LED Traffic Signal Retrofits: Implications for Intersection Safety

The recent advancements in light emitting diode (LED) technology and the comparative energy savings over traditional incandescent bulbs have led to many municipalities retrofitting traffic signals with new LED bulbs. Although a significant amount of literature exists regarding benefits of LED installations in terms of energy and economic savings, less attention has been given to the potential safety impacts of these massive retrofit projects. This thesis will evaluate the safety implications of the change to LED technology in traffic signals in Memphis, Tennessee, where 56 full LED conversions and 712 partial conversions (red and green only) of signalized intersections have occured since 2000 and present findings from analysis before and after crash data to determine the intersection safety impact, if any, of LED traffic signals

The significance of peroxisomes in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in filamentous fungi

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous organelles characterized by a protein-rich matrix surrounded by a single membrane. In filamentous fungi, peroxisomes are crucial for the primary metabolism of several unusual carbon sources used for growth (e.g. fatty acids), but increasing evidence is presented that emphasize the crucial role of these organelles in the formation of a variety of secondary metabolites. In filamentous fungi, peroxisomes also play a role in development and differentiation whereas specialized peroxisomes, the Woronin bodies, play a structural role in plugging septal pores. The biogenesis of peroxisomes in filamentous fungi involves the function of conserved PEX genes, as well as genes that are unique for these organisms. Peroxisomes are also subject to autophagic degradation, a process that involves ATG genes. The interplay between organelle biogenesis and degradation may serve a quality control function, thereby allowing a continuous rejuvenation of the organelle population in the cells

Current progress on removal of recalcitrance coloured particles from anaerobically treated effluent using coagulation–flocculation

The palm oil industry is the most important agro industries in Malaysia and most of the mills adopt anaerobic digestion as their primary treatment for palm oil mill effluent (POME). Due to the public concern, decolourisation of anaerobically treated POME (AnPOME) is becoming a great concern. Presence of recalcitrant-coloured particles hinders biological processes and coagulation–flocculation may able to remove these coloured particles. Several types of inorganic and polymers-based coagulant/flocculant aids for coagulation–flocculation of AnPOME have been reviewed. Researchers are currently interested in using natural coagulant and flocculant aids. Modification of the properties of natural coagulant and flocculant aids enhanced coagulation–flocculation performance. Modelling and optimization of the coagulation–flocculation process have also been reviewed. Chemical sludge has the potential for plant growth that can be evaluated through pot trials and phytotoxicity test

Hydrogen Peroxide Acts on Sensitive Mitochondrial Proteins to Induce Death of a Fungal Pathogen Revealed by Proteomic Analysis

How the host cells of plants and animals protect themselves against fungal invasion is a biologically interesting and economically important problem. Here we investigate the mechanistic process that leads to death of Penicillium expansum, a widespread phytopathogenic fungus, by identifying the cellular compounds affected by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is frequently produced as a response of the host cells. We show that plasma membrane damage was not the main reason for H2O2-induced death of the fungal pathogen. Proteomic analysis of the changes of total cellular proteins in P. expansum showed that a large proportion of the differentially expressed proteins appeared to be of mitochondrial origin, implying that mitochondria may be involved in this process. We then performed mitochondrial sub-proteomic analysis to seek the H2O2-sensitive proteins in P. expansum. A set of mitochondrial proteins were identified, including respiratory chain complexes I and III, F1F0 ATP synthase, and mitochondrial phosphate carrier protein. The functions of several proteins were further investigated to determine their effects on the H2O2-induced fungal death. Through fluorescent co-localization and the use of specific inhibitor, we provide evidence that complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain contributes to ROS generation in fungal mitochondria under H2O2 stress. The undesirable accumulation of ROS caused oxidative damage of mitochondrial proteins and led to the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential. Meanwhile, we demonstrate that ATP synthase is involved in the response of fungal pathogen to oxidative stress, because inhibition of ATP synthase by oligomycin decreases survival. Our data suggest that mitochondrial impairment due to functional alteration of oxidative stress-sensitive proteins is associated with fungal death caused by H2O2

Proteomics of industrial fungi: trends and insights for biotechnology

Filamentous fungi are widely known for their industrial applications, namely, the production of food-processing enzymes and metabolites such as antibiotics and organic acids. In the past decade, the full genome sequencing of filamentous fungi increased the potential to predict encoded proteins enormously, namely, hydrolytic enzymes or proteins involved in the biosynthesis of metabolites of interest. The integration of genome sequence information with possible phenotypes requires, however, the knowledge of all the proteins in the cell in a system-wise manner, given by proteomics. This review summarises the progress of proteomics and its importance for the study of biotechnological processes in filamentous fungi. A major step forward in proteomics was to couple protein separation with high-resolution mass spectrometry, allowing accurate protein quantification. Despite the fact that most fungal proteomic studies have been focused on proteins from mycelial extracts, many proteins are related to processes which are compartmentalised in the fungal cell, e.g. β-lactam antibiotic production in the microbody. For the study of such processes, a targeted approach is required, e.g. by organelle proteomics. Typical workflows for sample preparation in fungal organelle proteomics are discussed, including homogenisation and sub-cellular fractionation. Finally, examples are presented of fungal organelle proteomic studies, which have enlarged the knowledge on areas of interest to biotechnology, such as protein secretion, energy production or antibiotic biosynthesis

The Effect of the MicroRNA-183 Family on Hair Cell-Specific Markers of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Hearing loss is considered the most common sensory disorder across the world. Nowadays, a cochlear implant can be an effective treatment for patients. Moreover, it is often believed that sensorineural hearing loss in humans is caused by loss or disruption of the function of hair cells in the cochlea. In this respect, mesenchymal cells can be a good candidate for cell-based therapeutic approaches. To this end, the potential of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into hair cells with the help of transfection of microRNA in vitro was investigated. MicroRNA mimics (miRNA-96, 182, and 183) were transfected to human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells using Lipofec-tamine as a common transfection reagent following the manufacturer's instructions at 50 nM for microRNA mimics and 50 nM for the scramble. The changes in cell morphology were also observed under an inverted microscope. Then, the relative expression levels of SOX2, POU4F3, MYO7A, and calretinin were assayed using real-time polymerase chain reaction according to the ΔΔCt method. The ATOH1 level was similarly measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The results showed that increased expression of miRNA-182, but neither miRNA-96 nor miRNA-183, could lead to higher expression levels in some hair cell markers. The morphology of the cells also did not change in this respect, but the evaluation of gene expression at the levels of mRNA could promote the expression of the ATOH1, SOX2, and POU4F3 markers. Furthermore, miRNA-182 could enhance the expression of ATOH1 at the protein level. According to the results of this study, it was concluded that miRNA-182 could serve as a crucial function in hair cell differentiation by the upregulation of SOX2, POU4F3, and ATOH1 to promote a hair cell's fate