Solvent and conformation dependence of amide I vibrations in peptides and proteins containing proline

We present a mixed quantum-classical model for studying the amide I vibrational dynamics (predominantly CO stretching) in peptides and proteins containing proline. There are existing models developed for determining frequencies of and couplings between the secondary amide units. However, these are not applicable to proline because this amino acid has a tertiary amide unit. Therefore, a new parametrization is required for infrared-spectroscopic studies of proteins that contain proline, such as collagen, the most abundant protein in humans and animals. Here, we construct the electrostatic and dihedral maps accounting for solvent and conformation effects on frequency and coupling for the proline unit. We examine the quality and the applicability of these maps by carrying out spectral simulations of a number of peptides with proline in D2O and compare with experimental observations.Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (VIDI grant)National Science Foundation (U.S.) ((NSF) CHE-0911107

The value of continuous professional development: Teachers' perceptions

The central argument is that in the presentation of workshops for teachers, presenters should focus on the principles underlying continuous professional development (CPD), since teachers are likely to be more willing to attend workshops if they are worth the time spent and the sacrifices made. In a workshop, on supporting learners with learning difficulties, such principles were therefore applied. A hands-on presentation was used to ensure that the teachers fully understood the use of the suggested teaching methods. The teachers were then asked to complete a questionnaire to determine their perceptions of how they had experienced the workshop. The questionnaire focused on the various CPD principles applied in the workshop, as well as the personal value and expected effect of the workshop on their teaching approach. In general, the teachers reported that regardless of their teaching position, qualifications, gender, or age they had experienced the CPD workshop positively. Keywords: continuous professional development; in-service training; learning difficulties; teaching methods; workshop South African Journal of Education Vol. 27 (1) 2007: pp. 53-6

Awards, Archives, and Affects: Tropes in the World Press Photo Contest 2009 - 2011

__Abstract__ Photography contests have assumed an increasingly significant public role in the context of the global surge of mass-mediated war reporting. This study focuses on the recurrence of visual tropes in press photographs awarded in the annual contest World Press Photo (WPP) in the years 2009–11. By tropes, we mean conventions (e.g. a mourning woman, a civilian facing soldiers, a distressed witness to an atrocity) that remain unchanged despite their travels across the visual sphere, gaining professional and public recognition and having a strong affective impact. We contend that photography contests such as the WPP influence and organize a process of generic understanding of war, disaster and atrocity that is based on a number of persistent tropes, such as the mourner, the protester or the survivor amidst chaos and ruins. We further show that these tropes are gendered along traditional conceptions of femininity and masculinity, appealing strongly to both judges and wider audiences. The evidence for our claim comes from an analysis of the photographs that won awards, observation of the judging sessions, semi-structured interviews with three jury chairmen, and public commentary on the juries’ choices (blogs, newspapers and websites)

Karakterbou en Christelike Waardes vir die Bevordering van Gedissiplineerde Klaskamergedrag: ’n Kritiese Beskouing

This article is a reflection of research conducted at the request of the South African Teachers’ Union, which indicated its concern about the decline of discipline in schools. A literature study and questionnaire were used to find answers to the following questions: What are discipline and undisciplined behaviour? What is the occurrence of undisciplined behaviour in the classroom? The contribution of character building, values and Christian values to improve undisciplined behaviour is debated on the basis of the literature.According to the literature, discipline can be regarded as the development of a moral character, control of learners, preventive and restorative actions, self-discipline and even punishment. Various forms of undisciplined behaviour were indicated in a pilot study and confirmed in a literature study. A questionnaire was used to obtain an overview of the occurrence of the identified undisciplined behaviour in the classroom.The following forms of undisciplined behaviour were indicated by more than 15% of the participants: talking-in-between, rudeness, laziness, poor cooperation, disrespect, challenging behaviour, lies, moodiness, dishonesty, truancy, stealing, smoking and violence. This behaviour not only disturbs the order in the classroom, but also shows, according to the Christian perspective, a lack of caring and respect towards teachers and fellow learners. The authors of this article argue that character development and the instilment of Christian values may contribute to better self-discipline and improve discipline in the classroom

The pursuit of happiness: the social and scientific origins of Hans Selye’s natural philosophy of life

© The Author(s) 2012. Open access article.In 1956, Hans Selye tentatively suggested that the scientific study of stress could ‘help us to formulate a precise program of conduct’ and ‘teach us the wisdom to live a rich and meaningful life’. Nearly two decades later, Selye expanded this limited vision of social order into a full-blown philosophy of life. In Stress without Distress, first published in 1974, he proposed an ethical code of conduct designed to mitigate personal and social problems. Basing his arguments on contemporary understandings of the biological processes involved in stress reactions, Selye referred to this code as ‘altruistic egotism’. This article explores the origins and evolution of Selye’s ‘natural philosophy of life’, analysing the links between his theories and adjacent intellectual developments in biology, psychosomatic and psychosocial medicine, cybernetics and socio-biology, and situating his work in the broader cultural framework of modern western societies.Wellcome Trus

Ergothioneine Biosynthesis and Functionality in the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus.

Ergothioneine (EGT; 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine) is a trimethylated and sulphurised histidine derivative which exhibits antioxidant properties. Here we report that deletion of Aspergillus fumigatus egtA (AFUA_2G15650), which encodes a trimodular enzyme, abrogated EGT biosynthesis in this opportunistic pathogen. EGT biosynthetic deficiency in A. fumigatus significantly reduced resistance to elevated H2O2 and menadione, respectively, impaired gliotoxin production and resulted in attenuated conidiation. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed substantial proteomic remodelling in ΔegtA compared to wild-type under both basal and ROS conditions, whereby the abundance of 290 proteins was altered. Specifically, the reciprocal differential abundance of cystathionine γ-synthase and β-lyase, respectively, influenced cystathionine availability to effect EGT biosynthesis. A combined deficiency in EGT biosynthesis and the oxidative stress response regulator Yap1, which led to extreme oxidative stress susceptibility, decreased resistance to heavy metals and production of the extracellular siderophore triacetylfusarinine C and increased accumulation of the intracellular siderophore ferricrocin. EGT dissipated H2O2 in vitro, and elevated intracellular GSH levels accompanied abrogation of EGT biosynthesis. EGT deficiency only decreased resistance to high H2O2 levels which suggests functionality as an auxiliary antioxidant, required for growth at elevated oxidative stress conditions. Combined, these data reveal new interactions between cellular redox homeostasis, secondary metabolism and metal ion homeostasis

Zakasnela pravda - iskustva sa restitucijom u Austriji

During the last two decades, Austria has avowed a shared moral responsibility for the participation in National Socialist atrocities. The process of re-evaluation is still ongoing. The National Fund of the Republic of Austria for victims of National Socialism (est. 1995), the General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism (est. 2001) and the Fund for the Restoration of Jewish Cemeteries in Austria (est. 2011) are responsible for restitution and commemoration. The National Fund is dedicated to the recognition and commemoration of victims of Austrian origin. It supports needy survivors and has disbursed 175 million Euros as compensation for seized tenancy rights. It is sponsoring projects conveying historical awareness and is involved in the restitution of looted art and the renewal of the Austrian exhibition at Auschwitz. The General Settlement Fund awards ex gratia payments in order to close the gaps in previous restitution and compensation measures. It has disbursed 211.5 million US Dollars. An independent Arbitration Panel decides on In Rem Restitution of publicly owned assets. It has so far issued 93 recommendations for restitution. The discussion on historical responsibility started late in Austria, but the progress made has shown that an evaluation of the past can start a healing process for society.U Austriji postoje tri povezana fonda odgovorna za restituciju i komemoraciju: Nacionalni fond Republike Austrije za žrtve nacionalsocijalizma, Generalni fond za žrtve nacionalsocijalizma i Fond za obnovu jevrejskih groblja u Austriji. Austrija se oslanjala na Moskovsku deklaraciju iz 1943, prema kojoj je ona prva slobodna zemlja koja je postala žrtva na hitlerovske agresije. Kao zemlja koju je okupirala nacistička Nemačka, a oslobodili su je saveznici, posleratna Austrija mogla je da ne bude pravno odgovorna za krivična dela nacističkog režima na austrijskoj teritoriji. U poslednje dve decenije svest o političkoj odgovornosti počela je da se menja: tek je 1991. austrijski savezni kancelar Franc Vranicki priznao moralnu odgovornost za učešće toliko Austrijanaca u nacističkim zlodelima. Važan korak ka restituciji jeste uspostavljanje Austrijske istorijske komisije 1998. godine i Austrijskog fonda za pomirenje, mir i saradnju 2000. Izvršene su dobrovoljne uplate Republike Austrije žrtvama nacističkog robovskog rada. Austrija je potpisala Terezin deklaraciju 2009. i aktivno je učestvovala u izradi Smernica za restituciju 2010. Nacionalni fond Republike Austrije za žrtve nacionalsocijalizma osnovan je 1995. kao prva organizacija u Austriji isključivo posvećena prepoznavanju i aktivnoj komemoraciji žrtava nacionalsocijalizma. Od 1995. godine 150 miliona evra isplaćeno je na ime 30.000 osoba koje danas žive u više od 75 zemalja širom sveta, kao i preko 175 miliona evra od 2001. kao naknada za oduzeta stanarska prava; ostatak novca posvećen je programima posvećenim žrtvama nacionalsocijalizma. Uplate mogu samo biti simbolični izraz žaljenja i poštovanja bez obzira na nacionalnost ili mesto boravka žrtava danas. Od 1998. godine, kada je donet Savezni zakon o povratku dela iz austrijskih saveznih muzeja i zbirki, Fond je bio uključen u proces restitucije ukradenih umetničkih dela, a ujedno koordinira obnavljanjem austrijske izložbe u Aušvicu. Do sada je sponzorisano oko 1.200 projekata sa oko 22 miliona evra. Nacionalni fond takođe utiče na podizanje svesti o žrtvama Holokausta u školama. Godine 2001. Austrija je potpisala Vašingtonski sporazum namenjen za prevazilaženje nedostataka u prethodnim povraćajima i merama obeštećenja. Dva ishoda ovog sporazuma bila su osnivanje Fonda za žrtve nacionalsocijalizma u 2001. i osnivanje Fonda za obnovu jevrejskih groblja u Austriji 2011. godine. Mogući oblici restitucije su vraćanje oduzete nekretnine. Arbitražna komisija odlučuje na osnovu poslatih prijava i formiranih kriterijuma o prioritetima. Kao rezultat detaljnog istorijskog istraživanja arhiva dobili smo kopije preko 75.000 različitih dokumenata koji dokazuju progon i gubitke, i formirana je ‘Findbuch' -elektronska baza sa datotekama nacističke zaplene imovine, veoma korisna za istraživače. Time se omogućava potomcima žrtava da pronađu podatke o istoriji svojih porodica. Do sada je ukupno isplaćeno 211,5 miliona dolara za 20.700 ljudi. Budućnost će proceniti vrednost ovih napora, iako je bolje preuzeti društvenu odgovornost za postupke ikad, nego nikad

A proteomic approach to investigating gene cluster expression and secondary metabolite functionality in Aspergillus fumigatus.

A combined proteomics and metabolomics approach was utilised to advance the identification and characterisation of secondary metabolites in Aspergillus fumigatus. Here, implementation of a shotgun proteomic strategy led to the identification of non-redundant mycelial proteins (n = 414) from A. fumigatus including proteins typically under-represented in 2-D proteome maps: proteins with multiple transmembrane regions, hydrophobic proteins and proteins with extremes of molecular mass and pI. Indirect identification of secondary metabolite cluster expression was also achieved, with proteins (n = 18) from LaeA-regulated clusters detected, including GliT encoded within the gliotoxin biosynthetic cluster. Biochemical analysis then revealed that gliotoxin significantly attenuates H2O2-induced oxidative stress in A. fumigatus (p>0.0001), confirming observations from proteomics data. A complementary 2-D/LC-MS/MS approach further elucidated significantly increased abundance (p<0.05) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), NADH-quinone oxidoreductase and the gliotoxin oxidoreductase GliT, along with significantly attenuated abundance (p<0.05) of a heat shock protein, an oxidative stress protein and an autolysis-associated chitinase, when gliotoxin and H2O2 were present, compared to H2O2 alone. Moreover, gliotoxin exposure significantly reduced the abundance of selected proteins (p<0.05) involved in de novo purine biosynthesis. Significantly elevated abundance (p<0.05) of a key enzyme, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase Xpt1, utilised in purine salvage, was observed in the presence of H2O2 and gliotoxin. This work provides new insights into the A. fumigatus proteome and experimental strategies, plus mechanistic data pertaining to gliotoxin functionality in the organism

STRETCHABLE CONDUCTIVE COMPOSITES FOR USE IN SOFT DEVICES

An elastically-deformable, conductive composite using elastomers and conductive fibers and simple fabrication procedures is provided. Conductive elastomeric composites offer low resistance to electrical current and are elastic over large (\u3e25%) extensional strains. They can be easily interfaced/built into structures fabricated from elastomeric polymers