Characterization of the MalA Enzyme from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus through the Synthesis and Analysis of Maltose Derivatives

MalA is an α-glucosidase found in the bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, a predatory bacteria that preys on gram-negative bacteria, including several plant and human pathogens. The gene for MalA was discovered while sequencing the genome of Bdellovibrio and was predicted to be a maltase based on homology. Maltase enzymes are characterized by their role in the catalysis of maltose into two glucose subunits. MalA will bind to several different disaccharides composed of a glucose α-linked to a variety of sugars (isomaltose, trehalose, turanose, sucrose, etc.), but it does not cleave them. The objective of our research was to investigate how the various components of maltose contribute to binding and cleavage by MalA. In order to do this, we developed a route to synthesize maltose analogs with specific changes to the primary alcohol at the 6th position on the +1 site. In place of the targeted alcohol, the desired analogs will contain either a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, or a hydrogen. The fluorine atom will act as an H-bond acceptor, but not an H-bond donor. The methoxy group will be a bulky replacement for the alcohol that may impact cleavage due to its size. The deoxygenation will remove the presence of the alcohol that acts as an H-bond acceptor and H-bond donor. Over the course of our research, we were able to synthesize maltose molecules with all alcohols protected except the targeted alcohol on the 6th position of the +1 site. Over this next year, we will continue the synthesis and ultimately perform spectral analysis with MalA and each synthesized maltose derivative

Analysis and correlation of the test data from an advanced technology rotor system

Comparisons were made of the performance and blade vibratory loads characteristics for an advanced rotor system as predicted by analysis and as measured in a 1/5 scale model wind tunnel test, a full scale model wind tunnel test and flight test. The accuracy with which the various tools available at the various stages in the design/development process (analysis, model test etc.) could predict final characteristics as measured on the aircraft was determined. The accuracy of the analyses in predicting the effects of systematic tip planform variations investigated in the full scale wind tunnel test was evaluated

Electrodermal activity measurement within a qualitative methodology: Exploring emotion in leisure experience

Purpose - Reflecting, reliving and reforming experiences enhances the longer-term effects of travel and tourism, and has been highlighted as an important aspect in determining loyalty, re-visitation and post-consumption satisfaction. The purpose of this article is to develop new methodological approaches to investigate emotion, memory creation, and the resulting psychosocial effects. Design/methodology/approach - The paper proposes a unique combination of physiological measures and photo-elicitation based discussions within a longitudinal design. A physiological measuring instrument (electrodermal activity tracking technology through Empatica E4 wristbands) is utilised to capture the ‘unadulterated’ emotional response both during the experience and in reliving or remembering it. This is combined with post experience narrative discussion groups using photos and other artefacts to give further understanding of the process of collective memory creation. Findings - EDA tracking can enhance qualitative research methodologies in three ways: through use as an ‘artefact’ to prompt reflection on feelings, through identifying peaks of emotional response and through highlighting changes in emotional response over time. Empirical evidence from studies into participatory arts events and the potential wellbeing effects upon women over the age of 70 are presented to illustrate the method. Originality/value - The artificial environment created using experimental approaches to measure emotions and memory (common in many fields of psychology) has serious limitations. Our paper proposes new and more ‘natural’ methods for use in tourism, hospitality and events research, which have the potential to better capture participants’ feelings, behaviours and the meanings they place upon them

Computational Methods in Modeling Fusion Plasmas

Fusion provides an attractive potential alternative to using fossil fuels for energy. Fusion requires vastly less fuel resources than does current non-renewable energy processes (virtually a 100% reduction in the required mass of fuel needed). The fuel sources needed (mainly deuterium and lithium) are also highly abundant on the Earth and fusion generates minimal waste products. One of the biggest obstacles to practical fusion energy is how to contain the reactants long enough for energy output to significantly exceed energy input. The equations governing plasma dynamics and confinement are highly nonlinear and do not admit simple analytic solutions in realistic situations. To obtain predictions of various plasma confinement scenarios, it is often necessary to turn to other means, such as computational modeling, to simulate the relevant plasma dynamics. Evaluating the effectiveness and reliability of the computational methods used for simulation then becomes extremely important, especially when subsequently using your code to predict new physics to the scientific community. In this work, we present an effort to analyze the effectiveness of one of the computational techniques used in the NIMROD code, which code Eric Held (USU) and others in the scientific community have helped to develop. This method involves resolving something called the Grad-Shafranov equation, which governs the potential plasma equilibria that can exist in tokamak plasmas. Here we evaluate the effectiveness of the method and discuss the potential implications resulting from this analysis

Factors influencing the relationship between the dose of amlodipine required for blood pressure control and change in blood pressure in hypertensive cats

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common problem in elderly cats. In most cats, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <160 mmHg is achieved in response to amlodipine besylate at either 0.625 or 1.25 mg q24h. The individual cat factors determining dose requirement dose have not been explored. AIMS: To determine whether individual cat factors influence the dose of amlodipine required to achieve adequate blood pressure control and to determine whether factors other than the prescribed dose of drug alter the achieved plasma amlodipine concentrations. METHODS: Fifty‐nine hypertensive cats that required 0.625 mg (A) and 41 cats that required 1.25 mg (B) amlodipine to reach a target SBP of <160 mmHg were identified, and plasma amlodipine concentrations were determined. Comparisons were made between groups, and multivariable linear regression models were performed to investigate predictors of antihypertensive response. RESULTS: Cats that required a greater dose of amlodipine had significantly higher SBP at diagnosis of hypertension (A: (median [25th, 75th percentile]) 182 [175,192] mmHg; B: 207 [194,217] mmHg, P < .001), but comparable blood pressure was achieved after treatment. Plasma amlodipine concentrations were directly related to the dose of amlodipine administered. At diagnosis, cats in group B had significantly lower plasma potassium concentration (A: 4.1 [3.8,4.5]; B: 3.8 [3.6,4.2] mEq/L, P < .01). Weight did not differ between groups. The decrease in SBP was directly and independently associated with the SBP at diagnosis and the plasma amlodipine concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cats with higher blood pressure at diagnosis might require a greater dose of amlodipine to control their blood pressure adequately. Differences in amlodipine pharmacokinetics between cats do not seem to play a role in the antihypertensive response

Spatiotemporal patterns and agro-ecological risk factors for cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (Alabama Rot) in dogs in the UK

Seasonal outbreaks of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) have been reported annually in UK dogs since 2012, yet the aetiology of the disease remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to explore whether any breeds had an increased or decreased risk of being diagnosed with CRGV, and to report on age and sex distributions of CRGV cases occurring in the UK. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare 101 dogs diagnosed with CRGV between November 2012 and May 2017 with a denominator population of 446,453 dogs from the VetCompass database. Two Kennel Club breed groups—hounds (odds ratio (OR) 10.68) and gun dogs (OR 9.69)—had the highest risk of being diagnosed with CRGV compared with terriers, while toy dogs were absent from among CRGV cases. Females were more likely to be diagnosed with CRGV (OR 1.51) as were neutered dogs (OR 3.36). As well as helping veterinarians develop an index of suspicion for the disease, better understanding of the signalment risk factors may assist in the development of causal models for CRGV and help identify the aetiology of the disease

Renal fibrosis in feline chronic kidney disease: known mediators and mechanisms of injury

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common medical condition of ageing cats. In most cases the underlying aetiology is unknown, but the most frequently reported pathological diagnosis is renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Renal fibrosis, characterised by extensive accumulation of extra-cellular matrix within the interstitium, is thought to be the final common pathway for all kidney diseases and is the pathological lesion best correlated with function in both humans and cats. As a convergent pathway, renal fibrosis provides an ideal target for the treatment of CKD and knowledge of the underlying fibrotic process is essential for the future development of novel therapies. There are many mediators and mechanisms of renal fibrosis reported in the literature, of which only a few have been investigated in the cat. This article reviews the process of renal fibrosis and discusses the most commonly cited mediators and mechanisms of progressive renal injury, with particular focus on the potential significance to feline CKD