Cooperative Coefficient Research Articles

Effect of κ-carrageenan on volume phase transition for polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel using the fluorescence technique

Steady-state fluorescence (SSF) technique was employed for studying swelling of polyacrylamide (PAAm) gels with various content of κ-carrageenan (κC). Disc shaped composite hydrogels were prepared by free-radical crosslinking copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) with various amounts κC. N,N′-methylenebis (acrylamide) (BIS) and ammonium persulfate (APS) were used as crosslinker and initiator, respectively. Pyranine was introduced as a fluorescence probe. Fluorescence intensity of pyranine was monitored during in situ swelling processes of composite gels. It was observed that fluorescence intensity values decreased as swelling is proceeded. Li–Tanaka equation was used to determine the swelling time constants, τ and cooperative diffusion coefficients, D from intensity variations during the swelling processes. It was shown that swelling time constants, τ decreased and diffusion coefficients, D increased as the κC content in the composites are increased.

Transmembrane Halogen-Bonding Cascades

Halogen bonds have recently been introduced as ideal to transport anions across lipid bilayer membranes. However, activities obtained with small transporters were not impressive, and cyclic arrays of strong halogen-bond donors above a calix[4]arene scaffold gave even weaker activities. Here, we report that their linear alignment for anion hopping along transmembrane rigid-rod scaffolds gives excellent activities with an unprecedented cooperativity coefficient m = 3.37.

Stress Relaxation Near the Tip of a Stationary Mode I Crack in a Poroelastic Solid

We study the short time transient stress and pore pressure fields near the tip of a stationary crack when a sudden load is applied to a poroelastic solid. These fields are determined using a small scale “yielding” (SSY) analysis where the stress relaxation due to fluid flow is confined to a small region near the crack tip. They are found to exhibit the usual inverse square root singularity characteristic of cracks in linear elastic solids. Analysis shows that these fields are self-similar; the region of stress relaxation that propagates outward from the crack tip is proportional to Dct, where Dc is the cooperative diffusion coefficient and t is time. The pore pressure at the crack tip vanishes immediately after loading. The stress intensity factor at the crack tip is found to be reduced by a factor of 1/[2(1-v)], where v is the Poisson's ratio of the drained solid. Closed form approximations are found for the pore pressure and the trace of the effective stress. These approximate analytical solutions compare well with finite element results.

IL4 and CD40L Prevent Apoptosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells Via Intracellular pSTAT6 and NFkB Signaling and Not Via Receptor Kinetics

Abstract 3893Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells are highly dependent on microenvironmental input for their extended survival in vivo, but the underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. Compared to non-malignant B-cells, CLL cells are more responsive to contact dependent complex stimuli like coculture on bone marrow derived stromal cell lines of both human (p<0.0001) and murine origin (p<0.01), but also to soluble factors (human conditioned medium p<0.0001, murine conditioned medium p<0.001, all student′s t-test). In order to understand the intrinsic difference of the anti-apoptotic phenotype of CLL cells, the signalling circuitry of the malignant cells was modelled. Compared to candidate ligands like SDF-1 (at concentrations between 10–1000ng/ml), BAFF (250–1000ng/ml), APRIL (250–1000ng/ml) and soluble anti-IgM (1–25μg/ml), the factors CD40L (10–2000ng/ml) and IL4 (0.1–10ng/ml) were the most efficient ligands in rescuing CLL cells from spontaneous death in vitro. The dose response of IL4 and CD40L displayed different saturation and cooperativity between CLL cells and non-malignant B-cells. Using IL4, saturation was reached both for CLL cells and B-cells at 0.2pM, but at 52% survival (+/− 8%) for CLL cells and 28% (+/−7%) for B-cells, and the estimated dissociation constant Kd was 0.01pM for both ligands. For CD40L, CLL cell survival reached saturation at 40nM, while no saturation was reached for B-cells. Intriguingly, B-cells showed cooperativity in their response to CD40L, with a cooperativity coefficient of 2.0 and a Kd of 70pM, while cooperativity for CD40L was lost in CLL cells (Kd of only 2.6pM). This pointed towards distinct differences in ligand-receptor interactions or in downstream signaling between CLL cells and non-malignant B-cells. However, high-throughput spatial analysis with a microscope-coupled cytometer did not show differences of receptor quantity or receptor distribution between malignant and non-malignant cells. In contrast, quantity and phosphorylation levels of downstream signalling nodes like STAT6 (measured by flow cytometry and validated by Western-blot) and the activity of NF-kB (p65 binding to DNA measured by oligonucleotide-coupled ELISA) were higher in CLL cells compared to B-cells from healthy donors. Therefore, the defect in IL4 and CD40L signalling that leads to an enhanced survival in CLL cells is likely caused by changes in the intracellular circuitry. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Neutrophil dynamics after chemotherapy and G-CSF: The role of pharmacokinetics in shaping the response

Chemotherapy has profound effects on the hematopoietic system, most notably leading to neutropenia. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is often used to deal with this neutropenia, but the response is highly variable. In this paper we examine the role of pharmacokinetics and delivery protocols in shaping the neutrophil responses to chemotherapy and G-CSF. Neutrophil responses to different protocols of chemotherapy administration with varying dosages, infusion times, and schedules are studied through a mathematical model. We find that a single dose of chemotherapy produces a damped oscillation in neutrophil levels, and short-term applications of chemotherapy can induce permanent oscillations in neutrophil level if there is a bistability in the system. In addition, we confirm previous findings [Zhuge et al., J. Theor. Biol., 293(2012), 111–120] that when periodic chemotherapy is given, there is a significant period of delivery that induces resonance in the system and exacerbates the corresponding neutropenia. The width of this resonant period peak increases with the recovery rate after a single chemotherapy, which is given by the real part of the dominant eigenvalue pair at the steady state, and both are determined by a single cooperativity coefficient in the feedback function for the neutrophils. Our numerical studies show that the neutropenia caused by chemotherapy can be overcome if G-CSF is given early after chemotherapy but can actually be worsened if G-CSF is given later, consistent with results reported in Zhuge et al. (2012). The nadir in neutrophil level is found to be more sensitive to the dosage of chemotherapy than that of the G-CSF. Furthermore, dependence of our results with changes in key pharmacokinetic parameters as well as initial functions are studied. Thus, this study illuminates the potential for destructive resonance leading to neutropenia in response to periodic chemotherapy, and explores and explains why the timing of G-CSF is so crucial for successful reversal of chemotherapy induced neutropenia.

Multiple layer design for mass data transmission against channel congestion in IoT

SUMMARYInternet of Things (IoT) is well studied from many aspects; however, data transmission in a large‐scale constructed IoT network is still an open topic. In this paper, the problems of channel congestion caused by mass data transmission are discussed respectively from different perspectives. Then, a multiple layer solution is proposed, pointing to each layer including data processing architecture, data dimension reduction, data abandon protocol, and spectrum sharing. In the architecture layer, a combined scheme with cloud computing and sea computing is introduced. Context awareness and granular computing is exploited to implement the data dimension reduction. And cognitive protocol is involved with type of service, which drops certain data to guarantee the entire network connectivity. Then, a principal–agent theory based two‐step game model is proposed with the consideration of cooperation and price coefficient, which affect the secondary user's choice and primary user's profit. Some incomplete information is assumed as random variables so that certainty equivalent is introduced in the model. A simple scenario shows how the data dimension reduction works and how simulations for data abandon protocol and spectrum sharing test the two parts, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A Two-Stage Model for Lipid Modulation of the Activity of Integral Membrane Proteins

Lipid-protein interactions play an essential role in the regulation of biological function of integral membrane proteins; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we explore the modulation by phospholipids of the enzymatic activity of the plasma membrane calcium pump reconstituted in detergent-phospholipid mixed micelles of variable composition. The presence of increasing quantities of phospholipids in the micelles produced a cooperative increase in the ATPase activity of the enzyme. This activation effect was reversible and depended on the phospholipid/detergent ratio and not on the total lipid concentration. Enzyme activation was accompanied by a small structural change at the transmembrane domain reported by 1-aniline-8-naphtalenesulfonate fluorescence. In addition, the composition of the amphipilic environment sensed by the protein was evaluated by measuring the relative affinity of the assayed phospholipid for the transmembrane surface of the protein. The obtained results allow us to postulate a two-stage mechanistic model explaining the modulation of protein activity based on the exchange among non-structural amphiphiles at the hydrophobic transmembrane surface, and a lipid-induced conformational change. The model allowed to obtain a cooperativity coefficient reporting on the efficiency of the transduction step between lipid adsorption and catalytic site activation. This model can be easily applied to other phospholipid/detergent mixtures as well to other membrane proteins. The systematic quantitative evaluation of these systems could contribute to gain insight into the structure-activity relationships between proteins and lipids in biological membranes.

Characteristics of a Novel Acinetobacter sp. and Its Kinetics in Hexavalent Chromium Bioreduction

Cr-B2, a Gram-negative hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] reducing bacteria, was isolated from the aerator water of an activated sludge process in the wastewater treatment facility of a dye and pigment based chemical industry. Cr- B2 exhibited a resistance for 1,100 mg/l Cr(VI) and, similarly, resistance against other heavy metal ions such as Ni2+ (800 mg/l), Cu2+ (600 mg/l), Pb2+ (1,100 mg/l), Cd2+ (350 mg/l), Zn2+ (700 mg/l), and Fe3+ (1,000 mg/l), and against selected antibiotics. Cr-B2 was observed to efficiently reduce 200 mg/l Cr(VI) completely in both nutrient and LB media, and could convert Cr(VI) to Cr(III) aerobically. Cr(VI) reduction kinetics followed allosteric enzyme kinetics. The Km values were found to be 43.11 mg/l for nutrient media and 38.05 mg/l for LB media. Vmax values of 13.17 mg/l/h and 12.53 mg/l/h were obtained for nutrient media and LB media, respectively, and the cooperativity coefficients (n) were found to be 8.47 and 3.49, respectively, indicating positive cooperativity in both cases. SEM analysis showed the formation of wrinkles and depressions in the cells when exposed to an 800 mg/l Cr(VI) concentration. The organism was seen to exhibit pleomorphic behavior. Cr-B2 was identified on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing chracterizations and found to be Acinetobacter sp.

Expression, Purification, and Reconstitution of a Diatom Silicon Transporter

The synthesis and manipulation of silicon materials on the nanoscale are core themes in nanotechnology research. Inspiration is increasingly being taken from the natural world because the biological mineralization of silicon results in precisely controlled, complex silica structures with dimensions from the millimeter to the nanometer. One fascinating example of silicon biomineralization occurs in the diatoms, unicellular algae that sheath themselves in an ornate silica-based cell wall. To harvest silicon from the environment, diatoms have developed a unique family of integral membrane proteins that bind to a soluble form of silica, silicic acid, and transport it across the cell membrane to the cell interior. These are the first proteins shown to directly interact with silicon, but the current understanding of these specific silicon transport proteins is limited by the lack of in vitro studies of structure and function. We report here the recombinant expression, purification, and reconstitution of a silicon transporter from the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. After using GFP fusions to optimize expression and purification protocols, a His(10)-tagged construct was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, solubilized in the detergent Fos-choline-12, and purified by affinity chromatography. Size-exclusion chromatography and particle sizing by dynamic light scattering showed that the protein was purified as a homotetramer, although nonspecific oligomerization occurred at high protein concentrations. Circular dichroism measurements confirmed sequence-based predictions that silicon transporters are α-helical membrane proteins. Silicic acid transport could be established in reconstituted proteoliposomes, and silicon uptake was found to be dependent upon an applied sodium gradient. Transport data across different substrate concentrations were best fit to the sigmoidal Hill equation, with a K(0.5) of 19.4 ± 1.3 μM and a cooperativity coefficient of 1.6. Sodium binding was noncooperative with a K(m)(app) of 1.7 ± 1.0 mM, suggesting a transport silicic acid:Na(+) stoichiometry of 2:1. These results provide the basis for a full understanding of both silicon transport in the diatom and protein-silicon interactions in general.

Monitoring of dynamical processes in PAAm–MWNTs composites by fluorescence method

Polyacrylamide (PAAm)–multi walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites were prepared by free radical cross-linking copolymerization in water. Ammonium persulfate and N,N’-methylenebis (acrylamide) (BIS) were used as a free radical initiator and a crosslinker, respectively. The drying and swelling processes of disc shaped PAAm–MWNT composites were monitored by the steady-state fluorescence technique at various temperatures. Disc shaped composite gels were prepared with pyranine (P) doped as a fluorescence probe. Scattered, I sc, and emission light, I em, intensities were monitored during drying and swelling of these gels. Since the decrease and increase in I sc corresponds to the decrease and increase in turbidity of the drying and swelling hydrogel, respectively, the corrected fluorescence intensity, I was introduced to analyse the drying and swelling processes. The Stern-Volmer equation combined with moving boundary and Li–Tanaka models were used to explain the behavior of I during drying and swelling processes, respectively. Results indicated that the desorption coefficient, D d decreased by increasing MWNT content, until 1 weight percentage of MWNT is reached and then increased above 1 wt% MWNT for a given temperature during drying. However, cooperative diffusion coefficient, D s behaved opposite to D d during swelling at a given temperature. Supporting gravimetric and volumetric experiments were also carried out during drying and swelling of PAAm–MWNT composite gels.

PAAm-Kappa Carrageenan Composites: Drying and Swelling with Various Kappa Carrageenan Contents

The purpose of this study is to discuss the role of kappa-carrageenan (κ-car) in the drying and swelling of polyacrylamide (PAAm)–κ-car composite. The fluorescence intensity of pyranine increased and decreased as drying and swelling time were increased respectively for all samples. The desorption coefficient, Dd, decreased as κ-car contents were increased for a given temperature during drying. However, cooperative diffusion coefficient, Ds, increased as κ-car contents were increased during swelling at a given temperature.

Effect of LCST on the swelling of PAAm-NIPA copolymers: a fluorescence study

Temperature sensitive copolymers were prepared by free radical crosslinking copolymerization in aqueous solution with different molar percentage of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and acrylamide (AAm) monomers. N,N′-methylenebis (acrylamide) (BIS) and ammonium persulfate (APS) were used as a crosslinker and an initiator, respectively. The steady-state fluorescence (SSF) technique was used to determine the low critical phase transition temperature (LCST) for PAAm-NIPA copolymers. Swelling experiments were performed in water at various temperatures by real time monitoring of pyranine (Py) fluorescence intensity, I which decreased as swelling proceeded. The Stern–Volmer equation is modified for low quenching efficiencies to interpret the behavior of pyranine intensity during the swelling of PAAm-NIPA copolymers. The Li–Tanaka equation was used to determine the swelling time constants, τ 1 and the cooperative diffusion coefficients, D 0 from fluorescence intensity, weight and volume variations of the copolymers at various temperatures. It was observed that τ 1 first increased up to LCST, and then decreased; naturally D 0 decreased up to LCST and then increased upon increasing temperature. It was understood that (LCST) increases as PAAm contents increase in the PAAm-NIPA copolymers.

Temperature effect on the swelling of PAAm‐κ‐carrageenan composites

AbstractThe steady‐state fluorescence (SSF) technique was used for studying swelling of disc‐shaped polyacrylamide (PAAm)‐κ‐carrageenan (κC) composites which were prepared by free‐radical crosslinking copolymerization at 80°C. Pyranine was introduced as a fluorescence probe during polymerization. Swelling experiments were performed in water at various temperatures by real‐time monitoring of the pyranine (Py) fluorescence intensity, I which decreased as swelling proceeded. Stern–Volmer equation is modified for low quenching efficiencies to interpret the behavior of Py intensity during the swelling of PAAm‐κC composites. The Li‐Tanaka equation was used to determine the swelling time constants, τ1, and cooperative diffusion coefficients, D0, from fluorescence intensity, weight, and volume variations of the composites at various temperatures. It was observed that τ1 first decreased up to 40°C and then increased; naturally, D0 increased up to 40°C and then decrease for all κC content gels. Swelling activation energies, ΔE, were measured for the swelling composites, which are found to be exothermic and endothermic in between 30–40 and 40–60°C, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Simple Method for Preparing Poly(ethylene glycol)-Surface-Conjugated Liposome-Encapsulated Hemoglobins: Physicochemical Properties, Long-Term Storage Stability, and Their Reactions with O2, CO, and NO

During the last few decades, liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH) dispersions have been investigated for use as red blood cell (RBC) substitutes. However, the process for formulating LEHs is cumbersome, and the composition of the lipid mixture is often complex. This work investigates a simple approach to formulating LEHs from a simple lipid mixture composed of high-phase-transition lipid distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cholesterol. To improve the circulation half-life and colloidal state of LEHs, the surfaces of unmodified LEHs were conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-LEHs). The results of this work show that PEG-LEH dispersions exhibited average diameters ranging from 166 to 195 nm that were colloidally stable for 4 to 5 months, hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations ranging from 9.6 to 14 g/dL, methemoglobin levels of less than 1%, oxygen affinities (i.e., P(50) values) ranging from 20 to 23 mm Hg, and cooperativity coefficients ranging from 1.4 to 2.2. The reactions of PEG-LEHs with physiologically important ligands, such as oxygen (O(2)), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitric oxide (NO), were also measured. It was observed that PEG-LEHs and RBCs exhibited retarded gaseous ligand binding/release kinetics compared to that of acellular Hb's. This result provides important insight into the pivotal role that the intracellular diffusion barrier plays in the transport of gases into and out of these structures. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the PEG-LEH dispersions prepared in this study show good potential as an RBC substitute.

Swelling Kinetics of PAAm–κ-Carrageenan Composites: A Fluorescence Technique

The steady-state fluorescence (SSF) technique was introduced for studying swelling of disc-shaped polyacrylamide (PAAm) gels containing various amount of κ−carrageenan (κC). They were prepared by free-radical cross-linking copolymerization. N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) and ammonium persulfate (APS) were added as a cross-linker and an initiator, respectively. Composite gels were prepared at 80°C with pyranine as a fluorescence probe. After drying of these gels, swelling kinetics were performed in water at 60°C by real-time monitoring of the pyranine fluorescence intensity, I, which decreased as swelling proceeded. The Li–Tanaka equation was used to determine the swelling time constants, τ 1, and cooperative diffusion coefficients, D 0, from fluorescence intensity, weight, and volume variations of the gels during the swelling processes in all cases. It was observed that τ 1 decreased and D 0 increased as the κC concentrations in the composites were increased indicating that high κC gels swell faster than low κC gels.

Studies on drying and swelling of PAAm-NIPA composites in various compositions

The steady-state fluorescence technique was introduced for studying the drying and swelling of disc-shaped PAAm-NIPA composites. Disc-shaped gels were formed with various acrylamides (AAm) and N-isopropylacrylamides (NIPA) by free radical crosslinking copolymerization in water. Composites were prepared with pyranine (Py) doped as a fluorescence probe. Scattered light, Isc, and fluorescence intensities, I, were monitored during drying of these gels. The fluorescence intensity of pyranine increased and decreased as drying and swelling time increased respectively for all samples. The Stern-Volmer equation combined with moving boundary and Li-Tanaka models were used to explain the behavior of I during drying and swelling, respectively. It was found that the desorption coefficient, D, increased as NIPA contents were increased for a given temperature during drying. However, the cooperative diffusion coefficient, D0, increased as NIPA contents were decreased during swelling at a given temperature. Supporting gravimetrical and volumetric experiments were also carried out during drying and swelling of PAAm-NIPA composites. It was observed that NIPA contents affect the drying and swelling process. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Population inversion and low cooperative upconversion in Er-doped silicon-rich silicon nitride waveguide

Single-mode, strip-loaded silicon-rich silicon nitride (SRSN) waveguide with 11 at.% excess Si and 1.7×10(20) cm(-3) Er was fabricated and characterized. By using a 350 nm thick SRSN:Er core layer and a 850 nm wide SiO2 strip, a high core-mode overlap of 0.85 and low transmission loss of 2.9 dB/cm is achieved. Population inversion of 0.73-0.75, close to the theoretical maximum, is estimated to have been achieved via 1480 nm resonant pumping, indicating that nearly all doped Er in SRSN are optically active. Analysis of the pump power dependence of Er3+ luminescence intensity and lifetime indicate that the Er cooperative upconversion coefficient in SRSN:Er is as low as 2.1×10(-18) cm3/sec.

A fluorescence correlation spectroscopy study of macromolecular tracer diffusion in polymersolutions

We discuss the manner in which the dynamics of tracer polystyrene chains varies with theconcentration of matrix polystyrene chains dissolved in toluene. Using fluorescencecorrelation spectroscopy and theory, it is shown that the cooperative diffusion coefficient ofthe matrix polystyrene chains can be measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy inthe semidilute entangled concentration regime. In addition the self-diffusion coefficient ofthe tracer polystyrene chains can be detected for arbitrary concentrations. The measuredcooperative diffusion coefficient is independent of the molecular weight of the tracerpolystyrene chains because it is a characteristic feature of the transient entanglementnetwork.

Probing Nanoparticle−Protein Interaction by Capillary Electrophoresis

Understanding nanoparticle-protein interaction could help in promoting applications of nanoparticles in the biomedical fields and reducing/preventing possible adverse effects to the biological systems caused by nanoparticles. Quantitative measurement of the biophysical parameters of nanoparticle-protein interaction will improve such understanding, which could be conveniently performed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) as demonstrated in the present study. Two interaction situations were identified. Stable nanoparticle-protein complexes were resolved from the free nanoparticles and the proteins by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Transient complexes with fast association/dissociation rates showed distinct mobility change from the free nanoparticles in affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE). Interactions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (average diameters of 8 and 10 nm) and with the Au nanoparticles (average diameters of 5 and 10 nm) displayed slow and fast binding kinetics, respectively. Using the Hill equation, we could calculate the dissociation constants (K(D)) and cooperativity coefficients (n). Impacts on nanoparticle-protein interaction from the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles and the incubation buffer were evaluated on the basis of the K(D) and n values to interpret the interaction driving forces. Our study demonstrated the high simplicity and flexibility of CE in probing the interaction of proteins with diverse particles. The separation power of CE should also facilitate studies of the multicomponent interaction systems for investigating how adsorption onto nanoparticles could affect the protein-protein or protein-small molecule interactions.

Cooperative Subcarrier Allocation for an OFDM Relaying System with Grouped Users

In this article, the problem of downlink subcarrier allocation in a cooperative wireless multiuser OFDM system is investigated. We consider a single-cell where all the users are paired in cooperative groups. The mobile users in each group amplify and forward their partner's data stream using a time division protocol. Based on the capacity contribution from the relaying terminal, a new parameter called cooperation coefficient is introduced as a function of the relaying subchannel. This parameter is used to modify the objective parameter of the subcarrier allocation procedure. Fairness-oriented and throughput-oriented algorithms are selected from the literature to test the proposed technique. Both algorithms are modified to employ the mean of cooperation coefficient in the objective parameter of the subcarrier allocation procedure and shown to have a better total throughput without any sacrifice. Using the mean of cooperation coefficient eliminates the need for the feedback of the relaying channel to the base station. It is shown that by using the mean value of the cooperation coefficient, instead of its instantaneous value, throughput of the system would still improve compared to the non-cooperative case. Using the mean of cooperation coefficient leads to an implementable cooperative subcarrier allocation algorithm.