Library renovation Chengdu, China

Purpose of the report is the optimization of the Chengdu university library reaching energy aims of mission 2020. The main focus of the project is sustainability and locally adapted solutions in Sichuan province according to Danish reference and international project team (Slovakia, Brazil). The qualitative method was used to analyze the historical background and the latest key events: Sichuan earthquake, Olympic Games, both in 2008, and Shanghai Expo in 2010. The results showed the need for: indoor climate improvement in terms of light, ventilation, sound and general welfare, new book preservation method and change of local climate in campus. The suggested recommendations were based on small scale” applicable concepts and regional natural elements: stack ventilation concept, heat pump, fiber lightning cables, lake water self-cleaning method and also intelligent complex library system. In conclusion, the above mentioned solutions can significantly decrease the energy consumption for 2020 in Chengdu university library, however, currently there is a lack of labor and manufacturers skilled in sustainable approach

Double-strand break repair and homologous recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In recent years our understanding of double strand break repair and homologous recombination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe has increased significantly, and the identification of novel pathways and genes with homologues in higher eukaryotes has increased its value as a model organisms for double strand break repair. We will review the S. pombe literature on double strand break repair, mainly focussing on homologous recombination in mitotic cells

Conserved interactions of the splicing factor Ntr1/Spp382 with proteins involved in DNA double-strand break repair and telomere metabolism

The ligation of DNA double-strand breaks in the process of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is accomplished by a heterodimeric enzyme complex consisting of DNA ligase IV and an associated non-catalytic factor. This DNA ligase also accounts for the fatal joining of unprotected telomere ends. Hence, its activity must be tightly controlled. Here, we describe interactions of the DNA ligase IV-associated proteins Lif1p and XRCC4 of yeast and human with the putatively orthologous G-patch proteins Ntr1p/Spp382p and NTR1/TFIP11 that have recently been implicated in mRNA splicing. These conserved interactions occupy the DNA ligase IV-binding sites of Lif1p and XRCC4, thus preventing the formation of an active enzyme complex. Consistently, an excess of Ntr1p in yeast reduces NHEJ efficiency in a plasmid ligation assay as well as in a chromosomal double-strand break repair (DSBR) assay. Both yeast and human NTR1 also interact with PinX1, another G-patch protein that has dual functions in the regulation of telomerase activity and telomere stability, and in RNA processing. Like PinX1, NTR1 localizes to telomeres and associates with nucleoli in yeast and human cells, suggesting a function in localized control of DSBR

Understanding mechanisms of asphaltene adsorption from organic solvent on mica

The adsorption process of asphaltene onto molecularly smooth mica surfaces from toluene solutions of various concentrations (0.01-1 wt %) was studied using a surface forces apparatus (SFA). Adsorption of asphaltenes onto mica was found to be highly dependent on adsorption time and asphaltene concentration of the solution. The adsorption of asphaltenes led to an attractive bridging force between the mica surfaces in asphaltene solution. The adsorption process was identified as being controlled by the diffusion of asphaltenes from the bulk solution to the mica surface with a diffusion coefficient on the order of 10-10 m2/s at room temperature, depending on the asphaltene bulk concentration. This diffusion coefficient corresponds to a hydrodynamic molecular radius of approximately 0.5 nm, indicating that asphaltene diffuses to mica surfaces as individual molecules at very low concentration (e.g., 0.01 wt %). Atomic force microscopy images of the adsorbed asphaltenes on mica support the results of the SFA force measurements. The results from the SFA force measurements provide valuable insights into the molecular interactions (e.g., steric repulsion and bridging attraction as a function of distance) of asphaltenes in organic media and hence their roles in crude oil and bitumen production

Cannabinoids and Bronchial Airways

Although there is a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, pharmacological and physiological characterisation of these promising compounds is currently not well documented in the respiratory system. The aim of this study is to increase our understanding of possible roles of cannabinoids in the airways. Apart from CB1 and CB2 receptor-mediated actions, cannabinoid compounds can also target TRPV1 receptors, ion channels or the orphan GPR55. In isolated guinea-pig bronchi, WIN55212-2 probably exerted its inhibitory effect on sensory nerves through CB2-like receptors. VIR did not act prejunctionally but its excitatory action was mediated through TRPV1 receptors. Δ9-THC activated sensory nerves presumably involving CB1 receptors. It was speculated that GPR55 might be activated by VIR and antagonized by CBD. CBD revealed multiple mechanisms of actions: it antagonized effects mediated by TRPV1 and NK2 receptors, modulated mast cell function and showed anti-allergic activity in an in vitro model of bronchial asthma. In a human bronchial epithelial cell line the functional expression of CB1 receptors could not be confirmed. Cannabinoids examined in this study were ineffective to induce signal transduction which would be linked to ion channel activity or to intracellular Ca2+ changes. Only VIR might trigger a CB1 receptor-independent signalling pathway in these cells. In conclusion, the findings presented in this thesis reflect the diversity of cannabinoid pharmacology in the airways. They show for the first time that CBD has the ability to reduce antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, indicating relevance in bronchial asthma

Stromal Vascular Fraction Cell Therapy for a Stroke Patient—Cure without Side Effects

A 48-year-old male, who suffered from a stroke resulting in cerebellum damage and occlusion of the left vertebral artery, underwent stromal vascular fraction therapy. The clinical status of the patient was monitored by a modified Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale before therapy and at 3, 9, 12, 18, 24, and 32 months after therapy. Three months after therapy, the patient felt a reduction in pain, vertigo, and fatigue. After 9 months, he was able to walk safely on his own. After 24 months, he was able to ride a bicycle. After 32 months, he felt completely healthy without any limitations or handicaps. Therefore, intravenous application of stromal vascular fraction cells represents a promising strategy for the treatment of patients after a stroke

Causality of the Satisfaction–Performance Relationship: A Task Experiment

Despite the common belief among practitioners that a happy worker is a productive worker, researchers have been struggling to understand the causality between satisfaction and performance for decades. This study attempts to bring clarity to current understanding through an experiment with repeated measures of satisfaction and performance. A total of 143 participants repeatedly performed a task based on the Stroop test, with their objective performance and task satisfaction measured each time. Two different types of feedback (high/low performance) were randomly assigned to participants in order to manipulate perceived performance. The data were analyzed using a path analysis. The results support the hypothesized influence of task satisfaction on task performance and of perceived task performance on task satisfaction