Breaking biological symmetry in membrane proteins: The asymmetrical orientation of PsaC on the pseudo-C2 symmetric Photosystem I core

The elucidation of assembly pathways of multi-subunit membrane proteins is of growing interest in structural biology. In this study, we provide an analysis of the assembly of the asymmetrically oriented PsaC subunit on the pseudo C₂-symmetric Photosystem I core. Based on a comparison of the differences in the NMR solution structure of unbound PsaC with that of the X-ray crystal structure of bound PsaC, and on a detailed analysis of the PsaC binding site surrounding the F_X iron-sulfur cluster, two models can be envisioned for what are likely the last steps in the assembly of Photosystem I. Here, we dissect both models and attempt to address heretofore unrecognized issues by proposing a mechanism that includes a thermodynamic perspective. Experimental strategies to verify the models are proposed. In closing, the evolutionary aspects of the assembly process will be considered, with special reference to the structural arrangement of the PsaC binding surface. Received 22 October 2008; received after revision 17 November 2008; accepted 05 December 2008     

Coral reef tanaidacean assemblages along the SW and SE Gulf of Mexico: biodiversity,geographic distribution and community structure

The biodiversity, geographic distribution, and community parameters of the benthic tanaidaceans associated with three coral reefs along the SW and SE Gulf of Mexico were analysed. A total of 15,525 specimens were grouped in 36 species. The highest value of abundance was found in the PNSAV with 6382 tanaidaceans. The PNSAV presented 30 species, the ANPT-L 16 species, and the SABS 17 species. The species with the widest distribution were Pseudonototanais sp., Condrochelia dubia, Leptochelia forresti, Synapseudes sp., Haplopolemius propinquus, Alloleptochelia longimana, and Paradoxapseudes bermudeus. In the Veracruz System Reef, the highest abundance was recorded for Condrochelia dubia and Pseudonototanais sp. The highest value of diversity was obtained in the SABS (3.08 bits/ind in the reef Bajo Diez), and the lowest value was found in the PNSAV (0.07 bits/ind in the reef Isla de Enmedio). The highest value of abundance was found in coral rubble and macroalgae. A significant relationship between depth and specific richness was found in the three reef systems. Using cluster analysis, three groups were found in each system, mainly related to the proximity to the coast and to urban areas. This is one of the first studies to show the specific substrate and attributes of three communities of tanaidaceans along the SE–SW coast of the Gulf of Mexico.     

多元统计分析在河流污染状况综合评价中的应用

以湟水流域为例 ,针对流域内具有代表性的断面 ,运用因子分析方法和聚类分析方法就各断面水质污染程度和污染相似性进行定量化的综合评价 ,并以判别分析方法对相关结果加以校验 ,为河流治污工作的开展提供一定的科学依据 .     

基于重复博弈的集群企业间社会关系构建分析

针对我国外生模式及混合内生模式集群中核心企业与依附企业间的主从支配关系,将核心企业与依附企业间的社会关系收益进行量化,讨论了核心企业与依附企业间的社会关系构建及维持的影响因素及内在机制.研究表明,核心企业与依附企业间的社会关系构建与维持取决于核心企业对双方社会关系价值的预期以及依附企业的市场价格;核心企业依据依附企业的市场价格来分割双方的社会关系收益;而依附企业可以通过提高自身的价值,获取更高的社会关系收益分割值,缔结和维持有利于自身和集群成长的社会关系.     

Dark matter,the Equivalence Principle and modified gravity

Dark matter (DM) is an essential ingredient of the present Standard Cosmological Model, according to which only 5% of the mass/energy content of our universe is made of ordinary matter. In recent times, it has been argued that certain cases of gravitational lensing represent a new type of evidence for the existence of DM. In a recent paper, Peter Kosso attempts to substantiate that claim. His argument is that, although in such cases DM is only detected by its gravitational effects, gravitational lensing is a direct consequence of Einstein's Equivalence Principle (EEP) and therefore the complete gravitational theory is not needed in order to derive such lensing effects. In this paper I critically examine Kosso's argument: I confront the notion of empirical evidence involved in the discussion and argue that EEP does not have enough power by itself to sustain the claim that gravitational lensing in the Bullet Cluster constitutes evidence for the DM Hypothesis. As a consequence of this, it is necessary to examine the details of alternative theories of gravity to decide whether certain empirical situations are indeed evidence for the existence of DM. It may well be correct that gravitational lensing does constitute evidence for the DM Hypothesis—at present it is controversial whether the proposed modifications of gravitation all need DM to account for the phenomenon of gravitational lensing and if so, of which kind—but this will not be a direct consequence of EEP.     

一种基于聚类分析的数值积分新算法

通过聚类分析找出一般数值求积公式的被积函数出现数值信息波动较大的区域,自适应地采用相应的高精度公式,构造出高精度的自适应数值求积公式.数值试验结果表明,这种新数值求积算法较一般数值求积公式,能显著地减少数据存储量和计算量,提高数值求积公式的稳定性和数值积分的精度.     

一种面向混合数据的自反馈模糊聚类分析算法

利用动态自反馈理论改造模糊聚类过程,分析入侵数据类型及其在入侵中所起的作用,提出一种面向混合数据的自反馈模糊聚类分析算法,并用算法对KDD99数据集进行对比测试.测试结果显示,本方法能够有效提高入侵检测引擎的检测率,降低其误报率,增强计算机系统抵御入侵及自身免疫能力.     

经济欠发达地区产业集群作用机理研究——以河南省为例

研究提出了经济欠发达地区产业集群作用机理,以较低的经济成本启动或推动当地工业化进程,并通过集群效应,加速资本积累,提升地区核心竞争力,安排更多的劳动力从传统农业转向现代工业生产领域,逐步完成社会结构由农业社会向工业社会的重大历史性转变.     

一种基于免疫抗体聚类算法的复杂函数寻优

通过在克隆选择过程中引入抗体聚类机制,提出了一种用于复杂多模函数优化的新算法.通过聚类将抗体群分成多个子种群来实现其克隆选择策略,加速克隆扩增,从而提高抗体成熟力及亲和性.采用了混合超变异算子,使其能快速获取全局及局部最优.实验仿真结果表明:该算法对复杂函数寻优的过程是相当有效的,具备良好的全局和局部收敛可靠性.     

跨国公司在华投资新战略

根据中国政府的新战略、新政策,结合在华投资的经验教训,跨国公司纷纷调整发展战略,积极参与在华投资竞争,将新的竞争意识和企业家精神注入到我国的经营环境中,为我国带来了资金、技术、先进的管理方法、营销理念和技巧,同时,对促进中国的经济改革与经济增长做出了重大贡献。