Cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine degradation gene cluster from Rhodococcus rhodochrous

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) is a high explosive which presents an environmental hazard as a major land and groundwater contaminant. Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain 11Y was isolated from explosive contaminated land and is capable of degrading RDX when provided as the sole source of nitrogen for growth. Products of RDX degradation in resting-cell incubations were analyzed and found to include nitrite, formaldehyde, and formate. No ammonium was excreted into the medium, and no dead-end metabolites were observed. The gene responsible for the degradation of RDX in strain 11Y is a constitutively expressed cytochrome P450-like gene, xpLA, which is found in a gene cluster with an adrenodoxin reductase homologue, xplB. The cytochrome P450 also has a flavodoxin domain at the N terminus. This study is the first to present a gene which has been identified as being responsible for RDX biodegradation. The mechanism of action of XplA on RDX is thought to involve initial denitration followed by spontaneous ring cleavage and mineralization

Three applications of path integrals: equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects, and the temperature dependence of the rate constant of the [1,5] sigmatropic hydrogen shift in (Z)-1,3-pentadiene

Recent experiments have confirmed the importance of nuclear quantum effects even in large biomolecules at physiological temperature. Here we describe how the path integral formalism can be used to describe rigorously the nuclear quantum effects on equilibrium and kinetic properties of molecules. Specifically, we explain how path integrals can be employed to evaluate the equilibrium (EIE) and kinetic (KIE) isotope effects, and the temperature dependence of the rate constant. The methodology is applied to the [1,5] sigmatropic hydrogen shift in pentadiene. Both the KIE and the temperature dependence of the rate constant confirm the importance of tunneling and other nuclear quantum effects as well as of the anharmonicity of the potential energy surface. Moreover, previous results on the KIE were improved by using a combination of a high level electronic structure calculation within the harmonic approximation with a path integral anharmonicity correction using a lower level method.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Implementation of the Explicit Group Iterative Method for Solving Image Blurring Problem using Non-Linear Diffusion Equations

Diffusion equations have been known to solve various image processing problems. This study employs the diffusion equations as the partial difference equations (PDEs)-based image processing techniques for image blurring which also can be refer as the process of image smoothing. The solutions of diffusion equations were obtained using the iterative algorithms and thereafter applied in the image blurring processes. The images were blurred without destroying the crucial information of an image that need to be preserve such as sharp edges, lines and shapes as the diffusion occurs inside the image locations, where the images with different sizes were tested. In terms of performance comparison, the standard point Gauss-Seidel and two-point Explicit Group (2-EG) methods were considered to produce the same quality image of classical point iterative method which is Jacobi. The numerical results showed that 2-EG iterative method capable to smooth the inner region of the images faster compared to the standard point iterative method. It was shown that the 2-EG iterative method more efficient in reducing the number of iterations and computational time than the standard point iterative method

Roles of neutrophils in the regulation of the extent of human inflammation through delivery of IL-1 and clearance of chemokines

This study examined the establishment of neutrophilic inflammation in humans. We tested the hypotheses that neutrophil recruitment was associated with local CXCL8 production and that neutrophils themselves might contribute to the regulation of the size of the inflammatory response. Humans were challenged i.d. with endotoxin. Biopsies of these sites were examined for cytokine production and leukocyte recruitment by qPCR and IHC. Additional in vitro models of inflammation examined the ability of neutrophils to produce and sequester cytokines relevant to neutrophilic inflammation. i.d. challenge with 15 ng of a TLR4-selective endotoxin caused a local inflammatory response, in which 1% of the total biopsy area stained positive for neutrophils at 6 h, correlating with 100-fold up-regulation in local CXCL8 mRNA generation. Neutrophils themselves were the major source of the early cytokine IL-1β. In vitro, neutrophils mediated CXCL8 but not IL-1β clearance (>90% clearance of ≤2 nM CXCL8 over 24 h). CXCL8 clearance was at least partially receptor-dependent and modified by inflammatory context, preserved in models of viral infection but reduced in models of bacterial infection. In conclusion, in a human inflammatory model, neutrophils are rapidly recruited and may regulate the size and outcome of the inflammatory response through the uptake and release of cytokines and chemokines in patterns dependent on the underlying inflammatory stimulus

LUKISAN FAUNA, POLA SEBARAN DAN LANSKAP BUDAYA DI KAWASAN KARS SULAWESI BAGIAN SELATAN

Tulisan ini menyajikan studi tentang lanskap pada situs gua-gua yang memiliki gambar dari masa prasejarah. Gua-gua prasejarah di bagian selatan Pulau Sulawesi merupakan kawasan gua dengan karakter lukisan telapak tangan dan fauna. Penelitian ini difokuskan pada lukisan fauna dan lanskap budaya. Metode yang digunakan diantaranya mengumpulkan hasil penelitian lukisan di wilayah ini kemudian mengklasifikasi jenis lukisan fauna dan keletakan situs berlukis tersebut dalam peta dengan menggunakan software GIS. Software ini juga digunakan untuk menghitung jarak situs terdekat dan terjauh dengan pantai di masa Pleistosen.  Hasil identifikasi berdasarkan lukisan fauna, pola sebaran gua dan lingkungan masa lalu menjelaskan bahwa kawasan gua-gua prasejarah di bagian selatan Sulawesi merupakan lanskap budaya yang telah diokupasi oleh dua kelompok identitas yang berbeda berdasarkan karakter lukisannya

Differences in the semantics of prosocial words: an exploration of compassion and kindness

The study of prosocial behaviour has accelerated greatly in the last 20 years. Researchers are exploring different domains of prosocial behaviour such as compassion, kindness, caring, cooperation, empathy, sympathy, love, altruism and morality. While these constructs can overlap, and are sometimes used interchangeably, they also have distinctive features that require careful elucidation. This paper discusses some of the controversies and complexities of describing different (prosocial) mental states, followed by a study investigating the differences between two related prosocial concepts: compassion and kindness. For the study, a scenario-based questionnaire was developed to assess the degree to which a student (N = 222) and a community (N = 112) sample judged scenarios in terms of compassion or kindness. Subsequently, participants rated emotions (e.g. sadness, anxiety, anger, disgust, joy) associated with each scenario. Both groups clearly distinguished kindness from compassion in the scenarios on the basis of suffering. In addition, participants rated compassion-based scenarios as significantly higher on sadness, anger, anxiety and disgust, whereas kindness-based scenarios had higher levels of joy. As a follow-up, a further sample (29 male, 63 female) also rated compassionate scenarios as involving significantly more suffering compared to the kindness scenarios. Although overlapping concepts, compassion and kindness are clearly understood as different processes with different foci, competencies and emotion textures. This has implications for research in prosocial behaviour, and the cultivation of kindness and compassion for psychotherapy and in general.N/

Multi-photon fluorescence-lifetime imaging of a genetically-encoded heme sensor

Genetically-encoded fluorescence-based sensors have emerged as an essential tool for measuring the abundance of heme, revealing its trafficking pathways, and probing its signalling and regulatory role in cells. A number of different sensor designs have been described in the literature, and these typically report on the abundance of exchangeable heme via an intensity modulation of the emission from fluorescent-protein reporters. Here, we show that multi-photon fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (MP-FLIM) can be used to monitor the response of heme sensors in transfected-HEK293 cells. The adoption of a multi-photon approach could extend heme quantification further to deep-tissue imaging in the future, where it could also reduce phototoxicity as the non-linear excitation of fluorescent reporters is confined to the focal volume

Resolution of inflammation: a new therapeutic frontier

Dysregulated inflammation is a central pathological process in diverse disease states. Traditionally, therapeutic approaches have sought to modulate the pro- or anti-inflammatory limbs of inflammation, with mixed success. However, insight into the pathways by which inflammation is resolved has highlighted novel opportunities to pharmacologically manipulate these processes — a strategy that might represent a complementary (and perhaps even superior) therapeutic approach. This Review discusses the state of the art in the biology of resolution of inflammation, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for translational research in this field

Modelling and validation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

This paper is the outcome of a small scale fuel cell project. Fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts energy from chemical reaction to electrical work. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is one of the different types of fuel cell, which is more efficient, having low operational temperature and fast start up capability results in high energy density. In this study, a mathematical model of 1.2 W PEMFC is developed and simulated using MATLAB software. This model describes the PEMFC behaviour under steady-state condition. This mathematical modeling of PEMFC determines the polarization curve, power generated, and the efficiency of the fuel cell. Simulation results were validated by comparing with experimental results obtained from the test of a single PEMFC with a 3 V motor. The performance of experimental PEMFC is little lower compared to simulated PEMFC, however both results were found in good agreement. Experiments on hydrogen flow rate also been conducted to obtain the amount of hydrogen consumed to produce electrical work on PEMFC

First estimates of entanglement rate of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae observed in coastal Icelandic waters

Publisher's version (útgefin grein)Entanglement in fishing gear is a significant anthropogenic source of large whale injury and mortality. Although entanglements have been reported in the eastern North Atlantic, their frequency has not been previously estimated. This study used systematic scar analysis to estimate the frequency of non-lethal entanglements among individual humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae off coastal Iceland, from 2005 through 2017. Images of the caudal peduncle and fluke insertions of 379 individuals were analyzed for wrapping injuries and notches known to be indicative of entanglement. The results indicated that at least 24.8% (n = 94, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 20.5-29.1%) of individuals had a history of prior entanglement when first encountered. Depending on the metric used, the whales subsequently acquired new entanglement-related injuries at an average rate of 1.9% (95% CI: 0.6-3.2%) or 16.3% (95% CI: 3.0-29.3%) per year, with no statistically significant change over time. Furthermore, evidence suggests that at least some entanglements occurred locally. Observations of whales with gear still entangling the body confirmed the patterns of injury studied here. These results are lower than scar-based estimates from other parts of the world, but the cause of this difference requires further study. Scar-based methods underestimate the frequency of prior entanglement because some injuries heal beyond recognition, do not involve the caudal peduncle, and may occur on whales that die before they are studied. Long-term monitoring of humpback whale entanglement in Icelandic coastal waters is important for evaluating the local effects of fisheries, as well as the viability of the endangered Cape Verde breeding population.This work was funded in part by a National Geographic Explorer Grant awarded by the National Geographic Society, a PhD sponsorship grant awarded by Gentle Giants Whale Watching, and a Doctoral Grant awarded by Rannís Icelandic Research Fund. We thank all the students at the University of Iceland’s Húsavík Research Center for contributing data, the Faxaflói Ceta - cean Research volunteers (in Húsavík and Reykjavík), and all the whale-watching companies in Iceland who showed interest in the project and contributed photographs and/or space onboard their vessels for data collection. Furthermore, we thank the anonymous reviewers, who provided valuable input into the manuscript. Photographs used in the figures are copyright of University of Iceland (Figs. 2,3,4a1,b,c, 5 & 6a,b,d) Elding Adventures at Sea (Fig. 6c), and Charlie Frank Lavin (Elding Whale Watching Akureyri) (Fig. 4a2).Peer Reviewe