Radius Of Action Research Articles

Aerobic dive limits of seals with mutant myoglobin using combined thermochemical and physiological data

This paper presents an integrated model of convective O2-transport, aerobic dive limits (ADL), and thermochemical data for oxygen binding to mutant myoglobin (Mb), used to quantify the impact of mutations in Mb on the dive limits of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii). We find that wild-type Mb traits are only superior under specific behavioral and physiological conditions that critically prolong the ADL, action radius, and fitness of the seals. As an extreme example, the mutations in the conserved His-64 reduce ADL up to 14±2min for routine aerobic dives, whereas many other mutations are nearly neutral in terms of ADL and the inferred fitness. We also find that the cardiac system, the muscle O2-store, animal behavior (i.e. pre-dive ventilation), and the oxygen binding affinity of Mb, KO2, have co-evolved to optimize dive duration at routine aerobic diving conditions, suggesting that such conditions are mostly selected upon in seals. The model is capable of roughly quantifying the physiological impact of single-protein mutations and thus bridges an important gap between animal physiology and molecular (protein) evolution.

Multifunctional ZnPc-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enhancement of photodynamic therapy efficacy by endolysosomal escape

The cellular uptake and localization of photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles have significant impact on photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy due to short lifetime and limited action radius of singlet oxygen. Herein, we develop poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- and polyethylenimine (PEI)-functionalized zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), which are able to distribute in the cytosol by endolysosomal escape. In this photosensitizer-carrier system (PEG–PEI–MSNs/ZnPc), ZnPc is a PDT agent; MSNs are the nanocarrier for encapsulating ZnPc; PEI facilitates endosomal escape; and PEG enhances biocompatibility. The as-synthesized PEG–PEI–MSNs/ZnPc have a high escape efficiency from the lysosome to the cytosol due to the “proton sponge” effect of PEI. Compared with the ZnPc-loaded MSNs, the phototoxicity of the PEG–PEI–MSNs/ZnPc is greatly enhanced in vitro. By measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential, a significant loss of >80% Δψm after treatment with PEG–PEI–MSNs/ZnPc–PDT is observed. It is further demonstrated that the ultra-efficient passive tumor targeting and excellent PDT efficacy are achieved in tumor-bearing mice upon intravenous injection of PEG–PEI–MSNs/ZnPc and the followed light exposure. We present here a strategy for enhancement of PDT efficacy by endolysosomal escape and highlight the promise of using multifunctional MSNs for cancer therapy.

Evolution of sorted waste collection: a case study of Spanish cities

This work analyses how selective collection evolved over the period 1998-2007 in Spanish towns and cities with more than 50 000 inhabitants. To do so, both the legislation in force during the years included in the study and logistic factors, such as the radius of action of the pick-up points, were taken into account. Information about the towns and cities was obtained from a survey sent out in 1998 and 2007 to the councils of the municipalities included in the study. The results obtained in the two years show that the most widely implemented separate collection system in 1998 no longer existed in 2007 but, in order to comply with the law, had been transformed by adding new fractions, above all that of lightweight packaging. To determine whether the targets set by law as regards recovery and recycling were met in the two years, an efficiency indicator was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the collection systems. Results show how separation increased in the paper/board and glass fractions.

Digital Infrastructure and Physical Proximity

Some 2000 years ago, the average annual distance a person would normally travel, was approximately 500 km. The action radius of most people remained rather stable, but it rose gradually after the industrial revolution to some 1820 km (by car, bus, railway or aircraft) in the year 1960. Then, a period of rapid increase started, with almost 4390 km per year in 1990. Clearly, air transport, but also technological advances and changing lifestyles formed the background of this megatrend. Accessibility and proximity have become keywords in understanding the geographical pattern of the 'homo mobilis'. The question is if and how this pattern of physical movement will be affected by the digital revolution.

Analysis of an Electric Vehicle with a BLDC PM Motor in the Wheel Body

The paper deals with the conception of the test bed for the permanent magnet brushless DC motor (PM BLDC) with parameter verification. The tested motor is destined for installation in the wheel body. The test bed HW and SW equipment is described in the paper. This equipment enables the automated measuring of load-rise, temperature-rise, and retardation tests. The test's aim is to obtain attested specifications for a vehicle dimensioning methodology design based on the knowledge of its dynamic behaviour and the track grading, and eventually of its energy consumption, action radius, etc.

Digital Infrastructure and Physical Proximity

Some 2000 years ago, the average annual distance a person would normally travel, was approximately 500 km. The action radius of most people remained rather stable, but it rose gradually after the industrial revolution to some 1820 km (by car, bus, railway or aircraft) in the year 1960. Then, a period of rapid increase started, with almost 4390 km per year in 1990. Clearly, air transport, but also technological advances and changing lifestyles formed the background of this megatrend. Accessibility and proximity have become keywords in understanding the geographical pattern of the ‘homo mobilis’. The question is if and how this pattern of physical movement will be affected by the digital revolution.

Effect of spatial distance on search information correlation in complex systems

Spatial distance has a remarkable effect on the attended mode of a network embedded in a certain space. First, we investigate how spatial restriction leads to information-information correlation that is strong, linear and positive in real networks. We then construct a two-dimensional space, define the action radius R for nodes of networks, and propose a class of models that depend on spatial distance. Information correlation of the models is consistent with that of real networks. The spatial distance plays a leading role in generating assortative mixing by degree, while the generation of disassortative mixing relies on both the degree of preferential attachment and spatial restriction.

Enteric Commensal Bacteria Induce Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Pathway Signaling via Formyl Peptide Receptor-dependent Redox Modulation of Dual Specific Phosphatase 3

The normal microbial occupants of the mammalian intestine are crucial for maintaining gut homeostasis, yet the mechanisms by which intestinal cells perceive and respond to the microbiota are largely unknown. Intestinal epithelial contact with commensal bacteria and/or their products has been shown to activate noninflammatory signaling pathways, such as extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), thus influencing homeostatic processes. We previously demonstrated that commensal bacteria stimulate ERK pathway activity via interaction with formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). In the current study, we expand on these findings and show that commensal bacteria initiate ERK signaling through rapid FPR-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and subsequent modulation of MAP kinase phosphatase redox status. ROS generation induced by the commensal bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and the FPR peptide ligand, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, was abolished in the presence of selective inhibitors for G protein-coupled signaling and FPR ligand interaction. In addition, pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of ROS generation attenuated commensal bacteria-induced ERK signaling, indicating that ROS generation is required for ERK pathway activation. Bacterial colonization also led to oxidative inactivation of the redox-sensitive and ERK-specific phosphatase, DUSP3/VHR, and consequent stimulation of ERK pathway signaling. Together, these data demonstrate that commensal bacteria and their products activate ROS signaling in an FPR-dependent manner and define a mechanism by which cellular ROS influences the ERK pathway through a redox-sensitive regulatory circuit.

An improved Geneva mechanism for optimal kinematic performance

In this article, an alternative Geneva mechanism is presented and optimized. Unlike the original mechanism in which the driving pin operates at a fixed radius, the alternative mechanism benefits from a fixed groove cam which controls the radius of action of driving pin, resulting in continuous wheel acceleration and lower maximum velocity and acceleration. Apolynomial displacement function is adopted for the cam in the interval of engagement of driver and wheel. The problem of finding the coefficients of the polynomial is formulated as a constrained optimization problem in which the maximum acceleration of the Geneva wheel is to be minimized, while the motion of the pin is constrained to have zero velocity and zero acceleration at the beginning and end of the motion, respectively. Moreover, it is argued that since the objective function is highly sensitive to the variations of design variables, traditional search algorithms often fail to find its global optimum. To resolve this problem, a new hybrid genetic algorithm with a built-in adaptive local search is employed to find the coefficients of a polynomial that would define the optimal groove profile. The proposed approach is applied to the classical problems of designing a Geneva mechanism with four, five, and six grooves, and the results are compared with those obtained by other methods. The comparison shows that the proposed approach is capable of designing shock-free mechanisms with significantly reduced maximum angular velocity and acceleration of the Geneva wheel.

Rheology and vibration of fresh concrete: Predicting the radius of action of poker vibrators from wave propagation

The compaction of fresh concrete by an internal poker vibrator has been analysed using closed-form solutions for the propagation of the shear and compressive waveforms, assuming that concrete conforms to the Bingham model. In the inner liquefied zone around the vibrator the flow is due to shear whereas in the outer unsheared zone propagation is due to compressive waves. The analysis gives a method of predicting the radial position at which the flow changes, which coincides with the radius of action of the vibrator. Theory and experiment agree well and confirm that the peak velocity of the vibration governs its efficacy, with radius of action increasing with increasing velocity. The radius of action increases with decreasing yield stress and with increasing plastic viscosity. The work offers the potential to optimise the design and use of vibrators.

A process-based model for erosion of Macoma balthica-affected mud beds

Modeling the effect of biota on sediment dynamics is a difficult task. In this paper we re-analyze experimental results of Willows et al. (1998) on the effects of Macoma balthica on sediment erosion. A process-based framework is proposed, fully compatible with a physical description of erosion processes in case of no biogenic influences. The bed is represented by a fluff layer on top of a substrate. A characteristic feature of the framework is that the sediment is represented by a probability density distribution for the critical shear stress, allowing for Type I and Type II erosion. M. balthica increases the sediment mass in the fluff layer. This increase is determined by considering the action radius, the overlap of feeding areas, and the feeding rate per animal. The calibrated action radius and feeding rate were in the range as found in the literature. The distribution of sediment over the erodibility classes and the erosion rate parameter are hardly influenced at all. Due to overlapping feeding areas, the effect is non-linear with density of the animals. The model results are in close agreement with the measured results, suggesting that no further formulations of biological effects are needed to simulate the experiments of Willows et al. (1998). In nature, other effects like disrupting the biofilm by grazing can be of importance and should be included in a later stage. This study emphasizes the crucial role of sediment availability and the effect of biota on it. This aspect needs more attention in future experiments. The proposed model turned out to work well for the effects of M. balthica and offers opportunities to include other biogenic effects in a process-based way as well.

Secondary structure of globules of copolymers consisting of amphiphilic and hydrophilic units: Effect of potential range

The relation of the coil-globule transition in macromolecules consisting of amphiphilic and hydrophilic monomer units to the radius of action of the interaction potential is investigated by the method of computer-assisted experiments. The internal structure of globules formed by such macromolecules is significantly dependent on the radius of action of the potential. In the case of the long-range potential, the globule is characterized by the blob structure, while in the case of the short-range potential, a quasi-helical structure forms. In this structure, the skeleton of a macromolecule forms a helical turn, and the direction of twisting may vary from one turn to another. The coil-globule transition in such macromolecules proceeds through formation of the necklace conformation from quasi-helical micelle beads. For sufficiently long macromolecules, the dimensions of such globules are linearly dependent on the degree of polymerization.

PLANEJAMENTO TERRITORIAL: SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE E DA JUSTIÇA AMBIENTAL

The longstanding territorial urban planning is the focus of shares of public power. The Status of Cities, which regulates the articles of the constitution which deal with the federal urban policy, has been considered by some scholars, one of the biggest advances in terms of legal management and urban planning in Brazil. In its section I, The Status of cities poses as one of the instruments of territorial urban planning at the municipal level, the plan director. This, in turn, in legal terms, is to be a tool dedicated to the exclusive management of urban areas, in spite of its radius of action, in some municipalities, cover urban and non-urban - rural areas. At this point, is the question: Since this management tool incorporates the demands and environmental conflicts inherent in such private areas, not urban, but intrinsically inserted in the network configuration urban and who see suffering multiple and different pressures of the media, of the urban logic? Therefore, in this article, for it will work up to the subject, from a broader discussion about environmental injustice and inequality socio-spatial, focusing, gradually, on the issue of spatial inequalities within municipality in municipalities where verifies the existence of environmental conflicts from the rural-urban interface. In this context, the master plan is a management tool that has the potential to mediate the conflict mentioned.

Improved Models of Mini Anion Exchange Centrifugation Technique (mAECT) and Modified Single Centrifugation (MSC) for Sleeping Sickness Diagnosis and Staging

Improved Models of Mini Anion Exchange Centrifugation Technique (mAECT) and Modified Single Centrifugation (MSC) for Sleeping Sickness Diagnosis and Staging

An investigation of the flotation mechanism in the aerosol column flotation machine

It is shown that the induction time decreases as the temperature decreases if there is air bubble adhesion to hydrophobic and hydrophilic particles; if there isn’t, the time decreases where hydrophobic particles stick to one another and increases in the case of adhesion of hydrophilic particles. The established difference in the stability of wetting and symmetric films that depend on temperature can be explained by the fact that hydrophobic forces (involving those acting from a “hydrophobic” bubble) have a larger action radius of action than the forces of hydrophilicrepulsion. The revealed mechanisms allowed the development of a new flotation technique, namely, flotation with a steam-air mixture. The essence of this technique is that only a surface layer of the bubble, where the effect of structural forces is localized (rather than the entire slurry volume) is heated due to steam condensation. The efficiency of this technique is shown by the example of flotation concentration of minerals of different origins.

Multidimensional degradomics identifies systemic autoantigens and intracellular matrix proteins as novel gelatinase B/MMP-9 substrates

The action radius of matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs is not restricted to massive extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, it extends to the proteolysis of numerous secreted and membrane-bound proteins. Although many instances exist in which cells disintegrate, often in conjunction with induction of MMPs, the intracellular MMP substrate repertoire or degradome remains relatively unexplored. We started an unbiased exploration of the proteolytic modification of intracellular proteins by MMPs, using gelatinase B/MMP-9 as a model enzyme. To this end, multidimensional degradomics technology was developed by the integration of broadly available biotechniques. In this way, 100-200 MMP-9 candidate substrates were isolated, of which 69 were identified. Integration of these results with the known biological functions of the substrates revealed many novel MMP-9 substrates from the intracellular matrix (ICM), such as actin, tubulin, gelsolin, moesin, ezrin, Arp2/3 complex subunits, filamin B and stathmin. About 2/3 of the identified candidates were autoantigens described in multiple autoimmune conditions and in cancer (e.g. annexin I, nucleolin, citrate synthase, HMGB1, alpha-enolase, histidyl-tRNA synthetase, HSP27, HSC70, HSP90, snRNP D3). These findings led to the insight that MMPs and other proteases may have novel (immuno)regulatory properties by the clearance of toxic and immunogenic burdens of abundant ICM proteins released after extensive necrosis. In line with the extracellular processing of organ-specific autoantigens, proteolysis might also assist in the generation of immunodominant 'neo-epitopes' from systemic autoantigens. The study of proteolysis of ICM molecules, autoantigens, alarmins and other crucial intracellular molecules may result in the discovery of novel roles for proteolytic modification.

The famous son of Ukrainian people V.I. Voznyuk who has provided launch of all ballistic missiles of the cosmodrome Kapustin Yar

The history of the life of V.I. Voznyuk is a history of the phenomenon of the Soviet rocket progress when the engineers with experience of launch of military rocket of small radius of action were testing the ballistic missiles. The remarkable and little-known destiny of Voznuk is the history of the Soviet rocket technology experts who had a severe practical schooling of command by the military forces of the first combat missiles “Katucha” during the grim military years (including the grandiose fight in Stalingrad) and then they have continued to launch the ballistic missiles. V.I. Voznyuk worked as the chief of the first Soviet cosmodrome Kapustin Yar for almost 30 years—since the most difficult moment of its organization. He organized a launch of the first Soviet ballistic missiles R-1, R-2, R-5M of S. Korolev. This report is about the outstanding achievement of the organizing ability of V.I. Voznyuk—about the launch of a missile with a nuclear warhead in 1956. V.I. Voznyuk closes a unique chain in the world of outstanding figures of space-rocket technology who were born or lived in Ukraine from designers of missile up to the organizers of its manufacture and now up to the organizers of the tests of rockets—J. Aizenberg, V. Budnik, O. Baclanov, V. Dogujiev, M. Galasj, N. Gerasuta, V. Gluschko, B. Gubanov, A. Gudimenko, I. Ivanov, G. Kesunjko, B. Konoplev, S. Korolev, V. Kovtunenko, V. Kukuschkin, O. Makarov, A. Nedaivoda, M. Reshetniyov, Yu. Semenov, V. Sergeev, Yu. Smetanin, V. Tchelomey, D. Torchiy, V. Utkin and M. Yangel.

The Biochemical, Biological, and Pathological Kaleidoscope of Cell Surface Substrates Processed by Matrix Metalloproteinases

ABSTRACTMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute a family of more than 20 endopeptidases. Identification of specific matrix and non-matrix components as MMP substrates showed that, aside from their initial role as extracellular matrix modifiers, MMPs play significant roles in highly complex processes such as the regulation of cell behavior, cell-cell communication, and tumor progression. Thanks to the comprehensive examination of the expanded MMP action radius, the initial view of proteases acting in the soluble phase has evolved into a kaleidoscope of proteolytic reactions connected to the cell surface. Important classes of cell surface molecules include adhesion molecules, mediators of apoptosis, receptors, chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, proteases, intercellular junction proteins, and structural molecules. Proteolysis of cell surface proteins by MMPs may have extremely diverse biological implications, ranging from maturation and activation, to inactivation or degradation of substrates. In this way, modification of membrane-associated proteins by MMPs is crucial for communication between cells and the extracellular milieu, and determines cell fate and the integrity of tissues. Hence, insights into the processing of cell surface proteins by MMPs and the concomitant effects on physiological processes as well as on disease onset and evolution, leads the way to innovative therapeutic approaches for cancer, as well as degenerative and inflammatory diseases.

Walking with continuous positive airway pressure: Fig. 1—

A ventilator-dependent child had been in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) ever since birth. As a result, she had fallen behind considerably in her development. After 18 months, continuous positive airway pressure was successfully administered via a tracheostomy tube with a novel lightweight device. This enabled her to walk in the PICU. With this device, the child was discharged home where she could walk with an action range of 10 m. Subsequently, her psychomotor development improved remarkably. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient, adult or paediatric, who could actually walk with a sufficient radius of action while receiving long-term respiratory support.

Sustainability in a networked urban world: An approach for dealing with the space – time redistribution of environmental costs and economic benefits

Advances in transport and communication systems have markedly changed the character of activities and their spatio-temporal organisation, enabling many new combinations of activities, places and times (Moss & Townsend, 2000). At the same time, triggered by numerous economic, cultural and social developments (Musterd & Van Zelm, 2001) that have offered expanded opportunities but also new constraints, the heterogeneity in household types and lifestyles has increased. As a result, activity and travel patterns have diversified in a temporal as well as a spatial sense. As a result of these developments, the potential for planning on the basis of proximity is being increasingly challenged (Graham & Healey, 1999; Hajer & Zonneveld, 2000). That is to say, traditional planning instruments such as zoning and land-use plans seem to be incapable of containing individuals’ increased action radius and, in addition, largely fail in addressing the growing connectivity between areas. These traditional planning instruments concentrate too much on prescribed jurisdictional boundaries, whereas the daily activities and trips of individuals are increasingly spread out over different jurisdictions (such as municipalities), reducing the effectiveness of these instruments as a result. Furthermore, the object of traditional planning instruments is usually the nighttime residential population of an area. Selectively in space and time, however, visitor populations (commuters, shoppers, people in recreation, for example) and how they use places may be more indicative of the quality of life or sustainability of a place than the more static residential population.