Small Cofactors May Assist Protein Emergence from RNA World: Clues from RNA-Protein Complexes

It is now widely accepted that at an early stage in the evolution of life an RNA world arose, in which RNAs both served as the genetic material and catalyzed diverse biochemical reactions. Then, proteins have gradually replaced RNAs because of their superior catalytic properties in catalysis over time. Therefore, it is important to investigate how primitive functional proteins emerged from RNA world, which can shed light on the evolutionary pathway of life from RNA world to the modern world. In this work, we proposed that the emergence of most primitive functional proteins are assisted by the early primitive nucleotide cofactors, while only a minority are induced directly by RNAs based on the analysis of RNA-protein complexes. Furthermore, the present findings have significant implication for exploring the composition of primitive RNA, i.e., adenine base as principal building blocks

Interfacial properties of the nanostructured dye-sensitized solid heterojunction TiO2/RuL2(NCS)(2)/CuI

The interfaces of the nanostructured dye-sensitized solid heterojunction TiO2/Ru-dye/CuI have been studied using photoelectron spectroscopy of core and valence levels, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. A nanostructured anatase TiO2 film sensitized with RuL2(NCS)(2) [cis-bis(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)-bis(isothio-cyanato)-ruthenium(II)] was prepared in a controlled way using a novel combined in-situ and ex-situ (Ar atmosphere) method. Onto this film CuI was deposited in-situ. The formation of the dye-CuI interface and the changes brought upon the dye-TiO2 interface could be monitored in a stepwise fashion. A direct interaction between the dye NCS groups and the CuI is evident in the core level photoelectron spectra. Concerning the energy matching of the valence electronic levels, the photoelectron spectra indicate that the dye HOMO overlaps in energy with the Cu 3d-I 5p hydrid states. The CuI grow in the form of particles, which at the initial stages displace the dye molecules causing dye-TiO2 bond breaking. Consequently, the very efficient charge injection channel provided by the dye-TiO2 carboxylic bonding is directly affected for a substantial part of the dye molecules. This may be of importance for the functional properties of such a heterojunction. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Influence of wind farms on power system dynamic and transient stability

The interaction between bulk windfarm generation and conventional generation and its influence on network dynamic characteristics are investigated. A simple three-generator system having characteristics that may be considered representative of the major areas of the UK network is used for the dynamic studies. Time response simulation and eigenvalue analysis are used to establish basic transient and dynamic stability characteristics. The wind generation is provided either by windfarms based on Fixed Speed Induction Generators (FSIGs) or Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs). In addition, in order to provide a base-line, against which windfarm influence on network dynamics can be judged, the case where the power is provided only by conventional synchronous generation is also considered