Studies on the changes in protein fluorescence and enzymic activity of aspartate aminotransferase on binding of pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate

1. The a and ,B subforms of aspartate aminotransferase were purified from pig heart. 2. The a subform contained 2mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The apo-(a subform) could be fully reactived by combination with 2mol of cofactor. 3. The protein fluorescence of the apo- (a subform) decreased non-linearly with increase in enzyme activity and concentration of bound cofactor. 4. It is concluded that the enzyme activity/mol ofbound cofactor is largely independent of the number ofcofactors bound to the dimer. 5. The /Jsubformhad approximately half the specific enzyme activity of the a subform, and contained an average of one active pyridoxal 5'-phosphate molecule per molecule, which could be removed by glutamate, and another inactive cofactor which could only be removed with NaOH. 6. On recombination with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate the protein fluorescence of the apo-(fl subform) decreased linearly, showing that each dimeric enzyme molecule contained one active and one inactive bound cofactor. 7. The results are not consistent with a flip-flop mechanism for this enzyme

Basic research in wake vortex alleviation using a variable twist wing

The variable twist wing concept was used to investigate the relative effects of lift and turbulence distribution on the rolled up vortex wake. Several methods of reducing the vortex strength behind an aircraft were identified. These involve the redistribution of lift spanwise on the wing and drag distribution along the wing. Initial attempts to use the variable twist wing velocity data to validate the WAKE computer code have shown a strong correlation, although the vorticity levels were not exactly matched

Foam-in-place materials for high voltage insulation in a space environment

Dielectric polyurethane foam materials tested for high voltage insulation in space environmen

Problems in Adapting the Frascati Manual for Use in Resource-based Economies

This paper provides a critique of the Frascati Manual and its applicability to resource-based economies and/or developing economies. It does so by looking at the role of Science and Technology (S&T) and Research and Development (R&D) in developing economies, and how the Frascati model can be used as a tool to further these economies

Measuring the Development of Science and Technology in a Changing Economy: The Case of Albania

This paper provides an assessment of the changing Albanian economy. It also provides recommendations for a focus on Science and Technology (S&T) policy, as the country works to become a full economic partner with Europe and the Mediterranean area. The suggestion is also made that Albania is not an isolated case, and that other economies can benefit from a similar focus

Developing indicators of the impact of scholarly communication is a massive technical challenge – but it’s also much simpler than that

Conversations on impact tend to revolve around technical issue of measurement and finding appropriate metrics. To widen the conversation J. Britt Holbrook presents a list of 56 indicators of impact developed by the Center for the Study of Interdisciplinarity to help simplify the question of impact. By moving beyond technical aspects there is a greater opportunity for academics to embrace and explore other facets of impact