1,926 research outputs found
Viscosity and Diffusion: Crowding and Salt Effects in Protein Solutions
We report on a joint experimental-theoretical study of collective diffusion
in, and static shear viscosity of solutions of bovine serum albumin (BSA)
proteins, focusing on the dependence on protein and salt concentration. Data
obtained from dynamic light scattering and rheometric measurements are compared
to theoretical calculations based on an analytically treatable spheroid model
of BSA with isotropic screened Coulomb plus hard-sphere interactions. The only
input to the dynamics calculations is the static structure factor obtained from
a consistent theoretical fit to a concentration series of small-angle X-ray
scattering (SAXS) data. This fit is based on an integral equation scheme that
combines high accuracy with low computational cost. All experimentally probed
dynamic and static properties are reproduced theoretically with an at least
semi-quantitative accuracy. For lower protein concentration and low salinity,
both theory and experiment show a maximum in the reduced viscosity, caused by
the electrostatic repulsion of proteins. The validity range of a generalized
Stokes-Einstein (GSE) relation connecting viscosity, collective diffusion
coefficient, and osmotic compressibility, proposed by Kholodenko and Douglas
[PRE 51, 1081 (1995)] is examined. Significant violation of the GSE relation is
found, both in experimental data and in theoretical models, in semi-dilute
systems at physiological salinity, and under low-salt conditions for arbitrary
protein concentrations
Reproduction and respiration of a climate change indicator species: effect of temperature and variable food in the copepod Centropages chierchiae
The abundance of the calanoid copepod Centropages chierchiae has increased at the northern limits of its distribution in recent decades, mainly due to oceanic climate forcing, suggesting this as a key species in monitoring climate change. Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the combined effect of temperature, food type and concentration on the egg production rate (EPR) and hatching success (HS) of C. chierchiae. Females were fed on two monoalgal diets (Gymnodinium sp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum) at two food concentrations and at three different temperatures (13, 19, 24C). Respiration rates of both genders were measured at four different temperatures (8, 13, 19, 24C). EPR was significantly different between temperatures and food concentrations, the maximum EPR being attained when the copepods were exposed to high food levels and at 19C. Prey type significantly influenced EPR; feeding on P. tricornutum resulted in higher egg production than Gymnodinium sp. HS was significantly lower at 13C than at 19 and 24C and higher with Gymnodinium sp. Respiration rates were sex independent and increased exponentially with temperature. To maintain basal metabolism, the minimum food intake of P. tricornutum ranged between 0.4 and 1.8 g C and for Gymnodinium sp. between 0.03 and 0.13 g C. Food intake was always higher than the metabolic demands, except for the highest temperature tested (24C). The present results confirm the sensitivity of C. chierchiae to temperature variations and may help in understanding the successful expansion of its distribution towards northern latitudes.Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) [PTDC/MAR/098643/2008, PTDC/MAR/111304/2009, PTDC/MAR/0908066/2008]; FCT [SFRH/BD/28198/2006]; [SFRH/BPD/38332/2007
Ubiquitination of the bacterial inositol phosphatase, SopB, regulates its biological activity at the plasma membrane
The Salmonella type III effector, SopB, is an inositol polyphosphate phosphatase that modulates host cell phospholipids at the plasma membrane and the nascent Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). Translocated SopB persists for many hours after infection and is ubiquitinated but the significance of this covalent modification has not been investigated. Here we identify by mass spectrometry six lysine residues of SopB that are mono-ubiquitinated. Substitution of these six lysine residues with arginine, SopB-K6R, almost completely eliminated SopB ubiquitination. We found that ubiquitination does not affect SopB stability or membrane association, or SopB-dependent events in SCV biogenesis. However, two spatially and temporally distinct events are dependent on ubiquitination, downregulation of SopB activity at the plasma membrane and prolonged retention of SopB on the SCV. Activation of the mammalian pro-survival kinase Akt/PKB, a downstream target of SopB, was intensified and prolonged after infection with the SopB-K6R mutant. At later times, fewer SCV were decorated with SopB-K6R compared with SopB. Instead SopB-K6R was present as discrete vesicles spread diffusely throughout the cell. Altogether, our data show that ubiquitination of SopB is not related to its intracellular stability but rather regulates its enzymatic activity at the plasma membrane and intracellular localization
Invisible Diaspora?:English Ethnicity in the United States before 1920
The article presents an examination into the English population of the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries, examining their ethnic identity as a diaspora community. Introductory details are given noting the relative lack of attention given to English Americans as an ethnic group. Topics addressed include reasons behind the invisibility of the English immigrant identity in the U.S., the existence of English ethnic organizations, and an overview of their activities
Random Matrix Theories in Quantum Physics: Common Concepts
We review the development of random-matrix theory (RMT) during the last
decade. We emphasize both the theoretical aspects, and the application of the
theory to a number of fields. These comprise chaotic and disordered systems,
the localization problem, many-body quantum systems, the Calogero-Sutherland
model, chiral symmetry breaking in QCD, and quantum gravity in two dimensions.
The review is preceded by a brief historical survey of the developments of RMT
and of localization theory since their inception. We emphasize the concepts
common to the above-mentioned fields as well as the great diversity of RMT. In
view of the universality of RMT, we suggest that the current development
signals the emergence of a new "statistical mechanics": Stochasticity and
general symmetry requirements lead to universal laws not based on dynamical
principles.Comment: 178 pages, Revtex, 45 figures, submitted to Physics Report
Eccentric exercise versus Usual-care with older cancer survivors: The impact on muscle and mobility- an exploratory pilot study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance exercise programs with high compliance are needed to counter impaired muscle and mobility in older cancer survivors. To date outcomes have focused on older prostate cancer survivors, though more heterogeneous groups of older survivors are in-need. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study is to examine whether resistance exercise via negative eccentrically-induced work (RENEW) improves muscle and mobility in a diverse sample of older cancer survivors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 40 individuals (25 female, 15 male) with a mean age of 74 (± 6) years who have survived (8.4 ± 8 years) since their cancer diagnosis (breast, prostate, colorectal and lymphoma) were assigned to a RENEW group or a non-exercise Usual-care group. RENEW was performed for 12 weeks and measures of muscle size, strength, power and mobility were made pre and post training.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RENEW induced increases in quadriceps lean tissue average cross sectional area (Pre: 43.2 ± 10.8 cm<sup>2</sup>; Post: 44.9 ± 10.9 cm<sup>2</sup>), knee extension peak strength (Pre: 248.3 ± 10.8 N; Post: 275.4 ± 10.9 N), leg extension muscle power (Pre: 198.2 ± 74.7 W; Post 255.5 ± 87.3 W), six minute walk distance (Pre: 417.2 ± 127.1 m; Post 466.9 ± 125.1 m) and a decrease on the time to safely descend stairs (Pre: 6.8 ± 4.5 s; Post 5.4 ± 2.5 s). A significant (P < 0.05) group x time interaction was noted for the muscle size and mobility improvements.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This exploration of RENEW in a heterogeneous cohort of older cancer survivors demonstrates increases in muscle size, strength and power along with improved mobility. The efficacy of a high-force, low perceived exertion exercise suggests RENEW may be suited to older individuals who are survivors of cancer.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00335491">NCT00335491</a></p
The twilight of the Liberal Social Contract? On the Reception of Rawlsian Political Liberalism
This chapter discusses the Rawlsian project of public reason, or public justification-based 'political' liberalism, and its reception. After a brief philosophical rather than philological reconstruction of the project, the chapter revolves around a distinction between idealist and realist responses to it. Focusing on political liberalism’s critical reception illuminates an overarching question: was Rawls’s revival of a contractualist approach to liberal legitimacy a fruitful move for liberalism and/or the social contract tradition? The last section contains a largely negative answer to that question. Nonetheless the chapter's conclusion shows that the research programme of political liberalism provided and continues to provide illuminating insights into the limitations of liberal contractualism, especially under conditions of persistent and radical diversity. The programme is, however, less receptive to challenges to do with the relative decline of the power of modern states
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