Molecular signatures of Calpain 10 isoforms sequences, envisage functional similarity and therapeutic potential

Calpain 10 plays a role in insulin secretion, action and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. The mechanism through which it influences the insulin secretion and action is not completely defined. A structural bioinformatics approach is applied to envision its mechanism of action using available tools on NCBI (blastp and blastn), EMBL-EBI, Ensembl, Swiss Model Repository websites, I-TASSER, PROCHECK program and Discovery Studio software. Homology of domain I and II of calpain10 (isoform a) was established with super family cysteine proteinase domains (II a and II b, e=1.30e-77, 1.00e-20). Remaining sequences of domain III and T from (isoform a and c) indicated some similarity (Avg. e=1.94e-37) to calpain large subunit domain III (PF01067), the isoform g (139 AA) showed similarity with a part of catalytic domain of cysteine protease super family (e-value 1.00e-20). Swiss-model repository for 3D structures of protein, showed structural resemblance of 29% with 1QXP template of mu-calpain, 27% with 1KFX of m-calpain and 32% with 2P0R of calpain 9 in complex with leupeptin. Models prepared through I-TASSER confirmed through Ramachandran (RC) plots. The calpain 10 isoforms a, c and g show partial structural and functional resemblance to m, mu and calpain 9. This information is useful to find new drugs for disease management

Effects of Mindfulness Strategies on Student Self-regulation Skills in Primary and Elementary Students

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions, such as the MindUP curriculum and Exercises of Practical Life, on primary and elementary aged students’ self-regulation skills. This study consisted of a sample size of 38 students from three different Montessori environments. The data was collected over a period of four weeks using a pre and post parent assessment, observational field notes and tally sheets, and a behavioral student self-assessment tool. Results show a connection between the mindfulness interventions implemented and the children’s ability to self-regulate their behaviors and emotions. The data shows positive effects on student self-regulatory skills and it can be integrated into the classroom to facilitate student academic achievement. Our recommendation for future research is to allow for more time to conduct the study

Exergy analysis of a bio-system: Soil–plant interaction

This paper explains a thorough exergy analysis of the most important reactions in soil– plant interactions. Soil, which is a prime mover of gases, metals, structural crystals, and electrolytes, constantly resembles an electric field of charge and discharge. The second law of thermodynamics reflects the deterioration of resources through the destruction of exergy. In this study, we developed a new method to assess the exergy of soil and plant formation processes. Depending on the types of soil, one may assess the efficiency and degradation of resources by incorporating or using biomass storage. According to the results of this study, during different processes from the mineralization process to nutrient uptake by the plant, about 62.5% of the input exergy will be destroyed because of the soil solution reactions. Most of the exergy destruction occurs in the biota–atmosphere sub-system, especially in the photosynthesis reaction, due to its low efficiency (about 15%). Humus and protonation reactions, with 14% and 13% exergy destruction, respectively, are the most exergy destroying reactions. Respiratory, weathering, and reverse weathering reactions account for the lowest percentage of exergy destruction and less than one percent of total exergy destruction in the soil system. The total exergy yield of the soil system is estimated at about 37.45%

On the response of a lean-premixed hydrogen combustor to acoustic and dissipative-dispersive entropy waves

Combustion of hydrogen or hydrogen containing blends in gas turbines and industrial combustors can activate thermoacoustic combustion instabilities. Convective instabilities are an important and yet less investigated class of combustion instability that are caused by the so called “entropy waves”. As a major shortcoming, the partial decay of these convective-diffusive waves in the post-flame region of combustors is still largely unexplored. This paper, therefore, presents an investigation of the annihilating effects, due to hydrodynamics, heat transfer and flow stretch upon the nozzle response. The classical compact analysis is first extended to include the decay of entropy waves and heat transfer from the nozzle. Amplitudes and phase shifts of the responding acoustical waves are then calculated for subcritical and supercritical nozzles subject to acoustic and entropic forcing. A relation for the stretch of entropy wave in the nozzle is subsequently developed. It is shown that heat transfer and hydrodynamic decay can impart considerable effects on the entropic response of the nozzle. It is further shown that the flow stretching effects are strongly frequency dependent. The results indicate that dissipation and dispersion of entropy waves can significantly influence their conversion to sound and therefore should be included in the entropy wave models

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Floor Dust of Yazd Mechanical Workplaces

Background: Workplaces have increased the risk of environmental pollutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate heavy metal pollution in the floor dust of mechanical workplaces in Yazd city. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in 2014. Through stratified random sampling, 30 mechanical workplaces in Yazd, Iran were selected. After sampling, the concentration of heavy metals in samples was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The potential environmental risk index (RI), integrated pollution index (IPI), contamination factor (Cf), the modified degree of Contamination (mCd) and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS v.23 were used for data analyses. Results: The trend of concentration of heavy metals in the floor dust particles of mechanical workplaces was Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Mn>Cr>Cd. Hence, mean concentration of Fe in the samples was 27095 mg kg-1 and that of Cd was 31 mg kg-1. According to Pearson correlation test, Mn had a significant correlation with Cr, Fe, and Cu at the 0.01 significance level. Also, RI showed that Yazd mechanical workplaces have a considerable degree of risk. Conclusion: The results showed very high levels of pollution by cadmium, lead and copper in mechanical workshops that can be due to the interaction of heavy metals in workplace scraps with dust from man-made origin