Engineering protein biosynthesis apparatus, advanced design and screening strategies for small and fluorinated substrates in orthogonal translation

Protein engineering is a comprehensive toolbox for the chemical modification of enzymes in particular, and for the expansion of molecular functional diversity in general. In recent decades, two different categories have become established for the engineering of proteins. These include the approach of directed evolution approaches on the one hand and the strategies of rational protein design on the other hand. In particular, the use of noncanonical amino acids to introduce new functionalities has gained importance in the engineers’ toolbox. These include isostructural analogues of canonical amino acids as well as molecules with reactivities that can provide sites for further protein modifications. In this study, we have presented a strategy for manipulating the protein biosynthesis machinery towards the incorporation of noncognate fluorinated substrates. In general, fluorinated amino acids are not genetically encoded. These mainly synthetic building block are valuable for the design of particularly stable protein folds and for targeting highly specific protein-protein interactions. Fluorine is small and has a very low polarizability and the strongest inductive effect among the chemical elements found on earth. Due to these unique stereoelectronic properties, fluorine substitution is advantageously used in protein and peptide design. In this context, the strategy of directed evolution was applied to construct isoleucyl-transfer ribonucleic acid synthetase libraries for the isoleucine AUA rare codon reassignment with small aliphatic fluorinated amino acids, such as L-trifluoroethylglycine, by random mutagenesis. A suitable screening plasmid containing a mutant of superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) as reporter protein and a modified isoleucine transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA_UAU) from Escherichia coli was produced to create an enhanced molecular adaptor level for gene expression. However, the required selection strain could not be constructed by genome editing due to the complexity of essential gene modification. In the second part of the study, different reporter proteins were used in advanced design with noncanonical amino acids for improvement of their biophysical, chemical, and biological properties. A robust alkene-tagged sfGFP variant was obtained, which is a valuable target in medicinal chemistry. In addition, the residue-specific incorporation of proline analogues into green fluorescent protein (GFP) derivates ─ enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), NowGFP, and KillerOrange ─ enables the study of the role of prolines in the typical β-barrel structure organization

Rational Multi-Curve Models with Counterparty-Risk Valuation Adjustments

We develop a multi-curve term structure setup in which the modelling ingredients are expressed by rational functionals of Markov processes. We calibrate to LIBOR swaptions data and show that a rational two-factor lognormal multi-curve model is sufficient to match market data with accuracy. We elucidate the relationship between the models developed and calibrated under a risk-neutral measure Q and their consistent equivalence class under the real-world probability measure P. The consistent P-pricing models are applied to compute the risk exposures which may be required to comply with regulatory obligations. In order to compute counterparty-risk valuation adjustments, such as CVA, we show how positive default intensity processes with rational form can be derived. We flesh out our study by applying the results to a basis swap contract.Comment: 34 pages, 9 figure

A Quest for a New Model of Public University Governance That Promotes Incentives for Academic Excellence for Modern Vietnam: Lessons from Multi-site Comparative Case studies in East Asia

This study aims to develop a new model of governance that will promote incentives for academic excellence in Vietnamese public universities. To achieve this aim, this study empirically investigated four models of public university governance in four East Asian contexts. Guided by the two mutually reinforcing theoretical lenses of neo-institutional and resource dependency theory, four comparative case studies of models of public university governance were conducted in four flagship public universities, one in Vietnam, and three others in Thailand, Hong Kong, and China, each with an international reputation for academic excellence and good practices of public university governance. Using a mix of research instruments, including formal documents (sourced from respective governments and universities); semi-structured interviews (with university executives); and surveys (among department leaders), each case study examined (1) the context of each model; (2) the degree of structural clarity; (3) the degree of resource dependence; (4) internal leadership responses; and (5) the impacts of structural clarity and resource dependence on internal leadership responses. Using multi-level thematic frameworks, each case study provided insights into its model of public university governance in context. The cross-case comparisons revealed that though models outside Vietnam, shaped by their distinctive contexts, have their particularities, they share some common features in model design and implementation. The major findings suggest that while additional resources are necessary, Vietnam s current model of external control needs to be reoriented toward a proposed model of dual external supervision and support with central features of a higher degree of structural clarity and a lower degree of a university s dependence on Government resources, which can significantly contribute to higher internal leadership responses, thus promoting incentives for academic excellence. This study is significant as it remediates the problem of minimal Vietnamese-led research, joining model design and implementation perspectives in providing sound guidance for Vietnamese policy makers and university leaders. Being positioned in the Vietnamese context, supported by rigorous theories, empirical data evidence, and the large body of literature on university governance, this proposed model, its associated lessons and recommendations have applicability both to Vietnam, and to similar countries

Antecedents and Consequences of Status Consumption Among Urban Vietnamese Consumers

This study examines the antecedents and consequences of status consumption in the transitional economy of Vietnam. Both qualitative (focus groups and in-depth interviews) and quantitative methods (survey) were employed in this investigation. To test the proposed model and hypotheses, a large consumer survey was conducted in the two biggest cities in Vietnam. The results of Structural Equation Modeling provided empirical evidence for the significant impact of most of the proposed antecedents of status consumption. Specifically, modern status orientation, the ‘success’ component of materialism, and both the individualistic self and collectivistic self were found to have a positive impact on status consumption. Traditional status orientation and consumer ethnocentrism were found to be negatively related to status consumption. The findings also suggested the positive consequences of status consumption on satisfaction with status consumption and satisfaction with life in general. Discussion of the research findings and managerial implications are also provided

Towards local government strategic planning in Vietnam: systemic governance interventions for sustainability

Canad

Antecedents of the Intention and Behavior Toward Purchase of Counterfeit Luxury Goods in an Emerging Economy: a Study of Young Vietnamese Consumers

This study examines some antecedents of the intention and behavior toward buying counterfeit luxury goods among young consumers in Vietnam, an Asian emerging economy. The data was obtained from university undergraduate students in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The results of structural equation modeling show support for most of our hypotheses. The findings indicate that materialism (the centrality component) has positive impact on attitude toward purchase of counterfeit luxury goods. Attitude and subjective norm toward counterfeit luxury goods are found to be positively related to purchase intention, while perceived behavioral control is not found to have a direct impact on purchase intention. In addition, perceived behavioral control and purchase intention are found to be significant predictors of purchase behavior. The research findings are discussed and implications for managers and policy makers are provided. &nbsp

Spatial Clustering Analysis Of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever In The First 9-Monthsof 2023 In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a notable vector-borne viral disease, currently becoming the most dreaded worldwide health problem in terms of the number of people affected. The objective of this study is to investigate spatial clustering of dengue hemorrhagic fever incidence in the first 9-months of 2023 in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Methods: the global Moran’s I statistic, Moran’s I scatterplot and local statistic were employed to spatial clusters (high-high and low-low) and spatial outliers (low-high and high-low) in the study area of Ho Chi Minh city. The first and third order of contiguity were used to constructe spatial weight matrix. Results: it was found from a case study of the first 9-months of 2023 in Ho Chi Minh city, a total of four high-high clusters, two low-low spatial clusters were detected in urban area and rural areas in the north and south of the Ho Chi Minh city, respectively when using the first order contiguity (statistically significance at the 0.05 level). For the case of using the third order of contiguity, a total of six high-low, two low-high spatial clusters and one low-low spatial cluster were successfully identified. Conclusions: the study results has proven the effective use of the global Moran’s I statistic, Moran’s I scatterplot and local Moran’s I statistic in the identification of spatial clustering of dengue hemorrhagic fever incidence

Improved solvent extraction procedure and HPLC-ELSD method for analysis of polar lipids from dairy materials

A normal phase HPLC-ELSD method which was improved from the method of Rombaut et al. 2005 (J. Dairy Sci. 88(2):482-488) for analysis of polar lipids (PLs) is presented. In the improved method, the mobile phase consisted of two lines; dichloromethane and a mixture of methanol and acetic acid/triethylamine buffer. Dichloromethane is less toxic than chloroform which was used in the old method. PLs of interest such as glycolipids, phospholipids and sphingomyelin were well separated with a total time for one analysis run of 22.5 min. Peak retention times and peak area were reproducible due to a good miscibility of mobile phases. The improved HPLC-ELSD method was applicable for both PLs from soy lecithin and dairy materials. Furthermore, a modified solvent extraction method of PLs from dairy matrices was adapted. The modified method offered higher extraction efficiency, consumed less time and in some cases saved solvent use

Comprehensive planning: Does it work? Experiences from Vietnam

Abstract Can we make a plan for a whole country? This paper examines adjustments the socio-economic development planning process in the context of Vietnam -a developing and transitional country. The main research question is whether the comprehensive planning processes have substantially changed from the top-down approach of the past to an open and participatory one today. Can Vietnam's current planning process, which has been described as 'suited for the command economy' (World Bank, 2005), fit into a global market economy or is there need for another approach? The paper analyses Vietnam's Five Year Socio-economic Development planning process within the three spheres: governance, management and participation. The paper concludes with a suggested planning approach for Vietnam