Primordial Nucleosynthesis: Accurate Predictions

A new accurate evaluation of primordial light nuclei abundances is presented. The proton to neutron conversion rates have been corrected to take into account radiative effects, finite nucleon mass, thermal and plasma corrections. The theoretical uncertainty on 4He is so reduced to the order of 0.1%.Comment: 4 pages, Talk given at the International Workshop on Particles in Astrophysics and Cosmology: From Theory to Observation, Valencia 199

Converting CooA from a Carbon Monoxide to an Oxygen-Sensing Heme Protein Transcription Factor: Investigations into the Structure and Mechanism of Gas Binding

CooA is a carbon monoxide-sensing (CO-sensing) heme protein transcription factor that regulates gene activation in several bacteria and, importantly, is a convenient model for studying analogous proteins in the human body. In the present study, the specificity and mechanism of gas-binding of CooA have been investigated by efforts to convert CooA from a CO to an oxygen (O2) sensor through site directed mutagenesis of residues in the gas binding pocket of the heme group. The resulting mutated proteins were then isolated and characterized with spectroscopy. The results of this research project will provide further insight into the current model for the specificity and mechanisms of gas binding in heme proteins

Opposing Pressures of Speed and Efficiency Guide the Evolution of Molecular Machines.

Many biomolecular machines need to be both fast and efficient. How has evolution optimized these machines along the tradeoff between speed and efficiency? We explore this question using optimizable dynamical models along coordinates that are plausible evolutionary degrees of freedom. Data on 11 motors and ion pumps are consistent with the hypothesis that evolution seeks an optimal balance of speed and efficiency, where any further small increase in one of these quantities would come at great expense to the other. For FoF1-ATPases in different species, we also find apparent optimization of the number of subunits in the c-ring, which determines the number of protons pumped per ATP synthesized. Interestingly, these ATPases appear to more optimized for efficiency than for speed, which can be rationalized through their key role as energy transducers in biology. The present modeling shows how the dynamical performance properties of biomolecular motors and pumps may have evolved to suit their corresponding biological actions

Patient Engagement and Opinions of a Medication Assisted Treatment Program for Opioid Use Disorder: A Qualitative Assessment

Introduction: Opioid use disorder is widely regarded as a national health epidemic. Stephen Klein Wellness Center 6as started a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program to help combat this epidemic- a program that is unique in that it does not require sustained abstinence for continued participation in the program. Objective: The objective of this study is to better understand the beliefs and attitudes of patients towards a substance use treatment program that does not require sustained abstinence. Methods: Five focus groups, totaling 31 participants, were assembled from patients who are current participants in Stephen Klein’s MAT program. The content of the interviews included interviewees\u27 general opinions of the program, opinions of its’ strengths and limitations, opinions on how it differs from other drug and alcohol programs, suggestions for improvements to the program, and opinions on the fact that the program does not require abstinence for participation. Data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic approach. Results: Forthcoming Conclusion: Forthcomin

The Bahmani “currency reform” of the early fifteenth century in light of the Akola hoard

Accepted manuscrip

The Bahmani “currency reform” of the early fifteenth century in light of the Akola hoard

Accepted manuscrip