Programming the Grid: Distributed Software Components, P2P and Grid Web Services for Scientific Applications

Computational Grids [17,25] have become an important asset in large-scale scientific and engineering research. By providing a set of services that allow a widely distributed collection of resources to be tied together into a relatively seamless computing framework, teams of researchers can collaborate to solve problems that they could not have attempted before. Unfortunately the task of building Grid applications remains extremely difficult because there are few tools available to support developers. To build reliable and re-usable Grid applications, programmers must be equipped with a programming framework that hides the details of most Grid services and allows the developer a consistent, non-complex model in which applications can be composed from well tested, reliable sub-units. This paper describes experiences with using a software component framework for building Grid applications. The framework, which is based on the DOE Common Component Architecture (CCA) [1,2,3,8], allows individual components to export function/service interfaces that can be remotely invoked by other components. The framework also provides a simple messaging/event system for asynchronous notification between application components. The paper also describes how the emerging Web-services [52] model fits with a component-oriented application design philosophy. To illustrate the connection between Web services and Grid application programming we describe a simple design pattern for application factory services which can be used to simplify the task of building reliable Grid programs. Finally we address several issues of Grid programming that better understood from the perspective of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems. In particular we describe how models for collaboration and resource sharing fit well with many Grid application scenarios.     

Green synthesis of naphthyl derivative as an optical sensor for the detection of l-carnitine in food samples

An economical and green approach to the synthesis of naphthyl derivative for detection of l -carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-N-trimethyl-aminobutyrate) is practically important. We developed a naphthyl derivative as a probe showing ‘turn-on’ response towards l -carnitine selectively at pH 7.2 through ICT mechanism with a good limit of detection (LOD) of 0.126 μM. Using Job's plot for determining the binding stoichiometry, it was found that probe could form a more stable complex (1:1) with carnitine. The binding constant (K) between probe and carnitine was calculated as 8 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ using the Benesi–Hildebrand plot. The binding interaction of the probe with l -carnitine was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance titrations, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, photo physical studies and density functional theory calculations. Meanwhile, the probe can be used to quantitatively detect carnitine in food samples.     

A knowledgebase resource for interleukin-17 family mediated signaling

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) belongs to a relatively new family of cytokines that has garnered attention as the signature cytokine of Th17 cells. This cytokine family consists of 6 ligands, which bind to 5 receptor subtypes and induce downstream signaling. Although the receptors are ubiquitously expressed, cellular responses to ligands vary across tissues. The cytokine family is associated with various autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and psoriasis in addition to being implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. In addition, this family plays a role in host defense against bacterial and fungal infections. The signaling mechanisms of the IL-17 family of proinflammatory cytokines are not well explored. In this study, we present a resource of literature-annotated reactions induced by IL-17. The reactions are catalogued under 5 categories, namely; molecular association, catalysis, transport, activation/inhibition and gene regulation. A total of 93 molecules and 122 reactions have been annotated. The IL-17 pathway is freely available through NetPath, a resource of signal transduction pathways previously developed by our group.     

Cu(I)-Promoted Regioselective Synthesis of Some New Benzimidazole-1,2,3-Triazole Frameworks as In Vitro Anticancer Agents

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - The regioselective synthesis of twelve new benzimidazole-1,2,3-triazole hybrids through the Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between...     

Mycobacterium Leprae Binds to a 25-KDa Phosphorylated Glycoprotein of Human Peripheral Nerve

Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, specifically invades and destroys the peripheral nerve, which results in the main clinical manifestation of the disease. Little is known about the bacteria—nerve protein interaction. We show in the present work that M leprae binds to a 25 kDa glycoprotein from human peripheral nerve. This protein is phosphorylatable and it binds to lectins which have alpha-mannose specificity. This M leprae-protein interaction could be of importance in the pathogenesis of leprosy.