Grad-seq guides the discovery of ProQ as a major small RNA-binding protein

The functional annotation of transcriptomes and identification of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) classes has been greatly facilitated by the advent of next-generation RNA sequencing which, by reading the nucleotide order of transcripts, theoretically allows the rapid profiling of all transcripts in a cell. However, primary sequence per se is a poor predictor of function, as ncRNAs dramatically vary in length and structure and often lack identifiable motifs. Therefore, to visualize an informative RNA landscape of organisms with potentially new RNA biology that are emerging from microbiome and environmental studies requires the use of more functionally relevant criteria. One such criterion is the association of RNAs with functionally important cognate RNA-binding proteins. Here we analyze the full ensemble of cellular RNAs using gradient profiling by sequencing (Grad-seq) in the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica, partitioning its coding and noncoding transcripts based on their network of RNA–protein interactions. In addition to capturing established RNA classes based on their biochemical profiles, the Grad-seq approach enabled the discovery of an overlooked large collective of structured small RNAs that form stable complexes with the conserved protein ProQ. We show that ProQ is an abundant RNA-binding protein with a wide range of ligands and a global influence on Salmonella gene expression. Given its generic ability to chart a functional RNA landscape irrespective of transcript length and sequence diversity, Grad-seq promises to define functional RNA classes and major RNA-binding proteins in both model species and genetically intractable organisms

Das Alter des Schädels von Rhünda. III.: C14-Datierung der Fundschicht

Aus der Fundschicht des fossilen Menschenschädels von Rhünda wurden C14-Gehalt und C13-Abweichung von Kalksinter-Inkrustationen um Algen und Pflanzenhäcksel gemessen. Die Fundschicht ist danach 9000 Jahre, bei Berücksichtigung von möglicherweise eingelagertem Löß-Kalk mindestens 8500 Jahre alt und stammt somit aus dem späten Präboreal, allenfalls aus dem Beginn des Boreals.researc

Development and application of chemically modified electrodes for analysis

This thesis presents a study on development and application of chemically modified electrodes (CMEs) for analysis, especially for analysis of aluminium(III). A parallel study involved flow injection analysis with indirect amperometric detection. The electrochemistry was studied for several electroactive ligands which bind strongly to aluminium(III). The effect of pH on redox behaviour was investigated. The complex formation between aluminium(III) and these ligands was examined under different conditions such as pH, electrolyte and temperature. For quantitative determination of aluminium(III), either the increase in peak height due to the redox processes of the formed aluminium(III)-ligand complex, or the decrease of the peak height for free ligand redox processes, was used. Several CMEs were prepared using polymer coatings, chemisorption and by mixing ligand into the electrode material. The use of CMEs consisting of charged polymers for preconcentration of analytes was investigated. The accumulation of aluminium(III) in polyxylylviologen coated electrodes as anionic phenolic complexes was studied. The measurement of aluminium(III)(4-nitrocatechol) complexes which have an overall negative charge resulted in a sensitive method for analysis of aluminium(III). A 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone(alizarin)-modified graphite electrode was used in the voltammetric determination of aluminium(III). Alizarin was immobilised on a solid electrode by chemisorption. The electrode was applied in determination of exchangeable aluminium(III) in soils. This provided a simple, rapid method for monitoring aluminium in the environment. Ligands mixed into electrode materials (carbon paste and graphite epoxy) were studied. Graphite epoxy modified with 4- nitrocatechol showed good results for the determination of aluminium(III). In CME studies, it was found that the loss of ligand from CMEs due to irreversible oxidation of ligand and other reasons limits electrodes to single-use. The method for determination of aluminium(III) by adsorptive stripping voltammetry of its SVRS complex was modified by room temperature reaction at a higher pH, followed by accumulation in acidified solution. This method provided good results with high sensitivity and reproducibility and significantly shorter analysis time. Aluminium(III) was determined in a flow injection system involving the formation of the aluminium(III)-1,2- dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-sulphonic acid (DASA) complex and amperometric measurement of excess DASA at +0.50 V on a gold electrode. Electrode fouling by adsorption of ligand oxidation products was minimized by use of a double pumping system and cathodic/anodic voltage cycling. The method was applied to soil extracts. A simple flow system for magnesium(II) determination in natural waters and serum was developed. This involved complexation of magnesium(II) with the redox active ligand eriochrome black T (EBT). Analysis of human blood serum samples was effected by two methods: (1) direct injection of serum after dilution and (2) after dialysis to effect separation of magnesium(II) from acidified serum in the flow system. Electrode fouling by adsorption of EBT oxidation products and serum in the flow system was minimized by use of several surfactants and a dialyzer

Gender-Sensitive Violence Risk Assessment:Predictive Validity of Six Tools in Female Forensic Psychiatric Patients

Most violence risk assessment tools have been validated predominantly in males. In this multicenter study, the Historical, Clinical, Risk Management-20 (HCR-20), Historical, Clinical, Risk Management-20 Version 3 (HCR-20(V3)), Female Additional Manual (FAM), Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START), Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for violence risk (SAPROF), and Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) were coded on file information of 78 female forensic psychiatric patients discharged between 1993 and 2012 with a mean follow-up period of 11.8 years from one of four Dutch forensic psychiatric hospitals. Notable was the high rate of mortality (17.9%) and readmission to psychiatric settings (11.5%) after discharge. Official reconviction data could be retrieved from the Ministry of Justice and Security for 71 women. Twenty-four women (33.8%) were reconvicted after discharge, including 13 for violent offenses (18.3%). Overall, predictive validity was moderate for all types of recidivism, but low for violence. The START Vulnerability scores, HCR-20(V3), and FAM showed the highest predictive accuracy for all recidivism. With respect to violent recidivism, only the START Vulnerability scores and the Clinical scale of the HCR-20(V3) demonstrated significant predictive accuracy