Obtaining and Characteristic of the Autolysate of Lactic Acid Bacteria

Fragments of bacterial peptidoglycan relating to compounds of the muropeptide series have high biological activity. They have an immunological effect, due to the fact that they are signals for immune receptors and, accordingly, their activators. In order to obtain fragments of peptidoglycans, the autolysis of the bacterial mass Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus 2–11 was performed and the characteristics of protein nature products of autolysate were given. To obtain cell suspensions at different growth stages, a growth curve of the bacterial culture was constructed for 48 hours. The autolysis of biomass was carried out at the end of the logarithmic phase of growth at the temperatures 37–90 0C and after the stationary phase of growth at the temperatures 37–90 0C for 7 days. The degree of autolytic changes was evaluated by the definition of colony forming units, the accumulation of amino acids, low molecular weight peptides and soluble protein in the autolysate. The results of studies of autolytic biomass changes have shown that the largest accumulation of amino acids occurs in autolysate, which was obtained at the end of the logarithmic phase of the growth of bacterial mass at exposures at 90 0C. The molecular-mass composition of protein nature compounds of the autolysate soluble fraction is determined. It is established that peptides with a molecular weight in the range corresponding to the molecular weight of the muropeptides are presented in the autolystate, but their quantity is rather insignificant

Materials design and band gap engineering of complex nanostructures using a semi-empirical approach : low dimensional boron nanostructures, h-BN sheet with graphene domains and holey graphene.

This dissertation will explore the potential of a semi-empirical Hamiltonian, developed by the research group at the University of Louisville, in predicting the existence of new families of low-dimensional boron nanostructures based on icosahedral α-B12 clusters, and in tuning the band gaps of h-BN sheets with graphene domains and holey graphene. This semi-empirical Hamiltonian models electron-electron and electron-ion interactions using environment-dependent (ED) functions, and ion-ion interactions via usual pairwise terms. Additional features of our approach are that it uses a linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) framework to describe the Hamiltonian and it calculates the charge distribution around a site self-consistently (SC). Throughout this dissertation, we will refer this semi-empirical Hamiltonian using the acronym SCED-LCAO. Our first application on boron nanostructures using SCED-LCAO revealed that one and two-dimensional nanostructures (referred as α, δ4 and δ6 sheets) based on icosahedral α-B12 clusters were structurally stable. A relative stability with respect to δ6 was also determined for the two-dimensional sheets with the strength of the stability in the order of �4 \u3c � \u3c �6. The infinite one-dimensional chain (which is the least stable among the low dimensional Boron structures predicted) as well as δ4 and δ6 sheets are found to have semiconducting properties while α sheet has metallic properties. With recent reports on the synthesis of an ultra-thin layer of α-tetragonal B50 structure, we delved into a second project that focused on investigating the structural stabilities and properties of a single layer of α-tetragonal B50. We found that, the α-tetragonal B50 does not keep its two-dimensional nature but prefers to exhibit symmetry breaking. Our prediction is inconsistent with experimental observations but this may be due to experiments discerning double or multi-layer structures of α-tetragonal B50. We note that the stability of multi-layer α-tetragonal B50 structure requires further investigation. A third application studied includes the band gap engineering on h-BN sheet by creating in it graphene domains of different shapes (triangular, circular, hexagonal and rectangular) and sizes with the aim of reducing the energy gap of pristine h-BN. For this project, the parametrization of the SCED-LCAO Hamiltonian corresponding to the nitrogen element was developed as a first step towards the investigation of pristine h-BN sheets and h-BN sheets embedded with graphene domains. The results of our study of h-BN sheets embedded with graphene domains reveal that the density of states are dependent on the shapes and sizes of the graphene domains and that hexagonal and circular graphene domains are good candidates for engineering the gap of a pristine h-BN sheet. A fourth application of SCED-LCAO method focused on a study of the band gap of holey graphene sheets, i.e., graphene sheets carved with different types of geometrical holes. We found holey triangular graphene sheets to have the smallest possible energy gap with its biggest size being the most stable and having 0.11 �� for gap. Holey circular graphene sheet has also a stable structure with a possible gap of 0.35 �� while the most stable structure among the holey rectangular sheets was found to have a gap of 0.4 ��. Computational studies undertaken in this dissertation demonstrate that the SCED-LCAO method is a powerful technique for designing materials with desired properties, which can guide the experimentalists to synthesize novel complex materials. The novel structures and properties predicted in this work for boron icosahedra chains and sheets, holey graphene sheets and h-BN with graphene domains await experimental confirmation

The Perception of Health Assets of a Rural Idaho Community Based on the Community-as-Partner Model

To improve the health status of rural communities, it is important to recognize and utilize all available health assets the community has to offer. When considering health assets, community members often fail to recognize resources such as economic status, communication, education, recreation, and politics, and instead focus only on obvious resources such as available physicians, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) services and access to health clinics. The purpose of this study was to identify what community health assets are perceived among members of the rural community of Grangeville, Idaho and how these assets might be categorized according to the nine sub-systems from the Community-as-Partner model. Forty Granville Idaho residents identified a total of 109 health assets, which were categorized into the nine Community-as-Partner subsystems by 4 nurses with rural health experience. The greatest majority (62%) of perceived assets were categorized as “health and services.” The subsystems least identified with health assets included education, politics, communication, and economics. Findings from this study support the notion that when considering health assets, important assets may not be recognized as contributing to the health of a community

Molecular beam growth of graphene nanocrystals on dielectric substrates

We demonstrate the growth of graphene nanocrystals by molecular beam methods that employ a solid carbon source, and that can be used on a diverse class of large area dielectric substrates. Characterization by Raman and Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopies reveal a sp2 hybridized hexagonal carbon lattice in the nanocrystals. Lower growth rates favor the formation of higher quality, larger size multi-layer graphene crystallites on all investigated substrates. The surface morphology is determined by the roughness of the underlying substrate and graphitic monolayer steps are observed by ambient scanning tunneling microscopy.Comment: Accepted in Carbon; Discussion section added; 20 pages, 6 figures (1 updated

The Development and Implementation of Hospital-Based Clinical Guidelines to Enhance Nursing Staff Efficacy in Glycemic Management at a Large Psychiatric Teaching Hospital

Background: This quality improvement project was conducted at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo (CMHIP) in order to improve glycemic management. In psychiatric inpatient settings, proper glycemic management is inadequate which increases metabolic risk and poor patient outcomes. One way to address this problem is by using practice guidelines and education, which enhances nurses’ efficacy. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and implement a glycemic management guideline to enhance clinical nursing staff knowledge and confidence. Method: Fifty-five clinical nursing staff attended an in-service and were asked to fill out a survey before and after the in-service to describe their knowledge and confidence in caring for psychiatric patients with hypo/hyperglycemia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe clinical nursing staff\u27s knowledge and confidence. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: 92.7% (n = 51) completed a pre and post in-service training questionnaire. Majority were registered nurses (n = 27; 75.5%) and one third (n = 12; 24.0%) had a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). Many nurses agreed that having a standard glycemic management guideline was relevant in providing quality patient care to improve outcomes (M = 44.5; 90.8%). An educational session involving nursing staff was effective in improving staff confidence and knowledge and there was a statistically significant difference before and after training (p\u3c0.05). Conclusion: Clinical guidelines are essential in providing quality care to improve outcomes. Nursing staff educational in-service increases knowledge and confidence, which improves outcomes. In Summary, this Scholarly Project adds to the literature supporting the need for robust use of glycemic management guidelines in psychiatric inpatient settings

Parent involvement in early childhood education programs: (California State Senate Bill SB 1302)

This paper deals with the manner in which the Parent Education and Parent Participation component of the Early Childhood Education Master Plan (California State Senate Bill - SB 1302) have been implemented in some of the participating schools of the San Fernando Valley area of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Included are parent involvement criteria as outlined in the bill, the Report of the Task Force on Early Childhood Education, the Early Childhood Education Proposal, and Policies for Early Childhood Education. Literature dealing with the importance of the parent's role in the education of their children tog~ther with examples of studies illustrating the need to expose parents to new or different and more effective ways of dealing with their children is included. The programs for Parent Education carried on at each school are varied and are designed to meet some of the unique needs of the school community served. Parent involvement in program planning and delivery also varies from school to school. Two charts are included to illustrate the variety of Parent Involvement activities at the five schools. Problems encountered and implications for the future of parent involvement in Early Childhood Education programs are outlined.Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-73)California State University, Northridge. Department of Education

Papel das forças armadas no processo político e democrático na Guiné-Bissau (2014-2022)

CHERNO, Aldair Francisco. Papel das forças armadas no processo político e democrático na Guiné-Bissau (2014-2022). 2023. 26f. Outras modalidades de produções científicas e estudo de caso - Curso de Humanidades, Instituto de Humanidades, Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira, Redenção-Ceará, 2023.Esse estudo observar que as Forças Armadas distanciando-se da interferência política, enquanto existe lei que orienta a sua conduta e as intervenções na sua carreira, mas com tudo isso se nota que, este país africano, conhecido por outros países, das suas constantes instabilidades político desde o seu surgimento como Estado independente, nas últimas duas décadas do século XXI, a Guiné-Bissau tem vivenciado instabilidade política e social, como: dificuldades na formação do governo saídos das eleições, disputas de poder e competências nos cargos executivos, assassinatos de figuras públicas, como políticos, militares de altas patentes

Отримання та характеристика продуктів деструкції пептидоглікану Lactobacillus acidophilus K 3111

It is shown in the article that low molecular weight degradation products of peptidoglycans of bacterial walls possess high immunotropic activity and can stimulate evolutionarily fixed mechanisms of immune response. It is proposed to obtain low molecular weight fragments of peptidoglycans of cell walls of Lactobacillus acidophilus K 3111 – muropeptides. Fragmentation was carried out by combining physical and enzymatic methods of disintegration. As a physical factor of influence, an ultrasonic treatment was used, as enzymatic factor, a treatment with proteases of digestive, plant and microbial origin was used. These enzymes have a significant range of substrate specificity and can catalyze the specific binding of peptidoglycans to bacterial walls. The regularities of ultrasonic disintegration of Lactobacillus acidophilus K 311 has been investigated in the article. The rational conditions of ultrasonic disintegration are the treatment of biomass at a frequency of 35 kHz for 600 seconds. Under these conditions, the maximum amount of amino acids is accumulated in the disintegrate and the integrity of most bacterial cells is violated. The regularities of the enzymolysis of peptidoglycans of cell walls of Lactobacillus acidophilus K 3111 by pancreatin, papain and protosubtilin has been determined. It has been shown that ultrasonic disintegration, which precedes enzymatic hydrolysis, contributes to a significant increase in the content of low molecular weight peptides in hydrolysates by almost 50%. The expediency of using an enzyme of plant origin papain for enzymatic fragmentation of peptidoglycan is substantiated. When the ratio of the enzyme (papain): substrate 1: 200 and the duration of the process for 180 minutes, the highest content of low molecular weight peptides in hydrolysates (6.6 mg/cm3) is achieved. It is proved that the target compounds muropeptides are contained in the products of enzymatic hydrolysis, the content of muropeptides reaches 38% of the total amount of low molecular weight peptides at the hydrolysis by papain, 31% –by pancreatin and 23% – by protosubtilin.Показано, що низькомолекулярні продукти деструкції пептидогліканів бактеріальних стінок володіють високою імунотропною активністю та здатні стимулювати еволюційно закріплені механізми імунної відповіді. Запропоновано отримання низькомолекулярних фрагментів пептидогліканів клітинних стінок Lactobacillus acidophilus K 3111 – муропептидів. Фрагментацію здійснювали комбінуванням фізичних та ензиматичних методів дезінтеграції. У якості фізичного фактору впливу застосовували ультразвукову обробку, ензиматичного – обробку протеазами травного, рослинного та мікробіального походження. Дані ферменти володіють значним ареалом субстратної специфічності та здатні каталізувати специфічні зв’язки пептидогліканів бактеріальних стінок. Досліджено закономірності ультразвукової дезінтеграції Lactobacillus acidophilus K 311. Встановлено, що раціональними умовами ультразвукової дезінтеграції є обробка біомаси за частоти 35 кГц протягом 600 с. За цих умов у дезінтеграті накопичується максимальна кількість амінокислот та порушується цілісність більшості бактеріальних клітин. Визначено закономірності ферментолізу пептидогліканів клітинних стінок Lactobacillus acidophilus K 3111 панкреатином, папаїном та протосубтиліном. Показано, що ультразвукова дезінтеграція, яка передує ферментативному гідролізу, сприяє суттєвому, майже на 50%, зростанню вмісту низькомолекулярних пептидів у ферментолізатах. Обгрунтовано доцільність використання ферменту рослинного походження папаїну для ензиматичної фрагментації пептидоглікану. При співвідношенні фермент (папаїн): субстрат 1:200 та тривалості процесу протягом 180 хв, досягається найбільший вміст низькомолекулярних пептидів у ферментолізатах (6,6 мг/см3). Доведено, що у складі продуктів ферментолізу містяться цільові сполуки – муропептиди, вміст яких сягає 38% від загальної кількості низькомолекулярних пептидів при ферментолізі папаїном, 31% – панкреатином та 23% – протосубтиліном