A glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored carbonic anhydrase-related protein of Toxoplasma gondii is important for rhoptry biogenesis and virulence

Carbonic anhydrase-related proteins (CARPs) have previously been described as catalytically inactive proteins closely related to α-carbonic anhydrases (α-CAs). These CARPs are found in animals (both vertebrates and invertebrates) and viruses as either independent proteins or domains of other proteins. We report here the identification of a new CARP (TgCA_RP) in the unicellular organism Toxoplasma gondii that is related to the recently described η-class CA found in Plasmodium falciparum. TgCA_RP is posttranslationally modified at its C terminus with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor that is important for its localization in intracellular tachyzoites. The protein localizes throughout the rhoptry bulbs of mature tachyzoites and to the outer membrane of nascent rhoptries in dividing tachyzoites, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy using specific antibodies. T. gondii mutant tachyzoites lacking TgCA_RP display a growth and invasion phenotype in vitro and have atypical rhoptry morphology. The mutants also exhibit reduced virulence in a mouse model. Our results show that TgCA_RP plays an important role in the biogenesis of rhoptries

Arthropod Fauna Associated with Wild and Cultivated Cranberries in Wisconsin

The cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) is an evergreen, trailing shrub native to North American peatlands. It is cultivated commercially in the US and Canada, with major production centers in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, Québec, and British Columbia. Despite the agricultural importance of cranberry in Wisconsin, relatively little is known of its arthropod associates, particularly the arachnid fauna. Here we report preliminary data on the insect and spider communities associated with wild and cultivated cranberries in Wisconsin. We then compare the insect and spider communities of wild cranberry systems to those of cultivated cranberries, indexed by region. Approximately 7,400 arthropods were curated and identified, spanning more than 100 families, across 11 orders. The vast majority of specimens and diversity derived from wild ecosystems. In both the wild and cultivated systems, the greatest numbers of families were found among the Diptera (midges, flies) and Hymenoptera (bees, ants, wasps), but numerically, the Hymenoptera and Araneae (spiders) were dominant. Within the spider fauna, 18 new county records, as well as a new Wisconsin state record (Linyphiidae: Ceratinopsis laticeps (Em.)), were documented. While more extensive sampling will be needed to better resolve arthropod biodiversity in North American cranberry systems, our findings represent baseline data on the breadth of arthropod diversity in the Upper Midwest, USA

Multi-functional anodes boost the transient power and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been regarded as the most promising candidate for fuel cell vehicles and tools. Their broader adaption, however, has been impeded by cost and lifetime. By integrating a thin layer of tungsten oxide within the anode, which serves as a rapid-response hydrogen reservoir, oxygen scavenger, sensor for power demand, and regulator for hydrogen-disassociation reaction, we herein report proton exchange membrane fuel cells with significantly enhanced power performance for transient operation and low humidified conditions, as well as improved durability against adverse operating conditions. Meanwhile, the enhanced power performance minimizes the use of auxiliary energy-storage systems and reduces costs. Scale fabrication of such devices can be readily achieved based on the current fabrication techniques with negligible extra expense. This work provides proton exchange membrane fuel cells with enhanced power performance, improved durability, prolonged lifetime, and reduced cost for automotive and other applications

Perbarengan Tindak Pidana Pembunuhan dan Pencurian Perspektif Hukum Pidana Islam

Abstract: This article discusses criminal concourse of organized murder and theft with force which is regulated in Penal code article 340 and 55. The subjective and objective aspects in these crime is fulfilled and beyond reasonable doubt. From the perspective of Islamic criminal law, organized murder and theft concourse is called ta’addud al-jarâ’im in which lighter crime (theft) is absorbed by weightier crime (organized murder). The concept absorption is named al-jabb in Islamic criminal law. Thus, the punishment of theft is absorbed by the punishment of organized murder, which is capital punishment (qishâsh). Keywords: Criminal concourse, organized murder, forced theft, Islamic criminal law. Abstrak: Artikel ini membahas tentang perbarengan tindak pidana antara pembunuhan berencana dan pencurian dengan kekerasan dalam tinjauan fikih jinâyah. Kejahatan perbarengan tindak pidana antara pembunuhan berencana dan pencurian dengan kekerasan melanggar ketentuan pasal 340 KUHP jo. Pasal 55 ayat (1) ke 1 dan pasal 365 ayat (2) ke 2. Dalam pandangan fikih jinâyah, kasus perbarengan tindak pidana (concursus) pembunuhan berencana dan pencurian dengan kekerasan seharusnya mendapat hukuman mati atau qishâsh. Hal tersebut didasarkan kepada salah satu teori yang digunakan dalam memutuskan perkara gabungan tindak pidana yang di dalam kaidah fikih jinâyah dikenal dengan ta’addud al-jarâ’im atau gabungan hukuman, yaitu teori penyerapan (al-jabb). Teori al-jabb atau teori penyerapan adalah penjatuhan satu hukuman terhadap pelaku tindak pidana ganda dengan cara hukuman yang lebih kecil diserap oleh hukuman yang lebih besar, dalam hal ini adalah hukuman mati. Kata Kunci: Perbarengan tindak pidana, pembunuhan berencana, pencurian dengan kekerasan, hukum pidana Islam

Achieving a Stable Magneto-Optical Trap

The utilization of the Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) as a method for cooling and confining atoms is a recent development in the field of modern optical physics. Producing an effective MOT relies on a constant magnetic field throughout the trapping region and successful laser cooling, a technique used to achieve optical molasses by slowing particles using a three-dimensional intersection of laser beams. A successful MOT occurs when the trapped atoms slow down to approximately 30 cm/s at a temperature in the microkelvin range and is observable when a small bright orb of atoms is located in the center of the chamber. In this endeavor, the experimental setup for achieving a stable MOT was established using an array of infrared lasers provided by MogLabs. Future work on this project should seek to capture an image of trapped rubidium atoms using the ColdQuanta MiniMOT using the kit’s black and white CCD camera. Successfully establishing this MOT allows for further testing to optimize its effectiveness and can be applied in future experiments aimed at achieving Bose-Einstein Condensation