| 1. |
- Martinez-Fleites, Carlos, et al.
(författare)
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Crystal structures of Clostridium thermocellum xyloglucanase, XGH74A, reveal the structural basis for xyloglucan recognition and degradation
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 281:34, s. 24922-24933
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The enzymatic degradation of the plant cell wall is central both to the natural carbon cycle and, increasingly, to environmentally friendly routes to biomass conversion, including the production of biofuels. The plant cell wall is a complex composite of cellulose microfibrils embedded in diverse polysaccharides collectively termed hemicelluloses. Xyloglucan is one such polysaccharide whose hydrolysis is catalyzed by diverse xyloglucanases. Here we present the structure of the Clostridium thermocellum xyloglucanase Xgh74A in both apo and ligand-complexed forms. The structures, in combination with mutagenesis data on the catalytic residues and the kinetics and specificity of xyloglucan hydrolysis reveal a complex subsite specificity accommodating seventeen monosaccharide moieties of the multibranched substrate in an open substrate binding terrain.
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| 2. |
- Alastrue, V, et al.
(författare)
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Anisotropic micro-sphere-based finite elasticity applied to blood vessel modelling
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-4782 .- 0022-5096. ; 57:1, s. 178-203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A fully three-dimensional anisotropic elastic model for vascular tissue modelling is here presented. The underlying strain energy density function is assumed to additively decouple into volumetric and deviatoric contributions. A straightforward isotropic neo-Hooke-type law is used to model the deviatoric response of the ground substance, whereas a micro-structurally or rather micro-sphere-based approach will be employed to model the contribution and distribution of fibres within the biological tissue of interest. Anisotropy was introduced by means of the use of von Mises orientation distribution functions. Two different micro-mechanical approaches -- a, say phenomenological, exponential ansatz and a worm-like-chain-based formulation -- are applied to the micro-fibres and illustratively compared. The passage from micro-structural contributions to the macroscopic response is obtained by a computational homogenisation scheme, namely numerical integration over the surface of the individual micro-spheres. The algorithmic treatment of this integration is discussed in detail for the anisotropic problem at hand, so that several cubatures of the micro-sphere are tested in order to optimise the accuracy at reasonable computational cost. Moreover, the introduced material parameters are identified from simple tension tests on human coronary arterial tissue for the two micro-mechanical models investigated. Both approaches are able to recapture the experimental data. Based on the identified sets of parameters, we first discuss a homogeneous deformation in simple shear to evaluate the models' response at the micro-structural level. Later on, an artery-like two-layered tube subjected to internal pressure is simulated by making use of a non-linear finite element setting. This enables to obtain the micro- and macroscopic responses in an inhomogeneous deformation problem, namely a blood-vessel-representative boundary value problem. The effect of residual stresses is additionally included in the model by means of a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor which turns out to crucially affect the simulation results.
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| 3. |
- Alastrue, V., et al.
(författare)
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On the use of non-linear transformations for the evaluation of anisotropic rotationally symmetric directional integrals. Application to the stress analysis in fibred soft tissues
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering. - : Wiley. - 1097-0207 .- 0029-5981. ; 79:4, s. 474-504
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microsphere-based constitutive models are a helpful tool in the modelling of materials with a microstructure composed of contributing elements directionally arranged. This is the case, for instance, for fibred soft tissues. In these models, the macroscopic mechanical behaviour is obtained from the integration of the micro-structural contribution of each component (e.g. each fibre) over the surface of an underlying microsphere, which allows incorporating the mechanical features of the micro-constituents to the macroscopic response. The combination of this sort of models and the associated numerical techniques constitutes a powerful modelling tool for which an efficient integration scheme is required. In this regard, the unit sphere discretizations proposed by Bazant and Oh (ZAMM-J Appl Math Mech Z Angew Math Mech 1986; 66(1):37-49) have been used for the integration of the microscopic contributions in isotropic materials. Nevertheless, the inclusion of anisotropy has important implications with regard to the integration scheme, since very fine discretizations are needed to perform the integration accurately, causing the integration process to be very costly. In addition, the storage of internal variables at each integration direction of every integration point is required for constitutive models based on the use of internal variables at the micro-structural level, which renders this approach rather complex and memory demanding. In order to reduce the number of necessary integration directions, several non-linear transformations for the integration of rotationally symmetric functions over the Surface of the unit sphere are here presented. Their accuracy in the integration of the von Mises orientation distribution function is evaluated. Furthermore, a hyperelastic microsphere-based constitutive law for the modelling of soft biological tissues is used in order to check the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed transformations within a Finite Element context in inhomogeneous deformation problems. Simulation results show the suitability of the proposed methodology in order to accurately approximate the Value of the integrals within reasonable computational costs. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 4. |
- de Vera, Jean Paul, et al.
(författare)
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EUROX (Europa Explorer): An astrobiology mission concept to the Jovian icy moon Europa.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Abstracts. ; 10, EGU2008-A-01483, 2008
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The discovery of so-called extremophiles indicates how robust life is. That microbial life can resist extreme and harsh environmental conditions as e.g. very high and cold temperatures, desiccation, acidity, salinity and wide ranges of radiation spectra including UV and X-rays, suggests that micro organisms are capable of surviving and maintaining essential living functions, or often thriving, in conditions previously thought impossible. Recently it seems that only liquid water and an energy source are the core prerequisites for the development of life, greatly expanding the range of potential habitats for life both on Earth and in the solar system. In light of these discoveries, the definition of the “Habitable Zone” as the region where liquid water can exist at a planetary surface may need revision. Energy in the form of heat may be found on several volcanic worlds in our solar system, and subsurface liquid water may exist there, too. One likely candidate for such a reserve of water is the jovian icy moon Europa. Imaged by the Voyager and Galileo probes, this icy body appears to have a geologically young outer surface. Spectroscopic studies from Earth have confirmed that the European crust is composed of water ice. Long cracks across its surface may be suggestive of huge ice blocks rafting upon an underlying liquid layer. Darker non ice material also covers much of the surface and is spatially associated with the cracks. Recent modeling suggests that tidal forces imparted upon the moon by Jupiter may cause heating in the depth – raising the possibility of a liquid water ocean beneath Europa’s icy crust. Further on it is supposed that a weak induced magnetic field is present on the moon. This classifies Europa as an object of great scientific interest, warranting investigation for habitability and even the presence of life within the supposed ocean of the moon. The Europa Explorer (EUROX) mission complements other proposed missions to study Europa. EUROX will characterize the habitability potential of Europa, with the aim of understanding whether life could exist there or not. The mission will address the following key questions: (i) existence or non- existence of a liquid ocean beneath the surface, (ii) the nature of the non icy material visible upon the surface cracks, (iii) the physical characteristics of the ice crust, (iv) effects by local radiation on the surface chemistry, (v) the depth of radiation penetration in the ice and probably shielding effects by a magnetic field and (vi) the presence of organic compounds on or in the Europan ice crust. Our proposed mission will operate as a fully European and further on international mission, with the aim of providing the initial information required for later, larger missions to visit Europa. EUROX will involve both remote-sensing and in-situ research. Its mission architecture sees a single space craft deployed to Europa, launched by an Ariane 5. This vehicle will use conventional propulsion and a Venus-Earth-Earth flight path to travel to the jovian system in six years. Upon arrival at Europa, the space craft will commence remote observations of the icy moon, to determine the physical nature of the ice crust, and to investigate the presence of a subsurface liquid ocean. The orbiter will carry two independent vehicles (two penetrators) that will then separate, de-orbit, and penetrate the crust nearby or in the cracks to a depth of several meters. A suite of compact instruments will address the physical and chemical properties of the crust, as well as seeking organic compounds and pre-biotic material in the ice. The use of a laser communication system removes the need for a relay spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter, decreasing overall mission cost. Expected orbiter mission duration is on the order of two months, with each penetrator functioning for approximately 24 hours.
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| 5. |
- Pras, A., et al.
(författare)
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Key research challenges in network management
- 2007
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Ingår i: IEEE Communications Magazine. - 0163-6804 .- 1558-1896. ; 45:10, s. 104-110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although network management has always played a key role for industry, it only recently received a similar level of attention from many research communities, accelerated by funding opportunities from new initiatives, including the FP7 Program in Europe and GENI/FIND in the United States. Work is ongoing to assess the state of the art and identify the challenges for future research in the field, and this article contributes to this discussion. It presents major findings from a two-day workshop organized jointly by the IRTF/NMRG and the EMANICS Network of Excellence, at which researchers, operators, vendors, and technology developers discussed the research directions to be pursued over the next five years. The workshop identified several topic areas, including management architectures, distributed real-time monitoring, data analysis and visualization, ontologies, economic aspects of management, uncertainty and probabilistic approaches, as well as understanding the behavior of managed systems.
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| 6. |
- Martinez, Alejandra, et al.
(författare)
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Sequence analysis, cloning and over-expression of an endoxylanase from the alkaliphilic Bacillus halodurans
- 2005
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Ingår i: Biotechnology Letters. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-6776 .- 0141-5492. ; 27:8, s. 545-550
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The BhMIR32 xyn11A gene, encoding an extracellular endoxylanase of potential interest in bio-bleaching applications, was amplified from Bacillus halodurans MIR32 genomic DNA. The protein encoded is an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase belonging to family 11 of glycosyl hydrolases. Its nucleotide sequence was analysed and the mature peptide was subcloned into pET22b(+) expression vector. The enzyme was over-expressed in a high density Escherichia coli culture as a soluble and active protein, and purified in a single step by immobilised metal ion affinity chromatography with a specific activity of 3073 IU mg(-1).
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| 7. |
- Martínez-Vázquez, M., et al.
(författare)
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Terminal Antennas in ACE2
- 2008
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Ingår i: Radioengineering. ; 17, s. 8-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 8. |
- Nyberg, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Leaching and Drying of Neem Flakes (Azadirachta indica) to Obtain a Botanical Insecticide
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nexo. - Managua, Nicaragua : National University of Engineering (UNI). - 1818-6742. ; 21:2, s. 54-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this work is to experimentally study the feasibility of improving the processing of neem flakes in columns by performing the leaching of insecticide without intermediate removal of the non-polar solvent and by performing simultaneously both leaching steps. The drying of the solvents remaining in the neem flakes is also experimentally studied. The parameters chosen to be studied in the leaching part of this work is leaching time, thickness of the flakes, volume ratio of solvents, and total volume of solvents. They were all shown to have a great influence on the yield of insecticide components, but the influence of solvent ratio was the most important one. It was shown that more methanol than hexane had to be used to obtain a large yield of insecticide compounds. The yield of oil was mainly influenced of the flake thickness. In the drying part obvious conclusions are difficult to make. What can be said is that the temperature of the incoming airflow has influence on the process. Conclusions about the drying time or the drying rate are not possible to make from the results of the experiments. The variations in drying time are too large and the drying rate seems to be independent of the conditions of the previous leaching step.
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| 9. |
- Toriz Gonzalez, Guillermo, 1968, et al.
(författare)
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Highly hydrophobic surfaces prepared by atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharges
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology. - 0169-4243 .- 1568-5616. ; 22:16, s. 2059-2078
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatments of wood were done to attain water repellency on wood surfaces. A specially designed frequency controlled parallel-plate DBD reactor was utilized to produce the discharges. Ethylene, methane, chlorotrifluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene were used as DBD reagents. Contact angle, water absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements on the modified surfaces were performed. For methane and ethylene, XPS data showed an increased surface atomic concentration of carbon from 72.7% on untreated samples up to 80.7 and 96%, respectively, whereas nearly 50% fluorine concentration was observed with fluorinated reagents. The C-1s spectrum of hexafluoropropylene-DBD-treated wood sample showed that the CF3 group was introduced in a relative amount of 19%. AFM images showed distinct features for each of the DBD treatments, such as a deposit of a thin uniform film in the case of ethylene-DBD treatment, whereas the hexafluoropropylene-DBD treatment resulted in the nucleation of plasma-derived entities at the fiber surface and the subsequent growth of a film. Under optimized conditions the water contact angle was in the range of 139 degrees- 145 degrees. The combination of depositing a low surface energy polymer on an already rough surface gave the surface-treated wood a highly hydrophobic character.
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| 10. |
- Alonso-Fernandez, Fernando, et al.
(författare)
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Fusion of static image and dynamic information for signature verification
- 2009
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Ingår i: ICIP 2009. - Piscataway, N.J. : IEEE Press. - 9781424456543 ; , s. 2725-2728
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper evaluates the combination of static image (off-line) and dynamic information (on-line) for signature verification. Two off-line and two on-line recognition approaches exploiting information at the global and local levels are used. Experimental results are given using the BiosecurID database (130 signers, 3,640 signatures). Fusion experiments are done using a trained fusion approach based on linear logistic regression. It is shown experimentally that the local systems outperform the global ones, both in the on-line and in the off-line case. We also observe a considerable improvement when combining the two on-line systems, which is not the case with the off-line systems. The best performance is obtained when fusing all the systems together, which is specially evident for skilled forgeries when enough training data is available. ©2009 IEEE.
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