19F NMR spectroscopy monitors ligand binding to recombinantly fluorine-labelled b'x from human protein disulphide isomerase (hPDI)

We report a protein-observe (19)F NMR-based ligand titration binding study of human PDI b'x with ?-somatostatin that also emphasises the need to optimise recombinant protein fluorination when using 5- or 6-fluoroindole. This study highlights a recombinant preference for 5-fluoroindole over 6-fluoroindole; most likely due to the influence of fluorine atomic packing within the folded protein structure. Fluorination affords a single (19)F resonance probe to follow displacement of the protein x-linker as ligand is titrated and provides a dissociation constant of 23 ± 4 ?M

Family Problems Experienced by Students of the University of Jordan

The study has aimed at identifying the family problems among the students of the University of Jordan. The descriptive survey method has been used, and the questionnaire has been used as a tool for the study. (604) students have been selected in a stratified random manner from the University of Jordan as a sample for the study. The study results have showed that the most important and prominent family problems experienced by the University of Jordan students are: Problems in communication between family members, problems with emotional expression, lack of respect among family members, and lack of trust in the relationship with the parents. The results also showed that there are no statistically significant differences in family problems experienced by the University of Jordan students from the viewpoint of the students themselves due to the variables of gender, college, and the interaction between them both

On the Analysis of the Disproportionate Structural Collapse in RC Buildings

Increasing structural robustness is the goal which is of interest for structural engineering community. The partial collapse of RC buildings is subject of this dissertation. Understanding the robustness of RC buildings will guide the development of safer structures against abnormal loading scenarios such as; explosions, earthquakes, fine, and/or long-term accumulation effects leading to deterioration or fatigue. Any of these may result in local immediate structural damage, that can propagate to the rest of the structure causing what is known by the disproportionate collapse. This work handels collapse propagation through various analytical approaches which simplifies the mechanical description of damaged reinfoced concrete structures due to extreme acidental event

هياكل الحوكمة المحلية والاستجابات الإنسانية للزلزال في شمال غرب سوريا

This paper scrutinises the complexities of aid delivery in rebel-held areas in northern Aleppo and Idlib governorate in Syria. Looking at the response to the February 2023 earthquake that struck northern Syria, it compares the approaches of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG) and the Salvation Government (SSG) in a context of limited resources, weak governance and lack of international recognition. It highlights the significant challenges impacting the effectiveness of the early response, such as the politicisation of aid, fragmented governance and the influence of armed factions. The pivotal role of non-governmental organisations in the crisis response despite significant logistical challenges is acknowledged. The paper critiques the delayed international response and emphasises the need for improved preparedness and cooperation between local and international actors to enhance the efficacy of future disaster responses.تبحث هذه الورقة في تعقيدات إيصال المساعدات في المناطق الخاضعة لسيطرة الثوار في كلّ من شمال حلب ومحافظة إدلب في سوريا. فتنظر في الاستجابة لزلزال شباط 2023 الذي ضرب شمال سوريا، وتقارن ما بين مقاربتَي الحكومة السورية المؤقّتة وحكومة الإنقاذ السورية في سياقٍ من الموارد المحدودة، والحوكمة الضعيفة، وفي ظلّ غيابٍ للاعتراف الدولي بهما. كذلك تسلّط الورقة الضوء على التحدّيات البارزة التي تؤثّر في مدى فعالية الاستجابة المبكرة، مثل تسييس المساعدات، والحوكمة المجزَّأة، ونفوذ الفصائل المسلحة. وإذ تعترف الورقة بالدور المحوري الذي اضطّلعت به المنظمات غير الحكومية في الاستجابة للأزمة على الرغم من التحدّيات اللوجستية الكبيرة، تنتقد الاستجابة الدولية المتأخّرة، مشدّدةً على ضرورة تحسين التأهّب والتعاون بين الجهات الفاعلة المحلية والدولية بغية تعزيز فعالية الاستجابة للكوارث في المستقبل

Low admission LDL-cholesterol is associated with increased 3-year all-cause mortality in patients with non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background: The relationship between admission low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and long-term outcomes has not been established in patients with acute coronary syndrome. We tested the hypothesis that patients who develop non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) despite low LDL have a worse cardiovascular outcome in the long term. Methods: Patients admitted with NSTEMI between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2000 and with fasting lipid profiles measured within 24 hours of admission were selected for analysis. Baseline characteristics and 3-year all-cause mortality were compared between the patients with LDL above and below the median. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the predictors of all-cause mortality, and adjusted survival was analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Of the total of 517 patients, 264 had LDL £ 105 mg/dL and 253 had LDL > 105 mg/dL. There was no difference in age, gender, severity of coronary artery disease, and left ventricular ejection fraction between the 2 groups. Thirty-six percent of patients with LDL £ 105 mg/dL and 24% of patients with LDL > 105 mg/dL were on lipid-lowering therapy on admission. After 3 years, patients with admission LDL £ 105 mg/dL had higher all-cause mortality rate compared to patients with LDL > 105 mg/dL (14.8% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.005). The higher all-cause mortality persisted (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0–3.5, p = 0.05) even after adjustment for confounding variables. Conclusions: In our cohort, lower LDL-cholesterol at admission was associated with decreased 3-year survival in patients with NSTEMI. Whether this was a result of current therapy or a marker for worse baseline characteristics needs to be studied further

Functionalized and Platinum-Decorated Multi-Layer Oxidized Graphene as a Proton, and Electron Conducting Separator in Solid Acid Fuel Cells

In the present article, electrodes containing a composite of platinum on top of a plasma-oxidized multi-layer graphene film are investigated as model electrodes that combine an exceptional high platinum utilization with high electrode stability. Graphene is thereby acting as a separator between the phosphate-based electrolyte and the platinum catalyst. Electrochemical impedance measurements in humidified hydrogen at 240 °C show area-normalized electrode resistance of 0.06 Ω·cm−2 for a platinum loading of ∼60 µgPt·cm−2, resulting in an outstanding mass normalized activity of almost 280 S·mgPt−1, exceeding even state-of-the-art electrodes. The presented platinum decorated graphene electrodes enable stable operation over 60 h with a non-optimized degradation rate of 0.15% h−1, whereas electrodes with a similar design but without the graphene as separator are prone to a very fast degradation. The presented results propose an efficient way to stabilize solid acid fuel cell electrodes and provide valuable insights about the degradation processes which are essential for further electrode optimization

Pre-expression of a sulfhydryl oxidase significantly increases the yields of eukaryotic disulfide bond containing proteins expressed in the cytoplasm of E.coli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disulfide bonds are one of the most common post-translational modifications found in proteins. The production of proteins that contain native disulfide bonds is challenging, especially on a large scale. Either the protein needs to be targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes or to the prokaryotic periplasm. These compartments that are specialised for disulfide bond formation have an active catalyst for their formation, along with catalysts for isomerization to the native state. We have recently shown that it is possible to produce large amounts of prokaryotic disulfide bond containing proteins in the cytoplasm of wild-type bacteria such as <it>E. coli </it>by the introduction of catalysts for both of these processes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we show that the introduction of Erv1p, a sulfhydryl oxidase and a disulfide isomerase allows the efficient formation of natively folded eukaryotic proteins with multiple disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm of <it>E. coli</it>. The production of disulfide bonded proteins was also aided by the use of an appropriate fusion protein to keep the folding intermediates soluble and by choice of media. By combining the pre-expression of a sulfhydryl oxidase and a disulfide isomerase with these other factors, high level expression of even complex disulfide bonded eukaryotic proteins is possible</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that the production of eukaryotic proteins with multiple disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm of <it>E. coli </it>is possible. The required exogenous components can be put onto a single plasmid vector allowing facile transfer between different prokaryotic strains. These results open up new avenues for the use of <it>E. coli </it>as a microbial cell factory.</p

تنافس وتواطؤ وتهريب: حدود سوريا مع تركيا والعراق

Smuggling goods in and out of Syria to Turkey and Iraq has long been an essential part of the Syrian economy. Smuggling was dominated by affiliates of the Syrian regime before 2011, and new actors have since emerged. The increase in smuggling activities during the Syrian conflict has been encouraged by many factors, and illicit trafficking has taken on different forms depending on the level of collusion and cooperation between actors. Smuggling has created complex patronage networks with even foes working together. To develop adequate strategies to limit illicit flows, policymakers must adopt a holistic approach. Measures need to go beyond security to be effective.لطالما كان تهريب السلع إلى سوريا ومنها إلى تركيا والعراق جزءاً أساسياً من الاقتصاد السوري. خلال الصراع السوري، اضطّلعت جهاتٌ فاعلةٌ جديدةٌ بالتهريب، بعد أن كان قبلَه محصوراً في يد جهاتٍ تابعةٍ للنظام السوري. ويعود ازدياد أنشطة التهريب أثناء الصراع إلى عوامل عدّة، في حين اتّخذ الاتجار غير المشروع أشكالاً مختلفةً بحسب درجة التواطؤ والتعاون بين الأطراف. فكان أن نشأت عن التهريب شبكاتُ محسوبيةٍ معقّدة حيث يعمل الخصوم معاً. لذا، يجب أن يعتمد صانعو السياسات مقاربةً شاملةً، إذا ما أرادوا وضع استراتيجيات ملائمة للحدّ من التدفّقات غير الشرعية، ولكي تكون التدابير فعّالةً، ينبغي ألا تقتصر على الأمن وحده