Thermodynamics of mechanopeptide sidechains

Biological systems are often exposed to mechanical perturbations, which may modulate many biochemical processes. Ligand binding involves a wide range of structural changes in the receptor protein, from hinge movement of entire domains to minor sidechain rearrangements in the binding pocket residues. Hydrophobic ligand binding to protein alters the system’s vibrational free energy, allowing different conformational states of allosteric proteins. Excess hydrophobicity in protein–ligand binding generates mechanical force along the peptide backbone through the hydrophobic effect. We describe mechanically strained peptide structures involved in protein aggregation to determine the transition between the initial condensation of hydrophobic polypeptide chains into ordered fibrillar structures. This transition is due to the excess attractive hydrophobic force by ligand binding within proteins into fibrillar assemblies. The process of fibrillar formation has a mechanosensitive nature, which significantly influences the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases

Role of ICTs in Enhancing a Sustainable Educational Development in Selected Secondary Schools in Ilorin Metropolis

The study investigated the impact of the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) has made on the Sustenance of Education in selected secondary schools in Ilorin metropolis. The study made use of primary data obtained through the administration of questionnaires on thirty (30) teachers and Ninety (90) students randomly selected across the six secondary schools within metropolis. The data obtained from the study were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square. The results reveal that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has helped in the development of education in the study area. The findings also reveal that the students’ respondents have developed a positive attitude towards the use of ICT for the acquisition of new skills. . The study therefore recommended that government should make computer and internet facilities available at all levels of our education system as this is expected to improve the performance of students in their academic pursuit. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Information and Communication Technology.(ICT)

NEGOTIATING ACEH SELF-DETERMINATION IN INDONESIA’S UNITARY SYSTEM: A Study on Peace Agreement Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding 2005

Abstract - Aceh, the northern-most province of Indonesia came through long suffering of armed conflicts for self-determination under the Dutch (1873-1942) and Japanese colonisation (1942-1945). It continued until Aceh joined Indonesia‟s unitary system in 1945, in which it was formally initiated by Tgk. Daud Beureueh between 1953-1963, and further to be declared by Tgk. Hasan Tiro on 4th December 1976 under the banner of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). This struggle was ended by peace agreement, the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 15th August 2005 with the Aceh self-government notion consensus. In this regard, Aceh has more spaces and opportunities to re-determine its political, economic, social and cultural status under the Indonesian system. According to the international law, the notion of self-government is considered as internal self-determination under the International Human Rights Law regime. This would refer to two covenants: the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966. However, in practice, despite this ongoing implementation has achieved some progress in short term local political development, yet there are still many challenges for long-term economic, social and cultural advancement objectives, in particular regarding human rights related issues. This paper endeavours to analyse the issue through the overview of historical background of Aceh self-determination from an international law perspective. Hopefully, this paper contributes to a conceptual understanding of the MoU Helsinki in terms of Aceh self-determination movement as well as some challenges ahead

Survey and surveillance development in settings with low human immunodeficiency virus prevalence

In most countries, during the early phases of a human immunodeficiency virus epidemic, independently initiated surveys of perceived high-risk groups tend to precede the development of formal surveillance systems. Unfortunately, in low-prevalence settings, small sample sizes produce unreliable estimates of prevalence and trends, with an inevitable tendency towards positive results. In our study, we present sample size calculations and typical samples used in actual surveys, with Pakistan as our example. More useful data on risk behaviour and potential for spread can be derived from the study of commoner sexually transmitted diseases and associated risk behaviours, including assessments of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices

ISLAMIC ECONOMIC CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM

This study aims to find out the creative solutions of Islamic economics in overcoming the economic obstacles faced by SMEs both short and long term. This research is descriptive analysis with a qualitative approach from secondary data including and literature. The results of this study indicate that the right Islamic economic solution to addressing the economic barriers of SMEs is to provide Islamic finance, strengthen management, and use financial technology (Fintech) features and establish relationships with customers. This research has implications for improving and strengthening sharia-based SMEs

Finite element analysis of rotating oscillatory magneto-convective radiative micropolar thermo-solutal flow

Micropolar fluids provide an alternative mechanism for simulating micro-scale and molecular fluid mechanics which require less computational effort. In the present paper, a numerical analysis is conducted for the primary and secondary flow characterizing dissipative micropolar convective heat and mass transfer from a rotating vertical plate with oscillatory plate velocity, adjacent to a permeable medium. Owing to high temperature, thermal radiation effects are also studied. The micropolar fluid is also chemically-reacting, both thermal and species (concentration) buoyancy effects and heat source/sink are included. The entire system rotates with uniform angular velocity about an axis normal to the plate. Rosseland’s diffusion approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. The partial differential equations governing the flow problem are rendered dimensionless with appropriate transformation variables. A Galerkin finite element method is employed to solve the emerging multi-physical components of fluid dynamics problem are examined for a variety of parameters including rotation parameter, radiation-conduction parameter, micropolar coupling parameter, Eckert number (dissipation), reaction parameter, magnetic body force parameter and Schmidt number. A comparison with previously published article is made to check the validity and accuracy of the present finite element solutions under some limiting case and excellent agreement is attained. The current simulations may be applicable to various chemical engineering systems, oscillating rheometry, and rotating MHD energy generator near-wall flows