The Acidic Domains of the Toc159 Chloroplast Preprotein Receptor Family are Instrinsically Disordered Protein Domains

Background: The Toc159 family of proteins serve as receptors for chloroplast-destined preproteins. They directly bind to transit peptides, and exhibit preprotein substrate selectivity conferred by an unknown mechanism. The Toc159 receptors each include three domains: C-terminal membrane, central GTPase, and N-terminal acidic (A-) domains. Although the function(s) of the A-domain remains largely unknown, the amino acid sequences are most variable within these domains, suggesting they may contribute to the functional specificity of the receptors. Results: The physicochemical properties of the A-domains are characteristic of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Using CD spectroscopy we show that the A-domains of two Arabidopsis Toc159 family members (atToc132 and atToc159) are disordered at physiological pH and temperature and undergo conformational changes at temperature and pH extremes that are characteristic of IDPs. Conclusions: Identification of the A-domains as IDPs will be important for determining their precise function(s), and suggests a role in protein-protein interactions, which may explain how these proteins serve as receptors for such a wide variety of preprotein substrates

Effect of Step Rate on Foot Strike Pattern and Running Economy in Novice Runners

Purpose—The objective was to examine if step rates ±5% or ±10% of a novice runner\u27s preferred step rate (SR) is sufficient enough to shift a novice runner’s foot strike pattern (FSP) (rear-foot, mid-foot, forefoot) and whether these SR changes produce changes in the rate of submaximal oxygen consumption (VO2). Methods—Foot strike angle (FSA) was recorded using sagittal plane video images and VO2 was measured for novice runners while running on a treadmill at a constant speed during increased and decreased (±5% and ±10%) SR conditions. Foot strike angle was used to predict strike index (SI) (predicted strike index = [FSA – 27.4]/-0.39) and quantify FSP in each SR condition. Results—Predicted SI was significantly different between preferred SR and the -5% (p = .014), -10% (p = .001), and the +10% (p = .007) SR conditions. There was a shift to higher predicted SI measures in the increased SR conditions and lower predicted SI measures in the decreased SR conditions. Oxygen consumption was significantly increased in the -5% and -10% SR conditions (p =.000 and p = .003, respectively). Conclusion-- Manipulations of SR produce shifts in FSP in novice runners and these changes cause small changes in submaximal VO2

The examination of a middle school teacher preparatory program through the lens of invitational leadership

Conducted have been studies on the development of adolescent students, the leadership style of middle school teachers, and the diversity of student. However, individual studies have not addressed the complex skills necessary for an effective middle school teacher. Today's teachers face rapid developmental changes of adolescents, increased expectations, and face the challenge of being unprepared to meet the needs of diverse students. Preparing these teachers needs to begin as early as possible in preparatory programs. By building programs specific for middle school educators, universities can prepare teachers to be inclusive and culturally aware. Therefore, this study used a social justice lens to examine invitational leadership principles in a middle school education program at a public university. Using the principles and domains of invitational leadership identified by Purkey and Novak (2016), the researcher focused specifically on the inclusion of caring, respect, trust, optimism, and intentionality in the program as well as the use of people, places, policies, programs, and processes for creating an inviting culture in the program. The results concluded the program was effective at including the principles and domains of invitational leadership by role modeling, building relationships within the community of learners, and offering collaborative opportunities to the students

Structure-function analysis of the acidic domain of the Arabidopsis Toc159 receptors

Most chloroplast proteins are encoded in the nucleus and translated in the cytosol with an N-terminal transit peptide, which facilitates recognition by the receptors of the translocon at the outer membrane of chloroplasts (Toc). The Toc159 family of receptors in Arabidopsis thaliana are the primary chloroplast preprotein receptors. Members of this family differentially associate with either atToc33 or atToc34 (“at” designates the species of origin, Arabidopsis thaliana) to form structurally and functionally distinct Toc complexes; atToc159/33-containing complexes import photosynthetic preproteins, and atToc132(120)/34-containing complexes import non-photosynthetic, plastid house-keeping proteins. The Toc159 receptors are most variable in their N-terminal A-domain, suggesting that this domain may contribute to their functional specificity. The A-domain has structural properties characteristic of intrinsically unstructured protein (IUP) domains, including an abundance of acidic amino acid residues, aberrant mobility during SDS-PAGE and sensitivity to proteolysis. The overall objective of this study was to gain insight into the function of the A-domain. First, to investigate the role of the A-domain in the assembly of structurally distinct Toc complexes, full-length, truncated and domain-swapped variants of atToc159 and atToc132 were targeted in vitro to chloroplasts isolated from wild type (WT) Arabidopsis, and atToc33 and atToc34 null mutants (ppi1 and ppi3, respectively). Insertion of atToc132 was less efficient than atToc159, and was not affected by the removal or swapping of the A-domain. In contrast, removal of the A-domain of atToc159 resulted in decreased insertion, most notably into ppi1 chloroplasts, suggesting that the A-domain is important for insertion, especially into atToc34-containing complexes. These results indicate that the A-domain does play a role in targeting, and may also suggest different roles for the A-domain in targeting of atToc159 and atToc132. Second, a structural analysis of the A-domain of atToc132 and atToc159 was performed using CD and fluorescence spectroscopy to gain insight into their potential function(s). The A-domains were found to be unstructured at physiological pH, and their secondary structure increased with increasing temperature and decreasing pH, which are characteristics of IUPs. IUPs are commonly involved in protein-protein interactions, and their unstructured nature may suggest a role for the A-domains in binding transit peptides, accounting for the ability of the Toc159 receptors to differentially distinguish between a large number of diverse transit peptides that possess low sequence conservation

Examining the Relationship Between Treatment Variables and Referral Processes on Probation Outcomes

Almost half of the justice-involved individuals on probation do not complete supervision successfully, highlighting the need to understand how different intervention types may increase supervision completion rates. Though prior literature has found that treatment effectively reduces recidivism, specifically treatment completion, there is a dearth of information understanding its effects on supervision completion. Looking at treatment as a general resource, this study assesses how treatment involvement affects probation termination and whether the degree of treatment participation or referral processes influences the likelihood of an individual completing probation. Partnered with a local Texas probation department, primary data was collected on 738 justice-involved individuals. Probation files were reviewed to gather information on treatment participation and probation termination outcomes. Findings indicate that the degree of treatment participation significantly influences the odds of an individual successfully completing probation, even when controlling for other variables. Specifically, an individual completing treatment showed the most significant difference in completing probation compared to other degrees of treatment participation. Contrary, the stage of supervision in which the treatment was initiated does not make a difference in supervision outcomes, with no significant difference in whether the treatment was referred to as an initial court order at the start of supervision or a subsequent court order due to noncompliance. These findings suggest that the intervention itself, rather than the intervention processes, is most significant in understanding rehabilitative efforts in relation to completing a probated sentence. Implications from these findings urge policymakers to implement treatment as a condition of supervision for those on community corrections and encourage officers to help their clientele complete their mandated treatment program. This study extends knowledge by being the first to analyze the degree of treatment participation in relation to probation termination and the first to look at whether the stage of supervision in which treatment was initiated impacts probation completion. As an unsuccessful termination of supervision results in incarceration, implementing treatment as an intervention method and encouraging treatment completion can reduce overall incarceration rates and help break the notion that the criminal justice system is a rotating door

Analysis of the Sedimentary Geology of the Jurassic Ralston Creek Formation as It Is Exposed in the Vicinity of Canon City, Colorado

The purpose of this thesis is to describe the sedimentary geology of the Jurassic Ralston Creek Formation as it is exposed in the vicinity of Canon City, Colorado. This thesis includes a description of the lithofacies and lithologies, an analysis of the petrography and diagenesis of the lithologies, and an interpretation of the depositional environments.Geolog

The acidic domains of the Toc159 chloroplast preprotein receptor family are intrinsically disordered protein domains

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Toc159 family of proteins serve as receptors for chloroplast-destined preproteins. They directly bind to transit peptides, and exhibit preprotein substrate selectivity conferred by an unknown mechanism. The Toc159 receptors each include three domains: C-terminal membrane, central GTPase, and N-terminal acidic (A-) domains. Although the function(s) of the A-domain remains largely unknown, the amino acid sequences are most variable within these domains, suggesting they may contribute to the functional specificity of the receptors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The physicochemical properties of the A-domains are characteristic of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Using CD spectroscopy we show that the A-domains of two <it>Arabidopsis </it>Toc159 family members (atToc132 and atToc159) are disordered at physiological pH and temperature and undergo conformational changes at temperature and pH extremes that are characteristic of IDPs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Identification of the A-domains as IDPs will be important for determining their precise function(s), and suggests a role in protein-protein interactions, which may explain how these proteins serve as receptors for such a wide variety of preprotein substrates.</p

Big Canyon Creek Ecological Restoration Strategy.

He-yey, Nez Perce for steelhead or rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), are a culturally and ecologically significant resource within the Big Canyon Creek watershed; they are also part of the federally listed Snake River Basin Steelhead DPS. The majority of the Big Canyon Creek drainage is considered critical habitat for that DPS as well as for the federally listed Snake River fall chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ESU. The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (District) and the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management-Watershed (Tribe), in an effort to support the continued existence of these and other aquatic species, have developed this document to direct funding toward priority restoration projects in priority areas for the Big Canyon Creek watershed. In order to achieve this, the District and the Tribe: (1) Developed a working group and technical team composed of managers from a variety of stakeholders within the basin; (2) Established geographically distinct sub-watershed areas called Assessment Units (AUs); (3) Created a prioritization framework for the AUs and prioritized them; and (4) Developed treatment strategies to utilize within the prioritized AUs. Assessment Units were delineated by significant shifts in sampled juvenile O. mykiss (steelhead/rainbow trout) densities, which were found to fall at fish passage barriers. The prioritization framework considered four aspects critical to determining the relative importance of performing restoration in a certain area: density of critical fish species, physical condition of the AU, water quantity, and water quality. It was established, through vigorous data analysis within these four areas, that the geographic priority areas for restoration within the Big Canyon Creek watershed are Big Canyon Creek from stream km 45.5 to the headwaters, Little Canyon from km 15 to 30, the mainstem corridors of Big Canyon (mouth to 7km) and Little Canyon (mouth to 7km). The District and the Tribe then used data collected from the District's stream assessment and inventory, utilizing the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP), to determine treatment necessary to bring 90% of reaches ranked Poor or Fair through the SVAP up to good or excellent. In 10 year's time, all reaches that were previously evaluated with SVAP will be reevaluated to determine progress and to adapt methods for continued success. Over 400 miles of stream need treatment in order to meet identified restoration goals. Treatments include practices which result in riparian habitat improvements, nutrient reductions, channel condition improvements, fish habitat improvements, invasive species control, water withdrawal reductions, improved hydrologic alterations, upland sediment reductions, and passage barrier removal. The Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District (District) and the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resource Management Watershed Division (Tribe) developed this document to guide restoration activities within the Big Canyon Creek watershed for the period of 2008-2018. This plan was created to demonstrate the ongoing need and potential for anadromous fish habitat restoration within the watershed and to ensure continued implementation of restoration actions and activities. It was developed not only to guide the District and the Tribe, but also to encourage cooperation among all stakeholders, including landowners, government agencies, private organizations, tribal governments, and elected officials. Through sharing information, skills, and resources in an active, cooperative relationships, all concerned parties will have the opportunity to join together to strengthen and maintain a sustainable natural resource base for present and future generations within the watershed. The primary goal of the strategy is to address aquatic habitat restoration needs on a watershed level for resident and anadromous fish species, promoting quality habitat within a self-sustaining watershed. Seven objectives have been developed to support this goal: (1) Identify factors limiting quality and quantity of steelhead spawning and rearing habitat; (2) Identify targets for optimal conditions within the basin; (3) Identify treatments to address limiting factors and goals for optimal conditions; (4) Prioritize location of restoration activities; (5) Identify information and data gaps; (6) Identify future monitoring strategy to support adaptive management; and (7) Identify opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders

Different types of soluble fermentable dietary fibre decrease food intake, body weight gain and adiposity in young adult male rats

We thank Donna Wallace and the Rowett Animal House staff for the daily care of experimental rats, body weight and food intake measurements and MRI scanning, Vivien Buchan and Donna Henderson of the Rowett Analytical Department for proximate analyses and SCFA GC, and Andrew Chappell for conducting the beta-glucan analysis. This research was funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Blighted Bodies and Physical Difference in Cairo, Damascus and Mecca, 1400-1550.

This study investigates writings about “people of blights” (ahl al-‘āhāt in Arabic) – a category that included physically different, disabled and ill individuals – that circulated among a group of Muslim male scholars connected by the social bonds of friendship and academic mentorship. Their writings challenged aesthetic and religious assumptions about “whole” bodies. Chapter One reviews theories and historiographies of the body. Chapter Two explores the theme of ‘āhāt in religious and juridical sources. Chapter Three traces the early modern development of a body aesthetic that invited appreciation of blighted and disabled bodies, using the personal letters and poetry of the hadith specialist and writer Shihāb al-Dīn al-Ḥijāzī (d. 1471) to illustrate ways in which he realigned perceptions of his own body. Chapter Four reveals how the body is remembered in two anthologies assembled by al-Ḥijāzī’s student, the Damascene Taqī al-Dīn al-Badrī (d. 1489), who compiled prose materials about the human eye and erotic verses about men with marked bodies. Chapter Five turns to the relationship of al-Ḥijāzī with another of his Damascene students Yūsuf ibn‘Abd al-Hādī (d. 1503), who penned a biographical dictionary about hadith transmitters with blighted bodies. By shifting from a literary genre to a religio-legal one, the subject of marked bodies acquired a new legitimacy and gravity. This chapter also draws out Ibn ‘Abd al-Hādī’s close relationship with his most famous student, Ibn Ṭūlūn (d. 1546), a Damascene historian who wrote a book consoling people who were losing their eyesight. Finally, Chapter Six gives dimension to the close friendship of Ibn Ṭūlūn with Ibn Fahd (d. 1547), a Meccan historian who wrote a book that controversially exposed some of his contemporaries as being bald underneath their turbans. His work so angered these men that they seized the book from his home and washed the pages at the local mosque, dissolving the ink. He attempted to undo their shame (and his own) through public debates with the Meccan theologian Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī (d. 1567) about the lawfulness of revealing others’ physical blights and by ultimately re-writing the work, omitting the names of these bald men.Ph.D.Near Eastern StudiesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61776/1/krisrich_1.pd