Peptide-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates as Artificial Carbonic Anhydrase Mimics

We herein describe the design and synthesis of a catalytically active peptide–gold nanoparticle conjugate (Pep-Au-NP) that binds Zn(II) within its peptide monolayer and develops carbonic anhydrase activity. Specifically, a modified variant of the β-sheet forming IHIHIQI-peptide (IHQ), which forms an interstrand 3-His Zn(II)-binding site, was used as a ligand for spherical gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). The resulting immobilized peptide maintains its ability to form β-sheets, as determined by circular dichroism (CD)-spectroscopy and, thus, maintains its ability to form Zn(II)-binding sites. The addition of Zn(II)-ions to the peptide–gold nanoparticle conjugates (Au@IHQ-NP) resulted in significant improvements in rates of ester hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (4-NPA) and the hydration of CO2 compared to the unconjugated peptide variants. Recycling of the catalyst revealed that Au@IHQ-NP remains intact with at least 94% of its initial activity after five rounds of CO2 hydration. The herein reported results reveal that Pep-Au-NPs are able to perform reactions catalyzed by natural metalloenzymes and open up new possibilities for the implementation of these conjugates

Catalytically active peptide–gold nanoparticle conjugates: Prospecting for artificial enzymes

The self‐assembly of peptides onto the surface of gold nanoparticles has emerged as a promising strategy towards the creation of artificial enzymes. The resulting high local peptide density surrounding the nanoparticle leads to cooperative and synergistic effects, which result in rate accelerations and distinct catalytic properties compared to the unconjugated peptide. This Minireview summarizes contributions to and progress made in the field of catalytically active peptide–gold nanoparticle conjugates. The origin of distinct properties, as well as potential applications, are also discussed

Vibration analysis of reconditioned high-speed electric motors

This paper discusses the issue of assessing the condition of three-phase induction motors (which are used as power units for tools on manufacturing lines in the furniture industry) following major repairs. These high-speed motors differ from standard motors in higher frequency power input, more durable bearings and reinforced structure of the terminal part of the rotor shaft. The rotational speed of the rotor is 10,000-18,000 rpm. Such high values of rotational speed trigger a situation in which exceeding the allowable limit of residual unbalance for the rotor unit damages the motor. The damage might necessitate a comprehensive repair. Such cases are frequent. The conducted studies resulted in designing a vibration analysis for assessing the condition of reconditioned high-speed motors (a method for controlling the quality of repairs). Both high- and low-frequency analyses with a signal selection module and the basic general measurements were applied. The analysis provides the possibility of verifying the efficacy of reconditioning in relation to the mechanical validity of the repaired motors

The Uses of Imagination: A Preface

The Uses of Imagination: A Preface . . . the very simple and primary things that the imagination is about: life, love, freedom, dignity. —Northrop Frye He who is the Lord of all things is the lord of the imagination. —William Lynch, S.J. In many ways, what a new journal chooses to present first says a great deal about what it intends and how it may develop. In choosing the imagination as the theme of this first issue we took up a concept that has had a troubled history, has often been misunderstood or distorted, and, on top of everything, is difficult to define precisely. Often, the imagination is erroneously dismissed as delusory and dangerous. Even Shakespeare—that quintessential exemplar of imaginative insight, identification, and sympathy— had one of his characters equate the imagination with seething brains and reason with coolness

Peptide-gold nanozymes as catalysts for green chemistry applications ranging from cascade catalysis to carbon capture

Protecting the environment and remediating it from the consequences of anthropogenic activities has become an important challenge in today’s world. Advancements in the field of catalysis, as an integral part of sustainable and green chemistry, play a major role in the development of new environmentally benign technologies to achieve this. In this regard, the field of nanotechnology opened up new possibilities for the design and synthesis of robust enzyme mimics (nanozymes) that fulfill the criteria of a green catalyst. In particular, gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) functionalized with catalytically active peptides (Pep-Au-NPs) have proven to be a promising strategy towards the creation of artificial enzymes with remarkable properties in molecular recognition and catalysis. However, the field is still in its infancy. To extent the contemporary insights into the field of Pep-Au-NPs and establish first design rules, one part of the research conducted in this thesis deals with the systematic study of design principles of Pep-Au-NPs. More specifically, research was focused to systematically elucidate the effect the position of the catalytic center along the peptide sequence has on the catalytic properties of the corresponding Pep-Au-NP assemblies. A correlation was found between the hydrophobic nature of the employed substrate and the region in which catalysis takes place within the generated peptide-monolayer. The other two studies included in this work were directed to broaden the application scope of these conjugates. First, Pep-Au-NP were studied in their ability to act as a multifunctional cascade catalyst that performs two sequential reactions on a given substrate. By utilizing the hybridity of the system, a peptide-monolayer was established that catalyzed ester hydrolysis, while the Au-NP surface functioned as an efficient hydrogenation catalyst. The reaction was performed as a one-pot reaction in aqueous solution. Second, a Pep-Au-NP was designed to function as an artificial carbonic anhydrase (CA) mimic for the conversion of CO2 to HCO3- in water. The artificial CA was able to catalyze CO2-hydration and showed superior catalytic activity over the unconjugated peptide variant. Recycling of the Pep-Au-NP was possible without significant loss in activity even after treatment at elevated temperatures. The results of this work, on the one hand, contribute to the rational design and synthesis of Pep-Au-NPs as artificial nano-enzymes; on the other hand, provide proof-of-concepts that Pep-Au-NPs are able to perform reactions applied in environmental-friendly processes

Factors affecting outcomes of EU-supported investments in innovation among SMEs in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region, Poland

Purpose The European Union offers support mechanisms to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate and grow. Given the substantial contribution of SMEs to national economies, the present paper explores what factors tend to be associated with the success of EU-supported innovation by SMEs in Poland during its early post-accession period. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model relating the type of innovation, investment purpose, funding type and financial readiness, location and collaboration possibilities, company size and sector of operation to changes in the capital base, employment, unit price and revenue is proposed. This model is operationalised and estimated as a structural equations model and estimated using a sample of 110 SMEs surveyed in 2008 in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region in Poland. Findings Two approaches to the successful use of innovation support have been observed among the studied companies. The first approach implements market innovations to establish a presence in foreign markets and to move the product or service up the value chain. The second approach uses the funding to de-risk workforce expansion and increase production capacity. Originality/value The paper provides the first systematic disaggregate level analysis of an early post-accession context where impacts of EU support for SME innovation are decomposed into effects of specific investment conditions and innovation type on changes in capital base, employment, unit price and ultimately revenue. The insights provided here are valuable for managers developing business and innovation strategies on the one hand, but also for policymakers responsible for creating an entrepreneurship friendly environment in emerging economies

TryLinks: An interactive tutorial system for a cross-tier Web programming language

Links is a web programming language under development in Edinburgh aimed at simplifying web development. Conventional multi-tier applications involve programming in several languages for different layers, and the mismatches between these layers and abstractions need to be handled by the programmer, which can lead to costly errors or security vulnerabilities. In Links, programs combine all of the code of a web application in a single program, and the implementation generates appropriate JavaScript and HTML for the client, and SQL queries for the database. However, installing and using Links is non-trivial, making it difficult for new programmers to get started and learn about Links. This paper reports on a Web-based "TryLinks" system, allowing anyone to experiment with Links without going through the installation process. TryLinks was designed with two major functionalities: an interactive Links shell that teaches the basic syntax of Links and acts as a playground, as well as a short tutorial series on how Links is used in practical web development. Tutorials can also be created or modified by administrators. We present the design and implementation of TryLinks, and conclude with discussion of lessons learned from this project and remaining challenges for Web-based tutorials for Web programming languages.Comment: ProWeb 2019 workshop pape

Below the symptom, within the setting, beyond the symptom…

peer reviewedThe symptom remains a kind of "royal road" into get to the day hospital. But what does it convey ? What innovative therapeutic responses can the day hospital provide ? After a brief reflexion on the symptom, from a semiologic and diagnostic point of view, and an overview of the psychodynamic, systemic and cognitive-behavioral models, we will examine the ingredients that nourish the integrative therapeutic work at the day hospital. Through clinical vignettes, we will describe the work of our institution by highlighting elements related to the concepts of institutional psychotherapy, setting, individual and group transferences and counter-transferences, holding, maternal and paternal functions, intrasubjective and intersubjective reality, object-shoring, and psychological envelope. We will present a particular therapeutic activity called "My Key" by looking at the work of symbolization carried out at the hospital, as well as the notions of the malleable medium and the transitional object. We will see how the day hospital, as an area of care within the scope of a temporal discontinuity, enables psychic continuity and opens the road to the subject’s recovery