Mechanisms underlying sequence-independent beta-sheet formation

We investigate the formation of beta-sheet structures in proteins without taking into account specific sequence-dependent hydrophobic interactions. To accomplish this, we introduce a model which explicitly incorporates both solvation effects and the angular dependence (on the protein backbone) of hydrogen bond formation. The thermodynamics of this model is studied by comparing the restricted partition functions obtained by "unfreezing" successively larger segments of the native beta-sheet structure. Our results suggest that solvation dynamics together with the aforementioned angular dependence gives rise to a generic cooperativity in this class of systems; this result explains why pathological aggregates involving beta-sheet cores can form from many different proteins. Our work provides the foundation for the construction of phenomenological models to investigate the competition between native folding and non-specific aggregation.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, Revtex4, simulation mpeg movie available at http://www-physics.ucsd.edu/~guochin/Images/sheet1.mp

Victorian Bands and their Dissemination in the Colonies

From the late 1840s, amateur brass bands and professional military bands became widespread in Europe and America due to the sudden availability of low-priced valve instruments. Band music also became an important feature of colonial life. Towards the end of the century, the indigenous populations of colonized countries started playing brass instruments, often with the encouragement or teaching of colonizers. The resulting cultural assimilation in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific is discussed

Human naive CD8 T cells down-regulate expression of the WNT pathway transcription factors lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 and transcription factor 7 (T cell factor-1) following antigen encounter in vitro and in vivo

Abstract The transcription factors lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) and transcription factor 7 (TCF7) (T cell factor-1 (TCF-1)) are downstream effectors of the WNT signaling pathway, which is a critical regulator of T cell development in the thymus. In this study, we show that LEF1 and TCF7 (TCF-1) are not only expressed in thymocytes, but also in mature T cells. Our data demonstrate that Ag encounter in vivo and engagement of the TCR or IL-15 receptor in vitro leads to the down-regulation of LEF1 and TCF7 (TCF-1) expression in human naive CD8 T cells. We further show that resting T cells preferentially express inhibitory LEF1 and TCF7 (TCF-1) isoforms and that T cell activation changes the isoform balance in favor of stimulatory TCF7 (TCF-1) isoforms. Altogether, our study suggests that proteins involved in the WNT signaling pathway not only regulate T cell development, but also peripheral T cell differentiation.</jats:p

Gender Communication: African Universities and the Empowerment of Women for Leadership

The history of missing, invisible, marginalised and violated women is long in Africa including Nigeria. However, there is no country in the world where women have achieved full equality, thus this paper examines gender issues through gender communication as well as gender disparities in higher education. In addition, the paper examines Africa, gender gaps and the role of universities in narrowing these gaps. Specific recommendations are made in the area of facilitating women’s growth and equality as well as creating awareness that promotes young women academics on a more sustainable basis. Keywords: Gender Communication; Marginalisation; Discrimination; Empowerment; and Leadership

Altruism and You: Demographic Predictors and Practical Application

Through volunteering at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) and by analyzing a 2013 report by Kristin Anderson, I found that parking is an issue for clients accessing services at DVSAS. In an attempt to mitigate the situation, I fundraised to create a fund for clients to use to pay for their parking meters while at the downtown office. Donation boxes were out for a month at about ten different businesses. The total amount of money raised was $241.55. This is equivalent to more than 322 hours or 19,324 minutes of parking in the downtown area. After changing the money into quarters (barring that which was originally donated in dimes or nickels), it was officially donated to DVSAS. The fund is currently available for clients to utilize. As a second part of this project, I used data from the General Social Survey (GSS) to determine demographic predictors of altruistic behaviors and ideologies. According to my analysis, political stance, religious affiliation, church attendance, age, marital status, income, education, and sex are the most important demographic factors to take into consideration when searching for individuals who behave or believe more altruistically. Though this of course changes with regards to the cause being advocated for, my study was unable to examine demographic predictors in relation to specific causes. The variation in independent variables’ relationships to each dependent variable (altruistic actions scale, altruistic ideology scale, and percent of income donated) offers limited insight into the fluctuations in predictions that may occur based on limiting the scope of the study

The Ursinus Weekly, April 16, 1945

Operetta scores weekend success despite difficulties • Bond drive opens today to buy army ambulance with student purchases • French leader to be guest speaker here • Dr. Dean discusses Russia\u27s position • Thespians to enact Twelve Lb. Look • Lt. Miner conducts memorial services • Veterans to be topic of \u27Y\u27 discussion • IRC member comments on Finnish elections • Lincoln students give vesper program here • Carters offer $25 war bonds for written memorial to FDR • Professors are Chem Club hosts • Young \u27Un to be reviewed • New swimming team wins three events, places close third in big college meet • Ambitious Courtenay is varsity softball captain; likes camping, printing • Bear baseball men beat Valley Forge 5-3 as Bob Geist\u27s home run breaks tie • Thirty-five try for softball positions • In memory of Patcheshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1704/thumbnail.jp

Ending impunity for gender crimes: Access to justice for violence against women and its contribution to sustainable peace building in Rwanda.

This paper seeks to establish the contribution of Accessible justice to ending impunity for violence against women. Consequently, it investigates how far availing legal remedies to victims of violence against women leads to sustainable peace building in Rwanda. In doing so, the study adopts a case of Access to Justice Bureaus- a judicial service established by the government of Rwanda to help people have access to free legal remedies. Based on data collected from fifty five in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions in the four provinces and Kigali city, findings reveal that through free legal representation, community mobilization, formation of gender dialogue groups and multi-sectoral collaboration, Access to Justice Bureaus have played an important role in combatting impunity to violence against women. Conversely, findings also point to a number of challenges that need to be addressed if violence against women is to be fully eradicated