Brunel University London

About: Brunel University London is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 10918 authors who have published 29515 publications receiving 893330 citations. The organization is also known as: Brunel & University of Brunel.

Energy calibration and resolution of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Abstract: The article is the pre-print version of the final publishing paper that is available from the link below.

Attentional Focus, Dispositional Reinvestment, and Skilled Motor Performance under Pressure

Abstract: Attentional processes governing skilled motor behavior were examined in two studies. In Experiment 1, fi eld hockey players performed a dribbling task under single-task, dual-task, and skill-focused conditions under both low and high pressure situations. In Experiment 2, skilled soccer players performed a dribbling task under single-task, skill-focused, and process-goal conditions, again under low and high pressure situations. Results replicated recent fi regarding the detrimental effect of skill-focused attention and the facilitative effect of dual-task conditions on skilled performance. In addition, focusing on movement related process goals was found to adversely affect performance. Support for the predictive validity of the Reinvestment Scale was also found, with high reinvesters displaying greater susceptibility to skill failure under pressure. Results were consistent with explicit monitoring theories of choking and are further discussed in light of the conceptual distinction between explicit monitoring and reinvestment of conscious control.

Environmental/economic dispatch using fuzzy logic controlled genetic algorithms

Abstract: The paper presents the application of a fuzzy logic controlled genetic algorithm (FCGA) to power system environmental/economic dispatch. The authors first propose an improved genetic algorithm with two fuzzy controllers based on some heuristics to adaptively adjust the crossover probability and mutation rate during the optimisation process. The implementation of the fuzzy crossover and mutation controllers is described. The proposed FCGA can be applied to wide range of optimisation problems. The validity of the proposed algorithm is illustrated on environmental/economic dispatch of a six-generator power system. Its performance is compared with conventional GAs and the Newton-Raphson method. The results are very encouraging.

Structural basis for iron piracy by pathogenic Neisseria

Abstract: Neisseria are obligate human pathogens causing bacterial meningitis, septicaemia and gonorrhoea. Neisseria require iron for survival and can extract it directly from human transferrin for transport across the outer membrane. The transport system consists of TbpA, an integral outer membrane protein, and TbpB, a co-receptor attached to the cell surface; both proteins are potentially important vaccine and therapeutic targets. Two key questions driving Neisseria research are how human transferrin is specifically targeted, and how the bacteria liberate iron from transferrin at neutral pH. To address these questions, we solved crystal structures of the TbpA–transferrin complex and of the corresponding co-receptor TbpB. We characterized the TbpB–transferrin complex by small-angle X-ray scattering and the TbpA–TbpB–transferrin complex by electron microscopy. Our studies provide a rational basis for the specificity of TbpA for human transferrin, show how TbpA promotes iron release from transferrin, and elucidate how TbpB facilitates this process. Structural analysis reveals the iron scavenging mechanism used by Neisseria species, involving TbpA and TbpB proteins, and sheds light on how human transferrin is specifically targeted. Pathogenic bacteria exploit a range of strategies to obtain iron from their host during infection. Neisseria species, including meningitis, septicaemia and gonorrhoea pathogens, express an outer membrane protein, TbpA, and a receptor protein, TbpB, that together can directly extract iron from human transferrin and facilitate iron uptake. The iron-scavenging mechanism is now revealed through structural analysis. The structures are relevant to drug and vaccine design.