Ultrafast force-clamp spectroscopy of single molecules reveals load dependence of myosin working stroke

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Improving Cry8Ka toxin activity towards the cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cotton boll weevil (<it>Anthonomus grandis</it>) is a serious insect-pest in the Americas, particularly in Brazil. The use of chemical or biological insect control is not effective against the cotton boll weevil because of its endophytic life style. Therefore, the use of biotechnological tools to produce insect-resistant transgenic plants represents an important strategy to reduce the damage to cotton plants caused by the boll weevil. The present study focuses on the identification of novel molecules that show improved toxicity against the cotton boll weevil. <it>In vitro </it>directed molecular evolution through DNA shuffling and phage display screening was applied to enhance the insecticidal activity of variants of the Cry8Ka1 protein of <it>Bacillus thuringiensis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Bioassays carried out with <it>A. grandis </it>larvae revealed that the LC₅₀of the screened mutant Cry8Ka5 toxin was 3.15-fold higher than the wild-type Cry8Ka1 toxin. Homology modelling of Cry8Ka1 and the Cry8Ka5 mutant suggested that both proteins retained the typical three-domain Cry family structure. The mutated residues were located mostly in loops and appeared unlikely to interfere with molecular stability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The improved toxicity of the Cry8Ka5 mutant obtained in this study will allow the generation of a transgenic cotton event with improved potential to control <it>A. grandis</it>.</p

Multiscale Thermal Management of Computing Systems - The MULTITHERMAN approach

This work presents the research findings of the Multithermal ERC-Advanced project, in terms of multi-scale thermal control of complex large scale computing platforms such as High Performance Computing Systems, and datacenters. In this respect, the challenges and opportunities concerning thermal control of computing systems are discussed, along with the proposed innovative solutions. Control and management problem is divided at different hierarchical, and scale, levels (compute node and system). Then, given the control knobs and sensors available at each level, advanced control and system identification techniques are proposed, to achieve a holistic thermal management of complex computing platforms, with benefits for thermal stability guarantees and energy consumption optimization. Such features are of utmost importance for advancements in next generation large scale computing solutions

Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes : an undervalued association?

Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by symptoms and signs suggestive of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD), but which do not fulfill all the established criteria for definite diagnosis of a condition. Although a third of UCTDs can progress to a definite ARD within months or years, most UCTDs can remain stable for years with minimal disease activity. The annual incidence of UCTD in the general population ranges from 14 to 140 per 100 000 people. UCTDs are associated with the persistence of several circulating autoantibodies including antinuclear, antiphospholipid or antithyroid antibodies. Immunological evaluation of subjects with UCTDs suggests a proinflammatory state and dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance. Autoantibodies have well-known deleterious effects on placentation and have been associated with an increased risk of prematurity, fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia, and congenital atrioventricular heart block. Although epidemiological and biological data suggest a potential negative impact on reproductive outcomes, the relationship between UCTD and pregnancy outcomes has not been adequately studied. While awaiting definitive data from large studies, obstetricians should be aware that rheumatic disorders in their early, incomplete, or undifferentiated phases can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy loss, FGR, preeclampsia, and prematurit