Multipole strength function of deformed superfluid nuclei made easy

We present an efficient method for calculating strength functions using the finite amplitude method (FAM) for deformed superfluid heavy nuclei within the framework of the nuclear density functional theory. We demonstrate that FAM reproduces strength functions obtained with the fully self-consistent quasi-particle random-phase approximation (QRPA) at a fraction of computational cost. As a demonstration, we compute the isoscalar and isovector monopole strength for strongly deformed configurations in $^{240}$Pu by considering huge quasi-particle QRPA spaces. Our approach to FAM, based on Broyden's iterative procedure, opens the possibility for large-scale calculations of strength distributions in well-bound and weakly bound nuclei across the nuclear landscape.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is capable of natural transformation in biofilms

Abstract Natural transformation is a mechanism that enables competent bacteria to acquire naked, exogenous DNA from the environment. It is a key process that facilitates the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants throughout bacterial populations. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen that produces large quantities of extracellular DNA (eDNA) that is required for biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa has a remarkable level of genome plasticity and diversity that suggests a high degree of horizontal gene transfer and recombination but is thought to be incapable of natural transformation. Here we show that P. aeruginosa possesses homologs of all proteins known to be involved in natural transformation in other bacterial species. We found that P. aeruginosa in biofilms is competent for natural transformation of both genomic and plasmid DNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that type IV pili (T4P) facilitate but are not absolutely essential for natural transformation in P. aeruginosa

Effectiveness of the Lapidus plate system in foot surgery: A PRISMA compliant systematic review

Lapidus arthrodesis is an established standard procedure to correct various foot surgery problems and hallux limitus, hypermobility of the first ray, hallux abductus valgus, and symptomatic lesser metatarsal. After decades, many fixation methods in the orthopaedic surgery industry have been developed for decreasing complications and improving this technique. The aim of this PRISMA compliant systematic review is to analyse the effectiveness of several lapidus plate systems in foot surgery. We have carried out the first systematic review of the relevant published literature so as to systematically evaluate the scientific knowledge available now on this association, assigning predefined eligibility criteria. Fourteen studies were selected which had an overall of 738 cases. The first tarsal metatarsal joint and hallux valgus were treated by the application of different types of Lapidus plate system. The optimal level of the fixation in these procedures is related with the type and system insertion place of the plate with or without screw in each specific foot disease. There is an insufficient number of studies about the effectiveness of the different types of Lapidus plate system in foot surgery, and there is a need to increase outcomes knowledge on the level of the fixation, sort of the system, and insert place in foot surgery

Photosynthetic Light-Harvesting Is Tuned by the Heterogeneous Polarizable Environment of the Protein

In photosynthesis, special antenna proteins that contain multiple light-absorbing molecules (chromophores) are able to capture sunlight and transfer the excitation energy to reaction centers with almost 100% quantum efficiencies. The critical role of the protein scaffold in holding the appropriate arrangement of the chromophores is well established and can be intuitively understood given the need to keep optimal dipole−dipole interactions between the energy-transferring chromophores, as described by Förster theory more than 60 years ago. However, the question whether the protein structure can also play an active role by tuning such dipole−dipole interactions has not been answered so far, its effect being rather crudely described by simple screening factors related to the refractive index properties of the system. Here, we present a combined quantum chemical/molecular mechanical approach to compute electronic couplings that accounts for the heterogeneous dielectric nature of the protein−solvent environment in atomic detail. We apply the method to study the effect of dielectric heterogeneity in the energy migration properties of the PE545 principal light-harvesting antenna of the cryptomonad Rhodomonas CS24. We find that dielectric heterogeneity can profoundly tune by a factor up to 4 the energy migration rates between chromophore sites compared to the average continuum dielectric view that has historically been assumed. Our results indicate that engineering of the local dielectric environment can potentially be used to optimize artificial light-harvesting antenna systems

Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 8 Mutant Corticotrope Adenomas Present Unique Secretory and Molecular Features and Shed Light on the Role of Ubiquitylation on ACTH Processing

Background: Somatic mutations in the ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) gene have recently been shown to occur in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, thus calling attention to the ubiquitin system in corticotrope adenomas. Objectives: Assess the consequences of USP8 mutations and establish the role of ubiquitin on ACTH turnover in human ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Methods: USP8 mutation status was established in 126 ACTH-secreting adenomas. Differences in ACTH secretion and POMC expression from adenoma primary cultures and in microarray gene expression profiles from archival specimens were sought according to USP8 sequence. Ubiquitin/ACTH coimmunoprecipitation and incubation with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, were performed in order to establish whether ubiquitin plays a role in POMC/ACTH degradation in corticotrope adenomas. Results: USP8 mutations were identified in 29 adenomas (23%). Adenomas presenting USP8 mutations secreted greater amounts of ACTH and expressed POMC at higher levels compared to USP wild-type specimens. USP8 mutant adenomas were also more sensitive to modulation by CRH and dexamethasone in vitro. At microarray analysis, genes associated with endosomal protein degradation and membrane components were downregulated in USP8 mutant adenomas as were AVPR1B, IL11RA, and PITX2. Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway increased ACTH secretion and POMC itself proved a target of ubiquitylation, independently of USP8 sequence status. Conclusions: Our study has shown that USP8 mutant ACTH-secreting adenomas present a more "typical" corticotrope phenotype and reduced expression of several genes associated with protein degradation. Further, ubiquitylation is directly involved in intracellular ACTH turnover, suggesting that the ubiquitin-proteasome system may represent a target for treatment of human ACTH-secreting adenomas

Winograd technique. About one case

Una de las técnicas quirúrgicas de elección para las onicocriptosis severas es el Winograd. En el presente artículo presentamos el caso de un varón de 17 años, afecto de onicocriptosis severa, con los rodetes ungueales hipertróficos al que sometimos a cirugía ungueal con resultados satisfactorios tanto para él como para los profesionales que llevamos a cabo la intervención.One of the surgical techniques of election for the severe onicocriptosis is the Winograd. In the present article we presents the clinical case of a man of 17 years old, affected of severe onicocriptosis, with the nails fols hypertrophied who underwent to nail surgery with satisfactory results for him as for the professionals as much who we carried out the intervention

Energy Flow in the Cryptophyte PE545 Antenna Is Directed by Bilin Pigment Conformation

Structure-based calculations are combined with quantitative modeling of spectra and energy transfer dynamics to detemine the energy transfer scheme of the PE545 principal light-harvesting antenna of the cryptomonad Rhodomonas CS24. We use a recently developed quantum-mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method that allows us to account for pigment-protein interactions at atomic detail in site energies, transition dipole moments, and electronic couplings. In addition, conformational flexibility of the pigment-protein complex is accounted for through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We find that conformational disorder largely smoothes the large energetic differences predicted from the crystal structure between the pseudosymmetric pairs PEB50/61C-PEB50/61D and PEB82C-PEB82D. Moreover, we find that, in contrast to chlorophyll-based photosynthetic complexes, pigment composition and conformation play a major role in defining the energy ladder in the PE545 complex, rather than specific pigment-protein interactions. This is explained by the remarkable conformational flexibility of the eight bilin pigments in PE545, characterized by a quasi-linear arrangement of four pyrrole units. The MD-QM/MM site energies allow us to reproduce the main features of the spectra, and minor adjustments of the energies of the three red-most pigments DBV19A, DBV19B, and PEB82D allow us to model the spectra of PE545 with a similar quality compared to our original model (model E from Novoderezhkin et al. Biophys. J.2010, 99, 344), which was extracted from the spectral and kinetic fit. Moreover, the fit of the transient absorption kinetics is even better in the new structure-based model. The largest difference between our previous and present results is that the MD-QM/MM calculations predict a much smaller gap between the PEB50/61C and PEB50/61D sites, in better accord with chemical intuition. We conclude that the current adjusted MD-QM/MM energies are more reliable in order to explore the spectral properties and energy transfer dynamics in the PE545 complex

Kinerja Dinas Perhubungan Manado dalam Mengatasi Kemacetan di Kota Manado

The purpose of this research is to know the performance of the Department of transportation thecity of manado in overcoming bottlenecks in the city of manado. Congestion is the enemy of all citiesevolve how not everyone wants to be on time but sometimes we take advantage of the drive can be thecause of our loss. Department of transportation\u27s been doing a lot of Manado City efforts in tacklingbottlenecks that occur one by working closely with the traffic police authorities in response to wildparking, but that\u27s all it was only one of countless causes of congestion, the Department of transportationcurrently Manado alone must be firmer or more increase their performance so that later on the level ofcongestion in the town of manado alone can be cut down.In the research uses qualitative research methods type or descriptive. As for the variety of data (theinformant) in this research taken from the elements involved in the problem in thorough, namely: head ofDepartment of Transportation Department Secretary, Manado, the head of Road Freight traffic, head ofsystems development of transportation and road users (community). With the techniques of primary andsecondary data collection is done with the interview, observation and documentation study.The overall performance of the transport service of the city of manado in dealing with congestion inmanado city seen from the implementation of function-function which in size with the performancemeasurement indicators are pointed out by Dwiyanto 1995 (productivity, Responsiveness, quality ofservice, corporate responsibility and accountability) is still not optimal. It is proven congestion problems inthe city of manado in the handle well yet and Max.The Department of transport improves performance of Manado city in addressing bottlenecks in the workprogram for effectiveness suggest that will be made by the Department of transportation should be moreManado city in advance to be able to cope with problems on the streets of the city of Manado, for example:make regulations for vehicle ownership rights over 6 – 7 years in destroyed or recycled to reducebottlenecks and making the Road overpass. Quality of service in the Department of transportation in ordernot to complicate the community with conditions that are not important and of persons – the person whomade it more difficult to be in the stands. Response from the Department of transportation by takingaction against the congestion often occurs in Manado city must faster and creating pos – post on point – apoint of congestion in order to control the streets of the city of Manado. Department of transportation inthe future to further improve its velocity in response to things – things that exist in the streets of the city ofmanado, for example: reduction of public transport vehicles that are already not worth sharing andmaking the place/guard post in Manado city street se