1,137 research outputs found
Packaging signals in single-stranded RNA viruses: natureâs alternative to a purely electrostatic assembly mechanism
The formation of a protective protein container is an essential step in the life-cycle of most viruses. In the case of single-stranded (ss)RNA viruses, this step occurs in parallel with genome packaging in a co-assembly process. Previously, it had been thought that this process can be explained entirely by electrostatics. Inspired by recent single-molecule fluorescence experiments that recapitulate the RNA packaging specificity seen in vivo for two model viruses, we present an alternative theory, which recognizes the important cooperative roles played by RNAâcoat protein interactions, at sites we have termed packaging signals. The hypothesis is that multiple copies of packaging signals, repeated according to capsid symmetry, aid formation of the required capsid protein conformers at defined positions, resulting in significantly enhanced assembly efficiency. The precise mechanistic roles of packaging signal interactions may vary between viruses, as we have demonstrated for MS2 and STNV. We quantify the impact of packaging signals on capsid assembly efficiency using a dodecahedral model system, showing that heterogeneous affinity distributions of packaging signals for capsid protein out-compete those of homogeneous affinities. These insights pave the way to a new anti-viral therapy, reducing capsid assembly efficiency by targeting of the vital roles of the packaging signals, and opens up new avenues for the efficient construction of protein nanocontainers in bionanotechnology
Evidence that stimulation of gluconeogenesis by fatty acid is mediated through thermodynamic mechanisms
AbstractWe have studied the stimulatory effects of palmitate on the rate of glucose synthesis from lactate in isolated hepatocytes. Control of the metabolic flow was achieved by modulating the activity of enolase using graded concentrations of fluoride. Unexpectedly, palmitate stimulated gluconeogenesis even when enolase was rate-limiting. This stimulation was also observed when the activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and aspartate aminotransferase were modulated using graded concentrations of quinolinate and aminooxyacetate, respectively. Linear force-flow relationships were found between the rate of gluconeogenesis and indicators of cellular energy status (i.e. mitochondrial membrane and redox potentials and cellular phosphorylation potential). These findings suggest that the fatty acid stimulation of glucose synthesis is in part mediated through thermodynamic mechanisms
Stable isotopes demonstrate intraspecific variation in habitat use and trophic level of nonâbreeding albatrosses
The nonâbreeding period is critical for restoration of body condition and selfâmaintenance in albatrosses, yet detailed information on diet and distribution during this stage of the annual cycle is lacking for many species. Here, we use stable isotope values of body feathers (δ13C, δ15N) to infer habitat use and trophic level of nonâbreeding adult Greyâheaded Albatrosses Thalassarche chrysostoma (n = 194) from South Georgia. Specifically, we: (1) investigate intrinsic drivers (sex, age, previous breeding outcome) of variation in habitat use and trophic level; (2) quantify variation among feathers of the same birds; and (3) examine potential carryâover effects of habitat use and trophic level during the nonâbreeding period on subsequent breeding outcome. In agreement with previous tracking studies, δ13C values of individual feathers indicate that nonâbreeding Greyâheaded Albatrosses from South Georgia foraged across a range of oceanic habitats, but mostly in subantarctic waters, between the Antarctic Polar Front and Subtropical Front. Sex differences were subtle but statistically significant, and overlap in the core isotopic niche areas was high (62%); however, males exhibited slightly lower δ13C and higher δ15N values than females, indicating that males forage at higher latitudes and at a higher trophic level. Neither age nor previous breeding outcome influenced stable isotope values, and we found no evidence of carryâover effects of nonâbreeding habitat use or trophic level on subsequent breeding outcome. Repeatability among feathers of the same individual was moderate in δ13C and low in δ15N. This crossâsectional study demonstrates high variability in the foraging and migration strategies of this albatross population
Deconstruction of the Trap Model for the New Conducting State in 2D
A key prediction of the trap model for the new conducting state in 2D is that
the resistivity turns upwards below some characteristic temperature, . Altshuler, Maslov, and Pudalov have argued that the reason why no upturn
has been observed for the low density conducting samples is that the
temperature was not low enough in the experiments. We show here that within the Altshuler, Maslov, and Pudalov trap model actually increases
with decreasing density, contrary to their claim. Consequently, the trap model
is not consistent with the experimental trends.Comment: Published version of Deconstructio
Age-related variation in non-breeding foraging behaviour and carry-over effects on fitness in an extremely long-lived bird
Senescence has been widely documented in wild vertebrate populations, yet the proximate drivers of ageârelated declines in breeding success, including allocation tradeâoffs and links with foraging performance, are poorly understood. For longâlived, migratory species, the nonâbreeding period represents a critical time for investment in selfâmaintenance and restoration of body condition, which in many species is linked to fitness. However, the relationships between age, nonâbreeding foraging behaviour and fitness remain largely unexplored. We performed a crossâsectional study, investigating ageârelated variation in the foraging activity, distribution and diet of an extremely longâlived seabird, the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, during the nonâbreeding period. Eightyâtwo adults aged 8â33 years were tracked with geolocatorâimmersion loggers, and body feathers were sampled for stable isotope analysis. We tested for variation in metrics of foraging behaviour and linked ageârelated trends to subsequent reproductive performance. There was an ageârelated decline in the number of landings (a proxy of foraging effort) during daylight hours, and a decrease in body feather 䚳C values in older males but not females, yet this did not accompany an ageârelated shift in distributions. Males conducted fewer landings than females, and the sexes showed some spatial segregation, with males foraging further south, likely due to their differential utilization of winds. Although younger (<20 years) birds had higher foraging effort, they all went on to breed successfully the following season. In contrast, among older (20+ years) birds, individuals that landed more often were more likely to defer breeding or fail during incubation, suggesting they have lower foraging success. As far as we are aware, this is the first demonstration of an ageâspecific carryâover effect of foraging behaviour in the nonâbreeding period on subsequent reproductive performance. This link between foraging behaviour and fitness in late but not early adulthood indicates that the ability of individuals to forage efficiently outside the breeding period may be an important driver of fitness differences in old age. A plain language summary is available for this article
Photoluminescence upconversion at interfaces driven by a sequential two-photon absorption mechanism
This paper reports on the results of an investigation into the nature of photoluminescence upconversion at
GaAs/InGaP2 interfaces. Using a dual-beam excitation experiment, we demonstrate that the upconversion in our
sample proceeds via a sequential two-photon optical absorption mechanism. Measurements of photoluminescence
and upconversion photoluminescence revealed evidence of the spatial localization of carriers in the InGaP2
material, arising from partial ordering of the InGaP2. We also observed the excitation of a two-dimensional electron
gas at the GaAs/InGaP2 heterojunction that manifests as a high-energy shoulder in the GaAs photoluminescence
spectrum. Furthermore, the results of upconversion photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy demonstrate that
the photon energy onset of upconversion luminescence coincides with the energy of the two-dimensional electron
gas at the GaAs/InGaP2 interface, suggesting that charge accumulation at the interface can play a crucial role in
the upconversion process
A Two-Step Quantum Direct Communication Protocol Using Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Pair Block
A protocol for quantum secure direct communication using blocks of EPR pairs
is proposed. A set of ordered EPR pairs is used as a data block for sending
secret message directly. The ordered EPR set is divided into two particle
sequences, a checking sequence and a message-coding sequence. After
transmitting the checking sequence, the two parties of communication check
eavesdropping by measuring a fraction of particles randomly chosen, with random
choice of two sets of measuring bases. After insuring the security of the
quantum channel, the sender, Alice encodes the secret message directly on the
message-coding sequence and send them to Bob. By combining the checking and
message-coding sequences together, Bob is able to read out the encoded messages
directly. The scheme is secure because an eavesdropper cannot get both
sequences simultaneously. We also discuss issues in a noisy channel.Comment: 8 pages and 2 figures. To appear in Phys Rev
Intimate partner violence, depression, and sexual behaviour among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the PROUD trial.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IPV, associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with IPV, and the association of IPV with depression and sexual behaviour, among GBMSM in the PROUD trial of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS: PROUD enrolled 544 HIV-negative participants in England from 2012 to 2014; participants were randomised to immediate or deferred PrEP. This analysis included 436 GBMSM who had IPV data at month-12 and/or 24. Prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration (lifetime, and in the past year) was assessed at these time-points. Generalized estimating equations were used to investigate associations with IPV, using pooled data from both time-points. RESULTS: At month-12 (Nâ=â410), 44.9% of men reported ever being a victim of IPV, 15.6% in the last year, and 19.5% reported ever perpetrating IPV, 7.8% in the last year. At month-24 (Nâ=â333), the corresponding prevalence was 40.2 and 14.7% for lifetime and past year IPV victimization and 18.0 and 6.9% for lifetime and past year IPV perpetration. IPV prevalence did not differ by randomised arm. Men reporting internalized homophobia and sexualized drug use were more likely to report IPV. Lifetime and last year experience of IPV victimization and perpetration were strongly associated with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9ââĽâ10) (adjusted for socio-demographics: lifetime IPV victimization PR 2.57 [95% CI: 1.71, 3.86]; past year IPV victimization PR 2.93 [95% CI: 1.96, 4.40]; lifetime IPV perpetration PR 2.87 [95% CI: 1.91, 4.32]; past year IPV perpetration PR 3.47 [95% CI: 2.13, 5.64], pâ<â0.001 for all); IPV was not consistently associated with measures of condomless anal sex or high partner numbers. CONCLUSIONS: GBMSM at high-risk of HIV who are seeking/taking PrEP may experience a high burden of IPV, which may be linked to depression. Training on awareness of and enquiry for IPV among GBMSM in sexual health clinics is recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02065986 . Registered 19 February 2014 (retrospectively registered)
Three-Dimensional Regional Displacements After Mandibular Advancement Surgery: One Year of Follow-Up
To evaluate the association of 3-dimensional changes in the position of the condyles, rami, and chin at splint removal and 1 year after mandibular advancement surgery
Tracing the evolution of nearby early-type galaxies in low density environments. The Ultraviolet view from GALEX
We detected recent star formation in nearby early-type galaxies located in
low density environments, with GALEX Ultraviolet (UV) imaging. Signatures of
star formation may be present in the nucleus and in outer rings/arm like
structures. Our study suggests that such star formation may be induced by
different triggering mechanisms, such as the inner secular evolution driven by
bars, and minor accretion phenomena. We investigate the nature of the (FUV-NUV)
color vs. Mg2 correlation, and suggest that it relates to "downsizing" in
galaxy formation.Comment: Conference "UV Universe 2010" S. Petersburg 31 May - 3 June, 2010
Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Science . The final
publication is available at http://www.springerlink.co
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