Novel Method For Selection Research Articles

Multi-criteria Approach for Selection of Green and Grey Infrastructure to Reduce Flood Risk and Increase CO-benefits

Continuous changes in climate conditions combined with urban population growth pose cities as one of the most vulnerable areas to increasing flood risk. In such an atmosphere of growing uncertainty, a more effective flood risk management is becoming crucial. Nevertheless, decision-making and selection of adequate systems is a difficult task due to complex interactions between natural, social and built environments. The combination of green (or sustainable) and grey (or traditional) options has been proposed as a way forward to ensure resilience in advance of extreme events, and at the same time to obtain co-benefits for society and the environment. The present paper describes a novel method for selection of urban flood measures, based on a multi-criteria analysis that includes flood risk reduction, cost minimization and enhancement of co-benefits. The aim of this method is to assist decision makers in selecting and planning measures, which afterwards can be part of either high level scoping analysis or more complex studies, such as model based assessment. The proposed method is implemented within a tool which operates as a standalone application. Through this tool, the method has been applied in three study cases. The findings obtained indicate promising potential of the method here introduced.

Novel Method for Selection of Drive Motor in Paperboard Forming Press Utilizing Multi-dynamics Model Based on Material Thickness

Applying an understanding of the material thickness properties of paperboard to a multibody dynamics analysis makes it is possible to simplify the machine construction and prototype phase of a paperboard forming press. The method involves integrating an empirical multi-dynamics simulation model using commercially available software to save time in design. This work concentrates on effect of thickness in pressing force of 4 different SBS-coated paperboards. Required pressing force is measured utilizing a linear servo driven press and the data is plotted into into Matlab as polynomial surface function and is then utilized in multi-dynamics program Adams by Simulink-interface. The obtained results are then compared with actual experimental data from prototype crank-rod operated press construction. The presented semi-empirical practical method with light computation time can be utilized for various fibre materials and pressing techniques to streamline the overall design phase.

Rate-distortion-optimized multi-view streaming in wireless environment using network coding

Multi-view video streaming is an emerging video paradigm that enables new interactive services, such as 3D video, free viewpoint television, and immersive teleconferencing. Because of the high bandwidth cost they come with, multi-view streaming applications can greatly benefit from the use of network coding, in particular in transmission scenarios such as wireless network, where the channels have limited capacity and are affected by losses. In this paper, we address the topic of cooperative streaming of multi-view video content, wherein users who recently acquired the content can contribute parts of it to their neighbors by providing linear combinations of the video packets. We propose a novel method for selection and network encoding of the transmitted frames based on the users’ preferences for the different views and the rate-distortion properties of the stream. Using network coding enables the users to retrieve the content in a faster and more reliable manner and without the need for coordination among the senders. Our experimental results prove that our preference-based approach provides a high-quality decoding even when the uplink capacity of each node is only a small fraction of the rate of the stream.

Generation of recombinant Orfvirus using an enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter gene as a selectable marker

BackgroundReporter genes are often used as a selectable marker for generation of recombinant viruses in order to investigate the mechanism of pathogenesis and to obtain candidate vaccine viruses. Routine selection of the recombinant parapoxvirus is time-consuming and labor intensive. Therefore, developing a novel method for selection is critical.ResultsIn this study, we developed a rapid method to generate recombinant Orf viruses (ORFV) based on the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene as a selectable marker. The coding sequence of EGFP gene was amplified from pEGFP-N1 vector and subcloned into the pZIPPY-neo/gus plasmid under the control of the early-late vaccinia virus (VACV) VV7.5 promoter and flanked by two multiple cloning sites (MCS) to generate a novel transfer vector pSPV-EGFP. Using the pSPV-EGFP, two recombination cassettes pSPV-113LF-EGFP-113RF and pSPV-116LF-EGFP-116RF were constructed by cloning the flanking regions of the ORFV113 and ORFV116 and inserted into two MCS flanking the EGFP gene. Using this novel system, two single gene deletion mutants OV-IA82Δ113 and OV-IA82Δ116 were successfully generated.ConclusionsThis approach shortens the time needed to generate recombinant ORFVs (rORFVs). Thus, the pSPV-EGFP vector provides a direct, fast, and convenient way to manipulate the recombinant viruses, indicating that it is highly suited for its designed purpose.

Novel Method for Selection of Regularization Parameter in the Near-field Acoustic Holography

Because of the ill-posedness of the near-field acoustic holography(NAH),the regularization method is required to stabilize the computational process of NAH.The regularization effect is related to how to select the parameter correctly and effectively.However the L-curve method commonly used for the selection of regularization parameters has the disadvantages of wrong selection and incorrect selection,which influences the application of NAH.For the purpose of solving the problems existed in the L-curve method,the (?)-curve method is introduced into the field of NAH,and the performance applied to NAH directly is analyzed on the basis of equivalent source method-based NAH.However,it is found out via investigations that the(?)-curve method in NAH also has the problem of wrong selection and is unable to choose the regularization parameter correctly.In order to select the parameter correctly and effectively,a novel method for selecting regularization parameters is proposed based on the original(?)-curve method,which can be called improved (?)-curve method.In the proposed method the regularization parameters are discretized linearly between the largest singular value and the smallest singular value,and the solution norm and the residual norm corresponding to these regularization parameters are also described in a linear coordinate instead of in a lg-lg coordinate,which are the two main differences compared with the L-curve and with the original(?)-curve method.In linear coordinate and using the linearly discretized regularization parameters,the solution norm is a monotonically decreasing function of the residual norm as the increase of the regularization parameter,moreover the curve is convex everywhere.So the regularization parameters can be selected correctly and effectively based on the improved(?)-curve method.Then a numerical simulation is done with a simply supported plate to verify the validity of the proposed method.Experiments with two actual sources,a clamped plate and the double speakers,are carried out to do a further demonstration.The simulation result as well as the experimental result shows that the improved(?)-curve method is efficacious and has some advantages over the L-curve method and the original(?)-curve method.The proposed novel method is able to avoid the problem of wrong selection and to select the regularization parameter correctly even if the curve is smooth.

A novel method for the optimal band selection for vibration signal demodulation and comparison with the Kurtogram

The narrowband amplitude demodulation of a vibration signal enables the extraction of components carrying information about rotating machine faults. However, the quality of the demodulated signal depends on the frequency band selected for the demodulation. The spectral kurtosis (SK) was proved to be a very efficient method for detection of such faults, including defective rolling element bearings and gears [1]. Although there are conditions, under which SK yields valid results, there are also cases, when it fails, e.g. in the presence of a relatively strong, non-Gaussian noise containing high peaks or for a relatively high repetition rate of fault impulses. In this paper, a novel method for selection of the optimal frequency band, which attempts to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, is presented. Subsequently, a new tool for presentation of results of the method, called the Protrugram, is proposed. The method is based on the kurtosis of the envelope spectrum amplitudes of the demodulated signal, rather than on the kurtosis of the filtered time signal. The advantage of the method is the ability to detect transients with smaller signal-to-noise ratio comparing to the SK-based Fast Kurtogram. The application of the proposed method is validated on simulated and real data, including a test rig, a simulated signal, and a jet engine vibration signal.

Enrichment of xenograft-competent genetically modified pig cells using a targeted toxin, isolectin BS-I-B4 conjugate

The recent availability of alpha-1,3-galatosyltransferase knockout pigs has eliminated anti-Gal antibodies to the galalpha1-3gal (alphagal epitope) as the major barrier to xenotransplantation. These alphagal epitope-negative animals can also be produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer of cells overexpressing endo-beta-galactosidase (EndoGalC), an enzyme capable of digesting the alphagal epitope. For this, selection of cells with highly reduced synthesis of alphagal epitope is a prerequisite. In this study, we developed a novel method of selection using isolectin BS-I-B(4)-conjugated saporin (IB4-SAP), a targeted cytotoxin, that is specific for the terminal alphagal epitope. A mixture of alphagal epitope-expressing and non-expressing pig cells was obtained by transfection with an EndoGalC expression vector. These cells were incubated with a solution containing IB4-SAP for 2 h at 37 degrees C, and subsequently cultivated for over 2 months under general conditions. Almost all (98%) of surviving cells were completely negative for expression of alphagal epitope, as confirmed by cytochemical staining using fluorescence-labeled IB4. FACS analysis also confirmed that the IB4-SAP-treated cells exhibited a staining pattern similar to that of the IB4-negative human cells. Extended cultivation (more than 6 months) of these IB4-SAP-treated cells did not alter the above staining pattern. RT-PCR analysis revealed the presence of EndoGalC mRNA in these cells. This IB4-SAP-mediated method of selection of alphagal epitope-negative cells will provide an alternative to the present method of cytotoxicity-based selection using specific antibody and complement.

Novel method for selection of antimicrobial peptides from a phage display library by use of bacterial magnetic particles.

Antimicrobial peptides were isolated from a phage display peptide library using bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) as a solid support. The BacMPs obtained from "Magnetospirillum magneticum" strain AMB-1 consist of pure magnetite (50 to 100 nm in size) and are covered with a lipid bilayer membrane derived from the invagination of the inner membrane. BacMPs are easily purified from a culture of magnetotactic bacteria by magnetic separation. Approximately 4 x 10(10) PFU of the library phage (complexity, 2.7 x 10(9)) was reacted with BacMPs. The elution of bound phages from BacMPs was performed by disrupting its membrane with phospholipase D treatment. Six candidate peptides, which were highly cationic and could bind onto the BacMP membrane, were obtained. They exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis but not against Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The amino acid substitution of the selected peptide, KPQQHNRPLRHK (peptide 6-7), to enhance the hydrophobicity resulted in obvious antimicrobial activity against all test microorganisms. The present study shows for the first time that a magnetic selection of antimicrobial peptides from the phage display peptide library was successfully achieved by targeting the actual bacterial inner membrane. This BacMP-based method could be a promising approach for a high-throughput screening of antimicrobial peptides targeting a wide range of species.

Profiling pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression levels as a novel method for selection of increased innate immune responsiveness

Previous studies using F1 reciprocal crosses and two parental lines of broilers show the sire is instrumental in determining the in vitro leukocyte function and cytokine/chemokine profile. Since the innate immune response is the primary means young chickens have to protect themselves, we hypothesize utilizing a novel genomics approach to select sires based on an elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine profile. By identifying sires with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β and IL-6) and chemokine (CXCLi2 and CCLi2) mRNA expression levels, we expect the progeny will also have elevated profiles. We characterized the pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine profile of 119 sires using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and identified two populations with inherently high and low mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, CXCLi2, and CCLi2. Select high and low sires were then used to produce progeny for the second phase of the trial. Blood samples were collected from 214 progeny and the cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression levels determined. Progeny from high sires had significantly ( P ≤ 0.02) higher cytokine (IL-1β and IL-6) and chemokine (CXCLi2 and CCLi2) mRNA expression levels compared to progeny from low sires. We have identified a broiler population of sires with higher and lower than average pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression levels and used them to produce progeny with similar profiles.

Novel method for selection of tRNA-driven ribozymes with enhanced stability in mammalian cells.

Intracellular stability is a critical determinant of the activity of a ribozyme in vivo. In previous studies, we succeeded in constructing an effective system for the expression of ribozymes using the promoter of a human gene for tRNA(Val). The resultant tRNA(Val)-driven ribozymes (tRNA-ribozymes) had a half-life of approximately 100 minutes. In the present study, we established a novel system for the selection of tRNA-ribozymes that were more stable than a previously generated optimally designed tRNA-ribozyme, and we confirmed that the newly selected tRNA-ribozymes worked well. Selective pressure was applied by treating cells that expressed tRNA-ribozymes with actinomycin D, and the system yielded tRNA-ribozymes with enhanced stability. The sequences isolated after selection exhibited some similarities. Furthermore, some selected tRNA-ribozymes had almost the same activity as or higher activity than that of the optimally designed tRNA-ribozyme despite the fact that the selective pressure was not aimed at enhancing the cleavage activity. Our approach might be very useful for selection not only of ribozymes with enhanced stability but also of other functional nucleic acids in vivo.

A novel method for selection of chymotrypsin inhibitors from a phage peptide library.

A novel screening strategy has been developed for the identification of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitors from a phage peptide library. In this strategy, the standard affinity selection protocol was modified by adding a proteolytic cleavage period to avoid recovery of alpha-chymotrypsin substrates. After four cycles of selection and further activity assay, a group of related peptides were identified by DNA sequencing. These peptides share a consensus sequence motif as (S/T)RVPR(R/H). Then, a corresponding short peptide (Ac-ASRVPRRG-NH2) was synthesized chemically and proved to be an inhibitor of alpha-chymotrypsin. The present work provides a useful way for searching proteinase inhibitors without detailed knowledge of the molecular structure.

Immunophenotypic differences between normal glia, astrocytomas and malignant gliomas: correlations with karyotype, natural history and survival

The karyotypic and antigenic phenotypes of early passage normal and malignant glial cultures were correlated in vitro. Astrocytomas (4) were distinguished from the normal glia (8) by a mixed near-diploid karyotype and anchorage-independent growth. Malignant gliomas (41) demonstrated cytogenetic abnormalities ranging from mixed normal G- and Q-banded and near-diploid culture, through mixed near-diploid/hyperdiploid to predominantly hyperdiploid stem-lines. This correlated with the differential expression of certain antigens and established qualitative antigenic differences from normal glia.Associations were found between histopathologic grade of glial neoplasm and the expression of antigens 5.1H11 ( p = 0.0002), CNT/11 ( p = 0.001), CNT/10 ( p = 0.004), CAT301 ( p = 0.014), M111 ( p = 0.024), and L101 ( p = 0.044). An ominous association was demonstrated between the duration of clinical survival and the expression of antigens 5.1H11 ( p = 0.0007), CNT/10 ( p = 0.027) and B2.6 ( p = 0.038). Correcting for diagnosis and age, multivariate analysis demonstrated that HLA-DR ( p = 0.050) and 5.1H11 ( p = 0.069) were unfavorably correlated with patient survival. This suggests the application of the in vitro immunophenotype for its predictive utility, as well as a novel method of selection of tumor-associated antigens for monoclonal antibody-mediated immunotherapy.

A novel method for selection of invasive tumor cells: derivation and characterization of highly metastatic K1735 melanoma cell lines based on in vitro and in vivo invasive capacity.

Tumor cell invasion of basement membranes is required at several steps in the process of metastasis. To study the genetic and biochemical events mediating invasion, a variant cell line (TK) was selected from the metastatic M2 K1735 murine melanoma cell line. A novel selection procedure was used, based on in vitro and in vivo invasion and growth upon basement membrane and stroma. Additionally, two extrapulmonary metastases of the TK cell line, TK-Eve and TK-Liver, were established as cell lines and characterized. The TK cell line demonstrates greater metastatic potential in vivo and invasive ability in vitro than the parent M2 cell line, confirming the validity of the selection procedure. In addition, the M2 and TK cell lines were examined for other cell functions involved in the metastatic process. Cellular growth rates and sensitivity to T lymphocyte and natural killer cell lysis were not determining factors in the metastatic potentials of the M2 and selected cell lines; possible macrophage contribution to metastatic behavior was noted. [35S]methionine pulse labeling of protein synthesis and karyotypic analysis confirm the close relationship of parental and selected cell lines.