Identification of Structural Signatures Within Transcription Factor Binding Sites and Their Flanking Regions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Enhanced Through ΔTRX Based Multiple Sequence Alignment

Traditional transcription factor binding site analyses focus solely on the nucleotide composition of site despite the fact that more recent studies have shown transcription factors to rely on the DNA structural features within and surrounding their binding sites. In this study a metric of intrinsic DNA flexibility referred to as the TRX scale is used to assess the structural features within functionally annotated binding sites and their up- and downstream flanking regions based on their Shannon information content (IC). Two methods of sequence alignment, center and a novel delta TRX based multiple sequence alignment, are compared. The results show that at least 95% of all up- and downstream flanking regions contained more IC in their structural signature as defined by the TRX scale. Between 23% and 35% (excluding and including bridging phosphate bonds, respectively) of flanking regions also showed significant differences between the sets of confirmed and non-confirmed matches. However, few to no significant differences in IC were observed in consensus match regions where sequence dependent major groove contacts are most likely to occur. These findings support the notion that structural context is highly important in the distinction between true and false binding sites. Enhanced consensus logos are demonstrated for the visualization of these structural signatures. While delta TRX based multiple sequence alignment appeared to be superior in flanking regions when compared to center alignment, further analyses are needed in order to increase the confidence in these findings

How will land degradation neutrality change future land system patterns?:A scenario simulation study

Land degradation is a major global issue and achieving a land degradation-neutral world is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, striving for land degradation neutrality (LDN) is challenged by increasing claims on land resources and could result in major land use conflicts. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how LDN can be implemented in land system modelling and how achieving LDN alongside sufficient supplies of food, timber and shelter could affect future land system patterns, using the Republic of Turkey as a case study. We developed a LDN scenario with full implementation of the guidelines and a business-as-usual scenario without pursuing LDN, and compared the resulting differences in land system changes. Additionally, the influence of different elements of the LDN framework on the land use projections was tested. Our results show that although it is possible to achieve LDN in the context of increasing demands for resources and housing, it might require a considerable re-organization of the land systems. Intensification of annual cropland systems was the main driver of new land degradation, which was in the LDN scenario primarily counterbalanced by large areas of afforestation, while other land improvement options only played a minor role. To achieve a no-net-loss, about 20% of Turkey’s territory was afforested in our scenario, mainly claiming extensively used annual cropland (~70%) and grassland (~30%). All individual LDN principles had a substantial impact on the final land system patterns meaning that the final outcome is not the result of just one of the principles, it is affected by all. Our findings suggest that pursuing LDN under growing demands for land-based products could stimulate a land sparing approach which might have trade-offs with other sustainability dimensions. This highlights the need for local support and new solutions for rural areas, thereby avoiding poverty, migration and illegal use of restoration areas

Induction of a Photostationary Ring-Opening—Ring-Closing State of Spiropyran Monolayers on the Semimetallic Bi(110) Surface

Molecular switches on metal surfaces typically show very little photoreactivity. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we show that the ring- opening–ring-closing switch nitrospiropyran thermally and optically isomerizes to the open merocyanine form on a Bi(110) surface. Irradiation by blue light of a monolayer of spiropyran molecules leads to mixed domains of the two isomers. At large illumination intensities a photostationary state is established, indicating the bidirectional ring-opening and ring-closing reaction of these molecules on the bismuth surface. The enhanced photoactivity contrasts with the case of adsorption on other metal surfaces, probably due to the low density of states at the Fermi level of the semimetallic Bi(110) surface

ASi-Sii defect model of light-induced degradation (LID) in silicon: a discussion and review

The ASi-Sii defect model as one possible explanation for light-induced degradation (LID) in typically boron-doped silicon solar cells, detectors, and related systems is discussed and reviewed. Starting from the basic experiments which led to the ASi-Sii defect model, the ASi-Sii defect model (A: boron, or indium) is explained and contrasted to the assumption of a fast-diffusing so-called “boron interstitial.” An LID cycle of illumination and annealing is discussed within the conceptual frame of the ASi-Sii defect model. The dependence of the LID defect density on the interstitial oxygen concentration is explained within the ASi-Sii defect picture. By comparison of electron paramagnetic resonance data and minority carrier lifetime data related to the assumed fast diffusion of the “boron interstitial” and the annihilation of the fast LID component, respectively, the characteristic EPR signal Si-G28 in boron-doped silicon is related to a specific ASi-Sii defect state. Several other LID-related experiments are found to be consistent with an interpretation by an ASi-Sii defect

„Ich bin durch den Dienst Teil meiner Gemeinde“: Ergebnisse einer explorativen Studie zu Selbstverständnis, Motivation, und Religiosität von Ministrant*innen heute

Über 350.000 Kinder und Jugendliche sind in den deutschen Diözesen als Ministrant*innen tätig. Sie „dienen“ regelmäßig in der Messfeier und sind auch sonst eine wichtige Gruppe kirchlicher Jugendpastoral. Die Zahl der wissenschaftlichen Studien über diese mit der Gemeinde verbundenen Kinder und Jugendlichen ist überschaubar. Eine studentische Forschungsinitiative aus Münster hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, mehr Erkenntnisse über diese wichtige Gruppe junger Menschen zu gewinnen, um einen Beitrag zu einer religionspädagogisch reflektierten Bildungsarbeit für Ministrant*innen zu leisten. Die Ergebnisse einer ersten explorativen Studie sind ermutigend. Over 350,000 children and youngsters are involved in German dioceses as ministrants. They regularly “serve” in Mass and are an important group of church youth pastoral care. There are very few scientific studies on this large number of children and adolescents. A student research initiative from Münster focused on this important group of young people in order to gain knowledge and to reflect on educational work of ministrants. The results of an initial exploratory study are encouraging