Diffusion of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored bovine prion protein (PrP) in supported lipid membranes studied by single-molecule and complementary ensemble methods

In this work cellular bovine prion protein (PrP^c) was incorporated in supported lipid membranes and its lateral diffusion was studied by single-dye tracking (SDT) and a complementary ensemble method, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). PrP^c was purified from calf brain with its native glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor and reconstituted into DMPC lipid vesicles. Homogeneous spreading on solid supports over macroscopic areas was confirmed with fluorescence microscopy. FRAP results demonstrated very high mobile fractions of up to 94%, confirming that most of the GPI-anchored PrP^c are freely diffusive in the fluid supported membrane matrix. Moreover, the lateral diffusivity of PrP^c significantly depends on the pH of the buffer, suggesting that the conformation of PrP^c and thus the frictional drag exerted to the protein molecule (and thus the effective hydrodynamic radius) is influenced by the effective net charge. To complement the ensemble results obtained by FRAP, the statistical variation of lateral diffusion coefficients of individual PrP^c molecules in the supported membranes were measured with SDT. Simulation-based statistical analysis indicated that in addition to the expected statistical scatter there is a significant spread of diffusion coefficients, while the average of the diffusion coefficients of individual proteins obtained by SDT is in excellent agreement with those measured by ensemble FRAP. In further experiments, PrP^c was laterally concentrated in the membrane by the application of tangential electric fields (membrane electrophoresis). However, the equilibrium concentration profile reached after 20 min was different from an exponential gradient. This finding suggests that PrP^c purified from bovine brain possesses non-uniform net charges. As the lateral diffusion coefficient of proteins in two-dimensional lipid membranes sensitively depends upon the frictional drag, the combination of SDT, ensemble FRAP, and membrane electrophoresis can be used as a powerful tool to gain insights into protein–protein binding and oligomer formation that would play a crucial role in infectious protein transmitted diseases such as BSE.     

Temperature-programmed synthesis of micron-sized multi-responsive microgels

A new synthetic protocol for the synthesis of large diameter (2.5 to 5 μm), temperature-, and pH-responsive microgels via aqueous surfactant-free radical precipitation copolymerization is presented. We have found that in this size range, which is not typically attainable using traditional dispersion polymerization approaches, excellent monodispersity and size control are achieved when the synthesis employs a programmed temperature ramp from 45 to 65 °C during the nucleation stage of the polymerization. A combined kinetic and thermodynamic hypothesis for large particle formation under these conditions is described. Particle sizes, volume phase transition temperatures, and pH responsivity were characterized by particle tracking and photon correlation spectroscopy to illustrate their similar behavior to particles made via more traditional routes. These particles have been enabling for various studies in our group where microscopic visualization of the particles is required.     

Redundant actuators to achieve minimal vibration trajectory tracking of flexible multibodies: Theory and application

We address the problem of inverse dynamics for flexible multibodies, which arises, in trajectory tracking control of flexible multibodies such as space manipulators and articulated flexible structures. Previous research has resolved this trajectory tracking problem by computing the system inputs for feedforward control of actuators at the joints. Recently, the use of distributed actuators like electro-strictive actuators in flexible structures has introduced a new dimension to this trajectory tracking problem. In this paper we optimally utilize such actuators to aid joint actuators for tracking control, and introduce a new inverse dynamics scheme for simultaneously (1) tracking a prescribed trajectory and (2) minimizing ensuing elastic deflections. We apply this scheme for trajectory tracking of a two-link two-joint planar manipulator with joint motors and distributed electro-strictive actuators. Experimental results are presented to contrast our new scheme with other existing methods.     

Pulsatile flows in a lateral aneurysm anchored on a stented and curved parent vessel

We present particle tracking velocimetry measurements and flow visualization of pulsatile flow fields in a stented cerebrovascular lateral aneurysm model with a wide ostium anchored on a curved parent vessel. Among the stent parameters, the blocking ratioC _α ranging from 0% to 75% was selected to study its effect on the changes of intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics for the reference of minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm treatment. The Womersley number was 3.9 and the mean, peak, and minimal Reynolds numbers based on the bulk average velocity and diameter of the parent vessel were 600, 850, and 300, respectively. The results are characterized in terms of velocity vector field, coded streak images, region averaged velocity, vorticity, and wall shear stress. A critical range ofC _α related to the inflow location as well as the shape and number of intra-aneurysmal vortices is identified. The intra-aneurysmal flow activity, vortex strength, and wall shear stress are found to decrease with increasingC _α. Among theC _α examined,C _α=75% is the most favorable in attenuating the risk of aneurysmal rupture and promoting intra-aneurysmal thrombus.     

组合导航系统多重衰减因子自适应估计算法比较研究

提出了多重衰减因子自适应估计卡尔曼滤波方法,用该方法对系统每个误差状态估计进行控制,提高滤波器的估计性能。仿真结果表明,新算法在系统噪声特性不准确的情况下,能够抑制卡尔曼滤波估计的发散,GPS/SINS组合导航精度比强跟踪滤波估计的精度高。这种算法推导形式简单,计算量小,适合在线运算。     

A microfluidic membrane chip for in situ fouling characterization

A new method for non-invasive in situ monitoring of a microfiltration process is described. In microfiltration systems, local information on the deposition characteristics can be used to determine the cake behavior during a filtration run. Typically, non-invasive methods of fouling study are restricted to specialized membranes, or require highly complex systems. This study employs the use of synthetic embedded channel membranes, with channels separated by a porous structure (active membrane). The characteristics of the active membrane have been analyzed. Deposition on the membrane surface can be observed and monitored optically across the width of the feed channel. This can be used to observe the liquid hydrodynamics in the channel as well as the local cake properties in time. In dead end filtration, it has been observed that with 6 μm particles, the cake initially deposits towards the end of the membrane. However, as filtration continues, the deposition changes with more local deposition towards the channel entrance, leading to a more homogeneous cake layer.     

红外凝视系统下的多规则航迹起始算法

针对传统航迹起始算法在红外凝视跟踪系统应用中存在的弊端,提出了一种适用于凝视跟踪系统的多规则快速航迹起始算法.该方法通过深入分析红外凝视系统中目标自身特点及其运动特性,给出了能够对低速甚至静止的大威胁概率目标和断续点迹目标进行威胁概率判断和航向方差判断的起始规则,实现了凝视系统下对大威胁概率目标和断续点迹目标航迹的快速...     

基于后验概率度量的粒子滤波跟踪算法研究

 针对遮挡、光照变化、尺度变化等复杂环境中的视觉跟踪问题,提出一种基于后验概率度量的粒子滤波跟踪算法。由于后验概率指标与Bhattacharyya系数指标相比具有更强的峰值特性,采用后验概率指标作为相似性度量函数,通过粒子的更新、推广、观测、估计等步骤实现跟踪算法。通过对实际视频图像序列进行目标跟踪实验,实验结果表明:传统算法只有约50%的图像能够实现尺度自适应,而本文算法采用传统算法25%的粒子就能够收敛逼近目标的真实轨迹,达到更强的抗遮挡能力,90%以上的图像序列都能够实现良好的尺度自适应效果。     

多模跟踪技术在轮式侦察车图像处理器的应用

为解决目标旋转形变、遮挡、光照变化等目标跟踪的难题,对粒子滤波和尺度不变特征变换（SIFT）算法进行了改进,结合两种算法提出了决策主导模式的多模跟踪技术。该技术采用粒子滤波预测目标位置进行粗定位,SIFT特征匹配进行精定位的方法,在解决上述难题上有很好的鲁棒性。将该技术应用于轮式侦察车图像处理器,并进行了各种实验验证,结果证明了提出算法的有效性。     

一类参数未知混沌系统的追踪控制与参数辨识

针对一类参数未知的混沌系统,提出一种追踪控制方法,基于Lyapunov稳定性理论,设计了追踪控制器和参数自适应控制律,实现了混沌系统的追踪控制和未知参数的辨识.以统一混沌系统为例进行了数值模拟,结果表明了该方法的有效性. 关键词： 混沌系统 追踪控制 参数辨识