The 3′ Splice Site of Influenza A Segment 7 mRNA Can Exist in Two Conformations: A Pseudoknot and a Hairpin

The 3′ splice site of influenza A segment 7 is used to produce mRNA for the M2 ion-channel protein, which is critical to the formation of viable influenza virions. Native gel analysis, enzymatic/chemical structure probing, and oligonucleotide binding studies of a 63 nt fragment, containing the 3′ splice site, key residues of an SF2/ASF splicing factor binding site, and a polypyrimidine tract, provide evidence for an equilibrium between pseudoknot and hairpin structures. This equilibrium is sensitive to multivalent cations, and can be forced towards the pseudoknot by addition of 5 mM cobalt hexammine. In the two conformations, the splice site and other functional elements exist in very different structural environments. In particular, the splice site is sequestered in the middle of a double helix in the pseudoknot conformation, while in the hairpin it resides in a two-by-two nucleotide internal loop. The results suggest that segment 7 mRNA splicing can be controlled by a conformational switch that exposes or hides the splice site

Malandragem and Ginga: Socio-cultural constraints on the development of expertise and skills in Brazilian football

In an ecological dynamics rationale, the development of expertise in sports is shaped by interactions of personal, task and environmental constraints. A notable outcome of this process is the distinctive performance styles of athletes shaped by socio-cultural-historical constraints. To understand this process, we examined the role of socio-cultural constraints shaping the development of skill in Brazilian football players at the macrosystem level. A range of data sources were inductively generated and analysed through the qualitative interpretative paradigm, including historical contextual analysis, participant observation, and unstructured interviews. Malandragem (i.e., cunning) emerged as a major focus and our findings suggested that behavioural characteristics, such as mischief and deception, are common attributes valued by many elite Brazilian footballers. Our analysis suggests how the value system of Malandragem is a product of the socio-cultural constraints primarily influenced by the Mulattos’ cultural traditions, historically interacting with particular socio-economic conditions. In Brazil, Malandragem can manifest itself through the Ginga (i.e., body sway) playing style in which footballers move deceptively to gain competitive advantages over opponents. Whilst the theatrical antics of contemporary Malandros (i.e., tricksters and/or streetwise persons), such as Neymar Junior, are frowned upon by many football critics, we argue that some aspects of being Malandro may be contributing to the development of a high level of perceptual-motor and cognitive functioning that has underpinned the Ginga playing style in Brazilian football for many decades

Conhecendo a experiência de crianças institucionalizadas La experiencia del nino institucionalizado Institutionalized children and their experiences

Este estudo teve por objetivo conhecer a experiência da criança institucionalizada e foi norteado pelo referencial teórico do "Interacionismo Simbólico" e pelo referencial metodológico da "Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados". Os dados foram coletados por meio de duas etapas: a primeira compreendeu atividades em grupo e a segunda consistiu em entrevistas individuais. Os resultados mostraram que a institucionalização ocorreu por abandono e rejeição dos pais ou por decisão jurídica como medida de proteção à criança, tendo como contexto a pobreza de sua família. A experiência da criança é conflituosa com relação à institucionalização, pois percebe ter recursos materiais, mas sente falta da família, da casa, dos amigos, enfim, da vida fora dali.<br>La puntería de este estudio era saber la experiencia del nino institucionalizado y fue dirigida por la referencia teorica del "Interacionismo Simbólico" y por la referencia metodologica del "Teoria Fundamentada en los Resultados". Los datos habían sido recogidos en dos etapas: primer entendia que las actividades del grupo y segunda etapa consistió en entrevistas personales. Los resultados habían mostrado que el institutionalization ocurrió para el abandono y el rechazo de los padres o para la decisión legal como mesure de la protección del nino, teniendo como contexto la pobreza de su familia. La experiencia del nino está estando en conflicto en lo referente a la institutionalización, porque mientras que he/she percibe la necesidad del beneficio material, él falta su familia, su hogar, sus amigos, y simplemente vida afuera.<br>The aim of this study was to know the experience of the institutionalized child and was guided by the theoretical referential of the " Symbolic Interactionism " and by the methodological referential of the " Grounded Theory". The data had been collected in two stages: the first one understood group activities and second stage consisted of personal interviews. The results had shown that the institutionalization occurred for abandonment and reject of the parents or for legal decision as a measure of child protection, having as context the poverty of its family. The child's experience is conflicting in relation to being institutionalized, because while he/she perceives the necessity of material gain, they miss their family, their home, their friends, and simply life outside