Group valued edge labellings λ of a Bratteli diagram B give rise to a skew-product Bratteli diagram B(λ) on which the group acts. The quotient by the group action of the associated dynamics can be a nontrivial extension of the dynamics of B. We exhibit a Bratteli diagram for this quotient and construct a morphism to B with unique path lifting property. This is shown to be an isomorphism for the...

The concept of self-protection, a capability of an organism to protect itself from exogenous attacks, is introduced into the design of artificial evolutionary systems as a possible method to create and maintain diversity in the population. Three different mechanisms of self-protection are considered and implemented on a cellular-automaton-based evolutionary system, the evoloop. Simulation resul...

This paper explores the concept of micro-architectural loops and discusses their impact on processor pipelines. In particular, we establish the relationship between loose loops and pipeline length and configuration, and show their impact on performance. We then evaluate the load resolution loop in detail and propose the distributed register algorithm (DRA) as a way of reducing this loop. It dec...

A conserved molecular machinery based on SNARE proteins catalyzes most, if not all, cellular membrane fusion events. A flurry of recent biophysical studies have established a detailed molecular picture of the core SNARE complex. Structural and biochemical analysis of the SNARE machinery is rapidly advancing our understanding of the specificity, regulation and protein catalysis of membrane fusion.

SNARE proteins are sufficient to fuse artificial membranes together. In the cell, vesicle transport may rely on fusion mediated by interaction between vesicle (v) and target (t) SNAREs, whereas the homotypic fusion of organelle biogenesis may be mediated by t-SNARE-t-SNARE interaction.

All membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells, except mitochondrial and homotypic endoplasmic reticulum fusion, is critically dependent upon evolutionarily conserved soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs) and Sec1/Muc18 (SM) proteins (1, 2). Similar to the cases for SNARE proteins, all SM-null mutants, from yeast to rat, exhibit a significant to complete loss ...

The effectiveness of the clip-and-snare method, which is a traction method used during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), has been reported previously [1,2]. In previous reports, an additional forceps was required to deliver the snare to an anchored clip. However, this delivery technique is difficult and risks gastric tissue injury, especially when lesions are located in the upper ...

VLDLs (very-low-density lipoproteins) are synthesized in the liver and play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Following their biogenesis in hepatic ER (endoplasmic reticulum), nascent VLDLs are exported to the Golgi which is a physiologically regulatable event. We have previously shown that a unique ER-derived vesicle, the VTV (VLDL-transport vesicle), mediates the targe...

SNARE [soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein receptor] proteins are essential for membrane fusion but their regulation is not yet fully understood. We have previously shown that the amino-terminal Longin domain of the v-SNARE TI-VAMP (tetanus neurotoxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein)/VAMP7 plays an inhibitory role in neurite outgrowth. The goal of ...

SNARE proteins promote membrane fusion by forming a four-stranded parallel helical bundle that brings the membranes into close proximity. Post-fusion, the complex is disassembled by an AAA+ ATPase called N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF). We present evidence that NSF uses a processive unwinding mechanism to disassemble SNARE proteins. Using a real-time disassembly assay based on fluoresce...