 to 27 months (mean, 19 months). Peri-implant tissues were periodically evaluated. Marginal bone loss was monitored with periapical radiographs using a computerized technique. Satisfaction was assessed by means of a questionnaire. Results: The overall implant and prosthetic survival rates were 100%. At the time of the final follow-up visit, mean marginal bone loss was 1.11 mm, and bleeding on probing was not observed. Only 6.7% of the patients reported any discomfort during treatment, and all patients would recommend the procedure to others. Discussion: The immediate loading of implants placed in the edentulous mandible with the Speed Master surgical and prosthetic protocol reduces treatment time and number of surgical procedures in comparison to classic delayed loading protocols. Conclusion: The rehabilitation of the mandible with an immediately delivered occlusally loaded hybrid prosthesis supported by 4 implants does not appear to jeopardize the success of the osseointegration and represents a viable treatment option.

Rehabilitation with zygomatic implants: a treatment option for the atrophic edentulous maxilla--9-year follow-up.

This article reports the 9-year clinical outcome of the two-stage surgical rehabilitation of a severely atrophic edentulous maxilla with a metal-resin fixed denture supported by implants anchored in the zygomatic bone and the maxilla. After clinical and radiographic examination, zygomatic implants were inserted bilaterally and four standard implants were placed in the anterior region of the maxilla. Six months later, the implants were loaded with a provisional acrylic resin denture, and the definitive implant-supported metal-resin fixed denture was provided 1 year after implant placement. After 9 years of follow-up, no painful symptoms, peri-implant inflammation or infection, implant instability, or bone resorption was observed. In the present case, the rehabilitation of severe maxillary atrophy using the zygomatic bone as a site for implant anchorage provided good long-term functional and esthetic results. Therefore, with proper case selection, correct indication, and knowledge of the surgical technique, the use of zygomatic implants associated with standard implants offers advantages in the rehabilitation of severely resorbed maxillae, especially in areas with inadequate bone quality and volume, without needing an additional bone grafting surgery, thereby shortening or avoiding hospital stay and reducing surgical morbidity.