Sputtering ion source Final report, 29 Mar. - 30 Sep. 1963

Modified sputtering ion source analyses of solid

Ultrafast photochemistry of the bc₁ complex

We present a full investigation of ultrafast light-induced events in the membraneous cytochrome bc 1 complex by transient absorption spectroscopy. This energy-transducing complex harbors four redox-active components per monomer: heme c 1 , two 6-coordinate b-hemes and a [2Fe-2S] cluster. Using excitation of these components in different ratios under various excitation conditions, probing in the full visible range and under three well-defined redox conditions, we demonstrate that for all ferrous hemes of the complex photodissociation of axial ligands takes place and that they rebind in 5-7 ps, as in other 6-coordinate heme proteins, including cytoglobin, which is included as a reference in this study. By contrast, the signals are not consistent with photooxidation of the b hemes. This conclusion contrasts with a recent assessment based on a more limited data set. The binding kinetics of internal and external ligands are indicative of a rigid heme environment, consistent with the electron transfer function. We also report, for the first time, photoactivity of the very weakly absorbing iron-sulfur center. This yields the unexpected perspective of studying photochemistry, initiated by excitation of iron-sulfur clusters, in a range of protein complexes

Concert recording 2018-11-12

[Track 1]. Quatour en forme de sonatine. I. Allegro grazioso [Track 2]. II. Andantino tranquilo [Track 3]. III. Scherzando quasi presto [Track 4]. IV. Allegro moderato (a la Russe) / Antoine Simon -- [Track 5]. 4 miniatures. I. Salutations [Track 6]. II. Toccata [Track 7]. III. Lament [Track 8]. IV. Jubilation / Michael Forbes -- [Track 9]. Dance suite. I. Dancisca, for Anthony (Anthony Tudor) [Track 10]. II. Waltz, for Agnes (Agnes de Mille) [Track 11]. III. Bi-tango, for Mischa (Mikhail Baryshnikov) [Track 12]. IV. Two-step, for Mr. B (George Balanchine) [Track 13]. V. Mtv, for Jerry (Jerome Robbins) / Leonard Bernstein -- [Track 14]. Colchester fantasy. I. The rose and the crown [Track 15]. II. The marquis of Granby [Track 16]. III. The dragoon [Track 17]. IV. The red lion / Eric Ewazen

Genomic analysis reveals Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis as stable element in traditional sourdoughs

Sourdough has played a significant role in human nutrition and culture for thousands of years and is still of eminent importance for human diet and the bakery industry. Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis is the predominant key bacterium in traditionally fermented sourdoughs

Cdk5 controls lymphatic vessel development and function by phosphorylation of Foxc2.

The lymphatic system maintains tissue fluid balance, and dysfunction of lymphatic vessels and valves causes human lymphedema syndromes. Yet, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphatic vessel development is still limited. Here, we show that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is an essential regulator of lymphatic vessel development. Endothelial-specific Cdk5 knockdown causes congenital lymphatic dysfunction and lymphedema due to defective lymphatic vessel patterning and valve formation. We identify the transcription factor Foxc2 as a key substrate of Cdk5 in the lymphatic vasculature, mechanistically linking Cdk5 to lymphatic development and valve morphogenesis. Collectively, our findings show that Cdk5-Foxc2 interaction represents a critical regulator of lymphatic vessel development and the transcriptional network underlying lymphatic vascular remodeling

Thermodynamics of Black Holes in Two (and Higher) Dimensions

A comprehensive treatment of black hole thermodynamics in two-dimensional dilaton gravity is presented. We derive an improved action for these theories and construct the Euclidean path integral. An essentially unique boundary counterterm renders the improved action finite on-shell, and its variational properties guarantee that the path integral has a well-defined semi-classical limit. We give a detailed discussion of the canonical ensemble described by the Euclidean partition function, and examine various issues related to stability. Numerous examples are provided, including black hole backgrounds that appear in two dimensional solutions of string theory. We show that the Exact String Black Hole is one of the rare cases that admits a consistent thermodynamics without the need for an external thermal reservoir. Our approach can also be applied to certain higher-dimensional black holes, such as Schwarzschild-AdS, Reissner-Nordstrom, and BTZ.Comment: 63 pages, 3 pdf figures, v2: added reference

Stress related epigenetic changes may explain opportunistic success in biological invasions in Antipode mussels

Different environmental factors could induce epigenetic changes, which are likely involved in the biological invasion process. Some of these factors are driven by humans as, for example, the pollution and deliberate or accidental introductions and others are due to natural conditions such as salinity. In this study, we have analysed the relationship between different stress factors: time in the new location, pollution and salinity with the methylation changes that could be involved in the invasive species tolerance to new environments. For this purpose, we have analysed two different mussels’ species, reciprocally introduced in antipode areas: the Mediterranean blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the New Zealand pygmy mussel Xenostrobus securis, widely recognized invaders outside their native distribution ranges. The demetylathion was higher in more stressed population, supporting the idea of epigenetic is involved in plasticity process. These results can open a new management protocols, using the epigenetic signals as potential pollution monitoring tool. We could use these epigenetic marks to recognise the invasive status in a population and determine potential biopollutants

Geometric Interpretation and Classification of Global Solutions in Generalized Dilaton Gravity

Two dimensional gravity with torsion is proved to be equivalent to special types of generalized 2d dilaton gravity. E.g. in one version, the dilaton field is shown to be expressible by the extra scalar curvature, constructed for an independent Lorentz connection corresponding to a nontrivial torsion. Elimination of that dilaton field yields an equivalent torsionless theory, nonpolynomial in curvature. These theories, although locally equivalent exhibit quite different global properties of the general solution. We discuss the example of a (torsionless) dilaton theory equivalent to the $R^2 + T^2$--model. Each global solution of this model is shown to split into a set of global solutions of generalized dilaton gravity. In contrast to the theory with torsion the equivalent dilaton one exhibits solutions which are asymptotically flat in special ranges of the parameters. In the simplest case of ordinary dilaton gravity we clarify the well known problem of removing the Schwarzschild singularity by a field redefinition.Comment: 21 pages, 6 Postscript figure

Comparing the efficacy, safety, and utility of intensive insulin algorithms for a primary care practice

Diabetes management is firmly based within the primary care community. Landmark randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated that even modest reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can yield improvements in economic and medical end-points. Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease associated with loss of pancreatic β-cell function. Therefore, most patients will eventually require insulin therapies in order to achieve their individualized targeted HbA1c as their β-cell function and mass wanes. Although clinicians understand the importance of early insulin initiation, there is little agreement as to when to introduce insulin as a therapeutic option. Once initiated, questions remain as to whether to allow the patients to self-titrate their dose or whether the dosing should be tightly regulated by the clinician. Physicians have many evidence-based basal insulin protocols from which to choose, all of which have been shown to drive HbA1c levels to the American Diabetes Association target of ≤7%. This article will discuss ways by which insulin therapies can be effectively introduced to patients within busy primary care practices. Published evidence-based basal insulin protocols will be evaluated for safety and efficacy